G and T MUR:
This week our MUR class took their MCA reading test, so we did not have MUR Monday - Wednesday.
Reading -Closing out the week we finished our unit on Animal Farm. Students presented their cover ideas to the class. We have some budding artists and some very unique cover designs. I was so impressed with the quality of thought and creative ideas the students came up with. We also worked on developing a moral for the story. We had an in-depth discussion on why Animal Farm is a "Fairy Story", and students shared their self created morals through an expository essay.
In writing, we have completed the research portion of our essay, and student's are conferencing with me one on one to begin the editing process. This week I am helping students create quality topic sentences for their essays before they begin their rough draft. Next week, we will be writing our rough drafts and again, students will conference with me to get one on one help with the editing process.
***A reminder to return your permission slips for the tablets by Monday, April 30, 2012
Advanced MUR:
In reading, we began our unit on The Scarlet Pimpernel. We started off the week with a biography scavenger hunt and group pair share on the author. By midweek, we took an in-depth look at irony and the difference between situation, verbal and dramatic irony. Students will continue to identify irony through out our study of the Scarlet Pimpernel. We will also be using the tablets to watch portions of the movie, allowing the students to gain a better understanding of the clothes, styles and rhetoric of the time.
In writing, students completed their fictional short stories. I am amazed at the creative story plots and use of suspense many of the students have developed. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to allow students to display this talent in a school assignment. I am hoping to enter some of the stories into writing contests and will keep you updated on our progress in this area.
In elements of style, we closed out our unit on the use of commas. This topic is one we will continue to revisit for the remainder of the school year to allow students to become proficient in this area.
