NewsFlash 2011-12

Here is where I will write important announcements.  Parents who sign up for my NewsFlash will be able to receive updates via email and/or cell phone text message.

4/22/12
Good Afternoon!  We will continue working in our literature circles this week.  Students should be blogging this week on my website for their novel.  All literature circle assignments are posted under the literature circle tab.  Skating rink incentive forms are DUE tomorrow.  Please return the form and $10, we have to give the skating rink a count before hand.  The students are doing an EXCELLENT job reading and I am very proud of their progress.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Have a very blessed week!  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

4/17/12

Good Afternoon!  Progress reports went home today.  We are starting literature circles tomorrow.  Assignments are posted under the literature circles tab.  Students who need extra time reading may come in any morning beginning next Monday at 7 am.  The students will have to stay in the classroom reading until the homeroom bell rings.  I will explain the literature circle blogs to the students tomorrow.  Students will bring home their literature circle calendars tomorrrow.  All assignments should be completed in class. Thanks for your help and support.  Skating incentive forms and money are due by Friday.  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

4/6/12

Good Afternoon!  I hope everyone has enjoyed their week off.  I have posted lesson plans for the next two weeks.  We will be doing CRCT review on Monday and Tuesday.  After we take our portion of the CRCT on Wednesday and Thursday, we will use the time until the CRCT is over to practice how to work in groups.  On Monday, April 8, students will recieve the literature circle group assignments.  The assignments are NOT optional.  Students do not have the option of selecting their own groups; however, they do have the option of working alone.  If they choose to work alone, they will still be responsible for completing all of the assignments.  Each group will have  an discussion blog, and I will post all the assignments for the literature circles online with the due dates.  The assignments will also be given to the groups in class.

I have not updated grades, but I plan to do so by Monday afternoon.  Thanks and have a great rest of the weekend.  Mrs. Catlett

3/25/12

Good Evening!  Lesson plans are available online.  Grades are updated through the beginning of your child's class on Friday.  Students have until Friday, March 30th to take the CRCT assignments online.  We have spent 5 class periods in the lab working on these assignments.  I encourage students to retake the assignments that they do not have an 80 or better on.  The assignments can only be taken once a day.  I will NOT be updating the assignment scores until after March 30th.  I receive an email each time they take an assignment and have gone through thousands of email recording grades this month, so the next time I update those grades it will be for the final grade.  On Friday, I gave the students a poetry vocabulary test--I will give those back on Monday and students should study the ones they got wrong and be prepared on Tuesday for the real test. 

Students received their poetry project last week during the computer lab time and many have already gotten the poems needed for the assignment.  If your student has not gotten the poems, please make sure they have them by Wednesday.  We will not have time in class on Wednesday to find poems.  I will provide the paper--students will need to bring their own glue sticks and color pencils. 

I have the project for 3rd novel posted under the links section.  It is due on Friday.  I decided against the PowerPoint because I think the students have had enough to do on the computer.  Students can work on the project this week during class.  It is not hard!  I will accept late projects with a parent signature until April 10th--for students who are unable to finish their book and complete the assignment this week.  The assignment is called the cereal box project.  Students will need a cereal box or they can make one out of cardboard boxes.  I will have copies of the assignment in class tomorrow. 

Students decided that they wanted to go skating for their CRCT incentive, the cost of the this to to the student will be $10(students are paying for the skating).  We did raise enough money to provide a pizza lunch, drink and dessert from the coupon fundraiser.   

LAST but not least,  I have about 20 coupon books still out!!!  Please send those in tomorrow.  I will be emailing or calling parents of the students who have not turned them in.  If anyone has sold more coupon books, please send in those orders tomorrow, also.  We have several coupon books that are still for sale.  Students who did sell 5 or more books will have their limo ride and lunch on Wednesday, March 28th.  I sent home permission slips with FREE coupon books that were earned on Friday.  Thanks to all of the students who participated--everyone who sold at least one book will receive a treat on Tuesday.  As always, thanks for your support and as we enter into this last week before spring break, I hope it is a great one!  I will not email anymore until after the break--SO, HAVE A SAFE, RESTFUL, AND HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!  Mrs. Catlett

3/18/12

Good Evening Or Morning(depending when you actually read this email)!  Lesson plans are available online.  I have updated grades.  Please forgive my lateness, I have gone through at least 2,000 emails and my eyes were getting very crossed.  We are going back to the lab this week for the last time.  After this week, students will need to make arrangements to complete any missing assignments on their own.  The library is open every morning at 7 am and until 3:15 every afternoon.  I will give them a grade printout on Tuesday when we go into the lab--so, they can see what assignments they are still missing.  We didn't get to a reading assignment on Friday.  I will be giving the assignment on Monday--students should have it turned into me on Friday.  We will have our test on Tuesday over the poems we read last week.  We will review them tomorrow.  The test is only 17 multiple choice questions.  Coupon sales end on Wednesday, PLEASE return all books by Wednesday!!!  I must return the unsold books to the company.  Students will be responsible for the cost of the book, if they don't return it.  Remember, students who sell at least 5 books, get lunch and a limo ride. The t-shirt looks GREAT!  If we are able to get at least 25 more orders, we will do a second order of the shirts.  The cost is $15.  Homework for the week is to keep reading your novel, working on the CRCT assignments, and the poetry project.  Thanks for all you do!  Mrs. Catlett

3/10/12

Good Evening!  I hope everyone has had a restful weekend.  We are embarking on our LAST nine weeks, where did the time go?  I guess the saying is true..."time flies when you are having fun," right?   The students spent Thursday and Friday of last week in the computer lab working on the CRCT assignments.  I will be posting those grades this week in the classroom, and start putting them in the computer this week--start looking for them by Wednesday.  I have entered grades and the benchmarks scores are in--I am really proud of the students.  They really did well on their test.  This week, we will begin working on our 3rd book for the semester.  Students need to have the books read and their presentation (powerpoint) ready to present by March 30, 2012.  I will give a template for the PowerPoint.  They will have a weekly written assignment to turn in on Friday for the book--there will only be 2 of these assignments.   ALL students are reading a novel!!!  THERE WILL NOT BE AN ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THIS NOVEL!!!  If your child does not have a novel already then they NEED to get one by TOMORROW!!!  We are starting a poetry unit this week.  We will be reviewing vocabulary and reading poetry aloud all week.  We will have a quiz over the poetry we read our of the book on Friday.  The poetry vocabulary test will be next Wednesday or Thursday.  So, homework for the week is to read your novel nightly, review poetry terms, and students should share their poetry experiences from the day with you.  Lesson plans will be posted tomorrow morning, I don't have them on my home computer.

We will have our nine weeks incentive on Friday.  This incentive is for students who have been completing their assignments, have not had any office referrals this nine weeks, and have not been excessively disruptive to the classroom environment.

FUNDRAISING...Coupon book sales got off to a great start!!!  Please send in the money as you receive it, that way I can order more books.  I cannot order more books until the first hundred are sold.  I will be ordering the t-shirts tomorrow.  If you want to order a t-shirt, PLEASE send in money tomorrow.  The t-shirts are $15.00.  I have extra order forms in the room, if your child has lost theirs. 

Lastly, don't forget report cards go home this week.  So, if your child owes a fine, they will not receive their report card.  I will let students in my homeroom tomorrow what their lunch/library fines are. 

Again, thanks for all you do!  I truly appreciate your support!  Have a blessed week!  Mrs. Catlett


3/6/2012

Coupon Books went home this afternoon--PLEASE ask your child to see the book.  If you are nto going to participate, please sign the letter and return tomorrow.  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

3/5/12

Happy Benchmark testing week!  The nine weeks will be wrapped up this week, cna you belive that there are only 49 more school days(not counting today)?  Anyway, students started the benchmark tests today, the order is as follows:  science, social studies, LANGUAGE ARTS, math.  Remember they only take one core class per day.  Make-ups will also have to occur this week, so teachers will be working diligently to make sure that all students are able to get their exams taken.  Monday and Tuesday of this week in language arts are dedicated to reviewing for the benchmark.  Everyone was given the study guide last week.   On Wednesday, we will take the exam and begin looking up words for our next unit if time permits.  Thursday and Friday, we will be in the computer lab both days working on the CRCT practice assignments!!!  Students should use this time wisely--we will only have one more class day in the computer lab.  Many students have already started taking the assignments.  Homework for the week is to review for the benchmark and begin reading your novels.  I placed the order for novels on Friday--hopefullty, they will be here no later than Thursday.  As long as students start reading by next Monday, they should have no trouble completing the novel.  I will place another order tomorrow for the students who forgot their money or hadn't decided what they wanted to order.

Our team designed t-shirt is still on sale.  Please send in your orders as soon as possible.  All the proceeds will be used to directly support our team. 

Lastly, all students will recieve a team fundraising packet on Tuesday--PLEASE take a moment to look the coupon book over.  We are asking that each student be responsible for selling just one coupon booklet.  We are selling the booklets to raise money for field trip costs, incentives, and classroom supplies.  The coupons in the book are excellent and offer some really good bargains.  If you do not want the coupon booklet, please return on Wednesday.  We will also be giving away a gift certificate for students who sell at least 1 coupon booklet.

Thanks and have a wonderful week!!  Mrs. Catlett

2/24/2012

Happy Weekend!  I feel like I should be saying Happy Spring, with this crazy weather we are experiencing.  First of all, lesson plans are posted and homework is the same--reading novels and working on practice CRCT assignments.  We will finish our second novel on Friday, March 2nd.  Students will have the opportunity to work on the project in class; however, if they don't finish they will need to complete the assignment at home.  Students should start their 3rd book of the nine weeks no later than March 8th.  Those completing an alternate assignment will complete those in class on Thursday and Friday.  Today you should get the students spring pictures fro your child today, please asked for them.  Our team is also selling t-shirts--the slogan was from one of our t-shirts from the persuasion projects.   You should recieve the shirt flyer today, also. We hope to raise money to help with a CRCT incentive.  Thanks for your support and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Mrs. Catlett

2/21/12

Hello everyone, I hope that you had a nice relaxing weekend.  Lesson plans are posted for the week.  The only homework you have is to keep reading your novels at home.  I have also posted the CRCT practice quizzes on my website.  Students must make an 80% or better on each assignment.  The assignments count as classwork grades and must be complete by March 30th.  The students do not see the scores for the test immediately.  Scores are emailed to me and I will post results in the classroom, so that students know which assignments they have completed.  I will explain this to the students tomorrow, so please wait to have them start the assignments.  There is also an Extra Assignment Grade page listed on the web page now.  Students who need some help pulling up their grades, may wish to complete one of these assignments.  The persuasion products were GREAT!!!  I have many of them posted around my room.  Students should be continuing to read their novels at home and we will spend class time next week working on a the culminating project for the book.  Students who are not reading novels will begin their alternate assignment next week.   Lastly, we are on our last roll of paper towels and have run out of Chlorox wipes, I would greatly appreciate any donations of either.  Thanks and have a wonderful week!!!!  Mrs. Catlett

2/10/12

Happy weekend!!!  Lesson plans are posted for next week.  Our big focus is finishing the persuasion project presentations by Wednesday.  All products are due in class on Tuesday.  The students have done a really good job with the advertisements.  The new novel reading has begun, and I am excited that the students are finding books that they can read with others and enjoy.  This time around I will begin to introduce them to more group discussions with one another.  I know that there are a few stragglers when it comes to getting a book, but it is my hope that everyone will be up and reading by Tuesday or Wednesday.  I have posted grades for the essays and for poster presentations.  If your child did an alternate assignment, his or her grade may not be in infinite campus yet.  Please take a moment to look at the grades.  I still have the literature journals to review next week, and their dgp quiz from today.  I haven't started grading either of those yet.  As many of you already know, we will begin a new schedule on Monday that will incorporate Knight's Academy everyday.  Your child received a note to bring home to you today.  Homework is basically just for them to keep reading. I will give them a study guide this week for the test on Friday.  Thanks for all you do!  Have a blessed weekend.  Oh, and Happy EARLY Valentine's Day!!   Mrs. Catlett

2/5/12

Happy Super Bowl!!!  I hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend, and as I just finished watching the game(when I should be in the bed) I have also just finished lesson plans for the week.  So if you are a New York Giants fan--Congratulations, if not then better luck next year.  I hope that my students got to watch some of the interesting commercials that were shown during the game.  We will talk about them this week and the persuasion techniques that were used.  Tomorrow we will begin presenting our book posters.  On Thursday, students will present their written advertisement for their original product (the tic-tac-toe board).  Students will also begin reading their second novel of the nine weeks.  There is NO lit. journal this time.  The questions will be answered periodically during class.  The book should be read by March 2nd.  Homework is just to read and review grammar worksheets.  Have a GREAT week!!!  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

1/30/12

Good Evening!  We have a very busy week in language arts. Students will be practicing verb tenses as we continue or grammar study.  Students need to have poster boards in class tomorrow to begin their end of the book project with their group.  Students also need old magazines to cut pictures from for the magazines--so, if you have any laying around the house  PLEASE send them in tomorrow.  Students only need one poster board per group.  Students also need to be thinking about their next book and if they would like to continue to read with the same group.  We will have group discussions starting tomorrow.  On Thursday, students need to bring in their advertisement for their persuasive product.  This is one of the squares from row 2 of the project.  If you haven't seen the project, here is the link Persuasive-unit-tic-tac-toe.docx.   Lesson plans are posted.  Have a wonderful week.  We are focusing on our CRCT vocabulary for the next few weeks--so, there will be no vocabulary quizzes.  We will just quiz grammar and CRCT review materials.  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

1/16/12
Hello Everyone, I hope you all are having a very relaxing long weekend.  Lesson plans are posted for the week.  We will still be doing our weekly vocabulary and working on using vocabulary in context this nine weeks.  We will be doing grammar, but assignments will be completed in class.  The main homework for the next 3 weeks will be dealing with the individual literature journal.  All students will receive their journals tomorrow.  If they lose that copy, you can reprint another one from the ELA handout section.  I will not be giving new copies.  I have a few grades to post and I hope to have them up to date by Wednesday.  I apologize for my lateness, but we have been very busy since the return.  All students should have their books on Tuesday in class.  There are a few students that ordered their book late and will be behind.  If a student does not have a book tomorrow--I will assign them a book from our bookroom.  LOOKING AHEAD...Students should be deciding if they want to read again in a group/partner and what book they want to read after this one is completed.  We will read a second book using the same format and the new books will need to be in class on February 9th.  Thanks and have a great week!  Mrs. Catlett


1/6/12

Happy New Year!  Well, the week went by fairly quickly, and hopefully the students will be back into the full swing of things next week.  We did have our first quiz of the nine weeks today, and I just put those grades into the computer.  We also sent home report cards today.  Please return the envelopes signed on Monday.  Also, if your child had a fine greater than $1.00 he or she received a note instead of their report card.  Please make arrangements to send these fines in on Monday.  Lesson plans are posted.  Again, homework will be minimal again next week, but I will post it as needed.  We will really focus on making sure everyone has a book that they can start reading on January 17th.  I will submit the scholastic order on Tuesday of next week for students who need to order a book.  If you student wants to read "The Line" by Teri Hall--the book is $7.00.  I highly recommend it.  The novel Empty by Suzanne Weyn was also a good read.  Also, Congratulations to our student of the quarter--John Yarmosh!!!  Way to go!!  Thanks and have a blessed weekend.  Mrs. Catlett

12/12/11

I can't believe that Christmas is only 13 days away...where does the time go?  Lesson plans are posted.  We will spend the week doing activities that will help us review for our benchmark.  Today we are doing a grade level review.  The students are working in groups with students from other teams, and rotating through 3 different stations to review many of the skills they have learned this 9 weeks.  I gave the students a copy of what we will be doing for our Dickens' celebration on Friday.  Please asked your student to view it.  I will also put a copy on this newsflash for you to view.  The only thing, I will need is 1 gallon ziploc bags.  If you could send in a box of 1 gallon ziploc bags, please email me and let me know.   Thanks for all of your support this first semester.  I am so blessed to have such great parents.   So with that being said...Have a very BLESSED and RESTFUL Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Your next new flash will be in the new year.  The Dickens information is below:

Dickens’ Christmas Celebration

We will celebrate on Friday with a Dickens’ style Christmas. While reading the A Christmas Carol students have learned the importance of sharing and providing for those less fortunate. The students have also learned that it is not about how much the present cost, but the intent in which it is given. So, here is how we will celebrate:

Each student will be given a decorated paper sack, which will become a gift bag. The gift must fit in the bag and the bag must close. They are to take the bag home and return it to school no later than Friday with a gift. Now, the gift can be homemade or purchased, but the gift cannot cost more than a one dollar (before tax). The gift CANNOT be food.

Each student will also be given an index card that will be placed in the bag with gift, telling why this gift is so important and/or useful.

On Friday, students will randomly receive gifts.

Cookie /Treat Swap: Students will be allowed to bring their favorite cookie/treat to swap with students on Friday. The cookie swap is totally optional!!! I need parents to send in gallon size Ziploc bags for the students to take their treats home.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at amy.catlett@ccboe.net

Mrs. Catlett


12/5/11

Only 10 days before our holiday break, can you believe that Christmas is almost here?  I can't and I am not prepared.  I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Last week, we started A Christmas Carol and will finish reading/listening to it this week.  The play is on Thursday, and I am exciting for the students to take note of the many differences between the book and the play.  I am continuing to grade research papers.  Please check parent portal - I have indidcated the ones I received.  I do have a couple of classwork grades from last week to enter from the Christmas Carol and homework, but other than that we don't have many grades coming up before the break.  Our nine weeks exam is Thursday, December 15th.  We will have a major review on Monday, December 12th with the other ELA teams on the hall.  We will be testing in different classes all next week, so it is very important that all of the students try to be in attendance each day.  I know that emergency arise and sickness cannot always be prevented, but it is very hard on the students when they have to come back in and make-up exams.  Lesson plans are posted for the next 2 weeks, we will have a Dicken's celebration on Friday(more details will come home later this week).  Last but certainly not least, book reports are due on Wednesday, December 13th.  This is the LAST day.  No reports will be taken after the 13th.  Have a very blessed week!  Mrs. Catlett

11/18/11

Happy Thanksgving!  Lesson plans are posted for the week we return.  Homework will be as needed and depend on how much the students get done in class.  We will be reading Dicken's Christmas Carol when we return.  We will read it pretty quickly in 8 class periods, but we will spend lots of time doing different activities that will help build on our research unit.  Grades are up to date.  I have a few missing assignments and I haven't even started the research projects yet.  And honestly, I will not touch them until I return.  I am having a large crowd for Thanksgiving and my house needs some major cleaning. :)  Anyway, please take the time to rest and enjoy your family.  Have a blessed holiday.  Mrs. Catlett

11/11/11

Happy Veteran’s Day!!! Well, the Thanksgiving holidays are fast approaching, and I know that everyone is looking forward to some much needed time off. This is going to be a busy week, so please check with your child and make sure they are on top of the following due dates:

-Expository Writing Test on Monday(students will get to use their notes, but should review them)

-Book Report #2 is due on Tuesday. (Students officially have until December 13th to have all book reports complete)

-Research Paper FINAL copy is due Wednesday, November 16th. We will be in the lab for Tuesday and Wednesday typing the final copy.

-Students will share with the class on Thursday the most interesting thing they learned during the research process.

-In grammar we are continuing to review independent and dependent clauses. We will test over clauses after the holiday break.

We will be taking another field trip on December 8th to see A Christmas Carol. The cost of the field trip is $10. Permission slips will go home on Monday, please return your slip as soon as possible.

Lesson plans and homework are posted. Have a blessed weekend. Mrs. Catlett


11/9/11

Parents,  Progress reports are coming home today.  Please make sure and asked your student for his or her progress report.  Also, we completed and reviewed homework today during class. so the only homework students have is their rough draft of the research project.  Please asked your students to see the draft.  Students worked on the draft today in class, and will begin peer editing/reviewing tomorrow.  Students will continue to work on their revisions on Friday, as well.  Students who are not using their time wisely will be given an alternate assignment.    We will be in the lab on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week typing the final copies.  The final copy of the research project is due on Wednesday, November 16th at the end of the period.  Thanks for your help and support.  Mrs. Catlett

11/7/11

Good Afternoon!  I hope everyone's week is off to a great start.  The field trip today was AWESOME!!!  I think the students really enjoyed the movie.  Lesson plans are posted.  Please don't worry about homework tonight--I will handle all of that tomorrow during class.  Rough drafts of the research paper is due on Thursday.  We will be working on them in class Tuesday and Wednesday.  I will be at school tomorrow afternoon until 3:30 for anyone that needs to use the computer lab for research.  All research information will go home tomorrow.  Also, if your student did poorly on the preposition test--they can stay tomorrow afternoon and retake the exam.  Scores for the preposition test are in Parent Portal.  Students may also redo the vocabulary quiz from Friday--if they did poorly.  Grades are up to date.  I have not looked at reading logs or book reports yet, hopefully I will get to those tomorrow.  Thanks and have a great week.  Mrs. Catlett

10/30/11

Happy Halloween!  Well,  I am looking forward to the many different masks that the students have come up with to have the class re-create tomorrow.  Students who do not complete the assignment will be given an alternate assignment to complete during class tomorrow(with a 10 point automatic loss) for not completing the assignment.  No late masks will be taken because of the nature of the project.  I have not posted lesson plans--SORRY, I have them saved on my computer at school.  I have posted the grammar calendar for the rest of the nine weeks, and will post lesson plans in the morning.  We will have a grammar test on Thursday of this week.  Don't forget we need to have all permission slips for the field trip next Monday in by tomorrow--Oct. 31st.  The cost of the field trip is $14.00 and students may choose to add an additional $6 for a snack pack at the movies.  We will be in the computer lab this week working on our research project.  Students will have 2 class periods to complete their research for the project.  If for some reason the student needs more time, please have them make arrangements to go to the library in the morning to use the computers there.  Rough Drafts of the research paper is due next Thursday, November 9th.  Students will begin peer editing the papers and working on making a clean final copy for typing.  Have a Happy Halloween and a very blessed week.  Mrs. Catlett


10/23/11

Hello All!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  I have not posted lesson plans yet, but will do that first thing tomorrow.  We have a student teacher this week, so the students will be getting lessons about grammar and research from a different perspective.  Mr. Wuchte will be with us for the next 3 weeks, and I am sure he will be a great asset to the classroom environment.  We will still be doing our vocabulary and grammar homework as usual with a quiz on Friday.  Most of the students received an at home project on Friday (1st and 6th) will get the project on Monday.  The project is to simply create a mask, and then write how-to instructions for creating a duplicate mask.  Another student has to be able to follow the instructions to create what will hopefully be a duplicate mask in 20 minutes or less.  I instructed the students to think about recipe cards in their preparation.  I will put the project up on the handout page tomorrow.  The project is due Monday, October 31st.  The next reading log will be due November 4th, and the students should have their first book activity complete by October 28th.  I will accept the book activities late, but I know that this was a problem for some students last nine weeks.  I hope the deadlines help.   Have a great week!  Mrs. Catlett

 



10/14/11
Hello Everyone!  Fall is finally in the air for good, I hope.  This also means that colds and allergies are beginning to act up, and we are on our last box of Kleenex in my room.  So, we could really use a few boxes being donated.  Lesson plans and homework for next week are up and ready for you to review.  The students finally finished Westing Game and are watching the movie today (Friday) and Monday.  Students will complete a compare/contrast movie vs. book for a test grade.  Students who were doing alternate assignments will be given a different test, if they are unable to complete this assignment.  This will be done on a case by case basis.  I have also put up due dates on the announcement page for book activities this nine weeks.  I hope this will help students plan better.  The students should be reading a nonfiction book.  Report cards are going home today--YEAH!!!  The students have done well for the most part.  Please double check with your child and make sure that they have all the necessary supplies for the upcoming 9 weeks.  Everyone needs index cards on Monday.  I hope that you all have received the incentive permission form for the movie Puss In Boots in 3D.  I am sure the students will enjoy the movie.  Last but definitely not least, I must give a HUGE THANKS to the parents who answered my call, and sent in goodies for our incentive today.  I could not do any of this without your support.  I am very blessed to have such GREAT parents! The students also got to enjoy nachos--sticky for my desk, but they really enjoyed them.  I hope you all have a very blessed weekend.  Mrs. Catlett

10/10/11
Good Evening!  I hope that the students have enjoyed their long weekend!  This week we will finish our novel and get back to working on our grammar skills.  Tomorrow I will give students a new calendar for October and a list of the changes that will occur during for the next nine weeks.  Students will need LOTS of index cards this nine weeks, please have them bring a package to school no later than Friday.  We will begin using the cards to make vocabulary flash cards.  I want the students to keep all the cards together on a ring--I will provide for them.  Students can cut the cards in half if they would like.  I only have 6 more essays left to grade--YEAH!!! It has been a very long weekend for me.  I have also put in all of the book report grades.  Please check your students grades.  If there is an issue, please have your child let me know in the morning.  I am about to leave the building and will not be checking email anymore tonight. 

Tomorrow starts a new nine weeks, and students will be expected to start reading at least 20 minutes nightly.  Students will get a reading log/summary tomorrow--it does not require a parent signature.  Too many students were coming to class without novels to read, so the requirement for reading will have to be done at home.  There is often down time in class and students should still bring their novel for times such as this.  We will begin reading comprehension sheets for warm-up.  These will be graded during class and treated as classwork grades.  This nine weeks will be our nonfiction/expository unit, and students will be expected to read at least 2 nonfiction books.  Please be sure to asked your student for the calendar and letter tomorrow afternoon.  I appreciate all of your support.  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

9/30/11
Good Afternoon!  Lesson plans are up.  We are working on our narrative writing for that will be typed on Friday.  Students should have showed you the task last night.  They will have Monday and Tuesday to write and edit their paper in class.  They are allowed to work on this at home.  The students will only have 1 class period to type the paper.  ALL NARRATIVES ARE DUE AT THE END OF CLASS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7TH. :)   If they feel more time is needed then they should type it earlier in the school library or at home.  The nine weeks exam is on Thursday. Students will get the study guide on Monday.  Thanks and have a wonderful weekend.
Mrs. Catlett

9/24/11
Happy Fall, right?  At least that is what the calendar says.  I am looking forward to some cool weather soon, and I better many of you all are, too.   Lesson plans and homework are posted, please take note of the following things that are going on this week in class:
    --It is homecoming week, so students will be celebrating spirit week this week at school; look for a flyer to come home about Chick fila night;
   --We will have a test over Unit 3 grammar (verbs) on Tuesday;
   --We started reviewing the writing process last week and will complete our first official piece of graded writing (only a paragraph) this week on Wednesday.  Your student should bring it home to you and asked you to read it before they prepare write/type the final copy on Wednesday.
   --Students will be given the narrative unit task (a 2-page narrative) to begin to work on this week--the final copy will need to be ready to type on October 7th.  We will type it in the computer lab at school on October 7th
   --The 9 weeks exam is October 6th.  We will review for the exam on October 5th in class; students can study grammar by reviewing the notes nightly and the narrative information by reviewing the terms for the narrative unit;
   --We will working on wraping up the Westing Game novel in the next week and playing the game Clue and finishing the movie.  I think the students have really enjoyed the novel and it has caused them to think a little bit deeper about who really killed Sam Westing
   --After school assistance is available this week on Tuesday until 3:30--last week we worked on narrative terms;
   --Lastly,  GRADES are up to date, please double check them over the weekend and have your student make notes about assignment grades where they have questions.  I will give grade printouts this week and return all graded papers--if there is a grade that I have missed putting in the computer or if they have a no name paper--now is the time for them to catch it.
   

As always, thanks for all you do!  Have a wonderful weekend!  Mrs. Catlett

9/19/11
Good Evening!  There has been a change in the homework/schedule this week.  We will move our weekly quiz to Thursday, because we are having a guidance lesson in class on Friday.  I have also updated all the reading log grades and test scores for last week are in Parent Portal.  Reading logs are due tomorrow and vocabulary will still be due on Wednesday.  I contacted many parents today and may have had to leave a message if I didn't reach you.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about what your child is doing in class.  Also, just as an FYI the nine weeks exam will be October 6th.  After school assistance is available tomorrow until 3:30.  Have a great week!  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett


9/16/11
Good Friday Evening!  Lesson plans and homework are posted.  I will be working on grading papers over the weekend, but may not have time to update grades.  I will definitely  have them done by Monday evening.  Don't forget to remind students to work on book reports--I am trying to grade them over the weekend, also.  Reading log grades will be updated by Monday, also--sorry for this delay.  Enjoy your weekend!  Mrs. Catlett


9/10/11
Good Morning/Afternoon!  I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.  I have posted lesson plans and homework for this week.  Please take note of the following things happening below:

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    • Reading log responses are due Tuesday, September 13th--please have your child log on this weekend if possible to get this done.  We will go to the library on Tuesday for book check out.
    • We will begin a Character Analysis Project this week in class.  The project should be completed in class; however, if the students don't use their time wisely or if they are absent the work will need to be done at home.
    • Vocabulary choice board activities for List 4 are due on Wednesday;
    • We will be testing over complements this week (direct objects, indirect objects, predicate adjectives, and predicate nominatives).  There is a link on the homework page for extra practice on grammar.  There are also other resources on the links tab for grammar help.
    • Several students turned in book reports this week.   All 4 book reports must be submitted by October 7th.  I will begin adding the grades for the book reports this weekend.  Please look for them in the test category.
    • Afterschool Academic Support will be Wednesday until 3:30.  Students cannot stay later than 3:30 unless prearranged.  No student is allowed to be at the school unsupervised.  Students not picked up on time will not be allowed to attend afternoon sessions again.  Students do not have to register to come; however, if students are disruptive or off task parents will be called to pick their child up immediately.  Students who parents are called will not be allowed to attend the afternoon sessions again.  Next week Afterschool Academic Support will be on Tuesday.

    Lastly, Happy Grandparents Day to all of the grandparents!  Thanks for your help and support.  Mrs. Catlett



    9/4/11
    Happy Labor Day Weekend!  I hope everyone is enjoying our long weekend.  I am finishing grading tests and homework for last week and will have parent portal updated by tomorrow evening.  On Tuesday, students will come home with their portfolio and a goal sheet to discuss with you.  Please take a moment to look at the goal and be prepared to help your student to meet their goal during the rest of the 9 weeks.  Students should be working on their 2nd novel and completing their first book report.  I have several students who have already completed the first book report.  We do not have weekly vocabulary or a dgp sentence this week; however, students will need to continue to follow the homework on the grammar calendar.  No reading logs are due this week.  Progress Reports go home on Thursday.  Several students have been out due to illness and will need to catch up with our novel.  I have placed a link on the homework page and the ela handout page for a pdf version of the novel.  I have also placed the discussion questions and vocabulary for the remainder of the book on the ela handout page.  Lesson plans and homework page is updated, but if you have any questions, please just shoot me an email.  Have a great rest of the weekend.  Mrs. Catlett

    8/29/11
    Good Afternoon!  I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  Lesson plans and homework are posted.  We will be having a test over unit 2 nouns this week.  The students are doing really well and they will get to use their notes to take the test--so they must have their notes updated.  We will start "The Westing Game" tomorrow.  We will listen to it in class, books will be made available for students who are absent to catch up.  We did not have enough Clue games to play on Friday, but maybe by this coming Friday we can gather enough for everyone to enjoy.  I have not updated grades with their quizzes or test scores this weekend--the take home test will take me a little longer to grade.  I am trying to catch up on all the missing assignments and homework grades for last week and will post those by tomorrow evening.  Just as a reminder progress reports will go out on September 8th.  Our first football game is Tuesday, August 30th against Riverside Middle School.  All the games are played at EHS.  Have a great week!  Mrs. Catlett

    8/20/11
    Good Evening/Morning(depending on when you read this)!  I hope that you all are enjoying a relaxing weekend.  I hope to do that right after I hit the send button tonight.  I have completed grading all of the work the students did last week (YEAH) and overall and I am very proud of their success.  There are some students that are struggling and I will be addressing those students issues one-on-one this week.  At this time, all of the grades are up-to-date in Infinite Campus, so please check the grades when you get a chance.  I have also just posted the lesson plans and homework for the week.  Here are some highlights of the upcoming week:

    • Students will be given a vocabulary choice board on Monday (it is available online, if you want to get a head start on the assignment). 
    • Reading logs are due no later than August 23rd at 3:00 pm. 
    • We will have a test over unit 1 in grammar on Tuesday, students can use their notes (if they have been keeping up with them and have them in class). 
    •  I would like to start working on our portfolios this week, so all students need to have their class folders on Wednesday. 
    • We will also have a take home test given out on Wednesday and due on Friday.  If the student returns it on Thursday (they get 5 bonus points). 
    • Last but not least, I am looking for the game Clue to use in class on Friday.  If you have a game that we can borrow, please let me know and send it in with your student by Thursday--so I know how many I need to buy, if necessary. 

    If there is anything I can do to help your child, please don't hesistate to email or call me.  I am really getting to know my new students and enjoying seeing how my former 6th grade students have matured.  I hope that you all have a very restful and blessed rest of the weekend.  Mrs. Catlett



    8/16//11
    Good Afternoon!  I won't send out these notices often but I did want to let parents know that if there child made below a C on the pop quiz that we took on Friday--retakes are available as long as the parent signs off on the quiz and it is returned by Friday.  Tomorrow is also the first day for our vocabulary assignments--so please double check with your student and asked them if they have completed their vocab.  We also have a grammar workbook page lesson 4 that will be taken up for a grade tomorrow.  Most students finished it in class, but you might want to double check with your child to see if they have it done.  We are doing working lunch for those students who don't have their homework completed and they will receive partial credit for the assignment--if they complete what they are suppose to do in lunch.  See Parent Portal or email if you have any questions.  All classes went to the library today, so everyone should be reading.  Thanks, Mrs. Catlett

    8/12/11

    Good Afternoon!  The first week of school has been packed full of things for students and parents to do and I know that both as a teacher and a parent I am exhausted.   I have already posted the lesson plan for next week and the homework.  Most of the students did very well completed their first homework assignment in the grammar workbook.  Next week, we will really get into our first unit and begin working on writing skills.  If your student does not have a book they want to read, we will be going to the library on Tuesday for orientation and book check out.  All students must have a silent reading book in class by Wednesday.  If they do not have a book on Monday, they will have to read from the bookshelf in the room.  The first reading log should be submitted to me between August 19th and August 23rd (by 3:00 pm).  If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.  I am looking forward to getting to know all of the students this year.  Please have a blessed and restful weekend.  Mrs. Catlett



 
Last Modified: Sunday, Apr. 22, 2012
 
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