“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.”
― Vince Lombardi Jr.
― Vince Lombardi Jr.
Monday, June 10, 2019
For Wednesday: Read up to p. 89 in Tuesdays With Morrie. Be sure to keep up with your "Morrie's Handbook" note-taking.
Friday, June 7, 2019
Upcoming Due Dates:
1) Poetry Assignment - Monday, June 17
2) Digital Reading Record (updated list of books you've read AND Quarter 4 Spotlight page)
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Poetry Assignment due Monday, June 17. Requirements and a reflection model are posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Continue working on drafting and revising your poems. Requirements for poem collection will be introduced tomorrow. Don't forget to bring Tuesdays With Morrie to class every day!
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Continue brainstorming for our Nostalgia Poems. Brainstorming can be bullet lists, but try to do some more in-depth writing on a specific topic from your list. What are some of the very specific details that you remember?
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Generate your list of where ideas for poems may be hiding. Be observant throughout your day, and try to notice the small things you'd normally pass by. At minimum, you should have FIVE items on your list.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
In-class timed writing on your book club book tomorrow: Discuss a theme that is developed through the relationships in your book club book. Use specific evidence and analysis to support your ideas.
You may use your books, notes, Post-its, outlines, etc. Spend some time marking the evidence you might use for your writing in order to save time tomorrow!
Friday, May 10, 2019
1) Continue to keep up with your book club's reading goals and tracking work.
2) The next Vocabulary Narrative is due on Thursday, 5/16. (TWO words, include definitions and parts of speech, use narrative techniques!)
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Due Friday: Character Relationship Tracking Work. Model from class is posted in the "Handouts & Notes" section. Remember, the idea is to demonstrate how your idea of a particular relationship has evolved throughout your reading. Remember to consider the roles that BOTH SIDES of the relationship play.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Continue with the reading assignments that your book club sets up. Remember that you need to be tracking your thinking on at least TWO relationships and that your jottings should include specific examples to support your thoughts. Keep your notes organized! There is a model of relationship tracking notebook work in the Handouts & Notes section.
Friday, April 12, 2019
Make sure that you are keeping up with your book club's reading assignments. Remember that you are required to have an organized system of note-taking in place, be it Post-its, notebook jotting, webs, etc. This will serve as evidence of thoughtful reading. You will not receive credit for thoughts "in your head."
Tuesday, April 2. 2019
Digital Reading Records are due this Friday, April 5! Make sure you have shared with [email protected]
Monday, April 1, 2019
Good luck on the first day of testing tomorrow! Try to limit screen time this evening so you can get a good night's sleep. Be sure to have breakfast in the morning so that you can maintain your stamina! Report directly to your assigned testing room with #2 pencils and your IRB.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Remember, you should be reading your IRB every night in order to help build your stamina!
Digital Reading Record for Quarter 3 is due by Friday, April 5. The three required components are: 1) Title Page 2) Complete list of titles read so far this year 3)Spotlight page.
There is a Spotlight Page model posted in the Handouts and Notes section.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Complete short answer question #47 from today's passage. The model from class is posted in the "Handouts and Notes" section.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Argument Essays will be due on Monday, March 18 (Typed and printed BEFORE class). Tonight, you should spend some time continuing to work on your introduction. Remember, your introduction needs not only "the basics" from our structure worksheet, but also an attempt at making the it more accessible to readers (a hypothetical, an intriguing question, a shocking fact or statistic, a real-world or personal anecdote).
We'll continue typing tomorrow and also discuss counter-arguments.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
For tomorrow, you should have all of the evidence you'll need to support your reasons (direct quotations, statistics, data, etc.). The ICE poster has been posted in the "Handouts and Notes Section." Use this to ensure you are weaving in evidence smoothly.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Tonight: Continue working on your argument flash draft. At minimum, you should have the introduction and two body paragraphs complete for tomorrow.
Be sure to keep your Digital Reading Record updated!
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Finish up reading and note-taking for the articles we worked with in class today. Be sure to focus on specific details, like stories, data, and statistics.
Monday, February 25, 2019
1) Due tomorrow: "Listening to Wisdom from a 10-Year-Old Son..." Finish reading article AND organize the significant details that you gather using the note system you've set up for yourself.
2) Vocabulary Narrative #3 is due on Monday, 3/4.
3)Make sure your Digital Reading Record is being kept up to date and that you complete a "Spotlight" page by the end of the quarter.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Feature Article is due tomorrow! Proofread and print BEFORE class! Be sure to attach your Works Cited page to the back.
Digital Reading Records: Be sure these are kept up to date with the books you have read. You'll need to have at least one "Spotlight" slide by the end of quarter 3.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Feature Article - Final, typed copy is due on Friday, February 15. This should be carefully proofread and printed before you come to class. The assignment rubric will be posted shortly in the "Handouts & Notes" section.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
We will continue revising and typing our feature articles on Friday (tomorrow is the NWEA!). At home, you should be spending time reading and searching for any additional info you might need for your article.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Try to spend an additional 15-20 minutes on your feature article draft. We will continue drafting tomorrow, in addition to focusing on some specific nonfiction writing techniques. Please make sure you are bringing ALL nonfiction materials to class each day (book, notebook, Post-its, articles, etc.).
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Keep reading and jotting! You should be thinking about the possible "angle" you will take on your nonfiction topic. We'll be working with Chromebooks tomorrow to gather some additional sources.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Make sure you are making significant progress with your nonfiction book! You should be continuing to jot down details that support the central ideas you are tracking. Remember that occasionally we must revise central ideas in the face of new details and information!
Monday, January 14, 2019
Continue reading your nonfiction books, while gathering notes on interesting details and questions that arise. While looking over the details you've gathered, try to identify a central idea the author might be trying to get across. We'll continue practicing this work in class tomorrow, so be sure to have your books with you!
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Tonight you should spend at least 30 minutes reading your nonfiction book. Just like we did in class, jot down details that fascinate you and questions that come to mind as you read. This can be done in your notebook or on Post-its. Please make sure you have your book and notes in class every day!
Friday, January 4, 2019
1) Realistic Fiction - Final, printed copies are due on Tuesday, January 8. The rubric has been posted in the "Handouts & Notes" section.
2) Nonfiction books are due in class on Wednesday, January 9. Please be sure to bring your book to class every day!
Friday, December 21, 2018
Try to spend some time reading over the break! We will begin revising and editing realistic fiction upon our return to school. You should be searching for your NONFICTION book for our next unit.
Have a wonderful holiday and a happy. healthy new year! See you in 2019!
Friday, December 14, 2018
Your next Vocabulary Narrative is due on Wednesday. Remember, select TWO words from the character traits list . Be sure to include definitions and parts of speech! Models are still posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
At this point, you should have completed at least TWO possible plans for your realistic story. Tonight, you'll need to attempt to write a one-sentence summary for your story. I've posted the models from class in the Handouts & Notes section. Tomorrow, we'll begin to draft!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Spend some time reading your independent reading book this weekend. We will begin plotting our realistic fiction stories next week.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Read the short story "Thirteen and a Half." Highlight or underline the moments where you feel you're learning something about one of the characters (Moments where you're recognizing traits, both positive and/or negative).
Monday, December 3, 2018
Thematic Essays are due tomorrow. These must be typed and printed before you arrive to class. Be sure to use the model and rubric as you put the final touches on this piece.
Tomorrow, we'll be starting to develop the protagonists of our realistic fiction stories, so make sure you've narrowed down your story ideas to one or two.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Final, printed copy of thematic essay is due on Tuesday, December 4. Be sure to proofread carefully, and use the model posted in "Handouts and Notes" to assess your work. The rubric has also been posted.
Monday, November 26, 2018
1)Continue working on the draft of your theme essay. The body paragraph model from class has been posted in the "Handouts and Notes" section.
2)Make sure you have an independent reading book, and bring it to class with you!
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
Be prepared with your theme statement and supporting evidence from the novel on Monday! We will begin drafting our essays.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
The Outsiders - Chapters 9 and 10 due Friday. Be sure to keep up with your tracking work!
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Notebook Entry is due tomorrow!
Friday, November 9, 2018
1) The Outsiders - Chapters 7 and 8 due Tuesday.
2) Notebook Entry due Wednesday (Focus on character complexity and solid, text-based evidence and analysis.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
The Outsiders - Chapters 5 and 6 due Friday. Be sure to keep up with your tracking work on characters and setting!
Monday, November 5, 2018
1)The Outsiders - Chapter 4 reading and tracking work are due tomorrow.
2) Finish up the written work from class if you didn't finish. (Identify a flashback moment from Chapter 2 or 3, and write about how this flashback helps you reach a greater understanding of character(s) and setting.
Friday, November 2, 2018
The Outsiders - Chapters 2 and 3 are due on Monday. This includes tracking work on character and setting. Have an awesome weekend!
Thursday, November 1, 2018
1) Vocabulary Narrative #1 is due tomorrow!
2) If you'd like to get ahead, Chapters 2 and 3 of The Outsiders will be due on Monday. Keep up character tracking work, and start considering SETTINGS that might be important.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
1)For tomorrow, finish reading Chapter 1 of The Outsiders. Be sure to begin your character tracking work on Post-its or in your notebook. Your post-it jotting should include traits you're starting to recognize, specific examples, and your own thoughts about characters.
2)Vocabulary Narrative #1 is due this Friday, November 2.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Vocabulary Narrative #1 is due on Friday, 11/2. Choose TWO words off of our character traits list. These should be words that you are unfamiliar with. Start off with the definitions and parts of speech for each word. Next, create a story using each word as a main character (just like we did in class). A model has been posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Wednesday, October 24, 2019
Continue practicing work with setting in your IRB. You will need at least one example of writing long about setting for tomorrow. The model from class in posted in the Handouts and Notes section.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Practice work with SETTING while reading your IRB. Remember, you must be tracking your thinking on Post-its or in your notebook! You'll need to have this work ready for in-class conferences.
Also, keep in mind that character work should be continuing!
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Continue reading your IRB. Keep up the character tracking work while practicing the new work on setting. Remember that setting is the time, place, and atmosphere or mood of a scene. How does a particular setting feel to the characters? What kind of effect does a particular setting have on characters?
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Be sure to bring your IRB to class, as we'll be applying the setting work we've been practicing to your self-selected titles.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Unit Assessment: "Bread on the Water" entry due on Tuesday. This will be turned in along with your character tracking work. The assignment rubric has been posted in the Handouts and Notes section.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Finish reading and character tracking work for "Bread on the Water." You may use Post-its or your notebook. The poster from class is posted in the Handouts & Notes section. Be sure to refer to this for reminders on what you should be focusing on in your character tracking work.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Finish up the notebook entry from class, focusing on increasing volume and avoiding topic jumping. Be sure to highlight or underline the writing prompts you use to stretch your thinking. The notebook entry model from class is posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Spend some time reading your IRB, keeping track of the traits that are most significant. Remember that the most significant traits are the ones that affect or influence the plot of the story.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Continue tracking character traits as you read your IRB. At least one of your Post-its should focus on today's new lens: Recognizing the less likable traits that a character might demonstrate. This type of Post-it should name the trait, provide a supporting example, and explain the possible effects of this trait.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Finish up the Notebook Entry that we started in class. The models are posted in the Handouts & Notes section. Remember, you should be reading your IRB as often as you can!!
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Continue reading your IRB and develop at least TWO additional "This or That" Post-its. Remember, each post it should identify traits AND provide evidence to support them. Use the word bank handout to ensure precision in word choice.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
1) Spend some time reading your Independent Reading Book. Create TWO "This or That" Post-its, making sure to include evidence from the book to support your choices of traits.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
1) Independent Reading Books need to be in class every day starting tomorrow.
2) Summer Reading Reflection due on Tuesday, 9/18. The in-progress model I was working on in class can be found in the "Handouts and Notes" section.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
1) Your first independent reading book will need to be in class this Friday, 9/14. This should be a work of fiction.
2) For tomorrow, make sure you have jotted down a few notes in response to each of the following questions:
Thursday, September 6, 2018
1) Review class contract with parent or guardian, sign, and return to class by Friday, 9/7.
2) What My Name Means Poems are due on Friday, 9/7. Remember to use the poem distributed in class as a guide. This may be typed or handwritten. Make sure your work is neat!
3) Keep in mind that you will need an independent reading book very soon. The title you choose must be a work of fiction.
For Wednesday: Read up to p. 89 in Tuesdays With Morrie. Be sure to keep up with your "Morrie's Handbook" note-taking.
Friday, June 7, 2019
Upcoming Due Dates:
1) Poetry Assignment - Monday, June 17
2) Digital Reading Record (updated list of books you've read AND Quarter 4 Spotlight page)
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Poetry Assignment due Monday, June 17. Requirements and a reflection model are posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Continue working on drafting and revising your poems. Requirements for poem collection will be introduced tomorrow. Don't forget to bring Tuesdays With Morrie to class every day!
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Continue brainstorming for our Nostalgia Poems. Brainstorming can be bullet lists, but try to do some more in-depth writing on a specific topic from your list. What are some of the very specific details that you remember?
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Generate your list of where ideas for poems may be hiding. Be observant throughout your day, and try to notice the small things you'd normally pass by. At minimum, you should have FIVE items on your list.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
In-class timed writing on your book club book tomorrow: Discuss a theme that is developed through the relationships in your book club book. Use specific evidence and analysis to support your ideas.
You may use your books, notes, Post-its, outlines, etc. Spend some time marking the evidence you might use for your writing in order to save time tomorrow!
Friday, May 10, 2019
1) Continue to keep up with your book club's reading goals and tracking work.
2) The next Vocabulary Narrative is due on Thursday, 5/16. (TWO words, include definitions and parts of speech, use narrative techniques!)
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Due Friday: Character Relationship Tracking Work. Model from class is posted in the "Handouts & Notes" section. Remember, the idea is to demonstrate how your idea of a particular relationship has evolved throughout your reading. Remember to consider the roles that BOTH SIDES of the relationship play.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Continue with the reading assignments that your book club sets up. Remember that you need to be tracking your thinking on at least TWO relationships and that your jottings should include specific examples to support your thoughts. Keep your notes organized! There is a model of relationship tracking notebook work in the Handouts & Notes section.
Friday, April 12, 2019
Make sure that you are keeping up with your book club's reading assignments. Remember that you are required to have an organized system of note-taking in place, be it Post-its, notebook jotting, webs, etc. This will serve as evidence of thoughtful reading. You will not receive credit for thoughts "in your head."
Tuesday, April 2. 2019
Digital Reading Records are due this Friday, April 5! Make sure you have shared with [email protected]
Monday, April 1, 2019
Good luck on the first day of testing tomorrow! Try to limit screen time this evening so you can get a good night's sleep. Be sure to have breakfast in the morning so that you can maintain your stamina! Report directly to your assigned testing room with #2 pencils and your IRB.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Remember, you should be reading your IRB every night in order to help build your stamina!
Digital Reading Record for Quarter 3 is due by Friday, April 5. The three required components are: 1) Title Page 2) Complete list of titles read so far this year 3)Spotlight page.
There is a Spotlight Page model posted in the Handouts and Notes section.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Complete short answer question #47 from today's passage. The model from class is posted in the "Handouts and Notes" section.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Argument Essays will be due on Monday, March 18 (Typed and printed BEFORE class). Tonight, you should spend some time continuing to work on your introduction. Remember, your introduction needs not only "the basics" from our structure worksheet, but also an attempt at making the it more accessible to readers (a hypothetical, an intriguing question, a shocking fact or statistic, a real-world or personal anecdote).
We'll continue typing tomorrow and also discuss counter-arguments.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
For tomorrow, you should have all of the evidence you'll need to support your reasons (direct quotations, statistics, data, etc.). The ICE poster has been posted in the "Handouts and Notes Section." Use this to ensure you are weaving in evidence smoothly.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Tonight: Continue working on your argument flash draft. At minimum, you should have the introduction and two body paragraphs complete for tomorrow.
Be sure to keep your Digital Reading Record updated!
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Finish up reading and note-taking for the articles we worked with in class today. Be sure to focus on specific details, like stories, data, and statistics.
Monday, February 25, 2019
1) Due tomorrow: "Listening to Wisdom from a 10-Year-Old Son..." Finish reading article AND organize the significant details that you gather using the note system you've set up for yourself.
2) Vocabulary Narrative #3 is due on Monday, 3/4.
3)Make sure your Digital Reading Record is being kept up to date and that you complete a "Spotlight" page by the end of the quarter.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Feature Article is due tomorrow! Proofread and print BEFORE class! Be sure to attach your Works Cited page to the back.
Digital Reading Records: Be sure these are kept up to date with the books you have read. You'll need to have at least one "Spotlight" slide by the end of quarter 3.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Feature Article - Final, typed copy is due on Friday, February 15. This should be carefully proofread and printed before you come to class. The assignment rubric will be posted shortly in the "Handouts & Notes" section.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
We will continue revising and typing our feature articles on Friday (tomorrow is the NWEA!). At home, you should be spending time reading and searching for any additional info you might need for your article.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Try to spend an additional 15-20 minutes on your feature article draft. We will continue drafting tomorrow, in addition to focusing on some specific nonfiction writing techniques. Please make sure you are bringing ALL nonfiction materials to class each day (book, notebook, Post-its, articles, etc.).
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Keep reading and jotting! You should be thinking about the possible "angle" you will take on your nonfiction topic. We'll be working with Chromebooks tomorrow to gather some additional sources.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Make sure you are making significant progress with your nonfiction book! You should be continuing to jot down details that support the central ideas you are tracking. Remember that occasionally we must revise central ideas in the face of new details and information!
Monday, January 14, 2019
Continue reading your nonfiction books, while gathering notes on interesting details and questions that arise. While looking over the details you've gathered, try to identify a central idea the author might be trying to get across. We'll continue practicing this work in class tomorrow, so be sure to have your books with you!
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Tonight you should spend at least 30 minutes reading your nonfiction book. Just like we did in class, jot down details that fascinate you and questions that come to mind as you read. This can be done in your notebook or on Post-its. Please make sure you have your book and notes in class every day!
Friday, January 4, 2019
1) Realistic Fiction - Final, printed copies are due on Tuesday, January 8. The rubric has been posted in the "Handouts & Notes" section.
2) Nonfiction books are due in class on Wednesday, January 9. Please be sure to bring your book to class every day!
Friday, December 21, 2018
Try to spend some time reading over the break! We will begin revising and editing realistic fiction upon our return to school. You should be searching for your NONFICTION book for our next unit.
Have a wonderful holiday and a happy. healthy new year! See you in 2019!
Friday, December 14, 2018
Your next Vocabulary Narrative is due on Wednesday. Remember, select TWO words from the character traits list . Be sure to include definitions and parts of speech! Models are still posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
At this point, you should have completed at least TWO possible plans for your realistic story. Tonight, you'll need to attempt to write a one-sentence summary for your story. I've posted the models from class in the Handouts & Notes section. Tomorrow, we'll begin to draft!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Spend some time reading your independent reading book this weekend. We will begin plotting our realistic fiction stories next week.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Read the short story "Thirteen and a Half." Highlight or underline the moments where you feel you're learning something about one of the characters (Moments where you're recognizing traits, both positive and/or negative).
Monday, December 3, 2018
Thematic Essays are due tomorrow. These must be typed and printed before you arrive to class. Be sure to use the model and rubric as you put the final touches on this piece.
Tomorrow, we'll be starting to develop the protagonists of our realistic fiction stories, so make sure you've narrowed down your story ideas to one or two.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Final, printed copy of thematic essay is due on Tuesday, December 4. Be sure to proofread carefully, and use the model posted in "Handouts and Notes" to assess your work. The rubric has also been posted.
Monday, November 26, 2018
1)Continue working on the draft of your theme essay. The body paragraph model from class has been posted in the "Handouts and Notes" section.
2)Make sure you have an independent reading book, and bring it to class with you!
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
Be prepared with your theme statement and supporting evidence from the novel on Monday! We will begin drafting our essays.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
The Outsiders - Chapters 9 and 10 due Friday. Be sure to keep up with your tracking work!
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Notebook Entry is due tomorrow!
Friday, November 9, 2018
1) The Outsiders - Chapters 7 and 8 due Tuesday.
2) Notebook Entry due Wednesday (Focus on character complexity and solid, text-based evidence and analysis.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
The Outsiders - Chapters 5 and 6 due Friday. Be sure to keep up with your tracking work on characters and setting!
Monday, November 5, 2018
1)The Outsiders - Chapter 4 reading and tracking work are due tomorrow.
2) Finish up the written work from class if you didn't finish. (Identify a flashback moment from Chapter 2 or 3, and write about how this flashback helps you reach a greater understanding of character(s) and setting.
Friday, November 2, 2018
The Outsiders - Chapters 2 and 3 are due on Monday. This includes tracking work on character and setting. Have an awesome weekend!
Thursday, November 1, 2018
1) Vocabulary Narrative #1 is due tomorrow!
2) If you'd like to get ahead, Chapters 2 and 3 of The Outsiders will be due on Monday. Keep up character tracking work, and start considering SETTINGS that might be important.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
1)For tomorrow, finish reading Chapter 1 of The Outsiders. Be sure to begin your character tracking work on Post-its or in your notebook. Your post-it jotting should include traits you're starting to recognize, specific examples, and your own thoughts about characters.
2)Vocabulary Narrative #1 is due this Friday, November 2.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Vocabulary Narrative #1 is due on Friday, 11/2. Choose TWO words off of our character traits list. These should be words that you are unfamiliar with. Start off with the definitions and parts of speech for each word. Next, create a story using each word as a main character (just like we did in class). A model has been posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Wednesday, October 24, 2019
Continue practicing work with setting in your IRB. You will need at least one example of writing long about setting for tomorrow. The model from class in posted in the Handouts and Notes section.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Practice work with SETTING while reading your IRB. Remember, you must be tracking your thinking on Post-its or in your notebook! You'll need to have this work ready for in-class conferences.
Also, keep in mind that character work should be continuing!
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Continue reading your IRB. Keep up the character tracking work while practicing the new work on setting. Remember that setting is the time, place, and atmosphere or mood of a scene. How does a particular setting feel to the characters? What kind of effect does a particular setting have on characters?
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Be sure to bring your IRB to class, as we'll be applying the setting work we've been practicing to your self-selected titles.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Unit Assessment: "Bread on the Water" entry due on Tuesday. This will be turned in along with your character tracking work. The assignment rubric has been posted in the Handouts and Notes section.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Finish reading and character tracking work for "Bread on the Water." You may use Post-its or your notebook. The poster from class is posted in the Handouts & Notes section. Be sure to refer to this for reminders on what you should be focusing on in your character tracking work.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Finish up the notebook entry from class, focusing on increasing volume and avoiding topic jumping. Be sure to highlight or underline the writing prompts you use to stretch your thinking. The notebook entry model from class is posted in the Handouts & Notes section.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Spend some time reading your IRB, keeping track of the traits that are most significant. Remember that the most significant traits are the ones that affect or influence the plot of the story.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Continue tracking character traits as you read your IRB. At least one of your Post-its should focus on today's new lens: Recognizing the less likable traits that a character might demonstrate. This type of Post-it should name the trait, provide a supporting example, and explain the possible effects of this trait.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Finish up the Notebook Entry that we started in class. The models are posted in the Handouts & Notes section. Remember, you should be reading your IRB as often as you can!!
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Continue reading your IRB and develop at least TWO additional "This or That" Post-its. Remember, each post it should identify traits AND provide evidence to support them. Use the word bank handout to ensure precision in word choice.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
1) Spend some time reading your Independent Reading Book. Create TWO "This or That" Post-its, making sure to include evidence from the book to support your choices of traits.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
1) Independent Reading Books need to be in class every day starting tomorrow.
2) Summer Reading Reflection due on Tuesday, 9/18. The in-progress model I was working on in class can be found in the "Handouts and Notes" section.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
1) Your first independent reading book will need to be in class this Friday, 9/14. This should be a work of fiction.
2) For tomorrow, make sure you have jotted down a few notes in response to each of the following questions:
- Describe your honest, personal feelings toward reading. Be as specific as you can! If you like reading sometimes but not others, explain this.
- What were the reading goals that you set for yourself before going on summer break?
- How did it go? Did you meet your goals? Miss your goals? Change your goals?
- What helped you in working toward these goals? What may have gotten in the way or prevented you from reaching goals?
- Discuss several specific reading experiences from this past summer. What did you read? Why? Describe several reading experiences.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
1) Review class contract with parent or guardian, sign, and return to class by Friday, 9/7.
2) What My Name Means Poems are due on Friday, 9/7. Remember to use the poem distributed in class as a guide. This may be typed or handwritten. Make sure your work is neat!
3) Keep in mind that you will need an independent reading book very soon. The title you choose must be a work of fiction.