Glad 2 B Back =)

Thank you for your kindness, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time. With each day calm is restored. I have truly grown a new appreciation for the children I teach and I am grateful for the kindness they have shown me. It is because of you, my parents, that your children are so loving and precious. And I thank you for sharing your precious gifts with me.

FYI--when I returned I had a class meeting with each period and we discussed the three stories ("The Shutout," "Jeremiah's Song," and "Olympic Diary") they read with the subs while I was out. I made deal with each class and agreed for accountability purposes I would count one assignment from each story and any additional work turned in I would count as bonus points. In addition, I went through each stack of assignments and called out the student's names to remind them if they have turned in the assignment and gave them the remainder of the week to turn in those three assignments if they needed additional time.


Reminder: This quarter all class work and home work turned in late will lose one letter grade for each day it is late.

We are continuing where we left off focusing on all aspects of non-fiction. We have been working on biographies and autobiographies for the past week and a half (pages 552-566). This week:

Monday: Pg. 569 Autobiographical Narrative--Students will write their own autobiographical or biographical narrative. During the first quarter we focused on the FCAT writing skills focus and organization. We will continue to utilize the four square graphic organizer to develop organizational patterns. In addition, I will be teaching students how to use sensory details (an advanced level writing technique) to enhance their already developed writing skills. On Monday, we will brainstorm possible topics, select our topics individually, and complete the sensory details graphic organizer. For homework: students will create and complete their four square graphic organizer. In addition, for their 30 minutes of SSR I suggest that students re-read one or two of the stories they will be tested on Wed. (pgs. 552-566)

Tuesday: Pg. 569 continued--We will review the writing rubric and requirements and work on the first draft in class. Homework: STUDY for the selection test on Biographies and Autobiographies (pgs. 552-566.) Note: Re-reading to prepare for the test can be logged as your 30 minutes of SSR and if time permits have a parent, guardian, mentor, friend, or older sibling edit your paper.

Wednesday: Selection TEST on Biographies and Autobiographies (pgs. 552-566). Homework: After Autobiographical or Biographical Narrative is edited re-write OR type your final draft. Don't forget to read before you go to bed. =)

Thursday: We will start a new unit (still in Non-fiction) focusing on different types of writing including: persuasive, expository (informational), and narrative. "Restoring the Circle," pg. 572-575. We will be focusing on using context clues as a reading strategy. Classwork/homework: pg. 575 Review and Assess and SSR 30 minutes.

Friday: Informational Essay, "How the Internet Works," pgs. 576-579. We will continue focusing on the reading strategy: context clues as we read. Pg. 579 Review and Assess and 30 minutes of SSR each night.