Week of October 10 – 14

Good Evening,

     This week has three major components:  arguments, NWEAs, and reading. On Tuesday, students get introduced to their big persuasive project, which will include written, visual, and presentation components. Students will get rubrics for each section in time to ensure they all have the opportunity to earn a three (3) or four (4) in every aspect of the project. There will be ample class time over the next couple weeks for students to work on this in school and to ask questions so the work they do at home will be successful.

     Remember, as students you are responsible for your own success. You have reached an age where you can ask for help when you need it, and you can recognize when you are struggling. While we, as teachers, check in and offer support, you must take charge of your work and stay focused.

     On Wednesday and Thursday, students will have regular Allied Arts classes followed by NWEAs before lunch. After lunch, they will have their standard afternoon classes for those two days. This way, thanks to the Green / White scheduling, they will have all of their four core classes once each over the two days. Students will read silently in Language Arts on those days, taking a break from the computerized tests and the pressure.

     On Friday, students will have a chance to work on their persuasive projects in class; they should be prepared to get up and announce their topics to the class as a whole by the end of the period.

     After school this week, Yearbook Club meets on Tuesday, and the same afternoon sees our field hockey teams facing Scarborough and girls' soccer teams facing King at home. Wednesday is Chess Club, and 8th grade soccer faces SMC. Thursday we play Gorham in field hockey, and on Friday our girls are home competing against Westbrook in soccer. As always, you should take an afternoon out of your busy schedules and come support your Scots — there is always more room for fans to cheer them on!

     Yearbooks are still for sale, but prices have returned to normal — $25 for hardcover, $20 for soft. Buy them online at jostens.com or in person by bringing cash or check up to Room 83. Make checks to BEMS Yearbook. Students will get yearbooks delivered to their homerooms in the spring upon completion of design by the club and printing and binding by Jostens.

    Thank you for reading, and remember to get in touch if you have any questions!

Kind Regards,
Mr. DeMaris

Trimester Three Begins

Good morning,

     Monday is the start of Trimester Three here at Bonny Eagle Middle School. That means we have only three months until the end of school. While progress reports from Trimester Two will go home by the end of this week, students should be looking forward to see what they need to accomplish before the final wave of dismissals in mid-June.

     This week in Barclay Language Arts, students will reflect on how much they have accomplished so far this year, and how much they still need to accomplish. Reviewing their records, they will draft plans to finish the class as independently and productively as possible, based on the required skills they have yet to demonstrate.

     Enjoy the remainder of this gorgeous weekend; go out and soak in the sunshine before the rains come this week. Spring is on its way!

Sincerely,
Mr. DeMaris

The Personal Narrative

Hello Everyone!

     Tomorrow your personal narrative is due; you have had weeks to complete this, and I am looking forward to reading your final results.  For your convenience, I have attached the rubric I will use for this assignment; you can check your work against it before handing it in!

     Click here to access the rubric for the project.  This is a 100-point assignment, remember, so do well!

Sincerely,

Mr. DeMaris

Our First Project

Hello Everyone,

     Our first project this year is to write a Class Constitution, which will embody all the rules and regulations we feel are appropriate for our classroom.  Students will read and analyze the original US Constitution for this project, and will base our Class Constitution on its design and concepts.  This will be our "Code of Cooperation."

     Click here to access and read the rubric for this unit.  All homework, classwork, and the final product will be graded based on this rubric.  The completed Constitution will be a 100 point project grade.

     If this is your first time reading one of my rubrics, I suggest you click here to access and read my handy guide on "How to Read a Rubric."  There is a permanent link in the Links column to the right.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. DeMaris