WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31

@@@@READ I CAN'T BELIEVE...CHAPTERs 12--15:

You get to read on your own for almost the whole class period. As you read, you should be filling out the guided reading sheet.

@@@@GUIDED READING SHEET CHAPTERS 12--15--DUE FRIDAY:

As stated above, you can be filling this out as you read today. You are NOT going to be taking the book home, so it is NOT homework. You will need to return with the green guided reading sheet on Friday. After the spelling test you will have time to finish it up before the end of class.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--DUE:

I walked around and asked about this again today. You should being this note in tomorrow for a late grade if you did not have it today!

@@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY H--DUE:

As I walked around, I checked completion of the flashcards and collected the Spelling Activity H from each student.

@@@@I CAN'T BELIEVE...:

We read chapters 7--11 today. It got sad in Chapter 11... :(

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--DUE:

We've had a break from this for a couple of weeks so I know it was hard to get back int he swing of things. I'm going to be generous and take the note tomorrow for NO PENALTY. Please take me up on my offer!!!

@@@@LIBRARY CHECK OUT

I talked with each student individually regarding what his/her reading needs were. We went to the library for about 10--15 minutes.

@@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY G + FLASHCARDS--DUE TOMORROW:

I talked through each of the 10 words for this week's list. Students had about 20 minutes in class to work on the spelling activity and flashcards. Most kids will needs to spend about 10 minutes at home to finish this up tonight.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26

@@@@SPELLING TEST G:

Yep, what can I say??? We do this every week!

@@@@I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO DO THIS-- Chapter 4--6:

Today we read "popcorn" style. First we reviewed each paragraph in Chapter 3 (AARON) and then we read Chapter 5 (MOM TO THE RESCUE) and Chapter 6 (FAMILIES).

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--MONDAY:

We are back at the writing lab process. You need to have 10 pages written by December 13. This Monday I will be looking for a note to show up from a parent indicating that you did your 30 minutes of writing at home this week!!!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25

@@@@GRADED WORK:

I passed out your assignment folders today and you received your graded outline quizzes and the Spelling Test Review DEF Test.

@@@@WRITING LAB REQUIREMENTS:

This was your first time to see your writing folders since you handed them in two weeks ago. They are graded (of course) and today we wrote the new QUARTER 2 requirments inside the folder. Here they are:

GOAL #1--PRODUCE WRITING--10 pages by December 13
GOAL #2--EDIT 1 PAGE OF WRITING--do not do this until I have shown you how and given you the editing sheets--Due December 13

Each class had about 20 minutes to write today in class.

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--MONDAY:

IT's time to get back to writing at home for 30 minutes! Your first 30 minute writing note for this quarter is due this Monday!!!!

@@@@SPELLING TEST G--TOMORROW:

Don't forget to study those words!!!!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24

@@@@I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO DO THIS:

Today we started a novel unit. We will all be reading the novel, I Can't Believe I Have To Do This, this quarter. This is an RC book, so everyone will need to take an RC test over this book. Today I read the first two chapters aloud and everyone followed along. When we got to Chapter 3, everyone read that chapter silently. I asked some questions at the end of the hour to check for understanding.

There is no homework!

THRUSDAY, OCTOBER 18

@@@@QAR SUDOKU ACTIVITY--DUE TODAY:

How is SUDOKU like reading? Does a Sudoku Puzzle have Questions, Answers, and Relationahips/Responses? What does a sucessful Sudoku player have in common with a successful reader??? Today's lesson will cause you to rethink puzzles and reading! This was done in class and handed in.

@@@@SPELLING DEF TEST:

After we got the instructions for the QAR Sudoku activity , you were given an opportunity to start and complete your SPELLING DEF TEST. I'm thinking I will have to put this on next Quarter's grade, escpecially if anyone is absent today.

@@@@MORE SUDOKU or SSR:

When you finish the Spelling Test and the QAR Sudoku, you may either read or try more sudoku puzzles. I tried to catch the handful of students who still have not passed an AR test. There is an alternative assignment available.

@@@@NO 30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE THIS WEEK:

This will start back up next week when we return to Writing Lab on Thursdays.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17

@@@@FINISH OUTLINE QUIZ II:

The main priority today is to complete Section II of the Outline Quiz today in class.

@@@@SUDOKU:

If you want to try your hand at Sudoku you may. Make sure you bring it back tomorrow to class though, finished or not. We will be talking about how Sudoku and reading go hand in hand.

@@@@SSR:

If you are finished with the Outline Quiz you could also read!

@@@@SPELLING TEST DEF--TOMORROW:

You have a review spelling test tomorrow (most of you do...) so you could also use extra classtime to STUDY!!!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16

@@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY DEF--DUE TODAY:

I'm a little disappointed. Most of the students did not complete this activity. It was so simple! It would have only taken about 5--10 minutes to finish at home! Come on Eagles....take care of business!

@@@@CORRECT OUTLINE QUIZ--DUE TODAY:

On the flip-side, I was very impressed with how well students did with their outline quiz. The mistakes that were made were silly mistakes. So that everyone has the opportunity to shine, I am handing these back today for corrections to be completed. If you got a 100% (alot of you!), you don't need to do anything but stick it to the refrigerator. If you had any errors, they are marked on your quiz. You need to correct the errors completely and return the quiz to me by the end of the hour.

@@@@OUTLINE QUIZ PART II:

This is the last work we will do with outlining. You are 100% on your own. I will give you SECTION 2 from the chapter on NORTH AFRICA and you will need to outline it in your own sheet of paper. I collected these at the end of the hour for safe keeping, but you will have classtime tomorrow to finish this up.

@@@@SSR

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15

@@@@GRADE PRINT OUT--EC TODAY:

I handed these to you on Thursday of last week. If you got it signed by a parent and brought it back today, it will be extra credit for you. YIPEE!!!

@@@@GRADED WORK HANDED BACK:

I handed back your graded spelling tests E and F today. You alredy had spelling test D in your assignment folder. Every student looked over his/her scores from those tests to determine if he/she has to take the DEF Review Test this Thursday (no school on Friday). When I collected the assignment folders individually from each student, I had the student tell me if they have to take the test or not.

@@@@SPELLING REVIEW DEF ACTIVITY--DUE TOMORROW:

Spelling activities are always printed on brown paper. This one is no exception. I tell the students that the activity is simply to help them get the words back in front of their face. It is not the best study tool though. To study well, students should locate their FLASHCARDS for lists D,E, and F. If you can't find them, why don't you study by making a new set of flashcards???!!!?? What a grand idea!

@@@@LIBRARY CHECK OUT:

This is our weekly trip to the library. Before we left, I had each student say outloud what he/she needed to accomplish in the library. I also reminded students about the RC test that must be passed by Thursday.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

@@@@SPELLING TEST F:

Yep. Just like every week.

@@@@WRITING FOLDER--DUE:

I walked around and collected these from each student. You will not have access to your writing folder for another week, as I need that time to grade them. You should have the equivalent of 6 pages of writing in the folder as of today.

@@@@GRADE UPDATE--EC MONDAY:

I handed out a grade print out that can be brought back signed by a parent on Monday for extra credit. The print out has an RC test/points individual update attached. You need to have an RC test passed by NOON of next Thursday!!!

@@@@NO 30 MINUTE NOTE THIS WEEK!!!!!

Due to the face that I have the writing folders and it is the end of the quarter, we will not do writing at home this week. If you already have the note, or want to go ahead and get the note for this week, that is fine. You can use it as a back-up for some other week!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10

@@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY F + FLASHCARDS--DUE:

I am taking a completion grade on the flash cards and collecting the spelling activity to look over.

@@@@OUTLINE POP-QUIZ:

WE have practiced outlining skills for several weeks. Today I am giving you a quiz over Chapter 16, section 1 of the social studies book. You of course can use the book and any other materials that could help you. If we need some time tomorrow to finish up this quiz, I will give you class time to do so.

@@@@SPELLING TEST F--TOMORROW:

STUDY THOSE FLASHCARDS!!!!!!!!!

@@@@WRITING FOLDER--DUE TOMORROW:

YES! Bring all of the pages you have written at home and you will place them in the writing folder. You will not have access to your folder after tomorrow. I will give the folders back to you the following Thursday.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9

@@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY F--DUE TOMORROW:

All of our spelling activities are printed on brown paper. This one is due tomorrow!

@@@@FLASHCARDS--DUE TOMORROW:

Don't forget to complete all the flash cards--alternate colors on the syllables!

@@@BOOK ORDERS--DUE TODAY:

If I can get these orders in tonight, you may have the books by the end of the week!

@@@@WRITE OR READ:

Students had all hour to work on their spelling activity and flashcards. Only a handful of students completed them in class, but since we have RC testing due and Writing Folders due...there is PLENTY to work on in your spare time!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8

BECAUSE OF A SHORTENED SCHEDULE (SPIRIT ASSEMBLY) AND THE UPCOMING END OF THE QUARTER, TODAY IS DEDICATED TO READING/LIBRARY TIME. GET THOSE RC TESTS TAKEN!!!!!

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--DUE:

I walked around and spoke with each student about this. 3rd Hour, especially has dropped the ball!!! Missing these five points each week can really hurt your grade!

Make sure all of your writing---even the writing from home--is in your folder by THIS THURSDAY.

@@@@BOOK ORDERS--DUE TOMORROW:

Bring in any book orders today or tomorrow!!!

@@@@LIBRARY CHECK OUT/RC TESTS:

We spent about 20 minutes in the library todat. Some kids took RC tests and EVERYONE was expected to read.

@@@@RC TESTS--DUE 10/18:

Every student needs to pass an RC test each quarter. The deadline is one week from this Thursday. If you are not able to take a test on the book, you can write up a full page summary complete with chapter summaries and an overall plot summary.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5

@@@@SPELLING TEST E:

These will be graded by Monday.

@@@@OUTLINE PRACTICE GRADED IN CLASS:

We finished these outlines this week in class. Today students graded their own outlines with highlighters, so that we could look for clear patterns in the mistakes we were making. We discussed those mistakes. Most of the students seemed to understand the process, but often forgot to capitalize correctly.

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--DUE MONDAY:

This is an important weekend to write...as the writing folders are due this coming THURSDAY. You must have 6 pages of writing. REmember to bring the note & signature from your parent this Monday!

@@@@SSR:

Most students really need to read any spare chance they have. The RC tests are due in less than two weeks.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

@@@@WRITING LAB:

We spent time talking about creative ideas based on real work events. Today I told the students about a news account of 3,000 people trapped in a gold mine in South Africa. They are not injured, but it will take almost two days to get all of them out of the mine. We brainstormed what it might be like if we were one of the trapped miners. Then we changed locations of where we were "trapped" and imagined if we were trapped in a McDonald's restaurant for 2 days....

Students had about 30 minutes for writing today.

As they wrote, I walked around and spoke with each student who has not yet passed an RC test.

@@@@WRITING FOLDER--DUE NEXT THURSDAY:

I reminded every class that the writing folder is due next Thursday. They are to have the equivalent of 6 pages of writing in the folder by that day. They should bring in the writing they have done at home during hte 30 minute writing times and place it in the folder too.

@@@@SPELLING TEST E--TOMORROW:

Study those flashcards!

@@@@BOOK ORDERS--DUE TUESDAY:

Click and Tab book orders were handed out today. Students should have their orders handed in by Tuesday of next week. Checks should be made out to SCHOLASTIC.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3

@@@@GRADED WORK:

I handed out assignment folders and handed back two graded spelling tests---Spelling Review Test ABC and Spelling Test D.

@@@@GRADE UPDATE:

For anyone whose parents did not get to conferences for a grade update, I sent last week's grade home with those students. If those students bring the grade print out back tomorrow, signed, it will be extra credit.

ANYONE WHOSE PARENT CAME TO CONFERENCES AUTOMATICALLY GOT EXTRA CREDIT.

@@@@FINISH OUTLINE PRACTICE:

We spent the rest of the class period finishing up the outline practice from yesterday. I collected them back up and we will grade them on Friday after the spelling test.

@@@@SSR or WRITE!

It is only one week until writing folders are due and two weeks until the RC test has to be passed. You should use any extra time to accomplish these goals!!!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

@@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY E + FLASHCARDS--DUE TODAY:

Today I walked around to each student, face-to-face, and collected the brown Spelling Activity E assignment. I looked at the flashcards, but am taking the grade this week strickly from the activity.

I also asked students who had not shown me their 30 minutes of writing yesterday if they had it today. It is a zero after today.

@@@@OUTLINE PRACTICE--in class:

I completed an outline of sections 2 & 3 of a chapter from the social studies text. I left our key words, and later also left out some of the key labels. This is classwork practice, so students are encouraged to work independently, but ask for help if they need it.

I collected these at the end of the hour because we will continue to work on them in class tomorrow. It is not homework.

@@@@SSR

Only a handful of student actually completed the outline today in class. They spent the rest of their time reading from their SSR book.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1

@@@@30 MINUTE WRITING NOTE--DUE:

I walked around and looked for this note from a parent confirming 30 minutes of writing was accomplished this past week. Some students from every class have promised to have the note tomorrow!!!

@@@@LIBRARY CHECK OUT:

We went to the library to renew, check out, and take tests over library books. I also reminded every class that then end of the quarter is only 3 1/2 weeks away!

@@@SPELLING ACTIVITY E + FLASH CARDS--DUE TOMORROW:

We are ready for the next set of 10 spelling words! List E was written on the board, and every student has his/her own list too. We began making flashcards in class for the words. Students also received a simple spelling activity printed on BROWN PAPER. Students did not get both of these tasks done in class, so there should be about 10 minutes of homework tonight!!!!