New School Year!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a relaxing, safe, and fun summer! As we near to school time here are a few reminders and updates if you want to get ahead of the game:

1. Be sure you have completed your summer assignment! Two books, two mini assignments per book. These are due FRIDAY, AUGUST 28. Remember, this counts as your first test grade. If you need a reminder or an assignment sheet, see last post for details.

2. Open house is Thursday, August 20 from 5-7. Drop in any time during those hours and get your schedule and come visit!

3. The first day of school is Monday, August 24! See the OCS site for more specifics on what time/where to drop off.

If you want to get ahead of the game:

1. I'm *trying* to do Google classroom this school year. Bear with me as this is an experiment on my end. Some students have been sent an invite to their school email, please accept. This is more of a student resource than a parent one, however, I think it will be MUCH better for putting up assignments and giving reminders. There are so many awesome features for Google classroom, so I am super excited!

7th graders class code for joining is: 4ulbf33

8th graders code for joining is: fvbmmmz

2. I'm also *trying* Remind (formerly Remind 101, if you are familiar with that). This is a safe, educational texting service. You also can get the texts via e-mail or with the Remind app.  It will allow me to easily communicate with PARENTS and STUDENTS. You sign up by sending a text or visiting their website with my code. I then will send out text reminders from my computer. You cannot respond to the texts and no one, including me, can see your number. It reminds me of when I get those messages to my phone directly sent from Verizon. I think this will be an great, easy way to update students and parents on what's going on in the classroom, due dates, assignments, etc. If you want more info on Remind check out their website: https://www.remind.com/

7th graders: Text number 81010 with the message "@OCSELA7"

8th graders: Text number 81010 with the message "@OCSELA8"


Thanks!

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me! See you all soon!

Mrs. Coburn

SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS FOR 7/8 ELA and a supply list!

Supply List for 7th and 8th Grade

2015-2016 School Year

General supplies needed for every class:

Pencils/erasers

Black/blue pens

Expo Markers

College ruled notebook paper

1 ream copy paper

Clorox wipes

Ziplock bags (all sizes)

Tissues

Large binder with dividers for all subjects OR multiple small binders

Art box with: colored pencils, markers, highlighters, scissors, glue sticks, tape

Language Arts:

One 2-Subject spiral, college ruled notebook. A notebook with folders within it would be helpful. This will be used for MATH AND LANGUAGE ARTS.

Folder or place in binder to keep handouts and returned work

Colored pens for interactive notebook

Sticky notes of any size

Math:

One 2-Subject spiral, college ruled notebook. A notebook with folders within it would be helpful. This will be used for MATH AND LANGUAGE ARTS.

Folder or place in binder to keep notes, tests and quizzes.

Calculator for use AT HOME

Science:

Individual binder or place in large binder to keep up with handouts and returned work

Social Studies:

One spiral notebook with perforated pages

One folder (the spiral notebook may have a folder built-in)

Spanish:

One folder or binder

Ruled paper

_________________________________________________________________________________

7/8 Summer Reading Assignment
Due Friday, August 28
Counts as a test grade

Assignment Step 1: Read  two books of your choice. They may be fiction or nonfiction, but if you read nonfiction it must be at least 100 pages. If you need ideas, check out the list below. Most all of the books in the list can be found at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon, or in public libraries. They could also be purchased for Kindle or iPads. Please read books you HAVE NOT read before! Use the books you choose to complete Part 2.

Book Ideas

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

Maze Runner Series by James Dashner

Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

Lord of the Rings Series by JRR Tolkien

The Giver Series by Lois Lowry

Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery

The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare

Shiver Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Dune by Frank Herbert

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Autobiographies of any kind

Anything by Jerry Spinelli

Anything by Jacqueline Woodson

Anything by Jodi Picoult

Anything by Sarah Dessen

Anything by Nancy Farmer

Anything by Alan Gratz (Except Prisoner B-3087) *** OCS Guest Speaker in the fall

When in doubt, check out the “Young Adult” section of libraries and stores or look for books that have medals on the front, such as the Newbery and Caldecott Medals, Printz Award and Best Books for Young Adults awards. These are usually great choices that will be good reads!

Assignment Step 2:

For each book you read, choose two assignments from below to complete. You may not repeat assignments. In the end, you will do a total of four assignments from the board. They do not have to be in a row, they can be any four.

Scene It Pick a pivotal scene from the novel to dramatize. Record the scene using digital technology. Props, musical instruments, pre-recorded music, and costumes may be used. Performances may be no longer than five minutes.	Dear Diary Pretend to be one of the main characters from your novel and write a diary entry from their point of view. Explain how this character is thinking/feeling about a pivotal event, major decision, etc. Reflect on what is happening as well as how the character may be changed. (Must be over one page)	Book Trailer Prepare a video trailer for your chosen novel. The trailer should be 3-5 minutes long, and a positive presentation of the subject. The trailer must contain original footage, or copyright free media.
Sneaky Snoop As an investigative reporter, you sneak into the home of the main character in your novel. Report at least 10 items that you find and include a picture (hand-drawn or digital) for each item. Also, include a written Explanation (2-3 sentences per item) identifying how each item connects to the main character. These items may or may not have been mentioned in the novel…feel free to use your imagination .	Author Inquiry Write a letter to the author of your chosen novel. Explain what you liked and disliked, ask any questions that you have about the story/characters, explain what you would have changed if you were the author, and mention at least one thing that you will always remember about this novel and why. (Should be written in letter format! Must be over one page)	Poetry Corner Write a poem or song lyrics that connect to your novel. You can focus on the plot (what happened), characters, or personal connections that you have with this novel. *Must be 30 lines or longer.
Artist Alley Create a cartoon/story board (minimum of 8 panels) that is based on your novel. It may focus on a pivotal series of events or summarize the entire novel in chronological order.	Alternate Timeline Create an alternate timeline…change a major event/decision in the novel and explain how this change would have affected the characters and the plot. Would this have been a better direction for the novel to take? Why/Why not? Explain in 1 page and create a new timeline that reflects this change.	Collage Create a collage depicting a theme from the novel. Explain how this collage depicts the theme. Use colorful pictures from magazines or draw your own.

Summer Reading Assignment Rubric

Criteria	Exemplary   50 Pts.	Proficient 40 Pts.	Developing 30 Pts.	Insufficient 20 Pts
Book 1 Assignments	ALL parts are completed and responses show evidence of a deep understanding of the novel.	ALL parts are completed and responses show evidence of a basic understanding of the novel.	SOME parts are completed and responses show evidence of a basic understanding of the novel.	FEW or NO parts were completed with little to no understanding of the novel.
Book 2 Assignments	ALL parts are completed and responses show evidence of a deep understanding of the novel.	ALL parts are completed and responses show evidence of a basic understanding of the novel.	SOME parts are completed and responses show evidence of a basic understanding of the novel.	FEW or NO parts were completed with little to no understanding of the novel.
Total:

Comments:

Week of April 6-10

Welcome back from Spring Break! We are full speed ahead this week and will be for the rest of the school year. This is the time of year where EVERYONE is preparing for going to the next grade; therefore, doing some more difficult reading and assignments. We are in our last unit before we begin to review for EOGs.

First period chose books today to read over the next four weeks. We will be working a lot in class doing independent reading. Students will receive a choice board tomorrow where they have the options of different tasks to complete each week. They will likely have to work on reading and this choice board at home.

Fourth period will begin reading the classic, Animal Farm, tomorrow. There will be weekly reading and assignments to go with the book.

Eighth graders are starting To Kill a Mockingbird. Expect lots of reading to be done at home! We will be going over this story at length in class and doing activities accordingly.

Thanks and if there are any questions please don't hesitate to e-mail or call!

Weekend of March 20

I don't typically assign homework over the weekend, but we have a bit of an exception this weekend.

First period needs to do the front page of their persuasive essay packet-- it is just writing out their claims and providing textual evidence. Many students got started before class ended.

Fourth period needs to read chapters 13 and 17 of Frankenstein and do the accompanying assignments.

Thanks,

Amber Coburn

Week of March 16-20

This week, we are all continuing with reading Flowers for Algernon (7th grade) and House of the Scorpion (8th grade). We will be focusing this week on character and plot development. All students will be creating character maps based on various characters from their novels.

8th Grade House of the Scorpion reading for this week is as follows:
Monday: 21-23
Tuesday: 24-25
Wednesday: 26-28
Thursday: 29-30

Students will also be expected to continue working on literature circle roles and double entry journals.

7th grade students may have some homework this week, which will likely be a continuation of items started in class.

Thanks and as always if you have any questions please e-mail me!
--Mrs. Coburn

March 9-13

This week, we are all finally back on a routine!

7th grade students are reading Flowers for Algernon. Most of the reading and work for this story will be finished in class. If any homework, it will be finishing in class assignments.

8th grade is reading House of the Scorpion. Each student has a literature circle role sheet and double entry journal due on FRIDAYS each week. In addition, students also started creating maps of the setting in class today. Below is the reading schedule for this week:

Monday: Chapters 11-13
Tuesday: 14-16
Wednesday: 17-18
Thursday: 19-20

Thanks and if you have any questions please let me know!

Week of February 9-13

Hi all,

This week, we are ALL doing research!

7th graders are all doing research on their choice of an artist, mathematicians, or engineers. They will eventually begin work on a multi-genre paper.

8th graders are doing research on their top 3 colleges. They will eventually create a formal research paper and their own resume.

For both grades this is what we will be focusing on for the next TWO WEEKS. This is classwork, homework, EVERYTHING. What is not finished in class, will need to be worked on at home for homework.

ALL STUDENTS should have all of their research FINISHED when they arrive at class on Thursday. I will check all research that day and give a classwork grade.

The final products are due Monday, February 23.

**On another note, the OCS Writing Center will begin this Wednesday, February 11. This will be a place where students can come to get help from peers on any and all writing assignments. This is available 5th-8th grade. I encourage all students to give it a try! We will be open every Wednesday during Tiger Time and lunch! **

Thanks,

Mrs. Coburn