Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Week of 9/31-10/4

Our joyful month of Chagim is coming to a close. We will be back to a regular schedule for a while. You need to complete reading Out of My Mind this week. We will have a number of activities related to the book this week, along with WRaP testing, and diagramming review.

*********PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO THE RIGHT -> TO COMPLETE A POLL***********
CP stands for Cerebral Palsy.

Day 1: Cumulative vocabulary and roots test. This is a review of the words you learned previously.

Day 2: Literary response to Out of My Mind. This will be an art project that I will explain in class. While you are working on the literary response, I will be meeting with you individually to return your essay and provide feedback on your writing.

Day 3: Completion of projects and conferences from Day 2. I will also be explaining your Out of My Mind exam. This is a take-home exam - open note, open book, open computer. You may use any resource you wish to complete it, including the responses on Edmodo, but your exam answers must be YOUR thoughts and ideas.

Day 4: Return and review cumulative vocab and roots test. Diagramming review.

GREAT NEWS!!! NO HOMEWORK THIS WEEK EXCEPT TO READ OUT OF MY MIND!!

Please remember that "EVIDENCE OF WORK" for your P.O.S. project, in what ever form you wish to show me, is due Day 2. You may send me an email, a photo, drop off a written document, show me game parts - as long as you prove that you are working on your project. I am happy to answer any of your questions and offer suggestions. Just ask!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Week of 9/23



I have "pushed back" to this week the lesson on Literary Elements that we were unable to cover. We will also continue with Grammar studies, working next on identifying whether a word is an adverb or a preposition. Be sure to look ahead on the class calendar. We have a major cumulative vocabulary and roots test over units 1-3 on September 30, and a major test on prepositions October 7.

To study for vocab and roots, use your online resources, your workbook as well as prior tests. The cumulative test will be a different format than what you have had so far. You must be able to recognize the appropriate word by the context in which it is placed. We'll practice this in class.

To study for the preposition test, MEMORIZE the prepositions, and be able to identify the parts of the sentence as we have been doing both in class and for homework. We will have several days of review before the test.

Keep up with your Parts of Speech due dates. The rubric is on the left side of the blog if you have misplaced your hard copy. Also keep up with your reading of OOMM. Your understanding of Literary Terms requires that you be far enough into the story to understand our discussion.

Monday 9/23: Learning about the Elements of Literature - review of setting, introduction to plot, character change, and symbolism.

DESIGN NOTES for POS project due today. You may sketch, outline, bullet point - whatever works for you to show me your plan for your project.

If we have time, I will ask you to sign on to Edmodo again to reply to an OOMM prompt. IF we run out of time, this will be for homework. Check Edmodo to read the prompt.

Tuesday 9/24: Grammar - adverbs/prepositions
Review of units 1-3 words in context

TODAY IS SCHOOL PICTURE DAY. PLEASE WEAR TEAL TOPS/NAVY BOTTOMS.

Wednesday 9/25: "B" Day - Please drop off your backpack/lunch at the Middle School, then have your carpool drive you to the Lower School. Report to the LS gym. PLEASE WEAR WHITE TOPS/NAVY BOTTOMS.

In class we will be reviewing diagramming sentences (YAY!).

Monday, September 16, 2013

Edmodo/Tutorial

If you have been back on Edmodo since class time, you may have noticed I took down the OOMM assignment. It is more important that we cover our other items. I'll make the OOMM post a homework assignment one day NEXT week. If you haven't yet completed the Pre-writing reflection on Edmodo, please do so NO LATER THAN Monday.

Tutorial for the Unit 3 words will be 7:25 am on Wednesday.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Week of 9/16 - 9/18 Sukkot

This week we reflect on the writing process and what writers can do to make their product an effective tool for communicating complex ideas. We will continue with grammar studies, reviewing types of sentences, types of writing, and compounds (subjects, verbs and objects.) We also continue our literary study of Out of My Mind, with analysis of basic literary elements.

DAY 1: Reflective discussion on the writing process. Peer review and group analysis.
You will also write a reflective prompt on our new Edmodo blog.
NOTE:you will need to follow this link EDMODO to join.

Understanding the value of banning words from your writing (and speech!)
Review types of sentences, types of writing

Day 2: "A" Day
Daily Gram 2
EG p. 15 (compounds)
Literary Elements table/chart
Journal Entry online
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS ON EDMODO. Follow the link above if you have not already done so!

Day 3: "A" Day
Unit 3 vocabulary and roots test ALL BLOCKS

HOMEWORK

Day 1 DUE ON DAY 2: study vocab and roots
EG. p. 215
Find an example of each type of writing, identify the qualities

Day 2 DUE ON DAY 3: study vocab and roots
EG complete pp. 16, 17, 18 (we will begin these in class)

KEEP UP TO DATE ON READING OUT OF MY MIND!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

ESSAY DUE DATE CHANGE

The essay due date has been extended for those who need a little extra time. I am looking to receive the essay, the worksheets used to prepare writing, and the rubric by Monday,9/16. Please be respectful of our holiest day and do not work on the essay from Friday sundown through Saturday sundown.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Week of 9/9 -9/13

This week we are wrapping up our unit on the summer reading, continuing to focus on prepositions, learning to identify different types of writing, and discussing Out of My Mind.The Compare and Contrast essay is due for most students on 9/11. Block 3's essays will be due on the 12th.
Remember: ORGANIZE your sentences into a logical sequence.
PROOFREAD your essay.
ATTACH YOUR RUBRIC when you turn it in!

There are no formatting requirements for this assignment. I will collect your pre-writing sheets when you turn in your paper.

IN CLASS:
Day 1: Vocabulary and Roots test Unit 2
Day 2: EG/prepositions continued, distribution of the Parts of Speech assignment, discussion of OOMM
Day 3: EG/prepositions continued, types of writing
Day 4: 1/2 day - transfer your symbol to your classroom folders

HOMEWORK:
Day 1: Work on your essay at home, if possible. Continue to read OOMM
Day 2: Unit 3 - vocabulary, 2 sections and roots cards
Day 3: Unit 3 - 2 additional sections of vocabulary, EG pp. 13, 14
Day 4: Study for Unit 3 test on 18/19 (depending on your block)

Want to earn a bonus point? Here's another way: go see "The Butler," currently playing in theaters. Tell me what the movie has to do with The Watsons, and you'll have yourself a bonus point!