Reading Counts is busy

While it took some time accessing Reading Counts and enrolling students, business is booming now.  Oh, for those who haven't heard of Reading Counts, it is similar to Accelerated Reading.  Anyway, I wanted to mention some names of students who are doing a fabulous job of reading and passing those tests.  As of  just a few minutes ago, sixth grade students with more than 100 points are Sidney Barkdull, Conner Davis, Jonah Haley, Rachael Hiatt, Aubree Holten,  and Jared Hunt.  Libby Fox surpassed 200 points while Michael Himes has more than 300 points.   What a tremendous beginning for these sixth graders.  I'll try to update occasionally as there are others who are very close to 100 points as well and the scores change by the minute as students take tests.  I can't keep up with them!!  But that's what makes it fun!

Drew Ellery is leading 7th grade with more than four hundred points while Anna Groover has more than a hundred points, and it appears that they will be joined by several others soon.  And in 8th grade, Arryn Dennard and Tanner Wilburn are over the hundred mark, while Shaylie Hall and Delaney McCaslin are beyond 200 points, Hallie Dietz has more than 300 points and Emily Kirby leads all students with more than 500 points.

Homework Hotline

Occasionally you may find yourself at a loss and need help with homework later in the evening.  If you are having problems with math or science, read the following.

Homework Help for Students Available by Phone, Online
Students in grades 6-12 who are having trouble with math or science assignments can find help with just a phone call or computer mouse click!

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology will again offer free tutoring every Sunday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Hoosier students can call 1-877-ASK-ROSE (1-877-275-7673) and receive personal attention as they work through difficult problems.

Students calling the hotline will need to provide their first name, their school's name and be prepared with necessary materials:
- Homework assignment;
- Textbook (if available);
- Paper;
- Pen or pencil; and
- Calculator (if necessary).

Homework questions can also be submitted online at http://www.AskRose.org.
Responses to online questions are given during the Homework Hotline's hours of operation, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This program is funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Tutoring is provided by college students who were recommended by their professors. Tutors are chosen based on technical and communication skills. They are trained on how to best answer questions and explain difficult concepts to younger students. In order to provide help with questions, tutors are armed with copies of state recommended textbooks and Internet access. While they are not to give students the answers to problems or assignments, tutors will help students analyze questions and come up with solutions.

Teachers may access lesson plans, articles, a summary of Indiana's academic standards and other educational resources when visiting http://www.AskRose.org.

Thousands of Hoosier students took advantage of this educational resource during the 2009-2010 school year. Homework Hotline tutors answered a record 46,228 calls and conducted 3,405 online tutoring sessions last year. Nearly 80 percent of phone calls to the hotline dealt with math problems. As we enter a new school year, please remember this great resource providing Hoosier students more tools to help them succeed academically.

Writing contest for students

Even though our book fair is a few weeks away, we are already in contact with Scholastic or at least the folks at Scholastic are in contact with us!  Today I learned about a writing contest sponsored by Scholastic that appears to be pretty darn terrific if you'd like to go to New York City (with parents or a chaperon such as myself or your language arts teacher or maybe an entourage of all of us!) courtesy of Scholastic.  The essay is a scant two hundred fifty words of a favorite book that will always be remembered and why.

It would seem the most difficult decision is choosing a favorite book and then writing succinct but eloquent words about reading.  It looks like a great contest! 

Here is the link: http://www.scholastic.com/readeveryday/essaycontest.htm?esp=CORP/ib/20100823/acq/unpd//liveevents//taylorswift_ESSAY_teacherHomepage

You may need to copy and paste.  Good luck to any Eagle who decides to enter!