So Much To Do - So Little Time!

Wow, the days are just falling away as we approach state testing.  Unfortunately, the students who need the most help are the ones who are talking, goofing off, and not paying attention.  I guess it will hit them when they are at summer school that had they worked hard during regular school, they could enjoy their summer and not have to worry about promotion to the new grade.  I have talked to most of the parents at parent night, and sadly, for those most in need, nothing has changed.

I was happy to get back 8 out of the 13 Spring Break Permission slips that were passed out.  Right now I am happy to say that the following people are for sure coming for 3 days of BOOT CAMP to prepare for the ELA and MATH tests:

1. Anthony
2. Adriana
3. Dilenny
4. Albert
5. Emilie
6. Sarah
7. Matthew
8. Norberys

Starting tomorrow I will be giving out permission slips to other students who are interested.  It is only fair that those who are responsible about returning their permission slips get to go.  I can't wait around!

• 1st period - Dance   It is so nice to pick the students up and have the teacher, Mr. Nunez tell me that they were good!  What a great feeling!
• 2nd period - ELA Test Prep and then reading the class novel "The BFG".  Today we read two chapters.  We read "The Giants" and "The Marvelous Ears".  After taking turns reading, we answered a few questions and then gave out a comprehension sheet to see how well the students have been reading along and understanding the text.  (That's homework!)
• 3rd period - ReadyGen 3b.3 - We picked up our homework and took points off on ClassDojo for students who didn't do their homework.  We then read pages 14-19 and discussed the format of the text and how the visuals and the format help the reader understand that information.  After having Dojo randomly pick students to answer questions that dealt with Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas - we moved into "What is a volcanologist?" and "What do they do?".  We read a text on a famous Volcanologist and then a short read on what they do.  After reading these texts, they were assigned their Writing Prompt for homework.
• 4th /5th Periods -   GoMath review of 8.1 and 8.2, Checking the Mid-Chapter Checkup paper, and working any missed questions so that students understood any misconceptions.   We then moved into 8.3 which was using models to multiple fractions.  The students really seem to be getting this process so we finished the group and independent work and moved into a review session on converting improper fractions to mixed numbers.  After a quick review, students paired up and got to work.  After checking them, we passed out homework to further practice this skill.
• 6th Period - Lunch
• 7th Period - Letters went home yesterday informing parents about the mandated HIV Lessons that would be taught this week.  Parents were to send a letter back to the school if they wanted their child to not have these lessons.  Since I didn't get any back, we started lesson 1 (of 5) today with the students.  The topic today was "What causes diseases?" and "How does the Immune System protect the body from diseases?"  We talked a lot about vocabulary and then the path a disease takes without immunization, and the path a disease takes with immunization.  

Homework:

• Reading:  Comp Quiz - The BFG The Witching Hour - The Marvelous Ears
• Writing:  RACE Writing Prompt - What does a volcanologist do? 
• Math 
• GoMath Practice Book 8.3
• Salamander Math - Converting Improper Fraction to Mixed Numbers Sheet 2