Content Area Focus This Week...

In reading this week...students are on their way to preparing for small group discussions on their own.  Each day they are reading Freak The Mighty in class and taking notes that will lend to discussion starters and ideas they notice about the author's style and purpose.  Students will conduct a group discussion on Friday of this week. I am proud to see their mature approach to an "adult style" book group discussion.

In language arts this week...In December, students will create five writing pieces of varying complexity, all focused on descriptive and expository writing structures.  Once their collections are final drafted and approved, students will create a cover page and folder for taking their first semester writings home.  The students' tracking sheets with expectations are listed under Helpful Resources "Chicken Soup expectations."

In social studies ...students are comparing the lifestyles of different social classes in ancient Egypt.  Next week, they will investigate the development of ancient Indian civilization and belief systems.

Homework for Monday,12/1/08

Reading :  Reading Log and Reflection #4 due 12/9/08....no reflection this week..

 Participate in small group practice discussions.  Turn in Discussion Preparation sheet.

 LA : Create a top ten list of reasons you like this season... use composition notebook

SS:      Read section 9.1-9.2 in textbook (pages 81-83)

Homework for Tuesday,12/2/08

Reading : Reading Log and Reflection #4 due 12/9/08....no reflection this week.

Read chapters 11-12 in Freak the Mighty and TAKE NOTES collecting good discussion starters, ideas needing clarification, and evidence of author's writing style.

LA:  We reivewed the expectations for the Chicken Soup Writing Project today.  Try to do one of the following: plan, draft, edit, or final draft a writing, as homework to pace yourself and meet deadline of December 18. Classroom support and time to write is given for 35 minutes each day.

SS:  Read section 9.3 and 9.4 in textbook and complete Reading Notes on page 66-67 of ISN.

 Homework for Wednesday, 12/3/08

Reading : Reading Log and Reflection #4 due 12/9/08....no reflection this week..

Read chapters 13-14 taking notes for good discussion starters, clarifications, and author's style in preparation for Friday's small group discussion.

LA : Begin 1st draft of choice Chicken Soup Writing.  Daily progress:  Try to do one of the following: plan, draft, edit, or final draft a writing, as homework to pace yourself and meet deadline of December 18. Classroom support and time to write is given for 35 minutes each day. Five writings plus cover, dedication, and table of contents all due on or before 12/18.

SS:  Read sections 9.4-9.7 in textbooks and complete Reading Notes in ISN pages 66-67.

Homework for Thursday, 12/4/08 

Reading:

LA:Daily progress:  Try to do one of the following: plan, draft, edit, or final draft a writing, as homework to pace yourself and meet deadline of December 18. Classroom support and time to write is given for 35 minutes each day. Five writings plus cover, dedication, and table of contents all due on or before 12/18.

SS:

Homework for Friday, 12/5/08: 

Reading :   Reading Log and Reflection #4 due 12/9/08....no reflection this week..

LA:Daily progress:  Try to do one of the following: plan, draft, edit, or final draft a writing, as homework to pace yourself and meet deadline of December 18. Classroom support and time to write is given for 35 minutes each day. Five writings plus cover, dedication, and table of contents all due on or before 12/18.

 SS: