Nursing home visit, publishing party and the last chapters of our read aloud

Happy Holidays to all! Have a safe and enjoyable break.
Today, we had an advisory trip to A.G. Rhodes nursing home and we had a blast. See pictures in this post.

6th: We began class by explaining the 6th grade winter break work packet. This should be complete when kids return on Wednesday, January 5th. Then, we emptied all of our EUROPE unit stuff from our binders to our pizza boxes because the unit is over. Then, we finished the Last Book in the Universe and discussed the ending. We loved that book.
Homework over break: Winter break work. See above.

7th: We began class by explaining the 7th grade winter break work packet. This should be complete when kids return on Wednesday, January 5th. Then, students had 10 minutes to make sure their anthologies were assembled. Those who were finished enjoyed decaf coffee, popcorn and chocolate truffles while sharing their writing in the cafeteria. Those who did not have theirs finished worked to complete them in the classroom. These students still did not turn in their anthologies and need to complete them over break to be submitted on Wednesday:
Ava, Caston, Naima, Khalil, Dominick.
Homework: Winter break work. See above.

Upstander & Perpetrator reflections & Completing those anthologies

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud. Thanks to our guest readers, Jayda, Telia and Mia! Then, we did the last of the upstander/perpetrator presentations. From there, we reviewed our knowledge of the upstanders and perpetrators and completed an assessment to show what we had learned.
Homework: Are you wondering what will happen at the end of the Last Book in the Universe? Come to class and share your predictions with us!

7th: Today we began class by discussing how we would continue creative writing throughout the year. We love it! Then, we spent the rest of class working on the anthology. For those of you who did not come to school today because of the weather, you are STILL expected to have your anthology completed by tomorrow. (Why you wonder? Because they will be graded over the break.) We will be having a publishing party tomorrow to celebrate completing our anthologies. You may bring food and drinks to help us celebrate....but only if it's complete! Here is the checklist to make sure you have EVERYTHING complete at home.
Homework: Work on that anthology and make sure it's complete for tomorrow's publishing party!

Devine/Florez's advisory: remember that we visit the nursing home tomorrow. If you still want to bring some small gifts for the residents, don't forget them tomorrow!

Project presentations and an amazing ALL-7th SHARE DAY!

6th: Today we began class with a read aloud. Then, we continued onward with sharing project presentations. Thanks to all those who shared today. J'Mario and Sophie and Javontae. You three are our last to share tomorrow. Be ready!
Homework: Read.

7th: Today, we had our all-7th creative writing share day. We broke up into groups and shared our poems and stories with peers from all the other classes. It was amazing and we heard some amaaaaaazing writing. Well done, students. Continue to work on your anthology tonight because it is due on Friday.
Homework: Work on anthology.

Project presentations & anthology work

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud. Then, we took time to set up for our project presentations today. Thank you to all those of you who did presentations today. They were very well done! We will hear from all those of you who have not yet presented tomorrow.
Homework: Prepare your project for presentation if you are presenting tomorrow.

7th: Today we began class with a quickwrite. Then, we all worked at our own pace on the various parts of our anthology that we needed to complete. Reminder: anthologies due on Friday. Also, we will be sharing our favorite creative writing piece with the other 7th grade classes tomorrow. Practice, Practice tonight!
Homework: Continue anthology work at home...remember to practice the creative writing piece you will be presenting tomorrow!

Upstander projects, anthology projects

Today was the Phillips Lighting Earth Day Network Event! We had a modified schedule.

6th: Today we began class with our read aloud. Then, we got back our grades for book buddy letters and the students who did not meet the standard met with the ones who did and these students worked together to improve their letters. Then, we used the rest of the day to complete our upstander projects which are due on Monday.
Homework: Make sure your project is ready to go for Monday's presentations!

7th: Today we began class with a quickwrite. Students are awesome with these. Then, we worked on 3 published pieces by us (at least 2 about Africa). Students revised and edited poems and then published them. After doing this, students worked on finding 3 published poems by someone else.
Homework: Make sure BY MONDAY you have 3 published pieces by you.

Found poem, anthologies and Upstander projects and essays

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud and drew visualizations of the different and new vocab words we're learning while reading the book. Then, we made sure Miss D had copies of the 5 important facts that we planned to teach the class about during our upstander/perpetrator presentations. Finally, we ended class with project and essay work time.
Homework: All essays are due tomorrow. Is yours ready to go? Also, do any work you need to do on projects at home.

7th: Today we began class by working on a "Found" poem. Students created amazing poems from the found poem. Then, for the rest of class, we worked on our anthologies. Students composed, revised and published poems. All 3 poems published by you are due by the end of class Friday.
Homework: Work on anything you would like for your anthology.

Upstander project & Creative writing anthology!

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud. We love this book! Then, we worked on the upstander projects for the rest of class. Some students were still working on the essay while others were working on the project. Due Friday and Monday!
Homework: Complete buddy book letter, due tomorrow. Do any work you need to at home for essay and upstander project.

7th: Today we began class with quickwrites. Man, these students can write! Then, we talked about the creative writing anthology that is due and will be presented next Wednesday for all of the 7th grade. Then, we discussed how students should go about editing and revising each of their creative submissions to "publish" a final draft. Finally, we spent the rest of the class period writing and editing pieces for our anthology.
Homework: You may work on your creative pieces as much as you like at home. Also, remember that you book buddy letter is due tomorrow.

Upstander projects, Home of the Brave and creative writing...

6th: We began class with the read aloud, as usual. Then we decided on presentation dates for our upstander projects. Presentations of projects will be Friday and Monday of next week. We shared out some awesome example essays that have already been submitted. Then, for the rest of the time, we worked at our own pace- on drafting, revising, editing, publishing and the final project.
Homework: Work on essay and project. Final essays now have a final due date of this Friday.

7th: We began class with quickwrites and shared out some of those we had written. Then, we presented the last Home of the Brave read aloud presentations. Then, we read the final chapter of the book together and discussed our thoughts on the book. Finally, we used the last part of class to dive into our creative writing.
Homework: Feel free to continue to explore the creative writing we have started in class.

Upstander projects & Home of the Brave presentations and creative writing & sharing

6th and 7th grade BOOK BUDDY LETTERS are due on Thursday.

6th: Today, we began class with the read aloud. Then, we shared out some of the book buddy letters we got from our 7th grade book buddies. Then, for the rest of the period, we worked at our own pace- we drafted, revised, edited, wrote 2nd drafts and then published our essays. Several students typed their final essay in the computer lab and then other began work on their project. Essays are due Wednesday of this week and project presentations will be Friday and Monday.
Homework: Work on essay and upstander project.

7th: Today we began class with some quickwrites, exploring creative responses to prompts. Then, we shared out some of the prompt responses from Friday. We prepared and shared our chapters from Home of the Brave and then had some "earned" time outside from last Friday.
Homework: Those who are presenting the chapters tomorrow- make sure they're good to go!

Upstander projects and & and all-around CREATIVE day for 7B!

6th: We began class with the read aloud. Then, we shared out some fantastic book buddy letters. We spent the rest of class moving at our own pace- drafting, revising and editing our essays for the upstander project. Miss D STRONGLY suggests that students come to class with their first draft by Monday if they have not already completed it.
Homework: Make sure draft is complete by Monday!

7th: We began class by practicing our read aloud chapters before presenting them to the class. Students practiced all of the elements of a great poetic performance that we discussed in class. We saw amazing performances! Be ready if you and your partner are presenting on Monday. We spent the last part of class really using our creative writing skills on some story prompts. We'll be diving into more creative writing in the coming weeks as we work on our anthologies.
Homework: Make sure your group is ready present the Home of the Brave Chapter- Monday and Tuesday!

Figurative language paragraphs & upstander project

6th: Today we began class with the read aloud and quizzed each other with comprehension questions about the chapter. Then, we discussed the idea of "upstander or perpetrator" and figured out how we could support our claim about our historical figure using evidence from our research and the definitions provided by Miss D. Then, we brainstormed lots of reasons about what motivates people and we reflected on the research question: what motivated him/her to do what he/she did?
From there, we took a trip down to the library to get any final research and we drafted and revised essays.
Homework: Book buddy letter due tomorrow!

7th: Today we began class by marking up our google calendar with all of the upcoming due dates and homework assignments. Parents, ask your students about what's coming up in Humanities and ask them to show you the calendar! We shared some amazing figurative language paragraph drafts. Then, we got together with a peer and worked to revise and edit those drafts. We completed final drafts of the figurative language paragraphs and then practiced and practiced on our chapters that we'll be presenting tomorrow and next week.
Homework: Make sure your book buddy letter is ready to go for tomorrow!

Upstander project, book pen pals & figurative language paragraphs

6th: Today we began class by doing our read aloud. Students quizzed each other with comprehension questions at the end of the chapter. Then, we found out that we're receiving book pen pals- the 7th graders! Students chose and were assigned a 7B pen pal that they will be writing a weekly reading letter to in the reading journal. The first letter is due this Friday and students can plan to get the letter from their pen pal by Monday. We spent the rest of the class progressing with our upstander project. Students drafted their essay and worked with peers to revise their draft.
Homework: Do your buddy book letter by Friday!

7th: Today we began class by discussing our new, 6th grade book buddies! Letters due to buddies on Friday. Then, we prepared for writing our poetry analysis. We searched our chapters for figurative language and checked with classmates to see that we had labeled figurative language correctly. Then, we wrote paragraphs analyzing the author's use of figurative language in the poem. Students who finished early read independently and helped other students. Those who did not finish in class need to complete it for homework.
Homework: Complete figurative language paragraph.