4/30/15 Last Day of April!

English 8A:  After DOL/journal, students were given some time to work on their outline and vocabulary.  The remainder of the class was spent reading Anne Frank in cooperative reading groups.  *homework: outline - read AR
English 8B: After DOL/journal, students were given some time to work on their outline and vocabulary.  The remainder of the class was spent reading Anne Frank and completing a summary/predict/QAR sheet independently.  *homework: outline - read AR
English 7B:  Students took the class novel quiz 2.  When finished, the remainder of class was spent working on the business letter rough draft (due tomorrow).  *homework:  business letter rough draft - read AR
English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed the class novels in small groups.  When finished, students read in cooperative reading groups for the remainder of class.  *homework: business letter rough draft - read AR

4/29/15 We Need Kleenex Donated in the Classroom! Please...

All English 8:  Notes from at least 3 sources were due today.  Students were given some time to work on their outline in class (due Friday).  They spent the remainder of the class in reading groups and completed an activity on the Anne Frank character wall.  *homework:  all vocab. due Friday - outline due Friday - read AR
English 7B:  The pre-write activity for the business letter was due today.  Students were given some time to work on their rough draft, which will be due Friday.  There will be a quiz tomorrow on the class novel, which includes the vocabulary words from last week's spelling list (students have had this returned to them for studying).  There is no spelling program this week due to the assigned essay (students are expected to work on it at home as well as in class). *homework:  rough draft of essay due Friday - study for Quiz (Gathering Blue to pg. 99 - The Giver to pg. 79). 
English 7A:  The pre-write activity for the business letter was due today.  Students were given some time to work on their rough draft, which will be due Friday.  They spent the remainder of class in reading groups completing text evidence activities for each novel.   There is no spelling program this week due to the assigned essay (students are expected to work on it at home as well as in class). *homework: rough draft due Friday - read AR

4/28/15

All English 8:  Students were given time to work on notes for their research project.  We discussed vocabulary list 3 for Anne Frank.  Students wrote a thesis for their research paper as well as started an outline.  *homework:  Vocabulary: categories - notes (due tomorrow) - outline (due Friday) - read AR
English 7B:  Students created a double-bubble thinking map showing similarities and differences between friendly and business letters.  Each student will come up with a business/organization to write a letter to suggesting improvements or changes.  The pre-write for this assignment is due tomorrow.  *homework: pre-write - read AR
English 7A:  Students took a quiz today for their class novel.  After the quiz, they created a double-bubble thinking map showing similarities and differences between friendly and business letters.  Each student will come up with a business/organization to write a letter to suggesting improvements or changes.  The pre-write for this assignment is due tomorrow.  *homework: pre-write - read AR

4/27/15

All English 8:  Students were given time to work on notes for their research project.  Assigned this week was Section 3 of the Anne Frank vocabulary list.  Synonyms and antonyms are due tomorrow for word discussion.  *homework:  vocabulary synonyms & antonyms - read AR
English 7B:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in cooperative reading groups.  There will be no spelling work this week as students will be assigned an essay due Friday (business letter).  We will start work on that tomorrow.  *homework: read AR
English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in cooperative reading groups.  There will be a quiz tomorrow for both Gathering Blue and The Giver.  Gathering Blue students have a few pages to read tonight independently (to pg. 99).  There will be no spelling work this week as students will be assigned an essay due Friday (business letter).  We will start work on that tomorrow. *homework: Gathering Blue (read to pg. 99) - read AR

4/24/15

All English 8:  All vocabulary homework was due for the Section 2 Anne Frank list.  This was collected before taking the test.  Also due today was written documentation of the 3 sources selected for the research report (at least one must be a source other than the Internet).  Notes for the report (from at least 3 sources) are due next Wednesday (4/29/15).  After the test, students were able to read AR or start taking notes from their sources.  *homework:  notes for research report - read AR
All English 7:  All spelling homework was due for the class novel word List 2.  This was collected before taking the test.  Students were given some time to check the grade book, work on missing/late work, or read AR.  *homework: read AR

4/23/15

All English 8:  Students were given time to write in journals and do some research for their report (find sources).  They spent the remainder of the class working in cooperative groups reading Anne Frank.  *homework:  all vocab. due tomorrow - study for TEST - read AR
All English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in cooperative groups reading their class novel.  *homework: all spelling due tomorrow - study for TEST - read AR

4/22/15

All English 8:  The class journal final entry and illustration was due today.  Students spent the remainder of class reading Anne Frank in cooperative reading groups.  *homework:  vocabulary definitions - read AR
All English 7:  After sentence stretching and journal, students read their class novel in cooperative reading groups.  *homework: spelling definitions - read AR

4/20/15

Paperclips everywhere today!!!  What an amazing sight to see!!!

Here is a short video of the Paperclips project documentary we watched last week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzBF1GI222g

All English 8:  Students were given a research report packet.  The assignment is to choose a topic and get a parent/guardian signature on the packet this evening.  Anne Frank vocabulary list for Section 2 was also assigned this week. Students worked in cooperative reading groups for the remainder of class.   *homework:  signed packet - vocabulary: synonyms & antonyms - find 3 research sources by Wed. - read AR
All English 7: After DOL/Journal, students were given List 2 spelling words for their class novel.  Students worked in cooperative reading groups for the remainder of class.  *homework: spelling: synonyms & antonyms - read AR

4/17/15

English 8A:  Students worked on editing/revising & typing their class journal entry.  This is due in digital copy format (email or "drop it to me").  The entry and illustration will be due next Wednesday in order to start publishing the final journal.  *homework: read AR -  check grade book for missing/absent/redo work
English 8B: Students finished their class journal endings.  We will read & vote on the one to be published Monday.  Students also worked on editing/revising & typing their class journal entry.  This is due in digital copy format (email or "drop it to me").  The entry and illustration will be due next Wednesday in order to start publishing the final journal. *homework: read AR -  check grade book for missing/absent/redo work

All English 7:Students worked on editing/revising & typing their class journal entry.  This is due in digital copy format (email or "drop it to me").  The entry and illustration was due today.  If students needed to take any part home for finalizing, it must be turned in Monday at the beginning of class. *homework: Final class journal & illustration if not completed - read AR -  check grade book for missing/absent/redo work

4/16/15

English 8A:  We read all class journal endings and voted on the one to be published with the final class journal.  The winner will be revealed tomorrow.  *homework:  read AR - check grade book for missing/absent/redo work
English 8B:We read the entire class journal, and students wrote endings.  We will read them all and vote on the one to be published with the final class journal tomorrow or Monday.  *homework: read AR - check grade book for missing/absent/redo work
All English 7: After DOL/Journal, students worked on editing & typing their class journal entries (due Friday).  The illustration is also due tomorrow.  *homework:  work on class journal final entry & illustration (due at end of class tomorrow) - read AR

4/15/15 AzMerit TESTING (last day)

All English 8:  AzMerit  TEST  - Reading Part 2 & Math Part 2 (tested until lunch)  *homework: read AR - check grade book for missing/absent/redo work
All English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students worked on editing and illustrating their class journal entry.  This is due by Friday.  *homework: edit & type class journal entry (due Friday - digital) - read AR- check grade book for missing/absent/redo work

4/14/15 AzMerit TESTING

All English 8:  AzMerit  TEST  - Reading Part 1 & Math Part 1 (tested until lunch)  *homework: read AR - check grade book for missing/absent/redo work
All English 7:  Students finished watching the documentary Paperclips.  They were each given paperclips with the premise that they will tell others why they are wearing them.  Each student wrote a response to the film.  *homework: read AR- check grade book for missing/absent/redo work

4/13/15 AzMerit TESTING

All English 8:  AzMerit Writing TEST (tested until lunch)  *homework: read AR
All English 7:  After completing a KTWL Tree Map, students watched the documentary Paperclips.  We will continue this tomorrow.  *homework: read AR

AZMerit TEST Schedule April 13-15

Schedule:

Monday - Writing assessment

Tuesday - Reading & Math Part 1

Wednesday - Reading & Math Part 2

 

*The 3-8th grade assessments will be completed on paper (much like AIMS) rather than on a computer. 

 

Please make sure: 

1. Students are present and ON TIME (no tardies)

2. Students are well-rested

3. Students have eaten a healthy breakfast either at home or at the school cafeteria (higher protein & whole grains - less sugar)

4. Encourage students to be relaxed, prepared,  and do their best!

 

4/10/15

All English Classes:  The final argumentative essay (AZMerit prep) was due today.  Students spent the rest of the class taking the AZMerit Practice Reading TEST online.  This will familiarize students with the type of questions and passages they will see on the real test next week.  *homework:  read AR

4/9/15

All English 7 & 8:  AZMerit Prep - Argumentative Essay:  Students worked on writing the rough draft, editing & revising, and creating a final essay.  If this was not completed in class, it is homework (due tomorrow).  *homework:  final essay - read AR

4/8/15

All English 8:  Anne Frank Section 1 Quiz - We discussed different types of pre-write activities for essays, and students chose one to use for the assigned argumentative essay.  Starting on the rough draft would be beneficial, as the final is due at the end of class tomorrow.  *homework: pre-write (start rough draft)- read AR
English 7B:  Students took the class novel quiz (Gathering Blue or The Giver).  After the quiz, students worked on a pre-write for the assigned argumentative essay.  We discussed different types of pre-write activities for essays as well, and students chose one to use in this assignment.  Starting on the rough draft would be beneficial, as the final is due at the end of class tomorrow.  *homework: pre-write (start rough draft) - read AR
English 7A:  We discussed different types of pre-write activities for essays, and students chose one to use for the assigned argumentative essay.  Students worked on both the pre-write and rough draft in class.  We will revise, edit, and create the final tomorrow.  *homework:  finish rough draft - read AR

4/7/15

All English 8:  Students finished writing their class journal ending.  We discussed the azMerit writing test and started an assignment in preparation for it.  Students should read & annotate the passage associated with this assignment so we can start a pre-write activity tomorrow.  For the remainder of class, students worked in cooperative reading groups.  **Anne Frank quiz tomorrow through pg. 24.  *homework:  read & annotate passage - read Anne Frank through pg. 24
English 7B:  We discussed the azMerit writing test and started an assignment in preparation for it.  Students should read & annotate the passage associated with this assignment so we can start a pre-write activity tomorrow.  For the remainder of class, students worked in cooperative reading groups. They will have a quiz tomorrow about the class novel (The Giver to pg. 39 - Gathering Blue to pg. 30).  *homework:  read & annotate passage - read class novel to assigned page
English 7A:  We discussed the azMerit writing test and started an assignment in preparation for it.  Students should read & annotate the passage associated with this assignment so we can start a pre-write activity tomorrow.  For the remainder of class, students took a quiz on the class novel - either Gathering Blue or The Giver.  *homework:  read & annotate passage - read AR

4/6/15

English 8A: We read the class journal from beginning to end, and students spent time writing an ending.  Students will vote for the ending winner this week.  We read within cooperative reading groups for the remainder of class.  There is no vocabulary program this week as we are preparing for the AZMerit testing next week.  *homework:  read AR
English 8B:  After DOL/Journal, students read in cooperative reading groups.  There is no vocabulary program this week as we are preparing for the AZMerit testing next week.  *homework:  read AR
English 7B:  After DOL/Journal, students read in cooperative reading groups for the remainder of class.  There is no spelling program this week as we are preparing for the AZMerit testing next week. *homework: read AR
English 7A:  Students read all of their class journal endings and we voted for the final ending to be published with the story.  We read within cooperative reading groups for the remainder of class.  There is no spelling program this week as we are preparing for the AZMerit testing next week.  *homework:  read AR

Bella's Eggs Hatched over Easter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feLlumWXHLY&feature=youtu.be

4/3/15 Have a Great Weekend!

All English 8:  All vocabulary homework was due.  Students took the Anne Frank (section 1) Vocabulary TEST.  *homework:  read AR
All English 7:  All spelling homework was due.  Students took Gathering Blue or The Giver spelling TEST 1.  *homework:  read AR

4/2/15

All English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in cooperative reading groups to read Anne Frank.  *homework:  all vocabulary due tomorrow - study for vocab. TEST - read AR
English 7B:  All students read their class journal endings to vote for the one to be published with the book.  After voting, students worked in cooperative reading groups to read their class novel.  *homework: all spelling due tomorrow - study for spelling TEST - read AR
English 7A:  Students worked in cooperative reading groups to read their class novel.  *homework: all spelling due tomorrow - study for spelling TEST - read AR

4-1-15

All English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in cooperative reading groups to start the Anne Frank novel.  There is a link to the audio version on my blog.  *homework:  vocabulary definitions - read AR
English 7B:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in cooperative reading groups to read The Giver and Gathering Blue.  *homework: spelling definitions - read AR
English 7A: We read the entire class novel today, and students wrote an ending.  Each student will read his or her ending, and then the class will vote for the one that is published with the journal.  Reading groups will continue tomorrow.  *homework: vocabulary definitions - read AR