Last Day of the Quarter

Almost.

Last Chance for AR Quizzes and Late Work  Do you need to take a final AR test? Do you have a late assignment you need to complete and turn in? This is your last chance to do what it takes to earn the highest grade possible. Enjoy 15 minutes to take care of your academic business.

Reflecting on Any Small Goodness  Now that we've finished the Any Small Goodness, let's briefly revisit the chapter final chapter "Christmas Presents." Look over the assignment Any Small Goodness - Christmas Presents (Ch. 9). Does your family have a special tradition like the “tamale-a-thon”? Describe a family or cultural tradition you love.

Now let's take another look at the document Any Small Goodness - Prepare to Read and Character Map. Who are the characters from the remaining chapters that are the most influential? What lesson do these character teach us? Might these lessons be a part of the puzzle to ultimately determining the theme of the entire novel?  

Identifying Theme in Any Small Goodness  Using the same document Any Small Goodness - Prepare to Read and Character Map, look over the lessons you identified for each chapter. Do you notice any similarities between the lessons? Is there a recurring theme present? Considering your analysis of each chapter, the title of the book, and other evidence from the text, what do you think an appropriate theme for Any Small Goodness might be? Discuss with your teammates.

Once you have identified a potential theme for the novel, head over to your class's Padlet wall (Period 2, Period 3, and Period 5) and share your theme statement with your classmates. 

Homework  Complete and 'turn in' assignments from the past week by tomorrow, Friday, October 16, which include: Any Small Goodness - The Band (Ch. 6), Any Small Goodness - The Lunch Box (Ch. 7), Any Small Goodness - The Green Needle Gang (Ch. 8), and Any Small Goodness - Christmas Presents (Ch. 9).

The Good and the Holy in 'Any Small Goodness'

It's Nochebuena, the night before Christmas, and Any Small Goodness is coming to a close.

Reflecting on "Green Needle Gang"  Before we begin today's reading let's briefly revisit the chapter "The Green Needle Gang" of Any Small Goodness. Look over the assignment Any Small Goodness - The Green Needle Gang (Ch. 8). Do you think Arturo has been listening to his father? Give details to support your answer.

Now let's take another look at the document Any Small Goodness - Prepare to Read and Character Map. Who is the character from the chapter "The Green Needle Gang" who is the most influential? What lesson does this character teach us? Might this lesson be a part of the puzzle to ultimately determining the theme of the entire novel?  

Guided Reading of Any Small Goodness: "Christmas Presents"  Today we conclude our reading of Any Small Goodness by reading the final chapter "Christmas Presents" together. As we read we will stop periodically to discuss and analyze the text. You will also be using the document Any Small Goodness - Christmas Presents (Ch. 9), which is located in your Language Arts Google Classroom, to reflect on and respond to this chapter.

Homework (1.) Complete the assignment Any Small Goodness - Christmas Presents (Ch.9), which is due Friday, October 16. (2.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least two entries by the end of the week.)

Arturo Strikes Back in 'Any Small Goodness'

How will Arturo get his venganza in the chapter "The Green Needle Gang" of Any Small Goodness? 

Reflecting on "The Lunch Box"  Before we begin today's reading let's briefly revisit the chapter "The Lunch Box" of Any Small Goodness. Look over the assignment Any Small Goodness - The Lunch Box (Ch. 7). Why do you think the author titled this part of the book "The Lunchbox"? What's the significance of the lunch box? What does it represent?

Now let's take another look at the document Any Small Goodness - Prepare to Read and Character Map. Who is the character from the chapter "The Lunchbox" who influences Arturo the most? What lesson does he learn from this person? Might this lesson be a part of the puzzle to ultimately determining the theme of the entire novel?  

Guided Reading of Any Small Goodness: "The Green Needle Gang"  Today we will continue our reading of Any Small Goodness by reading the chapter "The Green Needle Gang" together. As we read we will stop periodically to discuss and analyze the text. You will also be using the document Any Small Goodness - The Green Needle Gang (Ch. 8), which is located in your Language Arts Google Classroom, to reflect on and respond to this chapter.

Homework (1.) Complete the assignment Any Small Goodness - The Green Needle Gang (Ch.8), which is due Friday, October 16. (2.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least two entries by the end of the week.)

The Bueno and Malo in 'Any Small Goodness'

Any Small Goodness has arrived at a turning point. Find out what happens in today's chapter "The Lunch Box."

Reflecting on "The Band"  Before we begin today's reading let's briefly revisit the chapter "The Band" of Any Small Goodness. Look over the assignment Any Small Goodness - The Band (Ch. 6). Do you think Papi has had an experience with troublemakers like this before? What makes you think so?

Now let's take another look at the document Any Small Goodness - Prepare to Read and Character Map. Who is the character from the chapter "The Band" who influences Arturo the most? What lesson does he learn from this person? Might this lesson be a part of the puzzle to ultimately determining the theme of the entire novel?  

Guided Reading of Any Small Goodness: "The Lunch Box"  Today we will continue our reading of Any Small Goodness by reading the chapter "The Lunch Box" together. As we read we will stop periodically to discuss and analyze the text. You will also be using the document Any Small Goodness - The Lunch Box (Ch. 7), which is located in your Language Arts Google Classroom, to reflect on and respond to this chapter.

Homework (1.) Complete the assignment Any Small Goodness - The Lunch Box (Ch. 7), which is due Friday, October 16. (2.) Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least two entries by the end of the week.)

Blogging and Library Visiting

Publshing on Kidblog  Aloha Friday! Earlier this week, each of you joined a specially created blog for your Language Arts class. Today you will have an opportunity to make your first post and begin engaging with your fellow bloggers. To begin, please visit Kidblog and login. Find the draft entitled "About Me" that you hopefully already started. Take a moment to review your writing and make any necessary revisions and/or additions. When you feel ready, go ahead and publish. Make sure you make your post viewable for your classmates.

Commenting on Blog Posts  Today I'm going to encourage you to comment on at least one blog post by another student. Remember your comments should be respectful, specific, and helpful. If you liked something about someone's writing or their story, explain what specific aspect of their writing you appreciated. For example: I loved your use of descriptive details! If you have a tip about how a student could improve their writing, make sure to share in a way that is helpful and not hurtful. For example: I really liked your story, but I thought you could have used a few more sensory details. For more suggestions on how to be a great blog post commenter check out the video below. Have fun!  

Library Visit  Today we head to the library. Make sure you bring your books to either return or renew and your student ID card if you want to check out books. You may look for new books, read quietly, or take AR tests. Remember there are only 7 days left in the quarter and many of you need to earn AR points. Please take advantage of this opportunity and use your library time well. 

Homework  Due to Back to School Night, the deadline for the assignments that were to be due today were changed to Monday, October 12. Please make sure the following assignments are completed and 'turned in' by Monday: Any Small Goodness - Piano Lessons (Ch. 4), Any Small Goodness - The River (Ch. 5), Run-On Sentence Assignment, What is Theme?, and two Digital Reading Log entries.

Being Strong and Gentle in 'Any Small Goodness'

How will Papi and his car Valentín deal with the gang of "meso-heads" in today's chapter?

Reflecting on "Piano Lessons" and "The River"  Before we begin today's reading let's briefly revisit the chapters "Piano Lessons" and "The River of Any Small Goodness. Look over the assignment Any Small Goodness - Piano Lessons (Ch. 4). Does Mama Dulce remind you of someone you know? Tell about that person. What does the person do? How does the person help others? Next look over the assignment Any Small Goodness - The River (Ch. 5). If you were on the school board, would you try to get Ms. Cloud back? Why or why not?

Now let's take another look at the document Any Small Goodness - Prepare to Read and Character Map. Who is the character from the chapter "Piano Lessons" who influences Arturo the most? What lesson does he learn from this person? Who is the character from the chapter "The River" who influences Arturo the most? What lesson does he learn from this person? Might these lessons be a part of the puzzle to ultimately determining the theme of the entire novel?  

Guided Reading of Any Small Goodness: "The Band"  Today we will continue our reading of Any Small Goodness by reading the third chapter "The Coach" together. As we read we will stop periodically to discuss and analyze the text. You will also be using the document Any Small Goodness - Band (Ch. 6), which is located in your Language Arts Google Classroom, to reflect on and respond to this chapter. 

Homework  (1.) Encourage your family to come to Back to School Night tonight! (2.) Due to Back to School Night, the assignments that would have been due tomorrow will now be due on Monday, October 12. 

Quizzing and Blogging

Are you ready to create a blog of your own?

Run-on Sentence Quiz  Happy Wednesday! Let's start the day by demonstrating what we've learned about run-on sentences and how to repair them. You may find your quiz here. If you finish early, you may read and/or take A.R. quizzes. 

KidBlog: Getting Started  Mr. McGinty has a blog. Shouldn't you have a blog of your own? Today each of you will have the opportunity to set up your very own blog using the site Kidblog. 

After arriving at the site, click on "Students" in red, and then enter your class code: 
Period 2 - gg5ixxt, Period 3 - dvnsy5v, and Period 5 - a4gv8xt. 

Next, try signing up by linking your Google account. Once you're logged in and if you have time, try making your first blog post. Entitle it "About Me" and introduce yourself to your community of fellow bloggers. Without using your last name, tell your readers about yourself, your background, your interests, your values, your passions, your dreams, etc. Have fun! 

We will hopefully be using KidBlog a lot this year, as a way to express ourselves, improve our writing, and connect with people from around the world. 

Homework  Read your A.R. book at home for at least 30 minutes and, if you choose, make a reading log entry using the Digital Reading Log. (Remember you must have made at least two by the end of the week.)