March 23rd

HOMEROOM:
CNN student news and Music today.

WRITING:
DOL Day 3 and we went over some papers that were turned in and discussed the BIG writing test tomorrow.

March 21st

HOMEROOM:
CNN, PE, and weekend in review
5 questions for the DARE role models due WEDNESDAY.

WRITING:
DOL day 1. DOL Tests got returned, final writing assignment due tomorrow. Students had 45 minutes in class to work on this

March 17th

HOMEROOM:
Spelling Test, CNN, and PE

WRITING:
Students did the final day of DOL and will have a test tomorrow. They also wrote notes to their parents that they will get tonight at 7:00pm when they come to the Conference Night! The topic was as follows:


In a multi paragraph essay, explain to your parents what improvements you have made since 1st trimester, and what improvements you will still make.

If, by chance, you think your are perfect, outline in the paragraphs why you are so perfect and what you have been doing to maintain your perfect lifestyle.

This should be ~3 paragraphs. Make sure you use support with personal examples.
This will be due at the end of the rotation

March 16th

HOMEROOM:
Music and News
*Spelling due tomorrow as well as a test

WRITING:
DOL days 2 and 3. Peer edited the introductions from Monday. Started on the conclusions. Went through the 3 styles of conclusions:

Call to Action: the writer implores the audience to change.
Offer a Solution: the writer suggests some possibilities to resolve the problem posed.
Make a Prediction: similar to a startling statement, this can be a warning or an encouragement.

First draft of conclusion will be due tomorrow (Thursday).

March 14 (pi Day)

Homeroom:
PE and CNN and local happs

WRITING:
DOL and started on Introductions. First draft of intro is due tomorrow.

The 3 Styles of Intros we will use are:
Inquiry/Questioning: The writer asks thought-provoking, maybe even edgy, questions to capture the reader’s interest.
Preparatory Definition/Explanation: The writer defines or explains the subject before discussing it in detail. Setting the scene.
Scenario/Anecdote: The writer provides hypothetical or personal examples to illustrate the topic.

HOMEROOM:
Library and CNN. We also celebrated a birthday today.

WRITING:
DOL test #24 and we peer edited the 2 paragraphs that were due. No homework this weekend.

March 10

HOMEROOM:
Spelling Test #24, PE, and CNN current events.

WRITING:
Today I collected the paragraphs and gave feedback on each one and handed them back. Assigned today was to write the next two body paragraphs which will be due tomorrow. Students had 50 minutes to work on the assignment in class.

March 9th

HOMEROOM:
CNN and Music today

WRITING:
Totay we peer edited our 3 body paragraphs in powerwriting format. Tomorrow, 1 written paragraph is due. Students will have time in class tomorrow to work on the other 2.

March 8th

HOMEROOM:
CNN and Spelling. Spelling will be due Thursday. We will also have a test. We also have a new seating arrangement. :)

WRITING:
Today we discussed examples and how to use them appropriately. Students were given the assignment to create 2 examples, using the layering process, for each of their 9 details they created yesterday. This is NOT an easy task. That is why I gave them 45 minutes in class to work on this.

March 7th

HOMEROOM:
PE, CNN, and This Week

WRITING:
Students took 3 of the ideas from their web and started the powerboxes. Due tomorrow is 3 main points that each have 3 sperate details to support. We will then start working on the examples tomorrow.

REMEMBER: the more time that is taken at each step now, makes the rest of the steps that much easier.

March 3rd

HOMEROOM:
Spelling Test and we also had a Charachter Counts assembly too.

WRITING:
DOL Day 4. We will have a test tomorrow.

In class we went over the pros and cons that the students created. For their assignment, they ned to come up with a web, with a minimum of 5 main ideas, for both FOR and AGAINST competitive sports for kids. This is due tomorrow. Here is a smll sample of some of the ideas that they came up with:

PROS:
Forces kids into sports
Makes you the best you can be
Less obese kids
Deal with kids unlike yourself
Keeps kids out of trouble
Less heart disease
Builds character i.e sportsman ship
Strive to do better in all areas
More active in everyday life
Make friends
Learn to work with a team
Prepares you for the real world
Responsibility
Commitment
Stronger
Deal with defeat and disappointment
Healthy
Gives kids something productive to do
Teaches new skills
Enhances new talent
To be humble and graceful
Lifetime skills
Exercise and sleep balance (worn out)
Builds family strength (mom and dad cheering/bonding)
Fun
Look forward to something later in life…create future goals

CONS:
Expensive
May no be on same team as friends
If you only play at recess or neighbors, you will not be as good
Injuries- life in danger
Pressure
Bad influence (negative behavior to win)- steroids
Made fun of
Takes over social life/free time
Emotional issues
Lower grades if they become the focus
Kids can’t handle not winning
Make excuses which become normal/acceptable
Too much of a sport could be bad
Unhealthy if too involved at a young age
Gets too competitive
Only play to impress parents/acceptance
May be forced to participate
Transportation issues
Parents may not be able to support
Not ready for the responsibility
Not enough time for other activities
Bad weather

March 2

HOMEROOM:
Music Specialist and CNN events.

Spelling due tomorrow as well as a Spelling Test.

WRITING:
We discussed the conversations that the students had with their parents about Kids in Competitive Sports. The students that completed the assignment worked in groups of 4 creating a pro and con list. Those students that did not do the assignment, needed to work on their own and come up with a similar list. We will work from this tomorrow.