Week of October 1-4: Assignments

Due to NECAP testing, we will not be meeting during our Language Arts class until this Friday. You will need to complete the following, due in class, Friday, October 4th:


1. In your Writer's Notebook, please write 2 or 3 more topics, based on experiences in your life.

2. Next, continue with the Issues entry.

Issue Examples:
* bullying
* injuries that prevent one from playing sports
* struggles with math, science, or P.E.

Please come up with at least 3 issues/problems that could impact a realistic character.

It will be easiest to do this with your story ideas. So, for instance, if you want to write a story about a student who is entering a new school, you could list one of the issues as having a hard time making friends.

3. Continue with the Traits "T-Chart." Create some of the internal and external traits of your character, and decide whether they are internal (on the inside) or external (on the outside.)

T-Chart Example:

Internal (Inside)	External (Outside)
Creative	12 years old
Artistic	Blond hair
Good at math	Brown eyes

**Create at least 2 traits for each side.

4. Please begin your grammar packet. Read and complete pages 1-6.


Checklist:
___ Write 2+ topics in your Writer's Notebook

___ Write 3+ issues in your Writer's Notebook

___ Complete a T-chart, with at least 2 traits for each side

___ Complete pages 1-6 in your grammar packet

Questions? Email me at kwright@aos93.org or come in to see me before school or before dismissal.

D.E.S.C.R.I.B.E.

In Your Writing Include...

Details and
Extras with the 5
Senses and
Colors so that the 
Reader can be
In the action. This changes the writing from
Boring to 
Exciting!

• Describe: to tell or depict in written or spoken words (dictionary.reference.com)
• Use details! Describe what is happening with all of the little details you can think of!

• 5 Senses

(www.glessnerpromoblog.com) 

• I walked into my new classroom. This becomes...
• I slowly entered my new classroom for the first time. I was nervous, and my senses seemed to heighten. The noises of students chatting excitedly to each other echoed in my ears. I took a deep breath, and a mixture of smells greeted my nose. It smelled like freshly sharpened pencils and the distinct smell that must be coming from the brightly-colored whiteboard markers. A man in a dark, forest green jacket stood at the door, smiling, and beckoning me in; he must be my teacher! I fidgeted with the nylon strap of my black L.L. Bean backpack before entering. I licked my lips, and found the crumbs from my peanut butter toast I choked down before dashing to the school bus this morning.

• Colors: Paint a picture with your words.
• My favorite dress is blue. This transforms into...
• My favorite dress is a seafoam blue, like the waves of Pemaquid beach lazily crashing on the sunny shore. It has bright white sleeves, as bright as newly-fallen snow.

Homework assignment: 9/20/13

Due on Monday

Please write down two past experiences that could be turned into future pieces of realistic fiction. These will then be turned into your first Writer's Notebook entry.

Class Rules

We will be working together to create our class rules. Everyone will be held accountable for abiding by these rules.


Be Respectful
Show consideration for other students and staff.
Listen to the teacher and pay attention. Do not interrupt the teacher.
Do not call people names.
Do not put your head down on the desk.

Be Responsible
Fulfill obligations and be accountable for your actions.
Don't throw your iPad.
Don't be late for class.
Use your iPad in accordance with teacher directions and expectations.




Be Safe
Don't throw pencils.
Don't try to lift desks up.
Don't tilt in chairs.

First Assignment

Let's start off our year by reflecting on summer, and how we spent our summer vacations. This assignment is a two-step process.

Step One: Each student will be responsible for writing two paragraphs about his or her summer. Please create a new Google Drive document, and include your name in the title.

Here are some topic suggestions:

• Employment: Tell me about your summer job.

• Fun in the Sun: Talk about a few of the outdoor activities you did. 

• Family and Friends: Did you visit any relatives, and spend time with family? Did you enjoy seeing friends?

• Adventure: Did you experience any exciting adventures, or go anywhere fun?

Make sure you use plenty of details to describe each topic!



Step Two: After you have successfully finished your two paragraphs, you will create a Wordle, a word cloud of your writing. The Wordles will be uploaded to our blog, for all of us to see!



Allow me to provide you with my example!



Step One:

This summer was a busy whirlwind for me. It was fast-paced, as I worked almost every day at at least one of my jobs. I worked at Davis Island Grill and Shaw’s Wharf. Davis Island Grill was a restaurant located in Edgecomb. I waitressed there until they suddenly closed down at the end of July. Shaw’s Wharf is a seasonal restaurant in New Harbor. I have worked at Shaw’s Wharf since I was in high school. I love waiting on customers and spending time with my co-workers.

When I was not at work, I engaged in a few outdoor activities. I bought an Old Town flat-back canoe and devoted as much time as possible to canoeing on Damariscotta Lake. I also had the opportunity to go camping at the Last Resort in Jackman. I spent a weekend with my family in one of the log cabins on Long Pond. We have been going to the Last Resort for the past few summers. We went hiking on several of the trails near the camp, which was wonderful.

Step Two:

Class Grading Scale

Please examine our class grading scale. Each assignment will fall into one of these categories.

Writing Prompts and Projects: 50%

Participation/Preparedness: 10%

Quizzes: 30%

Classwork: 10%

Welcome!

Welcome to our Seventh Grade Language Arts Class Blog! 

This blog will be used for the following:

•  to create and interact with blog posts

• to share and explore links to other web resources

• to examine our class grading scale

• to visit and revisit class assignments

• to have FUN!