Weekly Reflection

Learning Behaviors bi-monthly grade added to powerschool. Well done to the vast majority of you who have been keeping your reading log up to date!

Congratulations on your first assessed discussion today. Discussion grades will be in powerschool by Sunday 12pm Three points to consider:

1) If you do the work, (read and think about the text beforehand) you will LEARN. If you don't...
2) Always think about how setting effects characters
3) State unique claims that could beyond the most obvious statements

Reminder: If you perform badly on an assessment, you can redo it. I had three people today redo their 'parts of speech' assessment. Each one improved their grade score! I will not chase you. You must ask me!

Next Week

• Character reading response due: Wed - Make sure you are stating a clear claim. Look at mentor text example on blog for guidance.
• Be prepared for your first 'Book club' discussion - Tue
• First Draft of Memoirs finished by end of class: Wed - Due date for memoirs will be: Friday Oct 18th.

Put a smile on your face this weekend

Opening and Delayed Adjectives

Today, you had the opportunity to decide what you would share with your parents at conferences. KNOWING and being able to NAME what you are learning is a vital step in the learning process.

You have also learned how to write sentences with opening and delayed adjectives. Can you use them in your writing? H/W: You must watch this video

C/D class - We will cover delayed adjectives in our next session
Don't forget to be prepared for tomorrow's small group discussion on Inside/Out

Do you want to be happy in life? Watch this!

Reading Response: Characters

Today you were set your next Reading Response on character. Use the mentor text that we discussed and the points that you wrote down to help guide what you need to do for your reading response. (E/F file linked here)  PRINTED copies of your reading response are due: NEXT WEDNESDAY (This is a writing day). A QR Code embbed printed image  of your reading response will be due on the Wednesday AFTER parent teacher conferences. I will explain what this is and how to do it  in Friday's class

Remember: Friday - Your discussion and debate skills will be assessed on the story: Inside/Out. You will discuss the story in small groups. Make sure you come to class prepared with your copy of the story.

Reminder (Two anecdotes/paragraphs written on your memoir by Thur.)

Memoirs: Openings

Remember: Tomorrow is a 'Late Start' Day.

All Students and Faculty

Please wear PINK on Friday, October 4 to show your support for the kick-off of PINK-TOBER. (Powerful video linked in previous word.) During the entire month of October SAS will be running a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. All proceeds will go to breastcancer.org. Look for more information throughout the month and visit the tables in the MS Cafeteria on Friday for more information.

Homebase - Boys. Finish your superhero design for tomorrow.

Today we examined openings. We discussed five types of openings and how to create them:

You will be expected to use a variety of these approaches when crafting not just your opening, but also each of your anecdotes.

H/W
You should have at least '2' of your anecdotes completed drafted by Thursday.

Do you believe in yourself?

Being Part of the Conversation
Backchanneling Links: Make sure you always add your name before adding your comment.

C/D Class

E/F Class

If you believe in yourself, you can literally DO anything!
 Can you come up with your own daily 'affirmation?'

a) Today, we looked at rereading to spot details we might have skipped over on the first read. Anybody can be a 'plot junky' and zoom through text. Interpretative readers are fine tuned readers that know how to spot 'significant details' when they occur in text.
Reread for significant details by asking:

• how certain characters think and feel about a particular event 
• was there a fact that is more significant on a second reading?
• is there more to a character's comment that the literal meaning? 
• is a literary device such as allusion used to enhance meaning?

b) We also began to use the 'language of discussion.' Can you begin to use this language across other subjects or when you are at home?'

For FRIDAY:

Make sure you are 'thoroughly' prepared to discuss the short story, "Inside Out" by Francisco Jimenez.
(This might be a story that you also read in class last year).  The story is linked here. It is also in your blue package.

You should be able to discuss:

• The themes in the story (there are  multiple)
• The character in relation to any reading skills we have covered so far as part of our character unit
• Any unique thoughts that you may have

You are prepared for your discussion if you come to class with plenty of notes on the text, either in the margin or on stickies.

Warning: I will be adding the biweekly Learning Behaviors grade this Friday. You are always being assessed on:

• Organization (How long does it take you to find your digital files?)
• Class participation (Even if you are not called on, do you have your hand up?)
• Lesson Focus (What does it mean to 'really' focus?)
• Punctuality (Are you arriving to class exactly on time - or a minute early so you can  get your files out and be ready to start learning?)
• Being prepared for class (How many trips to do you need to take back to your locker during class?)