Thursday, February 28, 2013

Friday, March 1, 2013



If you are now in the computer lab during class, go immediately to the big red arrow to find the correct link.


Follow this link to a post for a Welcome, Needed Materials, Etc.:
Welcome to Semester 2, Rotation 1 of Reading 7 Class!


Please bring your thumb drive to class each time.   
Also bring a pencil or pen.

Today's Agenda:


  • Find your assigned seat.
  • Pick up your folder from the black B5  crate at the front of the classroom.

1. Individual Reading Time and Begin a New Reading Log
  •     On most class days we will have some quiet individual reading time at the beginning of class.  Bring a book to read or borrow something from the teacher's shelves.
  • Don't forget to fill out your reading log every time.  It counts on your grade!   
  •     If you're absent, or don't fill out your log, pick up a pink make-up sheet and do the homework.
Pick up your folder with computer number.  The folders are kept in the black crate at the front of the room.  Leave your reading log and fluency graph in your folder. 



2. Partner  Fluency Practice
  • For today your partner will be a person across the aisle from you.  Partners will be assigned. 
  • You will take turns reading and listening to each other.  For fluency practice, the goal is to read as quickly as you can while still reading clearly and correctly. 
  • You will be timed -- one minute to read. 
  • Your partner listens and marks on the passage any errors you make.  Errors could be 
    • words left out
    • extra words put in
    • words pronounced incorrectly
    • punctuation ignored
    • any other error in reading 
  • Your partner also marks the word you were at when the timer went off. 
  • To calculate words per minute,  figure out how many words you read, and subtract any errors. 
  •     Make sure you fill out your graph every time! It counts on your grade!  Fill out passage number, date, and words per minute. 

3.  Computer Literacy: The Focus of this Rotation

  A. In the Classroom 
      1)  This is your class blog.
                  a.  You will find a post about every day we meet.
                  b.  You will find materials you need 
                             -- especially under  the tab 
                   "Famous Person Project: Instructions and Downloads. "
                  c.  You will find our class calendar at the 
                                   bottom of the blog.
                   d.  You will find daily and general information about 
                        your online research project:
                Step 1:  [Homework] Selecting a subject to research 
         Study this list and have at least three "heroes" selected to find sources for information next time in class. 
This is the long list students received today: 

Suggestions for Heroes

Your hero does not have to be on this list, but does have to be admirable, and does have to be found on Biography Reference Center and on two other reliable and useful internet databases, encyclopedias, or other sites. 


The Project
1. Selecting a hero to research.
2.  Finding sources of information online.
3. Evaluating those sources and taking notes.
4. Creating a PowerPoint presentation to present to the class. 


      2)  Here is Edmodo.    http://www.edmodo.com/

                   You will become a member of this class on Edmodo.

      3)  Important Vocabulary:

                                URL 
                 The URL is the address of a site on the Internet.
                 You'll find the URL in the address bar on your browser.
Address Bar
Download 
When you transfer a document, music, video, etc.  from a more distant computer to a nearby computer, or from a larger computer to a smaller one, you are downloading it.  When you open a document from Edmodo, you are downloading.

Upload
When you transfer a document, music, video, etc. from a nearby computer to a more distant computer, or from a smaller to a larger computer, you are downloading it.  When you save (turn in) a document to Edmodo, you are uploading.

 B.  In Computer Lab 201


Use this link:

Computer Lab: March 1 

          This is the document with directions:       Day 1 Computer Lab Challenge.doc

These are the assignments you will complete in the lab:

1)   Open up the Class Blog at cavereading.blogspot.com

2)    In a new tab or window, open http://www.edmodo.com/
        Using Edmodo (a protected "social" network).  You will. . .
  1.            Join Edmodo
  2.            Practice Turning in an Assignment
  3.            Complete an exercise on why we need to evaluate  websites?    
                            a.  about  an author   
                            b.  history                 



_________________________ 
About What We Do and Why We're Doing It


Most students already use Google to do research.  This class will add to your Internet skills by helping you learn to use other, often more effective, ways to find information.  You will also practice taking notes on what you read, organizing information, and preparing a presentation for your classmates that will be interesting and easy to read.
Here are some guidelines for your project:
-- You will need three or more online sources for your research project.  We will find them during class.
--  This will provide you with more information, allow you to check whether each piece of information is true, and will help you avoid plagiarizing.
-- To select the subject of your research, you will start out with three or more possible subjects – people who could qualify as heroes for one reason or another.   As you check for available information, you will narrow your search to the one person you are most interested in and for whom you can find the most reliable information.



Welcome to Semester 2, Rotation 2 of Reading 7 Class!

Welcome and Needed Supplies

Welcome to the Seventh Grade Reading class! 



You will have three teachers for this class, rotating every nine weeks through the semester.  Those of you who begin with Ms. Dorsey will move on to Mrs. Fugal, then to Mrs. Hancock.    Reading 7 Teachers

  • With Ms. Dorsey you will focus on reading for research -- especially on the Internet, learning about identifying and using useful and reliable sources.
  • With Mrs. Fugal you will focus on reading textbooks more effectively and efficiently.  (Don't tell, but she teaches you how to read the textbook without reading the textbook!)
  • With Mrs. Hancock you will learn how to read several different types of "texts" including photos, paintings, magazines, etc.  
  • With all three you will learn strategies and practice skills to improve your reading.



Note: If your family cannot afford school supplies, please speak with a teacher or administrator.

Here are some required and suggested items.


For this reading class you will need these items each day:



  • Bring your own pencils and pens every day. I will have some available to loan, but you should return them at the end of class, and should only rarely need to borrow.
  • Bring lined paper. 
  • A thumb drive  (flash drive) to be used  during the section of the class dealing with reading the Internet.
  • For every class, bring a book to read during Supported Independent Reading.  You'll receive more information about how to select books.  

Suggested (optional): (for this and other classes)

  • Colored pencils may be needed for history class, and come in handy at times in other classes.
  • A three-ring hole-punch that fits in your binder is very helpful if you receive handouts that haven't been punched.
  • A small manual pencil sharpener
  • A small pack of Kleenex -- We usually have facial tissues/Kleenex available in our classrooms, but they are not soft on a tender nose.
  • Hand sanitizer
  • If you find a good deal, you might want to have on hand some poster board. Sometimes teachers will assign students to create posters, and it's nice not to have to run out to the store at 10 pm when the student remembers he or she has a poster due the next day.

Computers and Internet
Note to Parents: If you have a computer and printer, you will want to check to see that you have enough printer ink on hand so your student can print off homework when needed for any class. Please encourage your student to finish and hand-in assignments before the deadline, so any computer or printer problems don't make them late.

More about computers and Internet: It is very helpful to have the Internet available at home. 

Most of our Reading 7 assignments are available and may be handed in on Edmodo -- something like Facebook, but designed to be used by school classes.  Students will be directed how to sign up for Edmodo.  
Students will  to do research on the Internet for this class, and for various other classes.
Our English classes use a writing program called MYAccess for several assignments during the year. We access it at school, and students can write and revise their work from home or anywhere else they can use the Internet. That also allows parents to read their student's writing and watch their progress.

During one segment of Seventh Grade Reading (with Ms. Dorsey), we will be learning about reading the Internet,  will be doing research on the Internet, and will be creating a presentation using PowerPoint.  Your student may need to finish some of the work outside of school hours.  Please save work to be graded in a format easy to open on the computers at school.

If you do not have access at home, the student could use computers in our school media center, sometimes (such as during CaveTime) our computer labs are open to students who need extra time, and the Internet is available at the public library.


Parents should have signed a release for the student to use the Internet at school, and the student will need to have his or her Internet card (student ID card) in hand to use the Internet on the media center computers and in the other computer labs.

Teacher Web Sites

Many of our teachers have web sites, blogs, and wikis where you can find much information about classes, requirements, etc. Take advantage of this resource.  

If you're absent or looking for more information or maybe some extra credit, check this blog.
You will most likely be required to use this blog at times.


For this segment of the Reading Class we will also be using Edmodo (open to posting only by the teacher and classmates) where students will complete some assignments and collaborate with the teacher and other students. 

(revised and reposted in January for the 2012-2013 school year) 


Monday, February 25, 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013




Today: 
Bring a book or books!
If you'd like to, bring treats.
Also, if you'd like, bring a pillow to sit on.








 


-- Finish your crossword with
Internet Vocabulary. 

-- Complete a brief "End of Rotation Reflection." 

-- Read-a-Thon

-- Best PowerPoints! 


Next time:  Go to Mrs. Fugal's Classroom

 Any late work MUST be turned in by this  Friday.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Important:  If you haven't turned in your PowerPoint or ABC or Search and Select, get them in by Wednesday of this week. 



1. Quiet Reading Time and Fill Out Your Reading Log--
If you are absent, pick up a make-up log to complete outside of class. When you bring it back, staple it to your reading log.  Those who have received the pink make-up sheets should complete and return them as soon as possible. 

2.  Partner Fluency Practice 


3.
Sources: Primary or Secondary?

4.  Internet Crossword -- How's your understanding of Internet vocabulary? 



Next time: Read-a-thon!


On February 27 -- 
Bring a book or books!
If you'd like to, bring treats.
Also, if you'd like, bring a pillow to sit on.


 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013


Parent Teacher Conference

Parent Teacher Conference will  be held on 
Thursday, February 21 from 3:30 - 7:30. 









Today: 
  1. Individual Reading and Fill Out Your Reading Log
  2. Computer Lab 201 to Set Up Your PowerPoint Presentations
  3. Present and View PowerPoints  -- Hand in your viewing worksheet at the end of class -- to the top wire basket.

Important: 
Today is the only day we will present the PowerPoint in class.  If you do not present today, you may hand in your PowerPoint to Ms. Dorsey for reduced points. 

Make sure you have handed in your completed Search and Select and your ABC Evaluation document.

This rotation ends next week -- February 27.  You will then go on to Mrs. Fugal's class, so turn in all late work before then.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Your Brain on Books!


http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/your-brain-on-books-10-things-that-happen-to-our-minds-when-we-read

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Notice:  There will be no Cave Time Intervention on Tuesday the 19th, since Ms. Dorsey will be leaving with our team for  a Mock Trial Competition that day.

If needed, you may work on your project in computer lab 223 during Cave Time, as usual.

Today:  Complete your PowerPoints to present on Thursday -- in Computer Lab 211.  You will present in lab 201, so make sure you have saved your PowerPoints as ppt, not as pptx!

1.  Individual Reading and Fill Out Reading Log.

2. Computer Lab 211 to finish your PowerPoints. 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Notice:  There will be no Cave Time Intervention on Tuesday the 19th, since Ms. Dorsey will be leaving with our team for  a Mock Trial Competition that day.

No computer lab today.

For Valentines' Day

1. Quiet Reading Time and Fill Out Your Reading Log--
If you are absent, pick up a make-up log to complete outside of class. When you bring it back, staple it to your reading log.  Those who have received the pink make-up sheets should complete and return them as soon as possible. 

2.  Partner Fluency Practice 

3.  Reliability?  Article on Checking for Reliability

Controlling Your Inner Voices



Reliability
Reliability, Etc.
ABC's of Reliability and Usefulness

3.   Sources: Primary or Secondary?
4.  Internet Crossword -- Do you know the vocabulary?

No Computer Lab Today

Reminder of due dates:  
Feb. 19  PowerPoints due by the end of the period
Feb. 21  Present PowerPoints

                   Sample PowerPoint:  hero PPT_bailey_w.ppt

Reminder for using Bibme.com


Important Note:  You do not need to use bibme for BRC, World Book, or SIRS!
or   Using Bibme.org



Monday, February 11, 2013

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

1. Quiet Reading Time and Fill Out Your Reading Log
If you are absent, pick up a make-up log to complete outside of class.
When you bring it back, staple it to your reading log.

2.  Partner Fluency Practice

3. Preparing for Computer Lab 
Reminder of due dates: 
Feb. 8 ABC due, but you can turn it in after that. You just need to have it done, so you can complete your PowerPoint. 

We will be in the computer lab 12th (today) and the 19th, 
and then all your work on the project is due!
Feb. 19  PowerPoints due by the end of the period
Feb. 21  Present PowerPoints

                   Sample PowerPoint:  hero PPT_bailey_w.ppt

Reminder for using Bibme.com


Important Note:  You do not need to use bibme for BRC, World Book, or SIRS!
or   Using Bibme.org

Friday, February 8, 2013

Don't Believe Everything You See!


But should you believe this?
In Texas this abnormally large spider was found on the side of this home.
It took several gun shots to kill it.


Find out at
http://www.snopes.com/photos/bugs/witchspider.asp

Friday, February 8, 2013

1. Quiet Reading Time and Fill Out Your Reading Log
If you are absent, pick up a make-up log to complete outside of class.
When you bring it back, staple it to your reading log.


Check in your folder for a pink make-up sheet for individual reading.  If you have one, take it home, complete it, have it signed, bring it back and hand it in.   If you do not have one, that means you received full points or near full points on your reading log so far.

2.  Partner Fluency Practice


3. Preparing for Computer Lab 

Reminder of due dates: 

Feb. 8 ABC due, but you can turn it in after that. You just need to have it done, so you can complete your PowerPoint. 


We will be in the computer lab on the 8th (today), 12th, 19th, 
and then all your work on the project is due!
Feb. 19  PowerPoints due by the end of the period
Feb. 21  Present PowerPoints

Reminder for using Bibme.com


Important Note:  You do not need to use bibme for BRC, World Book, or SIRS! 

or   Using Bibme.org

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Wednesday, February 6, 2012


1. Quiet Reading Time and Fill Out Your Reading Log
If you are absent, pick up a make-up log to complete outside of class.
When you bring it back, staple it to your reading log.

2.  Partner Fluency Practice

3. Preparing for Computer Lab 
Reminder of due dates: 
Feb. 8 ABC due, but you can turn it in after that. You just need to have it done, so you can complete your PowerPoint. 
We will be in the computer lab on the 8th, 12th, 19th, 
and then all your work on the project is due!
Feb. 19  PowerPoints due by the end of the period
Feb. 21  Present PowerPoints

Reminder for using Bibme.com

Important Note:  You do not need to use bibme for BRC, World Book, or SIRS! 

or   Using Bibme.org

Friday, February 1, 2013

Monday, February 4, 2013 Minimal Day

Minimal Day

Time Period Minutes
8:15 – 9:15 1st Period 60 minutes
9:20 – 10:20 2nd Period/Announcements 60 minutes
10:20 – 10:45 First Lunch 25 minutes
10:50 – 11:50 3rd Period 60 minutes
10:25 – 11:25 3rd Period 60 minutes
11:25 – 11:50 Second Lunch 25 minutes
11:55 – 12:55 4th Period 60 minutes
1. Quiet Reading Time and Fill Out Your Reading Log
If you are absent, pick up a make-up log to complete outside of class.
When you bring it back, staple it to your reading log.

2. Preparing for Computer Lab
Day 5 in your packet. 
  • If you have not finished and handed in the Search and Select document, you will need to finish it, and begin the next step as homework.  
  • If you have finished the Search and Select and turned it in, open it and use the sources from it to start your ABC Evaluation and Note Taking.
  • Remember that you must open Biography Reference Center or Pioneer and the Database you need before you can reopen most of your sources. 


Minimal Day
Time Period Minutes
8:15 – 9:15 1st Period 60 minutes
9:20 – 10:20 2nd Period/Announcements 60 minutes
10:20 – 10:45 First Lunch 25 minutes
10:50 – 11:50 3rd Period 60 minutes
10:25 – 11:25 3rd Period 60 minutes
11:25 – 11:50 Second Lunch 25 minutes
11:55 – 12:55 4th Period 60 minutes