Dr. Williams

September 29

Those out for the Jewish holiday may have extra time to complete any homework.  Students should know their time frames as discussed in class on Wednesday.

Don't forget to check the first blog posting for information on Reflections.  This is a chance for students to earn extra credit!

P1 and P3--DGP; Lesson 3 Vocabulary--We discussed the vocabulary, students completed the activities in the vocabulary book, and then they began working on vocabulary squares to use as a study guide.  HW--Finish the Parents Just Don't Understand essay and submit to the on-line grader. 

Upcoming Dates--Lesson 3--Vocab Quiz-- Wednesday, 10/5; Vocab Test-- Friday, 10/7

P2, P4, and P5--DGP--We reviewed transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, direct objects, and indirect objects using a PowerPoint and the Elmo to practice identifying both on the SmartBoard.  Students then had time to practice identifying them in sentences.  HW--Finish the Substitute writing prompt and submit to the on-line grader.

Download Direct and indirect objects  PowerPoint

Download Steps to find DO and IO  Notes for finding direct objects and indirect objects.

Download WorksheetWorks_Identifying_Direct_Objects_1  Answers are on the second page.  Done together in class.

Download WorksheetWorks_Identifying_Indirect_Objects_1  Answers are on the second page.  Done together in class.

Download Direct Object and Indirect Object Practice  Answers are on the second page.  Students completed individually.

Upcoming Dates--Verb Test-- Wednesday, 10/5

September 28

Students who are out tomorrow and/or Friday for the Jewish holiday may have until Monday to complete any assignments for the week. 

P1 and P3--Students took the pronoun test and then could retake the indefinite pronoun quiz from earlier in the week.  As they finished, they could work on their Parents Just Don't Understand papers.  They had lap tops so that they could begin putting their papers on the on-line scorer site.  HW--Parents Just Don't Understand papers on-line by Friday morning.

P2, P4. and  P5--DGP; Students took a quiz over the verb songs.  They worked with partners to come up with vivid verbs for different occupations.  They then worked on a sheet where they continued to match vivid verbs to occupations.  HW--Finish the sheet started in class--front and back.

September 26

Something was not working with the essay scorer site used on Friday.  We figured out what happened, and it should be ready to go now.  The work students did on Friday has been erased, but that is not a problem because it was for practice.  I gave students a new password to use.  Revised Directions for Logging In--Download Essay Scorer Directions Revised  You will not see your essay from Friday!

P1 and P3--DGP; We looked at the difference between who and whom.  Download Who vs whom  Students then took a practice pronoun test to help review for the test which will be Wednesday.  Those who needed to turn in their books did so today.  HW--Study for pronoun test which will be Wednesday.  Please do not respond to the new prompt that has been added to the on-line scorer.  You will work on it in class tomorrow and will need to add your essay to the scorer by the start of school on Friday.

P2, P4, and P5--DGP; We reviewed helping verbs by looking at several pages in the workbook.  Students also had time to practice their verb songs.  The quizzes on Wednesday will require that the students write the words to the songs.  Here is a sheet they can use to practice.  Download Verb Songs quiz  HW--Study for quizzes on verb songs which will be Wednesday.  We fixed the problem on the on-line essay scorer.  By the end of the day today, there will be a new prompt for students to respond to.  This will be due at the start of school on Friday.

September 23

All Classes--Today, we went to the computer lab where student were able to type an essay into an online essay scorer.  We have talked about how we will use this program to assess quick writes that will be classwork grades.  Major writing assignments will continued to be graded using a rubric.  The good thing about this is that students will be able to receive feedback on their writing more often which will help them develop into better writers.  Some students are trying to move their scores higher, so I will let them work on their writing over the weekend if they want.  This is NOT required!

 

P1 and P3--Students took a quick quiz on indefinite pronouns.  Next week, they will have a test on pronouns Wednesday.  Don't forget, Journey of My Life books are due Monday.

 

P2, P4, and P5--They will have a verb song quiz on Wednesday.

September 22

P1 and P3--We continued to look at the differences between objective and nominative pronouns.  Students had the chance to practice using objective and nominative pronouns correctly and to review different types of pronouns.  HW--Quiz over indefinite pronouns.  Book due either tomorrow or Monday.  Pronoun test next Wednesday.

P2, P4, and P5--We went over homework, and the students had the chance to ask questions about linking and action verbs before taking a pop quiz.  After finishing, they worked to identify verb phrases in sentences.  HW--Song quiz next Wednesday.  Finish identifying verb phrases sheets if not completed in class.

September 21

Progress reports were sent home today.  Please sign them and return the ASAP.

P1 and P3--DGP; After students completed their pronoun contracts, it was clear that we needed to go over a few sections.  We discussed pronouns today and they worked together on the difficult areas.  They were given a sheet that they need to memorize to help with using indefinite pronouns correctly.  Download Indefinite Pronouns  HW--Pronoun Practice Sheets; Journey of Your Life book due Friday; Quiz over Indefinite Pronoun Sheet Friday

P2, P4, and P5--DGP; Verb Songs; We used white boards to practice telling the difference between linking and action verbs as well as matching verbs and subjects.  HW--Ccomplete practice sheets; Practice verb songs for quiz next Wednesday.  Here is a practice sheet for the verb song quiz.  Download Verb Songs practice for quiz

September 20

P1 and P3--Students should have finished their pronoun contracts.  If they did not do so, it should be finished tonight.  They also had time to work on their books which are due Friday.  They will not have any more class time to work on them.

P2, P4, and P5-DGP;  Students began learning two songs to help them learn the helping and linking verbs.  There will be a written quiz over the songs NEXT Wednesday.  Download Verb Songs  After practicing the songs several times, we began looking at the difference between action verbs and linking verbs.  This can be tricky because several of the linking verbs can also be action verbs depending on how they are used in the sentence.  Here is a page with some notes and a few practice sentences.  Those who bring this completed tomorrow will get a piece of candy.  If they can't print it off, they may write the sentences out on a piece of notebook paper.  Download Linking or action practice

September 19

P1 and P3--Students are finishing up work from last week.  The pronoun contract is due at the end of class tomorrow, and their Journey of Your Life book is due Friday.  After tomorrow, they will need to work on their books at home.  If a student does not like his/her vocabulary test grade, he/she may retake it tomorrow morning before school at 8:15.  This is the only day they may retake the test.

P2, P4, and P5--DGP; Students took a verb pre-test which will help guide our instruction.  They then organized their writing portfolio where they will keep their writing assignments throughout the year.  As time permitted, we went over a couple of assessments that were taken previously.  No homework!

September 16

P1 and P3--Vocabulary Test;  Students continued working on their pronoun contracts and their books of their interviews.

P2, P4, and P5--DGP (if not finished yesterday); Students continued working on their dialogue conversation which will be graded as a test grade because it is important that students be able to apply the rules of punctuation and capitalization.

September 15

Hat Day--Tomorrow, students may wear a hat for a dollar donation to Relay for Life.

I would encourage students to get a jump drive/flash drive to use at school.  There will be times throughout the year where they need to take work back and forth.  They don't need a large amount of storage, but it would be helpful if they have one.

P1 and P3--Students continued working on their pronoun contract as well as the Journey of Your Life books.  They should have the contract finished and checked by the end of the class on Tuesday.  HW--Study for tomorrow's vocabulary test.

P2, P4, and P5--DGP;  To apply the rules they have learned this week about writing dialogue, students wrote a break-up conversation for a famous pair.  They brainstormed a list of at least 15 pairs like Romeo and Juliet or salt and pepper.  They had class time today to begin their rough drafts and will have class time tomorrow to finish their final copies.  This assignments is due at the end of class tomorrow.  It will count as the test grade for punctuating dialogue.