Weeks 12/25-1/5

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Week 12/18-12/21

Last week, students completed their Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research-Based Narrative Essay. I am in the process of assessing these right now and I will update Parent Portal as soon as I am finished. I should be done by Wednesday--fingers crossed. Click here after Monday to see their awesome narratives!

Accelerated Reader (AR) was also due last Wednesday. I know that this can be tough for some kiddos (and parents), but reading is so AMAZING! It really takes finding the right genre or even the right book for some students (I have a whole bunch of awesome books in my classroom library) AND making a habit out of reading every single day. Try to encourage your kiddos to read every night before bed--I am okay if the logs are filled out all at once and not nightly, I just want them reading! Reading really does help students in all aspects of their life! The next AR due date is March 14. I would really like to see students not procrastinating--if they read every night for 30 minutes (like they are supposed to do for homework--it is the only assigned English homework), earning 35 points would be a piece of cake!

This week, students will share their narrative essays and offer a literary critique to one of their peer's essays. Being able to critique and offer suggestions is an important skill that shows a depth of understanding of the material that will help to influence not only their peer's work but their own and facilitate growth--writing is never perfect and can always be improved!

Monday
Blogger Peer Reading and Commenting 
Tuesday
FlipGrid Script for Literary Critique 
Wednesday
Record FlipGrid Literary Critique
Blogger Reflection 
Thursday
Non-Student Day/Teacher Work Day
Friday
Non-Student Day

Week 12/11-12/15

Last week, students submitted the departure and initiation portions of their hero's journey for feedback. Their narratives are quite interesting and their writing skills are continuing to improve. The feedback from the first checkpoint helped the students make the necessary corrections on their narratives and those same problems were not evident at the second checkpoint. Please feel free to ask to read their stories and give them feedback--it really helps to develop their writing.

This week, students will finish their narratives, participate in peer feedback, and then submit their final draft. Due to the time constraints of it being the end of the semester, this is not an essay that can be redone; however, I have made every effort to give feedback and reteach skills throughout to ensure that students earn the best possible score on this essay.

Accelerated Reader (AR) is also due this Wednesday, December 13. Students need to earn 35 points to receive full credit. AR is not perfect and I know many of you struggle to get your child to read every night; however, reading is a skill that definitely helps students in all aspects of their life (more than just improving test scores). 

Monday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Return
Tuesday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Return
Wednesday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Return
AR Due 35 points (at the end of the period)
Thursday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Return Due (Slides 11-14)
Friday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Peer Editing
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative Due 11:59 p.m.

Week 12/4-12/8

Last week, students researched and planned their Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research-Based Narrative. This topic seems to have grabbed their interest and many are excited about writing this research-based narrative (while also saddened by the atrocities that occurred during the Jewish Holocaust). I have reviewed their outlines and evidence and provided some feedback on how to improve their narratives.

This week, students will turn in their narrative for the departure portion of the hero's journey on Monday and the initiation portion of the hero's journey on Friday for some feedback before the entire essay is due Friday, December 15. It is important to receive feedback throughout the writing process in order to improve their skills and writing craft. Please feel free to ask to read their stories and give them feedback.

Monday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Departure Due (Slides 2-5)
Tuesday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Initiation
Wednesday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Initiation
Thursday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Initiation
Friday
Holocaust Hero's Journey Illustrated Research Narrative: Initiation Due (Slides 6-10)
AR Log Check (Log-5 entries/Signature)
*Students need to be reading an AR book that has a reading level of 3.5+ for 30 minutes 5 nights per week. Students need to earn 35 points at every checkpoint (12/13, 03/14, and 05/30). Please see the AR Log for more information. GOOD NEWS: Students only need to complete the front side to take an AR quiz!