Genesis: Students have delved into their investigation of Ancient China in our Ancient Civilizations unit.  We introduced the project, and students learned skills for book and online research.  We practiced effective notetaking strategies and began our paragraph drafts.  I led a workshop minilesson on topic sentence development and revision in Block 5.  Students have extension opportunities for their ancient civ subject to enrich their engagement with the material through higher-order thinking (synthesizing and creating).

Genesis X Block: We began a novel study of Conrad Richter’s A Light in the Forest. The foundation of our interpretive discussion is College of William and Mary gifted curriculum framework, the Literature Web.

Legacy: We continued reading and writing workshop.  Students continued their daily freewrite in class.  We began prewriting and drafting for the comparative essay this week.  Our minilessons explored a prewriting strategy as well as an analysis of text structures in comparative essays (block style and point-by-point style).  In order to review our three persuasive appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos), we analyzed portions of Rod Blagojevich’s closing argument for his impeachment trial.  Students took their SAT vocabulary assessment.

Explorers: In Mrs. Franks’ classroom, we participated in monologue presentations.  In writing, students continued the poetry unit with Ms. Iannotti.  We will return to pull-out after this week’s monologues and common assessment.  Students took their SAT vocabulary assessment.

Genesis: Two paragraphs for your ancient civilizations report are due Monday, February 2.

Legacy: Your next letter-essay is due Monday, February 9.

Explorers: Continue preparation for monologue performances on Tuesday, February 3.