December 21 Journal

Today is the last day to make a submission on your essay. Be sure you stay on task and are focused. When you are done with your 3rd submission you need to copy and paste your submissions into the "Rewrite". You may go into Study Island when you are done with everything. Have a safe holiday and smile for the webcame :-)

1. The third Friday in December is Underdog Day. Write about a time you or someone you know was an underdog.


2. World Peace Day is celebrated today. Think of someone whom you do not get along with (don't type his/her name). What can you do to make peace with that person? Explain.

December 20 Journal

Today is your last day in the lab for this year, make it count. You have until tomorrow to get your essay done. Remember you need to have three submissions done by Friday.

1. The movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in December 1937. List seven important people in your life. Explain.


2. Make a list of four gifts you could give that cost one dollar or less. Then tell whom you would give them to.

December 19 Journal

You only have today and Friday to work on your submissions so get going after you are done with your journal. I will be staying after school today until 4 pm in case anyone needs to come in and work- just be sure you have a ride arranged a head of time.

1. Create a new family tradition for celebrating the holidays. Explain what would make this tradition so special to your family.


2. Imagine that you are a pioneer living on the prairie. Describe what your life is like this time of year.

December 18 Journal

You only have today and Thursday in the Writing Lab. After this journal, log into My Access and begin working on your submissions. Remember you have to have three done by Friday. I will be staying after school until 4 pm today and Wednesday if anyone needs to come in, just be sure you have a ride home.

1. Pretend that you wake up one morning during winter vacation to discover that the rest of your family left for a trip without you. Write about what happens next.
2. This year is almost over. Make a list of three things that you did well this past yer. Then write a list of three things you hope to accomplish next year.

December 17 Journal

I am at the orthodontist getting my braces put on today. Yes that is right, braces. My mom couldn't afford to get them for me when I was your age, so I am getting them for myself now. Keep your fingers crossed that things go well.

1. What three pieces of advice to do you have for Mrs. Machota and her braces?


2. Pretend that it is December 17, 2121. The Wright brothers would have flown their first airplane 218 years ago. Write a IM to the brothers describing what air travel is like in this year (2121 not 2007).

December 14 Journal

Hello! We are going to finish the movie today and then work in Persuasive Wizard. You need to develop your thesis and three arguments today! Don't forget that this weekend you need to write your rough draft and submit submission 1. I am only going to see you Tuesday and Thursday of next week and the essay is due then.

1. Imagine that while everyone was sleeping last night, an elf came into the Writing Lab. Why did he come? What did he do? Describe what happened to your classroom.


2. Imagine that you are buying a holiday gift for a friend and the store clerk gives you too much change back. Explain what you would do.

December 13 Journal

When you are done with your journal, take out your t-chart from the other day. We are going to begin watching "Miracle on 34th Street" and look for pros/cons of if Santa exists.

1. Imagine that a card company has asked you to design a holiday card. What would your card look like, and what would it say? Explain.


2. A is for airplane, and B is for bicycle. Write a toy alphabet for letters of your first name.

December 12 Journal

After your journal, please take out your t-chart. Start thinking about the difference between concrete and abstract nouns.

1. Imagine that you wake up in the middle of the night to find a sack of gifts at the foot of your bed. You reach inside of the sack and pull out the perfect gift. Describe the gift.


2. Poinsettias are flowering plants that are popular around this time of year. Make a list of 5 other items that are generally only found this time of year.

December 11 Journal

• 8th grade, complete your journal, you have 20 minutes in Study Island today, we will finish any remaining presentations, and I am going to preview the next prompt.
• 7th grade, complete your journal, we are going directly into presentations today and then previewing the next prompt.
• 6th grade, complete your journal, you have 20 minutes in Study Island today, we will finish any remaining presentations, and I am goint to preview the next prompt.

We will be having visitors observing us throughout today. Please be on your best behavior!

1. What color reminds you of cold winter weather? What color makes you think about warm summer weather? Which of the two colors do you like better? Explain.


2. Imagine that you hear the sound of jingling bells off in the distance. The bells seem to be getting closer and closer. Write about what happens next.

December 10 Journal

When you are done with this journal, work in Study Island for 20 minutes. After that, I will see if we need to finish off any remaining presentations. I will hand out your rubric for you to see and we will talk about our next project.

1. Pretend that you have been asked to create a new holiday candy. Describe the new candy using your five senses (see, hear, smell, touch, and taste).


2. Summer may be six months away, but December is National Sign Up for Summer Camp Month. Describe the type of camp you would like o sign up for and the activities in which you would most like to participate.

December 7 Journal

Hi. I am in the office today and Ms. Grey will be in class. You will still be doing your presentations, so be prepared after you are done with today's journal. I'll watch on the webcame :-)

1. During Hanukkah, Jewish families light a candle and give each other gifts for eight consecutive nights. Make a list of eight gifts you could give someone in your family that would not cost any money.


2. Walking home from school one snowy day, you see a reindeer propped up against a house reading! Write about what happens next.

December 6 Journal

Hello. I am in the office today and Ms. Grey is in class to help out today. Ms. Grey will be scoring you with the rubric- don't worry I've gone over this with her.
You will be doing your presentations today after your journal. Good luck and I'll be watching you on my webcame.

1. Imagine that one cold, dark evening, as you are curling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book, you hear a strange noise outside of your house. Do you go and investigate, or do you hide under a blanket? Explain what happens next.


2. Pretend that you open today's newspaper and find a help wanted ad for Santa's workshop. Write Santa a letter convincing him to hire you to work in his workshop.

December 5 Journal

Hello. Once you are done with the journal we are going to begin the presentations. Good luck today!

1. Imagine that a mysterious nutcracker suddenly begins to whisper a message to you. You look around the room, and no one else seems to notice. Write about what the nutcracker is saying to you.
2. December is National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month. Make a list of things you can do for your teacher, family, and friends that will make December less stressful for them.

December 4 Journals

Hi. As you can see I am not here. You still need to work on making sure your 3rd submission is in the computer. My Access will lock you out at midnight tonight. Only if you have all 3 submissions in may you work in Study Island. Please behave and use your good manners. I can see you through the webcam in the room :-) Mrs. Machota

1. Basketball was created on December 1, 1891. Imagine that you are playing for you favorite team, and all of the fans are cheering for you. Describe how you feel.
2. The firsts week in December is National Cookie Cutter Week. Imagine that you have been invited to participate in a cookie-baking contest. Describe five unusual cookie cutter shapes that would be sure to make your cookies stand out.

December 3 Journal

Today is the last day to get your essay done. Good luck.

1. December is National Tie Month. Ties come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Design a tie for someone special. Describe what it looks like.


2. December is a month of giving, and each person has unique gifts and talents to share! Tell about a talent you have and how you could give it as a gift to someone.