Students can earn up to 100 extra credit points by writing a journal letter to a parent the weekend the journals go home and having the parent write one back. Don't worry, parents. I only grade the student's letter. The letter to parents will be graded along with all other journal letters when the journal is next graded.
You can add up to 100 extra credit points (which is the equivalent of one letter grade on your report card) by learning the following word parts for the test which will be given each term. The test is cumulative which means the first term will be only the word parts from the first list, but the second term it will include the prefizes, suffixes, and roots from both lists. By theird term there will be three lists and at the end of the year the test will include word parts from all four lists. Take this list with you everywhere and study them whenever you have a few extra minutes--like waiting at the dentist or watching your brother's boring concert (smile). You will be taking vocabulary tests all your life (including tests to get into college) and knowing these word parts will help you figure out the meanings of new words.
Students may earn up to 100 extra credit points by writing reviews of books they have read this year. Reviews are intended to "sell" the book to classmates and the best ones will be displayed on this website. You may want to look at the one on Best Books now as an example. They should include:
You may also want to read a movie review or two in the newspaper as an example and read the section in Write Source 2000 on Book Reviews for more ideas. Book review sections from the newspaper are also posted on the board as examples.
Students are encouraged to read at home as well as at school. Reading is a skill, just like playing a musical instrument or a sport, and it improves with practice. Students will receive extra credit if they read at home, keep a record of what they read, along with the times they read, and have it verified (signed) by a parent. The more a student reads, the more points s/he will earn. Most reading teachers who have this as a regular assignment rather than extra credit require 30 minutes daily. Students should put in the extra credit box by the date indicated on the Keeping Track Sheet.
Students may earn extra credit points by reading and answering the questions about any or all of the Sunsine State Readers books. The program is administered through our media center and students will also earn rewards from the media center like ice cream and pizza parties. The more books you read the more points you earn from me and the more fun you get from the media center. For more information, ask about theis program in the media center.
Students may "buy" 25 extra credit points with 100 stamps.