National Writing Day Part Two

Although the tweet board was a success with my own personal classes on Monday, it also important that we try to connect through the rest of the school. This year's theme, #write2connect, asks us to connect with others through writing. We tried to reach out to other classes, students and staff members to all answer the same question: 

What would you want to accomplish before you are 100 years old? 

Through our 'connected people chain' students and staff wrote their answers to this question. It was a success and it was great being able to connect with others. Pictures below!

The National Day of Writing Part One

#Write2Connect

The National Day of Writing occurs every year on October 20^th. This year’s theme asks us to reflect on the ways in which we connect through our writing. Many of us today may connect through various forms of technology and different social medias.

I asked my students to think about how they write, why they write and what helps them write better. Since social media is a popular form of writing, we decided to connect our writing through a tweet on a twitter themed board. You will see a variety of thoughts through writing about writing in celebration of National Writing Day. #write2connect

October Projects

8th Grade Sunglasses 

These 8th Grade sunglasses were inspired by the poem, "Sunglasses"  by Angela Shelf Medearis 

The sunglasses that students created were double sided: 

Side 1 = How you view yourself

Side 2 = How others view you

Students collaged these sunglasses with words and symbols from magazines. 

They must have had 10 words and 6 symbols. 

They also accompanied these sunglasses with a Haiku (3 lined poem: 5, 7 , 5 syllables)

Below are some great examples from students. You will see the outside of the glasses on the student's face which is what others see them as, while they are also looking at the glasses to show how others view them. 

                      

7th Grade: 

Update: We have been conducting our annual 7th grade lyrics study. So far we have studied India Arie's "Video" and now we have moved on to India Arie ft. Akon's "I Am Not My Hair". 

Both songs have themes of individuality and stereotypes. A controversial question that was posed on students is how do we judge others by their appearance? The discussions have been outstanding. 

6th Grade 

6th Grade has almost finished their first picture book, The Secret Footprints by Julia Alvarez. This fictional story deals with vocabulary words such as identity, stereotypes and discrimination. Students have been diligently taking notes and making predictions throughout the book. 

Students have also been presenting their own identity powerpoints to the class which is both nerve-racking and exciting all at the same time! Good job students, they've been great so far! I'm looking forward to seeing more next week! 

- - Until next time.... Ms. Favolise

Kyle Maynard's Grit

Fall Festival Tomorrow for Periods 4, 6, 7 ! Don't forget to wear your comfortable shoes and enjoy the music, raffle and sports we will have!

Tomorrow I will be posting about 8th Grade sunglasses, the new 7th grade project and 6th grade picture books/identity powerpoints. Be sure to check that out!

Tomorrow's Grit Video is below. We will be focusing on Kyle Maynard, a 25 year old amputee who hasn't let life get him down and overcomes any obstacle that comes in his way. We will be comparing Kyle to Liz Murray (Homeless to Harvard), Richie Parker (Nascar Engineer born without arms) and Welles Crowther (Red Bandanna of 9/11).

Until then kids, the secret words are:

6th Grade: Stereotype

7th Grade: Self-Esteem

Enjoy the weekend!

What's the word?

I hope all students are able to come home and check out my blog! Don't forget to show your parents what we've been up to!

6th Graders! Don't forget to show your parents our video! You guys did such a great job!

It's time for our secret word... let's see who remembers tomorrow what the word is!

6th grade word: Footprints

7th grade word: Hair

Don't forget about grit everybody!!!

A person who has grit is someone who has:

·         Perseverance

·         Passion for a single mission and dedication to achieve that mission

·         The ability to overcome setbacks to overcome challenge.            

·         The ability to not get worked-up by setbacks

·         A hard working mentality

·         Belief in herself/himself

·         Openness to experience

·         An agreeable personality

The gritty person sticks with difficulties whereas others might be distracted by boredom, failure, and adversity.

Make sure you tell your parents about RICHIE PARKER and WELLES CROWTHER. They are great examples of grit! 

What can you do in your day to show your true grit?

6 Word Memoir VIDEO!!!

Check out the new six word memoir video made to you by WSMS sixth graders. They did an amazing job! Please leave comments!

Click the link below ~!


6 Word Memoirs