All students received an orientation to the Writing Lab which covered lab procedures and computer policies. In addition, sixth graders completed an orientation activity to practice following directions, using Microsoft Word, and organizing a simple paragraph. Now, things are off and running with all of the labs very busy each day. Please remember that the Writing Lab is open during the day Monday—Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. and Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students are welcome to use the Lab when with a class or when on their own to finish a project.
At JMS, in grades six, seven, and eight, we use the Writing Tip Book as an additional resource for our students. The Writing Tip Book has been designed by our own middle level teachers. One hundred forty-eight pages long, it provides information on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity, the PSSA Scoring Guidelines, Prewriting, Writing, Analytical Writing, Revising, Editing, Presenting, Formatting and Computing, and Research. Every sixth grader at JMS receives a copy of the Tip Book which should be kept at home where he or she completes his work and studies. In addition, every seat in each of the three labs has a Tip Book at it, and teachers have copies available in their classrooms for student use in school. Students are expected to keep the Writing Tip Book for all three years of middle school; they will be expected to use it for their English and literature classes. We trust that you will find it to be helpful.
Volunteer Program
Thanks to our many dedicated volunteers who have already helped our conference program begin successfully this year! The first training session was held in September and covered the basic policies and procedures of how our volunteer program works. Those who attended received an overview of how to successfully conference with our middle level students. If you were unable to attend, a training packet is available in the Writing Lab. In addition, you are welcome to come in and to observe a conference between Mrs. Kelly and a student. If you have not yet signed up to be a part of this valuable program and are interested in helping this year, please contact our program’s parent coordinators Mrs. Kang and Mrs. Zaslau via email at jmiddleschool@yahoo.com or by phone (412.571.9997 for Mrs. Kang and 412.279.3750 for Mrs. Zaslau). It is never too late to join us in helping our students.
Please sign up for dates and class periods when volunteers are needed to conference with our students. Be sure to carefully note the dates and times for which you schedule yourself since they vary weekly depending on the grade level(s) using the computer labs. A schedule of dates and times when volunteers are needed will be emailed to you. You can sign up for conference times by contacting Mrs. Kang or Mrs. Zasalu (jmiddleschool@yahoo.com) or by emailing Mrs. Kelly (mkelly@mtlsd.net).
Our Piece of Mind, Jefferson’s Literary Magazine
All students are encouraged to be a part of Our Piece of Mind. Students can submit their original writing to be considered for publication, illustrate accepted pieces, type/edit accepted selections, or be a part of the selection staff. Poems, essays, stories, articles, etc. are welcome. The selection staff meets weekly on Tuesdays to read, discuss, and determine which pieces to accept for publication. Then, student typists and artists work to design the literary magazine, which will be published in June. Submission forms for writing are available in the Writing Lab or from the English and literature teachers. Students interested in helping with the literary magazine should see Mrs. Kelly. It’s never too late to join us—everyone is welcome!
Enrichment
A bulletin board advertising all current writing enrichment opportunities can be found in the Writing Lab, Room 102 next to the printer. Mrs. Kelly will conference with any student concerning his/her enrichment entries. In addition, she will take care of submitting the student’s writing. All young writers are encouraged to take a risk and to explore writing enrichment.
Ø Creative Communication’s Essay Contest—250 word maximum—deadline, October 15, 2008.
Ø National Middle School Association’s Month of the Young Adolescent Podcast Contest—4 min. or less, content relating to middle school, see Mrs. Kelly for more information and assistance—deadline, October 31, 2008.
Ø Prudential Spirit of Community Awards—for students who have “demonstrated exemplary community service.”—apply at www.prudential.com/spirit and turn in application to Mrs. Kelly by October 31, 2008.
Ø Creative Communication’s Poetry Contest—21 line maximum—deadline, December 4, 2008.
Ø READ Magazine’s Personal Essay Contest—Favorite Places, Special Spaces—500 words or less, tell “about the spot where you most like to be in the world”—deadline, December 31, 2008.
Ø READ Magazine’s Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Contest—up to three original poems eligible per person, length may not exceed one poem per page, deadline, December 31, 2008.
Ø The Writing Conference, Inc.’s 2008-9 Writing Contest—Using “the theme of ‘Friendship,’ create a poem, narrative, or essay in which you incorporate your ideas and feelings concerning friendship”—deadline, January 8, 2009.
Ø The Almanac, students in grades 7 and 8 interested in writing for the paper's Youth Life page (news, features, and commentaries of interest to teenagers)—contact Patricia Van Horn, 724.941.7725 or pvhorn@thealmanac.net
Ø The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, young writers 13 years and older who are interested in expressing their views on pop culture and more in the feature “My Generation” can send a 300-word sample review (CD, movie, book, or concert) or an essay of the same length on an issue of concern to mygen@post-gazette.com.
Ø Stone Soup—publishes writing and art by young people through age 13, more information available in Writing Lab and at www.stonesoup.com.
We’re so proud of our JMS writers and the success they have. If your student receives notification of a writing success such as being published or winning a contest, please let us know so that we too can celebrate their accomplishment. (Email Mrs. Kelly, the writing clinician @ mkelly@mtlsd.net.)
