Friday, September 28, 2012

Tonight's Homework...
1.) Begin working on ESSAY #2: due Friday, October 5, 2012

• Topic: Pets
• Thesis: "________ make great pets." (include three main points?)
• Evidence of brainstorm
• Evidence of outline
• Evidence of drafts
• Introduction technique
• Properly placed thesis statement (the roof!)
• Topic sentences (load-bearing walls!)
• Supporting Details (support studs!)
• Specific Examples (nails, screws, bolts!)
• Transitions (carpenter glue!)
• Conclusion technique
• All-star title
• Flawless MUGS

(How's this list, F-Blockers?)

2.) Twenty-Minute Habit. Log discoveries.

3.) 120-Second Expert Speech

Coming Attractions:
- We're MUGgin' it up next week. Ya-hoo!

Enjoy the dance tonight! I challenge you to have a conversation with someone you don't know well.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Tonight's Homework...
1.) Find the parts and color me a rainbow: "Pitter Patter of Little Hooves."
2.) Twenty-Minute Habit. What discoveries are you logging about yourself, the world, reading or writing?

The world just doesn't feel right to me when we don't practice our MUGS. Have you missed it as much as I have?

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Apologies for not publishing a message yesterday. I made three attempts yesterday afternoon and evening to post, and Blogger was not responding. Hopefully you all remembered to "find the parts of the house" for "Africa."

Tonight's Homework...
1.) Use three differently colored highlighters to "color me a rainbow" for the essay titled "Capital Punishment is Wrong!" Be sure to make a legend or key on your essay to identify what each color represents.

2.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log. Always.

3.) 120-Second Expert Speech

Are you reading this blog? PROVE IT. Please deliver a brief note to Mrs. Smith explaining which animal you most resemble (either physically or in personality).

Monday, September 24, 2012

Tonight's Homework...

1.) Topic vs. Thesis Practice: To extend our learning from today's class, please complete the worksheet issued at the end of class. Read the side of the worksheet titled "Prewriting," paying close attention to the example "interesting topic/subject" that is extended into a thesis statement. Then, on the reverse side of the paper, choose any THREE topics and extend them into thesis statements. (If you need reminders on how a topic is different than a thesis, review your notes from today's lesson. Also remember the one-word and phrase topics we brainstormed in class.)

2.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log. Remember: you may read both "I Pledge..." books as well as any literary or informational text that interests and challenges you.

3.) 120-Second Speech. Review the scoring criteria. Are you preparing?

Reminders:
No MUGS or Word Attack this week in order to focus more on writing skills.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Tonight's Homework...
1.) Margin Note Practice: "Other Fish to Fry"
Be sure you use as many techniques as you find useful. Rely on Mrs. Smith's "What is Margin Noting?" handout to review the 11 techniques we've practiced.

2.) Quiz: Uni- Bi-
Based on our in-class quick review, some of you are studying consistently; others are not. Last-minute "cramming" does not result in long-term mastery.

3.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log.
Feel free to begin reading "I Pledge..." books in addition to any other interesting and challenging texts.

4.) 120-Second Expert Speech

5.) A & D blocks: "Reading Wisdom" final drafts due Tuesday.

6.) Extra-credit F blockers: Keep the posters coming.

Reminders and Coming Attractions:
- All LLM teachers have been given copies of your "I Pledge..." They will expect to see you with at least one of your books during every Monday and Tuesday LLM. You've pledged to have have at least one book with you in school each day. Strong readers (athletes) become masters because they read (practice) daily.
- We will take a break from MUGS and Word Attack next week to focus more on writing instruction.

22 = The number of seventh graders who proved to Mrs. Smith today that they read this blog! Participation is increasing. Keep it up.

Confidential to Mags Kimball: Thanks for the riddles.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Tonight's Homework...
1.) "I Pledge..." due TOMORROW.
2.)  MUG quiz tomorrow. Study Guide must be 100% complete in order to take the quiz.
3.) Word Attack: Uni- Bi- quiz Monday.
4.) Margin note practice: "Other Fish to Fry" due Monday.
5.) 120-second speech... do you need to change your topic?
6.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log.
7.) F & C only: Final draft of "Reading Wisdom" responses due tomorrow.
8.) F only: "Reading Wisdom" posters, please. If you are willing to complete a second poster for extra credit, please see Mrs. Smith. Much appreciated.

Are you reading this blog? PROVE IT. Please approach Mrs. Smith tomorrow, bow, and orally list all six New England states with their capitals.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Tonight's Homework...
1.) MUGS Study Guide: Irregular Verbs B and D
2.) "I Pledge..." due Friday
3.) Word Attack: Uni- Bi-
4.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log
5.) 120-Second Speech [Now that you know the criteria, see me if you need to change your topic(s).]

The GRADE reading assessment started in today's class will continue on Thursday.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Tonight's Homework...
1.) MUGS Study Guide: "Degrees of Comparision"
2.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log.
3.) "I Pledge..."
4.) Word Attack: Uni- Bi-
5. 120-Second Expert Speech


Reminders:
Do not expect me to print your homework or essays. E-mail to yourself and print at school on your own time. (See blog post from Wednesday, September 5, 2012).

What do ...
Steph, Meg O'C., Cowan, Kendra, Caroline, Margaret, Tae, Jack, Ali, Tyler, Todd, Jake, Max, Aidan, Charley, Patrick, Jake P., Daniel, and Mia have in common? They all have great taste in music, and they read Mrs. Smith's blog! Why is your name not on this list?

Friday, September 14, 2012

Tonight's homework...

1.) Bring your "Ipswich" essay to class on Monday. Be prepared to share.
2.) Mono-  Poly- quiz on Monday.
3.) "I Pledge" due 9/21.
4.) Have you begun preparing for your 120-second expert speech?
5.) Twenty-Minute Habit, Log. Is your log fulfilling Mrs. Smith's three requirements?
6.) Prepare your a rough draft of your "Reading Wisdom" quotation response. Follow the instructions on the back of the page issued in class today.

Reminders and Coming Attractions:
1.) MUGS Week #2 begins Monday. Aim to be more involved in class discussion, especially if your MUGS score today was not so pretty.
2.) We will be taking a reading assessment on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

Are you reading this blog? PROVE IT. Send me an e-mail (esmith@ipswichschools.org) telling me the title of your favorite song.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tonight's homework...
1.) You should be in the process of revising and finalizing your "Ipswich" essay, due Monday.
2.) MUGS Week #1 quiz tomorrow. Be sure your entire study guide is ready to be passed in with your quiz.
3.) Study for Monday's Mono- Poly- quiz.
4.) Twenty-Minute Habit! Log!
5.) "I Pledge" due 9/21
6.) 120-second "expert" speech

What do Caroline White, Cowan McCormick, Daniel Sherburn, Stephanie Veerman, Tyler Hamlin, and one other person (who didn't put their name on their paper!!!) have in common? They all can PROVE that they read Mrs. Smith's blog! Why is your name not on this list? Solve that problem.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Tonight for homework...
1.)  Essay: "Ipswich" -- By this evening, you should be at the pointing of writing your first draft and revising. If not, you are behind. Final masterpiece due Monday, 9/17.
2.) Twenty-Minute Habit and log!
3.) Word Attack: Mono- Poly- study for quiz on Monday.
4.) Review the MUGS skills taught in today's class. Teach an adult at home.
5.) "I Pledge..." due 9/21 (note the change in due date!)
6.) Begin to prepare for your 120-second "expert" speech.

Are you reading this blog? PROVE IT. Write me a note to explain how margin noting is different and better than highlighting.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Tonight for homework...
1.) Margin Note practice: "Transfat Nation"
2.) Twenty-Minute Habit and log!
3.) Word Attack: Mono- Poly- study for quiz on Monday.
4.) MUGS Week #1: Sentence Fragments B. Why not teach today's skills to a parent?
5.) "I Pledge..." due 9/21 (note the change in due date!)
6.) Essay: "Ipswich" due Monday
7.) Begin to prepare for your 120-second "expert" speech.

Remember:
Your reading log must tell Mrs. Smith THREE THINGS:
1.) Number of minutes
2.) Title(s)
3.) Discoveries (about the world, about yourself, about writing, etc.)

Hold on to your "Rabbits" margin notes. Keep them in the "Reading Informational Text" section of your red binder.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Tonight for homework...
1.) Twenty-Minute Habit and log!
2.) Word Attack: Mono- Poly-   study for quiz on Monday.
3.) MUGS Week #1: Sentence Fragments A. Why not teach today's skills to a parent?
4.) "I Pledge..." due 9/21 (note the change in due date!)
5.) Essay: "Ipswich" due Monday

Remember:
Your reading log must tell Mrs. Smith THREE THINGS:
1.) Number of minutes
2.) Title(s)
3.) Discoveries (about the world, about yourself, about writing, etc.)

Hold on to your "Rabbits" margin notes. Keep them in the "Reading Informational Text" section of your red binder.

Friday, September 7, 2012

This weekend for homework...
1.) Prepare for Monday's "Word Attack" Pre- Post- quiz
2.) Finish margin notes for "Rabbits"
3.) Browse for your "I Pledge..." due 9/19
4.) Read 20+ minutes and log (remember: weekend is optional but Friday is mandatory).

Reminders:
1.) First formal essay to be assigned on Monday
2.) We will begin our MUGS study next week
3.) You will be given a new "Word Attack" list next week

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tonight's homework...
1.) Decide how you will "log" your 20+ minute daily reading habit. Will you use the template Mrs. Smith gave in class? Or will you use Microsoft Word or Excel to design your our log? Remember: All Mrs. Smith needs to see is...

• Number of reading minutes completed (20+ minimum)
• Title of what reading material
• A brief note explaining what you learned in the reading session, any new, useful knowledge you discovered about writing, our world or yourself as a reader that is worth sharing.

2.) Begin browsing online and at the library for your SIX "I Pledge..." titles. Remember: you must choose THREE non-fiction titles and THREE fiction titles. Follow all directions on the "I Pledge..." handout issued today. Your "I Pledge..." is due on 9/19.

3.) Word Attack: Pre- Post-     Quiz Monday

4.) What was the goal of today's "The House" reading activity?

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Important Note:
Please do not e-mail your work to me asking print it. There are way too many of you and only one of me. Instead, you should e-mail your work to your own e-mail address, then print it out when you arrive to school. Thank you.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tonight for homework...
- Finish your "Words to Live By" poster, due tomorrow.
- Share the CAST letter with a parent and get their signature.
- Finish your "Reading Minute" summary sentences (A,C,F blocks only)
- Begin studying this week's WORD ATTACK: Pre- Post-

Remember...
- Word Attack quizzes every Monday.
- Create an independent reading library for Monday and Tuesday LLM. You will be expected to have independent reading (books, magazines, essays, poems, how-to books, etc.) in your locker AT ALL TIMES during this school year.

If you are reading this blog, PROVE IT! Please approach me tomorrow with a smile, knuckles, and reveal your all-time favorite television show.