December 20, 2007
Christmas Mad-Libs (a reminder of the Parts of Speech)
Could you recognize and use a noun? a verb? a pronoun? an adjective, an adverb, a conjunction, a preposition? an interjection?
December Ceremonies (based on The Giver).
Giver Review Game (if time)
Reminders:
-- Progress reports were sent home last time to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned for required and extra points.
-- If you haven't, turn in your Novel Portfolio, Parts 1 and 2. If you need to do revisions, do them and resubmit as soon as possible.
-- You may finish and revise your essay on The Giver over the vacation. The last day to submit revisions on MY Access essays for Term 2 is January 4.
-- The very last day to hand in any late work for Term 2 is January 4.
-- If you're not ready yet, get yourself ready to take the test on our "Confusing Words."
-- Make sure your binder is in order for when we return from Christmas vacation. We'll complete the binder check then.
Showing posts with label December. Show all posts
Showing posts with label December. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
December 18, 2007
December 18, 2007
Hand in your Portfolio Part 2 (which was due December 14) if you haven't yet.
Of course, if you haven't handed in Part 1, hand it in!
Your Reading Bingo should also be turned in soon, though, if you're planning on adding to your reading over the holidays, you're welcome to turn in in by January 4.
1. How to organize, state, and support in an essay.
2. Computer Lab time to work on your essay about The Giver.
Find information about writing a 5 paragraph essay at
http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/fiveparagraphessay/
I was able to access helpful information here for free. Watch the video about the Five Paragraph Essay. Also take the review quiz.
Hand in your Portfolio Part 2 (which was due December 14) if you haven't yet.
Of course, if you haven't handed in Part 1, hand it in!
Your Reading Bingo should also be turned in soon, though, if you're planning on adding to your reading over the holidays, you're welcome to turn in in by January 4.
1. How to organize, state, and support in an essay.
2. Computer Lab time to work on your essay about The Giver.
Find information about writing a 5 paragraph essay at
http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/fiveparagraphessay/
I was able to access helpful information here for free. Watch the video about the Five Paragraph Essay. Also take the review quiz.
Friday, December 14, 2007
December 14, 2007
December 14, 2007
Students handed in their novel portfolio picture books. (Portfolio Part 2)
Students had a binder check. Those who didn't have their binders will need to arrange for a time to have them checked.
They finished or discussed the play "The Flying Machine."
We prepared for the essay about The Giver. We talked about how to organize and write the essay.
Students worked on rough drafts. We'll be in the computer lab next time to finish typing these.
Coming next time:
Supporting a main idea with reasons.
Supporting reasons with facts, details, quotes, etc.
Time in the computer lab.
Finish binder checks.
Students handed in their novel portfolio picture books. (Portfolio Part 2)
Students had a binder check. Those who didn't have their binders will need to arrange for a time to have them checked.
They finished or discussed the play "The Flying Machine."
We prepared for the essay about The Giver. We talked about how to organize and write the essay.
Students worked on rough drafts. We'll be in the computer lab next time to finish typing these.
Coming next time:
Supporting a main idea with reasons.
Supporting reasons with facts, details, quotes, etc.
Time in the computer lab.
Finish binder checks.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Essay Assignment for The Giver
Essay Assignment for The Giver --
We will be in the Computer Writing Lab on December 18 to type up the essay for The Giver, and may revise on the Internet up through January 4.
See December 10 below for the prompt. (The prompt is given in full on the handout students have received, and on MYAccess.)
We will be in the Computer Writing Lab on December 18 to type up the essay for The Giver, and may revise on the Internet up through January 4.
See December 10 below for the prompt. (The prompt is given in full on the handout students have received, and on MYAccess.)
December 12, 2007
December 12, 2007
Student Targets:
* I'll consider --and contribute to a discussion about -- a major issue addressed in the book, The Giver.
* I'll better understand plot and climax.
* I'll prepare to write my essay about The Giver by collecting details to use. (The exercise for this was just handed out, and we'll work on it more next time.)
1. Self-Starter: On a piece of the lined paper in your binder under "Reading" for The Giver, respond to this prompt:
"In The Giver, individual rights and choices have been given up for the safety and comfort of the whole community. Which is more important, the good and the rights of the individual, or the good (safety, comfort, security) of the many (the whole community)? Explain.
2. We read, or started reading, a short play by Ray Bradbury titled "The Flying Machine." It also deals with the issue of whether one person's rights (or a few people's rights) should be sacrificed to protect the safety of many people. Who has the "right" to decide?
3. Three of the classes received a list of quotations from The Giver. Next time in class students will mark each quotation as representing an advantage or a disadvantage of Jonas's community.
A1 -- Students finished the play and received the quotation list.
"Academy Awards" for the play were received by Chyler, Zach N., Kora, Calea, and Ian.
A2 - Students finished the play. Students will receive the quotation list next time. (Did we present our "academy awards?) "Academy Awards" for the play have been earned by Tanner D., Billy, and Loriel.)
A3 -- Students read the play up to "Act 5." Students received their quotation list. (We need to do our "academy awards.) "Academy Awards" for the play so far were earned by Brittany, Dalton, Caitlin, Jessica, and Dallin.
A4 -- Students read the play up to "Act 4." Students received their quotation list.
"Academy Awards" for the play so far were received by Austin L., Brittany, Aubree, Jordan, Benson, Shayne, and Garron.
Student Targets:
* I'll consider --and contribute to a discussion about -- a major issue addressed in the book, The Giver.
* I'll better understand plot and climax.
* I'll prepare to write my essay about The Giver by collecting details to use. (The exercise for this was just handed out, and we'll work on it more next time.)
1. Self-Starter: On a piece of the lined paper in your binder under "Reading" for The Giver, respond to this prompt:
"In The Giver, individual rights and choices have been given up for the safety and comfort of the whole community. Which is more important, the good and the rights of the individual, or the good (safety, comfort, security) of the many (the whole community)? Explain.
2. We read, or started reading, a short play by Ray Bradbury titled "The Flying Machine." It also deals with the issue of whether one person's rights (or a few people's rights) should be sacrificed to protect the safety of many people. Who has the "right" to decide?
3. Three of the classes received a list of quotations from The Giver. Next time in class students will mark each quotation as representing an advantage or a disadvantage of Jonas's community.
A1 -- Students finished the play and received the quotation list.
"Academy Awards" for the play were received by Chyler, Zach N., Kora, Calea, and Ian.
A2 - Students finished the play. Students will receive the quotation list next time. (Did we present our "academy awards?) "Academy Awards" for the play have been earned by Tanner D., Billy, and Loriel.)
A3 -- Students read the play up to "Act 5." Students received their quotation list. (We need to do our "academy awards.) "Academy Awards" for the play so far were earned by Brittany, Dalton, Caitlin, Jessica, and Dallin.
A4 -- Students read the play up to "Act 4." Students received their quotation list.
"Academy Awards" for the play so far were received by Austin L., Brittany, Aubree, Jordan, Benson, Shayne, and Garron.
Monday, December 10, 2007
December 10, 2007
December 10, 2007
Today's Targets:
1. I'll review how to use the irregular verbs lie and lay.
Students wrote sentences using the forms of lie and lay:
Write original, complete sentences, correctly using each of the following forms of lie or lay. Capitalize and punctuate each sentence.
1. lie (present tense, meaning "to recline.")
2. lay (past tense of lie)
3. lain (always goes with a helping verb)
4. lying
5. lay (present tense, meaning "to put or to place")
6. laid (past tense of lay)
7. laid (using a helping verb)
8. laying
2. I'll understand better how to read a prompt for an essay.
Students received a handout to use while preparing to write their essays about The Giver. Today we talked about how to read the question, and what sorts of details they need to look for to prepare to write.
Students will be going to the computer lab on December 18, and may revise on the Internet up through January 4.
This is the prompt: (The prompt is given in full on the handout, and on MYAccess.)
MyAccess Prompt for The Giver by Lois Lowry
After experiencing the feeling of love from the Giver and his memories, Jonas thought about the way life must have been when there was love and realized it was probably a "dangerous way to live." Think about what Jonas meant. What was "dangerous" about that kind of life, and what was a "safe" life like? What were the advantages and disadvantages of each choice?
Write an essay in which you either support or criticize Jonas's decision to escape the community in light of the choice he made between a safe life and a dangerous one.
3. I"ll plan for and find details to use in my essay about The Giver.
4. I'll finish reading The Giver, answering the questions on the "Reading Road Maps."
Students who had already finished reading The Giver had time to look for details from the book to use in their essays.
Reminders: Friday, December 14
Part 2 of the Novel Portfolio is due.
Be prepared for a test on the Commonly Confused Words.
Bring your binder for a binder check.
Today's Targets:
1. I'll review how to use the irregular verbs lie and lay.
Students wrote sentences using the forms of lie and lay:
Write original, complete sentences, correctly using each of the following forms of lie or lay. Capitalize and punctuate each sentence.
1. lie (present tense, meaning "to recline.")
2. lay (past tense of lie)
3. lain (always goes with a helping verb)
4. lying
5. lay (present tense, meaning "to put or to place")
6. laid (past tense of lay)
7. laid (using a helping verb)
8. laying
2. I'll understand better how to read a prompt for an essay.
Students received a handout to use while preparing to write their essays about The Giver. Today we talked about how to read the question, and what sorts of details they need to look for to prepare to write.
Students will be going to the computer lab on December 18, and may revise on the Internet up through January 4.
This is the prompt: (The prompt is given in full on the handout, and on MYAccess.)
MyAccess Prompt for The Giver by Lois Lowry
After experiencing the feeling of love from the Giver and his memories, Jonas thought about the way life must have been when there was love and realized it was probably a "dangerous way to live." Think about what Jonas meant. What was "dangerous" about that kind of life, and what was a "safe" life like? What were the advantages and disadvantages of each choice?
Write an essay in which you either support or criticize Jonas's decision to escape the community in light of the choice he made between a safe life and a dangerous one.
3. I"ll plan for and find details to use in my essay about The Giver.
4. I'll finish reading The Giver, answering the questions on the "Reading Road Maps."
Students who had already finished reading The Giver had time to look for details from the book to use in their essays.
Reminders: Friday, December 14
Part 2 of the Novel Portfolio is due.
Be prepared for a test on the Commonly Confused Words.
Bring your binder for a binder check.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
December 6, 2007
December 6, 2007
Today students filled out a "Student Self-Assessment" in preparation for the parent-teacher conference.
Students continued to read The Giver using "Reading Road Maps" with directions and questions.
We will finish reading the book next time.
We played "Sparkle," a spelling game, to practice the commonly confused words.
Students continued to turn in their portfolio projects and their reading bingo cards. Signed progress reports were also turned in.
Tonight was the Parent-Teacher Conference. Thank you to the parents who came. My apologies to any parents who were unable to see me because of time constraints.
Please feel free to e-mail me or call me. Parents, I so appreciate your involvement in your student's education!
The Giver, the color red: https://mymodernmet.com/shades-of-red-color-history/
Reading Map for The Giver #2
If you haven't yet read and answered questions for chapters 17-19, ask the teacher for that part of the reading map.
Go! Chapter 20 Read through the end of chapter 20 (pages 152-162), looking for the answers to these questions:
?'s 13. (p. 153): Why would it be easy (emotionally) for Fiona to release one of the Old?
(Notice what the Giver says about this.)
14. (p. 154) List four feelings that the Giver and Jonas mention that people had once felt.
15. If Jonas escapes from the community, what will happen to the memories that he has been given? (See page 153, and page 144.)
16. If Jonas escapes, why would the Giver need to stay in the community instead of going with him?
17. What is the "hearing-beyond" of which the Giver speaks?
So that means that in their community, they don't have ______.
18.-23. Jonas and the Giver have come up with a plan for Jonas to escape the community. (p. 158+)
18. ¶ 2 & 4 When will he leave? at what time?
19. ¶ 2 What will The Giver give to him before he leaves?
20. p. 159 ¶ 1 What will Jonas do with his bicycle and clothing? [¶ = paragraph]
21. p. 160 ¶ 3 How will Jonas and the Giver leave the community?
22. p. 160 ¶ 5 How will they hide Jonas?
23. p. 160 ¶ 5 How will they get food for Jonas to take?
24. . What was the name of The Giver's daughter?
25. What other question on these pages (see page 1 of 4) did you answer using the same name? Question # ___
Go! Chapter 21
Read the first two paragraphs of chapter 21.
? 26. Will Jonas and the Giver be able to use the plan they'd made? According to these paragraphs, why not?
Note: The tone of this chapter changes from the generally peaceful feel of the community to a feeling of tension and danger.
Go! Read through the end of chapter 21 (pages 163-169), looking for the answers to these questions:
?'s 27. Whom does Jonas consider his closest friend now? (p. 163-164)
28. Why does Jonas have to leave the community so quickly?
29. Whom does he take with him?
30. How does Jonas keep the planes from finding them? Answer: He finds a place to hide and __________
Go! Chapter 22 -- Carefully read this chapter, and answer these questions.
31. At the middle of page 171/172, Jonas sees two creatures. The first is a ______.
What do you think the second creature is?
32. As he gets farther from the community, what is happening to the memories Jonas had received?
33. As chapter 22 ends, why is the baby crying?
Go! Chapter 23 -- Carefully read this chapter, and answer this question.
34. As the book ends, what has happened to Jonas and Gabriel?
35. How do you feel about the ending of the book, and why?
Precision of language, please! When you tell how you feel, use a specific word such as "frustrated," "happy," "hopeful," "angry," "upset," "confused," "peaceful," "concerned," or "worried." Make sure to tell why you feel that way.
[After you have finished this page, ask about the upcoming writing assignment.]
Today students filled out a "Student Self-Assessment" in preparation for the parent-teacher conference.
Students continued to read The Giver using "Reading Road Maps" with directions and questions.
We will finish reading the book next time.
We played "Sparkle," a spelling game, to practice the commonly confused words.
Students continued to turn in their portfolio projects and their reading bingo cards. Signed progress reports were also turned in.
Tonight was the Parent-Teacher Conference. Thank you to the parents who came. My apologies to any parents who were unable to see me because of time constraints.
Please feel free to e-mail me or call me. Parents, I so appreciate your involvement in your student's education!
The Giver, the color red: https://mymodernmet.com/shades-of-red-color-history/
Reading Map for The Giver #2
If you haven't yet read and answered questions for chapters 17-19, ask the teacher for that part of the reading map.
Go! Chapter 20 Read through the end of chapter 20 (pages 152-162), looking for the answers to these questions:
?'s 13. (p. 153): Why would it be easy (emotionally) for Fiona to release one of the Old?
(Notice what the Giver says about this.)
14. (p. 154) List four feelings that the Giver and Jonas mention that people had once felt.
15. If Jonas escapes from the community, what will happen to the memories that he has been given? (See page 153, and page 144.)
16. If Jonas escapes, why would the Giver need to stay in the community instead of going with him?
17. What is the "hearing-beyond" of which the Giver speaks?
So that means that in their community, they don't have ______.
18.-23. Jonas and the Giver have come up with a plan for Jonas to escape the community. (p. 158+)
18. ¶ 2 & 4 When will he leave? at what time?
19. ¶ 2 What will The Giver give to him before he leaves?
20. p. 159 ¶ 1 What will Jonas do with his bicycle and clothing? [¶ = paragraph]
21. p. 160 ¶ 3 How will Jonas and the Giver leave the community?
22. p. 160 ¶ 5 How will they hide Jonas?
23. p. 160 ¶ 5 How will they get food for Jonas to take?
24. . What was the name of The Giver's daughter?
25. What other question on these pages (see page 1 of 4) did you answer using the same name? Question # ___
Go! Chapter 21
Read the first two paragraphs of chapter 21.
? 26. Will Jonas and the Giver be able to use the plan they'd made? According to these paragraphs, why not?
Note: The tone of this chapter changes from the generally peaceful feel of the community to a feeling of tension and danger.
Go! Read through the end of chapter 21 (pages 163-169), looking for the answers to these questions:
?'s 27. Whom does Jonas consider his closest friend now? (p. 163-164)
28. Why does Jonas have to leave the community so quickly?
29. Whom does he take with him?
30. How does Jonas keep the planes from finding them? Answer: He finds a place to hide and __________
Go! Chapter 22 -- Carefully read this chapter, and answer these questions.
31. At the middle of page 171/172, Jonas sees two creatures. The first is a ______.
What do you think the second creature is?
32. As he gets farther from the community, what is happening to the memories Jonas had received?
33. As chapter 22 ends, why is the baby crying?
Go! Chapter 23 -- Carefully read this chapter, and answer this question.
34. As the book ends, what has happened to Jonas and Gabriel?
35. How do you feel about the ending of the book, and why?
Precision of language, please! When you tell how you feel, use a specific word such as "frustrated," "happy," "hopeful," "angry," "upset," "confused," "peaceful," "concerned," or "worried." Make sure to tell why you feel that way.
[After you have finished this page, ask about the upcoming writing assignment.]
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
December 4, 2007
December 4, 2007
Today we went down to the Book Fair for a brief preview. The Book Fair will continue through tomorrow, and Thursday through the parent-teacher conference time. Everything at the Fair is buy one, get one of equal or less value free.
Parents, books make great gifts. As a heads up for next term, our portfolio assignment will focus on nonfiction, historical fiction, and biography/autobiography. Of course, your student could be reading from almost any genre for the Reading Bingo pages! Lots of books that are currently popular with the kids are available at the Book Fair.
Today's Self-Starter: Students filled in the blanks in sentences using forms of lie and lay. Then students corrected them together, we sang "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," which uses the verb correctly, and we talked more about these confusing verbs.
Here are the sentences:
Confusing Words : Lie/Lay
Use these forms of the confusing verbs lie and lay correctly in the following sentences:
Lie, lay, lain, lying, lay, laid, laid, laying
You may use your yellow half-sheet with the rules.
1. “My Bonnie ____________(s) over the ocean.
My Bonnie _____________(s) over the sea, . . .”
2. “Now I ________ me down to sleep”
3. Jonas was __________ (use an “ing” word) on the grass,
as he felt the warm sunshine.
4. Father was _________ (use an “ing” word) the newchild into the basket.
5. Yesterday, the Giver _________ his hands on Jonas’ back.
6. I have ________ on the deck by the pool until I was badly sunburned.
7. The bricklayers have __________ five rows of bricks for our new gate.
8. I love to ___________looking up at the stars on a clear summer night.
9. It’s time to ___________ down our weapons and sign a peace agreement.
10. If you’re just going to ________ down on the job, you won’t get paid.
Today's Reading:
We listened to/followed along with chapter 16 of The Giver, and answered these questions on the lines pages reserved in each student's binder:
The Giver, chapter 16
16. A. Why is the memory of the birthday party so special to Jonas? (Q.A.R.:This is a “right there” question.)
16. B. What clues helped you infer what the unnamed celebration was? When were you certain? (Q.A.R.:This is an “author and you” question.)
16. C. Do you agree with Jonas that living the way they did in the memory was dangerous? Why or why not?
Then students received a "Reading Road Map." They read from The Giver and answered questions as directed on the "Road Map."
Where we are: Chapter 17
Jonas is realizing that what the community calls "feelings" are shallow and limited. They don't really "feel" much at all.
One morning the community gets an unexpected holiday. Jonas rides off on his bike looking for Asher. He finds his friends playing a game of "good guys and bad guys" that hasn't had a name up until now.
Go! Read from page 130 to the page break on page 135.
Stop for ?'s After reading to the page break on page 135, answer these questions:
1 What is the game the children are playing that upsets Jonas?
(Jonas recognizes what they are playing because of the memories. What does he recognize that this game is?)
2. As this section ends, what does Jonas know "with certainty"?
Go! Finish reading chapter 17 through page 138.
Stop for ?'s
3. What had Lily done that day that was actually against the rules?
4. In Jonas's community, what happens when twins are born?
Go! Chapter 18 Read through the end of chapter 18 (pages 139-145), looking for the answers to these questions:
Do not just skim or scan for answers. Focus and read carefully.
?'s 5. How many years before Jonas was selected, had the Giver tried to train a receiver and "failed"? _________ 6. What was her name? _______________
7. What happened to that New Receiver of Memory and why?
Chapter 18, cont.
Stop and Reflect
8. Tell whether you think the receiver ten years ago was brave or not. Would you have made the choice she did if you were in her place? Why or why not?
Some students also followed the Road Map through chapter 19, and requested the map for more chapters.
Today we went down to the Book Fair for a brief preview. The Book Fair will continue through tomorrow, and Thursday through the parent-teacher conference time. Everything at the Fair is buy one, get one of equal or less value free.
Parents, books make great gifts. As a heads up for next term, our portfolio assignment will focus on nonfiction, historical fiction, and biography/autobiography. Of course, your student could be reading from almost any genre for the Reading Bingo pages! Lots of books that are currently popular with the kids are available at the Book Fair.
Today's Self-Starter: Students filled in the blanks in sentences using forms of lie and lay. Then students corrected them together, we sang "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," which uses the verb correctly, and we talked more about these confusing verbs.
Here are the sentences:
Confusing Words : Lie/Lay
Use these forms of the confusing verbs lie and lay correctly in the following sentences:
Lie, lay, lain, lying, lay, laid, laid, laying
You may use your yellow half-sheet with the rules.
1. “My Bonnie ____________(s) over the ocean.
My Bonnie _____________(s) over the sea, . . .”
2. “Now I ________ me down to sleep”
3. Jonas was __________ (use an “ing” word) on the grass,
as he felt the warm sunshine.
4. Father was _________ (use an “ing” word) the newchild into the basket.
5. Yesterday, the Giver _________ his hands on Jonas’ back.
6. I have ________ on the deck by the pool until I was badly sunburned.
7. The bricklayers have __________ five rows of bricks for our new gate.
8. I love to ___________looking up at the stars on a clear summer night.
9. It’s time to ___________ down our weapons and sign a peace agreement.
10. If you’re just going to ________ down on the job, you won’t get paid.
Today's Reading:
We listened to/followed along with chapter 16 of The Giver, and answered these questions on the lines pages reserved in each student's binder:
The Giver, chapter 16
16. A. Why is the memory of the birthday party so special to Jonas? (Q.A.R.:This is a “right there” question.)
16. B. What clues helped you infer what the unnamed celebration was? When were you certain? (Q.A.R.:This is an “author and you” question.)
16. C. Do you agree with Jonas that living the way they did in the memory was dangerous? Why or why not?
Then students received a "Reading Road Map." They read from The Giver and answered questions as directed on the "Road Map."
Where we are: Chapter 17
Jonas is realizing that what the community calls "feelings" are shallow and limited. They don't really "feel" much at all.
One morning the community gets an unexpected holiday. Jonas rides off on his bike looking for Asher. He finds his friends playing a game of "good guys and bad guys" that hasn't had a name up until now.
Go! Read from page 130 to the page break on page 135.
Stop for ?'s After reading to the page break on page 135, answer these questions:
1 What is the game the children are playing that upsets Jonas?
(Jonas recognizes what they are playing because of the memories. What does he recognize that this game is?)
2. As this section ends, what does Jonas know "with certainty"?
Go! Finish reading chapter 17 through page 138.
Stop for ?'s
3. What had Lily done that day that was actually against the rules?
4. In Jonas's community, what happens when twins are born?
Go! Chapter 18 Read through the end of chapter 18 (pages 139-145), looking for the answers to these questions:
Do not just skim or scan for answers. Focus and read carefully.
?'s 5. How many years before Jonas was selected, had the Giver tried to train a receiver and "failed"? _________ 6. What was her name? _______________
7. What happened to that New Receiver of Memory and why?
Chapter 18, cont.
Stop and Reflect
8. Tell whether you think the receiver ten years ago was brave or not. Would you have made the choice she did if you were in her place? Why or why not?
Some students also followed the Road Map through chapter 19, and requested the map for more chapters.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)