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December 22, 2006
Materials:
Research Topics pg.1 of this file
Warm Up:
What is the purpose of research? Write 3 answers to this question.
Some of the responses may be:
o To see how academics relate to life
o To find answers; finding answers is not difficult once one has mastered some basic research techniques
o To learn more information about a topic
o To make an educated decision about a major purpose
o To write a paper or essay for class
o To prepare a talk or presentation
o To take part in a debate
o To take part in a class discussion
o To satisfy your curiosity
Homework:
Reading - Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering the 5Ws.
Night Write - Resubmit the response to literature essay to the Prentice Hall site. Students must decide which topic will be the one they research.
Activity 1:
Students will go around the room giving and getting responses to the question, so that at the end of two minutes, each student will have a total of 6 responses to the initial question. Students are to return to their seats. As a class share 6 dynamite answers.
Activity 2:
Students will participate in a carousel brainstorming activity regarding the purpose of research, answering one of the following questions at each station:
How is research like mining?
How would you feel if you were a source for research and were never read?
What in research is both hidden and out in the open?
If you were a magazine, which would you be? Why?
How can research be both informative and confusing?
How is taking notes like photography?
If you were a research “tool,” what would you be? Why?
How is an encyclopedia both useful and inadequate?
How are note cards like a closet?
Activity 3:
Students will receive a choice of Research Topics pg.1 of this file
Students will select 4 topics they think might work for them. Each student will complete Works Cited pg.4 of this file
of this file identifying previous knowledge and interest in this specific topic. This activity shouold assist students in narrowing down their choice of topics to one.
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Posted by Abrams at 10:13 AM
Materials:
Anticipation Guide
http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/index.htm
Parts of a Paragraph
Homework:
Reading - Students will read for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering the 5Ws.
Night Write - Students are make certain that each of the 6 paragraphs in their response to literature essay has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a clincher sentence.Parts of a Paragraph will give you guidelines for each type of sentence.
Warm Up:
What are the 3 essential parts to a paragraph?
Activity 1:
Students will get with their writing buddy to check that each of the topic sentences is related to each of the clincher sentences (in each paragraph).Parts of a Paragraph will be used for this activity.
Activity 2:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes focusing on topic and clincher sentences. Using sticky notes students will mark 3 topic sentences and 3 clincher sentences.
Activity 3:
Students will need to take their Anticipation Guide
handout to the media center on Wed., Jan. 10. The statements on this handout will need to be verified as Mrs. Hendrix explains resources and guidelines for research.
Posted by Abrams at 09:57 AM
December 19, 2006
Materials:
Anticipation Guide
http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/index.htm
Parts of a Paragraph
Homework:
Reading - Students will read for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering the 5Ws.
Night Write - Students are to make a list of the 6 topic sentences and a list of the 6 clincher sentences used in their response to literature essay. Parts of a Paragraph will give you guidelines for each type of sentence.
Warm Up:
Appetizers pg. 28
Activity 1:
Review http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/index.htm on topic sentence and clincher sentence.
Activity 2:
Students will get with a partner and complete Anticipation Guide.
Posted by Abrams at 05:12 PM
December 12, 2006
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5Ws.
Night Write-Take a writing vacation.
Activity 1:
Students will go to the MAC lab and type their essay into Prentice Hall. When the typing is completed, students will submit their essay.
Posted by Abrams at 10:41 AM
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5Ws.
Night Write-Complete the revision and editing handouts by completing the revising and editing steps of the writing process.
Students will be typing their final copies of their response to literature in the MAC lab tomorrow and Friday. Please make sure to use the suggestions given by your writing buddy during the peer editing when revising and editing tonight. http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com This is the Prentice Hall website.
Warm Up:
Appetizers pg. 27
Activity 1:
A few students will share their essays, as students listen for key features.
Activity 2:
Students will read their challenging chapter books focusing on the voice the author uses (formal and serious or informal and humorous).
Activity 3:
With their writing buddy students will swap rough drafts, read the paper, and complete the handout.
Posted by Abrams at 10:36 AM
Materials:
student portfolio
Warm Up:
How has your response to literature essay/PowerPoint improved, since you have revised and edited?
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5Ws.
Night Write-Complete the revision and editing handouts by completing the revising and editing steps of the reading process. Complete the portfolio reflection log, if not completed in class.
Activity 1:
Students will take a spelling test to determine the 2 students to represent my classes in the school spelling bee. Select a lesson in the spelling book on the bookshelf with the dictionaries to use as the spelling list. This test will not be for a grade.
Activity 2:
Have 2 students pass out the student portfolios and to collect these portfolios at the end of class. After reminding students to put their name on their paper, read each of the items on the handout to the students. Ask a couple of students to give an example of an answer that would be appropriate for each item.
Using their portfolio, students will complete
Reflection on Portfolio. It is imperative that students use their individual portfolio to answer each question with specific detail.
Posted by Abrams at 10:08 AM
December 07, 2006
Materials:
Write Source - pg. 313 to 316
Warm Up:
How does a writer check for consistency of verb tenses? (Write Source pg. 314)
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5Ws.
Night Write-Using the suggestions from their writing buddy, students will continue the revising and editing steps in the writing process with their essay.
Activity 1:
Review editing for verb tense, punctuation, spelling in Write Source pg. 314-315.
Activity 2:
Students will complete the editing handout, as they edit their essay.
Activity 3:
Students will complete a peer editing handout with their writing buddy.
Posted by Abrams at 10:47 AM
Students will go to the media center, select a chapter book, and receive preliminary instruction from Mrs. Hendrix on the research unit.
Reading logs will be collected.
Homework:
Reading- Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete an entry on their reading log answering 5Ws.
Night Write- Take a writing vacation.
Posted by Abrams at 10:45 AM
Students and parents will participate in the coffeehouse, meet the author, and book chat.
Take a homework vacation.
Posted by Abrams at 10:43 AM
Reading logs will be collected on Thursday, December 14. The number of books read so far this year will be updated. Also, students will be graded on 5 consecutive days of reading entries 12/7-12/13.
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5Ws.
Night Write-Complete the chart showing original words that were changed with the assistance of a thesaurus.
Give letter and entry pass to parents for the book chat.
Graded Papers Returned:
Focus Statement
Character Chart
Completed Paragraphs in rough draft (should be 6 paragraphs)
Warm Up:
I am looking forward to meeting Mr. Hodus, the author, because...
My prediction is that completing the Inspiration assignment on the computer during the book chat will be ________________ because_________________.
Activity 1:
Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes focusing on an important sentence that is crucial to the understanding of the story.
Activity 2:
Students will continue to revise their rough draft by completing the chart showing original words that were changed with the assistance of a thesaurus.
Activity 3:
Students will count the number of words in each sentence and complete the graphic organizer. Students will then revis their rough draft making sure that the use compound and complex sentences.
Posted by Abrams at 10:32 AM
December 04, 2006
Materials:
"Kick It Up a Notch" Flipchart
Revising Response to Literature
Reading logs will be collected on Thursday, December 14. The number of books read so far this year will be updated. Also, students will be graded on 5 consecutive days of reading entries 12/7-12/13.
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5Ws.
Night Write-Complete the chart where no 2 sentences may begin with the same word.
Give letter and entry pass to parents for the book chat.
Warm Up:
How do you acquire new vocabulary as you read?
Activity 1:
Review with students the Inspiration activity that will be completed during the book chat.
Activity 2: Students will interact with the flipcharts "Kick It Up a Notch."
Activity 3:
Students will revise their rough draft by completing the chart where no 2 sentences may begin with the same word.
Posted by Abrams at 10:07 AM
December 01, 2006
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 300 - 312
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 26
Reading logs will be collected on Thursday, December 14. The number of books read so far this year will be updated. Also, students will be graded on 5 consecutive days of reading entries 12/7-12/13.
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:
Finish revising your rough draft focusing on the following:
key events that effect the way the character thinks, acts or feels
the importance of transitions
focus statement
descriptive adjectives
vivid verbs
nouns
complex and compound sentences.
Assignments turned in at the end of class:
focus statement
gathering chart
character chart
beginning paragraph
4 middle paragraphs
ending paragraph
Activity 1:
Review Write Source – pg. 300. Finish writing the rough draft for the ending paragraph for the Response to Literature essay/project, 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:
Students will begin to revise their rough draft focusing on key events that effect the way the character thinks, acts or feels; the importance of transitions; focus statement; descriptive adjectives; vivid verbs; nouns; complex and compound sentences.
Posted by Abrams at 12:38 PM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 300 - 312
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 25
Reading logs will be collected on Thursday, December 14. The number of books read so far this year will be updated. Also, students will be graded on 5 consecutive days of reading entries 12/7-12/13.
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:
Your 1st rough draft for Response to Literature essay needs to be completed by December 8 or the storyboard for the alternate assignment.
Assignments to be turned in on 12/8/06:
focus statement
gathering chart
character chart
beginning paragraph
4 middle paragraphs
ending paragraph
Activity 1:
Read aloud Write Source – pg. 300. Write the rough draft for the ending paragraph for the Response to Literature essay/project, 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 (6 paragraphs) copy of your rough draft of your essay (double spaced and in pencil) by December 8.
Posted by Abrams at 12:33 PM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 300 - 312
Warm Up:
Appetizers – pg. 23
Homework:
Assignments due at the end of class on Friday, December 8:
focus statement
gathering chart
character chart
beginning paragraph
4 middle paragraphs
ending paragraph
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:
Your 1st rough draft for Response to Literature essay needs to be completed by December 8 or the storyboard for the alternate assignment.
Activity 1:
Read aloud Write Source – pg. 300. Write the rough draft for the ending paragraph for the Response to Literature essay/project, 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 (6 paragraphs) copy of your rough draft of your essay (double spaced and in pencil) by December 8.
Posted by Abrams at 12:03 PM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 298-299
Response to Literature
Warm Up:
Appetizers pg. 21
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5W's.
Night Write-Students will work on their response to literature project or essay.
Activity 1:
Students will read their chapter book focusing on key events.
Activity 2:
Using the information in Write Source – pg. 298-299, students are to finish writing their first rough draft of the 4 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.
Posted by Abrams at 12:00 PM
Materials:
Write Source – pg. 298-299
Response to Literature
Warm Up:
While I have been reading my dream series book, I have visualized...
This book has made me realize...
Homework:
Reading-Students will read their chapter book for 30 minutes and complete a reading log entry answering 5W's.
Night Write-Students will work on their response to literature project or essay.
Activity 1:
In table groups students are to share their focus statement and beginning paragraphs.
Activity 2:
Using the information in Write Source – pg. 298-299, students are to write their first rough draft of the 4 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.
Posted by Abrams at 11:38 AM
