As we come to the end of third quarter, our focus in Reading has shifted to preparing for the ISATs. These annual exams are given each spring to students in grades 3-8. As a seventh grader, your student will be testing in math, reading, and science. There are three sections of the reading test which will be given over three class periods. The first test includes only multiple choice questions, while the second and third test include both multiple choice questions and an extended response question. For the extended response, students are given a question about the passage they read and asked to write a short essay response that includes specific details from the text as well as connection to their own lives. Students were taught a T-chart prewriting strategy to help them feel confident and be successful on the extended response portion.
Once we complete the ISAT test, there will be a shift in our reading schedule. Students in A day classes will begin a literature circle novel unit, while students in B day classes will begin reading the historical fiction novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963. I will give more information about both options, but please be sure to check w/ your student whether they are an A day or a B day student to help you know which information to focus on.
The final AR projects for third quarter were just turned in. They look good, and I'll begin grading them tomorrow. The new info for fourth quarter was just passed out and will be posted to the blog as well.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Pasta for Pennies
We're officially 2/3 of the way through our Pasta for Pennies Coin Collection drive. While we've had great support, we've still got some work to do if we're going to make our goal. Would you be able to help us get there?
Pennies for Pasta is a coin collection drive to benefit the work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to eliminate all blood cancers. Currently, students in grades 5-8 are busy collecting spare change and extra dollars to help the LLS. This year, WLMS is also competing directly against WLHS in a one-on-one challenge to see which group can donate the most funds to the Pasta for Pennies drive.
In addition to the classroom coin collection, we are also inviting parents, teachers, community members and other supporters of WL schools to participate in our online donation page. By visiting the link below, you will be directed to a secure page where you can make a tax deductible donation to benefit our campaign. Once there, you can also receive information if your workplace participates in a matching gifts program. If you are a parent, you can use the online donation tool to give credit to your student's class as well.
http://il.sy.llsevent.org/WarrensburgLathamElemMS
If you feel so inclined, please feel free to share this link with any friends, colleagues or family members who you think would be interested in supporting W-L's efforts to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thanks again for your support.
Sincerely,
Melanie Allen and the members of the WLMS National Junior Honor Society
Pennies for Pasta is a coin collection drive to benefit the work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to eliminate all blood cancers. Currently, students in grades 5-8 are busy collecting spare change and extra dollars to help the LLS. This year, WLMS is also competing directly against WLHS in a one-on-one challenge to see which group can donate the most funds to the Pasta for Pennies drive.
In addition to the classroom coin collection, we are also inviting parents, teachers, community members and other supporters of WL schools to participate in our online donation page. By visiting the link below, you will be directed to a secure page where you can make a tax deductible donation to benefit our campaign. Once there, you can also receive information if your workplace participates in a matching gifts program. If you are a parent, you can use the online donation tool to give credit to your student's class as well.
http://il.sy.llsevent.org/WarrensburgLathamElemMS
If you feel so inclined, please feel free to share this link with any friends, colleagues or family members who you think would be interested in supporting W-L's efforts to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thanks again for your support.
Sincerely,
Melanie Allen and the members of the WLMS National Junior Honor Society
3rd Quarter AR Project #2
The second AR project of 3rd Quarter is due on Feb 27/28:
Rather than writing a standard book report, you will instead create a book report project that will accurately explain and describe the book that you have read. As always, this project will be equal to a test grade and should be taken seriously. For this project, you will need to read one book. It can be either fiction or non-fiction. After you finish the book, you have the option of completing one of three projects:
1. Create a diorama of your book. A diorama is a 3-dimension scene from your book. It should include models of the people, places and things that made your book interesting or unique. It should focus on the main events of your book and be easy to understand. You can use whatever materials you would like to construct the diorama, but it needs to be at least as big as a shoebox. You will also need to attach a half page explanation of the scene.
2. Pretend that your book is being made into a movie. Create a movie poster that will convince others to come see the movie. Your poster should be bright, colorful and easy to understand and made on a poster board. Think about other posters you have seen. It should include a picture of the main character and other pictures or descriptions that relate to your book. Make sure to include the names of actors or actresses that might star in the movie. You will also need to attach a half page explanation of the book.
3. Write a letter to the author of your book. Explain at least two things that you did like about the book and mention at least one thing that you did not like in the book. You should give real examples from the book that showcase your point. For example, if you like the descriptions mention how the author described the autumn leaves in chapter six. When you mention something that you did not like, you should offer at least one solution to fix the problem. Your letter should be at least 1½ - 2 pages long and written in professional style.
All projects should include the full title of the book and the author’s name somewhere on the project. Please see me if you have any questions on your options. Good luck!
Rather than writing a standard book report, you will instead create a book report project that will accurately explain and describe the book that you have read. As always, this project will be equal to a test grade and should be taken seriously. For this project, you will need to read one book. It can be either fiction or non-fiction. After you finish the book, you have the option of completing one of three projects:
1. Create a diorama of your book. A diorama is a 3-dimension scene from your book. It should include models of the people, places and things that made your book interesting or unique. It should focus on the main events of your book and be easy to understand. You can use whatever materials you would like to construct the diorama, but it needs to be at least as big as a shoebox. You will also need to attach a half page explanation of the scene.
2. Pretend that your book is being made into a movie. Create a movie poster that will convince others to come see the movie. Your poster should be bright, colorful and easy to understand and made on a poster board. Think about other posters you have seen. It should include a picture of the main character and other pictures or descriptions that relate to your book. Make sure to include the names of actors or actresses that might star in the movie. You will also need to attach a half page explanation of the book.
3. Write a letter to the author of your book. Explain at least two things that you did like about the book and mention at least one thing that you did not like in the book. You should give real examples from the book that showcase your point. For example, if you like the descriptions mention how the author described the autumn leaves in chapter six. When you mention something that you did not like, you should offer at least one solution to fix the problem. Your letter should be at least 1½ - 2 pages long and written in professional style.
All projects should include the full title of the book and the author’s name somewhere on the project. Please see me if you have any questions on your options. Good luck!
What's Going on in Writing?
In Writing class, we've officially wrapped up our sentence diagramming unit. Students did amazingly well on diagramming and I'm so pleased to see how far they have progressed since the beginning of the year. Those test grades are already posted online. Next up, we will begin going over some of the specific types of phrases and clauses.
After finishing our persuasive posters, students are beginning the always exciting City Project. For this, students are creating their very own city. The town that they create should be the ultimate place to live and work and feature all of the amenities your student feels is important. So far, they've made a list of the businesses they want to include in their town and are now in the process of laying out the map of their city. The heart of the project involves students understanding the importance of writing for a purpose - in this case, to attract new residents to their town - and more information will be forthcoming. (But rest assured, no 3D models will be involved!)
After finishing our persuasive posters, students are beginning the always exciting City Project. For this, students are creating their very own city. The town that they create should be the ultimate place to live and work and feature all of the amenities your student feels is important. So far, they've made a list of the businesses they want to include in their town and are now in the process of laying out the map of their city. The heart of the project involves students understanding the importance of writing for a purpose - in this case, to attract new residents to their town - and more information will be forthcoming. (But rest assured, no 3D models will be involved!)
What's Going on in Reading?
We've just finished up our big Poetry Unit. Students took their unit test and those grades have been published online for three of the four classes already. Poetry can be difficult, and I was quite proud at how well many students did.
Over the next two weeks, we are going to be preparing for the ISATs, the annual standardized testing that occurs each spring. We will be taking time to go over some of the concepts that require a quick review. Topics will include: synonyms/antonyms/homophones, genres of literature, author's purpose, mood and tone, point of view and context clues. We will also be going over the format of the test, so that all students feel confident and prepared when we begin testing the first two weeks of March.
The next AR project for Reading is due at the very end of the month. Students will have some additional in-class reading time to work toward that goal.
Over the next two weeks, we are going to be preparing for the ISATs, the annual standardized testing that occurs each spring. We will be taking time to go over some of the concepts that require a quick review. Topics will include: synonyms/antonyms/homophones, genres of literature, author's purpose, mood and tone, point of view and context clues. We will also be going over the format of the test, so that all students feel confident and prepared when we begin testing the first two weeks of March.
The next AR project for Reading is due at the very end of the month. Students will have some additional in-class reading time to work toward that goal.
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