I cannot believe that we are done with this school year already! I am so proud of each and every one of you. You've become stronger readers, writers, and thinkers in ELA this year. More importantly, though, you've grown as young adults. Continue to be the caring, thoughtful, and hardworking people that you are today. See you all in 8th grade!
We accomplished two major things this week. First, we wrapped up our discussion of Fish in a Tree. I can't believe we are already done with literature circles for the year! It seems like just yesterday we were discussing The Red Pencil!
We jumped right into final projects. There are some great ideas that are specific to Ally and her story. These projects are due on Tuesday 6/18. Friday is Field Day. Be safe and have fun! The craziness continues! The 8th graders took a state test on Wednesday, leaving us shorthanded and with no extra adults to do literature circles. We did take the final STAR Reading test, though, and had some time to continue Fish in a Tree. I was not in the building on Thursday because I was at Darien Lake with 8th grade. You had some time to work again and had the option to do an extra credit creative writing assignment. Friday was also a little hectic because Ms. MC wasn't available to us and we had the talent show in the afternoon.
Next week seems a little better, so let's plan for some more meetings. We've had a crazy schedule lately. Honestly, it seems like it will continue this way. I really appreciate how flexible everyone is being, though. Monday was a work day and I hope you got a lot done. Tuesday was the day for other teachers to do lessons. Both groups were great audience members. 7B had a little time to work, while 7A had a meeting and some work time, too.
I can't believe it is already the end of May! As usual, the end of the school year is throwing us for some schedule changes. This week was really the first example of this.
I was not here on Tuesday because I was moving. People just finished their tests and worked on literature circle reading during this time. Wednesday was a shortened class because of library. We were also missing a bunch of people because of the afternoon orchestra recital. We did a quick "meeting" with partners, but really spent most of the time working. There was no ELA on Thursday because we went to the Bisons Game! I had so much fun! Friday was our first "normal" ELA day all week. We had a meeting and then you were able to get some work done for Monday's meeting. Next week will likely be as crazy, but I think we've learned to roll with it. Enjoy your weekend! Thursday was a bit strange for both 7A and 7B. My 7B group had their meeting with Ms. DeRonda because I was in a meeting. Many students from 7A missed most of ELA because of the music recital. Those of you that were present had an altered "meeting." We spent much of the time talking about chapter 17 and the Island of Misfit Toys. You are taking your last ELA Interim Assessment on Friday. Good luck and BE AWESOME! Tuesday was a normal literature circle day. We met to discuss chapters 6 through 11 and then you had some time to do your work for Meeting 3. Wednesday's schedule was a bit wacky due to whole class library upstairs and the afternoon assembly. Students in 7B specifically did get some time to work for Meeting 3, too.
Today was our first literature circle meeting for Fish in a Tree. I heard a lot of great points being brought up. You had some time to do your work for Meeting 2. We will have this tomorrow.
Today we continued our introductory activities for our final unit about influence. We started by discussing the difference between being influenced and inspired. I have to admit, you all made me think a little differently! then, I showed you a video about dyslexia. This is important because the main character of Fish in a Tree, Ally, has dyslexia. She just doesn't know it at first. After a little more thinking about the topic, we watched the news and I gave you your literature circle materials. You had time to work on your reading and jobs for Meeting 1, which is on Monday. Enjoy your weekend! *All Fish in a Tree materials are located on the Literature Circle Materials page. |