Word on the Street

On the first Learning Matters Day of this school year, September 16, all of our students will participate in the Practice 8th Grade Writing Assessment.  This writing assessment consists of an evaluation of each student’s response to an assigned prompt. Students receive either an expository topic or a persuasive topic, and the writing process is completed in a maximum of 100 minutes. In the past, the individual feedback provided to each student has proven invaluable in preparing our students for the actual 8th Grade Writing Assessment.

Students should bring two blue or black ink pens on Wednesday for the final draft of the essay.  They can also bring a book to read if they finish before the 100 minutes is up.

For more information on the 8th Grade Writing Assessment, please see the Georgia Department of Education website at: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CITestingWA8

If you did not make it out in the driving rain for open house tonight, here is a recap of the language arts information:

Grading Weights

• Tests/Major Projects/Major Writing Assignments 50%
• Quizzes/Minor Projects/Writing Process Assignments 35%
• Classwork/Homework/Participation 15%

Tips for Helping Your Child be Successful in Language Arts

• Stay Informed.  Use email, this blog, Parent Connect (for information on complete assignments), and your student’s agenda for information about the class.
• Hold Your Child Accountable with High Expectations for Behavior and Academic Performance.  Late homework will not be accepted; late major work will have 10 points deducted from the grade for each day late.  Minor behavior concerns will be addressed with emails to parents and/or after school or lunch detentions.
• Make Sure your Child is in School.  If you student has to miss a class, please have him/her check this blog for the recap of class.  Students should request make-up work the first day they return to school.
• Please keep me in the loop if your child will be missing school for an extended period of time.  I will work with you to get your child caught up!

Keep Me Informed

• Please make me aware of any circumstances that may affect your child’s performance.
• Make me aware of any concerns you may have about your child’s performance.

Helping Your Child with Assigned Work

• Use questions to help your child apply what he/she already knows.
• Have your child go over rubrics to check major assignments with requirements.
• Ask your child to read his/her writing aloud.  Have your child listen as you read his/her writing aloud.  Both of these will help your child recognize areas where revision is needed.
• Help your child with time management strategies.  Help your child set a workable schedule that considers all of his/her commitments in planning for a long-term due date.
• Expect your child to type his/her own assignments when typing is a requirement.

8th Grade Writing Assessment

• January 20, 2010
• Students will take a practice assessment this fall to give them individual feedback on the domains that will be assessed on the test.
• For more information on the 8th grade writing assessment, please see the Georgia Department of Education website: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CITestingWA8