This students wanted to collect some data for use in their arguments. Please help if you can be completing their short survey.

Samar's Survey

Michal's Survey

Ethan's Survey

Nikhil 's Survey

Ben's Survey

Sophie's Survey

$1 Challenge...

Today's competition has multiple purposes. Not only did you learn about your persuasive craft moves but you also learned the stakes involved in the successful delivery of a persuasive argument. There is always a price to pay! Today it is just a $1 - in the future - it might be getting into the college of your choice or being hired for the job of your dreams.

Remember: This is not about which 'cause'  is the best - it is about how effectively you can create use your 'persuasive craft moves'

• Your final pieces must be printed and  turned in anonymously. (Due: Mon)
• If you do not bring TWO printed versions to class, you cannot participate and you forfeit your $1
• Final pieces will be scored in small groups based on the paper's use of craft tecniques used.
• Maximum length is 1 side of typed text
• Smallest font: size 12

Points are deducted from papers that break any of the above requirements.  (e.g. you turn your piece in with your name on -5 points. Your piece is on your computer - DISQUALIFIED - It is impossible to be anonymous!)

Side note

Life teaches us- it is the little things that make the biggest difference

Note Taking Strategies

For Today

Cornell notes: 

Partner 1 “Pushing too hard, too young”  or 

Partner 2“Are high school sports good for kids?”

Chating Notes

Partner 1 “Overtraining in High School Athletes”

“Sports injury statistics”

Partner 2 “The Power of Sports and the struggle to survive”

“Autistic boy becomes basketball hero”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H/W - You need to spend 15-20mins on 'charting' your two sources by FRI. (Formative assessment on your note taking on this.)

Additional TIPS
1) Don't write facts - right conclusions based on the facts
e.g. 70% of kids get injured during competition sport - NO
e.g. Competitive sport is more dangerous that it seems b/c 70% of kids get injured - YES

2) Use Color - The mind remembers color!
Questions in read
Definitions in blue
Conclusions in green

3) Box new vocabulary or domain specific language

Recap
You learned a couple of strategies that you can take with you all the way through to university level. Taking notes in these formats really makes you think about the information as you are reading. Recap video for Cornell notes.

•  Do not forget your $1 for tomorrow's class! and an 'idea' to for a persuasive argument that you are passionate about. 
• Are you keeping up to date with your Membean?

Research Based Writing: Craft Moves

Research Based Digital Notebook - Make a copy of this file and add it to you 7th Grade RLA slideshow

On Demand: Reflection Checklist

Lesson Recap
We covered a lot of new persuasive craft techniques. You will be tested on these in 4 weeks. You will need to know what each one is and how to use them in your writing

Argument Writing: Complete Unit

Important H/W - Come to class on Thursday with an 'idea' for a topic you are passionate about and $1 cash. No other H/W apart from Membean and Reading

Reminder
All work not turned in on time or redo's needs to go to the 'resubmitted work' file on the right of the blog. This is the only way I can keep track of work to grade as I get over 50 emails every day!

H/W C/D and E/F classes

• You should complete a minimum of 25mins of Membean practice by Fri.  Any words you scored WRONG on your Membean test must be added to your quizlet file.
• If you have not read your 'suspense story' out in class - or if you do not plan to do so tomorrow, you must make sure that you have it on your blog by tomorrow (Tue)
• Just read

No other H/W due to Music performances

Tomorrow - we began writing arguments. What 'argument' craft moves do you know?

Next Week

Monday: Membean Test (30 Questions) and BBC Theatre Scripts
Tuesday: Persuasive Craft Moves - Parallel Structure
Wednesday: Note Taking Strategies
Thursday: Bring $1 cash to class - Parallel Structure (2)
Friday: Debating

Suspense Stories

Your suspense stories are due tomorrow. You will have about 20 minutes to record your stories in class tomorrow.

Recap of crafted techniques discussed
1) Opening and Delayed adjectives
2) Use of the weather
3) The Mansi Move (...scared. Scared of...)
4) Short choppy sentences for

You are being assessed on:

• your oral reading of your stories (staccato, stretching, exaggeration, slow and fast)
• your use of opening (x4) and delayed (x4) adjectives (you need a minimum of 8

The secret number is 42

Suspense Stories

Lesson Recap

C.D Class Suspense Story 
 E.F Class Suspense Story Link
G.H. Class Suspense Story Link


 H/W You will have approx. 40mins to finish your suspense story tomorrow. Using this amount of time as a guide, spend between 15-30mins on your story tonight. You will read your story in class on Friday

PIPES

H/W Membean:  C/D & E/F class only

• You need to practice for 20mins at home this week by FRIDAY. Total practice for this week should be 45mins(25mins in class) 
• You will need an idea for tomorrow's class for a suspense story (All classes)

Today, you practiced using the P.I.P. of 'PIPES' to improve your fluency. You will be performing your skits on Monday. You should practice reading your parts ready for this performance.

Delayed Adjectives

Lesson Recap


Homework

Watch this video and then write an example of a delayed adjective as a comment.

Tomorrow in class, your teacher will ask you to write down the secret number. This secret number is 24. Just remember the number 24!

Welcome Back!

Coming This Week

Persuasive Writing: On Demand - You can look at this before Monday if you choose to do so

• Next grammar unit: Opening and Delayed Adjectives and Adverbs
• Membean Practice - Have you been practicing?
• Reader's Theatre Fluency Assessment - Can you use intonation and expression effectively?
• Notice and Note: Reading Skills Notice and Note
• Suspense Writing: Horror Stories for Halloween

Student Led Conferences

You will be expected to do the majority of the talking in the Student Led Conferences. Hence the term, 'Student Led.'

Make sure you can talk succinctly (brief and to the point) about your  'strengths' and opportunities for growth. Make sure you have practiced talking about the slides in your slide show.

New plus point competition begins when we return. You can gain plus points in advance to go onto the new chart by: - Remember (preferential seating given for students with most plus points)

1) Returning classroom books at SLC conferences that you have at home or in your locker that you have finished with. (Max. 3 plus points)
2) Starting and finishing books over the break (Max. 3 plus points e.g. - You get a plus point for every book you read over the break -started new - three books max.)


I will expect to see many of your at conferences ready to share all your learning!

Have a great break!

When we return:
Ethos, pathos, logos
Opening and Delayed adjectives and adverbs
Parallelism
Notice and Note
Reading Non-fiction

Student Led Conferences: My Learning - My Growth

Congratulations on finishing your Memoirs - For those students who would like to resubmit their work for a higher grade - you must copy the link in the file directly to the right of this post titled 'Resubmitted Work.' The opportunity to resubmit a piece of work stays open for 30 days from the original due date.  Drop your teacher an email to let you know that you have a link to a new version of work.

Use this link for today's class

My Strengths and Goals

Fill the form out VERY carefully. Make sure you have evidence to prove your choices

Follow these guidelines

Smile...

The Friday Message

7 mins that will help you live longer!

Subjects and Predicates

Use this link to go to your subjects and predicates TEST
Congratulations C/D Block 16/22 students scored ABOVE EXPECTATIONS on the test!

H/W
EVERYBODY must bring in a PRINTED copy of their memoir for TOMORROW
Presentation Requirements

• A Title  Effective (not my Memoir)
• 1.5 line spacing
• Organized in paragraphs - especially your dialogue
• Author's  Note at the end of  the piece
• Highlighted Membean words

C/D & E/F - You MUST bring in your story ready to participate in a book club discussion TOMMOROW. You will be assessed on how prepared you are. You will then write a reading response after your discussion
Revision tips

 Have you used your subjects and predicates in your piece?

Memoir: Endings

No new H/W tonight Subjects and Predicates Test: TOMORROW

You will need to submit your Memoir either 'end of class tomorrow' or Friday morning.

Assessment Week

This will be a busy week:

• Subjects and Predicates Test: Thur
• Memoir: Final Draft (End of class Thur or beginning of class Fri)
• C/D - E/F classes Reading Response Fri (you will be given the stories today to prepare for Friday)

You 'REALLY' know your theme if you can summarize your whole paper in 6 words - this is a known as a '6 word memoir' - Look at the video and the excellent examples from these students

You will have Tue, Wed, and Thur to work on your memoirs.

Finished Memoir Mentor Text from last year - Read this to see how Kira jumps in and out of her anecdotes and reflections on how she is different or changed because of her experiences

Memoir: Getting it done!

Copy all your anecdotes/drafts etc that you have done so far on your memoir into one doc. MAKE SURE THE DOC. IS set so that anyone with link can edit. Drop the link in the file below for your class.

C/D class: Identity Memoir Link
E/F class: Identity Memoir Link
G/H class: Identity Memoir Link

Lesson recap: Do you know what you are doing as a writer?

No new H/W tonight - Do not forget to come to class prepared tomorrow to discuss your story. Your preparation for the story will be a summative.

Socratic Seminar

CD Block Last Kiss
EF Block Last Kiss

Structure of Memoir

Add this image to your next Digital notebook template -

Use these links to practice for the subjects and predicates test. Your test in NEXT THURSDAY 9th Oct. - the more practice you have done between then and now -  the greater likelihood of success

http://www.quia.com/rr/36765.html

http://www.quia.com/rr/36764.html

http://www.quia.com/quiz/673842.html?AP_rand=1501518670

http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/55.asp

http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/braingames/iknowthat/TagAWord/TagAWord.cfm?Topic=SubjectsPredicates

http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/cshope/Grammar%20lessons/subject%20predicate%20quiz.htm

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjc9PXJKEck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKjKC5RFhg&feature=related

Games

http://fen.com/studentactivities/SinkOrSwim/SinkorSwim.html

Use arrow keys and space bar to catch fish

Assessment Weeks

Over the next two weeks, I will be taking a number of assessments.  There will be a mixture of Formative and Summative assessments. *items will require studying/preparation in advance

• *Coming up with ideas for multiple anecdotes related to a theme (Tue)
• Membean Test  (Wednesday) Review any words you have difficulty with
• Learning Behaviors: Consistent practice on Membean (Tue)
• Learning Behaviors (Fri)
• *Reading Response: Claims and Evidence (Wed & Fri)
• *Coming Prepared to participate in a Book club discussion (Fri)
• *Predicates Rap: Formative -  Tuesday
• *Subjects and Predicates: Summative - (Next Tuesday and Thursday)
• *Final Draft of Memoir: (Next Thursday)

Further details for each of these pieces of work will be given well in advance either in class or on the blog.  Assessments in red should be your immediate focus

STRUGGLING WITH THEME: Reading or Writing?
Look at first video - it is chopped to just over 1min

Growing Anecdote into Memoir

Recap of Grammar Lesson (Add this image to your grammar notes)

The Friday Message (due to shortened week)
This is POWERFUL... Look into your past and let whoever it was know how much a difference they have made. Win +2 if you do it and write a comment about what you told that person. (Maybe this material could also be used as part of your memoir?)

How to write a claim

Lesson Recap:



We also learned to watch for RED FLAG moments in stories

Optional
+1 if you write as a comment a sentence containing an advanced subject about how to 'write a reading response'

Writing Powerful Anecdotes

Lesson Recap: Remember the characteristics of effective anecdotes

Can you write anecdotes in a way that gets your readers to hear what you heard, see what you saw, feel what you felt?

Men Don't Play with Dolls on PhotoPeach

H/W: Types of Subjects

Do you need help with your, 'types of subject' H/W?

Homework Help Link

Memoir: Identifying Structure and Craft

All classes: DO NOT FORGET YOUR TYPES of SUBJECTS  H/W: Due Monday

C/D class: Add this image to your lesson 2 notes in your digital notebook. I will be checking on Monday! (E/F class- You might want to add this to your notes too. Can you guess why?)

Optional
I'll be reading this w/end. Will you? - Keep a look out for those craft/structure moves you spot in your reading: +1 for each that you share with me (max. 2 plus points)

The Friday Message
Two minutes that should remind you about the only thing that really matters. PERIOD

This video is actually a great way to emphasize the difference between 'telling' an idea and 'showing' one!

Leave a comment about your week: learning/successes/opportunities for growth  etc.- not for a plus point - but because you care :-)

Memoir: Neighborhood Walk

For Today's class:
Video for Neighborhood walk
Make a copy of this file and add it to your grammar folder.
Grammar Unit: Subjects, Predicates, and Tools

Today, we used google maps to revisit some of our old neighborhoods. Visiting your past is an excellent strategy to generate ideas for memoir.

Grammar H/W
This is an IMPORTANT task that needs to be completed by next Monday. It should take a max. of 5-10mins if you use google or youtube effectively. This is known as the 'flipped classroom model' - you learn the content at home - you practice and reinforce the learning in school.

Bonus Plus Point (Optional: Write a comment saying why 'chunking' might be a useful tool for improving your writing.)

Enjoy Srijon's work.

Membean

Use this link to make a copy of your Membean note taking sheet

H/W  C/D - E/F classes
10 mins of Membean practice between today and Friday. You should have approx. 20mins in total practice for the week. (We did 10 mins in class)

Structure and Craft
Spend 5mins writing about the 'structure and craft' moves in a sport that you play. - Write your post as a comment to this blog post. +1 bonus for doing this.

READ...

Reminder: All classes - You will need any addresses where you have lived for tomorrow's class!

Getting Organized: From Identity to Memoir

Click on this link for the Parts of Speech test

Use this form for the Identity Unit Teacher Feedback Questionnaire (This is NOT a test) This form is just to provide feedback for the teachers on the unit and your suggestions for improvements.

Make a copy of this file and add it to your 'Memoir Slide' in your 7th grade RLA slideshow
Memoir Unit: Note Taking Sheet

Make a copy of this sheet: My Learning. My Goals

H/W - Due Thur
For Thursday:
Bring the addresses of the different homes you have lived in. We will be doing a google maps activity, so you will need to know the addresses/neighbourhoods where you have lived.

Reading: Many of you still need to work toward 30mins a day. Use tonight to improve your average. Keep your log up to date.

Tomorrow: Parts of Speech Test
To show mastery (Grade A) on 'parts of speech' you will need to be able to:

• Identify 'adverb' parts of speech that DO NOT end in -ly
• Classify at least 16 words that you have written into parts of speech
• Know when a word is being used in a sentence as an adjective or a noun
• e.g. We traveled to Spain's capital.  (What part of speech in Spain's?)
• Know the parts of speech of some more challenging words e.g. is, everyone, this, those, never

Congratulations on your impressive presentations today. Enjoy some movie versions from your classmates.

Taya's piece has a message for all of us!

Writing Closings

For Monday: If you are reading your work - BRING A PRINTED COPY, this way you will not need to hold your computer. Videos can just be shown on your computer.  

Sign up in the slideshow below: Spots are filling FAST! - First come first served!

Read Carolina's piece (It is not finished but serves as an example of length, sophistication of ideas, use of structure and transitional phrases.) +1 if you write a comment stating 'specifically' what you are working on this weekend to make sure you are ready for Monday.

G/H class: Identity Portfolio: Final Draft

Use one of these techniques to bring your ideas together
Emotions Database: emotion



The FRIDAY Message - This is useful for your piece. Really worth 6mins of your life!

Stepping into the 'Learning' Zone

H/W
You should have all your main body paragraphs written. Conclusion we will do in tomorrow's class. We will spend 15 minutes discussing conclusions. You will have 40mins of writing time and 20minutes of grammar (that we will spend editing your writing)

CHANGE for G/H Class - you do NOT need a printed copy of your piece for tomorrow for the grammar class. I will do this next week with you. 

Want to present to a large group on Monday? Sign up below. It does not matter that you are not finished. You can add your media/writing later. (Purely optional - but great for people ready to push themselves further!) C/D- Block E/F Block G/H Block

Submitting Work

Recap:
Effective writers create LEADS that ground the writer in time and place and give a hint to the theme, issue, or conflict.

 For Class

You will drop your working drafts in the files below after you have 'shared' the doc with me and made it 'editable' for me.

C/D class: Identity Portfolio: Final Draft
E/F class: Identity Portfolio: Final Draft
G/H class: Identity Portfolio: Final Draft

Student sample: This is a powerful lead that using the metaphor technique, but also hints at the theme for the piece. Well done Beatrice and Joaquin

A watermelon. I know that sounds funny, but i’m a watermelon. Outside, theres a hard shell, that keeps the world away, but inside, i'm a different nationality. Although a watermelon seems strong, the peel is easy to crack. Its red and green, and has that thin layer of white showing. A watermelon, smashed into a million little pieces. The colors- representing every part of me. The outside, the part that people see, the side that people judge. The inside, where my feelings are hidden, and where the seeds grow into something bigger. Finally, the little thin layer of white where my confusions begin, where my thoughts become actions.

My family and friends are so difficult to handle. They want me to be the sports star, the straight-A student, the most popular friend, the one who knows all the answers. They want me to be just like them: the same personality, the same mind, the same goals and the same hobbies.  They want me to be a reflection of them, the person on the other side of the mirror. But who am I, the person crouched up in the darkness, behind the mirror of perfection?

For H/W
You should have at least 3 paragraphs written for your final piece by Thursday's class.  All writing now for this final piece should appear in the files above.
Support: I am available for extra support with your project from 7:35am to 8:00am, during lunch, and after school Thur and Fri.

Official Date for Parts of Speech test has been pushed to Tuesday 23rd Sept (due to M.A.P. make ups)
You will be assessed on:
Can you name the 8 parts of speech
Can you classify words into the different parts of speech.
Can you label the parts of speech in a sentence

To show mastery (Grade A) on 'parts of speech' you will need to be able to:

• Identify 'adverb' parts of speech that DO NOT end in -ly
• Classify at least 16 words that you have written into parts of speech
• Know when a word is being used in a sentence as an adjective or a noun
• e.g. We traveled to Spain's capital.  (What part of speech in Spain's?)
• Know the parts of speech of some more challenging words e.g. is, everyone, this, those, never

You Don't Always Get What You Want...

E/F class: Identity Portfolio: Final Draft

Recap of today's session

H/W: Your outline  with your seed idea and structure should be finished by tomorrow

Make sure you are studying your grammar 'parts of speech'

"Walking the Talk"

H/W:  YOU choose how to spend your time!
This week you need to plan your time effectively so that you meet the first major deadline for having your identity piece turned in. (Sept 15th) Assessment instructions are in last week's post on the blog.  Make sure you focus on the 'do' part of the planning!

My Expectation:  You will be close to finishing your planning sheet BEFORE Wednesday's class


Are you studying your 'parts of speech?'  Test coming at the end of this week.

Are you keeping your reading log up to date and continuing with 20-30mins min. of independent reading.

Coming this Week

• M.A.P. testing
• More 'parts of speech' practice
• Reading log assessment
• Independent time to work on your identity project

"Failing to plan is planning to fail" anon.

Weekly Reflection

Reminder: Can I Change Sheets: Due Monday!
Homebase: Are you making deposits or withdrawals? 

The final due date for the identity presentation is a week on Monday (15th)

Over the weekend, you really should have an idea of what connects all your different pieces of writing and poetry in your identity portfolio: Your SEED idea

Are you:
Somebody who always avoids a challenge?

Somebody who is trying to be something that you are not?
Somebody who uses their heart as a compass?
Somebody who only believes things that you find out for yourself.
Somebody who parents give too much or too little?
Somebody who worries to much about things that never happen?
Somebody who loves the unexpected or needs structure in your life?
Somebody who lives in a virtual world?

Your 'theme' is almost like an 'extended metaphor' (we will cover this in class on Monday) that ties all these ideas together.  e.g.  a patch work quilt, a circus, a jigsaw puzzle.

Optional
+1 if you can share your seed idea in the comments and say what your theme will be

Next Week
You will have your Parts of Speech assessment at the end of next week - Do you know your parts of speech? Can you name the parts of speech for any sentence you find in your reading book? Will you practice for the test using the online exercises and purple words like these students promised?

The Friday Message : This is worth 9 mins of your life!




C/D and E/F classes will have a MAP test on Monday.

Planning the Final Project

Recap from today's session.

Organize your time going forward taking into consideration these due dates below

Due date for final summative presentation: Mon 15th Sept (approx. 10 days time) (You will have at least x3 days of class time next week to work on this project.)

Parts of Speech Practice TEST coming End of Next Week!
(You know what you know - Study what you don't!!!)

Begin: http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/parts_of_speech/quiz395.html

Making progress: https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/parts-of-speech_quiz.htm

Easy  http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/215.html

Harder   http://www.quia.com/cb/188350.html     

Hardest http://www.quia.com/rr/143009.html

Resource found by Ryan
http://quizlet.com/4907039/8-parts-of-speech-definitions-flash-cards/

 MAP Testing
 C/D and E/F will have your first M.A.P. test tomorrow.

What are you reading? - Maybe get an idea from these 7th graders

My Online Identity

Recap of today's session

Watch this to learn about your 'digital dossier'


H/W: (Due: Fri)
Finish your 100% poem (look in the slideshow to see the example of the poem)
Your poem should contain:
1) Domain specific language (words and phrases associated with being online. e.g. selfie, jpeg, drive etc.)
2) Specific ideas that capture your online identity - e.g. tweets to check in, torrents to check out
This example is 'showing' not telling how I spend my time on line
3) A 'continuum' format  e.g. 100%, Days of the Week, a recipe etc.

 Reminders:

All classes: DO NOT FORGET your purple set of 'parts of speech' cards in a ziplock bag for tomorrow

Bias and Prejudice

Make a copy of this file: 7th Grade RLA Units of Study

Bias and Prejudice
H/W All Classes: Due Thur
Bring in your purple card cut up in a ziplog bag.

Can I Change? - Do you have true grit?'
Your 30 day challenge due date is next MONDAY. The photograph on your sheet should be a picture of you working on your challenge! Make sure you have specific details of how you intend to achieve your goal. You may get parent input for ideas here.

Welcome Back

Recap
First reading log assessment was given today. MANY of you are not using your log correctly. Logging reading is an expectation. You will know the reasons for the data collection in a few weeks.
Next reading log assessment will be in two weeks. Make sure your log is completed and up to date. (Ask a friend to help you set up your log is yours is not recording properly. The link to do it from the beginning is here: Reading Log - Look in older posts to find the video explanation.)

H/W C/D and E/F classes
Spend 30mins reading tonight. Remember the class goal is to read 40 books this year! Use stickies to divide up your reading book like the image below. If you are close to finishing, set up this system for your next book. Set yourself a goal when you will finish this book.

Coming tomorrow: Do you know your 'parts of speech?'

Your Character

Recap: What's your sentence? +1 for any that are added to comments that show depth of thinking

Turn in your writing here:

C/D Class: Drop your slides here
E/F Class: Drop your slides here
G/H Class: Drop your slides here

CWW is the perfect time to 'step out of you comfort zone.' Use this time to really reflect what character traits you really want to show during this time. Always ask yourself, "Was I better today than yesterday?"

Rituals and Habits...

Lesson Recap,

"Our thoughts become words, our words become actions, our actions become habits and our habits become our character..."

 H/W - Due Tue (From last week)
(Rubric is in the slideshow from last week)

• Finish your TCK poem 
• Finish your first writing piece (look at last week's posts for further details on these tasks.
• At the end of your writing piece write a sentence(s) saying: What you want me to learn about you through the piece and what structures you have used in your piece. 
• READ

Example: Look at this piece from Maeve.  (click image to enlarge) Notice:
1) Length
2) She is clearly showing that she has learned something about herself 
3) She is clearly saying why this learning is important

 For Interest: Proven habits of successful students

Assessment Day

On Monday, our lesson will be about family rituals. e.g. we put out reindeer food on our lawn for Santa on Dec. 24th. Ask your parents about your family rituals. We will begin the class sharing the rituals we follow.

H/W All classes
TCK poem: Due - Tue
Turn in your first written piece for grading Due: Tue 
There will be no other H/W next week apart from Reading. Keep your log up to date.

"Why should the reader care?" Make sure your work shows why the reader should care and what you want the reader to know about yourself.
Lesson Recap with rubric attached

C/D Class: Drop your slides here
E/F Class: Drop your slides here
G/H Class: Drop your slides here

Friday Message. If you believe, you will succeed! - Optional: Leave a comment saying something that you want to work harder at over the coming weeks - win a +1

Third Culture Kid: A Class of Triangles!

Reminders: Your videos are due tomorrow. There should be inserted in your google presentation. If you do not know how to do this, I can help you in class tomorrow.

Lesson Recap
H/W -  E/F and C/D classes ONLY. (Due Tuesday)
Third Culture Poem: What does it feel like to be in a TCK or  What were your experiences (positive/negative) when moving and making the transition? Talk about what you left behind or what you gained

Guidelines - A poem

• An effective title
• Approx. 12 lines
• Poetry structure and format
• Clear ideas and precise language

You can choose to present your ideas in a song if you choose (see example)

Optional: Watch this for inspiration


So Where's Home? A Film About Third Culture Kid Identity from Adrian Bautista on Vimeo.

"There are just some things I won't let slide..."

What are your CORE values?

Standing for what you believe in...

H/W: All classes.  Finish your podcast that identifies what your core values are and what you, "...won't let slide...": DUE FRI - Insert your video in your slideshow. See me or a friend if you need tech help on this before Friday's class. (I will give you 15mins in class on Thur to work on this activity - G/H class - you guys had 20mins more than the other classes; therefore, you will not have class time Friday.)

Guidelines
Talk about 3 or 4 of your top core values.
Talk about 1 or 2 values that you would like to improve
Minimum x4 core values - Max x6 core values

For each core value you might decide to talk about a combination of:

• Use a quote associated with the core value
• Define the core value
• Give one or two reasons why this value is important to you
• Talk about situations where you have seen this core value happening in your life
• Talk about what would happen if everybody did or didn't follow this core value
• You own ideas

Extra Help! - Ask your parents to talk about their core values and why they are important. This might help you generate more ideas.
 Example of final product (yours will be a little longer)  2mins-4mins
Movie on 20-8-14 at 9.47 am from Russell Buxton on Vimeo.

What I Value...

Lesson Recap
Today, we saw how writers used objects to express their feelings and emotions about a person or an idea. Writing symbolically is the next step. Sometimes the feelings a writers expresses for an object is their way of talking about how they feel about a person.

H/W - C/D Class and E/F Class only.  (Due: Thur)

Finish the writing that you started today about your special object. Possible content for your piece:

• Clear description of the object
• Anecdote associated with object
• Explanation of feelings tidied to object
• Advanced Writer Challenge: Symbolic message hidden in piece that reveals a little more about your identity and what you value   

Learning Behaviors

Based on today's performance at the start of class, what learning behaviors do you need to improve upon? - This blog post should be completed by Fri

Reminder: All Classes: Do not forget last night's H/W!

My Name

H/W. For tomorrow... bring in 2 items that represent you. Use this link to inspire you to choose objects that really represent what you value:

This video also gives you another idea. (If the object is big, bring a picture of the object)

e.g. My african statue represents my belief to give back to the world because...

H/W: All Classes
Ensure that you have at least one anecdote in your expose on your name. You can ask for your parents for the story, 'behind your name' for help.  Integrate your piece into slideshow.  Your final piece should clearly show how you feel about your name. (Due: Wed)

Approx length 16-25 lines of typed text on one or two slides.

Site 1    Site 2
Optional: Add an image to your slide associated with your text.

Read: 20-30mins EVERY NIGHT

Recap: The First Two Days

"The smartest person in the room"

Today, we discussed many of the characteristics of effective collaboration:

• Asking questions to encourage participation
• Using research to help decision making
• Dividing up tasks based on people's strengths
• Spending quality time on planning
• Servant leader - Leading from behind
• Being an 'upstander' (getting actively involved) not a 'bystander'

Now...Can you carry these ideas into your Math, Science, Social Studies group work projects?

The Friday Message
Will you give up when it gets tough, or will you show patience and perseverance? Win +1 for leaving a comment!

The Marshmallow Challenge

Getting Digitally Organized

Reading Log


My Identity Portfolio

My 7th Grade RLA

The Power of Words

Today, you were introduced to the 'power of words'

Some major take-aways:

• 'Fail - BIG' - Push yourself 
• Smash out of that comfort zone!
• Practice what you are BAD at!

H/W  (Due Fri)
Make sure you read for a minimum of 30minutes. You might be expected to discuss your reading in class tomorrow.

Write a comment under today's blog post that states something that you learned in RLA class.

Stick your 'Comfort Zone' in a special place near your desk. Take a photo of it and place the image on your blog. We will compare images in 3 months to see how you have stepped out. (Due:Next Monday)

Test: Log link