Thursday, September 29, 2016

Friday/Monday, September 30/October 3, 2016




Announcements and Reminders:
                         
Pick up a new Quiz of the Week!! 

Grab a copy of The Outsiders and your composition book.

 Your new spelling words are 
7. were/we’re/where
We were happy to see you.
We’re going to lunch.
Where is he?

8. then/than
First we ate, then we played outside.
I like dark chocolate better than milk chocolate.

-- helps to learn correct spelling for  were/we're, then/than --



Your test will be on October 6 or 7, the same day you turn in the Weekly Quiz.
Notice that your Book Assessment for the Book of the Month is next week -- Wednesday or Thursday. 


Extra Credit Poem Memorization


Targets for Today:

I can collect evidence from The Outsiders for a future argument essay.

I can write a hook.

I can use questions to help me write background information.


Today’s  Agenda:

Silent Reading time.

Pull out The Outsiders! Let's finish Chapter 6.

Now let's take a break. Time for a writer's workshop!! We'll do this every day for the next couple of weeks. Each day we'll focus on a different part of argument essays. First, I'll show you some mentor texts, or models. Next, you'll practice doing it with a partner. Last, you'll do it by yourself.

The topic that you will write about by yourself will stay the same each time. By the end of our writer's workshops, you'll have a complete essay responding to this prompt: "Are competitive teenage sports too intense?"

Today we're focusing on Hook and Background Information.

If we've got extra time, we'll listen to more of The Outsiders!

On the exit slip that I gave you, write these things:

  • One of the hooks that you created today
  • Two of the background information questions. 
  • Your name


Record Player
In case you're curious,
Music from the time of The Outsiders:
Hank Williams (Ponyboy doesn't like his music.)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyTOZCfp8OY

The Beatles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenWdylTtzs  (1964)

Elvis Presley:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0Rz-uP4Mk


A girl listening to a transistor radio --
but I didn't get many stations on mine!


If You Were Absent:

Go through the Hook and Background Information slide show given above. Practice writing those in your composition book. Catch up on your reading in The Outsiders- we finished Chapter 6 and will be partway into Chapter 7.

Here is the document for the QuizoftheWeek5.docx.
Ask for a bubble sheet. 


Vocabulary:
(Referring to Argument Writing)
Hook
Background


Poem: THESE are the days  -- This so describes today, September 30! 






Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Wednesday/Thursday, Sept. 28/29 2016


Announcements and Reminders:
  
Grab your composition books and a copy of The Outsiders.

If you haven't signed up for a Realistic Fiction Book of the Month or turned in the Quiz of the Week #4, do that now!

Please keep papers that are handed back until AFTER you have your grade for this term.



Targets for Today:

I can collect evidence from The Outsiders for a future argument essay.

I can tell the difference between evidence and explanation.


Today’s  Agenda:

CSI!! Copy this down in your composition book and circle/underline things that you notice about it. Look for conventions and content, good and "could be better".

"He still reminded me of a lost puppy who had been kicked too often, but for the first time I saw him as a stranger might see him." -Ponyboy, The Outsiders

Now we''ll finish Ch. 5 of The Outsiders. Pull our your character pages and green sheets! I will ask you about the facts you wrote on your green sheets. 

Now for a quick break! We'll talk about the Argument Jigsaw, and how that went. 

You did very well!! 
Most of you picked out the claim/thesis, counterclaim, rebuttal, and conclusion.

Let's review a couple of the other terms. 

Hook: Can it be more than one sentence? 

"In the 21st century, computer science is just as foundational as biology, chemistry," said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org."
Or maybe...
Moving her finger over the laptop trackpad, 6-year-old Lauren Meek drags and drops a block of code to build a set of instructions. She clicks the "run" button and watches as the character moves through a maze. She then pumps her fist in excitement. "Yes! This is so easy," says Meek, a kindergartener at Marshall Elementary in Marysville, north of Seattle. 

Background Information: Should it include quotes and numbers, or just a summary or explanation? 

Currently, computer science is taught in only about one of four high schools nationwide, with fewer in lower middle and elementary school grades. And only 27 states allow a computer science course to be counted toward graduation requirements in math or science, according to Code.org.
Or maybe...
Code is foundational knowledge because technology affects countless aspects of our lives. In fact, computers are woven into school, work, and play. Knowing how to code allows individuals more control in their lives and allows them to interact in the environments that are most important to them.
Evidence: Does it have an opinion? 
Code is foundational knowledge because technology affects countless aspects of our lives. In fact, computers are woven into school, work, and play. Knowing how to code allows individuals more control in their lives and allows them to interact in the environments that are most important to them.
Or maybe... 
"In the 21st century, computer science is just as foundational as biology, chemistry," said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org.
 Who has the opinion in that section? The author, or someone else?
Explanation: Does it have an opinion? 
"In the 21st century, computer science is just as foundational as biology, chemistry," said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org.
 That was evidence. See how that doesn't have an opinion, but its explanation does?
Code is foundational knowledge because technology affects countless aspects of our lives. In fact, computers are woven into school, work, and play. Knowing how to code allows individuals more control in their lives and allows them to interact in the environments that are most important to them.
Now let's keep reading The Outsiders!! 



If You Were Absent:

Catch up on your reading in The Outsiders. Review Argument Vocabulary terms. 

Monday, September 26, 2016

Contest! Extravagant (small, inexpensive) Prizes and Extra Credit


  Introducing the Zombie Haiku Contest!
Time for zombie haiku.  Try writing some of your own. 
The best ones about zombies will win small but fun prizes and some extra credit! 
These are due by the end of the school day on October 26.
Enter only your own, original work.

You may email them to Ms. Dorsey with the subject line Zombie Haiku and include your  name and class period, or you may turn in a hard copy to your class top wire basket.

The pattern for haiku is 
3 lines:
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables


Here are some Zombie haiku samples, by my teacher friend, Joe Anson: 


“let’s give her a hand”—
zombie’s attempt to find a
snack for his daughter


watching The Walking
Dead reminds zombies of old
fam’ly videos


the hunger games are
undeniably zombie’s
favorite pastime

The pattern for haiku is 
3 lines:
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables

And here are some more examples --

zombie haiku are                  
highly addictive ‘cuz they        
get into your blood                 

beware, seventh grade!           
Dorsey and other teachers     
get into your brains               
                             

writing zombie 'ku
count syllables carefully
grades and brains at stake
 --- Ms. D.




Sunday, September 25, 2016

Monday/Tuesday, September 26/27, 2016


Announcements and Reminders:
  
Grab your composition books and a copy of The Outsiders.

If you haven't signed up for a Realistic Fiction Book of the Month or turned in the Quiz of the Week #4, do that now!
Your Book of the Month assessment will be written on October 12/13. 
-- realistic fiction ---  writing about how and why a character changed ---- Who? How? Why?

Please keep papers that are handed back until AFTER you have your grade for this term.

We have some new realistic fiction books in the classroom:
2 copies of Deathwatch   -- Ben agrees take a job as guide for a man who wants to hunt bighorn sheep in the desert, but soon finds himself the one being hunted.

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief  -- Sammy is in seventh grade and solves crimes!

The Fourth Stall (Series of three books)   -- Mac runs a business out of the fourth stall from the high window in the otherwise unused East Wing boy's bathroom.  If you have a problem, and no one else can help, Mac is on your side if you can pay him or are willing to owe him a favor.



Targets for Today:

I can organize an argument essay.

I can collect evidence from The Outsiders for a future argument essay.


Today’s  Agenda:

Pull out your composition books to the Writing Prompt section. Write at least half a page with your thoughts about this prompt:

"Imagine you have to hide out in an abandoned church like Johnny and Ponyboy. You already have water and shelter. What else would you want to have with you, and why? What do you think Johnny and Ponyboy will want?"

Ready for some fun? We're going to do Argument Jigsaw Puzzles. (Sorry, not real puzzles...) These are the things you'll need:
  • one pencil/pen per person
  • one orange instruction sheet per person
  • two long pieces of tape per group
  • two blank pieces of white paper per group
  • one blue paperclipped group of Argument Essay puzzle pieces per group
When you get into your groupsfollow the instructions on the orange sheet. 


Once your Argument Jigsaw is complete, we'll go through it together.

Now, staple your pasted essay to the instruction sheets for each group member with the instruction sheets in the front. Turn it in to the top wire basket. 

Now pull out The Outsiders! Open to your character pages (you should be filling in details in the Says This and Does This sections) in your composition book and pull out your green theme sheet.

When we pause, be ready to write down two facts/details from the book on your green page.



If You Were Absent:

Catch up on your reading in The Outsiders. We will form a Cavetime group to do the Argument Essay Jigsaw activity together. 

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Thursday/Friday, September 22/23, 2016


September 22 is Bilbo's and Frodo's Birthday!

Announcements and Reminders:
  
Quiz of the Week #4 is due TODAY! Turn that in now! 
                       
Last time was the official sign up for the October Book of the Month. If you haven't signed up for your book yet, do that now!
Here is a description and some examples of Realistic Fiction novels at a 7th grade level.
Your Book of the Month assessment will be written on October 12/13. 
-- realistic fiction ---  writing about how and why a character changed ---- Who? How? Why?



We will be turning in a Scholastic Book Order this Friday.  Hurry up to order online or bring a check if you'd like to be included in this order and get your books sooner.  

Of course you could also order by September 30.  



You can earn some extra credit for this class by entering, and especially by winning, the Literature portion of the PTSA Reflections Contest

Theme:  What is Your Story?
for more information:  http://www.utahpta.org/reflections
For extra credit, please provide us with a copy of the piece of literature that you write for this.

Grab your composition book, your green sheet with 3 argument columns, and a copy of The Outsiders.


Targets for Today:

I can demonstrate my spelling expertise with the words "allot/ a lot / NOT alot" and "cause/ because".

I can collect evidence from The Outsiders for a future argument essay.

I can organize an argument essay.


Today’s  Agenda:

Turn in Quiz of the Week #4!!

Put all your things under your desk. We'll take Spelling Test #3. Remember that talking with earn you an automatic zero.


Well, no bus!
Now for a quick fieldtrip: Lab 224


  • Remember the essays we wrote about the lightbulb, the wheel, and same gender schools? We're going to copy them over to MyAccess, a website that stores and scores essays. When you get onto your computer, start by pulling up your school Gmail and open up to those two essays. 
  • Watch me demonstrate how to log in to MyAccess and where to copy the essays. Start at the AFJH website.
  • Your username is the same one you use to log on to the computers (Ex: BERNSANN000)
  • Your password is your Student Number.  

Next time: 
Ready for some fun? We're going to do Argument Jigsaw Puzzles. (Sorry, not real puzzles...) These are the things you'll need:


  • one pencil/pen per person
  • one orange instruction sheet per person
  • two long pieces of tape per group
  • two blank pieces of white paper per group
  • one blue paperclipped group of Argument Essay puzzle pieces per group
When you get into your groups, follow the instructions on the orange sheet. 


Once your Argument Jigsaw is complete, staple it to the instruction sheet for each group member with the instruction sheets in the front. Turn it in to the top wire basket. 



Now pull out The Outsiders! Open to your character pages (you should be filling in details in the Says This and Does This sections) in your composition book and pull out your green theme sheet. We'll start on page 57. 

When we pause, be ready to write down two facts/details from the book on your green page.

Finish Chapter 4.

Music for The Outsiders:
Hank Williams (Ponyboy doesn't like his music.)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyTOZCfp8OY

The Beatles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenWdylTtzs  (1964)

Elvis Presley:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0Rz-uP4Mk



If You Were Absent:

Come in to make up Spelling Test #3. Turn in Quiz of the Week #4, the pink one. Come in during Cavetime to copy over your essays to MyAccess. Talk to us about how to make up the Argument Jigsaw