Ms. Danowitz

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Hello Everybody!

Today is the last day of January.  If you did not take your AR test today, I will let you take it tomorrow ONLY without a 10% penalty.  Be ready to take the test tomorrow!  (You know who you are!)

You began a new unit called "To Risk or Not to Risk."  You worked on the vocabuary words and discussed what are risks. Vocabulary:  ancient, poisonous, bacteria, dread, outweigh, ancestors, genes, outcome, biases, factor, significant, artificial, impurities, rural, genetically modified, vaccines, tendency, psychologists, delayed, untrustworthy.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Hello Everybody!

Today you received letters from Dickerson MS letting your parents know, that as a district, Cobb did not make it AYP; however, Dickerson is doing well.  (Remember our Platinum award for outstanding student achievement?)  You also received a letter to inform your parents that I will begin the ACCESS testing on February 9th.  YOU may not be testing on that day, but SOMEBODY is testing that day.

Tomorrow is the last day to take an AR test for January and receive full credit.

In class today you worked on reading skills (especially main ideas) and you will continue this for most of this week.

Read A LOT!  No blog question.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Hello Everybody,

 Today Dickerson Middle School received notice that for the second year year in row, we have achieved a platinum (the highest!!!) award for our student achievement.  I am so proud to be a teacher at this school. You are all stars!

 January AR Tests can be taken Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.  Have you taken one yet?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Hello Everybody,

8th grade...Tomorrow I will need to see the report cards of my homeroom students.  Only one of you has shown me a parent signature.  (Thanks, Nodar!)  After tomorrow you will have silent luch until I see the signed report.

All students need to bring a signed READING LOG tomorrow.  Candy for all signed reading logs!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Hello Everybody!

Today you checked the assignments from the story "Nessie" and then had repeated readings of another story of your choice to increase reading comprehension.  You will continue with this same book practicing the reading skills main idea, recalling facts, making inferences, and using precise vocabulary.

Nope, no blog question.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Hello Everybody!

Great day today and now for the weekend...

Review your story vocabulary words as there will be a quiz on Monday.  I think you are also ready for the post test of Unit 1. chapter 1.

I am so sorry this short; I'm ready to go home.

Don't forget to read this weekend.

Thursday, Januaray 19, 2012

Hello Everybody!

It is almost Friday so that means get your reading log signed tonight.  Why do four-day weeks feel just as long as the regular weeks?  (That is a rhetorical question.)

Today you reviewed the story vocabulary from the "Loch Ness Monster."  There will be a quiz on them on Monday.  Tomorrow you will have skill lessons from this story unit and maybe have the post-test.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Hello Everybody!

The Writing Test is over, 8th graders!  I was so proud of you...the way you wrote down your writing tips for the prewrite, the ways you edited and then wrote your final copies.  I don't think I have ever seen you work that hard.  CHEERS to the 8th grade!

Unlike the 8th graders, the 6th and 7th graders had an easy day today.  You had a read day.  (I'll give the 8th  graders one soon.) I would like to give a quiz soon on the vocabulary for Loch Ness Monster, so go back to an earlier blog to review the words.

Use blurry, murky, and grainy in THREE separate sentences.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Hello Everybody and Happy Friday the 13th!

What is triskaidekaphobia?

You have a three-day weekend ahead.  I want you to enjoy yourselves, stay warm, be nice to your family, and, of course, READ.  Also, do not forget to bring back your SIGNED REPORT CARD and the parent surveys.  Several of you forgot your reading logs today (L, Y, G and A), so bring them on Tuesday.  Nodar, I hope you are feeling better, and I have your science notes and report card on my desk.

Tuesday you will continue the skill work from Chapter 1 (L.N.M.) and practice reading fluency.    

                               

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Hello Everybody!

Reading Logs!   Reading Logs!    Reading Logs!     Reading Logs!

Also, you will receive report cards tomorrow.  Today you had a guided reading of the "Loch Ness Monster."  Your vocabulary chart should be complete by now or surely by tomorrow.  Sorry, no blog question.