Mrs. Cates' Homework

2011-08-21T12:47:00.004-05:00

August 22-26, 2011

We're off to a GREAT start!

**Students will begin checking out books on Tuesday**

Reading:
Main Test: Summer of the Swans (pgs. 20-33)
Reading Strategy: Analyze Story Structure
Vocabulary Words: abruptly, anxiety, cascade, conscious, engulf, intersection, procedure, intersection.
Test on Friday, August 26. Students should reread the story and study pages 1-3 from their practice "O" book. They will also have a study guide.

Language:
Daily DLR: Test on Friday, August 26. Students should study their corrected DLR.

Homework:
Study for Friday Tests

December 6 - 10, 2010

2010-12-05T20:01:00.004-06:00

**Reminder: December 16 is the last day for students to test on books for their reading goal. (4 books) for the 2nd grading period.**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Great Serum Race" (pages 222 - 235)
Strategy: Summarize
Skill: Sequence of events
Vocabulary: pedestrians, outskirts, unbearable, rendezvous, intercept, quarantine, epidemic, plight
TEST on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Students will have a study guide.

Language:
Focus: Possessive nouns and appositives
TEST on Tuesday, Dec. 7 on noun unit (singular, plural, common, proper, possessives).

Writing Focus: Haiku

DLR TEST - Next Wednesday, Dec. 15

November 29 - December 3

2010-11-29T10:13:00.001-06:00

**Reminder: Dec. 16 is the last day for students to test on books for their reading goal (4 books) for the 2nd grading period.**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Great Serum Race" (pgs. 222-235)
Strategy: Summarize
Skill: Sequence of events
Vocabulary: pedestrians, outskirts, unbearable, rendezvous, intercept, quarantine, epidemic, plight
Next week: TEST ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7. Students will have a study guide.

Language:
Focus: Possessive nouns and appositives
Writing Focus: Haiku
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, NOV. 19
Next week: TEST ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7 on noun unit (singular, plural, common, proper, possessives).

2010-11-14T18:36:00.002-06:00

Reading:
Monday skill --Making generalizations
Main text: "Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter" (pgs. 194 - 209)
Tuesday - Friday strategy--summarizing
Skill--problem & solution
vocabulary words: sheepishly, sweeten, coincidences, sumptuous, phase, mufflers, hobbled, prospered
TEST ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Language:
Focus: possessive nouns
Homework: Any work not completed in class
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19

November 8 -10

2010-11-10T10:23:00.002-06:00

Due to the short school week, students will not have a DLR test.

Reminder: **Reading goal: 2 books by November 8, and a total of 4 by December 16**

We will be working on test-taking skills this week as we review the Unit 1 test results with students. This will include: multiple-choice questions, short answer responses, and essay writing.

November 1 - 5

2010-11-01T09:51:00.002-05:00

**Reading goal: 2 books by November 8, 4 books by December 16.

Reading:
Main Text: "The Night of the Pomegranate"
Reading Skill: generate questions
Text Features: graphs
Vocabulary Words: spicy, unsatisfactory, undone, ravaged, broadcast, vigil, marveled, calculations
TEST ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 students will have a study guide

Language:
Focus: persuasive business letter
Homework: Students will have an adult read the first draft of the letter, make comments, and sign it on Wednesday or Thursday. We will be writing the final copy on Friday.

October 25 - 29

2010-10-24T08:13:00.003-05:00

**Academic Pep Rally** Friday, October 29, 2010
**Fall Festival - November 20** more information coming soon!

**Reading goal: 2 books by November 8, 4 books by December 16. Students will be bringing their Genre Bingo sheets home for parents to sign by October 27.**

Reading:
Main Text: "The Night of the Pomegranate" (pgs. )
Reading Strategy:
Reading Skill: make inferences
Text Features:
Vocabulary Words:
Homework: work not finished in class.
TEST will be next week.

Language:
Focus:
Homework: work not finished in class, study for test
DLR test Friday 10-29

October 18 - 22

2010-10-18T06:44:00.004-05:00

*Fall pictures October 20*

**Reading goal: 2 books by November 8, 4 books by December 16.
Students will be bringing their Genre Bingo sheets home for parents to sign October 20.

Reading:
Main Text: "How Tia Lola Came to Stay" (pgs. 132 - 145)
Reading Strategy: generate questions
Reading Skill: make inferences
Text Feature: almanacs and charts
vocabulary Words: inscribed, grouchy, resemblance, postmarked, enthralled, regulartion,
embarrassment, pennant
Homework: work not finished in class, study for test
Reading TEST: Friday, October 22

Language:
Focus: common and proper nouns
persuasive business letter
Homework: work not finished in class
DLR TEST on Friday, October 22

If you have any questions please give me a call at 205-647-3083, or email me at tlcates@blountboe.net.

October 12 - 15

2010-10-11T18:48:00.002-05:00

This week we will review Unit 1 reading and language skills (Tuesday) and then take the test on Wednesday and Friday. **Students will complete study guides on Tuesday during class. Any work not finished in class will be homework.

Students who completed the reading goal for this grading period (4 books) will be watching a movie in the library during class on Thursday. Way to go!! Keep on reading!!!!!

Students will be give a new genre bingo sheet on Tuesday for the new 9-week term. REMEMBER you should be reading at least 20 minutes 3 nights each week.

There will not be a daily DLR test this week.

October 4 - 8

2010-10-04T10:08:00.003-05:00

**Parenting Day on Monday, October 11 (NO SCHOOL).

Reading:
Main Text: "Interrupted Journey" (pgs. 107-117)
Reading Strategy: Make inferences and analyze
Reading Skill: Main Idea and details
Vocabulary words: speculated, conserve, analyzing, vital, propelled, sedated, dehydrated, embedded
TEST on Friday, October 8

Language:
Focus: Run-on sentences and comma splice errors
Personal narrative
DLR TEST on Friday, October 8

Lit. Skills (4th Period)
Focus: Helping verbs and Main verbs
Thursday: Study common nouns, proper nouns, main verbs, and helping verbs
TEST on Thursday, October 7

Homework:
Study for reading and DLR tests for Friday
Any work missed due to absences will be homework. Any work not completed in class will be homework.

September 27 - October 1

2010-09-26T17:33:00.003-05:00

**HMS Health Fair on Tuesday, 9-28-10**

Fall pictures - October 20th

Reading
Main Test: "The Magic Gourd"
Reading Strategy: Make Inferences and analyze
Reading Skill: Cause and Effect
Vocabulary Words: rummaged, undetected, chameleon, generosity, pathetic, ricocheting, famine, scrounging
TEST: Wednesday, 9-29-10 (Students will have a study guide)

Language
Focus: Dependent clause, independent clause, and complex sentences
TEST: Wednesday, 9-29-10
Students will begin working on an expository paper this week.

Daily DLR: TEST on Friday, October 1

Homework: Study for reading/vocabulary, language, and Daily DLR tests. Students should be reading at home to complete their Genre Bingo Sheet. (4 books required by October 8). Students may take an A.R. test or complete an alternate assignment to receive credit for reading a book.

If you have any questions please call the school and leave me a message or email me at: tlcates@blountboe.net.

September 20 - 24

2010-09-19T14:21:00.003-05:00

Reading
Main Text: "The Magic Gourd"
Reading Strategy: Make Inferences and Analyze
Reading Skill: Cause & Effect
Vocabulary Words: rummaged, undetected, chameleon, generosity, pathetic, ricocheting, famine, scrounging
Test will be next week.

Language
Focus: Independent clause, Dependent clause, and Complex Sentences

Daily DLR: TEST on Friday, September 24

Homework: Study for DLR test. Students should be reading at home to complete their Genre Bingo Sheet (4 books required by Oct. 8). They may take an A.R. test or complete an alternate assignment to get credit for reading a book.

If you have questions please call the school and leave me a message or email me at: tlcates@blountboe.net.

August 30 - September 3

2010-08-31T07:07:00.006-05:00

**Dibels Testing** Tuesday, 8-31

Reading:Main Text: Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu (pgs. 45-56)
Reading Strategy: Analyze Story Structure
Reading Skill: Character, Setting, and Plot
Vocabulary Words: escort, foretold, interpreter, remote, undergrowth, vegetation, venomous, withstood
TEST: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Homework: Any work not completed in class

Language:
Subjects and Predicates
Homework-Any work not completed in class

Daily DLR: Test on Friday, September 3

Personal Narrative due Tuesday, August 31

Homework: Study for Friday DLR #3, test

August 23 - 27, 2010

2010-08-23T07:02:00.003-05:00

**Students will begin checking out books on Monday**

Reading:
Main Text: Summer of the Swans (pgs. 20-33)
Reading Strategy: Analyze Story Structure
Reading Skill: Character, Setting, and Plot
Vocabulary Words: abruptly, anxiety, conscious, intersection, enguly, procedure, souvenir, cascade
Test on Thursday, August 26. Students should reread the story and study pages 1-3, 6 from their practice "O" book. They will also have a study guide.

Language:
Daily DLR: Test on Friday, August 27
Sentence types and fragments
Writing a personal narrative
TEST ON SENTENCE TYPES AND FRAGMENTS ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 26. Students should study pages 1-3 in their Grammar practice book.

Homework: Study for Thursday and Friday tests.

August 16 - 20

2010-08-15T21:27:00.002-05:00

Homeroom/Advisory

I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!!

Students should bring home their advisory folders each Monday with important assignments, tests, and any other important information listed on their calendar. It is very important for you to check your child's advisory folder each Monday. If possible, please send $1 to help cover the cost of folders/calendars. Lockers will be issued on Wednesday, August 18, to students who have paid the $7.00 locker fee and have returned all required forms.

Reading:
Text: Summer of the Swans (pgs. 20-33)
Vocabulary: Multiple meaning words
Vocabulary words: abruptly, anxiety, conscious, intersection, engulf, procedure, souvenir, cascade.
Reading strategy: Analyze story structure
Reading skill: Character, Setting, Plot

Language:
Daily DLR (Daily Language Review) Graded each day in class.
Sentence Types and Fragments

Homework:
DLR TEST on Friday, August 20. Students should study for this test using their Daily DLR.

May 17 - 21

2010-05-17T07:00:00.003-05:00

Summer vacation is almost here. Only 10 more days! Remember to keep reading this summer.

**Scholastic Book Fair 5-17 through 5-21**

Reading: We will be reviewing reading skills using Storyworks and National Geographic.

Language:
Focus: Persuasive techniques (propaganda) in advertising. Small groups will present their advertisement this week.

D.L.R. Test on Friday

Standing homework: Students are to read at least 3X each week for 20 minutes each time. Students are expected to earn 10 points (A.R. tests or alternative assignment) by the end of the grading period.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

May 10 - 14

2010-05-10T19:21:00.004-05:00

Anything Goes will be on Thursday, May 13. Please make sure your child puts on sunscreen, has money for concessions or brings a snack, and wears comfortable clothing. If you are willing to bring a cooler with water to share with our homeroom class, please let me know. My email: tlcates@blountboe.net

Reading: "Saving Grace" pgs. 418 - 421
Focus: Compare and Contrast
Vocabulary: moderate, bewildering, prohibit, hamper, accessible
Test on Friday.

Language:
Focus: Persuasive techniques (propaganda) in advertising

D.L.R. Test on Friday

Standing homework: Students are expected to earn 10 points (A.R. tests or alternative assignment) by the end of the grading period.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

May 3 - 7

2010-05-02T18:02:00.005-05:00

Reading:
Text: "Saving Grace" pages 418 - 421
Focus: Fact and Opinion
Vocabulary: bewildering, moderate, hamper, prohibit, accessible

Language:
Focus: Persuasive techniques (propaganda) in advertising
Test: FRIDAY - Propaganda techniques in advertising

Standing homeowrk: Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment) by the end of the grading period (May 24), although school library books need to be checked in by May 12. Students will be given an A.R. progress form THIS WEEK for a parent to sign.

Standing Classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

April 26 - 30

2010-04-27T11:59:00.001-05:00

READING:Text: "Exploring the Titanic" pgs. 392-405.
Focus: Fact and Opinion
Vocabulary: edgy, clockwise, hovering, interior, formations, intact, severed, wreckage
TEST ON TUESDAY, APRIL 27**
Students will have a study guide to prepare for the test.

LANGUAGE:Focus: Persuasive techniques (propaganda) in advertising
**Homework: Students should be looking for advertisement examples at home to use for next week's lessons.

Standing homework: Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment)by the end of the grading period (May 26), although school library books need to be checked in by May 12. Students will be given an A.R. progress form THIS WEEK for a parent to sign.

April 19 - 23

2010-04-18T18:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome back!!

Reading:
Text: "Exploring the Titanic" pages 392 - 405.
Focus: Fact and Opinion
Vocabulary: edgy, clockwise, hovering, interior, formations, intact, severed, wreckage
Test: Next Week

Language:
Focus: Subject and Object Pronouns
Homework: Page 105 grammar practice book (assigned Monday, due Wednesday)

Standing Homework: Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. tests or alternate assignment) by the end of the grading period (May 26), although school library books need to be checked in by May 12. Students will be given an A.R. progress form every two weeks for a parent to sign.

Standing Classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

April 5-9, 2010

2010-04-05T10:10:00.002-05:00

READING:
Text: "Seeing Things His Own Way" pgs. 368-379.
Focus: Evaluating Author's Purpose
Vocabulary: typical, specialists, peripheral, guidance, deteriorated, maturity, summit, awesome TEST ON WEDNESDAY, April 7

LANGUAGE: Students will complete a daily DLR which we will review in class.
DLR TEST ON FRIDAY.
We will focus on persuasive writing.

Standing homework: Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment)by the end of the grading period (May 26), although school library books need to be checked in by May 12. Students will be given an A.R. progress form every two weeks for a parent to sign.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

March 29 - April 2

2010-03-29T06:28:00.002-05:00

**Students will be taking the OLSAT and SAT-10 Tests Monday-Wednesday. Please be sure your child gets plenty of rest, eats breakfast, and is on time for school!
** No homework this week other than independent reading.

READING: Text: "Seeing Things His Own Way" pgs. 368-379.
Focus: Evaluating Author's Purpose
Vocabulary: typical, specialists, peripheral, guidance, deteriorated, maturity, summit, awesome

LANGUAGE: We will discuss and practice writing persuasively.

Standing homework: Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment)by the end of the grading period (May 26), although school library books need to be checked in by May 12.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

March 22 - 26

2010-03-22T10:40:00.001-05:00

**Students will be taking the ARMT test on Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday is a make-up day. Please be sure your child is on time for school, gets plenty of rest, and eats breakfast!!**

No homework this week other than independent reading.

We will review test-taking skills on Monday and Tuesday in class.
READING:Text: "Seeing Things His Own Way" pgs. 368-379.
Focus: Evaluating Author's Purpose
Vocabulary: typical, specialists, peripheral, guidance, deteriorated, maturity, summit, awesome

LANGUAGE:We will discuss and practice writing persuasively.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment)by the end of the grading period (May 26), although school library books need to be checked in by May 12.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

March 15 - 19, 2010

2010-03-16T12:42:00.001-05:00

**This week is Reading and Writing Celebration Week**
We will have fun school-wide activities each day to celebrate Mark Twain and his book Tom Sawyer.

READING:Text: "Seeing Things His Own Way" pgs. 368-379.
Focus: Evaluating Author's Purpose
Vocabulary: typical, specialists, peripheral, guidance, deteriorated, maturity, summit, awesome
Homework: work not finished in class
TEST will be next week.

LANGUAGE: On Tuesday, we will write an advice letter to Tom (Tom Sawyer) based on the book and movie events.
We will be reviewing sentence structure and grammar rules all week. No homework.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment)by the end of the grading period. The library closes during the last week or two of school, so students should plan accordingly.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

March 8 - 12

2010-03-09T07:04:00.003-06:00

READING:We will review Unit 3 in class and take the Unit 3 test on Wednesday/Friday.This test is based on the reading skills we studied while reading the last 5 stories in Treasures.
We will also finish the book Tom Sawyer which all of the reading classes are reading in preparation for Reading and Writing week March 15-19.

LANGUAGE: DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class.
TEST on Friday.

On Monday and Tuesday, we will work on completing a book review in class. Students will complete the book review on the book they read by the author they researched.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are expected to earn at least one bingo on their reading bingo sheet by the end of the grading period (March 11).

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

March 1 - 5

2010-03-02T07:39:00.004-06:00

*Graded work sent home this week*

*READING:TEST on "The Case of the Phantom Poet" is Tuesday, March 2.

Students will be presenting their author study projects this week. They have signed up for their day to present.

LANGUAGE:DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class.
TEST on Friday.

We will work on completing a book review in class. Students will complete the book review on the book they read by the author they researched.
Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Thursday.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. Students are expected to get (1) bingo on their bingo sheet in place of the 10 A.R. points. This has to be completed by March 11. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Friday.

February 22 - 26

2010-02-22T14:48:00.003-06:00

**Information about the Author Project was given to the students, Feb. 16.

**READING: Text: "The Emperor's Silent Army" pgs. 318-329
Comprehension focus: monitoring comprehension, summarizing
Vocabulary: utensils, superstitious, civilized, excavate, trenches, steadfastly, precede, prolong
TEST will be Tuesday, 2-23-10.
Wednesday: Text: "The Case of the Phantom Poet" pgs. 341-353
Comprehension focus: monitor comprehension, draw conclusions
Vocabulary: charismatic, sleuthing, mimics, array, significance, despondently, sponsoring, anonymous
Test will be next week.

LANGUAGE: DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class. TEST on Friday.
Language Focus: helping verbs, verb tenses, and linking verbs
TEST will be Tuesday, 2-23-10.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. Students are expected to get (1) bingo on their bingo sheet in place of the 10 A.R. points. This has to be completed by March 11. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Friday.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Thursday.

February 15 - 19

2010-02-14T16:28:00.003-06:00

READING:Text: "The Emperor's Silent Army" pages 319-329

Comprehension focus: Drawing Conclusions
Vocabulary: utensils, superstitious, civilized, excavate, trenches, steadfastly, precede, prolong

LANGUAGE:DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class.
TEST on Friday.

Focus: helping verbs, verb tenses, and linking verbs

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays.
Students are required to get at least one bingo on their genre bingo sheet. This is in place of the 10 points.
Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

February 8 - 12

2010-02-08T11:26:00.001-06:00

**Progress Reports Will Be Sent Home Monday, Feb. 8**

READING:Text: ""Building Green" pgs. 306-309
Comprehension focus: Cause-Effect
Vocabulary: nonrenewable, renewable, adverse, generate, apparatus

LANGUAGE:DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class.
TEST on Friday.
Focus: helping verbs and verb tenses

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are required to get at least one bingo on their genre bingo sheet. This is in place of the 10 points.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

February 1-5

2010-02-01T14:59:00.003-06:00

**We will begin an author study this week. Students will be given project requirements.

READING:Text: ""Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street" pgs. 278-293
Comprehension focus: Drawing conclusions
Vocabulary: limousine, sensational, precarious, extravagant, unimaginable, lamented, promenade, embarked
TEST ON FRIDAY, FEB. 5

LANGUAGE:DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class. TEST on Friday.
Focus: Reviewing past and future tenses of verbs

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. There are not points this 9 weeks. Students are working on a genre bingo sheet. They are required to get at least one bingo during the 9 week period.

Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

January 18 - 22

2010-01-20T12:21:00.002-06:00

**GENRE BINGO** Students will be using a BINGO card to keep track of reading a variety of genres. They will earn BINGO (hoizontally, vertically, or diagonally) by reading 5 books (with the free space). This is a required assignment.

READING: Text: "Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie" pgs. 251-265
Comprehension focus: Analyzing story structure (character, setting, plot)
Vocabulary: foreman, employee, gritted, fulfill, gloated, flourish, vigorously, gleefully
TEST on FRIDAY, JAN. 22
LANGUAGE: DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class. TEST on Friday.
Identifying and writing action verbs, direct objects, and indirect objects in sentences
TEST on FRIDAY, JAN. 22
**Homework: Any work not finished in class
Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are expected to earn 10 pts. (A.R. test or alternate assignment)by the end of the grading period.Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

January 11 - 15

2010-01-12T07:31:00.004-06:00

**Report cards will be sent home on Friday, Jan. 15.

**GENRE BINGO** Students will be using a BINGO card to keep track of reading a variety of genres. They will earn BINGO (hoizontally, vertically, or diagonally) by reading 5 books (with the free space). This is a required assignment.

READING: Text: "Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie" pgs. 251 265
Comprehension focus: Analyzing story structure (character, setting, plot)
Vocabulary: foreman, employee, gritted, fulfill, gloated, flourish, vigorously, gleefully
TEST next week (probably Tuesday)
LANGUAGE:DLR will be completed and reviewed each day in class. TEST on Friday.
Identifying and writing action verbs, direct objects, and indirect objects in sentences
TEST next week (probably Tuesday)
Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays.
Standing classwork: Students respond to a prompt in their reading response journal. The response is based on their individual reading. The prompt is written on the board each Monday and the response is due by Friday.

December 7 - 11, 2009

2009-12-08T13:01:00.005-06:00

**GENRE BINGO** Students will be using a BINGO card to keep track of reading a variety of genres. They will earn BINGO (hoizontally, vertically, or diagonally) by reading 4 books (with the free space). If they choose to read a row with 5 books, they will earn extra credit.
This will begin after our Christmas break.

**Extra Credit: Please bring in a 4 x 6 picture of you reading in your favorite
spot by Wednesday!

Reading focus: Summarizing and Problem/Solution
Text: Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter-- pg. 195-209.

TEST: Tuesday, Dec. 8 *Students have a study guide that they worked on in class.

Text (Beginning on Wednesday): "The Great Serum Race" pgs. 223-235.Focus: story sequenceVocabulary: pedestrians, outskirts, unbearable, rendezvous, intercept, quarantine, epidemic, plight.

Language focus: Appositives**Work not completed in class will be homework.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are expected to earn 10 pts. by the end of the grading period.

November 30 - Dec. 4

2009-11-30T10:20:00.002-06:00

Reading focus: Summarizing and Problem/Solution

Text: Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter--pg. 195-209.
TEST: NEXT WEEK

Vocabulary: sheepishly, coincidences, sumptuous, sweeten, phase, mufflers, hobbled, prospered

Language focus: possessive nouns QUIZ on Friday.

**Work not completed in class will be homework.

Standing homework: Students should read at least 3x/wk. for 20 min. and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each wk. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are expected to earn 10 pts. by the end of the grading period.

November 16-20

2009-11-16T08:50:00.002-06:00

THANK YOU, to all who helped make the Fall Festival such a huge success. It was truly a great day!!!

Reading Focus: generating questions and making generalizations
Vocabulary Words: calamities, mitigate, devastating, evacuate, administer

Text: "Zoo Story" (pgs. 182-185) TEST: Thursday 11-19 (students have a study guide)

Language Focus: Researching a topic related to natural disasters and creating a newspaper article.
TEST: Friday - D.L.R. (D.L.R. is corrected in class each day)

Homework: Study for reading, vocabulary, and D.L.R. test

Standing Homework: Students should read at least 3x/week for 20 minutes and record it on their reading log. They need to have their log signed by a parent each week. Logs are checked on Fridays. Students are expected to earn 10 points by the end of the grading period.

November 2 - 6

2009-11-02T12:53:00.002-06:00

The HMS Fall Festival will be on November 14 (2-5 p.m.) Our homeroom class is in need of volunteers to assist with working our booth and providing small prizes. If you are interested, please email me at tlcates@blountboe.net and let me know what you are willing to help with. We will also need donations for our class basket (hot drinks and goodies) for the silent auction. Please help in any way you can to make this year's Fall Festival great!

Reading Focus: making inferences
Vocabulary: Dictionary pronunciation key

Text: "The Night of the Pomegranate" pgs. 157-169
TEST: FRIDAY, NOV. 6

Language focus: singular and plural nouns
TEST:FRIDAY, NOV. 6 (common, proper, singular, plural nouns)

DLR: completed in class each morning and collected on Friday. Quiz on Friday.

Writing: We will be working on writing complete responses. Students also write in their response journals each week in class (due each Friday).

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week. I will check reading logs each Friday. 10 pts. are required each grading period.

October 26-30

2009-10-26T21:29:00.002-05:00

The HMS Fall Festival will be on November 14. Our homeroom class is in need of volunteers to assist with working our booth and providing small prizes. If you are interested, please email me at tlcates@blountboe.net and let me know what you are willing to help with. We will also need donations for our class basket (hot drinks & goodies) for the silent auction. The Fall Festival was a lot of fun last year. Please help in any way you can to make this year's Fall Festival even better!

TEST: "How Tia Lola Came to Stay" pgs. 133-145 on WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28
Students have a study guide.

Beginning Thursday: Reading focus: making inferences
Vocabulary: dictionary pronunciation key
Text: "The Night of the Pomegranate" pgs. 157-169

Language focus: singular and plural nouns
**work not completed in class will be homework (final copy of business letter due Thursday)

DLR: completed in class each morning and collected on Friday. Quiz on Friday.

Writing: We will be working on writing complete responses. Students also write in their response journals each week in class (due each Friday).

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week. I will check reading logs each Friday. 10 pts. are required each grading period.

October 19 - 23

2009-10-19T13:10:00.004-05:00

Attention Homeroom Parents!!!!
The annual Fall Festival at HMS is coming up on November 14. Our class will be in need of volunteers to assist with working our booth and providing prizes. If you are interested, please email me at tlcates@blountboe.net and let me know. We will need volunteers! Please help! If you have any ideas for a booth or for a basket for our silent auction, please email me that information. Fall Festival is a great time for all. Please help in any way you can.

State Wide Parenting Day - October 26, 2009. Your child will be bringing home information about parenting day.

Reading focus: making inferences
Vocabulary: inflectional endings
Text: "How Tia Lola Came to Stay" pgs. 133-145

Language focus: common and proper nouns, business letters

DLR: completed in class each morning and collected on Friday. Quiz on Friday.

Writing: We will be writing business letters.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week. I will check reading logs each Friday. 10 pts. are required each grading period.

October 13-16, 2009

2009-10-12T19:30:00.002-05:00

Attention Homeroom Parents!!!!

The annual Fall Festival at HMS is coming up on November 14. Our class will be in need of volunteers to assist with working our booth and providing prizes. If you are interested, please email me at tlcates@blountboe.net and let me know. We will need volunteers! Please help! If you have any ideas for a booth or for a basket for our silent auction, please email me that information. Fall Festival is a great time for all. Please help in any way you can.

Reading focus: Main Idea and Details
Vocabulary: Analogies with antonyms

Text: "Interrupted Journey" pgs. 106-117 TEST on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Homework on Tuesday--study guide

Language focus: Independent and dependent clauses, complex sentences, run-ons

DLR focus: run-on sentences and grammar review.
DLRs are completed in class each morning and collected on Friday.

Writing: We will be sharing our response journal writing (completed each week) with each other.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week.
I will check reading logs each Friday.
10 pts. are required each grading period.

If you need to contact me for any reason you can email me at: tlcates@blountboe.net or leave a voice mail for me at HMS (647-3083).

October 5 - 9

2009-10-05T20:48:00.003-05:00

This Friday is the end of the first grading period.

Reading focus: Main Idea and DetailsVocabulary: Analogies with antonyms
Text: "Interrupted Journey" pgs. 106-117

TEST on "The Magic Gourd" (cause-effect and vocabulary) on TUESDAY, OCT. 6
Homework on Monday--study guide

Language focus: Independent and dependent clauses, complex sentences, run-ons
DLR focus: run-on sentences and grammar review
DLRs are completed in class each morning and collected on Friday.

Writing: We will be sharing our response journal writing (completed each week) with each other.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week.
I will check reading logs each Friday. 10 pts. are required each grading period.

Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2009

2009-09-28T09:18:00.002-05:00

Reading focus: Identify Cause and Effect, vocabulary in a Folk Tale: "The Magic Gourd" pgs. 83 - 93.
TEST on Tuesady October 6.

Language focus: Clauses and Complex Sentences.
Work not completed in class will be homework.

DLR focus: Clauses, Complex Sentences, & grammar. Test date will be announced later this week. DLRs are completed in class each morning and collected on Friday.

Writing: We will be sharing our response journal writing (completed each week) with each other.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week.I will check reading logs each Friday. 10 pts. are required each grading period.

September 21-25, 2009

2009-09-20T14:44:00.004-05:00

September 24 is our first Family Night at HMS! A free art lesson will be available from our own Mrs. Wilder, 6th grade teacher. PTO will also have food for sale. Come out and have a great night with your family and create a momento of the night you all spent together. Family night will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Reading focus: Making Inferences and Analyze (Main Idea and Details) and vocabulary in a non-fiction text.
Text: "Gecko Glue, Cockroach Scouts, and Spider Silk Bridges" pgs. 70-73.
TEST on Wednesday Sept. 23.

Language focus: Conjunctions, Compound Sentences, & Commas.
Work not completed in class will be homework.

DLR focus: capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.
DLRs are completed in class each morning and collected on Friday.

Writing: We will be sharing our response journal writing (completed each week) with each other.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week.
I will check reading logs each Friday. 10 pts. are required each grading period.

September 14-18, 2009

2009-09-13T16:21:00.003-05:00

Progress Reports will be given out this week.

Reading focus: Analyzing story structure (character, setting, plot) Identifying text features in nonfiction text; Using word parts/compound words

Text: "Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu" pgs. 44-57
TEST on Wednesday Sept. 16

Language focus: Subjects and predicates, compound sentences
TEST on subjects and predicates Tuesday, Sept. 15
Homework: Monday, Sept. 14 (for those who need additional practice on subjects/predicates)

DLR focus: capitalization, punctuation, and grammar
DLRs are completed in class each morning and collected on Friday.

Writing: We will be sharing our response journal writing (completed each week) with each other.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week. I will check reading logs each Friday.

September 8 - 11, 2009

2009-09-07T08:52:00.002-05:00

Reading focus: Analyzing story structure (character, setting, plot)
Using word parts/compound words
Text: "Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu" pgs. 44-57
TEST on Tuesday, Sept. 15

Language focus: Subjects and predicates
TEST on Tuesday, Sept. 15

Homework: Thursday, Sept. 10 (workbook pages--check agenda)

DLR focus: capitalization, punctuation, and grammar
DLRs are completed in class each morning and collected on Friday.

Writing: We will be revising, editing, and finishing the final draft of our personal narratives in class.
Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week FOR HOMEWORK and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week.
I will check reading logs each Friday.

August 31 - Sept. 4, 2009

2009-08-30T10:11:00.002-05:00

Reading focus: Analyzing story structure (character, setting, plot); Multiple meaning words
Text: "The Summer of the Swans" pgs. 20-33
TEST on Tuesday, Sept. 1
We will be doing dibels on Tuesday & Thursday of this week.

Language focus: Sentence and sentence fragments; Types of sentences
TEST on Tuesday, Sept. 1
Writing focus: Writing a narrative; work will be completed in class.

DLR focus: punctuation and capitalization
DLRs are completed in class each morning.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week. I will check reading logs each Friday.

Mrs. Cates

2009-08-25T20:40:00.002-05:00

Reading focus: Analyzing story structure (character, setting, plot)
Multiple meaning words

Text: "The Summer of the Swans" pgs. 20-33
Work not completed in class will be homework. TEST on Tuesday, Sept. 1

Language focus: Sentence and sentence fragments
Types of sentences
Work not completed in class will be homework. TEST on Tuesday, Sept. 1

DLR focus: punctuation
DLRs are completed in class each morning.

Self-selected reading: Students will read at least 20 min. 3x per week and record this in their reading log. They will need a parent signature each week. I will check reading logs each Friday.
Students are required to have (10) A.R. points this nine-week period.

May 11 - 15

2009-05-11T12:27:00.002-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by May 18. Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 60 min./wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. Students need to read at least one fiction and one non-fiction book.

1/2 & 3/4 reading: We will review vocabulary and the story "Seeing Things His Own Way" (pgs. 368-379). TEST ON TUESDAY, MAY 12.
1/2 & 3/4 language: We will learn about propaganda in advertising as a way to persuade. Homework: analyzing an advertisement and commercial. Due on Wednesday.

7/8 reading: We will review vocabulary and "Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie."
Test on Tuesday, May 12.
On Wednesday we will begin a new story, "Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street." We will focus on vocabulary words and drawing conclusions. Students should study vocabulary words each night.
Homework: Timed reading: Tuesday, Thursday.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates - May 4 - 8, 2009

2009-05-05T12:46:00.002-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by May 18. Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 60 min./wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. Students need to read at least one fiction and one non-fiction book.

6th grade reading: We will read "Seeing Things His Own Way" (pgs. 368-379). We will focus on author's purpose. Test will be next week--probably Tuesday.

6th grade language: We will learn about propaganda in advertising as a way to persuade. Homework: analyzing an advertisement and commercial. *Due on Friday*

6th grade spelling: pgs. 97, 99, 100 due on Wedesday (students had time to work on this in class on Monday). TEST on THURSDAY, MAY 7.

5th Period Lit. Skills
We will continue reading Under the Blood Red Sun and work on comprehension questions and vocabulary for each chapter.

7th/8th
We will read "Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell A Lie" (pgs. 251-265). We will focus on character, plot, and setting. Test will be next week--probably on Tuesday.
Spelling: Spelling words will be given out on Monday. Students should study #1-20 for the spelling test. Test on Thursday.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

04-27-09 / 05-01-09

2009-04-26T21:54:00.002-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by May 18(2.5 pts. by April 22). Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 60 min./wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. Students need to read at least one fiction and one non-fiction book.

1/2 & 3/4 reading: We will read "The Case of the Phantom Poet" and focus on drawing conclusions and key vocabulary words. TEST ON TUESDAY, APRIL 28.

1/2 & 3/4 language: We will be writing a persuasive letter about making a change at school. All work will be completed in class.

5th Lit. Skills: We will continue reading Under the Blood Red Sun, working on vocabulary and drawing conclusions.

7/8 reading: We will begin a new story "The Great Serum Race." Any work not completed in class will be homework.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

April 20 - 24, 2009

2009-04-20T14:38:00.002-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by May 15 (2.5 pts. by April 17). Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 60 min./wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. Students need to read at least one fiction and one non-fiction book.

1/2 & 3/4
Reading: We will begin a new story, "The Case of the Phantom Poet." We will be focusing on drawing conclusions. Test on Friday, 4-24-09.
Language: We will be working on persuasive writing this week. Most work will be completed in class.
No spelling this week.

5th
Lit Skills: We are beginning a novel on Tuesday, "Under the Blood Red Sun. We will be working on several reading strategies and language will be incorporated into this.

7th/8th
Reading: We will begin a new story "Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter." We will be focusing on summarzing this week. The students will have vocabulary cards to study with this week. They need to review the words each night. Test on Friday, 4-24-09.
Spelling: Packets will be sent home on Tuesday. Test on Friday, 4-24-09.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

April 6 - 10. 2009

2009-04-06T12:46:00.002-05:00

Mrs. Cates

2009-03-29T20:46:00.003-05:00

March 30, 31, April 1-3, 2009

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by May 15 (2.5 pts. by April 17). Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 3 nights/wk.
for at least 20 minutes each night (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. Students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book.

Reading & Language: We will be taking the ARMT on Monday & Tuesday.
We will begin taking the SAT on Wednesday (4-1-09) and continue through Tuesday of next week.

5th Period Lit Skills: We will continue working on parts of speech.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates March 9 - 13, 2009

2009-03-09T12:57:00.002-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by March 17 . Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 60 min./wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. New this grading period: students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book.

1/2 & 3/4 reading: "The Emperor's Silent Army", pgs. 318-329. We will focus on summarizing, key vocabulary, and prefixes. TEST ON TUESDAY, MARCH 17. All work will be completed in class, unless a student is absent.
1/2 & 3/4 language: We will focus on linking verbs. All work will be completed in class, unless there is a change in schedule, and I will re-post.

5th lit. skills: We will be working on poetry this week. All work should be completed in class.

7/8 reading: "How Tia Lola Came to Stay," pages 133-147. We will focus on making inferences, key vocabulary, and summarizing. Students will have a timed reading on Monday & Thursday.
Students. We will be working on plural words in spelling. Spelling packet will go home on Monday and will be due on Thursday. TEST on Friday.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me:tlcates @blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates - February 23-27, 2009

2009-02-24T19:40:00.002-06:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by March 17 . Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 60 min./wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. New this grading period: students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book. They will also create and present a book report--information will be given to students soon.

1st/2nd & 3rd/4th Periods - reading: "Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street", pgs. 280-293. We will focus on drawing conclusions and key vocabulary. TEST ON MONDAY, MARCH 1

1st/2nd & 3rd/4th Periods - language: We will study past and future tense verbs.

7th/8th reading: "The Magic Gourd." We will focus on key vocabulary words, cause & effect, and making inferences. TEST on Friday, February 27, 2009.

Thursday-Homework: 1-minute timed reading. Please time your child for one minute, mark errors, and place a bracket at the last word read.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates - February 17-20, 2009

2009-02-16T20:34:00.002-06:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by March 17 (2.5 points byFeb. 2). Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 20 min. 3 times/wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. New this grading period: students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book. They will also create and present a book report--information will be given to students later.

Reading: 1/2 & 3/4
Students will complete a study guide for "Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie," in class Tuesday. TEST on Wednesday.
On Thursday & Friday we will work on drawing conclusions and figurative langauge.
Language: 1/2 & 3/4
Students will complete writing their folk tale in class and then present the folk tale to the class.
Reading: 7/8
Students will complete a study guide for "Gecko Glue, Cockroach Scouts, and Spider Silk Bridges," in class Tuesday. TEST on Wednesday.
Thursday-Homework: 1-minute timed reading. Please time your child for one minute, mark errors, and place a bracket at the last word read.
On Thursday & Friday we will work in the Triumphs reading book on vocabulary, decoding, making inferences, main idea and details, and using context clues.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates - February 9-13, 2009

2009-02-08T12:05:00.003-06:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by March 17 (2.5 points byFeb. 2). Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 20 min. 3 times/wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. New this grading period: students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book. They will also create and present a book report--information will be given to students later.

1/2 & 3/4 periods: reading:"Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie, pages 250-265. We will work on character, plot, setting, and key vocabulary words.
Spelling: Practice pages 66 & 67 and ABC order. Pages are due on Thursday, 2-12-09. TEST on Friday, 2-13-09.

1/2 & 3/4 periods: language: We will continue working on persuasive writing.

5th period Lit. Skills: We will continue working on writing a persuasive paragraph this week.

7/8 period reading: "Gecko Glue, Cockroach Scouts, and Spider Silk Bridges," pgs. 70-73. We will work on context clues, definitions, making inferences, and analyzing. We will also continue working in our Triumphs reading book.
Homework: timed reading on Tuesday night. Please time your child for (1 minute) marking mistakes and placing a bracket around the last word read.
**Remember to read your A.R. and get your reading log signed.**

7/8 Spelling: workbook pages 13, 14, & 15, these pages are due on Thursday, 2-12-09. TEST on Friday, 2-13-09.
Homework: study spelling words each night.

7/8 language: We will continue working on subjects and predicates this week.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

2009-02-02T12:48:00.002-06:00

Mrs. Cates - January 26-30, 2009

2009-01-27T07:26:00.002-06:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by March 17 (2.5 points byFeb. 2). Test percent goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 20 min. 3 times/wk. (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. New this grading period: students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book. They will also create and present a book report--information will be given to students this week.

1st/2nd & 3rd/4th Periods reading: "The Great Serum Race", pgs. 222-237. We will focus on key vocabulary words, sequencing, symbolism and metaphors. Work will be completed in class.
Language: Identifying and using appositives to make writing more interesting. Using commas to set apart non-essential appositives.

5th Period Lit. Skills: We will continue working in our Best Practices in Reading workbook. Any work not completed in class will be homework.

7th/8th Period reading: "Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu," pgs. 45-59. We will focus on key vocabulary words, character, setting, and plot. Please help your child study these vocabulary words each night. We will try and complete all work in class. Timed reading will be sent home on Wednesday and Thursday.
7th & 8th Period language: Complete subject/simple subject and complete predicate / simple predicate.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates - January 20 - 23, 2009

2009-01-19T18:19:00.003-06:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points by March 17 (2.5 points by Feb.2). Test percentage correct goal is 85%. Students are required to read at least 20 minutes 3 times each week (this can include the weekend), complete a reading log, and have it signed by a parent. Reading logs are checked on Friday. New this grading period: students need to read at least one chapter book and at least one non-fiction book. They will also create and present a book report. Information for this will be given to students this week.

1/2 & 3/4 Periods
Reading: Test on "Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter," problem-solution, idioms, literary elements (moral and hyperbole), and key vocabulary words on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Study textbook pages 190-211 and practice "O" workbook pages 59, 60, 61, 63 for the test. Fluency practice and Book Report Introductions will also be done in class.

Language: Test on nouns (singular, singular possessive, plural, plural possessive) on Thursday, Jan. 22. Review practice book pages 51, 52, 53 to study for test. Students will also be working on expository writing in class.

5th Period
Lit. Skills
We will continue working in the Best Practices in Reading workbook. Any work not completed in class will be homework.

7th Period
Reading: Test on "Summer of the Swans," character, setting, plot and key vocabulary words on Jan. 22. Students will have a study guide to study for the test. Students will have a fluency passage on Wednesday. Please time your child for 1-minute and record the number of words read and errors.
Language: Students will be working on sentence types and fragments. Any work not completed in class will be homework.

Mrs. Cates December 12-16, 2009

2009-01-12T12:54:00.003-06:00

Mrs. Cates January 6-9, 2009

2009-01-07T20:33:00.002-06:00

Mrs. Cates - December 15-19, 2008

2008-12-15T10:54:00.003-06:00

December 15-19
**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points (by Dec. 18). Students should be reading at home 20 min. 3 times/wk. and completing their reading log. Logs are checked on Friday.

6th Grade reading: We will read "Zoo Story" and focus on generalizing. (pgs. 180-185). TEST ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17. Work will be completed in class, but students should study vocab. words and workbook pages for the test.

6th Grade language: We will work on identifying and writing singular and plural nouns. TEST ON WEDS., DEC. 17.

6th Grade Lit Skills: We will continue working in our Best Practices in Reading Workbooks.

6th Grade/7th&8th Period
We will continue working in the Triumphs Reading Book.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

2008-12-11T12:28:00.002-06:00

December 8-12
**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points (by Dec. 18). Students should be reading at home 20 min. 3 times/wk. and completing their reading log. Logs are checked on Friday.

6th Grade reading: We will read "Zoo Story" and focus on generalizing. (pgs. 180-185). TEST ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17. Work will be completed in class, but students should study vocab. words and workbook pages for the test.

6th Grade language: We will work on identifying and writing singular and plural nouns. TEST ON TEST on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Lit. Skills
We will continue working in our Best Practices in Reading workbook.

6th Grade - 7th Period
We will continue to work on decoding, vocabulary, character, setting, and plot.
Spelling: Words will be sent home on Monday. Put spelling words in ABC order.

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

2008-12-01T13:52:00.002-06:00

December 1-5
**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points (by Dec. 18). Students should be reading at home 20 min. 3 times/wk. and completing their reading log. Logs are checked on Friday.

6th Grade reading: We will read "The Night of the Pomegranate" and focus on making inferences. (pgs. 152-169). TEST ON FRIDAY, DEC. 5.

6th Grade language: We will work on identifying and writing common and proper nouns and then use our knowledge to write a persuasive business letter.

6th Grade spelling: Spelling pgs. 39-43 due on Thursday. TEST ON FRIDAY.

7th/8th Period Reading
We will continue working on vocabulary, decoding, plot, character, and setting.
Monday - Spelling: put spelling words in ABC order
Reading passage/answer the questions
Tuesday & Thursday - Timed reading passage

If you have any questions for me, please e-mail me: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

November 17-21, 2008

2008-11-16T16:51:00.002-06:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points. Students should be reading at home 20 min. 3 times/wk. and completing their reading log. Logs are checked on Friday.
1st/2nd & 3rd/4th reading: We will begin working on vocabulary, making inferences, & cause and effect using this week's selection How Tia Lola Came to Stay, Unit 2, Week 1. Test on Friday.
This week's vocabulary words: inscribed, resemblance, postmarked, enthralled, regulation, embarrassment, pennant, grouchy.

1st/2nd & 3rd/4th language: We will work on common and proper nouns. Test on Friday.

5th Lit Skills: We will continue to work in the Best Reading Practices Workbook. Any work not completed in class will be homework. Test on Friday.

7th/8th Reading: We will continue working on decoding, vocabulary, and story structure.
Homework: Fluency passages will be sent home on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Mrs. Cates 11-3/7-08

2008-11-02T18:49:00.002-06:00

A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points. Students should be reading at home 20 minutes 3 times/wk. and completing their reading logs. Logs are checked on Friday. 2.5 points are required by November 12, 2008.

1/2, 3/4 Reading
We will review the Unit 1 assessment taken on Friday. We will review all of the vocabulary words for Unit 1 by completing a crossword puzzle. No homework besides reading A.R. 3 times each week.
Language: We will work on identifying and correcting run-on sentences and apply what we know to our own writing. Test on Thursday.

5th Lit Skills
We will continue working in the Best Reading Practices Workbook. Work that is not completed in class will be homework.

7/8 Reading
We will continue working on decoding, vocabulary, summarizing, and sequencing. Students will have a timed reading for homework on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. Parents/guradians need to time students for 1 minute and record words read.

Mrs. Cates - October 20-24, 2008

2008-10-20T08:52:00.002-05:00

A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points. Students should be reading at home 20 min. 3 times/wk. and completing their logs. Logs are checkec on Friday. This is a weekly grade.

1st/2nd - 3rd/4th Periods
Reading: Unit 1, Theme 5 (Interrupted Journey)
We will focus on making inferences and analyzing, determining main ideas and details, and identifying analogies and antonyms. Work not completed in class will be homework

Language: TEST on independent and dependent clauses and combining sentences Wednesday, Oct. 22. Run-on sentences - Thursday and Friday. Work not completed in class will be homework.

Spelling: Pages 25, 26, 27, due on Thursday, Oct. 23. TEST on Friday, Oct. 24.

5th Period - Lit. Skills
We will continue working in the Best Practices in Reading workbook.

7th/8th Reading
We will continue working in Triumphs Reading.

2008-10-05T13:39:00.002-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points. Students should be reading at home 20 min. 3 times/wk. and completing their reading log. Logs are checked on Friday.

1/2 & 3/4 Periods
6th Grade reading: Unit 1, Theme 4 (The Magic Gourd). We will focus on making inferences and determining cause and effect. Homework will be for those who don't finish work in class.
No spelling this week.

5th Peiord
We will work on literary skills in reading.

7th/8th Reading
We will continue working in the Triumphs Reading Series.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: tlcates@blountboe.net, or call the school and leave a message for me. I will get back with you as soon as possible.

September 22-26, 2008

2008-09-21T20:27:00.011-05:00

**A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points. Students should be reading at home 20minutes 3 times/week and completing their reading log. Reading logs are checked each Friday.

1/2 - 3/4 Periods
No spelling this week.
Reading - Unit 1, Theme 3(Gecko Glue, Cockroach Scouts, and Spider Silk Bridges.) TEST on Friday.
Language - Students will be working on a narrative story this week.
Work not completed in class will be homework.

5th Period
Lit. Skills
Reading - (Secret of the Sea) Students will be working on vocabulary, parts of a story, drawing conclusions, and summarizing. Work not completed in class will be homework.

7/8 Period
Reading
Unit 2 - Week 1
Spelling words - dainty, view, guest, fault, concerns, explore, migrate, drains, maintain, attained.

Monday 9-22-08 / Students are to put spelling words in ABC order and use each word in a sentence. TEST on Friday.

Students will work on decoding long "i", vocabulary, inflectional endings, inferring, and fluency.

Any work not completed in class will be homework.

If you have any questions, you can email me at: tlcates@blountboe.net. I will get back with you as soon as possible.

Mrs. Cates September 15-19, 2008

2008-09-16T15:09:00.002-05:00

A.R. point goal for this grading period is 5 points. Students should be reading at home 20 minutes 3 times/wk. and completing their reading log. Logs are checked each Friday.

1/2 & 3/4 Periods
Reading:
Unit 1, Theme 2 (Lost City): Test: Tuesday, Sept. 16. We will begin the next unit on Wednesday.
Spelling: Homework sheets are due Wednesday. Test on Friday.

7/8 Period
Reading:
Students will continue working on Unit 1, Lessons 24, 25. We will begin Unit 2, Lesson 1, at the end of the week. Students are working on decoding long "I" words, vocabulary, fluency, making inferences, and inflectional endings.

5th Period
Lit. Skills
Lesson 2, Nonfiction: "Don't Make Light of This!" Students will work on summarizing, identifying sequence, identifying author's purpose, making connections, and writing.

August 25-29, 2008

2008-08-25T18:18:00.002-05:00

Students should be reading (3) nights each week for at least 20 minutes. Parent/Guardian please sign the log each night your child reads. Thanks for your help!

Reading
1/2, 3/4 Periods
This week we will focus on character, setting, and plot. Homework will only be given if work is not completed in class. Students will need to review vocabulary words and review their reading at home during the week. Test on Wednesday, September 3.

7/8 Periods
Thursday - Timed reading will be sent home on Thursday, 8-28-08.
No spelling this week!

Language
1/2, 3/4 Periods
Students complete a Daily Language Review at the beginning of class each day and turn it in for a grade on Friday. We have a test each Friday on the DLRs we have gone over that week.

We will reivew sentence structure and types of sentences. Homework will only be given if work is not completed in class. Test on Wednesday, September 3.

Mrs. Cates August 18-22, 2008

2008-08-17T10:26:00.005-05:00

HOMEWORK REQUIREMENT FOR ALL READING STUDENTS:
We will begin our weekly accelerated reading August 18. Students are required to read three nights a week for at least (20) minutes. They are to log in the title, date, and pages read, on their reading log. Parents are to sign the log nightly. These logs will be due each Friday at the beginning of their class. The points requirement for this nine-week term will be (5) points. Accelerated reading will be 10% of the reading grade. Thank you in advance for your help with this!

1/2 & 3/4 Periods
Language-Students will continue working on their narrative writing from last week. This may be homework if we are unable to finish it in class.
Students will have a Daily Language Review worksheet that will be completed as morning work. They are given 10 minutes at the beginning of each class period to complete this morning work.
Friday (8-22-08) - Daily Language Review Test #2

Reading- We will be working on monitoring reading strategies this week. All work will be completed in class.

5th Period
This week we will be working on the following strategies: Quesioning, drawing conclusions, visualizing, and understanding genre. Any work not completed in class will be homework. Classwork and homework will be checked daily.

7/8 Periods
Reading
This week we will be working on spelling, phonics, long vowel sounds, vocabulary, plot, character, and setting.
Monday - alphabetize spelling words and use each one in a sentence.
Spelling words - accident, tourists, blaze, flooding, basement, carried. These words will also be their vocabulary words for the week. Please go over the meanings of these words with your child.
Tuesday - Timed Reading - Students will bring home a reading passage, please time them for (1) minute and record the results on the reading passage.
Thursday - Study for the spelling test
Friday - Test on spelling words