ECLIPSE by Yaro, Larry, and Johnny

This year in room 209 one of our literacy programs is called ECLIPSE. It stands for :

E-Engaged

C-Choice

L-Literacy

I-Independent 

P-Purposeful

S-Stamina

E-Eggucational (Educational)

There are three ways of doing ECLIPSE: Read to Self (where you read to yourself), Read to Eachother (where you read to a partner), and Work on Writing (where you write a story).

When you start ECLIPSE you pick someone to do a good example and a bad example. A good example is where you are sitting quietly with your book in your hand and your book bin (which is a bin with books that you want to read in it) beside you. A bad example is when you are talking loudly and you are out of your seat and not paying attention to your book. After, you go to your seat and get out your book or writing journal. You set a timer for a little while like about 5 minutes to start and every time you go for a bit more time. You are not alowed to talk though. If you talk you stop and record the time you did. 

In read to a partner there are four ways to read to a partner: I read you read (where you take turns reading), choral reading (where you read at the same time), read 1 book, read different books.

ECLIPSE is really good for building your stamina for reading and writing quietly.

By, Yaro, Larry and Johnny

About the Authors

My desktop is COVERED in photos I've been meaning to put up on the blog - some of them for months!

Remember when we read all the different About the Authors and you all did a "Graffiti" activity, moving around the classroom and commenting on the different samples?

ECLIPSE

This year, we're trying a new Literacy program in Room 209. It's based on the book "The Daily Five" that I read with Tiiu over the summer. Each student in Room 209 is practicing becoming a better reader and writer by following ECLIPSE. ECLIPSE is an acronym for Engaged, Choice, Literacy, Independent, Purposeful, Stamina, Enthusiastic. We have learned how to "Read to Self", "Work on Writing" and "Read With Someone". We start by coming up with an Independence chart, describing the purpose of our task and what students and teachers will be doing. Then, students do their favourite part and act out examples and non-examples. We then practice a skill, gradually building up our stamina. Anytime the teacher notices students that are not following the Independence chart, the bell rings and we all stop. We take the opportunity to discuss what went well and what we still need to work on.

School has gotten REALLY busy lately, but we'll be getting back on track with ECLIPSE as a regular part of our week soon! Students are missing it!

ECLIPSE - Practicing "Read to Someone"

Today's Tasks in the Computer Lab

Hello Room 209 students,

Welcome to the Lab! I hope you're having a great day with Eric. Andrea and I are at a workshop at Confederation today and we're looking forward to hearing all about your day!

Please use your time in the Lab effectively today. Here are your tasks:

1. About the Authors 

-finish writing your About the Author on the Google Drive. Make sure your work has your name in the title and that you have shared it with me

-Check out the rubric we collaboratively created below before you say to yourself, "I'm done." (You can also go to the rubric and suggest other addtions!)

Criteria	Neon Green	Green	Yellow	Red
Details -include interesting, relevant information	-pizazz -totally unique voice	-a lot of details -juicy -tying things together: making connections	-some listing is there -connections are unclear	-listing “I like...I like...” -using the words stuff/things -squeezing the juiciness out of your writing
Structure		-sentences are varied and interesting lengths
Conventions		-spelling is correct -proper nouns are capitalized -end punctuation is used
Written in third person	-it really sounds like someone else wrote it!	-name is used often, or “she/he”, “his/her”	-using your name and sometimes using “I” -repeating name over and over and over	-”My name is...” -”I” -excessive details used
Layout		-computer typed -looks professional
Image		-photo or drawing includes: message, symbol, space, colour/hue

-Share your About the Author with a classmate and have him or her share his or hers with you

-Go through and make comments on your partner's work

-Return to your own work and make any corrections or edits needed

2. Human Poster Research - you may continue to answer the questions you need to discover for your Human Poster. Make sure you have the list of requirements in your Social Studies duo-tang

Have a great, productive time in the lab today!

Ideas for my Hardcover Book Sample Mind Map