Vocabulary Book Update

I was just informed that we will, unprecedentedly, be placing a second order for vocabulary books.  The new deadline is Wednesday, September 5th. 

I will be able to collect money during Open House tonight, or on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.  The price is still $11. 

I appologize to those who have purchased their books directly from Sadlier-Oxford after the deadline and before now.  I litterally just found out this was happening.

Week 3 addendum

Since many parents are contacting me about their child's grades, I have to assume that Pinnacle is live, at least for some parents.  As you will see when you log in, I've already put 8 grades in (5 that are weighted), and I'm working on getting the Letters graded (a blank score means "I haven't graded yours yet, and I'm working as fast as I can."  I will say, writing takes me longer than say, just running a scantron through a machine, and I want to be able to really concentrate on your child's writing.

Several parents have contacted me about vocabulary books--instructions on how to handle your student missing the deadline are on the Resource page.

Open House is Thursday Night!  6:30-8!  I would love to meet you in person, so much that I'll give your child a reward ticket if they bring you to Open House. 

Several parents have asked about donations for the classroom.  I would love to keep a running supply of pens, pencils, and paper for students to use, and I supply what I can, but everything helps.  More imperitively, donations of facial tissue and hand sanitizer are gratefully welcomed.  Many students are already showing up to school sick and anything we can do to minimize the spread of germs is greeted with much appreciation and thanks. 

I have finished grading the Summer Writing Quizzes and some parents are probably shocked by the drastic change in their child's grades.  This is understandable.  Some students performed brilliantly, some did not.  Some blatently stated they didn't read the book.  Just so you know, yes, it greatly effects their grade now, since there are so few grades in the grade book, and it is in the Summative category, meaning it's weighted heavier than the smaller, along the way, Formative categories.  The students will have many opportunities to bring up their grades.  Please just keep checking back here, check the calendar, check the Resource page, to make sure they are keeping up with all of their responsibilities. 

You may have noticed, I'm not a big fan of a ton of homework, but they are expected to go over, recap, study every night, for at least 5 minutes as a minimum.  A great strategy that improves comprehension and test scores is having your student either teach you what we did in class, or teach a sibling, or teach the family dog if that's what's available.  Going over it aloud, teaching it to someone else, improves longterm retention and increases comprehention.   

Have a great rest of the week and I hope to see you tomorrow night!

Week 3

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

This week is a big week:

On Tuesday we have the Summer Reading Quiz; I hope you're prepared!

On Thursday we'll have an in-class practice writing that mirrors the Georgia High School Writing Test.  Since this is a 10th Grade class, next year, you'll take the GHSWT, so use this as practice.  It'll also be your first essay grade. 

We'll have Reading Reflections on Tuesday (after your quiz) and Friday (per usual), so don't forget to bring in something to read!

Also, this Thursday is our Open House.  We'd love to see you from 6-8p!

I hope you have a fantastic week!

Week 2 Preview

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

First, I'd like to thank the 99 of you who have checked this blog in this first month, as well as the 17 of you who checked it today.  Thank you for being on top of your learning!

I'm going through everyone's Summer Reading Quickwrite, grading as I go (you'll see a blank grade in Pinnacle if I just haven't gotten to yours yet, X is "exempt", and Z is "you didn't turn it in; it's a zero").  I'm really startled to see how many of you haven't read one of the books as of last Monday.  I hope you've found your book and are reading furiously for our test on August 28th.  If you haven't found a book yet, the list is on the syllabus, and a copy of the syllabus is on the Resource page (click on the tab above).

As always, for a preview of what we're doing this week, you can check out the calendar (to the right).  We'll be focusing on refreshing ourselves on grammar, as well as getting ready for our Summer Reading Test with in class activities.  You should bring your Summer Reading Book and Notes to class starting on Tuesday.  And don't forget to get a book ready for Free Reading Friday.  

If your class didn't turn them in already, the letters to yourselves in the future is due on Monday.  I look forward to seeing your goals!

I hope you have an awesome week!

Week 1 Recap

Hello All!

I hope you had a wonderful week!  I know I did, meeting all of you and getting to know you.  I'm really looking forward to this semester and year with you.

Some things to note in the first week:

1. Many grades are already up in Pinnacle.  I'm working hard on getting the rest done, and I'm adding comments to some of the grades--please check them.  As stated in the syllabus, grades in the "Not a grade--Pretests and Communication" category do not affect your grade, but it is communication. 
2. How to view this blog:  You'll notice that the calendar has a couple of ways to look at it, I find the most useful way is the "Agenda" tab.  Some quiz dates and future assignments have already been posted.  Also, the handouts and assignments that we've done this week have been updated on the Resource tab above.  If you missed anything (or if parents want to check out what we did), check there. 
3. The assignments that have been assigned are:
1. Sign and Return Syllabus
2. Bring in $11 for vocabulary books before $24
3. Bring in something to read on Friday
4. In class a quick write about the summer reading book
5. In class 6 word story (unless you didn't finish)
6. In class letter to the future (unless you didn't finish)
7. Read and study one of the summer reading books, listed in the syllabus, for the test on August 28th. 
4. Some classes have already had homework because they did not finish their work in class.  Please make sure you're staying on task.   My goal is that you shouldn't have much homework, but it is entirely up to you. 

I'm also putting my first Word of the Week.  If you write this word on a piece of paper with your name and give it to me, I'll give you a reward ticket.  If you also write what it is, I'll give you an extra ticket.  The Word of the Week is "cephalopod."  I'll accept these until Friday, August 24.

Hello Kell High School Students and Parents!

I am so excited to begin the 2012-2013 school year with you at Kell High School!

This blog will be the invaluable tool for your World Literature class.  It will be updated at least weekly, probably more often, so make sure you check it on a regular basis.  I’ll use it to communicate with students and parents, list makeup work, upload handouts, let you know when I’ve sent something home, give you more information about an assignment, for just about everything, really.

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you, and please feel free to contact me at any time:

kimberly [dot] bundschu [at] cobbk12 [dot] org

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