Hello Language Artists and their Families!
First, I want to offer a sincere apology for neglecting to update the blog as much as I had planned. Things have been a bit hectic as we have been transitioning into our Writing and Reading Workshop structure; reorganizing everything and adding new protocols and expectations has taken up a lot of time. All our efforts are paying off, though, as students are starting to explore topics and writing styles that interest them, and are reading quality novels at a good pace. We have started writing poems together in class, and will be reading some short stories in the next few weeks in order to explore some literary devices together. Students will begin to self and peer edit their work, and drafts will be turned in for final edits soon. We are starting vocabulary List #2 this week, so students should have completed List #1 and should be ready to turn it in on Monday. Students will also create their own writing-pace schedules and due dates this week.
Please note that students are expected to read for 30 minutes every night, and write for one hour at home per week. This homework is just as important as the work they are completing for other classes, and in fact, consistent choice reading has been shown to drastically improve student performance in all subject areas. Please take this homework seriously.
There will be more grades in the gradebook very soon, and I apologize for its current sparseness. As we adjust to our new classroom style, we will have more consistent work added in on a regular basis. I appreciate your patience as we implement these new structures; I genuinely believe we will all find great value in the Workshop design as we progress through the year. If there is no grade in Synergy for a student, it means I have not received their Symbolism Poster Assignment. Students should also have completed a Reading/Writing Survey and should be working on their Writing Territories. Don't forget to check the Links & Documents page for more information about what's happening!
Thank you so much for your continued awesomeness. Please email with any questions, concerns, thoughts, jokes, Video Friday suggestions, etc!
Jasmine Spiegel
First, I want to offer a sincere apology for neglecting to update the blog as much as I had planned. Things have been a bit hectic as we have been transitioning into our Writing and Reading Workshop structure; reorganizing everything and adding new protocols and expectations has taken up a lot of time. All our efforts are paying off, though, as students are starting to explore topics and writing styles that interest them, and are reading quality novels at a good pace. We have started writing poems together in class, and will be reading some short stories in the next few weeks in order to explore some literary devices together. Students will begin to self and peer edit their work, and drafts will be turned in for final edits soon. We are starting vocabulary List #2 this week, so students should have completed List #1 and should be ready to turn it in on Monday. Students will also create their own writing-pace schedules and due dates this week.
Please note that students are expected to read for 30 minutes every night, and write for one hour at home per week. This homework is just as important as the work they are completing for other classes, and in fact, consistent choice reading has been shown to drastically improve student performance in all subject areas. Please take this homework seriously.
There will be more grades in the gradebook very soon, and I apologize for its current sparseness. As we adjust to our new classroom style, we will have more consistent work added in on a regular basis. I appreciate your patience as we implement these new structures; I genuinely believe we will all find great value in the Workshop design as we progress through the year. If there is no grade in Synergy for a student, it means I have not received their Symbolism Poster Assignment. Students should also have completed a Reading/Writing Survey and should be working on their Writing Territories. Don't forget to check the Links & Documents page for more information about what's happening!
Thank you so much for your continued awesomeness. Please email with any questions, concerns, thoughts, jokes, Video Friday suggestions, etc!
Jasmine Spiegel