I apologize for not updating the blog recently! Things have been hectic!  By now, each of you should have turned in your Independent Reading Packet to me. If you haven't, please do so first thing tomorrow so I can finish grading these. This completes our first trial run of this type of assignment.  While there are  few things to tweak, I think it has worked well overall.  You will receive your packet for your next book in class tomorrow.

Today in class we took a little trip to the library to check out nonfiction books.  If you choose to purchase a book from the reading list on this blog, please get that purchased asap so that you can get started reading! The final date to change to a different book is next Thursday, March 14.  However, you will not be allowed to leave class to go to the library to change books! This will have to be done outside of my classtime!  These nonfiction books must be completed by Monday, April 8 before class.  We will be starting a documented essay over the topic covered in these books.   You will be required to research them using primary sources and working towards citing evidence and sources in your essay.  We will also be learning the layout of a proper outline and works cited page.  This is a very specific process that requires you be present when we learn these techniques! Keep up with your notes and all handouts over the next few weeks as we cover this style of writing. Also, keep in mind that we will be working on the computers in the library from April 9-April 18 during our classtime.  We will be researching and eventually typing a final draft of the essay.  If you have a personal laptop you would like to use for this, please feel free to bring it to class.  If you need it locked up during other classtime to keep it safe, I can do that for you. 

If you are not understanding something, please email me or come see me before it is too late! If you come to me the day something is due, there isn't much I can do to help you! DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!!

Happy Reading, Kiddos!

~Ms. Friend