7th Grade--6/10

Today we devoted the whole social studies/English block to social studies, and we watched National Treasure. We'll finish this up on Monday!

7th Grade--6/9

Today the seventh grade finished (almost) watching Raisin in the Sun. If we have time on Monday, we'll finish watching the flick then. I hope you guys enjoyed it!

Don't forget to bring your final fiction pieces TOMORROW! And they should be FINAL DRAFTS! That means you need to reread them and edit/rewrite. Mechanics WILL be part of the grade.

Homework due tomorrow:
--Final fiction piece due

Long term due date:
-Summer!

7th Grade--6/8

Today we added to our writing portfolios for the final time in 8th grade. Students also cleaned out their mailboxes and binders. When cleaning out your English stuff for the year, you may toss everything EXCEPT anything associated with grammar (There is a cumulative test at the end of 8th grade. You should keep everything associated with grammar from this year including notes, tests and homework) and any of your fiction writing. In other words, don't throw out your journal, as you will continue in it next year.

We then began to watch the film version of A Raisin in the Sun, which will we continue watching tomorrow.

Also, if you are missing any work for this trimester, tomorrow is the absolute LAST day for you to turn it in. If it isn't in my hands by the end of class tomorrow, it will be marked as missing and receive a failing grade. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Homework due tomorrow:
-None...unless you're missing work

Long term due date:
-Final fiction piece due on Friday

7th Grade--6/7

Today we spent a second day in Lab #2 working on our final fiction pieces. Look at yesterday's post for guidelines on this assignment. Tomorrow we'll begin watching A Raisin in the Sun.

Homework due tomorrow:
-None

Long term due date:
-Final fiction piece due on Friday

7th Grade--6/6

Today 7th graders had time in Lab #2 to work on their final fiction pieces. I discussed the expectations for this assignment at the beginning of class, but I encourage you to see me as questions arise in your writing. Remember, you're not only to be adding on to your story, but also editing that which you had already written.

In the final draft, I'll be looking for...

• Appropriate pacing
• Varied sentence structures
• Description
• Setting
• Literary Elements
• Strong Vocabulary
• A conclusion/ending that seems natural and not rushed
• Evidence of self editing

Don't forget to edit your piece before submitting it! Grammar and spelling will count!

Homework due tomorrow:
-None

Long term due date:
-Final fiction piece due on Friday

8th Grade--6/3

Today was your last day of English! I will miss all of you so much!

We finished our writing reflections and addressed the envelopes to send home to your parents (which is apparently something that no one knows how to do anymore...which made me feel very very old). Then we played a guessing game with the last lines of all of your fiction pieces.

If you want to know your final grades, see me on Monday morning and I'd be happy to share them with you before mailing them home.

Have a great career at New Trier, guys! Keep writing!!!!!

7th Grade--6/3

Today in class we did our second round of book talks. If you were absent, plan on giving your book talk during class on Monday.

On Monday, we will begin working on our final fiction piece. This will be a continuation of one of the story starts you did this year, so come to class with a digital copy of the story start you wish to work on. You will have Monday and Tuesday to work on this assignment, which is due on Friday.

Homework due Monday:
-None

Long term due date:
-Final fiction piece due on Friday

7th Grade & 8th Grade--6/2

Today was field day, and what a beautiful day for it! Hope you guys all enjoyed yourself and I'll see you tomorrow in class.

7th Grade deadlines:

Homework due tomorrow:
-Book Talk #2

Long term due dates:
6/10--Final Fiction Writing due

8th Grade--6/1

Today we began class by reviewing our 7th grade writing assessment as compared to our 8th grade writing assessment. After looking at both, students were to fill out a reflection form evaluating their progress during their time at Washburne. These reflections will be mailed home in the next few weeks, and I hope your families will enjoy seeing the progress you have all made!

If you were absent today because of your involvement in the play, this is something that you WILL need to make up!

I also posted updated grades, and encouraged students to see me NOW for any missing assignments. The year is drawing to a close and the time is now to submit anything that you might be missing.

Homework due tomorrow:
None! Yay!

7th Grade--6/1

Class was short today, as we attended the Washburne musical for part of block. Congrats to all actresses and crew members who worked on the show, as it was an amazing success! I was truly impressed with all of your work and professionalism.

Today we worked on our writing portfolios in English, looking back over our work and compiling our strongest written pieces from the year. These portfolios will follow you into 8th grade and you will continue to add to them. I also posted updated grades, and encouraged students to see me NOW for any missing assignments. The year is drawing to a close and the time is now to submit anything that you might be missing.

Homework due tomorrow (if there's rain) or Friday (if it's sunny tomorrow):
-Book Talk #2

Long term due dates:
6/10--Final Fiction Writing due