Goal-Setting and Library Visit

Schoolgirl Who Devoured 942 Books in One Year Tells Us Why She Loves Reading 10-year-old Faith Jackson of Altrincham, England loves to read. How much? In 2014, this Mighty Girl read 942 books -- an average of 464 pages a day! It’s a remarkable feat all on its own, but even more inspiring considering that the avid reader used to struggle with literacy. Now, she’s thrilled to be spreading the word about the joys of reading with other kids. 

When Faith was around six or seven, she could barely read at all. Her mother, Laura Jackson, says, “When they tested her it came back as having dyslexic tendencies.” However, both her parents found ways to encourage her to keep trying. "I think the main thing was we didn't push her and they didn't make her read all the time at school. We just read to her instead to help her enjoy books rather than making it a big deal. It finally did click for her -- and then it just went off into the stratosphere.” (Via A Mighty Girl)

Faith Jackson and some of her books.

To learn more about Faith's story and watch a video of her explaining why she loves reading, visit here. 

Accelerated Reader Goal-Setting  Today, let's think about our own reading practice and examine where we are, where we have been, and where we are going. First, I will distribute some reading data to each of, which, among other things, indicates your current reading level as well as your ZPD (which stands for Zone of Proximal Development and is a suggestion of the reading levels you should currently be reading). I want you to record this data along with the corresponding colors (see the first chart below for reference) on your Reading Data and Goal-Setting Chart, located in your Language Arts Google Classroom. 

Next, please login to the Accelerated Reader site, click 'Progress, click 'Current Marking Period,' select 'Marking Period M2,' and review how you did with regards to achieving last quarter's goal. What will your reading goal be this quarter? If you're unsure about what would be appropriate based on your reading level, refer to the second chart below. Once you have decided and cleared it with me, go ahead and indicate your 3rd Quarter Reading Goal on your Reading Data and Goal-Setting Chart. I will later enter that goal into the Accelerated Reader system so you can track your current progress. Good luck this quarter! 

Library Visit  Now let's head on over to the library and find books that are within our Zone of Proximal Development, are of interest to us, and will help us reach our 3rd Quarter Reading Goal! Please bring with you any books that you are returning or renewing, along with your student ID card.  

Star Testing and Poetry Writing

Star Reading Test  Today you will take the Star Reading Test in order to reassess your reading level. My hope is that each of you will show growth today compared to the assessments from the first semester of the school year. Considering how dedicated many of you have been to your reading, I'm excited to see how well you do. You may take the test here. Remember, after logging in to click on "Star Reading." Read carefully. Good luck! 

Writing Activity: "I Am From" Poem  Today is your last class day to work on your "I Am From" Poem. Remember to think carefully about each word you choose. Consider reading each line of your poem as you write. Are you capturing the tone and feelings that you're aiming for? Also, as you continue to improve and revise your poem, consider adding more sensory details. A handy list of sensory details can be found here. Can your reader visualize the objects, people, places, and experiences your poem seeks to capture? The "I Am From" Poem assignment needs to be 'turned in' tomorrow, Friday, January 15.

Homework  (1.) 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 one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Complete your "I Am From" Poem, which is due tomorrow, Friday, January 15.

We Are All Writers!

We Are All Writers Now  Over the course of the first half of the school year, I have witnessed a transformation in many of you. Some of you have gone from seeing writing as a dreadful task required at school to embracing writing as a craft that is worthy of your time and talents. You are all writers now; there's no changing that. Each of you has a voice and a poem and a story to tell. As you move forward with your writing, I thought it would be important to hear the advice of some more established writers. Is there a quote below that resonates with you? Talk to with a teammate about the words of advice that most stand out to you and why. Be prepared to share.
      

Writing Activity: "I Am From" Poem  Today's class period is simply dedicated to writing and working on your "I Am From" Poem. Think carefully about each word you choose. Consider reading each line of your poem as you write. Are you capturing the tone and feelings that you're aiming for? Also, as you continue to improve and revise your poem, consider adding more sensory details. A handy list of sensory details can be found here. Can your reader visualize the objects, people, places, and experiences your poem seeks to capture? 

I know it's still a work in progress, but I wanted to share with you a poem that one of your classmates is writing. I love its simplicity, careful word choices, descriptive details, and the feelings it evokes. These are the words of a truly talented writer. 

By Aiden

Homework  (1.) 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 one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on your"I Am From" Poem, which is due Friday, January 15.

New Year, New Beginning

New Year's Reading Resolutions  Welcome back! I hope each of you had a wonderful and relaxing winter break and that you feel refreshed, renewed, and ready for the new year. Many of us use the the new year as an opportunity for a new beginning; as a chance to start over and begin anew. We often make resolutions or commitments to work on or improve certain things about ourselves. 

In addition to any personal resolutions you may have made, I would like all of us to recommit ourselves to becoming better and more enthusiastic readers in 2016. Below is a list of 100 New Year's Reading Resolutions (A copy has also been placed in your Language Arts Google Classroom). My hope is that you will try to complete as many as possible and in the process further strengthen your enthusiasm for books, literacy, and reading. Each week I'm going to ask you to try a least one new reading resolution and make note of it on your  Digital Reading Log. As for reading and the Digital Reading Log, you are still required to read for at least 30 minutes a day each day during the school week. However, now you are only required to make one reading log entry during the week, as opposed to the previous two.     

Introduction to 'I Am From' Poems  Towards the end of last quarter we finished our poetry unit in which we read and analyzed the poems of others. Now it's time to write our own. Since this will be the first attempt for some of us at writing poetry, I thought it would be a good idea for us all to use a similar format that is scaffolded and accessible. Today we will begin writing "I Am From" poems.

A poem by George Ella Lyon called "Where I’m From" is the inspiration for this activity. In her poem Lyon uses descriptive language and sensory details to tell the story of the everyday things, people, and places that together tell the story of where she comes from. You can read her poem here and watch the video version below. 

                                      

The poem lends itself to imitation and many have tried, including students. Check out some of the student examples below. 

By Evelyn from Lakeview Middle School

Writing Your Own "I Am From" Poem  Now it's your turn to write a poem that illustrates where you are from. The "I Am From" Poem template can be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom. If you're having trouble getting started and would like an opportunity to brainstorm ideas before drafting your poem, try using the "I Am From" Pre-Write document, which can also be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom. 

As you move forward in the writing process and begin to improve and revise your poem, consider adding more sensory details. A handy list of sensory details can be found here. 

Homework  (1.) 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 one entry by the end of the day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on the "I Am From" Poem, which is due Friday, January 15.

Cyberbullying and the Role of the Upstander

What is Cyberbullying?  Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. Learn more about the nature cyber bullying by watching the video below.

Next, read about the status of cyberbullying in America today here and check out related statistics below. 

What Can We Do? Be an Upstander!  If we witness bullying in any form and do nothing, the consequences can be devastating. Watch the video below to understand why being a bystander to bullying can have deadly effects, and why it's vital that we all play a more active role if we see bullying taking place.

Learn more about the importance of being an upstander and not a bystander when it comes to bullying by checking out the information below. 

Now put your new understanding of cyberbullying and the role of the upstander to the test by completing the Cyberbullying Activity, which can be found in your Language Arts

Google Classroom. 

 

Poetry Exam and Business Time

Poetry Final Exam  Our unit on poetry is coming to a close and now it's time to demonstrate what we have learned. Part of today's Poetry Exam will focus on the three poems featured below. Make sure that you read each poem carefully and refer back to each poem during the test. You can find your online Poetry Exam here. 

Poem # 1

Poem # 2

Poem # 3

Taking Care of Business Time  Friendly reminder: Tomorrow is the last day of your 2nd quarter of middle school! It's the last the day to turn in missing or incomplete assignments. It's the last day to take A.R. tests and earn points towards your reading goal. It's the last day to do whatever needs to be done to get your grades up.

You may use this portion of class today to silent read and take A.R. tests. You may also use this time to review your grades and assignments on School Loop and figure how to dedicate your energy during these last moments of the 2nd quarter. Additionally, consider messaging teachers if you have questions or need to inform them of anything related to your assignments or grades.  
 
Homework  (1.) 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 day Friday.)  (2.) Tomorrow, Friday, December 18, is the last day of the quarter and the following assignments must be completed and 'turned in' in order to have a chance to receive full credit: Sound Devices in Poetry, Personification in Poetry, Tone and Word Choice in Poetry, and "Oranges" - Sensory Details.

"Oranges" and Sensory Details

The poem "Oranges" is featured in the book of poetry Fire in My Hands By Gary Soto 

 Today's Learning Objectives   To understand and appreciate poetry and to recognize imagery and its effects. 

Students in the News  Several of our own very special students are being recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments this week. Marissa (from Period 2) beat out all other 6th graders to win the Lakeview Spelling Bee. She will now be representing Lakeview at the Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee. Way to go, Marissa!

Also, the talented Colby and Anthony (both from Period 3) have had their short stories selected to appear in creative writing section of Lakeview's very own online student newspaper the Eagle Times. Cogratulations, Colby and Anthony! 

"Oranges" by Gary Soto: Noting Sensory Details  Today we will read the poem "Oranges" by Gary Soto, which is rich with imagery and sensory details. Remember that writers use sensory details to appeal to a reader's senses -- sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. These details can help the reader visualize the scene the writer is describing and create images that evoke feelings within the reader.

As we read "Oranges" take note of Gary Soto's use of sensory details using the document "Oranges" - Sensory Details, which can be found in your Language Arts Google Classroom.

Homework  (1.) 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 day Friday.)  (2.) Continue working on the "Oranges" - Sensory Details, which is due tomorrow, Friday, December 18. (3.) Study for tomorrow's Poetry Exam.