•    Samuel E. Shull Middle School logo  
     
    Tara van den Akker
    ELA- Grade 8

    SAMUEL E. SHULL

    MIDDLE SCHOOL

     
     
     
    Room 224, 2022-23 School Year News!
     
    Week of May 22, 2023
     
     
     
    Week of May 22, 2023
     
    No Hoodies and no cellphone use in class. If you need to reach your child, please call the office.
     
     
    We will be working on poetry, both reading and writing, for the remainder of the year. These skills include comprehension, reflection, and analysis of text.
     
    Homework is to read for understanding for 20 minutes a day. The independent reading does not have to be poetry, but it certainly can be. A selection of poetry text can be found on Learning Ally.
     
     Reminder: End of year activities are coming up fast! Please see the school main page, Google Classrooms, and other communication pathways for updated information.
     
    There is no school May 25-May 29th. We return Tuesday, May 30th.
     

    Sin sudaderas con capucha y sin uso de teléfonos celulares en clase. Si necesita comunicarse con su hijo, llame a la oficina.

     

    Estaremos trabajando en poesía, tanto lectura como escritura, durante el resto del año. Estas habilidades incluyen la comprensión, la reflexión y el análisis del texto.


    La tarea es leer para comprender durante 20 minutos al día. La lectura independiente no tiene que ser poesía, pero ciertamente puede serlo. Se puede encontrar una selección de textos de poesía en Learning Ally.


    Recordatorio: ¡Las actividades de fin de año se acercan rápidamente! Consulte la página principal de la escuela, Google Classrooms y otras vías de comunicación para obtener información actualizada.


    No hay clases del 25 al 29 de mayo. Volvemos el martes 30 de mayo.

    Week of May 8-15, 2023
     
    No Hoodies and no cellphone use in class. If you need to reach your child, please call the office.
     
     
    We will be working on reviewing standards and best practices for standardized test taking the Month of May in order to prepare for the 8th grade testing in May. These skills include comprehension, reflection, prediction, and analysis of text.
     
    Homework is to read for understanding for 20 minutes a day.
     
     Reminder: Per State testing Guidelines, students will not be able to have their own electronics, except for the school issued chromebooks, on their person during testing. Cellphones, smartwatches, and other devices will need to be powered down and turned in  if brought to school. It is highly recommended to not bring them to school at all on testing days. As always, you will be able to contact your child via the school main office via phone.  
     

    Sin sudaderas con capucha y sin uso de teléfonos celulares en clase. Si necesita comunicarse con su hijo, llame a la oficina.

     

    Estaremos trabajando en la revisión de los estándares y las mejores prácticas para las pruebas estandarizadas que se toman en el mes de  mayo para prepararnos para las pruebas de 8º grado en mayo. Estas habilidades incluyen comprensión, reflexión, predicción y análisis de texto.


    La tarea es leer para comprender durante 20 minutos al día.


    Recordatorio: según las pautas estatales para las pruebas, los estudiantes no podrán tener sus propios dispositivos electrónicos, a excepción de los Chromebooks proporcionados por la escuela, en su persona durante la prueba. Los teléfonos celulares, relojes inteligentes y otros dispositivos deberán apagarse y encenderse si se llevan a la escuela. Se recomienda enfáticamente no traerlos a la escuela en los días de exámenes. Como siempre, podrá comunicarse con su hijo a través de la oficina principal de la escuela por teléfono.

     
     
    Week of May 1, 2023
     
     
    No Hoodies and no cellphone use in class. If you need to reach your child, please call the office.
     
     
    We will be working on reviewing standards and best practices for standardized test taking the Month of April/May in order to prepare for the 8th grade testing in May. These skills include comprehension, reflection, prediction, and analysis of text.
     
    Homework is to read for understanding for 20 minutes a day.
     
     Reminder: Per State testing Guidelines, students will not be able to have their own electronics, except for the school issued chromebooks, on their person during testing. Cellphones, smartwatches, and other devices will need to be powered down and turned in  if brought to school. It is highly recommended to not bring them to school at all on testing days. As always, you will be able to contact your child via the school main office via phone.  
     

    Sin sudaderas con capucha y sin uso de teléfonos celulares en clase. Si necesita comunicarse con su hijo, llame a la oficina.

     

    Estaremos trabajando en la revisión de los estándares y las mejores prácticas para las pruebas estandarizadas que se toman en el mes de abril y mayo para prepararnos para las pruebas de 8º grado en mayo. Estas habilidades incluyen comprensión, reflexión, predicción y análisis de texto.


    La tarea es leer para comprender durante 20 minutos al día.


    Recordatorio: según las pautas estatales para las pruebas, los estudiantes no podrán tener sus propios dispositivos electrónicos, a excepción de los Chromebooks proporcionados por la escuela, en su persona durante la prueba. Los teléfonos celulares, relojes inteligentes y otros dispositivos deberán apagarse y encenderse si se llevan a la escuela. Se recomienda enfáticamente no traerlos a la escuela en los días de exámenes. Como siempre, podrá comunicarse con su hijo a través de la oficina principal de la escuela por teléfono.

     
    Week of April 24, 2023
     
    No Hoodies and no cellphone use in class. If you need to reach your child, please call the office.
     
     
    We will be working on reviewing standards and best practices for standardized test taking the Month of April in order to prepare for the 8th grade testing in May. These skills include comprehension, reflection, prediction, and analysis of text.
     
    Homework is to read for understanding for 20 minutes a day.
     
     Reminder: Per State testing Guidelines, students will not be able to have their own electronics, except for the school issued chromebooks, on their person during testing. Cellphones, smartwatches, and other devices will need to be powered down and turned in  if brought to school. It is highly recommended to not bring them to school at all on testing days. As always, you will be able to contact your child via the school main office via phone.  
     

    Sin sudaderas con capucha y sin uso de teléfonos celulares en clase. Si necesita comunicarse con su hijo, llame a la oficina.

     

    Estaremos trabajando en la revisión de los estándares y las mejores prácticas para las pruebas estandarizadas que se toman en el mes de abril para prepararnos para las pruebas de 8º grado en mayo. Estas habilidades incluyen comprensión, reflexión, predicción y análisis de texto.


    La tarea es leer para comprender durante 20 minutos al día.


    Recordatorio: según las pautas estatales para las pruebas, los estudiantes no podrán tener sus propios dispositivos electrónicos, a excepción de los Chromebooks proporcionados por la escuela, en su persona durante la prueba. Los teléfonos celulares, relojes inteligentes y otros dispositivos deberán apagarse y encenderse si se llevan a la escuela. Se recomienda enfáticamente no traerlos a la escuela en los días de exámenes. Como siempre, podrá comunicarse con su hijo a través de la oficina principal de la escuela por teléfono.

     
    Week of April 17, 2023
     
    Parent Teacher Conferences are this week, on the 20th,  from 1:10 to 2:40. They are by appointment only. I have reached out via email and text to those I need to see. Reminder notices will be going home today. If I did not set up something with you, and you wish to see me, please reach out to taravandenakkker@paps.net and I will make that happen for you at another time.
     
    No Hoodies and no cellphone use in class. If you need to reach your child, please call the office.
     
     
    We will be working on reviewing standards and best practices for standardized test taking the Month of April in order to prepare for the 8th grade testing in May. These skills include comprehension, reflection, prediction, and analysis of text.
     
    Homework is to read for understanding for 20 minutes a day.
     
     Reminder: Per State testing Guidelines, students will not be able to have their own electronics, except for the school issued chromebooks, on their person during testing. Cellphones, smartwatches, and other devices will need to be powered down and turned in  if brought to school. It is highly recommended to not bring them to school at all on testing days. As always, you will be able to contact your child via the school main office via phone.
     
     

    Semana del 17 de abril de 2023

    Las conferencias de padres y maestros son esta semana, el día 20, de 1:10 a 2:40. Son solo con cita previa. Me comuniqué por correo electrónico y mensaje de texto con aquellos que necesito ver. Los avisos de recordatorio se enviarán a casa hoy. Si no programé algo con usted y desea verme, comuníquese con taravandenakkker@paps.net y haré que eso suceda en otro momento.

    Sin sudaderas con capucha y sin uso de teléfonos celulares en clase. Si necesita comunicarse con su hijo, llame a la oficina.

     

    Estaremos trabajando en la revisión de los estándares y las mejores prácticas para las pruebas estandarizadas que se toman en el mes de abril para prepararnos para las pruebas de 8º grado en mayo. Estas habilidades incluyen comprensión, reflexión, predicción y análisis de texto.


    La tarea es leer para comprender durante 20 minutos al día.


    Recordatorio: según las pautas estatales para las pruebas, los estudiantes no podrán tener sus propios dispositivos electrónicos, a excepción de los Chromebooks proporcionados por la escuela, en su persona durante la prueba. Los teléfonos celulares, relojes inteligentes y otros dispositivos deberán apagarse y encenderse si se llevan a la escuela. Se recomienda enfáticamente no traerlos a la escuela en los días de exámenes. Como siempre, podrá comunicarse con su hijo a través de la oficina principal de la escuela por teléfono.

     
    Week of April 3, 2023
     
    No Hoodies and no cellphone use in class. If you need to reach your child, please call the office.
     
    Report cards are being filled out and posted this week.
     
    We finished our Dystopian and Literary Analysis units in class!
     
    We will be working on reviewing standards and best practices for standardized test taking the Month of April in order to prepare for the 8th grade testing in May. These skills include comprehension, reflection, prediction, and analysis of text.
     
    Homework is to read for understanding for 20 minutes a day.
     
    Week of March 27, 2023
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
     
    We are in marking Period 3!
     
    In Reading, we are continuing with our book clubs and trying our hand at the creation of a dystopian world of our own. We are also going to practice looking for our hallmarks of dystopian fiction in Media.
     
    In Writing, we are finishing up our Literary Essays and writing about our worlds we are making.
     
     
    Week of March 20, 2023
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
     
    We are in marking Period 3!
     
    In Reading, we are continuing with our book clubs and trying our hand at the creation of a dystopian world of our own.
     
    In Writing, we are finishing up our Literary Essays and writing about our worlds we are making.
     
     
    Week of March 13, 2023
     
    We are in Marking Period 3! 
     
    Reading Workshop:
     
    We are working in Dystopian Fiction! This tends to be a fun and engaging unit that the students like. As always, please build your academic conversations with your students and share in their joy! Students are in their 1st book. We are aiming for 80-100 minutes of reading a week, as well as 5 more entries about their book by this Friday,
     
     
    Writing Workshop:
     
    We are working on Literary Essays. This is an important academic writing that they will need in High School and beyond! We will take things a little bit at a time and teach them this important skill.
     
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
    Week of March March 6, 2023
     
    We are in Marking Period 3! Progress reports this week!
     
    Reading Workshop:
     
    We are working in Dystopian Fiction! This tends to be a fun and engaging unit that the students like. As always, please build your academic conversations with your students and share in their joy! Students are in their 1st book. We are aiming for 80-100 minutes of reading a week, as well as 5 more entries about their book by this Friday,
     
     
    Writing Workshop:
     
    We are working on Literary Essays. This is an important academic writing that they will need in High School and beyond! We will take things a little bit at a time and teach them this important skill.
     
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
    Week of February 27, 2023
     
    We are in Marking Period 3! 
     
    Reading Workshop:
     
    We are working in Dystopian Fiction! This tends to be a fun and engaging unit that the students like. As always, please build your academic conversations with your students and share in their joy! Students are in their 1st book. We are aiming for 80-100 minutes of reading a week, as well as 5 more entries about their book by this Friday,
     
     
    Writing Workshop:
     
    We are working on Literary Essays. This is an important academic writing that they will need in High School and beyond! We will take things a little bit at a time and teach them this important skill.
     
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
    Week of February 20, 2023
     No school Monday, February 20th.
     
     
     
     
     
    We are in Marking Period 3! 
     
    Reading Workshop:
     
    We are working in Dystopian Fiction! This tends to be a fun and engaging unit that the students like. As always, please build your academic conversations with your students and share in their joy! Students are in their 1st book. We are aiming for 80-100 minutes of reading a week, as well as 5 more entries about their book by this Friday,
     
     
    Writing Workshop:
     
    We are working on Literary Essays. This is an important academic writing that they will need in High School and beyond! We will take things a little bit at a time and teach them this important skill.
     
     
    Week of February 13, 2023
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
    We are in Marking Period 3! 
     
    Reading Workshop:
     
    We are working in Dystopian Fiction! This tends to be a fun and engaging unit that the students like. As always, please build your academic conversations with your students and share in their joy! Students are in their 1st book. We are aiming for 80-100 minutes of reading a week, as well as 5 entries about their book by this Friday,
     
     
    Writing Workshop:
     
    We are working on Literary Essays. This is an important academic writing that they will need in High School and beyond! We will take things a little bit at a time and teach them this important skill.
     
     
    Have a wonderful week everyone!
     
    Remember, we will be off Monday, 2/20, for Presidents Day.
     
     
    Week of February 6, 2023
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class. If you need to reach out to your child, please contact the main office.
     
    Welcome to Marking Period 3!
     
    Reading Workshop:
     
    We are starting Dystopian Fiction! This tends to be a fun and engaging unit that the students like. As always, please build your academic conversations with your students and share in their joy! Students will be shortlisting books, forming bookclubs, and digging in!
     
     
    Writing Workshop:
     
    We are starting Literary Essays. This is an important academic writing that they will need in High School and beyond! We will take things a little bit at a time and teach them this important skill.
     
     
    Have a wonderful week everyone!
     
     
    Week of January 30, 2023
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Report Cards are this week. If student's owed work and it has since been completed, they need to reach out.
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are in Literary Nonfiction. We will be learning to look for themes, ideas, and issues, and finding supporting evidence. This is our last week in this topic. We move to Dystopian books next week 2/6.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are completing our 2nd position paper this week. We will be moving on to Literary Essays starting 2/6
     
    Week of January 23, 2023
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    ELA Benchmarks Wednesday and Thursday.
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are in Literary Nonfiction. We will be learning to look for themes, ideas, and issues, and finding supporting evidence.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are moving into Position Papers. We are picking our own topic and claim for a larger and more independent piece.
     
     
    Week of January 16, 2023
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are moving into Literary Nonfiction. We will be learning to look for themes, ideas, and issues, and finding supporting evidence.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are moving into Position Papers. We will be working on a common position paper together, then moving into picking our own topic and claim for a larger and more independent piece.
     
    Week of January 9, 2023
     
     
    Student Contract Signed and returned by 1-10-23. 
     
    Parent Teacher conferences are 1-11 and 1-12, by appointment only. Limited spots were available, so if we did not reach out to you for a meeting and you would like to discuss your student progress, please let me know and we will set it up!
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are moving into Literary Nonfiction. We will be learning to look for themes, ideas, and issues, and finding supporting evidence.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    Memoir grading will be completed by this Monday, January 9th. They have been amazing to read! We are moving into Position Papers. We will be working on a common position paper together, then moving into picking our own topic and claim for a larger and more independent piece.
     
    Week of January 2, 2023
     
    Happy New Year!
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are moving into Literary Nonfiction. We will be readying new notebook sections, picking new reading material, and getting started!
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    Memoir grading will be completed by this Monday, January 9th. They have been amazing to read! We are moving into Position Papers. We will be readying new notebook Sections, learning what Position writing is and can look like, and picking our positions to work from.
     
     
    Week of December 19, 2022
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Progress reports are this week! 
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are working on how setting can put pressures on characters. We are discussing simple vs. complex characters. We are jotting down important information when we read.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are working on Memoirs. We are drafting our work and looking at checklists to improve it.
     
     
    Week of December 12, 2022
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Classes with Mr. Trapanese
    Reading Workshop:
    We are working on how setting can put pressures on characters. We are discussing simple vs. complex characters. We are jotting down important information when we read.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are working on Memoirs. We are drafting our work and looking at checklists to improve it.
     
     
    Week of December 5, 2022
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Reading Workshop:
    We are working on Characterization and Character Traits. We are discussing simple vs. complex characters. We are jotting down important information when we read.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are working on Memoirs. We are trying different ways to write about moments and things that show our identity. We are  using  many different Memoir Authors to look at styles.
     
    Week of November 28, 2022
     
    Please Remember:
    No Hoodies, No Cellphones in class.
     
    Reading Workshop:
    We are working on Characterization and Character Traits.
     
    Writer's Workshop:
     
    We are working on Memoirs. We are trying different ways to write about moments and things that show our identity.
     
     
    Week of November 14, 2022
     
    Under Construction
     
    Important links:
    www.paps.net<http://www.paps.net/> - District webpage
    https://www.paps.net/Domain/1309 - My teacher webpage
    Id Portal:  https://idportal.paps.net/  - 
    Google Classroom Homepage: https://classroom.google.com/ must be signed in with student username/password to view!
     
     
    With ALL my teacher love-
     
    Tara van den Akker
    Grade 8 Ela- Room 224 
    Shull Middle School