Monday, October 24, 2011

Monday Oct 24th

Today classes took a look at the purposes and strategies for generating titles...Students also worked on their yellow outlines in class. 

Next up...sentence outlines.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wed Oct 19th

Today we wrote the writing unit test and worked on outlining topics for opinion pieces.  Next week we will move from the yellow outline /5, to the sentence outline /10, to writing a full-fledged 5 paragraph opinion piece.  Next Friday you will have the opportunity to share your opinion with each other and convince the class that you are right.

Homework: READ your independent novel.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Mon Oct 17th

Today we reviewed what thesis statements are all about and what they must include as well as ways to ensure that you have chosen a workable essay topic.  We are moving into writing a persuasive essay that must convince (purpose) the audience (me + peers) that you are right about your topic. We read and dissected "Queen of Hearts" an article about Princess Diana.  This essay is a good example of the five paragraph essay format...this was a good exercise to make sure that everyone is clear with the structure and requirements of an essay.

Homework:  READ, study for writing unit test  /43 on Wednesday

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Thurs Oct 13th

Today we had our first Reader's Workshop - a great success for the majority of students.  We began by going over expectations and what RW is all about.  I had a chance to chat with each student individually about their reading and what the novel they are currently reading is like.  It was great to see and hear how students are choosing wisely and trying to improve their reading.  Keep it up, remember your job is to improve your reading and writing.  You'll need to MAKE time to read and practice in order to get better.

Homework:  READ!!!

Overdue: privacy/technology paragraphs, essay topic mindmaps

Upcoming...opinion pieces, Writing Unit test Wed Oct 19th!!!

Enjoy the sunshine! 

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thurs Oct 6th

Today we began a recurring assignment that we will visit from time to time through the school year.  Journal writing is another way to write, to explore connections, and consider other points of view.  Today's journal prompt was a quote from Martin Luther King.  His words challenge us to consider the question:what are you doing for others?

We also learned about the four types of essays and read "A Nice Place to Visit" an example of a narrative and persuasive essay.

There was also a bit (though not enough) time to edit rough drafts of privacy/technology paragraphs.

Homework:  READ your independent novel, good copy + rough copy + edit sheet of paragraph is due on Tuesday Oct 11.

Upcoming:  Readers Workshop Thursday Oct 13th, students MUST have an independent novel that they can spend up to an hour reading, writing unit test tba...

Overdue:  SMART Reading 1, 2, 3, "I am reader/writer paragraph, binder check

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday...hope you all have a great turkey dinner (or something yummy) with friends and family.  See you next week!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tues Oct 4th

Today we talked about the importance of considering your audience (who you are writing for) and purpose (why you are writing) when you write.  Students practiced isolating both variables using articles and handed in their sheets.

We also had a chance to finish PRIVACY/TECHNOLOGY paragraphs and began to self-edit them. 

Homework:  finish rough draft and finish first side of edit sheet - we will do some peer editing together next day.  Both of these items must make it to class with you tomorrow.