Crazy to think that we only have one more month together in LA. After February 15th, 8th grade students will continue with me in 8th grade seminar, while 6th and 7th graders will have the opportunity to learn LA with Mr. Morrow or Ms. Matthews for the final trimester. As we get into the final month, here’s where I need your help.
1) Maintaining reading. Students should be continuing to be reading different genres and updating their book plan accordingly. I’m always available for book recommendations.
2) Keeping up with assignments. There were a number of missing assignments during this first week of January school. I update Infinite Campus regularly and students should be checking in to make sure that they have no missing work. (Unfortunately, I have professional development on Tuesday — so students may need to wait until Wednesday for some sign-offs.)
3) Book return. I’ve lent a LOT of books out from my personal library — which is wonderful — but some of the books have been out for months. Please check with your student to make sure that any books they are not actively reading are returned to my classroom. (I’m sure there are many library books out too — those should be returned to school library.)
4) Friendly reminder that February 1st is 8th grade author’s night (6pm-7pm). 8th Graders will be reading one piece of work from their CHOICE career. 6th and 7th graders welcome to attend.
5) Making sure that students have their PVBR Novel with them at school. Some students have not had their books at school during these past few classes, which makes a book study really hard to do…!
In class, we’ll continue diving into our Personalized Video Book Reviews through book study. Students will be finding important passages in their books, identifying theme, making text-to-text connections, writing summaries, and more.
Here’s an upcoming overview of our time together (subject to change)
Every day: Students should be reading their choice novel and bringing their project novel to school.
Friday, January 19th: Questions #8-#15 and #17 due on “Read This Book” sheet. (Not collected)
Tuesday, January 23rd: “Read This Book” due at the BEGINNING of class with rubric. This should include a stapled packet with rubric, twenty questions, plot mountain, drawing, and character map. (Students will need to print this out.)
Thursday, January 25th: Strong Draft of Narrative should be complete.
Friday, January 26th: No class — Conference release day
Monday, January 29th: Narrative Peer Critique. And for 8th graders only — one piece of writing, printed and mounted on construction paper, ready for sharing at author’s night.
Thursday (2/1). Author’s Night. 8th graders will be reading pieces from 6pm-7pm. Required for 8th graders. All others welcome!
Friday (2/2): ADI #1. No Class
Monday (2/5): Narrative spreadsheets complete. This includes all pictures/images/videos.
Tuesday – Thursday (2/6-2/8): We’ll be recording and creating our videos in class.
Monday and Tuesday (2/12 and 2/13). Final touches on videos. Updated padlet/book plans. All classroom books due. Trimester self evaluations due.
Wednesday (2/14): PVBRs due at beginning of class to Padlet. Book Film Festival Day 1.
Thursday (2/15): Last day of the trimester. Book Film Festival Day 2.
Monday (2/20): 8th Grade seminar begins. 6th and 7th graders will have a new LA teacher for 3rd trimester.
Have a great week! -JF