Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with all of you each and every day. You enrich me in ways you'll never know.

What we did in class today:

Language Arts:

Writing - We began drafting our essays

Reading - We finished reading The Watsons...


The Anthology of Poetry and Creative Communications are two optional poetry contests for our kids. They received a paper with more details today. Extra credit will be given. Also, check out the websites. I'm available to edit.

Social Studies

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1. Practice your book commercial.

3. Reflections Contest. Due Tuesday December 9, 2008. This is a requirement for students in Mr. Joe's LA/SS class this year. Students may enter any or all of the six categories. The students all received a hard copy of the entry form, or you may access it here. All entries must have a copy of the registration form with the parent/guardian attached.

4. Study for Classroom Spelling Bee on Wednesday December 3. If you need more words, search online yourself, or use this site. You really can't memorize every word, it's best to look for patterns. The best way to improve spelling is to read a lot.

5. Practice You'll Never Walk Alone for the QPC:

Jordan Sparks version
Gerry and the Pacemakers version (original)
Liverpool Football Match version
Memorize Lyrics Here

Social Studies

1. Current Events Bonus Week

Marvelous Monday

What we did in class today:

Language Arts:

Writing - We learned the strategy of questioning in essay writing.

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watsons...


The Anthology of Poetry and Creative Communications are two optional poetry contests for our kids. They received a paper with more details today. Extra credit will be given. Also, check out the websites. I'm available to edit.

Social Studies - We studied the importance of conducting primary and secondary research especially regarding environmental issues.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1. Practice your book commercial.

3. Reflections Contest. Due Tuesday December 9, 2008. This is a requirement for students in Mr. Joe's LA/SS class this year. Students may enter any or all of the six categories. The students all received a hard copy of the entry form, or you may access it here. All entries must have a copy of the registration form with the parent/guardian attached.

4. Study for Classroom Spelling Bee on Wednesday December 3. If you need more words, search online yourself, or use this site. You really can't memorize every word, it's best to look for patterns. The best way to improve spelling is to read a lot.


Social Studies

1. Current Events Bonus Week

2. Share Scholastic News with parent. Due Tuesday 11.25

Fab Friday

What we did in class today:

Language Arts:

Writing - We learned the importance of authentic truth-telling in our essay writing

Reading -


The Anthology of Poetry and Creative Communications are two optional poetry contests for our kids. They received a paper with more details today. Extra credit will be given. Also, check out the websites. I'm available to edit.

Social Studies - We studied the importance of conducting primary and secondary research especially regarding environmental issues.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1. Practice your book commercial.

3. Reflections Contest. Due Tuesday December 9, 2008. This is a requirement for students in Mr. Joe's LA/SS class this year. Students may enter any or all of the six categories. The students all received a hard copy of the entry form, or you may access it here. All entries must have a copy of the registration form with the parent/guardian attached.

4. Study for Classroom Spelling Bee on Wednesday December 3. If you need more words, search online yourself, or use this site. You really can't memorize every word, it's best to look for patterns. The best way to improve spelling is to read a lot.


Social Studies

Current Events Week 2'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 19. Responses by November 21. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

Awesome Thursday!

What we did in class today:

Language Arts:

Writing - We noticed the use of lists in effective essay writing and added it to our list of strategies as we continued to write our own essays.

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis from an authors' perspective.

R&E Book Commercial. Your child practiced a one minute book commercial today which they will do on R&E day. Ask them for the details.

The Anthology of Poetry and Creative Communications are two optional poetry contests for our kids. They received a paper with more details today. Extra credit will be given. Also, check out the websites. I'm available to edit.

Social Studies - We continued our study of the history of Judaism and the Hebrew people.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1. Practice your book commercial.

3. Reflections Contest. Due Tuesday December 9, 2008. This is a requirement for students in Mr. Joe's LA/SS class this year. Students may enter any or all of the six categories. The students all received a hard copy of the entry form, or you may access it here. All entries must have a copy of the registration form with the parent/guardian attached.

4. Study for Classroom Spelling Bee on Wednesday December 3. If you need more words, search online yourself, or use this site. You really can't memorize every word, it's best to look for patterns. The best way to improve spelling is to read a lot.

5. Show parents writing contests sheet.

6. Show parents book commercial sheet.

Social Studies

1. Current Events Week 2'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 19. Responses by November 21. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

2. Read p. 101-109 in the History Alive textbook.

3. Do p. 78, 79, and 80 in the Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) Due Friday 11.21.

4. Read and share Scholastic News with parent. Choose a lengthy article and discuss an issue from the story based on the example given in class.

Wow Wednesday!

What we did in class today:

Language Arts:

Writing - We explored how outside evidence can be employed to write effective essays.

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis from an authors' perspective.


Social Studies - We began our study of the history of Judaism and the Hebrew people.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Reflections Contest. Due Tuesday December 9, 2008. This is a requirement for students in Mr. Joe's LA/SS class this year. Students may enter any or all of the six categories. The students all received a hard copy of the entry form, or you may access it here. All entries must have a copy of the registration form with the parent/guardian attached.

4. Study for Classroom Spelling Bee on Wednesday December 3. If you need more words, search online yourself, or use this site. You really can't memorize every word, it's best to look for patterns. The best way to improve spelling is to read a lot.

Social Studies

1. Current Events Week 2'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 19. Responses by November 21. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

2. Read p. 101-109 in the History Alive textbook.

3. Do p. 78, 79, and 80 in the Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) Due Friday 11.21.

Reflective Tuesday

What we did in class today:

Language Arts:

Writing - We began drafting our essays and organized our work by thesis, topic sentence, and mini-story.

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.


Social Studies - We continued our study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Reflections Contest. Due Tuesday December 9, 2008. This is a requirement for students in Mr. Joe's LA/SS class this year. Students may enter any or all of the six categories. The students all received a hard copy of the entry form, or you may access it here. All entries must have a copy of the registration form with the parent/guardian attached.


Social Studies

Current Events Week 2'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 19. Responses by November 21. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

Mag Monday

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts:

Writing - We reworked our theses by viewing examples of other essays and freewriting

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.


Social Studies - We continued our study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Memory Narrative. Rough draft must be emailed to Mr. Joe by Tuesday November 18th. Students received the rubric in class. They may use or combine existing narrative chunks they've already written or write a new ones.



Social Studies

Current Events Week 2'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 19. Responses by November 21. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

Fab Friday

Please have progress reports signed and returned. Thanks!

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts:

Writing - We worked on supporting reasons for our essays.

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.


Social Studies - We continued our study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Memory Narrative. Rough draft must be emailed to Mr. Joe by Tuesday November 18th. Students received the rubric in class. They may use or combine existing narrative chunks they've already written or write a new ones.



Social Studies

Current Events Week 1'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 12. Responses by November 14. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

Wondrous Wednesday

Conferences today 5-8pm and tomorrow 1-4 and 5-8pm. PLEASE BRING THREE QUESTIONS FOR THE CONFERENCE REGARDING YOUR CHILD.

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts:

Writing - We studied and wrote effective thesis statements.

Reading - We read and analyzed The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.


Social Studies - We continued our study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Memory Narrative. Rough draft must be emailed to Mr. Joe by Tuesday November 18th. Students received the rubric in class. They may use or combine existing narrative chunks they've already written or write a new ones.



Social Studies

Current Events Week 1'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 12. Responses by November 14. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

Marvelous Monday with Mrs. Jacobs!

I am at a conference today and Tuesday. Jeanne Jacobs, a longtime guest teacher and parent at BCS is our guest teacher.

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts:

Writing - We examined transitional language in expository writing.

Reading - We began reading The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis


Social Studies - We continued our study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Memory Narrative. Rough draft must be emailed to Mr. Joe by Tuesday November 18th. Students received the rubric today in class. They may use an existing narrative they've already written or write a new one.



Social Studies

Current Events Week 1'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 12. Responses by November 14. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

BCS Open House

Welcome to Language Arts and Social Studies!!

Fab Friday

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts - We practiced noticing and formulating theses in expository writing.

Social Studies - We continued our study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.




Social Studies

Current Events Week 4'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 5. Responses by November 7. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

Environment Contest

http://www.wecanchange.com/

Another Great Day at BCS!

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts - We practiced noticing and formulating theses in expository writing.

Social Studies - We began a study of the geography and topography of Ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan.

Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Go to Moodle Everyone #19 "Essay Writing" and follow directions. Due Friday 11.7.08


Social Studies

Current Events Week 4'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 5. Responses by November 7. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

History Happens Now

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts - We began studying the art of essay writing and practicing in our writer's notebooks.

Social Studies - We reviewed and discussed the election results from last night. We also reviewed parts of McCain's and Obama's speeches from last night.


Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.

3. Go to Moodle Everyone #19 "Essay Writing" and follow directions. Due Friday 11.7.08


Social Studies

1. Current Events Week 4'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 5. Responses by November 7. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

2. Election Night BONUS. Post to your homeroom Moodle site (#8 on Joseph 1 and #7 on Joseph 2) for an election response.

Magnificent Monday

What We Did in Class Today...

Language Arts - We launched the Battle of the Books. Ask your kiddo for details.

Social Studies - We presented our campaign sites and evaluated them in teams. Check out the sites below.

505 Campaign sites

Constitution:
Nader-Gonzalez:
Green:
Democrat:
Libertarian:
Republican:

507 Campaign Sites

Constitution
Nader-Gonzalez
Green
Democrat
Libertarian
Republican



Homework

Language Arts

1. Read 20 minutes. Post your reading to the reading log on http://56reading.wikispaces.com/

2. R&E #2 - Due the week of December 1.


Social Studies

1. Current Events Week 4'ers. Post to Moodle by Wednesday November 5. Responses by November 7. Ask your student for details. The assignment is clearly explained on Moodle.

2. Election Night BONUS. Post to your homeroom Moodle site (#8 on Joseph 1 and #7 on Joseph 2) for an election response.

507 Campaign Sites

Constitution
Nader-Gonzalez
Green
Democrat
Libertarian
Republican