Happy Spring Break!

Here's wishing that everyone has a wonderful and safe Spring Break! Don't forget to buy And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie!!! Bring the book in by Friday, April 8th (or bring in the receipt that shows your copy is on its way). If you don't have the book by the time we start reading, imagine the blank spots in the gradebook that will negatively affect your grade.

DON'T FORGET!!!!!

Please do not forget to purchase a copy of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None by Friday, April 8th. You must bring it in so that I can mark you off as having the book. We will begin reading the book after the FCAT. Check bookstores - including used bookstores - and online! If you order the book and it won't be in by the 8th, bring in a receipt so that there is proof that the book is on its way. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

Extra Credit for Hall Passes

Just as an FYI: Extra Credit for unused hall passes and any other extra credit earned (such as through team time games, etc.) will be entered in wherever you may need extra points. For example, if you did not use your 4 hall passes and you missed a reading journal entry, the 0/50 will become 4/50. It is not much in the grand scheme of things, but it could be just enough to push you to the next letter grade, depending on where you currently stand.

Novel Study for the Fourth Quarter

Please purchase a copy of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None by Friday, April 8th. We will be reading this book for a novel study after the FCAT. Try the usual bookstores, but also don't hesitate to try amazon.com or used book stores such as Chamblin's Book Mine (2 locations in Jacksonville). These books are gently used and loved, but will be more affordable. For suspense's sake, please do not read ahead!

Hooray!!! I can finally update the blog again, after a couple of weeks of technical difficulties.

I am more satisfied this quarter with the overall grades (keep in mind that they are not finalized yet), as every class has a mid-C to a high-B average. With make up work turned in and extra credit completed, I believe that number will only rise.

Extra Credit Activity:
*Complete the following to earn 50 extra credit points, which will be added into the grade as make up work for any 0s, up to 50 points.

Read pages 396-412, "The Story of an Eyewitness" and "Letter from New Orleans." While reading, answer the questions on the sides of the stories (A-I for both stories). Also answer the questions on page 413. All answers must be in complete sentences in order for you to earn this credit. This is an all or nothing assignment, meaning that you will not receive credit if it is almost done or halfway done, only if it is completely done.

Due March 21 (A) and March 22 (B). NO LATER!!!

***A reminder***Reading Journal Check #14 will be due on April 8th. This gives you two extra weeks to complete the assignment, as it should be due next week, but will not be.

Compass Odyssey for 2/18

Attention: Compass Odyssey has been having technical difficulties, so I will excuse everyone from Odyssey for this week. Please make sure you try on Saturday and the following week for next Friday's 30 minute check.

Progress Reports

Midway through the third quarter already!

Progress reports will be going home next Tuesday. I would like to remind parents that these are a snapshot in time and do not necessarily mean that your child will hold that grade throughout the quarter. However, please make sure your children are handing in all of their work. Missing work is a large contributer of low grades. Due to this reason, last week I gave all of the students a list of the assignments that we had completed in the first couple weeks of the quarter. We had a make up day in class where they could complete the work and then were given over the weekend to finish up what was left. Some students took advantage, but a surprising number of students chose to forgo the priviledge of having extra time. I hope that this trend will not continue.

I also want to remind everyone that the reading benchmark tests are next Tuesday and Wednesday, and the FCAT Writes is on March 1st.

Have a wonderful three day weekend!