This week the grade 6 students got to spend time with two-time Governor General Award winning author Caroline Pignat. She discussed the writing process with our class and focused on how she develops a character within a story. Additionally, we learned about the rigorous editing process that authors endure. After reading her novel Egghead, this experience provided students with an opportunity to ask any and all questions to the author herself.

Check out the questions the students brainstormed for Caroline Pignat:

Burning Questions for Caroline Pignat

A research database contains information from published works around the world. Databases are useful because sources are analyzed and scrutinized at a higher level to limit misinformation. Additionally, not everyone has the opportunity to post their articles on these websites. Research databases provide professionals and experts in a specific field with a landing spot for their research. These sources can also provide information about current research studies and findings.

As we have discussed in class, your job as a researcher is to determine the credibility of each and every source you plan to use. Please do not accept any information as a true until you have determined the who, what, why, and how that information was attained.

Check out this link to access over 100 free research databases: Research Database Sites

Question to think about: What is the difference between a website and a research database?

Today students were provided with their exam packets for the English exam. Mr. Kom graciously created a fantastic exam study plan! This plan provides students with a variety of strategies that can be used to study. In addition, this document provides students with a dedicated place to log the amount of time spent studying. Remember that organization and time management skills are just as important as the concepts themselves.

Click the link to make a personal copy of your study plan: Exam Study Plan

The time to prepare for the English exam is now! Students will be receiving their study package today. The majority of the review exercises are online quizzes. We will also be reviewing various concepts in class leading up to the exam.

Please click the link below to view the study package:

Grade 7 English Exam Study Package

Studying Suggestions: 

• Start studying today! Focus on a different skill/concept each night and build gradually. (Don’t wait until the week of the exam to start studying)
• Create a study schedule (build time into each day)
• Review your notes from class
• Test your knowledge with cue cards, online tools, online quizzes and study groups
• Read materials out loud to yourself, or record yourself reading and then listen to the recording
• Create a tutorial on exam content
• Create a sketch note, slide show or one-page “cheat sheet” 
• Ask questions right away if you need help!

The time to prepare for the English exam is now! Students will be receiving their study package today. The majority of the review exercises are online quizzes. We will also be reviewing various concepts in class leading up to the exam.

Please click the link below to view the study package:

Grade 8 English Exam Study Package 2020

Studying Suggestions: 

• Start studying today! Focus on a different skill/concept each night and build gradually. (Don’t wait until the week of the exam to start studying)
• Create a study schedule (build time into each day)
• Review your notes from class
• Test your knowledge with cue cards, online tools, online quizzes and study groups
• Read materials out loud to yourself, or record yourself reading and then listen to the recording
• Create a tutorial on exam content
• Create a sketch note, slide show or one-page “cheat sheet” 
• Ask questions right away if you need help!

Prior to the winter break our class finished our first novel study. We read, discussed, and analyzed the novel Egghead by Caroline Pignat. The grade 6 class has the unique opportunity to meet the author of Egghead. She will be discussing Egghead, other novels she has written, the writing process, along with the challenges authors face.

Caroline Pignat will be joining our class on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 from 11:45-1:05PM. 

Homework: Students are being asked to come up with at least three questions for Caroline Pignat by this Thursday. Your questions can be about the novel itself, her experience as an author, the writing process, advice, etc.

Check out her website to learn more about her story: https://www.carolinepignat.com/

Mrs. Reichstein came to teach our class about structured word inquiry. Students had the opportunity to become investigators and detectives regarding the how and why words are spelled a particular way.

She explained that, “English spelling is a highly ordered, logical system, with explainable rules and patterns”.

We learned about the following terms:

Morphology-sequencing and structure of meaning

Etymology-interrelation of of meaning between words (where the words come from…origin)

Phonology-units of speech (sound) that make meaning

We are looking forward to learning more about these rules and patterns.

I was delighted to hear that many students began preparing for the Short Story Unit Test over the weekend. Today we will be discussing study habits and strategies that can be used to prepare for assessments.

Check out these additional resources:

Short Story Kahoot Review

https://create.kahoot.it/share/short-story-unit-test-review/f3871929-2164-4c73-8964-168e7ab1a76e

Literary Device Practice

https://www.quia.com/quiz/1314532.html

Characterization Practice

https://www.quia.com/rr/790983.html?AP_rand=736082485

Types of Conflict Quiz

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=types-conflict_1

Last week students received information about their argumentative research project. The level of excitement was palpable, as students began brainstorming possible topics. Students will partake in the brainstorming, researching, analyzing, and synthesizing of information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. The purpose of this assignment is to allow the grade 8 students to dive deeper into the research process while learning about a topic of interest. This will also give students the opportunity to practice developing their own clear and concise thesis statements.

This research project was intentionally chunked (over a two month time frame) in an effort to be mindful of the upcoming exam period. Each student has a copy of the dates listed below (which can also be found in the Grade 8 Google Calendar).

Today students will be working on choosing a topic and beginning their research notes (separated by sources).

Check out this great graphic organizer that was created by Mr. Kom to organize research notes: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ss01pc5Zmcka9StlEJGiR3LEn2DjbosW1Lj9oouAAso/edit?usp=sharing

Project Timeline:

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Research Project Overview (Process Packet):

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Research Writing Rubric (Final Copy):

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Sample MLA Works Cited:

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Sample MLA Cover Paper:

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Today students will be receiving a study package that can be used to prepare for their short story unit test. The test will take place on Monday, January 20th, 2020. By spending a significant amount of time studying for this test students will also be practicing essential components for their English Exam.

The short story unit test will include: multiple choice questions, a definition matching section, short answer questions, along with a short passage analysis.

Check out this jeopardy review game: https://jeopardylabs.com/play/short-story-test-review-66

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