***Read and log 20 minutes or 20 pages a night!!!***
Tuesday, April 29:
1. Vocabulary quiz tomorrow! Make sure you study your notecards and use the
strategies that I taught you!
Monday, April 28:
1. Please begin to study for your vocabulary quiz!
2. Vocabulary quiz on Wednesday!
TONIGHT (Monday, 3/3):
1. Please self-reflect on a separate sheet of paper. Answer the following
questions:
a. Were you surprised by your scores? Why or why not?
b. Discuss one of your strengths. What did you do well and why?
c. Discuss two of your weaknesses. What areas do you need to improve
upon and why?
d. What are you going to focus on when responding to the CMT writing
prompt? Think about what you have just learned based on this
reflection and based on what we've talked about in class.
Monday, 3/3 - Friday, 3/7:
1. Please check Mr. Devine's website
2. CMT WEEK...get lots of rest and eat a good breakfast!!!
Friday, 2/29: Latin America Day
Monday, 2/25 - Thursday, 2/28:
1. Please check Mr. Devine's website.
Friday, 2/15:
1. Make sure you have a good book to read over the vacation!
2. Relax and enjoy time with your friends and family :)
Thursday, 2/14: Happy Valentine's Day
1. Okay, I changed my mind...no homework EXCEPT to review the notes I
already gave you on CMT prep. After thinking about it, I didn't want
you to start doing sample questions of "editing and revising" until we
reviewed in class. Make sure you review for DRP and RC though (go
through the notes you took in class)!!!
Wednesday, 2/13:
1. If you did not complete the reading comprehension questions in class,
please finish them.
2. Then, please check your answers for numbers 1-8 here!
1. c
2. j
3. d
4. f
5. b
6. f
7. b
8. g
I will collect numbers 9-12 and grade as a CNQ tomorrow.
3. Next, please go to "Class Handouts/Notes"
Click on "A Gust of Fall Wind"
Read the short poem and answer the few questions.
Print out your answers and bring them to class tomorrow.
4. PERIOD 7 ONLY!!! You only need to complete 1 and 2 :)
UPCOMING!!! DISCOVERY JOURNALS (all 5) DUE WEDNESDAY, 2/13!!!!
-do not jump ahead...we still have more to talk about!!!-
-please see me before due date if you have ANY questions-
Tuesday, 2/12:
1. Discovery Journals due tomorrow! Make sure you complete the rubric and
have everything ready to be turned in at the start of class!
Monday, 2/11:
1. Discovery Journal # 5!
Friday, 2/8:
1. Revise journal entries 1, 2, 3, and 4!
Thursday, 2/7:
1. Please complete the worksheet (numbers 2,3, and 4). You do not have to
rewrite the entire paragraph for each one, but you should be revising it
to add in the "MUST DO" that the writer forgot.
Wednesday, 2/6:
1. Discovery Journal # 4
Tuesday, 2/5:
1. Please read the edited version of the excerpt "Into the Wild" by
FRIDAY, 2/8! Remember to use the summary page to help you!
2. Continue to revise journal entries 1,2, and 3!
Monday, 2/4:
1. Read "Into the Wild" summary.
2. (Periods 7 & 8 only: Entrance question for tomorrow's class
is "Thinking about the story of the man in the water, what is your new
definition of survival?")
Friday, 2/1:
1. Based on the discussion we had in class today about the rubric, please
revise your first 3 journal entries.
Thursday, 1/31:
1. Discovery Journal #3
Wednesday, 1/30:
1. Discovery Journal #2
2. Don't forget...we are going over "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket"
tomorrow. You need to make sure you have read the story and completed
the notecard (see below).
Tuesday, 1/29:
1. Discovery Journal # 1
Monday, 1/28:
1. Read "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket" by Thursday (you will have other
homework throughout the week, so please make sure you do not leave this
reading until the last minute).
2. After reading, fill out an index card with the following information:
- On one side, write any questions you had while reading.
- On the other side, write a brief plot summary (this needs to be more
than one or two sentences!)
Friday, 1/25:
1. Study for vocabulary quiz (extra point if you bring in notecards to show
us on Monday).
Thursday, 1/24:
1. Read "Allen Greshner" (on back of "Wilding" packet).
2. Writing folders are due back tomorrow (with a parent signature).
3. Vocabulary Quiz on Monday, 1/28!!! Please make notecards (you will earn
an extra point on your quiz if you have them with you!).
Wednesday, 1/23:
1. Read and post-it "Wilding" (the short story distributed in class today).
2. Remember...vocabulary definitions are due tomorrow!
Tuesday, 1/22:
1. Vocabulary definitions due Thursday, 1/24 (fill out the sheet that Mr.
Devine and I gave you in class).
2. Please have your writing folders signed by a parent or guardian by
Friday, January 25 and brought back into school. A parent or guardian
should read through your writing folder and get a chance to see a
piece of your writer's notebook. Please note that since your writer's
notebook is personal, you only have to share one part of it with a
parent or guardian (maybe a seed idea, a brainstomring
activity, "tracing our hands", etc.). Also, please have them read the
mid-year self-reflection that you filled out in class. This is a chance
for your parent(s) or guardian to see the incredible improvements you
have made throughout the year. Enjoy showing off your work!
Monday, 1/21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
Friday, 1/18:
1. Read and log for the third quarter!
Tuesday, 1/15 - Thursday, 1/17:
1. Read and log (last day to turn in book logs is this Friday, 1/18!!!)
2. Think about ways to improve your writing on the ERB you are taking in
class. You may continue to look at your notes and talk to
family/friends.
Monday, 1/14:
1. Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast!
ERB testing starts tomorrow...
Friday, 1/11:
1. Complete questions 1 and 2 on the ERB review sheet.
Thursday, 1/10:
1. Read and log!
Wednesday, 1/9:
1. Read and log!
Tuesday, 1/8:
1. Read and log!
2. (Periods 2,7,8) Add additional D.R.A.P.E.S. to the body paragraph you
wrote last night for homework.
Monday, 1/7:
1. Write a new introduction and a new body paragraph (just choose one body
paragraph of your choice to re-write) for sample essay J. Due tomorrow
in your WNB!
Friday, 1/4:
1. Read and log! Quarter ends soon!!!
Thursday, 1/3:
1. (periods 1,7,& 8 only) Please underline and label the kind of
D.R.A.P.E.S. the writer used in the sample essay
for body paragraphs 2 and 3.
Wednesday, 1/2: Welcome back!
1. Answer questions for sample essay!
Friday, 12/21:
1. Read and log over the break!
2. Spend lots of time with your family!
3. Relax and have fun!
Thursday, 12/20:
1. Just bring yourselves to class tomorrow. We are going to finish reading
about Murphy Murphy and the cupcake.
Wednesday, 12/19:
1. Use checklist to revise.
2. Final copy due tomorrow, 12/20 (extended due date).
- 12 point font / Times New Roman / 1 1/2 spaced
- include ALL rough drafts (not the ones in your WNB, but all others),
the brainstorming worksheet, and the outline you completed.
- make sure you fill out the self-assessment on the rubric.
- have everything stapeled together for tomorrow (do this at home!).
3. Bring sticky notes to class for tomorrow's publishing activity.
Tuesday, 12/18:
1. Revise your conclusion!
2. Make sure you anticipate the opposition in your essay.
Monday, 12/17:
1. Revise your lead!
Friday, 12/14:
1. Revise for organization.
Use one of the outlines distributed in class to deconstruct your essay.
Thursday, 12/13: SNOW DAY!
Wednesday, 12/12:
1. Revise for elaboration.
Today's mini lesson was on D.R.A.P.E.S. (different ways to include
greater elaboration to your writing).
D = detail, dialogue, or description
R = rhetorical questions or repetition
A = analogies, anecdotes, or (powerful, persuasive) adjectives
P = personal experiences or persuasive, powerful language
E = examples
S = statistics, "stretch out your explanations"
In my own personal persuasive essay on the black ant, I included a few
different ancedotes (mini stories about the iced tea can and my
experience at Fairfield University), examples (the facts from the
Discovery Channel), and details (especially when I brought up
connections to the movie The Karate Kid).
Tuesday, 12/11:
1. Finish the self-reflection that you began in class, specifically #3 (a.,
b., c., and d.). Question are posted under class handouts/notes.
I will collect your writing folders tomorrow in class (10 on-time points)
2. Bring a typed "working" rough draft to school tomorrow.
We will start each class with a mini lesson and you are expected to have
your writing with you each day to apply the mini lesson to your work and
make revisions.
Monday, 12/10: "SHORT STORIES" FIELD TRIP
1. Typed "working" rough draft due on Wednesday, 12/12. Please see me if
you are stuck generating a topic.
Friday, 12/7:
1. Some due dates were discussed in class today. Please bring in to class
a typed "working" rough draft on Wednesday, 12/12. The typed copy does
not need to be complete, but it should be a good work in progress. We
will do several mini lesson that can be directly applied to your work in
progress throughout the week. The final copy will be due Friday, 12/19.
Thursday, 12/6:
PERIOD 1 and 8 ONLY: With the character you were given in class, choose
one of the scenarios to respond to.
Go to the CLASS HANDOUTS/NOTES page on my website
and click on one of the SCENARIOS
and respond in your writer's notebook.
PERIOD 2 and 7 ONLY: Continue working on your persuasive piece in your WNB.
Wednesday, 12/5:
PERIOD 1 and 8 ONLY: Continue working on your persuasive piece in your WNB.
PERIOD 2 and 7 ONLY: With the character you were given in class, choose
one of the scenarios to respond to.
Go to the CLASS HANDOUTS/NOTES page on my website
and click on one of the SCENARIOS
and respond in your writer's notebook.
Tuesday, 12/4:
1. Complete the brainstorming sheet.
Monday, 12/3: OH MY GOODNESS - IT IS ALREADY DECEMBER!!!
1. Make a list of 3 controversial topic that you are interested in possibly
exploring in writing. Please do this in your WNB.
Friday, 11/30:
1. Read and log :)
Thursday, 11/29:
1. Prepare for open book/response test tomorrow!
Wednesday, 11/28:
1. Make sure you have your notecard ready for today's discussion (see
assignment from 11/20).
2. Prepare for open book/response test on Friday, November 30.
Monday, 11/26 - Tuesday, 11/27:
1. Read chapter 25 through the end of the novel and "post-it" note - due
Wednesday, 11/28.
2. Open book/response test on Rules of the Road on Friday, November 30.
- make sure you have finished the book.
- keep post-it notes in the book.
- use study guide (just answer the questions in bullet point form)
Wednesday, 11/21: Have a great Thanksgiving break!
Tuesday, 11/20:
1. Please go to my "LINKS" page and click on the Joan Bauer websites (there
are two!!!).
2. Read both articles ("Stories Connect Us" and the "Interview")
3. While reading the articles, select the most important line or phrase
that
you think is important to discuss with your peers in class. (Hint: What
you choose should be important to you and our class discussions about
writing.)
4. On the front side of a notecard, copy down that line or phrase you chose
as the most important. On the opposite side of the notecard, write a
full paragraph describing why you chose that line or phrase.
Monday, 11/19:
1. "Bumper Sticker" project due tomorrow!!!
2. Read chapters 19-24 AND answer questions (handout give in class) by
Monday, November 26.
Friday, 11/16:
1. "Bumper Sticker" project due Tuesday, November 20!
Thursday, 11/15:
1. Second part of the "bumper sticker" project (the actual bumper sticker
and write-up) is due Tuesday, November 20!
Wednesday, 11/14:
1. First part of the "bumper sticker" project (1st set of questions only!)
are due tomorrow.
Tuesday, 11/13:
1. Complete the first part ONLY of the "bumper sticker" project. In other
words, you are only doing the fist activity which is to pick a quote
discussed in your small group that was found in the text and answer the
five questions about that one quote.
DUE THURSDAY, 11/15!!!
Monday, 11/12: Veteran's Day (No School)
UPCOMING!!! VOCABULARY QUIZ (chapters 1-8) ON FRIDAY, 11/9!!!!
Friday, 11/9:
1. DUE TUESDAY, 11/13 = Reader chapters 9-18 and answer questions (handout
given in class on Thursday)
Thursday, 11/8:
1. Study for vocabulary quiz! It is tomorrow!
2. DUE TUESSAY, 11/13 = Read chapters 9 - 18 and answer questions (handout
given in class).
Wednesday, 11/7:
1. Answer chapter 7 and 8 questions (handout given in class).
2. Study for vocabulary quiz (on Friday!!!).
Tuesday, 11/6: No school!
Monday, 11/5:
1. Read chapters 7 and 8.
2. "Post-it" for the chapters above (5 in total).
3. Vocabulary notecards due tomorrow.
Friday, 11/2:
1. Read chapters 4,5,and 6.
2. "Post-it" for the chapters above (5-7 in total).
3. Vocabulary notecards due Wednesday!
Thursday, 11/1:
1. Finish reading chapters 2 & 3 (only 15 pages)
2. Answer questions (handout given in class)
Wednesday, 10/31: Happy Halloween!
1. Finish reading pages 1-13.
2. Write vocabulary definitions for teacher selected words in chapters 1-8
of Rules of the Road by Friday, November 2.
Tuesday, 10/30:
1. Read and log.
Monday, 10/29:
1. Read and log.
First quarter ends November 2, so please make sure you get your book logs
in!!! Remember, the requirement is 3!
Friday, 10/26:
1. Read and log.
First quarter ends November 2, so please make sure you get your book
logs
in!!! Remember, the requirement is 3!
UPCOMING!!! 1st Piece of Published Writing Due Friday, October 26th!!!!
Thursday, 10/25:
1. Time to make final revisions and edit.
Complete self-assessment on rubric
Final Copy: typed, double or 1.5 spaced, Times New Roman, proper heading
Please include all requirements that are on rubric and make sure you
staple all your papers together before class (I will not collect your
writer's notebooks this time, but I will be looking for your typed rough
drafts with revisions)
Bring post-it notes to class tomorrow for publishing activity :)
Wednesday, 10/24:
1. Revise for sentence fluency
Today's mini lesson was on sentence fluency. Do vary beginnings. Also,
make sure you vary sentence length and structure. Don't forget to be
descriptive. And, avoid run-on sentences.
Tuesday, 10/23:
1. Revise for elaboration.
Today's mini lesson was on elaboration. Expand a moment. Slow down and
add more detail. Be dramatic (remember, you have me as your teacher,
Ms. Drama Queen herself!). Add beautiful language (include greater
adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions). Keep in mind today's in class
lesson! Focus on one part at a time :)
Monday, 10/22:
1. Revise your beginning. Do you catch the reader's attention?
Today's mini lesson was on hooking the reader's attention. Remember,
you
could start with an action, dialogue, reaction, fact, or any other
interesting way to get your reader into your piece of writing. Try a
few
and see what works the best. If you don't try, you'll never know...
Friday, 10/19:
1. Remember to bring a typed ROUGH draft to class on Monday, 10/22.
Today's mini lesson was on how to peer conference. If you took good
notes, share them with someone at home and conduct a peer conference
with
a friend or relative. If you do, however, please remember the rules.
The person you conference with should NOT tell you what to fix. They
also should not write on your drafts. Rather, the person listening to
your piece should tell you what they heard or did not hear as a reader.
This will help you determine if your message as a writer is coming
through.
Thursday, 10/18:
1. Add in "thought and feelings." Use today's handouts and activity to
help.
2. Typed draft (remember, it is still just a draft) due Monday, 10/22.
Today's mini lesson was to add in thoughts and feelings to relay the "so
what." This was what Tyler did in his essay (read over the copies that
I
gave you as a reminder) :)
Wednesday, 10/17:
1. Complete a rough draft in your writer's notebook. Remember, this is
just
a rough draft. Do not worry that it is not perfect. We have LOTS of
mini lessons and revisions to do. And, there is still time to change
your topic completely. Robert Frost says, No tears for the writer, no
tears for the reader." If there are "no tears" (or there is no point to
your writing), abandon the piece and start over.
Today's mini lesson was on "Do you have a so what?"
Tuesday, 10/16:
1. Continue writing in your writer's notebook.
Monday, 10/15:
1. Complete the "Brainstorming Questionnaire"
Friday, 10/12:
1. Read and log (and I will check on Monday!!!)
Thursday, 10/11:
1. Read and log!!!
Tuesday, 10/9 - Wednesday, 10/10:
1. 1st Reader's Response due Thursday, 10/11
- at least one page typed
- answer only one (or two at the most) questions from "Reader's Response"
- 12 point font
- 1 1/2 or double spaced
- letter format
Friday, 10/5:
1. Read and log! (Hint: I'll be checking on Tuesday, 10/9!!!)
Thursdaym 10/4:
1. Study for the quest! Use the grammar packet (that I gave out nearly
three weeks ago and have been reviewing every day), additional class
notes on the individual parts of speech, class work, and homework.
Please review the notes and practice the sample sentences in the packet
and in class worksheets.
Wednesday,10/3:
1. Pronoun worksheet.
Tuesday, 10/2:
1. Preposition worksheet. See me tomorrow morning if you did not pick up a
copy during study hall.
Monday, 10/1: Can't believe we are already in the month of October!
1. Akeelah and the Bee Questions due tomorrow!!!
2. Adverb worksheet (there are only 4 questions).
Friday, 9/28:
1. Akeelah and the Bee Questions - due Tuesday, 10/2
Monday, 9/24 - Thursday, 9/27:
1. Sleep well and eat a good breakfast! We'll be taking our first baseline
assessment for writing over the next few days, so you'll want to make
sure you are rested and ready to go!
2. Don't forget to read and log!!!
Friday, 9/21:
1. Read and log!!!
Thursday, 9/20: Magazine Drive begins today!!!
1. Read and log :) Get those book logs going!!!
Wednesday, 9/19:
1. Complete side one of the class worksheet.
ONLY DO THE SIDE THAT HAS TO DO WITH ADJECTIVES!!!
Tuesday, 9/18:
1. Complete "Replace Dead Nouns" worksheet.
2. Reminder: Read and log!
Monday, 9/17:
1. Complete self-assessment on the rubric.
2. Final copy of poem due tomorrow (see rubric for what to include!)
Friday, 9/14:
1. Revise for fluency and line breaks!
- use the notes we took in class to help!
- if you were absent from class today, please see me Monday morning for
extra help.
Thursday, 9/13: No school
Wednesday, 9/12:
1. Revise, again, for detail.
2. Bring a typed copy to class on Friday!
Tuesday, 9/11:
1. Revise to "pump up" the language in your first rough draft.
- Improve your word choice.
- Add detail to your sentences.
- Elaborate!
(Period 8: Finish your first drafts!!!)
Monday, 9/10:
1. Start working on a first rough draft of the "I Am From" poem in your
writer's notebook. A first rough draft means that it does not have to
be perfect, but you should have something in progress. We will use your
first rough draft in class to do mini lessons and then apply right to
your writing.
(Period 8: Make sure you finish your "background" chart for tomorrow.
We will work on your first rough drafts tomorrow in class.)
Friday, 9/7: Have a good weekend!
1. Complete the background sheet for "Where I Am From"
Thursday, 9/6:
1. Complete self-assessment:
- score yourself in the appropriate column.
- note on your group's performance.
2. Read and log 20 minutes or 20 pages.
Wednesday, 9/5:
1. Read and log 20 minutes or 20 pages(I will check tomorrow!).
2. Journal Entry: Pretend you were on the beach and saw someone reading
the same book that you were. (This actually happened to me this past
Monday!) If you could have a discussion with them about the book you
were/are reading, what would you talk about? Make a list or write in
paragraph form about the topics you'd talk about. What you write should
relate to what we talked about in class. Don't write that it was a good
book!
SEE "Class Notes: 9/5" under the CLASS HANDOUTS/NOTES section of
this website for ideas. Make sure you make specifics notes in your
journal as this will only help you for tomorrow's graded discussion.
Tuesday, 9/4:
1. Supplies and book talk (3) sheets due tomorrow!
2. Start filling out your book log sheets!!! I will check them to make
sure you are reading.
1st Period!!! Remember, in order to enter class tomorrow, you have to give
us (Ms. Vita or Ms. Waters) an index card defining what you think helps make
up a writer's style. This could be one word or a whole explanation. The
example we came up with in class was word choice. What other ones could you
think of?
Monday, 9/3: Labor Day - No School!
Friday, 8/31
1. Highlight "expectation" sheet by Tuesay, 9/4
2. Supplies and book talk (3) sheets due Wednesday, 9/5
3. Start your book logs and be ready for me to start checking them on
Wednesday, 9/5.
Thursday, 8/20 WELCOME TO THE PURPLE TEAM!
1. Profile sheet due tomorrow!
2. Highlight "expectation" sheet by Tuesday, 9/4
3. Supplies and book talk (3) sheets due Wednesday, 9/5
