The weekend already?!

Remember to bring your reading book (Divergent or other) on Monday and all of next week!

P. 1,4: I went over an Argument Writing Feedback form for students to fill out this weekend. They are to look at my comment, feedback, and rubric on googledocs this weekend and write about where they need to improve in their writing and where they did well. In the ISTEP review, students learned about "appositive phrases" in writing. This will help them to add details and have sentence variety in their written answers.

H/W: Complete the argument Feedback form for Monday

P. 2,6: I introduced a competitive writing invitation offered by First Lady Karen Pence. Please see me for a packet if you would like to take advantage of this excellent opportunity! We shared Wordmaster responses in groups and also added visual definitions by group skits. Appositive phrases were introduced and completed independently.

H/W: Wordmaster words 7-12 due Monday (connotative definition, picture, word in a sentence)
          Quiz on words 1-12 on Tues.

P. 5: I introduced a competitive writing invitation offered by First Lady Karen Pence. Please see me for a packet if you would like to take advantage of this excellent opportunity! We also some of the great characterization pieces that students wrote from Red Glass. These got a little overshadowed by the symbols, and I wanted to share some of the "can't miss" responses! We worked on appositive phrases and ISTEP writing from yesterday.

H/W: If you hand wrote your characterization paper, I would like for you to type it so these can be hung by your symbols. Thanks! Please have for Monday.

Have a wonderful wintry weekend!

Welcome back! It was a great day at DMS.

Because of the days off, we are in a "crunch" (of sorts) to review for ISTEP. You will notice that most of our classes over the next few weeks will be practicing for ISTEP. We will be testing the first week of March. All classes practiced creating prewrites today for the ISTEP prompt. Our goal is to draw the prewrite in 15 seconds and fill in the prompt in 10 minutes. It's a challenge!

Today was our "One Book One School" kickoff with Divergent! There was excitement in the air as students talked about factions and their characteristics. Students are reminded that we will have read time each day before period 1, so don't forget your books! If you are choosing not to read Divergent, please make sure you have another book for reading.

Homework:

Divergent chpts. 1-8 for next Thurs. (if you are participating)

P. 1, 4: Read the feedback on googledocs for your argument paper

P. 2,6: Wordmaster words 1-6 due tomorrow. Words 7-12 due Mon. This includes a definition in your own words, a picture, and a sentence for each word. Quiz on words 1-12 Tues. Bring your flashcards tomorrow!

P. 5: Go to acuityathome. Do 4 acuity activities in the areas that you believe are your weakest. You must have a passing score of 80% for each activity. If you don't have a passing score, keep doing them until you get 4 passing scores. Write down the name of the activity and your score.

Thank you!

Hello!

Even though we had a shortened schedule, we still managed to fit in the Lexile Reading assessment. This was the 2nd one this year, and we are looking for progress in each student's score. The best thing you can do, as a reader, is to read books within your lexile range. Go to lexile.com and enter your number. I am very proud of your results!

H/W: P. 1,4,5 - no h/w
P. 2,6: Wordmaster II flashcards due tomorrow. Picture sheet for words 1-6. Don't forget to go to studystack.com to access words and definitions: DMS Wordmasters II 2014

Stay warm!

Snowy Wednesday!

All classes continued with ISTEP writing practice today. I am trying to stress the importance of how an effective prewrite takes all the worry out of writing an essay. My mantra is that when you have a solid prewrite, all your hard work is done. So, for several days we will focus on what makes a strong prewrite. I hear a collective groan when I utter the word "ISTEP," and it's because the writing portion is dreaded; my goal is for students to look forward to the writing portion because they know exactly how to "nail it."

P. 1,4: no homework
P. 5: no homework
P. 2,6: Wordmaster flashcards (from studystack.com  Search DMS Wordmasters II 2014) due Friday. The "two" after "Wordmasters" in upper case "I" entered twice. Also, illustrations of the first six words due Friday. This includes your own connotative definition, illustration, and word used in a sentence.

Thank you! See you tomorrow.

I hope you all had a great long weekend!

All classes went to the LGI today and learned how to "attack a prompt" in preparation for ISTEP. Mrs. Bortone's classes joined my classes, so students all received the same information. We have accumlated many tricks of the trade over the years, and I am a firm believer that the students should know what teachers know about the "tips" of ISTEP writing. Some ideas we shared today:

• the 30 second prewrite
• three main parts of the prompt
• borrowing words and phrases
• the rules of "3" in reasons and details
• When they repeat instructions, it's for a reason!
• No time for pondering a question...you may have to stretch the truth
• We will continue to learn and practice until ISTEP! 

There was no homework assigned for any classes tonight. Have a wonderful evening...stay warm!

Friday :)

Phew! Busy week!

P. 1,4: Several students worked on finishing up their papers, and I want to thank those of you (Garrett!) who were so giving of your time to peer edit. We did some practice Acuity problems with "theme," and we also had some fun with lateral thinking puzzles. Also, students went to the IMC to check out books.
H/W: If your paper isn't complete, please do it this weekend.

P. 5: Today we reviewed culture questions 1-3 to check for understanding, and then students worked on question 4. Remember, you responses must show depth and have either evidence or details. Any connections you can make to our culture is also great additional information. Students did a Gallery Walk to showcase their symbols and character writing from Red Glass. Camryn and Aden, we included your works of art :)  At each station, the student's job was to write an "emotion" word that could be symbolic of the symbol. Does that make sense? In other words, what emotion does the object symbolize?
H/W: Please finish culure question 4 if you didn't do it in class.

P. 2,6: We had a lengthy feedback discussion about Socratic - thanks so much for your positivity. After that, we had lateral thinking team challenges, which was quite competitive! Student passed in their Wordmasters word, Socratic reflections and Socratic Observation form. Also went to the IMC.
H/W: Here is the title for the Wordmasters II words and definitions: DMS Wordmasters II.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Happy Snowy Day!

P. 1,4: Students took a quiz on the components of argument writing. This took most of the class period. After that, we went to the IMC to check out some good books!
H/W: Argument Writing paper is due tomorrow. I will be grading these on Googledocs. Please make sure it is in your Turn In folder and you have shared it with me. Thanks.

P. 5: We shared more of the Character's Perspective writing from Red Glass. This is a lot of fun because of the culture differences between the characters and what we have here at DMS. We are preparing for Socratic by answering culture questions in class; for Socratic students will be asked to not only share evidence but also make connections to our present day culture in the U. S.
H/W: Make sure you have answered questions 1-3 of the culture questions.

P. 2,6: These groups finished up Socratic today. I heard much more "discussion" rather than just responding to questions, so we are really starting to get the idea of what Socratic is all about! Wordmaster II words were handed out- please complete your word form tonight.
H/W: Wordmaster word form due tomorrow
          Socratic reflection due tomorrow. See questions below:

• What are the advantages of discussion in a Socratic format as opposed to a classroom format? What are the disadvantages?
• Do you think Socratic is an effective way to learn?
• Are you feeling more comfortable with Socratic?

Thank you for a wonderful day!

Hello!

P. 1,4: Students went to the computer lab to peer edit and color edit their argument papers. We highlighted claim, counter claim, the three reasons (which should be followed by evidence and explanation) and pathos in the conclusion. I want to thank those of you who were excellent peer editors. Papers are due this Friday. If you feel you need more help, please see me about meeting during lunch or before/after school.
H/W: Quiz tomorrow on components of an argument paper. See yesterday's blog post for the terms you need to know.

P. 5: Today students shared their character writing for their symbols, and they also started answering the culture questions for Red Glass. I am hoping to write all of these in class unless; they will only become homework if not finished.
H/W: Some of you didn't have your character writing completed-please bring in tomorrow.

P. 2,6: Socratic Seminar today! These will continue into tomorrow.

Have a good night!

Hello!

What a great start I had to my day by enjoying breakfast with our friends from China! It is wonderful to have them in our school.

P. 1,4: After a little grammar at the start of class, students learned how to write a Works Cited  for their argument paper. We will add those to our papers in the lab tomorrow. We also went over the Argument Paper Terms that will be on the quiz on Thursday. I am just checking that students know the purpose of these terms, and the reasons why we include them in an argument paper. The terms are: ethos, pathos, logos, claim, counter-claim, reason, evidence, explanation.
H/W: Please finish typing your paper tonight. Tomorrow we will color edit.

P. 5: Today students made their symbols from the novel Red Glass. Tonight your job is to become one of the characters in the book, and write about the symbol and what it means to you (as the character). Please include what it symbolizes in your culture. This should be no less than a paragraph, and you may use any kind of creatively decorated paper you wish. I loved watching your creative minds today, especially Luke's ;)
H/W: Reread the guidelines for becoming the character to discuss the symbol you made. Please complete your writing and bring it tomorrow.

P. 2,6: Students analyzed a culture model today and we discussed parts of culture that fit into the sections of the model. I then reviewed what is expected in the Socratic Seminar tomorrow. I reviewed what they should be looking for as a peer coach, and also how they will be graded. I want to make it clear that I will be grading on : presentation of evidence, introducing of new idea with transition, depth of answer (demonstrating understanding of novel) and body language (eye contact).
H/W: Be prepared for Socratic! No materials, no grade...

See you tomorrow!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

P.1,4:
We went to the computer lab to do a self edit and peer edit on the argument papers.
H/W: This is where I want you to be on your paper for tomorrow:

• typing finished. Make sure your prewrites are complete before you finish typing.
• Self edit done. It is ok if you don't have a peer edit yet. 
• If you don't have computer access at home, you need to come in before school/lunch/after school. Please be in touch with me so we can schedule this.

P. 5:

Students started working on the cultural questions in response to Red Glass. I also went over the guidelines for our Symbol Project...can't wait to see these! We reviewed the Think, See, Wonder we did on Friday to help with connections to symbols.

H/W: Please bring any supplies from home that you need for your symbol. You may use any supplies in our classroom. Please have "Notes and Ideas" filled out on your guideline paper. 

P. 2,6: Today we we continued with the "Tank Man" Think, See, Wonder from last Friday. Student were given a background article about the event and added to their chart. We then discussed the role of a protester and compared/contrasted Tank Man and Ailin in relation to their purpose and methods. 

H/W: Socratic using culture responses on Wed. Be prepared with many ways to respond to questions. 

          I will review the format and expectations tomorrow.

Have a wonderful evening!

Friday Already!?

Please read the flyer your child brought home from Goodwill.

P. 1,4:
After the poetry readings, students went to the lab to type their argument papers. You should be on the conclusion of your paper. Please make sure you're following your prewrite, and then adding transition words; these work well between the three reasons in the body paragraph. Because of absences before break, several students have a lot of catching up to do. Please work on your paper over the weekend, and email me if you have questions.
H/W: If you are behind on your paper, come in Monday with the prewrite for your conclusion written. All three prewrites into, body conclusion) should be completed.

P. 2, 5, 6: After poetry, we did a Think, See, Wonder activity. This activity was to help students look deeply into a topic and formulate conclusions and questions. For p. 5 it was based upon Red Glass and designed to help them think deeply about the cultural issues. For p. 2,6 it was to help see the bigger picture of the issues in Ties that Bind.
H/W: No h/w

Have a great weekend!

WELCOME BACK!

What a long brain break we had! As nice as it was to have time off with bonus days, it was so good to see all of you today! Thank you for being good listeners and getting right back to work.

P. 1,4: Today we continued with our poems that made a connection to Rules. It was a calm way to get our brains jump-started! We also went over the prewrite for the argument paper and reviewed the purpose and expectations for the paper. We are now on the conclusion.
H/W: Please complete the prewrite for the conclusion of your argument paper. This is the yellow paper. We will type tomorrow.

P. 2,6: Culture questions for Ties that Bind are graded and on Googledocs. Students went to the computer lab to write a summary of my comments posted on their paper. I want to make sure students actually read my comments instead of just checking the grade on HAC! This will help them prepare for Socratic. We also continued with poems.
H/W: Revise your papers to help you prepare for Socratic...do you have specific evidence?


P. 5: We continued presenting the poems related to POTM. Remember your poems because we will do a few per day. I introduced the culture questions that related to Red Glass. This will be a graded written assignment as well as a graded Socratic assignment. My intention is for most of the writing to be done in class.
H/W: None tonight

See you tomorrow!

Periods 2 and 6 only:

Hi there! I have finished grading your Ties that Bind, Ties the Break culture responses. Grades are on HAC. Please take a look, and if you don't have a grade, it means that I can't find your paper on Googledocs and you didn't pass in a paper copy. Are you sure you shared it with me in the LA folder? Please recheck how you saved it.

Will we ever have school again?! I miss you!