I Still Get Nervous

It's hard to believe, but yes, after 21 years of teaching I still get nervous before the first day of school. If you're reading this, and have a student with some back to school jitters, check this out from National Public Radio.
Though I might not sleep too much tonight, I'll definitely arrive at school looking forward to a new school year in which I'll be co-teaching two classes with Mrs. Nicholas, trying to integrate Google Classroom, as well as continuing to focus on independent reading  and journal writing.
For now, off to toss and turn, but please check back regularly as I'll be posting updates to keep you informed about the goings on in ELA 7 class.

New Year, New Journal Topics

We're starting 2017 with a new batch of journal topics.
Just as a reminder, students have been writing in journals several times a week since school began.
It's very gratifying to see the volume and quality of writing improve over time!

Classwork: 12/15

Don't be like Scrooge: Use this website  to find out some basic information about a charity or organization that is working on a cause that is important or interesting to you.
Complete the "Charity Comparison" sheet (front and back).

HINTS:
1). visit your charity's website to learn the "purpose"
2). to find programs, click the "programs" tap at the top of your charity's page on "Charity Navigator." See an example here.
3). to find "money raised yearly" look for the "TOTAL REVENUE" listing.
4). look at the pie graphs in the "Financial Charts" section to find percent spent on programs, fund raising, administrative costs.

What's the Story? News and Notes From ELA Class

It's December!

Here's a look back at some of the journal topics students have written about lately:

What's the nicest thing you've ever seen anyone do?

If there could be a special school that would teach you something you really wanted to learn, what would that school be?

If someone gave you $100 what would you do with it?

This month will find us continuing to write in journals and also read independent books. In addition, we'll study some of the themes and ideas related to Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." 

What's the Story? News and Notes from ELA Class

Last week students wrote journals about the best thing they've ever eaten. Yum.
We then spent some time thinking, talking, writing (and drawing) what they know about the "First Thanksgiving."
This week we'll begin to look at this event through different perspectives and points of view.

What's the Story? News and Notes From ELA Class

Last week we read a version of the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. 
This week we'll be on a field trip to Sleepy Hollow, NY! Ok, it's actually a virtual field trip in the form of a webquest...

What's the Story? News and Notes From ELA Class

An annual tradition: this week students will write stories (or rather, the endings of stories) as part of author Bruce Coville's Halloween story contest.

Last year a student from Saranac Lake Middle School won honorable mention in this contest, so here's hoping we'll have similar success this time around.