This week Mr. Kom will be running a seminar for each cohort about the Read & Write program. This assistive technology extension can be used to boost reading and writing confidence. By the end of the week, each student will have the Read and Write extension downloaded on their Google Chrome Web Browser. 

This program includes:

• Text-to-speech to hear words, passages, or whole documents read aloud with easy-to-follow dual color highlighting
• Text and picture dictionaries to see the meaning of words explained
• With speech-to-text, dictate words to assist with writing, proofreading & studying
• Word prediction offers suggestions for the current or next word as you type
• Collect highlights from the text in documents or the web for summarizing and research
• Create and listen to voice notes directly inside of Google Docs
• Simplify and summarize text on web pages to remove ads and other copy that can be distracting

Click the link below to access Mr. Kom’s presentation: 

Read and Write Presentation

 

This week students will be uploading a few artifacts of learning to their blogfolios. These posts are intended to showcase projects and assignments that demonstrate growth.

In case students are having trouble creating their blog posts or changing their blogfolio layout, I have included a couple video tutorials.

Check out these useful blogging videos that Mrs. Thompson created:

Creating a Post

Writing a new post is quite easy! It is very similar to writing a page or even a document in Word of Google Docs. You can choose to write a new post in a few different spots throughout your dashboard; either way will bring you to the same place.

Inserting a Google Doc

Hyperlinking Docs

You are always able to hyperlink to a Google Doc, which will direct people to an external link where they will be able to see the document. Depending on the sharing settings, you can choose whether they can edit, view or comment. If you would like this document to be publicly accessed, it is also important to change the settings so that ‘anyone with the link’ can view the document, otherwise you’ll be getting lots of emails from parents requesting access.

1. Click Share in the top right hand corner

2.  If you would like to share it with specific people, start typing their name or email address

3. Decide whether you would like them to be able to view, edit or comment.

4. If you would like to allow anyone with the link to have access to the document (best if you are linking on your blog so that parents can access the document without it being shared with them, click Change at the bottom of the Get link box.

5. Click the arrow for the drop down menu next to The Ottawa Jewish Community School and select Anyone with the link. Remember to also select whether you would like those with the link to view, edit, or comment.

6. Copy the link URL to then add as a hyperlink within your document. You never want to paste a long URL to your blog.

Embedding a Google Slides Presentation

Just as with Google Docs, there are a few different ways to embed a Google Slides presentation, and the option you choose will depend on the purpose for sharing. 

If you would like to share a Google Slides presentation for people to view only, the best way to do so would be to publish the presentation to the web and obtain an embed code. 

Embedding Docs as PDF

If you would like to embed the actual document into your post, as is recommended, you will need to save it as a PDF so that it will show up as an image within your post.

Changing Your Theme

The theme of your blog is the way it will visually appear and be laid out when it is visited by the general public. If your blog is shared amongst a few teachers, make sure to check in with them before making any changes.

 

As we continue to analyze the various components of a short story, students will spend time reading and analyzing The Landlady in class this week.

Students will re-read the text in order to complete the required reading comprehension/analysis questions. Additionally, students are being asked to investigate this text and search for the following literary elements: similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, irony, and foreshadowing.

Important links:

The Landlady (PDF)

The Landlady Reading Comprehension Questions

This week we will diving into thesis statements. Students will be analyzing the various components of a strong thesis statements. We will be using a variety of handouts and exercises to skill build the essential components of an argumentative thesis statement. We will be spending a fair amount of time developing the foundation of a proper thesis statement

Handout #1

Handout #2

Handout #3

Handout #4

Students will be spending the next week and half working on the final activity for the Egghead novel study. Students will use the choice board to select a corresponding activity. Each student will create an artifact of learning that relates to the novel. Instead of presenting your artifact of learning in class, students will be posting their artifacts on their blogfolio. We will spend time in class reviewing peer posts and creating meaningful comments.  

Students will be given a significant amount of time to complete this assignment in class. Please use your class time wisely. 

Egghead Culminating Activity Choice Board

Click the link below to access the graphic organizer:

Egghead Culminating Activity Graphic Organizer

Due Dates: 

• Assigned– Tuesday 11/3
• Check-In #1– Friday 11/6 
• Peer Feedback Draft 1- Wednesday 11/11
• Final Submission- Posted on your blogfolio by Monday 11/16

 Before you post….

• Have you edited your artifact of learning?
  • • Use this COPS Editing Checklist to review your written work
    • Edit your blog post as well!  
• Have you reviewed the rubric to ensure that you have fulfilled all of the requirements
  • • Make a copy of the rubric and grade yourself (share it with Mr. Washerstein)
• Does this project reflect your best effort?

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:

Research Writing/Thesis Creation Unit

Students have been assigned a list of vocabulary terms to learn over the course of the next week and half. These exercises are designed to allow students to practice using/recognizing these new words in a variety of activities. Each student will receive a physical copy of their vocabulary list and practice questions.

Grade 8 Unit 1

Grade 8 Enriched Unit 1

https://www.sadlierconnect.com/anonymous/product.html?productId=8

 

Students have been assigned a list of vocabulary terms to learn over the course of the next week and half. These exercises are designed to allow students to practice using/recognizing these new words in a variety of activities. Each student will receive a physical copy of their vocabulary list and practice questions.

Grade 7 Unit 1

 

Grade 7 Enriched Unit 1

Students have been assigned a list of vocabulary terms to learn over the course of the next week and half. These exercises are designed to allow students to practice using/recognizing these new words in a variety of activities. Each student will receive a physical copy of their vocabulary list and practice questions.

Due Dates:

• Assigned Terms: Thursday 10/29
• HW Packet: Thursday 11/5
• Vocab Quiz: Wednesday 11/11

We will have our first vocabulary quiz on Wednesday 11/11.

These quizzes will compromise of definitions, matching, fill in the blank, and multiple choice questions. In addition, students will be asked to create a paragraph successfully using the terms in the proper context. Students should be reviewing their vocabulary terms throughout the week to enhance comprehension.

Students will choose to study one of the following options:

Grade 6 Unit 1

Grade 6 Enriched Unit 1

As we continue our novel study of Egghead by Caroline Pignat, this week we are focusing on writing from a character’s perspective. Students are being tasked with choosing an event from the novel and creating a postcard. Each postcard will contain an illustration (either digital or hand drawn) and a writing sample from a character’s perspective. This assignment asks students to “walk in the shoes of another” as they attempt to create a higher level connection with the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

 

Click the link below to access the assignment: 

Egghead Postcard Assignment