Dear Parents and Students:

CONGRATULATIONS to ME! I have finally got this web-site up and working. (I hope.)

So far this month we have already read one novel and tested and all students are reading the second, or third, or finished with all three. The series we are reading is by Deborah Ellis. The students are required to read the first two novels. The deadline for the second novel is October 2. That will be the day of the test on that book.

All students have been assigned and most have completed two major writing assignments. All students drew a mandala and wrote about what is important in their life. The second paper was a compare and contrast essay comparing their life to that of the main character in the Breadwinner novel. I am only missing a couple papers of students who were absent during that time. This is my policy for written assignments. I will give the students a due date. If they turn in the paper early, I will give extra points as I want to encourage the habit of doing the work before it is due. If it comes in on the due date they get one bonus point for being on time. They get one day of "forgiveness" as family or printer situations arise. If it is not turned in one day after the due date I will require them to meet me after school so we can discuss the problem. I will call a parent if I feel it is necessary. I will offer extra help if that is the problem. All students will do all assignments, eventually.

Every Monday is spelling or vocabulary work. The assignments alternate. One week they will be given a list of 20 vocabulary words. They are to:

1. Copy each work into their notebook. On the following Wednesday we will divide each work into syllables and place accent marks in the proper places.

2. They must complete the worksheet on the reverse side of the list.

3. They must write each work on a flashcard with the definition on one side and an origional sentence on the back.

All of this will be assigned on Monday and is due on Wednesday. The test will always be the following Monday. Students are required to SPELL all 20 words as well as know how they are used in sentences. They will be asked to place the accent marks in the correct place and know antonyms of each word.

That Monday they will be given 10 spelling words for the next week with 10 roots. They are to write each spelling word 5 times each in their notebook. Then they are to write each root 3 times each, create a word using the root, draw a picture to illustrate the word, and place the word in a sentence. This is to be done for all 10 roots. Again, this work will be checked on Wednesday. For homework, I give an all or nothing grade. I just glance to see that the work is complete and give points accordingly. Homework is a formative grade and worth no more than 10% of the final grade.

We will be starting the text book this week and reading short stories. They will be comprehension quizes after each story. We will be studying the elements of a good story and they will each write their own story before the end of the trimester. Please check the gradebook on line to follow the assignments of your student.

Homework will mainly consist of the spelling and vocabulary work that I described, reading a novel which I will assign, and an occational written assignment which I will post on this page.

I thank you for your support. I am enjoying your student very much. Please feel free to e-mail me at any time.

Mrs. Genzlinger