Hello Essentials families,
Yesterday we took advantage of a "Final Draft" week and introduced some new proofreading/grammar information and some "Advanced Dress-up" techniques.
Here is a review of what we covered in class:
1) Grammar Rule 3: Colons can be found in the Grammar Rules Guide p. 63 in the back of your student's binder.
2) What's Wrong? Grammar Error Exercise - We corrected grammar mistakes frequently found in student writing. There is an additional copy of these sentences on the back of the "Teaching Writing Structure and Style Weekly Guide". Use this copy to review the grammar mistakes covered in class yesterday. Here is the answer key:
1) No comma is needed with the clausal dress-up
2) "which" should be "who" because the patricians were people
3) Do not say "you." Just say, "Citizens could vote." "You" and "I" are banned words in a research report/essay.
4) This is a fragment. When a sentence begins with one of the www.asia.because words, it must have a complete thought after it. Insert a comma after the clause.
5) Use a colon(:), not a semicolon
6) Never begin a sentence with a numeral. Numbers listed in the same sentence should be kept in the same form.
7) Capitalize nationalities and languages
OPTIONAL ADVANCED DRESS-UPS
3) Level A and B - Repetition: Dual Dress-ups This week I have challenged all of the students to attempt using a dual dress-up in their Ancient Rome paper. Refer to the handout included yesterday for examples of how to properly use two strong verbs, two quality adjectives, and two -ly words in the same sentence. Indicate any duals by writing the word "dual" in the right margin of their paper and underlining the corresponding dress-up.
4) Level B Challenge - New Sentence Opener Transitions I encouraged the students to use transitional words and phrases in their final draft. A complete list is located in your student's binder pages 52 and 53 (gold color). Indicate any transitional words or phrases with a "T" in the left margin.
****Add TWO BONUS POINTS to the FINAL CHECKLIST for any of these
"Advanced" Dress-ups.*****
5) Finally, on the back of the take home packet I included a humorous look at "OVER-DECORATING." I adapted it from an entry I found on the IEW family forum. This is not intended to discourage using dress-ups and decorations, but to emphasize that this paper is a FACTUAL RESEARCH REPORT and that the facts need to be presented clearly.
Avoid making the facts difficult to discern due to over-decorated and over-dressed-up details. (Try saying that 5 times fast!:)
NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE HAVING OUR WRITING REWARDS CELEBRATION FROM 2:30-3:00PM WITH COMBINED CLASSES!
We will celebrate with refreshments, a conversation hearts Valentine's Day math activity, a pinata, glow-in-the-dark fun, and of course, bouncy balls!
Laurie Stegall has graciously volunteered to pick up doughnuts for our main course. We will also have Caprisuns and something salty to accompany the doughnuts. We are asking all of the parents to help contribute to the celebration by donating $1.00 per student. Thank you for helping with the party. We love the opportunity to celebrate the adundant learning in Essentials!
I hope you have a great week final drafting the "Ancient Rome" report. Use the FINAL DRAFT CHECKLIST to insure all of the elements are included.
Happy Writing!
Tina
Tina
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Week 16 - Triple T!!!
Hello Essentials families,
Thank you for your grace with my little ones yesterday. I apologize for the interruptions to class. The combination of construction noise and a 22 pound little bundle of energy should give everyone a small glimpse of homeschooling in my home every day:)
Week 16 - Introductions and Conclusions Unit 6: Essay from Multiple Sources
Level A - 3 paragraph report -
We reviewed the structure of a 3 paragraph paper with an introductory statement and final clincher. For Unit 6 this is a great opportunity to reinforce the structure learned in Unit 4 and grow to Unit 6 by using 2 sources and fusing information into one paper.
Level B - 5 paragraph report - Unit 8:The Basic Essay
TRIPLE T - TELL them what you're going to TELL them,
TELL them,
TELL them what you TOLD them.
WRITING REWARD CHALLENGE - Bonus writing rewards for any student that recites the www.asia.because word list when you come into class. If you recite the whole song/list double rewards!!!
Have a productive week writing your essays! Contact me if you have any need for further instruction or clarification.
Write On!
Tina
Thank you for your grace with my little ones yesterday. I apologize for the interruptions to class. The combination of construction noise and a 22 pound little bundle of energy should give everyone a small glimpse of homeschooling in my home every day:)
Week 16 - Introductions and Conclusions Unit 6: Essay from Multiple Sources
Level A - 3 paragraph report -
We reviewed the structure of a 3 paragraph paper with an introductory statement and final clincher. For Unit 6 this is a great opportunity to reinforce the structure learned in Unit 4 and grow to Unit 6 by using 2 sources and fusing information into one paper.
- This week finish the 3 body paragraphs Topics A, B, and C and write an introductory statement and final clincher about Ancient Rome. Remember to REPEAT/REFLECT 2 to 3 key words MINIMUM in the introductory statement and final clincher.
- Then, compose a title that REFLECTS the final clincher.
- Next week, you will be able to polish the final draft using your final draft checklist and illustrate their paper.
Level B - 5 paragraph report - Unit 8:The Basic Essay
- This week you should complete the three body paragraphs for your Ancient Rome essay. Use your Final Draft checklist to insure that all of the required elements are included.
- Yesterday we learned what elements to include in an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph for a 5 paragraph essay. After you have completed your Topic A, B, and C paragraphs, you will have the BODY of your report. You will be prepared to plan and write your introduction and conclusion. Emphasize how important it is to write the BODY of your paper BEFORE you write the introduction and conclusion.
- Background information for your introduction can be found in the 2 sources "Ancient Rome" and "A Great Empire". You may use any information you did not include in the body of your paper (Topics A, B, C). For example, if you did not write a body paragraph about Rome's greatness, then use some of those facts for the background information of your introduction.
TRIPLE T - TELL them what you're going to TELL them,
TELL them,
TELL them what you TOLD them.
- Write the rough draft of your introduction and conclusion paragraphs using the checklist provided on page 122 of their packet.
- Compose a title that REFLECTS the Final Clincher.
WRITING REWARD CHALLENGE - Bonus writing rewards for any student that recites the www.asia.because word list when you come into class. If you recite the whole song/list double rewards!!!
Have a productive week writing your essays! Contact me if you have any need for further instruction or clarification.
Write On!
Tina
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Week 15 - www.asia.because - #5 and cl. Dress-up
Greetings Essentials Parents,
It was so wonderful to reunite with all of you after an extended break from CC. Being back in your company is just what the doctor ordered to make the whole Gaines Gang feel back to "normal" again.
STRUCTURE - Unit 6 Review:
Yesterday in class we reviewed the Unit 6 structure and the students were masters of the KWO and fused outline idea. We also were able to review the topic sentence and clincher relationship. A BIG THANK YOU to the moms and Mrs. Varnell for doing such an amazing job teaching this Unit 6 information.
STYLE - #5 Opener and www.asia.because clause Dress-up
In class we introduced the new style element www.asia.because adverb clauses. In EEL Week 13 this topic was taught from the grammar perspective and now the students are able to add this complex sentence structure to their writing. Moms, take advantage of any opportunity to reinforce the grammar as they add this new style element to their writing. If this is a difficult dress-up for your child, stick to simply adding a BECAUSE clause ONLY. This is usually easier for them to understand and apply to their writing. As we did in class yesterday, choose a simple sentence from their paragraph and put a BECAUSE and a blank line in front of their sentence for a #5 opener. For a dress-up, take a simple sentence from their paragraph and add a BECAUSE and a blank line to the end or middle of the sentence.
#5 Opener Because_____________________, the Romans gained control of Europe.
or as a dress-up The Romans gained control of Europe because___________________________.
***A fun warm-up to get them thinking in the "clause mindset" is to practice with these examples:
#5 Opener Because_____________________, I didn't go to bed on time.
or as a dress-up I didn't finish my math assignment because_______________________________.
Advance beyond the "because" clause when your child is ready. Many of them are already using www.asia.because clauses in their writing and can skip this step.
Each of the body paragraphs A, B, and C will require the www.asia.because clause for the Final Draft of the paper. It is required as a #5 Opener and as a dress-up.
www.asia.because Song - Please use this song as a tool to help your child master the complete list of subordinating conjunctions for Essentials. These are located on Chart H in your child's binder.
Week 15 Assignment:
This week work on completing the outlining process and rough drafts for paragraphs A, B, and C. Next week we will begin Unit 8 by learning how to write an organized introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph for their reports on Ancient Rome.
Have a wonderful week!
Happy Writing,
Mrs. Gaines
It was so wonderful to reunite with all of you after an extended break from CC. Being back in your company is just what the doctor ordered to make the whole Gaines Gang feel back to "normal" again.
STRUCTURE - Unit 6 Review:
Yesterday in class we reviewed the Unit 6 structure and the students were masters of the KWO and fused outline idea. We also were able to review the topic sentence and clincher relationship. A BIG THANK YOU to the moms and Mrs. Varnell for doing such an amazing job teaching this Unit 6 information.
STYLE - #5 Opener and www.asia.because clause Dress-up
In class we introduced the new style element www.asia.because adverb clauses. In EEL Week 13 this topic was taught from the grammar perspective and now the students are able to add this complex sentence structure to their writing. Moms, take advantage of any opportunity to reinforce the grammar as they add this new style element to their writing. If this is a difficult dress-up for your child, stick to simply adding a BECAUSE clause ONLY. This is usually easier for them to understand and apply to their writing. As we did in class yesterday, choose a simple sentence from their paragraph and put a BECAUSE and a blank line in front of their sentence for a #5 opener. For a dress-up, take a simple sentence from their paragraph and add a BECAUSE and a blank line to the end or middle of the sentence.
#5 Opener Because_____________________, the Romans gained control of Europe.
or as a dress-up The Romans gained control of Europe because___________________________.
***A fun warm-up to get them thinking in the "clause mindset" is to practice with these examples:
#5 Opener Because_____________________, I didn't go to bed on time.
or as a dress-up I didn't finish my math assignment because_______________________________.
Advance beyond the "because" clause when your child is ready. Many of them are already using www.asia.because clauses in their writing and can skip this step.
Each of the body paragraphs A, B, and C will require the www.asia.because clause for the Final Draft of the paper. It is required as a #5 Opener and as a dress-up.
www.asia.because Song - Please use this song as a tool to help your child master the complete list of subordinating conjunctions for Essentials. These are located on Chart H in your child's binder.
Week 15 Assignment:
This week work on completing the outlining process and rough drafts for paragraphs A, B, and C. Next week we will begin Unit 8 by learning how to write an organized introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph for their reports on Ancient Rome.
Have a wonderful week!
Happy Writing,
Mrs. Gaines
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Week 14: Unit 6 to Unit 8 - The Journey Begins
Hello Essentials families,
Please accept my apologies for missing another week with you. I can't wait to see your smiling faces again. Meredith misses everyone as well. Thank you again Erin for taking the reins of IEW. You are amazing.
TEACHING WRITING STRUCTURE AND STYLE WEEKLY GUIDE:
Structure: (Unit 6)
On the front page I outlined for you a glimpse of the next four weeks with this assignment. The skill of reading for information, selecting important facts, and then fusing ideas from multiple sources (2) is a valuable skill for your child to use throughout the rest of their education. Spending time on this important skill will reap great rewards. As you progress from Topics A-C, I recommend allowing your child more and more independence as they KWO and fuse (if you feel they are ready), this will help them master the skill.
During the first two weeks of this assignment, pace yourself to have your child write a three paragraph rough draft report on Ancient Rome. The third week they will write an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph. The fourth week will be spent putting it all together into a five paragraph paper. Level A Option: I did include a 3 paragraph report option if you choose to do so.
To allow each of you flexibility at home and a clear picture of the assignment, I provided the entire assignment in their take home packet this week. I will pace you each week through the assignment as listed. Please be sure that your child has their packet in their binder each week. We will be using these sheets in class as I introduce the new dress-up and sentence opener (www.asia.because clause) and when I introduce writing an introductory and conclusion paragraph. I will also be answering any questions and rewarding their progress.
THIS WEEK:
Structure:
Complete KWO and fused outline for Topic A (How Rome Began) and write a rough draft paragraph using the rough draft checklist. KWO and fuse Topic B (Ancient Roman Government).
Style:
Work on memorizing the www.asia.because Song in preparation for learning the new dress-up and opener THE WWW.ASIA.BECAUSE CLAUSE. The song details all of the Subordinating Conjunctions listed on your Essentials Conjunctions chart. So with it your child can gain the benefit of memorizing the dress-up list and their grammar chart at the same time:). BONUS!!!
IEW Vocabulary and Math Drills:
Continue to study the IEW Vocabulary and Math Drills.
Upcoming:
We will be able to spend time each week in Writer's Circle sharing students' papers and we will have time for games to review vocabulary and IEW trivia. If your child did not have an opportunity to read their Unit 5 Picture paper or any other paper they love from this year, place them in their notebooks and we will take turns each week sharing. Every student will have an opportunity to share.
We will look forward to seeing all of you on Week 15!
Many blessings,
Tina
Please accept my apologies for missing another week with you. I can't wait to see your smiling faces again. Meredith misses everyone as well. Thank you again Erin for taking the reins of IEW. You are amazing.
TEACHING WRITING STRUCTURE AND STYLE WEEKLY GUIDE:
Structure: (Unit 6)
On the front page I outlined for you a glimpse of the next four weeks with this assignment. The skill of reading for information, selecting important facts, and then fusing ideas from multiple sources (2) is a valuable skill for your child to use throughout the rest of their education. Spending time on this important skill will reap great rewards. As you progress from Topics A-C, I recommend allowing your child more and more independence as they KWO and fuse (if you feel they are ready), this will help them master the skill.
During the first two weeks of this assignment, pace yourself to have your child write a three paragraph rough draft report on Ancient Rome. The third week they will write an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph. The fourth week will be spent putting it all together into a five paragraph paper. Level A Option: I did include a 3 paragraph report option if you choose to do so.
To allow each of you flexibility at home and a clear picture of the assignment, I provided the entire assignment in their take home packet this week. I will pace you each week through the assignment as listed. Please be sure that your child has their packet in their binder each week. We will be using these sheets in class as I introduce the new dress-up and sentence opener (www.asia.because clause) and when I introduce writing an introductory and conclusion paragraph. I will also be answering any questions and rewarding their progress.
THIS WEEK:
Structure:
Complete KWO and fused outline for Topic A (How Rome Began) and write a rough draft paragraph using the rough draft checklist. KWO and fuse Topic B (Ancient Roman Government).
Style:
Work on memorizing the www.asia.because Song in preparation for learning the new dress-up and opener THE WWW.ASIA.BECAUSE CLAUSE. The song details all of the Subordinating Conjunctions listed on your Essentials Conjunctions chart. So with it your child can gain the benefit of memorizing the dress-up list and their grammar chart at the same time:). BONUS!!!
IEW Vocabulary and Math Drills:
Continue to study the IEW Vocabulary and Math Drills.
Upcoming:
We will be able to spend time each week in Writer's Circle sharing students' papers and we will have time for games to review vocabulary and IEW trivia. If your child did not have an opportunity to read their Unit 5 Picture paper or any other paper they love from this year, place them in their notebooks and we will take turns each week sharing. Every student will have an opportunity to share.
We will look forward to seeing all of you on Week 15!
Many blessings,
Tina
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Week 13 Unit 6 - Sick Kids in the Mix:(
Hello Essentials families,
I missed the long awaited return on Tuesday. Around our home the days and nights are a blur, but after 5 doctor visits with 3 out of 4 children, I hope we are on the road to recovery. Thank you for the prayers as my little ones regain strength.
Thank you again Mrs. Varnell for taking IEW over with enthusiasm and grace. We are all blessed by you.
UNIT 6 - RESEARCH REPORTS - LESSON 14
This week Unit 6 - Research Reports was introduced with a new skill of taking notes (5-6 Favorite Facts) from 2 sources and FUSING (melting) them together into one outline. The format should be familiar from Unit 4 with the Topic Sentence and the Clincher REPEATING and/or REFLECTING 2-3 key words. The Title should also reflect the Clincher.
READ ALOUD
I look forward to reading your one paragraph reports on the Ancient Greek Olympics. Practice reading your paragraph aloud this week at home. This is a necessary step in the proofreading process and it helps strengthen your presentation skills. I plan to have several volunteers share their paragraphs with the class next week:)
NEW DECORATION: 3sss - THREE SHORT STACCATO SENTENCES
"It's a new decoration! It's a new style element! It's three short staccato sentences"
Enjoy brainstorming your three short sentences and perfectly place them in your paragraph this week.
CHALLENGE PREP ALERT- As some of your children look forward to entering the Challenge program next year, please note that the skills presented in this unit are used every week in the fall semester of Challenge A. Each week the students will research and find at least 2 sources on a science topic, take notes in KEY WORD OUTLINE format, and then FUSE the 2 KWOs into one outline. Then they will write a one paragraph report, illustrate, and present in class. These skills will continue to follow then through the Challenge years.
I will see all of you next Tuesday! I have some new and exciting plans for the semester. Get ready to have a ball!
Love,
Mrs. Gaines
I missed the long awaited return on Tuesday. Around our home the days and nights are a blur, but after 5 doctor visits with 3 out of 4 children, I hope we are on the road to recovery. Thank you for the prayers as my little ones regain strength.
Thank you again Mrs. Varnell for taking IEW over with enthusiasm and grace. We are all blessed by you.
UNIT 6 - RESEARCH REPORTS - LESSON 14
This week Unit 6 - Research Reports was introduced with a new skill of taking notes (5-6 Favorite Facts) from 2 sources and FUSING (melting) them together into one outline. The format should be familiar from Unit 4 with the Topic Sentence and the Clincher REPEATING and/or REFLECTING 2-3 key words. The Title should also reflect the Clincher.
READ ALOUD
I look forward to reading your one paragraph reports on the Ancient Greek Olympics. Practice reading your paragraph aloud this week at home. This is a necessary step in the proofreading process and it helps strengthen your presentation skills. I plan to have several volunteers share their paragraphs with the class next week:)
NEW DECORATION: 3sss - THREE SHORT STACCATO SENTENCES
"It's a new decoration! It's a new style element! It's three short staccato sentences"
Enjoy brainstorming your three short sentences and perfectly place them in your paragraph this week.
CHALLENGE PREP ALERT- As some of your children look forward to entering the Challenge program next year, please note that the skills presented in this unit are used every week in the fall semester of Challenge A. Each week the students will research and find at least 2 sources on a science topic, take notes in KEY WORD OUTLINE format, and then FUSE the 2 KWOs into one outline. Then they will write a one paragraph report, illustrate, and present in class. These skills will continue to follow then through the Challenge years.
I will see all of you next Tuesday! I have some new and exciting plans for the semester. Get ready to have a ball!
Love,
Mrs. Gaines
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Week 11:Photo Finish
Hello Essentials families,
We are approaching the end of the semester, and it is going to be a photo finish. Yesterday was an information packed hour. We blazed through Math Bingo, Grammar Rule 7c - Who,Which, or That?, Similes and Metaphors, and Unit 5: Writing from Pictures!
Week 11:Assignment
Please refer to the Teaching Writing Structure and Style Weekly Guide for teaching Unit 5 and similes and metaphors at home. If you did not get home with your Weekly Guide or if you were not able to come to class today, please email me and I will forward the guide, KWO sheet, and Final Checklist to you.
Notebook Tabs:
Similes and Metaphors - We began the class putting tabs on the gray decorations sheet pages 44-45, Similes and Metaphors. Please complete these at home this week to broaden your child's understanding of our new decorations, similes and metaphors.
Transitional Words and Phrases - We also tabbed the gold resource pages 52 and 53, but I forgot to mention them as we covered Unit 5. The section titled "Words that Show Sequence and Time" will be greatly beneficial to your child as they include their sentences answering the picture questions - "BEFORE? AFTER? OUTSIDE?" Please use this resource this week. These gold pages are a "gold mine" for writing with effortless transitions. (Metaphor:)
The Finish Line:
Next week we will focus on celebrating our learning. Each child will have the opportunity to read from one of their favorite papers this semester. Please bring whatever paper they would enjoy sharing. We will also take a "Walk Down IEW Memory Lane" and revisit Units 1 - 5, dress-ups, sentence openers, and decorations that we have covered this semester with a spirited review game.
At the conclusion of Essentials next week, we will combine classes and enjoy a "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast" combined with math games. Thank you parents for helping with the refreshments.
Have a fun week writing your paragraph from a picture! I look forward to the creativity and uniqueness of each one. If you have time in your schedule, illustrate a simile or metaphor of your choice. PLEASE WRITE THE SIMILE OR METAPHOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND IDENTIFY IT AS A SIMILE OR METAPHOR!
Many Blessings and Happy Writing!
Tina
We are approaching the end of the semester, and it is going to be a photo finish. Yesterday was an information packed hour. We blazed through Math Bingo, Grammar Rule 7c - Who,Which, or That?, Similes and Metaphors, and Unit 5: Writing from Pictures!
Week 11:Assignment
Please refer to the Teaching Writing Structure and Style Weekly Guide for teaching Unit 5 and similes and metaphors at home. If you did not get home with your Weekly Guide or if you were not able to come to class today, please email me and I will forward the guide, KWO sheet, and Final Checklist to you.
Notebook Tabs:
Similes and Metaphors - We began the class putting tabs on the gray decorations sheet pages 44-45, Similes and Metaphors. Please complete these at home this week to broaden your child's understanding of our new decorations, similes and metaphors.
Transitional Words and Phrases - We also tabbed the gold resource pages 52 and 53, but I forgot to mention them as we covered Unit 5. The section titled "Words that Show Sequence and Time" will be greatly beneficial to your child as they include their sentences answering the picture questions - "BEFORE? AFTER? OUTSIDE?" Please use this resource this week. These gold pages are a "gold mine" for writing with effortless transitions. (Metaphor:)
The Finish Line:
Next week we will focus on celebrating our learning. Each child will have the opportunity to read from one of their favorite papers this semester. Please bring whatever paper they would enjoy sharing. We will also take a "Walk Down IEW Memory Lane" and revisit Units 1 - 5, dress-ups, sentence openers, and decorations that we have covered this semester with a spirited review game.
At the conclusion of Essentials next week, we will combine classes and enjoy a "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast" combined with math games. Thank you parents for helping with the refreshments.
Have a fun week writing your paragraph from a picture! I look forward to the creativity and uniqueness of each one. If you have time in your schedule, illustrate a simile or metaphor of your choice. PLEASE WRITE THE SIMILE OR METAPHOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND IDENTIFY IT AS A SIMILE OR METAPHOR!
Many Blessings and Happy Writing!
Tina
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Mrs. Varnell to the Rescue!
Hello Essentials families,
I missed all of you yesterday! Thank you Mrs. Varnell for coming to my rescue! What a blessing! We are battling with a cumbersome cold in our family and we are looking forward to getting back to 100% and seeing everyone next Tuesday.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the completion of Unit IV - Short Report/Essay on the Wonders of Ancient Egypt. Follow the "Teaching Writing Structure and Style Weekly Guide" to complete the assignment.
STYLE - Erin reviewed the Dress-up "Who/Which Clause" (with Grammar Rules) and Sentence Opener #2 "Prepositional Phrase". Please include these style elements as indicated in your final draft checklist handed out yesterday and the sample essay that was included in your packet last week.
STRUCTURE - To complete the essay, please include an introductory statement and a final clincher about the wonders of Ancient Egypt.
IEW Vocabulary - Continue studying and using the IEW vocabulary words in your writing, Lessons 1-11. To emphasize the concept of "reflecting" key words in our Topic Sentence/Clinchers and Introductory Statement/Final clinchers I have recommended looking up synonyms for each IEW vocabulary word in Lesson 11 this week. Working with these words will strengthen and broaden their vocabulary use in their writing.
If there are any questions or concerns please call or email me this week.
Next Week - For the final writing assignment of the semester, please have your child choose at least one picture to bring to class next week. We will be using a picture for our final unit of the semester, Unit 5 "Writing from Pictures." Please see the note at the end of the weekly guide as a reminder. This assignment is characterized as writing an EVENT DESCRIPTION based on whatever picture your child decides to bring. The event can be real or imagined (fiction or non-fiction), so the possibilities are endless. Pictures that show emotion or action may lend themselves to an easier time with the assignment. I will bring some magazines with pictures and some IEW pictures for anyone who forgets or does not have time to collect one this week. Many options will be available! However, I wanted to give the students the option of bringing their own photo/drawing to make this assignment fun and personal.
END OF THE SEMESTER CELEBRATION:
I can't believe we are reaching the finish line on the fall semester! To celebrate the close of our Essentials semester of learning, Erin and I are planning to have some simple refreshments coupled with math games at the end of class week 12.
As she announced in class yesterday, the theme will be "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." I will have a sign up sheet next week for any of you that can contribute to the menu items:).
Have a blessed week,
Tina
I missed all of you yesterday! Thank you Mrs. Varnell for coming to my rescue! What a blessing! We are battling with a cumbersome cold in our family and we are looking forward to getting back to 100% and seeing everyone next Tuesday.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the completion of Unit IV - Short Report/Essay on the Wonders of Ancient Egypt. Follow the "Teaching Writing Structure and Style Weekly Guide" to complete the assignment.
STYLE - Erin reviewed the Dress-up "Who/Which Clause" (with Grammar Rules) and Sentence Opener #2 "Prepositional Phrase". Please include these style elements as indicated in your final draft checklist handed out yesterday and the sample essay that was included in your packet last week.
STRUCTURE - To complete the essay, please include an introductory statement and a final clincher about the wonders of Ancient Egypt.
IEW Vocabulary - Continue studying and using the IEW vocabulary words in your writing, Lessons 1-11. To emphasize the concept of "reflecting" key words in our Topic Sentence/Clinchers and Introductory Statement/Final clinchers I have recommended looking up synonyms for each IEW vocabulary word in Lesson 11 this week. Working with these words will strengthen and broaden their vocabulary use in their writing.
If there are any questions or concerns please call or email me this week.
Next Week - For the final writing assignment of the semester, please have your child choose at least one picture to bring to class next week. We will be using a picture for our final unit of the semester, Unit 5 "Writing from Pictures." Please see the note at the end of the weekly guide as a reminder. This assignment is characterized as writing an EVENT DESCRIPTION based on whatever picture your child decides to bring. The event can be real or imagined (fiction or non-fiction), so the possibilities are endless. Pictures that show emotion or action may lend themselves to an easier time with the assignment. I will bring some magazines with pictures and some IEW pictures for anyone who forgets or does not have time to collect one this week. Many options will be available! However, I wanted to give the students the option of bringing their own photo/drawing to make this assignment fun and personal.
END OF THE SEMESTER CELEBRATION:
I can't believe we are reaching the finish line on the fall semester! To celebrate the close of our Essentials semester of learning, Erin and I are planning to have some simple refreshments coupled with math games at the end of class week 12.
As she announced in class yesterday, the theme will be "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." I will have a sign up sheet next week for any of you that can contribute to the menu items:).
Have a blessed week,
Tina
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