Ms. T Alford

Friday, 8/31/07

ENJOY YOUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

All classes took a test today (quiz grade) on Running Out of Time, the 7th grade required summer reading book. 

Following the test, students all wrote a narrative short story having an internal conflict.  This will go into the writing portfolio to possibly be developed later. 

I-Parent has been updated and grades are being entered on a regular basis.  If you haven't already started checking, please do so. 

No homework this weekend!!

Thursday, 8/30/07

RUNNING OUT OF TIME quiz tomorrow!!

Students were taken to the media center to have the opportunity for book check-out.  Next pleasure reading book card is due on 9/28!

3rd/5th Periods
Today students analyzed and discussed "All Summer in a Day" to see how a change in one element of the plot affects the other plot elements.  This story caused lots of debate and discussion as we "tried out" different ways to complete the plot diagram.  Students' group diagrams that had been completed on Tuesday in class helped to add to a lively discussion. 

SOAPSTone/Narrative Elements quizzes were returned today. 

6th Period
Today students looked at dialogue and how it is written grammatically.  Dialogue will be included on the first narrative essay students will begin work on soon.  In a physical activity, students became the punctuation marks in order to see where and how dialogue is punctuated.  Then, students were given some important notes (already typed) which we discussed and highlighted key parts. 

SOAPSTone quizzes were returned today.

Wednesday, 8/29/07

3rd/5th Periods
Today we took a quiz on SOAPSTone and narrative elements.  The resumes were returned and students completed a reflection on the resume in class. 

Homework:  Study/finish reading Running Out of Time for quiz on Friday.

6th Period
Today students took a quiz on SOAPSTone.  Several students were able to celebrate 6th grade honor roll at the Honor Roll Reception while the rest of the students practiced and discussed the plot diagram for "A Day's Wait."

Homework:  Study/finish reading Running Out of Time for quiz on Friday.

Tuesday, 8/28/07

Quiz Friday 8/31  - RUNNING OUT OF TIME

3rd/5th Periods
Today students worked in groups to create an analysis and plot diagram of "All Summer in a Day."  In preparation for tomorrow's quiz on SOAPSTone and Literary Elements students should review notes on each.  It will be a knowledge level quiz only (students need a working knowledge of definitions and how the process works)...the application quiz will be coming in the near future! 

Additionally, after the group analysis, students worked on some activities related to imagery (HIPSM) which is used to determine tone.  These activities focused on Hyperbole, Idiom, Personification, Simile, and Metaphor.  If the activities were not completed in class, they should be done as homework.

6th Period
Today, students finished taking notes on the Short Story Elements before applying these elements to a short story read in class today, "A Day's Wait."  Before reading  the story, students previewed the vocabulary (p. 73 in the book) and read some biographical information regarding the author, Ernest Hemingway (p. 76).  After reading the story, students completed a plot diagram and analysis of characters, setting, theme, etc...   If students did not finish this analysis in class, it should be completed for homework. 

Don't forget the quiz tomorrow on SOAPSTone...additional resources for review were distributed in class today (green notes sheet).  You will need to know the meaning of each part of SOAPSTone - definition/examples.  We also spent a few minutes in class discussing the quiz format and reviewing the content. 

Monday, 8/27/07

ALL CLASSES:  Remember that you have a quiz (25%) on your summer reading book, Running Out of Time, this Friday, 8/31. 

3rd/5th Periods
Today, we finished our notes on short story (narrative) elements.  Students then read "All Summer in a Day" in the literature book and applied these notes to breakdown the short story elements on a plot diagram and analysis.   This is homework if students did not finish in class.  I also returned the quiz from Friday on parts of speech and basic sentence parts.  Students not scoring 80% or better will be receiving some extra help in the coming days/weeks and will be retaking the test at a future date (TBD). 

On WEDNESDAY, students will have a knowledge level quiz over the SOAPSTone and Narrative Elements notes.  Make sure you review!!

6th Period
Today we took notes on short story elements.  An outline was provided to assist students in note-taking.  I also returned and reviewedthe quiz from Friday on parts of speech.  Students who did not score above 70% will be receiving additional information regarding remediation and assistance in this area later this week.  They will then, after receiving the additional help, be allowed to retake the quiz for a higher score.  No homework tonight!

On WEDNESDAY, students will take a knowledge level quiz on SOAPSTone...review your notes!

Week of 8/20 - 8/24

Remember that you have a quiz on Running Out of Time (summer reading book) next Friday, 8/31.  If you have not already finished the book, make sure you do so!  Also...book cards are due on the same day to social studies and science teachers. 

ALP Classes (3rd/5th period)
Hopefully you are all feeling better with our dontinued review of the parts of speech and basic sentence parts.  Remember that there will be a quiz on this material on Friday 8/24.  We have done some review work in class and students have had some review activities to complete for practice as homework.  We are checking these activities in class and I am happy to answer any questions.  Hopefully, we can clear up any confusion before Friday's quiz.

We have also begun our look at Narrative Writing.  We will be reading several narrative pieces as we study the narrative elements.  We will also use a technique for analyzing literature called SOAPSTone and DIDLS.  We will practice this technique this week with the story "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto.  Students will continue to practice this technique throughout the term. 

Finally, all students have completed a resume as part of our technical writing requirement.  These resumes allowed the students to take a look at the experiences, positive personal characteristics, and skills that they possess.  It's going to be a great year!

Language Arts (6th period)
Students have just completed resumes as part of our technical writing component for this year.  It was an interesting look at the skills and life experiences that each child brings with them.  It has also been a great way for me to get to know a bit more about each student. 

We are continuing to review the 8 parts of speech - and there is a quiz on this material on Friday, 8/24.  Students who do not do acceptably well on the quiz will have to opportunity to work with me in the morning times or have extra practice and remediation so that they will master this important content as we prepare to move forward into more challenging aspects of the 7th grade curriculum.  Please make sure you are studying and reviewing in preparation for Friday's quiz.

Additionally, we have begun to work on narrative literature by reading a short story, "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto.  Students will be learning some strategies to analyze literature this week as we learn the narrative elements.  Students will also be practicing some of these elements in their own writing on Friday. 

Week of 8/14 - 8/17

Thank you to those parents who completed the Parent Homework!  If you did not get a chance to do so, please complete it and send it back to school with your child by the end of the week. 

Today in class students completed a parts of speech review activity and then we began brainstorming for the resume that we will complete this week.  Students are to complete the Resume guide tonight (first draft).  We will be working on this in class for the remainder of the week. 

Beginning tomorrow, you will see the blog according to class periods.  Some classes are working at a different pace than others, be sure to check the appropriate class period blog for your correct assignments.

Tomorrow...as you come into class, mention the word BULLDOG for a special treat!  (Shhh...I want to see who is reading the blog!)   

Monday, August 13, 2007

Download writing1.ppt Hello and welcome to 7th grade at Dickerson!  It is going to be a fantastic year and I have enjoyed meeting all of you new students!  Tonight you have a few things to have signed.  Take your yellow CCSD folder home and get the following 5 forms signed:
1.  Permission to photograph
2.  Receipt of parent information
3.  7th Grade behavior management plan and letter
4.  Cobb County check policy
5.  Pod student info sheet

All of these forms should be returned in the morning so that you may receive your locker!  Many teachers will begin distributing textbooks tomorrow, so make sure you get your forms in. 

FOR LANGUAGE ARTS: 
Your parents have a chance to brag about you while they complete the parent homework.  Also...have them sign the parent letter and syllabus.  I will need all of this back by the end of the week. 

You will want a notebook and a couple of dividers, lots of pens (blue/black only!), and a few pencils, too.

Hope the first day was a great one - see you tomorrow!

Download elementary_writing_samples.doc

Download middle_grades_writing_samples.doc

Download high_school_writing_samples.doc

Download writing_strategies_for_high_school.doc Download professional_development_evaluation_form.doc