Week 9/12-9/16

We just made it through the first week of September. It is crazy how time flies when we are having fun. I do have to mention that today is 9/11 and it is an emotional day for me, as I am sure it is for you. We can all remember where we were, what we were doing, and how we felt when we first saw those images that are ingrained in our minds. What is interesting, is that it is definitely history now, since our kiddos weren't even born yet. Crazy! 

This past week we started our e-portfolios that we will use throughout the year to post and reflect on work. Please check them out here! We will also be keeping portfolios in the classroom of all completed work done on actual paper (so old school, I know). You will not see papers coming home; however, if you ever want to see the work, students can bring home their portfolios (as long as they bring them back). We also started our first process essay on raising taxes for police body cameras. The kiddos are troopers as they are learning the expectations of 8th-grade writing standards. I am really hoping that by the end of the year, they say writing is E-A-S-Y!

Monday
Guided Essay BIntroduction Revision/Body Paragraphs
Argumentative Essay Guided Outline
Tuesday
Guided Essay Body Paragraphs/Counterclaim
Argumentative Essay Guided Outline
Wednesday
Guided Essay Counterclaim/Conclusion
Argumentative Essay Guided Outline
AR Log Check (Log-5 entries/Signature)
  *Students need to be reading an AR book that has a reading level >3.5 for 30 minutes 5 nights per week. Students need to earn 35 points at every quarter checkpoint (10/21, 12/9, 3/10 and 6/2). GOOD NEWS: Students only need 5-entries to take an AR quiz!
Thursday
Peer Critique 
Friday
Color Coding Essay
Final Revision
E-Portfolio Reflection