Day 53: 11/19/25 - Reading & Annotating an Informational Article

 Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a terrific morning. 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 read an article about Halloween, and learn how to annotate. 

Do Now:

• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Pick up a Copy of the Halloween Article 

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & Complete week #2, Day #3 of your Independent Reading Log
• Finish annotating the Halloween Article (If not done in class)

Activity #1

Reading, Annotating & Organizing an Informational Article

Halloween Candy Advertisements

Halloween themed Comic Strips

Halloween Themed Animated Movie

Direction

Read the article, "How Donald Duck and Peanuts Saved Trick-or-Treating"

*As we read I want you to think about these questions:

1. What is each paragraph about? 

2. What Questions do I have?

3. What parts do I not understand?

4. How many sections of information does this article have?

5. What is the Topic, Topic Sentence, and Main Idea?

6. What supporting details makes me think that?

Step 1 - Read the Article

Step 2 - Reread the article. As we read Write small inferences, thoughts, and questions you have in the margin.

Step 3 - Underline evidence & important details

Step 4 - Highlight the topic sentence (Pink) and the most important supporting detail (Orange) in each category

Step 5 - Complete the Main Idea & Details Graphic Organizer.

• How many categories of information are there?
• What is the most important details/information in each category?
• Write down the most important detail/information from each category.
• Write the main idea. (Don't overlook the importance of the title in determining the main idea)

Have a great day!

Day 52: 11/18/25 - Identifying Main Idea Practice

Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a terrific morning. 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 you will practice identifying the main idea of informational texts, and have extra time for independent reading

Do Now:

• Open your notebook to page 26
• On your chromebook go to my google classroom.
• Write down your independent work

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & Complete week #2, Day #2 of your Independent Reading Log

Activity #1

Main Idea Practice

Directions: 

In random groups of  3, go to Google Classroom and complete the practice on Identifying Main Idea.

Steps:

1. Read the passage

2. Discuss: What is the topic?

3. Discuss: What is the topic sentence?

4. Consider the details.

5. Identify the main idea

Activity #2

Independent Reading

Directions: 

• Find a quiet place to read independently.
• At the end of 20 minutes, Record the pages that you read
• Then write down what happened in today's reading on your reading log.
• Don't forget to complete your word of the week
• Due Monday

Day 51: 11/17/25 - Outlining & Summarizing an Informational Article

Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a terrific morning. 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 you will get your second independent reading log, examine an outline of an informational article, and learn how to write a summary. 

Do Now:

• Open your Notebook to the Hurricane Katrina article 
• Pick up a copy of the outline & a copy of the summary
• Write down your independent work
• Hand in the Week #1 Independent Reading Log

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & Complete week #2, Day #1 of your Independent Reading Log

Activity #1
Outlining an Informational Article

Activity #2

How to Write a Summary for an Informational Article

• RI6.1 Cite textual evidence to support what the text says as well as inferences made from the text
• RI6.2 Determine the main idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details. Provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions.

Step 1 - Summaries only contain the most important information, so look at the outline and pick the most important piece of information from each category.

Step 2 - Follow the steps on the graphic organizer to write your summary.

• Start with the main idea.
• Write one detail from each category

Step 3 - Use your transitions words and phrases from page ____ in your notebook to add a transitional word, or phrase, in between your details. 

Activity #3

Independent Reading Logs

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes (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 (5 - 10 Minutes)
• 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.
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you
• Share: 
• What are you reading?
• What is it about? 
• End with "Question Time"
• You will hand in your reading log next Monday

Day 50: 11/14/25 - Reading Articles with Multiple Categories of Information

 Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a terrific morning. 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 read an article about Hurricane Katrina and learn about transitional sentences.

Do Now:

• Pick up a copy of the Hurricane Katrina article 
• Pick up a yellow, pink, orange, and green highlighter
• Get out glue sticks and scissors
• Write down your independent work

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & finish reading log

Activity #1

Analyzing Main Idea & Details,  

& Identifying Transitional Sentences

Your task: Read to Identify the Main Idea

First: Glue in the Article & the Transitional Sentence Tab

Transitional Sentences move the reader from one idea to another

Step 1: Read the article titled, "Hurricane Katrina"
Step 2: Use the highlighting strategy for informational articles we learned the other day.

Topic = Yellow

Topic Sentence = Pink

Supporting Details = Orange
Main Idea (We will write the main idea in the next class)
Highlight the transitional sentences Green.

You would normally NEVER HIGHLIGHT LIKE THIS!!! We are only highlighting this way so we can see the purpose of each sentence.

Activity #2

Intro to Independent Reading Logs

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes (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 (5 - 10 Minutes)
• 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.
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you
• Share: 
• What are you reading?
• What is it about? 
• End with "Question Time"
• You will hand in your reading log next Monday

Have a great day!

Day 49: 11/13/25 - Informational Text Vocabulary & Youtube Article

 Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a marvelous Morning. 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 begin unit 2 by learning some important vocabulary words and reading an article about youtube.

Do Now:

• Pick up a copy of the youtube article and the vocabulary graphic organizer
• Pick up a yellow, pink, and orange highlighter
• Get out scissors and a glue stick
• Write down your independent work

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & complete Reading Log

Activity #1

Informational Text Vocabulary

&

Analyzing Details to Determine the Main Idea

• RI6.1 Cite textual evidence to support what the text says as well as inferences made from the text
• RI6.2 Determine the main idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details

Step 1: Color Code

Topic = Yellow

Topic Sentence = Pink

Main Idea = Blue

Supporting Details = Orange

Step 2: Read the article: 

• Highlight the Topic, Yellow. Think "What important word was repeated?" Every Time you see the 'topic' word, highlight it yellow.
• Draw a box around the introduction. 
• Highlight the topic Sentence Pink 
• Highlight the details orange. Number them.
• Write the main idea in a "Thought Bubble

Activity #2

Independent Reading Logs

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes (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 (5 - 10 Minutes)
• 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.
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you
• Share: 
• What are you reading?
• What is it about? 
• End with "Question Time"
• You will hand in your reading log next Monday

Have a great day!

Day 48: 11/12/25 - Review Unit 1 Test & Get Ready for Unit 2

Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a wonderful morning. 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 test from unit 1, and get ready for unit 2.

                               
Do Now:

• Pick up a copy of the Unit 2 Title page
• Write tonight's Independent work in your agenda
• Throw out or take home everything in your ELA Folder

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & Complete reading log
• Bring your book to class

Activity #1

Hand in your copy of Freak the Mighty

&

Go over test answers

Activity #2

Get Ready for Unit 2

What is the title of Unit 2?

Analysis of Informational Texts

Unit 2 Agenda 

• Learn vocabulary for Informational texts - Youtube Article
• Topic
• Topic Sentence
• Main Idea
• Supporting Details
• Read Hurricane Katrina Article
• Learn Transitional Sentences
• Outlining an Informational an Article (to understand how it is put together)
• How to Write a summary 
• Identifying Main Idea - Quiz Grade
• Read Article about Halloween
• Practice Annotating an Informational Article
• Practice Analyzing the Main Idea & Details
• Summarizing an Informational Article - Quiz Grade
• Author's Purpose (5)
• MLK Passages
• Quiz Grade
• Text Structure (5)
• Quiz Grade
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources
• Classwork Grade
• Persuasive Essays
• Assessment Grade

** Weekly Independent Reading Logs - Classwork/Homework grades

Activity #3

Glue in Title Page and Tab for Unit 2

Activity #4

Intro to Independent Reading Logs

Directions:

• Read for 20 minutes (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 (5 - 10 Minutes)
• 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.
• Complete the "Word of the Week" portion of your reading log 
• Remember to use the Word central link from my blog to help you
• Share: 
• What are you reading?
• What is it about? 
• End with "Question Time"
• You will hand in your reading log next Monday

Day 47: 11/7/25 - Finish Compare & Contrast Mini-Essay

Homeroom:

I hope you are all having a great morning.

Do Now:

1. Please make sure your homework is done
2. Check to see if you have all your materials
3. Sharpen pencil

ELA:

Today we will finish drafting our compare & contrast essay.                       

Do Now:

• Write your Independent work in your agenda
• Take out your compare & Contrast graphic Organizer
• Open your computer to your mini-essay

Independent work:

• Read for 20 minutes & bring your book to class

Activity #1

Compare & Contrast Mini-Essay

Important: Focus on the 

• The Plot's Climax - How do the events in the movie compare to the events in the book? Focus on the climax. Ask yourself, "Did the movie omit, insert, or change any of the events in the climax?" 
• Conflicts - Are the characters conflicts resolved the same way in the movie as they are in the book
• Falling Action & Resolution - How do the resolutions compare? 

Writing Strategy - Constructing a written response with:

1. Introduction
2. Claim (about both the book and movie)
3. Evidence (from both the book and movie)
4. Reflection

Each question will be worth 10 points.

Introduction = 2

Claim = 2

Evidence = 2

Reflection = 2

Mechanics = 2

Total = 10

YOUR CLAIM SHOULD BE ABOUT THE PLOT'S CLIMAX, THE FALLING ACTION, THE RESOLUTIONS FOR KEVIN'S CONFLICTS, OR THE RESOLUTIONS FOR MAX'S CONFLICTS

Examples from part 1 :

Block 1

(I) By reading the book, Freak the Mighty and watching the movie,The Mighty, I have discovered they are different in many ways. (C) One big thing that is different is the plot. (E) In particular the scene when Kevin gets his ornithopter stuck in a tree. In the book Max helps Kevin get his toy out of the tree, but in the movie he runs away from Kevin and never helps him. (R) In my opinion the book is much better than the movie, however the movie is still pretty awesome.

Block 2

(I) By reading the book, Freak the Mighty, and watching the movie, The Mighty, I have concluded that there are many differences between them. (C) One major difference is the plot. (E) In the book Kevin gives them the new name of “Freak the MIghty” on the 4th of July when a police officer asks for their name, but in the movie they just skip that part completely. Instead, the movie inserted a scene with Max and Kevin helping a woman in a diner. (R)In my opinion the book is better than the movie. 

Block 3

(I) By reading the book and watching the movie I have learned that there are many differences between the book, Freak the Mighty, and the movie, The Mighty. (C)One of the most important differences between them is the setting. (E) In the book Max lives in a small town, and the events take place in the summertime before 8th grade, but in the movie he lives in a big city, and the events take place during the school year while max is in the 7th grade. (R) In my opnion the movie is better than the book 

Block 4

The book Freak the Mighty and the movie “The Mighty” are very different.  One difference I noticed was the plot.  Max and Kevin’s friendship did not start the same way in the movie as it did in the book.  In the book Max helps Kevin get the ornithopter out of the tree and then the boys played with it.  In the movie Max sees Kevin with the ornithopter and it gets stuck in the tree, but Max does not help Kevin.  Instead, Max runs away because Kevin notices him. In my opinion the book is much better than the movie