The students were given their graded Plot Stages test last Friday to have signed and returned by this Tuesday, Sept. 24.Overall, I was pleased with the scores; with a 76% team average.They are learning that really knowing a concept requires time studying and being able to fully explain the concept.
On Monday, the students will be given back their Beginning of the Year Writing Benchmark which has been scored.They will be examining papers that were written by last year’s students over the same topic at the end of the year.Students will be analyzing these papers to note 6th-grade quality writing characteristics and comparing them to their own paper.This activity will give them insight on areas that they need to improve on and to help guide in the learning process.They will see a vast amount of growth at the end of the year.
The rest of the week will be spent on grammar skills for the Writing Warm-Up and the Independent Reading Structure.The Writing Warm-Up practice packet will come home this Thursday, and the quiz will be next Monday, Sept. 30.Watch the blog to see which day the students vote on (either Thursday or Friday) to have our after-school study session this week.
What is Happening:
Monday: Because we had the counselor visiting our classes today, students were not given back their Beginning of the Year Writing Benchmark papers; they will get them back tomorrow. They did however, have the opportunity to analyze some exemplar papers from last year to point out 6th-grade quality writing characteristics. We will continue the analysis tomorrow in class. All signed tests are due as homework tomorrow in class.Tuesday: Students continued to analyze papers with a 4 rating and compare those to their own. This will help in setting goals and noting what areas each student needs to make progress in when learning to write an argumentative paper. The students voted today for this Thursday being our extra practice after school day for next Monday's Writing Warm-Up quiz.
Wednesday: Students engaged in discussions about their Independent Reading Books today with peers in the classroom. They discussed the story elements and plot stages of the books they are reading. They also took part in Workday Wednesday to catch up on their Reading Logs and to work on finishing their Independent Reading Books and Book Report Forms. The Book Report Forms are due no later than next Friday, Oct. 4.
Students will be given their 1st-quarter Extra Credit Opportunity this Friday. I only give one extra credit opportunity each quarter, and all students are encouraged to take advantage of it, no matter what their grade is in my class.
Thursday: The students completed their last practice in the Writing Warm-Up packet and they will be bringing that packet home to study today for next Monday's quiz. They also began a visualizing activity in class today. Don't forget that all Independent Reading Books must be read and the Book Report Form turned in by next Friday, Oct. 4.
Friday:
