Grace's Grindstone

January 23rd

On Level 

Last week, we learned how to avoid plagiarizing by paraphrasing information.  This week we will begin our research!  We will be working in the computer lab several days, and you will look for information pertaining to the community "problem" your group is addressing.

AC

This week, we will continue developing our diary/journal entries based on the immigration experience from the on-line simulation.  Writing focus will be apllication of concise language, tone, and mood, and point of view.

Immigration simulation:

www.tenement.org/immigrate

 

 

 

 

December 7th

   Download FriendlyLetter PowerPoint

 

 

 

Week of December 5th

OL:

This week, we are continuing our technical writing unit with the friendly letter.  This includes the five parts, their format, and rules of capitalization and punctuation for each.  We will draft and prepare friendly letters in class after examining several models.  Grammar focus is complements of verbs.

AC:

As we continue to analyze the Aftican folk tale of "Marwe and Chura,"  we will conduct  shared inquiry exercises which will allow us the benefit of others' opinions and insights to build new, enhanced responses to prompts. DGPs and grammar study this week is subject complements - predicate nouns and predicate adjectives. You should use your DGP packet and workbook for study and practice with these elements. Also, learn the linking verb song!

Week of November 28th

On-Level:

This week we are continuing our study of complements of verbs,  specifically, direct and indirect objects.  We will have a quiz on these two types of complements on Wednesday.  Review your Venn diagram and workbook to help you prepare.  Our writng focus is technical writing, and we are beginning work on our next technical writing product, a set of instructions.

AC:

We are completing our Folk Literature unit this week.  All unit logs, vocabulary graphs, and vocabulary projects are due.  If you did not submit these in class previously, you should do so by Wednesday.  Our  area of emphasis in grammar is direct and indirect objects, and we will continue with predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.  Please make sure you know your linking verbs!!!!

Download Complements (Direct Objects, Indirect Objects,

 

 

Week of November 14th

We will run a conference week schedule (short classes) on Monday so that all classes can meet before the reward movie.

On Level: The formula poems, which were the first products of our technical writing unit, were fabulous!  Last week we began our study of verb complements. We have begun direct and indirect objects and will continue with indirect objects this week. Review your practice sheets, DGP notes, and workbook pages daily, since this is new material for many.   Also, be sure you have your workbook with you when you come to class.

AC:  We have begun our "Blast from the Past" Unit, folk literature, and will continue with our study and analysis of selections from that genre.  You received a green unit log last week for recording  various  elements of these selections.  Please keep this in your binder!

 

WEEK OF OCTOBER 31st

 On-Level:  You will have an assessment on Wednesday over the 3 kinds of verbs.  Be sure you know both linking and helping verbs.  Learn those songs!  Also review your workbook pages and your DGP notes. You will receive a study guide and some practice worksheets on Monday and Tuesday as well. After your assessment, we will continue with our technical writing unit - formula poems!

AC:  Your rough drafts and checklists should be finished.  We will begin preparing the final copy in the computer lab on Monday.  Be sure to bring your "Resources for Writing " packet with you for final manuscript rules, etc.  You should also be reviewing prepositional phrases used as adjective and adverb phrases.

Week of October 24th

1st and 3rd periods:

After reviewing the 3 types of verbs (action, linking, and helping) on Monday, we will begin our learning station rotations on Tuesday and continue these throughout the week.  Continue learning  and singing the linking verb song and now the helping verb song !

AC

Pronouns Test 2 will be on Wednesday.  Use your study guides and workbooks to review and prepare.  You should continue working on your narrative draft, adding vivid language and dialogue to enhance the writing.  Refer to the rubric often, and use your  "References for Writing " packet for word lists, strategies, and don't forget to "wash" each paragraph.  Revise, revise, revise!  We will have several mini-lessons this week to help you with this. 

Week of October 10th

On-Level: This week we will make final revisions and complete the final draft of our narrativies. Technical writing unit will begin on Tuesday, and we will also begin a short grammar unit on prepositional phrases later in the week.

AC:  Pronoun test will be Wednesday.  You will receive a study guide on Monday, and there will be study session at 8:25 on Tuesday morning.  This week we will also examine the use of dialogue in writing and grammar focus will be adjective and adverbial phrases.

 

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 26th

1st and 3rd periods:

After completing our "Creature Features, " we will continue developing the plot line organizer for our narratives, focusing on the "rising action" paragraph(s).  This will be followed by drafting, and mini-lessons on paragraph structure and development will be included.

***NAME PROJECT DUE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO MON., OCT. 3RD ***

2nd, 4th, and 5th periods 

We will continue examining the elements of conflict, tone, figurative language, author's style as we begin developing our narratives. This will include analysis of a literature selection and one or more student models.  It is important that you bring your "Resources for Writing " booklet to class daily (in   Lang. Arts 3-ring notebook). If you are not already doing so, begin reviewing prepositionas and linking verbs on 1st page of your packet.

 

September 20th

AC classes will have a pronoun quiz on Thursday, 9/22. Included will be demonstrative, interrogative, and possessive pronouns and antecedents.  Use your pronoun organizer, workbook, and DGP packet as study guides to help you prepare.