Letter About Literature due Tuesday

A Reminder about the Letter About Literature Requirements

1. Strongly suggested to be turned in by Tuesday, November 24
2. TWO typed copies
3. 12 point Font – Times New Roman or Courier
4. Double spaced (but no extra spaces between paragraphs)
5. Entry coupon filled out – parent signature is not required – use the school’s address
6. 300-600 words
7. List and describe specific experiences that are similar to the book
8. List and describe your EMOTIONAL connection to the book
9. Title of book should be in italics
10. Run spell check, and then read it out loud again
11. Sign your name on each copy above your typed name and after your closing salutation

Sincerely,

______________________ sign name here

Janet Schmanet

12. Name and school address in upper right corner

Janet Schmanet
325 South Kenilworth Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302

End of Trimester

The Celebration Meal/Thanksgiving Monologues have been terrific, quite poignant and very funny. Students really enjoyed sharing this piece of creative writing in class.

As this trimester comes to a close, there are a few due dates remaining. Progress reports are being passed out in class on Thursday for you to review, sign and return.

Language Arts – On Friday the Grammar Packet should be completed and turned in. The vocabulary 7 activity/story is due, and there will be a vocabulary quiz during class.

Literacy Skills (Ms. Pearson’s class) - The Reading Journal is due Thursday in class. All AR quizzes must be completed and all book summaries must be turned in by Friday. Students have been aware of these due dates all week.

I wish your family some rest, celebration and peace during the upcoming week.

Thanks for your continued support.

Due Dates this week

Language Arts - The Celebration Meal Monologue is being performed on Wednesday, 11/19, in class. Please ask your student to rehearse/perform it for you as practice. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to turn in the Letter About Literature by Tuesday, 11/25, which is BEFORE Thanksgiving break. The final due date in Tuesday, December 2. It needs to be 300-600 words, typed, and double-spaced, following the format of the previous winners. TWO copies are required.

Literacy Skills - The Freak the Mighty Creative Project is being presented in class on Tuesday, 11/18. Students may leave their original art work in my room earlier in the day rather than leave it in their lockers.

If you are extending your holiday activities, please make sure your student turns in all assignments prior to leaving for Thanksgiving break. This is the cutoff for the 1st trimester.

Thanks for your support.

Important Due Dates and Reminders

Today in Language Arts students "stepped into" a personal memory. They started listing their "writing territories" earlier in the week and began writing about a specific one today. It was wonderfully silent in class as each student was transported back in time, adding their senses and details to a previous experience. Ask your student about this activity. Today each student received a progress report for Language Arts. Please sign and return it.

Each student needs to start bring a flash drive to class. We will be typing stories and activities as often as possible. Students are expected to save onto the hard drive at school IN ADDITION to their flash drives.

Important Due Dates:

Friday, Nov. 7 - Permission slip is due to see the film of Freak the Mighty - Ms. Pearson's Lit Skills class only.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day - there will be no school.

Wednesday, Nov. 12 - LA classes will visit the Book Fair. Please remind your student to bring money PLUS 8.75% tax, if they wish to purchase that day. Students could bring an extra dime for each dollar they wish to spend.

Tuesday, Nov. 18 - Presentation of Lit Skills Freak the Mighty Final Creative Projects - Ms. Pearson's Lit Skills class only.

Wednesday, Nov. 19 - PERFORMANCE in class of Celebration Meal/Thanksgiving monologue (info about this next week)

Tuesday, Dec. 2 - LAST day to turn in TWO, TYPED copies of Letter about Literature to an author (students have these handouts). Students have strongly been encouraged to turn this activity in BEFORE Thanksgiving break.

Thanks for your continued support.

Letter About Literature and Literacy Skills Creative Project

Language Arts "Letters about Literature": All students are writing a personal letter to an author about a piece of literature that has affected them. This letter will receive a grade in LA, as well as be submitted to a national contest. Your student has been given specific directions and examples from the national winners last year. TWO copies of the TYPED letter are due by Tuesday, December 2, with the entry form stapled to the back. It would be best if your student finished this letter BEFORE Thanksgiving break. Late letters will NOT be accepted. Please refer to the contest website for more information: http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters/pdfs/lal-2008-entry-guidelines.pdf

Literacy Skills Final Creative Project: Your student was given a sheet that outlines the final, creative project. This project will be PRESENTED in class on Tuesday, November 18. Students usually prefer the more artistic choices listed first, but any choice is acceptable. Permission slips to view the movie are due by this Friday. Both of these are available in handouts to the right of this blog. Please discourage your student from watching the film in advance as we will see it in class.