Advance+Reading


 * Civil War Song:**
 * with lyricsmedia type="file" key="AbeLincolnSong.mp3"**
 * instrumental: media type="file" key="AbeLincolnSongInstr.mp3"**


 * lyrics for printing or displaying: [[file:AbeLincolnSongLyrics.pdf]]**


 * 3/13/2012 Homework: Book Report. Use the following to complete a book report on the last book you finished. Rough Draft Due on Thursday, Final draft due on Monday.**
 * Spring Break Homework:** Mr. Brossart has assigned the following document for all the middle schoolers, and I thought it would also be a great assignment for the advanced reading class. Please fill out the first portion with your student tonight, so it can be returned signed tomorrow (2/15/12). Let me know if you have any questions. (Twelve evenings of vacation, beginning with Wednesday night, so 25 minutes of reading each night.)[[file:Spring Break HW (2).docx]][[file:Spring Break HW.pdf]]


 * 2/7 Homework:** Students are coming home today with a copy of several pages of the book, //Nation.// I know this is a bit more reading than I would normally assign as homework, but we need to move through this book. A few of the students felt they wouldn't have time to complete -- please send me a parent email if this is true.


 * 2/2** Homework: The next chapter includes a thought from Mau that //Everyone's life should come with a map.// Please reflect in writing about why Mau thinks this. Also include why you either agree or don't agree with that statement. I will expect fifth grade high level thinking, complete sentences, correct punctuation, proper spacing between letters and words, and full-sized paper.


 * 1/30** Sub today -- I'm gone to a professional development class. Finish Chapter 2. Journal on the following topic. Ermintrude renames herself to Daphne. What does the name Daphne mean? If you had to rename yourself, what would it be and what does it mean? Use [|What a Lovely Name] to help you.


 * 1/26 Read to page 40 today -- stop at the paragraph that starts with Grandpa Nawi. After reading journal on the quote: //"When much is taken, something is returned."//**

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 * Remember when journaling to reference your schema. We also remembered about the different kinds of connections we could make. Text to Self, Text to World and Text to Text. Friday's plan is to finish Chapter 2 -- its a long one!**=====
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 * 1/24 We finished reading Chapter 1 in //Nation// by Terry Pratchett. We talked today about building //schema// -- our prior knowledge that helps us understand what we're reading. Today's assignment is to research Krakatoa and write five complete sentences about Krakatoa. The students can use any source that they find, but I will recommend this one --**

1/20 No homework {skill: building schema when reading works of fiction}
 * Homework for 1/19--** Please be able to explain and discuss the following: Richard the Lionhearted, the Magna Carta and the Southern Pelagic Sea. (Only two of them are real things.)
 * Homework for 1/18** -- Please write a total of six sentences. Three sentences about tsunamis and three sentences about Terry Pratchett. We're embarking on a quick jaunt through the novel //Nation//. We'll be talking about how writers use facts to embellish stories, and that even fiction stories have to be based in facts. We'll talk about how good writers do research and are always learning so they can apply knowledge to their writing.

[|Vocabulary and Spelling City] -- Mrs. Severson's homepage for spelling words

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**Announcement:** Reader's Workshop
Beginning on Monday, the first 20 minutes of class will always be used for a Reader's Workshop. Students will need to bring a free-reading book with them every day. Then from 10:30-11:15 we'll be working on our novel or regular literature assignments.





Thursday, October 12
We took quizzes in class using [|Quia.]

**Tuesday, October 11**
Don't forget to study for the spelling test on Unit 3! Complete the Vocabulary Workshop books, unit 3. I really recommend taking practice spelling tests on Spelling City!

**Monday, October 10**
We finished Chapter 3 in //Hatchet// and worked on our first journal entry in response to some of the big topics in those first three chapters. Students had time to work in class, but may also finish at home if they would like.

Tuesday, Sept 27
Read a few pages in //A Wrinkle in Time.// It is getting very exciting and although we want to know the ending, we also don't want the book to end quite yet. Class time was used for spelling practice on Spelling City, or students could choose to work in their vocabulary workbook. Reminder: Vocabulary Workshop Unit 2 is due on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Wednesday, Sept 21
Took spelling pre-test on Spelling City. The spelling list was modified to the 10 most missed words, and the final test will be next Wednesday. Students also were given the vocabulary workshop books and began to work on Unit 1 activites. All Unit 1 activities need to be completed by the beginning of class next Wednesday. Students will have time to work in class, but there will also be some need for homework. (5 extra credit points if you show this page to your parents and they sign the print-out you brought home)

Friday, Sept 16
Homework over the weekend includes spelling word practice on Spelling City, the completion of the Fall Reading Interview, and Vocabulary Workshop if not yet complete.

Wednesday, Sept 14
Took spelling pre-test on Spelling City. The spelling list was modified to the 10 most missed words, and the final test will be next Wednesday. Students also were given the vocabulary workshop books and began to work on Unit 1 activites. All Unit 1 activities need to be completed by the beginning of class next Wednesday. Students will have time to work in class, but there will also be some need for homework.

Tuesday, Sept 13
HOMEWORK: Finish Vocabulary assessment. This is a pre-test. There will be words you don't know. The whole idea of a pre-test is to show growth and progress as you work through this year. No parent help or dictionary help please.

Monday, September 12
Read all of Chapter 6. We started this is class, but students may need to finish reading at home. There will be a quiz -- so read carefully!

Wednesday, Sept 7
Homework: Write one paragraph (minimum 3-5 complete sentences) about one of the characters that you most relate to in the book. The paragraph should contain examples of why you are most like that character. Students should take home their yellow Reader's Notebook, and if they choose, their //Wrinkle in Time//book.

Also, we are going to start using Wednesday to Wednesday as our spelling week, since we miss Mondays and Fridays more often than Wednesdays. This also allows students to practice over the weekend. This will begin next Wednesday.

Monday, August 29
1. Take a spelling pre-test on the week 2 words. 2. Play a vocabulary game with the Chp 1-2 vocabulary words 3. Take the vocabulary test on the Chp 1-2 words. 4. Play some spelling games with your words. 5. Free reading time or take an AR quiz if you finish everything!

If you are new to this class by next Monday you need to have read Chapters 1-4 of //Wrinkle in Time.//

Friday, August 26
Take your spelling test on Spelling City (link above) Print out your results using the media printer. Review or play a game with the vocabulary words and then take a V-Test. Print out your results using the media printer.

Finish chapter 3. You may read independently, or with a group of no more than four. Make sure you pay attention to the word TIME and write down any occurances.

Free reading Friday -- you may do some free reading of your choice, or take an AR Quiz.

**Wednesday, August 24**
Read all of chapter 2: You can read independently, or with a group of no more than four.


 * Vocabulary:** Pick five of your most interesting vocabulary words. In your reader's notebook, write a short definition for each of them. Please use this [|dictionary] to look them up.

1. Identify and describe Meg, Mrs. Murry, Charles Wallace and Mrs. Whatsit.
 * Review questions for chapers 1-2**

2. How did Mrs. Murry react when Mrs. Whatsit said, "There is such a thing as a tesseract"?

3. What did Mrs. Whatsit do that made Charles Wallace scold her?

4. Who is Calvin O'Keefe?

5. Why does Calvin call Charles a moron?

6. What does Calvin look like?

7. Who is Mrs. Who?

8. How does Calvin feel about going to the Murry's house?

Research the life of Madeleine L'Engle. How did her religious upbring impact her writing?
 * Bonus thinking question:**