Ms. Shilo's ELA Class

Hello students,

Please remember that all work for the last two weeks is due tomorrow (9/14) if you’re in a B-day class and Friday (9/15) if you’re in an A-day class. If you need a reminder of what is due, please click on the “Checklist” tab on this blog. A copy of the checklist for your class and your self-evaluative feedback is also due. (Self-eval is on the back of the checklist)

It’s important to note, though we’ve discussed it in class, that there will not be a final work cycle for you to get caught up on this work. Instead, we will still have quiet reading time and do a short essay based reading quiz.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions. I’m here to help!

Ms. Shilo

Hi everyone!

Thanks for another great week last week. I can tell you’re all enjoying the class book, and that’s great.

Please remember to come to class prepared to read and write. That means you’ll need the assigned book for our class AND your composition notebook, which is now your writing journal. If you arrive unprepared, you’ll waste the in class work time (work cycle) and end up with homework.

If you need another copy of the biweekly checklist, please head over to the checklist tab on this blog. If you have questions, send me an email or stop by before or after school. I’m always happy to help.

Ms. Shilo

Hi everyone!

This week we started using our new bi-weekly work checklists to guide our in class work time and learning. Please check out the tab on this blog that specifically lists all of our checklists by date. They are separated by grade too, so be sure to grab the one you’re interested in. Of course, if you were in class, you received a paper copy of the one for your class.

We are also starting our assigned books, journal entries, and literature circles this week. Please be sure to bring your book (either Wonder or The Running Game) and your composition notebook to class each time you come now.

I am going to post some of the resources we’re using underneath the “Resources for Assignments” tab. You’ll find this week’s handout for the Literature Circles and the choice journal/reading response handout there.

Finally, we’re moving into our first of four themed cycles-  this one is “Change.” Look for our Change Cover Sheet and more information about this cycle soon.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions. I’m here and happy to help!
Ms. Shilo

Hi Language Arts Community,

This week we’re wrapping up our norms and having fun getting to know you better. Here are the specific plans:

Monday & Tuesday- Reader’s and Writer’s Survey and One Pager Self-Reflection Project.

Wednesday & Thursday- Trip to Ropes Course (sign up for rides here)

Friday & Monday- The History of Writing and Follow Up Activity

I will also hand out a contract for the lending library in this classroom. Once you sign and return it, I welcome you to check out books and read, read, read.

Have a great week!

Ms. Shilo

Hi, everyone!

Here are some important announcements:

1. Ms. Wendy and I need to know if you’re not going to be able to buy the assigned book for our class. 7th and 8th graders will be reading Wonder, and 9th graders will be reading The Running Game. If you are not able to buy the book, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
2. All permission slips must be signed and returned for the upcoming Ropes Course field trip by Friday.
3. Please also sign and return your class syllabus by Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Thank you all for being wonderful. We’ve enjoyed these first few days with you!
Ms. Shilo

Welcome to our 2017-2018 school year and this English Language Arts class. I am looking forward to spending this year with you. I believe reading, writing, and speaking are critical life skills that will help you succeed in High School and beyond, and you will have plenty of time and practice doing all three this year. In this class, you’ll have the opportunity to find and read books you’ll fall in love with and write stories, essays, and poems that you are proud of.

Our class time will be spent in a workshop model. This is an instructional model that is designed to give you as much in-class time as possible to read and write. Through these reading and writing workshops, you will be able to increase the volume of your reading and writing while building a toolkit of strategies and skills that can be applied to whatever book and writing piece that you’re working on.

In this class you will:

• Read poetry, fiction and non-fiction books and articles
• Write on an informal basis to practice key writing principles and strategies, as well as the Standard Conventions of the English Language.
• Use Utah Compose and provided prompts to practice writing in a formal setting.
• Write a narrative essay, an argumentative essay, and an informative essay.
• Craft speeches and presentations and participate in debates.
• Practice and master the ELA standards appropriate for your grade level as established by Utah’s Board of Education.
• And most important… have fun.

To read more about our what we’ll be doing in class, please read your class syllabus.

ELA 7th & 8th

ELA 9th

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in the syllabus or relating to our class, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is slucyk@mariamontessoriacademy.org