6th Grade:

We were previewing and building background for reading the first two days of this week, and today we began reading Nadia the Willful by Sue Alexander.  We will finish reading the story tomorrow and beging comprehension and analysis activities.

ON FRIDAY 6th graders have a Review Vocabulary Quiz.  This is a quiz covering the 20 words from the literature selections we have covered this year.  All students have the words and definitions to study.  I highly recommend using the online textbook to play the vocabulary games-  this is a fun and effective way to review.

7th Grade:

TOMORROW 7th grade students have a quiz covering the Parts of Speech we have been working on in class.  Students have been identifying and creating sentences using nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, articles and prepositions.  Definitions, identification and sentence creation will all be included on the test tomrrow.  Students should be using the M&M packet to review for this quiz.

At this point all students should have notecards completed for their 3 Research Paper sources.  Source #1 needs 25 notecards, Source #2 needs 15 cards and Source #3 needs 15 cards.

We have also been discussing and practicing making SOURCE cards in order to complete a Works Cited page in the future for our paper.

One more note:  I forgot to mention this to 7th grade students-  it is a good idea to have some type of “holder” for your research notecards so they don’t fall out and get lost!  The easiest solution is a sandwich sized or quart sized ziplock bag.  The Dollar Store also sells notecard cases if you are looking for another option.

6th Grade:

We will be previewing and reading Nadia The Willful next week along with revising the Narrative Bullying Essays we have been working on in class.

Students need to make sure they have a FICTION book they are reading independently, and should be finished Reading Log #8.  We will be working on #9 and #10 in the coming weeks.

7th Grade:

All students should have 3×5 Notecards to use for our research project.  I’m noticing many students “borrowing” from friends.

On Monday, ALL students should have 25 notecards from Source #1 and 15 notecards from Source #2.

4th hour did not meet on Friday due to the Anti-Bullying Assembly.  This class needs to make sure to have their Source #3 (another online source with information about their career) to check in along with the notecards mentioned above.

6th and 7th Grade:  I will be updating grades and sending out progress reports the week of 2/25 (when we return from break).  We will also have new seats and trade in any old potty passes you have left the week we come back.

6th Grade:

We will have the Tuesday of The Other June Test tomorow.  Use your study guide to prepare.  You should also re-read the story with the online textbook.  Everyone was given an extra copy of their username and password this week in class. 

Due on Friday:  The Problem with Bullying Worksheet (graphic organizer/2 SAR Questions)  AND  “Tales of Bullying” QAR Packet (show proof and label which type of QAR was used for each question).

Due on Friday:  “Illustrating Beautiful Language”  from T.O.J. is also due Friday.  USE COLOR and CREATIVITY.

7th Grade:

Tomorrow we will have a quiz on Video #1 and #2 Information (Research).  Use your worksheet to help you study.  Both videos are posted on my blog if you want to watch them again.  Username:  wiedyka     Password: rachnath

Please make every attempt to have a pack of LINED 3×5 Index cards with you in class by Friday.

6th Grade:

6th Graders have been working hard analyzing the narrative Tuesday of The Other June.  We have been exploring vocabulary, answering basic and higher order comprehension questions, searching for examples of imagery, and figurative language in the story, and creating extensions for the narrative (what students thought would happen next…).

Students have an ONLINE KidBlog assignment that is due Monday 2-11-13.  Some were able to start the assignment today in the computer lab.  Others will have to do the majority at home.  All students must post their “T.O.J.- What Happens Next?” ideas on the KidBlog by Monday 2-11-13.

Upcoming Test:  Students will be tested on Tuesday of the Other June next Tuesday 2-12-13.  Look for the study guide to come home this Friday.

7th Grade:

7th Graders have been working on the first steps of our RESEARCH PAPER UNIT.  They have met in the computer lab twice with Dr. Dakroub, our school counselor.

They have been working on a Career Website to start on the path of exploration.  We will use this exploration as a template for our RESEARCH PAPER.

All students have chosen a career to do a basic RESEARCH PAPER about.  This marking period will focus on the writing of a research paper, and the techniques and guidelines of how to do so.

Ask students about what their career topic is-  they should be able to offer some basic information they have already come across regarding the job.

All students will need at least one pack of 3×5 Lined Index Cards for this Unit.  This was listed on the class supply list sent home at the beginning of the year.  Please make every effort to have these cards in class starting next week.

Today all 6th and 7th Grade students received a “roll” of paperwork to bring home from the 3rd marking period.  Along with the graded papers, there is a detailed grade report which shows the 3rd Marking Period ELA Grade each student earned (2nd hour grades might be slightly tweaked tomorrow- for the positive).

ALSO, each student has the opportunity to complete a 3rd Marking Period Evaluation of their work.  They must answer the evaluation questions thoughtfully (with complete sentences) and get a PARENT SIGNATURE on the Evaluation Sheet.  This must be returned by Friday 2/1/13 for possible Extra Credit Points for the new marking period.

6th Grade:

Due tomorrow:  ”On That Date” Baseball Hall of Fame Worksheet (Expository Text Practice).

Due on FRIDAY:  6 January Journal Squares

7th Grade:

Due on FRIDAY:  4 January Journal Squares

6th:

Today we worked on a 2nd draft of the “Uniforms in School” Persuasive/Argumentative.  Hopefully, students took the time to revise and improve paragraphs for IDEA CLARITY.  The revised draft is due tomorrow- no excuses!!

7th:

Practice Persuasive Planning-  New Topic-  Are social networking websites (like Facebook and Instagram) more helpful or harmful to people.  T-Chart and Paragraph Planning due tomorrow.  NO EXCUSES

The Scholarship Jacket study guide is due on Friday 1/18/13

The Scholarship Jacket Test will be on Wednesday 1/23/13.  Start studying now!

We made it through the first week back!  Happy 2013

6th Grade:

We have been working diligently on our Persuasive/Argumentative Essay about School Uniforms.  Today students were to complete the 2nd and 3rd Argument Paragraphs in class.  If this was not finished in class, it is due by Monday 1/14/13.

Also, our on-going assignment updates:

• All students should have 2 January Journal Squares done by this point….The first one was actually the Positive/Negative things that happened over the Winter Vacation, the second one was from the January Grid.
• All students should have #6 and #7 Reading Logs completed.

Don’t fall behind on these independent assignments-  they will be collected in the near future for a grade.

7th Grade:

This week we have been working on tweaking our Persuasive Planning Skills.  We have been brainstorming, T-Charting and planning paragraphs for high interest persuasive topics.  We will practice this again next week.

We also just finished reading The Scholarship Jacket by Marta Salinas today in class. 

Due Monday:  

*The Scholarship Jacket Reading Check S.A.R. Questions (Choose 4)

and

*Vocabulary Practice sheet.  

6th Grade:

Due tomorrow:

• Point Of View Folding Doll
• Matryoshka Packet-  all 5 Activities must be finished!  If you still have activities to finish at home-  write “NO PARTNER” in the partner signature section.
• December Journal Squares-  3 Total

7th Grade:

Due tomorrow:

1. All paragraphs of the PERSUASIVE essay about Real Pets/Robotic Pets must be revised and re-written on lined paper as one essay.

Indent

Skip Lines

Make sure to tweak and make revisions in this draft!

2.  December Journal Squares-  3 Total
3.  November Journal Squares

• Remember- I am grading these together for this card marking.

6th Grade:

Homework due on Wednesday-  Eleven Study Guide.  Use your notes and worksheets we have finished in class to help you with this.  You may also use the online textbook if needed.  This is an EFFORT Grade-  it must be COMPLETE to get credit tomorrow.

Test for Eleven is on Thursday 12-20-12

7th Grade:

Homework due on Wednesday-  

The Rough Drafts for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Argument/Claim Paragraphs for the Persuasive Essay we have been working on are due tomorrow-  this is THREE paragraphs total!  Students had time in class to start this assignment.  NO EXCUSES!!  

6th Grade:

Homework due Monday 12/17/12

Double Sided Eleven Vocabulary Practice/ Reading Check SAR Question (choose 2) Worksheet.

Rachel’s Open Mind Activity-  use the sheet I handed out in class to creatively express what you believe is in Rachel’s (main character in Eleven) mind.  Make sure to include 3 pictures (hand-drawn or from computer), 2 examples of simile from the story, and 3 emotion words that describe how Rachel was feeling during the story.

Study Guide to come next week…..  Test is on Thursday 12/20/12

7th Grade:

Homework due Monday 12/17/12:

Planning Sheet for Persuasive Essay (3 Argument Ideas (boxes) and Counter Argument Idea (big butt).

Make sure to have this completed with details on Monday-  we will begin writing the essay IN CLASS on Monday.