Social Studies:
Latitude/Longitude quiz tomorrow!
Language Arts:
Bring your finished "Skills Review" and an AR book tomorrow.
Also, you need a complete rough draft of your personal narrative by Monday.
.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A message about Gateway access codes
Gateway Student Grading System.
Thank you for attending Open House on Tuesday! We appreciate your time and effort to come meet the Nelsen Staff.
If were unable to attend, or you did not receive the Gateway access code during Open House, the codes will be sent via U.S. Mail to all Nelsen parents. You should receive your code within the next week or two. Because of confidentiality, access numbers cannot be given out via telephone.
AFTER you receive your access code, if you have any difficulties, or questions, please contact Terri Zura at 425-204-3056, or terri.zura@renton.wednet.edu
Thank you for your patience!
Nelsen Administration
-
Thank you for attending Open House on Tuesday! We appreciate your time and effort to come meet the Nelsen Staff.
If were unable to attend, or you did not receive the Gateway access code during Open House, the codes will be sent via U.S. Mail to all Nelsen parents. You should receive your code within the next week or two. Because of confidentiality, access numbers cannot be given out via telephone.
AFTER you receive your access code, if you have any difficulties, or questions, please contact Terri Zura at 425-204-3056, or terri.zura@renton.wednet.edu
Thank you for your patience!
Nelsen Administration
-
Monday, September 22, 2008
For the week of September 22-26
Open house is tomorrow night, starting at 6:30. I look forward to meeting you!
Social Studies:
We'll continue practicing latitude and longitude this week, with two worksheets due on Wednesday and one more assignment due Friday. There is a QUIZ ON FRIDAY!
Language Arts:
We are working with the WASL writing rubric this week, first by translating it into seventh-grade-friendly terminology and then by creating a visual representation of it. Students will also receive their second skills review packet on Tuesday which will be due on Friday of this week.
On the horizon...a complete draft of a personal narrative needs to be ready for next Monday. (9/29)
Social Studies:
We'll continue practicing latitude and longitude this week, with two worksheets due on Wednesday and one more assignment due Friday. There is a QUIZ ON FRIDAY!
Language Arts:
We are working with the WASL writing rubric this week, first by translating it into seventh-grade-friendly terminology and then by creating a visual representation of it. Students will also receive their second skills review packet on Tuesday which will be due on Friday of this week.
On the horizon...a complete draft of a personal narrative needs to be ready for next Monday. (9/29)
Monday, September 15, 2008
For the week of September 15-19
One of my goals for making this blog as useful as possible is to give you an overview of each week: what topics we're studying, major projects on the horizon, weekly due dates, etc. Please take a few minutes to go over your student's planner with them--we take time each Monday to fill them out for the week.
I will try to post each week's plan as close to Monday as possible. Details could change from time to time, but it should give you a general idea of what's going on in class.
Social Studies (periods 1, 3, & 5)
Last week we spent time looking at the difference between maps and globes and reintroduced some familiar vocabulary terms: latitude, longitude, Equator, Prime Meridian, International Dateline, and hemispheres. This week we will be working specifically with latitude and longitude. We will be doing in-class activities and worksheets that will help them practice, practice, practice! Next Friday (Sept. 26) there will be a quiz on these topics. You can expect 10-15 minutes of daily homework this week.
Language Arts (periods 2 & 6)
Last week we began looking at the concept of elaboration, which we also clarified as “showing versus telling.” We read a funny short story by Gary Paulsen about his Great Dane named Caesar. This week we will look closely at that story for examples of elaboration as students work towards their first large writing assignment. Students will begin drafting a personal narrative later this week.
Students also received their first "Skills Review" packet today. This is a set of worksheets which review/practice some basic language arts skills. They will focus on different topics each week and will vary in difficulty depending on individual students’ areas of strengths and weaknesses. Watch for these weekly. They will be assigned each Monday and will be due on Thursday.
I will try to post each week's plan as close to Monday as possible. Details could change from time to time, but it should give you a general idea of what's going on in class.
Social Studies (periods 1, 3, & 5)
Last week we spent time looking at the difference between maps and globes and reintroduced some familiar vocabulary terms: latitude, longitude, Equator, Prime Meridian, International Dateline, and hemispheres. This week we will be working specifically with latitude and longitude. We will be doing in-class activities and worksheets that will help them practice, practice, practice! Next Friday (Sept. 26) there will be a quiz on these topics. You can expect 10-15 minutes of daily homework this week.
Language Arts (periods 2 & 6)
Last week we began looking at the concept of elaboration, which we also clarified as “showing versus telling.” We read a funny short story by Gary Paulsen about his Great Dane named Caesar. This week we will look closely at that story for examples of elaboration as students work towards their first large writing assignment. Students will begin drafting a personal narrative later this week.
Students also received their first "Skills Review" packet today. This is a set of worksheets which review/practice some basic language arts skills. They will focus on different topics each week and will vary in difficulty depending on individual students’ areas of strengths and weaknesses. Watch for these weekly. They will be assigned each Monday and will be due on Thursday.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Upcoming Due Dates:
Social Studies
Map of Summer, due Friday, Sept. 5
Language Arts
Who am I? poster, due Friday, Sept. 5
Map of Summer, due Friday, Sept. 5
Language Arts
Who am I? poster, due Friday, Sept. 5
Monday, September 1, 2008
Back to School Letter
Social Studies and Language Arts
Mrs. Caruso
Nelsen Middle School, Room 106
About Mrs. Caruso
This year marks my tenth year of teaching. (Wow. Where does time go?) I have been at Nelsen for six years. Prior to teaching in Renton, I was with the Bellevue School District and also worked for a couple years in the corporate world.
One of my professional goals this year is to obtain my National Board Certification. I feel like I am at a great place in my career to move forward with this challenge and am excited about the professional growth that is on the horizon for me.
My family and I enjoy living here in Renton; in fact, we live very close to Nelsen. My husband is a high school band director and our son, Miles, will be three in November.
About this class
I am extremely excited about the coming school year. This year’s study of world geography will include map skills, the five themes of geography, creating and interpreting charts/graphs, current events, and regional studies from around the globe. In language arts we will focus on elaboration, the persuasive and expository writing modes, vocabulary and spelling, and improving critical reading skills.
Each student will check out a geography textbook to keep and use at home this year. If you need an extra book to keep at a second home, please let me know. Students will bring home language arts textbooks on an “as needed” basis.
Materials
Students are responsible for having the following materials with them in class every day:
Three ring binder/notebook
Notebook paper
Student planner
Writing pens/pencils
Eraser
A set of colored pencils
An black ultrafine point sharpie for outlining maps
Classroom expectations
1. Be in your seat when the bell rings
2. Come to class prepared to work
3. Listen carefully and follow directions
4. Respect the rights and property of others
5. No gum or food is allowed
Online Grades
We will continue to use the Learning Gateway/Skyward system that most of you became familiar with last year. To access the website, students use the same log-in/password that they use to log into school computers.
Log-in names are last name (up to 12 characters).first initial followed by their 6-digit student number. (For example: caruso.m123456) All passwords have been reset to student numbers for the start of the school year. If you have trouble accessing the on-line grade book, please let me know.
Late Work
Students will receive late work slips at the beginning of each quarter. These slips may be attached to any daily assignment or current event up to one week after its due date to avoid any late penalty. Late work slips may not be used on large projects. Without a late work slip attached, late daily work will be accepted for only half credit.
Mrs. Caruso
Nelsen Middle School, Room 106
About Mrs. Caruso
This year marks my tenth year of teaching. (Wow. Where does time go?) I have been at Nelsen for six years. Prior to teaching in Renton, I was with the Bellevue School District and also worked for a couple years in the corporate world.
One of my professional goals this year is to obtain my National Board Certification. I feel like I am at a great place in my career to move forward with this challenge and am excited about the professional growth that is on the horizon for me.
My family and I enjoy living here in Renton; in fact, we live very close to Nelsen. My husband is a high school band director and our son, Miles, will be three in November.
About this class
I am extremely excited about the coming school year. This year’s study of world geography will include map skills, the five themes of geography, creating and interpreting charts/graphs, current events, and regional studies from around the globe. In language arts we will focus on elaboration, the persuasive and expository writing modes, vocabulary and spelling, and improving critical reading skills.
Each student will check out a geography textbook to keep and use at home this year. If you need an extra book to keep at a second home, please let me know. Students will bring home language arts textbooks on an “as needed” basis.
Materials
Students are responsible for having the following materials with them in class every day:
Three ring binder/notebook
Notebook paper
Student planner
Writing pens/pencils
Eraser
A set of colored pencils
An black ultrafine point sharpie for outlining maps
Classroom expectations
1. Be in your seat when the bell rings
2. Come to class prepared to work
3. Listen carefully and follow directions
4. Respect the rights and property of others
5. No gum or food is allowed
Online Grades
We will continue to use the Learning Gateway/Skyward system that most of you became familiar with last year. To access the website, students use the same log-in/password that they use to log into school computers.
Log-in names are last name (up to 12 characters).first initial followed by their 6-digit student number. (For example: caruso.m123456) All passwords have been reset to student numbers for the start of the school year. If you have trouble accessing the on-line grade book, please let me know.
Late Work
Students will receive late work slips at the beginning of each quarter. These slips may be attached to any daily assignment or current event up to one week after its due date to avoid any late penalty. Late work slips may not be used on large projects. Without a late work slip attached, late daily work will be accepted for only half credit.
Mrs. Caruso's Summer Highlights
A train trip to Oregon, a drive up the Oregon coast, a visit to the Museum of Flight, The Bouncy Place, Renton River Days....a very full, fun summer for the Carusos.
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