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November 27, 2005
Students will spend the class period in the writing lab perfecting their final copy of the response to literature assignment.
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Students are to work on the completion of their final copy of the response to literature assignment. The final copy (submitted to e-rater) is due by Friday, December 9.
Posted by Abrams at 11:27 AM
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 28
Activity 1:
Read your chapter book for 30 minutes, complete an entry on your reading log, and answer the following:
What impressions are you forming in your mind of people and places in the story?
What pictures do you have in your mind’s eye?
Are you able to see in your mind the characters and the places where the events take place?
What in the text helps you see a picture?
What sort of vantage point or perspective do you seem to have?
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Students are to work on the completion of their final copy of the response to literature assignment. This assignment is due 12/9 at the beginning of class.
Posted by Abrams at 11:26 AM
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Students will spend the class period in the writing lab perfecting their final copy of the response to literature assignment.
Due to technical difficulties, the following information is important. Those students writing a 5-paragraph essay are to type and save on http://www.phsuccessnet.com
Those students making a PowerPoint should complete the template and email it to me at ilene.abrams@cobbk12.org
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Students are to work on the completion of their final copy of the response to literature assignment.
Posted by Abrams at 11:25 AM
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Students will spend the class period in the writing lab perfecting their final copy of the response to literature assignment.
Due to technical difficulties, the following information is important. Those students writing a 5-paragraph essay are to type and save on http://www.phsuccessnet.com
Those students making a PowerPoint should complete the template and email it to me at ilene.abrams@cobbk12.org
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Students are to work on the completion of their final copy of the response to literature assignment.
FYI: Focus Statment
Posted by Abrams at 11:24 AM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 313-317
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Handout:
Peer Response
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 27
Activity 1:
Review and discuss the information in Write Source on pg. 317 dealing with the concept of publishing.
Activity 2:
Students are to show substantial evidence of revising and editing on their rough draft or storyboard.
Activity 3:
Working with their writing partner, students will swap papers and give constructive criticism to their writing partner (using the Peer Response).
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Your1st rough draft or the storyboard for the alternate assignment for Response to Literature essay needs to show substantial evidence of revising and editing.
Posted by Abrams at 11:23 AM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 313-316
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide or the plot teaser slide.
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 26
Activity 1:
Review and discuss the information in Write Source on pg. 313-316 dealing with the concept of editing.
Activity 2:
Students are to show substantial evidence of editing on their rough draft or storyboard.
Activity 3:
Working with their writing partner, students will read aloud their rough draft or storyboard,
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Your1st rough draft or the storyboard for the alternate assignment for Response to Literature essay needs to show substantial evidence of revising and editing.
Posted by Abrams at 11:21 AM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 295-312
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide or the plot teaser slide.
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 25
Activity 1:
Read your chapter book for 30 minutes, complete an entry on your reading log, and answer the following:
Why did the author write this book?
To persuade
To entertain
To inform
What is the message the author is communicating to the reader?
Title and Author of the book
Students will be expected to be reading the same book that appears as the last entry on their reading log (unless they show evidence of just finishing the book).
Papers Collected for a Grade:
Focus Statement
Outline
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Your1st rough draft or the storyboard for the alternate assignment for Response to Literature essay needs to show substantial evidence of revising.
Posted by Abrams at 11:19 AM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 295-312
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide or the plot teaser slide.
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 24
Activity 1:
Review Write Source – pg. 295 through pg. 300. Read the rough draft or storyboard aloud to your writing partner (for the Response to Literature, and be sure to sum up the theme by showing what the main character learned).
Remember:
State the theme (what the character learns) in a focus statement (the last sentence in your first paragraph).
Explain how the theme relates to life in the ending paragraph.
Activity 2:
You should have a complete (5 paragraphs) copy of your rough draft of your essay (double spaced and in pencil). Be sure to complete the first rough draft or storyboard before you begin revising.
Activity 3:
Using Write Source – pg. 300 – 312 students are to revise their essay.
Make sure you:
do not have any two sentences beginning with the same word
use action verbs
descriptive adjectives
at least one sentence in the essay begins with a preposition
use a thesaurus
Homework:
Progress reports were distributed in class and must be signed and given back to me in class on Tuesday.
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Your1st rough draft or the storyboard for the alternate assignment for Response to Literature essay needs to show substantial evidence of revising.
Posted by Abrams at 11:17 AM
November 16, 2005
Friday, November 18
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 300 - 312
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 23
Activity 1:
Read aloud Write Source – pg. 300. Write the rough draft for the Response to Literature, and be sure to sum up the theme by showing what the main character learned.
Remember:
State the theme (what the character learns) in a focus statement (the last sentence in your first paragraph).
Explain how the theme relates to life in the ending paragraph.
Activity 2:
You should have a complete (5 paragraphs) copy of your rough draft of your essay (double spaced and in pencil). Be sure to complete the first rough draft before you begin revising.
Activity 3:
Using Write Source – pg. 300 – 312 students are to revise their essay.
Make sure you:
do not have any two sentences beginning with the same word
use action verbs
descriptive adjectives
at least one sentence in the essay begins with a preposition
use a thesaurus
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Your1st rough draft for Response to Literature essay needs to be completed by Monday, November 28 or the storyboard for the alternate assignment.
Student Options:
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Posted by Abrams at 09:17 PM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 298-299
Students will go to the media center to check out books.
Activity 1:
In table groups students are to share their beginning paragraphs.
Activity 2:
Using the information on the outline for response to literature and Write Source – pg. 298-299, students are to write their first rough draft of the 3 middle paragraphs for the response to literature.
Or
Students who are making the PowerPoint, an iMovie, or a webpage must complete a storyboard instead of a rough draft in paragraph format. The PowerPoint, iMovie, or webpage must utilize all of the information on the PowerPoint template (including the focus statement with the theme).
Student Options:
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Homework:
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log.
Night Write:
Complete the 3 middle paragraphs for the response to literature or the storyboard for the alternate assignment.
Posted by Abrams at 09:15 PM
Materials:
Write Source - pg. 294-297
Warm Up:
What is a focus statement?
Activity 1: Using the formula on page 294 and the handout, write a focus statement.
Activity 2: Using Write Source pg. 295-296 students will review the organization of the response to literature. Students will check the order of their key events in their outline (handout).
Activity 3:
Students will write the 1st paragraph of their rough draft.
Graded Papers Returned:
Talking Points for Book Chat
Student Options:
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Homework:
Reading:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log.
Night Write:
Students need to complete the beginning paragraph of their rough draft. Be sure the 1st sentence identifies the title, author, character, background information, and ends with the focus statement.
Posted by Abrams at 12:41 PM
November 15, 2005
Warm Up:
Reflect on Monday’s book chat and complete the framed paragraph.
November 14,2005 was a memorable day at school because_________________. This _______________ opportunity allowed for me to experience __________________.
While participating in the event, I felt ____________________________. I was amazed when ______________________________. Meeting an author, such as Mr. Blumenthal, was __________________________. Preparation for this educational experience was_________________________. A moment that I want to remember is ________________________ An event that I was eager to share with my book chat group was_______________. While reading __________________________________ (Write the title of the book you read.), connections to my personal life were __________________________. A testimonial for the book chat experience would be _________________________________. Overall, Monday, November 14 in language arts was ______________________________________.
Activity 1:
Read your chapter book for 30 minutes, complete an entry on your reading log, and answer the following:
Why did the author write this book?
To persuade
To entertain
To inform
What is the message the author is communicating to the reader?
Title and Author of the book
Paper Collected on Monday To Be Graded:
Talking Points for Book Chat
Paper Collected on Tuesday To Be Graded:
Book Chat Reflection Warm Up
Homework:
Night Write - Complete the outline for Response to Literature (handout given last week).
Reading - Read for 30 minutes in your chapter book and complete an entry on your reading log
Posted by Abrams at 10:23 AM
November 10, 2005
The big day is here! The book chat schedule is:
Students come back from Connections and go directly to the theater. Students will sit with their 3rd period class.
10:40-11:20 guest speaker Scott Blumenthal
11:25-12:17 3rd period
12:20-1:50 lunch 12:25-12:50 and 4th period Parents should meet us in the room at 12:50
1:55 - 3:03 5th period
3:05 - 4:15 6th period
Posted by Abrams at 10:19 AM
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 21
Activity 1:
Complete all of the talking points on “Talking Points” for the book chat
Activity 2:
Have a practice at the book chat. Students will “chat” about their books in their table groups.
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log. The reading of the book chat book should bee completed by now.
Night Write: Make sure the responses to each Talking Point proves that you really read the book.
Book Chat Info:
The schedule for this fabulous day will be:
Students come back from Connections and go directly to the theater. Students will sit with their 3rd period class.
10:40-11:20 guest speaker Scott Blumenthal
11:25-12:17 3rd period
12:20-1:50 lunch 12:25-12:50 and 4th period Parents should meet us in the room at 12:50
1:55 - 3:03 5th period
3:05 - 4:15 6th period
Posted by Abrams at 10:11 AM
November 09, 2005
The schedule for this fabulous day will be:
Students come back from Connections and go directly to the theater. Students will sit with their 3rd period class.
10:40-11:20 guest speaker Scott Blumenthal
11:25-12:17 3rd period
12:20-1:50 lunch 12:25-12:50 and 4th period Parents should meet us in the room at 12:50
1:55 - 3:03 5th period
3:05 - 4:15 6th period
Posted by Abrams at 05:58 PM
Materials:
Book Chat Book
Sticky notes/flags
Write Source – pg. 293
Handouts:
“Talking Points” for the book chat
Character Chart
Response to Literature Outline
Overheads:
“Talking Points” for the book chat
Response to Literature Outline
Warm Up:
What is a testimonial?
Activity 1:
Share examples of testimonials. Model the thinking of writing a testimonial. Students are to write a testimonial for their book chat book.
Activity 2:
Complete the Response to Literature Outline. You may refer to Write Source – pg. 293 for assistance.
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log. The book chat book will need to be completed by 11/12.
Night Write:
All of the statements on the Book Chat Talking Points are to be completed and brought to the book chat.
Posted by Abrams at 05:57 PM
November 08, 2005
The Plot Diagram Template could be used to generate any of the following:
PowerPoint
Web Page
iMovie
The required criteria for this assignment is the same as the material on the PowerPoint template.
Reminder to students: The focus statement should be included on the theme slide.
Posted by Abrams at 04:54 PM
Students will be going to the writing lab today to complete the essays.
Activity 1:
Each table will put their rough drafts together and complete a final copy of an essay that would describe how the classroom of the future would look.
Book Chat 11/14)Information:
The schedule for the fabulous book chat will be:
Students come back from Connections and go directly to the theater. Students will sit with their 3rd period class.
10:40-11:20 guest speaker Scott Blumenthal
11:25-12:17 3rd period
12:20-1:50 lunch and 4th period
1:55 - 3:03 5th period
3:05 - 4:15 6th period
A lot of volunteers have agreed to send in paper plates. Therefore, I have more than enough paper plates. More cookies, chips, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Seeing you on 11/14 is greatly anticipated.
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log. The book chat book will need to be completed by 11/12.
Night Write:
Complete one (which should be the 5th talking point) of the “Talking Points” for the book chat.
Posted by Abrams at 12:36 PM
November 07, 2005
Please remember the book chat is one week from today. Parents are invited to come during their student's class time.
10:40-11:20 guest speaker Scott Blumenthal
3rd 11:25 - 12:17
4th and lunch 12:20 - 1:50
5th 1:55 - 3:03
6th 3:05 - 4:15
Warm Up:
Brainstorm 6 ideas that would describe how the classroom of the future would look.
Activity 1:
Give One Get One – Students have 3 minutes to go around the room and add 6 more ideas to their list. They are to give 1 idea and get one idea from another student to complete a list of 12 ideas that would describe how the classroom of the future would look. Write some of these ideas on the overhead. Each student is to write a rough draft of an essay that would describe how the classroom of the future would look.
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log. The book chat book will need to be completed by 11/12.
Night Write:
Take a writing vacation.
Posted by Abrams at 10:38 AM
The schedule for this fabulous day will be:
Students come back from Connections and go directly to the theater. Students will sit with their 3rd period class.
10:40-11:20 guest speaker Scott Blumenthal
11:25-12:17 3rd period
12:20-1:50 lunch 12:25-12:50 and 4th period Parents should meet us in the room at 12:50
1:55 - 3:03 5th period
3:05 - 4:15 6th period
Posted by Abrams at 10:30 AM
November 01, 2005
Friday, November 4
Materials:
Book Chat Book
Sticky notes/flags
Write Source – pg. 292-293
Handouts:
Talking Points for the book chat
Character Chart, Focus Statement, and Outline for a Response to Literature
Overheads:
Talking Points for the book chat
Character Chart, Focus Statement, and Outline for a Response to Literature
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 20
Activity 1:
Model how to use a sticky flag or sticky note to mark the answer to one of the Talking Points for the book chat
Character Chart, Focus Statement, and Outline for a Response to Literature
Activity 2:
Students are to read the bottom of pg. 292
“When people talk about the theme of a book or short story, they are talking about the message the story tells about life. One way to discover the theme in a book or story is to ask yourself what the main character learns.”
Students are to read the bottom of page 293.
“ Your interest in the character and the theme should come through in your essay. Be sure to select details that show you care about this story.”
Activity 3:
Model key events in “Cinderella” that show changes in the character. Under each event, list specific details that you might include in your interpretation. Using the Character Chart, Focus Statement, and Outline for a Response to Literature list key events that show the important changes in the character. Under each event, list specific details that you might include in your interpretation.
Reading:
Read for 30 minutes each night in a challenging chapter book. Students may read the book they selected for the book chat. Complete an entry on your reading log. The book chat book will need to be completed by 11/12.
Night Write:
Complete one (which should be the 3rd talking point) of the “Talking Points” for the book chat.
Posted by Abrams at 10:24 AM
Media Center – Students will complete a bibliography card on a newspaper article.
Students will have the opportunity to check out a book.
Handouts:
Genre Chart needs to be maintained by each student. This will be documentation that they have completed the stated standard of reading a variety of genre.
Posted by Abrams at 10:07 AM
