Thursday, November 21, 2013

Second Trimester Already!

Weeks of 11/25 - 12/6
We will continue working on the expository essay about an item of interest from the Field Trip, then will begin a unit on inference and foreshadowing that includes reading a mystery novel of your choice. The novel must be at least 200 pages. I have several to choose from in the classroom. Mr. Williamson has choices in the Media Center as well. If none of the books interests you, feel free to go to your public library and check one out. Follow this link to see a list of options: Mystery Novels

IN CLASS
11/25, 11/26: Continue working on the Tellus Essay
I AM HAPPY TO PROOFREAD A DRAFT FOR YOU...I will need it by Monday night.
NOTE - 11/27 is an "A" schedule day.
11/27: Special Programming "Jews in Sports" Be there or be square!
12/2: NOTE - "A" schedule day - Introduction to the mystery genre
Day 2: Identifying suspects and using clues to solve a murder mystery
Day 3: Grammar - Helping and Irregular verbs E.G. pp. 42 - 53
Day 4: NOTE - "B" schedule day - Punctuation E.G. pp. 301-303
We have an all school Kabbalat Shabbat on this day.

HOMEWORK
11/25: Have someone at home read your essay to you ALOUD!
12/2: Begin looking for a mystery novel
Unit 8 - vocabulary and roots sentences due Day 3
12/3: NO HOMEWORK NIGHT
Day 3: Continue working on learning Unit 8 words/roots.
Complete E.G. through page 53, if not completed in class.
Complete the Edmodo Reflective Writing Assignment
Study for Unit 8 test which will be on Day 2, the week of 12/9.

You may have seen the Gratitude Journal on a music stand outside the classroom. Feel free to share your thoughts. In the Davis Academy community, we have much for which we are thankful.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Week of 11/18

As I will be telling your parents, I can already see the development in your writing, comprehension, and vocabulary! I am so pleased with your individual efforts in class and with the challenging homework, essays, tests, and assignments that I give you. A new reading assignment will occur after Thanksgiving Break. Until then, choose a book to read! Mr. Williamson probably has MANY excellent suggestions.

Next week we complete writing letters and work on an integrated essay that will combine research skills, an inverted funnel style, and SCIENCE! I am looking forward to enjoying the Tellus Field Trip with you.

The Unit 7 vocab and roots test will be MONDAY, tutorial for this unit is MONDAY morning 11/18, before school.

Be working on securing an interview for your newspaper article. Look for someone out in the community who is demonstrating one or more of our Davis Academy values. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about this project!

IN CLASS:
Day 1: Unit 7 Vocabulary and Roots Test
Receive Tellus Essay instructions and rubric

Day 2: Revise friendly letter, if needed. Review Business Letter Format.
Understanding citations/sites/parenthetical annotation

Day 3: Tellus Field Trip

Day 4: Work on Essay

HOMEWORK:
Day 1: Finish your Friendly Letter, make sure you have a business address.
Day 2: Finish your Business Letter
Day 3: Brainstorm/Web ideas for the science topic on which you will write your essay.
Day 4: No homework, unless letters are incomplete.


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Week of 11/11

This is a short week, with a regular Monday schedule, and an "A" schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday. This week we will cover Point of View, how it applies to different types of writing, continuation with grammar and mechanics, and writing formal and informal letters.

You will learn about a long-term project and a change in how I will be checking homework for vocabulary and root words as we begin second trimester.

IN CLASS
Day 1: Types of writing, Point of View
You will learn about your long term assignment - a newspaper article
Unit 7 vocabulary and root words

Day 2: Easy Grammar pp. 299-300 (semi-colons) and 35-39 (verbs)

Day 3: Writing letters - formal and informal, digital and paper

HOMEWORK
Day 1 - Due DAY 3 Vocabulary and roots - 10 sentences
Day 2 - Due Day 3 Vocabulary and roots - 10 sentences
Day 3 - Study for the Unit 7 test on Monday, 11/18