Self-Starter: Students finished filling in their interview papers by talking with classmates they hadn't "interviewed" last time.
1. Students set up their composition books. Any students who don't have their composition books should get them as soon as possible. If your family can't get one, please talk with Ms. Dorsey.
2. Today's vocabulary word: "background knowledge," also called "schema" = what you already know. Both this and yesterday's word will go in the composition book under vocabulary.
3. Poem -- as another exposure to poetry, and to show the importance of background knowledge to understanding. See nearby post for "Nancy Hanks" by Rosemary Benet.
4. Everyday Editing -- Share and Celebrate.
"Serial commas help combine sentences and expand ideas by using sensory detail -- specific nouns and verbs." p. 50 of Everyday Editing by Jeff Anderson
"Lists can be a way to add specifics to our writing.'" p. 51 (sensory details)
Model sentence:
His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and age. -- Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
An IMITATION of the model sentence:
Hector's room smelled of gym socks, Hot Cheetos, and lies. -- Jeff Anderson
Ms. Dorsey's IMITATION of the model sentence:
My car smells of Armour-All vinyl cleaner, banana peels, and teenagers.
Students worked together to create an imitation, describing the interior of a car.
Then each student used this framework to create their own sentence in their composition book (first entry under "writing"):
[Place] smells of ____________, ____________, and ______________.
Students were given time to write independently, creating more description based on that sentence, or creating other "smell of. . . " sentences.
We listened to a song titled "That Smell," and smelled some room deodorizer.
Students shared and celebrated sentences.
5. Celebrating
In some of the classes, Ms. Dorsey read the book I'm in Charge of Celebrations by Byrd Baylor to the class. This book encourages celebrating, observing, and making connections.
6. Spelling -- Students should have their lists of names to spell and should be PRACTICING. It's a good idea to come up with memory helps for the more difficult names. For instance:
"If you're going to throw something in tech. ed., you'd better not aim at that man -- not at Mr. Aiman."
or, picture Mr. Thornton, dressed as a knight in armor, wielding his sword to try to cut through a ton of thorns, or just picture his classroom filled with thorns so you remember how to spell his name.
What ideas do you have to help yourself and others remember how to spell the teachers' names? Extra Credit Opportunity for those who bring original ideas to me!
7. Disclosure Document -- Students received the disclosure document. Remember to return the signatures and VIP form by September 1.
