Readers Theater Groups and Story Selections MUST be made by end of class on Monday.

Candy Activities will begin on Tuesday. Bring candy in wrappers with name of candy displayed. Individual size please. We would like a variety, so be creative.

Field Day Wednesday. Bring drinks, lotion, hats and plenty of energy. Remember, no face, or hair painting, no pets allowed.....school rules are in place.

Readers Theater is fun. You may choose plays I have, or search for your own. Bring one copy and I will make copies for your group. Costumes should be minimal. Parents should not make costumes, Be creative and make hats and props from everyday items.

Books will be checked Monday and Tuesday. Bring you Literature Books, Grammar Books and Spelling softcover books. See me, if you have lost one and we will search to see if a classmate has it.

Great job on Persuasive Projects, I will try and have grades posted by Tuesday. I am posting some to the blog, see me if you do not want to share yours.

Persuasive Projects should be in Ms Miller folder. I will give grades back as soon as I complete viewing.

Book Logs are due NOW. Grades will be given until May 23 on book logs. If you have read your 25 books and have documentation-turn it in.

Bring Grammar and DEAR books to class everyday.

Rubric includes:

1. Introduction/grab interest (10)
2. Position or Opinion Statement (10)
3. Reasons with support(30)
4. Conclusion: Call for action or solution(10)
5. Sources cited correctly (MLA)(10)
6. Mechanics(10)
7. Neatness(10)
8. Effort and Creativity(10)
9. Book Reports are due on Friday. (Tic-Tac)

1. Discussed many types of projects students are able to do: imovie, podcasts, posters, brochures, letter, essays....

2. Rubric Discussed.

Progress reports/Compare and Contrast Papers were passed out in class.

Students are to read and complete questions on reading done during class.

Class:

1. Brainstorm topics for a persuasive essay/select by Wednesday.

Book Report Projects Due May 4

• Tic -Tac- Toe For Student Choice Activities given out today. Students must pick three activities from a book that has been logged. It may not be the Dream Series Book that the Response Essay was written on,The Ousiders, or a summer reading book.

Introduction to Persuasive Essay Unit

• Warm-Up activity: Write an opinion statement on one of the following topics and three reasons to support it.

OPINION STATEMENT

• Profession athlete
• Musical group
• Television show

SUPPORTING REASONS

1.
2.
3.


We read a sample persuasive essay and discussed elements of organization and responded to each part.

If it is typed it must be MLA style.

If written, it must be in blue or black ink and written in cursive on final copy paper given in class.

Rubric must be on top.To obtain extra point the rubric must state that your paper (draft or final copy) was read by the parent.

Agenda: Read "After Twenty Years" Literature Book by Wednesday
First Draft Peer Editing will be on Wednesday during class. Make sure your paper is ready and readable.

Tuesday:

Revise/Edit First Drafts

DEAR time outside, weather permitting.

Corrected 109-110

Reviewed first drafts: Focus Statements MUST follow guidelines given in class

Revision started in class:

Ideas: Write at least 3 details that are interesting, amazing or entertaining.

Check for Balance in paragraphs by listing for each paragraph your compare/contrast words;

Example:First middle Paragraph (physical characteristics)

Compare: also, both, similar, alike,

Contrast: different, but, instead, whereas

Topic Sentences and Focus Statements reviewed

Outline for Compare Contrast: Daily Grade

Students tried three ways to begin introductions: Ask a Question, Personal Experience, Interesting Fact and Dramatic Scenes.

Introduction and First Paragraph should have been completed during class. If not, students should take home to finish. Remember to write every other line and put each part on a separate piece of paper.

We will finish writing Middle Paragraphs tomorrow.

Rubrics were given out. Parent Signature is worth 1 point out of 24....

DOL 5 and 6

Grammar Workbook pages 83-84.

Today we wrote our topic sentences for our middle paragraphs. They must introduce the topics: Physical Characteristics, Diet, and Habitat.

Focus Statement: Last Sentence of Introductory Paragraph. Must give a preview of paper.

Tomorrow we will complete outlines and write the introductory paragraph.

Check out the Podcast they have been posted!!

We talked about organization of our compare/contrast essay.
Essay must be balanced with similarities and differences.

DEAR time was spent outside.

Prewriting Gathering Grid: Notes on both animals physical characteristics, diet and habitats.

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html

http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Science-and-Nature/Living-Things/Animals

http://www.swbg-adventurecamps.com/animal-info/animal-bytes/index.htm
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/creature_feature/archive/
http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/
/www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/animal/default.htm
http://www.animalinfo.org/spechind.htm

These are the sites you may use to research your animal. You will need :
1. Physical Characteristics
2. Diet
3. Habitat

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html
http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Science-and-Nature/Living-Things/Animals
http://www.animalinfo.org/spechind.htm