Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Today we spent some time reviewing the parts of a paragraph, as well as some other components to strong writing.  Here is an abbreviated version of the notes for those who missed today's conversation:

Parts of a paragraph

1. Topic Sentence
2. Body (Supporting Details)
3. Concluding Sentence

Other strong writing components:

1. Use transitions
2. Vary your sentence beginnings
3. Vary your sentence structure and lengths
4. Use strong words

We also discussed the rubric for the Day of Peace Writing and Poster assignment, which is due Friday, as well as a checklist for "what to do" when you believe you are finished with the writing portion.  The directions for the project are below.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, September 13) will start off with a brief iPad user refresher, followed by writing workshop time on your Day of Peace assignment.

Thursday, September 14 will be spent taking the STAR assessment for Reading.

Friday, September 15 will be spent finishing up our Day of Peace projects.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Hello, hello! There are NO NEW ASSIGNMENTS for tomorrow and this weekend.  Next week we will begin our first writing assignment. You will be given specific directions for this on Monday.

A recap of today's activities:

• Page 1 of our Writer's Notebook:  "I know..."
• Page 2 of our Writer's Notebook:  "I can't imagine a world without..."
• Page 3 (or more):  our first 20-minute "quick write"

Your notebook should have been left in the room in the designated spot for your class.  If you were absent, you will need to find time to make up what you have missed.  You are welcome to come in during Resource or set up a time before or after school to do this. Also, please be sure to update your Table of Contents and make sure all of your pages are numbered properly.

Reminder of tomorrow's activities:

1. Community Cleanup--Dress for the weather, for picking up garbage, and for walking
2. Social Contract--You will work with your Period 3 teacher in his/her room on this.
3. PBIS breakout sessions--This is another good reason to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be moving from room to room, up and down the stairs, inside and outside.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! This is my very lovely and exciting blog. I will try my hardest to keep it updated multiple times weekly.  Please, please email me if you can't find something here that you are looking for.  I am not always able to update on a regular basis, so sometimes a quick email will do the trick. 

Alright, here is your very first assignment of the year, due TOMORROW: 

This is a screenshot from today's notes.  Please decorate the notebook I gave to you in class today and bring it back with you to school tomorrow.  Regarding the "school-appropriateness," if you are UNSURE, PLEASE ASK!

This assignment will not be graded, but the notebook will be a very important tool for both reading and writing activities throughout this school year.  (Plus, if you bring it back tomorrow, personalized and with numbered pages, you will get a JOLLY RANCHER! Woohoo!)