Welcome to Ms. Makatura's Literacy Class!

2010-07-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
I am thrilled to begin another year at East Middle School teaching reading and writing. I am pleased to announce some new and exciting changes- including new technology! As my second year at East Middle School, I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to incorporate more technology in our daily work in order to explore and share our thoughts about what we read and write in the Reading/ Writing workshop. In today’s modern world, most careers require individuals to utilize technology; thus, we will create blogs, Google docs, power points, short films, and use email. Weekly, students will create blogs around their independent reading books and, additionally, respond to other students blogs. This will allow us to share our thinking about a topic, and provide another modern tool of discussion. We will use technology throughout the year in research and projects. Additionally, students and parents can access the weekly blogs and my website, which has links to infinite campus (grades), weekly agendas (in case anyone has questions about due dates or assignments), and links to other useful educational websites. The classroom website is http://makaturaEMS.blogspot.com.
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
1. MISSING WORK: Incomplete work is not tolerated! If your child is missing multiple assignments, you will be contacted so that together we can figure out a time (lunch or after school) for your student to complete the assignment. I thank you in advance for your cooperation. Also, I encourage all parents to log onto Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check your student’s grades.
SUPPLIES: Students are expected to have supplies by Monday August 9th, 2010. I will have some notebooks for sale for $0.75 each.
1. 2 single section spiral notebooks
2. 1 folder
3. Pencils
4. One box of tissues (optional)
5. One pack of sticky notes (optional)
6. Highlighter (optional)
GRADING: East Middle School uses standards based grading. This means students will receive two separate grades in every class- a grade for what they actually know (Content) and a behavior/ effort grade.
A. CONTENT GRADE: Students receive content grades based on their understanding of the curriculum, not on their effort or completion of the class. Although I would like all students to be proficient in every standard, my goal is for every student to improve.
What will I grade?
15% Final Project
50% Reading and Writing Responses
10% Tests
25% Inclass and homework assignments
Grading Scale
A= advanced understanding; student can apply the skill or concept to an unfamiliar setting
P= Proficient understanding; students can apply the skill or concept to a familiar setting without assistance
PP= partially proficient understanding; students are making progress towards understanding or performing a skill or concept
U= Unsatisfactory understanding; students show little or no understanding of the skill or concept
B. BEHAVIOR/ EFFORT/ HOMEWORK GRADE: Students earn this grade based on their effort, engagement, completion of assignments, organization and preparation in and outside the classroom.
If you have any concerns or questions please email me about your students at hnmakatura@aps.k12.co.us.gov. Email is the most efficient way for me to stay in touch.
Thanks! I'm looking forward to working with you this year,

Holly Makatura

Ms. Makatura's 7th Grade Literacy class

Welcome to Ms. Makatura's Literacy Class!