Wednesday February 24th, 2016

We are continuing our STAAR test prep. Please be sure your student completes their homework assignments each week to ensure they are prepared for STAARS testing the week of March 28th, 2016.  

Vocabulary

1. breached
2. wounded
3. rapidly
4. deathly
5. undoubtedly
6. unconsciousness 
7. weakness
8. assassinate
9. accelerate
10. slate

Worksheet

"Caption Words" 

Reading

Continued reading "The Alamo - IQ4" by Roland Smith, pages 21 - 24. 

Worksheet

• "Mapping Story Elements" 
• "Character Grid"

Writing

Five Minute Writing Challenge "Most Evilest Species EVAR!"

Students took 5 minutes in class to write as much as they could on the prompt using their creative minds! 

Worksheets

• "Paragraph Guide"
• "Expository Essay Guide"

After completing the guide, write a ten sentence paragraph essay using your outline and guide! Be sure to include

• Correct punctuation, spelling, capitalization, BME format
• 5 Vocabulary words (underline vocabulary words)

Homework

STAAR Test Release Pakets

• "Reading - More Stories from Grandma's Attic" (page 12) 
• "Writing - Expository Writing: A Friend is A Good Thing to Have" (page 6)

Wednesday February 17th, 2016

STAAR testing takes place March 29th -31st for LISD. Between now and testing, our weekly curriculum will include worksheets and activities focused around STAAR expectations. We will have weekly homework assignments that are 2015 STAAR test releases for reading and writing. Be sure your student completes their work to ensure they are prepped for test week!  

Vocabulary

1. solarium
2. equivalent
3. president
4. absorbed
5. kidnapped
6. infiltrated
7. inconvenienced 
8. thoroughly
9. successfully
10. mysterious

Worksheet

"Perfectly Colored Definitions" 

Reading

"The Alamo - IQ4" by Roland Smith, Chapter 2 "PK on the Case: The White House Solarium"

Worksheet

• "Strong Mental Image"
• "Reading Prompts"

Writing

Five Minute Writing Challenge "Spartan, Viking, Knight, or Roman"

Students took 5 minutes in class to write as much as they could on the prompt using their creative minds! 

Worksheets

"Outline" and "Ten Sentence Paragraph Guide"

After completing the guide, write a ten sentence paragraph essay using your outline and guide! Be sure to include

• Correct punctuation, spelling, capitalization, BME format
• 5 Vocabulary words (underline vocabulary words)

Homework

"STAAR Reading - Marvels of the Modern World" and "Writing - Buying Local" Test Release 

Wednesday February 10th, 2016

Vocabulary

1. telepathy
2. confession
3. inspected
4. eventually
5. entourage
6. restraining
7. attendance
8. fictitious 
9. mischievous 
10. conscious

Worksheet

" Mix and Rhyme"

Reading

"The Alamo - IQ4" by Roland Smith, pages 5-8

Writing

Five Minute Writing Challenge "Captured"

Students took 5 minutes in class to write as much as they could on the prompt using their creative minds! 

Class Writing

Students assigned writing prompt to help strengthen their current writing skills. Students requested to include:

• 10 Complete sentences
• Correct punctuation, spelling, capitalization, BME format
• 4 Vocabulary words (underline vocabulary words)
• Answer:

1. Describe the conflict between Speed and Boone. What was Q's allegiance to Boone?
2. Why did Q say that some things never change when Speed said "My Q" instead of "My son"? Why did Q think Speed was lying about the "spending-time-with" part of Speed's answer to Boone?
3. How did Speed know about the Coach? What was Speed doing in DC? Why didn't Boone believe him?
4. Why do you think Speed really showed up? 

After students completed their writing, they shared their writing in class. 

Worksheets

"Idea Engine" Discussion and "Your Readership"

Homework

• 
  

Wednesday February 3rd, 2016

Vocabulary

1. identity 
2. preserved
3. hypnotized
4. dimension
5. overmatched
6. platinum
7. insanely
8. minuscule
9. crouched
10. frolicking

Worksheet

"Comic Words" 

Reading

"The Alamo - IQ4" by Roland Smith, pages 5-8

Worksheets

"Reading Comprehension Questions"

Writing

Five Minute Writing Challenge "Video Game Reality"

Students took 5 minutes in class to write as much as they could on the prompt using their creative minds! 

Class Writing

Students assigned writing prompt to help strengthen their current writing skills. Students requested to include:

• 10 Complete sentences
• Correct punctuation, spelling, capitalization, BME format
• 4 Vocabulary words (underline vocabulary words)
• Answer:

1. Describe the plot, setting, and characters of this book. Think of all we've read in class and about the chapter we are reading. Be as descriptive as possible. 
2. List the conflicts in the story between all of the characters. 

After students completed their writing, they shared their writing in class. 

Worksheets

"Idea Engine" Discussion and "Your Readership"

Homework

• Creative Writing Worksheet
• Vocabulary Lesson 1 Worksheet

Wednesday January 27th, 2016

Vocabulary

1. argument
2. experiment
3. convenient
4. equipment
5. excellent
6. pleasant
7. temperament
8. permanent 
9. excitement
10. disappointment 

Spelling Challenge

Reading

Class Reading 

"The Alamo - IQ4" by Roland Smith, pages 3 - 5

Last week's homework was to bring a book to class. Most students brought books, some brought 2! We discussed the various books the students brought. Students read the first few pages of their books to themselves. Students completed worksheets about their reading. 

Reading Worksheets

• "Sentence Starters"
• "Elements of a Story"

Writing

Five Minute Creative Writing Challenge: "Photo Writing Prompt - Where Do You Go?"

Students took 5 minutes in class to write as much as they could on the prompt using their creative minds! 

Writing Worksheets

"Idea Energizer"

Homework

"My Life Themes" 

Wednesday January 20th, 2016 First Day Introduction

Welcome to Ms. Adrienne's Reading and Writing Class at IQuest!

I look forward to enriching, encouraging, and learning with, each student this semester. Students meet for reading and writing class each Wednesday (except on holidays and scheduled closures), at 5:30pm. Class runs for 60 minutes and students cover a variety of objectives during short the hour.

Class Objective

Students will learn skills and tools to strengthen their writing and reading abilities. Class focus is on reading phonics, strategies, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development  writing process, text, conventions, handwriting, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and research.  

Vocabulary

Students work with 10 new vocabulary words each class. Vocabulary words are incorporated into the student’s reading and writing lessons to help strengthen context, identification, spelling, meaning, and pronunciation skills.

Reading

A variety of short stories and books are selected to read aloud during class. Focus is on reading comprehension, pronunciation, and frequency. Student will answer questions and discuss material from the reading to strengthen comprehension skills. Our class will use the LISD book list for selected reading.

Writing

Students write short essay, utilizing beginning, middle, and end formation, summarizing the story they've read in class. Questions selected from the reading material and the student's own thoughts and opinions are included in each writing assignment. Writing focus is on spelling, punctuation, spacing, and form. Student must use vocabulary words learned in class in their writing.  Students will also work on a dialectical journal and are expected to complete journal entries for homework to present in the next class.

Timeline

Class Schedule (60 minute Class)

• Icebreaker and review (10 minutes)  
• Class Reading (30 minutes)
• Individual Writing (20 minutes)
• Additional Assignments (Homework)

Materials Needed for Class

• Thin binder to keep assignments and handouts
• Sheet protectors for important class handouts (about 5 should do)
• Dividers with pockets to separate reading and writing materials
• Pencils with erasers (encouraged, limited supply on hand)
• Favorite Books and Writing Prompts (optional)

Optimize Learning

Our class covers a large amount in a short time; to keep up with what we're doing and what goals we've set, check out our class blog!

http://msadriennereadingwriting68.blogspot.com

The class blog is usually updated after each class, or the following day. You may also contact me with any questions through the blog.

Here's to a fantastic semester full of great reads, creative writing, and strengthening our skills! 

Thursday December 3rd, 2015

Welcome back students! Today's class and next week are the last classes of the year! Classes resume on Thursday January 7th, 2016!

Vocabulary

1. earthquake
2. skeleton
3. immortality
4. vulnerable
5. odyssey
6. migration
7. arctic
8. hollow
9. character
10. researcher

Reading

Five Minute Reading Challenge

Students listened to a passage Miss Adrienne read out loud in class for specific details, so they could illustrate what they heard. Students encouraged to use creativity while strengthening their listening and comprehension skills. 

Read passage from "Descriptive Writing Tumblr - Comet". 

Class Reading 

Found our book! We started reading, again,"Everything You Need to Know About the World", Page 30 - .

Writing

Five Minute Creative Writing Challenge: "Photo Writing Prompt"

Students took 5 minutes in class to write as much as they could on the prompt using their creative minds! 

Class Writing

• Write a 10 sentence essay with beginning, middle, and end format, including correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization. Please make sure I can read your essay. 
• Use 5 of the daily vocabulary words in your essay; please underline your vocabulary words. 
• Tell me what happened in the story with your own words. Be sure to include the following answers (in complete sentences) in your essay:

1. Explain why birds can fly.
2. What happens if you swim in the river Styx?
3. Explain the migration patterns of terns, monarchs, and hummingbirds. 
4. Who is Homer and what is an odyssey?