11/14/08

     Eighth grade reading students have finally finished with SRA. Students have improved many skills using this individualized kit, and for the most part, I think they have enjoyed working at their own pace. Ask your child where they started and finished.  As a teacher, I have been pleased with their focus as they worked on improving their skills in following directions, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Next week we will begin A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  The vocabulary is challenging, but students always seem to love this great book.     Don’t forget the Spelling Bee on November 25^th at 9:30 in the morning.  The following eighth grade students will be participating:

 10/31/2008

From the Desk of Mrs. Chapman

     As many of you know, today is the day that students share their hard work.  For the last week students have been incorporating their knowledge of mood and figurative language into a Halloween-themed story or poem.  I am very proud of how hard the students have worked on their projects and I hope you have had a chance to read their stories as well.

     On a personal and professional note, I urge you to go out and vote on November 4^th.  There are many important issues on the ballot, but one that is near and dear to my heart is Issue 23, the school’s permanent improvement levy.  There have been many misconceived notions out there on how schools spend their money and I hope you received the letter Mr. Broderick, our superintendent, sent out to you, as I feel it cleared up all of these ill contrived opinions.  PI money is very important to the livelihood of any school and our school has been without a renewal for several years.  As you may have heard many things will have to cut if this levy does not pass.  These cuts are not punishments from the board, but necessities that have to be taken to conserve what little money we have to work with.  As a writing teacher it pains me to think that such wonderful programs like Power of the Pen will be cut and of course Northeastern will have to bow out of the county-wide Exemplary Writer’s program.  Without programs like these, our kids will be less attached to school and this will hinder their success in the future.  I urge you to take these things into consideration when you go to vote on November 4^th and think about your children, your grandchildren, or you next-door neighbor who may benefit from these programs.  School, for many kids, is not just a place to learn, but also a place to grow and take steps to a brilliant future.  We need to give our kids all the resources we have as a community to be an active, positive member of an ever-changing future.  An old proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and now more than ever, I truly believe this statement.

10/28/08

Next Tuesday morning, Election Day, we will be holding our school election throughout grades one through eight.  All students and staff are invited to vote.  There will be three issues on our ballot; President, U. S. House of Representatives, and Northeastern Permanent Improvement Levy.

Middle School student council members will be helping to run this.  We will try and have students vote early in the day.  We hope to first have the elementary and then the middle school students voting right after each group arrives at school.  As is being taught to the older students, we will have the election run on the electoral system.  Therefore, each child will vote as part of their class, or state.  Each class will be given a certain electoral number set up by how many students are in that homeroom.  Adults will be divided into three states; elementary school, middle school, and Mr. Justice’s office.  Mr. Justice wanted to be Montana.  He got his wish and one electoral vote. 

We will try and do this quickly and not take up too much of your time.  We will announce the results right before the elementary students go home.

10/24/08

Congratulations to the members of this year’s Power of the Pen team.  Twenty-three South Vienna seventh and eighth grade writers came to tryouts on Thursday, October 12th.  All did a very nice job.  From those participants, twelve students were chosen. 
South Vienna eighth grade team

Our seventh grade team 

October 23, 2008

October 16, 2008

We would like to thank all the parents who attended conferences. Thank you for being such an important part of your child's education!  October 12-17, 2008 is Earth Science Week and the theme is "No Child Left Inside"! Please go outside with your family and explore our natural world!

Thanks,

Helpful Hints
October 9, 2008

As you well know, middle school can be a difficult time for both you and your child, especially when dealing with homework.  There are many ways you as a parent can help.

1.      Assume that your child has homework every evening.  At the very least they should be reading a book, on their reading level, for 10 minutes.  When they have finished, talk to them about what they have read.

2.      Look over your child’s assignment book each evening.  All homework as well as the daily class objective should be written for each class each day.

3.      Show your child that you think their schoolwork is important.  When you get home from work, ask to see their homework.  Let them know that you value their education and the time they put into doing well.

4.      Do not be afraid to contact your child’s teachers.  Ask questions if you are unsure of what is expected.  We are here to help your child learn and to have a successful school year.

5.      Help your child stay organized. Have them place loose papers in their appropriate binders.   Remind them to pack their homework and supplies in their book-bags at night so they will be ready for the next day.

Reading Class
September 29, 2008

Dear Parents,

        Reading class has just completed the story Flowers for Algernon.  We followed up by comparing the movie Charly to the story. Ask your child what happened to Charlie Gordon.

 From here we will begin our SRA kit.  SRA stands for Scientific Research Associates.  This kit will be used on an individual basis.  Students have previously taken the SRA test to determine their reading levels.  Each day, students will complete at least one pamphlet on their personal level and answer questions related to that pamphlet.  At least twice a week students will take part in what is called SRA Rate Builders.  This part of the program is to improve the student’s rate of reading.  Each year, this program has proven itself over and over.  Teachers in other subjects have seen improvement in their classes during our work with this kit, as well. Talk to your child about what they are reading and if they can see improvement.

        Students should have a silent reading book with them every day. Please talk to your child about their book.  It is most helpful if you have read or can read the same book to discuss meanings and characters.

     Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding your child’s progress.

Susan Taylor

Power of the Pen Tryouts
September 26,2008

Attention writers.  On Wednesday, October 1st, we will be holding tryouts for this year’s seventh and eighth grade Power of the Pen teams.  

Power of the Pen is an academic writing team that South Vienna has proudly fielded for many years.  We have won several team trophies and have sent numerous students on to the regional tournament and several to the state finals.

Students who are interested in trying out need to meet in one of two rooms during lunch.  Seventh graders will need to meet in Ms. Wilson’s room and eighth graders go to Mr. Arter’s room.  Students will need to first quickly purchase lunch from the cafeteria.  (This would be a good day to bring a sack lunch.)  They will need to bring with them paper and a pencil or pen.  Students will then be given a prompt, a phrase or sentence around which they will write a short story.  From all the entries, judges will choose the top six writings from each grade level.  The winners will comprise our two Power of the Pen teams. 

Each team will meet once a week or so to prepare for the district tournament.  Students will be expected to practice and improve their writing skills. 

“IAN”

 Interactive Notebook

Dear Parents and students,

I have noticed that student weekly writings have been mostly summaries, which is not what the assignment entails.  Please be careful and should you need help, see the detailed explanation on the handout I gave you the first week of school.  I have listed some topics to help get you started.  (These are the same ones that are on your bookmark.)

Is there a life lesson to be learned from the character(s) or book?

Is there a character you find particularly enjoyable or one that you identify with?  Discuss.

Discuss the writing style.  What is it?  Do you like it?  Does it work for this book?

What is the author’s greatest strength as a writer? 

What was the best part of the chapter or book?  Why is it important to the plot or story in general?

Discuss four ways the setting directly affects the characters.

How has the main character changed during the course of the book?  Be specific.  Tell a specific incident that demonstrates a change in this character’s personality.

What view of the world does the author have based on the type of world he/she creates?  What does the author value? 

Every novel has at least one important life theme such as love and betrayal, loyalty and friendship, individual integrity, and sin and redemption.  What does your book have?  Discuss and provide specific examples.

Do you agree with the main character’s actions?  Explain motives and what others may find objectionable and why.

This is just the beginning.  Explore and discuss at will!

I also have a website: http://www.chapmans-web.net/

This is an excellent way to send me the weekly responses, should you have printer problems and no e-mail.  Just click “E-mail Mrs. Chapman” and attach your file that way.

Please feel free to e-mail me anytime!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Chapman

8th grade language arts