Class Update
December 4, 2024
I can't believe we are in December already! I wanted to update families so you are aware that students are moving into their final projects for the non-fiction unit. Students spent time in the library and in class researching their topics, note-taking, and are now working on their final projects.
**Please help your child understand that these projects will need BOTH class and HOME time in order to be done by their due dates (see below)**
They can choose to create a magazine article, brochure, slideshow, or video/podcast as a medium to share their learning. Samples of most project choices and the rubric have been shared on Google Classroom. Please reach out with any questions!
A Day Due Date: Tuesday, December 10th
B Day Due Date: Tuesday, December 17th (B day students missed class time due to holiday and field trip activities which is why their due date is different).
October 10, 2024
Students are wrapping up their first unit that explored all the elements of fiction including setting, character, conflict, plot, and theme. They have been reading short stories and longer books of choice and are completing their final projects due on Friday, 10/11. They will take an assessment on what they've learned on Tuesday, 10/15 (A Day) and Wednesday, 10/16 (B Day). For this assessment, they will read a short story and answer 3 questions that have to do with the fictional elements of the story that we have been practicing with our class stories and their independent reading material. I am confident the students will do well!
In this unit, we spent time learning how to write a well organized paragraph. I introduced the CER (claim, evidence, reasoning) format for students to refer to as another scaffold for writing strong paragraphs. I am proud of the students' most recent independent work where they wrote a paragraph about a theme in one of the stories we have read together. I'm looking forward to moving them forward with their writing throughout the next unit!
We will move into our Non-Fiction unit around October 21st.
August 22, 2024:
I am so excited to welcome you to the Green Team! I was lucky enough to meet many of our students at the orientation on Wednesday. I saw lots of nervous faces but some eager ones ready to jump into middle school. Whether you feel nervous or excited, I am here to support you! I cannot wait to officially welcome you to our class on Monday, 8/26 and Tuesday, 8/27. Both days will be half days, so we can ease back into the swing of the school year. Please bring an open mind with you and your best smile; I'll be sure to bring the same!
We will kick off the year getting to know one another both socially and academically. Our first unit will be focused on fiction and refreshing our understanding of the fictional elements (ie. setting, character, plot, theme, etc.). Students will read short stories and their own choice novel as we lay the foundation for the year. In this unit we will practice active reading strategies, deepening our ideas through discussion, and writing about our reading. I'm so excited to start the year!