FAHRENHEIT 451

In Language Arts, we're starting Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Over the next few weeks, we'll be reading, analyzing, and discussing this dystopian novel. When we finish, students will be writing essays  in response to the themes in the novel. We'll begin each part by previewing the vocabulary, we'll use the following three Reader's Notebook packets to guide our vocabulary study and class discussions: Reader's Notebook One, Reader's Notebook Two, Reader's Notebook Three. A recent re-read of the novel reminded me of how fascinating it is and how relevant the themes remain even now, years after it was first published--we'll have a lot to talk about!

Also, an update: we sent home notices earlier this week, but in case anyone missed it, we have postponed our field trip to Eaglecrest due to snow conditions. We've re-scheduled for March 26th and 27th. Keep hoping for snow!

Yearbook Survey

Yearbook students have asked that all students at Dryden take a survey for the yearbook. Please click HERE for the Yearbook survey.

Enjoy...

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic first semester, especially the final event: the Boston Massacre Trial. everyone did such a great job! Enjoy the winter break. I'll see everyone in 2015!!!

In Language Arts…(And a History Trial!)

In language arts, we're building on our understanding of the parts of speech by moving into sentence structure. We started with subjects and predicates on Monday; understanding the parts of speech really helps with identifying the parts of a sentence. All of this builds towards improving writing by using a variety of sentence lengths and structures, a skill that requires a good understanding of basic sentence elements. We'll start with some basic notes and practice. And we'll even explore sentence structure through some sentence diagramming. So many times, it's these diagrams that make all this grammar stuff really "click."

Next week, we'll review some of the key literary terms and concepts we've studied over the past semester, and we'll have a quiz on these terms at the end of the week.

Another exciting upcoming event is the Boston Massacre Mock Trial! This week, students are diving into their roles and preparing testimony, opening statements, cross-examination, and more in anticipation of the trial next Friday afternoon. Parents are welcomed--and encouraged!--to attend the trial. It will be in the Dryden library from 12:10 to 1:55 on Friday, December 19th. Hope to see you there!

Parts of Speech Review

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and break.

This week, we'll focus on reviewing all eight parts of speech. Students will work on a project of their choice to communicate their knowledge of the parts of speech--an instructional book, a game, a video, a book analysis, etc--and we'll have daily review activities. On Friday, students will take a mastery test to demonstrate their ability to identify the eight parts of speech. Whether through reviewing old assignments and tests, working on the project, or studying definitions, students should spend some time preparing for the test each night this week.

Here's a link to the Parts of Speech Project.

In Language Arts...

Students have been working in their SPRINGBOARD books to explore the theme of heroism, We've discussed the three strategies of definition (function, example, and negation) and read a variety of texts--poems, articles, stories, and more--that revolve around the theme of heroism. The culminating project for this unit is a definition essay. For this project, students will be writing essays about what heroism means to them. Over the next week and a half, students will go through the writing process, beginning with brainstorming, then outlining, drafting, revising, and finalizing.

Here are some links to tools that can help students with the writing process:
-An Overview of the Definition Essay (from SPRINGBOARD)
-OUTLINE of the Definition Essay (an outline that guides students through the sections of the definition essay)
-OUTLINE Version A (this is a slightly simplified version of the Definition Essay Outline for students who would like more guidance during this part of the writing process)
-A Sample Definition Essay about Heroism

We'll also continue to refine our understanding of grammar. Students will also continue to review the eight parts of speech, a study that will culminate in a mastery test that involves identifying all eight parts of speech.

Last but not least, NaNoWriMo continues…keep up the good work student writers!! And if you're looking for a little writerly inspiration, check out the Young Writers Program webpage for some pep talks from writers.

NaNoWriMo!!!

National Novel Writing month starts today! Congrats to all students who have decided to take on the challenge of writing a novel during the month of November. I'll be writing right along with you. I encourage all writers to check out NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program homepage. On that page, young writers can find pep talks from both other young writers and published writers, "dares" to help get writing jump-started, and much more.
Explore worlds; explore words; have fun, and--most importantly:
Write on!!!