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

Week of January 26-30

This week all classes are working on poetry analysis. We will be reading and interpreting poems using the TPCASTT strategy. All students also have a two page poetry pack for homework--due Friday.

There will be a TEST on poetry next Monday, February 2.

New Year! Week of January 6-9

Hi all! Welcome back to school for the new semester and new year! I have expressed to students the importance of finishing the year strong and because we are starting the second semester that expectations for work and behavior will be greater.

This week, 7th grade is working on writing a letter to a Holocaust survivor, which counts as a test grade. Their homework is to finish reading Prisoner B-3087 and complete Week 5 of their READON board. Homework and final drafts of letters are due Friday.

3rd period 8th grade is also working on a letter, which will count as a test grade for Night. They will need to be working at home some on this assignment. Letters are due Friday.

5 period 8th grade are all working on their author study compare and contrast essay. We are using class time to work on this essay, but they may also need time at home to finish and stay on track. We will have every day this week to work on these essays, but the final product is due Wednesday, January 14.

Thanks and as always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me at acoburn@orangecharterschool.org

--Mrs. Coburn

Week of November 3-7

This week, all classes are starting informational writing assignments. We will be working on these assignments for TWO WEEKS in class! All homework is working on/finishing those writing assignments. All classes have a calendar for what is due when, as well as some interim due dates just to keep on track with time management.

The final assignments are due MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th. 

8th Grade has an additional assignment, the children's book, due this Friday the 7th. This is something we have worked on for a few weeks, but they should be finishing at home.

Thanks!! If you have any further questions, please let me know. All assignment sheets are posted under the 7th/8th tabs.

Mrs. Coburn

Week of October 13-17

This week we are starting to wrap up our novels.

On Friday, October 17, ALL GRADES are starting an in-class final assessment for novels. This will be an open-book and open-ISN short answer test.

7th Grade Homework:
Monday: Ch 21
Tuesday: Ch 22
Wednesday: Ch 23
Thursday: Ch 24

8th Grade Homework:
Monday: Ch 29-31
Tuesday: Ch 32- 34
Wednesday: Ch 35- 37
Thursday: 38-39

Students may need to finish a Bio Poem from homework on Tuesday night, Oct 14.

Week of October 6-10

All students are working on persuasive essays this week. The essays are related to the the content in Touching Spirit Bear and Mockingbird. We will work on these essays Monday and Tuesday and the essays will be due on Friday.

7th grade is reading chapters 14-20 in TSB. As always, the reading and questions are due on Friday and students may read as much as they like, but these are my suggestions:
Monday: Chapters 14-15
Tuesday: 16-17
Wednesday:18-19
Thursday: 20

8th grade is reading chapters 19-28 in Mockingbird. As always, reading, questions, and booklets are due on Friday and students may read as much as they like, but these are my suggestions:
Monday: 19-21
Tuesday: 22-24
Wednesday: 25-27
Thursday: 28

8B (5th period) should also be working on the author study project. There will be a project work day on Wednesday, the early release day. We will also have work days next Monday (Oct 13) and presentations will be October 14-15.

Week of September 29-Oct 3

This week, all classes are getting into reading their novels independently. There should be lots of reading going on at home! All students have accompanying comprehension/guiding questions to be completed for each chapter of their reading.

7th Grade needs to read chapters 7-13 of Touching Spirit Bear. Students may break up reading however they want, but ALL QUESTIONS for 7-13 are due on Friday. My suggestion is as follows:

Monday: Ch. 7-8
Tuesday: Ch 9-10
Wednesday: Ch 11-12
Thursday: Ch 13

8th Grade needs to read chapters 7-18 of Mockingbird. Students may break up reading however they want, but ALL QUESTIONS and BOOKLET PAGES are due on Friday. My suggestion is as follows:

Monday: Ch 7-9
Tuesday: Ch 10-12
Wednesday: Ch 13-15
Thursday: Ch 16-18

As always, let me know if there are any questions or concerns. Students may see me during "warm up" time during class, homeroom, during Tiger Time, or if necessary, before or after school if they are having trouble understanding/completing homework.

Thanks,
Mrs. Coburn

Week of Sept 22- 26 **Many important announcements**

Announcements:
All students received progress reports last Friday, they need to be signed by a parent and turned in ASAP.

The entire middle school is attending Shrek the Musical in October. This is the "kick off" event for the arts this year, so all students should be in attendance. The price to attend is $6, please let us know if you need financial assistance. All permission slips and money are due by Oct 6.

Read-A-Thon ends this week. All money is due by Friday.

If your student wants to participate in Pizza Fridays during the month of October, they need to turn in all forms and money by next Monday, Sept 29. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS ON LATE PAYMENTS.

Homework and class work:
This week, all classes are getting into reading their novels. We are doing a lot of reading in class and students have been given some time to work on assignments that accompany their reading in class as well.

7th grade is reading Touching Spirit Bear. Their homework is to work on the "What would you do?" assignment that is a short reading passage with 4 open ended questions. This is due on Friday.

8th grade is reading Mockingbird. Homework is to answer all comprehension questions, and fill out the Mockingbird booklet for chapters 1-6. This is due Friday. 

As always, if students have any questions or concerns about homework or any other assignment, they may address them with me during class time, Tiger Time study hall, or if necessary, before school or after school.

--Mrs. Coburn

Week of 9/15-9/19

Homework: 

7th grade needs to read "Stand Tall and Try Not to Fall" and answer accompanying questions.

8th grade needs to read "Three Questions" and answer accompanying questions.

All students have a writing assignment due THIS FRIDAY. I must receive the brainstorm, rough draft, and hard copy of final draft. Wednesday during class will be the only time this week we have to work on this. Students had every class period last week to work on this assignment and conference with me.

Announcements:

Wednesday is an early release day.

Keep reading and logging minutes for the Read-A-Thon

7th and 8th Grade Homework 9/8-9/12 and New Writing Assignment

This week students have a nonfiction text practice. They should have a piece of text about Rachel Carson as well as a half sheet with the assignments to go with it. This is due Friday, 9/12. I have told them they are welcome to do all 4 mini assignments at once if they want, or they may pace them throughout the week. I have given my suggested sequence. See assignment below:

Nonfiction Homework Practice

Directions: This homework is to be turned in by turned in by Friday, September 12.

You may do it all at once or space it out over the course of the week.  Mrs. Coburn’s suggested sequence:

Monday: Read the article, make any notes to help you understand and underline important facts/details.

Tuesday: Reread or scan the article and answer the multiple choice questions.

Wednesday: Do the “Bonus” assignment.

Thursday: Create a graphic organizer for the article and review all your work!

Friday: Turn it in!

**All students were given a narrative writing assignment today in class. This includes an assignment sheet and a rubric. We started brainstorming today. We will be working on this predominantly in class, but students may work outside of school if they need extra time or fall behind.

7th and 8th Grade Homework 9/2-9/5

For Tuesday-Wednesday (9/2-9/3) all students are working on ISN pages 9-10. Finish Mind Map and written descriptions.

Thursday (9/4) there will be reading practice. A short passage and comprehension questions.

Aug 25-29

No home work for 7th or 8th grade this week... expect first homework to come next week.

Please continue to turn in all paper work, including the parent questionnaire for my class.

Monday in class we talked about classroom space, got to know each other a bit and made some goals on how we can launch beyond our limits this school year. I encourage you to ask your child about their goals and check in with them as the year goes on!

As always, any questions or concerns please e-mail me!

Mrs. Coburn

Open House

Reminder: Open house is this Thursday, August 21st from 5-7 pm. I look forward to meeting with you all!

Mrs. Coburn

Launch Beyond Your Limits-- Classroom Update

I have been busy busy busy organizing and setting up our classroom! I cannot wait to share it with both students and parents! Our classroom theme this year is "Launch Beyond Your Limits" because not only do I want us to all launch the new school year with success, but I want us to really focus on going above and beyond our limits academically and personally. I hope that this will be a year of growth for all.

As you all begin thinking about coming back to school, I urge you to consider what you can do to launch beyond your limits during this academic year. I also hope you think about "launching" on August 25th with a positive start to the school year!

See you all in a couple of weeks at open house! Check out the supply list under "Classroom Info" and email me at acoburn@orangecharterschool.org with any questions you might have before then!

-Mrs. Coburn