December 7, 2010

December 7, 2010

Come prepared with your Symbolic Story Representation for your Book-of-the-Month Club book. See the tab above for Book-of-the-Month.
Your SSR is due on the first day of presentations.  Be ready to present when your group is called to do so. 


Reading Minute:
A1
A2
A3
A4  Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Holes by Louis Sachar
Ghost in the Machine by Partrick Carman

Extra Credit: What is the difference between the words "stationary" and "stationery"?  Come tell me for extra credit.
Answer:

Brian P. Cleary

Stationary or stationery? Simple, Simon. Stationary means fixed in one place -- not moving. Think: stationary bikes are “anchored" in place, so use the letter “a.” Stationery is the paper and “envelopes” used for writing, so use “e.”

_______________

Giver Reading Packets:

Giver Chapt. 3-6 Questions.doc

Giver Chapters 7-9 Questions.doc

Giver Chapters 10 - 12

 A few presentation pics:

The best presentations used symbolic colors and shapes, rather showing everything literally. 

Symbolic Story Grading.doc

Nov -Dec Book sign-up.doc

December 3, 2010

December 3, 2010

Bell-Ringer: Paragraph Packet, finish page 13, go on to page 14 if time allows.

Practice  new assignment: fore-   and review older words and meanings.   Test December 9
See the tab for Spelling above, and scroll down to Test #5. 

Reading Minute: See assignments on class calendar below in the margin at your right.
A1- Swindle by Gordon Korman
A2- none
A3- Eggs by Jerry Spinelli and Physik by Angie Sage
A4-none

The Giver:
Chapter 3 +  Reading Groups and Questions, consider SSR (symbolic story representation)
A1
A2 -- through chapter 5.
A3 
A4

Your SSR is due on the first day of presentations.  Be ready to present when your group is called to do so.

Giver Chapt. 3-6 Questions.doc

Giver Chapters 7-9 Questions.doc

Giver  Chapters 10 - 12

December 1, 2010

Reminder: Your SSR is due on the first day of presentations -- December 7.  Be ready to present when your group is called to do so.

Bell-Ringer: Paragraph Packet, page 13

Spelling: Take Test #4.  The suffix -ate. See the tab for Spelling above.

Receive new assignment: fore-     Test December 9
See the tab for Spelling above, and scroll down to Test #5.  

Reading Minute:
A1-  SSR on Hunger Games
A2-  Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz
A3- Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
A4-none

Computer lab -- More on Paragraphs
Compare and Contrast -- for writing a paragraph
  Practice writing a compare and/or contrast paragraph.

Select this prompt: 
A1, A2 Comparing and Contrasting Candies on MyAccess   http://www.myaccess.com
A3, A4 Candy Comparing and Contrasting on MyAccess     http://www.myaccess.com
 

Comparing and Contrasting Candies or Candy Comparing and Contrasting

Transition Words for Comparison/Contrast Paragraphs 

Book Fair Preview -- We did not have time to go to the Book Fair, so make sure to visit it during lunch or during Parent-Teacher Conference.

Next time:
The Giver:
Chapter 3 +  Reading Groups and Questions, SSR (symbolic story representation)
A1
A2 
A3 
A4 

Updated 11-30-10 from  11/29/10 from 11/22/10

Comparing and Contrasting Candies

Computer Lab Assignment:
Comparing and Contrasting Candies or Candy Comparing and Contrasting

Today -- December 1, 2010 -- in the computer lab, you will use My Access to write paragraphs about the candies.  If you have extra time, work more on the paragraphs we did last time.
As you open MyAccess, check for messages from me!
As you edit your paragraphs, watch for comments from me.

On MyAccess, look for this assignment: Comparing and Contrasting Candies
  or Candy Comparing and Contrasting


Prompt:
You have received two different candies and filled out a Venn diagram to compare and contrast them.

Now you will write two complete paragraphs comparing and contrasting those two candies.
The first complete paragraph should compare (show similarities between) your two candies.
The second should contrast (show differences between) those same candies.  For details use the Venn diagram you have created about the two candies.

Do the following for each paragraph:

• Remember to include a topic sentence, several supporting details, and a clincher (concluding sentence).
• Make sure each of the two is a complete paragraph.
• Make sure each detail supports the topic sentence.
• Use transitions, but not too many.
• Revise to create complete, correct, "colorful" (specific) sentences.  For instance, use specific and interesting (and accurate) words to describe the colors.
• Revise for complete sentences.  use a variety of sentence beginnings.
• Carefully edit your work for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, etc.
• You may use the spell check, the My Tutor, and other tools that are available here.

See the Transition Charts in a nearby post.

Transition Words for Comparison/Contrast Paragraphs

TRANSITIONS TO COMPARE ITEMS accordingly also as comparable to in the same way in the same manner in conjunction with this just as like likewise similarly sometimes

Transition Word List from Ms John.doc

TRANSITIONS TO CONTRAST ITEMS although as opposed to but conversely counter to even so even though however in spite of this in the meantime nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand otherwise sometimes still yet

TRANSITIONS TO CLARIFY for example for instance in other words put another way seems clear from this simply stated stated differently that is to clarify to illustrate the point

TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION additionally again along with also and another as well besides equally important finally for example for instance further furthermore in addition likewise moreover next together with

TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE accordingly all in all as a result consequently due to finally in closing in conclusion in short in summary in the last analysis lastly logical conclusion is therefore thus to conclude

TRANSITIONS TO ENUMERATE These transitions are to be used as sets; more transitions can be added to each set as needed. first second third one important equally important most important a significant another significant of greatest significance first next last in the beginning toward the middle at the end one also in addition

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences this Thursday, 4:00 - 7:30. 

Book Fair Tuesday through Thursday -- including during Parent-Teacher Conference.

Books make great Christmas gifts.  

During third term we will be reading historical fiction, biographies, and autobiographies, and literary nonfiction.

These are some titles I've seen at the book fair that I'd like to get.  They would probably interest many students, too.

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld -- the follow-up to Leviathon
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park -- based on a true story about life in the Sudan
Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud  -- the same author who has written the Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Ghostopolis by Doug Tennapel  -- graphic novel

November 29, 2010

Bell-Ringer: Paragraph Packet, page 12 (Apply what you learn to your own writing.)

Spelling: Practice for  Test #4.  The suffix -ate.  See the tab for Spelling above. Test next time.
  (We made a folded paper study help for the suffix, spelling words, and meanings. )

Reading Minute:
A1- None
A2-  None     
A3- Taming the Wind by Michelle Thompson
A4-Deep, Dark, and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

The Giver:
Chapter 3 +  Reading Groups and Questions, SSR (symbolic story representation)
A1
A2 -- whole class chapter 3
A3
A4

More Coming:
Compare and Contrast -- for writing a paragraph
  Practice writing a compare and/or contrast paragraph.

Important reminder: 
Don't forget to be reading your novel and preparing to create and present an SSR for December 7. 

Updated 11/29/10 from 11/22/10

Another Extra Credit

From Brian P. Cleary

ANAGRAMS are words made by rearranging ALL of the letters in one word to form another. Example: Stop -> pots -> post -> opts -> tops. WITHOUT CHEATING, can you get 4 or even 5 words using ALL of the letters in LEAST? 

Show me any you can get for some extra credit. 

Look through other posts for more of these challenges I've borrowed from Brian Cleary.

November 22, 2010

Bell-Ringer: Paragraph Packet, page 11


Spelling: Receive handout for the suffix -ate.  See the tab above for Spelling to get the information now for Test #4.

A2 took the test on extra-.

Reading Minute:
A1-  Magyk by Angie Sage
A2- Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
       Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
A3- none
A4- none


The Giver:
Chapter 3 +  Reading Groups and Questions, SSR (symbolic story representation)
A1 finished chapter 3
A2 just got started working in groups
A3 finished 3 and well into 4
A4  finished 3 --some into 4.


Extra Credit:  If you begin your statement with the two words, “If I”, nine times out of ten, your next word should be what?  

Here is the answer:  Your next word should be “were” not “was.” Example: “If I were wealthy, I’d be happy.” As long as what comes after the “If I” statement is untrue (I’m not wealthy), which in fancyspeak is in the subjunctive mood, you want “were.”  from Brian P. Cleary 
Explain this to me for extra credit.

Romeo and Juliet

     The high school is presenting Romeo and Juliet.  Receive extra credit for attending and writing up a brief -- a paragraph or two -- report on their presentation of the play and your experience watching it, and handing that in with a program or ticket from the play.
     Also, I have a few cards that will let you get two tickets for the price of one. See me before you go.

November 18, 2010

Deadline to receive points for book-of-the-months sign-up 
New Seating

1. Bell-Ringer: Perfect Paragraph Packet, page 10.  --This page will be corrected today.
Hand in your  book-of-the-months sign-up sheet.
Prepare for your spelling test. 

Perfect Paragraph Packet.pdf

2. Spelling test on extra-  See the tab above for Spelling.
A1, A3, A4 will take the test on November 18.
A2 will take the test on November 22.

Legibility/correct formation of letters counts! Capitalize only letters that should be capitalized. 

 _________________________________
Next spelling test:

Vocabulary/Spelling #4              Test on December 1, 2010

Suffix to study:   -ate which means cause, make, operate upon (This suffix makes verbs.)
Words to learn for the spelling test:
1.    separate
2.    create (on state list)
3.    segregate
4.    dominate
No retakes will be available, so study the words and word parts sets as they come. 

Extra credit for spelling #4 -ate

1. The se- in separate means "apart."

2. The crea- in create means "to make."

3.  The "greg" in segregate means "flock."  

4.  The "domin" in dominate means "master or control."

 _____________________________

A1, A3, A4 will take the test on November 18.
A2 will take the test on November 22.


3. Reading Minute:  See the calendar on this blog for the date you signed up for.
A1    Palace of Mirrors by
A2   The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
A3  Bridge to Terabinthia  by Katherine Paterson
 Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix
A4 - Quiver by Peter Leonard


4. Continue  Reading The Giver -- 760L --Observe for evidence of what the community portrayed in this book is like.
All classes are up to chapter 3.

For later:  

The Giver   Giver Chapt. 3-6 Questions.doc

Giver Chapters 7-9 Questions.doc

Ideas for SSR -- symbolic story representations

 

November 16, 2010

Bell-Ringer: Fill out the Giver Anticipation Guide


Counselors with A2 Media Safety Presentation?


Reading minute -- See the class calendar on this blog if you're wondering what day you have signed up for.
A1  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
A2  Fablehaven  by Brandon Mull
A3  Peek-a-Boo (I See You!)  by Mary Martinez
A4  Among the Free by Margaret Peterson Haddix


Teacher example of an SSR (symbolic story representation) for the Book-of-the-Months assignment. See the tab above for Book-of-the-Month.

Spelling -- Don't forget to study every school day for ten minutes or so, at least until you're certain you have the spelling assignment mastered.  See the tab above for spelling. This week: extra-
Class activity for the spelling words. 


A1, A3, A4 will take the test on November 18.
A2 will take the test on November 22.


Begin Reading The Giver -- 760L --Observe for evidence of what the community portrayed in this book is like.
A1  through page 4
A2 2/3 of the way through page 3
A3 2/3 of the way through page 6
A4 through page 4

Anticipation Guide for The Giver.doc

Vocabulary for The Giver

 

_____________________________________

Class jobs --

 

Originally posted November 9.  Updated November 13.

The Composition Book, Term 2 So Far

The Composition Book, Term 2 So Far
___________________
November 2 --
In your composition books --

Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the movie of The Outsiders that we watched to the book.Either compare (tell about things that are the same), or contrast (tell about things that are different.) Don't bite off more than you can chew.  (Keep your topic small enough.) 
___________________
Notes on what you observe in the community of The Giver
___________________
Your appointment "clock."

__________________
Reading Minutes:  Don't forget to record the reading minute(s)  each day, including book title, author, and whether or not you would like to read more.

November 12, 2010

1. Bell-Ringer:
a. Complete page 16  in the Perfect Paragraph Packet. (Yes, we're skipping several pages for now.)

Perfect Paragraph Packet.pdf

b. Prepare for the Spelling Test

Legibility/correct formation of letters counts! Capitalize only letters that should be capitalized. 

2. Spelling test on -able/-ible.  Remember -- no retakes.
Receive assignment for the next test on the 18th: extra-
A1 and A2 did not receive  copies of next week's assignment today.   See below or the tab above for Spelling, and find the information for extra-.  Be prepared for your test on the 18th.

_______________________Really Great Suggestion: Study your spelling for 10 minutes a day

Vocabulary/Spelling #3              Test on November 18, 2010

 Prefix to study:   extra- which means beyond or outside

Words to learn for the spelling test:

1. extraterrestrial
2. extraordinary
3. extravagant
4. extrovert                                   

You are responsible for learning the prefix and the spelling words.

Extra Credit:

terra: earth

ordinem: "order." extra ordinem = "out of order," especially the usual order

extravagant: vagārī “to wander”

vert: turn

_________________________

3. Reading Minutes:
A1  Fablehaven -- Brandon Mull

A2 -- none

A3 -- The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
A4 -- King of the Wind by Marguerite O'Henry
          The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon

4. Teacher demo of SSR (symbolic story representation) will be presented next time.


5. Transitions -- look together at page 16 in the packet (Yes, we're skipping several pages for now.)  See these examples of and information about    Transition Words I    and    Transition Words II.

6. Computer Writing Lab 212 -- Bring a book to read in case you finish early.
    1) write paragraphs
    2) Look up your own and book-of-the-month lexile levels.

Instructions for Computer Lab

Activity 1.  Select two of the following prompts, and write one paragraph about each.    Do this assignment on MyAccess.  Log in, select Assignments, and select one assignment.   Do it and final submit, then select another and do it.
a. Role Model Paragraph
Write a complete paragraph that explains why a certain person is a role model to you.
b. Comparing Two Classes
Write a complete paragraph that contrasts one class you are now taking with another.  Remember that contrasting means showing differences between the two. 
c. The Best Lessons I’ve Learned in Seventh Grade
What have you learned so far in seventh grade that will probably have lasting value for you?   Write a complete paragraph that tells about two or three or four of the best lessons that you have  learned so far in your seventh grade experience.  These lessons could come from the classroom or from other ways you have learned things here. 
d. Writing a Great Paragraph
Write a complete paragraph that explains what a student needs to do to write an effective paragraph.
For each of these paragraphs do the following:

§       Remember to include a topic sentence, several supporting details, and a clincher (concluding sentence). 

§       Write only one complete paragraph.

§       Make sure each detail supports the topic sentence. 

§      Use appropriate transitions.  See the poster on the computer lab wall.

§       Revise to create complete, correct, "colorful"  (specific) sentences.

§       Carefully edit your work for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, etc.

§       You may use the spell check, the My Tutor, and other tools that are available here.
You have unlimited submissions,  so  may revise as many times as you wish.

Activity 2. 

            1)   Go to lexile.com.  Enter the name of the book you’re planning to read for the November-December Book-of-the-Month assignment.   If the lexile measure is available for it, record the number. 

           2)   If you haven’t already, check Skyward for your own lexile reading measure. 

You could upload this handout:  Paragraphs for MyAccess.doc
_____________________________________

Extra Credt:  Tell me the difference between imply and infer. Here's an explanation:

Brian P. Cleary

Imply vs. Infer? When one IMPLIES, one is expressing something indirectly, or suggesting something. I IMPLIED I wanted my son home early when I said, “You have to get up early tomorrow.” To INFER is to conclude something. My son INFERRED I wanted him home early when I said, “You have to get up early tomorrow.”

_________________________________________ 

History of the English Language and. . .  
A1 needs quiz

A2 still needs Spanish and quiz

A3  still needs Spanish and quiz

A4 still needs Spanish and sample words and quiz

 

Updated November 12.  Originally posted November 3.

Symbolic Story Representation

Preparing my own:

Pick a scene from my book: The explosion scene on pages 281 through 297.  (I won't include all of it.  I'll leave out things that would be spoilers, and I'll cut down the pages I include.)

Plan what I'll use as symbols for setting, characters, props:
cylindrical canister  covered in black paper for "The Pore"
rolled black paper for the tunnels
black paper for the floor of the cavern

cut or torn figures for the characters 

a symbol to represent me as a reader
Will
Chester
girl 1  -- pigtails
girl 2 -- pigtails
Elliott  -- on stretcher
Martha
Will's Dad
Limiters - 2
a Bright (could use one to portray two of them, or make two and tear up one)
cat Bartleby

crossbow
rifle

rifle -- white hair
spears

Poem by a Student

Autumn's Breeze

     by Cristine B.

Autumn's breeze
flows across the
moonlit sky,
upon the ground it falls.
Dust turns to dawn.
The burnt orange
glows with its
murderous red,
its shriveled-up flowers
of ponderous grace.
Does it fall,
Autumn's breeze
flowing across the
moonlit sky as
it dances wildly,
mocking the ground?
Does it take only words
to say, Autumn's breeze
sings its lasting song
evermore?

Cristine, please let me know if I need to change anything on this. Thanks!

Transition Words I

• Transitions for counterclaim/rebuttal paragraph:
  Critics may argue that. . . , however
  Others may say that. . .
  It may be true that. . .
  Some people may suppose that. . . 

Transitions for body paragraphs:  

	first
	second
	third one important another significant also in addition

TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE accordingly all in all as a result consequently due to finally in closing in conclusion in short in summary in the last analysis lastly logical conclusion is therefore thus to conclude

Speed grammar

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#search/game/149aa04dcc9f4798

TRANSITIONS TO EMPHASIZE A POINT again another key point first thing to remember for this reason frequently important to realize indeed in fact key point most compelling evidence most important information must be remembered on the negative side on the positive side point often overlooked significant that surprising surprisingly enough to emphasize to point out to repeat truly with this in mind

TRANSITIONS TO SHOW LOCATION above across against along alongside amid among around away from back of behind below beneath beside between beyond by down in front of in the center of in the middle of inside into near off on top of outside over throughout to the left to the right under up

TRANSITIONS TO COMPARE ITEMS accordingly also as comparable to in the same way in the same manner in conjunction with this just as like likewise similarly sometimes

TRANSITIONS TO CONTRAST ITEMS although as opposed to but conversely counter to even so even though however in spite of this in the meantime nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand otherwise sometimes still yet

TRANSITIONS TO SHOW TIME about after afterward as soon as at at the same time before during finally first immediately in the meantime later last meanwhile next next week next time next year prior to second next soon then third till today tomorrow until when yesterday

TRANSITIONS TO CLARIFY for example for instance in other words put another way seems clear from this simply stated stated differently that is to clarify to illustrate the point

TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION additionally again along with also and another as well besides equally important finally for example for instance further furthermore in addition likewise moreover next together with

TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE accordingly all in all as a result consequently due to finally in closing in conclusion in short in summary in the last analysis lastly logical conclusion is therefore thus to conclude

TRANSITIONS TO ENUMERATE These transitions are to be used as sets; more transitions can be added to each set as needed. first second third one important equally important most important a significant another significant of greatest significance first next last in the beginning toward the middle at the end one also in addition

from http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/organization/transitions.html

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