Unbelievably, it is the last nine weeks of this school year. Lots to do; some exciting changes for next year TBA in upcoming posts; please take note of schedule changes re: CHAI reading (all) and the Sunflower Project (Gr. 8).
READING
- STAR Reading: Last diagnostic tests for the year were taken this week (4/15-16); results and recommendations will be sent at the end of the school year
- CHAI Reading: Book selections made this week (4/15-16)
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Note new due date: May 8, 2013
- Book Review: Posted to Shelfari AND linked on blogfolio
- CHAI-light: Assume the persona of your book’s protagonist and write a blog post using his/her voice. Post to blogfolio with reflection. Example:
Today my sister Annie’s teacher sent a note home. She needs a white dress for the Easter play at school. Annie is one of the angels and she speaks one line. Mama is furious. She says we didn’t leave the war in Germany to come to America to be in an Easter play. She doesn’t understand how important it is that we fit in. Papa knows.
Everything here is so hard. Like the language. Why are there so many different words for the same thing? My teacher called me stupid in front of the whole class. It reminded me of that time in Germany when the teacher called me to the front and said, “‘Look at this Jewish pig, children! I don’t want to see any of you talking to her.’” (Levitin, 1989, p.9) I thought America would be different . . . (based on the character Lisa in Silver Days by Sonia Levitin)
LITERATURE
- Poetry Unit – Introduction
- 6: Rhyme scheme and sensory language
- 7: Types of poems (selections for recitations next week)
- 8: Shakespeare and soliloquies as compared to monologues
WRITING
- Editorials
- All grades: Cartoon with reflection already posted to blogs
- 7 & 8: Written editorial posted on blog or saved as draft in dashboard
- Blogfolios
- Check to be sure blogfolio is current
- Edit and revise, as needed
- Make corrections to Chai book reviews, as noted on your rubrics
LIFELONG LEARNING
The Sunflower Project, Grade 8, will now be presented at the edJewcon conference on Tuesday, April 30. The wiki will be officially launched, and 8th grade students will participate in a panel discussion with edJewcon attendees. Very exciting!
And now, you are up-to-date … at least, for this week!