Thursday 9/30

We worked in our writers notebooks today and talked further about books and how to choose them.  We discussed the idea that often the first step to writing is to visualize and to "make movies" in our minds.  We brainstormed in the writers notebooks about important people in our lives and then created a graphic organizer to try to organize the stories we have about those people.  HW for first period is to tell one of those stories contained in one piece of pie, to bring Ir books and to bring your red folders into class tomorrow!  Periods 2, 7 and 8 need to be sure they have an independent reading book in class tomorrow, finish pie charts, and bring red folder to class. Have a great night.

Wednesday 9/29

It was our first time meeting as a smaller group today and it was super nice to get to know you as individuals.  We spent much time today talking and writing about reading.  Our writer's notebook assignment was to write for five minutes about our favorite books and spaces to read.  Periods 2,7,8 Homework is to have conversations about reading with at least one other person and to choose a new book for Friday.  Period 1 not only should you have to have conversations about reading but also you need to revisit your writer's notebook and talk about your process of choosing a book.  If you've chosen a book already, write about your process of choosing the book and also predict what will happen in the book.  Have a great night.

Monday 9/27/2010

WOOHOO! We have completed the first research paper connected to Clarklisto Connections.  Now your student should be an expert or at least knowledgeable about his or her chosen topic.  There is no assignment tonight for English.  However, an independent reading book will need to be chosen before the end of the week so conversations about what to choose would be great!  I will be out tomorrow so Mr. Clark will be blocking and doing some cool Civil War activities.  Have a great night.

Friday 9/24

Students worked hard today writing their conclusions.  Monday will be a workday devoted to typing, finishing up citations and proofreading.  The final product will need to be submitted electronically on Monday.  Many students borrowed thumbdrives to transfer their work from school to home and home to school.  It would be great if you could remind your student Monday morning to be sure the thumbdrive is in his/her backpack.  If it happens that your student did not borrow a thumbdrive but typed the paper at home feel free to send it as an email attachment to me at carlisto@lakeplacidcsd.net if you do not have Microsoft Word at home it would be helpful to not only attach the document but to also send it as the text of the email by copying it and pasting it!  Next week will be the beginning of independent reading so if you are near a library or bookstore you may want to start looking for a book. At least start having conversations with your friends about what they have read and liked!  Have a great weekend.

Thursday 9/23

We worked hard today to make sure our body paragraphs contained many details and transitions so the story of our topic was told well.  Tonight's homework is to be sure those body paragraphs are well developed.  The final draft of the paper is due on Monday after the block.  It needs to be typewritten and submitted electronically.  See you at open house tonight!

Wednesday 9/22

Most of you handed in your first body paragraph today and it will be returned tomorrow. You should have gotten your introductions back.  Remember if a question mark appeared on your paper, you need to speak to either Mr. Clark or me about some necessary changes.  Your homework for tonight is to work from your completed graphic organizer and write the last two body paragraphs of your paper in a "final" rough draft form--double spaced and neat!  some of you need to know more details about your categories :)

Tuesday 9/21/10

Writing any type of formal paper requires some initial planning.  Today we worked on ways to organize writing so the best story of our topics could be told.  Information found during the research was categorized  and a plan for each student's paper began to be formed.  As categories were decided and information sorted, the first body paragraph was begun.  Homework for tonight is to research more if you are not feeling like you have enough information on your first category then write the "final" rough draft for your first body paragraph. If you need the handout, download it from my locker on my webpage.

Monday 9/20/10

Today we worked on writing the introduction portion of the paper.  Generally this first paragraph needs to set the context of time and explain events that led up to the topic.  the topic should not be introduced until the last 1-2 sentences of the paragraph.  Many of you struggled since you wanted to immediately tell us the juicy details of the topic. Remember think of your audience as a friend who doesn't know much about the time period and try to include information that would make the topic make more sense to him/her. Check out the sample in the "Connections Class of 2015" folder in the locker on my website.  Your homework is to have a "final" rough draft of your introduction written neatly on a loose-leaf sheet of paper.  Be sure to skip lines so you can more easily make revisions as they are suggested.

Friday 9/17

Great job researching today.  Most of you seem to have a good grasp of your topic.  Tell your parents the story of your topic just to make sure you have all three parts nailed down--Background, topic itself and impact.  Your full packet is due on Monday when we will work on the introduction and we will also complete an MLA works cited page using noodletools.  Remember to record sources if you use them over the weekend.  Check out the sources we have suggested by checking out my locker on my website.

Thursday 9/16

Now we are getting somewhere!  Nice job reading in class today.  Remember your goal is to have a broad understanding of your topic so you can write an expository paper wherein you tell some background information and relay details of your topic. In other words, your job with the paper will be to be able to tell about the topic in a way your peers, who have not studied it yet, understand.  Keep up the good work!

Wednesday 9/15

Now we are rolling!  You have chosen a topic and have a worksheet that has to be completed for class tomorrow.  Let your parents know what topic you have chosen and have a discussion about it.  Check out my website to check out those summarizing sentences written by your peers!  Be ready to research tomorrow with your completed worksheet in hand.

Tuesday 9/14

Well, we didn't get quite as far today as we anticipated but by the time first half of the block is complete tomorrow, we will have some great sentences that give a brief synopsis of each of the 40 topics for the connections activities that will continue all year.  If you have not already typed your final sentence, be prepared to do that as soon as you enter the classroom tomorrow.  Once they are all posted ina public forum, you will need to make your decision and begin researching for your first 2 page research paper for Clarklisto.

Monday 9/13/10

We had a great time in Vermont.  Thanks for being such a great class and for being so willing to attempt new challenges.  Mr. Clark and I are spending quite a bit of time with you on this first project to ensure you  understand where we want you to go.  We won't guide you quite as much for the next activity. No real homework tonight.  Be ready to discuss your rough draft sentences for your eighth grade topic that was assigned today in groups.  We will be posting final drafts in some forum tomorrow so everyone can make an informed decision about their Connections topic choice.

Wednesday 9/8

First day of Clarklisto has me impressed with your ability to work collaboratively, I love the conversations I heard.  You bounced ideas around well in your groups and really pushed each other to get the best product you could.  Keep it up.  VERMONT TOMORROW--Don't forget to have good shoes, a lunch and your ID.

What to Pack

If you are going to Vermont (and really everyone should go--talk to last year's class--it's a blast!) you need to have your luggage in my room or Mr. Clark's room tomorrow morning.  Solid shoes, rain gear, lunch, no more than ten dollars in case we stop for dinner Friday on the way home.  Call me at home if you have questions!!!

Day One--Tuesday, Sept 7

It was great to meet you today.  I promise I'll have names down before the end of the week.  Your homework is to complete your piece of writing with tons of sensory details.  I will collect your notebooks tomorrow as you enter the classroom!  Remember if you feel like you are telling--slow it down and paint the picture in your mind so you can really show your readers how it felt! Here's the story about Jack I shared in class show don't tell.  Other helpful advice is to use action verbs find some here or some sensory details here.

Reading

You will need to choose an independent reading book by next Monday. Finding the right book can be difficult as not only individual interests, but also reading levels become factors in book selection.
Mrs. Riehs, Mrs. Allen and I have been talking quite a bit about how we can help with book selection.  We hope to get better at matching students with "just right books" this school year, but for now here are some sites that might assist you in finding an independent reading book:

This site from the American Library Association lists the best books for young adults since 1996.

Scholastic has a page where students share reviews on books they've read. You can search by genre or grade level.

New School Year

I am excited about starting the new year and meeting all of you.  We are working hard at finalizing plans for the awesome trip to Vermont.  Don't forget to fill out your permission slips!