Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Prized Pumpkin

Today in Language Arts students created skits based on characters and themes from the novel The Outsiders. News reports using 15 current vocabulary words, which include details of "who, when, where, why and how", are due on Friday.

Students also had the opportunity to win a prized, "magic" pumpkin by writing an elegant, detailed and emotional description of a pumpkin and why it should go to their homes. Out of the many wonderful entries, the winners were Lainey T. and Sadie C. Thank you to all who participated.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

This Week in Language Arts

This week in language arts students are writing a News Report using 15 vocabulary words from chapters 7-12 of The Outsiders. The News Report should be similar to a newspaper or news magazine article and include "who, what, where, when, how and why".

Thank you for continuing to check the online gradebook weekly, as well as LA class assignments that are listed under "class activities" to the right of this blog.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Thank you for attending Portfolio Conferences

Thank you for making the time to attend the Student-led Portfolio Conferences last night. It was great to see so many members of the "home team" here at school.

I just completed updating students' Language Arts grades for this week. The progress report you received last night was printed early Monday morning and did not reflect this week's activities. The only grades left for me to enter are the Research Papers, and I hope to have those completed in the next week or so. If you notice any "0"'s , please ask your student to turn that work in to me on Monday. There are also a few activities on the "no name" board.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Portfolio Conferences on Thursday, October 21, 2010

Thank you for making an appointment to participate in Student-led Portfolio Conferences. If you are assigned to me, Ms. Pearson, your scheduled time is at the bottom of this blog, and we will meet in room C 407. If you have not received a conference appointment, please email the conferencing teacher directly or your student's adviser.

The conference will be led by the student, who will explain the documents and progress in his/her classes. If you wish to meet with other teachers, please set up a separate appointment at a different time directly with them.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes PRIOR to your conference appointment so that you and your student have time to go over the artifacts in the student portfolio. It is important that you arrive early so that all portfolio conferences begin at their scheduled time. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please email the conferencing teacher in advance or call the main office.

12:35 - 12:50 PM Dale J.
12:50 - 1:05 PM Annabelle G.
1:05 - 1:20 PM Caitlin L.
1:25 - 1:40 PM Riis F.
1:40 - 1:55 PM Evonna H.
1:55 - 2:10 PM Peter U.
2:10 - 2:25 PM Yasmeen J.
2:25 - 2:40 PM Erin H.
2:40 - 2:55 PM Grace P.
2:55 - 3:10 PM

3:10 - 3:25 PM Griffin K.
3:25 - 3:40 PM Olivia V.
3:40 - 3:55 PM Casey C.
3:55 - 4:10 PM Grace P.

4:45 - 5:00 PM Max G.
5:00 - 5:15 PM Julia F.
5:15 - 5:30 PM AJ S.
5:30 - 5:45 PM Jonah H.
5:45 - 6:00 PM Amanda S.
6:00 - 6:15 PM Elise S.
6:15 - 6:30 PM Hannah M.
6:30 - 6:45 PM Lailah W.
6:45 - 7:00 PM Kate V.
7:00 - 7:15 PM Shyheim W.
7:15 - 7:30 PM Jasmine G.
7:30 - 7:45 PM Hannah E.
7:45 - 8:00 PM Cristian T.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Language Arts Update

It is ALMOST over... Deeeeeep breath......

The last day in the Media Center is Thursday, October 7. Students may still use the computers before school or during lunch.

The final draft of the research project is due Wednesday, October 13, and should be turned in along with the research folder which contains all activities rough drafts, note card, etc). The final paper needs to be in a specific order and stapled once on the top left corner. Please refer to page 13 of the white research packet and page 24 of the green Research Basics for specific information.

Students turned in the complete rough draft on Thursday and were asked to label the significant parts - attention getter, thesis, direction statement, topic sentences, summary statement, restated thesis and clincher. This was good practice for them to make sure they had included all of those elements. On Friday the title page is due.

Students have begun activities while reading The Outsiders. The vocabulary "activity/story" using 15 words from chapters 1 and 2 is due Friday. On Friday students will be quizzed on comprehension of the first two chapters and the vocabulary words in those chapters.

Students should feel confident now about the research process and just need to proofread it again before assembling it for Wednesday.

Thanks for checking this blog and the class activities by week to the right.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Young Authors Conference on October 23

This week I have arranged that students have additional time in the Media Center, and all of my classes will take place there. Students are still expected to bring ALL research materials, including a printed copy of their current, typed work AND a flash drive. They also always need to bring their current SSR book and LA binder.

As always, class activities are listed to the right of this blog under "class activities". Please click on the current week for details about each day.

On Monday, all body paragraphs are due in a typed, rough draft form. Students have been reminded to add a topic senetence for each body paragraph and to proofread for clarity, spelling, grammar and mechanics.

All students are encouraged to attend the Young Authors Conference, and there is plenty of room. I have attended it several times, and it's a great experience for writers of all levels. Students in my LA classes will receive extra credit if they attend.

Students are finishing their rough drafts this week and proofreading for errors, checking for clarity, and adding details. Please look over the "Proofreading Rules" sheet with your student, which will be passed out on Monday. The best help is for your student to read his/her work OUT LOUD to you so that he/she can "hear" any areas that may not make complete sense.

We will begin The Outsiders this week. Please encourage your student to read it with class and not discuss it with others who may have already completed the book.