September 12

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Select 1 abstract noun from the list (fear, love, joy, betrayal, anger, hope), and explain how it applies to your independent reading book. (If none apply, come up with your own.) Be sure to include the title and author of your book in your response along with a quote that supports your choice.

More students presented book talks today. Second period will finish this up on Thursday; 4th period will finish Thursday and Friday.

Students had about 10 minutes to review, complete, and hand in the response to the question for "The Interlopers." We played a Kahoot to check our understanding of the story. I shared a sample answer with evidence to show students what is expected on their timed writing that they'll complete in class tomorrow.

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September 11

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Think about famous grudges that you're familiar with (like the Montagues & Capulets from Romeo and Juliet). How did the grudge start? How was it resolved? If it wasn't resolved, why does it persist? What advice would you give to the two parties involved?

We determined our reading rate to find out how long it will take us to finish reading our current book. We'll do this periodically.

More students presented book talks. I hope to wrap this up tomorrow!

Students read "The Interlopers" and answered a question using the thesis and embedding quotes techniques we've been working on. Students will have a little time in class tomorrow to finish this work if they didn't hand it in today.

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Week-at-a-Glance

September 8

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Write a letter convincing someone to start reading more. Your letter can be addressed to a parent or older relative, a friend, or a younger sibling. Consider using the information from the "Huge Misconception about Reading" video and yesterday's article as support for your argument.

Three more students shared great books! We'll continue these talks on Monday. (Because of the pep rally schedule, no 4th period students presented today.)

We worked on embedding quotes properly in our writing. For the timed writing assignment (now Wednesday), students will need to include a strong thesis and embedded quotes, so our practice this week and next will come in handy then.

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September 7

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "Why reading is good for your health" (this updated version may be slightly different from the article we read in class)

More students delivered book talks today. My "to read next" list keeps growing!

We continued our discussion of the pieces from yesterday. Students began drafting an answer with evidence to respond to one of the pieces. This practice will prepare us for a timed writing assignment that we will complete next week. (The week-at-a-glance says Monday, but it will actually be Tuesday or Wednesday.)

Tomorrow
More book talks
Hand in annotated article if you didn't hand it in today

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September 6

Independent Reading Time: ~20 minutes - Students were reminded that they need to read a nonfiction book before the end of this 9 weeks.
Writer's Notebook: Why is reading important? What benefits does it have? What downsides does it have? How would you describe yourself as a reader?

Students shared books from their summer reading today! Four students in each class shared a book that they enjoyed. We will hear about more titles tomorrow.

We continued our discussion of theme with two new pieces: an excerpt from Anderson Cooper's nonfiction book Dispatches from the Edge and the opening passage from Laurie Halse Anderson's YA novel Speak. We have one more selection to look at tomorrow before we begin writing about our findings.

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September 5

(My apologies for posting Friday's update late. I guess I was ready to start my 3-day weekend!)

Students completed the Nelson-Denny reading test today. This test is not for a grade--it's a data collection tool that the district uses.

We visited the library to learn about all of the great resources available there. Students had a little time to choose a book--we'll start independent reading time in class tomorrow!

Book talks start tomorrow!

Today's Board (I added "Book Talks start TOMORROW" after I took the photo.)

Week at a Glance

2nd period donation drive reminder

September 1

I shared Ball Don't Lie by Matt de la Pena today. Students will begin sharing their own favorite books beginning Wednesday of next week. The book talk format is available under the About section on Classroom.

We used passages from the book I shared as mentor pieces to inspire our writer's notebook entry today.

We revisited our work from yesterday and talked about writing strong thesis statements with vivid verbs. Students revised their answers and added evidence to support their ideas.

Don't forget to turn in the reading reflection on Classroom today! The 3-2-1 assignment is now 1 day late.

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