Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish the film version of A Christmas Story.

RFotD: There was an additional scene in A Christmas Story that featured Ralphie and Flash Gordon that never made it into the film.  Read excerpts and an explanation of it here.

Homework:  Enjoy your break!  Spend time with friends and family,  and try to get in a little reading every day. :)

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today, we will make a trip to the library and continue our viewing of the film version of A Christmas Story.

RFotD: The secret messages at the end of the actual Orphan Annie radio shows did not promote Ovaltine.  Read about the details here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish reading from A Christmas Story and begin to watch the film version.

RFotD: In 1659, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in what is now the United States.  Read all about it here. Special thanks to Shane Coleman for finding this interesting information.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Welcome to the last Monday before Winter Break!  Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will continue with our reading of the Christmas Story.  

RfotD:
The wireless technology used to connect devices, Bluetooth is named after the King of Denmark and Norway, Harald Bluetooth, who united clashing Danish tribes into one kingdom in the 10th century. Here are some other interesting namesakes. 

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please respond to the following in your writing journals:

Today we continue reading about Ralph and his quest for the Red Ryder BB Gun!

RFotD: French fries are the single most popular fast food in America. In 1970, french fries surpassed regular potato sales in the United States. In 2004, Americans ate 7.5 billion pounds of frozen french fries. Here are some more fast food facts. 

Homework: Finish and turn in your argumentative essay.  Read for 30 minutes.

It sounds like you all did well for the sub yesterday!  He even mentioned how helpful all of you were. A number of you will be receiving 500 XP!

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today, we will begin a special read aloud.

RFotD: Everyone has a unique tongue print, just like fingerprints. Read all about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please be sure you are on your best behavior for the sub.  Don't forget that there is XP to be earned!

Please read independently while attendance is taken.

Today you will be finishing your Unit 3 Assessment, the argumentative essay.

RFotD: The sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog." uses every letter of the alphabet. The sentence is known as a pangram, a sentence that uses all letters of the alphabet. This website has a bunch more to check out (note that they are made up mostly of nonsense words). 

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will talk about organizing your argumentative essay.

RFotD: When glass breaks, the cracks move faster than 3,000 miles per hour. To photograph the event, a camera must shoot at a millionth of a second! Check out the video:

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Happy Monday!  Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be working on the introductions to your argumentative essays.

RFotD: The official state VEGETABLE of Oklahoma is the watermelon.  Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

There is only one more Friday before Winter Break! Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will begin constructing arguments and claims.

RFotD:  There’s a giant mushroom in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest with a root system that covers over 2,200 acres, making it the largest living organism in the world.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Welcome to the month of December!  Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will begin working on your argumentative essays.

RFotD:  The name December comes from the Latin decem for “ten”, as it was the 10th month in the Roman Calendar. here is some information about the origins of the month names.

Homework: Check Infinite Campus and Google Classroom for any missing assignments and complete them. Read for 30 minutes.

Please write a reaction to the following quote:

What do you think the author meant?

RFotD: The human eye is able to detect over10,000,000 different colors. Here is a short article that explains how.

Homework: Check Infinite Campus and Google Classroom for any missing assignments and complete them.  Read for 30 minutes.

Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be looking at an article about streaming music. You will decide what your position is and prepare for a debate.

RFotD: Honey is made from nectar and bee vomit. Here are all of the details.

Homework: Check Google Classroom for any incomplete assignments and complete anything that is unfinished.  Read for 30 minutes.

Welcome back!  I hope that your week off was restful and fun.  We only have 14 days of school before the end of the semester!

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today, we will have our first seminar debating the topic of kids and extreme sports.

RFotD: Humans share 60% of their DNA with bananas.  Find out what other things we share DNA with here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

We made it to Friday!  Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will begin taking sides on an argument!

RFotD: Here is a list to make you an expert on all things thanksgiving! 20 Thanksgiving Facts.

Homework: Relax and enjoy time with your family.  Also, try to find some time to read. ;)

Please come in and begin reading independently.

Today we are taking a break from our work with argument and doing some creative writing!

RFotD: Snow is translucent, not white.  This article explains why.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Happy Wednesday! It is good to be back to our normal schedule!  In your journal, please respond to the following:
You wake up to find that wings have grown on your ankles. What would you do?

Today we will finish our work on standard 6.5, and do a little independent reading.

RFotD: Culinary historians believe that much of the first Thanksgiving meal consisted of seafood! Read about what was likely on the table here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will practice the skills we worked on yesterday.

RFotD: The citrus soda 7-UP was created in 1929; it was originally caramel colored and contained a mood stabilizing substance.  Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

I hope that you all enjoyed your 3-day weekend!  Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will begin working on understanding a challenging new standard:
RI.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

I can't wait to see how well we all do on it!

RFotD: The average person eats about 35 tons of food during a lifetime.  That's 70,000 pounds!  Read more about what we eat here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will learn to trace arguments and claims in text.

RFotD: Honey never spoils. You can eat 32,000-year-old honey. Learn why here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be looking at evidence and reasons that authors provide to support a claim.

RFotD: A strawberry isn’t a berry but a banana is. Here's the info.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please respond to the the following prompt:
What would you want to be most remembered for? Explain why.

Today we will look at claims and whether they are supported by reasons and evidence.

TFotD: During the 1872 election, presidential incumbent Ulysses S. Grant ran against a corpse. His opponent, Horace Greeley, died before the election was finalized. Grant won the election. More interesting facts about presidential elections can be found here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will look for claims in argumentative texts.

RFotD: Daylight Saving Time can change birth order in twins. Read more Daylight Saving Time facts here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes

Please free-write in your journals while I take attendance.

Today we will look at the differences between opinion writing, persuasive writing, and argumentative writing.

RFotD: At a spending rate of $1 million a day, it would take Bill Gates  (founder of Microsoft) 218 years to spend all his money. Here are some more interesting facts about Mr. Gates.

Homework: Finish your unit 2 assessment (it is now late).  Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.  

Today we look at what a claim is and define it.

RFotD: When you rub an eraser across a pencil mark, the abrasives in the eraser gently scratch the surface fibers of the paper to loosen the graphite particles. Here's more on the subject.

Homework: Finish the Unit 2 Assessment and read for 30 minutes.

Please respond to the following quote: 

What do you think Frank Zappa means by this?  How can this impact how you live your life?

Today we will be headed to the library! We will also have time to get started on your new books.

RFotD: The smell of freshly cut grass is actually the scent that plants release when in distress. Read more here.

Homework: Finish your Unit 2 assessment and read for 30 minutes.

Please continue to work on your Unit 2 assessment.  If you have already finished you may either read or write independently.

Today we will begin work on Unit 3: The Power of Argument.  

RFotD: Benjamin Franklin designed one of the first American coins, and instead of saying “In God we Trust,” it said “Mind your Business.”  Here is the story.

Homework: Finish your Unit 2 Assessment and read for 30 minutes.

Please work on your Unit 2 assessment while I take attendance.  If you have already finished, please read independently.

Today we will read a creepy story called "The Monkey's Paw", play Hagoo and do a little Halloween writing.

RFotD: One-quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween. Read the history of Halloween here.

Homework: Have fun tonight, but be safe!

Please read your managed choice books.  If you have already finished please read independently.

Today you will (hopefully) finish your managed choice books and work on your Unit 2 assessment.  Be sure to work hard for the sub.

RFotD: Jack-o’-lanterns were once made out of turnips, beets, and potatoes — not pumpkins.  Read about it here.

Homework: None.  Enjoy your weekend!

Please read from your managed choice books while I take attendance.  If you have finished your book, you may read independently.

Today we will have a boss battle, finish reviewing Unit 2, and begin your unit 2 assessment.

RFotD: Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year. Here is some history of trick or treating.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we begin wrapping up our review for unit Unit 2.

RFotD: Brown eyes are blue underneath, and you can actually get a surgery to turn brown eyes blue. Here's the information about it.

Homework: catch up on unfinished work, and read for 30 minutes.

Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will continue our review of Unit 2 by revisiting the Objective Summary.

RFotD: Teeth are the only parts of the human body that can’t repair themselves.  Here are the details.

Homework: Catch up on unfinished work (check Google Classroom) and read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will begin our review of Unit 2 by practicing the central idea of a given text.

RFotD: Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents on the air, which is why your cat stares at you with her mouth open time and again. Read about it here.

Homework:  Finish the "Shattered Lives" pre-test question. Read for 30 minutes.

Please finish annotating the elaboration part of the "Swimming for Her Life" article, then read from your managed choice books.  If you have already read what your team agreed on, read independently.

Today we will be answering the question: How does the author introduce, illustrate and elaborate Yusra’s Story?  We will also be meeting in managed choice groups.

RFotD: You have never seen your face, only pictures and reflections.

Homework: finish and assignments that you have not completed. Read for 30 minutes.

Using your journal, please respond to the following prompt:

If there was one talent you wished you had, what would it be and why?

Today we will study how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text.

RFotD: A previously brilliant-blue Yellowstone hot spring is turning green as a result of tourists throwing coins into it. read all the details here.

Homework: Finish your "Shattered Lives" pre-assessment and Read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish our constructed response from "Malala the Powerful"

RFotD: You get a song stuck in your head because your brain interprets the song as an unfinished task, especially if you remember one part.  Read more here.

Homework: Finish any unfinished work (check Google Classroom) and read for 30 minutes.

Please finish your "Shattered Lives" pre-assessment.  If you have already finished, you may read independently.

Today we will read and annotate "Malala the Powerful"  We will also work on answering a constructed response question using RACE.

RFotD: Our fingers get wrinkly in water because wrinkled fingers would give us stronger grip on slippery objects underwater.  Here's the info: Wrinkles Help Fingers Get a Grip.

Homework: Finish any unfinished work (check Google Classroom) and read for 30 minutes.

Please independently write while I take attendance.

Today we will be finishing the pre-assessment for "Shattered Lives".  We will also learn to use the new annotating tool Xodo and begin a new article: "Malala the Powerful" using RACE to answer constructed responses!

RFotD: The tingling sensation some people experience in their mouth after eating pineapple is not an allergic reaction, is because of the enzyme called bromelain. Read about it here.

Homework: Finish any unfinished work (check Google Classroom) and read for 30 minutes.

In your journal, please respond to the following prompt:

What would you do if you woke up one morning to find yourself invisible?

Today we will be taking a pretest on informational writing.  We will also be meeting in your managed choice book groups.

RFotD: The Pitohui is a rare bird whose feathers and skin produce a toxin only found elsewhere on poison dart frogs. Just being in the vicinity of the bird can cause numbness to paralysis, leading to death. Se a picture of it, and read more here.

Homework:  Finish any unfinished work and read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we are visiting the library!  We will also complete your objective summaries and read from our managed choice books.

RFotD: There’s a billboard in Peru that creates drinkable water out of thin air. Read more here.

Homework:  Finish any unfinished assignments and read for 30 minutes.

Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be visiting the Book Fair!  When we return, we will be practicing objective summaries independently using the Anne Frank article.

RFotD: Only 25 people are known to have hyperthymesia. They remember every detail of their life.  Here's the story.

Homework: Finish any unfinished work and read for 30 minutes.

Please respond in your journals to the following:
Explain how disappointments can have a good side.

Today we will continue our work on practicing objective summaries.

RFotD: Mt Erebus is the southernmost active volcano on Earth is in Antarctica and it spews crystals. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please either write or read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be expanding our work with objective summaries. You will work with a partner and construct your own summary.

RFotD: Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. for more interesting facts about your eyes, click here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please either read independently or write independently.  It's your choice today.

Today we continue our work on objective summaries.

RFotD: The expiration date on water bottles is for the bottle, not the water. Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Please finish central idea of the Anne Frank article.  If you have already finished, please read independently.

Today we will begin work on summarizing informational text. Our objective is:
Provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

RFotD: Bubble wrap was originally intended to be used as wallpaper. Read the story here.

Homework: Finish the central idea of the Anne Frank article and read for 30 minutes.

Please respond to the following prompt in your writing journal: IMAGINE YOU GET ROBBED AT KNIFEPOINT AND THEN THE THIEF GETS HIT BY A CAR.
The car speeds off, nobody else is around, and he is in extreme pain but not dead; do you help the thief and why?

Today we will continue our work on the Anne Frank Article.

RFotD: At the center of every raindrop is an impurity (dust, clay, soot etc). It is physically impossible for raindrops to form from pure water. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 Minutes

Happy Monday! I hope that you all had an amazing weekend.

Please, free write while I take attendance.

Today we will be reading and annotating a longer text.  Our objective is the same as last Thursday's: Determine the central idea of a text and cite textual evidence to support it.

Not so RFotD: A follow-up to our apples vs. coffee RFotD last week: The process of digesting the glucose (natural sugars) helps wake up your body, and then keep it that way – for about as long as it takes for your body to process the apple. Ir you want you can read more here.

Homework: read for 30 minutes.