Language Arts

Blog Entry #1:  Tell us about your 20% Project.  Things to keep in mind... What did you have in mind?  Are you working alone or with others.  What make you really excited about this project...in other words, out of all of the things you could do for your project, why this?  If you are not sure what your project will be yet, what are you thinking about?

Min. 3 Paragraphs, written in first person.  Be sure to use voice...bring out your personality in your writing.

Language Arts

Today we will read Gonzalo's entry.  Fill out the chart and add to your vacant lot map.  By tomorrow you should have:
     1)  Sent me the links to your website and blog.
     2)  Filled in the form for your encyclopedia.
     3)  Filled out the form that corresponds with your period.
            Period 1
            Period 3
            Period 6

Also, this is your last chance to complete the following assignments.  After Friday, your will receive a 0 on the assignment:

           Student Information Sheet
           Collaborize Classroom  Choose "register now"
           Reading Survey
          Writing Survey
           Good Reads


Tomorrow, 20% day.  Bring what you need.

History

Today we are going to continue looking at the Mayflower Compact.  We are going to read and decipher the actual text.

Yearbook

We are in desperate need of a couple parents willing to help out at the Panther Fest on Friday, Oct. 4.  Please contact me if you are available.
       

Language Arts

After going over Ch. 1 of Seedfolks, you will have time to finish your Enclyclopedia, work on your website, or work on Blogger.  Here is a link to the top student websites of 2012.  Don't forget.  You have a root word quiz tomorrow.  You will be tested on both weeks one and two.  Also, please fill out the form with your website and blog site.

Language Arts:

We read Ch. 1 of Seedfolks.  You began sketching the vacant lot.  Tomorrow you will add to that.

Tomorrow your Encyclopedia will be due at the end of the period.  Plan accordingly.  Your blog and website should be working now.

History:

We talked about reasons for colonization in the New World.  Homework:  Read pgs. 85-89 and answer questions 1-4 on page 89

Yearbook:

Please turn the field trip medical form tomorrow.

Language Arts

We finished talking about the different purposes for writing and began working on our Encyclopedias of an Ordinary Life - Due Tues.
Please fill out this form when you have a website and blog site up and running.  Please note that it does not have to be completely finished, just working.  Tomorrow is 20% day.  We will start forming groups, creating norms, discussing requirements, and reviewing possible projects.

History

We worked on our maps today.  Tomorrow you have a quiz on the notes on pre-colonization.  Your map will be due at the end of the period.

Yearbook

Today we started talking about what we want to put in our yearbook.  Tomorrow we will take some pictures.  Mon. the rep from Herff Jones will be here to help us design our cover.  Just a reminder...our field trip is next Wed., Sept. 25.

Language Arts

We have our first root word quiz today.  Each week we add on to the words we had from the weeks before, so be sure to keep up with your words.
We will go over how to set up a Blogger site today.  Blogging will be vital to you success in Language Arts.  By Friday you should have your blog site along with your website ready to go.  Want some ideas?  Check out this blog with a link to the 49 best student blogs of 2012.  Look through them to get ideas of excellent blog pages.

History

Today you will work on your US Map.  The map is due on Friday. You will also have a quiz on pre-colonization that we will review tomorrow.

Yearbook

Today is the day.  We will present and vote for our theme packet.  Good luck to you all.

Language Arts

We taped up all of the Writer's Notebooks.  If you have not finished yours, please finish that tonight.  Also, this is your last chance to complete the beginning of the year surveys.  All the links are located on the right side of this blog.  Also, don't forget to have your parents complete the parent survey.

Tomorrow we have a root word quiz.  Don't forget to study.

History

We finished all of our notes.  This is your last chance to complete the beginning of the year surveys.  All the links are located on the right side of this blog.  Also, don't forget to have your parents complete the parent survey.  Once approved on Collaborize Classroom, complete the two activities for your period.

Yearbook

Today is the last day to work on theme packets.  Tomorrow we will present our packets and vote on the yearbook theme. Good luck.  Remember, enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm, so get excited.

Language Arts:

Today we will go over the rules of your writing notebook.  We will also talk about different purposes of writing.
For homework...finish your 6 word memoir.  Choose your words carefully.  This memoir will not only be displayed in the classroom, it will also be on the front page of your web site.  Speaking of websites...yours should be up and running by Friday.  Finally, finish decorating your writing notebook.  We will tape them up tomorrow.

History:

Today we are taking an assessment.  You will have no homework.

Yearbook:

We are going to talk copy today.  You will be adding opening copy to your theme packet.  Theme packets will be presented and voted on Wed.  If you haven't already, make sure you get your permission slip in.

Language Arts:

Today we work on our websites.  I have created a template that you can access through Google Drive using your PUSD gmail account or you can create your own as long as it has a page for "Home", "Digital Portfolio", and "Blog".  Some of you used WebS last year to create a website.  You may use that again if you like as it offers some features Sites does not.
Also, please fill out the mind map to help you prepare for 20% day tomorrow.  You will need to download it if you want to type right on the document.

History:

We will continue working on presentations.  Period 8, you will go to room 606 and will have an alternative assignment.

Yearbook:

Keep working on theme packets.  Bring in magazines so that you can add pictures to your mock up.

Language Arts

Today we begin root word study.  I will show you how to write and save your weekly list of root words.  Root word quizzes will be on Wed.  After the quiz, you will receive you new list of root words.  Remember that each weekly quiz will build on the words from the weeks before for six weeks.  Your final test will be on all six weeks of words.  Then we start over.  I keep a list of words in many places including here on this blog, so there is no excuse for not having your words.  You WILL NOT be excused from a quiz because you were not here to write down the words.  Be sure to check the website each Wed. for the words.

Here are the words for this week:

Week 1

History

Today we will continue working on student presentations.

Yearbook

We are working on Theme Packets.  Theme packet rough draft should be finished by the beginning of the period Thursday.  So if it is not finished, someone needs to take it home to do it.  I will give you a few minutes in class tomorrow to make changes and then you complete the mock up of your theme packet.
Also, please don't forget your signed permission slip.  Have it back tomorrow.

Language Arts

Today we will finish our presentations.  It was so wonderful to learn more about each of you.  I am so excited now that this year is underway.

We will also finish talking about the 20% project.  The more I talk about it, the more excited I get.  I hope you are too.  Finally, we will talk about the requirements for the writing notebook.  Please have your notebook decorated by Monday.  We will be taping them up on Monday, finished or not.

History

We are continuing with the group presentations.  Today is group B/C.

Yearbook

Today you will get in groups and begin working on theme packets.  Details will be given in class.  They are due on Friday.

Language Arts

Today, if the internet cooperates, we will finish everyone's presentation.  I will also spend whatever time is left, talking more about the 20% project. Be sure to check out the web site, for more information.

History

You will have a little time to put the finishing touches on your group presentations.  We will then start with group A.  If you don't already have it, be sure to bring a spiral notebook to class daily.  We begin taking notes in it today.

Yearbook

We will begin theme packets that will be due at the end of the week.  

Language Arts

Today we need to take the Gates-MacGinitie reading assessment.  After that you should finish your Collaborize Classroom assignments, sign up for Remind101, sign up for Good Reads and add me as a friend.  If you have not already done so, please finish your student info sheet and the reading and writing survey.  All of these need to be completed by tomorrow.

History

Students will continue to work on their group project.  They should be finished by the end of the period tomorrow.  Anything not completed, will need to be completed at home.

Yearbook

Today we begin to delve into theme.  We will look at themes from other books and begin to work on our own.  You will have a worksheet on theme (pg.7) that you will need to complete for homework if it is not completed in class.

This post is for class tomorrow, Wed. Sept. 4.

Language Arts

Today you may work on the literary terms.  I've included the link so that you can complete the page right on your computer, or you may have a hard copy to write on...whatever works best for you.  If you finish, you can work on Collaborize Classroom or explore Goodreads.  Be sure to add me as a friend on your account.

History

You will continue to work on your cartoon strip.  I will have paper for you to create your cartoon.

Yearbook

Continue to work on your spread.  They are due at the beginning of the period on Thursday.

Language Arts

Please don't forget to sign up for Remind101.  If you would like to sign up for emails instead of text, let me know and I will give you those instructions.  Otherwise, please sign up tonight.  Also, please register for Collaborize Classroom.  Once you are approved, you can participate in the discussions.  When you get to the sign-in, you will need to erase my email address and replace it with your gmail address and your own password.   Click "register" and follow the instructions.  The first two discussions will be posted until Friday, make sure to get online before then.  Plan ahead.   Also, be sure to create you Goodreads account and add me as a friend.  We will begin using Goodreads next week.

US History

Please don't forget to sign up for Remind101.  If you would like to sign up for emails instead of text, let me know and I will give you those instructions.  Otherwise, please sign up tonight.  Also, please register for Collaborize Classroom.  Once you are approved, you can participate in the discussions.  When you get to the sign-in, you will need to erase my email address and replace it with your gmail address and your own password.   Click "register" and follow the instructions.  The first two discussions will be posted until Friday, make sure to get online before then.  Plan ahead.  

Today you will work on your Group Project.  Read your assigned pages and keep a list of Characters, Events, Setting, and impact on Americas.

Yearbook

Continue working on your spread.  These will be due first thing Thurs.  Also, be sure to look at the powerpoint on photography and answer the questions.