Week of Sept. 26

Friday
We graded the test students took yesterday.
Today we focused on creative writing and stretching the brain to think differently. These writings went in the students' journals that are kept in the classroom.
Homework:
Review vocab from Week 2


Thursday
Students took Week 3 Vocab Test.
They read the novel individually while finding evidence in the text to back up the character traits they saw in Johnny.
Homework:
Review vocab from Week 2



Wednesday
BTales #6
Vocab: vapid, barbs
We discussed characterization and practiced writing a short literary response.
We read the novel to the end of section 4 (Ch. 1).
Homework:
Journal Entry/Literary Response #2
Week 3 vocab test tomorrow.



Tuesday
Handouts: Character Traits (pink sheet - 2-sided); Understanding "Character" Analysis
We began our class novel, Johnny Tremain.
We did not review Day 1 & 2 words, nor hand out the Day 3 & 4 w/s.
Homework:
Complete a one-paragraph response to the section of the novel we read today (to the top of page 17).
Study the Character Analysis sheet (green)


Monday
Students took a short Parts of Speech / Sentence Structure Pretest, which was turned in (not yet graded)
Posted on the SmartBoard:
Fill out your agenda for the week.
Then, in your writing journal (this period's bin at the back of the room):
- put the date on a fresh page
- write for 5 min. about this past weekend
- when finished, pick up the w/s from the front desk
A few students shared their writing with the class (not mandatory).
We then read w/s 65-66, Ethos, Pathos, & Logos, as a class, and in pairs completed the assignment at the top of p. 66 before sharing out. We did not do the bulleted assignment at the bottom of the page. Students are to keep the worksheet in their Literary Elements notebooks and refer to it when writing persuasively (e.g., as in their upcoming Social Studies assignment).
Homework:
Week 3 Day 1 & 2 w/s - Test on Thursday
w/s 63 (Connecting Paragraphs) - due Friday

Week of Sept. 19

Thursday
I collected both w/s from Tues. and Wed.
Students presented their PowerPoints.
I distributed the Phx Library cards.
Homework:
Review Week 2 words - test in context next week.




Wednesday
We spent time in the computer lab signing up for Book Adventure, a free reading motivation program sponsored by Sylvan Learning and Read Across America.
Students also had time to type up their pen pal letters and send them to me as an attachment.
I did not collect HW, as time was so short.
Homework:
Persuasion w/s 62 (Think Elbows!)
Review Week 2 (Day 1-4) Vocab - test of words in context next week.




Monday & Tuesday
I returned the rough drafts with comments on Monday.
Students continued working on friendly letters and slideshows to their penpals.
On Tuesday students took the Silence, Reticence Quiz.
Homework:
Remember to do WordSmart Challenge twice this week and chart results
Review Week 2 vocab for in-context quiz HW for Tuesday included Persuasion w/s 13-14

Week of Sept. 12

Thursday & Friday
Students watched the presentations from our pen pals in the Ukraine and began writing friendly letters to their partner(s).
Handout: Friendly letter rubric
Homework:
Friendly letter due end of period Friday
I will review rough draft over the weekend and provide feedback on Monday
Silence, Reticence test next week.
Review Week 2 vocab for in-context quiz


Wednesday
We went over the Silence, Reticence vocab definitions to make sure we had them matched correctly. Test on these words next week.
We then watched the presentations from our Ukranian pen pals and took notes on the students' hobbies and favorite things to do.
Homework:
Week 2 vocab test tomorrow.



Tuesday
Handout: Silence, Reticence (vocab)
We listened to and sang along with the song several times, and then students worked on matching up the definitions.
Students had time in class to read.
Homework:
Always bring a book to school.
Study Week 2 vocab (test on Thurs.)


Monday
Students continued Homework:
Respond to survey (on my website) by Monday if you haven't already.
Study vocab!

Week of Sept. 5

Friday
Students took Reggie the Con Man vocab test with Week 1 words.
I collected the graphic organizers from "The Bet."
We discussed planning and organizing the persuasive essay using a flee map, and then practiced with a prompt.
Homework:
Respond to survey (on my website) by Monday if you haven't already.
Study vocab!



Wednesday & Thursday
I collected the homework (pink sheets on Persuasive Techniques) Wed.
We continued discussing and taking notes on persuasive techniques.
We reviewed Week 2 vocab w/s. Test on these will be next week.
Homework:
Remember to do WordSmart Challenge and chart the results 2x each week.



Tuesday
This week we are studying Persuasive Techniques in anticipation of students having to write a persuasive essay in their Social Studies classes. Students completed a worksheet and then began taking notes as we discussed a PowerPoint on persuasion.
Homework:
Week 2 Day 1&2 w/s
Review Week 1 Vocab - test in context this week (plus dictation).



Monday
No School - Labor Day