"Words are our most
inexhaustible source of magic."
-J.K. Rowling
I know a whole week off is in our sights. I know this vacation also involves turkey and a yummy feast. But this week, we have to focus. Realistic Fiction Narratives are due Friday. They still need some finishing touches and some serious editing. Let’s get this done - and done well. These papers are worth a lot of points, and, more importantly, these stories need to be told. The due date is Friday and we are only inches away.
Then, bring on the pumpkin pie! Realistic Fiction Narratives are taking over! Flashdrafts are written; revisions have begun. This week, I’m expecting those first drafts to read more and more like final drafts. For some 7th graders, this is an exciting assignment. Academic writing understandably monopolizes a lot of our time, and the opportunity to write stories feels like much needed freedom. Still some students struggle with writing in all its forms. To address this, I’ve created a Thursday afternoon writing group. We’ll be meeting every week from 2:10 - 3:10pm, until the papers are due. The goal is to give a boost to those who are challenged by writing. I’d love to have even more Dragons join me. I am lucky enough to have two rockstar 8th grade writers assisting me to offer up their writing suggestions. Our meetings are both fun and productive. Parents: if your kids would benefit from this, remind them to join us Thursday. Dragons: consider yourself all invited; I’d love to see you there.
So the good news is that about half of our class novels that were sent home in August were returned last week. The bad news is that about half of our novels are still out there. We really need to get these back on campus, so they will be ready for next year’s 7th graders. There is not a fund set aside to buy additional books. Please get your copy of The Benefits of Being an Octopus returned ASAP. A cart will be out in front of the office Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If you don’t have a way to get to DMS, send me an email. I’ll be happy to come pick it up for you.
This week will be all about writing. Flashdrafts (rough drafts) today and tomorrow, and we’ll close the week revising our stories. We’re on it! Wait until you see what these stories become. |
AuthorBeth Fabiano - Busy 7th Grade ELA teacher, wife, mother Archives
May 2021
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