* WELCOME *

Mrs. Tina Ladner

6th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies

We all have the ability to choose our paths, reach our goals, and build exceptional lives.  The challenge is in believing you can.

* ~ * NOTES * ~ *

LAMAR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY REMINDERS

***

Students, these are not suggestions; they are RULES adopted by the Lamar County School Board. 

They are not up for discussion. 

Thank you for doing the right thing!  

*TARDIES - TWO UNEXCUSED = LONG FORM
STUDENTS MUST BE SEATED IN CLASS AT 8:25.  


*CELL PHONES - MUST BE TURNED OFF & PUT IN BOOK BAGS
FAILURE TO DO SO = LONG FORM &
PHONE IS SENT TO THE OFFICE


*DRESS CODE - FIRST TIME VIOLATION = LONG FORM/WARNING
SECOND TIME VIOLATION = LONG FORM


*PLANNERS - MUST HAVE EACH DAY. This is your hall pass, as well as your organizer.

*ID BADGE - MUST HAVE EACH DAY; WORN ON COLLAR, OR ON A LANYARN.

  

*~*  MRS. LADNER’S EXPECTATIONS *~* 

I expect my students to be:

• WELL-BEHAVED – Follow all school rules.
• POLITE – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• HONEST – Take full responsibility for your actions.
• MATURE – Think before you speak or act.
• COMMITTED – Your commitment determines the level of your achievement.
• P0SITIVE – Attitudes are contagious.  Be sure yours is worth catching.
• PREPARED – Study, do your work, and bring all supplies.
• PERSISTENT – Learning is a process involving time, hard work, and dedication.
• PROUD – In all you do, make sure you are able to hold your head high.

Remember - You are dearly loved.  I teach because I love my students and job.

~*~ HOMEWORK ~*~

February 6 - February 10

 
Unit Theme:  

Explorers, Pioneers, and Discoverers

The Big Question: 

How have those who've gone first

influenced those who've gone after?

 * ~ * NEW WEBSITES ADDED * ~ * 

* Please take a moment to check out the websites listed at the top of this page.  Several new ones have been added.  Have fun and learn a lot!

* ~ * STUDY LADDER * ~ *

Check out the Study Ladder information that was sent home with your child.  Three FREE literacy (language arts) assignments of your choice can be done everyday at home.  If you choose to do more, there is a fee.  (I think it is around $90 for 12 months; however, you will have access to every subject for grades K-6.)  Hey, free is always good!

~ * ~ Attention ~ * ~ Classroom Library News ~ * ~  

This year I have attempted to build a classroom library through purchasing Scholastic books and going to garage sales and consignment shops.  Several VERY generous people have even donated books, and I deeply appreciate their kind spirit.  To get it up and running, I purchased library pockets and cards to glue in the books so that a record-keeping system could be put into place.   I am ecstatic to report that the library can boast 200+ books now, and it seems to be the most exciting spot in the classroom!  However, I am sad to report that some of my books are disappearing.  So, I am putting this notice online and sending a note home to inform everyone that if you choose to check out a book from my classroom library, you are resposible for the REPLACEMENT cost, no matter what I paid for it or if it was a donation.  If you do not like that rule then do not check out a book from my library.   I hope you understand this policy; I want my classroom library to grow so that books will be available for my students to read.  It is my desire that skills will be enhanced and a love of reading instilled.  Thank you.    

*~*Monday

Spelling:  URW 16  * TEST Friday

1)  See the new handout for details.

     Both assignments are due before the test.

*Progress reports go home today.  Return it tomorrow for a 5 pt. BONUS coupon to be used on any weekly test!! 

2) Social Studies: Chapter 9, Lessons 1, 2, & Vocabulary Review

    Complete by Monday, February 13.  TEST: Wednesday, February 15! 

      
*~*Tuesday

NONE

*~*Wednesday
Reading: DUE FRIDAY  Cause-and-Effect Story (rubric provided) 

*~*Thursday
Friday's Tests:

1) Bellwork 19/20

2) Spelling - URW List 16

3) English - Adverb/Adjective Prepositional Phrases Test #3

4) Reading - "Black Frontiers"

*~*Friday

Have a wonderful weekend!  

This week at a glance....

Spelling:  Using the Right Word List 16

English:  Adjective and Adverb Prepositional Phrases  

Bellwork:  #20 

Reading: Story - "Black Frontiers"

Social Studies: Unit 4 Latin America - Chapter 9 "The Mayas, the Aztecs, and the Incas"

Journal: Entry #6 (Deadline - Friday, March 9)

Accelerated Reader: 60% of Goal (Deadline  Friday, March 9)

ACCELERATED READER

WHY DOES OGMS REQUIRE PARTICIPATION IN THE ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM?

" Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."  
JOSEPH ADDISON

"Readers are leaders."
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

AT OAK GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE RECOGNIZE THE WISDOM AND TRUTH IN THESE TWO SAYINGS AND EMBRACE THEM.  OUR GOAL IS NOT TO "MAKE STUDENTS DISLIKE TO READ" OR TO "GIVE THEM A NEW HOBBY" ANY MORE THAN HAVING TO DO MATH/SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES MAKES THEM DISLIKE THOSE SUBJECTS.  RATHER, UNDERSTANDING THAT READING MOST ASSUREDLY HAS A POSTIVE/NEGATIVE AFFECT ON EVERY SUBJECT, WE ARE UTILIZING THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO US.  IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE - ABOUT HOW TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS APPROACH THE TOPIC.  ATTITUDES ARE CONTAGIOUS!  ANYTHING WORTH TAKING THE TIME TO DO SHOULD BE GIVEN OUR BEST.  YES, IT IS MORE WORK FOR SOME THAN OTHERS, FOR THE VERY ONES WHO NEED IT MOST.  SOMETIMES THE WORK IS TEDIOUS; HOWEVER, THE RESULTS CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING AND CAREER-ALTERING!  
IN A NUTSHELL, THE AR PROGRAM IS ORGANIZED IN SUCH A WAY THAT ALLOWS EACH STUDENT TO READ BOOKS OF HIS/HER CHOICE AND ON HIS/HER INDIVIDUALIZED READING LEVEL, THEN READ AND TAKE A COMPUTERIZED TEST.  THIS ALLOWS GROWTH SINCE THERE IS NO PRESSURE TO "KEEP UP WITH THE CLASS" OR TO "WAIT FOR THE OTHERS TO CATCH UP."  HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!!
HERE IS HOW IT WORKS --- THE STAR TEST (VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT) IS ADMINISTERED AT THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL TO DETERMINE THE INDIVIDUAL READING LEVEL/RANGE FOR EVERY STUDENT.  BASED UPON THIS INFORMATION, A POINT GOAL IS ESTABLISHED.  STUDENTS ARE GIVEN NINE WEEKS TO REACH THEIR GOAL.  APPROXIMATELY FORTY-FIVE MINUTES IS GIVEN DAILY TO READ/TAKE COMPUTERIZED TESTS.  EVERY STUDENT HAS AN AR LOG KEPT IN HIS/HER BINDER.  THIS LOG SHOULD BE UPDATED BY THE STUDENT EACH TIME A TEST HAS BEEN TAKEN.  PLEASE ASK YOUR CHILD TO KEEP YOU INFORMED CONCERNING HIS/HER PROGRESS. AT THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTER, THE STAR TEST WILL BE ADMINISTERED AGAIN TO THE DETERMINE GAINS. EACH 9 WEEKS, FIVE POINTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE PREVIOUS GOAL.  ALONG WITH US, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD AND REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CRITICAL SKILL.

OGMS AR GRADING SCALE - A.K.A. "SPARKS"

DEFINITION OF TERMS

AVERAGE % CORRECT = AVERAGE GRADE OF EVERY AR TEST TAKEN THAT NINE WEEKS
% OF GOAL MET = THE % AMOUNT OF THE GOAL SET THAT WAS ACTUALLY MET

 * ~ * REPORT CARD GRADING SCALE * ~ *

*AVERAGE % CORRECT + % OF GOAL MET DIVIDED BY 2 = GRADE
79.5 - 0R ABOVE = S (SATISFACTORY)
64.4 - 79.4 = N (NEEDS IMPROVEMENT)
64.4 OR BELOW = U (UNSATISFACTORY)
 

* ~ * PROGRESS REPORT GRADING SCALE * ~ *

50% OF GOAL MET = S (SATISFACTORY)
1% - 49% = N (NEEDS IMPROVEMENT)
0% = U (UNSATISFACTORY)

NOTES TO STUDENTS

***  A SHORT FORM WILL BE GIVEN IF YOU COME TO CLASS TWO DAYS IN A ROW/CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT YOUR AR BOOK.  IT IS A REQUIRED SCHOOL SUPPLY. AR TIME IS NOT A STUDY HALL.  THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS OPEN TO YOU IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BOOK:

1)  You may check out a book from Mrs. Ladner's classroom library IF you do not already have one.   

2)  You will be given a dictionary to copy defintions.  This assignment will be turned in at the end of class; it must be done.

NOTE * IF YOU HAVE MET YOUR AR GOAL FOR THIS NINE WEEKS:

1) CONTINUE READING SO THAT YOU MAY DOUBLE, TRIPLE, ETC. YOUR GOAL TO WORK TOWARD AN AWARD ON AWARDS DAY,
2) READ A BOOK NOT IN YOUR AR ZONE,
3) VISIT THE CLASSROOM MAGAZINE RACK,
4) WORK ON YOUR JOURNAL, OR
5) COME SEE ME IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER IDEA.   

AR REWARDS

1) AT THE END OF THE NINE WEEKS, A SNACK/MOVIE PARTY WILL BE GIVEN FOR ALL STUDENTS EARNING AN "S" ON THEIR REPORT CARD.
2)  ANY STUDENT EARNING 300% OF HIS/HER AR GOAL WILL RECEIVE A FREE PIZZA COUPON COMPLIMENTS OF MR. AND MRS. LADNER! 

3) LIFETIME REWARDS = IMMEASUREABLE

READ THOSE BOOKS AND EARN LOTS POINTS!
*PERSONAL NOTE FROM MRS. LADNER - THE AVERAGE % CORRECT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT # I M O ..... : )

Is BELLWORK just busy work?
No way!  Bellwork assignments give daily practice in editing.  Editing skills include:  subject/verb agreement, combining sentences properly, pronoun/antecedent agreement, capitalization, using the right word, spelling, parallelism, punctuation, and much more.  Students are given a handout every two weeks which has five sentences for one week on the front and five for the next week on the back.  Every day we do one or two sentences.  At the beginning of each class, students are instructed to edit the assigned sentence/s for the day.  All corrections are reviewed on the Promethean.  I also discuss why the items that were not corrected did not require that we do so.  When both sides of the paper are complete, a quiz is given with one sentence from each side of the page.  
This is GREAT practice for MCT2!  

 * ~ * EXTRA * EXTRA * EXTRA * ~ *

For practicing sentence levels and sentence types, go to my WIKI page by typing, http://ladnerwiki.wikispaces.com.  Also on this page, you will find a widget that will take you to the latest educational accountability tool, COMMON CORE which will be in full force beginning 2014.

 

 
"There is one thing about a train,
it doesn't matter where it's going -
what matters is deciding to get on."
Polar Express Movie

Gradebook Website

Active Parent

 
PARENTS, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ACTIVE PARENT SO THAT YOU MAY BE AWARE OF YOUR CHILD'S PROGRESS 24/7.  YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS GRADES, DISCIPLINE RECORDS, AND ATTENDANCE/TARDIES ALL AT THE CLICK OF A BUTTON.

SEE STEP #3 FOR DETAILS.

To check your child's grades online, follow these steps:
1.  Go the the site: mslamar.activeparent.net.  Look below the login box and click this link to register.  (You may also access this site from the parent dropdown menu on the OGMS website.)
2.  Fill in the registration information for all children enrolled at Oak Grove.  You will need to know each child's social security number.
3.  To access your child's grades, you must come to the school and have a secretary validate your account by showing them a picture ID.   You will then be able to see your child's grades at any time.
NOTE: If your child is absent when a test is given, a grade of "1" is recorded in SAMS until the test has been made up. This is required by the Lamar County School District.  If you see a "0," that grade has been earned.  Hopefully, there will not be any of those!  : ) 

 LAMAR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADING SCALE

  A  = 90 - 100
 B  = 80 - 89
 C  = 70 - 79
 D  = 65 - 69
 F  = 0 - 64

Spelling Information
"Using the Right Word" (AKA: "URW")

Our spelling words are lists of homophones, homographs, homonyms, and easily confused words. Students will be given a handout having four spelling lists.  Individual tests on each list will be taken weekly.  A unit test (for all four lists) will be administered during the fifth week.These tests are comprised of sentences requiring the student to use context in order to choose the correct spelling. Because of the nature of these words, definitions are needed to choose the correct spelling. Therefore, all spelling tests will be open notes.  Please do not misinterpret this as meaning the tests are easy; the textbook will be a tool, not an answer sheet.  Two homework assignments will be given each week:  one which practices identifying vowel/consonant combinations and one which practices using the words in context by writing sentences.  Both homework assignments are due Friday before the test.  No homework may be turned in after the test has been taken.  Students, when writing the sentences using each spelling word, make sure that each sentence has eight or more words and that you have marked the spelling words by highlighting, underlining, etc.  For every homework assignment, an "X" will be put in the gradebook for completion.  At the end of the nine weeks, a grade will be given for homework.  For example, if twenty assignments have been made, they will count five points a piece.  Feel free to email me if you need any further clarification.  

Required Class Materials
*Please bring the following items to class each day.
 
1 - 2" three-ring binder w/subject dividers and paper

2 pencils

2 highlighters

planner

AR book

student ID badge

lunch money/lunch from home

NOTE:  I require that students keep ONLY work for my class in their binder. 

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.  

 

What is the Journal? 
 
At the beginning of each nine weeks, a list of journal topics will be given out.  Students must choose ten topics on which they will write one full page each. The journals must be kept in the student's binder to work on in spare time at school; however, it may be worked on at home if necessary.  Students should work consistently throughout the nine weeks to allow sufficient time for completion. A MAJOR grade is given based upon the amount of work done. The primary objective for this assignment is to practice writing expression.
 
 
 
A Thought from Dr. Suess.....

You have brains in your head
And feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose!

Oak Grove Middle School Guests

 
While visiting our campus, please stop by the C Building office and sign in for a visitor's pass.

 
OGMS Students

Students must have the following two items each day:
1:  ID BADGE - Wear clipped on your collar or on a lanyard at all times. At the end of the day, you may put it at the teacher's desk for safe keeping. It is against school rules to put any writing, stickers, etc. on your ID.
 Purchase replacements in the main office for $5.00.

2:  School Planner - This is used for your hall pass, assignments, library book check-outs, and parent/teacher communication.
Purchase replacements in the main office for $5.00.
 

Questions ?
 
1. Write a note and send it with your child to school.  (The BEST way!!)  

2. Send an email.
 
3. Call the school and leave a message. (601.264.4634)

***  Working together is the only way to ensure your child's success.  I strongly encourage and deeply appreciate parental involvement and will get back with you as soon as possible.  Please understand that it will be during my break (1:45-2:30 - if I do not have a meeting) or after 3:30 before I am able to call or check my email.  Thank you so much for understanding.

Conferences

Parents, I would love to meet with you if there are any questions or concerns.  I definitely want what is best for your child.  At OGMS, all conferences are scheduled by calling the office (601.264.4634) and setting up an appointment.  Our conference time is 2:00 - 2:30. An administrator (principal and/or counselor) and all subject area teachers will be present. 

Oak Grove Warriors ROCK!!!!