Scroll down for most current school day agenda.

1.  This is one of three main sites you will be using to help you navigate and supplement this course.

This site will list the daily assignments and calendar (with test and assignment due dates).

2.  The second site can be accessed by visiting the SMS main site, choosing "staff information" and then clicking "website" next to my name.

This site will supplement the class, provide a student discussion forum, and list helpful links for homework assistance and classwork enrichment.

3.  To access the online textbook...visit my.hrw.com and enter the username (sms7thgrade2) and password (read!), then click "go to online textbook.  From there, use the drop down menus to select the correct unit and/or reading selection.  Each selection will provide the actual textbook pages, along with supplementary material, tutorials, enrichment, etc.

Make sure you have your supplies! (click on the link to see the list).

February 10/Friday:

Advanced L.A. -

     HW:  reading/notecard

     writers notebook (vacation gone wrong), playing "The Editor" on a classmate's work...write formal editor letter...type; source check today for research - I checked in with each student

Regular L.A. -

    HW:  reading log due Monday, calendar check Monday

    Silent Reading (SSR), grade check, notebook check, finish million dollar essay and submit

February 9/Thursday:

Advanced L.A. -

     HW:  reading/notecard, I will be checking source list tomorrow for research...it doesn't have to be done; I just want to see that you have a few sources - a start!

     writers notebook, unit 8 - score test and grammar handout, revision lesson (this was a fabulous discussion!) "Hello, Harvest Moon"

Regular L.A. -

     HW:  some have to finish vocab. handout for "What Do You Know About Sharks?" - due Friday; I will be checking notebooks/folders tomorrow to see that they are organized; there will be a grade check tomorrow and free time for those who are passing; we will finish the million dollar essay and turn it in tomorrow

     editing, writers notebook, OSPI module #6 - elaborating within sentences

February 8/Wednesday:

Advanced L.A. -

     HW:  reading/card

     finish formal outline, open note quiz (with formal outline), grammar practice sheet, research time

Regular L.A. -

     HW:  reading/log, vocabulary handout (pd. 5/6 only)

     SSR, OSPI writing lesson #5 (specific, concrete language)

February 7/Tuesday: 

Advanced L.A. -

     HW:  reading/card

     writers notebook (Outliers/Bill Gates), "What Do You Know About Sharks?" - formal outlining (open note quiz tomorrow), reviewed unit 8 vocab/notes, text feature chart, and article vocab, time to work on research

Regular L.A. -

     HW:  reading/log (20 minutes)

     writers notebook, OSPI module #4 (show, don't tell) w/practice handout (due at end of class), editing, practice with grading

February 6/Monday:

Advanced L.A. -

     HW:  reading/card

     library/ssr, read article "What Do You Know About Sharks?" w/text feature chart and vocab.

Regular L.A. -  DUE: signed reading log, calendar check today

     HW:  20 min. reading/log

     library rotation/ssr, Unit 8 intro notes page and academic vocab, reviewed in class, turn in

February 3/Friday:

Advanced L.A. - DUE:  final draft typed "I have a dream" speech due this Friday or next Friday (no later than Feb. 10)

     HW:  reading/card, get book for "smashbook" project

     writers notebook, UNIT 8 literature vocabulary and intro. note-taking (handouts), computer lab:  type speech, research

Regular L.A. - DUE:  grade evaluation sheet, I will collect calendars on Monday

     HW:  20 min. reading/log (due Monday)

     silent reading, computer lab:  look up grades, fill out evaluation sheet, find missing assignments...type final draft of million dollar essay (due no later than next Friday), study skills: understanding the grading system

February 2/Thursday:  Happy Groundhog Day...Looks like Phil saw his shadow...6 more wks. of winter?

Advanced L.A. - nothing due

     HW:  reading/notecard, hunt down a book for your "smashbook"

     writers notebook (Outliers), applying the OSPI modules...scoring student essays using the state scoring criteria, begin collecting sources for "smashbook" - handout was given to keep track of sources and explore the validity of sources, also read/skimmed ch. 9 of literature book (research skills)

Regular L.A. - nothing due

     HW:  20 min. reading/log (due Monday) - calendars will be checked Monday, behavior forms (pd. 7/8 only) will be checked Friday, grades will be checked Friday in class

     calendar, writers notebook (Outliers response), OSPI writing module #3 - recognizing elaboration, study skills handout (pd. 5/6 only...7/8 ran out of time - Homework Helpers!)

February 1/Wednesday:

Advanced L.A. - nothing due

     HW:  reading, get/make a book for your "smashbook" research project - we will need these in the next week or so

     writers notebook (response to excerpt from Outliers - the 10,000 hour rule), scouring for sources - finding out what kind of info. is avail. on your chosen topic (handout guide), groups brainstorm ideas for project goals/requirements

Regular L.A. - Due:  paragraphs from yesterday if you didn't finish in class (cafeteria description, organization plan)

     HW:  reading 20 min./log (due every Monday)

     calendar, silent reading, OSPI writing module #2:  Questions that lead to elaboration (who, what, where, when, why, how), pair practice using these questions to improve a paragraph, discussion and revised example, turn in your class work (handout) for today

January 31/Tuesday:

Advanced L.A. -  Due:  research topic/4 questions (end of class)

     HW:  reading

     writers notebook, lesson: conclusions, completed home ec essay and turned in during class (take home and finish for HW if not finished)

Regular L.A. - Due:  nothing

     HW:  20 min. reading/log

     writers notebook, lesson: defining elaboration (note-taking) and practice activity (paragraph in pairs - due at end of class or it becomes HW), study skill: organization - read handout, written paragraph describing your chosen organization system (due at end of class of it becomes HW)

January 30/Monday:

Advanced L.A. - Due:  reading log, film packet

     HW:  reading w/notecard (due at end of quarter), need some type of notebook for our research project, need notecards, must have one favorite research topic chosen and 2 alternate topics by Tuesday

     writers notebook (questions), library/ssr, introductions and conclusions (take notes, practice writing, score guide), review elaboration score guide

Regular L.A. - Due:  reading log (if you were a Samurai 2nd Q.)

     HW:  20 minutes reading/log, replenish supplies

     Due Friday:   Million Dollar Essay (we will have time in computer lab on Friday

     periods 5/6 and 7/8 have been blended to accomodate class size and to separate students who have trouble concentrating around other students...we may continue to make minor changes until we get it right

     library/ssr, writers notebook, review expectations (handouts: semester 2 syllabus, class supply handout, calendar/assignment sheet for anyone who does not already have a planner, behavior checklist), class jobs/rewards