Words of the Wiser

 

In ELA, we have been learning to recognize the different signs that authors leave readers, and interpreting them to gain new insights about the books we read. This week, we have focused on reading for “Words of the Wiser” moments – times when a wiser, and sometimes older, character gives the main character good advice that they will return to again and again throughout the story. 

This has allowed us to think about the people in our own lives who have imparted wisdom to us when we have needed it the most – during difficult times.   We put these “life lessons” on our “Wall of Wise Words,” as a way of pointing out what has brought us the most comfort and influenced us in ways that change our thinking and way of being as a result.      

 

 

“Pianist of Willesden Lane” Field Trip

Here is a picture of Roosevelt and Northwestern Advisory Girls before the show! We ate a standing lunch at the beautiful Chicago Cultural Center, surrounded by contemporary works of art. A fun time was had by all.

Say Hello to Ms. Courtney Douglas

We have a new teacher in training that will be teaching with Mrs. Ellis in the writing classroom. Please read more about her in the letter by clicking below. Welcome Ms. Douglas! (Letter from Ms. Douglas)

8th Grade: Realistic Fiction Unit Begins!

8th Graders have begun a new unit in writing, focusing on realistic fiction.  This week, students generated ideas for stories using their own lives as inspiration.  Next week, we will fictionalize these real stories and work on developing our story’s characters.

Two mentor texts (examples of strong realistic fiction) were shared with your students today.  One of these texts was written by a 7th grader (“Lily’s Story”) and also serves as an example of where typical students can be in their writing with lots of revision and purposeful use of writing strategies.

Rubrics will be distributed at the beginning of next week.

8th Grade – Profile Pieces Were Due!

8th Grade:  All Profile Pieces were due on Friday of last week, October 17.  Students were required to submit a checklist with a parent signature.  If you did not see or sign this checklist, please check in with your student to make sure that they turn this in and ask to read their piece.  You can access your student’s work on any device with an internet connection.

Visit docs.google.com and login with the username:  namaste8writing@gmail.com.  Your student has the password – it should be written in their writer’s notebook and student agenda.  If for any reason you don’t have the password, and want access to what your child has been working on, please email me.

7th Grade – Realistic Fiction Pieces Due Friday!

7th Grade:  All 7th graders will be finishing up their realistic fiction pieces this week.  They are due at the end of class on Friday, October 24.  Students may work on their pieces at home using a computer with access to the internet.  Parents! You can access your child’s piece as well – please read it and feel free to offer your child support if you see they need assistance, especially with editing.  Just visit the website: docs.google.com and login with the following username:   namaste7writing@gmail.com.   Your student SHOULD have written the password down in his/her Namaste Agenda and should share it with you.  If for some reason you need it, please message me (or have them message/call a fellow 7th grader.)   Please note that all student work is accessible here but students are only allowed to edit their own pieces, unless they have written permission from another student author.

Who is Mrs. Ellis?

Marcella Ellis has been a teacher at Namaste Charter School since 2007.  She has taught third grade and science, social studies, and writing in the middle school.  She is originally from San Diego, CA where she was a Point Loma High School “Pointer.”  She played on varsity teams for softball and badminton, as well as serving on the school’s public service committee.  She earned her A.B. from Columbia College in New York City and an M.S. in Education from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.  Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Ellis was Program Director for a the Women’s History Museum and Education Center in California and a campus Honors Program advisor at Texas A&M University in Texas.  She has been married to Rob for 14 years and has two daughters, Audrey (5) and Adele (3.5).   She is a very proud and thankful Namaste Parent.