Deadlines

Optional Extra Credit Book Reviews are due Friday, Oct. 25 for 15 possible extra credit points for the first marking period. See the LINKS on my web site for the document “Extra Credit Book Review”. Students also had the opportunity to get a copy in class. This is an optional assignment for extra credit. They will not be accepted after the deadline.

We will be on the computers all week typing our final informative papers using google docs. Papers are due on Monday, Oct. 28. Students should have plenty of time to complete this in class, but may need time in study hall or at home to complete it by the deadline. Please see the LINKS on my web site for “Informative Writing Piece Guidelines and Deadlines” and “Informative Writing Piece Rubric.”

Red Robin Burgers

This week students will be drafting, revising and editing their informative writing pieces on the Character Traits of a Best Friend. Students used error analysis to grade writing examples using the rubric. This gave students a clear picture of basic (McDonald's burger), proficient (Wegman's burger) and advanced (Red Robin burger) writing. We all agreed, the juicier the writing, the better! Students were also encouraged to "hook" the reader with a strong introduction using a quote, a question, an anecdote or a statement about friendship. How will you hook your reader in the opening paragraph?

FRED helps us become stronger writers

Last week, students learned how FRED can help them become stronger writers. Here's the explanation of the acronym with some examples. Please encourage your child to use FRED across the curriculum in his/her writing.

F - Fact or focus statement. This introduces our readers to the topic of our paper. It is clear and powerful.

Logan Williams cannot go out in the sunlight because she has a rare genetic disease called XP.

R - Reasons. Reasons support our fact or focus statement. They may answer the question, "Why?"

 Logan Williams cannot go out in the sunlight because she has a rare genetic disease called XP. This disease makes sun exposure impossible because the sun’s dangerous UV rays can cause deadly skin cancers in victims of XP. 

E - Examples. Examples support our reasons. They may answer the question, "How?"

Logan Williams cannot go out in the sunlight because she has a rare genetic disease called XP. This disease makes sun exposure impossible because the sun’s dangerous UV rays can cause deadly skin cancers in victims of XP. Logan must play outside at night, while most kids are sleeping. To play outside during the day, she needs to wear a dark green suit that covers her entire body – head to toe. 

D - Details. Details further explain or clarify our examples. They beef up our writing and make it more powerful.

Logan Williams cannot go out in the sunlight because she has a rare genetic disease called XP. This disease makes sun exposure impossible because the sun’s dangerous UV rays can cause deadly skin cancers in victims of XP. Logan must play outside at night, while most kids are sleeping. To play outside during the day, she needs to wear a dark green suit that covers her entire body – head to toe. The suit, created by NASA, includes goggles, a hood and textured gloves for gripping.