STAAR Week, 2018

Bring your lunch, snacks in a sandwich-sized baggie, library book, pencils, and a highlighter for the STAAR on Monday and Tuesday. Don’t wear a SmartWatch or bring your mobile to the testing classroom. Eat a good breakfast with some protein in it (bacon ❤️, milk, cheese, yogurt, or peanut butter). Get some sleep on Sunday and Monday nights. I believe in you. Be amazing!

–Mrs. Johnson <><

ILA Information – January 3, 2018

Welcome back, students and parents! We went to the library today and will return again on January 24. Mark your calendars! The independent reading assignment is due Friday, January 5, 2018. Here is a link to it. Independent Reading Assignment 2017-2018-1rdlvma

Here is a link to the presentation I shared today in class about reading strategies. Reading Strategies

Take care, and have a great evening!

Mrs. Johnson <><

Story Board – “The Fun They Had”

Today in ILA, we worked on bringing Isaac Asimov’s classic science fiction short story “The Fun They Had” to life with visuals. Students were asked to illustrate the elements of plot including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. I have included the link to the directions below. I hope this helps. Have a great weekend. Be kind, and do good!

Story Board Link Click <<HERE>>

ILA – Independent Reading!

In ILA, we received a handout that will be used as we complete independent reading assignments throughout the school year. I have provided an electronic copy for your perusal.  We covered an excerpt from Wendelin Van Draalen’s book Flipped and analyzed the difference in points of view for two protagonists. Students will have a quiz covering parts of speech next week, so looking at my language arts resources at the grammar cards would be a great start.

Independent Reading Response Starters

Mrs. Johnson <><

Catching Up – Second Week of School

In my social studies classes, we are working on the tools of geography. Students were asked to wear stripes if they had them to represent latitude and longitude. They looked darling! We will become spies and a part of the Internet Spy Network, an activity designed to help students master the use of latitude and longitude. Happy hunting!

ILA

We took notes on the first embedded assessment from our Springboard text today. We will be writing a personal narrative in a few weeks but working through the process one step at a time building skills and knowledge essential for success on the assignment. I have quite a few IVAN CAPP booklets to grade, and it will take a while to do that effectively. I look forward to seeing my students’ creativity on display.

Mrs. Johnson <><

Cougar Camp Success

We had another successful Cougar Camp today at Clark Middle School.  Here are a couple of the decorations I had ready for my students. Some of my students will see me for both integrated language arts (ILA) and social studies (World Cultures & Geography). It will be fun.

Prepared for future announcements and accomplishments for students on team 6A (the hallway where my classroom is located).

I am a “house divided” in that both ILA and social studies will be taught in my classroom this year.

Parents, I will update my information pages for tutorial times and days and duty weeks when I have it. So, what do I want for my classes since it’s nearly tax-free weekend? I’m glad you asked!

 

ILA – three-ring notebook (closer to two inch size!), pencils, notebook paper (more than one pack because I am not the only class in which it will be utilized), composition notebook, reading book (chapter style, not graphic novels, please).

Social Studies – three ring notebook (closer to two inch size!), pencils, colored pencils and markers (as needed)

General Supplies – facial tissues aka Kleenex because every year I have students with allergies, and they come in handy during the fall and winter! Thanks in advance.

Mrs. Johnson <><

Reading Aplenty! Reading Galore!

Students are reading lots of fiction and nonfiction and participating in small group discussions for the last weeks of school. Grades will be taken for active participation. We have also been working on writing creative responses to journals. Some of the topics I select are a little wacky. Some are insightful. Ask your student about some of them. Finish the course strongly, students! Please fly your U.S. flags tomorrow, Saturday, May 21, to honor the men and women who guarantee our freedoms. It’s called Armed Forces Day.

Mrs. Johnson <><

Honoring men and women who protect our freedoms.

Honoring men and women who protect our freedoms.