Students enjoyed a visit to the library today to select a novel they want to read. Their choices are varied across the board from historical fiction to science fiction and fantasy. Tomorrow we will think about what exactly happens in a person's mind during the act of reading. Students will use their choice books to practice being more aware of their thoughts and will record them on sticky notes as they read. Three times throughout the novel, students will pause to respond to quotes they choose from their book--something that intrigued them, that made them think or question, connections they might have, something they noticed about the author's language, or comments on any element of fiction that resonates with them.
On Wednesday, students will take a vocabulary quiz. Part one is matching word to definition; part two involves filling the words into blanks within a story; and in part three they use the last two words to continue the story for a bit.
Students will take our ELA Department's benchmark assessment on Thursday. The results of this are for teacher purposes only and scores will not be included in Aspen or report card averages. Teachers use the benchmark results to identify overall areas of weakness in order to focus instruction as needed.
Finally, we will round out our week by reading O. Henry's "After Twenty Years", another story with a twist in the end!
Homework:
Mon/Tues: Study vocab words; read book--bring book to school every day as you may have time to read in class.
Wed/Thurs: Read! Log sheet #1 is due tomorrow.
Friday: Read; log sheet #2 due next Thursday.
Choice Novel Reading info & Schedule
Monday, September 24, 2018
Monday, September 17, 2018
A Week of Words and Story
Today, students dove into their first vocabulary list! They will engage the words multiple times in a variety of ways in order to learn them. After a week or so, they'll take a quiz on the words, though the broader goal is to use them in their own writing/speaking, and notice them being used by others or in print.
Mid-week students will read "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. They will examine the setting of the story, the characters and their motivations, and themes that arise; in addition, they will map out the story on Freytag's Pyramid (aka, plot line diagram) to understand the movement and pacing of a fiction plot.
On Friday, students will ponder (vocab word!) the things that good readers do when they read, and I will model some of these things with a piece of text. They will also consider the ways in which a reader might respond to a novel they're reading. We will read and discuss an exemplar of response writing and prepare a composition book in which students will write responses to a novel of their choice. On Monday, we will visit the library to choose books; if a student has recently begun a novel (and they're not too far into it), they should bring it to class on Monday.
Looking forward to seeing you at Open House on Thursday!
Homework:
Monday: Project due Wed.
Tuesday: Project due tomorrow!
Wednesday: Finish vocab puzzles
Thursday: Write a sentence using each vocab word correctly; include enough info in the sentence to convey the meaning of the word.
Friday: Study vocab words (can use Quizlet link below); if recently started a novel and not too far in, bring it to class on Monday.
Quizlet for Vocab Words
Mid-week students will read "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. They will examine the setting of the story, the characters and their motivations, and themes that arise; in addition, they will map out the story on Freytag's Pyramid (aka, plot line diagram) to understand the movement and pacing of a fiction plot.
On Friday, students will ponder (vocab word!) the things that good readers do when they read, and I will model some of these things with a piece of text. They will also consider the ways in which a reader might respond to a novel they're reading. We will read and discuss an exemplar of response writing and prepare a composition book in which students will write responses to a novel of their choice. On Monday, we will visit the library to choose books; if a student has recently begun a novel (and they're not too far into it), they should bring it to class on Monday.
Looking forward to seeing you at Open House on Thursday!
Homework:
Monday: Project due Wed.
Tuesday: Project due tomorrow!
Wednesday: Finish vocab puzzles
Thursday: Write a sentence using each vocab word correctly; include enough info in the sentence to convey the meaning of the word.
Friday: Study vocab words (can use Quizlet link below); if recently started a novel and not too far in, bring it to class on Monday.
Quizlet for Vocab Words
Monday, September 10, 2018
Finally a Full Week!
While it was pleasant to ease into the school year with shortened weeks, it is likewise comfortable to finally settle into the usual routines. Along with the school-wide PBIS initiative to encourage and facilitate positive behaviors throughout the building, we've been brainstorming and revisiting as needed expectations for our ELA classes to run smoothly and productively.
Students have been exercising their creative muscles by brainstorming and drafting their poems. Their editing and revising work should focus on adding in description through the use of colorful words--adjectives, adverbs, and vivid verbs. We also took a first look at literary devices, and students are expected to use at least two in every poem they write this year. I will also be encouraging them to use devices to elevate any type of writing they do.
While students are busy revising their poems and working on their projects at home, in class they will begin their exploration of the elements of fiction within short stories we read together. We will kick off with Ray Bradbury's All Summer in a Day, with a focus on the way that the author develops setting, character, and conflict in the story.
Happy new year to those celebrating the Jewish holidays! Please know that students absent for the holidays can certainly take extra time needed to complete the assignments.
Homework:
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: work on editing/revising poem (add description through word choices and devices); work on project
Thursday/Friday: work on project
I Am From poetry project
Example of descriptive writing
Students have been exercising their creative muscles by brainstorming and drafting their poems. Their editing and revising work should focus on adding in description through the use of colorful words--adjectives, adverbs, and vivid verbs. We also took a first look at literary devices, and students are expected to use at least two in every poem they write this year. I will also be encouraging them to use devices to elevate any type of writing they do.
While students are busy revising their poems and working on their projects at home, in class they will begin their exploration of the elements of fiction within short stories we read together. We will kick off with Ray Bradbury's All Summer in a Day, with a focus on the way that the author develops setting, character, and conflict in the story.
Happy new year to those celebrating the Jewish holidays! Please know that students absent for the holidays can certainly take extra time needed to complete the assignments.
Homework:
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: work on editing/revising poem (add description through word choices and devices); work on project
Thursday/Friday: work on project
I Am From poetry project
Example of descriptive writing
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Happy New Year!
Welcome to a new school year! While we've gotten off to a steamy start, we've been able to ease into a new routine and get to know one another a bit. Tomorrow we will launch into an autobiographical poem and creative project. Students will read George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From", analyzing it for content as well as structure. Once they have thoroughly deconstructed this poem, they will begin to construct their own using Lyon's as a model. This activity accomplishes many goals. It allows students to exercise their creative writing muscles; their poems tell me a bit about them; and it takes students through the writing process to begin to establish (or re-establish) the routine of brainstorming, organizing, drafting, and revising. Students will have the opportunity to further express themselves and their creativity through a project that will incorporate their poem. (We probably won't have a chance to talk about the project until Monday, but I've attached the activity in case you want to take a peek and get a head start on gathering materials.)
Throughout the year, I will post a blog note at the start of each week to sum up the week's agenda. Following my note, I will list the homework for the week and attach relevant hand outs in case someone is absent or misplaces their papers. While students are expected to be writing their homework into their planners at the beginning of each class, I am encouraging them to refer to the blog as well if they are absent or need more clarification. Organization and use of resources are two skills we will help students develop this year, and reinforcement from home is beneficial. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions about our work or concerns about your student's progress. Together we will guide students through a productive and enjoyable year!
Homework:
Tuesday: none unless you've forgotten to buy a writer's notebook (spiral, composition book)
Wednesday: none
Thursday: finish poem brainstorming chart
Friday: draft poem due MONDAY for conferencing; share project instructions with caregiver.
When drafting, refer to second link below to refresh your memory about writing descriptively.
I Am From Poetry Project
I Am From Poem: example of descriptive writing
Throughout the year, I will post a blog note at the start of each week to sum up the week's agenda. Following my note, I will list the homework for the week and attach relevant hand outs in case someone is absent or misplaces their papers. While students are expected to be writing their homework into their planners at the beginning of each class, I am encouraging them to refer to the blog as well if they are absent or need more clarification. Organization and use of resources are two skills we will help students develop this year, and reinforcement from home is beneficial. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions about our work or concerns about your student's progress. Together we will guide students through a productive and enjoyable year!
Homework:
Tuesday: none unless you've forgotten to buy a writer's notebook (spiral, composition book)
Wednesday: none
Thursday: finish poem brainstorming chart
Friday: draft poem due MONDAY for conferencing; share project instructions with caregiver.
When drafting, refer to second link below to refresh your memory about writing descriptively.
I Am From Poetry Project
I Am From Poem: example of descriptive writing
Monday, June 18, 2018
The Final Countdown!
It seems that all who attended our Celebration of Ancient Greece Showcase agreed that it was a huge success! Students performed poetry, skits, and original music and all of their projects were on display for families, staff and students to enjoy.
I've asked students to pass on to next year's Green Rev students a bit of themselves and their work. Each student inscribed a raindrop bookmark with lines from their River of Words poem, and students next year will have the opportunity to pluck one from the bulletin board outside my room. I've also asked students to consider submitting their poem to the River of Words contest; while there weren't many takers, I'm hoping to have a bunch to mail off this summer.
While students are counting down these last few days, I'm also encouraging them to reflect on their achievements this year and to harness their intelligence and creativity for much more success in years to come. Their insightful thinking, wit, and wisdom only a seventh grader can reveal was truly a gift to me as a teacher and person, and I thank each and every one for that!
I wish students and families a fun and relaxing summer!
Homework:
Please return mythology and Giver books. If books are not returned, the office staff will contact families regarding payment for lost books.
I've asked students to pass on to next year's Green Rev students a bit of themselves and their work. Each student inscribed a raindrop bookmark with lines from their River of Words poem, and students next year will have the opportunity to pluck one from the bulletin board outside my room. I've also asked students to consider submitting their poem to the River of Words contest; while there weren't many takers, I'm hoping to have a bunch to mail off this summer.
While students are counting down these last few days, I'm also encouraging them to reflect on their achievements this year and to harness their intelligence and creativity for much more success in years to come. Their insightful thinking, wit, and wisdom only a seventh grader can reveal was truly a gift to me as a teacher and person, and I thank each and every one for that!
I wish students and families a fun and relaxing summer!
Homework:
Please return mythology and Giver books. If books are not returned, the office staff will contact families regarding payment for lost books.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Winding Down...Sort Of!
It seems that we should be winding down, but we are still quite busy preparing for our Celebration of Ancient Greece Showcase on Thursday (see invite attached on last week's blog). Today, we are all enjoying our first glimpse of projects--such creativity on display! Students are rehearsing their poetry readings and performance projects, and finishing up miscellaneous in-class mini-projects which will be on display.
On Friday and next Monday, students will make raindrop book marks inscribed with lines from their River of Words verse. To reflect the connection of all living things, next year's Green Rev students will each take a book mark at the start of the new school year.
Homework:
Projects must be in by Wednesday!
Students should finish up any in-class mini-projects as needed by Wednesday.
Check Aspen--any missing work needs to be turned in ASAP!
On Friday and next Monday, students will make raindrop book marks inscribed with lines from their River of Words verse. To reflect the connection of all living things, next year's Green Rev students will each take a book mark at the start of the new school year.
Homework:
Projects must be in by Wednesday!
Students should finish up any in-class mini-projects as needed by Wednesday.
Check Aspen--any missing work needs to be turned in ASAP!
Monday, June 4, 2018
The Home Stretch!
It has been so exciting to see students weaving together nature observations with Greek mythology to create vivid and imaginative poetry! Today everyone is contributing their best line, then as a class they are arranging those lines into a stanza. Ultimately, we will arrange each class stanza into an epic poem! While eyeballs may roll when told they are going to write a poem, something magical happens when students are given the opportunity to look inward into their hearts and minds; they can paint pictures with words that express their thoughts and emotions, and they realize the power of precise and descriptive language to convey meaning. Their poetry is amazing and inspiring!
Students are also wrapping up their mythology essays; final drafts will be turned in on Wednesday. They will incorporate their essay into their project in creative fashion as well. Students may bring in their project when it is ready--no later than 6/13. We will be setting up the community room for the "Celebration of Ancient Greece" showcase on June 14 (invitation is attached and will be sent home with your student this week).
We are in the home stretch! While there is still much to do in a couple of short weeks, I'm enjoying this time with students to be creative, recite choral poetry, and even kicki up our heels in some Greek dancing!
Homework:
Monday/Tuesday: Finish essay; turn in final draft on Wed.
Ongoing: Project (w/essay creatively incorporated) due 6/11.
Greek Showcase Invitation
Students are also wrapping up their mythology essays; final drafts will be turned in on Wednesday. They will incorporate their essay into their project in creative fashion as well. Students may bring in their project when it is ready--no later than 6/13. We will be setting up the community room for the "Celebration of Ancient Greece" showcase on June 14 (invitation is attached and will be sent home with your student this week).
We are in the home stretch! While there is still much to do in a couple of short weeks, I'm enjoying this time with students to be creative, recite choral poetry, and even kicki up our heels in some Greek dancing!
Homework:
Monday/Tuesday: Finish essay; turn in final draft on Wed.
Ongoing: Project (w/essay creatively incorporated) due 6/11.
Greek Showcase Invitation
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