| August 27, 2007
Our 9th grade team is promoting student participation in one of the many
positive clubs and organizations on campus. For my class ADOPT-A-CLUB
project, I am encouraging students to join the Naughty Poetry Club or
Latinos Unidos. These student organizations and many others provide a fun
environment to learn new things and meet new people. For more information
about any organization ask me and I will steer you in the right direction.
GO DREADNAUGHTS!
August 28, 2007
Independent reading is a a great way for students to apply learned reading
strategies for long periods of time, build confidence through sucessful
reading and rereading with increasing fluency and motivate student readers
to seek out and enjoy opportunities to read. Independent reading books
should be student choice and will be read during DEAR (Drop Everything And
Read) class time. All books at least 100 pages should be brought in by
Wednesday, August 29th to receive class credit.
September 1, 2007
September is National Literacy Month! It is wonderful that the nation is
recognizing this entire month to promoting literacy but in intensive reading
we know that effective literacy teaching and learning is 365 days a year!
September 14, 2007
Lakeland Senior High School will be holding its yearly open house today from
6:45-8pm. In order to provide parents/guardians with the most comprehensive
information, 9th Grade Academy Intensive Reading teachers Mrs. Faircloth and
Mrs. Drax will be showing a PowerPoint Presentation in room E-247. This
link will be available to view in the handouts section of the website for
those who are unable to attend. However, we look forward to seeing everyone
there because studies show that students who have parental involvement are
more successful academically. Therefore, we want to partner with you to make
your student’s first year in high school the best it can be.
September 26, 2007
Independent reading projects are due October 8th for students who are in
group 1. Group 1 students are all those who have informed Mrs. Drax that
they have completed their first book. These students have informed me and
should have selected their projects. In the event that you need help along
the way, please let me know and assistance will be provided.
September 27, 2007
Maze testing will begin for Intensive Reading students beginning October
1st. This test will take 6 minutes and is required for all students.
October 22, 2007
This week LHS is celebrating Homecoming Week. Each day is designated for
something special, for example, today is camouflage day and Wednesday is
pink day. But on Friday, which is spirit day, Period 4 will be ending the
week with a rewards party for their behavior during my absence the week of
October 15-19th. Food will be provided by Mrs. Drax and students may bring
their own personal drinks or enough for the class.
October 23, 2007
November 1st is the next deadline date for the second group of students who
have completed their DEAR books and are working on their independent
assignments. Independent projects are worth 150 points. If you choose to do
an extra project on an additional book that you are reading, it will be
worth 75 extra credit points. Other ways students can promote literacy and
demonstrate signs of an effective reader is through the X-Ray Book of the
Month. Students can share a book they have read in the past with the rest of
the class and earn 50 points! Sign up sheets for each class period are by
the classroom library.
October 26-November 1, 2007
On October 2th, I had an unfortunate accident that left me with a broken
ankle. As a result, I will not be at school for the duration of time listed
above. Substitutes will be providing students with work each day to
reinforce previous lessons learned. Please make sure that you complete each
assignment given. All assignments will be looked at closely and the efforts
and behavior of each individual student will be reflected in the class
assignments received. Treat your substitutes with courtesy, respect and do
your best.
November 16, 2007
Today is the last day before the Thanksgiving holiday break. Teachers and
students will enjoy a week long holiday break with family and friends to
commemorate the holiday. These past few days, we have been analyzing and
examining non-fiction true accounts in literature and film. The questions
were posed "Can one person make a difference," and "Do we have a social
responsibility to help those in need on the domestic and international
levels?" Hopefully, our analysis of current and past true life events will
help you as a student reflect on your role in society and inspire you to
make a difference. Just with any expository form of writing, these films
and articles should have informed you on matters that you may not have been
aware. As with any after reading strategy, hopefully it encourages you to
further research or read about these events so you can find ways to become
socially responsible within your own community. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 26, 2007
Welcome Back! After a long break it is difficult to get back into the groove
of things. Today will be especially difficult, since there will be a
substitute covering all of the reading classes for Mrs. Drax today.
However, as the year begins to come to a rapid close, it is necessary to
stay on task and focused, even where there is a substitute providing you
with the day's assignment. There is a lot of material that needs to be
learned in order for students to successfully complete the Intensive Reading
course. Students are encouraged to strive for a C or better. The parents or
guardians of students who have a grade of D or F will be receiving a letter
in the next week or so.
December 11, 2007
The Intensive Reading class will be publishing a collection of their
expository essays entitled Around the World in 80 days, based on the classic
travel adventure by Jules Vernes. Students can gain extra credit points if
they submit their essays via email over the holiday break. Essays should be
sent as an attachment to latasha.drax@polk-fl.net.
January 3, 2008
Many of our students ask the question "Why am I in Intensive Reading?" They
then mumble and complain about their time being "wasted." However, if
students take advantage of the reading class, they will be able to develop,
strengthen and maintain strategies that they can apply throughout their life
in various situations. Students are encouraged to put their best foot
forward in class to get the very best grade that they can. This is an easy
task as long as you do the work as assigned and take advantage of the
opportunities for success that are presented regularly. According to Mrs.
Huntington, a 9th grade guidance counselor, "A 9th grader with a D or F is
in a crisis. They will not repeat Intensive Reading unless they ahcieve a
low FCAT score in March. (Even though they will not be able to repeat it
until next year). They will however, carry the low grade into their
cumalitive GPA-ulitmately effecting sports eligibility and graduation." For
more information regarding graduation requirements or how grades are
calculated, make an appointment with Mrs. Huntington or Mrs. Franzino in the
guidance office.
March 8, 2008
The week of March 11th is FCAT testing week. Students are encouraged to come
to school early, well-rested and on a full stomach after a NUTRITIOUS
breakfast. Remember the test taking strategies that have been learned
throughout reading class and all other academic courses. Use the helpful
links to practice areas of weakness and FCAT Explorer. Most students have
personally received their password/username from class this week, so there
is no excuse not to practice. Also, cell phones are prohibited during FCAT
testing. To avoid invalidation of test scores leave them home or give them
to your test administrator or proctor. Phones WILL be returned before you
leave.
May 9, 2008,
The Intensive Reading Class has began reading the novel "Freak the Mighty"
as a whole class. Each student has been given a study packet that will be
collected on MAY 22, 2008. You will only receive ONE packet of information.
For every assignment missing, 5 points will be deducted. Please make sure
that you hold onto the information and that you complete the assignments as
given.
May 12, 2008
On May 9th and May 12th students in all 4 periods were given the MAZE Test.
Prior to the testing each student was informed of the following:
According to the new state guidelines, level 1 and 2 students that are
disfluent must be in TWO periods of reading next year. Polk County uses the
Maze test as the progress monitoring tool. They have said that if a student
scores below the cut score (34) on the last administration of Maze, he/she
will be considered disfluent.
What does this mean? If they score below the cut score or do not have a
score on the third test, they will be scheduled into TWO periods of
intensive reading. For some, this may mean they will not be able to get all
of their credits for graduation without doing an online or night school
option in addition to a full load here. For others, it will mean that they
will have to give up other electives in order to take the extra reading
class. This, in turn, will hurt the numbers in elective courses.
If students missed either date for MAZE testing, they will need to make
arrangements to make up the test after school with Mrs. Drax.
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