Ms. Humphreys

Dec. 19 to 22

Reading--students are reading and finishing their Lexile book projects this week.  Most students are also updating their "Book Challenge Chart"; it is impressive to see how many books have been read so far this year.  We will go to the Media Center on Wed. to pick out books to read over the vacation.  This reading is not part of any formal assignment, but many students want to read during free time.  I hope everyone has a happy, fun-filled and safe vacation.  See you next year!!

Dec. 12-16

“Lexile Book Project”—for students, this entails reading a fiction book in his or her Lexile, or reading a classic or historical fiction book and then taking the AR test on the book.  This counts as a test grade and must be done by December 22. We checked these books out before Thanksgiving Break, so many students have already read his or her book and taken the test; however, it is imperative that this is done as a zero on this activity would really hurt! 

We will have the post-test on the material we have been studying on Wed., 12/14.  This test will include questions on main idea, text structure, idioms and vocabulary in context.  Unlike tests in other subjects, students do not have a study guide, flashcards, etc. for this test.  The best way to prepare is to have a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast.  At the time of the test, be sure to read each section carefully, especially the questions and think about the response. 

Dec. 5 to 9

Reading:  We will work on the organizational structure of texts this week.  The different types we cover are:  Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast, Sequence, Problem and Solution, Description and Chronological Order.  The students have notes on these structures that were given today, and they applied them to certain paragraphs.  We will continue applying this all week.  In class, we are also reading historical essays, examining the organizational structure of the text and writing about the people depicted in the essays.  The time frame for this reading is 1917-1930.  This week we will read about the first woman to serve in Congress, The Great Migration, a WWI war hero and an American nurse stationed in France during WWI.

HW:  Students have 13 school days to finish reading their Lexile Project book and take the test on the book.  Please remember to read this book every night, and bring it to school to read when time permits.  Some students are finished with the reading and have taken the test, but many are not!