English 7 News!!
Keys to a Successful Year
Optimize Your Child's Learning
I'd like to welcome all families to our classroom. Whether this is your first year at BBJH, your first in the district or you are a returning family, we can promise you that I will do everything I can to make the 2015-2016 school year a successful one for you and your child. As of now, students have a few grades and their first test grade. While some of you will be very pleased with what you see, some of you will be concerned because you are seeing grades you have not seen before. This can be happening for a few different reasons. First, students have not had a focus on writing or grammar for the last two years since there was no STAAR writing assessment in 5th or 6th grade. So it is common for some to forget basic grammar rules, parts of speech, and sentence structure especially if there was no practice at school. Second, students did not read over the summer or do not read frequently. Reading and writing go hand in hand, and since this year there is both a reading and writing component, as a 7th grade English team we are working hard to prepare students. Therefore, there may be a gap in the learning and I am trying to close it. However, there are a few things you can do to assist me in the education of your child.
Reading is the Key to Learning
Your child should have books he/she checked out from school. Take 20 minutes a night to read with your child or listen to your child read. Also, be sure to check your son/daughter's yellow reading log sheet. It is due in two weeks on 10-06-15. It requires a parent signature.
Lastly, show your children that reading is fun. Model and share experiences you have had that demonstrate how reading can be a fun activity.
Lastly, show your children that reading is fun. Model and share experiences you have had that demonstrate how reading can be a fun activity.
Reading Comprehension
Before, during, and after your child reads, take a moment to ask a few of the comprehension questions attached. Comprehension is important to the success of our readers!
Grammar Skills
Review basic grammar skills with your child:
- Parts of speech
- Sentence structure
- Punctuation rules
- Capitalization rules
**Brain Pop is a good resource for those who like to use or incorporate technology.
Test Grades
Test grades were entered today. Please advise your child to check their grade on HAC, so he/she can determine if they want/need to re-test. The last day to re-test is next Tuesday 10-29-15. Students must complete a Re-Test Policy Form. The form is below.
Resources for Reading are Everywhere
Many of our children have electronic devices. Your child may prefer to read on a device rather than an actual book. Allow your child to read from a Nook, Kindle, IPad, etc. There are a bundle of different apps that you can find that will provide children endless resources for reading.
Failure is an Ugly Word but...
Teach your children how to take risks and that when they fail, it doesn't mean they aren't successful. Encourage your child to pursue their passion and in doing so, teach them that failure is part of the process. When they don't understand, teach them to be persistent and to never give up. Grit is an essential element of success and it involves persistence, determination, and sometimes it involves falling down. Help them get up and show them the importance moving ahead despite the challenge.
Angela Lee Duckworth: The key to success? Grit
Bear Branch Junior High
Email: daounallah@magnoliaisd.org
Website: mrsaounallahs.weebly.com
Location: 31310 FM 2978 Magnolia, TX 77353-0606
Phone: (281) 356-6088
Twitter: @BBJHRoomF314