June 22 4 Square

May 15 4 Square

Register for your OnLine textbook

I have uploaded the student directions PDF so your child can have access to the McDougal Littell Literature textbook online.

The PDF may be found on your child's ClassChatterLive account under the Resource page. It is labeled, "How To Register For Your OnLine Textbook."

Please assist your child in registering for their online version of the textbook.

Make sure to scroll down after your registration is complete to add additional Activation Codes for other grade level books and Essay Smart.

We will be utilizing Essay Smart next week so it is imperative that your child have access to this great resource.

THERE ARE STILL SOME STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED THE BROWN, PRENTICE HALL TEXTBOOKS. THOSE STUDENTS WILL HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR NEW MCDOUGAL LITTELL LITERATURE BOOK. WE HAVE BEEN UTILIZING THE NEW TEXTBOOK FOR TWO WEEKS AS OF THIS DATE.

October Happenings!

For what seemed to be a very slow start, our year is progressing very quickly. Just a brief update on how things are moving along.

I have been assessing all students to find out strengths and areas for improvement in reading and writing. To give you an overall idea of where the students are I can state the following:

Reading:

Strengths – There seems to be a genuine interest on improving their reading.

Areas to work on – Continued reading on a nightly basis.

Research clearly shows that the reading of meaningful connected text results in improved reading achievement (Anderson, Wilson, & Fielding, 1988; Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, & Wilkerson, 1985; Elley & Mangubhai, 1983; Ingham, 1981; Taylor, Frye, & Maruyama, 1990). In one of the most extensive studies of independent reading yet conducted, Anderson, Wilson, and Fielding (1988) investigated a broad array of activities and their relationship to reading achievement and growth in reading. They found that the amount of time students spent in independent reading was the best predictor of reading achievement and also the best predictor of the amount of gain in reading achievement made by students.

Independent reading builds fluency.

Independent reading leads to increased vocabulary development.

Independent reading builds background knowledge, or schema. Another extremely well established research finding is that students' reading ability is dramatically influenced by the amount of interrelated information (schema) they have about the topic about which they are reading (Anderson & Pearson, 1984; Ausubel & Robinson, 1969; Bartlett, 1932). By reading widely, students are exposed to diverse topics and information, which they can then use in future reading.

Improving in the areas of thinking about our reading. Think writing as demonstrated in “4 Squares.”

Readers learn more if they become actively involved with written material. Think writing requires the reader to react to what the author is saying on an ongoing basis. Think writing requires the reader to note reactions to the text. Think writing requires the reader to note when meaning breaks down. Think writing requires the reader to note when personal connections are made. The 4 Squares personalize the learning situation and encourages readers to develop a point of reference with the writer by trying to interpret the words and meaning they read.

Writing:

Strengths – There seems to be a genuine interest in improving their writing.

Areas to work on – Developing Thesis Statements.

Students need to understand the following about Thesis Statements:

· tells the reader how they will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.

• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument or main idea to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

Please glance at the October homework calendar for updated information on assignments, readings, classroom activities, early releases, and no school days.

Student Blogs

Technically, we have completed the first official week of school. I have introduced a new Web 2.o feature for our classroom environment, Class Chatter Live.

I chose to incorporate Class Chatter Live to encourage collaboration and provide an engaging and meaningful learning experience for all students.

The very nature of student work will look and feel different this year. Students will be participating in online classroom assignments and homework. Students will have the opportunity to display their work. Students will have the opportunity to view other students’ work. But the best feature is the prompt feedback from others and myself. This larger participative audience will create a more collaborative, educational conversation where students’ experiences become more authentic.

Class Chatter Live simulates real life experience where the students’ ideas are no longer subject to “just” the teacher’s feedback. They are interacting with their peers, while getting immediate authentic feedback. They will be involved in more discovery, exploration and clarification in their learning than ever before. We will gradually go forward toward this student-to-student collaboration but at this point, they are trying to get use to this way of learning and submitting assignments.

Class Chatter Live is an exciting technology that I hope inspires students to reach new levels of creativity and ability, faster than ever before.

If you are having technical difficulties, your adolescent has been informed of their assignment well before the due date. I have encouraged them to do the assignment as soon as possible so that there are no worries. Students who do not have access to the Internet are expected to make prior arrangements with me to get the printed assignment and they must make arrangements with me to turn in a written assignment.

I hope the students come to enjoy this experience as much as I will!

Reflections from Week One

We have made it through the first official week of class. It always amazes me how resilient adolescents are. They are beginning to understand the importance of our rituals and routines within the Language Arts learning environment. I'll try to give you a brief update, if your adolescent hasn't already.

Throughout the first week I have demonstrated the belief that every student, regardless of background, can excel academically. They will be held accountable for their achievement. There is a sense of urgency and responsibility for their learning as our goal is to be successful as a 21st century learner. Students will be held accountable for their own results on Florida's high stakes tests. Our classroom will be results oriented; big and small.

Students will be provided clear feedback to guide their learning. Rigor, inspiration, and motivation will be the culture in our classroom.

Students will exhibit appropriate behaviors, confidence, and a sense of possibility. They will demonstrate the ability to listen for understanding from diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. They will have opportunities to generate ideas, articulate points of view, and respect the viewpoints of others (ask your adolescent about Wait Time.) We will successfully build relationships.

I have established the expectation that technology will be a large part of their learning experience and that they must have access to the Internet and technology. I have created student blogs which are monitored and controlled by me. The purpose of the blog is to provide students with a unique learning experience, that I believe, meets students' diverse and unique learning needs. Our students are different learners than a couple of years ago. I understand that need. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTIFY ME IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS so that I can make arrangements to provide your adolescent with paper copies of the assignments. I also highly recommend investing in a Public Library card. It is easy and free to apply for a library card. The San Marco Library is a block away. Located at 1513 Lasalle Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Their phone number is 904-858-2907. They have a wonderful, safe facility where your adolescent can do homework, access the Internet, print black and white materials (free!), utilize the library's live homework help, they can do e-research, and of course, ask a real Librarian anything! Regarding homework that is due on their student blog . . . I do not accept what use to be, "The dog ate my homework," to today, "My Internet wasn't working," and "My Microsoft Word had a glitch in it." It is your adolescent's responsibility to do their work before the due date so that if issues arise, they are able to get the printed assignment. They will then be expected to turn in the hand-written paper assignment on time!

It is the expectation that your adolescent bring their supplies to the classroom. The black binder with the blue, red, green, and purple folders and the composition notebook are their portfolios. The portfolios will provide instructional activities to help meet their academic goals and ensure that students are meeting state standards.

The concept of community supplies is to inspire leadership and a commitment to ongoing learning. Students who donate to the community of supplies are truly helping those in need. It has always been my desire to provide all students with the materials they need to be successful, which is why I continue to personally donate much of my salary back to our community. This year I have found the need to seek extra help. In the event that a student forgets their materials, we have the community supplies. Every student will use our supplies at one point or another. OUR COMMUNITY SUPPLIES DEMONSTRATE TO OUR STUDENTS THAT THEIR LEARNING IS IMPORTANT. Their learning and their learning environment will run in an efficient and effective manner and as adults, it should be our desire to contribute in the service of all students.

Finally, your one-stop-shopping for parents and their adolescents alike. FLYNNIESCLASSROOM BLOG! Parents, my communication has always been transparent. As a parent of four children ranging in ages from 20 years to 9 years, I understand the need to have that communication with your child's teacher. I want you to feel empowered to have those conversations with your adolescent; What did you do today? What did you learn? What did you like or not like about what you learned today? HAVE YOU DONE YOUR HOMEWORK AND WHEN IS IT DUE? Please utilize my blog (especially the homework calendar) to keep in the know. Please keep the student blogs the student's blog! If you have a concern, please feel free to leave a message on my school phone or email me directly.