Ms. Lessel

This week we will concentrating on how authors develop character traits, finishing Vocabulary Lesson 3, and making argumentative essay corrections.

At home students should be reading at least 20 minutes a night from their good- fit book. Students who aren’t doing this are coming to class unprepared to do the work involving their reading from home and then spend class time reading to catch up and have the work to do at home without my support. Students who are prepared are able to work with my support and able to read at home without my support. Remind them the  biggest factor in growing as a reader is to actually read.

We are also getting ready to take the NWEA Tests again ( the first two weeks of February), students can practice for the test by going to the following site

https://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/pages/studentlinks/map/reading.htm

Students should practice by going to the section that matches their fall reading (RIT) score. They are written in their student planner on page 6 of the blue pages.

 

Important Dates:

Wed. Jan 14- Late Start

Friday, Jan. 16 – Vocab. Lesson 3 Test

Mon., Jan.19 No School

Thurs., Jan. 22 1/2 Day End of 3rd Marking

Fri., Jan. 23 No School

Mon., Jan 26 1/2 Day

Welcome Back to School!

This week we worked on the elements of mood and tone in a story. Through this you were able to expand your vocabulary to strong words that better capture feelings such as nostalgic, menacing, and optimistic.  We also began flagging our reading strategies when reading good-fit books during DAILY 5 and recording what our thoughts our after reading. In Vocabulary we worked on making the flashcards for Lesson 3 and should be finishing up p. 26-27 on Monday.

The Argumentative Essays were returned and I am in the process of conferring with students to discuss their writing. Students are setting goals with me during this time. Students who scored a C or lower are getting tips on how to improve their writing and have the opportunity to improve their score next week by doing so.

Due to the “cold” day, we will have our weekly Prove It on Monday. Be sure to know the lexile level of your book and have it with you when you come to class.

Book Orders to Scholastic were passed out this week and are due by next Thursday. If you wish to order please make your check out to Scholastic Book Club and I will forward them with the orders.

Language Arts Progress Reports were given to each student today. Please take a moment to look them over and sign and return them by Monday. Students who do so will receive extra credit in their summative assessment category!!!

Argumentative Essay:

Remember it is saved on your gmail account through Dearborn Public Schools.

One way to find it is to go to

* Dearbornpublicschools.org

* Click the link students

* Click the link

*Student email/gmail

* Open your email and you will find the essay you sent to yourself ( it should also be in your google docs if you go to applications)

* After reviewing your essay,  print your essay to bring to class Friday

 

For Help with your works-cited page go to: We will finish working on this part Friday in class

https://www.citationmachine.net/

 

You must have these two forms to hand in with your printed essay on Friday ( one was given to you in class)

argumentativegraderubric

argumentativeessaychecklist

Extra Credit

For those of you that would like extra credit for reading your good-fit book over break below is a sample outline of a letter you can write about your reading. Use the format to write your own letter to me (DO NOT print it and fill in the blanks)

Extra Credit Prove It Letter

 

 

 

This week students will be finishing their argumentative essay on “Are Video Games Good for You?”. They will also be beginning Lesson 3 in Vocabulary as well as working on their reading comprehension.

Homework:

Read for 20 minutes a night and work on Argumentative Essay

 

Important Dates

Dec. 19th – Argumentative Essay Due and 1/2 point of 3rd Marking

Dec. 20th – 4th No School- Winter Break Enjoy!

 

Extra Credit Opportunity:

Students are encouraged to read over break and complete an

Extra Credit Prove It ( Due Monday Jan. 5th.)

You will continue working on outlining and drafting your argumentative essay.

In Vocabulary you complete Lesson 2 and take the test on Thursday.

 

Homework: Read your good fit book  for 100+ minutes outside of class. Be sure you can prove it on Friday.

 

For extra practice you can use the following websites:

Vocabulary:  vocabulary for success

Reading:   mobymax.com

This week we will be working on writing an argumentative essay on ” Are Video Games Good For You?”.  You will make a claim and support that claim with reasons. You will be constructing an outline and composing a draft of the essay body paragraphs this week.  In vocabulary you will begin Lesson 2. By Friday you should complete p. 12-18. Flashcards are due Monday. In reading you will be working on reading your good-fit book.

 

Homework is to read 20 minutes a night. Please remember on Friday you will need to be able to prove that you read by summarizing up your reading for the week. You may also want to utilize the following sites for extra support in reading and vocabulary.

www.mobymax.com

www.vocabularyforsuccess.com

 

Note: You may purchase a vocabulary book for $13.

This week students will research to identify pros and cons on the question ” Are Video Games Good For You?”.  Students will complete a “Prove It” to show what they have read in the past week from their good-fit book. Students will also take the Vocabulary Lesson 1 Quiz. This week will mark end of the 2nd marking .

If your child would like to buy a Vocabulary book they can next week for $13.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

This week students will be working on

* identifying theme and supporting their answer by using evidence from the text and explaining it.

* exploring pros and cons of issues to determine their claim( opinion).

*making claims on issues and supporting their claims with reasons.

* expanding their understanding of words by completing Vocabulary Lesson 1.

 

Students should be reading their good-fit book at home for at least 20 minutes a night. On FrIday they will need to be able to “Prove It” by responding to questions about what they have read. Be sure to have the book read in class.

 

 

 

This week in reading students will be applying what we have learned so far in reading to grade level text. They will choose 1 of four stories from the literature book  to summarize, and apply their knowledge of the following:  author’s purpose, point of view, elements of plot, and internal/external conflict. On Friday they will take a short comprehension quiz on the story they selected.

In writing students will work on an idea for the PTSA reflection contest. The theme this year is ” The world will be a better place”.  Students who wish to enter the contest may. Details are in the Bryant newsletter.

In vocabulary students will continue to be on the look out for new and/or interesting words to define or clarify  from their good fit book.   They should be able to find 5 each week. The vocabulary books are in. We should begin the program sometime this week. Those that ordered one will have one to write in and take back and forth. Those that didn’t will have one to use in class and will write on loose-leaf.

 

Important Dates

Nov. 4 Tuesday No School

Nov 7 Friday Quiz on grade level text

Nov. 10 Monday Vocabulary Foldable Due

Conferences were this week on Monday and Tuesday. Hopefully you had a chance to stop in and  check out what your student has been doing  as well as receive your child’s report card.   In addition, I gave a copy of why their grade was what it was and their current grade (  this marking ends in another 3 weeks).

If you were unable to attend, please ask your child conference with you at home. They should share their progress reports and 3 things they learned, 3 things they want to work on and 1 thing they are proud of.  Take a look at their planner ( Are they filling it out every day for this class?). The planner is a great to see what we are learning and a way for your child to share how and what they are doing. Then look at their binder ( Does it only have language arts in it? Is it organized by section Journal, Reading, Writing, Word Work?). Having their materials organized cuts down on wasted learning time.

 

If you can it would be great if you could get your child their own scissors and glue.  I’d prefer a glue bottle. With the interactive notebook we have been demolishing glue sticks ( for some reason students believe every inch of paper should be coated with thick layers of glue). The art of gluing is something we will work on.

 

As always please be sure your child is reading  for 100 minutes a week It is their HOMEWORK!

 

 

Important Dates:

Book Fair is this week!

Quiz Using Good-Fit Book Thursday

Vocabulary Foldable Due Monday, Nov 3rd

No School Tuesday, Nov. 4