EEL moms,

Do you remember when, in middle school, we used to write notes to our friends while we were bored during class and we would sign them "LLL" for "Longer Letter Later"? Well, I'm going to write short tonight, and if needed, I'll post a "LLL" tomorrow! My brain's weary...

Your main EEL focus this week is nouns and pronouns and the Analytical Task Sheet #1-3. Incorporate nouns and pronouns by exploring the charts together that we put in the notebooks today (They're also on your Trivium Table.) and "applying" what you discover to whatever you're doing this week. Wherever you go, look for the opportunity to discuss how you could replace a noun with a pronoun. Take the time to identify nouns as proper or common, singular or plural, concrete or abstract, etc. Try to decide whether a pronoun is nominative or objective or possessive, etc. An ongoing noun and pronoun conversation is the goal. As far as the ATS, dictate very simple sentences two or three times and work through steps 1 through 3. Examples would be "The fox jumps," or "The doors close," or "On Tuesdays, Essentials meets."

For IEW, we began a two-week assignment to write a single paragraph report on Jamestown. We completed our key word outline in class. Next, the students need to brainstorm adjectives, verbs and adverbs before writing a rough draft. I'd begin tomorrow by covering up the source text and asking them to "retell" the source text paragraph using their key word outline. We did this in class today, but it would be great for them to do it again. Then brainstorm dress-ups. On Thursday and Friday, write the rough draft. Monday, complete the rough draft checklist. The rough draft does not need to be turned in on Tuesday.

Tina Gaines is subbing for me next week. She's wonderful, and I'm sure you'll appreciate the different style she brings to the front of the class!

I'll be available through phone and email if you have questions. See you in two weeks.

Erin