How well have you been keeping your promise?

Hey Middle Schoolers!
Have you started the challenge that was posted on this blog at the start of the year? Have you been keeping up with your reading? You may have noticed me interviewing some of you in the past few weeks to get a better feel of who you are as a reader.  I'm not just saying this because I'm a teacher, but reading for even 30mins. a day will do wonders for you both inside and outside of the classroom.  In case you're not convinced, here are a few reasons why reading will do miracles:

Be a risk-taker and take on a new challenge!

It's You!

Hey Middle Schoolers! Here are the pictures that I took of you at the beginning of the year.  Check out your pictures below on the video! Enjoy! ^^*

Grade 7 Class


Grade 6 & 8 Classes

ESLRs

Oh, the ESLRs, the ESLRs...Miss. Lee keeps talking about it, but what is it?  The ESLRs are the Expected Schoolwide Learning Results that we hope all students at RIS can achieve.  We want our students to be well-rounded students who strive to make a difference.  In case you forgot, the RIS ESLRs can be found below.  Become familiar with the language and the descriptors, and try to put it into action when you interact with your peers. YOU can be the difference that RIS needs!

ESLR -

Spies and Secret Codes (Editor Codes that is)

Spies at work

Have you ever seen a 007 or any other secret spy movie, and wanted to become a spy? All those secret codes that they use to communicate just intrigues me!  Well, join the writer's club and you too will learn the "secret" codes that Editors all over the world use!  These Editor codes will be very useful when you get an essay or story back from your teacher and you do not understand their editing marks.  This will be the "secret" language between all students, teachers, and editors seeking to communicate.  Woot! I get to be a spy for a day! :)Don't worry about memorizing all of these codes.  You will get used to them as you continue to use them throughout the year.

Editor's Codes (Top Secret!)

Putting Together all the Pieces in the Puzzle

How many of you spend hours trying to fit the 1000 puzzle pieces together and sometimes, just get stuck?! I've experienced this many times and have often left puzzles unfinished. Things can definitely get a little hairy!  In writing, we often encounter the same types of puzzles.  We don't actually use puzzles, but we don't always understand how one part of writing applies to the other.  Learning and using the 6+1 Traits of Writing and rubrics will help ease much of this confusion we get from teachers sometimes. 

Rubrics will help you understand what exactly the teacher wants you to achieve on a particular assignment. 

The 6+1 Traits will help you understand what exactly a great piece of writing looks like.  Remember the 6+1 Traits of writing can be applied to ALL your classes when it comes to written work. 

If you are still confused about any of this information, please find Miss. Lee and maybe, just maybe, we can plan a hot chocolate date! :)

Welcome!

There are many new changes here at RIS! There are new faces, schedules, activities...not to fear! The start of a new school year may be a little nerve wracking, but it's also a great time for you to form new friendships and kickstart some healthy habits. 
 This year in the Middle School Language Arts classes, I am challenging all students to read at least a minimum of 30mins. per day at home.  This will help you improve your reading and writing skills, overall comprehension of the English language, and it will hopefully inspire you in more ways than one.  Are you up for the challenge?!