Thursday, May 24th, 2012

*Making inferences assignment

*Checked direct and indirect object homework

*Direct and indirect object review - due tomorrow if not finished in class; quiz on objects tomorrow!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

*Non-fiction news article activity

*Direct and indirect object practice

*Homework - Direct and indirect object w.s. - both sides; due tomorrow

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

*Expanding vocabulary activity

*Indirect object pratice

*Book Presentations

Monday, May 21st, 2012

*Indirect Objects

*Book Presenations

Friday, May 18th, 2012

*Writing journal warm-up

*Finished poetry peformances

*Book Presentations

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

*Direct Object "review"

*Poetry Performances

*Oswego Public Library Summer Programs and Book Talks in LRC

*Book Presentations start tomorrow

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

*Silent reading/Book Presentation work time; Book Presentations start Friday!

*Checked direct object homework and completed more challenging direct object practice

*Poetry Performance partner practice - performances tomorrow

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

*Context clues

*Direct object practice; homework: direct objects worksheet pg. 33 evens only, due tomorrow

*Poetry Performace - selected poem and practiced; performance on Thursday!

Monday, May 14th, 2012

*Silent reading/Book Presentation work time

*Students were assigned book presentation dates and times

*Introduction to Direct and Indirect Objects; notes on direct objects

*Poetry Performance assignment - poems will need to be selected by tomorrow and performace will be Thursday

Friday, May 11th, 2012

*Last minute preposition review

*Preposition Quiz

*Reread "John Henry" in lit. book and answered questions 1-5 on pg. 655; if not finished in class, it's due Monday.

*Silent reading/Book Presentation work time - due in 1 week!

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

*Writing journal warm-up: write your own statute

*Preposition review - preposition quiz tomorrow

*Extended metaphor poems

*"John Henry"

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

*Silent Reading/Book Presentation work time

*Argument paper reflection

*Preposition poster work time - due tomorrow

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

*Langston Hughes poems and tone/mood in poetry

*Ode poems due, some shared with class

*Preposition poster work time

Monday, May 7th, 2012

*Ode poems - we read three ode poems together in class and discussed what is similar between them and what is different.

*Write an Ode Poem assignment; due tomorrow - work time was given in class but some may need to finish at home this evening

*Preposition Poster project introduced, partner/groups chosen and designing began; project due Thursday

*Silent reading and book presentation work time given

Friday, May 4th, 2012

*Writing journal warm-up: The theme of "The Sneetches"

*Prepositional phrases practice

*Goodbye party for Mr. Kovach :(

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

*Silent reading/book presentation work time

*Prepositional phrases intro and practice

*Discussed "The Sneetches" homework questions

*Watched "The Sneetches" video

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

*Analogy practice

*Object of the preposition practice

*Read Dr. Suess poem "The Sneetches" with a partner; homework - literature book pg. 632 questions 1-4 about "The Sneetches" due tomorrow

*LRC for book check out and silent reading

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

*Collected Argument Essays

*Silent reading/Book Presentation work time

*Preposition and object of preposition practice

*Read and studied the figurative language in "The Sea" poem

Monday, April 30th, 2012

*Introduction to Prepositions

*Poetry Unit

*Silent reading time - Book Presentations due May 18th!

*Argument Essays due tomorrow!

Friday, April 27th, 2012

*Argument essay rough draft editing and revising - last computer lab day! The rest of the work needs to be completed at home. Final draft due Tuesday, May 1st! Don't forget works cited page!

Wednesday, April 25th & Thursday, April 26th, 2012

*Worked on Argument Essays in computer lab. Rough drafts should be done and brought to class on Friday 4/27. An adult needs to help edit/revise (and sign - for points) the rough draft before final copy revisions are made in class Friday.

*Final Paper is due Tuesday, May 1st. 

*Extra computer time tomorrow may be used for book presentation work!

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

*Argument essay research and outlining; students should have their persuasion map (outline) completed and ready to type rough draft tomorrow.

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

*Argument essay research time in computer lab; students do not have much computer lab time due to lab scheduling difficulty, so they will most likely need to work at home! Final paper due Tuesday, May 1st. Argument paper guidelines and works cited example may be downloaded above. For research websites, click link below.

Friday, April 20th, 2012

*Journal writing: Earth Week

*Argument Essay introduction - topic needs to be chosen in class Monday; approved websites for research can be found at http://mysite.oswego308.org/schools/TR/staff.asp?EID=1206&ID=13158 but are difficult to read since they are geared toward adults. Students are encouraged to use the databases at school for research. Final draft of essay due Tuesday, May 1st.

*Analyzed argument essay sample

*Silent reading - books for book presentation need to be approved by Monday.

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

*Mad Libs: Moral

*Shared fairytale with class (optional) and handed in

*Argument introduction: What makes a good argument?

*Silent reading time - books for 4th quarter book presentation need to be with students in class at all times! Book choice needs to be approved by Mon. 4/23.

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 - NWEA Math MAP testing

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

*Checked homework and discussed comparisons and contrasts to the two fairytales

*Fairytale writing assignment class time; due Thursday

*4th Quarter Book Presentation options introduced - book needs to be approved by Mrs. Rossi by Monday, April 23rd; presentations due Friday, May 18th (download assignemnt above)

*LRC for book check out and silent reading

Monday, April 16th, 2012

*Finished grammar activity

*Read "King Long Shanks" in lit book and completed fairytale elements chart

*Homework: Complete Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting "King Long Shanks" and "The Emporer's New Clothes" due tomorrow

*Fairytale writing assignment introduced - due Thursday

*Take care of LRC business (fines, overdue books) by tomorrow!

Friday, April 13th, 2012

*Silent reading time - current events mag. or independent reading book

*Read "The Emperor's New Clothes" and completed elements of fairytales chart on story

*Grammar: Little Red Hen activity - not homework

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

*NWEA Reading test; no homework!

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

*Compared and contrasted Rump. and Rapunzel

*Fairytale team-write

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

*"Rumplestilskin" - read and completed fairytale elements chart

*Socratic Seminar: Should pets be cloned?

Monday, April 9th, 2012

*Warm-Up: Idioms

*Fairytale unit intro: favorite fairytales and elements of fairytales

*Read "Rapunzel" and completed a story elements chart

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

*Spelling Test 15

*Complex sentence pop quiz

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

*Non-fiction reading practice

*Checked spelling homework; test tomorrow

*Watsons Project Presentations (optional - for extra credit)

*Complex sentence manipulative activity

*LRC for book check out and silent reading time

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

*Reviewed clauses - independent and dependent

*Compound and complex sentence practice

*Watsons project work time - due tomorrow!

*Spelling homework due tomorrow; test THURSDAY!

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

*Journal writing

*Spelling Lesson 15- Dropping the Final Silent e: debatable, believable, contributor, navigator, probably, horribly, relating, acquiring, rosy, spicy; homework due Wed, test Thurs this week!

*Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences - brief notes and practice in Writer's Choice pg. 308

*Plenty of class time was given to work on Watsons final projects. Projects are due on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

*Checked final Watsons questions and discussed end of book

*Completed plot diagram of book in class

*Anticipation/reaction guide on attitudes/opinions before and after book

*Watsons culminating activity introduced - NOT homework! It will be finished after Spring Break (link to download is at top of page)

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

*Character project presentations

*Discussed Watsons questions Ch. 12-13

*Book fair - Family Night tonight in LRC from 5-7pm!

*Began reading Ch, 14, 15 and Epilogue in class; if book wasn't finished in class it is homework along with novel activity packet questions only (Part B - don't do plot diagram) for Ch. 14,15, and Epilogue

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

*Checked Watsons questions and connecting activity from Ch. 12-13

*Group "Life-Sized Character" project - in class only

*Vocabulary chart Ch. 14, 15 & epilogue started in class; needs to be finished for homework tonight

Monday, March 19th, 2012

*Watsons vocabulary Ch. 12-13 was checked today.

*Read Ch. 13 in class

*Socratic seminar (class discussion/debate): Does environment affect behavior? (Based on Byron and Kenny's reaction to Birmingham)

*Homework: Questions and connecting activity for Ch. 12-13 in Watsons packet due tomorrow.

Friday, March 16th, 2012

*Checked and went over Watsons homework (questions and figurative language Ch. 9-11)

*Students were given class time to complete Watsons Vocab. Ch. 12-13 (in packet); due Mon if not finished in class

*Listened to Ch. 12

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

*"Shamrock" activity

*Checked homework from last night - Ch. 9-11 vocabulary

*Read Watsons Ch. 10 and 11 in class

*Worked on Questions and Figurative Language activity for Ch. 9-11 (in packet) due tomorrow if not finished in class

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

*Checked and discussed Watsons questions and character traits activity Ch. 5-8

*Shared movie storyboards

*Homework due tomorrow (Thurs): Vocabulary Chart Ch. 9-11 (in packet), then read Ch. 9

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

*Checked vocabulary for Ch. 5-8

*Movie storyboards - started in class, must be finished for homework

*Character traits: comparing Byron & Kenny (in Watsons novel activity packet) due tomorrow

*Read Ch. 7 in class; Ch. 8 needs to be read by tomorrow

Monday, March 12th, 2012

*Checked work and discussed questions and Kenny character web from Ch. 1-4 in Watsons packet

*Assigned Vocab. Ch. 5-8 (packet); needs to be finished for homework tonight

*Writing journal - a made-up story you believed

*Small group activity: That Tall-Tale Jive

*Began reading Ch. 5 in class; students must finish Ch. 5 and read Ch. 6 for homework

Friday, March 9th, 2012

*Writing journal: Being teased

*Took Watsons' character quiz Ch. 1-3

*Read Ch. 4

*Questions and activity (Kenny Web) for Ch. 1-4 due Monday

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

*Read Ch. 3 in Watsons

*LRC for book checkout and silent reading

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

*Students received Watsons Novel Study packet with vocabulary, questions, and activities for entire unit.

*Vocabulary for Ch. 1-4 were introduced and activity from packet was assigned for homework (students did have some time to work in class)

*Finished reading Ch. 1 in class; Students are to read Ch. 2 for homework tonight.

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

*"Ballad of Birmingham" poem read in class

*Discussed characterization - why authors do it and how it can apply to the theme of a story

*Checked out Watsons books from LRC

*Began reading Ch. 1 in class - no extra reading assigned for tonight

*Students need to bring their Watsons book with them to class every day for the next few weeks!

Monday, March 5th, 2012

*The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 pre-reading: Civil Rights video, Birmingham Church bombing article, anticipation/reaction guide statements

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

*Pre-fix, suffix, root study game and quiz

*Fragment and run-on practice (we completed the last page in mini-packet)

*Coloring conflict activity (focused on char vs. self, char vs. nature, and char. vs society conflicts)

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

*Journal writing: prestidigitation (!)

*Checked "Big Mouth Bob" homework

*Students were given time to finish ISAT extended response practice prompt. Examples of 2s and 4s responses were shown so students could see the difference between a good response and a not so good response. Students were reminded of the rubric and asked to score their own response and reflect on their performace.

*Time was given for studying word part flash cards; Prefix, suffix and root quiz is tomorrow!

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

*Word riddles

*Leap Day video clip

*Run-On sentences - what they are and how to fix them; homework is the back of the 2nd page in the fragment/run-on packet about "Big Mouth Bob"

*ISAT reading extended response lesson: ISAT rubric, helpful tips on how to write them, and writing practice with sample passage (in class)

*Prefix, suffix, root quiz on Friday; study flash cards!

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

*Reference terms activity

*Checked word part (prefix, suffix, root) flash cards and sentence fragment homework

*Sentence fragment revision

*ISAT longer passage practice - we will continue to work with this passage tomorrow

*Time was given for studying word part flashcards; test Friday!

Monday, February 27th, 2012

*Word Riddles

*Sentence Fragment introduction; homework - finish bottom of sentence fragment worksheet we did in class (first page of small packet)

*ISAT prefix, suffixes and roots: student made mini-flashcards in class and are to finish for homework; quiz on prefix, suffixes and roots FRIDAY!

Friday, February 24th, 2012

*Analogies

*Spelling Test 14

*FANBOYS lesson - simple and compound sentence review

*Simple and compound sentence practice

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

*ISAT practice passage and questions

*Checked spelling homework and played Sparkle - study for test tomorrow!

*"Eleven" sensory imaging group activity and discussion

*LRC for book check out and silent reading

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

*Proverbs

*Checked simple/compound sentence homework

*Figurative language lesson - simile, metaphor, personification, onomotopoeia, hyperbole, alliteration

*Read the story "Eleven" out of literature book; will continue lesson tomorrow

*Spelling homework due tomorrow; test Friday. Extra studying is a must!

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

*Black History Month writing prompt

*Review of new concept: simple and compound sentences; homework: compound sentences - coordinating conjunctions and semicolons worksheet #11-30 (we did #1-10 in clas) to be finished tonight and due tomorrow

*Spelling Unit 14- ie and ei; list: thief, wield, fiercely, conscience, weight, reign, receiver, counterfeit, leisure, deceit; homework due Thurs. test Fri. These words are HARD! Please practice memorizing and writing the words this week.

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

*Checked simple and compound sentence homework

*Finished Glog presentations

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

*Proofreading practice

*Introduction to sentence structure: simple and compound sentences lesson; homework: both sides of simple and compound sentences worksheet due tomorrow

*Glog animal research presentations

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

*Read expert from "Bud, Not Buddy" in literature book

*Writing assignment: Choose a character trait to describe Bud and using text evidence and background knowledge (finished in class)

*Tips on public speaking

*Glog presentations

Monday, February 13th, 2012

*Writing journal warm-up: ardent

*Subject and predicate quiz

*LRC - last day to work on Glogs; Glogs and a separate works cited page are due tomorrow

Friday, February 10th, 2012

*Writing journal warm-up: "Miffed"

*Subject Predicate Quiz review - completed and corrected in class; test on subject and predicates Monday

*Glog work in LRC - Glogs are now going to be due on Tuesday, February 14th (instead of Mon. 2/13). Student can work on Glogs at home. For help on using Glogster from home, download the Glogster Info document above.

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

*Checked subject/predicate homework

*Hard to find subject re-do

*Glogster work in LRC

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

*Hard to find subjects and predicates

*Homework - "More Subjects and Predicates" worksheet due tomorrow (do not do side that says Subject/Predicate Review)

*LRC for Glogster introduction; Glogs due Monday!

Tuesday, Febraury 7th 2012

*ISAT practice activity

*Hard to find subjects - partner practice

*Interesting introduction mini-lesson

*LRC to finish research and thesis statements - students should be finishing up outlines and ready to start their Glogs tomorrow

Monday, February 6th, 2012

*Valentines for Veterans - cards due tomorrow if not finished in class

*Hard to find subject activity

*LRC - last day for research; students should have shown their note cards and gotten thesis approved - tomorrow we'll be working on outlines and introduce how to create a Glogster.

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

*Hard to find subjects (understood you, questions, inverted subjects) lesson

*Discussed how to complete thesis sheet and outline once research was finished. Students need to show 12 completed notecards and thesis paper for credit and to move on to the Glog outline.

*Animal research in LRC - students should be done with research (with note cards and source cards ready to show) and thesis statement sheet by Monday

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

*Compound subjects and predicates game

*LRC for online and book research - Students should be over half-way done with their research (8-10 notecards from 2-3 sources). If behind, research can be done at home. Students know how to access the websites.

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

*Collected subject and predicate homework

*LRC for database and website research tutorial and book and online animal research

Monday, January 30th, 2012

*Misspelled words (homophones - errors that spell check won't catch!)

*Compound subject and predicate practice

*Homework: Write 10 sentences using compound subjects and predicates correctly. 5 sentences must have compound subjects. 5 must have compound predicates. 3 sentences must have both (which will overlap 5 comp. sub. and 5 comp. pred). Due tomorrow! 

*More book animal research in LRC

Friday, January 27th, 2012

*Compound subjects and predicates notes

*Works Cited lesson

*Animal research (books only today) in LRC - students began choosing sources and writing notes on their animal. Book research will continue on Monday.

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

*Easily confused words

*Checked spelling homework and played Sparkle - test tomorrow!

*Simple subject/predicate silly sentences activity

*Plagiarism and paraphrasing lesson

*Need blank notecards (15-20 total) for research tomorrow

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 - NWEA Math test

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

*Subject and predicate practice

*Introduced Animal Research Project and chose animals - see download of Animal Research Project Packet distributed today above

*Research project parent letter should be signed and turned in tomorrow. Can also be downloaded.

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

*Finished "A New Earth is Found" note-taking skills lesson

*Spelling Unit 13; homework due Thursday this week - test still Friday

*Subject/Predicate activity

*Parent Letter for research project distributed - needs to be signed and returned by Wed. for credit.

Friday, January 20th, 2012

*Subject and predicate practice

*Note taking skills - "A New Earth is Found" article (finding main idea and details)

*Students will choose animal for research project on Monday. They should be prepared with a backup option as only 2 students per class can research a particular animal.

Thursday, January 19th, 2012 - NWEA Reading test

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

*Fact and Opinion review activity

*Subject and Predicate grammar unit introduction

*LRC book checkout

*Tomorrow is NWEA (Map) test for reading. Students need to bring a book to read when finished.

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

*Point of view review

*Socratic Seminar: "Ohio Man Sues Coworkers Who Won't Share Mega Millions Win" - student got grades based on participation

*Fact vs. Opinion mini-lesson

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

*Spelling Test 12

*Finished verb review baseball

*Verb Quiz

*"Wartime Mistakes Peacetime Apologies" article and notetaking activity (to be finished tomorrow in class - not homework)

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

*"Hidden Meanings" warm-up

*Checked spelling - test tomorrow!

*Discussed "The Bracelet" questions and turned in

*Took "The Bracelet" comprehension and vocabulary test

*Verb Review - checked study guide and began playing baseball review game; Verb Quiz tomorrow on action, linking, and helping verbs

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

*Writing journal

*"The Bracelet" story was read in the literature book pg. 150. Homework: Comprehension questions pg. 156 #2-5 due tomorrow

*Verb Review Guide- worked on in class, but may need to be finished for homework - Verb Quiz Thursday

*Spelling due tomorrow; test Thursday

Monday, January 9th, 2012

*Warm-Up: Similes

*Spelling Unit 12 words: shipper, shipment, flatly, flatten, admits, admittance, omits, omitting, expels, expelled; homework due Wed. Test Thursday this week

*"The Bracelet" hangman vocabulary

*Point of View lesson

Friday, January 6th, 2012

*Brain teaser warm-up

*Spelling Test 11

*Checked helping verb packet homework

*Completed rest of helping verb packet

*Discussed character traits (with proof in graphic organizer) for characters in "The Southpaw"

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

*Analogy activity

*Checked spelling homework; test tomorrow

*Helping Verb packet pg. 22-23 Ex. 4-8 completed in class

*Homework: Helping verb packet pg. 16 do all exercises except chart on bottom of page - due tomorrow

*Read "The Southpaw" story in literature book, focusing on making inferences and determining character traits

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

*Proofreading activity

*Introduction to helping verbs - helping verb songs can be found on you tube

*LRC checkout

*Spelling homework due tomorrow

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

*Happy New Year! Today, I introduced Mr. Jared Kovach, teacher candidate (student teacher) from Lewis University. He gave each student a welcome letter to bring home to parents.

*Writing journal prompt - New Year's Resolutions

*Returned all submitted Wolfie work

*Spelling Unit 11: The /or/ sound list - escort, ornamental, ordinary, mourn, courtyard, concourse, hoarse, uproar, quarrel, quarantine; homework due Thurs. test Fri.

*Action and linking verb review activity

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

*Linking verb review and mini quiz

*Wolfie Vocabulary assessment/writing piece - most students finished in class, but if not, it is homework due tomorrow. Students may use vocab spreadsheet to help.

*Grinch practice - performance tomorrow!

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

*"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" reader's theater play - we chose parts and practiced - performance will be Friday

*Linking verb review

*LRC work time for Wolfie final projects - due Friday

*Students need to bring completed Wolfie vocab spreadsheets to class tomorrow

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

*More linking verb practice

*Wolfie ending discussion

*Final project for Wolfie introduced & work time given; see description:

Letters from Wolfie

Novel Activities

1. Limericks – Mark likes to write limericks to express his feelings about Wolfie. Write 4 limericks from 4 different character’s points of view using topics you imagine each would write about.

• Limericks are a form of poetry and consist of five lines. Lines 1, 2, and 5 of Limericks have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with one another. Lines 3 and 4 of Limericks have five to seven syllables and also rhyme with each other.

2. Persuasive Letter – Mark wrote a letter to the government requesting Wolfie be returned after his service. You probably have a good idea of what exactly was in that letter. Your job is to write a letter to army officials as Mark asking for the return of Wolfie after his tour of duty.

• Include why Wolfie is so important to you
• Share short stories about Wolfie (use from the story or make them up)
• Business letter format

 3. Portraits of Danny – Mark’s brother is a great example of a dynamic character. He changes a lot during the novel.

• Draw (and color) a detailed picture of Danny before he goes off to Vietnam and include a paragraph describing his physical and emotional character traits.
• Draw (and color) a detailed picture of Danny after he returns from Vietnam and include a paragraph describing his physical and emotional character traits. 

All projects must:

• follow the guidelines above (10 pts.)
• show understanding of the plot, characters, and themes (10 pts.)
• be neat, attractive, colorful, and of high quality – effort is evident (5 pts.)
• include correct conventions – spelling, grammar, etc. (5 pts.)

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS WORTH 30 POINTS - due Friday 12/16

Monday, December 12th, 2011

*Wolfie reading quiz Ch. 18-20 & discussion

*Read Wolfie Ch. 21-23 aloud; students are to finish Letters from Wolfie tonight for homework

*Linking and action verb practice

Friday, December 9th, 2011

*Linking verb puzzles

*Spelling Test 10

*Discussion on Wolfie Ch. 15-16 (last night's reading)

*Began making posters for Mark's upcoming protest; if not finished in class, must be done for homework

*Homework: Wolfie Ch. 18, 19, 20 for Monday

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

*Letters from Wolfie question activity for Ch. 13 & 14

*Linking verb lesson and practice

*Discussion on Wolfie Ch. 13-14

*LRC book checkout and silent reading time

*Homework: Read Wolfie Ch. 15 & 16

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

*Returned and went over pronoun quiz

*Checked spelling homework

*Checked Wolfie homework and did conflict chart - discussed conflicts that have arisen so far and what type

*Homework: Read Letters from Wolfie Ch. 13 & 14

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

*Introduction to verbs - notes, examples & vivid verb activity

*Read Wolfie Ch. 11 in class

*Homework: Read Wolfie Ch. 12 (to page 114) and respond to the 3 questions on worksheet - students do NOT need to complete the conflict chart on back

*Spelling HW due tomorrow; test Fri.

Monday, December 5th, 2011

*Spelling Unit 10 list: launch, author, applaud, caution, awesome, awkwardly, stalwart, warrior, naughty, daughter; homework due Wed.

*Checked Wolfie Vocabulary Review Ch. 1-9 crossword and played review memory game

*Vocabulary Quiz: Wolfie Ch. 1-9

*Introduced Wolfie vocabulary Ch. 10-end

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

*Mad-Libs: The Origin of Ninjas

*Spelling Test 9

*Small group discussion about "Making Inferences" with Wolfie characters and their feelings about the Vietnam War (last night's homework)- then came together to share responses as a large group

*Wolfie Vocabulary Review Ch. 1-9 was started in class but must be finished for homework. Students may use vocabulary spreadsheet previously completed in class. Quiz on Monday!

*No required Wolfie reading this weekend.

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

*Synonym activity

*Songs of the '60s (mentioned in Wolfie)

*War Dog info.

*Read Wolfie Ch. 9 and 10 together in class

*Homework: Making inferences (Wolfie characters' views of war) due tomorrow

*Spelling test tomorrow

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

*Brain teaser warm-up

*Checked spelling homework - test Fri.

*Pronoun Quiz: Students were able to use notes from beginning of unit

*Letters from Wolfie pop quiz Ch. 6-8

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

*Creative writing warm-up using spelling words (about a lucky turkey)

*Checked and went over pronoun review - Pronoun test tomorrow!

*Letters fromWolfie reading assignment: Ch. 6, 7 and 8 need to be read by tomorrow; students got some time to get started reading in class

*Book Fair trip

*Spelling HW due tomorrow - Test Friday!

Monday, November 28th, 2011

*Warm-up: Writing journal - being thankful

*Spelling lesson 9: Spelling the Schwa sound (unstressed vowel sound) list - beautiful, personal, ignorant, error, compliment, stirrup, museum, hibernate, desperate, temporary; homework due Wed

*Pronoun review activity

*Pronoun test review sheet due tomorrow - we went over the directions in class; pronoun test Wednesday (subject, object, possessive, and indefinite pronouns)

*Wolfie discussion - anticipation guide results and Ch. 3 & 4

*Read Ch. 5 in Letters from Wolfie in class, no reading required tonight

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

*Pronoun review

*Checked homework: Indefinite pronouns

*Wolfie Questions Ch. 1-2 answered in pairs or groups

*Discussed Wolfie questions and Ch. 1 and 3

*Homework: Letters from Wolfie Ch. 3-4 (stop at pg. 42) to be read by next Monday

Monday, November 21st, 2011

*Indefinite pronouns - homework: pg. 113 in pronoun packet

*Wolfie vocabulary Ch. 1-8

*Checked out Wolfie books, handed Thinkmarks out

*Began reading Ch. 1 of Letters from Wolfie - Ch. 2 should be read for homework tonight

Friday, November 18th, 2011

*Finished pronoun and antecedent lesson

*Indefinite pronouns

*Spelling Test 8

*Letters from Wolfie (Core Novel) intro: Vietnam War video and Anticipation Guide; we'll check out book from LRC Monday (need fines paid and IDs)

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

*We finally finished Petey!

*Final thoughts on Petey sheet is homework due tomorrow (if not finished in class)

*Pronoun and Antecedents lesson

*Sparkle - Spelling test tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

*Possessive pronoun creative writing prompt (vacation nightmares) completed in class

*Checked spelling homework; test Friday

*Petey

*LRC book check out/silent reading

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

*Petey writing prompt (completed in class)

*Checked pronoun homework

*Pronoun "hunt" in story

*Petey

*Spelling due tomorrow!

Monday, November 14th, 2011

*Synonym/Rhyming warm-up

*Possessive pronoun lesson; homework: Pronoun Packet puzzle pg. 104

*Spelling unit 8: Silent letters list - knight, autumn, pledge, heir, honorable, doubtful, design, folklore, debt, knowledge; homework due Wed. test Fri.

*Petey

*Edited/revised narratives (for full credit!) due tomorrow

Friday, November 11th, 2011

*Veteran's Day article and main idea activity

*Spelling test

*Ta-Na-E-Ka comprehension and vocab quiz (with partners and open book)

*Narratives grades were shared and explained to students today - EVERY student has the opportunity to edit and revise their narrative by Tuesday 11/15 for full credit!

*Petey

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

*Proofreading practice and activity

*Pronoun packet pg. 99

*We finished reading Ta-Na-E-Ka and had class discussion

*Sparkle (Spelling test tomorrow!)

*Petey

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

*I promise narratives will be handed back soon! I'm almost finished with the grading*

*Subject/Object pronouns usage game

*Checked spelling homework - test Friday!

*Conflict notes and discussion (internal/external, char. vs. char, nature, self, society, technology, fate)

*Went over Ta-Na-E-Ka vocabulary preview

*Began reading Ta-Na-E-Ka in lit book

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

*Silent reading time (finally!)

*Pronoun packet: More subject and object pronoun practice

*Ta-na-e-ka (story from lit book) vocabulary preview activity - we had time in class to work, but if not finished in class, due tomorrow

*Spelling due tomorrow

Monday, November 7th, 2011

*Writing journal prompt: cliches or relic prompt

*Spelling list introduced - theme is the /j/ sound with j or g: genuine, urge, justify, legend, surgery, gigantic, journal, majority, energy, jealous - homework due Wed; test Fri

*Pronoun packet: subject and object pronouns

*Petey assignment due

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

*Spelling test

*More work time for Petey Visualizing assignment due Monday

*Read more Petey

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

*Petey (finished part 1)

*Reading strategy: Visualizing using a scene in Petey activity; due Monday

*Pronoun packet; we did the first few activities on personal pronouns together

*Checked spelling homework; test tomorrow

*LRC book check out

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

*Proofreading and editing activity

*Introduction to pronouns: nouns' cousins; took notes

*Petey

*Spelling homework due tomorrow; test Thursday

Monday, October 31st, 2011

*Story elements pop quiz (matching)

*Spelling: Words with the /k/ sound - homework due Wednesday, test Thursday

*Listened to original "The Hitchhiker" radio play

*Petey

Thursday, October 28th, 2011

*Rebecca Caudill Young Adult Literature book talks in LRC: 20 of the best new books for junior high ages students were presented to the students by Mrs. Cook, a librarian from Oswego Public Library

*Peformed radio play of "The Hitchhiker" by Louise Fletcher

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

*Writing with nouns

*Finished book presentations

*Read radio play "The Hitchhiker" in lit book and picked parts to read aloud tomorrow

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

*Brainstormed character trait list (we came up with both positive and negative traits to describe characters' personalities)

*Book Presentations

*Narratives should have been turned in

*Petey

Monday, October 24th, 2011

*Halloween logic puzzle

*Introduction to literature unit on Characters; used Petey and Calvin as examples of how author's make characters come alive

*Book Presentations Day 2; they will continue tomorrow and probably into Wednesday.

*Narrative final copy due tomorrow!

Friday, October 21st, 2011

*Reading cryptogram puzzle

*Book presentations (will continue on Monday 10/24 and Tuesday 10/25)

*Narrative revision in computer lab - Final copy due Tuesday!

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

*Noun test: categories, common/proper, singular/plural and possessives

*Narrative editing lesson and peer review

*Revising and editing of narrative rough draft - we also have lab time tomorrow for making revisions; Please help your child by proofreading with them and helping with errors! Final copy due Tuesday, October 25th

*Book Presentations begin tomorrow

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

*Went over noun review - noun test tomorrow! Study notes!

*Sensory imaging activity - show don't tell on narratives

*More narrative rough draft work time in computer lab; rough drafts need to be finished and printed out by the beginning of class tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

*Noun Review is homework, due tomorrow

*Checked narrative outlines

*Students began typing rough draft of narrative in computer lab. Rough Drafts are due Thursday!

Monday, October 17th, 2011

*Plural possessive noun practice

*Narrative writing lesson: basics, examples, outlining

*Students worked on their narrative outlines in class and are due tomorrow - we begin typing the rough draft tomorrow, so students need their flash drives!

Friday, October 14th, 2011

*Silent reading/book presentation work time; Book Presentations begin next Friday!

*Sparkle

*Spelling Test

*Checked possessive noun homework and went over rules

*Brainstorming session for narrative ideas: Example important life lessons - don't procrastinate, ask for help, listen to your parents/elders, don't give up, appreciate what and who you have, etc... Students need to come to class Monday ready to put their ideas together in an outline.

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

*Introduced narrative assignment: "An Important Lesson" due Tuesday, October 25th (download guidelines and rubric from link above)

*Checked spelling homework; test tomorrow!

*"Be Aggressive; Learn your Possessives" game with possessive nouns

*Homework: Possessive noun worksheet- both sides due tomorrow

*Read Petey

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

*Sensory Imaging lesson and walk through the prairie taking notes of what we see, hear, feel, and smell. A paragraph describing the walk including sensory images is due tomorrow.

*Possessive noun practice in Writer's Choice book

*LRC book check out

*Spelling homework due tomorrow; test Friday.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

*Possessive noun practice

*Spelling list 4: the /s/ sound with s or c - fantasy, privacy, consent, concise, citizen, incident, recent, license, vicinity, bicycle; homework due Thurs. and test Fri.

*Shared excellent "All Summer" writing prompts

*Took "All Summer" comprehension and vocabulary quiz (open book)

Friday, October 7th, 2011

*Spelling test

*Petey

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

*Silent reading time

*OWL strategy: Making Inferences (using "All Summer...")

*Spelling test tomorrow!

*Homework: Choose 1 writing prompt for homework! Due tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

*Checked spelling homework; test Friday

*Read "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury in lit book focusing on importance of setting and making inferences

*Singular possessive noun practice

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

*Journal writing warm-up

*Vocabulary word webs for "All Summer In A Day"

*Possessive noun rules chart

*Petey

*Spelling homework due tomorrow

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

*Plural noun worksheet

*Concrete and abstract noun activity

*Spelling List 4: Double consonants - ballot, occasion, gossip, essential, mammoth, withheld, accident, summarize, villain, appropriate; homework due Wed. test Fri.

*"The Stone" comprehension quiz - students could use book and chose to work with a partner or on own

*Petey

Friday, September 30th, 2011

*Logic puzzle

*Spelling Test 3

*Checked plural noun homework

*I returned "The Stone" vocabulary and story element assignment and we went over the answers. I also am offering an extra credit opportunity for those students who did not do as well as they would like: EXTRA CREDIT - What are 2 character traits you would use to describe Maibon? Explain why you chose each one using examples from the story ("I think Maibon is ------ because in the text it says..."). This is worth 4 points. Extra bonus points will be awarded if students can use any of the vocabulary words correctly in their response - up to 2 points. This is due on Monday.

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

*Silent reading time

*"The Stone" vocabulary quiz and story elements questions (completed and turned in during class)

*Plural noun mini-packet exercises 3 & 4 done as a class; Homework: Exercises 5, 6 and 7 are homework due tomorrow

*Played Sparkle - Spelling test tomorrow!

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

*Irregular plural nouns

*Completed first page of plural noun mini-packet as a class

*Checked spelling homework - test Friday!

*Finished "The Stone" and evaluated prediction chart (Was my prediction correct? why or why not...)

*LRC book check out

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

*Plural noun notes - made a rules chart

*Pre-reading activities for "The Stone" in literature book

*Began reading "The Stone" while working on the OWL strategy predicting

*Spelling due & LRC check out tomorrow

Monday, September 26th, 2011

*Read and discussed article about Navy SEALS and their training

*Spelling Unit 3 words: (theme is long "u" sound) cruise, document, gratitude, issue, juvenile, manual, nuisance, routine, unite, vacuum; homework due Wed. Test Fri.

*Common and Proper noun class work

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

*NWEA Math test

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

*Spelling review and Sparkle

*Spelling test 2

*Checked noun category homework

*Classmate noun challenge game

*Petey

*Silent reading book needed tomorrow for after math MAP testing.

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

*Silent Reading time - students should have chose the book for the their book presentation by now

*Checked spelling homework; test tomorrow!

*Finished Noun Unit introduction and puzzle activity as a class; homework: Race Track Nouns categorizing worksheet due tomorrow

*Read a couple chapters of Petey

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

*Writing journal warm-up: what kind of food would you be?

*Finished Just Once hands-on plot diagram activity

*I began introducing the noun unit and started a class example chart of examples

*Spelling homework due tomorrow

Monday, September 19th, 2011

*Learning styles inventory - students took a short quiz and got to see if they are more of a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner and what each means

*Quarterly book presentations introduced - presentations will take place Fri. 10/21, Mon. 10/24, Tues. 10/25

*Spelling List #2: deny, oath, theme, keen, plead, complaint, thorough, twilight, quote, migrate; homework due Wed. and test will be on Thursday this week due to MAP testing Fri (Math)

*Just Once plot diagram partner activity - we'll continue tomorrow

Friday, September 16th, 2011

*Analagies activity

*Played spelling game "Sparkle" and took Spelling Test 1

*Finished & shared reactions to Just Once

*Read Petey Ch. 2-4

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

NWEA (MAP) Reading test

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

*Hidden Meanings warm-up

*Checked spelling homework; test Friday!

*Vocabulary hangman (5 vocab words from Just Once)

*Read first part of Just Once in literature book

*Went to LRC for book check out

*Students need to bring silent reading books tomorrow for MAP testing

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

*Logic puzzle warm-up

*Read aloud Dragon, Dragon in literature book

*Completed a plot diagram together of Dragon, Dragon

*Spelling homework due tomorrow

*Book Orders due tomorrow

Monday, September 12th, 2011

*Journal writing reflecting on 10th anniversary of 9/11

*Spelling introduction and first lesson (short vowel sounds) - homework sheet due Wed. and test on Fri.

*Kinds of sentences quiz

*5 things (story elements & plot) lesson

Friday, September 9th, 2011

*Kinds of Sentences review - quiz Monday

*9/11 anniversary activities: interactive timeline and discussion

Thursday, September 8th, 2011 (5 hour day)

*Kinds of sentences practice with partner or small groups - quiz on Monday!

*Silent Reading time

*Scholastic Book Orders due Wed.

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

*Writing journal warm-up (some students still need composition notebooks)

*Checked and went over homework from last night

*Listening skills quiz

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

*Homophone/confusing word activity

*Literature book distribution - need book covers

*Kinds of sentences challenge

*More Me Collage Presentations

*HOMEWORK: "Lost Voyage" side of kinds of sentences worksheet - due tomorrow! Also, composition notebooks should be in class ready to be used tomorrow.

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

*LRC Orientation and book check out

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

*Language & grammar activity

*Kinds of sentences whole class practice

*Me Collage presentations

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

*Logic puzzle warm-up

*Kinds of Sentences & Punctuation (interrogative, declarative, imperative, exclamatory) unit introduction & brief notes

*Me Collage work time - due at the beginning of class tomorrow

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

*Back to school word scramble activity

*Me collage project - due Thursday; students will have plenty of class time to work on this.

*Signed contracts were due today. Million Words or Less activity due by Friday.

Monday, August 29th, 2011

*Classroom "Hunt" activity (kind of like a scavenger hunt of the classroom)

*Language Arts district assessment - grammar and usage

*Signed policies and procedure contract due tomorrow; Million Words sheet due by Friday (optional)

Friday, August 26th, 2011

*Writing assignment: Award you will win in 20 years - if not finished in class, due Monday

*Made writing portfolios (to be kept in classroom)

*"School's Cool" Mad Libs

*Tour of School

*Parents Homework: Complete "In A Million Words or Less" sheet; it is optional, but will be very helpful for me this year. Send it back with your student next week sometime or email your response to me aeaster0326@oswego308.org

*Signed contract sheet due Tues.

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

*Get to Know You/Favorites sheet completed

*Policies and Procedure handout - Parents please review and sign contract; due back by Tuesday, 8/30. You may download an extra copy from this site.

*Report to the Principals Office

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Welcome Back!

*Made name tents and did class introductions

*Tour of classroom (where and what everything is)

*Classmate scavenger hunt

*Began reading Report to the Principal's Office by Jerry Spinelli as a fun first week story