Classroom News

March 18, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR
2) Brochure research about South Amboy
3) CommonLits are due today.
4) Unit 8 words due tomorrow.

March 15, 2024
1) Do Now:  SSR
2) CommonLit passages A) Women Who Spoke Up"  B) Before Rosa Parks, There was Claudette Colvin"
3) Finish this week's IReady - 2 passing lessons

March 14, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR
2) Pi Day Escape Room
3) Reading Comprehension sheet for Pi Day
4) Copy Unit 8 Vocabualry Words.

March 13, 2024
!) Do Now:  SSR
2) Writing Warm-up for Frida Kahlo
3) CommonLit Frida Kahlo
4) Complete iReady for this week- 2 passing lessons
5) Copy Unit 8 vocabulary words

March 12, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR
2) Making Inferences
3) Gleam and Glow book
4) Inference worksheets
5) IReady for this week - two passing lessons.

March 11, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR
2) Main Idea paragraph
3) ReadWorks.org Shirley Chisholm Runs for President
4) IReady - two passing lessons

March 8, 2024
1) Do Now: Review Unit 7 Vocabualry words
2) Unit 7 Vocabulary Test
3) Finish IReady
4) Main Idea Matching Game

March 7, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR
2) IReady Teacher Assigned
3) Presentations
4) Unit 7 Vocabulary Test tomorrow

March 6, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR
2) Finish project
3) Extra Credit for Women's History Month. - Due on March 12.

March 5, 2024
1) Do Now: SSR (Silent Sustained Reading)
2) Unit 7 Choosing the Right Word
3) Womens History Month Project

March 4, 2024
1) Do Now: A) Turn in SSR log from last week. B) What does the word testimonial mean?
2) SSR
3) Answer Unit 7 Complete the Sentence
4) Project Choice for Women's History Month

February 29,2024 - Short Session Day - Black History Presentation - Modified Schedule
1) SSR
2) Unit 7 Vocabulary Review

February 28, 2024
1) Do Now: Silent Sustained Reading (SSR)
2) Main Idea Game
3) Finish CommonLit Industrial Revolution
4) NoRedInk- Forming Singular Possessives 1

February 27, 2024
1) Do Now: Unit 7 Synonyms and Antonyms
2) Silent Sustained Reading
3) CommonLIt assignment - mood
4) NoRedInk

February 26, 2024
1) Do Now: What is problem-solution essay?
2) SSR - 10 minutes Silent Sustained Reading
3) LinkIt Practice Test

February 23, 2024
1) Do Now: Main Idea worksheet
2) Silent Sustained Reading
3) Text coding
4) Finish IReady

February 22, 2024
1) Do Now: Main Idea worksheet
2) Silent Sustained Reading
3) Review LinkIt Standards RI.6.2 and RI.6.7
4) Linkit Assignment

February 21, 2024

1) Answer Critical Thinking Questions for "Langston Terrace"
2) NoRedInk - Recogninzing Unneccessary Phrases
3) Complete this week's IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons

February 20, 2024
1)  Do Now: Vocabulary Warm-up for "Langston Terrace"
2) Silent Sustained Reading
3) Meet the Author Eloise Greenfield
4) Read and discuss "Langston Terrace"
5) Fill out worksheets
6) IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons

February 16, 2024
1) Do Now: Worksheet on Main Idea
2) Main Idea using graphic organizer
3) LinkIt Progress Monitor
4) IReady Teacher Assigned: Using Details to Support Inferences in Literary Text

February 15, 2024
1) Do Now: A) Take out UNit 7 ocabulary words B) Write your answer in your notebook: What does main idea mean?
2) Review Unir 7
3) Main idea activities
4) Vocabulary Quilt

February 14, 2024


1) Complete CommonLit on Main Ideas "The Harlem Renaissance"
2) IReady techer assigned lesson "Main Ideas and Details in Historical Texts"
3) Unit 7 Vocabulary words are due tomorrow.

February 12, 2024
1) Do Now: Use the word gross in a sentence.
2) Present research papers
3) Finish copying Unit 7 vocabulary words

February 9, 2024
1) Do Now: No Red Ink
2) Finish research paper
3) Start presentations
3) Copy Unit 7 vocabulary words

February 8, 2024
1) Do Now: State something you found out about the person you are researching.
2) Review Unit 6 words
3) Test on Unit 6 vocabulary words
4) Set up research paper - due tomorrow.

February 7, 2024
1) Do Now: How do you tell if a source is a good one to use?
2) Review Benchmark Data
3) Finish researching and start to format paper in MLA style with title page and works cited page/bibliography.
4) Finish Unit 6 Choosing the Right Word
5) Test tomorrow on Unit 6 words

February 6, 2024
1) Do Now: Unit 6 Choosing the Right Word.
2) Complete the IReady Benchmark.
3) Continue to research the person you selected for Black History Month. Research paper is due on Friday.
4) Test on Unit 6 words on Thursday


February 5, 2024
1) Do Now: Review Unit 6 vocabulary words.
2) Complete the IReady Benchmark.
3) Continue to research the person you selected for Black History Month.

February 2, 2024
1) Do Now: Unit 6 "Choosing the Right Word"
2) Discuss research paper for Black History Month
3) Start gathering information

February 1, 2024
1) Do Now: What is one thing someone assisted you with? How would the outcome have been if they did not help you?
2) Unit 6 Synonyms and Antonyms p. 76-77
3) CommonLit.prg article on Kenny Washington
4) Finish assignments: movie/book review; yesteday's work (CommonLit and Reading Warm-up)

January 30, 2024
1) Do Now: Vocabulary Warm-up
2) Meet the Authors of "The Shutout"
3) Read and discuss "The Shutout"
4) Answer Critical Thinking Questions on "The Shutout"

January 29, 2024

1) Do Now: Vocabulary Warm-up
2) Read Meet the Authors for "Jackie Robinson: Justice at Last"
3) Read the short story.
4) Answer the Critical Thinking Questions
5) Movie Review for The Miracle Worker will be due on Friday.



January 26, 2024
1) Do Now: Review notes on movie: The Miracle Worker
2) Finish video
3) Start writing your movie/novel review.

January 25, 2024

1) Do Now: a) Take our Unit 6 words.  b) How far would you go to assist a family member?  Cite details from The Miracle Worker.
2) Review Unit 6 vocabulary words
3) Discuss movie review
4) Watch and take notes on The Miracle Worker.



January 24, 2024
1) Do Now: Review key concepts for The Miracle Worker
2) Student Survey
3) Test on The Miracle Worker
4) Finish: The Miracle Worker Act III Questions; Teacher Assigned IReady; Unit 6 words; any missing assignments.

January 23, 2024
1) Do Now:  Act III vocabulary worksheet
2) Review Act III
3) Review The Miracle Worker
4) Test tomorrow on The Miracle Worker
5) IReady teacher assigned lesson.

January 22, 2024
1) Do Now: The Miracle Worker Act III vocabulary worksheet
2) Read and discuss The Miracle Worker Act III.
3) Start to answer questions on Act III.
4) Test on The Miracle Worker on Wednesday.

January 18, 2024
1) Do Now: Review The Miracle Worker Act II Vocabulary
2) Finish the LinkIt Benchmark 
3) Read and discuss The Miracle Worker Act III.
4) Copy Unit 6 vocabulary words

January 17, 2024
1) No Red Ink assignment from Tuesday.
2) LinkIt Benchmark B
3) Finish The Miracle Worker Act II.

January 16, 2024
1) Do Now: NoRedInk - Fact or Opinion
2) LinkIt Benchmark B

January 12, 2023
1) Do Now: Act II Vocabulary Sheet
2) Finish reading Act II.
3) Questions on Act II
4) fINISH iReady, NoRedInk, and CommonLit

January 11, 2024


1) Do Now: Review Unit 5 words
2) Unit 5 Vocabulary Test
3) Read and discuss The Miracle Worker Act II.
4) Finish assignments from yesterday.



January 9, 2023
1) Do Now: Review The Miracle Worker Act II vocabulary
2) Finish reading Act I (Periods 2/3 and 5/6)
3) Start to read The Miracle Worker Act II
4) Answer questions for Act I.
5) Finish answering Unit 5 "Choosing the Right Word"

January 8, 2024
1) Do Now: Vocabulary Worksheet Act I
2) Unit 5 "Choosing the Right Word"
3) Read and discuss The Miracle Worker Act I.
4) Answer questions on Act I.
5) Unit 5 Vocabulary Test is on Thursday.

January 4, 2024
1) Do Now: Discuss with table mates, what was the episode that was the ah! ha! moment in "Water"?
2) Braille
3) Sign Language
4) Introduce characters for The Miracle Worker.

Januarty 3, 2024
1) Do Now: Vocabulary Warm-up for "Water"
2) Meet the Author Helen Keller
3) Read and discuss "Water"
4) Answer questions
5) IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons for the week

January 2, 2024 - Welcome back!
1) Do Now:  Discuss with group: Give two examples for each situation explaining what is important to know in each situation, a) doing well in school, b) making new friends, and c) getting along with family members.
2) Discuss nonfiction and author's purpose
3) Read "from Zlata's Diary"
4) Answer questions

December 22, 2023
Have a wonderful Holiday Break!  Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and a Happy Healthy New Year!

December 21, 2023
1) Do Now: Unit 5 Synonyms and Antonyms
2) Review Unit 5 vocabulary words
3) NoRedInk - Digital Detectives
4) Finish original story and teacher assigned iReady

December 20, 2023
1) Do Now: What does it mean by main idea of a selection?
2) CommonLit assignment: "Soccer Speaks Many Languages"
3) Finish story and IReady.

December 19, 2023
1) Do Now: Take out Unit 5 Vocabulary Words
2) Review Words
3) IReady Teacher Assigned Lesson: Theme
4) Type original story for gingerbread house/seasonal.

December 18, 2023

1) Naviance - two activities
2) Start to plan and brainstorm short story for gingerbread house.
3) Finish copying Unit 5 vocabulary words - due tomorrow.



December 15, 2023
1) Do Now: Identify parts of the plot for "The Tail"
2) Discuss inferences and characterization
3) Give examples of direct and indirect characterization from "The Tail" (Ansswer on the assignment in Google Classroom)
4) Finish any missing work
5) Coy Unit 5 vocabulary words

December 14, 2023
1) Do Now: Use the word eerie in a sentence.
2) LinkIt Progress Monitor
3) IReady  - 45 minutes and 2 lessons
4) Copy Unit 5 vocabulary words.

December 13, 2023
1) Do Now: Review with your partner the main parts of plot diagram.
2) Meet the Author
3) Discuss "The Tail"
4) Write down the parts of the plot for "The Tail"
5) Finish any assignments: IReady; NoRedInk; Questions for "Eleven"
6) Start to copy Unit 5 vocabulary words

December 12, 2023

1) Do Now: Was Douglas determined to get what he wanted? Use details from the story.
2) Meet the Author
3) Read and discuss "Eleven"
4) Worksheet on "Eleven"
5) Unit 4 Vocabulary Test
6) NoRedInk

December 11, 2023
1) Do Now: Review Unit 4 Vocabulary Words
2) Meet the Author: Ray Bradbury
3)  Read and discuss the story
4) Answer Critical Thinking Questions
5) IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons.

December 8, 2023
1) Blooket to review Unit 4 words
2) NoRedInk
3) Finish any assignments: Unit 4 "Choosing the Right Word", IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons; Critical Thinking Questions; Essay

December 7, 2023


1) Do Now: Unit 4 "Choosing the Right Word"
2) Present Interviews



December 6, 2023


1) Finish gathering information
2) Set up document in MLA style
3) Type document
4) Finish IReady



December 5, 2023
1) Do Now: What does theme mean?
2) Review Unit "Complete the Sentence"
3) Discuss essay
4) Students will start to research.

December 1, 2023
1) Do Now: Unit 4 Synonyms and Antonyms
2) Work on slideshow
3) Finish IReady

November 30, 2023
1) Do Now: a) Take out Unit 4 words B) What is one thing you would like to know about your classmate?
2) Review Unit 4 words
3) Start to gather information about partner
4) IReady is due tomorrow.

November 29, 2023

1) Do Now: Worksheet on verbs
2) Identify theme in "The All-American Slurp"
3) Select activity choice: hashtag, draw a picture, select a song, give a new title
4) Finish: Unit 4 words, NoRedInk, IReady

November 28, 2023

1) Do Now: Complete questions
2) Notes on verb tenses
3) Practice A and Practice B p. 298
4) NoRedInk verbs
5) IReady 45 minutes and two lessons.


November 27, 2023

1) Do Now: Vocabulary Warm-up "The All-American Slurp"
2) Meet the Author
3) Read and discuss "The All-American Slurp"
4) Critical Thinking Questions on "The All-American Slurp"
5) Finish copying Unit 4 vocabulary words
6) This week's iReady: 45 minutes and two lessons.

November 22, 2023
1) Finish NoRedInk wriing assignment.
2) Copy Unit 4 vocabulary words.

November 21, 2023
1) Do Now: Review Unit 3 vocabulary words with blooket.
2) Unit 3 Vocabulary Test
3) NoRedInk writing response to: If you could create a soundtrack of your life, what songs would you include and why?
4) Copy Unit 4 vocabulary words

November 20, 2023
1) Do Now; How would you decide which answer choice is best from multiple choice questions?
2) CommonLit Pre-Assessment - log into commonlit.org
3) Finish Unit 3 Choosing the Right Word
4) Make sure the questions for "Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake Boys" and "The Southpaw" are finished.
5) Study for Unit 3 Vocabulary Test -test is tomorrow
November 17, 2023
1) Do Now: What was more important for Becky, internal or external factors for wanting a bike? Explain.
2) Read and discuss "The Southpaw"
3) Answer questions
4) Unit 3 "Choosing the Right Word"

November 16, 2023
1) Do Now:  What is a long-term goal you have for yourself?  What motivates you to work so hard for your goal?
2) Video Clip "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"
3) Internal and External Conflict worksheets
4) Group Activity
5) Finish questions on "Becky and the Wheels-and -Brake Boys"

November 15, 2023
1) Do Now: Explain the terms internal conflict and external conflict. 
2) Using page 250 students will fill in character motive graphic organizer.
3) Introduce "Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake Boys".
4) Meet the Authors
5) Read "Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake-Boys"
6) Answer the questions.

November 14, 2023


1) Do Now: What does symbolism mean? Give two examples. ( Answer in binder/notebook.)
2) Review data from LinkIt
3) CommonLit assignment - "A Flag That Honors War Veterans"
4) No Red Ink assignment

November 13, 2023


1) Do Now: What are constellations? ( Write your response in notebook/binder)
2) Unit 3 Complete the Sentence
3) LinkIt Progress Monitor
4) IReady 45 minutes and 2 lessons



November 3, 2023

1) Do Now: What are two differences between our stories?
2) CommonLit Assessment
3) Finish this week's assignments: a) CommonLit, b) NoRedInk, c) IReady, d) two critical thinkint assignments.



November 2, 2023
1) Do Now: Unit 3 Synonyms and Antonyms
2) Read and discuss "The Case of the Monkeys that Fell from the Trees"
3) Critical Thinking Questions

November 1, 2023
1) Do Now: Vocabulary Warm-up worksheet for "Why Monkeys Live in Trees" and "The Case of the Monkeys That Fell from the Trees"
2) Meet the Authors: Jules Lester and Susan E. Quinlan
3) Read and discuss "Why Monkeys Live in Trees"
4) Critical Thinking Questions for "Why Monkeys Live in Trees"

October 31, 2023
I was absent yesterday.  The students had commonlit, IReady, and NoRedInk assignments.

Today, students presented the Tangerine project.  Then they had time to complete yesterday's assignments.

October 27, 2023 - PTO Fall Festival tonight
1) Do Now: a) Take out Unit 3 vocabulary words b) work on any assignment
2) Review Unit 3 words
3) Finish Tangerine project
4) Finish IReady and NoRedInk
October 26, 2023
Periods 2/3 were in an assembly.
1) Do Now: Take out Tangerine project.
2) Finish IReady, NoRedInk or copying Unit 3 vocabulary words.

October 25, 2023
1) Do Now:  What does the word perception mean?
2) Discuss collage project
3) Work on any assignment that is due on Friday: IReady, NoRedInk, or Unit 3 vocabulary words.

October 24, 2023
1) Do Now: Review key concepts for Tangerine
2) Test on Tangerine
3) IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons due on Friday.
4) NoRedInk due on Friday.
October 23, 2023
1) Do Now: Which character do you think has changed the most? Explain.
2) Discuss Tangerine
3) Setting
4) Answer questions on Tangerine
5) IReady for this week: 45 minutes and two lessons

October 20, 2023
1) Do Now: What do you think will happen in today's reading?
2) Finish reading and discussing Tangerine.
3) Finish IReady and/or No Red Ink
4) Start to copy Unit 3 vocabulary words.

October 19, 2023
1) Do Now: Review Unit 2 words
2) Test on Unit 2 vocabulary words
3) Read and discuss Tangerine
4) Setting worksheet

October 18, 2023
1) Do Now: No Red Ink assignment
2) Read and discuss Tangerine
3) Review Unit 2 vocabulary words

October 17, 2023
1) Do Now- Use the time to complete a) Choosing the Right Word, b) written response to Paul's statement, c) this week's IReady.
2) Read and discuss Tangerine.

October 16, 2023
1) Do Now: Unit 2 Choosing the Right Word - graded assignment
2) Read and discuss Tangerine.
3) Written response to: "I guess people see what they want to see." Explain with details from the story Paul's statement.
4) IReady - 45 minutes and two lessons this week.

October 13, 2023
1) Do Now: Answer Unit 2 Complete the Sentence (not graded)
2) Read and discuss Tangerine.

October 12, 2023
1) Do Now: Answer Unit 2 Synonyms and Antonyms (not graded)
2) Read and discuss Tangerine.

October 11, 2023
1) Do Now:  Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Fisher treat their children differently? Explain why you think the way you do.
2) Read and discuss Tangerine
3) Work on CommonLit, No Red Ink, or IReady - teacher assignment from yesterday.

October 10, 2023


1) IReady - Teacher Assigned Lesson on Supporting Inferences: Literary Text2) CommonLit Assignment - “Mother and Daughter”
3) No Red Ink - Commonly Confused Words Part II

October 6, 2023
1) Do Now: a) Take out Unit 2 Vocabulary words. B) Answer: What do you think would be a good solution for the students to attend school after the sinkhole situation?
2) Read and discuss Tangerine.
3) Work on this week's IReady, No Red Ink - Commonly Confused Words, and copying Unit 2 vocabulary word due tomorrow.

October 5, 2023
1) Do Now: Would you rather be friends with Erik or Paul?
2) Read and discuss Tangerine
3) Work on this week's IReady, No Red Ink - Commonly Confused Words, and copying Unit 2 vocabulary word due tomorrow.

October 4, 2023
1) Do Now: No Red Ink - Commonly Confused Words
2) Read and discuss Tangerine
3) Work on this week's IReady and copying Unit 2 vocabulary words.

October 3, 2023
1) Do Now: What do you think may happen in the reading today?
2) Read and discuss Tangerine
3) Work on this week's IReady and copying Unit 2 vocabulary words.

October 2, 2023
1) Do Now: Continue to copy Unit 2 words.  Due on Friday.
2) Introduce Tangerine.
3) Start to read and discuss Tangerine.
4) IReady weekly assignment: 2 lessons and 45 minutes.  Must have both.

September 29, 2023
1) Do Now: Review Unit 1 vocabulary words.
2) Blooket
3) Unit 1 Vocabulary Test
4) IReady Teacher Assignment
5) Start to copy Unit 2 vocabulary words.

September 28, 2023
1) Do Now:  With your partner, brainstorm some names of famous women who have made a difference in the world.
2) Video clip introduction
3) Read and discuss "Malala Yousafzai:  A Normal Yet Powerful Girl"
4) Finish No Red Ink
5) Review Unit 1 vocabulary words.

September 27, 2023
1) Do Now: Name two things Gary Soto did for his mom.
2) Review Narrator Point of View
3) Finish reading "The Drive-In Movies"
4) Answer Critical Thinking Questions.
5) Complete No Red Ink assignment on capitalization.
6) Review Unit 1 Vocabulary words (Blooket Game) - test is on Friday.

September 26, 2023
1) Do Now: Name some places/things that were in the past and no longer exist today.
2) Reading Skill: make prediction and Literary Analysis Skill: Point of View
3) Discuss story words
4) Meet the Author: Gary Soto
5) Read and discuss "The Drive-In Movies"
6) Answer Unit 1 "Choosing the Right Word"

September 22, 2023
1) Answer Unit 1 “Complete the Sentence”
2) Finish Questions for the PBS Questions on PBS Videos on Latino Americans: Lin Miranda, Judy Reyes, and Jose Hernandez
3) Work on CommonLit Assignment: Taco Head.

September 21, 2023 - Short Session Day
1) Do Now: Answer Unit 1 Synonyms and Antonyms
2) PBS Video PBS Videos on Latino Americans: Lin Miranda, Judy Reyes, and Jose Hernandez 
3) Answer questions on the video

September 20, 2023
1) Do Now: A) Take out Unit 1 Vocabulary Words.  B) Who are Latino Americans?
2) Review Unit 1 words
3) Video to introduce Latino Americans.
4) Fill in worksheet about video.

September 19, 2023
1) Do Now: Join the noredink.com classroom.
2) Finish IReady Reading Diagnostic
3) Finish copying Unit 1 vocabulary words

September 18, 2023
1) Do Now:  Why is important to read well?
2) IReady Diagnostic
3) Continue to copy Unit 1 vocabulary words.

September 15, 2023
1) Do Now: Extend the story.  What do you think will happen next in "Stray"?
2) Create plot diagram for "Stray" in groups of three.
3) Copy Unit 1 vocabulary words p. 14-16.  The words are also in Google Classroom.

September 14, 2023

1) Do Now: Give two examples to identify the differences between fiction and nonfiction.
2) Build background for the story
3) Develop vocabulary for the story
4) Meet the Author
5) Literary Analysis: Plot
6) Read and discuss "Stray"
7) Fill in plot diagram
September 13, 2023
1) Do Now: What do the terms fiction and nonfiction mean?
2) Review the textbook.
3) Notes on fiction and nonfiction
4) Worksheet identifying fiction and nonfiction
5) Game identifying fiction and nonfiction
September 12, 2023
1) Do Now: What is a strategy to help relieve stress before a test?
2) Finish LinkIt Benchmark
3) Finish ReadWorks.org assignment
4) Review textbook or vocabulary work. Students may search vocabularyworkshop.com website. Select Level A.
September 11, 2023
1) Do Now: How do you feel when taking a test?
2) LinkIt Benchmark
3) Finish ReadWorks.org article: "Always Remember".

September 8, 2023
Meeting with Mr. Brown during Period 2.
1) Do Now: Look at the picture of The New Yorker magazine from October 29, 2001. Write down what you see, where you think the picture is, and the time of year.
2) Discussion about 9/11/2001
3) ReadWorks.org article- "Always Remember"

Summer Reading is due on 9/15.
September 7, 2023

1) Reviewed guidelines, class rules, grading policy, and course syllabus.

2) Students filled out a worksheet "Get to Know Classmates".

3) Students completed a "Let the Teacher Know Me" worksheet.

4) Closing: One thing the students found interesting today.