Nadia the Willful: Theme

Select a theme to focus on in your writing.

Reread the story. Find a direct quotation that supports the theme you selected. Copy and paste the direct quotation in the Theme document in your classroom folder.

Upstanders and Bystanders

It's all about this word:

In order to make our school an even more positive and caring place, all Lakeview students will be participating in lessons on how to respond to cyberbullying. 
Who has the power to stop cyberbullies? The teachers and principals, the parents,  the targets/victims, the bullies, or those who share and laugh at the mean posts--the bystanders?
1. View the short video with that question in mind: What will it take to stop cyberbullying? Who has the most power to stop it?
 

2. Partner Discussion: Who could have helped Jane? What actions could they have taken?

3. View the second video as an introduction to upstanders:


4. Read this webpage Stomp Out Bullying  with your group to learn more about the differences between bystanders and upstanders. After reading, respond to the question on the classroom stream:

Explain the difference between a bystander and an upstander? Why does being an upstander require bravery?

5. Go to your classroom folder. Open and complete the Cyberbullying Lesson with your group. (You can make a copy of the document from the link if you are not in Ms. Rainey's class).

6. Complete the two part quiz on your own (at the end of the lesson document).

7. Create a poster that educates the viewer on how to respond to cyberbullying.

Nadia the Willful

1. Go to Edpuzzle. View the assigned video on the Sahara Desert. Answer the questions as you go to learn more about this challenging environment.
(Use class code 
aoqPBd if you are new to Edpuzzle.)

2. Make a prediction: what might be a possible conflict or problem in the story? Please record your prediction in the classroom stream.

3. Read along with the audio of "Nadia the Willful." Was your prediction correct?

The Bedouin People of the Sahara

4. Group Collaboration: Plot Development Graph

a. Group Leader Only: please make a copy and share "can edit" with you group members.
b. Please work as a team to complete the graph.

5. After you have completed the graph, decide on a possible theme of the story. Post your idea on the Padlet wall.

Created with Padlet

Spell-Off!

Writing Performance Task

Pets in the Classroom

Having a pet at home has its pros and cons.
On the good side (pro), a dog can guard your house. Another pro is that a dog will provide you with many fun times.

On the bad side (a con), a dog will require some work on your part. Another con is that dogs will cost you some money in food and vet bills. 

What about having a pet in the classroom? What would be the pros and cons of keeping different kinds of pets at school?
Select a pet below and tell your partner an advantage or disadvantage of having this animal as a classroom pet:

One advantage of having a ______ in the classroom would be that...
One disadvantage of having a _____ in the classroom would be that...

Today you will read sources and write about the benefits (good things) and possible problems of having a classroom pet. 
Please be sure to select Part 1 of the test Pets in the Classroom.

Thirsty California

California is a thirsty state. We have a big population that needs water to survive as well as some of the best farmland in the world that needs to be irrigated. What happens when water is in short supply? As you view the short video, think about the central ideas being presented.  Take notes on the important details that support these ideas. You will use the Note-taking Guide in your classroom folder.


Researcher Career Task
Prompt:
California is suffering from a drought. You have been hired by Governor Jerry Brown to prepare a short informational article that explains to the citizens of California ways that our water might be used more carefully. 
Take notes as you read to following sources. Remember to focus on the information that you will need for completing your task.

You will use the Essay Organizer to draft your article. Pay attention to all the tips and suggestions for making your writing effective!

Source One: "Parched California" (pp. 14-16)

Source Two: "Simple Ways to Save Water"

Making Inferences about Unfamiliar Words

What is the unknown word presented in this story? What are the clues to the meaning of the unknown word? Make an inference about the meaning of the unfamiliar word based on the context clues.


Try the following practice. Please begin with Intermediate Practice 1. We will continue with a different practice each day.
Your homework this week will focus on using context clues to infer, or figure out, the meaning of unfamiliar words. Your Friday quiz will also focus on this important reading skill.

Survey Results

Today, Lakeview 7th graders took your Survey on Bullying.



A. Please click here to see the survey results. Do any of the results surprise you? Do you consider the results to be good 
or bad news? Use the Analyzing Results document in your classroom folder to think more deeply about what the results are saying about our school.
  
B. How might you use the survey results as evidence in your article? 

We surveyed ______ seventh graders from Lakeview MIddle School. According to our research, ___% of Lakeview 7th graders...

Today, you will finish your draft. Be sure to include statistics from our survey in your article. Because the focus of our articles is the power of the bystander, it is especially important to include at least one statistic about bystanders.

Your Thesis Statement

Newsela: Please read, write and take the quiz for the assigned article on Newsela. This will count as your weekly quiz.

Lisa is an upstander. She stands up for the victim!

Your Thesis Statement
Now that you have engaged your reader with a narrative about bullies and bystanders, you will need to present a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement is the main idea of your article. 
The subject of your article is bystanders. What is the main point you are trying to make about bystanders? Please write your idea for a thesis statement in the classroom stream.

Before moving on to the next section of your article, be sure to present your thesis statement. The thesis can be the last sentence of the introduction. 

Cabrillo College Scholarship Essay

Today we will take a break from our bullying-bystanders article to participate in an exciting opportunity from Cabrillo College. Cabrillo is an excellent two-year university located in our area. Each year, Cabrillo selects 6th grade students to receive a $2000 scholarship for the student to use after graduating from high school.  The scholarship can be used for Cabrillo College only. The scholarship winner also has the opportunity to participate in special college preparation programs during the summer. To  be selected for the scholarship, you are asked to write an essay about your dream job.
To start thinking about your essay, select your dream career. Post:
your first name;
last initial;
career;
picture of someone in this caree;r
on the Padlet wall.

Transition Words for Cause-Effect

Your journalistic feature article will explain the effects that bystanders can have in a bullying situation.
Practice cause-effect transitions with this Quizlet link so that your writing will be crystal clear.

Bullies and Bystanders Research

Food for Thought




Research
Today will be your last day to research for your journalistic feature article on bullies and bystanders. 

1. Be sure to focus your research today on the area that needs the most information: 
Problem, Effects, Causes, or Solutions. 
2. Try using more specific search terms to get the exact results you need.
3. Remember: statistics can show how the issue effects a lot of people. If you need statistics to make your evidence stronger, add "statistics" to your search terms. Be sure to link to the source of the statistics. 
4. Survey for 7th Graders: We will be surveying Lakeview 7th graders about the issue of bullies and bystanders. Think of three possible questions we could ask in our survey. You can write your questions in the classroom stream.

Bullies and Bystanders Links

http://www.eyesonbullying.org/bystander.html

http://www.stompoutbullying.org/index.php/information-and-resources/about-bullying-and-cyberbullying/bystanders-become-upstanders/

http://us.reachout.com/facts/factsheet/bystanders-role-in-bullying

Transition Word Quiz

Transition Words Warm Up

If you have time, continue your practice with the Quizlet flashcards.

How to Summarize Informational Text

As you watch the short video, complete the "box and bullet" strategy practice in your Google classroom folder.

Mean Girls

What is the song's central idea about bullying? You can read along with the lyrics here.

What causes mean behavior in girls? How does social media make the problem worse? Today you will read and analyze the article "Why are those girls so mean?" You will find the article in your Google classroom folder.

Informational Text: Bullies and Bystanders

This quarter, we will be focusing on reading text for information, and using that information to answer questions and solve problems. Bullying, for instance,  can be a problem in middle school, but it doesn't have to be.  It all depends on the bystanders--those who witness the bullying.
1. We will begin our study of bystanders with a poem written for three voices, or speakers. We will then devote ourselves to the current research on the important role of bystanders in a bullying scenario.
You will find the poem in your Google classroom folder.

Types of Evidence:
2. Informational text often includes a variety of evidence. Listen carefully to the following presentation.
Be looking for different types of evidence in the article:
"Do You Have What it Takes to Stop Bullies?"




3. Read the article "Is Facebook Making You Mean?" Analyze the article for the types of evidence used. Record the types of evidence on the document in your Google classroom folder.

Transition Words

This week, our sentence study will focus on using transition words to connect ideas. Here is a list of possible transition words. Notice how they are organized.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

View the short introduction to one of America's oldest and best loved ghost stories:
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving

Then, read along with the reader's theater.

Post Test: Theme

Pronouns

Pronouns are words that stand in for, or represent, a noun. Pronouns can be very useful for making better sentences.

Try out a little pronoun practice.
More practice!

Sentence Study: Commas, Parenthesis, Dashes

This quarter we will focus on writing sentences that more effectively communicate our ideas. Punctuation is an important part this written expression.
This week we will focus on:
Commas
Parentheses
Dashes.

Roots Test

End of the Quarter: All Work Due!

Essay Prompt: The Circuit

Prompt for Writing:
The theme of a literary work is the author's message to the reader. The message is sometimes about

what the author feels is most important in life. What is the point that Francisco Jimenez is trying to make about what is truly important in life? How is this theme revealed throughout the book?
Write a multiple paragraph essay about the theme. Be sure to include:
Evidence from more than one of the short stories;
Elaboration that explains how the example you chose supports the theme;
At least one direct quotation.

Welcome to Back to School Night

Roots Quiz 6

Good luck on Roots Quiz 6:

The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez

Trailers are commonly used for introducing new movies to the public and getting people interested in seeing the movie. Trailers can also be made for books. View the short trailer for The Circuit. In what ways does the trailer engage, or "hook," the viewer?



As we see in the book trailer, life for a migrant family was very difficult. 
As you read and analyze each story in The Circuit, record evidence about the challenges the family faces and what the family members do individually and collectively to overcome these challenges.
You will also be creating a Google map to detail the family's movement along the migrant fieldworker circuit.

1. Go to My Maps. 
2. Marker Locations:
a. Search for Panchito's birthplace: Tlaquepaque, Mexico. Add a marker to this location. 
b. Add a marker at Mexicali, Mexico.
c. Add a marker at Guadalupe, CA. Write a short paragraph about the difficulties the family faced.
3. Title your map: Panchito's Journey.
4. Click on "share" to get a link for your map.

5. Change Link Sharing to:

6. Copy the link. Paste the link in the form below:
(or use the link)
Your map will update automatically as you add to it, so you will not need to submit the link again.

Mrs. Price

(Quiz 4 link)

Analyze a Character:
Rachel's teacher, Mrs. Price, causes part of the conflict in the story "Eleven."
What do you consider to be the qualities or traits of a good teacher? What do you consider to be the possible negative traits?

Group Leaders Only: Please make a copy and then share with your group members.
As a team, discuss each word. Place the word in the appropriate box. You may only move the words that match your color dot assignment.

1. Record your opinion on the form.

2. Now, reread the story on your own. As you read, complete a Report Card for Mrs. Price. Be sure to explain the grades you give her and make suggestions for improvement.

Feedback on Your Personal Narrative

Find the Kidblog comment that includes your grade and suggestions for improvement. (Check the Grading Scale below if you need help.) If you follow the suggestions, I will regrade your writing.  I am available most days before and after school if you would like more help.

Grading Scale

If you did not publish your narrative on Kidblog, you can also find your grade on School Loop. The Kidblog post is worth 5 points, so you might want to take care of that!
The "pinned" posts are excellent examples and should be read in your free moments. What do you notice in the pinned posts that makes the writing effective? 

What Does it Mean to be Eleven?

Good Luck on Roots Quiz 3!

"Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros

Author Sandra Cisneros

Today you will complete a first reading of "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros. 
1.  Before reading, complete the Agree/Disagree statements in your  Language Arts folder.

 2. Read along with the audiobook. As you read the short literary work, use the text evidence, along with your own knowledge, to draw a conclusion about a possible  theme. 

3. What point is Sandra Cisneros trying to make about life or human nature? Share your idea in the Google classroom stream.

4. View the short presentation on theme. Take notes on your Note-taking Guide in your folder. 

5. What is the point that Sandra Cisneros is trying to make about growing up? Find the Prompt and Evidence Chart in your folder. Reread the story. As you read, collect evidence to use later for your writing about theme.

Making an Inference

1. Pretest: Theme
After reading along with the story, write a detailed paragraph about a possible theme. Be sure to include evidence and details from the story that support the theme.

Read along: All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury



2. When we combine what we read with what what we know, we are making an inference.
     Author's don't usually state their theme directly. Authors often give clues about, or imply, their message to the reader.  The reader then uses these clues, along with their own understanding of the world, to infer the message, or theme.
     Literary analysis is the process of making inferences and drawing conclusions from these clues in order to find the deeper wisdom of the story.
a.  Open the document Making an Inference in your Language Arts folder. What inferences can you make about the setting and characters of the short scene?  What theme, or wisdom, does the scene reveal?
b.  Work together as a class to complete the Concept Map for the verb  to infer.

Revision: Transitions

    .... OF THESE WORDS:         

         AND      THEN

Using and or then repeatedly at the beginning of a sentence can kill your narrative!

Defend your narrative from a vicious  attack of and and then! 

a.  Delete the word and.  Start your sentence with the next word!

And I was hungry too.                I was hungry too.

b. Delete the word then. Replace it with a more specific transition for showing the passage of time or the sequence of events. You have a great list here!

Roots Flashcards

How are you doing on your weekly Roots Quiz? Now there is a new way to study! Use the flashcards under Student Resources. Each week, five new roots will be added to the flashcards. 

Editing Your Personal Narrative

Magical Editing Glasses

Paragraphing
1.   It is perfectly natural that while drafting your narrative you are not going to be concerned about paragraphing.  It is important, though, that before publishing, you put on your editor's eyeglasses and correct these types of errors. 
     Indenting to show the start of a new paragraph will help the reader because it will let the reader know a change is coming.  In a narrative, that change might involve:

• Time
• Place
• Situation
• Topic
• Speaker in a dialogue.

2.  Drafting in your favorite color is fine. However, crazy colors, sizes and font styles can distract from your ideas. Please change your text to:

Black

Size 14

Times New Roman

3. Titles are important. The title is your first opportunity to engage the reader and get them interested in your story.  Here are a few ideas for coming up with an engaging title. 

 Need an idea? View titles from last year. When you have a good one, POST YOUR TITLE HERE.

Roots Quiz 2

Good luck on your quiz! Remember: no notes or "cheat sheets."

Using Dialogue in Your Personal Narrative

Using Quotation Marks
1. Visit this site. Review the rules for using quotation marks, then try the practice.
2. Go to Edpuzzle. Review the song and take the short quiz.

Dialogue is a great way to bring the characters in your personal narrative to life. Notice how Joel and Honeygirl use dialogue.

"Two Little Siblings"

"Cake Laughs"

Punctuation marks will help your reader to understand your dialogue. Which punctuation marks will you use in your dialogue?

View the short video on how to correctly punctuate your dialogue.

Roots Quiz One

Good luck on your quiz! You may not use any "cheat sheets" or notes on this quiz.

If you are absent, you must take the quiz when you return from your absence.

Drafting Your Personal Narrative

  A. Setting: Create a setting using sensory detail The sensory details you use will help the reader walk into your story and experience the setting the same way you did. Here are just a few examples:

It was early in the morning. The air was fresh and cold. I had my basketball gear on and was getting ready for the game. I went inside the court and the court was all ready and the floor shiny. Then I went with my team. We practiced shooting for a while before the game started. We practiced our lay-ups, free throw shots, three pointers, and two pointers. Suddenly, the loud siren rang for the game to start.
--Nathanial (Period One)


The “Get Acquainted Area” of the Watsonville Animal Shelter is a small fenced yard littered with slobbered-on chew toys and tennis balls.  My ten-year-old daughter Andrea had been begging for a dog for the last several years.  So we found ourselves there, surrounded by the yapping and barking of a variety of mutts, all seeming to cry,“Pick me!  Pick me!”
--Ms. Rainey

B. Conflict: Has the conflict in your narrative been revealed? Try using dialogue and thought-shots as you reveal the problem.

The adoption coordinator came out and said, “You know, we have a real hard-luck case here, a dog that really needs a home.  He’s already been here for eight months… .”  Her voice trailed off, but I knew what she didn’t want to say in front of Andrea. I thought to myself, this is  a “problem dog,” and his days at the shelter, and on this earth, are numbered.

--Ms. Rainey

C. Characters:    If you haven't yet begun to develop characters, now is the time. You want your characters to have a living, breathing presence in your story.  Here are some ideas for bringing the characters to life:

• Name
• Age
• Physical appearance: hair, clothing, etc.
• Personality traits: shy, energetic, funny, etc. 
• Behaviors: what do they do and say?

One of my main characters is actually my dog. I want to show the reader what my dog was like: hyper, undisciplined, but very distinctive looking.

That dog ran in such fast circles around the little yard, it was hard to even get a good look at him. When he did finally stop, it was only so that he could growl at my husband. He was medium sized for a dog, with a brindle coat.  This means orange, brown, and black tiger stripes.  He had a white streak down his snout as clean as snow. He was long-legged and broad-chested like a typical boxer.  But unlike a boxer, he was covered by longish fur that stuck up like a hair brush.

--Ms. Rainey

How might you describe your human and/or animal characters? What do they look like? What do they say, think, and do?

1. Find the description you wrote about an important character in your narrative (or add a description now). Revise the description so that it is at least 35 words in length. Try using a showing sentence:

S/he is the kind of person who always...
S/he is the kind of person who would never...

Telling Sentence:
My cousin Janet is very shy.

Change to a Showing Sentence:
My cousin Janet is the kind of person who always turns red whenever the teacher calls on her.
My cousin Janet is the kind of person who would never go up to a boy and ask him his name.

Copy and paste that description on the Padlet Wall so that others can be inspired to write their own awesome description.

Ideas for Personal Narrative

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3

Take some time to think about your personal narrative and what it might be about. Sports, celebrations, family, pets, life changing events are all excellent subjects for a personal narrative. 
Consider:
a time you laughed so hard;
a time you cried;
a time you were scared or nervous;
a time you felt proud or excited;  
a time you learned a life lesson;
a time you wanted something badly;
a conflict you had with another person;
a problem or challenge you faced.
Also consider, what do you want others to understand about you?

Remember, you personal narrative will be published on your Kidblog, so pick something you feel comfortable sharing with a wide audience.
Go to Google classroom and record some ideas in the comment  stream.

What is a Narrative?

What  are narratives and why are they important?

"Humans, of all creatures, have the gift of story, and the wisdom it brings."
     --Walter Dean Myers




Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3

From the time that humans first developed the ability to communicate, the sharing of narratives, or stories, has been an important way to impart the wisdom necessary to help us survive and thrive.

Prompt for Writing

     Narratives leave the reader with new wisdom about life. The sharing of narratives also helps us to develop empathy for each other. You will write a type of autobiographical narrative known as a personal narrative.  A personal narrative is a true story about an important time in someone's life or a major event that has special meaning to the author.  In your personal narrative, be sure to explain how the events occurred and use narrative techniques to bring the setting, characters and action to life for the reader. Effective techniques might include:

     Dialogue;
     Suspense;
     Specific action;
     Sensory detail.

      Your personal narrative should be 250-400 words in length. You will share this writing on your blog for other students to enjoy and appreciate.

Good writers read and carefully analyze the writing of others. They notice what they like specifically about the writing and think of how they might use that same technique in their own writing.
1. Listen to the teacher read aloud "Cake Laughs."
2.  Open the Model Personal Narratives in your Language Arts folder. Highlight three lines that you like from each narrative.

3.  Review the Narrative Technique chart in your folder. Copy and paste examples of each technique from any of the three models you have read.