Archive for February, 2007
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007
Homework: Keep working on your 20/20 reading calendar and your book brochure. If you did not complete a page of writing in your writer’s notebook, please do that for homework tonight! 
Wednesday notes: We got to write in our writer’s notebooks today. Very fun to listen to everyone’s ideas. How are the brochures coming along??? Congrats to C.H., who has a new baby brother! Welcome to the world, Conner’s Brother!
Tuesday notes: We discussed some surprising articles today. First period read about a student who was suspended for writing a violent story in her journal. In second period, we read about high schools that give away prizes to students who attend school. In third period we compared multiple perspectives about African American History Month. We also learned about irregular verbs today. Swim, swam, swum…Can you use these correctly? What about the word jeopardy??? Anyone remember its definition? Tomorrow we will have time for our Writer’s Notebooks. Hoorah. 
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Monday, February 19th, 2007
Homework ???
A family newsletter went home yesterday. Please remember to share that at home. Progress reports were sent home today. Please share those with your parents and return both with signatures on Friday.
Book Brochures : due March 6: I would LOVE to hear what you are reading!
First Period: Read a book that has a powerful THEME or MESSAGE for readers.
Second Period: Read a book that’s a prize winner.
Third Period: Read a book that focuses on a multiple perspectives or has a multicultural theme.
20/20 Reading Calendar due March 9
Wednesday Notes: Today we had about 30 minutes for each L.A. class in the computer lab. First period is making great progress on their newsletters. Second period began zine writing. Third period students are doing well with their multicultural picture book chart. It always seems like computer projects take a long time, doesn’t it? Tomorrow we will have Lifeskills in L.A. First period fifth graders will work on their Poet Power Points during that time.
Tuesday Notes: First period worked on literature responses today. Second and third period classes helped out with the African American Read In. If you know what you’re reading for your book brochure, can you share your title in our comments section? Tomorrow we’ll work on our portfolios. I hope we will, anyway!
Monday notes: Our reader response day went well. I’m tired for sorting cards and texts, but I’m off to aerobics. See you tomorrow! 
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Thursday, February 15th, 2007
Friday notes: We were in the computer lab this morning. First period is writing about their lit. book and working on newspapers. Second period has started their zine work. And third period is working on a table of book comparisons. On Monday, we will read and respond to writing that’s been published in 401. Please bring slippers and a soft pillow. No snacks please. I will bring in some small edible items. We may be getting some more snow tomorrow. Enjoy!
Thursday notes…We had a fun party this afternoon. Thanks to students and parents who brought in all the party supplies. During L.A., we wrote “odes” to our pencils. Ah, you just have to love them, don’t you?
Homework?
Share the newsletter I passed out today with your family this weekend.
20/20 Log…Due March 9
Book Brochure…due March 6
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2007
Homework:
First Period: Work on a paragraph for your lit. log, answering the question, “Is the pen mightier than the sword?” This will be due Wednesday and we’ll talk more about it next week. Make sure every page in your lit. log is complete and ready for your portfolio.
Second Period: We began working on our zine proposals. These will be due Wednesday.
Third Period: You are writing a poem for 2 voices, based on your lit. log book. That will be due Wednesday. You also have one more written conversation to finish in your lit. log.
Friday Notes: We were in the computer lab this morning. First period is working on newspapers about issues of fairness. Second period has started working on their zines. I wonder how many people still need to work on their power points about book prizes? In third period, we worked on creating a table for comparing books. We didn’t get far, but I think we all know what we’re doing now. I’m crossing my fingers on that. Hope you all have a marvelous weekend! 
Tuesday Notes: It was beautiful teaching and looking out the window all day long. I hope I can get everything ready so we can have our social story-zine-play reading day next Thursday morning. Will you all go sledding tomorrow? Where’s the best hill? See you Thursday!
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Monday, February 5th, 2007
A 2 hour delay was a nice way to start. Today is the day that schools, universities and libraries across the United States are hosting “Read Ins” as a way to celebrate African American History Month. You can read more about the national Read In here. In first period, we read Malcolm X by Walter Dean Myers. In second period, we read Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller and illustrated by Gregory Christie. In third period we read Patrol, another great book by Walter Dean Myers. Did you know Walter Dean Myers is a 5 time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award? Which book did you read with your partner today? What did you think of the book we shared in class???
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Friday, February 2nd, 2007
Third Period Computer Project!
We will read over guidelines together here.
You will take notes from the link on our blog roll.
Read a multicultural picture book and give your impressions by writing an EVALUATIVE comment on the blog.
You also should respond to someone else’s comment on the blog.
After reading 3 books, make a table of 3 reminders that you consider important for students and teachers selecting and reading multicultural picture books. Compare three books in your table.
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