Another school year has begun - welcome to 7th grade!
In ELA class this week, we discussed how it should really be called "Communications" class, as we'll be working on how to effectively communicate through writing, speaking & listening, our grammar & conventions, and sharing our reading. We shared a TON of books, so that each student has a book to read for independent reading time (and at home!), and we also read a picture book a day, to either lead into a lesson, or be used as a common text to analyze in some fashion. We read our first short story, "Thank You, M'am," looking for contrasts and contradictions. These led us to more information about the characters and conflict. We then wrote in response to the question, "Why didn't Mrs. Jones turn Roger in to the authorities?" This led to sharing our writing and giving feedback, including "quality boosters."
We ended the week with discussions about grading, and an introduction to fishbowl discussions. We also did some reflecting on how our week went overall in each class, and generated goals for next week.
A few places you might want to visit -
Our class notes are kept on this page of the Weebly. You child can edit them when he/she is logged into his/her Google email. I am currently taking notes for us, and students will soon take over that responsibility. Other responsibilities students will have in class are found on this document. Yes, that means even this job of blogging to share our journey will eventually fall to students. :)
Books I have shared these two weeks are kept on this page of the Weebly. At times, students will be recorded and their books will be shared here, as well.
In ELA class this week, we discussed how it should really be called "Communications" class, as we'll be working on how to effectively communicate through writing, speaking & listening, our grammar & conventions, and sharing our reading. We shared a TON of books, so that each student has a book to read for independent reading time (and at home!), and we also read a picture book a day, to either lead into a lesson, or be used as a common text to analyze in some fashion. We read our first short story, "Thank You, M'am," looking for contrasts and contradictions. These led us to more information about the characters and conflict. We then wrote in response to the question, "Why didn't Mrs. Jones turn Roger in to the authorities?" This led to sharing our writing and giving feedback, including "quality boosters."
We ended the week with discussions about grading, and an introduction to fishbowl discussions. We also did some reflecting on how our week went overall in each class, and generated goals for next week.
A few places you might want to visit -
Our class notes are kept on this page of the Weebly. You child can edit them when he/she is logged into his/her Google email. I am currently taking notes for us, and students will soon take over that responsibility. Other responsibilities students will have in class are found on this document. Yes, that means even this job of blogging to share our journey will eventually fall to students. :)
Books I have shared these two weeks are kept on this page of the Weebly. At times, students will be recorded and their books will be shared here, as well.
This Animoto is a bit busy, what with all the math test bubbles being filled in and such.... Next time it won't be, but I just had to choose the "Back to School" theme for this first post! ;)