February 28 Journal

Welcome back. We will blog, do Study Island for 15 minutes, give speeches, and work on the writing submission. If you are done with the Gettysburg Address, see me for the format of the essay for contest and the contest forms.

1. Imagine that you could be a guest actor on any TV show. what show would you choose, and what would you like your role to be?


2. Explain what you would do if you found out your best friend lied to you about something.

February 27 Journal

Hi. We are journaling, then Study Island for 15 minutes, presenting speeches, and then working on the Gettysburg Address. 8th graders have their assembly at 8:45 and 6th graders have their's at 1:00.

1. Imagine that you are a hockey puck during a hocky game. Describe how you feel.


2. Would you rather be wearing a sweatshirt or shorts and a t-shirt? Explain.

February 26 Journal

I'm glad you are here. You are working on Study Island for 15 minutes, then moving into speeches, and then finishing up the Gettysburg Address.

1. Imagine that you are a shark and all the other fish in the sea are afraid of you. What would you say to convince them that you are really friendly?


2. Write a poem that describes how you feel about winter.

February 25 Journal

Hi. Today work in Study Island for 15 minutes, then we will do our presentations, and spend the rest of the time in class working on the Gettysburg Address rewrite. Remember- I WANT TO GO TO SPRINGFIELD!

1. National Pancake Week is celebrated in February. Create a recipe for a pancake sandwich that uses two pancakes in place of bread. What will you call your sandwich creation?


2. The first president of the United States, George Washington, was born of February 22, 1732. Imagine that you pull a dollar out of your pocket and the picture of George Washington begins to talk to you. Write about the conversation that you have with him.

February 21 Journal

Hi. Today work in Study Island for 30 minutes and then I am going to discuss your new prompt. I am going to talk to you about midterm grades as well and schedule your times to present your persuasives.

1. Imagine that you are the captain of your own ship. where would you sail to? Who would travel with you? Explain.


2. Pretend that you have just received from a friend a letter that has been lost in the maili for a month. Write about your letter's month-long adventure.

February 20

Hi. Today we will be working in Study Island for 30 minutes and I will be introducing your next prompt. You will have until Feb 28 to work on this next submission.

1. Imagine that you just won the lottery, but you must share your earnings with another person. With whom would you share? Explain.


2. Pretend that you just found a ladder that leads into the ground. Write about what happens next.

February 19 Journals

Hi. I am working in the office today. Please be on your best behavior; I'm only a buzzer away. You should not be up a walking around nor should you be on someone else's computer. If you are on your second submission in My Access go right there after this and skip Study Island. If you are on your third submission, work in Study Island for 30 minutes and then go and finish up your essay in My Access. If you are done with your essay, work in Study Island for 30 and then begin your next prompt, "The Gettysburg Address...". Remember, My Access will lock essays out tonight at midnight. Smile for the webcam :-)

1. Would you rather go suba diving or skydiving? Explain.


2. Imagine that you are a cat and a huge dog is casing you. Write about what you would do to outwit the dog and make your way to safety.

February 18 Journal

Good morning. I am working in the office today so I am just a buzz away. Please be on your best behavior. You should not be out of your seat nor should you be on a different computer. Today is the last day for you to make the third submission for My Access. If you are still on your second submission, please go directly to My Access and skip Study Island. If you have made your second submission and are working on your third, work in Study Island for 30 minutes and then go to My Access. If you are done with My Access all together, you may start the next prompt: "Abraham Lincoln."

1. The third Monday in February is Presidents' Day. Would you rather be president of the United States or a famous movie star? Exlain.


2. On this date in 1930 the planet Pluto was discovered by astronomer Cylde Tombaugh. Pretend that you are an astronomer who just discovered another planet in our solar system. Name your planet and describe what it looks lik and where it is located.

February 15 Jouranl

Hi. I am at the Spelling Bee, but should be back before lunch. I'll be watching you for my webcam on my laptop so BEE good. Go in Study Island for 30 minutes and then move to work on your essay in My Access. If you have made the third submission you may stay working in Study Island. Please be on your best behavior and stay on task.

1. February is Library Lovers' Month. Write a top five list of reasons to love the library.


2. Imagine that your friend has just come to you very uspet after failing a mat test. Expalin what you would tell your friendto help make him or her feel better.

Feb 14 Journal

Happy Valentine's Day. I am glad you are all here. Today work in Study Island for 30 minutes. I am going to review quickly after that steps 13, 14, and introduce step 15. Then, you will have the remainder of class to work on your essay. Hav a great day!

1. Today is Valentine's Day. Imagine that you have just annonymously received the perfect gift. Write about what it is and how you will figure out who gave it to you.


2. February 14 is Ferris Wheel Day in honor of George Washington Gale Ferris, the engineer who invented the Ferris wheel. Would you rather ride a Ferris wheel or a roller coaster? Explain.

Feb 13 Journal

I am glad you are here! Today work in Study Island for 30 minutes. I am going to take 10 minutes of direct instruction with you to review Steps 12 and 13 from your handout. Today you should be working on making Submission 2 or Submission 3. If you are done with all three submissions, you may work in Study Island or on an extra credit essay. Remember- write to reach that target score!

1. Yesterday was Lost Penny Day, a day set aside to put all those pennies stashed in jars, candy dishes, and drawers back into circulation. Imagine that your class collected all its lost pennies to donate toa charity. Which charity would you donate them to? Explain.


2. Would you rather receive a box of chocolates, floweres, or a book for Valentine's Day? Explain.

February 11 Journal

Welcome back to class. Today I am going to give the girls a red star and the boys a blue star. Write your name on this star. I will then dismiss you by tables to hang your star in the hallway next to the presidential candidate you would vote for. Remember your vote is private and should not be swayed by th populus. Look at the Study Island Race- 6th grade pulled a head of 8th grade and are now in 2nd place. 7th grade is still in the lead and have turned the corner. Keep up the great work. When you are done with your journal, work in Study Island for 30 minutes. I am going to do about 10 minutes of direct instruction with you after Study Island. Today we will be working on making the 2nd submission for My Access. I am going to show you how to do 5 new things in My Access as well.

1. Thomas Edison, inventor of the lightbulb, was born on Feb 11, 1847. List as three items that use lightbulbs. Then write about how life would b different without this important invention.
2. Imagine that you have a little brother and he just lost his first tooth. Other than money, what would you like the Tooth Fairy to leave him under his pillow.

February 8 Journal

I am glad you are here! Today work in Study Island for 30 minutes. As of today, the 7th grade is in the lead, followed by the 8th grade, and 6th grade. I have the four remaining candidates for President of the US out in the hallway. Today, take a star and place it by the candidate you want to see as our next President. I will be doing 10 minutes of direct instsruction following Study Island. I am going to go over how to use the tutors, editor, and writer's models. You should be working on your second submission.

1. Imagine that you and your family are on a campingtrip in a remote wilderness area when most of your gear falls over a cliff. You are left with only a pocket knife and a canteen of water. Explain what you would do to survive for four days.


2. Would you rather go white-water rafting or skiing? Explain.

February 7 Journal

Welcome back! Today you will work for 30 minutes in Study Island. Then I will do direct instruction and show you how to take the Persuasive Wizard, insert it, and reformat the paragraphs.

1. Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867. Shw wrote many books about growing up as a young pioneer. Imagine that you have no electricity or running water. Write about a day in your life without these luxuries.


2. Imagine that a pioneer girl arrives at your school in a time machine. Name three things that you think would surprise her. Explain.

February 6 Journal

Welcome back! Today you will work for 30 minutes in Study Island. Then I will do direct instruction and show you how to take the Persuasive Wizard, insert it, and reformat the paragraphs.

1. What one compliment would you like to give your best friend? Explain.


2. Pretend that you are a squirrel. Desribe how you feel after a huge snowfall.

February 5 Journal

I'm glad you are here. Today you will have 30 minutes to work in Study Island. Be sure you are using your notebooks (I should see them out). Work for those blue ribbons. Currently the 7th grade is in the lead, followed by the 8th grade and 6th grade right behind. I am going to do some direct instruction in My Access today and show you how to navigate through the Persuasive Wizard. You will take notes. Check the homework on the side of the blog as well as the extra credit.

1. February 5 is Weatherperson's Day. Pretend that you are a weatherperson reporting on a weather-related breaking news story. Write what you would be broadcasting.
2. Think about a time when you have worked as a part of a team. Write about this experience.

February 4 Journal

I am glad to see you have made it here through the snow. I thought we might get another day off, but here we are. Today you will answer your journal, spend 30 minutes in Study Island and then I am going to go over how to do the persuasive wizard in My Access.

1. Imagine that you just got your pilot's liceanse and can fly anywhere in the word. Where would you fly first? Explain.
2. What one thing would you like to do for a family member or friend to make hi or her life better? Explain.