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October 30, 2006
Welcome to your language arts blog!
Today, you will have a brief study session with a peer to jog your memory and to focus on the spelling words for your Spelling-Plus quiz.
You will do the editing, and other challenges, which go with your word collection. Remember to look at the review page, and of course, the word R-E-C-E-I-V-E-D will be on the list. :)
Today, we will begin to collect Greek and Latin roots; some of our collection will come from your spelling workbook; some will come from other sources we will view later in the week.
Halloween conversations with a partner is on the agenda for this week!
Writing Studio will be on Wednesday.
Plan "A" is to finish Old Yeller this week; Plan "B" will be that we will finish next week. Classes are at different places in the novel.
We will have both a reading and a writing warm-up beginning this week.
For reading you will begin a nonfiction book that is a collection of 101 expository writings. The name of the book is
101 Secrets a Good Dad Knows.
Today, for an exit-slip I will ask you to write to inform and tell my about your skills with keyboarding.
Write~On!
Mrs. Worthington
(Chief in Charge of Classy Writing!)
Posted by Worthington at 06:53 AM
October 28, 2006
Welcome to the Write-Spot!
This website will provide you with a "handbook" on how to make citations and format your papers.
You may want to "bookmark" this on your computer for future use. :)
http://www.docstyles.com/mlaquick.htm
Posted by Worthington at 08:23 AM
October 24, 2006
Hello, Young authors!
WHAT'S UP FOR THIS WEEK?
THE DANCE IS COMING! There is a dance on Thursday. Tickets will be for sale beginning Tuesday. Bring your note for permission.
We finished up the literary analysis on the short story "Cat on the Go." I have graded half of the papers, and I have been impressed with the "inking of your thoughts!" Good restatement of questions, exceptional formatting using MLA style, and almost everyone supported answers with evidence from the story. Exceptional effort! That away!
Mark Twain is our honored author for this 4 1/2 weeks; we will continue to find out about "Mark Twain and His Times." Next week we will add up all of the short stories we have read, including the Mark Twain, Kid Discovery magazine.
Remember to study for your Spelling~Plus test. It is in your spelling book:Lesson #7. Remember to review past lessons as you study.
You are also working on Homonyms (Test 10/30.)
Study your two study guides on direct quotations.
The quiz will be Friday.
NEXT WEEK:
Night-Write Journal: By next week, try to have a composition folder. This will be a collection of your writings; the composition folder will be called your "Night-Write" folder. Most of the writings will be completed in class, but you are free to pick up your pen and ink your creative thinking at home! :) Those of you who had Ms. Shaw last year had one returned to you. That would be perfect to use. :)
On Monday we begin our poetry study. Bring a favorite poem to share.
Grammar Workbook:You are working on the pages pertaining to direct and indirect quotations.
Old Yeller Novel continues.
On Wednesday of next week, you will select a topic for your Portfolio Persuasive essay.
We will be using the WRITE SOURCE BOOK to guide us as we learn the structure of a persuasive essay; if you would like to buy the book at Mabry's book store~you may. It is $20.00. This is not a requirement, but is a wonderful option to add this to your personal bookshelf.
Posted by Worthington at 04:32 PM
October 15, 2006
Dear Young Author,
Thank you for checking your blog for language arts!
Some reminders for this week are as follows:
A. It is Conference Week, and this means early-release days.
B. It is Book-Fair Week.You may buy items at the Book Fair when we go
on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I will give
five-minute passes to those that have a particular item they would
like to buy.
C. You will go to the Book Fair on Tuesday, during language
arts class.
D. Remember to read every chance you have for your 25~Plus Book Goa.
You should be reading your 7th or 8th book by now so you can reach
your 25~Plus Book Goal. If you have not read 7-8 books, and
documented them by now, then you will need to pick up the pace and
find extra minutes.
Monday:
You will view a video about the Book Fair in your first period class today. The speaker will inform you about some of the books that have been recommended for kids by kids.
You will continue to work on your "Cat on the Go" literary-analysis test.
Homework will be posted at the end of each school day.
Tuesday:
Language arts classes visited the Scholastic Book Fair.
Five-minute passes will be available for those who would like to buy books during the rest of the week.
Read in your literature text: "Seventh Grade."
This should be completed by Wednesday.
Wednesday:
Today, we will finish the "Cat On the Go" questions.
I have been impressed with the detailed answers, the restating of the questions, and the careful formatting! Way to go, my favorite authors!
We will discuss punctuation of direct quotations. There will be a quiz on this on Friday. Study the handout and the information in you Writing and Grammar textbook. Write the pages to focus on in your agenda. (HINT: Please, attend carefully to jotting notes in your agenda~for all of your classes.)
Thursday:
Friday:
Write-On!
Mrs. Worthington
(Chief in Charge of Classy Work)
Posted by Worthington at 08:48 AM
October 02, 2006
Thank you for checking your language arts blog for this week.
This Week at a Glance . . .
For the latest information and updates--refer to your carefully filled out agenda.
Below is a projected plan for the week. Note changes in your agenda and your calendar.
Monday: Make sure you turn in your conference note to your third period teacher.
You have a Spelling-Plus Quiz on homophones today. This is over the words presented in lesson #4 in the spelling book you have at home. (Reminder: Your spelling book stays home until the last week of school; do not mark in the book.) (Hint: One of the words on the quiz will be r-e-c-e-i-v-e-d.)
Today, you will view Spelling-Plus Lesson #5, and begin to study the words this week. Make a plan for studying, so you will be prepared by Friday. The quiz, however, will be on Monday. This will provide you with two more days to practice. Remember, there will be two words from the past on the quiz; look back and refresh your memory.
Also, today we will read and discuss how to respond to literature using the Reader's Handbook. You will be writing about the novel Old Yeller.
Grammar Workbook Notes continue. See agenda for specific pages covered. Test on Thursday over topics discussed. Your homework this evening is to put final touches on your portfolio writing: "My Favorite Place." Remember to proofread your final copy carefully. Also, review your grammar workbook and notes for the upcoming test on Thursday. If you are entering your writing in the Reflection Contest, you must attach the form to the back and have your parents sign. Tuesday: Your "Funny People Chat" draft is due today. If you have have used time wisely, you should have been able to have finished your draft in class. Today, we will peer edit, and I will be walking around to answer questions about punctuation of direct quotations. Daily Oral Language discussion continues; you have a quiz tomorrow. Study and review the guide sheet you have in your notebook. DEAR reading is today; it is not a time to go to the media center for a book. You need to come to class with a book to read. If you are near the end of a book, prepare for this. We will also read a nonfiction article. Grammar Workbook Notes continue. See agenda for specific pages covered. Test on Thursday over topics discussed. Wednesday: Daily Oral Language quiz today. Also, today we will read and discuss how to respond to literature using the Reader's Handbook. You will be writing about the novel Old Yeller.
Homework: Study for Grammar Workbook test tomorrow. Continue to study for your Spelling-Plus #5 quiz. Thursday: Reflection submissions are due today. You must have a form with parent signature attached. Writing Studio is today. (Remember to bring your writing supplies each day to class. This includes colored pencils and stickie notes. We will read a selection from our literature text and "Read like a writer." We will analyze how the author use direct quotations to develop chararacters. Refer to your agenda for the selection and the page numbers. Do a personal assessment and consider how well you are filling out your agenda. Make a plan for improvement if your do not have notations for every class--not just language arts and in those classes in which the teacher tells you to fill out the agenda box. Remember to use intelligent behavior and take responsibility for your own knowledge wealth. Homework~ Work on your "Funny People Chat" writing. Show that you know how to correctly punctuate direct quotations and can develop characters through dialogue. (This will be your first test grade for the new quarter.) It is due tomorrow OR Monday. Friday: "Funny People Chats" are due today or Monday. You will have a chance to view your peers' creative writing. Mrs. Worthington (Chief in Charge of Classy Writing!) HW: You will have a Spelling-Plus quiz on lesson 5 on Monday. Tip: There will be two+ words from the past. (Hint: the word R-e-c-E-i-v-e will most likely be one of the review words! :) REMINDER: PARENT CONNECTION . . . Teachers are collecting conference forms this week. Cathy Worthington
Posted by Worthington at 03:52 AM
Grammar review today, using your grammar workbook and additional notes. There will be a test tomorrow.
Today, we will read a selection from your literature book. Write in your agenda the name of the selection.
Looking Back; Looking Forward: Each Friday, for the last 10-20 there will be an important review and extension of literacy topics. Although a short period of time, this is a fast-paced session that covers items that will help you do on class quizzes and tests, but also will help prepare you for the CRCT assessment. Please be in class for the entire class period. Instruction is from bell-to-bell.This is not the type of session that can be "made up." You have to be in class to take advantage of this review of past items and preview to build background knowledge of what is to come.
Take care and WRITE-ON!
If you did not turn your "Funny People Chat" project in today, then it is due on Monday.
Sincerely,
