Friday, December 19, 2014

Relief and relaxation

Wishing you all days of rest and nights of joy. For families who need an additional copy of the newspaper, distributed today, I am happy to provide those as soon as we return to school. In the meantime, a parent requested that I post the newspaper online. Although nothing beats seeing one's words in print and turning the pages of an old-fashioned paper, here is the link to an online version of the printed copy: 6th Newspaper

Safe travels to those of you on the road!
See you in 2015.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Just because...

I am a HUGE fan of paper arts: origami, kirigami, paper sculpting and more. Those of you who enjoy the paper arts will enjoy these sites.

365 days of origami

Peter Callesen

Brian Dettmer

Friday, December 12, 2014

Winter Break is in sight!

We will continue to prepare for the Midterm this week. Your only homework is Journal #8 on Edmodo due Tuesday. You should be using your study guide (handed out in class and available on the side of the blog) to review all the rules we have learned this year. Make sure you know which point of view should be used for each type of writing. Additionally, make sure you remember which pronouns are 1st, 2nd, 3rd person.

You need to have selected a book from the mystery genre list (also on the side of the blog) that you can complete over the break. We will be completing a project based on your book of choice beginning the day we return, so do not wait to read the book.

Day 1: Review for Midterms
Day 2: Review for Midterms and Murder Files, distribution of Bonus Passes
Day 3: Part One of the L.A. Midterm in regular Thursday blocks
Day 4: Part Two of L.A. Midterm (alternative schedule, 1/2 day)

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

CLARIFICATION ON HOMEWORK

In your Easy Grammar books, please complete pages 57-61 - ALL ITEMS.
Please complete pages 65-73, you may choose any five items per page to complete.

The Edmodo #8 journal entry is due 12/16. This was written incorrectly on the white board. I have corrected it.

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused! First and foremost....NEWSPAPER ARTICLE!

Also, although I am returning the Mechanics Test to each of you, I have not yet determined how the recovery for this test will be administered. Please be patient as I try to find the most effective means for assisting you.

Friday, December 5, 2014

12/8 - 12/12

This week we wrap up The Giver with an open-note, open-book test. Additionally, we complete Unit 8 vocabulary and roots. Please remember that the newspaper article is due NO LATER THAN December 12. I cannot make any exceptions to this deadline due to printing. This week, the only required guided lesson will be on subject complements on Day 2. You may choose when you wish to take your vocabulary and Giver tests - Day 2 or Day 3. Monday I will answer any questions you may have about material covered on both tests. We'll also try to get to the Book Fair. On Friday, we'll begin our review for Midterms. Each day will be a different series of competitions between groups, which I will assign. Review is always a fun experience in Room 110!

You will need to select your mystery novel from the list on the link to the right of the blog. We have some of these titles in the classroom, some in the media center, and many may be downloaded electronically. You are welcome to check out a copy from the local branch of your public library as well. You are expected to finish reading your book of choice by January 5.

I will provide information about recovery for the Mechanics test on Tuesday, at which time all students will have completed the test. If you scored below 75% you are eligible for recovery.

Monday: I will answer any questions about vocab, roots, and The Giver.
We take a trip to the Book Fair.
Students who were asked to read Among the Hidden will have a small group chat.
Use remaining time to work on E.G. 57-61 or complete a monster drawing/description.

Day 2 or Day 3: Guided - Subject complements (predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives)
Vocab and Roots Test, The Giver Test

Day 4: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DUE TO ME ELECTRONICALLY
Group review for Midterms
If I asked you to create a podcast, you will record today. Please complete the script in advance.

I'm glad you are all enjoying Murder Files!

HOMEWORK:

Complete your newspaper article by Friday.
Complete the next Edmodo post (#8) by 12/16
E.G. through p. 70 by Friday (may be completed in class as well)
Take the time to clean out your binder and language arts folder. These are the items you should have in the yellow folder all year:
1) Roots list
2) Chart of literary elements
3) Six types of conflict
4) Spelling and diction packet (this is printed on blue paper)
5) MLA format
6) Point of view table (this is on more than one handout)

Other papers should be archived.