November 30 Journals

I need to talk with you for 10 minutes after your journal today. Then if you need to move directly into My Access to work on Submission 2 and Submission 3. If you are done with all three submissions you may work in Study Island. Only if all 3 are done.

1. Today is the last day of Peanut Butter Lovers' Month. Pretend that you are a peanut. Are you happy or sad to see the month end? Explain
2. In honor of our Principal for the Day, Captain Bode from the Joliet Fire Department, what are three adjectives that would describe a fire fighter? Explain.

November 29 Journals

I need 10 minutes of your time after your journal today for direct instruction.

If you need to go into My Access right away today- that will be fine. Otherwise, today you only have 25 minutes to work in Study Island and then I want you to work in My Access on your essay.

1. Today is Electronic Greetings Day. Write a conversation that you might overhear between a computer and a paper greeting card.


2. Would you rather know how to play an instrument well or draw well? Explain.

November 28 Journal

If you need to work in My Access after your journal go directly there. Otherwise, you only have 25 minutes to work in Study Island today. When you are done work in My Access on your paper.

1. Would you rather live and work on a farm or live ad work in the city? Explain.


2. The Great American Smokeout is held each November. Write a pledge in which you promise to never smoke. In the pledge, give three reasons for not smoking.

November 27 Journal

Today you only have 25 minutes in Study Island and then I want you to work on your submission for My Access. However, if you need to go directly to My Access after this journal you may do so. The persuasive research is our first priority.

Remember your submission needs to be in the form of a letter.

1. The week of Thanksgiving was National Game and Puzzle Week. Would you rather play a game or work on a puzzle? Explain.


2. Are you more like a tree in the fall or a tree in winter? Explain.

November 20 Journal

Today we only have 25 minutes in Study Island. After that I want to talk with you about the prewrite and then I want you to spend the rest of the time working on your research paper.

1. November 20 is Name you PC Day. What name would you give the computer you work on every day you are in class? Explain.


2. If you could only eat two foods for your Thanksgiving meal, which two would you choose? Explain.

November 19 Journal

Today we will only spend 25 minutes in Study Island so you can work on your research paper. I also want to go over how to do the prewrite today.

1. November 19 is Have a Bad Day Day. Imagine that four things have happened today to make it a really bad day. Write about our day using the words first, then, next, and finally.
2. November 18th was Mickey Mouse's birthday. Describe how you imagine this day was celebrated in Disney World.

November 16 Journal

Good Morning. I am working in the main office today- please use your good manner with the subbing teachers or I will be handling your referral.

After your journal today, please go to Study Island for 25 minutes. After that, stay at your computer for Independent Study with research. Please double check your Step by Step Research sheet that was passed out to you today for directions.

1. Would you rather have a week of 90 degree days or a week of snowy days? Explain.
2. Imagine that you are mistakenly locked inside a factory that makes your favorite food and you aren't found for several days. Explain how you feel after being discovered.

Don't forget your homework is to get your research done, begin working on your prewrite, and get your contract signed.

November 15 Journal

Welcome. When you are done with your journal move into Study Island. After 30 minutes I will go into Direct Instruction to discuss your next assignment.

1. Today is America Recycles Day. Imagine that you've just invented a machine that recycles a common everyday item by turning it into something fabulous. Write about what your machine recycles and what the items become.
2. Pretend that your teacher is moving away and your principal has asked you to write a help wanted ad for a new teacher. What would your ad say?

November 14 Journal

When you are done with your journal, move to Study Island for 30 minutes.

1. William Steig, author of the book Shrek! was born on November 14. Imagine that story your wrote is being made into a movie. Write a radio ad encouraging people to see the movie.
2. Today is National American Teddy Bear Day. Write about what happens after you find your teddy bear sitting at your desk doing your homework.

November 13 Journal

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. After you do your journal, you will write a letter to a veteran. Please look under November 12 Journal for directions to the letter.

When you are done with your journal, you may work in either Study Island or My Access. Remember today is the last day to get your essay into My Access.

1. Imagine that while you are doing your homework, the words are disappearing as soon as you write them. Write about what happens next.
2. Today is World Kidness Day. To celebrate, write an acrostic using the letters of your name that describes ways you are kind to others. Here is an example:

J- Joyful

O- Outgoing

D- Delightful

I- Intelligent

L- Loving

Y- Youthful

N- Never lies

November 12 Journal

I am in the office so if you misbehave I will handle your referral :-)

Today is Veteran's Day. You need to write a letter that will be sent to the Veteran's Hospital in Chicago. In the letter I would like you to

• write one paragraph briefly telling about yourself,
• one paragraph telling the veteran what living in a free America means to you,
• and one paragraph thanking them for serving in the military.

Don't forget to sign your name. I have put out markers and colored pencils if you'd like to color the boarders. I want you to compose this letter once you are done with your journal.

Once you are done with the letter, you may work in Study Island or work on your essay that is due today in My Access.

1. Pretend that you just won free tickets to your favorite musical artist's concert. The problem is if you go to the concert, you will miss your best friend's birthday party. Explain what you would do.
2. If you could invite 5 people to attend a special dinner, who would you choose? Explain why you are inviting each person.

November 8 Journal

I am glad you are here. After you are done with with your journal, log in and work in Study Island for 30 minutes.

1. Imagine that when you opened the classroom door to the writing lab, you saw your parent as the substitute teacher for the day. Describe your day at school.


2. The X ray was discovered on this day in 1895. Pretend that you are a doctor examining a patient's X ray and you see something very bizarre! Write about what happens next.
   

Remember your Special Day essay is due on November 12.

November 7 Journal

Welcome back. When you are done with your journal move into Study Island and work there for 30 minutes. If you have a book order, please bring it up to me. Orders are due Thursday.

1. Imagine that as you are shopping for a turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, a turkey walks by and says, "Put that down and buy a chicken instead." Write about what happens next.
   
2. Would you like to be a famous athlete or a movie star? Explain.
   

Remember your Special Day essays are due by November 12.

November 6 Journal

Hi. After you answer today's journal, log into Study Island. You have 30 minutes to work in there. Once the 30 minutes is up, I want to talk with all of you about your narrative essay "A Special Day."

1. Imagine that you could live anywhere in the world. where would you live? Explain.



2. The winter holiday season is right around the corner. Describe the perfect way to celebrate.

Remember your Special Day essays are due by November 12.

November 5 Journal

Hi! After you answer today's journal log into Study Island. You will have 30 minutes to work in there and then I will bring you all together for direct instruction. :-) Mrs. Machota

1. Benjamin Franklin thought that the turkey would make a better national bird than the bad eagle. How might Thanksgiving be different if a turkey was the national bird of the United States?
2. A common saying is "Home is where the heart is." Describe what you love about Joliet.

Remember to publish, First Name, Last Initial, Your Class

November 2 Journal

Hi. When you are done with today's journal, log into Study Island. You have 30 minutes to work in there and then I will talk with you about a new application.

1. November is Aviation History Month. Imagine that you just realized that you can fly. Write about how you discovered this new ability.
2. The first seven days in November make up World Communication Week. Imagine that you could not use a television, a telephone, a cell phone, or a computer for an entire week. What would be the most difficult thing about the week? The easiest? Explain.

November 1 Journal

Hi! Welcome back to writing lab. Turn your information stips and parent surveys into the colored bin (8th grade red, 7th grade yellow, and 6th grade green).

Here are your two journal topics:

1. Should there be school on Halloween? Defend your position.


2. If you could get only one type of treat while trick-or-treating, what would it be? Explain.
   

When you are done, read your Scholastic Book and wait for directions.