Balance Activities     click Class Power Point      

One of the best ways to help yourself be successful is to keep a balance in your life.  Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise.  Devote time each day to study, family, friends, and hobbies - all are important to your sense of well-being.  Your teachers, parents, and friends are there to help and support you.  If something unexpected happens, or you know that you have a family event coming up, and you think you may need a little more time on an assignment, ask your teacher for an extension before the assignment is due.  Give your teacher an opportunity to be flexible by letting her know in advance.

Check out the following Tips to help yourself complete assignments successfully and make the most of your learning:)

                            Mrs. H's Homework Philosophy

I expect that we will all work hard in Language Arts and Science classes.  You are a partner, part of a team!  We can't do our best without you, so come to class on time, bring your materials and positive attitude, and focus while you are in class. Do your personal best every day in class and continue at home.  Try to read 30 minutes every day!  Research shows that kids who choose to read at home get smarter faster than those who choose not to. Welcome aboard! Plot your course!  Set sail for a year of fun and learning.

Click on the LA and Science Class Page to see what we are working on(:

Homework is designed to practice and extend skills that you are learning in class.  You should be able to complete it with a lot of independence.  It is important to plan and adjust your schedule to meet your homework needs, and to have a good place to study.  Some homework activities, such as writing, require a calm environment where you can develop your ideas in detail.

Altogether, you should spend about one hour each day on homework, including reading.  Sometimes the amount of time you spend will depend on how well you worked in class on an assignment,  or whether you have chosen to go beyond the minimum for the assignment and enrich your learning.  

Don't forget: the best help could be our 
Worldbook Online Encyclopedia subscription
(ID: cohos1 Password: salmon)

 On the weekend, you should relax, read, and organize -- 

get ready to return to school on Monday.

     The Friendly Editor's Checklist can help you write well!

Ideas
___    A strong lead hooks me - I want to keep reading.
___     Many details show that you know the topic.
___    The ending ties it all together, makes a point, leaves 
         me thinking.
Organization
___    The order makes sense - it's easy to follow your 
        thinking.
___    Your ideas build from beginning, middle, to end.
___    Paragraphs are used to help me stay on track.
Word Choice, Sentence Fluency & Voice
___    You use interesting words that not everyone would 
        think of.
___    I can picture it!
___    This really sounds like you!
___    Sentences are different lengths, structures, and start
        in different ways.
___    This is easy to read aloud.
Conventions 
___    Punctuation and capital letters
___    Spelling
___    Legibility

           SAKAI GRADING SYSTEM lets you rate yourself!

EXCELLENT Performance = 4
        You met the standard at a high level.

        You demonstrate excellent skills, knowledge, understanding, 

            and/or effort beyond the requirements for SOLID.         

        You work independently and are self-motivated.
        You develop your ideas thoughtfully and in depth, and support

            your ideas with examples and evidence.
        You select Beyond Basics options and look for ways to add extra 

            credit.

         Your work must be turned in on time.

SOLID Performance = 3
        You met the standard for the basic assignment.

        You demonstrate solid skills, knowledge, understanding, and/or     

            effort.

        Your answers are in complete sentences, with correct use of     

            capitals and punctuation.

        You pay close attention to spelling.

        You write neatly or word process.

        Illustrations and diagrams reflect effort and meet standards.

        There is a complete heading on your paper and your overall 

            presentation reflects effort at organization and completeness.

PROGRESSING Performance = 2   
        You are close to meeting the standard.

        Your knowledge of the topic and/or effort are developing.

        Your work does not show that you completely 
             understand the lesson or skill.

        You need to make a more consistent effort in one or more

            of the areas listed for SOLID. 
        Your work contains frequent errors in sentence structure,

             spelling, capitals, and/or punctuation. 

        Your assignment is handed in late. 

SUPPORT & ANOTHER TRY are needed = 1

        You are far from meeting the standard.

        You do not seem to understand and/or put forth effort.

        Your assignment is quite incomplete.

        Your assignment contains many errors in conventions.

        You needed reminders to stay on task while doing your work.

        Ask your teacher how you can improve your assignment and try

            again.

Give compliments and Put Ups to your classmates and they 

will give them to you--what goes around comes around.