Today we will begin a new unit revolving around research writing and thesis creation. Students will be practicing/mastering how to write a formal thesis statement.
Check out our Google Slides Presentation for reminders, notes, and examples:
Author Archives: mwasherstein
Grade 8: Begin with the End in Mind (English Survey)
Introduction: This activity is designed to create a space that fosters each student having the opportunity to own their own learning. As we have discussed at OJCS, student voice is a vital component of our school’s essence.
Directions: You may work with a partner or work individually on this assignment.
Your task is to come up with a list of the topics, skills, and strategies that you would like to learn/improve upon prior to high school. Please take this activity seriously, this is your chance to take responsibility for and have an impact upon your everyday learning in English class.
Click the document below to make a copy and record your answers:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yECx_SKrkE-J7QAr1_W8nF0aKA6HQmiT9ARjjwowEHE/edit?usp=sharing
The Book Fair Returns!
Looking for that perfect Chanukah present?
Grades 6-8: Independent Reading Project Resources
I hope everyone is reading up a storm! Students should be reading each night in order to complete their Independent Reading Project by the assigned deadline. We have created a reading log/planning sheet to help students stay organized throughout the duration of the project.
Click the link below to view the reading log/planning sheet:
OJCS Reading Log and Planning Sheet
Grade 7: Cursive Writing Help
Reminder: The Great Canadian Mail Race Letter is due tomorrow.
Each student has prepared a formal letter to another Grade 7 student in a different city within Canada. Students will be asked to sign their names, as apart of the formal letter writing process. Not everyone has fully learned/practice the cursive writing process in some time. I have uploaded PDF that provides practice/examples for each letter.
You could also use this website to type personalized texts to practice as well:
https://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting/handwriting-cursive-trace-old.html
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Open in new tab Grades 6-8: Independent Reading Project
The Independent Reading Project is a chance for you to explore a novel of your choosing! You have been asked to read a minimum of 30 minutes each evening. This project is geared towards fostering a student community that appreciates reading on a regular basis. We will also be focusing on vocabulary acquisition, summarization skills, and presentation skills.
Although there will be several work periods/check-ins throughout the duration of this project, the majority of this project will need to be completed at home.
Independent Reading Project Due Dates:
- Independent Reading Project Assigned- October 23rd (Wednesday)
- Book approval (email/meet with Mr. Washerstein)- October 25th (Friday)
- Check-in #1
- Book completed- November 8th (Friday)
- Check-in #2
- Part A: Vocabulary List/Journal Entries- November 12th (Tuesday)
- Check-in #3
- Part B: Creative Component/Presentation-November 18th (Monday)
- Presentations begin on November 18th, 2019
- Please note: students will lose 10% of their mark per day late
Reading Tips
- Read with a set of sticky notes/Google Doc open to record new vocabulary terms immediately
- Plan your weekly reading schedule at the beginning of the week
- For those who benefit from using an audiobook, feel free to use that as a resource! Students should still be following along with the text as well.
What Should You Read?
Ideally, students should be choosing books that fall within their ZPD (zone of proximal development). I will be re-sharing your ZPD range prior to novel selection. You can use the Accelerated Reader Book Finder (https://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx) to check the level of a book. Our OJCS Library Catalogue also lists the book levels for many of the books found in our library (https://theojcs.booksys.net/opac/ojcs/#menuHome).
Student interest also plays a significant role in book selection. I want each student to choose a book that will pique their interest, offer a challenge, and encourage further reading.
Please read and review the assignment sheet below with your parents. Discuss the various choices/options that this project offers. Finally, please carefully read the rubrics to ensure comprehension. Happy reading!
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Check out these digital resources! These websites can help you design your creative component for the project.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YcE8SH32nEQgnhQvMVjQ2wWzpGQ-lqT4iqFf6jxYI6g/edit?usp=sharing
Grade 6: Egghead Update (Comprehension Questions due: Friday 10/25)
As the holidays begin to wind down…we are going to be diving back into our novel study of Egghead. Yesterday we read together as a class to ensure that everyone has reached Pg. 55. Some students have decided to read ahead which is great! Please remember not to spoil the novel for your peers.
Students have been answering comprehension questions in class after reading various chapters. Students can write or type their comprehension questions responses.
By next Thursday, students should have the following comprehension questions/journal entries complete:
- Devan 21-23
- Katie 24-26
- One Red Sock 27-28
- Devan 29-30
- Katie 31-34
- Journal Reflection-Rumours and gossip
- Devan 36-38
- Katie 39-41
- Devan 42-46
- Katie 47-49
- Devan 50-51
- Katie 52-55
- Journal Reflection (Choose one of the two options)
- Please note that the journal reflections should be at least one paragraph
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Grade 7: Vocabulary Unit 1
Important due dates to note:
Vocabulary homework- 10/25 (Friday)
Vocabulary test- 10/28 (Monday)
Students have been assigned a list of 15 words to learn over the course of the next week and half. Students are expected to complete their vocabulary homework practice assignments by Friday 10/25. These exercises are designed to allow students to practice using/recognizing these new words in a variety of activities.
We will have our first vocabulary quiz on Monday 10/28. These quizzes will compromise of definitions, matching, fill in the blank, and multiple choice questions. Students should be reviewing their vocabulary terms throughout the week to enhance comprehension.
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Grade 8: Vocabulary Unit 1
Important due dates to note:
Vocabulary homework- 10/25 (Friday)
Vocabulary test- 10/28 (Monday)
Students have been assigned a list of 15 words to learn over the course of the next week and half. Students are expected to complete their vocabulary homework practice assignments by Friday 10/25. These exercises are designed to allow students to practice using/recognizing these new words in a variety of activities.
We will have our first vocabulary quiz on Monday 10/28. These quizzes will compromise of definitions, matching, fill in the blank, and multiple choice questions. Students should be reviewing their vocabulary terms throughout the week to enhance comprehension.
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Grade 7: The Great Canadian Mail Race Due: Friday 10/25
Last week, our Grade 7 class received a letter from a student named Blake, inviting us to join the Great Canadian Mail Race. Blake’s letter was sent all the way from Conne River, Newfoundland!
The purpose of the Great Canadian Mail Race is to connect our students with Grade 7 students from all around Canada! We will also be using this activity as a chance to learn and practice our formal letter writing skills.
Students are being asked to write a letter to a Grade 7 class somewhere in Canada. Please do not choose a school in Montreal, Ottawa, or Toronto. I encourage you to do some research and choose a school in a community that interests you.
Please follow the formal address guidelines that are outlined in the Letter Writing Presentation.
Click the link below to view the instructions, tips, and template:
Each letter must include the following information:
- A brief introduction to ourselves (name, age, school).
- Please only include your first name and if you choose to do so your last initial.
- Some of our hobbies and activities (sports, clubs, instruments, volunteering, etc.)
- Some of our favourite things (pets, subjects, places to visit, etc.)
- Why we chose to send a letter to this person/school
- Some questions we would like the other person to answer so that we can learn more about him/her
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