Nov. 1st-4th
Reading= We will watch the movie Spirit Bear: The Simon Jackson Story. This is our end of the unit activity over the book that we just finished in class, Touching Spirit Bear. Students may bring a small snack and drink on Tuesday.
On Nov. 4, we will be reviewing for the ITBS tests. We will go over test-taking tips and ways to attack a text. There will be no homework this week. Students can always read their free reading books. They should be reading 15-20 minutes a night, 3-4 times a week. They must read 400 pages a quarter.
L.A.= We are reviewing for the ITBS tests. There is no homework.
***There is no school on Friday, November 5.
Oct. 27
Reading=
Type your paragraphs explaining your totem poles. Be sure you have a closing sentence telling what you have learned about yourself. This is due tomorrow.
L.A.= Finish reading I Am poems aloud. Watch DVD about the book fair. The Scholastic Book Fair will be at the school next week! A portion of the money that you spend at the book fair helps to buy books for our library.
Reading=
Type your paragraphs explaining your totem poles. Be sure you have a closing sentence telling what you have learned about yourself. This is due tomorrow.
L.A.= Finish reading I Am poems aloud. Watch DVD about the book fair. The Scholastic Book Fair will be at the school next week! A portion of the money that you spend at the book fair helps to buy books for our library.
Oct. 25
Reading= Work on your totem poles. They are due on Thursday. Be sure you type a paragraph of at least 8 sentences long that explains your totem pole. Also include a closing sentence where you sum up what you learned about yourself based on your totem pole.
L.A.= Finish I Am poems. Due tomorrow.
Oct. 20
Reading= We reviewed for the reading test that is tomorrow. Be sure to look over your study guide for tomorrow's Touching Spirit Bear test. All story maps are due today for the required 400 pages of reading in each quarter.
L.A.= Begin "I Am" poems over a character from the book Touching Spirit Bear. Typed, final poems are due on Monday. No homework
Reading= We reviewed for the reading test that is tomorrow. Be sure to look over your study guide for tomorrow's Touching Spirit Bear test. All story maps are due today for the required 400 pages of reading in each quarter.
L.A.= Begin "I Am" poems over a character from the book Touching Spirit Bear. Typed, final poems are due on Monday. No homework
Oct. 18
Reading= We discussed chapters 19-21. Homework: Read chapters 22, 23, 24, and 25. The study guide is due tomorrow.
L.A.= We played a review game for the quarter test. Homework: Study the study guide for your quarter test. The test is tomorrow. Please be sure to bring your planners to class for your planner quiz.
Reading= We discussed chapters 19-21. Homework: Read chapters 22, 23, 24, and 25. The study guide is due tomorrow.
L.A.= We played a review game for the quarter test. Homework: Study the study guide for your quarter test. The test is tomorrow. Please be sure to bring your planners to class for your planner quiz.
Oct. 15
Reading= We discussed chapters 16-18 and found metaphors in the book. Homework: Read chapters 19, 20, 21 and complete the study guide- due on Monday at the beginning of class.
You should have the book finished on Wednesday. All Story Maps are due on Wednesday.
L.A.= Students wrote 6 compound and simple sentences to use for our review game on Monday. Then they worked with a partner and used their study guides to review for the test.
Next Friday is a 2:00 dismissal since it is the end of the quarter. All missing work is due on that Friday, Oct. 22.
Reading= We discussed chapters 16-18 and found metaphors in the book. Homework: Read chapters 19, 20, 21 and complete the study guide- due on Monday at the beginning of class.
You should have the book finished on Wednesday. All Story Maps are due on Wednesday.
L.A.= Students wrote 6 compound and simple sentences to use for our review game on Monday. Then they worked with a partner and used their study guides to review for the test.
Next Friday is a 2:00 dismissal since it is the end of the quarter. All missing work is due on that Friday, Oct. 22.
Oct. 14
Reading= Read chapters 16,17,18 and complete the study guide for tomorrow.
Chapters 19, 20, 21 will be due on Monday. The quarter test is on Thursday.
L.A.= We reviewed adjectives and subject and predicates. Homework: Finish worksheets 6 and 8; study your review guide for your quarter test. The quarter test is on Tuesday.
Reading= Read chapters 16,17,18 and complete the study guide for tomorrow.
Chapters 19, 20, 21 will be due on Monday. The quarter test is on Thursday.
L.A.= We reviewed adjectives and subject and predicates. Homework: Finish worksheets 6 and 8; study your review guide for your quarter test. The quarter test is on Tuesday.
Oct. 13
Reading= Discuss the chapters 13, 14, 15 study guide. Begin reading chapters 16,17, and 18. There is no homework.
L.A.= Finish sharing the Big Island Rendezvous paragraphs. Do pages 41 and 42 (1-28) to review for the quarter test, which is on Tuesday for 40 points. Study guides will be handed out tomorrow. There is no homework.
Reading= Discuss the chapters 13, 14, 15 study guide. Begin reading chapters 16,17, and 18. There is no homework.
L.A.= Finish sharing the Big Island Rendezvous paragraphs. Do pages 41 and 42 (1-28) to review for the quarter test, which is on Tuesday for 40 points. Study guides will be handed out tomorrow. There is no homework.
Oct. 12
Reading= Read chapters 13,14,15, and finish the study guide.
Your spirit bear essay test will be on Thursday, Oct. 21.
All story maps over your free reading books are due by Oct. 20. You must turn in a story map for every book read. You must have read 400 pages this quarter.
L.A.= We reviewed coordinate conjunctions and verb phrases. Students shared their Big Island Rendezvous paragraphs using our new document camera. They will be graded on Ideas and Content and Word Choice. Homework: Review for you quarter test, which is on Oct. 19.
ALL MISSING WORK IS DUE ON FRIDAY, OCT. 22 FOR LATE CREDIT. THE END OF THE QUARTER IS OCT. 22. :)
Reading= Read chapters 13,14,15, and finish the study guide.
Your spirit bear essay test will be on Thursday, Oct. 21.
All story maps over your free reading books are due by Oct. 20. You must turn in a story map for every book read. You must have read 400 pages this quarter.
L.A.= We reviewed coordinate conjunctions and verb phrases. Students shared their Big Island Rendezvous paragraphs using our new document camera. They will be graded on Ideas and Content and Word Choice. Homework: Review for you quarter test, which is on Oct. 19.
ALL MISSING WORK IS DUE ON FRIDAY, OCT. 22 FOR LATE CREDIT. THE END OF THE QUARTER IS OCT. 22. :)
Oct. 11
Reading= Discuss chapters 9-12 study guide and irony and personification. Begin chapters 13-15. The study guide is due on Wednesday.
L.A.= 5th period: Go over verb quiz, personal narrative essays, and grades. Be sure that you type your Big Island Rendezvous paragraph for tomorrow.
6th and 7th period= MAPS testing
Reading= Discuss chapters 9-12 study guide and irony and personification. Begin chapters 13-15. The study guide is due on Wednesday.
L.A.= 5th period: Go over verb quiz, personal narrative essays, and grades. Be sure that you type your Big Island Rendezvous paragraph for tomorrow.
6th and 7th period= MAPS testing
Oct. 8
Reading= Read chapters 9-12. Your study guide is due on Monday.
L.A.= 5th period= MAPS testing
6th and 7th periods: Go over verb quiz and personal narrative essays. Go over grades.
Be sure you type your Big Island Rendezvous paragraph for Tuesday. It must be 8
sentences long, with a topic and a closing sentence.
Reading= Read chapters 9-12. Your study guide is due on Monday.
L.A.= 5th period= MAPS testing
6th and 7th periods: Go over verb quiz and personal narrative essays. Go over grades.
Be sure you type your Big Island Rendezvous paragraph for Tuesday. It must be 8
sentences long, with a topic and a closing sentence.
Oct. 7
Reading= Discuss chapters 6-8. Begin reading chapters 9-12.
L.A.= We played Scattergories to work on our word choice in our essays. Homework: Type your Big Island Rendezvous paragraphs at home or in study hall. They are worth 10 points- 5 points over your specific ideas and 5 points over conventions (errors). We will read them aloud on Monday. DUE on MONDAY!
Reading= Discuss chapters 6-8. Begin reading chapters 9-12.
L.A.= We played Scattergories to work on our word choice in our essays. Homework: Type your Big Island Rendezvous paragraphs at home or in study hall. They are worth 10 points- 5 points over your specific ideas and 5 points over conventions (errors). We will read them aloud on Monday. DUE on MONDAY!
Oct. 4
Reading= We did MAPS testing today. Homework: Read 15 minutes.
L.A.= Students discussed and turned in pages 105,106 (1-25) over verbs and helping verbs. Then they wrote about what they did at the Big Island Rendezvous. This is a prewriting list only; students will develop this list into a paragraph tomorrow. Homework: Study the "being" and helping verb lists on pages 100 and 104- we will have a verb quiz on Wednesday.
Reading= We did MAPS testing today. Homework: Read 15 minutes.
L.A.= Students discussed and turned in pages 105,106 (1-25) over verbs and helping verbs. Then they wrote about what they did at the Big Island Rendezvous. This is a prewriting list only; students will develop this list into a paragraph tomorrow. Homework: Study the "being" and helping verb lists on pages 100 and 104- we will have a verb quiz on Wednesday.
Sept. 27-Oct. 1
Reading= We discussed Spirit Bears and did worksheet 5, which focused us for the book that we will begin reading this week called Touching Spirit Bear. We discussed the similes that were in chapters 1 and 2 of Touching Spirit Bear and made predictions on what is going to happen to Cole since he burned down his only shelter. Students are to have chapters 1-5 read by Tuesday, Oct. 5. They must have the study guides finished for those chapters. Students must also create chapter titles for chapters 3, 4, and 5- also due on Tuesday.
FYI= On Friday we are going to the Big Island Rendezvous. Be sure to bring money for lunch or a sack lunch. Feel feel to bring a small backpack to carry around a jacket or lunch. It is a good idea to have a watch or a cell phone so you know what time you have to meet your group members at certain times throughout the day.
On Monday we are MAPS testing for reading. Please get lots of sleep on Sunday night, so you can concentrate on the test on Monday.
L.A.= Students read their personal narratives aloud in class. We are reviewing subject, predicates, and verbs this week. We are trying to memorize the boring "being" verbs, so we can avoid using them in our essays. Students should have pages 105 and 106 (1-25) done for Monday.
Reading= We discussed Spirit Bears and did worksheet 5, which focused us for the book that we will begin reading this week called Touching Spirit Bear. We discussed the similes that were in chapters 1 and 2 of Touching Spirit Bear and made predictions on what is going to happen to Cole since he burned down his only shelter. Students are to have chapters 1-5 read by Tuesday, Oct. 5. They must have the study guides finished for those chapters. Students must also create chapter titles for chapters 3, 4, and 5- also due on Tuesday.
FYI= On Friday we are going to the Big Island Rendezvous. Be sure to bring money for lunch or a sack lunch. Feel feel to bring a small backpack to carry around a jacket or lunch. It is a good idea to have a watch or a cell phone so you know what time you have to meet your group members at certain times throughout the day.
On Monday we are MAPS testing for reading. Please get lots of sleep on Sunday night, so you can concentrate on the test on Monday.
L.A.= Students read their personal narratives aloud in class. We are reviewing subject, predicates, and verbs this week. We are trying to memorize the boring "being" verbs, so we can avoid using them in our essays. Students should have pages 105 and 106 (1-25) done for Monday.
Wed. Sept 22-Sept. 24
Reading= Students made flashcards to study for their vocabulary test that is on Thursday, Sept. 23. They made a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the 2 short stories that we have been studying in class- "Survive the Savage Sea" and "Three Skeleton Key." On the test tomorrow, students will use their Venn diagram to write an opinion paragraph over which story they liked better and why. On Thursday after the test, students were assigned the main idea practice worksheets 13,14,15,16. On Friday students completed worksheets 20,21,56,57 to practice reading comprehension and inferencing. They also did an activity over Spirit Bears since they will be reading Touching Spirit Bear next week.
L.A.= Students revised their personal narrative essays with a partner in the computer lab. They improved their boring verbs and added adjectives. They did a worksheets 43 and 68 to review adjectives and verbs. They did pages 180-183 (1-50) over adjectives. We are working at being more descriptive in our essays.
Reading= Students made flashcards to study for their vocabulary test that is on Thursday, Sept. 23. They made a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the 2 short stories that we have been studying in class- "Survive the Savage Sea" and "Three Skeleton Key." On the test tomorrow, students will use their Venn diagram to write an opinion paragraph over which story they liked better and why. On Thursday after the test, students were assigned the main idea practice worksheets 13,14,15,16. On Friday students completed worksheets 20,21,56,57 to practice reading comprehension and inferencing. They also did an activity over Spirit Bears since they will be reading Touching Spirit Bear next week.
L.A.= Students revised their personal narrative essays with a partner in the computer lab. They improved their boring verbs and added adjectives. They did a worksheets 43 and 68 to review adjectives and verbs. They did pages 180-183 (1-50) over adjectives. We are working at being more descriptive in our essays.
Tues., Sept. 21
Reading= We reviewed reading for the main idea and supporting details in a test prep exercise. We discussed the "Three Skeleton Key" discussion worksheet and the vocabulary from the story. Students made flashcards to help them prepare for Thursday's test.
Homework: Study for your vocab test, which will be on Thursday. There will be 1 essay question on the test.
L.A.= Students revised their personal narrative essays for word choice after they scored my paragraph. They added more powerful verbs and more descriptive adjectives to their typed final copies. Homework: Finish revising your personal narrative essays.
Reading= We reviewed reading for the main idea and supporting details in a test prep exercise. We discussed the "Three Skeleton Key" discussion worksheet and the vocabulary from the story. Students made flashcards to help them prepare for Thursday's test.
Homework: Study for your vocab test, which will be on Thursday. There will be 1 essay question on the test.
L.A.= Students revised their personal narrative essays for word choice after they scored my paragraph. They added more powerful verbs and more descriptive adjectives to their typed final copies. Homework: Finish revising your personal narrative essays.
Monday, Sept. 20
Reading= Students enjoyed their free reading books after they finished their vocabulary worksheets. They have a test on Thursday over the stories and vocabulary from the 2 short stories that we have been reading.
L.A.= Students typed their personal narrative essays. Then they revised their essays by adding a concluding paragraph and varying their sentence beginnings.
Reading= Students enjoyed their free reading books after they finished their vocabulary worksheets. They have a test on Thursday over the stories and vocabulary from the 2 short stories that we have been reading.
L.A.= Students typed their personal narrative essays. Then they revised their essays by adding a concluding paragraph and varying their sentence beginnings.
Friday, Sept. 18
Reading= We did some comprehension review over main ideas and supporting details.
Homework: Do worksheets 29,30,17,18 to review the vocabulary from the 2 stories "Three Skeleton Key," and "Survive the Savage Sea." We will have a test over those 2 stories and the vocabulary on Thursday of next week.
L.A.= Students typed their 1st drafts of their personal narrative stories today. We will finish them on Monday. There is no homework.
Have a great weekend!
Reading= We did some comprehension review over main ideas and supporting details.
Homework: Do worksheets 29,30,17,18 to review the vocabulary from the 2 stories "Three Skeleton Key," and "Survive the Savage Sea." We will have a test over those 2 stories and the vocabulary on Thursday of next week.
L.A.= Students typed their 1st drafts of their personal narrative stories today. We will finish them on Monday. There is no homework.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, Sept. 16
Reading= Complete the "Three Skeleton Key" worksheet. This is worth 14 points. This is due tomorrow. Finish your sketch of the lighthouse; this is also due tomorrow.
L.A.= We discussed 2 D.O.L. sentences. Students chose 3 topics to free write about for 10 minutes each. There is no homework.
Reading= Complete the "Three Skeleton Key" worksheet. This is worth 14 points. This is due tomorrow. Finish your sketch of the lighthouse; this is also due tomorrow.
L.A.= We discussed 2 D.O.L. sentences. Students chose 3 topics to free write about for 10 minutes each. There is no homework.
Wed., Sept. 15 (2:00 out today)
Reading: Students finished reading "Three Skeleton Key" by themselves today. Then they worked on adding rats to their lighthouse drawings, using the details from the story. No homework.
L.A.: We talked about personal essays and what they mean. I shared a personal essay that I wrote called "Cheerleader Bullies." Students brainstormed a list of ideas for their own personal narrative essays. No homework.
Reading: Students finished reading "Three Skeleton Key" by themselves today. Then they worked on adding rats to their lighthouse drawings, using the details from the story. No homework.
L.A.: We talked about personal essays and what they mean. I shared a personal essay that I wrote called "Cheerleader Bullies." Students brainstormed a list of ideas for their own personal narrative essays. No homework.
Monday, Sept. 13
Monday, Sept. 13
Reading: Last Thursday students turned in a 25-point typed essay assignment over the short story "Survive the Savage Sea." We did this in class last Wednesday and Thursday. (If you do not see a score for this assignment on the grade book, please get it turned in to me ASAP for late credit!) Today we began reading aloud the scary short story "Three Skeleton Key." We had a great discussion about the title, scary books/movies, and lighthouse dangers.
Homework: Read for 15 minutes.
L.A.: Last Wednesday and Thursday, students typed 2 eight-sentence paragraphs from their power writing from the previous week. They revised their paragraphs for specific ideas and conventions (error-free). Today students shared 1 of those paragraphs aloud in class. We also went over some common compound sentence mistakes that I saw in their email assignment.
Homework: Finish worksheet 89 and 95, which is a punctuation review over compound sentences and run-on sentences.
Monday, Sept. 13
Reading: Last Thursday students turned in a 25-point typed essay assignment over the short story "Survive the Savage Sea." We did this in class last Wednesday and Thursday. (If you do not see a score for this assignment on the grade book, please get it turned in to me ASAP for late credit!) Today we began reading aloud the scary short story "Three Skeleton Key." We had a great discussion about the title, scary books/movies, and lighthouse dangers.
Homework: Read for 15 minutes.
L.A.: Last Wednesday and Thursday, students typed 2 eight-sentence paragraphs from their power writing from the previous week. They revised their paragraphs for specific ideas and conventions (error-free). Today students shared 1 of those paragraphs aloud in class. We also went over some common compound sentence mistakes that I saw in their email assignment.
Homework: Finish worksheet 89 and 95, which is a punctuation review over compound sentences and run-on sentences.
Tues., Sept. 7
Reading= We reviewed types of external conflicts and then went over the discussion worksheet over "Survive the Savage Sea." We did a Four Square Activity to review ten of the vocabulary words from "Survive the Savage Sea."
Homework: Read 15-20 minutes tonight. Enjoy!
L.A.= We scored my sample essays for Ideas and Content and Conventions.
No homework.
Reading= We reviewed types of external conflicts and then went over the discussion worksheet over "Survive the Savage Sea." We did a Four Square Activity to review ten of the vocabulary words from "Survive the Savage Sea."
Homework: Read 15-20 minutes tonight. Enjoy!
L.A.= We scored my sample essays for Ideas and Content and Conventions.
No homework.
Friday, Sept. 3
Reading= Turn in the "Survive the Savage Sea" worksheet for a grade. Discuss your sticky note questions. Do discussion worksheet over the sea story with a partner. Finish this for Tuesday. Please read for 15-20 minutes over the weekend.
L.A.= We did daily oral language- D.O.L. Then we scored 4 sample essays for ideas and content. (No homework)
Reading= Turn in the "Survive the Savage Sea" worksheet for a grade. Discuss your sticky note questions. Do discussion worksheet over the sea story with a partner. Finish this for Tuesday. Please read for 15-20 minutes over the weekend.
L.A.= We did daily oral language- D.O.L. Then we scored 4 sample essays for ideas and content. (No homework)
Reading= Finish reading "Survive the Savage Sea" and complete worksheet and sticky note for Friday.
L.A.= Today in class we did the following activities: took notes over compound sentences, created compound sentences, shared "Good Writers . . ." posters, and scored an essay for conventions. No homework
L.A.= Today in class we did the following activities: took notes over compound sentences, created compound sentences, shared "Good Writers . . ." posters, and scored an essay for conventions. No homework
Wed., Sept. 1
Reading= Discuss the focus questions over "Survive the Savage Sea" to learn background information on the true story. No homework: We will finish reading pages 17-26- "Survive the Savage Sea-" in class tomorrow. Make sure that you write down 3 comments or questions on your sticky note over the short story. This is worth 3 points and is due on Friday at the beginning of class.
L.A.= We discussed what good writers do when they write paragraphs, stories, or essays. They started posters in class over what good writers do. No homework- students will finish their posters in class tomorrow.
Reading= Discuss the focus questions over "Survive the Savage Sea" to learn background information on the true story. No homework: We will finish reading pages 17-26- "Survive the Savage Sea-" in class tomorrow. Make sure that you write down 3 comments or questions on your sticky note over the short story. This is worth 3 points and is due on Friday at the beginning of class.
L.A.= We discussed what good writers do when they write paragraphs, stories, or essays. They started posters in class over what good writers do. No homework- students will finish their posters in class tomorrow.
Aug. 30
Reading= We added the definitions of the following words into our reading notebooks: conflict, external conflict, internal conflict, suspense, and foreshadowing. We read pages 4 and 5, "The Dinner Party," 2 times and discussed better title options.
Homework: Put a book cover on your textbook by Monday of next week. Read for 20 minutes tonight.
Language Arts= We continued with Power Writing- no homework.
Homework: Put a book cover on your textbook by Monday of next week. Read for 20 minutes tonight.
Language Arts= We continued with Power Writing- no homework.
August 27=
Reading= Go over answers to EX activity; this was not graded or turned in. Write 6 sentences about your free reading book over this writing prompt: What confused or surprised you about the beginning of your book?
Homework: Read at least 20 minutes over the weekend your free reading book.
Language Arts= We went over how to get to my teacher blog. I gave the students 4 points for completing the proofreading letter. Students highlighted the corrections that they missed and turned in the corrected letter to me. Students worked on power writing for the remainder of the period. There is no homework for language arts class.
Have a great weekend!
Reading= Go over answers to EX activity; this was not graded or turned in. Write 6 sentences about your free reading book over this writing prompt: What confused or surprised you about the beginning of your book?
Homework: Read at least 20 minutes over the weekend your free reading book.
Language Arts= We went over how to get to my teacher blog. I gave the students 4 points for completing the proofreading letter. Students highlighted the corrections that they missed and turned in the corrected letter to me. Students worked on power writing for the remainder of the period. There is no homework for language arts class.
Have a great weekend!
Thurs., Aug. 26
Reading= We went over their reading records. They worked on an "Ex" activity to learn the meaning of the prefix "ex." This is not homework that is graded. We will go over the answers tomorrow in class.
HOMEWORK: Read for 15- 20 minutes in your freereading book. Exercise those brain cells!
Language Arts= We went over the answers to Wordy Gurdy. This was not graded- only a critical thinking activity.
HOMEWORK: Work for 15 minutes on the proofreading letter to try to find as many mistakes as you can. There are around 60-63 mistakes. This is graded for completion points only. Don't worry if you can't find all of the mistakes. We will go over the answers tomorrow in class.
Reading= We went over their reading records. They worked on an "Ex" activity to learn the meaning of the prefix "ex." This is not homework that is graded. We will go over the answers tomorrow in class.
HOMEWORK: Read for 15- 20 minutes in your freereading book. Exercise those brain cells!
Language Arts= We went over the answers to Wordy Gurdy. This was not graded- only a critical thinking activity.
HOMEWORK: Work for 15 minutes on the proofreading letter to try to find as many mistakes as you can. There are around 60-63 mistakes. This is graded for completion points only. Don't worry if you can't find all of the mistakes. We will go over the answers tomorrow in class.
Welcome Back to School!
August 24, 2010
Reading class= I read my favorite poem aloud to them and talked about what we couldn't live without. I can't live without peanut butter and cheerleading.
Language Arts class= We talked about planner quizzes. Students are required to write in their planners every day at the beginning of reading and language arts class. They are to copy off of the board what I have written down under PLANNER for both classes. They must write down something no matter if they have homework or not. On any given day, I might ask students to take out their planners and tell me what we did on (for example) Oct. 5 in language arts class. Students will open up their planners and write down what they did- it will be worth 5 points. This is hopefully getting them in the routine of writing in an assignment notebook to get them ready for high school. We also went over my classroom expectations.
August 25
Reading class= We went to the library to pick out our freereading books. Students are required to read 2 books a quarter or around 400 pages. They will fill out Story Maps over the books that they finish for each quarter. They may read fiction or nonfiction books. I have a separate Story Map that will be used for a nonfiction book. Sudents will read 15-20 minutes a night, at least 4 times a week. We are conditioning our brain cells to become better readers. This will be homework for the students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and 1 day over the weekend. They will be writing about what they are reading in class and sharing with us their favorite passages.
Language Arts class= I gave them a tour of the classroom. They also worked on a critical thinking activity called Wordy Gurdy. This is not graded and is meant to dust off the brain cells. They may use the computer, dictionary, thesaurus, or a parent for hints. We will discuss the answers tomorrow after 5-8 minutes of time to finish it up.
I have enjoyed meeting all of you!
Reading class= I read my favorite poem aloud to them and talked about what we couldn't live without. I can't live without peanut butter and cheerleading.
Language Arts class= We talked about planner quizzes. Students are required to write in their planners every day at the beginning of reading and language arts class. They are to copy off of the board what I have written down under PLANNER for both classes. They must write down something no matter if they have homework or not. On any given day, I might ask students to take out their planners and tell me what we did on (for example) Oct. 5 in language arts class. Students will open up their planners and write down what they did- it will be worth 5 points. This is hopefully getting them in the routine of writing in an assignment notebook to get them ready for high school. We also went over my classroom expectations.
August 25
Reading class= We went to the library to pick out our freereading books. Students are required to read 2 books a quarter or around 400 pages. They will fill out Story Maps over the books that they finish for each quarter. They may read fiction or nonfiction books. I have a separate Story Map that will be used for a nonfiction book. Sudents will read 15-20 minutes a night, at least 4 times a week. We are conditioning our brain cells to become better readers. This will be homework for the students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and 1 day over the weekend. They will be writing about what they are reading in class and sharing with us their favorite passages.
Language Arts class= I gave them a tour of the classroom. They also worked on a critical thinking activity called Wordy Gurdy. This is not graded and is meant to dust off the brain cells. They may use the computer, dictionary, thesaurus, or a parent for hints. We will discuss the answers tomorrow after 5-8 minutes of time to finish it up.
I have enjoyed meeting all of you!