Busy Day 08/31/2011
 
Enrichment:
You went over chapter 1 comprehension questions and reviewed the 5 sentence summary that you wrote about Chapter 1.  Then you were shown an ongoing list of vocabulary for Someone is hiding... and asked to copy the current list and define the first four words.  The remainder of the class you read chapter 2. Don't forget to bring a silent reading book for DEAR on Friday.

Language Arts:
You started class by responding to the following journal:  Now that you have experienced 7th grade for 2 weeks, explain what is different in 7th grade than 6th grade.  You were asked to use 5 of your spelling/vocabulary words in the journl.  A test over the short story "7th Grade" by Gary Soto followed.  Once you turned in your test, you were to spend the rest of the class period working on the reading response assignment that you received in class yesterday.  This assignment is due at the end of the first 15 minutes of class tomorrow.  You will then receive the final assignment for this short story.  Don't forget to bring a silent reading book for DEAR on Friday; it is a grade.
 
 
Comprehension 08/30/2011
 
Enrichment:
Students finished reading chapter 1 at the beginning of class.  The rest of class revolved around chpater 1.  The students received a novel packet that consists of several different sheets that can be completed as they read the novel.  After completing chapter 1, the first thing they did was to make a prediction as to what they think will happen to the main character, Danny, now that he is on his way to Alcatraz.  Also, they predicted the reason for Alcatrz reminding Danny of his father.

Language Arts:
Class started with you continuing to locate the definitions of your spelling/vocabulary words in the dictionary.  We conducted a homework check on the comprehension and vocabulary sheet from "7th Grade".  The students were then given a Creative Reader Response to complete for the short story.
Test over "7th Grade" Tomorrow!!!
 
 
Language Arts students here are the instructions to get to the Lit book online.

Go to www.classzone.com

Go to  "Sign in"

Go to "new visitor", "create a student account"

You should choose something you are able to remember, we suggest:

 Username=Lunch number

 Password=Lunch number

 Activation code (should you need this)=3532040-20

 
 
To my students who had their schedules changed due to overcrowding, you will be missed and I wish you the best in your new class.

Enrichment:
The students presented their research/posters today.  I was very impressed; everyone did a really good job given the short amount of time that they had to put this project together.  We learned a lot about Alcatraz Island, SanFrancisco and Fisherman's Wharf.  After the presentations and a short journal predicting what they think our book is about, we read the first few pages of Someone is Hiding on Alcatraz Island.

Language Arts:
Dictionary practice was the name of the game for warm-up today.  The students were given their spelling/vocabulary words for this week.  They were given time today to begin looking the words up in the dictionary.  There will be time tomorrow to continue; if they don't finish tomorrow, it will be homework. (Spelling/Vocabulary Quiz Friday, 9/2)

We read the short story "7th Grade" by Gary Soto.  The students were given a comprehension and vocabulary worksheet to complete at the end of the story.  If they didn't finish it in class, it is homework. (Test over 7th Grade Wednesday, 8/31)

Check here on Fridays for an update on the Georgia College Football Bowl Standings for all Language Arts classes.  Enrichment classes check your score too.
 
TGIF 08/26/2011
 
Thank you to the students who made the effort to come to the DGP review session this morning.  I hope it helped.

Enrichment:
The students broke into their groups from yesterday and worked on completing a poster for a presentation about their assigned topic.  Presentation will be on Monday prior to the class beginning to read Someone is Hiding on Alcatraz Island.

Enrichment:
The students took their first DGP quiz today.  After completing their quis, they were given some time to continue working on their baseline essay.  That was put away, and we moved onto viewing a powerpoint about Gary Soto and taking notes on the vocabulary for the short story "7th Grade" by Gary Soto and the basic story elements.  To review the vocabulary for this story, click on the vocabulary tab and download the powerpoint.  There will be a test over this story and material either next Wednesday or Thursday.  It is currently scheduled for Wednesday.
 
 
 FOR ALL OF MY LANGUAGE ARTS CLASSES: THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 IS YOUR FIRST DGP QUIZ.  THERE WILL BE A REVIEW SESSION IN MY ROOM AT 8:15 ON FRIDAY MORNING.  PRINT THIS BLOG TO USE AS YOUR PASS. Mrs. Hanse

Enrichment:
We went to the computer lab today to research Alcatraz Island, SanFrancisco, and Fisherman's Wharf.  You were divided into groups and assigned a specific topic.  Each group was given a website(s) to visit to gather their information.  Some of you asked if you could do more research at home; yes, you may, but it is not required.  You are doing this research so you will have an idea about the setting in the first mystery we will read in Enrichment.

Language Arts:
    You completed your diagram for the DGP today.  Remember study your DGP paper tonight, and bring it back tomorrow to receive a classwork grade for DGP daily work.
    The students received a bit of a fright when they walked in to see a test on today's agenda.  It was a pre-test on story elements.  We will be reading several short stories and studying the story elements over the next several weeks.  
    Class concluded with you working on your baseline essay.
STUDY TONIGHT FOR YOUR DGP QUIZ!!!!!! 


 
 
FOR ALL OF MY LANGUAGE ARTS CLASSES: THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 IS YOUR FIRST DGP QUIZ.  THERE WILL BE A REVIEW SESSION IN MY ROOM AT 8:15 ON FRIDAY MORNING.  PRINT THIS BLOG TO USE AS YOUR PASS. Mrs. Hanse

Enrichment:
    You responded to the following journal:  What do you know about Alcatraz Island, San Francisco and/or Fisherman's Wharf?  If you have visited any of these places, what did you see and do there?  If you don't know anything about any of these places write some questions that you might like to have answered.
    The rest of the class time, you worked on the mystery that you started writing yesterday.  If you finished your first draft, you were instructed to review your story using the story planning graphic organizer.  You needed to have something in all of the sections, otherwise you had to rework your story so that all categories were covered.
    Don't forget tomorrow we will meet in the computer lab - 131.

Language Arts:
    We completed Wednesday and Thursday of the DGP today.  Check the powerpoint on the  DGP tab if you missed today or if you want to get a head start on diagramming for tomorrow.  The journal prompt for today was an extension of Monday's prompt: . Write about a time in which you made a good or bad first impression. If the first impression was a good one, write about how it made you feel. If the first impression was a bad one, write about what you would’ve done differently. 
    Each class was assigned their baseline essay today.  This essay will be in the form of a friendly letter written to Mrs. Hanse or Mrs. Cole (4th and 6th only).  The essay will be written in class.  It will note be taken home because we want to see your writing potential.  The prompt for the letter is as follows:      Write a letter to the teacher telling the teacher “What is unique about your family?” You need to be vivid and creative – not “I have 4 siblings” Include details details details. You can write about severeal things that make your family unique.

*if you ask, “How long does it need to be?” My reply will  be, “As long as you need it to be!” I am looking to see your baseline writing potential.

    Have a good evening.
 

 
I\'m back! 08/23/2011
 
I'm sorry I did not have anything posted yesterday, but it was a little hectic at our house.
Enrichment:
We worked on a couple of mystery stories today.  For warm-up, the class went outside and created a story "web" by tossing a ball of yarn around and adding to the story.  Then we came back to the room and wrote stories of our own based on the following prompt: The day was normal, until the Math teacher started to shrink...

Language Arts:
We continued with day 2 of this week's DGP.  The power point can now be downloaded from the DGP tab.  The students then finished their index card autobiographies; then they shared with the class, and everyone guessed which was the true autobiography.  This was the beginning activity for our baseline essay.  The students received instruction on how a friendly letter should look on their paper, and they received the assignment for their baseline essay.

Reminders:
DGP 1 Quiz - Friday, August 26
Summer Reading - Friday, September 16
 
Friday 08/19/2011
 
We made it through the first week of school with very few problems.  I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and comes back on Monday well rested.  I will be out on Monday due to a family medical procedure.  I may or may not get a blog posted for Monday.

Enrichment:
The students answered some comprehension questions over the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart".  They also drew a picture representing one of the scenes from the story.  As a follow-up they viewed a video of the story.

Language Arts:
Students turned in their two pocket folders, and wrote their first journal in their composition  book.  The journal was an "I Am" poem that told the teachers a little more about each of the students.  The students were really very thoughtful in completing the poem.  The teachers were very impressed by what the students had to share.   
 
Post Title. 08/18/2011
 
Enrichment:
Today you were intorduced to mysteries.  You completed an anticipation guide for the short story "the Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Alan Poe.  After sharing the anticpation guide with the class, you read the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart".  The anticipation guide was collected as a completion grade.

Language Arts:
Today you created a popsicle stick for yourself to allow Mrs. Hanse to learn names quicker and to encourage participation.  Then as a class, you reviewed the syllabus for Language Arts.  Please check the homework tab to make sure you have completed all of your homework for Language Arts.  Remember, your composition notebooks and two pocket folders are due tomorrow.