Week of December 18th

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Students will be assessed this week on the Producing Text and Using Language IB standards.  They will use class time on Monday to finish writing their interview summative and presentations will begin on Tuesday.  If your child will be leaving for break early, please let me know so I can make sure everything is completed before the break.

Student-Led Fundraiser 
Two Renfroe students are raising money for the Dressember Foundation.  It's an international organization that is working towards ending human slavery and trafficking.  Additionally, they work with those who have escaped so they can have another chance at life.   Please send in monetary donations this week to help out.

Progress Reports
Report cards will be posted in ManageBac on January 15, 2018.  I will make general comments about tutoring times and tasks that students can complete to work on general ELA skills.  Students who have a 3 or lower will receive specific comments about what they can do to improve their performance.  Effort grades will be a reflection of on-time summative and classwork completion.  Students who repeatedly turn in work late or not at all will receive a lower effort grade and they will be encouraged to work on their productivity.

Homework
1.  Finish interview summative - Due Wednesday, December 20th by midnight
2.  Prepare for presentation - presentations begin on Tuesday
3.  Read 30+ minutes daily and continue working on the independent reading menu tasks

Note about homework over the break
I think it's beneficial for students to have a real break and to not have projects and assessments hanging over their heads during the winter holiday.  That being said, I do recommend that students read for enjoyment over the break if that fits within family plans.  Additionally, students who chose to complete the optional extension for the interview summative will probably need to complete some work over the break if they don't finish it during class time this week.  The extensions are due on January 5th, so if your child has already started, they may not actually need to work on it over the break.

Tuesday, December 19th Renfroe PTO Fundraiser

Students have been productive in class!

Midweek Update

This week students should working on their To Kill A Mockingbird essays as homework.  They're due on Wednesday, December 15th.  Students will have class time to work on their essays on Friday and next Monday.

Students had a short assessment this week on analyzing text.  After reading chapter 1 of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, they analyzed specific vocabulary and literary devices.  Some students chose to complete the optional extension option and that work is due on Friday, December 17th.