This Week's ELA: 1/5/16

Spelling: Difficult Words and Vocabulary: Out of the Dust 1

Spelling: Difficult Words

Tuesday: Write your spelling words in your agenda in alphabetical order.

Wednesday-Thursday: Using your non-dominant (opposite) hand, write your spelling words as neatly as possible.  In other words, lefties will use their right hand and righties will use their left.   (Due Friday.)

1.     probably

2.     important

3.     because

4.     friend

5.     beginning

6.     restaurant

7.     remember

8.     government

9.     against

10. separate

11. definitely

12. until

13. doesn’t

14. a lot

15. already

16. finally

17. occasionally

18. enough

19. especially

20. sincerely

Vocabulary: Out of the Dust 1

            On your own paper, use each word in a super sentence (due Thursday).  Please type or use your best handwriting, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  You need to look up the definition for each unfamiliar word.  Don't panic if you can't immediately find the word.  You may need to drop a suffix, especially the past tense -ed.  Your vocabulary sentences are due Thursday.

1. crouched
2. fierce
3. fidgety
4. riled
5. bounty
6. whittled
7. spindled
8. achievement
9. locomotive
10. ratcheted

Story Response Writing Assignment (due by MONDAY; can turn in Friday): Write (at minimum) a three-paragraph essay comparing and contrasting yourself and the main character of Out of the Dust, Billie Jo Kelby.  Think about what she looks like (her physical characteristics) as well as her character (who she is on the inside), and when/where she lives.  What are her likes and dislikes?  What things do you have in common?  How are you different?  Is she someone you would like to be friends with?  Why or why not?

Story Jumper

Here is a cool new site, Story Jumper, that I found where kids can create books online!  I believe that it is free to use and then you have the option of purchasing a book.  I would love for some of you to check it out, create a book, and review this site.  Happy writing!

Writing Websites Updated

I just wanted to let you know that I have updated our Writing Websites tab at the top with some links for research possibilities.  This might be especially timely if your CPA speech isn't 5 minutes long yet.  (Presentations for the judge is this Wednesday!)

Thursday Groups

1.   Complete orange WB p. 87, and then get an iPad.  Be sure to sign your name to the list to "check out" your iPad.  (Find its number on the back.)  Go to Giggle Poetry. (Click on the title to go to the web page and then complete the activities.  You may share a computer with a partner.)
2.  "Little Readers"
3.   Frog game for CRCT-M review
4.  Computers: Click HERE to choose your activities.  Try to work through all five spelling & vocabulary rounds.  Once you complete all five, go to the Poetry link.  (This is the same as the iPad activity.)
5.  Math Task Challenge:  Work with a partner to complete as many of math tasks (successfully) as possible.   For each successful task, you will be earning a point for your team.  You may not repeat the SAME task for an additional point!

My Access Writing Program

We have started our computerized writing program, My Access.  (You can access it by click on the program name.)  Students work through all steps of the writing process at their own pace to complete an assignment which the computer will then score.  After receiving feedback, students will revise their work to improve.  You can even work on it at home!

I have added the link to our writing tab at the top.