November 19, 2014

Summary of the Book

                

On Friday, November 21, 2014, there will be an inspection of the summary of the book you chose to read for the book report. 

The elements of a narrative like title of the book, characters, setting,plot, conflict, etc. need to be included. There will be two (2)grades attached to this. 

The summary must at least be two pages long.

November 9, 2014

Revised notice: Monday, November 10,2014, is the last day for turning in late work whose grades will be included in the 2nd 6 weeks average.

Book Reports: We will have new procedures in checking the progress of the book report for the 3rd 6 weeks. This will be discussed in class.

Upcoming activities: This week of November 10-14, 2014, we will be going over the 2nd six weeks test in revising and editing. Most of all, we will practice writing the strategies for the expository essay we have studying during the past week.

Congratulations to the 7th grade writing students! We have gotten 96% passing on the STAAR based and formatted test you recently took. Our prospects for writing look bright!

November 6, 2014

NOTE: Today is the last day of testing for writing. Tomorrow is make-up day. All late work must be turned in by then. Personal journals and late book reports should be in by that time. I will be closing my grade book on Friday.

November 4, 2014

NOTICE

Second 6 weeks test for writing will be tomorrow and Thursday, November 5-6. It is REVISING and EDITING only with 30 questions.

Students have to write a summary of each story or passage on a separate piece of paper after they finish the test.

November 2, 2014

Second Six Weeks Test

Writing

NOTE: The schedule for the 2nd 6 Weeks test in writing will be on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.

There will be thirty questions.

Review will be on Monday and Tuesday, November 3 and 4.

Book Reports

      There were some extremely well-written book reports. One was on Bless Me, Ultima. The student made a brilliant analysis of the elements of a novel. Her insights into the characters were penetrating. Kudos to you, Kaitlynn O!

Narrative Essay

       Seventh grade writing students, congratulations. Your narrative essays revealed maturity of thought and effective use of techniques. I'm happy with many of your pieces. Numerous students got 3's and 4's!

Expository Essay

       This coming week we will be writing an expository essay, employing the various strategies we discussed in class. Notable among these strategies are funnel, quotation, turnaround, and controlling idea in the introduction (FunQuotTurnC).

        For the body paragraph, we have reason, explanation, caution,anecdote,fact,example,opinion (RECAFEO).

        The conclusion has reflection,insight,opinion (RIA)

Second Six Weeks Test

      We will have a full blown revising and editing test on the week of November 3-7. I know we will have a hundred percent passing this time!

October 15, 2014

Riddles

No. 1

                 A painter had to paint 100 houses, and he had to number them. He wondered how many sixes he was going to paint.

Note: Don't use paper or pencil. Your fingers are acceptable.

No. 2

                 A rich caravan owner willed 17 of his camels to his 3 sons. To the first son, he wanted to give 1/2; to the second, 1/3; to the third, 1/9. Find out how many each one will receive without cutting some camels.

                 A wise and clever camel owner had a brilliant solution which satisfied the old rich man as well as his sons.