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. We chatted a little more today about Wonder and how it connects to our next book, Fish in a Tree. I showed you a book trailer for Fish in a Tree and we made some predictions. Today is Ms. Scott's last "official" day, though she may try to stop in tomorrow. We spent some time saying goodbye and then got caught on the news. You will get your materials for Fish in a Tree tomorrow and our first meeting will be on Monday!
Today was a library day, so we didn't have as much time as usual. Ms. Scott led the classes through a discussion of Wonder and a very important quote interpretation. Even though we were short on time, we were not short on big ideas! Great work today. She also had you sign her graduation cap. That is a great honor.
We started our next (and final) unit on Monday. This unit focuses on how people are influenced by others. You will get your literature circle materials on Friday. Until then, though, we are going to start thinking about the topic. We watched Wonder on both Monday and Tuesday. This was not a new story for many of you, but it's a powerful one. It will be a great reference point for us as we read our next book, Fish In a Tree.
Our middle school students had a few busy days!
On Thursday we had dress rehearsals for the big performances. Some of you also joined me, Ms. Scott, and Ms. DeRonda at Buffalo State College all evening to share your This I Believe essays. It was such a great event. I am so proud of you! Friday was the Middle School Play Showcase! It was such a great day. Everyone worked so hard and did an excellent job to put on a spectacular show for our audience. You set positive examples for all the other students in this school. Way to go! We've had a busy several days at EVCS! We had a different schedule on Wednesday and Thursday due to math testing. You had a little bit of time to work on your close reading in the afternoon, but we didn't do too much ELA. On Friday, Ms. Scott revealed your roles and you did some character analysis. We also talked about mood, tone, and how your character plays a part in setting the stage for your performance. This week is focusing on putting it all together! I wasn't here on Monday, but you did a first read-through of your parts and your stage crew jobs were set out. Today (Tuesday) you spent time during Enrichment working on sets, costumes, and advertising. In ELA, you got up and got acting! Things looked pretty good for your first time. Let's rock this!
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