Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Classwork: 10/21-10/22 (update)


Write a letter to one of your favorite clothing brands (or a brand you often wear).

A). Re-read the letter the sample letter Kristen Lewis wrote to the "Madewell" company.
B). Find examples in her letter where she included details from the article "Why are Your Clothes So Cheap?"
C). Look at examples of corporate responsibility websites here, here and here.

In your letter be sure to:
1). Include details from the article telling what you learned about working conditions in garment factories (see Kristen Lewis' letter).
2). Explain what you learned about your company's views on corporate responsibility. Couldn't find information like that for your company? Tell the company (politely!) in your letter.
4). Explain how you want the company to help those who make our clothes around the world.
5). Follow business letter format.


NOTE: This link will be helpful to find the address of the company that makes your favorite brand of clothes. Please include your name but NOT your home address; please use the school's address-C/O Mr. Carlisto, Saranac Lake Middle School, 79 Canaras Ave., Saranac Lake, NY 12983


DUE: share one copy via Google Doc; print one copy due Monday, 10/26.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

What's New in ELA Class: Update 10/10

After reading  "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" we did some collaborative group work exploring the actual town in NY that got its name from Washington Irving's story.
The benefits of having students work in groups is supported by research, and I was impressed by how well the students did with this activity.
The week of 10/12 we'll work on writing entries for author Bruce Coville's annual Halloween Story Contest.
I promised the students I'd post some videos of Coville reading his stories from previous years, so check those out here, here, and here.
Have you asked how your student's independent reading is going? I'm progressing (a bit slowly, I admit). Since school started in September I've read Game, The Sixth Gun: Volume 1 and am now reading The Book of Laney (the author of which went to the same high school I did: Go Bulldogs!)

Saturday, October 3, 2015

What's New in Grade 7 ELA: Update 10/3

September was a great month; spectacular weather and good times while getting back into "school mode" after summer vacation.
Grade 7 students have been reading, (ask about their "independent reading books") writing (ask to see their journals) and participating in some excellent class discussions (ask about our conversations regarding "successful people").
As I write this on Saturday morning, I'm reflecting on this past week. We read together a version of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Also, Jill Kennedy, library media specialist, visited class to share some book talks. The books she recommended are: The Thickety, The Jumbies, and Magonia.
This coming week we'll be doing some research about the setting of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Sleepy Hollow, (formerly North Tarrytown) NY.