Forest Park Middle School 

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ACADEMICS

HOMEWORK

          The assignment of homework is required as part of the standards and policy of our middle school curriculum.  Homework reinforces classroom instruction and prepares for the more demanding academic work of high school.

Homework Policy

Grade 6 - minimum of 70 minutes per day 4X/week plus 30 minutes reading
Grade 7 - minimum of 80 minutes per day 4X/week plus 30 minutes reading
Grade 8 - minimum of 90 minutes per day 4X/week plus 30 minutes reading

AFTER-SCHOOL HELP

         Teachers are available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for extra help.  Students should make arrangements with their teachers and are also responsible for notifying their parents.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

  • Students are expected to come to Forest Park Middle School with their own current public library card.  In the early weeks of school, applications for library cards will be available for students who do not yet have a library card.

  • We strongly believe that WE LEARN TO READ BY READING.  Reading is the key to success.  Our school-wide at-home reading program will involve parents to insure its success.  We will be asking for a signature each night verifying that the student has spent the required amount of time reading.  With parental support, we feel that our student will learn to appreciate the importance of reading in her/his life.

  • Subject area teachers have specific school supply requests.  The following list should satisfy most classes and can be purchased from most stores:

        -  A 2" Trapper Keeper/Binder (A Mead 5 star with zipper,
            though expensive, lasts a long time.)
        -  A packet of 5-subject dividers and filler paper
        -  A pencil case with pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener
            and colored pencils
        -  A single subject notebook for each subject
        -  A pocket dictionary
        -  A pocket calculator
        -  A large sturdy bookbag - wheel bookbags are recommended.

  • We strongly recommend that children know their multiplication facts before entering Grade 6.  Multiplication facts should be second nature to them like breathing out and breathing in.

         Finally, Forest Park teachers believe that IF YOU PLAN TO LEARN, YOU MUST LEARN TO PLAN;  therefore, a Forest Park Agenda Book will be provided for each child.  With this organizational tool, students will record all homework assignments, project due dates, quiz and test grades and set goals for each quarter.  We encourage parents to see what their child is doing and how their child is doing.  In addition, the agenda book is one way in which our teachers can be in communication with parents concerning the needs of their child.

         We are excited about and look forward to working together this school year.  This partnership will bring out the best in each of us.

Summer Reading Program

Incoming Grade 6 Students:

 Dear Incoming Forest Park Students and Parents,

          Welcome to Forest Park and our Forest Park Reads Summer Program.  This year all incoming 6th graders to FPMS will be required to read Bridge to Terabithia, a Newbery Medal winner.  In addition, you will be required to purchase and keep a journal in which you record your memories of the book.

DIRECTIONS FOR JOURNAL

As you are reading each chapter, record the following in your journal:

  • New For You Words (vocabulary)

  • Phrases you would like to remember and use in your reflections.

  • Questions that arise.

Following each chapter:

  • Write a one paragraph (3-5) sentence summary that describes the main events of the chapter and the characters involved.

  • Write a one paragraph (3-5) sentence reflection in which you share your thoughts and feelings about events and characters in the chapter.

  • For some chapters, you will illustrate a scene and write a short description of the scene.  (At least two are required.)

Directions for Front Cover of Your Journal:
         Do not begin until you are at least half way through the book!

  • The cover illustration should invite the reader to explore or discover the book.

  • The cover should be in color.

  • Include title, author, and illustrator (that's you!).

Directions for Back Cover:
         This will be completed after you have finished the book.

  • Write a review of the book in which you rate and recommend the book.  Support your views!
     

Directions for First Page:
         Do not complete until you have finished the book!

The inside cover will be a place to record important information about the book such as:

  • Description of main characters.

  • The setting (time and place).

  • Plot.

  • Copyright date.

         We encourage you to read your book with a friend or friends.  Two heads are better than one.  Work on your journals together.  Read with a brother or sister, aunt or uncle, mom or dad, grandma or grandpa.  Talk with someone about what you are reading.

         When you return to school this September, we will open the year discussing Paterson's book.  You will need your completed journal for these discussions.  Sometime within the first few weeks of school, you will have a test on the reading.

Some Helpful Tips on How to Plan for Success

  • You have an 80-day summer vacation and 13 chapters or 128 pages to read.

  • If you read 10 pages a day, you would have the book read in 13 days.

  • If you read 5 pages a day, you would have it read in 26 days.
     

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Incoming Grade 7 Students:

         As the famous American poet Emily Dickinson once said, "There is no frigate like a book."  We, as your future teachers, also believe that reading regularly and often is both educational and enjoyable.  Therefore, we are delighted to present you with your seventh grade summer reading book.   A Newbery Award winning classic novel, Sounder is the story of a boy and his dog.  We believe that you will enjoy this book, as have so many other students.

         In addition to the reading you will do, you will also be keeping a summer reading journal.  Your journal should include a brief summary of each chapter in Sounder.  This summary should include the who, what, when, where, why, and how of each chapter.  Jot down a few lines on your favorite character, and describe how he or she changes from the opening to the closing of your book.  List any new vocabulary words you come across, and questions that you have about the story.  Finally, please draw one picture illustrating the meaning of the title.

         As your new teachers, we look forward to starting off our year together by discussing  Sounder, and checking your summer reading work.  Sometime within the first few weeks of school, you will be given an assessment on this novel.  We believe that your summer reading will be the first of many great adventures that we take together during this academic year!  Happy reading, and have a scintillating summer!

Thank you,
Your Seventh Grade Teachers

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Incoming Grade 8 Students:

         As the famous American poet Emily Dickinson once said, "There is no frigate like a book."  We, as your future teachers, also believe that reading regularly and often is both enjoyable and educational.  Therefore, we are delighted to present you with your eighth grade summer reading book.  My Brother Sam Is Dead, a Newbery Award winning classic, is the story of a young man growing up during the American Revolution.  We believe that you will enjoy this book, as have so many other students.

         In addition to the reading you will do, you will also be keeping a summer reading journal.  Your journal should include a brief summary of each chapter in My Brother Sam Is Dead.  Your summary should include the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the chapter.  Jot down a few lines describing your favorite character, and how he or she changes from the opening to the closing of your book.  List any new vocabulary words you come across, and questions that you have about the story.  Finally, please create one drawing illustrating the significance of the title.

         As your new teachers, we look forward to starting off our year together by discussing My Brother Sam Is Dead and checking your journal entries.  Sometime within the first few weeks of school, you will be given an assessment on this novel.  We believe that your summer reading will be the first of many great adventures that we take together during this academic year!  Happy reading, and have a scintillating summer!

Thank you,
Your Eighth Grade Teachers
 

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