Mrs. McMillan's Homework
Wednesday, June 17, 2007
Once again, bring a snack since tomorrow is another 12:20 early dismissal!
If you owe literacy work, be sure to complete it tonight. NOTE: The portfolio 7/7 grade is EXTRA credit and was discussed in class. For credit, you must place the seven specified items in the legal size manila folder, returning it for teacher review; in case, you lost your verb tense maze that had the portfolio on the back, here is a copy:
Fifth-grade Portfolio Contents for _________________
* Sandy Hook field trip (descriptive writing)
q Ben Franklin Improvement Essay – Mind, Body, Behavior
q Ben Franklin book test
q The Cricket in Times Square book test
q My Side of the Mountain postcard
q Simple Subject/Simple Predicate test
q Provident Bank essay (invention or president)
q Number the Stars vocabulary quizzes (#1-#4)
* “Dear Eighth-grade Me” letter (sealed in envelope)
Any pieces of your choice not already included
For a 7/7 grade, assemble the aforementioned items; note that the Sandy Hook field trip piece is extra credit since it was used for Student-led Conferences back in November 2008. If you only have some of the NS vocabulary quizzes, you will earn .25 for each quiz.
Once again, look for any core novels that might be hiding under beds or desks or chairs, returning them to your jubilant teacher who won't have to levy a book fine!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Bring a snack since tomorrow is a 12:20 early dismissal!
If you owe literacy work, be sure to complete it tonight.
Once again, look for any core novels that might be hiding under beds or desks or chairs, returning them to your jubilant teacher who won't have to levy a book fine!
Monday, June 15, 2009
For the majority of students there is NO HOMEWORK. If, however, you have NOT submitted your "Dear Eighth-grade Me," you must finalize submission; keep in mind that the marking period closed on Friday. For those of you who opted to present an oral report for the in-class HOLOCAUST novel, you have homework if you did NOT present today. Anyone who was not absent and did not present must submit a report that will be reviewed by me instead of being presented orally. All ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE books and BMS LITERACY HANDBOOKS should have been returned. An e-mail reminding you and your parents will be sent later this afternoon if you have not already turned in these texts. Please bring these items by tomorrow lest you jeopardize your attendance at the pool party.
Once again, please look for any misplaced core novels, which I would prefer to have instead of the cash for the value of the book.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Remember to look under beds and desks for the grammar book if you have not already returned it (your blue ELEMENTS OF GRAMMAR). Scour your locker and bedrooms for any core novels so that you are NOT fined.
If you have not submitted your "Dear Eighth-grade Me," you should be working on its completion, for unless you have absences since 6/2, you will be penalized for tardiness. In class, you should have outlined your oral report UNLESS you opted to take the end-of-book assessment for your HOLOCAUST novel.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tomorrow at the end of your twenty minutes on the computer, your "Dear Eighth-grade Me" must be finished. Unless you have been absent since last Tuesday, you will be penalized if you do NOT hand in your letter at the end of class, but a 10% penalty may outweigh an incompelte submission.
Regarding the Holocaust novels, students who finish the books are encouraged to take the teacher-manufactured assessment since the grade is worth fifty points and can boost averages. In class, students will have the opportunity to write a rough draft of their oral presentations on whatever pages they've read (if they have not finished).
Review the twelve spelling words for a miniature quiz.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fix/write strong clincher and topic sentences for each of your "Dear Eighth-grade Me" paragraphs, which you once again printed out today in school.
If you did not finish class work, which was to syllabify the remaining NJ ASK words, for which you will only need to know spelling (since all the words mean the same thing), and write them five times each:
predict
expect
forecast
foretell
prophesy
speculate
consider
guess
hypothesize
reflect on
think
wonder
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Edit and revise your "Dear Eighth-grade Me" letters that you printed out today in class. Brainstorm any ideas for paragraphs or sections you have not finished. (NOTE: You will have at least two more days of in-class typing to complete this assignment.)
*Locate your grammar book, which was distributed at Back-to-School Night. Remove any papers, etc., and await a nice day -- no RAIN -- to return in mint condition. Also, please look under beds and desks for core novels. Many of our paperback books are in poor condition, so I would never wish to charge a student, especially if a little detective work or hunting expedition can recover the item.
Make up any overdue work ASAP.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Study IDEAL and PREJUDICED for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz. If you owe any work, complete ASAP.
Friday, June 5, 2009 (Final NS vocabulary quiz is set for Tuesday.)
As you know, the spring weekends are reserved for CATCHING UP! If you did not complete last night's grammar assignment (Exercise 5 on page 202), complete ASAP, knowing that you are penalized 10% each day. Consider collecting all your NUMBER THE STAR quizzes for a 6.5/6.5 grade if you have all thirteen; even twelve quizzes (6/6.5) will boost most students' grades. Afternoon literacy blocks received their grades sheets, which are still a work in progress. I hope to upload tonight, including last night's HW (page 202), the preposition quiz on thirty-five prepositions memorized to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" and any other recently received work. (NOTE: Morning literacy students will receive a hard copy on Monday for their perusal.)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Study next five vocabulary words (WARILY is the first of Thursday night's words).
Using ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE, read pages 200-201, completing Exercise 4 and Oral Practice 3 orally, completing Exercise 5 (p. 202) on paper, jotting the answers like last night's HW.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Study next five vocabulary words (WARILY is the first of Thursday night's words).
Using ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE, read pages 196-198. Complete Exercise 2 orally (page 198) and Exercise 3 (page 199) in writing (as we did in class, merely writing the correct tense or word).
Do Ex. 2 (oral) and Ex. 3 written
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
BAND/ORCHESTRA concert - no homework. If you are in chorus, study vocabulary.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Study next five vocabulary words of your final NUMBER THE STARS vocabulary list. Tentatively, the quiz date is next Tuesday (6/9).
Read Chapter 16 of NS, anticipating a quiz.
Friday, May 29, 2009 (SUBSTITUTE)
NO HW is assigned this weekend UNLESS you owe work!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Study the first five words of the new and final NUMBER THE STARS book.
Read Ch. 15, anticipating a quiz.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 (FIELD DAY 2009)
Study the final five words for tomorrow's fifteen-point quiz. If you did not read Chapter 14 yesterday, do so (keeping in mind that you won't have a quiz but a timed open-ended response to complete in class).
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Study next five words (FROTHY through SURGE).
Read Chapter 14 of NS.
*If you owe work, complete ASAP.
Field day is currently scheduled for tomorrow; wear your colors.
Friday, May 22, 2009 (Late update to HW - Sunday at 5:57)
If you were absent on Friday, be prepared to take a five-point quiz on Ch. 11, which you were assigned to read (Thursday night). In class, we brainstormed and wrote "meaty" sentences for the first new vocabulary words, including the three MOCKs (adjective, noun, and verb). Near the end of class, students listened to exciting Chapter 12 before taking a seven-point reading quiz.
Use the three-day weekend to make up any missing writing or reading assignments.
FIELD DAY 2009 is scheduled for Wednesday (as long as the weather cooperates) and Thursday is the date for the NS #3 vocabulary quiz.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Study the first five NS #3 words, which were distributed in class! The tentative date for the next vocabulary quiz is Thursday of next week, keeping in mind that Monday is MEMORIAL DAY and Wednesday is FIELD DAY, so studying over the three-day weekend may be necessary for some students who wish to boost their vocabulary quiz grades.
Read Chapter 11 of NUMBER THE STARS.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Study all NS #2 vocabulary words for FOURTEEN-point quiz tomorrow. Please accept my apology for misstating THIRTEEN as the quiz's value, but my fondness for the number sometimes overshadows reality.
Continue to review "Yankee Doodle" preposition song. Also, I apologize for the misspelling of YANKEE on a prior night's HW HOTLINE!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Write a "meaty" open-ended response relating yourself to one of the four prompts and Chapter 8 of NUMBER THE STARS, "There Has Been a Death":
- naming a pet
- sleepy haze/daze or sleepwalking incident
- ecentric relative story
- attendance at a wake, memorial service, or funeral.
DO NOT FORGET BRAINSTORMING, which can include web, cluster, etc.
Study the next five vocabulary words of NS #2, saving the final three for tomorrow's HW (fourteen-point quiz is on Thursday, 5/21).
Practice "Yankee Doodle" preposition song.
Monday, May 18, 2009
In class we read Ch. 6 of NS (followed by a quiz). Read Ch. 7, anticipating a quiz tomorrow.
Study the first five vocabulary words of NS #2.
Review the "Yankee Doodle" preposition song.
Friday, May 15, 2009
In class today, you received your second NS vocabulary list, which has thirteen words (PROBE is written twice as a noun AND verb). The tentative date for the vocabulary quiz is Thursday. Also, I read Chapter 5 to the students, asking literary term and grammatical questions for group points, and administered a five-point quiz, so absentee students should take notes and/or read carefully.
Complete any overdue work.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
For the majority of students (anyone who wasn't absent Monday through Thursday), NJ ASK testing has ended. Keep in mind that we will be resuming our work with NUMBER THE STARS, grammar, and vocabulary. Tomorrow, I will distribute the second vocabulary list for this core novel (but you may access it from HW HOTLINE or EDLINE) along with your graded tests from last Thursday. Please remember your book, for your team's points may depend on your preparation.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
In preparation for the fourth and FINAL day of NJ ASK testing, make sure that you get to sleep at a reasonable time, eating a healthy breakfast to sustain you through a morning of math testing.
If you owe work, take advantage of the reprieve from additional homework.
You may wish to start learning the new vocabulary words: NUMBER THE STARS #2.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
In preparation for the third day of NJ ASK testing, make sure that you get to sleep at a reasonable time, eating a healthy breakfast to sustain you through a morning of math testing.
If you owe work, take advantage of the reprieve from additional homework.
You may wish to start learning the new vocabulary words: NUMBER THE STARS #2.
Monday, May 11, 2009
In preparation for the second day of NJ ASK testing, make sure that you get to sleep at a reasonable time, eating a healthy breakfast to sustain you through another morning of literacy (language arts) testing.
If you owe work, take advantage of the reprieve from additional homework.
You may wish to start learning the new vocabulary words: NUMBER THE STARS #2.
Friday, May 8, 2009 (COLONIAL FAIRE DAY)
In preparation for the NJ ASK, make sure that you get to sleep at a reasonable time on Sunday night, eating a healthy breakfast to sustain you through a morning of testing.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
DON'T FORGET YOUR COLONIAL FAIRE COSTUME!
For Friday, May 8, submit your open-ended paragraph response, with brainstorming, for Chapter 4 of NUMBER THE STARS. Please bring to your homeroom, for I am asking your homeroom teacher to collect for me. If you're late to homeroom, find me on your way to lunch on Friday.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz on NS #1 words. If you scroll down, you will see the words with 5/5 and 5/4 HW.
F
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 (cinco de mayo)
Read Chapter 4 of NUMBER THE STARS, keeping in mind that you will have an open-ended response, not a quiz.
Study the final six vocabulary words:
ra tion
haugh ti ly
cur few
glow er
bel low
dis may
Monday, May 4, 2009
Today, we started our first day of cooperative work (since NJ ASK testing will occur when we should start -- right after PROGRESS REPORTS).
1. Read Ch. 3, anticipating a quiz,
2. Review the next seven words so that you are familiar with spelling, parts of speech and definitions for the first twelve:
5/4 de fi ant ly
ob sti nate
hood lum
sab o tage
im pas sive
ju bi lee
daw dle
5/1
lank y
stock y
stern
con tempt
sulk
Friday, May 1, 2009
No official HW is assigned over the weekend, but if you owe work, complete it ASAP.
Thursday, April 30. 2009
Read Chapter 2 of NUMBER THE STARS, anticipating a quiz on the reading.
Study NS #1 words: LANKY, STOCKY, STERN, CONTEMPT, and SULK. NOTE: These words can be found below as a QUIA game. The tentative day for a vocabulary quiz (spelling, definition, and part of speech) was Thursday, May 7, but because of Colonial Faire rehearsal, we may have to adjust the schedule.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Study NJ ASK word (and synonyms): o pin ion
at ti tude
be lief
judg ment
per spec tive (point of view)
Read Chapter 1 of NUMBER THE STARS, anticipating a quiz on the reading.
*IF YOU HAVE NOT YET MASTERED YOUR NJ ASK WORDS FROM PRIOR NIGHTS, DO SO TONIGHT! SIMILARLY, BE SURE TO REVIEW SIMPLE SUBJECT AND SIMPLE PREDICATE TO PREPARE FOR ANOTHER QUIZ.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Study NJ ASK word (and synonyms): in spi ra tion
en cour age ment
muse
stim u la tion
mo ti va tion
Finish essay and attach rough draft for Wednesday submission (tomorrow).
Monday, April 27, 2009
Review IN COR PO RATE and its definitions (include, combine, etc.)!
Work on your essay (president or invention), which is due on Wednesday. Keep in mind that students do NOT have to submit to the PROVIDENT Bank contest (and no extra credit will be awarded from me).
Friday, April 24, 2009 - 3:30 P.M.
Unless you owe work, including overdue HW like the Holocaust article reponses (connection, reaction or Q&A in complete sentences) or studying NJASK vocabulary words (ESSENTIAL or FACT) or memorizing your bird poem (postponed for first literacy block,and both afternoon classes, due to inadequate preparation from most but not all presenters), you have no HW.
Keep in mind that the Provident essay must have a word count between 400 and 410. Submission to the contest is not necessary, but the essay will be due Wednesday with class time given on Monday and Tuesday (electronic submission to the contest has a 4/28 deadline).
Thursday, April 23, 2009 (TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY 2009)
Look below for today's HW since it was shared yesterday with all students in anticipation of TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY 2009.
If you owe your SAVING THE PEREGRINE paragraph, here's a reminder:
That assignment is simply a paragraph response including the presentation of three facts the student learned (one from the beginning or pages 1-16, middle or pages 17-32, and end from page 33 on), the explanation of how and why one of those three aforementioned facts is a favorite and an overall clincher of what the student learned about the environment or peregrine falcons or people's impact on nature or hardworking scientists, etc. An overall clincher is a nice touch, too!
In addition to the falcon paragraph, the rough draft of the invention or president essay was due Wednesday. Hand in ASAP!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 (EARTH DAY 2009)
Review today's vocabulary word and its synonyms:
es sen tial
crit i cal
fun da men tal
key
vi tal
Likewise, study tomorrow's word and its synonyms if you are joining your parents at Take Your Child to Work Day 2009:
fact
ac tu al i ty
re al i ty
truth
ver i ty
Read the HOLOCAUST article distributed in class.
If you're absent tomorrow, keep in mind that Thursday's homework related to this article is to use the blank space to write a connection, reaction or Q&A (NOTE: Everything should be in complete sentences). On Friday, students will share their responses, reactions, or questions/answers in addition to performing their bird poem duet.
Here's the last line of the Holocaust article's final two columns:
(fourth column) Ph.D., the Cooperman/Ross en-
(fifth column) Bishops.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Work on your Provident essay; keep in mind that the rough draft is due tomorrow. Rough draft is a rough draft (and can be typed or handwritten). Since this is for a contest, I can only suggest and advise, so I'll be reading quickly and advising succintly, and you'll have the chance to revise, resubmitting the final to me (with the option to enter the contest).
If you did not finish your paragraph citing the three interesting facts you learned from your in-class reading of SAVING THE PEREGRINE FALCON, then complete your paragraph using your HAWK PACKET notes (or your great memory). Keep in mind the paragraph structure: topic sentence (question intro can provide a two-sentence opener), three supporting details (and an extra detail for the superlative fact), and a clincher.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Work on your essay rough draft.
Study for tomorrow's twenty-one point quiz. I will dictate the seven words; then you will have to use the word bank with partial spellings to match synonyms; the footer contains the three definitions for compare/composition/contrast.
Analyze – evaluate, examine, investigate, scrutinize
Attribute (n.) – characteristic, element, feature, quality, trait
Compare – judge, showing similar elements of two or more items measured side by side
Composition (n.) – short piece of writing, especially a school exercise
Construct – compose, create, form
Contrast – judge, showing differences of two or more items measured side by side
Describe – depict, explain, illustrate, portray
Friday, April 17, 2009 (NOTE: Technically there is no HW for students on weekends as of spring break, but if you have shirked your studying in the past or frittered away your research time, then catch up!)
Study the first seven NJASK vocabulary words for a quiz on Tuesday.
Work on great ideas/brainstorming/prewriting for invention/president Provident essay. (NOTE: The rough draft of four paragraphs -- intro, two body paragraphs -- and conclusion -- is due on Wednesday, April 22).
Postponed poem duet oral presentation (by heart): Thursday and/or Friday of next week.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Study your grammar notes for a quiz on simple subjects/predicates and sentence types, including end punctuation.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Read Chapters 21 and 22 of MSM -- be prepared for a quiz.
Periods 7/8: We'll review Ch. 20 -- I'm sorry that I don't know how to stop your classmates from asking so many questions; this reminds me of FRINDLE.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Read Ch. 20 of MSM -- be prepared for a quiz.
Study vocabulary.
Review grammar notes.
Monday, April 13, 2009
For twenty minutes, read nonfiction book distributed in class: 100 People Who Changed America.
Study first seven vocabulary NJASK words.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
NO HW. Per Mrs. McMillan's promise, students will have no weekend HW after spring break.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Read the Henry Winkler article, "'One...Word...at...a...Time'" distributed in class; if you were not in school, use this link to access it: http://www.nj.com/parenting/ben_horowitz/index.ssf/2009/04/henry_winkler_tells_kids_how_h.html
NOTE: If you are celebrating Passover tonight, let me know tomorrow so that I can give you additional time to complete this reading. (Oops - I thought tomorrow was the first day of Passover, but the holiday begins tonight AND I would have skipped HW for all students -- SORRY!)
Tomorrow in class, students will have an opportunity to "proof their grades," which I intend to upload tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
For those students who have Mrs. McMillan during first and second periods or seventh and eight periods, jot notes on Chapter 19 for tomorrow's quiz, which I postponed for my first two literacy blocks and half of my last literacy block.
Practice your part of the bird poem duet.
Review the first seven NJASK vocabulary words.
Make up any MP3 work that is OVERDUE!
Monday, April 6, 2009 (Substitute - McMillan Bereavement Day)
Read Chapter 19 for tomorrow's open-note quiz.
Make up any overdue MP3 work (see Friday, March 27 blurb).
Friday, March 27, 2009
NO HW IS ASSIGNED UNLESS STUDENT OWES MAKE-UP WORK OR WAS ABSENT AND WANTS A JUMP ON FRIDAY'S MISSED ASSIGNMENT.
On Friday, we used most of the literacy block to complete the MSM postcard (see HAWK PACKET) with two paragraphs using the rubric to maximize score (of forty-one points). Those students with artistic ability were encouraged to illustrate the front but access to WordArt and clip art was provided during class for any student who preferred Mrs. McMillan's method -- since she can't draw...have you seen her stick figures?
Look on EDLINE and below for MSM rubric and assignment.
EXTRA CREDIT: On Monday, April 6, 2009, or ASAP but no later than Wednesday, April 8, students may earn a 25/25 score for collecting fourteen of MSM graded and returned* quizzes, two end-of-book tests (worth triple) for MP3 (CRICKET and BF ), four vocabulary assessments (BF, two BEN AND ME, CTS) and "Author Study" from HAWK PACKET (completed on separate paper).
Thursday, March 26, 2009 (Today is the penultimate day of the third marking period.)
Read Chapter 18.
Bring colored pencils so that you can work on your MSM project (postcard).
Study your NJASK words through the seventh word.
Make up any missing or overdue assignments.
Wednesday, March 25 (Thankfully, I now know what day of the week it is! Yesterday, I listed Monday on HOMEWORK HOTLINE - ugh!)
Read the next three chapters of MSM (pages 101-115). NOTE: If you were absent, you should read Chapter 12 and one other chapter or three shorter chapters.
Review the first seven NJASK words; don't learn more until you've mastered these!
If you owe work, please complete it ASAP.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 (3:23 P.M. update)
Read Ch. 14 of MSM. Take notes unless you've been receiving great grades on the quizzes.
Study the first seven NJASK words.
Complete any make-up work (e.g., "Dreams" blog).
Monday, March 23, 2009
Read Ch. 13 of MSM.
Study NJASK vocabulary words (first six).
Make up any overdue work (e.g., "Author Study: Jean Craighead George" or blog response to "Dreams" or "Generosity")
Friday, March 20, 2009
Read Ch. 12 of MSM. (It's long, so take breaks, focusing on what's important or interesting.)
Study your NJASK words. Look at last Friday's HW for the list of words. You should know the first five.
Make up any overdue work like AUTHOR STUDY or "DREAMS" blog or....
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Read Ch. 11 of MSM.
Study next word on NJASK list of words (Hint: You should know the first four.)
If you missed class, we reviewed simple subjects and predicates, using the second pages of TOWSON UNIVERSITY Internet pages:
http://www.new.towson.edu/ows/exercisesubjpred2.htm
http://www.new.towson.edu/ows/execisersubjpred4.htm
Make up any overdue work (e.g., AUTHOR STUDY).
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Read Ch. 10 of MSM.
On a separate piece of paper complete the AUTHOR STUDY (from the HAWK PACKET), which we reviewed in class (e.g., rephrasing question in answer).
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Read the next two chapters of MSM (pages 46-54). If you have done well on the daily quizzes without taking notes, then I won't force you, but consider whether or not your present strategy is working for you.
Study the first three lines of NJASK vocabulary words through COMPARE – judge, showing similar elements of two or more items measured side by side.
Make up any overdue or missing work (Have you uploaded your "Dreams" response? Is it your best effort?)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Read Chapter 7 of MSM, jotting notes if you wish to discuss topics with others who have ALSO taken notes.
Study the first two NJASK words and their synonyms. Scroll down to March 13 for the list of words.
By tomorrow at 3:00 P.M., upload your response to "DREAMS" on turnitin.com. (NOTE: This is a revised date.)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Read Chapter 6 of MSM, jotting notes if you wish to discuss topics with others who have diligently jotted notes.
By Monday at 3 P.M., students should upload a response to DREAMS to the turnitin.com blog.
Begin learning ANALYZE, the first of your new vocabulary words (NJASK words, which are VERBS unless otherwise noted:
Analyze – evaluate, examine, investigate, scrutinize
Attribute (n.) – characteristic, element, feature, quality, trait
Compare – judge, showing similar elements of two or more items measured side by side
Composition (n.) – short piece of writing, especially a school exercise
Construct – compose, create, form
Contrast – judge, showing differences of two or more items measured side by side
Describe – depict, explain, illustrate, portray
Essential (adj.) – critical, fundamental, key, vital
Fact (n.) – actuality, reality, truth, verity
Incorporate – combine or include one thing with another so as to form a united whole
Inspiration (n.) – encouragement, motivation, muse, stimulation
Opinion (n.) – attitude, belief, judgment, perspective (point of view)
Predict – expect, forecast, foretell, prophesy (speculate)
Speculate – consider, guess, hypothesize, reflect on, think, wonder (predict)
March 12, 2009 (3:13 P.M. upload)
Read Chapter 5 of MSM, jotting notes if you wish to discuss topics with others who have diligently jotted notes.
Study your BEN AND ME words for tomorrow's quiz.
*If you're absent, just focus on getting better!
March 11, 2009 (Late upload - 7 P.M.)
Yes, there is HW! For those of you who were in school, read Chapter 4 of MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.
(NOTE: On Monday, we read and discussed each page of the chapter before the seven-point quiz. Results were very good. Yesterday, students read and discussed Ch. 2 with teammates prior to another seven-point quiz. After reading Ch. 3, students discussed and shared their notes with teammates before taking the quiz (six points only).
Practice writing sentences for BEN AND ME vocabulary words.
*For those students who have missed school due to illnessl, rest and get better soon!
March 10, 2009
Read HUNTRESS article. If you left the article in school, here's the link:http://blog.nj.com/iamnj/ and scroll down to Rosemarie Hight.
Study vocabulary for BEN AND ME.
March 9, 2009
Read cougar newspaper article.
Study vocabulary for BEN AND ME.
Make up any overdue work.
*REVIEW dream on turnitin.com and respond by Friday.
March 6, 2009
If you owe no CRICKET work and correctly pasted your generosity paragraph to turnitin.com, then you have NO HOMEWORK (other than studying for next Friday's BEN AND ME vocabulary assessment - sentence variation).
To access the bullets for Chapters 11 and 12, scroll down to 2/25-26 of HOMEWORK HOTLINE.
Feel free to access TURNITIN.COM from home, but remember to use the ID you entered (e.g., mine is pmcmillan@shsd.org) and the password you supplied, which includes numbers and letters). Comments may be misinterpreted, so do NOT say, "Great job!" because someone might think you're being sarcastic.
March 5, 2009
Study for end-of-book test. Note: We discussed possible questions in class using the BF, AA format.
March 4, 2009
Read Chapter 15, jotting notes or questions to pose against rival teams.
Friday will be THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE end-of-book test with a format similar to fifty-point BF, AA assessment.
Study the BEN AND ME vocabulary for another test (sentence format) next Friday.
Review the grammar notes you jotted today.
March 3, 2009
Read Chapter 14, jotting notes or questions to pose against rival teams. Friday will be the end-of-book test with a format similar to fifty-point BF, AA assessment.
Study the BEN AND ME vocabulary for another test (sentence format) next Friday.
Review the grammar notes you jotted today.
March 2, 2009 (SNOW DAY)
February 27, 2009
Read Chapter 13 of THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE.
Finish your blog entry by Wednesday, March 4, at 3:00 P.M. (What's a blog? In the library today, you worked on revising your generosity paragraphs, using the comments I wrote. On Monday, I will show you, via the projector, how to copy and paste in the blog I have set up using the school's protected provider.)
NOTE: We will be in the library again on Monday (both periods if necessary).
February 26, 2009 (4:30 addition of first paragraph reminder about blogging)
Remember that we will be in the library during second, seventh, and ninth periods to work on BLOGGING. If you word processed your GENEROSITY paragraph, don't forget to send it to me or your school account so that you don't have to retype everything.
Study for tomorrow's twenty-two point CRICKET quiz on spelling, definitions, and parts of speech.
Is you were absent, I have included CW that students had twenty-two minutes to complete.
Read Chapter 12 and jot notes to the eight prompts:
· body language – Tucker
· 3 supporting details/facts about talent
· repetition
· Animals' vs. Humans' "tastes"
· contrast settings' connection to plot
· Smedley's 3 reactions
· Smedley's body language
· superlative
February 25, 2009 (Ash Wednesday for some students)
1. Read Chapter 11 of THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE and JOT NOTES to the Ch. 11 bullets below. Keep in mind that effort is the goal, and I expect responses to all eight topics!
o monkeying
o transportation and $
o pessimist
o scapegoat
o body language
o name-calling
o serendipity
o narrative hook
2. Study final five words. The quiz ia Friday.
February 24, 2009
HW: Master next four vocabulary words and write a well-written paragraph showing a personal connection to the theme of generosity AFTER an engaging introduction that shows, in detail, how generosity is a theme of Chapter 9, "The Chinese Dinner."
*Keep in mind that the generosity example the student chooses canNOT involve a blood relation or relative. I provided two verbal examples in class using my childhood neighbor, Mrs. Kiser. Here's one: Since my parents would not consent to our family's getting a dog, I pined in vain for a canine companion. When my neighbors purchased their fox terrier, they allowed me to name the dog, knowing full well of my fondness and desire for dogs. Most days after school, I could be spotted petting the dog for long spans of time. Never did Mrs. Kiser, tell me, "Scat," or query, "Don't you have anything better to do?" Was this a monetary exchange? No? Was this generosity? In my mind it was.
February 23, 2009
Learn the next set of vocabulary words (through resolve). Keep in mind that I expect mastery of spelling, part(s) of speech, and definitions. The quiz is set for Friday.
Read Chapters 9-10, jotting bullets or notes.
February 20, 2009
Learn the first five/six words (if you count STOUT twice) for our new word list: SUB SIDE, NICHE, STOUT, RE SIGN, and DIN. On Monday, I'll let you know if the quiz will be on Friday since we have FEWER words.
If you didn't read Chapters 7 and 8 of CRICKET, jotting notes on figurative language, humor, cause and effect IN ADDITION to setting, character, plot, and theme, then you may wish to do so. On Monday, you will be allowed to use your notes to complete a quiz (fifteen or so points); don't forget your notes since they'll count for a couple of points.
Please be willing to share your BF, AA test with your parents when they receive your progress report. You should have your former vocabulary test for BF, AA (definitions and sentences), "Ashlad and the Troll," and most of the other non-performance assignments. Keep in mind that the format of the upcoming CRICKET end-of-book test will is the same as BF, AA: short answer, complete sentence response, and two open-ended responses.
Look for an upload to Easy Grade Pro tonight, but I really want to grade the vocabulary tests, so perhaps I'll have another upload by Sunday. Speaking of Sunday, don't forget to attend the fund-raiser if that's OK with your parents.
February 19, 2009
STUDY for tomorrow's vocabulary assessment!
February 18, 2009
Jot bullets after or while you read Chs. 7-8 of CTS.
Study for Friday's vocabulary, spelling, and part(s) of speech assessment.
February 17, 2009
In class, we reviewed the final five vocabulary words: per pe trate, scur ri lous, max im, cat call, and dis sem i nate. Study these and the former thirty-five words for Friday's assessment.
Read the fifth and sixth chapters, jotting notes on new characters, setting, etc. Pay attention to repetition or figurative language as you read.
*If you had NOT completed bullets for Chs. 3-4 of THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE and were NOT absent, then you are losing credit; complete ASAP.
February 11, 2009
Other than studying the next five vocabulary words -- be drag gled, ap pa ri tion, touch, mill, and throng, I canceled my plan to give homework over the miniature break. I checked students' 2/10 homework and awarded effort points (2/2) for those who wrote notes for last night's chapters, Chs. 3-4. Other students, who had not done the assigned bullets, were encouraged to complete and submit upon our return, next Tuesday.
February 10, 2009
1. Study the next five vocabulary words. In class, we reviewed CUR, A VAIL, ILL-CLAD, YO KEL, and LU DI CROUS.
2. Read and jot bullets on the third and fourth chapters of our new core novel: THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE.
February 9, 2009
1. Study the next five vocabulary words. In class, we reviewed how easy DOFF and DON are! Look at the definitions! I hope you see the TRICK!
2. Read and jot bullets on the first two chapters of our new core novel: THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE. Bullets should be on the five elements of fictions: SETTING (Where? When?), CHARACTERS (Who?), PLOT (sequence of events and if you've had Mr. T., you know EXPOSITION, NARRATIVE HOOK, RISING ACTION, TURNING POINT/CLIMAX, FALLING ACTION, and RESOLUTION), THEME (Message?), and POINT OF VIEW (first person, third person limited or omnisient).
February 6, 2009
1. Study the next vocabulary words; you should know the first twenty. In class, we syllabified.
2. Please ask an adult to read THE NEWSWEEK article with you. If your adult/guardian signs and says that he/she read with you, you will earn a 4/4 grade. Remember that YOU, by yourself, are only responsible for reading the last page of the article that begins with W.
February 5, 2009
Tomorrow is our fifty-point assessment/end-of-book assessment on BF, AA. Notes may not be used, but by all means use those notes to review tonight. In each of the classes, we reviewed for a minimum of one class period. NOTE: If you were absent, see me to review (during activity or lunch). The test will include three parts: short answer (14 points), rephrased questions with support (12 points), and two open-ended paragraph response (24 points).
By tomorrow, you should have mastered the first fifteen words. In class, we will discuss the next five to ten words.
February 4, 2009
Learn the next five vocabulary words and MASTER the prior ten.
Review the comma worksheet that was completed over the weekend and reviewed today. Master the rules/material!
Review your notes for the BF, AA end-of-book test, which is scheduled for Friday.
NOTE: If you were absent today, be sure that you can prove all the careers mentioned on page 88 of BF, AA. Give as much detail as you can.
February 3, 2009 (Fifty years ago is "The day the music died..." according to "American Pie")
Finish reading BF, AA. In class, we took notes on Chapters 6-7, and students were given ten to fifteen minutes to finish Ch. 8. Other than several minutes here and there, we will no longer devote class time to note-taking. Friday's assessment on our book is worth approximately fifty points. No notes will be allowed, but I encourage students to review their notes, especially on Thursday afternoon/evening.
Be sure to review the first ten words of our new list (definitions, parts of speech, and spelling) for BEN AND ME. In class, last Thursday's vocabulary quizzes were distributed and reviewed. Anyone with a score lower than 80% on the 20.5 side should be making flashcards. All students are expected to hold on to their MP3 work for parental review next week AFTER the BF, AA assessments have been graded. So far students only have "Ashlad and the Troll" quizzes and 2/29's double-sided vocabulary quizzes.
Groundhog Day 2009 (February 2, 2009)
Study your new vocabulary words that go along with BEN AND ME, a book we will be reading in class in the coming weeks. In class we reviewed the first ten, but you are only responsible for the first five tonight.
Read pages 48-58.
January 30, 2009
Complete pages 18-19 (effort grade) of comma worksheet distributed in class.
Read pages 36-47 of BF, AA; remember to bring your book to class on a daily basis.
If you owe any work for MP3 (e.g., paragraphs on spender vs. saver or serendipity vs. optimism), make up the work ASAP.
January 29. 2009
Read Chapter 4, pages 25-35, of BF, AA. After reading the chapter, in a paragraph persuade your classmates and me that Ben is either an OPTIMIST (someone who sees the bright side of any situation) or the BENEFICIARY of luck (SERENDIPITY). In class, we used the flat tire as an example for the cheerful optimist and yesterday's SNOW DAY as serendipity for those who wait until the last day to study.
* If you owe any work for MP3, complete as soon as possible.
January 28, 2009 -- SNOW DAY!
January 27, 2009 (3:45 P.M. update).
Study for tomorrow's assessments. Refer to your former quizzes for the set-up: Part 1 includes dictated words, parts of speech identification, and matching; Part 2 includes context clues, sentence type identification, and end punctuation.
January 26, 2009 (Chinese New Year of the Ox)
Read pages 14-24 of BEN FRANKLIN. AMAZING AMERICAN.
Write a paragraph comparing or contrasting yourself with young Ben Franklin with regards to money. As I mentioned in class, I am looking for you to engage the reader (assume the reader knows nothing), show what you know about Ben Franklin and money, and compare OR contrast yourself, using a specific and well-detailed incident. Don't forget that you need a minimum of five sentences -- but you can certainly write more -- following the paragraph outline reviewed in class: topic sentence (introductory sentence), supporting details, and concluding sentence (clincher).
Study your vocabulary for Wednesday's assessment.
January 23, 2009
1. Read "Ashlad and the Troll," jotting notes (e.g., unfamiliar words should be defined, find the moral/theme, keep track of characters, setting, and plot, identify figurative language). Please accept my apologies for having misspelled ASHLAD on the HW board.
2. Study vocabulary words for BEN FRANKLIN, AMAZING AMERICAN. The quiz is now set for Wednesday, January 28. Use your former quizzes as a study guide, making sure that you know parts of speech, definitions, and spelling for each word.
3. If you did NOT submit your persuasive essay project today and were NOT absent (as only one or two students were), you will be penalized. In class, we assembled the projects, putting the final draft on top, rough drafts below, and four copies of class work (paragraphs) at the bottom. If I noticed that double-spacing was NOT applied, or date was not aligned with closing, or any other item, I discussed the approximate point loss with students. If something would have decreased the project's value by more than one point, the student and I discussed how this is a LEARNING experience and student should take the draft home for revision and resubmission on Monday. For example, one student did NOT have a copy of his concluding paragraph, except for its inclusion in his final draft. That omission would reduce the grade by five points. (NOTE: You may scroll down to Tuesday's HW for further discussion of these points). I put my initials on your child's work and explained what needed to be fixed. DO NOT PANIC! If I accept work that does NOT follow "FINAL COPY FORMAT," I'm likely to see these errors again and again. Please believe me when I tell you that we reviewed ALL of these items in class, but a lot has been expected. Tell your child to do his or her best (and to follow up with me on Monday morning or at activity period.)
January 22, 2009
1. Review the first fifteen vocabulary words (through ENGROSS). NOTE: The quiz set for Tuesday has been pushed back one day so that it does NOT coincide with a math unit test.
2. FINALIZE your essays, using the rubric to help attain the highest grade possible.
3. Since tomorrow is the last day of the marking period, submit any overdue work ASAP.
January 21, 2009 (Field trip to FREEDOM TRAIN at RVCC)
1. Review the first ten vocabulary words.
2. Scroll down to yesterday's HW to review the rubric/checklist for Friday's essay submission. (NOTE: I did my best to give a hard copy to each student even if I didn't teach him or her today.) If students bring their persuasive essays on Thursday, I can "eyeball" them and suggest any last-minute changes.
3. Make up any overdue work ASAP.
Inauguration Day 2009 (1/20/09)
1. Review the first five vocabulary words of our new list for BF, AMAZING AMERICAN. By Friday, you should know the first fifteen words (through ENGROSS) with the tentative quiz date for MP3 on Tuesday 1/27/09.
2. Work on your five-paragraph essay, which is NOW due on Friday, January 23. Tomorrow is a field trip, so I did my best to share the expectations with students:
o twenty-five points for five-paragraph essay using BMS "Final Copy Format"
o four points for each of the four paragraphs (body, mind, behavior, and intro) that were completed in class
o five points for rough draft concluding paragraph (completed over the past weekend or before 1/22)
o one point for full date written (aligned with closing)
o one point for salutation
o one point for closing (aligned with date)
o one point for student signature (in cursive, of course)
o one point for signature of adult to whom letter was addressed
o five points for five highlighted topic sentences (one per paragraph)
o four points (one each) for four highlighted clincher sentences (with lead-in to next paragraph - so concluding paragraph has a clincher but no transition to next sentence).
3. Complete any make-up work ASAP; the marking period ends on FRIDAY.
January 16, 2009 (NOTE: Enjoy your day off in honor of M.L.K, Jr.)
Return your Patriots' baseball diamonds if you chose to read six or twelve books in a month by 1/20/09.
Work on your final draft of your five paragraph essay on the three-part improvement plan. This assignment is due Thursday, January 22. In class, we reviewed the "Final Copy Format" pages (33-34). LITERACY HANDBOOKS and CLASS NOTEBOOKS were sent home with students, BUT student is reponsible for item arriving home. If you need to access the BMS LITERACY HANDBOOK via the Web, here's the link: http://www.shsd.org/NewSite/middleSchool/BMSInfo/LiteracyHandbook_Rev022807.pdf
January 15, 2009
Study all of the vocabulary words, reviewing spelling parts of speech, and definitions.
If you owe any work, complete ASAP.
January 14, 2009
Study all of the vocabulary words, remembering to review spelling, part(s) of speech, and definitions. The assessment will be this Friday (even though I am aware you have a quiz of eleven words for science). If I were not working to help you in class, I might budge on the date, but I'm set with Friday.
Complete both sides of the double-sided worksheet from GRAMMAR WORKS!(pages 12 and 13). Read the directions and look at the example. Page 13 is actually extra credit, so you can earn more than a 7/7.
January 13, 2009
1. Review the spelling -- let syllabification on the back help you -- and definitions AND parts of speech for the vocabulary words through BLITHE.
2. For approximately, fifteen minutes, interact with the text (a newspaper article that was distributed in class) that has a spoof inaugural poem. Full credit will be given if student opts to analyze the poem for rhyme or rhyme scheme, figurative language, etc., or complete the W/H questions, defining any unfamiliar words.
January 12, 2009
1. Review vocabulary through RAMPART. Make sure you review the spelling (see the back side for the syllabification) and parts of speech. Right now, I'm hoping to assess your knowledge on Friday (before our three-day weekend), but I have to check with your other Team 5 teachers (and let you know tomorrow). NOTE: I'm assuming that you should spend ten minutes doing this.
2. Read the PARADE article by Cesar Millan. Interact with the text. For those of you who did not do the WINTER BREAK EXTRA CREDIT, this means to define any unfamiliar vocabulary words, identify PUNS, FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE, ALLITERATION or ONOMATOPOEIA, and know the W/H questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Note: If you did not have your parents sign your plan for MIND, BODY, and BEHAVIOR, do so (for reduced credit).
If you owe any work, complete ASAP.
January 9, 2009
1. Review vocabulary included on the four patriotic poems we discussed this week and poetry terms (e.g., stanza). Regarding the vocabulary, we'll discuss part of speech and quiz expectations on Monday; look for a quiz next Thursday or Friday.
2. Review capitalization rules.
3. Brainstorm in writing your improvement plan for MIND, BODY, and BEHAVIOR. Keep in mind that this three-pronged approach is Benjamin Franklin's idea (and we will be reading more about him in two weeks). Over the weekend, discuss your ideas for a small and doable exercise or change in mind, body, and behavior. Except for a student who was absent, you should remember the suggestions: MIND: practice math facts five minutes a day OR look up any unfamiliar word in a recreational book OR...;
BODY: sit with good posture for five minutes each day OR stretch for a few minutes each day to help you OR...;
BEHAVIOR: be honest OR respond within three seconds when your parents call you (for whatever reason) OR....
After you've discussed your plan with your parents, you may begin (or start to implement). Have your parents sign the planner or brainstorming for proof that your parents know that you are going to try to follow this plan for about three weeks.
COMPLETE ANY OVERDUE WORK ASAP!
January 8, 2009
Read pages 5-7 of ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE, the blue textbook that you used yesterday. Using letters only, answer #11-18 on pages 7-8. Try to apply what we learned in class while reviewing last night's HW. Unlike last night's HW, each question will be worth 1/2 point (versus 1/4).
2. Review poetry terms and vocabulary (side notes on poems distributed in class).
3. Review capitalization rules.
January 7, 2009 (Delayed opening - 9:45 A.M.)
Read pages 2-5* of ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE, the blue textboook that is supposed to stay at home, completing #1-8 (letter only). NOTE: I wouldn't expect this to take you much more than ten or twelve minutes.
Review capitalization rules.
Review poetry terms.
If you owe any work, complete ASAP.
January 6, 2009 (Late update - 3:49)
Review the capitalization rules that we discussed in class. If you forget, look at your planner (Beginning of a sentence or quotation, I, brand name, city, state, month, day of week, sports team, island, continent, etc.)!
Review poetry notes.
Submit your photo with your favorite book if you have not already done so.
January 5, 2009
Review your poetry notes (on the back side of "My Country 'Tis of Thee").
Complete any missing work (per grade sheet distributed in class).
If you have NOT already submitted your photo to Ms. MacGorman, it is due on Wednesday. If you need an extension, please see me to explain your circumstance.
December 23, 2008 (12:20 Dismissal)
To all my students and their families,
Enjoy your break from the school routine. I look forward to seeing you in 2009 (Monday, January 5)!
Sincerely,
Mrs. McMillan
P.S. If you haven't completed your photo for Mrs. MacGorman's wall of fifth- and sixth-grade readers, please do so by Wednesday, January 7.
P.P.S. In the next several days, I hope to catch up with your work and upload your most recent grade since we have only three weeks when we return.
P.P.S. Don't forget about the WINTER BREAK EXTRA CREDIT. In total, the assignment will require an estimated six hours (fifteen minutes to read the article, twenty-five minutes for brainstorming, and fifteen to twenty minutes to write the summary paragraph). Follow directions and you'll earn a 60/60 grade.
December 22, 2208
In class today, we listened to the epilogue and authors' comments about historical accuracy via cassette tape while students who wished to take the make-up test for the homophones and homographs did so. As a whole we reviewed the final chapters of the book for group points (double points).
In cooperative groups, students worked through a newspaper article so that they would understand how to complete WINTER BREAK WORK (EXTRA CREDIT) if they chose to do so . If you weren't in class, you can access the article via this link: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1229405943219140.xml&coll=1 AND check EDLINE for how I modeled the brainstorming and summary paragraph.
If you know you'll be hungry (no lunch is served tomorrow), bring a snack.
December 19, 2008 (SNOW DAY)
On Monday, we will finish our team points for Week #2 even though some teams will be missing classmates. In place of a quiz on the final four chapters, which was scheduled for today, students will review and complete as a group.
On EDLINE, I have posted the EXTRA CREDIT - WINTER BREAK 2008. If you don't have your EDLINE account, please look for a link to QUIA page 23 below or use this address: http://www.quia.com/pages/pmcmillan/page23.
If you wish to participate in the Somerset Patriots' reading program, then begin reading today, completing six books at a reading level of approximately fourth-grade or higher (with no fewer than 100 pages) for one ticket voucher or twelve books for two vouchers by Tuesday, January 20. NOTE: Participation in this program will NOT affect your Literacy 5 grade as the WINTER BREAK EXTRA CREDIT will.
December 18, 2008
Finish and edit friendly letter to parents, which informs them of winter break extra credit. If you want extra credit (9/8), return tomorrow. If you lost your copy, you can access it from EDLINE (12/18 CW).
Work on your photography project for Ms. MacGorman; the optimal due date is next Tuesday but January 7 is OK, too.
Make up any missed work and review for homophones and homographs if you wish to boost your grade via Monday's make-up.
December 17, 2008
Write a rough draft of a paragraph supporting the FAVORITE book choice and "unique" setting for Miss MacGorman's "Reading Faces in Crazy Places." Note: Miss Mac is hoping that you'll complete this assignment before break, but please do so no later than Wednesday, January 7th (1/7/09).
Study homophones and homographs for TEAM POINTS and make-up vocabulary assessment scheduled for Monday, December 22.
December 16, 2008
Like HW for the last two nights, write TWO variations for four declarative sentences copied in class. NOTE: Tonight's HW is NOT merely an effort grade. If you need help, review your notes or access the answers via EDLINE. Once again, I have placed a copy on EDLINE on my literacy page (and I'm copying it right here after this colon):
1. In the meadow graze the horses.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
2. At the water’s edge, the adults jog.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
3. The athlete raced across the court.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
4. Down the mountain ski the students.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
Review your HOMOPHONES/HOMOGRAPHS test, making sure that you did NOT lose credit by error. Parents are NOT expected to sign this since I plan on uploading tomorrow or Thursday (and sending home a packet of work not yet seen).
December 15, 2008
Like Friday's HW, your task is to write TWO variations for four declarative sentences copied in class. Please remember that this HW assignment is an effort grade. Losing points for forgetting one's name or capitalizing the first word in a sentence or omitting end punctuation is CARELESSNESS pure and simple! Prove that you can learn from your mistakes. Once again, I have placed a copy on EDLINE on my literacy page (and I'm copying it right here after this colon):
1. By the river sang the woman.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
2. The angry child sat on the swing.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
3. Over the rainbow flew the busy insects.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
4. Beyond the forest lies the village.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
December 12, 2008
Write two variations for four sentences copied in class. Here's the key: S-V-PP or PP (optional comma)-S-V or PP-V-S. IF YOU WERE ABSENT or you left your copy in your locker, I have placed a copy on EDLINE on my literacy page (and a copy of the MICROSOFT PowerPoint that we watched in class) and I'm copying it right here after this colon:
1. The student walked across the classroom.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
2. Up the tree raced the squirrel.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
3. Down the river, the boat sailed.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
4. In the mud the child wailed.
· _________________________________
· _________________________________
Unfortunately, we did NOT get to read any of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD in class; fortunately for me, listening to the paragraphs more than compensated for the loss.
December 11, 2008 (Geography Bee Qualifier - Extended HR)
Write, edit, and/or revise your paragraph persuading your classmates and me, your teacher, that the scene you selected is the best scene so far in MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD. Do NOT write about a scene further along than the end of Ch. 10.
All in all, use 100 words as a ballpark figure for length. That would mean ten sentences of ten words each: two for the opening (e.g., introductory question and follow-up topic sentence) six for the supporting details and persuasion with adequate information for a teacher who doesn't know anything about the book (even if she's read it sixteen times -- think amnesia), and two for the closing or clincher.
ONE HUNDRED IS AN ESTIMATE FOR A TOP PAPER. REMEMBER THIS WILL BE READ ORALLY, SO I WON'T BE GRADING PUNCTUATION, SPELLING, OR CAPITALIZATION.
December 10, 2008 (Late update - morning of December 11, 2008)
STUDY FOR HOMOPHONES/HOMOGRAPHS!
If you owe work, complete ASAP.
NOTE: If you were absent from class, we read through half of Chapter X, stopping on page 134 with "cursing was a sin."
December 9, 2008
NO HW is assigned today out of deference to the BMS instrumental music department since the band and orchesta teachers and their students are presenting their pre-winter concert.
NOTE: If you owe any work, complete ASAP. Don't forget to review your words for Thursday's assessment (homophones and homographs).
December 8, 2008
1. Complete Ex. 14, p. 65, as instructed in class. (For any students who were absent, please read what follows:
o Please write the complete heading on a clean sheet of lined paper.
o Holding the paper in portrait mode, fold the paper so that you have two columns.
o Label the left column SIMPLE SUBJECT.
o Label the right column SIMPLE PREDICATE.
o Center the title, “Ex. 14,” p. 65.
Write the simple subjects and predicates found in Ex. 14, p. 65 of ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE.)
2. Study all twenty homophones/homographs for Thursday's test.
3. If you haven't already done so, return your friend letter with a parent or guardian's signature AND the packet of graded work by tomorrow, Tuesday.
NOTE: For any of my students who are attending a religious service tonight, you may be excused from the assigned written HW (as long as I receive a note or e-mail verifying you indeed attended).
December 5, 2008
Finish sentences on #1-5 and review BRAKE, BREAK, CHUTE, SHOOT, and COUNCIL.
Show your packet of second marking period work to your parent/guardian and return (packet and letter) with parent signature by Tuesday, December 9.
December 4, 2008 (NO HW - CHORAL CONCERT)
December 3, 2008
Write five sentences using those words we reviewed yesterday -- COUNSEL, CURRANT, CURRENT, FLEA, and FLEE -- using the sentence fluency handout; if you misplaced your sheet, you can access it via my vocabulary/spelling page: http://www.quia.com/pages/pmcmillan/page13 or via EDLINE. NOTE: If you are one of the few students who submitted the first ten words last time, then you should write sentences for other words.
As I mentioned in class while you were drafting your friendly letters to accompany the second marking period work (for parent review), I will be uploading grades on Friday (I had initially planned for today, but I cannot stay late enough to accomplish the task, for I am attending a wake this evening and a funeral tomorrow).
Please remember that no HW will be assigned tomorrow since December 4 is the choral concert; similarly, no HW will be assigned next Tuesday, December 9 (the band/orchestra concert).
December 2, 2008
Study counsel, currant, current, flea, and flee.
Complete Exercise C on page 68 of ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE (the blue grammar book that should be kept at home for reference) on lined paper. If you were in school today, we completed the heading, including a title, and supplied examples and a key for HW assistance. NOTE: Although this assignment is an effort grade, I expect that the sentences will be copied correctly (without capitalization, punctuation, or spelling errors). DO NOT WRITE the simple subjects or predicates. Underline as we discussed in class: simple subject(s) is/are underlined once; and simple predicate(s) is/are underlined twice.
Interrogative example: Do you like our core novel?
Remember that SUB(ject) SANDWICH hint.
Simple subject: you (underlined once)
Simple predicate: do + like (helping verb + main verb - underlined twice)
Imperative example: Close your eyes.
Remember that rule about the subject of every imperative.
Simple subject: [You] - the brackets show that the subject is implied, not stated
Simple predicate: Close (usually the first sentence of an imperative is the verb)
Exclamatory example: What wonderful students I teach this year!
Ignore the WHAT or HOW and consider flipping the sentence to find the subject and predicate (I teach wonderful students this year) because subjects and predicates are often found at the beginning of the typical fifth-grade declarative sentence).
Simple subject: I
Simple predicate: teach
Declarative example: Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Wisniewski handle community service points for fifth-graders.
Remember -- DING! DING! -- that AND (and other conjunctions, too) signal a COMPOUND something
Simple subject: Mrs. Webb + Mrs. Wisniewski
Simple predicate: handle
NOTE: If you did not correct your rephrased sentences per yesterday's HW, do so ASAP but no later than Monday, December 8.
December 1, 2008
On separate paper, correct and resubmit any rephrased sentences that contained errors for an averaged grade. Refer to SAM, Chs. 1-2 class work, which was completed Friday, November 21, and Tuesday, November 25, and returned today to those students who were NOT absent on Tuesday and submitted to teacher or substitute. NOTE: DO NOT REWRITE A SENTENCE THAT HAS NO MISTAKE. Any mistake, 1/4 point or more needs to be corrected.
If you did not do as well as you would have liked on today's unannounced nine-point homophone quiz (#11-20 only), be sure to review those words and their definitions: their, there, they're, wail, whale, capital, capitol, vain, vane, AND vein.
November 26 - November 30, 2008
Unless you did not submit your ten homophone sentenes, using the "Writing-Sentence Fluency" sheet distributed in class (and on-line via EDLINE or my vocabulary and spelling page), you have no homework. NOTE: You should have read through Chapter IV of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD (afternoon literacy blocks did so with Mrs. McCarthy, my substitute, on Monday the 24th).
Thanks to my second literacy block, the Pilgrims can give THANKS for SURVIVAL!
For those of you who don’t know what an acrostic is, it’s a poem or series of lines in which the first letters form a name or motto. Sometimes people call an acrostic a ladder poem.
This acrostic is THANKSGIVING. If you listen carefully, maybe you will learn something new about Thanksgiving…or maybe just a few new vocabulary words.
T is for tradition. A tradition is a behavior or way of thinking passed down from one generation to another. It is a tradition that Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
H is for holiday. A holiday is a day on which general business activity halts or stops. On a legal holiday, banks, public schools, and the stock exchange are closed.
A is for America. Thanksgiving is truly an American tradition and holiday. Although other countries, like Canada, celebrate a day of Thanksgiving, our Thanksgiving commemorates the 1621 feast held at Plymouth, a colony near what is today Boston, Massachusetts.
N is for Native American. There would be no Thanksgiving if it had not been for the Wampanoag, the Native American people who helped celebrate that first feast of thanks to God for harvest and health with the Pilgrims.
K is for kinship. Kinship is connection by blood, marriage, or adoption. The Wampanoag showed kinship when they “adopted” the Pilgrims and helped them adjust to the New World. For many people, Thanksgiving is celebrated with kinfolk – relatives – or kith – very close friends or neighbors.
S is for survival. The Pilgrims, who had landed in America a year before on a ship called the MAYFLOWER, were celebrating their survival in the New World.
G is for generosity. Generosity is the nobility of behavior or thought (a virtue). Thanksgiving is a day to recognize, as the Wampanoag people did, that others may be less fortunate and not able to celebrate a feast of thanks. Each year, Bernardsville Middle School collects non-perishable items and even turkeys to distribute to the needy in our community, demonstrating our generosity.
I is for icon. All the computer buffs out there know that an icon is a picture or symbol. One icon of Thanksgiving is the cornucopia, or horn of plenty. Traditionally, a cornucopia is a goat’s horn overflowing with fruit, flowers, and grains. A cornucopia symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
V is for victory. For those who celebrated that first Thanksgiving, their lives were a victory over nature and adversity.
I is for indigenous. Indigenous means originating, growing or living in an area. The Wampanoag were indigenous to what is now Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Wampanoag introduced the Pilgrims to many indigenous plants and animals. The turkey is an indigenous bird that is an icon of Thanksgiving.
N is for neighborly. The Wampanoag people were truly neighborly. It used to be a tradition to introduce yourself to your new neighbors by bringing a meal or dessert to help them while they unpacked and got organized…too bad this tradition is rarely practiced anymore.
G is for gathering. A gathering is the collecting of food, as in a harvest, or an assembly of people, which often happens around a table on Thanksgiving.
November 25, 2008
By tomorrow, write ten sentences using the guidelines distributed in class. If you missed class, finish reading Ch. IV, and tomorrow or next week when you return, you will finish rephrasing those Chapter 1 and 2 questions, which we began last Friday.
NOTE: Your colored folders should be returned ASAP (or forfeit credit) so that a packet of work can go home next Monday.
November 24, 2008
By Wednesday, write ten sentences using the guidelines distributed in class. If you missed class, read through page 53 of Ch. IV. If you missed class, you may access the sentence fluency handout via my vocabulary/spelling page: http://www.quia.com/pages/pmcmillan/page13 or via EDLINE.
November 21, 2008
Read Chapter III.
Study/master THEIR, THERE, and THEY'RE.
Review prior seven words (homophones).
NOTE: If you haven't returned your folder, return ASAP.
* If you're in the third literacy block and didn't receive your graded quizzes unitl Thursday, be sure to return your signed quizzes by Monday for the 2/2; otherwise, you'll be penalized 10% per day.
November 20, 2008
Finish reading Ch. 2 of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD.
Master tonight's homophones: VAIN, VANE, and VEIN. Review last night's words.
If you didn't get your spelling quizzes signed, please do so and return tomorrow.
November 19, 2008
Read pages 23-32 of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD.
Master the four words (definitions, spelling, and parts of speech) reviewed in class: WAIL, WHALE, CAPITAL, and CAPITOL. Remember that the spelling is ESSENTIAL for this test because they are HOMOPHONES!
Please ask your parents to sign, showing that he or she reviewed the two vocabulary quizzes you took yesterday. NOTE: A student in my second literacy block found a grading snafu (please refer to the EDLINE-generated e-mail that I sent to all guardians for further information), and I will correct the misgraded numerator for those students in the first two literacy blocks. For students in ninth or tenth period, your quizzes were corrected in advance of your receipt.
November 18, 2008
Finish reading Chapter 1 of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD.
Review your study guide.
NOTE: Initially, I thought of giving you an assessment on your notes AND on your independent reading. Right now, I'm debating dropping one of those two items since I think the majority of you worked really hard preparing for today's vocabulary assessment, which reviewed definitions, parts of speech, spelling, end punctuation, and sentence types.
November 17, 2008
Study all of your vocabulary words for tomorrow's assessment. You MUST know spelling, definitions, and part of speech.
Read pages 13-14 of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD.
Complete the study guide for pages 13-14.
November 14, 2008
Study all vocabulary words for a quiz on Tuesday. In class, we have been reviewing with sentences and many students need to focus on using the words based on their part of speech.
Complete the MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD study guide for pages 9-12, which you read last night. If you didn't complete your HW from last night, make sure that you write a paragraph on the prompt about children keeping quiet when they know the grown-ups are wrong. To earn a 4/4 on the NJ ASK grading scale, the student must connect to the text (MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD) and his or her life.
November 13, 2008
1. Study final five vocabulary words - quiz on Tuesday.
2. Read pages 9-12.
3. Complete the last page of the MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD packet prompt ON LOOSE-LEAF paper (it's OK if you wish to word-process it), so remember to follow the guidelines for a good paragraph. Consider using the prompt as your first sentence, answer the prompt in your second sentence. Support or explain your reasoning in the following sentence, being sure to connect to the book we're reading. Don't forget your clincher. See if you can use an IMPERATIVE or EXCLAMATORY for that concluding sentence.
I uploaded the gradesheets for your parents' review. Please remember to tell your guardian about my rounding policy if he or she asks.
November 12, 2008
Study next six vocabulary words.
Read through page eight of MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD, which was distributed in class.
Complete the questions for pages 5-8 (as we did in class for pages 1-4)
of the SAM packet.
November 11, 2008
Study next six vocabulary words on the list, especially three synonyms: TREASON, SUBVERSION (focus on sub- prefix), and SEDITION. Pepper (v.), constitute (v.), and bound (adj.) are the remaining three words.
Complete double-sided grammar worksheet (worth four points).
November 10, 2008 (First day of MP2)
Study vocabulary = definitions, spelling, and parts of speech (first five words): store (n.*), massacre (v.*), taproom (n.), snap (v.*), and garrison (n.).
Review notes on four sentence types and simple subject and predicate.
Read "The Dancing Children" and jot notes on setting, characters, plot (three-sentence minimum), theme, and point of view/genre (m _ _ _).
November 5, 2008 (Last day of MP1)
Technically, no homework is assigned, but if you owe work, complete it ASAP. Over the break, I plan to attend the NJEA Convention for one day (Ms. Webb is presenting a DI workshop on Thursday) and grade all of your MP1 work completed and/or handed in this week: "Becoming an Adult," twenty notes (minimum of ten each day) identifying differences between movie and book versions of FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, and BEAVER packet (effort since this was reviewed in class).
Enjoy your miniature break from school.
Election Day 2008
Review the giving and receiving of presents at the end of the book. From whom? To whom? Importance of?
THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER assessment is worth forty points. There are eight true or false, four sentences (correcting four of the false). and two open-ended paragraphs (focus on the last five paragraphs).
November 3, 2008
Finish your BEAVER packet and make up any unfinished work (e.g., "Becoming an Adult" in complete sentences).
NOTE: The last five chapters of the book are the primary focus of the end-of-book assessment, which is Wednesday. Make sure that you've read and understood these pages.
NOTE: Like Monday, Tuesday has early dismissals (12:20), so no lunch is served. Bring a healthy snack and drink to school, so you won't be famished. Fifth-grade teachers will let you eat at approximately the same time as lunch period (seventh period per Ms. Webb).
Friday, October 31, 2008
Finish reading THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Complete the "Becoming an Adult" worksheet that was distributed in class.
(Of course you need to answer in complete sentences!)
NOTE: Keep in mind what we discussed in class. Some of your classmates explained their religious rites of passage (to adulthood): a BAR(for boys) or BAT (for girls) MITZVAH usually occurs at age 13 for Jewish students; CONFIRMATION may take place in eighth or ninth grades (although some students in other states and counties receive as early as sixth grade) for some Christian students.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Read Chapters 19-21 (pages 99-114).
Keep in mind the knightly virtues or traits -- obedience, thrift, courtesy, kindness, bravery, loyalty, cleanliness, and reverence -- that we discussed in class. Also, consider the Jamie Foxx article distributed in class for comparison with THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Read Chapters 17 and 18 of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Please remember to see me ASAP if you find an error on your Easy Grade Pro report, which I intend to upload later today. Roughly one week remains before the end of the marking period, so make each day count.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (Loss of power at BMS began at 11:00 A.M. or so)
Read Chapters 14-16 of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Read through Chapter 13 of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Study your vocabulary words for tomorrow's quiz. You MUST know spelling, definitions, and parts of speech.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Read Chapters 9-10 of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Study twelve BEAVER vocabulary words. You NEED TO KNOW definitions, spelliing, and part of speech. Hint: -ly equals adverb.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Complete Exercise 14 on page 65 in ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE, which is basically the same type of exercise you did last Wednesday, so I am confident you all will fare as well or better than you did last week.
Study spelling and definitions for final three vocabulary words (nouns): CHAGRIN, CLAMOR (can also be a verb), and PROWESS.
Wedneday, October 22, 2008
Study spelling and definitions for three verbs: SPLICE, QUAVER, and GOAD.
Write a paragraph (of no fewer than five sentences) connecting Chapter 4 of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER (don't forget to underline book titles - QUIA won't allow me to capitalize them on HW HOTLINE) to the STAR-LEDGER article from November 2007.
Did you jot the brainstorming ideas I suggested in class?
Cabin versus minivan
Locked versus unlocked
July 1768 versus November 2007
*If you wish to add a personal connection as well, you may, but you must first connect the newspaper article to our core novel.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Read Chapters 6-8 (Chapters 6, 7, and 8) of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
Study spelling and defintions for three adjectives: GENIAL, GRAVE, and LUSTROUS.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Complete the two double-sided graphic organizers for Chapter 4 and Chapter 5, which you were supposed to have read over the weekend.
Study spelling and definitions for three adverbs: RUEFULLY, NONCHALANTLY, and SOBERLY.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Read the next three chapters (Chapters 3-5) of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER, keeping in mind great titles for your "log cabin."
Review the first page of the BEAVER packet, which was distributed in class.
Please return the colored folders, which you should have brought home for parental review. by Tuesday.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Read the first and second chapters of your new core novel, THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.
*If you didn't complete last night's grammar homework or did so incorrectly or partially, please complete ASAP, noting that a 10% penalty applies for each day an assignment is tardy.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Complete Exercise C of pages 49-50 of EL (blue grammar textbook that should be kept at home) on paper. NOTE: You are copying the sentence (losing points for misspellings), PUNCTUATING, and IDENTIFYING sentence type. If you forget the sentence types from the beginning of the year, look further in the chapter for a review of the four sentence types. Don't forget your heading, which we completed in class (but you may have lost your copy) on loose-leaf paper.
Read "Spelling Bee" three times out loud (and bring to class tomorrow).
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
In class, I distributed chapter summaries, which are jumbled, and students can use those summaries to review the entire book. Twenty-five points of the fifty-point test reflect the essay portion (three paragraphs); the other twenty-five points include ten matching (characters with descriptions), five T/F, and short answers (rephrased sentences with answers worth two points each).
In class, I advised students to focus on a great example of teamwork from the beginning, middle, and end of book (for three examples in all).
Monday, October 13, 2008
Focus on spelling and definitions for all thirty-seven vocabulary words from the list we've been working on (Chs. 5, 6, and 8). Tomorrow's test will be dictation -- you'll make your word bank -- with matching and fill-in-the-blank (using context clues).
In class, I assigned twenty or so minutes of quiet reading time so that all students might finish reading Chapter 10 of BASIL.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Finish reading Chapter 9.
Study all thirty-seven vocabulary words, including spelling for Tuesday's test.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Although no HW is assigned (because of Yom Kippur), students should be studying vocabulary words (spelling and definitions) so that they are prepared for next Tuesday's test, which will include sentence fill-ins and spelling dictation (for the word bank).
Right now, I plan for an end-of-book test next Wednesday.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Begin reading Chapter 9, pages 124-133.
Study the next five words.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Read Chapter 8 of FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, keeping in mind that you will have a multiple-choice quiz of five or so questions.
Study the next five words on your list, beginning with BEAR.
*If possible, return your colored folder by tomorrow. October 7.
Friday, October 3, 2008 (Sandy Hook Essay and Thirty Minutes of WRITING)
On Monday, you should know the spelling and definitions/synonyms for the first sixteen words from the new list. Remember that you will be placed on teams, so be prepared to help your team earn points from Day 1.
Read Chapter 7 of FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, keeping in mind that you will have a multiple-choice quiz of seven or so questions.
One literacy class brainstormed possible question topics: setting (Where?/When?), characters (especially new ones), plot (important events), figurative language (comparison of two unlike things with simile using LIKE or AS and metaphor not having LIKE or AS), and theme (message - what character or reader learned, like a life lesson, in the chapter).
NOTE: Your guardian does NOT need to sign anything unless last week's friendly letter was NEVER returned with a signature. If you check the Easy Grade Pro report listed on EDLINE, you'll be able to tell (because if a grade is listed, then your student returned the letter because you signed it). FOLDERS ARE DUE BACK IN CLASS BY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7.
What happens if you don't have INTERNET access? If you can't view your EDLINE account at the public library, ask your child to ask me for a printed copy.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Read Chapter 6 of FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, keeping in mind that tomorrow you will have a multiple-choice quiz of eight or so questions. One literacy class brainstormed possible question topics: setting (Where?/When?), characters (especially new ones), plot (important events), figurative language (comparison of two unlike things with simile using LIKE or AS and metaphor not having LIKE or AS), and theme (message - what character or reader learned, like a life lesson, in the chapter).
By Monday, October 6, you should know the spelling and definitions for the first sixteen words on the newest list: http://www.quia.com/jg/728036.html
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 (SANDY HOOK FIELD TRIP)
Unless you owe work (E.L. Konigsburg or oral book report), you really have no HW. Yes, I'd like you to be reviewing your vocabulary words, but it's REALLY important for you to clean your shells, remembering to bring them to school (for your shell lab).
Once again, I extend my sincerest apologies for any incovenience I caused to those passeners on Bus 1 (our speed lunch was my fault) and their parents, but I did my best to make up for it by requesting that eating-on-the-bus privilege for the ride to Horseshoe Cove and home. THANK YOU, CHAPERONES!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Unless you owe work ("E.L. Konigsburg" or two-paragraph friendly letter to parent, which is returned with packet or oral book report), you have no HW.
DON'T FORGET TO COME PREPARED FOR THE SANDY HOOK FIELD TRIP!
Monday, September 29, 2008 (Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown)
Out of respect for my students who are celebrating ROSH HASHANAH, no HW is assigned UNLESS you owe work (e.g., "E.L. Konigsburg" or signed friendly letter with two paragraphs).
Friday, September 26, 2008
Work on your choice novel report.
Share your graded work with your parent/guardian, requesting a signature on the friendly letter you wrote. Packet is due back on Tuesday, 9/30 (unless the student will be absent for Rosh Hashanah), when we'll listen to the oral reports.
ADDENDUM Q & A
If you are one of Mrs. McMillan’s students, my apologies for any confusion I might have caused you today.
What is your homework?
Your homework is to show your parent/guardian your cover letter and all the graded work that matches the Easy Grade Pro report. If you find a mistake, bring it to my attention. Please ask your parent/guardian to sign the letter; please return the letter AND packet of work to me by Tuesday (9/30).
Is there any other homework?
If you have completed all the choice novel paragraphs that have been assigned (the summary was a class assignment and you should have it but it doesn't have a grade since I never collected it from you), you should begin practicing for your oral report. Using your rubric, assemble your paragraphs in order. If you prefer starting with a different paragraph (other than the summary), you may do so.
What happens if my paragraphs are too sloppy (and I can’t read my own handwriting)? May I rewrite them or type them or put them on note cards?
Of course, you can rewrite your report or type it.
When is the oral book report due?
Students will practice reading to a peer on Monday, but the actual report will be presented on Tuesday (9/30).
Once again, I apologize for any confusion. I must admit I was a little dismayed that so many of you felt overly challenged on the quiz, but please remember that the quiz is only worth thirteen points (and I'll be spending as much time as you did, maybe more, with the grading).
Thursday, September 25, 2008
1. Study all twenty-six vocabulary words from Chs. 2-4. Here's an example of a question from the quiz: Please do not copy or __________me like an ape. (NOTE: You do not have to know the part of speech, like noun or verb, etc.)
2. Complete and/or proofread your answers to the "E.L. Konigsburg" questions. Remember that each sentence needs to start with a capital letter and end with punctuation. This assignment, which was started on Tuesday in class is due tomorrow, Friday, because the Ch. 3 vocabulary list was on the other side.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
1. Study the last five words from the Ch. 3 BASIL vocabulary list.
2. Finish reading Chapter 4 of BASIL.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
1. Study the first six words of the Ch. 3 BASIL vocabulary list.
2. Read Ch. 4 of BASIL through page 52.
Monday, September 22, 2008
1. Study the spelling and definition(s) for the next five words.
2. Finish reading Chapter 3 of BASIL. Remember to keep track of the setting, new characters, important events or major details, theme, etc. NOTE: If you missed class, we listened to the first two pages of the chapter, paying attention to italicized words, repetition, etc.
3. If you did not complete your Media Center survey, do so ASAP and turn in to Mrs. McMillan, who will pass it along to Miss MacGorman.
Friday, September 19, 2008
1. Study the spelling and definition(s) for the second batch of five words on the new list.
2. Complete Miss MacGorman's KWL chart (and the eight questions), returning on Monday for points (on your Literacy 5 grade sheet).
Thursday, September 18, 2008
1. Study the spelling and definition(s) for the first five words on the new list.
2. Finish reading Chapter 2, using the note-taking sheet to help you remember important items. (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE EVERY LINE OF THE SHEET!) If you forgot it at school, access EDLINE and print another copy for yourself.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
1. Review all of the Chapter 1 BASIL vocabulary/spelling words for tomorrow's quiz. If you want to practice and have computer access, go to the QUIA site for the matching game: http://www.quia.com/jg/705507.html
2. Review the Ch. 1 reading notes we completed as a class.
NOTE: The oral book report summary component was begun in today's class.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
1. Review the nouns of Chapter 1 BASIL vocabulary/spelling words. If you lost your list, you may go to the QUIA site for the word list/game: http://www.quia.com/jg/705507.html The quiz on all thirteen words will be Thursday, so make sure you focus on these nouns tonight (spelling and definitions).
2. Finish reading the first chapter of FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER.
Monday, September 15, 2008
1. Review the verbs of Chapter 1 BASIL vocabulary/spelling words: avoid, erupt, jostle, venture, vow. The quiz on all thirteen words will be Thursday, so make sure you focus on these five tonight (spelling and definitions).
2. Read through page 13 of FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER.
Friday, September 12, 2008
1. Write a paragraph rating your choice novel on a scale of 1-5 (with five as the highest).
NOTE: In class, we modeled an interrogative sentence paragraph-opener: HOW WOULD I RATE __________________________ (insert title of book) ON A SCALE OF 1-5 (WITH FIVE AS THE HIGHEST).
2. Review your homophone sentences if you took your notebook home since I will be grading these sentences next week.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Review your homophones (eye/I, too/to/two, fore/for/four, and due/do/dew)
and sentence types for tomorrow's quiz.
If you owe any written assignments, catch up!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
1. Write three sentences (or more) describing (and explaining) to whom you would recommend your choice novel (and why).
2. Review four sentence types:
DECLARATIVE - statement - use a period (.)
EXCLAMATORY - shows emotion - use an exlamation mark/point (!)
IMPERATIVE - request (often includes PLEASE) or command; use a period (.) or an exclamation mark/point (!)
INTERROGATIVE - question - use a question mark (?)
3. Review to/too/two and for/fore/four and do/due/dew for Friday's quiz.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
1. Write a paragraph rough draft your choice novel's organization: chapter length, titling, illustrations, etc. (Reference your rubric distributed in class.)
2. Review four sentence types:
DECLARATIVE - statement - use a period (.)
EXCLAMATORY - shows emotion - use an exlamation mark/point (!)
IMPERATIVE - request (often includes PLEASE) or command; use a period (.) or an exclamation mark/point (!)
INTERROGATIVE - question - use a question mark (?)
3. Review for/fore/four and do/due/dew for Friday's quiz.
Monday, September 8, 2008
1. Write a paragraph rough draft about how you selected the choice novel you brought to literacy class. (Reference your rubric distributed in class.)
2. Review four sentence types:
DECLARATIVE - statement - use a period (.)
EXCLAMATORY - shows emotion - use an exlamation mark/point (!)
IMPERATIVE - request (often includes PLEASE) or command; use a period (.) or an exclamation mark/point (!)
INTERROGATIVE - question - use a question mark (?)
3. Review do/due/dew for Friday's quiz.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Write a paragraph -- don't forget to indent -- connecting something in your life to "Wave As You Go By," the story we read in class.
Bring a choice novel (one that you read over the summer and wish to reread parts of or a new one that you can read in about three hours total) to class on Monday.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Trace hand on colored paper. Remember to use your dominant hand for neater tracing.
Cut out your hand and write your full name. Put in your binder/folder to bring to class tomorrow.
FOR AFTERNOON CLASSES ONLY: Complete page 2 of "Four Kinds of Sentences."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
How can I, your Literacy 5 teacher (Mrs. McMillan, that is), give you homework before school EVEN starts?
Hey, what I'm requesting is in YOUR best interest! Try to get a good night's sleep so that you'll be alert for your first day of school. Budget your time so that you can have a healthy breakfast, which will hopefully sustain you (without your stomach rumbling) until 11:20 A.M. or so when you'll proceed to lunch.
Please don't stress over having all your supplies with you on the first day. Your homeroom teacher will provide an agenda/planner (for writing down your homework assignments) and a folder, which is full of forms for your parents/guardians to sign and return as soon as possible (but can be used to hold other papers until you get a chance to get organized).
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