January, 2012 !!!!!
I hope everyone can be with us to celebrate our Blue Ribbon Award on Sunday, Jan. 15th, when Cardinal George will be offering Mass to congratulate us on our accomplishment! The school children are being asked to wear their uniforms and sit together with their classes at the 10:30 Mass if at all possible. What an honor for all of us!
I have recently sent home the information the students will need for Book Reports in third grade this second semester, and I would like to repeat some of it here on my blog for your convenience. I would like to approve the book first, please.
Format: On loose leaf paper, using one side only...
Heading
Title:____________________________________
Author:
Main Characters:
Summary:
Write your summary while you read the book by reading a chapter or two then writing a paragraph about what you read. Use main ideas and a few interesting details from each chapter. No need to include any dialogue...that's probably not important. By the time you finish the book, you will have a completed summary. This will be your rough draft. Save it as you will also turn it in. Proofread your rough draft and make any additions before you write your final copy. (on one side only, please.) Be sure to include a final paragraph stating what you liked best or didn't like about the book you chose.
Create an attractive cover by drawing, using the computer, or using craft materials to showcase your work. Do not simply make a copy of the book's cover on a copy machine!
Due dates: 4 Book Reports
#1...........Friday, January 27th................Print final copy
#2...........Friday, February 24th..............Print final copy
#3...........Friday, March 30th..................Final copy in Cursive
#4...........Friday, April 27th....................Rough draft ready to be Typed in Computer Class
(May take several class periods)
Rubric: These are the areas I will be grading on the reports
*a clear focus on the book
*a beginning that identifies the title, author, characters
* a middle that describes the main events in time order
* an ending that sums up the writer's opinion of the book
* confident lively voice
* carefully chosen adjectives
* a variety of sentences, including those with compound subjects & predicates
* correct grammar and usage
* correct spelling
* correct punctuation and capitalization
* neatness
* consistent margins and spacing
* attractive cover
Point Values.........4 to 8 per area
Your guidance is appreciated, however, your involvement is not necessary and should be limited. The boys and girls are capable of completing these reports on their own for the most part.
Yes, there seems to be a lot involved, but the end results will be worth the effort. Just be thankful that you don't have to read and grade 24 of them!!!