old SJA-EClass-LanguageArts

8th Grade Reading

2009-03-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

With Spring Break quickly approaching, the 8th grade is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We keep reminding them constantly how important it is to maintain a strong work ethic even though they have already (mostly) been accepted to their high schools. We're very proud of the accomplishments and successes they've earned, and we are confident we'll continue to see even more success as finish out the school year.

In Reading class, the 8th grade recently finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird. We also had the chance to go see the play at the IRT a few weeks ago. I think the kids really enjoyed it; I was fascinated with how many questions they had afterwards, and at how many intelligent observations they made about the differences between the novel and the play. We'll be visiting the IRT again in April -- this time it will only be the 8th grade attending. We will be seeing a play called Crowns, which is a musical play in which hats represent an exploration of black history and identity.

We are ending the 3rd quarter fairly soon, and I'm still encouraging students to be better about the time they spend reading. They all have AR goals for the 3rd quarter, but I fear only half of the class will meet those goals. Though the actual AR program is not part of the students' Reading grade, I continue to try and motivate the students with fun rewards.

Currently, the 8th grade is working on a short story unit in which they read multiple fictional short stories. After Spring Break, we will begin a poetry unit for about 3 weeks. We will close that unit with a poetry portfolio and coffeehouse that the 8th grade will put on themselves. Parents, look for invitations to come and listen to your child's "performance."

Update -- 8th grade Language Arts

2008-11-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

The 8th grade is currently participating in Literature Circles -- an independent reading program. Students get to choose a novel that sparks their interest and read it during class. They are teamed up with those students who have chosen the same novel, and they participate in group discussions about their book. They also work on completing various graphic organizers that are based on the focus lesson of the week. So far, the students are enjoying their novels, and doing remarkably well with the process.

We've planned a trip to the IRT to see To Kill a Mockingbird in February. The students will be reading that novel at the start of the 3rd quarter.

The 8th grade is improving in the Accelerated Reader program. Some of them have already reached their goals for this quarter. Again, students who meet their goals by the end of the quarter will get to watch a movie with popcorn before Christmas break!

7th Grade HOMEROOM

2008-11-20T18:34:00.000-08:00

The 7th grade's "theme" for this school year is service. The 7th graders have been brainstorming various service projects to participate in throughout the year. This past week, we went to Mrs. Jeatran's house to make shoes and fill them with candy for St. Nick's day. We will be distributing these shoes for the students in grades preschool through 5th.

The 7th grade is also in charge of the recycling program for the school. They have been doing an excellent job every week, collecting used paper and other items for the school to recycle.

Update -- 7th Grade Language Arts

2008-11-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

The 7th grade continues to read The Diary of Anne Frank. The students just created a project based on the novel. They had to act as if they were going into hiding, and had to create a collage of items they would feel necessary to have in hiding, and ones they would leave behind.

We are planning to take the 7th graders to the "Power of Children" exhibit at the Children's Museum early next semester. Anne Frank is one of the children featured in the exhibit, and we feel it will be a valuable experience for our students. We would also like to take the kids to see The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which is a motion picture located at Castleton Arts Theater. It is a story of a Nazi soldier's son who befriends a Jewish boy during the Holocaust, and it ties in directly with the Anne Frank curriculum we are currently covering.

The 7th graders need some improvement with the Accelerated Reader program. We are reading a joint novel in class aloud everyday; however, they also need to read independent novels on their own. We'd like to see more improvement this quarter. And remember, for those students who meet their AR goals by the end of quarter 2, you will get to join me for a movie and popcorn before Christmas break!

6th Grade Language Arts Update

2008-11-20T18:22:00.001-08:00

The 6th grade class is currently reading Hoot, a novel by Carl Hiaasen. Hiaasen likes to call his novels "environmental thrillers." His goal is to teach environmental awareness, and to teach people to value and respect the environment. The kids are enjoying the novel so far. Their first test will be on Nov. 25th.

The 6th grade has a field trip coming up. We are going to see A Christmas Carol at the IRT on December 12.

The 6th grade class is doing very well with the Accelerated Reader program at school. Many of them have already reached their quarter 2 goals. Keep reading, 6th graders! Remember, a movie and popcorn right before Christmas break for those who meet their goals and pass their tests with a 90% or above average by the end of 2nd quarter!

8th Grade Literature

2008-09-16T07:14:00.001-07:00

The 8th grade is about half way through their first novel, Night, by Elie Wiesel. Night is a memoir of the Jewish Holocaust that took place in the late 1930s to mid 1940s. The students have been very intrigued with the plot so far, and I must say I have been very impressed with their desire to READ! It's wonderful to see our St. Joan of Arc students so excited about reading -- especially the older kids! Due to ISTEP testing this week and next, there will not be a lot of reading homework; we will do the majority if our reading in class.

7th Grade Literature

2008-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

The 7th grade is winding things up with their first Literature unit -- short stories. We have been reading a number of short stories by various authors, and discussing elements of plot and figurative language within the literature. Because of ISTEP testing this week and next, we'll have to put the short story test on hold until our regular schedule resumes.

6th Grade Literature

2008-09-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

The 6th grade continues to read Holes, a novel by Louis Sachar. Because of ISTEP testing this week, it will be difficult to tackle a lot of reading during class time. However, students should be reading their Accelerated Reader books on their own time and at home.

About Mrs. Funk

2008-08-07T19:14:00.001-07:00

Hello! My name is Sarah Funk, and I am new to St. Joan of Arc this school year. I am very excited to begin the next phase of my teaching career at this impressive school. I received my Bachelors of Arts degree from Purdue University, and am currently working towards my Masters degree. This past school year, I took the year off to stay at home with my two young children, but I am delighted to be returning to the classroom. I look forward to living my passion for teaching and learning once again.

Mrs. Jeatran and I will be sharing the 7th grade homeroom as well as 6th, 7th, and 8th grade language arts. While Mrs. Jeatran will teach grammar and writing skills, I will focus on literature and improving reading comprehension skills.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime. My email address is sfunk@sjoa.org.

I'm looking forward to a great school year ahead . . . .

About Mrs. Jeatran

2008-08-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

My name is Betsy Jeatran, and it is my good fortune to be the seventh grade homeroom teacher, and the sixth, seventh and eighth grade language arts teacher. I received my Bachelors of Science degree from Bradley University and my Masters of Science degree from Indiana University. I am also a certified mentor for teachers throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. I enjoy teaching and work hard to instill in my students a love for learning.

It is my goal to instill within each student an interest and understanding of all areas of language arts. However, my role in our language arts curriculum will be teaching grammar and writing skills; my partner, Mrs. Funk, will be teaching reading and literature. We are both very excited to begin the new school year.

You are always welcome to stop in for a visit or contact me at anytime. My email address is bjeatran@sjoa.org.

Welcome to your SJA eClassroom

2008-08-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Your eClassroom is a new tool to enhance the educational experience for you, your students and their families

An eClassroom is Essentially a Blog
Perhaps one of the most fascinating tools that has emerged from the Internet cloud in recent years is the Blog. A shortening of the term Web log, the Blog is an online publishing tool that enables people to easily publish their loves, passions, dislikes, peeves, discoveries, and insights.

Blogging is also showing up in schools, where teachers have known for a long time that students develop better communication skills when they are authentically communicating. A number of educators are helping their students developing their writing skills by having them publish their work as blogs, and then invite comments from people in the outside.

There are many freely available tools that facilitate blogging, but none seem especially suited for the classroom. That is the reason for developing the eClassroom for SJA. This online blogging tool is explicitly designed with teachers and students in mind, where the teacher can evaluate, comment on, and finally publish students' blog articles in a controlled environment. It is and will be constantly in development. We need your input to refine the look, content, layout of the eClassroom.

There are many options available to teachers who utilize web journals (blogs) to enhance the learning experience. Teaching in a participatory culture can be challenging, but rewarding. Today, teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students—who some call digital natives (inhabitants of the Web 2.0 world).

Assignments, etc.
For students in grades 4—8, the eClassroom will be the source point for classroom activites, supplemental learning resources, assignments, long-tern projects, links to relevant sites, field trips, etc. How you integrate your eClassroom may vary from other teachers, but understand that with regular use, this tool will become a vital part of your curriculum and teaching style.