Dr. Williams

February 28

Spring Pictures--Information will be sent home tomorrow.  Only those who bring money will have pictures taken on Thursday.

6th--We reviewed direct and indirect objects using this PowerPoint.  Download Direct and indirect objects There will be a short quiz on Thursday.  HW--Finish practice sheet given in class.  Here is the sheet and the answers. Make sure you complete the sheet BEFORE checking your work!! Download DirectIndirectObjectSentences  Download DirectIndirectObjectSentencesAns

7th--Students worked on their multi-genre research projects.  This will continue throughout the week.  HW--Work on commencement speech.  Due Monday!  The speech will be a test grade.  There will also be a test over research on 3/7.

February 17 and 18

All classes will spend Thursday and Friday in the computer lab. 

Sixth graders will be typing the final draft of the their persuasive writing. 

Seventh graders will continue researching for their multi-genre research project.  They also took a research vocabulary quiz on Thursday.

February 16

Reminders--

--I will be at school early tomorrow so any student who needs help with their projects or with their writing may come in.  They should check in at the cafeteria and then they can come on back.

--Get progress reports that were sent home today signed and return ASAP.

6th--Students worked on the rough draft of their persuasive paper.  We also reviewed how to write an effective introductory paragraph.  They will have time in the computer lab tomorrow and Friday to type the final papers.

7th--Students turned in the notes they have taken on research.  We then went to the computer lab and began researching the person they selected.  They were reminded to focus on the theme of perseverance and how the person selected demonstrated perseverance.  HW--Study academic vocabulary for research.  Quiz tomorrow.

February 15

6th--We discussed homework, and since several struggled, we wrote a sample opposining view and call to action together. Download Opposing View and Call to Action Example  Then we looked at how to write an effective introductory paragraph using the following PowerPoint.   Students then developed a thesis statement for one of the two topics. Download Prewrite for essay using articles in book      Download Writing an Introductory Paragraph Tomorrow, students will start their rough drafts for their persuasive papers tomorrow in class.  They will type the final versions in the lab on Thursday and Friday.  HW--Finish the sheet started in class.  Write an introductory paragraph for one of the topics given in class.  This should be done on the back of the sheet given in class. 

7th--If students have not finished the study guide using the red textbook, they should come in early tomorrow at 8:00 to finish.

P2--We looked at a presentation of notable failures--people who failedmany times before being successful.  Students then had time to finish their note taking from last week.  If they didn't finish today in class, they need to come in early tomorrow to finish.  HW--2 column notes or flash cards for the research vocabulary words.  Definitions are found in the notes students took in class last week.

P5--The multi-genre research project was introduced.  Students then had time to work on finishing several assignments while listening to commencement speeches by Steve Jobs and JK Rowling.  HW--2 column notes or flash cards for the research vocabulary words.  Definitions are found in the notes students took in class last week, so students should use their notes to complete the 2 column notes or flash cards.  Check yesterday's blog post to find links to the speeches.

February 14

Reminder--There is a survey on the Cobb County School District regarding the school calendar.  If you have an opinion, go on and vote on one of the three options provided for next school year.  The survey closes sometime on Thursday.

6th--Today's focus was about the thesis statements. Download Thesis Statements We examined what makes an effective thesis statement.  Students then practiced writing their own thesis statements.  HW--Download Thesis Statement PracticeWrite an opposing view and a call to action/agreement statement for each of the four topics given.  An opposing view will be a statement acknowledging the other side of the argument.  "Although there are those who say that the use of iPods in school is too distracting, the educational benefits outweigh the negative."  By addressing the other side, the writer's claim is stronger.  The call to action or agreement is the last sentence of the entire paper.  It should let the reader know what the writer wants him/her to do or to believe.  "Contact your Congressman today to support the bill banning the use of cell phones while driving."

7th--Each class is at a different place due to the long fire drill Friday. 

P2--We discussed the directions and requirements for the multi-genre research project.  We also looked at the commencement speeches by JK Rowling and Steve Jobs from a few years ago. 

http://video.the-leaky-cauldron.org/video/1027  JK Rowling

 

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/stevejobsstanfordcommencement.htm Steve Jobs

 

As they listened, they were able to finish the note taking using the book and began making flash cards or 2 column notes for the vocabulary.  HW--2 column notes or flash cards due Wednesday.  Vocabulary quiz is on Thursday. The definitions of the words can be found in their notes on the PowerPoint from last week or from the notes taken from the book in class.  Download Vocab from powerpoint and book list for students

P5--Students practiced writing citations using MLA for different books.  As they finished, they worked to finish their note taking using the text.  They were given the vocabulary words to use for 2 column notes or flash cards which will be due Wednesday.  Vocabulary quiz is on Thursday.  They will have time to work on this tomorrow as they listen to the commencement addresses.  HW--2 column notes or flash cards due Wednesday.  Quiz over research vocabulary Thursday.  The definitions of the words can be found in their notes on the PowerPoint from last week or from the notes taken from the book in class.  Download Vocab from powerpoint and book list for students

February 11

6th--Students continued to read articles on two debatable topics and answered questions about the articles.  These articles will become the basis for their persuasive piece of writing next week.

7th--We discussed how to write citations using MLA format.  Students then had the opportunity to practice writing citations using a variety of books from the media center.  As they finished, they could continue to work on the research study guide from yesterday.

February 9 and 10

6th--2/9--We spent most of the period reviewing for the pronoun test tomorrow.  We discussed the answers for a practice test that is set-up just like the test.  If there was time left, we discussed persuasion.  HW--Study for the test.

2/10--Students took the test on pronouns.  As they finished, they read articles in the text on two different topics and answered questions about the articles.  These articles will form as the basis for their persuasive writing next week.

7th--2/9--We finished taking note on a research PowerPoint. 

2/10--Students used the text to take more notes about research.  The vocabulary from the PowerPoint as well as the vocabulary from these notes are very important.  They will have a vocabulary test next Thursday.

February 8

6th--We checked the homework from last night.  We then began discussing elements of persuasive writing and important vocabulary. Download Important VocabularyHW--6th period was given a practice test to help get ready for the pronoun test which will be Thursday.  3rd period will get the practice test tomorrow.

7th--We began taking notes on research.  We will continue doing so tomorrow.  Here is the PowerPoint.  We made it through slide 27 today.  Download Expository Writing and Reading revised for 2011

February 7

6th--Students were given back several graded papers.  They then reviewed pronouns using the lyrics to the song "Don't Laugh at Me."  After we finished reviewing pronouns, more persuasive vocabulary was introduced.  HW--Don't forget to study for the pronoun test which is Thursday.  Some need to finish the sheet with lyrics on it.  Use the lyrics to answer the questions on the sheet. Some questions review pronouns and others review other things covered this year.  Download Don't Laugh at Me pronouns

7th--Students were given back several graded papers.  They then worked with their partners to complete their 4 paragraph paper comparing and contrasting two characters.  This took longer than anticipated, so we will begin discussing research tomorrow in class.

February 4

Don't forget to come see Fame this weekend!  I have heard that our students put on a great show.

6th--We used song lyrics to practice identifying the different types of pronouns.  Students turned in their pronoun project.

7th--Students worked with a partner to begin writing a compare-contrast 4 paragraph paper.  The were to select two characters from books, movies, tv, etc. and to determine a lesson that could be learned from the two characters.  Their paper focused on how the two character's similarities and differences demonstrated the theme.  They will have a few minutes on Monday to finish their paper.