The Maze Runner Movie is Coming

Many students have read the exciting Maze Runner series written by James Dashner. The movie is set to be released on September 19, 2014. This three book series has nonstop action and has been a favorite since it was released. I am sure the movie will be a hit.

The Road to Success

We have compared the message about the struggles to success as they are shared in the song Let it Go from the movie Frozen with lyrics from the song Monster. In both, the main character (writer) achieves success. In both, they face their fears/demons to achieve it. This video is another piece of work detailing this struggle.

The assignment, Reading Workshop students is to write an essay about success. Please use the five paragraph essay format with introduction, body, and conclusion. Use at least one specific detail from each source. You may also use other resources. Be sure, at some point in the essay to include your "monster" and how success relates to your life.

Some things to consider:

1.  What is your point/focus?

2.  What do you want your readers to learn from your essay?

3.  What opinion do you hope to share and convince your readers?

4.  What details can you use to best back up your message?

5.  How can you begin in a way that will hook your reader?

6.  How can you end in a way that will leave your readers thinking about your message?

7.  How can you best organize your essay to help the reader gain by reading and understanding your essay?

8.  What (or how you say it) can you say to set your essay apart and make it the most meaningful?

9.  Does your essay have a first person look at success in your life?

No More Snow Days Please

I am ready for some school, and so are some parents. Want some evidence. Here it is.

Reading for Understanding and Score Better Too!

So Reading Workshop students, do you want to get a better score on Study Island? Use the tips from this video and use the highlighter from Study Island and your scores will soar. These tips will also help when you have to read something in social studies and science.

If I was the Best

Image being the best.  Imagine having such an advantage that no one could compare.  Think about being so superior that three million people watched you perform on Youtube.  That is how it is for Mamadou Ndiaye'.

Imagine for a moment, Reading Workshop students, if you had an amazing ability.  And then take it even one step farther.  What if you had an amazing ability and it wasn't in sports.  What would your talent be?  And how would you impact the world?  Describe your success.