January 31 Journal

Hi. I am filling in the office today. Please be on your best behavior since I am only a buzzer away and plus your parents may be in the building tonight picking up your report cards. Today you will work in Study Island for 30 minutes. I am out of candy- sorry, but you can still earn your blue ribbon. When the 30 mintues is over, you will need to take notes on Persuasive in your notebook. Then you will pick a partner to write against; yes, against. One of you will be pro and the other con. You will also be choosing your topics of your papers today and should have time to begin your researach. Your homework will be to have your Thesis, 3 arguements, and supporting detail research done by next Tuesday. Be good. I am watching you on my web-cam.

1. What would your family rather do together: go bowling, see a movie, play a board game, or have an indoor picnic? Explain.


2. Describe what your life would be like if you were a book in the library.

January 30 Journal

Hello. Today you have 30 minutes to work in Study Island. After that time I will move into direct instruction and discuss your research project. Get those BLUE ribbons and race around the room!

1. Today is Faun at Work Day. Write a note to your parent suggesting three zany things he or she could do to have fun at work.


2. Pretend that you have a substitute teacher today. Imagine that every time she scratches her nose, all of the books in the classroom begin acting strangely. Write about what happens when she scratches her nose and then sneezes.

January 29 Journal

I am glad you are here. This weekend you should have worked on your pretest. If for some reason your pretest is not done, you have today to complete it or it will go into the grade book as incomplete. If you haven't turned in your student information slip- do so now.
When you are done with your journal today you have two options: one- go and work in Study Island. Remember we are racing around the classroom and as of 8:23 this morning the 8th graders are in the lead; two- work in My Access and finish your pretest.
At our next class meeting, we will be starting the research paper (bring note cards).

1. You've just spotted a wise old owl sitting in a tree. If the owl could talk, what three things do you think it would say to you?


2. How are a bicycle, a car, and a scooter alike? Different?

January 25 Journal

Welcome back to the Writing Lab. Remember you will respond to only one of the journals. Don't forget to put your name and grade in the "nickname" identity and move the green dot there. Take out your parent/student information slip and place it on your table. Also when you are done, open up Study Island and begin working on either completing your notes or testing in the first activity.

1. January is Walk Your Pet Month. Besides walking your pet daily, explain three other important things you should do to care for it.
2. Explain how to set your dinner table for a regular family meal.

January 24 Journal

Welcome back to the Writing Lab. Remember you will respond to only one of the journals. Don't forget to put your name and grade in the "nickname" identity and move the green dot there. Take out your parent/student information slip and place it on your table. Also when you are done, open up Study Island and begin working on either completing your notes or testing in the first activity.

1. Imagine that by accident you get locked in a department store after it closes for the night. Describe how you spend the night.


2. Wow! You are going to be a guest on the Oprah show for kids! What will you talk about? Why?

January 23 Journal

Welcome to Writing Lab. Every day when you come in, you will need to sit at your assigned computer. It is very important that you always sit at the correct number so your computer usage can be monitored.When you enter the room, you will go directly to your computer, open up Internet Explorer (the big Blue E) and read and respond to the daily blog. You should respond by incorporating the question into your answer.

You receive 1 point each day you respond. At the end of the quarter you should have answered 21 posts.
To publish your comment, you will type in your first name and grade under "NICKNAME" and then hit the orange button to submit.

1. Today is National Handwriting Day. Write a note to your doctor explaining why it is so important that he or she always write neatly.
2. Pretend that you write an advice column for your school newspaper. What advice would you give a new student who is having problems making new friends?

January 22 Journal

Welcome to Writing Lab. Every day when you come in, you will need to sit at your assigned computer. It is very important that you always sit at the correct number so your computer usage can be monitored.
When you enter the room, you will go directly to your computer, open up Internet Explorer (the big Blue E) and read and respond to the daily blog. You should respond by incorporating the question into your answer.
You receive 1 point each day you respond. At the end of the quarter you should have answered 21 posts.

To publish your comment, you will type in your first name and grade under "NICKNAME" and then hit the orange button to submit.

1. Today is Answer Your Cat's Question Day. Pretend that you see your cat sitting at your computer. It has typed three questions. What are they? How will you answer each question?
2. Pick one of the following jobs and explain why this job is important to the community: firefighter, police officer, or mayor.

January 18 Journal

Today is your last day in the writing lab and I am very proud of you all. This quarter you pushed yourself and did a ton of writing. I am blessed that I got to know each of you and I hope that you continue to carry the things you have learned in here into your language arts classes as well as any other class you may have to write in. Don't forget to turn in any Study Island journals, get rid of red triangles, and finish any essays. Last but not least, "Once a Machota- Always a Machota!" and I am only an email away!

1. A.A. Miline, the author of Winnie-the Pooh, was born on this day in 1882. I you could be one of the book's characters, who would you prefer to be Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, or Eeyore? Explain.
2. Pretend that your best friend has invited you to the movies. you really want to go, but you promised your grandmother you would spend the afternoon with her. Write about what you decided to do.
3. Have you ever tried eating Chines food? If so, what is your favorite dish?

January 17 Journal

Today is your last day in the Writing Lab. On Monday, you will report to Ms. Koehler in the Art Room. I just want to tell you that I am so blessed to get to know each and every one of you. You have grown as a writer and it is my hope that you will continue to write. If you ever need anything, I will always just be an email away and remember: "Once a Machota- ALWAYS a Machota!"

1. Benjamin Franklin was born on this day in 1706. He once flew a kite during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is a form of electricity. Was this a wise thing to do? Explain.
2. Describe how even a small child can show courage.
3. Have you ever tried Chinese food? If so, what is your favorite dish?

January 15 & 16 Journal

Hi. I am working in the office today. Be on your best behavior for Ms. Waller, she's my good friend. You have 20 minutes in Study Island to get rid of any red triangles. Don't forget to work on the submissions for Special Day and any outstanding essays (you should have 9 scores for mandatory essays). Ms. Waller will be collecting your Study Island Notebooks today. If you don't turn in the notes today you may turn them in at the next class, but 10 points will be deducted for not meeting the deadline. Remember I can watch you through my webcam.

1. Did you know that "fish" and "extra" have the same pronunciation in Chinese? It is customary to have a dish of whole fish for the feast on Chinese New Year's eve. What connection could you make between why "fish" and "extra" would bring good luck to the Chinese culture?


2. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan 15 in 1929. He believed in equal rights for all people. Explain what having equal rights means.

January 14 Journal

You have 20 minutes in Study Island today to get rid of the red triangles. Don't forget to get the submissions done on Special Day and finish up any outstanding essays (remember you should have 9 essays total). Also please remember that you only have today, Wednesday, and Friday and then the quarter is over (you have Art next quarter). Shoot to meet your targeted grade goal (A, B, C).

1. According to Chinese New Year legend, a person should clean their house thoroughly before the New Year so misfortune will be cleaned away to make room for good fortune. Do you think this can work? Explain.


2. Describe what your life would be like if you were a book in the library.

January 11 Journal

Today you have 20 minutes in Study Island after journal. Then you must work on finishing the Special Day Narrative. This is your first priority! When you are done, work on the other two goals. Take out your SUBMISSION TRACKING SHEET so I can see it on your table top. If you have any questions, just ask.

1. Some say that the best things in life are free. Do you agree with this? Explain.


2. Describe an animal that can be seen outside at this time of year.


3. According to Chinese New Year traditions, people are suppose to wear red during this time. Red symbolizes fortune and luck. Do you think red represents this? Explain.

January 10 Journals

You have 20 minutes to work in Study Island today and then remember your first priority is to finish Special Day and hit the other two remaining goals. Don't forget to take out your SUBMISSION TRACKING SHEET. If you have any questions, please see me.

1. Explain what you would do if you were playing inside your house one snowy Saturday and found a trail of strange, wet footprints leading from your front door to your attic.
2. Which of the following words describes you best: curious, sensitive, outspoken, accident-prone? Explain.
3. According to Chinese New Year tradition, during the new year you are to set aside grudges against enemies. Do you think this is a good idea? Explain.

January 9 Journal

Hi. Today you will have 20 minutes in Study Island and then you MUST work on finishing your Special Day Narrative Post Test. This essay is your first priority! I have a handout I need to go over with you after Study Island.

1. If you could eat one of the following fruits, which would you pick: a plum, an apple, an orange or grapes? Explain.
2. What do you think the following saying means: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

January 8 Journals

Welcome back. We only have 5 more days together and four goals to hit. When you are done with your journal, move into Study Island for 20 minutes. I will talk with you at the end of that time.

1. Write about a resolution you wish you had made and kept last year that would have made the year better.
2. Snowflake is a compound word. Write five more compound words that include the word snow. Use two in a sentence.

January 7 Journal

Welcome back. We have two weeks left of class. During that time you need to work on your POST Test Narrative and one other paper. You can work on either one first, but both need to be completed by January 18. I will talk about this more during class today.

1. Write about a resolution you wish you had made and kept last yer that would have made this year better.
2. January is Family Fit Lifestyle Month. Describe three activities that your family could do together three times each week to help each member be more physically fit.