Today in Class: March 31st

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Demonstrate comprehension of listening and grammar passages.
3. Become familiar with NYS Test: Book 2.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Collect MM Packet
• New York State Test: Book 2 (Listening & Grammar)
• Maniac Magee:
• Theme: Review answers

Homework
1. None

Today in Class: March 30th

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Become familiar with new NYS Test format.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Theme Review
• Maniac Magee: Vocab Preview Chapters 22-32 / Start reading together
• NYS Test: Review Book 1 together

Homework
1. Finish Reading MM Chapters 22-26; Complete 2 vocab word entries; Packet pg. 15
2. Complete Theme sheet 

Today in Class: March 29th

Learning Goals 

1. Become familiar with new ELA New York State Test.
2. Demonstrate comprehension of fiction and non-fiction reading passages.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Complete Scantron heading / Collect homework
• New York State Test: Complete Practice Book 1 - Reading Comprehension Multiple Choice

Homework
1. Complete MM Packet page 13 - all parts (The top is tricky, but please try it!)
2. Draw a color picture of one scene of MM from Chapters 1-21.

Today in Class: March 28th

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Identify prepositions, prepositional phrases, and the object of the preposition in writing.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Fact & Opinion
• Maniac Magee: Read Chapters 17-21 / Add vocabulary page numbers / Complete packet page 11
• Prepositions: Partner Practice - workbook pages 59 & 60

Homework
1. Finish Reading MM Chapters 17-21 / Packet page 11 
2. Complete Fact & Opinion sheet

Today in Class: March 24th

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Identify and use prepositions, prepositional phrases, and the objects of prepositions in writing.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Share journals
• Maniac Magee: Read Chapters 15-16 and complete packet pages w/ partner
• Prepositions: Notes/Discussion/Practice

Homework

1. Dress for Success tomorrow

Today in Class: March 23rd

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Identify and analyze facts, opinions, and exaggerations.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Review Fact, Opinion, Exaggeration Packet
• Maniac Magee: Read Chapters 13-14
• March Madness Competition: Bracket / Final
• Boston University Testing: Periods 1 & 7

Homework

1. Finish reading MM Chapters 13-14
2. Journal Response due tomorrow
3. Dress for Success on Friday

Today in Class: March 22nd

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Identify and analyze facts, opinions, and exaggerations.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Record Unit 5, Week 1 spelling score in your portfolio; Look through book orders
• Maniac Magee: Read and discuss Chapters 9-12; Start packet with a partner
• Fact, Opinion, Exaggeration: Define, discuss, practice

Homework

1. Finish reading MM Chapters 9-12 (Done in class)
2. Finish MM packet page 9
3. Complete Journal Response by Thursday:
Imagine that you are one of the characters in Maniac Magee. Describe the day  you met Maniac.

Today in Class: March 21st

Learning Goals 

1. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
2. Identify and analyze the point of view in writing.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Rate current understanding of new vocabulary / Hand in MM Packet
• Maniac Magee: Chapters 9-21 Vocabulary Preview / Start reading
• Analyzing Texts: Point of View

Homework
1. Finish Vocab sheets (details/color drawings)
2. Select an outfit for Friday ("Dress for Success")

Today in Class: March 18th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Prepare heading for Unit 5, Week 1 spelling quiz
• Spelling Quiz
• Maniac Magee: Read/discuss Chapters 7&8, Share Packet responses; Preview vocabulary for chapters 9-21.
• March Madness: New task/reveal bracket

Homework

None!

Today in Class: March 17th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Explain and set up "March Madness" competition
• Word Study: Unit 5, Week 1 meaning quiz
• Maniac Magee: Share Chapter 1-3 packet answers; Start reading Chapters 4-8.

Homework

1. Study for Unit 5, Week 1 Spelling Quiz
2. Finish reading Maniac Magee Chapters 4-8 / Complete packet pages 7 & 8 (all sections).

Today in Class: March 16th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee. 
3. Identify examples of symbolism in writing.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Verb Tense Review
• Check & Collect: Novels, Signed Grade Reports, Compare/Contrast Essays
• Symbolism: Group/paired practice
• Maniac Magee: Share vocabulary illustrations/page numbers and "Before the Story" questions; Read Chapters 2-3/Complete packet

Homework

1. Study for Word Meaning Quiz tomorrow (Unit 5, Week 1)
2. Complete MM Packet pages 5 & 6 (Complete answers on the back of the page - Don't do  "Questions for Discussion" or "Writing Activity")

Today in Class: March 15th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Extend knowledge of the themes and vocabulary in Maniac Magee.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Verb Tense Review
• Check & Collect: Novels, Signed Grade Reports, Compare/Contrast Essays
• Maniac Magee: Chapters 1-8 Vocabulary & Concept Preview  / Start reading

Homework

1. Finish reading MM Chapter 3
2. Finish Vocab sheets (page #s/details/color drawings)
3. Answers questions 1-5 on page 4 in complete sentences (use the back of the page)

Today in Class: March 11th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Write an essay analyzing the similarities and differences between two topics. 

Agenda

• Warm-up: Get portfolio /Record 5 week average / Collect HW
• Boston University "Testing": Periods 1 & 7
• Verb Tenses: Notes/Discussion/Practice (Period 6 only)
• Concept Preview: What does it mean to be a hero?

Homework

1. Finish Ember compare/contrast final copy by Tuesday. (No School on Monday due to a Staff Day)
2. Get grade report signed

Today in Class: March 10th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Write an essay analyzing the similarities and differences between two topics. 
3. Identify and correctly use the present, past, and future verb tenses.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Verb Review
• Verb Tenses: Notes & Discussion / Group practice
• Compare/Contrast Essay: Editing conferences with Mrs. Allen / start final copy
• Concept Preview (Journal Response): What is a hero? What are their character traits? What are the actions of a hero? What are some examples of heroes?

Homework

1. Finish Ember compare/contrast final by Tuesday, March15th
2. Tic Tac Toe Word Study Assignment due tomorrow
3. Journal Reflection: Hero Response

Today in Class: March 9th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Write an essay analyzing the similarities and differences between two topics. 
3. Identify and give examples of author's purpose.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Caught'Ya Multiple Choice
• Author's Purpose: Practice together / with a partner
• Compare/Contrast Essay: Peer edit with a partner checking for:

1. Specific details ("Lina Mayfleet" vs. "She")
2. Transitions (Another difference, One more similarity, Also, etc.)
3. Topic Sentences

• Conference w/ Mrs. Allen, revise rough draft, start final copy
  

Homework

Finish Ember compare/contrast final copy by Friday
Tic Tac Toe Word Study Assignment is due Friday, March 11th (you may hand it in earlier if you wish)
Finish Caught'Ya Multiple Choice

Today in Class: March 8th

Learning Goals 

1. Spell and know the meanings of words with suffixes -ate, -ive, -ship.
2. Write an essay analyzing the similarities and differences between two topics. 
3. Identify and give examples of metaphors.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Get portfolio 
• Metaphors: Review together, open note quiz
• Word Study: Unit 5, Week 1 Preview / Record results / Explain Tic Tac Toe Assignment
• Compare/Contrast Essay: Continue working on rough draft. Ask yourself:

1. Can I make my examples more specific? ("Lina Mayfleet" vs. "She" or "canned pineapple" vs. "food")
2. Where can I add transitions to improve the flow of my writing? (Another difference, For example, One more similarity, Also, etc.)

Homework

Finish Ember compare/contrast rough draft by tomorrow
Tic Tac Toe Word Study Assignment is due Friday, March 11th (you may hand it in earlier if you wish)

Today in Class: March 7th: No School-Snow Day!

SNOW DAY!

Today in Class: March 4th

Learning Goals 

1. Identify and describe the similarities and differences between the novel and movie The City of Ember.
2. Identify and give examples of similes and personification. 

Agenda

• Warm-up: Review character homework
• Compare/Contrast Essay - Conference with Mrs. Allen to discuss graphic organizer and get it approved. Continue working on rough draft.
• Simile & Personification: Practice together / Open note quiz

Homework
None

Today in Class: March 3rd

Learning Goals 

1. Identify and describe the similarities and differences between the novel and movie The City of Ember.

Agenda

• Warm-up: Find new seat / Character practice
• Compare/Contrast Essay - Check your graphic organizer to make sure you have complete details for introduction (title, author, brief plot summary), body paragraphs (similarites, differences, analysis on why the changes were made), and conclusion (restate, give opinions).
• Sign up to get graphic organizer approved, then start rough draft.
• Share journal entries

Homework

Complete Character Practice Worksheet

Today in Class: March 2nd

Learning Goals 

1. Identify and describe the similarities and differences between the novel and movie The City of Ember.

Agenda
The City of Ember: 

1. Watch the movie based on the novel. Record the similarities and differences that you notice in the setting, plot, characters, and other details.
2. Why do you think the producers decided to make those changes?

Compare/Contrast Essay: Discuss criteria / Select topics to discuss

Homework

1. Select an entry in your journal to share tomorrow.
2. Complete Compare/Contrast graphic organizer by tomorrow

Today in Class: March 1st

Learning Goals 

1. Identify and describe the similarities and differences between the novel and movie The City of Ember.

Agenda

• Boston University Testing (Periods 1 & 7) - Upstairs next to Computer Lab
• The City of Ember: 

1. Watch the movie based on the novel. Record the similarities and differences that you notice in the setting, plot, characters, and other details.
2. Why do you think the producers decided to make those changes?

Homework

Finish journal response by tomorrow:
Describe something you did over Winter Break.