We are running a little behind with project essay work. Students are drafting two paragraphs this week based on partially completed outlines. This is based on note taking that was to be done last week. If students did not have an outline, they were assigned regular journal writing until we can offer appropriate support for outlining.
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We think that if you use FireFox, Internet Explorer, or Safari, you may be able to successfully sign up for our blog RSS feed. If you use Chrome, you will need a free extension. Search RSS in the Chrome Web Store and select the Google product (RSS Subscription Extension by Google). This should load quickly and allow you to subscribe to the RSS feed. I (Ms. Wick) had to make a Bloglines account and then add the feed to Bloglines using the add option in the upper left hand corner of Bloglines. Cut and paste one or more of the following URLs into Bloglines: spmapals.weebly.com/45-blog spmapals.weebly.com/1-5-news spmapals.weebly.com/13-blog I also added Bloglines to my Bookmarks Bar. Please comment if you have suggestions or trouble with this. Thank you to families who recently donated books from the book fair to our classroom libraries. We have also dedicated part of reading time on Wednesdays to recommendations. Ask your child about the books featured in the slides below. We provide a 30 minute time at the end of the day on Fridays for students to finish work that they may need more time to complete. Students who are on track with responsibilities are provided with learning extensions. During the past several weeks, we have introduced games and activities that promote persistence, stamina, commitment and determination. Many of these are puzzle type activities or iPad apps that invite kids to keep trying till they get it.
Students experienced a fine dining experience in library today. Diners were served up a three course meal of books to taste by library media center director, Mrs. Wilson. First 30 menu work includes a list of several tasks from which students choose the order of completion. Tasks this week included facts work, reading from a science text, correcting a history fact and completing a word work assignment.
Students have been assigned to use their journal writing homework time to rewrite a persuasive essay based on a checklist they received during writing time. A student may choose to write about the thesis statement, I love ice cream, which we did together in class, as an alternative.
Students can use the checklist and the format introduced in class to guide them: (Thesis statement) because (reason 1), (reason 2), and most of all (reason 3). One reason that (thesis statement) is that (reason 1). For example, (evidence a), (evidence b), (evidence c). elaborate about evidence with examples Another reason that (thesis statement) is that (reason 2). For example, (evidence a), (evidence b), (evidence c). elaborate about evidence with examples Although (thesis statement) because (reason 1) and because (reason 2), especially (thesis statement) because (reason 3). For example, (evidence a), (evidence b), (evidence c). elaborate about evidence with examples Concluding paragraph We understand that this is complex work and that students need varying levels of support. Your child may have been assigned to just continue with 1 paragraph journal entries each day this week Monday through Wednesday. https://docs.google.com/a/gapps.verona.k12.wi.us/document/d/1ATtog5HuKsrm724XLIUAnk0Za4SgnqWbPs2Jh1W-J3A/edit?usp=sharing We sent home a project on Wednesday with expectations that students choose a project option by Tuesday of next week. Students should know their topic and presentation choice first. Next, they will be writing what they know about their topic and questions they have about it. Follow the above link for more details.
We use the seed and watermelon metaphor to help students think about selecting topics for developing paragraphs and essays. A paragraph should develop a seed, whereas an essay or watermelon will include many seeds. While Common Core standards require students to write essays, our initial instruction has been on the structure of a paragraph. During writing time this week we focused on the use of topic sentences for narrative, persuasive and informative paragraphs. We modeled each type and supported students in developing their own topic sentences. This should support students with their weekly journal writing assignment, which includes writing an informative, persuasive and narrative entry each week. Next week we will focus on the essay structure and provide practice with developing ideas. Students who are ready to extend themselves to develop essays for their journal topics will work with teachers to decide on an appropriate sequence for writing essays from the three writing types on a rotating basis. |
AuthorsMs. Cook and Ms. Wick will monitor posts made to this blog. Posts starting in March are generated by both students and teachers. Archives
September 2015
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