Today in class I collected the Parts of a Book/Kinds of Book Homework sheet.  I was very disappointed to see that many students didn’t even attempt to do the homework.

A parent letter was sent home today with each of my students explaining the new Research unit.  Parents are asked to read over the letter, discuss their child’s research topic with them, sign the letter and return it to school by next Wednesday 2-16-11.

Attached to the parent letter is an extra credit opportunity.  Students have the choice to do a personal interview with a professional who has the same job as their research topic.  The guidelines and necessary parent participation in this activity are outlined in the information sheet sent home.  This extra credit interview would serve as a second primary source, and is due on Wednesday 2-23-11.

Homework this weekend is to find 8 interesting facts in the Non-Fiction book students have checked out from the library.  They are to use the direct quote technique and copy 8 facts from their books by Monday.  THIS HOMEWORK MUST BE COMPLETED TO DO MONDAY’S CLASS ACTIVITY.  TAKE THE TIME TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK THIS WEEKEND!

Today in class we used some bellwork time to further our understanding and our bank of Adverbs.  Students are benefiting from this time, and are developing a better understanding of the use and variety of this part of speech.

We also used class time to review and locate the different parts of a Non-Fiction Book.  Many students were unaware of where certain parts of a book were located (or that they even existed!).  We covered the title page, copyright date, table of contents, acknowledgements, index, glossary, etc. 

Students have a two sided worksheet Parts of Books and Kinds of Books that is due tomorrow.  This must be finished for homework tonight.

Classed also started a powerpoint regarding Gathering Sources.  We discussed primary and secondary sources in research.

Students worked on identifying and broadening their knowledge base of Adverbs today during bellwork.

We practiced paraphrasing skills today using sentences.  Students are doing a fine job coming up with alternative ways to state the same ideas!

Everyone renewed/or returned their library books.  Please bring your NON FICTION Library Books to class tomorrow.

Today flew by, we were very busy!

Students received their new DOL (Daily Oral Language) sheet for the card marking (SMITH).  Keep this in a safe place as we will be using this week after week!

We worked on our paraphrasing skills, beginning with short phrases.  Students did a nice job with this exercise.

We also viewed and took notes on a short powerpoint regarding the meaning and basic steps of the research process.

Tomorrow is the last day to receive extra credit for the Career Cruising Print Outs.  Use the direction sheet provided for you last week.

We watched the 2nd Research Introduction Video (specific to Internet Research) today.  Students used active listening and answered questions as they watched the video.  This assignment was collected and will be returned soon.

The last day to receive the Extra Credit for Career Cruising Print Outs will be  this Wednesday.

Today was the last day for students to bring in their 3rd marking period Portfolio Evaluation packets with a parent signatures (I actually gave an extra day-  they were due LAST FRIDAY!).    If students did not bring this in today they will be receiving a morning detention.

Today the 3rd Marking Period Portfolio Packet WITH parent signature was due.  If students forgot today-  they need to have it in by Monday or a detention will be issued.

We watched a short movie and completed a “listening activity” worksheet about the steps to a research project.  We went over the questions and made sure that each student had the correct answers.  This worksheet will serve as a study guide later on in the unit.

Everyone should be spending time at home reading your library book.  You should find time every day to read (15 minutes should be the minimum).

Portfolio Packets with Parent Signatures were collected today.  Students who brought the packet today received 1 extra credit point for remembering the signature on first day back.  Any student who did not bring the packet with signature back today MUST have it in tomorrow-  FRIDAY 2-4-11!

We tackled the 2nd District Writing Prompt in class today.  All students wrote to a prompt regarding CHANGE.  Scores become part of the student’s writing file and will be entered into the Dearborn Public School’s data base.

Printing the 3 reports from Career Cruising at home is still an option for extra credit.  I will award extra credit points until next Wednesday for printing these three items at home. 

Tomorrow I will be compiling names of those students who do not have a printer available at home to make sure they get the printed information they need here at school.

We used today as an organizational day.  Students received LOTS of graded paperwork from this past marking period.  They compiled it all into a packet-  which is now the 3RD MARKING PERIOD PORTFOLIO PACKET.  Students are to fill out the evaluation questions and GET A PARENT SIGNATURE  on the front evaluation sheet BY THIS FRIDAY 2-4-11.

Any students who brings the packet back our next day back in school will receive an extra credit point for the new 4th Marking Period.

We also spent some time on a February Journal Square, and did some Silent Reading with the Library books we checked out last week.

If we get the snow they are predicting-  Enjoy your day(s) off.  Stay warm!

Today was a half day, and our time together flew by.  We received and organized our research folders.  From now until further notice- this researach folder is our new textbook.  This needs to be brought to class every day.

If you have not paid your 25 cents for the research folder- please bring it in on MONDAY!

We went over how to print information from the Career Cruising Website for the career each student chooses for their research topic.  If this can be done at home-  PLEASE PRINT AT HOME.  3 Extra Credit points will be given for the SUITABLE FOR YOU page, the Printer Friendly Career Report, and the Online Interview. 

If you cannot print at home- no worries we can print it out at school for you.  There will be other extra credit opportunities down the line.

All REDO Mystery Essays were collected today. 

Monday is also a half day-  Please make every effort to be here.  It is a count day for us, and attendance is a must!

Today we took care of some odds and ends in the classroom (collecting 25 cents for a research folder, collecting Westing Game Books, discussing goals)  before heading downstairs to the computer lab for Career Cruising.

While in the computer lab students worked on adding to and updating their EDP on Career Cruising. 

Students will be basing their research project on a career that is generated from Career Cruising program.  They have all spent time working on skills and interest surveys-  and the program matches possible careers with their individual skill and interest sets.  Every student has a list of 40 possible choices, and will choose one to base their research project on.

We will be discussing the research project in detail next week.

Please remember to bring in 25 cents for the research folder by tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the last day to turn in REDO Mystery Essays.

Lost Westing Game books cost $7.99 to replace.  Damaged Westing Game books cost $4.00 for repair.  Please send in this money ASAP!