Sept. 24: Cafe Gillmore Menu

Good morning!

Shhhh...we are reading for fifteen minutes! SSR Time!

Please read today's announcements here.

1. Book Reviews: Post on your blog and on GoodReads.
   
2. Commas
3. Ducks Galore: Picture time!

Homework for Monday, Sept. 28:

1. Finish Touching Spirit Bear for Monday!
2. Write your introduction for your Voice Thread...due Monday!
3. Other: turn in all late work! Now! (introductory duck paragraphs and book reviews)
   

Sept. 21

ANNOUNCEMENT: On Wednesday, we start something new! The first 15 minutes of class is SSR time! That's right...always bring your favorite read with you! I have not decided what my read will be, but as I have about fifty novels awaiting me, the challenge is not what to read but which one!

Please check here for today's announcements.

Let's take a moment to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

WRITER'S NOTEBOOK: Please view the following video; then reflect in your WN on the collaborative beauty of Google Docs. Oooopps, it's not here! This one must be blocked. Hummmm...I will work on this for next time...





WRITER'S NOTEBOOK, PART 2: Read the Batesville Guard handout; then discuss in your WN your responsibility as a "digital citizen."

TECH TIME! Today we are going to set up your Google Reader. Please log in to your Google account and select the blue button that says "Reader" across the top. Please add the following blogs to your Reader:

1. pioneerswrite.blogspot.com


2. Your peers' blogs.

WRITER'S WORKSHOP. Help! I just glanced over your duck paragraphs, and none of them are typed in the form that we worked through in class. Help, I say! Uh, oh...now, we are all behind. MUST type all assignments from this day forth...unless you and I have worked out an agreement or in case, of course, of major emergencies.

• Ducks Galore Test #1: 1) Introduce your duck to me via your paragraph (Type! Type! Yes! Now!) and 2) introduce your duck to your classmates via Voice Thread. Duck photos in class on Wednesday!
• Grammar Time: Check the comma exercise.

READER's WORKSHOP: Time for Lit Circles.

Sept. 18

Congratuations to our own Ashleigh Rogers for being selected Homecoming Junior Maid

Please read today's announcements.

Writer's Notebook: Click here to read an article in Tuesday's Batesville Guard. In your Writer's Notebook discuss your dedication to being a responsible digital citizen.

REMINDER: Due last time...comma exercise and book review and duck introductory paragraph.

Tech Time! I need your help today! Time to listen...shhh....

Good morning!

Suggested Timing to Today's Agenda:

• Grammar: 15 minutes
• Book Reviews: 30-40 minutes
• Silent Sustained Reading (SSR): 30-40 minutes.
  

I had told the students that they would not get to take their novel home, but I changed who's reading what, so this group will be allowed to take their assigned novel home with them.

These novels are based on historical fiction set during the early years of our county. These novels should be a "quick" read (lower reading level); therefore, they need to be completed next week.

Here are the assigned groups (I hope I got the number of books right...please make adjustments as to who is reading what, if needed):

• Indian Captive: Keaton, Kaitlyn, Chelsea, Alex, Tyler
• Fever 1793: Justin, Ashley, Padrick
• Copper Sun: Colton, Cara, Katie, Chynna, Baylee, Ashleigh

Reminder: duck paragraphs are due today!

Thanks!

Sept. 16: Today's Agenda

Good morning!

I brought the Homecoming ballots with me! Mr. Sparks is going to bring you some more ballots. Please have the students vote for two junior maids.

Suggested Timing to Today's Agenda:

• Voting: 5 minutes
• Grammar: 15 minutes
• Book Reviews: 30-40 minutes
• Silent Sustained Reading (SSR): 30-40 minutes.
  

I had told the students that they would not get to take their novel home, but I changed who's reading what, so this group will be allowed to take Touching Spirit Bear home with them.

This novel should be a "quick" read (lower reading level), but the plot is active and has a great message for all readers.

Thanks!

Sept. 14-15

Check here for today's announcements.

Today's Menu:

• Commas Rule...or Comma Rules
• Ducks Galore: from profile to paragraph
• Literary terms to consider using in paragraph.

I will not be here on Wednesday/Thursday as I will be serving on a committee for the Arkansas Department of Education.

Due in class on Wednesday/Thursday:

• Your introduction of your duck...
• Draft your first book review.
  
• Study the comma rules...could be a quiz!
• SSR Time...Touching Spirit Bear.

Sept. 10-11: Let's Always Remember...

Today's Announcements.

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing."
- Abraham Lincoln

WRITER'S NOTEBOOK: To mark the anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001, President Bush proclaimed that September 11 be named Patriot Day. On this day, the proclamation asks that flags be flown at half-mast and that the day be marked by ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and other remembrance services.

President Obama has also declared September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Please go here to learn more that this.

Even though this day marks the anniversary of a huge disaster, it is called Patriot Day. How does this label change our perceptions about the events of September 11, 2001? Think of the various meanings of the word “patriot.” Is it possible to be a patriot and still disagree with certain aspects of the government? What is the best way to voice criticism of the government?

May we also commemorate this day with poetry? Please read the following poems:

We're Still Standing
© Hannah Schoechert

Those twin towers
Standing tall with pride,
Fell with grieving hearts.
Stunned, America cried.

But we're still standing.

Bin Laden tried
To crush our land,
But we stood our ground
With our flag in hand

And we're still standing.

Red for the valor
And the blood that fell.
White for the purity
Our heroes tell.
Blue for the justice
That will be done,
Proving once more
These colors don't run

And we're still standing.

By Hannah Schoechert
A 7th grade student

To The Foolish American

© By Alyssa Marquardt

It kills me to hear you say
That war is just a foolish game
That men and women dare to play
Well I'd like to see you last one day
You obviously don't see the pain
Or the freedom that we Americans gain.
From those brave ones across the sea
The ones that mean so much to me
The ones who give you the right
To stand right there and hold that sign
You'll never see the world as a soldier does.
You'll never see that hate or feel that love.
You worry about work and school
They worry about destructive tools.
They worry about saving and taking lives.
And the freedom of their kids and wives.
We can't appreciate our whole ton.
But they are happy with the last little one.
So before you stand back and point you finger,
Listen to these words I give
And appreciate the life you live.

(Poem accessed at Poetry America.)

Who is the speaker? What is his/her perspective? What are your thoughts on these poem?

TODAY'S MENU:

Grammar Time! Please punctuate this poem.

Tech Time: Have you created all your accounts? Completed the form and hit submit?

Now let's post to your blog!

• Choose a topic.
• Draft your post.
• Proofread! Then proofread again! Might consider having someone else proofread!
• Run spell check.
• Post to your blog.
• Read your post again...make any necessary revisions...again!

Reading to write your book review? Open up the Book Review Rubric here.

Ducks Galore: Introduce me to you duck! Click here to go to the Mrs. G's Info Page.

Homework:

1. Complete your out-of-class read!
2. Post an entry to your blog.
   
3. Draft your introduction of your duck.