Tuesday, October 31, 2017

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.

Monday, October 30, 2017

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.

Friday, October 27, 2017

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.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

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.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

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.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

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.

Monday, October 23, 2017

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.


Friday, October 20, 2017

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.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Fire Drills and Field Trips



Most of you are gone for band/orchestra things.

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

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

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.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

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.

Monday, October 16, 2017

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.