Tuesday, November 25, 2014

It's Wednesday; you know what that means...
Wait a minute! It's Tuesday! Well, we're having Genius Hour on a Tuesday this (short) week!

Independent Reading (This is week #15)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 10 Minutes

Genius Hour:

Essential Questions:	How can I demonstrate my understanding of my Genius Hour topic?  Can I support my claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence?
Standard:	CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.B Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
I will know I’m successful when...	I have many websites for my topic and they are bookmarked in my Genius Hour folder. I stay on task during the work time in class.  I know what my inquiry question is and I am researching ways to answer that question.  I am beginning to put together ideas for how I will present my information to the class in April.
Mini-Lesson:	Blog Post #3: Use this quote to help you explain why Genius Hour is important to you. Use evidence from your research to support your writing about what you've learned so far.
Work Time:	In class, we will continue to do research for our Genius Hour project.
Debrief:
Homework:	Reading 30 Minutes (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work. 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Independent Reading (This is week #15)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 20 Minutes * Reading Conferences * Make sure you have a book for the Thanksgiving break!

Unit 3: Authors as Mentors

Essential Questions:	What makes for powerful, engaging narrative writing?
Standard:	W.1.a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS:W.6.3)
I will know I’m successful when...	I can write a short story (3-5 pages) that follows a plot sequence and addresses my chosen theme.
Mini-Lesson:  (What Mrs. Brownell is going to teach us)
Work Time:	Today, we will continue writing short stories using one of the five themes we discussed last week.
Debrief:
Homework:	Reading at least 30 Minutes for your "40 Book Challenge" (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work. 

Friday, November 21, 2014

Attention 1st Period: We need the serial number of your Chromebook! This helps us to prevent theft as well as track down lost Chromebooks. 
Click HERE to log your serial number. 

Independent Reading (This is week #14)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 20 Minutes * Reading Conferences * Make sure you have a book for next week!

Unit 3: Authors as Mentors

Essential Questions:	What makes for powerful, engaging narrative writing?
Standard:	W.1.a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS:W.6.3)
I will know I’m successful when...	I can organize my thoughts to plan a short story around a theme.  I can write a short story (3-5 pages) that follows a plot sequence and addresses my chosen theme.
Mini-Lesson:  (What Mrs. Brownell is going to teach us)	We're going to start with a quick write again today! Inside your Writing Portfolio folder, create a new DOCUMENT titled:  "Personification Opening". Turn in your best Quick Write.
Work Time:	Today, we will start by practicing writing fiction that "hooks" the reader's attention.      Then, we will be writing short stories using one of the five themes we discussed last week.
Debrief:
Homework:	Reading at least 30 Minutes for your "40 Book Challenge" (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work. 

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Please return your book! 

(Renew it if you're still reading it.)

Student	Book	Checkout Date	Days Overdue
Bryce C	Diary of a Wimpy Kid	9/3/2014	51
Ella G	Perfect	9/3/2014	51
Jarrod C	Goosebumps: HorrorLand	10/16/2014	8
Keanue H	LOOKING GLASS WARS (LOOKING GLASS WARS, NO 1)	9/29/2014	25
Jackson O	Loser	9/5/2014	49
Isaiah S	The Report Card	9/9/2014	45
Mya B	Savvy	9/8/2014	46
Dylan L	Swindle	9/9/2014	45
Dorothy B	Dead is So Last Year	10/9/2014	15
Isabelle H	Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone	10/23/2014	1
Ryan B	Elijah Of Buxton	9/5/2014	49

Independent Reading (This is week #14)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 20 Minutes * Reading Conferences

Unit 3: Authors as Mentors

Essential Questions:	What makes for powerful, engaging narrative writing?
Standard:	W.1.a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS:W.6.3)
I will know I’m successful when...	I can write a bold beginning to a short story that captures a reader's attention   I can organize my thoughts to plan a short story around a theme.
Mini-Lesson:  (What Mrs. Brownell is going to teach us)	We're going to start with a quick write again today! Inside your Writing Portfolio folder, create a new DOCUMENT titled:  "Active Verb Opening".
Work Time:	Today, we will start by practicing writing fiction that "hooks" the reader's attention.      Then, we'll finish planning out our short stories. We will be writing short stories using one of the five themes we discussed last week.
Debrief:	Whole Class Share: Some examples of bold beginnings.
Homework:	Reading at least 30 Minutes for your "40 Book Challenge" (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

It's Wednesday; you know what that means...

Independent Reading (This is week #14)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 10 Minutes * Reading Conferences

Genius Hour:

Essential Questions:	How can I demonstrate my understanding of my Genius Hour topic?  Can I support my claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence?
Standard:	CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.B Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
I will know I’m successful when...	I have many websites for my topic and they are bookmarked in my Genius Hour folder. I stay on task during the work time in class.  I know what my inquiry question is and I am researching ways to answer that question.  I am beginning to put together ideas for how I will present my information to the class in April.
Mini-Lesson:	Blog Post #2: Three things I learned Two things that are very interesting One big question I still have
Work Time:	In class, we will continue to do research for our Genius Hour project. Please add any new resources to your works cited page in EasyBib.
Debrief:
Homework:	Reading 30 Minutes (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Independent Reading (This is week #14)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 20 Minutes * Reading Conferences

Unit 3: Authors as Mentors

Essential Questions:	What makes for powerful, engaging narrative writing?
Standard:	W.1.a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS:W.6.3)
I will know I’m successful when...	I can write a bold beginning to a short story that captures a reader's attention   I can organize my thoughts to plan a short story around a theme.
Mini-Lesson:  (What Mrs. Brownell is going to teach us)	We're going to start with a quick write again today! Inside your Writing Portfolio folder, create a new DOCUMENT titled:  "Repetition for Effect Opening". Today's lesson: Developing characters.  It is important that you develop a believable main character. The reader will have a hard time getting into your story if your main character isn't interesting or familiar. As the writer, you should know more about your characters than the reader ever will.
Work Time:	Today, we will start by practicing writing fiction that "hooks" the reader's attention.      Then, we'll finish planning out our short stories. We will be writing short stories using one of the five themes we discussed last week.
Debrief:	Whole Class Share: Some examples of bold beginnings.
Homework:	Reading at least 30 Minutes for your "40 Book Challenge" (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

This is an example of an overused lead. Get creative! If you use something that has been done before, how can you add to it or give it a twist so that it’s unpredictable and unique?

Independent Reading (This is week #14)

Focus this week:	Good readers read widely.
Good reading habits:	I choose books from a variety of genres.  I record my book choices in "My Reading List".
Work Time:	* Read for 20 Minutes * Reading Conferences

Unit 3: Authors as Mentors

Essential Questions:	What makes for powerful, engaging narrative writing?
Standard:	W.1.a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS:W.6.3)
I will know I’m successful when...	I can write a bold beginning to a short story that captures a reader's attention   I can organize my thoughts to plan a short story around a theme.
Mini-Lesson:  (What Mrs. Brownell is going to teach us)	We're going to start with a quick write: Create a new FOLDER in your Google Drive titled "Writing Portfolio".  In side that folder, create a new DOCUMENT titled "Mystery Opening".  Now, I'm going to teach you how to begin a short story with a bold beginning.  I'm also going to teach you how to plan out a short story using a plot map.
Work Time:	Today, we will start by practicing writing fiction that "hooks" the reader's attention.      Then, we'll plan out our short stories. We will be writing short stories using one of the five themes we discussed last week.
Debrief:	Whole Class Share: Some examples of bold beginnings.
Homework:	Reading at least 30 Minutes for your "40 Book Challenge" (Even on Saturday and Sunday!) Update your reading list (It's in Google Classroom)

Click here for a Late Assignment Turn In Sheet for any late or resubmitted work.