Today in Language Arts the students were introduced to the close and critical chart.  This graphic organizer is used to help students with their comprehension skills.  We practiced using it by identifying the point of view and genre of The Giver. As a class we reviewed chapters four and five.

The students were asked to hover for words they do not know, read chapter six, and answer the guided questions.  However, a majority of the students did not finish doing this.  I have added the task list from today and the guided questions for chapter six to this blog post.  The questions for chapters six and seven are in the same word document.  However, the students have not been assigned chapter seven yet.  Please do not read and work on chapter seven tonight as homework.

Day Five Directions

Chapter Six and Seven Questions

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Today in Language Arts the students were given time to work in their vocabulary books.  They are currently working on Lesson 13 and this will be due next Friday.

As a class, we discussed chapter three.  The students were given time to read chapters 4 and 5 in class.  They also discussed these chapters in small groups.  I have attached the questions and tasks for chapters 3, 4, and 5 to this blog post.

Chapter Three Guided Questions

Chapter 4 Guided Questions

Chapter Five Guided Questions

Day Four Directions

Have a great weekend!

-Ms. Traylor

Today in Language Arts our class discussed what a milestone is.  We came up with a definition and examples of milestones we can experience in our lifetime.  We discussed that the characters in The Giver face milestones as well and we identified a couple of them.  The students will continue to determine what other milestones are as they get deeper into the book.

While in their literature circles, the students discussed chapter two, hovered for words they did not know in chapter three, read chapter three, and added more milestones to their chart.

Homework:

1. Complete the task list from today

2. Read at home for 20 minutes

3. Success Starters Due tomorrow 11/24, 12/2, 12/3, 12/10, and 12/11

Day Three Directions

The Giver Chapter Two Guided Questions

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Today in Language Arts we discussed chapter one of The Giver as a class.  We discussed how there are words used by the community that may mean the same thing as a word we have in our community.  An example of this is the word “Dwelling.”  In the novel, Jonas refers to a dwelling as his home. We also discussed the setting of the novel and the genre.  We determined that this is science fiction because it is set in a world that is unfamiliar to us, the community has access to technology, and the story is set in the future.

I have added the literacy group task sheet to this post.  Please make sure all tasks are complete before returning to class tomorrow.

Have a great evening and good luck to all of the students performing at the band concert tonight!

-Ms. Traylor

Day Two Directions

Today in Language Arts the students began reading The Giver.  They were given their literacy groups and they hovered for new vocabulary words they did not know.  We recorded these words in our foldable interactive notebooks.  The students then began to read chapter one with their group mates. There are also guided questions that correspond to the chapter.  These questions need to be answered on the left side of the interactive notebook.  I have attached the tasks that need to be completed before class tomorrow and the guided question to this blog post.

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Have Chapter One of The Giver read tomorrow before class

3. Have Guided Questions Chapter One answered in your interactive notebook before class tomorrow

Have a great evening!

-Ms. Traylor

Day One Directions

The Giver Chapter One Guided Questions

Our class began to focus on The Giver today in class. We began by answering the question on The Big Idea Board: Should choices be limited to keep things fair for everyone?  We answered this question on a sticky note, shared our answers, and posted it to the board in our class.  The students also completed a bit strip activity.  They were given a sentence or two from the book. The students read the sentence to themselves and then shared it by rotating stations.  We also watched the trailer for the movie in class to help us make predictions about what this book could possibly be about.  I have added the trailer to our blog post for today.

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

Have a great evening!

Today in Language Arts the students reflected on our big question, “What can we do to help others see things from our point of view?”  They are to write three paragraphs for this reflection.  The first one focuses on their prior knowledge of the topic.  They are using their sticky not from The Big Idea Board to help them do this.  The second paragraph focuses on what they now know.  We worked on this piece in class today.  The last paragraph focuses on what they are still curious about or confused about when it comes to argumentative writing and debate.  The students were given time in class to work on this but it is due on Monday.

The class also took their vocabulary test today and turned in their Great Lakes Essay.  I will have the vocabulary tests grades posted by the end of the weekend.  Ms. Thomas and I will both be grading the essay because we worked on this assignment in both of our classes.  We will have these graded before the students go on break on the 19th.  We both need to read these essays so please bare with us as we work through this process.

We will be starting The Giver on Monday.  If your child has their own copy of the book, this will be our “textbook” through January and they are to bring it every day.  If your child does not have their own copy, one will be provided for them.

Homework:

1. Argumentative Reflection due Monday

2. Bring The Giver for Monday

Have a wonderful weekend!

Today in Language Arts the students presented their debates.We discussed what debate format looks like, the purpose of debate, and how to be professional when presenting.  The students were also given time in class to prepare for their vocabulary test tomorrow and work on their final drafts.

Homework:

1. Great Lakes Final Draft Due Tomorrow

2. Vocabulary Test Tomorrow

3. Reading Log Due Tomorrow

4. Bring The Giver Monday

In Language Arts today the students focused on voice and fluency.  We reviewed what these terms mean and what it looks like when we are peer editing these traits.  The students were then given time to peer edit for voice and fluency.

Our debate will be taking place tomorrow.  Today in class the students were given more time to work on their debate with their teammates.

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Have debate ready for tomorrow

3. Great Lakes Essay Final Draft due Friday

4. Vocabulary Quiz Friday

5. Bring The Giver for Monday

Today in Language Arts the students continued to peer edit their argumentative essays.  They focused on editing for word choice and conventions.  In addition to peer editing, the students spent time preparing for their debate.  They are focusing on whether or not video games should be played by children under the age of eighteen.  The students have already done the research and written an essay focusing on this topic.  They can use the information from their essay during the debate.  We also looked at proper debate etiquette.  We determined what it means to debate well and be respectful during a debate.  I have included the video I used to visualize this to this blog post.

Homework:

1. Read for 20 minutes

2. Make conventions and word choice adjustments as needed.

3. Prepare for Debate

4. Vocabulary Test Friday

5. Bring The Giver on Monday

Have a great evening!