January 3, 2011

LANGUAGE ARTS QUICK HITS - 1/3/2011

* Thanks again to all of you who expressed kind words and understanding the week leading up to winter break - they were greatly appreciated. I hope that you and your families all had wonderful and memorable breaks and that the new year is filled with health and happiness.

* Today we started class by finishing the last 15mins of Hoot which we were watching before winter beak.

* HOMEWORK - (DUE: tomorrow 1/4/2011) after the movie, students were given the remaining 20 mins of class to begin (and possibly finish) an in class writing assignment. Students were tasked to write two paragraphs (8-10 sentences minimum) on the most interesting, exciting or memorable moment that happened to them or someone they know over the winter break. Students were specifically asked to use sensory words that would help a reader/listener - see, feel, taste, smell and hear what it was like during the experience being written about. Additionally, students were encouraged to write more than two paragraphs and to also type their work (although this is not necessary.)

* HOMEWORK - (DUE: tomorrow 1/4/2011) - Week 11 Vocabulary, listed below and also listed on my website. Students were given the entire second period to look up these definition in class and use extra time to complete the in class writing assignment. During this time I also called up students individually to review their notebooks, collect Reading Responses and inform them of their current grade.

* HOMEWORK - (DUE: Monday 1/10/2011) - New Reading Responses were passed out and the one handed out before winter break were collected. NOTE: Many students did not turn these in or 'forgot' them at home. As a result I am allowing an extra day to turn in missing Reading Responses. Download a Reading Response here!

* Parent Guardian FYI - the second round of parent teacher conference are about four weeks away! I have reminded students as well so that they can refocus on their work and improve grades before that time.

* Cold Weather - I remind students all the time, but be sure that students are properly dressed and zipped up to deal with the recent cold weather. Students are brought into the building in the winter, but should be dressed properly just in case!

* New Gifts - Again, I have reminded and warned students not to bring expensive gifts or gadgets to school for their protection and safety. If they should bring such things to school, I always recomend that they give them to to a teacher to hold on to for safe keeping during the day. I would encourage you to do remind them as well.


WEEK 11 VOCABULARY

arbor




controversy


contrive

fraternize


juxtapose


barrage

array


dispute


palpable

ineffable


burnish


gripe

mingle


expedite


impair

baroque


banter


indurate

gregarious


arbitrator


banal


Reading Response link: http://www.box.net/shared/4x0lj6aczf

Have a great evening and stay warm!

--
Mr. Madel

6.1 Language Arts
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
jmadel@op97.org