Things Are Rough All Over

Another amazing day of greasers and Socs taking over Harvest has come and gone! So many students were looking tuff that I had to make a video to feature the best of my classes.

Stay gold, Ponyboy.

Being an Outsider

Why might people hide their true selves?

This is the question we are working toward answering as we read The Outsiders. Many students have already finished the book because they found it hard to put down! Those who are still reading the book have completed reading chapter 8 and took a quiz about sunsets and church fires and who is a better friend: Ponyboy or Dally?
Next week, we'll finish the book and recite Robert Frost's poetry or dress up like greasers or Socs and watch the movie. I can hardly wait!

Mrs. Heartt, Mrs. Banta, & Mr. Vessar look pretty tuff 

Soc boys always make their girls cry

Make Way for the DWA!

As we know, the District Writing Assessment happens every year in early spring. This year, to align with Common Core Standards, we are writing Argumentative Essays rather than persuasive essays.
We have been working to discover how argument essays are different from persuasive essays.

We have practiced Close Reading Strategies so that we can use evidence from articles to support our positions.

We practiced finding more than one side of an argument so that we can present a clear argument that addresses a counter-argument.
We read a well-written argument essay about whether pets should be required to be "fixed."
We read several articles about the proposal to put cameras in classrooms to help observe and evaluate teachers. Together as a class, we wrote an argument essay about whether or not we should have cameras in classrooms here in the NVUSD.
Today, students are practicing writing for 55 minutes after reading and annotating three articles about technology's effects on children. They are writing to either support or disagree with a proposal to have a "Shut Down Your Screen Week" at our school.

Writing an argument is a challenging process for students who have never done it before. But I know you can do it!

Adriana cites sources to write a convincing argument

New Year, New YOU

Welcome back! To begin our 2014 as a class, we will be reviewing our class mission, norms, and expectations. Also, we will be setting some goals for the year so you can work on becoming the best YOU you can be.
I've recently been inspired by Richard St. John and The 8 Traits That Lead to Success. Watch his TED talk here:

We'll talk and write about the ways you can use his 8 Traits to work toward becoming the successful person you want to become.

How would you rate yourself of the 8 Traits?













And don't forget our precept for January:

 

Book Reviews

What is the best book you've ever read? I want to know about it! Explain why I should read your book in a convincing book review. Let's get started:

First, read some book reviews. This one is a review of the book Wonder. Here is another one of the book Maximum Ride by James Patterson. Notice the description of the book. Whether it is long or short, it does NOT give away the ending. That would be a spoiler. Don't be a spoiler!

1. Write your book review in a word processing program and copy and paste it into the comments below.
2. Click below on "Comments"
3. Copy and paste your Book Review in the “Comment” section. Edit well – check your grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and capitalization. 
4. To get credit for you book review, you need to choose "Comment as" and choose "Name/URL." You need to write in your first name and last initial and class period for "name" and leave "URL" blank.
5. Click PREVIEW to review your book review. When satisfied

Meaningful and well-edited book reviews will be published. Those in need of polishing will be sent back for revision. This is for a grade and worth 28 points!!

Here are some guidelines for your book review. Read carefully and prepare your thoughtful book review!

1.Write at least 3-4 sentences about the plot

• What was the story about?
• Who were the main characters?
• What did the main characters do in the story?
• Did the main characters run into any problems?
• Did the main characters have any adventures?
• Who was your favorite character? Why?

2. Your purpose

• Did you like the book? Should other people read it? Why?
• What was your favorite part of the book? Give details (but don't be a spoiler!) and examples.
• Do you have a least favorite part of the book?
• What opinions might other readers have?

3. Recommended audience

• Would you recommend this book?
• Who should read this book? Be clear what kind of reader would like this book.
• For example, "If you really don't like reading, this is the book for you" or "Any kid who likes being scared silly should read this book."

Check out the rubric here to be sure your review will get the grade you want!

Our Deeds are our Monuments

This week we have been discussing our Monument Projects, which strive to answer the question: "How am I inspired?"
In order to answer this question, students are challenged to learn more about an inspiring person who shares their passions. Students are choosing all variety of inspiring individuals, from Leonardo Da Vinci to Selena.
Students will be researching, outlining, and writing essays about their inspiring person and then creating a mini-monument to honor his or her accomplishments.

 

Parent signatures are expected on these cover sheets by Monday/Tuesday next week (Oct. 21/22) and students have been encouraged to talk to their parents about the project.

Due dates are as follows:

Outline due Oct. 28-29

Rough Draft due Oct. 30

Final Draft due Nov. 6

Mini-Monument due Nov. 6



Meet Nathaniel

Nathaniel is a little boy born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. Click on his name below to see a short video about his life. Nathaniel