MCAS is Coming!!

IT'S COMING!!!!!

MCAS is coming!  On April 2nd, you'll be completing your Long Composition test.  ON April 7th and 9th, you'll complete the Reading Comprehension tests.  Make sure you're practicing in class, paying attention to the test taking strategies, and reading.  

Wait... what?  That's right.  You become a better writer the more you READ.  Pick up a good, interesting book and read it.  20 minutes a day.  If that's too much, go for 10 minutes.  You'll need to channel your inner author on April 2nd.  The best way to do that is to know what an author's "voice" looks and sounds like.

READ!!!

Want a leg up on the competition?  Check out the DESE website.  You can read through past year's Long Comp responses and see what it takes to be a 6.

http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/

Start Quarter 3 Off Right!

With all the snow days, it's getting hard to keep track of where we all are.  If you're confused, here's what we've done so far:

• We started journaling!  Each day we've had a different prompt.

1. Describe your perfect Saturday.
2. Tell me about your favorite TV show.
3. All students should wear uniforms.  Do you agree?  Why or why not?
4. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
5. What if you could fly?

• We've finished all of Wordly Wise Lesson 6, so make sure that's completed!

• We're working during long block on honing our test taking skills and brushing up on things such as mood, main idea, and theme.  

• We are (slowly) making our way through Catching Fire and most classes have finally finished Chapter 4!  Woo hoo!

If you're looking to work on your blog at home, here are the links:

Period A: http://kidblog.org/mrssmitha-3

Period B: http://kidblog.org/mrssmithb

Period D: http://kidblog.org/mrssmithd

Period E: http://kidblog.org/mrssmithe

Period F: http://kidblog.org/mrssmithf

Blog away!