On Wednesday we continued our short lessons with the writing process by discussing the differences between revising and editing. Today students will edit and write their final paragraphs from this week's prompt. Next week they will complete a paragraph with a different prompt and choose one to submit as a formative writing sample. I'll review the samples to offer individual feedback about how each student can improve his or her writing.
During weeks 5 and 6 they will receive their summative writing assignment and work through the writing process in class to publish their graded piece. (FYI - formative assessments are used to check understanding and modify lessons to accommodate student academic needs; summative assessments are used to give the final grade in a standard)
Our grammar review continued with verb types and the three basic tenses (past, present, and future). Next week we will cover adverbs, adjectives, and prepositions. We will complete the overall review of parts of speech before launching into the 5th grade grammar standards.
We are continuing our novel study of The Giver. Students are still working on citing evidence and using text details in their explanations. My expectation is that they continuously improve these skills and meet or exceed the grade level standard. I'm going to begin completing comprehension checks via Edmodo so parents will be able to see how their child does on these formative quizzes.
Yesterday students began brainstorming how they would answer the essay question on Friday's Bill of Rights assessment. Today we completed step 2 and students drafted an answer to the question using the lists they compiled.
...Secret Questions...
Directions: Discreetly tell Ms. Black the answer the secret questions before we begin class for the day.
Questions: What amendment protects free speech? What amendment declares that you have a right to a jury in a civil case? What is the sum of those two numbers?
