Week 1/9-1/13

We made it through the first week back after winter break! Students powered through the MAP Reading Assessment (more on this later), updating their e-portfolios and class portfolios, and started their first essay of the semester. School is definitely back in session!

The MAP Reading Assessment is a norm-referenced test to determine academic achievement and potential growth areas. The first assessment in August was the baseline score. In Parent Portal, I have included the Fall and Winter RIT scores for each student (it is in the comment section of Assignment #2). 

The GATE/Honors students averaged a RIT score of: Fall 234.9 and Winter 237.4. The growth target projected was 1.04, which the students exceeded since they grew by 2.5 RIT points--you have some smart kiddos! The best way for students to continue to improve their RIT score in reading (or any standardized reading test) is by reading more! 

Please refer to the following documents for more information: RIT to Smarter Balanced and Target Scores. Also, please ask to see your child's MAP Score Summary Report (it included information for both math and reading) that needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday, January 10.

Monday
Argumentative/Research Partner Essay: 1)Directions, 2)Planning Notes Due 01/10, and 3) Essay/Rubric Due 01/13
Tuesday
Signed MAP Score Summary Report Due
Argumentative/Research Partner Essay: 1)Directions, 2)Planning Notes Due 01/10, and 3) Essay/Rubric Due 01/13 
Wednesday
Argumentative/Research Partner Essay: 1)Directions, 2)Essay/Rubric Due 01/13
AR Log Check (Log-5 entries/Signature)
*Students need to be reading an AR book that has a reading level of 3.5+ for 30 minutes 5 nights per week. Students need to earn 35 points at every quarter checkpoint (3/10 and 6/2). Please see the AR Log for more information. GOOD NEWS: Students only need to complete the front side to take an AR quiz!
Thursday
Argumentative/Research Partner Essay: 1)Directions, 2)Essay/Rubric Due 01/13 
Friday
Argumentative/Research Partner Essay: 1)Directions, 2)Essay/Rubric Due 01/13

Week 1/2-1/6

Welcome back to the start of a new year and a new semester! It will be a new beginning for all and the last semester before these middle schoolers become high schoolers--time flies! 

Important habits to make this semester are for students to not procrastinate on their assignments (especially AR), to try their best, to stay on top of their assignments and grades by checking Parent Portal, and to advocate for themselves by contacting their teachers if they have any questions. These habits will definitely make them successful not only in middle school, but in high school as well.

Students will be taking the district-required MAP Reading Assessment. The MAP Reading Assessment is given three times per year: fall, winter, and spring to assess and celebrate growth. The MAP Reading Assessment is also crucial for high school placement. The high school English department and counselors will be evaluating the RIT scores to determine the proper placement for each student: English 9 Honors or English 9. 

This first MAP Reading Assessment was the baseline score and was used to identify strengths and areas for growth. In Parent Portal, I have included the baseline RIT score for each student from the fall and I will update it with the winter score as soon as students have completed the assessment (all of this information will be in the comment section for Assignment #2: Reading Diagnostic MAP). Please refer to the following documents for more information: RIT to Smarter Balanced and Target Scores. 

Monday
Holiday
Tuesday
MAP Reading Assessment
Wednesday
MAP Reading Assessment
Thursday
MAP Reading Assessment
E-Portfolios
Friday
Portfolios
Argumentative/Research Partner Essay: 1)Directions, 2)Planning Notes Due 01/10, and 3) Essay/Rubric Due 01/13