Pages

Thursday, August 31, 2017

4 Day Weekend

Reflection of Learning - How have you grown as a reader and writer in ELA?


Have a lovely break.

Image result for have a breakWhen we return next Tuesday, we will write a short anecdote about a time when we did or didn't show one of our core values. Be thinking about what your core values are and when you did or didn't live up to one of them.  e.g. Sticking up for people who can't defend themselves.

Next Friday - You will have your first Membean test. To be 'exemplary' - you will need to have 40mins of practice time BY NEXT FRIDAY (This includes anytime we have already done in class already)

Anybody who completes 1 new book over the w/end wins +2 (or finish half of one and reach half way in another)

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

author's craft

1. Advance notice: Tomorrow, we will select one of the 'moments that matter' from our lives and identify a 'micro moment' inside  that event and write a short piece of writing about it. Tonight,  you can just look at your list and choose one of your micro moments to write about, so you are ready to start writing at the beginning of tomorrow's class. (optional)

2. Author's craft work will not be graded until tomorrow.  Feel free to edit your piece if you would like to. (optional) Sample from today's class




 G/H class - The second activity is not for your class.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Introduction to Membean

Advance Notice: Enjoy your independent reading tonight. Tomorrow you will discuss a craft move you spotted in your book. Be on the look out for that move as you read tonight.

Lesson RECAP: Reteaching
For all those that do not understand CONNOTATION of words - Watch this video
Bonus +1 - Can you add two words in the comments - one with a negative connotation and one with a positive connotation?

Make a copy of this file: Membean  Note Taking Sheet

The expectation for Membean is that you complete:  (This will begin NEXT WEEK)
  • 30 mins of practice per week. (Meets)
  • 40mins+ practice per week (Exemplary)
  • This practice MUST be done on at least 3 different occasions


Monday, August 28, 2017

MAP Week

Membean Notetaking Sheet - Make a copy of this file

No new H/W between Monday and Wednesday. - Make sure you are reading your 30mins.

Reading Volume Assessment Thur
500+ Pages - Exemplary (Approx 2+books)
400+ Pages - Meets (Approx. 2 books) book)
250-400 Pages - Progressing (Approx 1
<250 Pages - Below

You need to keep your reading log up to date to gain credit for the material you have read.

Sample answer for the CRAFT  Question from Michelle (G/H) +2

Find a craft move the author uses to reveal the theme. One technique the author uses to show the theme is dialogue, especially at the end when the girl is having the conversation with the woman and the woman tells her she never really realized what a beautiful house she lived in until they accidentally wondered in. Dialogue openly expresses feelings and how people feel after certain events. Dialogue is raw, and it cannot be changed once it's said, unlike texting or other forms of written communication. This conversation with the woman the girl had 30 years later shows the feelings of the woman for the girl 30 years after she walked into her home, and what she told the girl is something she can't take back, so either she meant what she said, or she was completely lying, but whatever she meant behind her words, she can't change them now.

Friday, August 25, 2017

Use for today' lesson: Reread the Paperbag Princess

Summative Rubric - Unit 1
Next Thursday - Range of Reading Grade. If you have read 2+ books = Exemplary!

Lesson Recap

Going forward, you will ALWAYS be conscious of having to use various types of evidence.


Every full 5 day week, I place the 'Friday Message' on the blog. 
(optional) Win +1 if you can write a claim about this video





Thursday, August 24, 2017

Writing Claims about Themes

H/W - Just read tonight. Feel free to write anything down about your reading you notice (optional)

Lesson Recap

Claim = An arguable opinion about  a text

e.g. In the opening scene of the short story, Thank you Ma’am by Langston Hughes the author teaches readers that when faced with desperate situations, people will often do whatever it takes to survive




Sentence Starters


Help - I don't get claims.... READ THIS

Big tip for finding claims - Google the topic or cliche and adjust your claim based on the images you find e.g. perseverance. You CANNOT just copy the quote, but you can use the quote to help build an idea. e.g.

Image result for perseverance

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Author's Craft and Its Purpose

Today, we covered an important skill on authors craft and purpose.

H/W - Choose one author's craft move from your reading tonight and using the steps from today's lesson explain critique that move


Secret word is ELEPHANT

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

From Avid Reader to Interpretive Readers: SEE THINK WONDER

Today,  we learned how to transition from avid readers (plot junkies) to interpretative readers (deeper thinkers). Great readers recognize that there has only ever been one plot ever written, "nothing is what it seems."


LESSON RECAP



H/W - Read for 15-20mins.  For 10-15 minutes use your SEE THINK WONDER  (STW) strategy to go deeper into your text to discover more about a section you have just read. Select a few lines, words, or paragraphs and see where STW might take you.  Write a short paragraph about your thinking in your reader's notebook.

IMPORTANT: the secret word is Onion ( You will need this word tomorrow!)

Monday, August 21, 2017

Notebook Design


H/W - Read for 25 mins. Spend 5-10mins collecting your thinking about your reading. Are you using a strategy to collect your ideas?

 Reader's Notebook cover pages. Final DUE DATE - Wednesday. 

OPTIONAL - Write a brief comment explaining the message the guess speaker was delivering today. 
+ point for all contributions

RECAP of guidelines for Notebook Design





Thursday, August 17, 2017

Getting Back into Books


H/W - Make sure you are reading for at last 30mins. You will be held responsible for this reading tomorrow.

Optional: Begin designing your Reader's Notebook Cover Page
C/D Class
E/F Class
G/H Class

Example - More details on this in Friday's Class

Final Cover design will be due Monday. How will yours compare?







Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Welcome to ELA The Power of Possibilities

Today, you were introduced to the 'power of possibilities' Some major take-aways:

H/W  
Stick your 'Comfort Zone' in a special place near your desk. Take a photo of it and place the image on your computer. We will compare images in 3 months to see how you have stepped out.

Bring the title of 3 books that you really loved reading
Optional: Write a comment under today's blog post that states something that you learned in 

  • Do just survive - THRIVE 
  • Practice what you are BAD at!
  • Always bring a growth mindset
  • Smash out of that comfort zone!