Here is what we've done thus far:
Building Classroom Community
- Discussed classroom community - students wrote "I am" poems which they shared with a partner (who shared it with the class). We then decorated the classroom with these.
- Students wrote goals that they plan to focus on throughout the year. These included academic and personal goals. Some samples included "to eat healthier," "get outside and play with my dog more," "to make honor roll at least once" and "to turn all of my reading slips in on time." Students brainstormed ways to help them meet their goals. We will spend a day second quarter reflecting on how these are going.
- Students wrote letters to a 7th grade/8th grade Solstice pen pall. This helps 7th graders ask any questions they may have of a peer and allows 8th graders to be role models and share their knowledge with other students. I hope to continue this throughout the year (time permitting).
- We reviewed how to write a perfect paragraph. Ms Belofsky and I then held conferences with almost every 7th grader to help them revise their paragraphs in order to meet the District standard for LEAF (lead, evidence, analysis, finisher). Meeting with students individually helps students understand what we are looking for in their writing and it helps me understand any gaps students may have (and to help correct those). We will continue writing more paragraphs throughout the year.
- Students took a pre-test on roots and prefixes. From the pre-test they determined what roots and prefixes they didn't understand.
- In small groups students created charts on one root/prefix. The charts included the definition, examples, a picture to represent the root/prefix, and a way to help remember it. There were about 35 charts in total, which then decorated the classroom walls.
- Students created "Jabberwocky" words (made up words) with the roots/prefixes. An example was "antiject," which means "against throwing". Students then acted out their words to another group.
- Reading activity - students read a short story and applied their knowledge of using context clues and prefixes and roots to help determine the meaning of words.
- Culmination - students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge of roots and prefixes through one of six project choices. The project choices were based on the multiple intelligences. Examples of projects included: writing a story using prefixes/roots and/or jabberwocky words, with a partner, create a prefix dance and share it with the class; create a video demonstrating your knowledge of Word Identification; investigate chosen species and explain how the root/prefix of the animal's scientific name helps explain their common name.
We've been up to many things in the classroom already this year. We've completed some paragraph writing and a unit on Word Identification. Ms. Belofsky is beginning her solo week today and will culminate with students writing a piece on mood.
