Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Giver and M.A.R.E.

The Giver Reading Schedule for Week 3
Tuesday-- Reviewing last week's reading; In Class Chp 14-15; Homework-- Chp 16

 Wednesday-- Review Chp. 14-16; Read Chp 17; Homework- Finish questions in packet up to p.7 (answer all questions for chapters 14-17; much of this was finished in class already)

  Thursday--  Read and discuss Chp. 18 in class

   Friday-- Read and discuss Chp 19 in class


Writing Research Paper Updates

Students will be working with partners this week to create a children's story about their Coral Reef Animal.

Monday, May 12, 2014

The Giver Reading Schedule for Week 2

Monday -- Reviewing last week's reading; If  time, read Chp 7; Homework-- Chp 8

 Tuesday -- Review Chp. 8; Read Chp 9 (start in class, finish for Homework)

Wednesday --  Review Chp. 9; Read Chp 10 in class; Homework Chp 11

Thursday -- Review HW; Discuss images

 Friday -- Read Chp 12; Review Chp 7-12

Writing Research Paper Updates

This week students will be completing an outline and papers this week (the paper is very short -- only 4 paragraphs).  Students are receiving 2 grades.  One grade is for completing all the research process (finding 3 articles, taking notes on notecards, completing an outline, and properly formatting the research paper itself with page #s, a heading, etc.).  The other grade is for the actual paper (the organization, details, information, etc.).  After their trip next week, students will be using their knowledge gained about their coral reef animal to write a children's story.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Giver Reading Schedule for the Week

Today we will be starting our trek into the world of The Giver.  Unfortunately there is a lot going on this week and some students will be out today as well as Thursday and Friday.  In an effort to keep everyone on the same page (sorry, I couldn't resist!), I wanted to post what we will read and when.

Tuesday (today) -- Chapter 1 in class

Wednesday -- Chapter 2 and 3 in class ; Homework -- Read up to p. 33 (finish Chp 4)
    There will be a brief Reading Check Quiz Thursday on any reading homework.

Thursday -- Chp 5-6 in class

Friday -- Review and compare our society to the one within The Giver

Monday, May 5, 2014

M.A.R.E. and The Giver

Reading: 

We will be starting The Giver this week.  We will continue to discuss dystopian societies and what it is that they truly lack.  Occasionally students will need to bring home their books and their journals for HW.  I will provide them with a folder to hold these items.  Students are expected to keep these items in good condition -- the books are quite small and easily crushed, but they need to last.

Writing:


We will be starting our M.A.R.E. project this week.  This is a two part project that involves a brief research paper, and then a collaborative partner project.  Students will research a specific animal found in coral reefs.  Then, the partner project involves two students developing a creative children's story in which their two animals meet.  The story should have a moral about friendship/diversity/open mindedness etc. as well as teach children a little about the animals featured in the story.


I'm looking forward to starting both these activities with the students! 

Below are some sites students can use to look up and research particular coral reef animals.

http://www.greatbarrierreef.com.au/animals/fish/
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbwwGUi4uyE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EueBzS3kPe8