Ms. Devine's Class

Today is the last day!

2011-05-20T08:23:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy couple of days...but- today is the last day of school!

Ms. Devine and Ms. Florez's advisory took a trip to Grant Park Coffeehouse and to the park. Wahhhooo!

School's out for the summmer....

We're almost finished with the school year...

2011-05-17T13:56:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we had the Australia/Oceania food day. It was delicious! Thank you to all students who brought and shared food. Then, we made Australian LAMINGTONS. They were also yummy and I was so proud that we cooked with a class of 25! Then, we learned about the Maori Haka dance and some of us even practiced doing it!
Homework: Be prepared for field day tomorrow! Bring in your permission slip!

7th: Today we had Middle East food day. It was delicious! Thank you to all students who brought and shared food. Then, had a art celebration day where we went around to all 6th/7th grade classroom and gave feedback on the art we saw hanging in the classrooms. We saw Islamic designs, Maori batiks Aboriginal dot paintings.
Homework: Be prepared for field day tomorrow! Bring in your permission slip!

End of term reflections

2011-05-16T15:31:00.000-04:00

More portfolio presentations today!

6th: Today Ms. D. continued to meet with students for end of term reflections.
Homework: Enjoy the sunshine!

EOT conferences!

2011-05-13T14:10:00.000-04:00

Today we had a different schedule due to portfolio presentations.

6th: We worked on our Aborigine dot paintings, watched Finding Nemo (it takes place in the Australian Great Barrier Reef!) and Ms. Devine conferenced with students individually for end of term reports.
Homework: Enjoy the weekend!

Islamic Design work...

2011-05-12T13:00:00.000-04:00

6th: No class today- portfolio presentations.

7th: Today we spent the class period working on our Islamic art presentations. Ms. Devine met with students to discuss end of term narratives. We will not have class on Friday or Monday (due to portfolio presentations). We will be watching a movie (bring one in!) on Tuesday and having our Middle East food day. Don't forget to bring a delicious Middle Eastern food to share!
Homework: Middle Eastern food- bring one on TUES!

Aborigine dot paintings & E.O.T. reports and Islamic design!

2011-05-11T14:00:00.000-04:00

Today the 5th graders from NCS visited. Very fun! We had a revised schedule.

6th: Today we did aborigine dot paintings! They were fun. We will finish these up on FRI, the next time we have class. Then, students worked on end of term reflections. These are due on Friday so that Ms. D. can conference with each student and write end of term narratives.
Homework: End of term 3 narrative questions- SUPER IMPORTANT! DUE FRIDAY!

7th: Today we took the STAR test, shared out our letters to the editor and completed end of term 3 reflections. Ms. Devine conferenced with several students for the end of the term. While she did this, students worked on their Islamic design art project, due next TUES. Tomorrow, Ms. D will continue to meet with students.
Homework: Work on Islamic art project- due next TUES.

Maori batiks & Article sharing

2011-05-10T13:26:00.000-04:00

6th: Today in class we made Maori batiks! We used our color drawings and painted over them with watercolor, creating dynamic Maori art. Afterward, we wrote our artist statements about our work. Several students helped Ms. Devine move stuff downstairs to the 8th grade hall.
Homework: Continue reading....

7th: Today in class we shared our articles in small groups. We prepared discussion questions beforehand and brought these to our groups. After hearing our groupmates articles, asking questions and discussing the topics, we wrote a letter to the editor, writing to an author about an article of our choice.
Homework: Continue reading...

Maori batiks & Final journalism articles

2011-05-09T15:34:00.000-04:00

6th: Today in class, we learned about the batik style of art used by the Maori people. We began class by investigating what this was and then we learned how we would create a batik piece in class. Students drafted a piece, showed Ms. Devine, wrote a meaning for the piece and then we created the crayon aspect of our final piece. Tomorrow we will add the watercolor. We love doing art!
Homework: None

7th: Today we discussed the "Promises" documentary we watched on Friday. Then, we peer edited our articles for our journalism project and went back to the lab to do the final article. Articles are due tomorrow.
Homework: Complete final article. Due tomorrow!

Aboriginal dot paintings & "Promises"

2011-05-06T16:29:00.000-04:00

6th: Today, we spent time thinking of meaning in aboriginal dot paintings. We looked at symbols and what they meant in these paintings. Then, we created our own drafts of the dot paintings.
Homework: Enjoy the weekend!

7th: Today we talked about Arab-Israeli conflict and we watched the movie "Promises." We were very engaged in the movie and will discuss it on Monday!
Homework: Enjoy!

All about Islam & Aboriginal and Maori art!

2011-05-05T15:50:00.000-04:00

6th: Today, we learned about different types of Oceanic art- Aboriginal and Maori. We examined pieces of art and recognized the difference between Aboriginal art and Maori art, taking notes on the different art we viewed. Then, we wrote a compare/contrast paragraph, discussing the similarities and differences between these 2 types of art. From there, we started to get our ideas together for our aboriginal dot painting- which we will start tomorrow! How exciting!
Homework: As always, you should be reading.

7th: Today, we talked about Islam, reading an article and answering questions. Then, we got to have a Q & A with our guest speaker, Mr. Aaron, about Islam. Mr. Aaron was awesome- so informative. I learned many things...hmmm...the word "Islam" means submission to the will of God and the word "Muslim" means people who submit to the will of God.
Homework: Keep reading.

Myth share & Journalism article

2011-05-04T15:19:00.000-04:00

6th: Today was myth share day. We broke off into groups with Ms. Glow's class and shared myths in small groups, giving feedback. Then, we shared myths with the whole class. Great work, guys. There were some excellent myths!
Homework: none

7th: Today we used the whole class period to type up the draft of our journalism article. Due tomorrow when you walk in the door of class!
Homework: Complete journalism article.

Journalism articles- drafting!

2011-05-03T15:42:00.000-04:00

Today was the S.S. CRCT.

6th: No class today.

7th: Today we began class by analyzing an excellent example of a journalistic article. We graded it and discussed how we would grade it and became inspired by the crafty way that the author explained the topic. Then, we went to the lab for drafting time. The lab will also be open tomorrow before school at 8am. Drafts are due at the end of class tomorrow.
Homework: Work on draft!

Final myths & Journalism articles

2011-05-02T16:05:00.000-04:00

Today was the Science CRCT.

6th: Today was the day that final day that myths were due. We will have a share day on Wednesday. Students who had already completed myths went outside to play and celebrate. Those who did not turn theirs in worked with Ms. Devine.
Homework: none

7th: Today we went to the lab and continued to work on our journalism articles. From there, we came back and watched Obama's speech last night about the death of Osama bin Laden. We discussed this in small groups and then had a whole class discussion about what students felt, whether or not we believed the act to be right and how our reaction as a nation might make the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia feel. From there, we had some run-around-outside-time and Ms. Devine conferenced with students about their research.
Homework: none

Math CRCT!

2011-04-29T16:14:00.000-04:00

Today was the MATH CRCT.

6th: In class, we worked on our myth projects. Final drafts of myths are due on Monday!
Homework: Rest. Complete myth final draft!

7th: We split the class in 1/2. Half of the class worked on writing leads for their stories and brainstorming for a quote to include in their articles. Half of the class worked on drafting. Then, we switched!
Homework: Relax and rest.

ELA CRCT and myth time!

2011-04-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

Today was the ELA CRCT!

6th: Today we reviewed our thoughts and feelings about the first 2 CRCTs. Then, we used most of the class to work on our myth projects. Students worked at their own pace, based on what they had already completed. There will be no homework during this week of CRCT.
Homework: none. Get a good night's rest!

Reading CRCT and Journalism article work

2011-04-27T14:21:00.000-04:00

Today was the reading CRCT!

7th: We debriefed the CRCT, looked at and analyzed an example article to help us plan our outline for writing our own article and then got our article outline checked by Ms. D. From there, we began drafting our articles.
No homework during CRCT week!

Preparing for the CRCT tomorrow!

2011-04-26T15:56:00.001-04:00

Today was the day before the CRCT! The CRCT schedule is as follows:
WED: READING
THURS: ELA
FRI: Math
MON: Science
TUES: Social Studies

6th: Today, students worked on myths- most students peer revised myths, while those who were not ready drafted theirs. The next half of the class period was used for some CRCT review with simple, compound and complex sentences.
Homework: Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast tomorrow to prepare for CRCT!

7th: Today, students turned in mechanics work and took a mechanics pretest. Later, they practiced with adjective and adverb clauses. Then, they did a CRCT review game to practice for tomorrow's test.
Homework: Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast tomorrow to prepare for CRCT!

Compound and simple sentences, myths & Mechanics!

2011-04-25T15:56:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we spent the class learning about what makes a complete sentence and we even learned how to tell the difference between simple and compound sentences! Then, we spent the last part of class working on our myths. First draft of the myth is DUE TOMORROW!
Homework: Read. Work on myth draft- due tomorrow!

7th: Today we began class by recalling prepositional phrases- all the way from last year! We used our knowledge of prepositional phrases to understand adverb and adjective phrases and we worked together on understanding this. From there, we worked on mechanics work- DUE TOMORROW- and Ms. D. significantly cut down the requirements for each student to be able to complete the work by tomorrow. We will have a mechanics assessment tomorrow as well.
Homework: Complete mechanics work- be ready for assessment. Read, as always.

Mid East research and prewriting, mechanics, PALS & research conferences!

2011-04-22T15:56:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we had research conferences with Miss D and we did PALS with Ms. Cannon. Students did one activity for the 1st part of class and then switched for the 2nd part of class. Have a great weekend! Remember- CRCT is next week and English/Language Arts begins on WED!
Homework: Read.

7th: Today we began class by finishing up our research- writing 2-3 paragraphs about what we learned- before turning it in. Then, students moved forward on the next steps of the process- prewriting! Students brainstormed for their articles and then we moved on to our study of mechanics. Remember- all mechanics work is due TUESDAY!
Homework: Read, work on mechanics work and any work that you feel you need to do for your journalism project.

Middle East research, mechanics & Oceania research

2011-04-21T16:10:00.000-04:00

6th: Today Ms. Devine was out with her advisory, watching portfolio exhibitions.

Students began class with interjections practice, using mad lib stories that their classmates had written. Then, they continued Oceania myth research. From there, students had a chance to read an excellent myth from last year and look at the myth to see how it met the standards. ALL RESEARCH NOTECARDS AND COMPLETE KWL AND "DESCRIBE A CHARACTER" PACKET ARE DUE TOMORROW AT THE START OF CLASS.
Homework: Read and record. Complete all research.

7th: Today we began class with some mechanics practice and then did a mechanics activity in table groups where each table group taught the class about proper usage of one of these things: commas, semi-colons, colons, quotation marks and dashes. Then, we spent the rest of the class period working on the 2 big things on our agenda right now- mechanics practice work and Middle East research! Remember- Middle East research is due tomorrow. You should come with all notecards done, KWL filled in and then be ready to properly cite your sources using the bibliography formatting that Miss D will provide.
Homework: Read and work on research!

Middle East research, mechanics, interjections, Oceania research

2011-04-20T14:27:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with interjection practice. Then, we did a fun outdoor activity with sidewalk chalk and interjections. I think we have fully mastered them! From there, we went to the library to continue to research for our Oceania myth project. Many students have finished the research- taking notes on notecards, transferring what they learned to the L column of the KWL and then using the research to describe the character and setting of their myth. ALL OF THIS COMPLETE RESEARCH IS DUE ON FRIDAY. IF IT IS NOT ALMOST COMPLETE, YOU NEED TO BE WORKING ON IT AT HOME.
Homework: Read and record. Work on research.

7th: Today we began class by going to the library to continue Middle East research. From there, some of us chose to work on Middle East research, while others worked on mechanics work. ALL MECHANICS WORKED IS DUE ON TUESDAY. ALL RESEARCH- NOTECARDS AND COMPLETE KWL- IS DUE ON FRIDAY.
Homework: Read, work on research.

Mechanics, Middle East research, interjections & Oceania research

2011-04-19T13:56:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with a conjunction review. Then, we continued to research our Oceania topics in the computer lab. From there, we finished watching The Whale Rider and discussed the movie. Then, we began our study of interjections with a School House Rocks video. Ms. Devine checked in with us about our portfolio work to make sure she had an up to date list of who had what.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class with some mechanics practice. Then, we worked on our bloom's mechanics work and got items checked off our list from Ms. Devine. From there, we worked on our Middle East research project.
Homework: READ!

Golden Dragons, the Whale Rider and Middle East research!

2011-04-18T15:55:00.000-04:00

Today we saw the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats! It was a very cool performance.

6th: Students watched the Whale Rider movie and answered questions as they watched it. We will finish the movie tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: We began class by discussing the performance today- what we liked and what we learned. Then, we introduced the Middle East research project and selected our topics to research. From there, we created a KWL to begin research, developed research questions, got these questions checked by Miss D, and set up our notecards to begin research tomorrow.
Homework: Read.

Myth research, conjunctions & Mechanics work

2011-04-15T16:32:00.000-04:00

7th graders: don't forget- Chinese acrobat field trip on MONDAY! If you have not yet brought the permission form and money, do so, or you will stay at school.

6th: Today we began class with some conjunction practice. We worked on it and checked it in class. Then, we made sure we were prepped for researching our topic. After lunch, we researched our topic in the computer lab and took notes on index cards.
Homework: Record reading on bookmark.

7th: Today we began class by continuing with Middle East GEOG. Then, we did some prep work for viewing our Golden Dragon performance on Monday. Then, we started our study of mechanics- capitalization, colons, semicolons, commas- based on how we did on our pretest this week.
Homework: I forgot to give out the bookmark. Enjoy!

Myth research & Journalism and Middle East

2011-04-14T16:11:00.001-04:00

6th: Today we began class with conjunction practice. Then, we watched conjunction junction to figure out exactly what a conjunction does and make a list of all of the conjunctions we heard. From there, we began our myth research. We made a KWL chart and looked at the articles and atlases Ms. D. gave us to write down everything we knew about our topic in terms of Geography, History and People. Then, we wrote down our research questions in the W(ant to know) column and prepared ourselves to conduct more research tomorrow.
Homework: Remember, bookmark is due tomorrow!

7th: Today we began class by writing thank you notes to VOX who visited yesterday. Then, we came back to our journalism projects- we broke off into groups and shared one of our articles and then facilitated a small group discussion about the article. Afterward, we had a whole class discussion about what we had learned about journalism from this project. From there, we began to investigate the Middle East, the region which we'll be exploring as journalists. We will finish up our Middle East GEOG tomorrow!
Homework: Letter to the editor- VOX story. Bookmark due tomorrow!

***PARENTS, WANT TO CHAPERONE OUR TRIP TO THE CHINESE GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBAT PERFORMANCE ON MONDAY, APRIL 18TH? We need chaperones! Email Ms. D. at cdevine@atlantachartermiddle.com!

Mad libs are funny! & VOX time!

2011-04-13T14:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Fernbank. It was great!

6th: Today we began class by reflecting on the mythic creatures exhibit we saw yesterday. We tried to remember the mythic creatures that we saw and the details we learned about them. Then, we had a mythic creature creation contest- who can come up with their own mythic creature and describe it? We shared out some of these. From there, Ms. D. introduced the write-a-myth project. Students selected their topic from the list of 11 topics and will be prepared to research their topic tomorrow before they dive into writing a myth about it. Then, we had time to get together with a partner and exchange mad libs that we wrote. We did the mad libs and heard some FUNNY stories.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark.

7th: Today VOX came to visit. We discussed so many things and learned a lot about becoming journalists. It was a lot of fun- thanks, VOX. Remember that your homework- DUE FRIDAY- is to pick any article in the VOX and respond to it by writng a letter to the editor (see the sheet passed out in class). This is your chance to be published on the VOX blog!
Homework: Letter to the editor (due FRI) and read and record on bookmark.

Projects galore!

2011-04-11T16:03:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the FERNBANK FIELD TRIP. Have you turned in your permission form and money???

6th: Today we began class with a little reflection about our break and some grammar practice, too! Then, we had some time to prep for myth presentations. From there, we listened and took notes as all 5 groups presented the myths that they had read from Oceania. From there, we took a little assessment to see what we had learned from the stories about characteristics of myths. This was all portfolio eligible.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark. It's due FRI.

7th: Today we began class by reading silently while Ms. D. checked over homework from the break. We reflected on the sentence structure project we completed over break. Many of of us finished and turned the project in; several of us did not. Complete it for homework if you did not. We took a pretest on Mechanics and then graded that together. We will use results from the test to see where we begin when we begin our study of mechanics. Then, we had time to work on our article project, due on WED. Remember, we have a visit from VOX on WED. Also, remember to bring your permission form for the Chinese Acrobat field trip next MON, April 18th. There is a link to the form in the sidebar to the right. Would one of your family members like to chaperone? Please let me know! We would love to have them come!
Homework: Complete the article project, due WED. Also, complete the sentence structure project reflection if you have not done so. Due WED, too.

Mad Lib editing, Oceania myth reading project & Journalism reading project!

2011-04-01T15:09:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class by discussing the 6 characteristics of myth. We discussed how we might see one or more of these characteristics in the myths we are reading from Oceania. Then, we edited our Mad Libs project so that over the break we are ready to rewrite our Mad Libs stories with blanks and a word bank. That is our homework. From there, we had time to work in our Oceania myth groups in order to finish reading our stories and complete the graphic organizer and the poster. Poster presentations will be after the break.
Homework: Read and record- remember- you only have to read 3 days over the break! Finish up anything you have to do for your group Oceania myth project. Rewrite mad lib with blanks and do the work bank.

7th: We began class by collecting all homework. Then, while Ms. D. was in a meeting, students worked with Ms. Cannon on their articles for the journalism project. All 3 articles + the summary, annotation and reflection are due the MON we return from break. From there, Ms. D. discussed the field trip to the Chinese Acrobats show on April 18th. We also discussed students sentence structure project homework over the break. See description in the sidebar to the right.
Homework: Read and record- remember- you only have to read 3 days over the break! Complete 3 articles for journalism reading project. Complete the edits/revisions for sentence structure project.

Journalism and sentence structure project, Mad Libs and Oceania myths

2011-03-31T16:21:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class by learning about a Mad Libs project that we're starting. Students learned about the project- see right sidebar- and what their responsibilities would be with this project. We wrote stories to use for our mad libs in class and made sure that we labeled the necessary parts of speech in these stories. If students did not complete this in class, it is for homework. From there, we got together with our Oceania myth groups and read our stories and began to work on the graphic organizer. Some groups started to work on their teaching poster. We will continue to do so tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Complete mad libs story and labeling parts of speech in story.

7th: Today we began class by recalling what it means to annotate a text. Ms. D. modeled annotating an article and then walked students through the steps of how to summarize the article and then answer the project reflection questions about the article. From there, we had time to search through the huge bin of journalistic articles to find 3 that we would use for our project and then we began the process of annotating, summarizing and reflecting. Due tomorrow: one article that has been annotated, summarized and reflected on. From there, we did a writing prompt, writing only in complex sentences. We edited each others' work. Homework tonight- choose one of the 3 stories that you have started this week and figure out which one you like the best. Rewrite it tonight, skipping lines and fixing all of the edits your partner made.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow. Article w/ annotation, summary and reflection AND a re-written story, skipping lines.

Purpose of myth, mythology project, mad libs & Journalism and sentence structure projects!

2011-03-30T13:59:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with some Mad Libs work in order to practice our parts of speech. We learned that later this week, students will be starting a Mad Libs creation of their own! From there, students had more time to work on figuring out the purpose of the myth they read yesterday in their group. They created their posters and presented their findings to the class and we revealed the 6 purposes of myth:

1. To explain natural phenomena or an occurrence.
2. To explain the creation of the world.
3. To teach people moral lessons.
4. To explain some historical event.
5. To explain some ancient religious practices.
6. To reveal the common hopes and fears of mankind.

From there, we discussed the upcoming Mythology reading project and Ms. Devine told students their groups, the title of their myth and named team captains, or material keepers. From there, we visited Mr. Fine's class museum on the Aztec and Inca. Thanks for sharing with us!
Homework: Read and record on bookmark.

7th: Today we began class by talking about journalism. We got our Analyzing Journalism reading project and began to discuss different types of journalism including: news, columns, feature and lifestyle. We did a "centers" activity where students bounced around the room looking at different articles and trying to figure out what type of journalism the articles represented. Then, we shared out. We also reviewed the other types of journalism that we did not get to view today: investigative, reviews, celebrity, sports, business/finance and photojournalism. From there we discussed WHAT students would have to do for the project: annotate, summarize and analyze 3 different articles that represented 3 different types of journalism. We will begin this process tomorrow. At the end of class, we responded to a writing prompt and wrote all in ALL COMPOUND sentences, for our sentence structure project. Then, we met with peers to double-check to be sure that we wrote only in compound sentences and reflected on the difficulty of this activity.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark. Bring in at least 1 article for your journalism project.

Preposition assessment, myth time & Sentence assessment and project

2011-03-29T16:37:00.000-04:00

Ms. D. was out sick yesterday.

6th: Today, we began class with a review of prepositions before taking the the preposition assessment. Then, Mr. H. worked with students to read the myth of Persephone and students reflected on what makes a myth different from a regular fiction story. It's time to study myths! From there, students began a task to figure out the 6 purposes of myths. Students broke off into groups, each group reading a different myth and were tasked with summarizing the myth, drawing scenes from the myth and brainstorming what they believed was the purpose of the myth.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark!

7th: Today we began class with some sentence type practice. Students used the sentence type flipbooks they made last week to help them on the test. From there, we introduced the sentence structure project- it's portfolio eligible- and students began the project in class, composing a story of just simple sentences. We will do this again WED and THURS using compound and complex sentences. We exchanged papers with a peer to make sure we had only simple sentences in there and then we reflected on writing the story- was it difficult? We will continue with this tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark! Tomorrow, we'll start being journalists. Bring in any magazines or newspapers you have around the house for us to use in class!

Mao trial, sentence types, prepositions & Rabbit Proof Fence

2011-03-25T16:00:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with preposition practice. We learned how prepositions can sometimes be like adverbs and we learned how to distinguish the difference. We have preposition work to do over the weekend. The entire packet of preposition work is due on Monday. From there, we continued to watch Rabbit Proof Fence, about race relations in Australia.
Homework: Read and record on your new bookmark. Work on preposition work, due MON.

7th: Today we began class with some practice on fragments, comma splices, run-ons etc. Practice students have a packet to work on over the weekend- due MON! "Moving on" students have a CREATE teaching presentations on MON. Be ready! For the rest of the class, we had our trial of Mao Ze Dong and he was ruled innocent! It was an intense trial...we had a great time. So many wolf bones to give out on MON.
Homework: Read and record on your new bookmark. Work on sentence packet work, due MON.

Sentence time, Mao trial prep, prepositions & Rabbit Proof Fence

2011-03-24T15:55:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with some preposition work. Then, we spent some of the class period finishing up the AUS/OCEANIA geography activity from yesterday. We learned a lot about the geography of Oceania! From there, we began to watch a movie- Rabbit Proof Fence- about how the aborigines of Australia were treated during the early 1900's. We will finish the movie tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Do any preposition work that you need to. It is due on MON!

7th: Today we began class with some sentence types practice. Students who were working on the CREATE project worked on their teaching presentation for their classmates. Those who were working on the practice packet continued to do so. The practice packet is due on Monday and teaching presentations are on Friday and Monday. For the last part of class, we worked on our Mao trial prep. Mao trial is tomorrow!
Homework: Read and record on bookmark. Make sure you are all ready for the trial tomorrow.

Intro to Oceania, prepositions, sentences and Mao trial prep

2011-03-23T14:23:00.000-04:00

6th: Today Ms. D. was in a meeting for a large portion of class. Students worked on prepositions for most of the class period. Each student began their preposition work at the level assigned to them based on pretest results. Afterward, students began their study of Oceania with a KWL. From there, we reviewed what we already know and what we want to know and then began to use atlases to dive into a study of geography of this region.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class with sentence types practice. Then, Ms. D explained how grammar work would be working this week. Students who were previously practicing with simple, compound and complex sentences have now moved onto run-ons, fragments, comma splices and ramble-ons. Those who did this work last week are developing a teaching presentation (due FRI and MON) to teach their classmates about an assigned topic. After working on sentence work for 1/2 the class, we worked on trial stuff. The trial will be FRI. Are you ready?
Homework: Read and record. Are you ready for the trial on FRI?

Role discussion, prepositions, Asia food day and Mao trial prep

2011-03-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

Miss Devine was out yesterday and was very sick...:(

6th: Today, Mr. H. taught most of the class. Students took an adverb assessment and then participated in their role-based discussion on exploration. Students spoke from their roles based on the discussion questions that Mr. H. presented. From there, students watched a prepositions rock grammar video in order to introduce prepositions. We will beginning our preposition work tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark!

7th: Today we had Asia food day- it was delicious. Thank you to everyone who brought food. From there, we began discussing and preparing for our trial of Mao. Students received their roles for the trial and met with their teams to begin preparing for their roles.
Homework: Read and record. Do any work needed for your Mao trial role at home.

RAFTS, PALS and grammar work!

2011-03-18T15:56:00.001-04:00

6th: Today we began class with adverb work. All remaining adverb work should have been taken home to complete this weekend and is due on Monday. Renette did a fun activity to help us practice our adverbs- thanks Renette! Then, we worked on our RAFTS and did PALS. Rafts are due on Monday- make sure yours is done!
Homework: Read and record on bookmark. Make sure grammar packet is done on Monday and completed RAFT is done as well. Don't forget: Latin America food day on Monday!

7th: Today we began class by revising and/or publishing our RAFTS. Final RAFT is due on Monday. Then, Miss D gave students 30 minutes to work on the sentence packets- due on Monday. For PALS, we adjusted and gave out some new PALS partners and new books.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark. Make sure grammar packet is done on Monday and completed RAFT is done as well. Don't forget: Asia food day on TUESDAY!

RAFTS, adverbs and sentence types

2011-03-17T16:14:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with adverb practice. We had some time to work on our adverb activities and learned that all adverb activities are due on Monday. From there, Mr. H. worked with the class on completing the RAFT. Students will have a little class time tomorrow to work on completing the RAFT but the final RAFT is due on Monday. Remember: Latin America Food Day on MONDAY!
Homework: Read and record. Work on RAFT!

7th: Today we began class by working on drafting our communism RAFTs. Several students finished drafting and moved on to revising. First drafts of those RAFTs are due tomorrow at the start of class. We will revise/edit tomorrow and final drafts will be due on Monday. For the second part of class, we worked on sentence work. Those students who had done well on the sentence types assessment moved on to work on a packet on run-ons, fragments, comma splices, ramble ons and compound-complex sentences. Those students who need more practice with sentence types worked on a practice packet. All grammar packets are due on Monday. REMEMBER: Asia Food Day on Tuesday!
Homework: Work on grammar packet. Read and record. Rough draft of RAFT due tomorrow- is yours ready?

Adverbs, RAFTS, and more!

2011-03-16T14:31:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class with some adverb practice. An adverb is a word that modifies a verb- and sometimes another adverb or even an adjective. 90% (or something like that) of the time adverbs end in -LY! Think: frequently, slowly, dangerously, cautiously, coolly, etc. Tonight, students have homework to complete one of their leveled worksheets on adverbs and bring it back tomorrow. From there, we continued to work on our RAFT. First draft copies of the RAFT due tomorrow- be ready for peer revising!
Homework: Read and record on bookmark.

7th: Today we began class by going over the homework from last night- the reverse outline of the example persuasive letter and the 6 examples of persuasive tactics for the communism RAFT. From there, we reviewed communism and brainstormed some of the pros/cons of communism to help us with our RAFT. Then, we got together with our communism research group in order to plan out the hourglass outline for our RAFT and then began drafting the RAFT.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark. Tomorrow you need to come to class with a completed hourglass outline for your letter and at least 5 sentences of your letter draft.

Exploration RAFT, adverbs & Persuasive strategies

2011-03-15T16:28:00.000-04:00

6th: Today we began class by watching a video about Hernan Cortes's conquest of the Aztec people in order to have a better understanding of indigenous and explorer perspectives for our RAFT. By the end of class, each student should have had an opinion statement with 3 reasons and a chosen role, audience, topic and format. From there, we worked on our study of adverbs. Each student found out where they would begin in the adverb study and we watched the adverb rocks video to create our definition of an adverb.
Homework: Read and record on bookmark.

7th: Today we began class by taking notes from a powerpoint about persuasive strategies. We learned about:
-using big names
-pathos (emotion)
-kairos (react now!)
-logos (numbers)
-ethos (trust me)
-using research

From there, students brainstormed about how they would use each of these persuasive techniques in their RAFTS. They were to come up with an example for each strategy. From there, we looked at an example persuasive letter and reverse outlined it, noting the role, audience, topic and format and the persuasive strategies used. Then we completed a reverse outline for the letter.
Homework: Read and record. Complete reverse outline of ACMS uniform letter and 6 examples for YOUR RAFT for the persuasive techniques.

Exploration RAFT and Communism RAFT

2011-03-14T16:00:00.000-04:00

6th: Today Mr. H. began class by introducing the RAFT exploration project. For the project, students got their roles and began to brainstorm opinion statements and reasons to support the opinion. Those who did not complete the opinion statement and 3 supporting reasons will do so for homework. From there, students took an ADVERB pretest which will be used to judge where students will begin with adverb work tomorrow. Then, we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record. Opinion statement and 3 supporting details.

7th: Today we began class by writing thank you letters to Mr. Clark for his visit on Friday. Then, we did some PALS- paragraph shrinking. From there, we reviewed combining sentences and took a sentence types assessment to review what we remembered from the start of the year. The assessment will be used to determine where students will start in terms of sentence types work tomorrow. From there, we worked on our RAFT and each student created an opinion statement and suggestion, based on their role.
Homework: Read and record.

European explorers, RAFT and Peace Corps speaker

2011-03-11T16:33:00.000-05:00

6th: Today Mr. H taught the class about European explorers who came to the Americas- we did some reading, listened to a great picture book and then took an assessment. Afterward, students worked on PALS- prediction relay. Homwork this weekend is attached below.
Homework: Read and record and complete the weekly reading check in.

7th: Today we began class by checking out all of the things that we could observe about Nepal in the atlas so that we could have questions prepared for our Peace Corps speaker. From there, Miss D introduced the Communism in China RAFT writing piece that we will be starting. Students brainstormed and decided their role, audience, format and topic for their piece. We will continue to work on these on Monday. For the rest of the class period, we had a returned Peace Corps volunteer visit the class to discuss his experience working as a teacher in Nepal. Students had lots of questions and really enjoyed the presentation. Thank you, Gregory.
Homework: Homework: Read and record and complete the weekly reading check in.

Learning about Tiananmen Square, PALS & Exploration

2011-03-10T16:31:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with Mr. H. teaching us about exploration. We spent some time discussing what exploration is and various exploration that has taken place throughout time. He will continue this tomorrow. For the rest of the class time, we practiced PALS.
Homework: Read and record, bookmarks due tomorrow.

7th: Today we began class by continuing the Communism in China teaching presentations from yesterday. Both groups did an excellent job. From there, we used the rest of the class period to do PALS.
Homework: Read and record, bookmarks due tomorrow.

Indigenous people presentations and Communism in China presentations

2011-03-09T14:38:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we exhibited our indigenous people projects in a museum style. Students did great work with their books and their research! I saw some impressive artifacts and displays. Students took notes on each others' exhibitions as they toured the "museum." From there, we wrote summary paragraphs about what we had learned about the indigenous people of the Americas.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we gave our teaching lessons for the communism in China projects. The last 2 groups, presenting on Tiananmen Square, will be presenting tomorrow. Miss Devine will also collect KWLs and notecards tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record.

Preparing for project presentations: indigenous people & communism in China

2011-03-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by writing our group's bibliography. From there, we used the rest of the class period to be sure that our pages were made, our artifacts were made and our book was bound for exhibition day tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Make sure everything is ready for exhibition day tomorrow!

7th: Today, some of our student received pen pals in Mongolia. How exciting! Ms. Devine met with each research group to check research notetaking. Groups used the rest of the time to prepare for project teaching day, which is tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Make sure everything is ready to go for your group's teaching presentation tomorrow!

Indigenous Peoples' projects and Communism in China projects

2011-03-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by completing our last PALS training lesson- on prediction relay. From there, we had the rest of the class period to work on our indigenous people's project; we wrote final paragraphs, created book pages and developed artifacts. Exhibitions will be Wednesday. Be ready.
Homework: Read and record. Do any work you need to do at home for your exhibition to be ready by Wednesday.

7th: Today we used the class period to discuss what the communism in China teaching project was all about and then we broke out into groups to continue taking notes on our notecards for our research and then planning out the teaching presentations.
Homework: Read and record. Complete notecards and KWL. Be prepared to conference with Miss D tomorrow.

PALS, communism in China and indigenous peoples paragraphs

2011-03-04T15:55:00.000-05:00

6th: Today Mr. H. taught the class about crafting paragraphs with a topic sentence, supporting details and an appropriate concluding sentence. Students began to compose paragraphs on their research, revise each others' paragraphs and then take the final paragraphs and put them on a published page for their book. For the last part of class, we worked on PALS- prediction relay.
Homework: Students need to complete the rough draft of their paragraph(s). Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by making a to-do list of everything that we needed to accomplish for our Communism in China research project. As it stands, teaching presentations are due on Tuesday. From there, we did PALS- prediction relay. The last part of class was used for the project research. Many students completed the research and moved onto planning teaching presentations.
Homework: Read and record.

Communism in China research project & Indigenous people research

2011-03-03T15:53:00.000-05:00

6th: Today Mr. H. taught class again. Students learned how to do a bibliography and then did their own, using the sources they used yesterday while researching. Then, they finished notetaking and research. Some students began to write their paragraphs and had their peers revise it.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow!

7th: Today we began class by introducing a new project- the communism in China research project. Ms. Devine introduced groups and then topics and then groups worked on a KWL, noting things that they already KNOW about their topic. Then, they worked on creating 10 research questions about their topic and had these checked by a teacher. From there, students read their source packets, highlighting main ideas and points in the text. Groups that completed the reading formatted their notecards and began to take notes on their research questions.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow!

Cultural Revolution projects, PALS, and indigenous people research

2011-03-02T14:25:00.000-05:00

6th: Today was Mr. H's teaching day. We...made sure we had all of our research questions written down on our KWL chart and then we reviewed how to set-up index cards for notetaking and then...we went to the library to begin our research!
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by checking the homework- cultural revolution book project posters. Then, we did a PALS activity- paragraph shrinking- and then we met in jig-saw groups to teach each other about our books. We came back together to discuss- what were some of the common experiences that the characters in our books had living under Mao? We had a good discussion about this.
Homework: Read and record.

Mapping and atlas hunt with Mr. H & Chinese Cultural Revolution project

2011-03-01T16:26:00.000-05:00

6th: Today students continued to work on the map exercise they began yesterday with Mr. H. They started their new project on researching indigenous people and began the pre-research process of combing through the atlases to find out where their indigenous populations lived. We will continue this tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record!

7th: Today we spent the entire class period working on our Chinese Cultural Revolution picture book project. Students who did not complete theirs in class must take it home and complete it for homework. Due tomorrow for presentation and discussion!
Homework: Read and record. Complete Chinese Cultural Revolution picture book project.

Chinese cultural revolution & Mr. H's first day and PALS

2011-02-28T15:54:00.000-05:00

6th: Today Mr. H. began his student teaching. He began with Latin America and did a mapping activity with the students before beginning to talk about the indigenous people of Latin America. From there, students began PALS- learning paragraph shrinking.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by checking and going over our Mao timeline from Friday. Then, we introduced the somebody wanted but so strategy that we'll be using to summarize on our picture book projects. Finally, students began the Chinese Cultural Revolution picture book projects. They read their assigned picture books in groups and then began to create their individual posters.
Homework: Read and record.

Book project presentations & Learning about Mao

2011-02-25T16:01:00.002-05:00

6th: We began class today with book project prep time. Then, students shared their book projects in museum and presentation format. We saw some excellent presentations!
Homework: Read and record on your new blue bookmark.

7th: We began class today recapping what we recalled about the Mao movie we started yesterday. Then, we watched the rest of the movie together and discussed what we learned. Afterwards, we began a foldable that we created into a timeline in our comp books, marking what we thought were the 10 most important events in Mao's life. These are due on Monday if you did not finish yours in class.
Homework: Read and record on your new purple bookmark. Mao timeline foldable.

Benchmark exam, Mao Tse Tong, Book projects

2011-02-24T14:07:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by taking a benchmark exam, a mock CRCT of sorts. Students took the Reading and ELA exam. We will go over these scores soon. For the rest of the class period, students had time to work on their book projects, which are due tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow. Book projects due tomorrow- make sure yours is ready to present!

7th: Today we began class by taking a benchmark exam, a mock CRCT of sorts. Students took the Reading and ELA exam. We will go over these scores soon. For the last part of class, we watched the Biography movie: Mao Tse Tung: China's Peasant Emperor.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow.

Pals fluency test, book projects & China preview

2011-02-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with a fluency test that students administered to one another in order to begin to monitor their reading fluency progression with PALS. For the last part of the class period, students had time to work on their book projects, which have a revised due date of FRIDAY. Students need to be ready to present projects on Friday.
Homework: Read and record. Work on book project.

7th: Today we began class by doing the China preview that we began yesterday. Students read Scholastic news articles about China, answered questions, taught each other about what they learned and then added a bunch of new information to the L column of our KWL chart. For the last part of class, students did a fluency test that they administered to one another in order to begin to monitor their reading fluency progression with PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

6B Book Projects and 7B China preview

2011-02-22T13:22:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by sharing our plans for the plot and conflict book project. Students conferenced with Miss D and Mr. H to be sure they were on the right track with their reflections in order to begin work on their book projects. Several students began the book project.
Homework: Read and record. Work on book project.

7th: Today we began class by thinking about what we already know about China, before we begin our study of China. Then, students worked on a China preview activity and began combing through the atlases and a Junior Scholastic to explore this country!
Homework: Read and record.

Book project presentations & Introducing the 6th grade book project!

2011-02-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by doing the term 2 reflection. Then, we talked about the book project options for the upcoming book project. Students got their choice approved by a teacher and then began the book reflection, which is the heart of the book project. The rough draft book reflection is due on TUESDAY for a teacher check, before students begin the choice project. Students must have these things done in their comp book when they return on TUESDAY:

1. What is the conflict in your story?
2. Which type of conflict is this?
3. Plot the plot development of your story on a diagram.
4. Find 2-3 passages where the author uses really interesting, exciting, specific, juicy or descriptive nouns, verbs and adjectives.

Homework: Have a great long weekend. Enjoy the sunshine. Read and record on your new GREEN bookmark. Complete book reflections questions (above) for book project.

7th: Today we began class today by collecting homework- bookmarks, term reflections and book projects. Then, we took 10 minutes to get ready for book project presentations. We did presentations and several students presented in front of the class and several presented in museum format. There were some excellent projects today! Book project grades will be a part of term 2 grades. Term 2 ends today.
Homework: Have a great long weekend. Enjoy the sunshine. Read and record on your new GREEN bookmark.

Picture book project presentations, book projects and conflict

2011-02-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by working on our plot and conflict development projects. Then, we presented these and guessed each group's SOMEBODY WANTED BUT SO chart before it was presented. We discussed conflict types- character vs. nature, self, character and society and decided which books that we read fit into which type of conflict. From there, we brainstormed other books that we had read and which conflict models they followed. Finally, Ms. Devine introduced the book project that students will be working on for the next few days. We reviewed the concepts of plot development, conflict and conflict types so that students could begin reflecting about these in their own, independent books.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow.

7th: Today we began class by completing a term 2 reflection of our work in Humanities. Ms. Devine will use these to write term reports. They are due tomorrow. For the next part of class, we had some time to work on our book projects. Some students- Dominick, Brittney and Kayla presented. The rest of the students will present tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Bookmarks due tomorrow. Make sure your book projects are ready to go and be presented tomorrow!

Conflict/Plot Development project & Book Projects

2011-02-15T16:18:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with independent reading while Miss D checked students' RAFTS. Final drafts were due today and we will share them later this week. Then, students continued to work on their conflict/plot development picture book project in their group. We will be presenting these tomorrow in class. For the last part of class, we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today, for the 1st part of class we worked on book projects. They are due Thursday. For the last part of class we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

Somebody wanted but so...and book project time!

2011-02-14T15:20:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with RAFT work. Those students who had revised and edited published their essays. Those who needed to revise and edit did so. Final RAFTS are due tomorrow. From there, we began to discuss plot and conflict development. We talked about a new strategy- Somebody wanted but so. We looked at conflict and plot development in several stories using this model. Afterward, Ms. Devine introduced the Conflict and Plot Development group project that students will be doing for the next few days. Students began to read their picture books and began the project.
Homework: Read and complete final RAFT by tomorrow.

7th: We began class by collecting final character change essays. We shared some of these and gave each other feedback on what we turned in. Then, the rest of the class time was used to work on character change book projects. They are due to present on Wednesday.
Homework: Read and work on book project.

RAFT time, PALS and character change projects...

2011-02-11T16:03:00.000-05:00

6th: We began class with some independent reading as Miss D checked homework- raft drafts. Then, those who HAD the drafts worked on peer revision/editng and those who did not worked so that they could do peer revision/editing. Final RAFTS are due on Tuesday. For the remainder of the class period, we did PALS.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: We began class with independent reading. We discussed the book project- how students will do a choice project, creating a way to SHOW their classmates how their character changed in the book. Some students chose to work and plan out these book projects (due next week), while other chose to publish their final draft of the essay (due Monday). The rest of the class was used for PALS.
Homework: Read and record. Make sure your PUBLISHED character change essay is ready to turn in on Monday!!!

Character change essays & BWWF RAFT

2011-02-10T15:57:00.000-05:00

6th: We began class today with independent reading while Mr. H and Ms. D checked homework. Then, we discussed one student's excellent example of an opinion statement, 3 reasons, and 3 supporting details. From there, students drafted their RAFTS. RAFT drafts are due tomorrow!
Homework: Don't forget to record reading and get a parent signature on bookmark! Due tomorrow. RAFT Draft due tomorrow!

7th: We began class today with independent reading. Then, we took the STAR test. From there, we peer revised and edited those character change essays. Final essays are due on Monday. Miss D also passed back a portfolio eligible reading assignment and students determined whether or not it was something they wanted to include in their portfolio.
Homework: Don't forget to record reading and get a parent signature on bookmark! Due tomorrow.

RAFT project & Character Change Essay

2011-02-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by discussing author's use of language and how different words could create a different feeling in a passage. We worked on changing words so that we changed the feeling in a passage. Then, we introduced our RAFT project. We decided our role, audience, format and topic, as well as brainstormed about our character's personality and the timing of the piece. We did some brainstorming alone before assembling with students who were focusing on the same role, to expand ideas. Tonight, you need to write your character's opinion statement and then 3 reasons to support the opinion statement, as well as 3 supporting details for each reason.
Homework: Read and record. Tonight, you need to write your character's opinion statement and then 3 reasons to support the opinion statement, as well as 3 supporting details for each reason.

7th: Today we began class with independent reading while Ms. Devine checked students' homework- 3 body paragraphs. We shared out some amazing 3 body paragraphs and then discussed how our essay should have an hourglass figure. We saw example intro and conclusion paragraphs and then looked at Ms. Devine's example essay with a missing introduction and conclusion. The class was charged with writing Ms. Devine's introduction and conclusion paragraphs and then the class voted on the winners. Good work Maya and Spencer, Caston and Sophie! From there, students worked on their own intro and conclusion paragraphs and this needs to be completed tonight for homework.
Homework: Read and record. Complete rough draft of essay due tomorrow.

Plot development, verb assessment, 3 body paragraphs

2011-02-08T14:12:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by thinking about the events that represented the climax in BWWF. We had a debate about what was actually the climax. We discussed what connections we could make with the book and what is currently happening in Egypt. Then, we took our verb assessment. After our assessment, we finished up our plot foldable from BWWF and we thought about strong words that would be used if we were in support or against El Jefe. We will use this brainstorming list to begin our RAFT tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by discussing the idea of theme. We brainstormed what we thought might be the theme in The Breadwinner and then what might be the theme in the other books we've read together this school year. Then, we brainstormed what we thought the theme of our own independent book might be. From there, Miss D checked students' homework- body paragraph planning pages. Those who had done a good job planning proceeded to work on writing the body paragraphs. Those who had not, worked with Miss D to plan out those paragraphs. For the rest of class, we worked on writing our 3 body paragraphs. This needs to be completed tonight for homework:
Homework: Read and record. Complete 3 body paragraphs.

PALS, BWWF and thesis statements!

2011-02-07T15:55:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by explaining the new reading bookmark that must be filled in each night with nightly reading as well as have a parent signature- due Friday. Then, we discussed and did the first lesson of PALS, a reading comprehension & fluency practice that we will be doing 3 times/week. From there, we finished reading chapters 10 and 11 of BWWF and concluded the book. Wow! There will be a lot to talk about tomorrow. We also took the STAR reading test in the lab.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by explaining the new reading bookmark that must be filled in each night with nightly reading as well as have a parent signature- due Friday. Then, we discussed and did the first lesson of PALS, a reading comprehension & fluency practice that we will be doing 3 times/week. We shared out some excellent thesis statements and posted these in the wall in the classroom. From there, we planned out our 3 body paragraphs of our character change essay. Tonight, for homework, you need to complete the 3 body paragraph plans.
Homework: Read and record. Plans for 3 body paragraphs.

Persuasion strategies and thesis statements...

2011-02-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with some verb practice. Then, we continued to talk about persuasion- taking notes on persuasive strategies from a powerpoint and making statements to persuade Mr. Underwood. Then, we began to read from chapter 10 of BWWF. We will finish the book Monday.
Homework: Read and record it.

7th: Today we began class by checking book pages for the week, and defining what a thesis statement is, in our own words. For most of the class, Miss D conferenced with students about their thesis statements. Then, we worked on mapping out the body paragraphs of our essays, based on the thesis statement.
Homework: Read and record it.

Egypt, Character Change & BWWF and verb review

2011-02-03T15:56:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with a reading check-in. We started creating a layered book foldable in class to review verbs. Students need to complete it for homework. After that, we finished up the diary chapter of BWWF. Anita may be in danger! We will find out tomorrow. Then, we discussed what it means to persuade someone of something. We talked about a time when we had tried to persuade someone of something and what we did when we were doing it. We will continue discussing persuasive strategies tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record. Devine will check calendars tomorrow. Complete verb review foldable.

7th: Today we began class with a read aloud- "Listen to the Wind." We discussed what Greg Mortenson is doing in Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring people hope. From there, we spent some time discussing current events in Egypt and WHY people are protesting. We ready pieces of a New York Times article about the reasons why people are protesting, summed these pieces up in groups and then shared them out to the class. We made a list of the top reasons why the citizens are currently protesting in Egypt. We also looked at photos from the recent events. From there, we began working on our Character Change project. We figured out what book we will be using and what character from the book we will be analyzing. From there, we began to write our thesis statements describing how this character from our book changed.
Homework: Read and record. Devine will check calendars tomorrow. Come with a complete thesis statement to be checked tomorrow.

Anita's Diary & Afghanistan and character change

2011-02-02T14:26:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with verb practice. Some students shared their create verb presentations. Then, we discussed drawing conclusions about character traits based on the observations we have been making about the character we are following in BWWF. From there, we began reading the Diary chapter of BWWF. We will finish the diary tomorrow.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by watching the movie that did not work yesterday- Afghanistan Revealed. We took notes while watching the movie and discussed what we learned. From there, we discussed how we would be beginning a project on character change and read Julius the Baby of the World and practiced plotting out how the main character, Lily, had changed. Then, we wrote practice thesis statements about how she had changed.
Homework: Read and record. Complete reading check-in.

Character analysis and Afghanistan Revealed...

2011-02-01T11:20:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by doing some verb practice. Those that did the CREATE verb work shared it out and taught the class. We continued with our character analysis from yesterday. Groups studying the same character combed the book for descriptions and quotes about the character. We shared out our findings with the class. Then, together we read chapters 8 and 9, did our summarizing activity and made predictions about what we believed would happen next.
Homework: Read and record.

7th: Today Ms. D was out a training session. Students continued to explore the readings on the Taliban, summarizing with the RAP strategy and defining new vocabulary. After reflecting on all that they had learned about the Taliban, students viewed a film, Afghanistan Revealed and answered questions as they watched it.
Homework: Read and record.

Characterization and the Taliban...

2011-01-31T15:59:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with practice on verb tense. Then, we did our book check to be sure that each student had an independent reading book. John and Tamia did their book commercials. We discussed characterization and how an author develops a character throughout the course of a book. The 4 ways we discussed are: what the character says/thinks, the character's appearance, what the character does and what others say/think about the character. Then, we signed up to track a specific character in BWWF. We reflected on what we already know about this character from previous chapters in the book and then we continued to add notes to our character tracking by reading chapters 7 and 8.
Homework: Read for 30 minutes and record your reading.

7th: Today we began class with a warmup to reflect on what we already know about the Taliban based on our reading of the Breadwinner. Then, we did our book check to be sure that each student had an independent reading book. From there, we did some reading about the Taliban in Afghanistan and used the RAP strategy to take notes on our reading. We also looked up vocabulary words in our reading. We discussed the reading and the vocabulary.
Homework: Read for 30 minutes and record your reading.

Learning about plot and character and plot reflection...

2011-01-28T15:59:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with verb practice. Ms. D did her weekly collection of "pages read" this week from students. We looked at plot (what is it?) and plot development and learned new vocabulary such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Then, we analyzed BWWF for these aspects of plot. Mr. H presented some real-life historical facts about Trujillo and then we read part of chapter 7 of the book together.
Homework: Read and record. Book check on Monday. Be sure you have your independent reading book!

7th: Today we began class by recapping the plot of The Breadwinner. Ms. D did her weekly collection of "pages read" this week from students. We analyzed Parvana's character in the final 2 chapters of the book and then some of our essay contest students shared out their essays.
Homework: Read and record. Book check on Monday. Be sure you have your independent reading book!

Afghan food day, verbs and BWWF

2011-01-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with some verb practice. Then we did some more verb practice on verb tense with the whole class. Afterwards, we read chapter 6 of BWWF as a whole class and did a wrap up together with our foldables.
Homework: Read 30 minutes and record on reading calendar.

7th: Today we began by sharing out some essays that we wrote for 2 essay contests. There are some amazing writers in our class- wow! Then, we broke off into 2 groups and read aloud chapters 14 and 15 of the Breadwinner, finishing the book. From there, we discussed our perspectives of this book and what lingering questions we had related to Afghanistan and the Taliban. We wrote down these lingering questions on stickies and will build from them in the next few days as we start to discuss the real-life context of the book. After that, we had an Afghan food day with delicious foods made by Kalei, Vinnie, Reid, Joshua and Maya. Thank you so much!
Homework: read for 30 minutes and record.

Verbs, BWWF & The Breadwinner

2011-01-26T14:23:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with verb practice. Then, we finished up term 2 book commercials. From there, we had the last day of verb time for students to complete their progress towards meeting the standard. From there, we read together chapter 5 of BWWF and did our daily plot reflection with this chapter.
Homework: Complete verb practice, due tomorrow. Read and record.

7th: Today we began class by reading chapter 13 of the Breadwinner. Then, we discussed PLOT and plot development, something we haven't discussed since last year. We did a plot development foldable and then we reviewed where the events of the plot in the Breadwinner fall along that plot development chart. Then we talked about the ways that authors depict characters- what they do, what they say/think, how they look and what other say/think about them. We looked at Parvana in the rising action and how the author used these aspects to paint her character.
Homework: Read and record. Afghan food day tomorrow- can't wait to eat what you bring! Yum!

Verbs, Breadwinner and book commercials

2011-01-25T13:54:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with Lydia's create activity. Then, we moved onto some fantastic book commercials. Well done! From there, we had some time to do verb work. Mr. H and Miss Devine checked students' foldables that they have been doing while students did a summary activity, summarizing our reading of chapters 1-4.
Homework: read and record it.

7th: Today we began class with some announcements: Afghan food day on Thursday (see yesterday's blog), letters to Ms. Lydon, the sub, and writing contest submissions. From there, we saw and evaluated some great book commercials. Afterward, we took notes on chapters 9-12 Breadwinner presentations. Then, we began to read chapter 13 independently while Ms. Cannon and Miss D checked students' notes.
Homework: read and record it.

Verbs, BWWF and Breadwinner Jigsaw presentations

2011-01-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

Sunny day! I feel like it's the first in awhile.

6th: Today we began class with verb practice. We had some great book commercials from Yasmine and Jocelyn. Then, we had our verb time, moving and checking at our own pace along the Bloom's verb activities. Finally, we recapped the past couple of chapters of BWWF and listened together to chapter 4, summarizing when we were done.
Homework: Read for 30 minutes and record on calendar. This will be checked on Friday.

7th: Today we began class with book commercials. Ms. Devine collected the writing contest submissions and will collect the rest tomorrow. Then, we did our Breadwinner chapter presentations on chapters 5-8. Finally, we reflected on the characteristics that Parvana exhibited in these chapters, supported by evidence from the text. One thing Miss D forgot to announce today in class is this:

We have spent the past few weeks reading The Breadwinner about Parvana’s life in Afghanistan. On Thursday, January 27th we will be celebrating the culture of Afghanistan by having an Afghan food day. You may bring food or drink from Afghanistan or from the neighboring countries of Pakistan, India or Iran.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes and record on calendar. This will be checked on Friday.

Verbs, BWWF and Breadwinner Jigsaw continued...

2011-01-20T10:56:00.000-05:00

6th: Ms. Devine was out at a Humanities teacher training. With Ms. Cannon, students did verb work, read the rest of chapter 2 in BWWF and did the daily book reflection.
Homework: Read. Make sure you bring your reading calendar tomorrow. You will be asked to calculate your page #s and submit it.

7th: Today we began class with some great book commercials. Then, we worked on our group jigsaw project, due Monday and Tuesday. Students need to finish up teaching posters tomorrow.
Homework: Read. Make sure you bring your reading calendar tomorrow. You will be asked to calculate your page #s and submit it.

Miss Devine will be out tomorrow at a teacher conference in Washington, DC.

Verbs, BWWF and Breadwinner Jigsaw

2011-01-19T14:25:00.001-05:00

6th: Today we began class with more verb practice. Then, we read together part of chapter 2 from BWWF. Then, we saw some great examples of book commercials from our 7th graders to jazz us up for book commercials in the future. Here is the schedule for remaining book commercials this term:
Mon, Jan 24: Yasmine, Steven, Jocelyn
Tues, Jan 25: Sophie, Jmario, Lizzy Sanquweda
Wed, Jan 26: Renette, Jayda, Xavier, John, Angel

Homework: Read and record it!

7th: Today, we began class with book commercials. We saw some great commercials. Spencer, yours was voted most convincing! Then, we started our Breadwinner Jigsaw project. Student are in groups with 2-3 other students. Their job is to read the assigned chapter of The Breadwinner and to do the the project tasks. Chapters 5-8 will present on Monday. Chapters 9-12 will present on Tuesday. Here is the schedule for remaining book commercials this term:
Thurs, Jan 20: Dominick, Maya, Kalei, LaBrittney
Mon, Jan 24: Robert, Kaia, Jory, Khalil, Duvan Andrew
Tues, Jan 25: Ewan, Joshua, Mark, Kayla, Caston

Homework: Read and record!

What's a shalwar kameez? And more...

2011-01-18T14:01:00.000-05:00

Officially back from snow week 2011:

6th: Today we began class with our leveled verb practice. Students moved along at their own pace, getting checked off for their progress as they progressed through verb practice. We saw some good book commercials. Then, we talked about portfolio eligible work for term one- the "On the Front Lines" narrative and the Upstander essay, both for writing. Students who met the standards on the first try or who would like to revise their writing to meet the standards BY FRIDAY may do so.
Homework: read and record it!

7th: Today we began class by reflecting on the Afghanistan webquest that we did on the Friday before the snow. We shared out all of the research that we had gathered. Then, we talked about portfolio eligible work for term one- the government essay, African history research essay and the Creative writing anthology, all for writing. Students who met the standards on the first try or who would like to revise their writing to meet the standards BY FRIDAY may do so. Finally, we concluded class with book commercials and by reading chapter 4 of The Breadwinner.
Homework: read and record it!

Afghanistan webquest and verb-time!

2011-01-07T15:57:00.000-05:00

6th: Today began class with some great book commercials! Then, we did some fun stuff with verbs, including watching the GRAMMAR Rocks verb video and doing an activity to jumpstart our verb work. We did some more practice with action and linking verbs and then finished chapter 1 of BWWF, reflecting on the events of the plot. We did this with a foldable in our journals.
Homework: Complete BWWF chapter 1 activities. Be prepared for your book commercial if it's due Monday. Read and record in calendar.

7th: We began class with book commercials. Kynedi, your commercial really convinced us to read your book. Well done! Then, we read chapter 3 as a class before heading into the computer lab to do a webquest about Afghanistan. We will reflect on our findings on Monday.
Homework: Be prepared for your book commercial if it's due Monday. Read and record in calendar.

The Breadwinner & Before We Were Free

2011-01-06T16:09:00.000-05:00

7th: We began class today by continuing to read Chapter 1 of the Breadwinner and finish our prediction foldable from yesterday. We made a list of all of the new words/concepts we have been learning relating to life in Afghanistan. Then, we did a character foldable about the characters we have read about thus far. Then, we read Chapter 2 and complete a foldable on a chosen character to chart the details about this character so far- what he/she looks like, what he/she says or thinks, what he/she does and what others say about him/her.
Homework: Do your book buddy letter response. Make sure your book commercial is ready if you're going tomorrow. Read for 30 minutes and record it.

6th: Today we began class by setting up our new comp books we'll be using in the new year. Students did some amazing book commercials and I look forward to those presenting tomorrow! Then, we introduced the book we'll be reading aloud, Before We Were Free, by Julia Alvarez. We did some previewing of the book and then read the first part of chapter one, together.
Homework: Book buddy letters due tomorrow. Read for 30 minutes and record it.

Back from break...here we GO!

2011-01-05T14:39:00.000-05:00

So, we're officially back in the swing of things. Here we go!

6th: We began class today by going over our winter reading homework. We made a list of the books we read over break, the number of pages and minutes we read, and our favorite part of our reading. Then, we shared these out in class and Ms. D checked them. From there, we peer edited book buddy letters and turned those in. Afterward, we took a verb pretest to check our current understanding of verbs and then graded these pretests. Ms. D shared an example book commercial and then we spent time writing those commercials. Remember- those of you who are presenting commercials tomorrow. Be ready!
Homework: Prepare your book commercial! Read for 30 minutes.

7th: Today we began class by collecting all of our work from winter break. We wrote down the names of the books we read over break, as well as the number of pages and hours we read. The top reader got a prize! We turned in our buddy letters and then cleaned out all of our Africa work. We signed up for book commercials and had some time in class to prepare them. Then, we introduced the new composition books we'll be using, did a foldable activity to prepare for reading the Breadwinner and then began reading chapter one!
Homework: Make sure your book commercial is good to go...read for 30 minutes.

Nursing home visit, publishing party and the last chapters of our read aloud

2010-12-17T15:57:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays to all! Have a safe and enjoyable break.
Today, we had an advisory trip to A.G. Rhodes nursing home and we had a blast. See pictures in this post.

6th: We began class by explaining the 6th grade winter break work packet. This should be complete when kids return on Wednesday, January 5th. Then, we emptied all of our EUROPE unit stuff from our binders to our pizza boxes because the unit is over. Then, we finished the Last Book in the Universe and discussed the ending. We loved that book.
Homework over break: Winter break work. See above.

7th: We began class by explaining the 7th grade winter break work packet. This should be complete when kids return on Wednesday, January 5th. Then, students had 10 minutes to make sure their anthologies were assembled. Those who were finished enjoyed decaf coffee, popcorn and chocolate truffles while sharing their writing in the cafeteria. Those who did not have theirs finished worked to complete them in the classroom. These students still did not turn in their anthologies and need to complete them over break to be submitted on Wednesday:
Ava, Caston, Naima, Khalil, Dominick.
Homework: Winter break work. See above.

Upstander & Perpetrator reflections & Completing those anthologies

2010-12-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud. Thanks to our guest readers, Jayda, Telia and Mia! Then, we did the last of the upstander/perpetrator presentations. From there, we reviewed our knowledge of the upstanders and perpetrators and completed an assessment to show what we had learned.
Homework: Are you wondering what will happen at the end of the Last Book in the Universe? Come to class and share your predictions with us!

7th: Today we began class by discussing how we would continue creative writing throughout the year. We love it! Then, we spent the rest of class working on the anthology. For those of you who did not come to school today because of the weather, you are STILL expected to have your anthology completed by tomorrow. (Why you wonder? Because they will be graded over the break.) We will be having a publishing party tomorrow to celebrate completing our anthologies. You may bring food and drinks to help us celebrate....but only if it's complete! Here is the checklist to make sure you have EVERYTHING complete at home.
Homework: Work on that anthology and make sure it's complete for tomorrow's publishing party!

Devine/Florez's advisory: remember that we visit the nursing home tomorrow. If you still want to bring some small gifts for the residents, don't forget them tomorrow!

Project presentations and an amazing ALL-7th SHARE DAY!

2010-12-15T14:31:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with a read aloud. Then, we continued onward with sharing project presentations. Thanks to all those who shared today. J'Mario and Sophie and Javontae. You three are our last to share tomorrow. Be ready!
Homework: Read.

7th: Today, we had our all-7th creative writing share day. We broke up into groups and shared our poems and stories with peers from all the other classes. It was amazing and we heard some amaaaaaazing writing. Well done, students. Continue to work on your anthology tonight because it is due on Friday.
Homework: Work on anthology.

Project presentations & anthology work

2010-12-14T15:27:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud. Then, we took time to set up for our project presentations today. Thank you to all those of you who did presentations today. They were very well done! We will hear from all those of you who have not yet presented tomorrow.
Homework: Prepare your project for presentation if you are presenting tomorrow.

7th: Today we began class with a quickwrite. Then, we all worked at our own pace on the various parts of our anthology that we needed to complete. Reminder: anthologies due on Friday. Also, we will be sharing our favorite creative writing piece with the other 7th grade classes tomorrow. Practice, Practice tonight!
Homework: Continue anthology work at home...remember to practice the creative writing piece you will be presenting tomorrow!

Upstander projects, anthology projects

2010-12-10T16:19:00.000-05:00

Today was the Phillips Lighting Earth Day Network Event! We had a modified schedule.

6th: Today we began class with our read aloud. Then, we got back our grades for book buddy letters and the students who did not meet the standard met with the ones who did and these students worked together to improve their letters. Then, we used the rest of the day to complete our upstander projects which are due on Monday.
Homework: Make sure your project is ready to go for Monday's presentations!

7th: Today we began class with a quickwrite. Students are awesome with these. Then, we worked on 3 published pieces by us (at least 2 about Africa). Students revised and edited poems and then published them. After doing this, students worked on finding 3 published poems by someone else.
Homework: Make sure BY MONDAY you have 3 published pieces by you.

Found poem, anthologies and Upstander projects and essays

2010-12-09T15:58:00.001-05:00

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud and drew visualizations of the different and new vocab words we're learning while reading the book. Then, we made sure Miss D had copies of the 5 important facts that we planned to teach the class about during our upstander/perpetrator presentations. Finally, we ended class with project and essay work time.
Homework: All essays are due tomorrow. Is yours ready to go? Also, do any work you need to do on projects at home.

7th: Today we began class by working on a "Found" poem. Students created amazing poems from the found poem. Then, for the rest of class, we worked on our anthologies. Students composed, revised and published poems. All 3 poems published by you are due by the end of class Friday.
Homework: Work on anything you would like for your anthology.

Upstander project & Creative writing anthology!

2010-12-08T14:22:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud. We love this book! Then, we worked on the upstander projects for the rest of class. Some students were still working on the essay while others were working on the project. Due Friday and Monday!
Homework: Complete buddy book letter, due tomorrow. Do any work you need to at home for essay and upstander project.

7th: Today we began class with quickwrites. Man, these students can write! Then, we talked about the creative writing anthology that is due and will be presented next Wednesday for all of the 7th grade. Then, we discussed how students should go about editing and revising each of their creative submissions to "publish" a final draft. Finally, we spent the rest of the class period writing and editing pieces for our anthology.
Homework: You may work on your creative pieces as much as you like at home. Also, remember that you book buddy letter is due tomorrow.

Upstander projects, Home of the Brave and creative writing...

2010-12-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

6th: We began class with the read aloud, as usual. Then we decided on presentation dates for our upstander projects. Presentations of projects will be Friday and Monday of next week. We shared out some awesome example essays that have already been submitted. Then, for the rest of the time, we worked at our own pace- on drafting, revising, editing, publishing and the final project.
Homework: Work on essay and project. Final essays now have a final due date of this Friday.

7th: We began class with quickwrites and shared out some of those we had written. Then, we presented the last Home of the Brave read aloud presentations. Then, we read the final chapter of the book together and discussed our thoughts on the book. Finally, we used the last part of class to dive into our creative writing.
Homework: Feel free to continue to explore the creative writing we have started in class.

Upstander projects & Home of the Brave presentations and creative writing & sharing

2010-12-06T15:58:00.000-05:00

6th and 7th grade BOOK BUDDY LETTERS are due on Thursday.

6th: Today, we began class with the read aloud. Then, we shared out some of the book buddy letters we got from our 7th grade book buddies. Then, for the rest of the period, we worked at our own pace- we drafted, revised, edited, wrote 2nd drafts and then published our essays. Several students typed their final essay in the computer lab and then other began work on their project. Essays are due Wednesday of this week and project presentations will be Friday and Monday.
Homework: Work on essay and upstander project.

7th: Today we began class with some quickwrites, exploring creative responses to prompts. Then, we shared out some of the prompt responses from Friday. We prepared and shared our chapters from Home of the Brave and then had some "earned" time outside from last Friday.
Homework: Those who are presenting the chapters tomorrow- make sure they're good to go!

Upstander projects and & and all-around CREATIVE day for 7B!

2010-12-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

6th: We began class with the read aloud. Then, we shared out some fantastic book buddy letters. We spent the rest of class moving at our own pace- drafting, revising and editing our essays for the upstander project. Miss D STRONGLY suggests that students come to class with their first draft by Monday if they have not already completed it.
Homework: Make sure draft is complete by Monday!

7th: We began class by practicing our read aloud chapters before presenting them to the class. Students practiced all of the elements of a great poetic performance that we discussed in class. We saw amazing performances! Be ready if you and your partner are presenting on Monday. We spent the last part of class really using our creative writing skills on some story prompts. We'll be diving into more creative writing in the coming weeks as we work on our anthologies.
Homework: Make sure your group is ready present the Home of the Brave Chapter- Monday and Tuesday!

Figurative language paragraphs & upstander project

2010-12-02T15:56:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud and quizzed each other with comprehension questions about the chapter. Then, we discussed the idea of "upstander or perpetrator" and figured out how we could support our claim about our historical figure using evidence from our research and the definitions provided by Miss D. Then, we brainstormed lots of reasons about what motivates people and we reflected on the research question: what motivated him/her to do what he/she did?
From there, we took a trip down to the library to get any final research and we drafted and revised essays.
Homework: Book buddy letter due tomorrow!

7th: Today we began class by marking up our google calendar with all of the upcoming due dates and homework assignments. Parents, ask your students about what's coming up in Humanities and ask them to show you the calendar! We shared some amazing figurative language paragraph drafts. Then, we got together with a peer and worked to revise and edit those drafts. We completed final drafts of the figurative language paragraphs and then practiced and practiced on our chapters that we'll be presenting tomorrow and next week.
Homework: Make sure your book buddy letter is ready to go for tomorrow!

Upstander project, book pen pals & figurative language paragraphs

2010-12-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by doing our read aloud. Students quizzed each other with comprehension questions at the end of the chapter. Then, we found out that we're receiving book pen pals- the 7th graders! Students chose and were assigned a 7B pen pal that they will be writing a weekly reading letter to in the reading journal. The first letter is due this Friday and students can plan to get the letter from their pen pal by Monday. We spent the rest of the class progressing with our upstander project. Students drafted their essay and worked with peers to revise their draft.
Homework: Do your buddy book letter by Friday!

7th: Today we began class by discussing our new, 6th grade book buddies! Letters due to buddies on Friday. Then, we prepared for writing our poetry analysis. We searched our chapters for figurative language and checked with classmates to see that we had labeled figurative language correctly. Then, we wrote paragraphs analyzing the author's use of figurative language in the poem. Students who finished early read independently and helped other students. Those who did not finish in class need to complete it for homework.
Homework: Complete figurative language paragraph.

Upstander project and Home of the Brave read aloud project

2010-11-30T13:53:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by explaining the next steps in the Upstander/Perpetrator research project. Ms. D explained how students would write the expository essay and gave out this packet in order for those who were finished with research to go ahead and begin drafting the essay. Students completed research and began to draft their essays.
Homework: If you have not completed the research, you need to have it ALL complete by the start of class tomorrow.

7th: Today we began class by introducing the Home of the Brave read aloud project. Students chose their partners and then got together with their partners to read their assigned chapter of the book, annotate the text, write a summary of what happens in the chapter or poem, and draw something that was visualized based on figurative language.
Homework: If you did not complete all of the steps mentioned above, you need to do so tonight for homework and come prepared with them for class tomorrow.

Upstander research and Throw Down Your Heart

2010-11-29T15:56:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with a Thanksgiving warmup. Then, we used the rest of the class period to complete our upstander project research. Students completed note-taking, checked their notes with Miss D, shared notes with a partner and got feedback from him/her, revised notes and research questions, finished the KWL and submit notes for a grade. Those who did not complete this process must have it complete by the end of the class period tomorrow.
Homework: Work on research.

7th: Today we began class with a Thanksgiving warmup. Then, we used the rest of class to finish watching the movie, Throw Down Your Heart, which we began on Tuesday.
Homework: none

African and European feast days, research and a movie!

2010-11-23T12:09:00.000-05:00

6th: Today in 6th grade we began class by sharing out some of our foldables from last night's homework. Then, we had the EURO feast! We ate delicious things like Black Forest cake from Germany, Irish soda bread, Danish candies, French pastries. Thank you to all of you who volunteered to bring food! For the remainder of class, we conducted our research for our upstander project.
Homework: Have a great break!

7th: Today we began class by discussing the ways in which European contact with Africa impacted the continent. From there, we had our Africa feast day. We had amazing foods such as Groundnut stew, fried plantains, Ethiopian injera bread and more. When we returned from lunch, we watched the Life in the Congo presentation and the movie, Throw Down Your Heart, while taking notes.
Homework: Have a great break!

Upstander project research & Africa presentations and assessment

2010-11-22T15:56:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by discussing research- what the students already know about conducting research. Then, we discussed how research would be conducted in this upstander project. We got index cards, wrote the research question at the top of each index card and then practiced writing things we read in our own words so that we did not plagarize. Then, we conducted research for the rest of the class period. The students did great!
Homework: Bring food for Euro feast tomorrow! Complete foldable reading response, due tomorrow.

7th: Today, we began class with the remaining presentations. Then, we used all the notes we had taken on African history throughout the presentations and completed an assessment to demonstrate what we knew. Then, we began on our homework- the African vocab we'll be discussing tomorrow.
Homework: Complete Africa vocabulary. Bring food for Africa feast tomorrow!

Upstander projects, IR and African History Presentations

2010-11-19T15:58:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class by practicing with an adjective game. We completed the K and W sections of our KWL charts and did independent reading. After returning from lunch, Miss D taught the students how to make a "foldable" for their next reading response, due Tuesday. Students did independent reading and used the foldable to show understanding for the rest of class.
Homework: Students who did not complete the K and W section of the KWL will do so for homework. Remember- Euro Feast on Tuesday!

7th: Today we began class by setting up for the African History project presentations. We watched several group presentations and took notes on what we learned. We still have 2 presentations to go on Monday- African Kingdoms and the Europeans and Life in the Congo. Be ready to present on Monday.
Homework: Those who still need to present, be ready on Monday.

Upstanders & African History presentations!

2010-11-18T16:02:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with a writing diagnostic to help kids set writing goals for the rest of the school year. Then, we took a short visit to the 8th grade poetry exhibit down in the library. We came back, got together with our upstander project partners, chose a European historical figure to study and brainstormed all we knew and wanted to know about this person.
Homework: Reading response in readers' journal due at the start of class tomorrow!

7th: Today we began class by preparing for presentations. Then, we had 2 groups do their African History presentations. Excellent work to the exploration and transatlantic slave trade groups. We also went to check out the 8th grade poetry exhibit and give our feedback to the 8th graders.
Homework: Complete partner book letter tonight. Be ready if you are presenting your presentation tomorrow!

Adjective assessment, project presentations, upstander project & planning African History presentations!

2010-11-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with adjective practice. Then, students took their adjective assessment. Afterward, the remaining students did their BC project presentations and we took notes. From there, we discussed this upcoming upstander project.
Homework: Tonight, students should look at the CHOICES sheet and rank their top 3 historical figures they are interested in studying.

7th: Today we began class by taking a short writing diagnostic that will be used to help students set goals in writing this year. Then, we used the rest of the class period to prepare for our teaching presentations on the African History projects. Students will present Thursday and Friday.
Homework: Make sure you're prepared for Thursday and Friday presentations, depending on the day your group presents. Also- remember, partner book letters are due Friday.

Adjectives and African history projects

2010-11-16T15:42:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we began class with adjective practice. We collected our adjective practice check-sheets and those who made it to the CREATE level of adjectives shared out their projects. Then, we worked independently and with classmates to do the adjective practice packet to prepare for tomorrow's adjective assessment.
Homework: Be sure you've studied and reviewed and are prepared for the adjective assessment.

7th: Today, we peer edited essays one final time. Students will use the feedback received to modify essays to write a final draft tonight if they did not do so in class today. Then, we used the remaining time to work on our timeline artifacts and plan teaching presentations.
Homework: Final essay due tomorrow. Complete yours for homework.

BC project presentations & African timeline artifacts

2010-11-15T15:54:00.000-05:00

6th: Today we spent the class period presenting our book club reading and research projects. Students in the audience took notes on what they learned about each others' books and research topics. We will continue presentations tomorrow. All adjective work was turned in.
Homework: none

7th: Today we created a rubric for how we would assess African history teaching presentations. Then, we had the whole class period to work on our visual timeline artifacts. These will be officially due on Thursday. We will have no more class periods to work on them.
Homework: Work on African timeline artifact, due Thursday.