The Weekly Update #13
March 13, 2024
Our Busy Class 📚
HI STUDENTS AND LEARNING COACHES!
Thank you for your patience in distributing the Class Newsletter. This newsletter will cover what we did last week and this week. It will also provide a peek into next week.
Below, you will find some important information and reminders.
- Zoom Background Contest: Join us on Monday, March 18th during LiveLesson for our Zoom Background Contest! If you want to participate, please fill out this form and send me your background! Depending on the number of entries, we can have different categories this time! Here is the handout, with instructions on how to change your Zoom background.
- Portfolio Unit Reminder: We are wrapping up our Unit 8 portfolio today. Your narrative is due on March 14th! Here is a link to the checklist so that you make sure you have completed all of the requirements. I'm excited to read your stories!
- Book Check Reminder: Your next book check is due on March 19th. Make sure you have completed your classic novel by then. This check will include questions on the resolution of the book, the communicated life lessons (theme), and an evaluation of the book. We will also go over your FREE CHOICE novel that will wrap up the semester. Be looking for a book to read!
- Unit 8 Test Review: I will be reviewing for Unit 8 test and then we will be playing Gimkit on Thursday, March 14th! ALL students are invited. The event will be added to your planners! Come go through the short-answer questions and review the concepts of Unit 8.
Celebrations from the Week
- The biggest celebration I have this week is...
8th Grade Language Arts
1st Place in the Pi Day Contest!
Join us to see the top three teachers receive a pie in the face! UCA Pi Day! The link can be found in your planner. The picture below is the aftermath! Come see Ms. Shimmin celebrate Pi Day and the fact that you are the BEST students EVER!
Ms. Shimmin
Class Website
Visit our class website for all the resources and supports for you to be successful!
Book a 1:1 Appointment
Need to meet with Ms. Shimmin and don't want to wait during INO? Click on the link and book a 1:1 appointment and avoid the long waits of INO.
Weekly Agenda
See what we have been doing this week.
LiveLesson Information
- Arrive anytime between 9:50 - 10:00 a.m., Monday - Wednesday. You can listen to music and socialize.
- Class will begin promptly at 10:00. Every student is required to attend LiveLesson.
- In order to receive attendance credit, a student must engage and complete all activities.
- Engagement is determined by completion of the activities in Nearpod and/or starter and exit tickets.
- You are NOT required to have your camera on.
- Be sure your CLASS app is updated.
If you missed a LiveLesson and would like to make up your attendance credit, do the following:
- complete the student-paced Nearpods below
- watch the class recordings for clarification
- webmail Ms. Shimmin that you have submitted your Nearpod
On another note, you can also visit the recordings page at any time you need to review the concepts we learned in LiveLesson.
- Mon/Tues, March 4-5: Story Introductions
- Wed/Mon, March 6 & 11:Organizing a Narrative
- Tue/Wed, March 12-13: Adding Details to Narratives
Class Activities
Class & Student Highlights
*All posts require pre-approval; so, don't be worried if there is a delay in your response being posted.
Music Playlist for LiveLesson
Join LiveLesson a few minutes early and listen to some music. Add to the playlist. Remember I approve every title, so be sure to check the lyrics 😉
Some of you have asked for our class playlist so you can listen to the music on your own time. Here is the share link!
Next Week
March 18th - March 22nd
Here is what we will be doing in class next week:
- Monday: Zoom Background Contest/Novel Study Project - Part 2
- Tuesday: Analyzing Literary Text - Unit 9 Portfolio Overview
- Wednesday: Analyzing Structure
- Thursday: Lesson Completion (all students behind on pacing will be invited to target LiveLesson)
Please make sure to come prepared and ready to participate actively in these upcoming class activities. If you have any questions or need additional support, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Looking forward to another productive week of learning!