Saturday, November 8, 2014

Week 14: Welcome Trimester 2

I'm excited to start a new trimester! Students really worked hard this last trimester and their grades really reflect their dedication. I just got back from an observation and the annual UCTE (Utah Council of Teachers of English) conference and I am brimming with fun ideas for teaching and valuable information about SAGE prep. Expect great things to happen for students.

This will week will begin our Personal Narrative Unit where students will master narrative writing by choosing one event to focus on, use sequence and transitions as well as smiley-face tricks and figurative language to spice-up their writing. This is one of my favorite units to teach because students get to write about themselves. We will finish our Personal Narratives right before Thanksgiving break so each day will be vital for students to be in attendance.

Reminders for 2nd Trimester

  • Students are required to read 10 books (12 books for Honors) per trimester. The count starts over each trimester, but the marks on the Bingo Card continues and students will be rewarded as they continue to get "bingos".
  • Students who reach the 40 Club (40 books read) will get a t-shirt and some other fun prizes. This is a cumulative count of books that is ongoing from August. I anticipate many members to join this trimester.
  • Students are required to do 30 mins. of Home Reading, at least 5 days a week. This builds reading stamina and skills.
  • If a student misses a day, it is imperative they talk to me before or after school and make up their work. I can request them during FLEX time as needed. I noticed last trimester that students would forget to ask me and soon would fall in behind in the course work. Our weekly schedule is on the blog and on the whiteboard in class. Missed work is in a file-box in my room. Students can check with both of these sources as they visit with me.
  • I do try to communicate weekly with students and parents. Please keep an eye on the blog so you know what is happening in class.
  • Part of the Nation-in-the-News assignment is to read a news article and print-it-out. If you don't have access to a computer at home, please come to my room and tell me and I will be happy to help you print it in our computer lab.
  • Honors: Please stay on top of your blog post, comments and writing contest. You have an entire month to do these assignments, but please do not wait until the last minute.

Nation-in-the-News
to present Friday, November 14th

2nd period: Locklin H., Taylor H., Ethan H.
3rd period: Avery M., Leslie O., Leif P.
4th period: Connor M, Jose M., Sommer N.
5th period: Kyli J., Keenan K., Emilie L.
6th period: Taylor H., Chyanne L., Gracee L.

Week 14 Schedule

Monday, November 10th
Motivational Monday: Wolves/Quick-Response
Unit Pre-Test (Transitions)
Personal Narrative Unit Introduction
Mini-Lesson: Personification 
Fill-out Figurative Language Foldable

Tuesday, November 11th
Free Reading
Smiley-Face Tricks
Gary Paulsen's "Girls"
Fill-out Story Bank, Smiley-Face Trick Sheet

Wednesday, November 12th
Free Reading
Mini-Lesson: Alliteration
Story Bank: "Rice Sandwich" by Sandy Cisneros
Smiley-Face Trick Sheet, Figurative Language Foldable


Thursday, November 13th
Honors: Writing Mini-Lesson
Newspaper Day
Homework: Read "Charles" by Shirley Jackson/Watch Hyperbole video

3-6: Free Reading
Mini-Lesson: Hyperbole
Story Bank: "Charles" by Shirley Jackson 
Smiley-Face Trick Sheet, Figurative Language Foldable


Friday, November 14th
Nation-in-the-News
Random Student
Mini-Lesson: Simile & Metaphor
Story Bank: "Priscella and the Wimps"
Smiley-Face Trick Sheet, Figurative Language Foldable

By the end of this week, students will have selected one moment of their lives to write about. We will move into rough draft writing and peer editing next week.



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