11/22/13 - FR

CONFERENCES CONTINUE MON-TUES
*************************
I STILL HAVE 8 STUDENTS NOT SIGNED UP FOR CONFERENCES
PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE FOR AVAILABLE TIMES
(most times left are before and after lunch Monday and Tuesday)

CONFERENCES FOR UPPER GRADES IN THE LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER.
TIME SCHEDULED IS TO SEE YOUR CORE TEACHER
ROUND ROBIN VISIT MATH, SCIENCE, AND OTHER CLASSES BEFORE OR AFTER.
* * * * * * * *

I.  MAYAHFbk  u2wks2rd (STUDENT CHOICE)
- What do the above terms mean (as we write in our tracker)?
- Paying attention to the use of acronyms and shorthand methods
- MAYAHFbk = Middle Ages Young Adult Historical Fiction
- u2wks2rd = you have two weeks to read this book
- pass around books: look at cover, title, images, back page, inside of book
- begin to think about which books might appeal to your interest; choose one
* ONE HOUR OF READING expected by next Monday
* book journaling and writing will be assigned when we return
* we'll focus on learning about character development, themes,
    and comparing modern life to middle ages social culture
* students will also look at author's writing style and choice of words
   (words that are appropriate to the time and place = word choice)

II.  TALL TALES
- Type stories in Room 112
-

III.  BLACK NOVEMBER - poem (NOW EXTRA CREDIT)
This is usually a poem we practice in class, but the Tall Tales took a little
longer than expected, so we weren't able to read or practice.
THIS IS A VERY FUN POEM.  Serious. No joke.
Typically this is a speaking skills and sentence fluency activity.

Below is the grade-scale:
F = Don't look at the poem, don't glance at it or go to blog to see if a copy is there
       (there will be soon).

D = Glance at the poem.  A little.  While moving it out of your way. 
        Notice the title and maybe a word or two.  Maybe read the poem or
        parts of the poem to yourself, quietly.  In your mind.
        * a D is worth 1 point extra credit.  Not much, but it helps.

C = Read the poem to yourself, mumbling under your breath. Just sit in place.
       No facial movement.  No gestures.  No inflection of voice.
        Reading the poem to a sibling or a pet is also only worth a C.
       * a C is worth 2 points extra credit.  Can raise a vocab pckt or reading check in 
           an entire grade.

B = Read the poem (clearly) to an adult or adults.  Some attempt at inflection.
       Some attempt to make the poem actually funny and dramatic.  You tried.
       * a B is worth 3 points extra credit.

A = Read the poem.  Practiced. Read to other adults, maybe even on Thanksgiving
       Day, making the festivities that much more interesting and memorable.
       Maybe you even had your audience repeat after you
       (like Mr. Gentile does with the class).  You were dramatic.  Funny.  Engaging.
       You basically gave it your best while reading to a live audience.
       * an A requires enough effort and bravery on your part that it is worth 4 points
          effectively an A can raise a common core assignment two or more grades (easily)

HOW TO PROVE YOU READ THE POEM TO OTHERS:
(1) An email from a parent or a responsible adult who verifies what you did and makes a comment on what they thought of your performance; or (2) notes and signatures  from responsible adults on the back of the poem, raving about your performance.


* * * *
HOMEWORK - due for full credit or homework and due after break
* * * * 

___  VOCAB WK 7
___  VOCAB WK 7 SENTENCES (November/Thanksgiving Theme)

___   "EUROPE" crossword puzzle 
        * text clues is too small to really show reading, unless you can do it neatly
        * use Atlas or Google or other maps to find answers
        * This is a challenging CW and tests your ability to use resources
        * you may not finish it all;  also, there ARE errors that can only be found
           by showing you actually read the clues and looked at the answer boxes