9/25/18 [TUE]

*** Shifting gears for 7th graders ***

I had thought to begin the year reading a book out loud and practicing how to look at and study a novel as we read (focusing on the literary elements).

However, as I observe and assess kids in class, I'm noting there is a wide disparity in experience with reading and comfort in writing, particularly for extended periods of time.

So, I'm going to set Katherine Ayres' Family Tree aside and we will continue this quarter working on (many more) shorter reading and writing practice activities.


I.  TRACKER CHECK
    * have out tracker, spiral, any HW (each day prep)
    * have pencils sharpened and ready at start of class (each day routine)

      - review HW
      - write agenda in Tracker
      - add any HW for the night that you have, including what teacher suggests
        * note:  ONLY plan for what you CAN do; be specific

II.  VOCABULARY BRAINSTORM activity
      - review vocabulary assignment
      - using a blank piece of lined paper, brainstorm as a class
        some vocabulary word ideas
      - brainstorm silently; then share as a class (walk around)
      - return to table groups and share new words picked up from other students
      * BLOG HAS SEVERAL "FREEBIES" THAT YOU CAN COPY AND COUNT
         TOWARDS THIS VOCABULARY ASSIGNMENT

reading for information by category
III.  READING
__  handout:         "New Pet on the Block"
                      A.   - read instructions first;
                             - box verbs that tell you what to do
                             - underline key details after verbs
                             - review tasks (review categories you'll be taking notes on)
                             - give each category a letter so that you can indicate
                                     in the text what kind of note

                      B.  READ THE TEXT (SSR - sustained silent reading)
                            - read all the way through w/o underlining or highlighting
                               OR underline key details and information as you read (your choice)
                            - fill in information on hedgehog

                            * may take home to complete or add comparison pet information IF you chose
                               adds to grade



* * * * * * * * * 
HOMEWORK for the week (SEE MONDAY FOR EXAMPLE WORDS)
* * * * * * * * *

__  read 20-30 minutes per night at least 3-4 nights this week (including weekend)
      * please note, at this time, students have library books checked out, but no assigned rdng

__  begin finding (self-choice) 25 ACADEMIC WORDS from core content classes
      * academic words like "quotient" in math, or "ecofriendly" in Science
      * words that will help you be better informed in the classroom
      * academic words that you need to understand in the classroom to be successful
      * may be words you hear but don't know; or words you have already been assigned
      * THE MORE YOU WRITE (at least 3-4 sentences explanation or description)
         THE HIGHER THE GRADE