Writing Superstars

Class 731 impressed today with a great writing session. Students listened to a podcast yesterday in which a young man told us not to wear saggy pants because, among other reasons, they create bad impressions and may cost you a job. We discussed the pros and cons of wearing saggy pants. Then students wrote persuasive paragraphs that either convinced the reader of the pros or the cons of wearing saggy pants. Today, we shared, revised, edited and published. Check out the work on the classroom bulletin board.

Many of you will be on the ski trip tomorrow. Mrs. Moreno and I are going to use the class time to work with small groups. Class 702 is encouraged to bring in games as we will have a class bonding day.

On Friday, we will pick up persuasive analysis and writing as we brainstorm school issues that we may bring to Mrs. Schneider's attention as we lobby for a more productive and enjoyable school experience. Remember, we will be working in groups of people who share our ideas, but we will produce individual persuasive pieces that fit our interests and talents.

Homework: Read/Respond Feb. 3.

Persuasive Writing

Class 702 analyzed the article, "Fashion Police" today, looking for ways in which sources in the article met the criteria for effective persuasive writing. They did a great job of analyzing the podcast from NPR in which a young man spoke of his recent distaste for those who wear sagging pants. Class 731 will hear that podcast Monday.

Next week, we will continue to analyze persuasive writing...looking at among other things:
Commercials aimed at teens
Public service announcements
Martin Luther King's famous speeches and letters

Homework: Class 702 Reading Logs due Monday
All: Read/Respond January 21.

Get ready for a great February!

Next Writing Unit...

Now that testing is over (WHEW!), we will begin to work on a persuasive writing unit. Students will select an idea, thing, person, or issue of which they feel very strongly -- and either write a speech, an essay, an editorial, or design persuasive artwork. We will examine a variety of persuasive, video clips, and other media.

731 has already begun to view some persuasive film clips and formulate ideas for speeches.

A note on the Reader's Sourcebooks: Nearly all of Class 702's books have been graded (and most returned). The average so far is a 90, a GIGANTIC improvement from the previous two Sourcebook checks. Keep up the great notetaking, classwork, and nightly reading responses. For model Sourcebooks, see Mrs. Marks. If your Sourcebook was not 100, view a classmate's whose was...and see what you can do to improve for next time.

Reading Logs due Friday, Jan. 30.

So Far, So Good

Day 1 of ELA testing is over, and we were impressed with everyone's focus and confidence. Tomorrow, you will complete Book 2, which measures listening, notetaking, short response, multiple choice, and editing skills.
Get a good night's rest and make sure to eat a healthy breakfast. We will see you bright and early Thursday morning!

Test Prep (and everyday) Skills

Today we learned several skills in small groups (731) and as a whole class (702). Among them were:
Author's Purpose
Literary Language
Vocabulary in Context
End Punctuation
Using the Right Word

We will continue to practice listening and taking notes tomorrow. The test is near...and Mrs. Moreno and I are impressed with your dedication to test prep and the improvement that you have shown by using the strategies you have learned since September and especially in the test prep unit.

Link to the 2008 Grade 7 ELA Exam

This link will take you to Books 1 and 2 of the Grade 7 2008 NY State ELA exam.
http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/elaei/08exams/home.htm
We have already reviewed the short answer section for the reading passage, "The Island". Print out the scoring key so that once you've taken test (have a parent time you according to the Teacher Directions), you and your parent can review the skills attached to each question and the correct answers, similar to the way we did in class.
We will continue to prepare for the test in class with exercises in editing, author's purpose, literary language and other skills.
Reader's Sourcebooks are being graded and may not be returned as promised by Friday, because Mrs. Marks is on the "testing committee" and will be very busy preparing the school's testing packets. You will have them as soon as I can return them. For now, complete your reading responses on loose-leaf.

We continued test sophistication by practicing editing and writing short responses. With only a few days left until the test, Mrs. Moreno and I are confident that you are well prepared. Keep up the focus!

Reader's Sourcebooks were collected and will be returned by Friday (the latest). Keep an eye on TeacherEase for comments.

A report on your performance on the practice ELA test we took last week is now available on Teacherease. We will be reviewing the tests in small groups to work on necessary skill sets.

Mrs. Marks' advisory will be working on our Sports Night banners on Thursday. We still need poster board (large oaktag) and markers. Bring your ideas!