In Language Arts these past two days we have been focusing on the technology component of our new unit.  We began by doing an activity help students make inferences about actors/actresses.  We discussed the importance of facial expressions and body language while acting.  The students were also given time to watch the first episode of Smallville and complete the corresponding in class activity.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful break!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. 4 hours on Moby Max Due at the end of Marking Period 5.

2. Read for 200 minutes

In Language Arts today the students began looking at the facial expressions and tone of voice actors use.  We made inferences about how the characters in Smallville were feeling based upon their facial expressions.  The students were also given the opportunity to go to the library and get new good fit books.

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Vocabulary Lesson 7 Due Thursday

3. Success Starters Due Thursday

In Language Arts today the students reviewed non-fiction text features.  We discussed how these features can help us better understand informational texts when we read them.  We practiced using these text features by reading a biography of Mark Twain.  When we return from break, we will be acting out the Prince and the Pauper.  This week, we will be preparing by discussing facial expressions and voice needed when acting.  We will also be looking at the author of the Prince and the Pauper, Mark Twain.

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

In Language Arts today the students finished peer editing.  We focused on conventions and word choice while in class.  The students were also given time to make revisions to their rough drafts in order to prepare for the final.  The final draft will be due on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Cause and Effect Final Drafts Due Monday

2.Vocabulary Book Lesson One Due Thursday

In Language Arts today the students continued to edit their cause and effect essays.  The final draft for this essay will be due on Monday.  Today the students focused on editing for voice and fluency.  We reviewed what it means to be confident in our writing and what we state.  We also reviewed appropriate transition words for a cause and effect essay that can be found in their interactive notebooks.

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Reading Log Due Tomorrow

2. Vocabulary Lesson 7 Due Next Thursday

3. Cause and Effect Final Drafts Due Monday

In Language Arts today the students reviewed what it means to peer edit for organization and ideas.  We began the peer editing process on our cause and effect papers as well.  The students were given time in class to work in their vocabulary books and complete their rough drafts if they did not do so for homework.  I have added the rubric for the Cause and Effect Essay to this blog post.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Vocabulary Book Lesson 7 Due Next Thursday

3. Cause and Effect Final Drafts Due Monday

Six Plus One CauseEffect Rubric

In Language Arts today the students were given time to go to the library.  All students should have a good fit book to read at home for 100 minutes per week.

The class also finished our discussion on cause and effect.  We practiced writing a conclusion.  Tomorrow they will begin to peer edit their work.  Final drafts will be due on Monday.

Lastly, the students looked at a new lesson in our vocabulary books.  This will be due next Thursday before we go on break. The lesson starts on page 70 and ends on page 79.

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Unit Reflection Due Tomorrow

3. Rough Drafts Due Tomorrow

4. Final Drafts Due Monday 3/30

5. Vocab. Book Lesson 7 Due Next Thursday 4/2

In Language Arts today the students reviewed cause and effect.  This is something they have been working on in Science. Today we looked at it from a writing perspective.  The students practiced writing an introduction which needs to be completed prior to arriving in class tomorrow. Students were given an IBC Chart to help them organize their thinking.  I have attached an additional copy to this blog post. I have also added the cause and effect powerpoint we looked at in class to this blog post as well

We also wrapped up The Big Question on The Big Idea board.  The question was, “Do we learn from the adults in our lives?  Why or why not?”  The three paragraph reflection on this unit will be due on Wednesday.  The first paragrpah should be their initial response to this quesiton.  The second paragrpah should focus on their response after completing the unit.  The third paragraph should focus on what they would like to learn more about, what they found interesting, or what is still confusing to them.

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Complete Cause/Effect Introduction

3. Unit Reflection Due Wednesday

IBC.causeandeffect

Cause-and-Effect-powerpoint

Today in Language Arts the class reviewed how to write a narrative piece.  We used information from the articles we have been focusing on this week to create a story about our personal robots.  The students were allowed to work independently or with one partner.  The stories were due at the end of class.

Have a great weekend!

-Ms. Traylor

In Language Arts today the students learned the difference between paraphrasing and adding a direct quote to their writing.  We discussed the importance of giving credit to the authors’ of the articles we have been reading.  We also discussed what it means to plagiarize.  The students practiced applying the difference between these two ideas in class.  Anything that was not finished is homework.

Homework:

1. Reading Log

2. Paraphrasing/Direct Quote Practice

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor