Monday, March 31, 2008

Welcome Back Monday!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Joe! I turned 40 years-old on March 25. The kids threw me an amazing birthday party this afternoon and gave me a beautiful, custom-designed directors chair which they all signed. We are truly a community of love and care!


What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We did grammar, spelling and punctuation edits on our Growing-Up stories on the "T" drive of the network.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We researched the civic virtues of revolutionary American figures and began to create podcasts.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 1er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday April 4.


Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Editing Checklist

First Name______________________ Last Name _________________________

Date: March 31, 2008

Editing Checklist for Growing Up Narratives

Reread your writing carefully. Put an “x” in each box under “Author” as you complete each editing item. Email your piece to a friend to edit. Have them use the same checklist. Once you have edited this piece, post it to the Hand-In box of the T drive as “Last name, first initial, GUP3.”

Editing Checklist

Author

Friend

1. Re-read it! Read your story aloud to yourself.

2. Clarity – As you read, ask yourself, “Will this make sense to a stranger?” Find confusing spots and rewrite to make them clearer. Note places where you stumble as you reread and revise to make them easier to read.

2. Punctuation - Read, paying attention to the actual road signs you’ve given readers. If you followed the punctuation as you’ve written it, will the piece sound the way you want it to sound? Have you guarded against sentences that run on and on? Have you punctuated dialogue?

3. Spelling - Do your words look correctly spelled to you? Check ones that feel as if they could be wrong, try them again, get help with them. Use online spelling tools.

4. Paragraphs - Narrative writers use a new paragraph or a new page for each new episode in the sequence of events. Do you paragraph to show the passage of time? Do you also paragraph to show changes in who is speaking?

5. Grammar

Have I written with periods and capital letters? Do I avoid using and or so to combine lots of short sentences together into one run-on sentence?

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Thursday - Spring Break Day!

Enjoy your Spring Break! Thank you for the opportunity to work with the best kids anywhere.


Conference Sign Up - Please sign up outside Mrs. Wilkie's door.


What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We did final revisions on our Growing-Up stories on the "T" drive of the network.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We celebrated National reading Month by reading literature of our choice in 504/603.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 4er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 21.


Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Research Chart

Name

Early life

Accomplishments

Contributions to the Colonies

Political ideas they believed in

Other interesting information

Civic Virtue

If you have civic virtue, then you put the common good above your own interest.

Think about people you know who display civic virtue and why.

Choose either Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren, or Abigail Adams and one man from the following list

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

James Otis

Samuel Adams

Patrick Henry

Thomas Jefferson

Paul Revere

John Adams

Joseph Warren

John Hancock


Click on the following links to research the man you selected:


· http://www.americanrevolution.com/Biographies.htm

· http://www.historycentral.com/bio/RevoltBIOS/INDEX.html

· http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/



Click on the following link to research Mercy Otis Warren:

http://www.americanrevolution.com/MercyOtisWarren.htm

http://www.historycentral.com/bio/RevoltBIOS/WarrenMercyOtis.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/mowarren.htm


Abigail Adams:

http://www.americanrevolution.com/AbigailAdams.htm

http://www.historycentral.com/bio/RevoltBIOS/AdamsAbigail.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/aadams.htm

Phillis Wheatley

http://www.historycentral.com/bio/RevoltBIOS/WheatleyPhillis.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/pwheatley.htm

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Totally Awesome Tuesday

What we did in class today...

Reading - We presented our R&E's today

Writing -

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We continued to present our R&E's

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 4er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 21.

2. Share TFK 3-14 edition with parents, p. 4-5, 6, or 7. Due March 19.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Monday, March 17, 2008

Most Marvelous

Student-Led Conferences April 17 and 18 - Sign up in front of Mrs. Wilkie's door.


Choice Hour forms - Please return them if you haven't already


What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We continued to create podcasts of our Growing-Up stories and post them.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) - We began to play grammar games online. See the link below.

Social studies

We continued to create podcasts of responses to current events on Moodle. Check them out here. Ask your kiddo for their user name and password.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008. Any student with a blog must update their blog by posting the title and author of the book they've just finished or are currently reading, a review of the book, and at least one link related to the story or author.

3. Click the grammar games link below and play three games. Go to Moodle and tell Mr. J which one is your favorite and why.



Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 4er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 21.

2. Share TFK 3-14 edition with parents, p. 4-5, 6, or 7.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Grammar Games

Play the games of your choice here.

Colonial Game 3--17

Click this link to play the game:

http://www.history.org/History/teaching/revolution/a1.html

Friday, March 14, 2008

What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We created podcasts of our Growing-Up stories and began to post them.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We created podcasts of responses to current events on Moodle. Check them out here. Ask your kiddo for their user name and password.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008. Any student with a blog must update their blog by posting the title and author of the book they've just finished or are currently reading, a review of the book, and at least one link related to the story or author.

3. Respond to The Sneetches online



Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 3er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 14.

Character Education

Business

1. Progress Reports signed and returned by Monday.

Goal Setting

Documents

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Thursday-licious

What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We revised our Growing-Up stories for snapshot, thoughtshot, and explode-a-moment and added them to the "H" and "T" drives on the server at school.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We created podcasts of responses to current events on Moodle. Check them out here. Ask your kiddo for their user name and password. 603 did them today and 504 will create them tomorrow.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008. Any student with a blog must update their blog by posting the title and author of the book they've just finished or are currently reading, a review of the book, and at least one link related to the story or author.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.

4. Growing-Up draft should be saved on students' "H" drive at school.


Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 3er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 14.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Worldly Wednesday

What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We revised our Growing-Up stories and began adding them to the "H" and "T" drives on the server at school.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social Studies

We worked on our Engage Invention Convention projects

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008. Any student with a blog must update their blog by posting the title and author of the book they've just finished or are currently reading, a review of the book, and at least one link related to the story or author.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.

4. Growing-Up draft should be saved on students' "H" drive at school.


Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 3er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 14.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Terrific Tuesday

What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We revised our Growing-Up stories with our friends from Mrs. Cook's class.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social Studies

We reviewed our Moodle Current Events responses for last week. Students' work together in their teams to make sure everyone has completed the activity by Friday of a given week.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.

4. Growing-Up draft should be saved on students' "H" drive at school.


Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 3er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 14.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Monday, March 10, 2008

Most Definitely Monday!

Thanks for all your love and support for my son Zack and our family. He's back to school today and feeling much better.


Thanks to all of you who came out to support the BCS Blast! What a great day.


What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We revised our Growing-Up stories

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social Studies

We studied the role of women in the American Revolution, specifically Phillis Wheatley, Abigail Adams, and Mercy Otis Warren

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.


Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 3er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 14.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents


Friday, March 7, 2008

Thursday and Friday











Mr. Seley music concert on Friday - Mr. Seley will perform at 8:35 and 10am on Friday morning for our kids. He has a show scheduled at 4:30 on Wednesday March 12 at the Baldwin Library. He is extremely talented and his music is amazing. I encourage you all to attend.


Mr. Joe out Thursday afternoon and Friday - My son Zack had a toxic reaction to some medication and is at Beaumont Hospital. He is doing better and is expected to recover fully. I will be there all day on Friday. You can always reach me on my cell at 248-224-2039 or by email. I hope to see everyone at the Blast with both boys or at least Nick.


Crazy Day photos. Enjoy the photos from Thursday. We had some amazing outfits!


What we did in class on Thursday and Friday...

Reading -

Writing - We continued writing our Growing Up narratives on draft paper today. Typed drafts will be due by Monday March 10. (***Note. Even though these pieces should be typed, they are still very much drafts, and not expected to be error-free in any way. We've been working on these primarily in class up to this point. The rubric is in the documents section below.)

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social Studies

On Thursday we spent time as as team of 54 doing our Engage presentations.


On Friday we spent more time working on our Growing-Up pieces in the afternoon.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.

4. Typed draft of Growing Up story due Monday March 10.

Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 2er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 7.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

5/6 Growing-Up Narrative Rubric

1st Typed Draft Due March 10, 2008 Final typed draft due March 17, 2008

Type in 12 point font, double-spaced, Times New Roman font.

Category

4

3

2

1

Grabber

First paragraph has a “grabber” or catchy beginning

First paragraph has a weak “grabber”

A catchy beginning was attempted but was confusing rather than catchy.

No attempt was made to catch the reader’s attention in the first paragraph

Organization

The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

The story is pretty well organized One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.

The story is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.

Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.

Characterization

The main characters are named and clearly described in text as well as pictures. Most readers could describe the characters accurately throughout the story.

The main characters are named and described. Most readers would have some idea of the characters actions and appearance throughout the story.

The main characters are named. The reader knows very little about the characters.

It is hard to tell who the main characters are and what they’re doing in the story.

Snapshots

There are at least three snapshots spread evenly throughout the story. The reader can easily make a “movie in their mind” from the snapshot.

There are at least two snapshots spread evenly throughout the story. The reader can easily make a “movie in their mind” from the snapshot.

There is at least one snapshot spread evenly throughout the story. The reader can easily make a “movie in their mind” from the snapshot.

There are no snapshots in the story, or the snapshots do not allow the reader to make a “movie in their mind” from the snapshot.

Thoughtshots

There are at least three thoughtshots spread evenly throughout the story. The reader can easily understand the character’s thinking from the thoughtshot.

There are at least two thoughtshots spread evenly throughout the story. The reader can easily understand the character’s thinking from the thoughtshot.

There is at least one thoughtshot spread evenly throughout the story. The reader can easily understand the character’s thinking from the thoughtshot.

There are no thoughtshots in the story or the reader cannot easily understand the character’s thinking from the thoughtshot.

Explode-A-Moment

There is at least one example of time standing still (explode-a-moment) in the story. It contains both snapshots and thoughtshots, which combine to describe an important moment in time.

There is at least one example of time standing still (explode-a-moment) in the story. It may contain both snapshots and thoughtshots, which may combine to describe an important moment in time.

There is at least one example of time standing still (explode-a-moment) in the story. It contains either snapshots or thoughtshots, but the moment may be too big, too small or irrelevant.

There is little or no evidence of the use of explode-a-moment in this piece.

Story Ending

The story contains an ending that employs action, dialogue, images or whole-story reminders. It concludes the story and/or resolves the problem in a creative way

The story contains an ending that employs action, dialogue, images or whole-story reminders. It concludes the story and/or resolves the problem.

The story contains an ending which is unclear employs action, dialogue, images or whole-story reminders. It does not conclude the story and/or resolve the problem in a creative way

The story lacks evidence of a clear ending or resolution. It is confusing.

Spelling and Punctuation (as is)

There are no spelling or punctuation errors in the final draft. Character and place names that the author invented are spelled consistently throughout. The story is written in 12 point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced.

There is one spelling or punctuation error in the final draft.

There are 2-3 spelling and punctuation errors in the final draft.

The final draft has more than 3 spelling and/or punctuation errors.


Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Tremendous Tuesday!

What we did in class today...

Reading -

Writing - We continued writing our Growing Up narratives on draft paper today. Typed drafts will be due by Friday March 7.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We took a team assessment on the Road to Revolution

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.

Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 2er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 7.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents

Monday, March 3, 2008

1st Constitutional Convention Speeches

What we did in class today...

Reading - We introduced our book club book selections. Look for a letter that went home today which lists the choices and provides a brief summary.

Writing - We continued writing our Growing Up narratives on draft paper today. Typed drafts will be due by Friday March 7.

Word Study (Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling) -

Social studies

We gave speeches as if we were delegates to the First Constitutional Convention of 1774. Check out the videos above.

Homework…

Language Arts:

1. Read a book of your choosing for at least 20 minutes.

2. R&E #6 due March 18, 2008.

3. Return book club slip with top three choices of books. If buying the book, bring $7.00 in cash or check made payable to "BCS." Students are encouraged but not required to purchase books.

Social Studies

1. CET posts for Week 2er's by Wednesday. Comments by rest of CET by Friday March 7.

Character Education

Business

Goal Setting

Documents