Week of October 27, 2008

I am really excited about our short descriptive writing assignment however let me mention your reading homework.

Reading is Thinking!  Read daily 30 minutes.  How can you relate to the character in your story?  How so?  Please write your responses in your Reading Response Journal.  This is a non-negotiable.

We reviewed what should be in a short story.  Remember to add dialogue and figurative language.

Your story should begin with a strong lead. Make sure you introduce your characters briefly in your introduction.  The 5 w's should be evident in your story. Be creative.  If your story isn't interesting to you then it won't be to anyone else. Please write your draft in your Writer's Notebook.  Your draft is due Friday, October 31, 2008 on looseleaf.  You must show evidence that you are writing your story daily.  Each day should show the date where you add details to your story.

You will present your story to the class at the end of this assignment.  I am concerned more about the quality of your story than the number of pages.

Week of 10/20/08

602/604- We reviewed why we have data binders. Please make sure you keep your binders up to date. Everyone should be aware of their state scores last year as well as their current progress. Everyone should be completed with Scantron by 10/21/08. Please make sure you add the results to your binders. We will meet weekly to confer about any questions you may have as well as your progress.

602/604 - You will receive feedback on your Friendly Letters. Some of you will be asked to revise and edit your papers again. Please comply if you want your grade to change. I will review the rubric used so you can understand and explain your results if asked. Remember everyone could reach a level 4 if you work at it.

Reading is Thinking! Read daily 30 minutes. Make sure you use the approved format for your summary. Please write complete neat sentences. Remember you must include details from the story to support your opinion of the main idea.

Since we were working on our goals on Friday. Questions 4-6 will be due on Tuesday 10/21/008. Why do you think the story is called "Raymond's Run?" If you could change the title would you? Explain why or why not? If you would, what would be the title? Explain. Due 10/21/08. I am extending the deadline for owed work for 10/21/08.

10/22/08 - Questions 7 and 8. Answer them in complete sentences. Please define the vocabulary words in the story in your notebook. Write a sentence for each.
You have created your characters. Now it's time to outline how you want to begin your story. Write an outline of what you want to write about your character. Think about the 5 w's.

10/23/08 - Review "Raymond's Run." Be prepared for a quiz on 10/24/08.
Review your outline. What should you add or delete? Revise

10/24/08 - Write a introduction for your story. Have a great weekend!

Week of 10/13/08

I apologize for the delay.  I informed you in the class what I expected for homework.  Just in case need a reminder, here it is:

Reading is Thinking!  Read 30 minutes daily.  Use the approved format for your daily responses.  Many of you fail to include supporting details in your responses.  I will not accept incomplete responses.  Your responses should be done in your RR Journals.

 602/604 - We are developing are characters this week.  Many of you created a character however you did not include all of the components of characterization.  You are expected to do this by Friday, 10/17/08.

We have reviewed goals in class.  Please make sure your data binders are up to date.  They should be in school with you daily.

10/16/08 - 602/604 You must answer questions 1-3 in complete sentences. (Raymond's Run)

10/17/08 - 602/604  You must answer questions 4-6 in complete sentences. (Raymond's Run)

602 - You received your progress reports on Wednesday, 10/15/08.  I will accept made up work until Friday, 10/17/08.

604 - You received your progress reports on Thursday 10/16/08.  You must return your progress report on Friday 10/17/08 signed by a parent/guardian.  I will accept made up work until Monday, 10/20/08.

Social Studies

604 - I realize we didn't finish section 2 last week.  Please complete Section 2 - 10/16/08.

10/17/08 - Please complete your hand out.  Be ready to present on Monday 10/20/08

Week of October 6-10 2008

October will be an exciting month.  We will determine what is a character, make self to text connections and write a short story.

Read everyday for 30 minutes.  Complete a response using the approved format in your Readers Response Notebook.

10/6 - Write a sentence for each vocabulary word (purgative, detached, poised, commenced, slack and covey).

We read a Day's Wait by Ernest Hemingway.  Answer questions 1-3 in complete sentences on page 85. 

In your Writers Notebook, Brainstorm 3 possible characters you would like to create.

10/7 - Answer question 4-6 in complete sentences on page 85.  

Writing: In your Writers Notebook, Choose 1 character.  What would your character look like?  What is your characters gender?  Do they have amazing powers?  What is special about them (personality)?

10/8 What do you think the title, "A Days Wait" means? (Explain)  Do you think it is a good title?  Why or Why not?  Please explain your question briefly.  If you were to give this story a different title, what would it be and why?

Writing: In your Writers Notebook,  Create a web about your character.  Please make sure you include appearance and personality. 

10/9 Enjoy your day off.  Please complete your homework assignments.  Please be prepared for class on Friday.  Test ( A Days Wait)  Be prepared to speak about the character you are creating.

10/10:  Raymond's Run Answer questions 1-3.  (You have a copy of the story)  After careful review, what should you add or change about your character.  Please make changes in your Writers Notebook.

604- We are examining how geography play an important role in the history of civilization.  

10/6: Please write a sentence for the following  vocabulary words: district, peninsula, monsoon, geography, fertile, pass, irrigate, transport, an subcontinent.

10/7: Please complete Section 1 in complete sentences.  Write the questions as well.

10/8: Please complete Section 2 in complete sentence.  Write the questions as well.

10/10: Please complete the handout (both sides)

Week of 9/29/08-10/3/08

I apologize.  I didn't post your homework last week however you were informed in class of your assignments.

602/604 - Remember Reading is Thinking.  Read 30-45 minutes daily.  Please used the approved format for your daily reading record.  Remember while your reading, ask yourself, "What are the elements of this story?"  Make sure you include the details to support your findings ( I know this because .....)

We worked on our conclusions for our Friendly Letters today.  By now you should have written your drafts and revised them.  Please use your Checklist to assist you in editing.  Remember ask yourself, "Do this sentence make sense? (Grammar) Did I add a period or question mark at the end of the sentence? (Punctuation) Did I remember to (Capitalize)?

Please, Please write within the margins (YOU KNOW THE LIGHT RED LINES ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF YOUR PAPER!)

SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2008.  MAKE SURE THE LETTERS ARE NEAT.

604 - Social Studies

Please review Chapter 1, Sections 1-4.  Review the Chapter Review.  Pay close attention to the Critical Thinking questions.  Test on Thursday, October 2, 2008.

10/3/08 - Please define the vocabulary in your own words from Chapter 2 pages 58-71.

9/15/08-9/19/08

602/604

Read 45 minutes.  Use the daily format for your response to reading.  This should be written in your Readers Response Notebook.

We have been working on drafting a friendly letter.  Remember your introduction paragraph should be interesting.  Your introduction should briefly address what you are going to write about in your body paragraphs.  Do Not introduce 20 different topics about friendship in your introduction.(Points will be taken off.  I realize it's your draft, however we agreed each point should have a paragraph)  Your initial draft should be done in your Writers Notebook.  I want a copy on looseleaf on Friday September 19, 2008

There is no excuse for not doing your homework.  Hard work pays off.

Social Studies/604

Section Review 1-4 pages 35-44.  Writing answers only is not acceptable.  You must write each sentence along with the appropriate response.

Writing assignment for the weekend.

Please think and write a 3 paragraph response to the following question.

Why do you think MS219 has history as an required subject?

Please remember to check your spelling.  Please write complete sentences.

Week 9/8/09-9/12/08

We will continue to work on the habits of a good reader. Since reading enhances our higher order thinking skills, I want you to read daily for 30 minutes. Please use the reading summary format in your reader's response journal. Just in case you forgot the format, here it is.

I read _________________________. The main idea is ________________________. I know this because( you must add at least 3-5 details from the story to support your opinion about the book. Please remember to write neat. PLEASE DON'T ASSUME I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT. MAKE SURE TO WRITE COMPLETE SENTENCES THAT ARE CLEAR.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DETERMINE AND DISCUSS THE COMPONENTS OF THE WRITING PROCESS. Please listen for the assignment in class for writing. Remember to personalize the cover of your writing notebook.

Your supplies are due by Friday 9/12/08. You must have a notebook for class notes and a readers response notebook. You were given the writers notebook.

Class 604 (Social Studies) Your homework will be announced in class. Please pay close attention for the announcement.