This Week!

Esta semana

Quarter 4

Monday, May 13th

Feature News Story Features
Commit to Story Idea (Page 1 of Worksheet)

Tuesday, May 14th -- Simonson chaperoning an off-site field trip

Research & Planning for Feature News Story (Page 2 of Worksheet)
Interviewing Resource

Wednesday, May 15th -- STAR Test Make Ups & Retakes

Thursday, May 16th

Drafting Leads for Feature News Stories
Organizing Feature News Stories

Friday, May 17th

Feature News Article drafting day

Monday, May 6th

Observing Breaking News Stories: Teacher models example of using observations and taking notes in a school environment.
Students "go on location" to prearranged sites in school to take notes on a "breaking news story" happening.

Tuesday, May 7th

Teacher models writing a breaking news article.
Students begin drafting breaking news article.

Wednesday, May 8th

Lesson on revision strategies
Students will review work with partner(s) who were sent to the same site. Check for details.
Print and submit article as formative assessment

Thursday, May 9th -- last STAR reading test!

Friday, May 10th

Intro to Human Interest Articles
Read and analyze mentor text (Model Text).
Lesson on Strategies to Learn More about a Topic

Monday, April 29th & Tuesday, April 30th

Workdays to finish Shakespeare Project, Rubric

Wednesday, May 1st

Intro to Journalism: Careers in Journalism
Hand out & go over journalism vocabulary
Read Mentor text #1 and identify terms in a short news story.

Thursday, May 2nd

Review vocabulary words
Intro to News Writing slideshow and notes (slides 1 - 9)
Read and apply inverted pyramid to Mentor text #2

Friday, May 3rd

Basic Principles of News Writing (remaining slides from yesterday's slideshow, anchor chart in classroom)
Read mentor text #3. Apply basic principles to mentor text.

Monday, April 21st -- NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, April 22nd

Finish A Midsummer Night's Dream film & notebook entries in class

Wednesday, April 23rd

Final Project Assignment
Students will decide how they will show their learning.
Students will find the right checklist and brainstorm materials.

Thursday, April 24th & Friday, April 25th

Shakespeare Project Workdays

Monday, April 15th - Thursday, April 18th -- Watch 1993 A Midsummer Night's Dream film and analyze music and spectacle.

Monday, April 8th

What was life during Shakespearean time (the Renaissance) like?

Intro to Shakespeare! (Calendar)
Historical Background (The Globe Theater)

Tuesday, April 9th

What are the (6) elements of a drama? (character, plot, theme, language, music, spectacle)

Structure of Comedy vs. Tragedy Plays
Characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Wednesday, April 10th

How do I read a script?

How to Read a Script
Read Act 1 - Act 3 Scene 1 (I.i. - III.i)

Thursday, April 11th

What are some special craft moves that dramatists use?

Special Craft Moves Lesson: Dramatic Irony, Puns
Finish the play!

Friday, April 12th

Why is Shakespearean language so hard to understand?

Kids read Puck’s soliloquy and make observations.
Discuss Shakespearean language → Syllables (iambic pentameter), Rhyming, Verse vs. Prose

QUARTER 3

This is the last week of Quarter 3! All late/missing work due FRIDAY!

Monday, April 1st

Finish A Wrinkle in Time
Finish notebook entries or reader response & turn in

Tuesday, April 2nd

Return notebooks and reader response
Book Club Discussion #2
Unit Reflection

Wednesday, April 3rd

Discussion Make Ups
Start The Secret Garden film

Thursday, April 4th

Quarter 3 Reading Reflection
Discussion Make Ups
Continue The Secret Garden

Friday, April 5th -- Finish The Secret Garden

Monday, March 18th -- WORKSHOP DAY

Tuesday, March 19th

Theme Slideshow to remind about theme
Notebook Entry #4: Write ½ page notebook entry on theme development in your story. (Model)

Wednesday, March 20th

Reader Response #2: Describe a theme in the story and write about how your author showed that theme using a craft move or two.
Reading/worktime

Thursday, March 21st -- WORKSHOP DAY

Friday, March 22nd -- WORKSHOP DAY

Monday, March 11th -- WORKSHOP DAY (time to read and work on notebook entries)

Tuesday, March 12th

Book Club #1 Preview
Reader Response #1: Describe one of the main characters in your classic novel. You might include qualities, traits, motivations, or decisions. (Response #1)
Then, time to read and work on Notebook Entries #1 & #2

Wednesday, March 13th

Book Club Meeting #1
Then, reading and worktime

Thursday, March 14th -- WORKSHOP DAY (time to read and work on notebook entries)

Friday, March 15th

Review craft.
Set up Notebook Entry #3: Note 2-3 examples of writer’s craft as you read. (Model)
Worktime

Monday, March 4th

Introduction to Classics slideshow
Features of classic novels anchor chart
Introduce goals of book club unit -- Student Calendar
Introduce first 5 book club choices -- Summary, Book Trailers

Tuesday, March 5th

Introduce last 5 book club choices. Summary, Book Trailers.
Students select top 3 choices.
Update Q3 reading goals sheet.

Wednesday, March 6th

Book club members check out books.
Determine stopping points for book club meetings #1 & #2. (Bookmark)
Reading time.

Thursday, March 7th

Hand out “Things Readers Track” and discuss notebook expectations.
Set up page for Notebook Entry #1: Meaningful Quotes. (Teacher Model)

Friday, March 8th

Review conflict.
Set up Notebook Entry #2: Note and follow at least 4 different conflicts throughout the story.
Worktime

Monday, February 25th

Draft Conclusion
Have ENTIRE draft typed and ready to revise by tomorrow!

Tuesday, February 26th - Friday, March 1st

Revise and edit essay -- Checklist

**Essay DUE at the end of class Friday 3/1**

Monday, February 18th

Draft Introduction for Lit. Analysis Essay
Plan evidence for Body Paragraph #1

Tuesday, February 19th

Draft Body Paragraph #1 for Lit. Analysis Essay
Plan evidence for Body Paragraph #2

Wednesday, February 20th

Draft Body Paragraph #2 for Lit. Analysis Essay
Plan evidence for Body Paragraph #3

Thursday, February 21st

Draft Body Paragraph #3 for Lit. Analysis Essay

Monday, February 11th

Lesson: Effect of Craft Moves
Teacher Example Notebook Entry
Notebook Entry #5: What is the EFFECT of one of the author's craft moves? How does it help show the theme?

Tuesday, February 12th -- SNOW DAY

Wednesday, February 13th

Finish effect of craft moves (Notebook Entry #5)
Finish highlighting and labeling craft moves in your story

Thursday, February 14th

Lesson: Symbolism
Teacher Example Notebook Entry
Notebook Entry #7: What is a symbol in your short story? What does it symbolize and why does the author use it?

Lesson: Claims
Teacher Example Notebook Entry
Notebook Entry #8: Write a claim in response to your short story.

Friday, February 15th

Lesson: What goes into a literary analysis essay?
- Rubric
Teacher Example Literary Analysis Essay
Notebook Entry #9: Draft an Outline

Monday, February 4th

Summarize "The Lottery" (Notebook Entry #1)
Theme Reminders
Notebook Entry #3: Write 2 themes for each of the 4 stories.
- Teacher Models -- Part 1, Part 2

Tuesday, February 5th

Lesson: How to Write Advanced Themes
Example from Teacher
Notebook Entry #4: Write long using TEA in order to revise a theme.

Wednesday, February 6th

Review craft moves (Literary analysis quick reference sheet)
Notebook Entry #3: Note dialogue, inner thinking, and structure moves in all 4 stories.
- Teacher Example

Thursday, February 7th -- ICE DAY

Friday, February 8th

Review craft moves (Literary analysis quick reference sheet)
Notebook Entry #3: Note imagery and figurative language moves in all 4 stories.
- Teacher Example

Monday, January 28th -- SNOW DAY

Tuesday, January 29th

Groups read “Names/Nombres” and summarize (Notebook Entry #1)
Groups read “The Sniper” and summarize (Notebook Entry #1)

HOMEWORK: Read “The Lottery”

Wednesday, January 30th - Cold Day

Thursday, January 31st - Cold Day

Friday, February 1st -- FIELD TRIP TO MHS PAC

Monday, January 21st - Tuesday, January 22nd: No School

Wednesday, January 23rd (A) - SNOW DAY

Thursday, January 24th (B)

Friday, January 25th (A)

Lesson: How to Summarize
Model summary with "All Summer in a Day"
Groups read "Charles" and summarize (Notebook Entry #1)

QUARTER 2

Monday, January 14th - Wednesday, January 16th

Write Reader Response to Historical Fiction books in class.

HOMEWORK: Continue reading -- 2nd quarter reading goals due THURSDAY!

Thursday, January 17th

DUE: 4 books finished!

1. Quarter 2 Reading Goals reflection

2. STAR Math Make Ups OR study hall/reading time

HOMEWORK: N/A

Friday, January 18th

Reading STAR Test in class

HOMEWORK: N/A

Monday, January 7th

DUE: Notebook entries #1 - #3 should be complete.

Lesson: Readers notice minor or missing perspectives.

Teacher model
Worktime to do Notebook Entry #4

Reading time

HOMEWORK: Continue reading -- books due THURSDAY!

Tuesday, January 8th

DUE: Notebook Entry #4

Lesson: Readers analyze themes.

Anchor chart
Teacher model
Worktime to do Notebook Entry #5

Reading time

HOMEWORK: Continue reading -- books due THURSDAY!

Wednesday, January 9th

DUE: Notebook Entry #5

Lesson: Readers synthesize fiction and nonfiction.

Choose 2 or more nonfiction articles about WWII to read
Teacher model
Worktime to do Notebook Entry #6

Reading time

HOMEWORK: Continue reading -- books due THURSDAY!

Thursday, January 10th

DUE: Book finished!

Discuss what you've learned about conflict and theme from your book.

Notebook Worktime

Preview Reader Response

HOMEWORK: Finish all Historical Fiction notebook entries.

Friday, January 11th -- Ms. Simonson is gone

DUE: All Historical Fiction notebook entries complete.

Prepare to write Historical Fiction Reader Responses next week 1/14 - 1/16.

HOMEWORK: Preparations for reader responses.

Wednesday, January 2nd

DUE: Some reading

Mindfulness
Update reading log if necessary
Reading time to find conflicts

HOMEWORK: Read historical fiction book and post-it for conflict

Thursday, January 3rd

DUE: Some reading

Lesson: Readers Analyze Systems of Power

Sources of Power: Video on Power, Notesheet for Notebook
Privilege vs. Oppression: Paper Toss Video (1.5 min.)

Reading time + Notebook Entry #2

HOMEWORK: Read historical fiction book and post-it for conflict

Friday, January 4th

DUE: Some reading

Lesson: Readers Analyze Intersectionality --> Watch this video, See Anchor Chart

Notebook Entry #3: Write long about about a character who is experiencing privilege or oppression in multiple ways as a result of intersectionality.

Reading time if possible

HOMEWORK: Read historical fiction book and post-it for conflict

Monday, December 17th

DUE: Some reading

1. Unit Launch

Calendar, Vocabulary
Readers Study Time Periods (Holocaust Overview + WWII Timeline )

2. Start reading anchor text

HOMEWORK: Read independently

Tuesday, December 18th

DUE: Some reading

1. Continue anchor text

2. Pick individual book, divide it up book (titles)

3. Individual reading time

HOMEWORK: Read historical fiction book

Wednesday, December 19th

DUE: Some reading

1. Readers Identify Types of Conflict

2. Finish anchor text

HOMEWORK: Read historical fiction book

Thursday, December 20th

DUE: Some reading

1. Individual Reading Time

2. Notebook time -- Notebook Entry #1

HOMEWORK: Read historical fiction book

Friday, December 21st

DUE: Some reading

Reading Day due to the Mini-mall

HOMEWORK: Read your historical fiction book over break!

Monday, December 10th

DUE: Complete draft of position paper #2

1. Mindfulness

2. Revise Introductions, Providing Context handout

3. Revision or reading time

HOMEWORK: Introduction fully revised

Tuesday, December 11th

DUE: Introduction fully revised

1. Revise for tone

2. Revise for conventions

HOMEWORK: Tone and conventions revisions, read independently

Wednesday, December 12th

DUE: Tone and conventions revisions

1. Mindfulness

2. Choose a recipient

3. Letter formatting (resource in your Google folder)

HOMEWORK: Have your letter formatted, read independently

Thursday, December 13th

DUE: Letter formatted

1. Using Respectful Language

2. Letter Checklist

HOMEWORK: Revise letter for word choice

Friday, December 14th

DUE: All revisions

1. Final revisions if necessary

2. Print and address letter and envelope

3. Self-assess skills shown this unit

HOMEWORK: Independent reading

Monday, December 3rd

DUE: N/A

1. Strengthening Evidence lesson

2. Revise to include strong evidence

HOMEWORK: read independently

Tuesday, December 4th

DUE:

1. Sequencing Options

2. Revise to add Qualification

HOMEWORK: Add qualification if not done in class, read independently

Wednesday, December 5th

Future Quest Field Trip

Thursday, December 6th

1. Worktime for Revisions if necessary

2. Spelling Bee

HOMEWORK: read independently

Friday, December 7th

DUE: N/A

1. Draft checklist

2. Worktime for revisions or study hall

HOMEWORK: Finish draft if necessary, read independently

Monday, November 26th

Intro to Unit -- Calendar, Essential Terms
Read Background Article
Pick a side, draft a claim, determine reasons

HOMEWORK: Read individual book

Tuesday, November 27th

Set Up Notebooks
Begin to gather evidence

HOMEWORK: Read individual book

Wednesday, November 28th

Evidence gathering day

HOMEWORK: Read individual book

Thursday, November 29th

How to Qualify
Drafting a Claim
Evidence gathering if necessary // start drafting if not

HOMEWORK: Read individual book

Friday, November 30th

Draft Position Paper #2

HOMEWORK: Read individual book

Monday, November 19th & Tuesday, November 20th

These are reading days. Students may elect to do the STAR Test to get an update on reading level. The next school-wide STAR assessment will happen in late January/early February.

Monday, November 12th

DUE: Evidence Revised

Session #4: What kinds of words do I use to create a persuasive tone? (Practice Activity!)
Revision time