Mrs. Pietrafeso's Blog

Announcement: Maternity Leave

apietrafeso — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:39:33 +0000

Today marked my last day in the classroom with the students for the remainder of the first and second quarter. I’ll be on maternity leave until mid January. In my absence, please contact either Mrs. Bieluch (my co-teacher) or Ms. Arpin (my long term substitute). In addition, Ms. Arpin has set up her own teacher website. You’ll find homework assignments, additional copies of class notes, etc. on her page. Currently it is located under “TEAM NEWS” / “PURPLE” on the main MMS website. This blog will be back up and running once I return. Until then, remember three important components of class: Writer’s Notebook, Independent Reading, and Spelling!

Homework: Monday, October 3 through Wednesday, October 5

apietrafeso — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:46:05 +0000

Remember that we are involved in the diagnostic writing assessment for the next three days. We will being our next unit (Author’s Study: Joan Bauer) on Thursday.

For homework, please work on adding to your personal spelling list, continuing your WNB, and reading/logging. Mid quarter is this coming Friday. Your goal should be to complete one independent book by mid quarter, or shortly after. Reminder: you must read and log for two books this quarter (and the quarter is almost half way over!).

As a side note, as of today you should have about 8 “at home” entries in your writer’s notebook. We have completed about 4 “official in-class” entries in school (“Names”, “Hand Activity”, “Detail”, and “Observations on Purple Day”. So, the total number of entries to date should be 12. After this week, you should have 14-15.

Homework: Wednesday, September 28, 2011

apietrafeso — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:03:02 +0000

1. Revise your hook/lead. Brief notes from today’s class on blog (Notes: Writer’s Workshop)

2. Final copy of your personal narrative due Monday, 10/3. Although the rubric was distributed in class today, extra copies are here: Personal Narrative Rubric. Remember that you must include ALL rough drafts, the revision/conference sheet, the editing checklist, and your rubric (with self-evaluation completed). This must ALL be stapeled and ready to turn in by the class bell. If not, you will lose your on-time points (yikes!).

Coming up…

Diagnostic Writing Prompt on Monday (10/3), Tuesday (10/4), and Wednesday (10/5)

Homework: Tuesday, September 27, 2011

apietrafeso — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:32:29 +0000

1. Revise sentence structure (EDIT for the dreaded comma splice!).

2. Spelling Quiz tomorrow. Make sure you are studying the CORRECT spelling of each word.

Today’s class notes on “Avoiding the Comma Splice” posted in Notes: Writer’s Workshop!!!

Homework: Monday, September 26, 2011

apietrafeso — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:14:24 +0000

1. Revise for DETAIL (think about the five senses!)

2. Weekly Word List (only the first five / top half of the yellow handout from class) is due tomorrow. Please follow the instructions that accompanied the handout. If you were absent from class OR you misplaced your copy from class, additional copies and examples are available on my blog under the SPELLING tag above. If you earned a purple slip today for not having your personal spelling list, remember that the personal spelling list, writer’s notebook, and reading log are all INDEPENDENT assignments that you should be working on EVERY week. A small piece of class, but a piece of class, nonetheless, that is very important and will teach you responsibility.

Coming up…

Spelling Quiz on Wednesday, 9/28

Final Copy of Personal Narrative due Monday, 10/3

Homework: Thursday, September 22, 2011

apietrafeso — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:42:00 +0000

What a crazy day! I missed seeing my period 1,5, and 7 classes. Tonight, for homework, please see below (look for your individual class period).

Period 1: Revise for detail.

Period 5: Hang tight and bring your rough drafts as is into class tomorrow.

Period 7: Revise for detail.

Period 8: Revise for purpose. If you work on anything else, make sure you use your _______________’s Revision List to add what you revised. Also, if you conferenced with me (in our group conference) or a peer today, please make sure you add it to your conference notes.

Homework: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

apietrafeso — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:37:55 +0000

1. Work on your rough draft (must have for class tomorrow). Remember that your rough draft can be typed or handwritten. As you revise/work on it this evening, keep in mind PURPOSE (notes will be posted tomorrow; for now, use your in-class notes).

Homework: Tuesday, September 20, 2011

apietrafeso — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:36:32 +0000

Choose one seed idea out of your WNB to use for our first writer’s workshop.

By choosing a seed idea out of your WNB, you are choosing the topic. The genre will be personal narrative.

Once you choose an idea, you may begin drafting.

The “working rough draft” should be OUTSIDE of your WNB, meaning you should begin drafting on a separate sheet of lined paper or it can be typed.

Homework: Monday, September 19, 2011

apietrafeso — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:36:58 +0000

1. Write an entry in your WNB from the in-class “HAND” activity. You should try to write for a sustained 20-25 minutes tonight.

2. Have you started to read and LOG yet? At this point, everyone should be just about on their first log.

3. Come across any words for your personal spelling list? Make sure you add them!

Homework: Friday, September 16, 2011

apietrafeso — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:09:40 +0000

1. Misused Words (the blue handout given in class earlier in the week labeled “NO EXCUSE”) quiz on Monday! Please make sure to study!!!

2. Enjoy the cooler weather this weekend. May be a good time to read outside (the park, the beach, your backyard), write in your writer’s notebook (so much to be inspired by with the change in temperature), or add to your personal spelling list.