To become a better reader, read more.
To become a better writer, read more.
The first quarter in review:
Assignments:
9/11 - 54 or 55 word stories will be finished in class and shared tomorrow. Remember your goals: Use only 54 or 55 words and shock the audience by the end.
9/12 - Type and decorate your 54-55 word stories. ROOM TOUR QUIZ is TOMORROW
9/16 - We are in the prewriting stage of our narrative assignment!
Complete the STORY MAP graphic organizer as the first step in prewriting activities for the narrative, which will be an expansion of your 54/55 word story into a full narrative. If you worked with a partner, you will EACH write your OWN story, so the overall plots will be similar, but the details will be different. The STORY MAP is due TOMORROW.
9/17 - If you were unable to finish in class, complete the "DIALOGUE DISCOVERY" assignment. You do not have to complete #4.
9/18 - Write down FOUR observations of my class website and any of the sites that I linked to this website. You will hand this in tomorrow. We will begin drafting narratives in class tomorrow!
9/19 - The first part of your narrative drafts looked great today! Continue writing outside of school because the FIRST typed and printed DRAFT is due on TUESDAY, September 24th. We will revise and edit in a workshop style in class AFTER the 24th.
9/24 - Apply what you learned about "smiley-face" writing techniques (A.K.A. literary devices) by adding them to your narrative.
Bring your narrative draft to class tomorrow to complete our revising/editing workshop stations.
*Your FINAL draft is due on Tuesday, October 1st.
Click here for Wednesday's REVISING AND EDITING STATIONS
10/1 - Visit Grammar Girl and read or listen to her explanation about when we should use first, second, or third person in writing. Our next writing assignment is EXPOSITORY (literary analysis).
10/3 - Vocabulary practice (roots, prefix, suffix) - FEROCITY, SHEEPISHLY, UNISON, CONVICTION
10/7 - Corrections to reading log responses are due tomorrow.
10/8 - Use today’s grammar stations worksheets to guide you as you revise your narrative for a higher grade. Please review my revision policy before handing your work in on Thursday.
10/16 - If you have not finished your open response, please complete it for homework. Use the QUOTE SANDWICH guide and your open response rubric while completing this.
10/17 - Make corrections to your open response if you are not satisfied with the grade it earned.
10/28 - LAZY EDITOR worksheet - Make corrections to the "Bermuda Triangle Mystery" article
Assignment due dates are now posted on Edmodo so students can make use of the calendar function.
- Concise writing: 55-word story
- Narrative writing following the writing process and using smiley-face tricks
- Realistic fiction reading - "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto; "Seventh Grade" by Lynda Barry
- Open response writing and quote sandwich practice
- Nonfiction debate articles - Scholastic SCOPE: Assigned cafeteria seating and Cyberbullying
- Debate in class prior to open response writing using three quote sandwiches as evidence
- Narrative nonfiction reading - Scholastic SCOPE: "This is a Face of War"
- Mood study: SCOPE "Whispers from the Grave" article paired with poem "Haunted House"
- Halloween performance: Reader's Theater: Frankenstein
- Reading groups: The House on Mango Street
Assignments:
9/11 - 54 or 55 word stories will be finished in class and shared tomorrow. Remember your goals: Use only 54 or 55 words and shock the audience by the end.
9/12 - Type and decorate your 54-55 word stories. ROOM TOUR QUIZ is TOMORROW
9/16 - We are in the prewriting stage of our narrative assignment!
Complete the STORY MAP graphic organizer as the first step in prewriting activities for the narrative, which will be an expansion of your 54/55 word story into a full narrative. If you worked with a partner, you will EACH write your OWN story, so the overall plots will be similar, but the details will be different. The STORY MAP is due TOMORROW.
9/17 - If you were unable to finish in class, complete the "DIALOGUE DISCOVERY" assignment. You do not have to complete #4.
9/18 - Write down FOUR observations of my class website and any of the sites that I linked to this website. You will hand this in tomorrow. We will begin drafting narratives in class tomorrow!
9/19 - The first part of your narrative drafts looked great today! Continue writing outside of school because the FIRST typed and printed DRAFT is due on TUESDAY, September 24th. We will revise and edit in a workshop style in class AFTER the 24th.
9/24 - Apply what you learned about "smiley-face" writing techniques (A.K.A. literary devices) by adding them to your narrative.
Bring your narrative draft to class tomorrow to complete our revising/editing workshop stations.
*Your FINAL draft is due on Tuesday, October 1st.
Click here for Wednesday's REVISING AND EDITING STATIONS
10/1 - Visit Grammar Girl and read or listen to her explanation about when we should use first, second, or third person in writing. Our next writing assignment is EXPOSITORY (literary analysis).
10/3 - Vocabulary practice (roots, prefix, suffix) - FEROCITY, SHEEPISHLY, UNISON, CONVICTION
10/7 - Corrections to reading log responses are due tomorrow.
10/8 - Use today’s grammar stations worksheets to guide you as you revise your narrative for a higher grade. Please review my revision policy before handing your work in on Thursday.
10/16 - If you have not finished your open response, please complete it for homework. Use the QUOTE SANDWICH guide and your open response rubric while completing this.
10/17 - Make corrections to your open response if you are not satisfied with the grade it earned.
10/28 - LAZY EDITOR worksheet - Make corrections to the "Bermuda Triangle Mystery" article
Assignment due dates are now posted on Edmodo so students can make use of the calendar function.
Reading log bookmarks are due each Friday. The first reading logs of the year will be explained and distributed on Friday, September 13th. Key points:
- Reading logs are completed using independent reading books, which will be read both in and out of school.
- Parent signatures are required on each log not only to confirm that the reading was completed, but also to encourage communication between parents and students about the independent reading that is being done and the concepts being studied.
- Each week's log question will focus on a new literary concept, so the questions will be different from week to week.
- New logs are kept in the classroom and are given to students each Friday.
- Full-page CHALLENGE logs requiring more in-depth text analysis can be found here.
Revising and Editing will be done in a workshop format in class after a long-term writing piece has been drafted. After completing this workshop, student work will be graded. If a student chooses to increase the grade earned, further revisions specific to his/her piece can be made so that the work can be submitted for a higher grade. The following guidelines apply:
- Every spelling/grammar mistake that is marked by Mrs. Bigda must be fixed.
- Every comment made by Mrs. Bigda must be addressed.
- You must hand in the original copy (with corrections), your new revised copy, and the rubric or scoring guide with your previous grade on it. If any of these three items are missing, you will not be eligible for a new grade.
- Your second (new) grade will be averaged with the first grade.