Class work: 1/13

Work independently or in a small group to write the script (using Google Docs) of a play based on a topic related to local history.

You may wish to use the topic from your prior work in Mrs. Jones' class as the basis of your play.

You might need to do some additional research to gather details to include in your script and this link will be helpful: https://localwiki.org/hsl/

Also, please look back at the sample script about "Christy Mathewson" for ideas about format, etc.

Remember, the script you write could become a final copy that you submit as part of Pendragon's Young Playwrights' Festival.

Update: 1/2/16

Winter vacation is winding down and it's time for a look ahead. But first, a look back...

In December, grade 7 students studied two pieces of literature featuring well-known "classic characters" and a similar setting. Works in which Sherlock Holmes and Ebeneezer Scrooge appeared had us dusting off our British accents.

Students continued to write in their journals about topics including:

• "The oldest person I know"
• What holiday gift would you give if money was no object?
• "Alphabetical advice"
• If you started your own business, what would it be?
• "2015 memories"

Students kept up their independent reading as well, and Mrs. Kennedy shared some titles during her monthly visit for book talks. Among her suggestions in December: Faceless, and Adrift .  

What's in store for January? Our first order of business in grade 7 ELA will be the annual Pendragon Theatre Young Playwright's Festival. You can read about last year's winners, including my former student Rosemary, here.

Classwork: 11/12-11/13

Here's a list of common claims about the "First Thanksgiving" (adapted from ReadWriteThink.com)

Common Claims about the "First Thanksgiving" 
The Wampanoag brought popcorn to the first Thanksgiving feast. 
The First Official Thanksgiving took place near Plymouth Rock in 1621. 
The Native Americans the Pilgrims encountered lived in tipis and traveled on horseback.
The Native Americans wore elaborate head dresses with many feathers. 
The Pilgrims shared pumpkin pie, corn on the cob, and sweet potatoes (or yams) with the Wampanoag. 
The harvest feast celebrated by Pilgrims and Wampanoags in the fall of 1621 was the first of its kind in the Americas.

DIRECTIONS: Choose 5 of the 6 claims about the First Thanksgiving to research. Investigate whether the claim is truth or myth. For each of the 5 claims, write a paragraph and explain: 1). What about the claim is true? 2). What about the claim is myth? 3). Is the claim mostly a myth or truth? Share your work with me as a Google Doc: Due end of day Monday, 11/16.

These sites will be useful, although you are free to use any others you find:

http://lenapeprograms.info/celebrate-november/thanksgiving-food/
http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-11-2010/myth_buster_thanksgiving.html
https://www.plimoth.org/what-see-do/wampanoag-homesite/homesite-faqs
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/first-thanksgiving-meal

Classwork: 11/5-6

Please create a Google Doc and do A, B and C below:

A). Choose one of the following questions and respond in character (as Odd, Buddy or Sook). Your response should include details from the film "The Thanksgiving Visitor" and should be 150 words, minimum.

1). Odd, why are you so mean?
2). Buddy, why don't you tell a teacher about the bullying?
3). Sook, why don't other people care about your opinions?

B). Choose one of the following "starters" and write a paragraph in response. Be sure to include specific details from the film (100 words min.)

This reminds me of…

I still don’t understand….

I like the part where..., because….

At first I thought…, but then…

______ made me think about ______, because….

Based on the film, and what I know, I think ________...

C). During Thanksgiving dinner, Buddy accuses Odd of stealing Sook's cameo. Predict what happens next. Be sure to include specific details from the story to support your ideas. (100 words, minimum).

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.

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!)

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.