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.