Writing about Character Influence with Evidence

Click for the Perspective Chart

"Steal our Style" 

Influences Shape Character Perspective

Perspective is another literary device we can use to help us understand the overall message of a text.

What are some outside forces that influence characters? 

What outside influences are impacting the perspective of Peter from "Attention to Detail."

"Leading the Way"

Polishing Prior to Publishing...

Journalists, like all good writers, use checklists to help guide their revisions before publishing a newscast.

Use the checklists below to help me revise this sample newscast

Use the checklists to guide the revisions of your own newscasts. Published newscasts should be ready to share with the class on Thursday 10/6

The student sample above ends with a lesson for the audience

The Sample above teaches the audience an important lesson in empathy

This final sample is a good example of a newscast that inspires activism. 

Making short nonfiction writing pack a punch!

Students- are you sick of your one dollar words only getting you so-far on your essays and newscasts? 

Trade them in for a VIVID,  and DESCRIPTIVE $10 word using visualthesaurus.com

• example: mess = 1 word,   catastrophe= $10 word 

Formatting your published entry

Way Back Wednesday.....

It is so fun to be working with Mr. McLouglin this year!!

Here's a picture of us attending a Rick Wormeli conference together back in 2013.

Authors "craft" tension with a purpose

Need help with your entries?

I am checking writers notebook pages pages for the first time tomorrow!!

Here's a helpful graphic organizer... just in case some of you are stuck.



Plus....

SRI Test

This is our first SRI test of the year.

Take your time and do your very best work!!

SRI Test Link

Mystery benefactor

Thank you so much to whoever anonymously donated these titles to our classroom library. We are very grateful that you thought of us while at the book fair.

Sincerely, 

The Indigo Team

Writing reminders!

I will start checking the weekly notebook entries next Friday (9/16)

Open House is tonight!

Attention 8th grade Indigo Parents....
8th grade Open House starts tonight at 6:30pm
We would also like to invite you to visit the Book Fair in the Media Center starting at 5:00pm


In case you are unable to attend.... here is the information that will be shared during Open House:

Click here to view my open house slideshow

Looking forward to a wonderful year!

~Siobhan DeGray

It's Back!!

We will be continuing to use the IXL website to practice grammar and punctuation skills. Students are required to practice for one hour a week (outside class time). This week will only be half an hour (due to the long weekend). 

You are what you read...

What we read shapes who we are as people. Some books teach us lessons about life; others help us deal with tough situations that we might be experiencing, and some books are special because they hold memories of loved ones. The books that significantly impact us become part of our identity, a literary fingerprint. 

Look closely to see the book titles in the ridge details of this "fingerprint"

Welcome back!!!

Congratulations to Section B. They were the Gold medalists
for the group hula hoop event. 

PD with my teacher peeps!!

Indigo teachers get messy for a good cause!

This year, we challenged the Indigo Team to collect as many food items as they could for the Wethersfield Food Pantry. They were motivated by their desire to help others, and a pretty enticing reward for the groups that collected the most food. 

Enjoy!! 

Thanks for an amazing year. We will miss you!!! 

Grade 8 Dance Party!

Have fun at your 8th grade dance celebration tonight my friends!!! You've earned it 

Anyone who would like to attend (but didn't purchase a ticket) can pay $8 at the door as long as you bring your SDMS student ID.