Research Task and Halloween Fun

Today's Goal: Get your whole group on your World Events Research Hyperdoc. Watch a Halloween movie for funsies.

Agenda:

1. Research Hyperdoc (I sent this to you at drive.google.com. It will be in your "Shared with Me" folder. The title will be "Group ## - World Events Research Hyperdoc")
2. Socrative
3. Halloween Movie

Question for Socrative: 

Now that you know the task for your research, I have one question. Talk with your group, and then submit any answers that you have. Once you have written your article, how can you get your article so that it is seen by an authentic audience? Who is your audience and what creative ways can we show them our learning?

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight FRIDAY.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another! I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "For Sale: Your stuff"
• Do all ten questions! (The last two are important!)
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You should be almost finished with at least one new book, and moving on to your THIRD independent reading book of the year at least) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Library Orientation (Period 1)

Today's Goal: Library Orientation

Agenda:

1. Period 1 is going to the library! Period 2/5: You're going to the library on Wednesday. We're going to have some wonky days this week.
2. Period 2/5: Short Halloween writing activity! (I think you'll have fun with it)
3. If time, work on your Achieve assignments or late work (there are a lot of you that have unnecessary zeros!

Scary Story Starters:

1. It was a regular Halloween night. The air was cold and the streets were empty, until suddenly....
2. The mad scientist had a new creation. He had made....
3. The large cauldron of purple liquid started to boil when...
4. I got an eerie feeling when I heard...
5. In the distance, I noticed a mysterious object floating in the air. As I tiptoed closer, ......
6. We walked up to the door, when the Halloween pumpkin suddenly transformed into .......
7. The black cat started to crouch and hiss when...
8. Something in the closet was making a strange noise, so I opened the door and...
9. As I carefully entered the haunted house, the door shut behind me and...
10. Use this photo to start your own story:
    
    

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight FRIDAY.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "For Sale: Your stuff"
• Do all ten questions! (The last two are important!)
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Making Connections Across International Borders

 Today's Goal: Write a letter to build connections with students in another part of the world.

Agenda:

1. What are you reading?
2. Write a letter!
3. Work on Achieve or Thought Question or read!

Writing a Letter

Mrs. Lavery is sending books from our library to a school in Africa. WHat do you think abouy writing a letter to students to go with them?

Some ideas to get you started: Can you add to them? 

• Introduce yourself, who you are, what you enjoy, and some other facts about you
• Don't use your last name!
• Share about where we live
• What are you learning about in school? 
• Tell them about the power of books, and what YOUR favorite book is
• Ask some questions about them (Be respectful!)
• What else can we add to this list?

Reminders/Homework:

• Thought Question! Due by Midnight on Friday. 
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight FRIDAY.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "How Can I Help?"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Google Searching: Get better results!

 Today's Goal: Write meaningful research questions and practice turning them into GREAT Google Search Queries. (We did the first part yesterday. Today we'll do the second part.)

Agenda:

1. Open-Ended Questions Bellringer
2. Writing Google Queries to make your Googling better
3. Work on independent reading or Achieve if there is time.

Google Search Queries:

1. Practice/Lesson
2. Video: “How Search Works”
3. Practice with your questions

Reminders/Homework:

• Thought Question! Due by Midnight on Friday. You will find it in Google Classroom THIS AFTERNOON. (It's not there yet)
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight FRIDAY.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "How Can I Help?"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Research Questions and Google Search Queries

 Today's Goal: Write meaningful research questions and practice turning them into GREAT Google Search Queries.

Agenda:

1. Writing Research Questions
2. Writing Google Queries to make your Googling better

Writing Research Questions

1. The challenge: Write questions to focus your research. One (or more) MUST BE open-ended. That means it is not answerable with a single correct answer - it requires an in-depth response. (Usually a Why? Or How? question)

In addition: One of your questions MUST relate to our essential questions: How can we, as change agents, work to address the needs of people in times of crisis? and/or Why do we listen to other people’s stories?

2. Watch this video about developing research questions. (YouTube Developing a Research Question)

3. Use the stems to the left to help you write your questions.

4. Write 3 or more specific questions about your topic that you can answer through research.  At least one must be open-ended!

Reminders/Homework:

• Thought Question! Due by Midnight on Friday. You will find it in Google Classroom THIS AFTERNOON. (It's not there yet)
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight FRIDAY.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "How Can I Help?"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

KWHLAQ

 Today's Goal: Brainstorm with your whole group - everything you know and want to know about your topic.

Agenda:

1. If you have colored pencils or crayons, they might be useful today
2. Find your new group, but you should be aware that you may need to move around a bit.
3. KWHLAQ
4. If you finish (and it's approved by Ms. Black, you may work on Achieve and/or your thought question.

Image Source

Reminders/Homework:

• Thought Question! Due by Midnight on Friday. You will find it in Google Classroom THIS AFTERNOON. (It's not there yet)
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight FRIDAY.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "How Can I Help?"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Group Writing

 Today's Goal:  Pre-project activity. Key words: empathy, teamwork, cooperation, research, message, theme

Agenda:

1. Get out a pencil. You're going to need it.
2. Group writing/reflection activity
3. Prepare yourselves for new seats tomorrow

Questions for the Day (If you're absent, pick one, write about it, and turn it in to Ms. Black):

• What does it mean to "make change"?
• Why is it important to listen to others stories?
• How do people help and show that they care?
• What does effective RESEARCH look like?
• If you're working with a team, what does TEAMWORK and COOPERATION look like?
• What is the most important MESSAGE from A Long Walk to Water? (Why do we read it? What does it have to teach us?)

Reminders/Homework:

• Thought Question! Due by Midnight on Friday. You will find it in Google Classroom THIS AFTERNOON. (It's not there yet)
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight on Friday.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "How Can I Help?"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Research Kick-Off: Part 2

Today's Goal:  Explore people and organizations that have made a difference in the world in order to figure out what YOU are interested in researching!

Agenda:

1. Read if we don't have internet! Yay!
2. Google Classroom - There's a document for you to start exploring potential research topics!
3. Please note: For the first box on the document, you can't watch the videos at school. Try THIS website and THIS website instead.
4. Rank your personal research interests by using THIS LIST to pick your top three topics.

Reminders/Homework:

• Get your book review and NoRedInk finished and turned in if you haven't already.
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight TONIGHT.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Teen's Company Cleans Up"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Fire Drills and Field Trips

Most of you are gone for band/orchestra things.

Don't worry. No major assignments were given today.

Research Kick-Off

Today's Goal:  Explore people and organizations that have made a difference in the world in order to figure out what YOU are interested in researching!

Agenda:

1. Google Classroom - There's a document for you to start exploring potential research topics!
2. Please note: For the first box on the document, you can't watch the videos at school. Try THIS website and THIS website instead.

Reminders/Homework:

• Get your book review and NoRedInk finished and turned in if you haven't already.
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Teen's Company Cleans Up"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Adjectives and Adverbs

Today's Goal:  Practice with adjectives and adverbs using NoRedInk!

Agenda:

1. What are you reading?
2. Adjectives vs. Adverbs
3. NoRedInk (log in with Google)
4. Complete your book review and then read a book!

Adjectives and Adverbs: Some helpful charts

Reminders/Homework:

• Finish No Red Ink if you didn't finish in class.
• Independent Reading Book Reviews DUE TONIGHT by midnight. 
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Teen's Company Cleans Up"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

Book Reviews: Last Day In Class

Today's Goal:  Work Day. Focus your attention on your independent reading book reviews. Ms. Black will write one, too! She's going to write on to model for you while you work. You can watch her if you get stuck!

Agenda:

1. Social Contract Goals for the Week
2. Collect A Long Walk to Water so Ms. Black can turn them in for you (she's so nice.)
3. Book Reviews
4. If you finish, today is a good day to get a head start on either your Achieve assignments or your independent reading. I will help you find a new book if you need that!

In case you've never seen one before, that's a typewriter.
Ask your parents about them.

Reminders/Homework:

• Independent Reading Book Reviews DUE TOMORROW by midnight. 
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. 
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Teen's Company Cleans Up"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!) My suggestion: 20 pages every night. You might surprise yourself.

FINISH our novel!

This is Salva Dut Ariik!

Today's Goal:  Brainstorm for our next project after we finish A Long Walk to Water.

Agenda:

1. A Long Walk To Water - Chapter 17-18!
2. Fill out this form
3. Book Reviews (In Google Classroom!)
   (These will be due next week.  You will have more in-class time to do them on Monday)
4. Social Contract Check-Out

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight TONIGHT.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. (no thought question)
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Trying to Beat Malaria" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• You WILL need to do the Thought Question on Google Classroom, not on the Achieve website! (DUE TONIGHT!)
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!)

Book Reviews! Day 2

Today's Goal:  Analyze book reviews to prepare to write a book review in class tomorrow by identifying the necessary elements required for the task.

Agenda:

1. A Long Walk To Water - Chapter 16!
2. Book Reviews (You have a new document in Google Classroom!

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. (no thought question)
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Trying to Beat Malaria" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• You WILL need to do the Thought Question on Google Classroom, not on the Achieve website!
• Read your next independent reading book! (You have 6 weeks to read TWO books!)

Independent Reading Book Reviews

Today's Goal:  Analyze book reviews to prepare to write a book review in class tomorrow by identifying the necessary elements required for the task.

Agenda:

1. A Long Walk To Water - Chapter 15!
2. Book Reviews

Book Reviews:

Today you will review a selection of book reviews to learn about their important elements.

Group 1 Click Here

Group 2 Click Here

Group 3 Click Here

Group 4 Click Here

Group 5 Click Here

Group 6 Click Here

Your job: Read the book review that is assigned to you and make a list of everything that you notice that the author DID in their book review. What makes it a good book review? What's significant about this piece of writing? How is it different from your thought question paragraphs?  

Reminders/Homework:

• Leave at least one comment on a Two-Voice Poem on FlipGrid. Try to pick ones that have no comments yet. EVERY POEM should get at least one comment!
• In your response video, explain:
• One aspect of PVLEGS you think they did well and why.
• Something you thought was interesting about their poem, it's theme, or their choices. 
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading. (no thought question)
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Trying to Beat Malaria" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• You WILL need to do the Thought Question, but it's on Google Classroom, not on the Achieve website!

COME TO HOMEWORK CLUB:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays after school in Ms. Black's room until 3:10. Work on any work for any class, and/or get help from Ms. Black on English!

Two-Voice Poem: LAST DAY

Today's Goal:  Compare and Contrast Nya and Salva by working to write a Two-Voice Poem using EVIDENCE from your book.

Agenda:

1. PVLEGS for Speaking
   Focus: Poise, Voice, and Speed.
2. Two-Voice Poem (If you're absent, you'll find this assignment in Google Classroom.)
3. FlipGrid Publishing - You must get Ms. Black's approval before performing your poem on FlipGrid. You must PRACTICE before you record. 
4. Thought Question for "Trying to Beat Malaria" IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

Reminders/Homework:

• Leave at least one comment on a Two-Voice Poem on FlipGrid. Try to pick ones that have no comments yet. EVERY POEM should get at least one comment!
• In your response video, explain:
• One aspect of PVLEGS you think they did well and why.
• Something you thought was interesting about their poem, it's theme, or their choices. 
• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Trying to Beat Malaria" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• You WILL need to do the Thought Question, but it's on Google Classroom, not on the Achieve website!
• If you and your partner did not finish your two-voice poem, you will need to find time to record your video together. Remember: Ms. Black is looking for Poise, Voice, and Speed when she watches them.

COME TO HOMEWORK CLUB:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays after school in Ms. Black's room until 3:10. Work on any work for any class, and/or get help from Ms. Black on English!

Two-Voice Poem: Day 3

Today's Goal:  Compare and Contrast Nya and Salva by working to write a Two-Voice Poem using EVIDENCE from your book.

Agenda:

1. Social Contract Weekly Goal
2. Read Chapter 14 in A Long Walk to Water
3. PVLEGS for Speaking
4. Two-Voice Poem (If you're absent, you'll find this assignment in Google Classroom.)
5. FlipGrid Publishing - You must get Ms. Black's approval before performing your poem on FlipGrid. You must PRACTICE before you record.

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Trying to Beat Malaria" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity.
• You WILL need to do the Thought Question, but Ms. Black will give you details about that later this week. It will work the same way that the last one did, and it will be in Google Classroom.
• If you and your partner will not be done with your Two-Voice Poem tomorrow, be sure to work on it at home. Remember: Ms. Black is looking for Poise, Voice, and Speed when she watches them.

Two-Voice Poem: Day 2

Today's Goal:  Compare and Contrast Nya and Salva by working to write a Two-Voice Poem.

Agenda:

1. Read Chapter 13 in A Long Walk to Water
2. Two-Voice Poem (If you're absent, you'll find this assignment in Google Classroom.)

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening. (NO Thought Question)
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Dressing Right for Work" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity. If you STILL don't like your score,  you have the option to do the thought question carefully and then fill out the "rescore request" to ask me to consider that when I give you a score!
• Work on your dialectical journal for Chapter 1-9 if you need to add more detail than what you were able to do in class. (Due date: Chapter 1-9, Friday, October 6 on Google Classroom)
• At least one Independent Reading book must be done by October 9
• Finish your NoRedInk assignment if you haven't already.

Two-Voice Poem: Day 1

Today's Goal:  Compare and Contrast Nya and Salva by working to write a Two-Voice Poem.

Agenda:

1. Read Chapters 11 and 12 in A Long Walk to Water
2. Two-Voice Poem (If you're absent, you'll get your partner and more information tomorrow.)

from Mr. Brown: http://www.ws.k12.ny.us/

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening. (NO Thought Question)
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Dressing Right for Work" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity. If you STILL don't like your score,  you have the option to do the thought question carefully and then fill out the "rescore request" to ask me to consider that when I give you a score!
• Work on your dialectical journal for Chapter 1-9 if you need to add more detail than what you were able to do in class. (Due date: Chapter 1-9, Friday, October 6 on Google Classroom)
• At least one Independent Reading book must be done by October 9
• Finish your NoRedInk assignment if you haven't already.

Grammar: Nouns and Verbs (A Review!)

Today's Goal:  Practice identifying action verbs and common nouns (it's a grammar day!)

Agenda:

1. Join "No Red Ink."
   The class code will be given to you shortly. Then click SIGN UP WITH GOOGLE.
2. Follow all the directions a choose your interests!
3. Review the "lessons" that are assigned to you, and then complete the two activities. 
4. When you are done, work on: Achieve, your Dialectical Journal, or reading your independent reading book.

No Red Ink

Today you're going to learn how to use No Red Ink by practicing identifying action verbs and common nouns. I know you know what verbs and nouns are, but here is a quick reminder:

Common Nouns name unspecific people, places, things, or ideas (Proper Nouns are different!)

Action Verbs describe what someone (or something) does.

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening. (NO Thought Question)
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Dressing Right for Work" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity. If you STILL don't like your score,  you have the option to do the thought question carefully and then fill out the "rescore request" to ask me to consider that when I give you a score!
• Work on your dialectical journal for Chapter 1-9 if you need to add more detail than what you were able to do in class. I will be going in to try to add more comments in the next few days. (Due date: Chapter 1-9, Friday, October 6 on Google Classroom)
• At least one Independent Reading book must be done by October 9

https://www.noredink.com/signup/student?

Clean Water Infographic

Today's Goal:  Analyze and learn from infographics as digital readers.

Agenda:

1. Read Chapter 10 in A Long Walk To Water
2. Digital Readers Infographic Activity in Google Classroom
   (You will need to "make a copy" and "share" that document with a partner.)
3. If you finish, work on Achieve or your Dialectical Journal. (BOTH DUE FRIDAY, BUT TURN THEM IN SOONER)

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening. (NO Thought Question)
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. 
• Title: "Dressing Right for Work" 
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity. If you STILL don't like your score,  you have the option to do the thought question carefully and then fill out the "rescore request" to ask me to consider that when I give you a score!
• Work on your dialectical journal for Chapter 1-9 if you need to add more detail than what you were able to do in class. I will be going in to try to add more comments in the next few days. (Due date: Chapter 1-9, Friday, October 6 on Google Classroom)
• At least one Independent Reading book must be done by October 9

Thought Question Peer Review

Today's Goal:  Assess a peer's thought question paragraph using a rubric. Make revisions and edits based on the assessment.

Agenda:

1. Social Contract Warm-Up
2. Review Thought Question Rubric
3. Peer Review 
4. Make edits and revisions if necessary
5. Submit a "Rescore Request" if you make revisions

Peer Review

1. You will trade Chromebooks with your assigned partner (make sure you have your paragraph open!)
2. Using the rubric: circle, highlight, or write in the box of the space on the rubric that the writing sample belongs in. 
3. When you get your rubric back with your peer's score, you will turn it over and write a couple sentences to answer this question: Do you agree with the scores your peer gave you? Why or why not?
4. You will turn in the rubric before you leave.
5. If time, work on revisions.

IF YOU HAVE A ZERO OR AN INCOMPLETE AND YOUR GRADE GOES WAY DOWN:

DO NOT PANIC. That's only information. Go improve your assignment and the score will improve with it. The only permanent grades are the ones that get sent out at the end of the semester. 

Did Mom or Dad panic? Show them this. 

Your grade is not a reflection of your worth, and it can change if you put forth the effort.

Reminders/Homework:

• Two Achieve Articles due by midnight Friday evening.
• one article of your choice. If you aren't happy with your activity score, do another. I'll consider the higher score for grading.
• One article of Ms. Black's choice. You DO NOT have to do the thought question.
• Title: "Dressing Right for Work"
• If you don't like your score, do the stretch activity. If you STILL don't like your score, do the thought question carefully and then email me to ask me to consider that when I give you a score!
• Work on your dialectical journal for Chapter 1-9 if you need to add more detail than what you were able to do in class. I will be going in to try to add more comments in the next few days. (Due date: Chapter 1-9, Friday, October 6 on Google Classroom)
• At least one Independent Reading book must be done by October 9
• Grading Period ends on Friday, October 6. Please make sure all assignments and revisions are turned in so that the progress report grade is the most accurate reflection of your learning.