Day 70: 12/19/25 - T'was the Day Before Christmas Vacation

Homeroom:

Merry Christmas. I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Get your materials for morning blocks
2. Sharpen Pencils

Schedule

Homeroom 8:50 - 9:12

Block 1 9:15 - 9:40

Block 4 9:43 - 10:08

Block 3 10:11 - 10:36

Block 2 10:39 - 11:04

WIN/Quiet Room 11:06 - 11:42

Lunch/Party  11:45 - 1:15

Specials 1:15 - 1:45

Assembly 2:00 - ?

Back to HR to clean up and finish party

Dismissal 3:35

 

ELA:

Today you will have the opportunity to make a  Christmas card for your family.
                                
Do Now:

• Pick up a snowman card, Santa Claus Card, or a blank piece of card stock (Choose just 1 to start)

Independent Work:

• Have a very Merry Christmas

Activity #1

Christmas Cards

1. Directions for Christmas Cards
• Choose a Christmas card
• Color it or draw your own design
• Cut it out (See my examples)
• Write your message on the inside

Merry Christmas!!!

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Day 69: 12/18/25 - Scrabble

 Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will play scrabble. 

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Clear off your desks

• No HW

Activity #1

Scrabble

Basic Rules for Scrabble

Here is a brief overview of Scrabble rules. For more precise rules, seek an official Scrabble rulebook.

• For each Scrabble game, there must be at least two-players and no more than four.
• The person who draws the earliest letter in the alphabet plays first.
• Once the order of turns is established, each person draws 9 more tiles, for a total of 10.
• The game progresses as each player lays down tiles on the board that make up words that connect to already played words, like making one big crossword puzzle.
• Tiles can only be placed from left to right or from top to bottom. Words placed diagonally or backwards are not allowed.
• After each turn, the tile values are added up and placed on the score sheet, and the person draws the number of tiles they used for their last play, always having 10 tiles until all tiles run out.
• The person with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Have a great day!!!

Day 68: 12/17/25 - Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will review the text structure quiz, learn about primary & secondary sources, and then you will have some time to start working on Christmas cards.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Primary and secondary sources graphic organizer
• Pick up scissors and a glue stick

Independent Work:

• Work on IXL
• Independent read

Activity #1

Review text structure Quiz

Activity #2

Primary vs Secondary Sources

Essential Question: 

What is a primary source & what is a secondary source?

Notes:
Primary Source - Actual records that provide firsthand accounts of events

Examples: Letters, Diary photos, journals, speeches, interviews, autobiographies, audio & video recordings, testimonials, research data, and Government Documents

Secondary Sources - Secondhand accounts of primary sources that explain, report, or summarize

Examples: textbooks, news articles, essays, biographies, news videos, and encyclopedias 

Now...

Can you determine the difference between a primary source & a secondary source?

Directions for the practice:

• Go to Google classroom and open the Primary vs. Secondary Sources Practice
• Read the description of each source, then determine if it is a primary or secondary source.
• You will work in a random group of three.
• Work carefully, and submit your work when you are done. You will be able to review your own work.
• When everyone is done we will review together

Day 67: 12/16/25 - Text Structure Quiz & What are you Reading

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will take a quiz identifying text structure, and share our independent reading books.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Open your notebook to Page 31
• Log on to your computer and go to our google classroom
• Pick up a piece of lined paper and number it 1-5

Independent Work:

• Work on IXL

Activity #1

Text Structure Quiz

Standards

• RI6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, or chapter fit into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of ideas. 

First:
What text structure would you use if you wanted to write about each of the following scenarios? 

• Wildfires, and how to prevent them from happening
• Campfires vs wild fires
• A time that I got burned by a fire and had to go to the hospital
• Campfires
• A time that I built a campfire

Directions:

- You will complete this Quiz on google classroom.

1. Read each passage
2. Use your knowledge of text structure, along with your notebook to determine what text structure was used to craft each.
3. Pick the text structure used to organize the passage
4. Take the time to review your work before hitting the "Submit" button
5. Each question is worth 2 points. There are 5 in all, and each text structure will be used only once.
6. You may take the test twice

***When you are done you may take out your independent Reading Logs and complete any parts that are not done.

Activity #2

Share your Independent Reading Books

Directions:

• In small groups
• Share: 
• What are you reading?
• What is it about? 
• End with "Question Time"
• In Whole group (Choose 3 - 4 people to share)
• Share: 
• What are you reading?
• What is it about? 
• End with "Question Time"
• Finish by handing your reading log into the Red Bin 

Day 66: 12/15/25 - Text Structure: Review & Practice

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will identify the text structure used to create a variety of passages, and then continue with our independent reading.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Text structure Practice (Level 1)
• Open your notebooks to page 31

Independent Work:

• Read for 20 minutes
• Complete Week 4 Day #5 of your reading log (Reading Logs are due Tomorrow) 

Activity #1

Review of Text Structure

&

Practice Identifying Text Structure

Review Page 31

Warm up:
What text structure would you use if you wanted to write about each of the following scenarios? 

• Wildfires, and how to prevent them from happening
• Campfires vs wild fires
• A time that I got burned by a fire and had to go to the hospital
• Campfires
• A time that I built a campfire

• Snowboarding
• The time I went Snowboarding at Holiday Valley
• Snowboarding vs. Skiing
• Joining ski club but not knowing how to ski, and taking lessons from a ski instructor to solve the problem
• The time I broke my snowboard and had to go buy a new one

Directions for Level 1 Practice:

1. Work in groups of 3. Read each passage
2. Use your notebook to determine what text structure was used to craft each.
3. Record your answer on the line.
4. You may underline or annotate the passage to help you
5. When you are done with level 1 raise your hand to get your answers checked. I will tell you how many you have correct. Then you have an opportunity to re-evaluate your responses and make changes if needed. 
6. Once you are happy with the changes, go to my google classroom and open the "Evaluating text structure" activity.
7. Start by recording your responses for the level 1 questions. (#1-5)
8. Then go onto level 2 and repeat the process.

This is Level 1

This is level 2 

Wrap up:

• Which level was harder, level 1 or level 2?
• What passage(s) did you struggle with? How did you ultimately figure it out?
• What passages were the easiest? What made them easy for you?

Tomorrow you will have your assessment on identifying text structure where you will have to work independently.

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• This is a quiet reading time. You may spread out but it is expected for you to read for the entire 20 minutes. 
• Complete your reading log 
• Be sure to write down what happened in that day's reading. Focus on Characters, Setting, Plot, & Conflict
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you

Day 65: 12/11/25 - Text Structure: Cause & Effect

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

2 Hour Delay

10:50 - 11:12     Homeroom

11:15 - 11:50     Block 1

11:53 - 12:28     Block 4

12:31 - 12:47     W.I.N. 

12:50 - 1:20       Lunch

1:23 - 2:03        Block 2

2:06 - 2:41        Block 3

2:44 - 2:57       W.I.N.

3:00 -3:25        Specials

3:25 - 3:35       Dismissal

ELA:

Today we will learn about the "Cause & Effect" text structure, and continue with our independent reading.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Cause & Effect Text Structure Notes
• Pick up scissors, a glue stick, colored Pencils & a Yellow Highlighter

Independent Work:

• Read for 20 minutes & Complete week #4 Day 4 of your Reading Log 

Activity #1

Text Structure: Cause & Effect

Standards

• RI6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, or chapter fit into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of ideas. 

Directions:

Step 1: Review the 5 different forms of text structure.

Step 2: Review the definition for Cause & Effect Text Structure

Step 3: Read the paragraph about unwanted dogs

Step 4: Reread the article and underline the details pertaining to the cause and those that pertain to the effect. (See Image Below)

Step 5: Complete the graphic organizer

Step 6: Cut, & Glue in the graphic organizer into your ELA Interactive Notebook

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• This is a quiet reading time. You may spread out but it is expected for you to read for the entire 20 minutes. 
• Complete your reading log 
• Be sure to write down what happened in that day's reading. Focus on Characters, Setting, Plot, & Conflict
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you

Day 64: 12/10/25 - Text Structure: Problem & Solution

 Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

Schedule:

Homeroom        8:45 - 9:12

Block 1                9:15 - 9:49

Block 2                9:52 - 10:26

Block 3                10:29 - 11:03

WIN/SEL            11:06 - 11:42

Lunch                   11:45 - 12:15

Block 4                12:18 - 12:52

Win                       12:55 - 1:15

Special Area       1:15 - 1:45

Get ready for concert 1:45 

Concert                2:00 - 3:00ish        

                

ELA:

Today we will learn about the "Problem & Solution" text structure, and continue with our independent reading.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Problem & Solution Text Structure Notes
• Pick up a pen, scissors, and a glue stick
• Pick up colored Pencils, and a yellow highlighter

Independent Work:

• Read for 20 minutes & Complete Week #4 Day 3 of Reading Log 

Activity #1

Text Structure: Problem & Solution

Standards

• RI6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, or chapter fit into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of ideas. 

Directions:

Step 1: Review the 5 different forms of text structure.

Step 2: Review the Definition for Problem & Solution Text Structure

Step 3: Read the paragraph about leash pulling

Step 4: Reread the article and underline the details pertaining to the problem and those that pertain to the solution (See Image Below)

Step 5: Complete the graphic organizer

Step 6: Cut, & Glue in the graphic organizer into your ELA Interactive Notebook

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• This is a quiet reading time. You may spread out but it is expected for you to read for the entire 20 minutes. 
• Complete your reading log 
• Be sure to write down what happened in that day's reading. Focus on Characters, Setting, Plot, & Conflict
• Go back & make sure your reading log has been filled in for each day this week. (Characters, setting, plot, & conflict)
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you

Day 63: 12/9/25 - Text Structure: Order & Sequence

Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will learn about the "Order & Sequence" text structure, and continue with independent reading.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Order & Sequence Text Structure Notes
• Pick up a pen, scissors, and glue stick
• Pick up colored Pencils

Independent Work:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• Complete Week 4 Day #2 of your reading log

Activity #1

Text Structure: Order & Sequence

Standards

• RI6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, or chapter fit into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of ideas. 

Directions:

Step 1: Review the 5 different forms of text structure.

Step 2: Review the Definition for Order & Sequence Text Structure

Step 3: Read the paragraph about getting a Black Lab puppy

Step 4: Reread the article and underline the sequence  of events and record them in order on the graphic organizer. (See Images Below)

Step 5: Complete the graphic organizer 

Step 6: Cut, & Glue in the graphic organizer into your ELA Interactive Notebook

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• This is a quiet reading time. You may spread out but it is expected for you to read for the entire 20 minutes. 
• Complete your reading log 
• Be sure to write down what happened in that day's reading. Focus on Characters, Setting, Plot, & Conflict
• Go back & make sure your reading log has been filled in for each day this week. (Characters, setting, plot, & conflict)
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you

Day 62: 12/8/25 - Text Structure: Compare & Contrast

  Homeroom:

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will learn about the "Compare & Contrast" text structure, and continue with our independent reading.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Compare & Contrast Text Structure Notes
• Pick up a yellow highlighter and a pen
• Pick up colored Pencils, scissors, and a glue stick

Independent Work:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• Complete Week 4 Day #1 of your Independent Reading Log

Activity #1

Text Structure: Compare & Contrast

Standards

• RI6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, or chapter fit into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of ideas. 

Directions:

Step 1: Review the 5 different forms of text structure.

Step 2: Review the Definition for Compare/Contrast structure - The author discusses similarities & differences between 2 topics.

Step 3: Read the compare/contrast article about Chihuahuas and Collies. Highlight the topics yellow.

Step 4: Reread the article and underline the details pertaining to each topic. (See Venn Diagram)

Step 5: Cut, & Glue in the graphic organizer and passage into your ELA Notebook

Step 6: Complete the Venn Diagram

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• This is a quiet reading time. You may spread out but it is expected for you to read for the entire 20 minutes. 
• Complete your reading log 
• Be sure to write down what happened in that day's reading. Focus on Characters, Setting, Plot, & Conflict
• Go back & make sure your reading log has been filled in for each day this week. (Characters, setting, plot, & conflict)
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you

Have a great day!

Day 61: 12/5/25 - Text Structure: Description

Homeroom

Good Morning, I hope you are all having a great day. Please use this time to get ready for your day.

Do Now:

1. Check that your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencils

ELA:

Today we will learn about the "Description" text structure, and continue our Independent reading.

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a copy of the Description Text Structure Notes
• Pick up a yellow highlighter
• Pick up colored Pencils (Purple, green, orange, Light blue, & Red)
• Get out a glue stick and a pair of scissors

Independent Work:

• Read for 20 minutes 
• Complete Week #3 Day 5 of your reading log

Activity #1

Text Structure - Description

Standards:

RI6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

Directions:

Step 1: Review the 5 different forms of text structure.

Step 2: Review the Definition for Description text structure - The author provides many descriptive details about 1 topic

Step 3: Read the Descriptive article about Labrador Retrievers.

Step 4: Reread the article and underline the details 

Step 5: Write the topic and details in the graphic organizer

Step 6: Color Code, Cut, & Glue in the graphic organizer into your ELA Interactive Notebook

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes
• Complete your reading log each day
• Be sure to write down what happened in that day's reading. 
• Choose one word to be your "Word of the Week"
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log
• You will hand in your reading log next Monday

Have a great day!