Assigned for tomorrow is for students to finalize their 3rd body paragraph...done to their best ability.

Assigned for tomorrow is for students to finalize their 2nd body paragraph...done to their best ability.

nTake your powerbox paragraph #1 and put it into a “normal” paragraph form.  Best Draft!

nThis will be due Monday.

nBefore turning it in, check for the following:

• n

Best handwriting

n

Correct side of paper

n

Paper in new condition

n

Spell checked and read out loud

Today we corrected the powerboxs that were assigned yesterday, complete with all the power 3s, in class.  Students were able to see what they did well, and what still needs some adjusting.  I modeled it on a ppt as well so they could see exactly what they needed.

Assigned for tomorrow is for students to finalize the powerboxes from today...done to their best ability...as well as their next powerbox paragraph.  They should be in powerbox format.

Parents (and students), the rubber is really hitting the road now.  We are definitely seeing a break in those that understand what we are doing, and those that do not.  One thing that successful students seem to have in common is that they turn in assignments regularly and pay attention to instruction.  There is no magic happening, or smoke and mirror presentations...just consistency.  I have been getting quite a few "excuses" lately for some reason.  Unfortunately that does not help their success.

Today we went over the next set of powerboxes for the power 1sand 2s.  We did some in class editing. 

Due tomorrow are all 3 body powerboxes.  Just the p1s and p2s though.  The ones that we corrected today should be in finalized form for tomorrow though.

Today we went over the power 1 and power 2s that students worked on last night.  Assigned today was to fix up those and then get one more set of powerboxes done (power 1 and power 2s only).

Today we took on day 1 of week 10 of DOL.  Students got their test #9 back as well.

 

Assigned today, and due tomorrow was the following:

 

Complete 1 of your powerboxes in the discussed format.  Make sure you do the following:

1.

1. Use an appropriate transition word 
2. 2.State the point of the paragraph.  DO NOT state the position again.  DO NOT!

Today we went over the intial power 1 sentences and saw the good and the bad.  Assigned for tomorrow is:

 

Your Power 1s in finalized format.  NO EXCUSES!

Transition word, position with for/against, the point of the paragraph, and a complete sentence. 

 

Also, DOL test #9.

Today students got their DOL test #8 back and we checked off their writing assignment that was actually due on Monday.

We went through what their power 1s should look like.  They need to have the following:
1. Power 2 transition word
2. For or Against
3. Point of the paragraph

Example: 

One reason I am for having cell phones at school is in case you have to call home.

Students needed to create 3 new sets of powerboxes and only write in their power 1s.  Easy...right?
Tomorrow we will not be at school.  Students will be taking the STA bus to Riverfront Park and watch an IMAX and then ice skate.

Students took DOL Test #8 today.

The rest of the time they worked on their power 3s for the other 2 sets of powerboxes.  All three sets of powerboxes will be due Monday.  Students had over 20 minutes to work on these in class.

Today we went over the assignment that was due...taking the web to powerbox format.

We have a DOL test tomorrow as well.

Then, we went over what Power 3s should look like (the examples).  Here is a gist of what was presented in class:

• nThe power 3s, otherwise known as the examples, are what really make your paper talk.
• nThese need to be real life, visual, feeling based, examples. 
• nIf the reader reads your example and says, “so what,” then you have not done your job.  This is the real personal persuasive part. 

Today we went over the webs with the power 1s and power 2s.  We did some peer editing and started to transfer those over to the powerboxes.  Due tomorrow are 3 sets of powerboxes.  No power 3s needed yet.  Just moving what they had today to the box format.  Students had about 10-15 minutes in class.  They should have had enough time to complete this in class today.

We went over day 3 of DOL.

 

Then, we talked about he webs from yesterday and showed the next progression.  Assigned was the following:

 

You will need to come up with 2 details for each of your 3 main points.  These are your POWER 2s.  You may come up with more, but 2 is the minimum. This will be due tomorrow.

Today we started our first writing assignment.  Due tomorrow is the web.  They must have a minimum of 5 main ideas for the topic they decide to write about.  The following were the options:

• nChange in school lunches
• n4 day school week (same total hours, 1 less day)
• nTransportation to/from school (e.g. school buses) 
  
  
  Students had 10-15 minutes to work on this in class.

We had DOL test #7 today and we talked about the upcoming paper that we will start next week.

Also, permission slips went home for our Halloween trip on the 31st of this month.  We will be going to the IMAX and then will be ice skating.  Please make sure you get that sent in asap.

That's about all.  Have a great weekend!

Students shared their paragraphs today and we talked about "showing" not "telling," in their writing.  I then gave them the following paragraph to re-write changing the boring words that are in red.

You are a middle school student.  Essay in one hand, you go to class.  “I’m done!” You smile.  The teacher takes the essay out of your hands and throws it away.  She says, “It’s a day late!”  You look at your hard work.  The teacher didn’t look at it!  The No Late Homework Policy is bad.

DOL Test #6 tomorrow.

Sorry for the missed updates.  The Mead Tech Dept. added a new filter and we could not access our classroom blogs.

Anyway, we discussed position statements.  Students wrote their own position statements and added a supporting paragraph.  They presented their position statements in class.

We also did some DOL.

Today we finished our presentations where the students shared a letter to a certain audience.  Based on the writing, we were to determine "who" they were writing to.

Tomorrow we will have a DOL test.  Study for it and likely you will do well.  Want a hint on what sentences will be on it?  Here ya go:

i always...
there taking...
the class...

That should get you going in the right direction.  And, you are welcome :)

Cookies were awarded to the wi8nners of each rotation.  They sure were soft and good.  Yum.

Also, we continued working on our activity that focuses on "audience" when we write and the importance.

Of course we did a day of DOL as well.  We will have a test on the sentences Friday.  I REALLY like the chance the second sentence from today will be on the quiz...really like the chance.  Did I say really?  Look at the rewards you get from reading this blog.

We had some seriously intense campaigning today!  Students presented their last presentation on why they deserved the cookies.  The winners were identified, and cookies will be delivered on Wednesday.

We also did DOL...not nearly as exciting as the presentations.

Students presented "why" their group was deserving of the cookies.  We will continue this on Monday.

Friday, students will have a DOL test.  It would be great if they came in prepared for the quiz...hint, hint...maybe a little study time?  For those of you who read this blog, let me help you.  All 4 sentences we corrected today in class WILL NOT be on the test.  That should help you.

 DOL sentences started the day off...4 of them.

We went over the questions form yesterday and talked about their "persuasiveness." 

Tomorrow students will present why their group of 3 should get cookies.  Should be interesting.

We reassigned some rotations today and did another day of DOL.

Also assigned were 3 questions from a powerpoint based around these 3 ideas:

1. How do you decide to go along with something?
2. How do you get people to go along with you?
3. On a scale from 1-10, how persuasive are you?

These all need to be in written format and are due at the beginning of the period.

We finally got into rotations today and we already found a small error that we will fix soon.  But we are finally rolling with the mixed up rotations.

In Writing we did some DOL and then we talked about some momre persuasive purpose.

9/20/12

Final drafts of the initial writing sample were due today.  Students had some time to work on them, and if they didn't finish them, hopefully they will have them by tomorrow.

Also, we went over 2 days of DOL.  They will have a quiz on the sentences we looked at tomorrow.  I will give them some some in class to review them and ask any questions.

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Well, there were only 2  people who came up to me with the secret saying for the Jolly Ranchers.  So, I suspect that there are only 2 people reading this blog.  Interesting.

Today in Writing, we continued to work on our writing sample.  I suspect that tomorrow will be the last day we work on this.  But I will check at the end of the periods to make sure.  One more day will likely be enough.

Monday, Sept 17th

Today we got started on the writing assessment.  This assessment will help me to understand where each student is in their writing.  I suspect they will have through Wednesday to complete this.  That equates to about 45 minutes a day, for 3 days, in writing class.  If you happen to see this, come see me after 9:15 am on Tuesday, and say the words, "Writing makes me more smarter," for a free Jolly Rancher.  Limited to the first 3 students.

No homework tonight.

Thursday, Sept. 13th

Tomorrow we will have a DOL test (#2) as well as a quiz on Expository and Persuasive writing.  Students will be able to use their notes on the later...if they have them.  They were encouraged to take them in class, and were told they would be able to use what they took, on the quiz.  How easy is that?

The First Post of the 2012/13 School Year

You have come to the right place!  The 2012/13 school year is underway.  Hopefully you will bookmark this page and come to it daily to check and see what homewaork your child has...unless you are a student of course... then you will be seeing what homework YOU have.

As a bonus, the first person to come to me on Sept. 14th, AFTER 9:15am, and says the words, "Jimmy Jack Corn," I will give them a Pepsi.  Again, AFTER 9:15am on Sept. 14th (Friday).

Welcome!

Title            Style                       Page

“DEF”        Autobiography        1-2

“XYZ”        Limerick                 3

“XYZ”        Limerick                 4

“XYZ”        Limerick                 5

“ABC”        Haiku                     6

“ABC”       Haiku                       7

“ABC”       Haiku                       8

“DEF”        Cinquain (word)       9

“DEF”        Cinquain (syllable)   10

“JKL”         Acrostic                  11

“JKL”         Acrostic                  12

“MNO”      Sensory                   13

“MNO”      Sensory                   14

“?”              Other                       15

Today students had 25 minutes to answer questions 1-10 on "David Swan." Then, students were instructed to find 5 more pieces of what they considered "good writing" and write that down as well. This will be due tomorrow. If you need to see the short story, click HERE.

Today we went over the questions from "The Last Leaf," and started a new short story "David Swan," by Nathaniel Hawthorne.Students will then respond to a small group of questions at the end. I will give them time in class tomorrow to do the questions, but I included them below as well. If you need to find the short story, it can be found HERE.

The short answer question are as follows (time will be given in class for these):
7. In the first and last paragraphs, Hawthorne makes the meaning of the story very clear. Which two or three sentences in these paragraphs best express the meaning?

8. Find the words "old and beautiful idea" in paragraph 4 on page 128 (if on line, do a 'find' for the word sequence). What does the author seem to be referring to?

9. The story contains several suggestions about how David Swan spent the rest of his life. What job did he probably get? Did he ever find his true love?

10. "David Swan" is even older that "The Lady or the Tiger." It dates back to 1837. Suppose you were told to rewrite the story in a modern setting. What changes would you have to make?

The following are questions from "The Last Leaf." These questions will be due on Wednesday because we have DARE in writing tomorrow.

We read "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry. It can be found HERE.

We also took DOL test #25 and students received their writing tests back.

No school Friday.

Today we did the final day of DOL for this week and students were given 35 minutes to work on their assignments (final paper) that will due tomorrow. That assignment is "The Lady of the Tiger?" final 4 paragraph paper.

If students choose to type their papers, make sure they follow the guidelines we have already discussed. If they hand write the paper, it must be done in PEN and only use one side of the paper.

Again, due first thing tomorrow.

Also, DOL test #24

Conclusion

The conclusion needs to include the following

Title

Author

2 Emotions

What was behind the door (your position)

Prediction as to what happens after the choice is made. This is NOT about immediately after the door is opened, but rather, what will happen with the princess/man. Basically the consequences (can be good or bad) of the choice.

Assigned today was modifying the 2 sets of powerboxes for "Lady or the Tiger."

• Modifying the Powerboxes
• Adding transitions words
• Adding sentence starters (2 per paragraph)
• Adding figurative language (1 per paragraph)
• Adding FACTS. The likely will be the quotes from the short story itself.

Students had 20 minutes to work on this in class. If students still need a copy of the story, see the prior blog post with the link to the story.

Using the short Story by Frank Stockton, "The Lady or the Tiger," decide which came out…the lady or the tiger. If you need to re read the story, you can find it HERE.

You will eventually write a multi paragraph essay citing evidence from the story to support your claims.

This will be written the same way you would write a persuasive essay since you are essentially persuading the reader to side with you.

Focus on details from the story to support your side. You may also use personal experience.

Remember when you use sentences from the short story, to put them in quotes.
Example: In the story, it stated that, "The semi-barbaric king had a daughter…"
The quoted section comes directly from the short story and therefore you need to put it in quotes.

Due Tomorrow, come up with your side/position and 6 details from the story to support your claim.

Final paragraph is due tomorrow for all rotations...in final draft form (see earlier post re: final draft).

DOL test Thursday for rotations 1-3, and DOL test for Rotation #4 on Friday.

DARE Today.

DOL Test Tomorrow.

Due tomorrow is the introduction paragraph and the rest of the paragraph (except the conclusion). Students had about 15-20 minutes to work on this in class.

In the paragraph the need to have the following (minimally):

Introduction strategy (scenario/anecdote, define/explain, questioning)
position stated
3 power 2s
The second and third power 2s NEED to have appropriate transitions words
The second and third power 2s SHOULD restate the position of the paper
You need to include AT LEAST 2 sentence starters
You need to include AT LEAST 1 figurative language strategy discussed in class
Each one of you power 2s MUST be supported with a FACT

Assigned today was to start on the introduction of their paragraph. It should probably be about 3-5 sentences and must include the following:

Position for/against
Use one of the intro styles:
Scenario/anecdote
Questioning (not ideal)
Define/Explain

This will be due tomorrow. Students had 10 minutes to work on this in class.

Students ere handed back their quiz on figurative language and sentence starters.

Assigned today was the next writing assignment. This will be one paragraph, but very detailed. Due tomorrow is 2 topics with points and examples in web form. Students had 20 minutes to work on this in class.

Longer recess

Chewing Gum in class

Hats in school

Homework time in class

Vending machines in school

Field trips

Pay to Play (sports fees for students)

Also tomorrow we will have DOL test #20

Today we took DOL test #19.

Students also got their "favorite winter moment" paper back and were given this assignment that will be due Monday:

Take your current 9 sentence “winter” paragraph that has an alliteration, personification, simile, and metaphor, and change any of the sentences so that you have at least 1 of each type of sentence starter.

– Subject Start

– “ly” start

– Preposition Start

– “-ing” start

– “ed” start

DOL Test Tomorrow!!

Assigned today was a worksheet of sentence starters that will be due tomorrow. Students had about 20-30 minutes to work on it in class.

Here is some information that I told them I would add in case they needed a little refreshing:

A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition.

e.g.-about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, but, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, onto, out, outside, over, past, since, through, throughout, till, to, toward, under, underneath, until, up, upon, with, within, and without."

– The book is on the table.

– The book is beneath the table.

– The book is leaning against the table.

– The book is beside the table.

– She held the book over the table.

– She read the book during class.

Example of Preposition starter: Over the table, she held the book.

4. An “ing” Starter (action verb) e.g. Bending over slowly, the two boys examined the second container.

When you use an –ing sentence starter, you must have an additional action verb in the sentence.

EX: Falling from the horse, I BRUISED my shoulder.

AVOID using passive verbs like is, are, was, were, am, have, had, been, be…)

EX: Falling from the horse, I was on the ground. (yawn…boring).

When you use the –ing, you need a comma separating the two clauses. The first clause tells the action, the second clause has the action verb.

EX. Leaving the party, the children chatted with each other.

Assignment for today, due tomorrow. Also, DOL Test tomorrow too!

Today you will write a paragraph that incorporates all the facets that we have been working with:

Metaphors

Similes

Alliterations

Personification

Show don’t tell

Compose one paragraph that uses each of the strategies you have learned. Make sure to have an introduction that addresses the ‘purpose.’ This paragraph should be a minimum of 9 sentences.

“What is one of your most memorable winter/snow moments?”

Assignment today is a worksheet that has 4 opportunities to change a "telling' statement to a 'showing' story. Due tomorrow.

Also, have them shovel the driveway...and sidewalk...and the neighbors too. :)

School tomorrow. I am making the call right now at 2:30 pm Wednesday.

Due tomorrow is the final draft of the 'winter break' paper. This should be in FINAL draft form. See prior posts for those expectations.

DOL Test Friday.

Students corrected the Simile, Metaphor, Alliteration, and Personification worksheet. We then discussed adding an alliteration and personification to their winter memory paragraph. That will be due tomorrow.

Students also were handed back their DOL test #16.

We took a DOL test today and corrected the Simile and Metaphor paper from yesterday.

Assigned today was to add 2 metaphors or similes to their paper. It can be 2 metaphors, 2 similes, or one of each. But they should be appropriate.

Students had 15 minutes to work on this in class. This will be due Monday.

Students received a worksheet on Similes and Metaphors that will be due tomorrow. They had 15 minutes to work on this in class.

DOL test tomorrow.

Creating a baseline paper:

“Write a multi sentence paragraph about your favorite momement of your break.”

*Minimum 7 sentences

This should be a a detailed paragraph of a specific experience.

Students had 15+ minutes to work on this in class.