8th Grade ELA

We have completed our READY Instruction book to practice for the ELA exam. I will send these books home so the children can study any lesson they need more help in. I am also sending home the READY test booklet that we used as a practice ELA exam. This mirrors what we expect the exam to look like. You will notice that Book 2 is longer this year. There is the usual listening piece, 5 multiple choice questions, 3 short answer questions and one essay based on the story they listened to. The state has added two passages with 12 - 15 multiple choice questions to answer after they write the essay.

One important practice that will benefit the students is to go on the Acuity site. To get on the site type in your first and last name in lower case letters with no space between their name. Then they will put in their student ID number which is on their report card if they have forgotten it. Each child has been assigned only the skills that they have had trouble with on the exams. They have also been assigned skills on the Study Island site. If they practice one passage a day, this will help them tremendously.

We are sending home a Junior Scholastic News magazine for the vacation homework. There are many wonderful articles for the children to read that are timely and apply to their lives. The assignment is for the students to read the entire magazine. There is a sheet stapled to the magazine, with questions based on three articles from the magazine. The students will answer two questions from these selected articles and write their answers on the sheet. We would also like them to continue reading for one hour each day.

We come back from vacation on April 16th, and on April 17th, 18th, and 19th we will be taking the ELA exam! Each day, the children will be taking the exam for 90 minutes so please make sure they get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. If your child wears glasses, they must have them on the days of the exam. We have worked very hard to prepare for the test. Keep reminding your child to read for the hour every day to keep up their stamina and comprehension skills. Thank you for your support and enjoy the vacation!

Sincerely,