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