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WELCOME TO "DOWNERVILLE" AND THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR!!!
Please check back often, as I will update this page with new information as necessary.
Welcome middle school students and families!!!
AREAS OF STUDY FOR THIS YEAR INCLUDE:
Physical/Earth Science
Students can expect to cover the following units while in my science class:
-Electricity and Magnetism
-Energy/Force/Motion
-Earth's Changing Surface
Science curriculum:
- Holt Science Spectrum: A Balanced Approach
- Interact Simulations
SUGGESTED SCIENCE SUPPLY LIST:
3-ring binder (1.5)
Tab dividers (6)
Pencils
Erasers
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English Language Arts
Writing Workshop:
Students will receive their Writing instruction and experience via the Writing Workshop model. Units of study will come from Nancie Atwell's "Lessons that Change Writers" and "Naming the World: A Year of Poems and Lessons." The conditions of a writing workshop allow for a predictable structure, individualized mini-lessons, regular writing time, student choice, a workmanlike atmosphere, and response/celebration time.
Literature Circles:
READING LEADS TO SUCCESS!!
This year, we will focus heavily on identifying literary elements within the books we are reading. At various points throughout the school year, students will participate in Literature Circles. Literature Circle groups will read a particular novel together and participate in discussions and rich activities based on what theyre reading. Students will be placed in groups based on reading levels and interests. A self-chosen final project will be completed at the end of each novel.
In order to further foster their literacy development, students should also be reading independently at home. Each student will receive a reading log, on which they will be expected to record information about their independent reading. I look forward to conversing with students about their reading selections!
Some of the units that students can expect to cover while in my ELA class:
- Avoiding Plagiarism
- Research Writing
- Literary Elements
- Biographical Writing
- Persuasive Writing
- Poetry and Creative Writing
- Lessons on Conventions
- Vocabulary
Students should also anticipate a bi-weekly SCOPE magazine study through Scholastic. This subscription will be a new and rich addition to our classroom! Language arts skills covered in SCOPE magazine include:
- Making inferences
- Drawing conclusions
- Cause and effect
- Elements of nonfiction
- Author's purpose
- Point of view
- Main idea/supporting details
- Figurative language
- Compare and contrast
- Narrative writing
- Persuasive writing
SUGGESTED ELA SUPPLY LIST:
3-ring binder (1.5)
Tab dividers (6)
Pencils
Erasers
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Service Learning:
I am excited to announce that students will continue to collect bottle caps for the "Recycle Caps with Aveda" program. Please note that this is a school-wide effort! Together we will prevent harmful plastic from entering our waterways and landfills. For information about this wonderful program and which caps are and are not accepted, please visit:
www.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.tmpl
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Additional Resources:
Below is a list of websites that offer various resources (activities, games, projects, tutorials) to strengthen ELA skills! Copy and paste the URL into the address box and let the educational fun begin!
Grammar games for kids and teens:
http://frankelassociates.com/calithwain/GrammarGames.htm
Middle school grammar tutorial with interactive exercises:
http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/index.php
Punctuation Campground:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/punctuation/index_pre.html
Reading Comprehension Connection (choose skill level Intermediate or Advanced after clicking on Start a Lesson Now):
http://readingcomprehensionconnection.com/
* Writing Resources! Student interactives from www.ReadWriteThink.org that offer tools to help students accomplish a variety of writing goals all while having fun: http://www.readwritethink.org/search/?grade=15-16&resource_type_filtering=70-72-74-76-80-82-113&sort_order=relevance&q=Writing&srchgo.x=0&srchgo.y=0&old_q=&srchwhere=par
* Teens Read Too!
http://www.teensreadtoo.com/
*Etymologic - Great word origin games!
http://www.etymologic.com/
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Classroom Wish List:
*White board markers
*#2 Pencils
*Kleenex
*Floor pillows
*Playground balls (i.e. footballs, basketballs, four-square balls)
*Hula hoops
*Educational board and card games
*New/Gently used novels
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HERE'S TO A GREAT YEAR!
Educationally Yours,
Stacy Downer
Email: downerstacy@hotmail.com
Phone: x. 20
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