3-2-1

3-2-1 is the name of an assignment that I like to give from time to time. To complete it, the student writes 3 comments about a story they have read. Then they write two questions about what they read. Finally, they draw a doodle based on the reading.

As an example, I did 3-2-1 based on our viewing of the short film Robbie.

Sci Fi Unit Blasts Off

We'll kick off our science fiction unit this week by viewing the short film, Robbie.

Readings this week will include a non fiction article about a robot teacher (yikes! someday I'll be obsolete?!) and Ray Bradbury's "All Summer in a Day."

Our independent reading will continue as well, and for those who'd like to read some science fiction during our unit of study, you may wish to check out this list of titles from the website Story Snoops.

We Read Here

After a great first day of school, we're planning to launch our independent reading program tomorrow by visiting the library to get books.

Independent reading, or "sustained silent reading" has plenty of benefits.

Finding a book that's "just right" is important to our IR program's success, so Mrs. Kennedy (middle school library media specialist) and I are ready to help.

One of my favorite resources for helping students find books to read is a book blog called Story Snoops. I visit this site frequently to get ideas about book recommendations.

I also like to watch book trailers to find out about new titles. Here's a site with several trailers for you to watch.

Last year, seventh graders read over 1200 books. I'm looking forward to seeing if this year's students can top it!

Twas the Night Before School

And all through the house...
Well, some creatures are still stirring in my house, but I thought I'd share a back to school message for students from one of my new favorite authors, John Green. You can watch it here.
John is the author of Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars (among others).

Welcome Back!

It's Thursday, August 30th, and the middle school is pretty quiet. There are several teachers working busily arranging their rooms, the buildings and grounds crew are putting the finishing touches on making everything look ship shape, and the office staff are getting everyone what they need for a smooth opening day. Other than that, there is relative calm here.
All that is about to change.
And we can't wait!

This will be my third year keeping a class blog, and I'm hoping to make it a worthwhile place for parents (and students) to visit.
Here you'll find information about what's going on in ELA class, links to books I like, etc.
For example, here a couple of books that I read this summer:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher: an intense story about teen suicide and the impact on those left behind.
The Secret of the Fortune Wookie by Tom Angleberger: I took a picture that ended up on the author's blog! http://origamiyoda.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/real-rugboni-spotted/

If you are interested in how ELA class will change to relect the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, please see this resource from the national PTA: http://www.pta.org/7thGradeFeb4.pdf

Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you're most looking forward to this school year.

Final Exam Time

Just when it seems like there couldn't possibly be MORE tests this year, here comes final exams.
In light of all the test taking, I've designed the ELA final to be quite manageable for students. First, the test will cover only content from our last ten weeks (the bulk of which has been our "Mark Twain" author study unit). Therefore, please follow this link for Mark Twain review materials that I posted in a blog that I wrote last year. NOTE: the only review materials from the link that are relevent to this year's final exam are the "Mark Twain Author Study" materials.
The final exam will consist of several short answer questions about selected Twain readings that we covered in class, including "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and the "whitewashing episode" from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In addition, the students will read additional Twain related material during the exam and answer comprehension questions. Finally, there will be at least one "extended response" (essay question).
The final exam for ELA 7 will be held on Monday, June 18, from 9:30-10:50.

The School Year Winds Down, As Does the "Twain" Unit

Our Mark Twain author study unit continued with a viewing of the Disney's Tom and Huck, followed by a non-fiction article about the author's world wide fame and his family.
Then, we watched an episode of TV's Ghost Hunters, in which the paranormal investigators tried to determine if Twain's Hartford, Connecticutt home was haunted.
We'll conclude our unit by an reading an excerpt of Susy Clemens' biography of her father, as well as an excerpt from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
I'll post information pertaining to the ELA 7 final exam (which will cover only material from the fourth marking period) later this week.