Today my reading classes took a computerized reading placement test to get an idea of approximate reading levels. Our investigation into “Why Read?” finished with the creation of comic strips to explain reasons for reading. The next unit of study is “What makes me who I am?” Students are learning about the concept of conformity. [...]
This week students wrote and typed pages for their magazines. Most students have their feature article with a bibliography and a photo essay done. Now they need to work on a creative piece, a survey or an interview, and advertisements.
In reading, students are learning how to participate in literature circles. They practiced using a fairy [...]
Our school has been on spring break this week. Lots of teachers and students are taking vacations. It seems like we all needed a break from each other and the stresses that come with middle school. When school resumes on Monday, there will only be 8 weeks left. Students will be finishing their magazine projects [...]
The end of the quarter is approaching. All missing assignments need to be in by March 25, the last day of the third quarter.
Our class has launched a magazine project where each student is investigating a topic to write his/her own magazine. The objective is to use reading and writing for learning and communicating ideas [...]
Today was the first day for CRT (criterion referenced tests). Students tested in their first period class. They completed part one of the reading and math tests. Everyone was very serious about the test and did their best.
Our schedule was messed up, but everyone adapted to the changes.
In reading, my students were given a [...]
We had a holiday from school on Monday, February 16, for Presidents’ Day. I went to Destin, Florida, to visit my parents who are wintering there for three months. I took an extra day off of school, so there was a substitute in our classroom.
This week we have read myths from ancient Greece. The lessons [...]
Today students handed in their final draft of a hero story. The story needed to be about a real-life hero who faced a modern day problem. I’m looking forward to reading them.
We read a story from our literature book about a boy who had to write about an aunt or uncle. Since he didn’t have [...]
Students compared and contrasted the stories from “The Mason-Dixon Memory” using a Venn diagram and a setting chart. Then they completed a quiz. Period 2 wrote a rough draft of their persuasive essay; period 4 hasn’t finished the graphic organizer yet.
Reading students in period 6 finished “The King of Mazy May” and completed the assignment [...]
Periods 1 and 3 read a story about discrimination called “A Mason-Dixon Memory.” This story was actually two stories that had the same theme which was written as a flashback. Each story was about how an African American boy was discriminated against because of his race and how his white friends protested the treatment by [...]
“The King of Mazy May” presented the main character, Walt, with many problems for him to solve. The story progressed with each solution Walt used. The assignment today was to write the solutions that Walt had for the problems.
Our books from StudenTales arrived. Some students have never had their writing published as a book, whereas [...]
