Parents,
The 7th and 8th grade language arts classes continue to use the online essay
grader.This is a wonderful tool for improving writing skills.
The online essay grader is a software program that allows students to enter
an assigned essay and have it scored according to a prescribed rubric. The
software offers editing hints, has a thesaurus feature, and highlights grammar
and mechanics errors for correction. Once the paper is graded, students
receive an explanation of the strengths and weaknesses of the paper. I have
instructed each class to enter their assigned essays and score them. In turn I
will accept only those that attain 4 of 5 possible points.All other essays
will be "returned" for further improvement.Students can access the essay
grader from the school's ikeepbookmarks.com homepage. Each student has been
assigned a username and given the login password. All essay work can be done
from home.
Please mark your calendars for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Tuesday,
November 24th. Mr. Lungaro's blue note has the time specific information
regarding teacher availability. Be sure to consult the blue note when
scheduling conferences for your student/students. The blue note goes home
every Thursday, like clockwork. If you have not seen one, ask for it. Every
family gets a weekly blue note.
Again, please encourage you student to take every opportunity to improve his
or her skills. This is as simple as correcting test errors, correcting DOLs,
or rewriting essays. Corrections provide a review of material and improve
quarter grades overall. A little effort does a lot to build success,
knowledge, and self-esteem.
FYI - THE GRADE 8 SECOND QUARTER BOOK REPORT IS DUE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH.
Mrs. Simich
8th Grade Reading List
The Bomb – Taylor
Lupita Manana – Beatty
Let the Circle Be Unbroken – Taylor
Death Be Not Proud – Gunther
Shadow of a Bull – Wojciechowska
Nothing but the Truth – Avi
I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This – Woodson
Running Out of Time – Haddix
How Angel Petersen Got His Name – Paulsen
Soldier’s Heart – Paulsen
Define Normal – Peters