Week 1/29-2/2

Last week, students completed the district writing test. It was a quiet (and slightly boring) week, which was difficult because my class is almost never quiet--I love a classroom filled with students sharing ideas and talking through concepts. Students said the writing test was easy and felt prepared for it. This is wonderful because this test is similar to the writing test that they will complete for the state in early-May (SBAC Performance Task).

This week, students will reflect on their argumentative writing (both the in-class essay and district writing test) and determine where they need the most support to feel completely successful (most will probably say analysis--have no fear, I have built-in support for this in our next unit). After reflecting on their writing, students begin reading the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Students will first explore the time period the novel was written and issues that led Bradbury to write such a novel, and then we (yes, we will read it together as a class) begin reading. At the literal level, this is not a complex novel; however, we will analyze the novel at a more symbolic level--really getting the students thinking on a deeper, more analytical level. Students begin to comprehend the concept of analysis through reading, which will show in their writing.

Monday
Argumentative Essay: Reflection Script
Tuesday
Argumentative Essay: Reflection Video
ELA Notebook: Literary Response (Short)
Wednesday
Fahrenheit 451: Pre-Reading HyperDoc
Thursday
Fahrenheit 451: Pre-Reading HyperDoc
Friday

Fahrenheit 451: Reading (pp. 1-13) and HyperDoc
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 (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!

Week 1/22-1/26

Last week, students completed, peer edited, and submitted their argumentative research-based essay. While students still do not feel writing essays is a fun task (I never promised this), they are saying that it is getting easier (I did promise this). My goal is to get these essays assessed quickly to give students feedback in a timely fashion in order to focus on making improvements in one area for the district writing test this week. Click here to view 14 at/above grade level essays (not in any particular order) that I have assessed (I am really impressed with their growth--these essays are AMAZING and all of their hard work is truly paying off!).

This week, students will take the district writing test. Students all across the district will take this assessment either late-January or early-February and teachers will assess them based on a 4-point rubric scale on February 28. It will be similar to the SBAC Performance Task students will take in early-May. 

Monday
Block Schedule P135
District Writing Test
Tuesday
Block Schedule P246
District Writing Test
Wednesday
District Writing Test
Thursday
District Writing Test
Friday
District Writing Test

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 (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!

Week 1/15-1/19

Last week, students chose a topic, researched the topic using credible sources, and completed a pre-writing outline which they were provided with oral feedback. They also started writing their argumentative essay. I must say, they writing has improved so much and they even say that it is getting easier (woohoo!).

This week, students will finish writing their argumentative essays and submit them for feedback. This will be a quick turnaround for me; however, I want students to have one thing to focus on improving before they encounter their next argumentative essay on the district writing test January 22-26.

Monday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observed
Tuesday
Argumentative Essay: Body Paragraphs
Wednesday
Argumentative Essay: Counterargument 
Thursday
Argumentative Essay: Conclusion
Friday
Argumentative Essay: Peer-Editing
Argumentative Essay: Choice Topic Due 11:59 p.m. to GC

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 (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!

Week 1/8-1/12

Welcome back from a wonderful winter break! I hope everyone had a wonderful time relaxing and rejuvenating around all those that bring us the most joy--our family and friends. This next semester will be more intense than the last semester as we build on what we learned and apply it more independently and at a deeper level. We will continue to focus on building our critical reading and writing skills as we tackle all genres of writing (narrative, expository/explanatory, and argumentative) again and focus more on reading and analyzing novels. 

This week, students will work on writing an argumentative essay on a topic of their choice. This is not a guided essay; however, they have all of the tools necessary to complete this task. It allows them to practice the argumentative essay prior to the district writing test at the end of January, while also allowing them the freedom to choose a topic that is of interest to them. Students will start by examining different topics, finding one that interests them, researching the topic using credible sources, and completing a pre-writing outline. The week will conclude with students beginning their essays in-class and receiving oral teacher feedback on their pre-writing outlines.

Monday
Argumentative Essay: Choice Topic Research/Notes
Tuesday
Argumentative Essay: Choice Topic Research/Notes
Argumentative Essay: Choice Pre-Writing Outline
Wednesday
Argumentative Essay: Choice Topic Research/Notes Due 11:59 p.m. to GC
Argumentative Essay: Choice Pre-Writing Outline
Thursday
Argumentative Essay: Choice Pre-Writing Outline Due 11:59 p.m. to GC
Friday
Teacher Conference Station: Pre-Writing Outline Oral Feedback
Argumentative Essay: Introduction/Body Paragraphs

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 (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!