Friday, May 30.2008

Content Objective: 1.01 Narrate a personal account which creates a coherent, organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context; establishes a point of view and sharpens focus; uses remembered feelings; and selects details that best illuminate the topic.

Language Objective: Participate in small/whole group discussion.

Essential Question: What advice do I have for next year's eighth graders?

Today's class will return to the computer lab. First, students will write a letter of advice and encouragement to next year's eighth graders; pictures taken yesterday will be added to each letter. Next, students will give "awards" to their peers: Best Dressed, Most Likely to Succeed, etc.; again using the pictures from our shared folders, students will create a product to display. With any time remaining students can return to Free Rice, go to Games for the Brain, or visit Brain Games. This fun game was a hit yesterday. (Again, students are reminded to please stay on these selected sites; in other words, don't go off on your own.)

Homework: SSR.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Content Objective: 1.01 Narrate a personal account which creates a coherent, organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context; establishes a point of view and sharpens focus; uses remembered feelings; and selects details that best illuminate the topic.

Language Objective: Participate in small/whole group discussion.

Essential Question: How can I improve my vocabulary and help feed some hungry people at the same time?

Today's class will take a trip to the computer lab. First, students will go to Free Rice. This is a way to feed hungry people by playing an online vocabulary game. For every word students get (or guess) right, 10 grains of rice (paid for by advertisers on the site) are donated to the United Nations World Food Program. Each student will play until 500 grains of rice have been donated. Next, go to Games for the Brain or Brain Games and choose a game or two to play. This is a fun game to play. (Please stay on these selected sites; in other words, don't go off on your own.) While students are busy at their computers, I'll be taking their pictures for their letters to next year's eighth graders. These letters will contain advice and information from those who have been through a year at the top and survived.

Homework: SSR.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Content Objective: 1.02 Analyze expressive materials that are read by monitoring comprehension for understanding. 1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student shares personal reactions to questions raised and gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.

Language Objective: Join whole class discussion about the elements of a short story.

Essential Question: What are the storytelling elements found in a dramatic work?

Today we continued the study and enjoyment of language arts. We reviewed terms like protagonist, antagonist, quest, conflict, and resolution in the context of a dramatic short story. We watched Split Cherry Tree; it was enjoyed by all.

Homework: SSR.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Content Objective: 1.02 Analyze expressive materials that are read by monitoring comprehension for understanding. 1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student shares personal reactions to questions raised and gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.

Language Objective: Join whole class discussion about the elements of a short story.

Essential Question: What are the storytelling elements found in a Jack Tale?

Today we continued the study and enjoyment of language arts. We reviewed terms like protagonist, antagonist, quest, conflict, and resolution in the context of a Jack Tale. We watched Soldier Jack; it was enjoyed by all.

Homework: SSR.