The pressure is on and we can feel it! The kids are working on silent sustained reading while using strategies to keep it active. The comments/questions for each page will lend themselves to a Socratic discussion of the chapter in Catching Fire. It is the chapter that makes me SO ANGRY at Katniss, and what happens to Gale is just... well, you'll see.
We will continue to work independently as well to boost our students' stamina for the long test days ahead. 7th grade has a lot of to deal with - writing as well as reading skills are being more closely assessed, but I think the kids have a great handle on what it takes to get great scores.
Long Write requires planning and creativity - don't forget to use the first hour to write down everything you can think of about the prompt and the topic! Connect personally, tell a story, make lists, write an expanded moment! The second hour is all about organization and creativity - add great figurative language, make sure it makes sense from beginning to end, and don't forget a common sense conclusion that addresses the prompt!
The Reading Comps requires close reading skills and we've been working on those all year long! Read your questions before you even get close to the selection, look for your detractors in your multiple choice selections, and take your time. On open responses, be sure to include your GAT with your thesis that addresses the prompt, ICE your evidence with examples from the text and explanations, and add a common sense conclusion! Don't forget the conclusion!!!
I am confident in all of you! You show me how smart you are every day! Now let's show those MCAS professors what we've got!!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Seems like we made it?
Okay, I'm not saying the words "Snow Day" anymore because quite frankly, it's gotten a little crazy. MCAS Long Write and Reading Comps have gotten pushed back, and we still have so much to do. Mrs. JD will be coming into classes to pinpoint MCAS strategies to help all students, and MCAS Saturday classes started this past Saturday with Mrs. Smith! I will be there next Saturday! Get ready to kick some MCAS!!
In the meantime, we've been working so hard on the second LW prompt of the year, and from our one on one conferences (that have happened), we have seen some huge improvements on our writing. We will have another LW prompt this week, so remember all of those LW strategies, apply them to the new prompt, and WRITE your heart out! You've done so well, let's see how far you've come.
We are now looking to release responsibility to you students. We have focused on giving you working strategies to prepare you for success as you continue on to 8th grade and into high school. We will start to expect you to work independently, but we are still here to help if it is necessary. We need to see how you can fly on your own! I am excited to see you succeed for the rest of seventh grade and beyond!
Get ready to write, get ready to read, get ready to work! Spring is coming soon!
In the meantime, we've been working so hard on the second LW prompt of the year, and from our one on one conferences (that have happened), we have seen some huge improvements on our writing. We will have another LW prompt this week, so remember all of those LW strategies, apply them to the new prompt, and WRITE your heart out! You've done so well, let's see how far you've come.
We are now looking to release responsibility to you students. We have focused on giving you working strategies to prepare you for success as you continue on to 8th grade and into high school. We will start to expect you to work independently, but we are still here to help if it is necessary. We need to see how you can fly on your own! I am excited to see you succeed for the rest of seventh grade and beyond!
Get ready to write, get ready to read, get ready to work! Spring is coming soon!
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