Mrs. Perko's Language Arts Classes

Welcome, Welcome! 2011 School Year is Here!

2011-09-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

Hello! My name is now Mrs. Perko! Yes, I got married! It was a beautiful ceremony, and spending that day with family and friends was incredible! We spent our honeymoon in Jamaica, and then we arrived bcd in Washington just in time for softball tryouts to begin.

A few years ago, I graduated from Illinois State with a Master's degree in Reading. I am passionate about teaching reading, and it is my hope that all of my students can find a love for reading AND writing while experiencing the year with me. Reading and writing go hand in hand. One doesn't happen without the other, and it is necessary to learn to do both well!

At the end of the year (yes, I have already received several questions about it from parents and students alike), we are planning on doing the My 3 Words Premiere. I have some big plans, and I am hoping they all fall into place so we can make the 5th Annual My 3 Words Premiere better than ever!!! If you don't know about this project, you will soon enough. If you can't wait, ask anyone who has had me in the past! I bet they will tell you how incredible it is! At least I think so!

I thank God for the opportunities given to me each year...to help mold these kids into awesome readers and writers, to help them see how unique and wonderful they ALL are, to guide them to be incredible people and help them strive to meet their goals and soar past any expectations. I feel so fortunate to have your child in class. Can't wait to get to know them better! I already love what I see!

Any questions, please e-mail me at mperko@d50schools.com

This I Believe

2011-05-09T13:23:00.000-05:00

This I Believe is a narrative essay the kids will write using events in their lives. It can be related to their three words or not, but it should have some deeper meaning.

For example, I am contemplating using this sentence as my thesis::: I believe that good people should not stand silent and let bad things happen.

Very recently, a situation occurred in which I did this very thing. I still feel guilty about it, and I do believe that good people don't let bad things happen. My essay would reflect that through my experience. Usually these are the most powerful essays they write all year, and some will be read at the My 3 Words Premiere.

CALLING ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS: My 3 Words Parent Committeee will meet Wednesday at 4:00 in Miss Cioni's room to discuss all things My 3 Words!!! ANYONE wanting to help is invited! I appreciate your time and help as well as your involvement with your child! I am so excited.

Key word for Extra Credit: respect.

Research Project and More

2011-05-05T17:18:00.000-05:00

Today the rough draft of their research paper was due and collected in class.

Work on typing up their Big Dream Essays are in progress...if you are in 2nd hour, I have your papers.

My 3 Words date has been set...May 23 at 6:30. Great things planned! Parent Committee to meet next week. Date to be determined.

Almost all students are videotaped!

In Literature we are coupling two books, Understanding the Holy Land (Non-fiction) and The Outsiders (fiction). Both books deal with real conflicts and issues. Students will create a Glogster (online poster) in class over their chapter of Understanding the Holy Land. That will begin the middle of next week.
Class discussion over The Outsiders will take place next week as well. Lots of reading! Love it!

I also wanted to say that I can't believe this year is almost over. It really has been a joy to work with these kids this year and push them to be their very best.

Career Research Paper April 30

2011-04-30T08:55:00.000-05:00

At this point in the Career Research Project, students are or should be working on the first draft of the paper. Using their outline as a guide and their notecards for the nitty gritty information (that are already cited with source and page number), the hard work is complete. It is just a matter of forming their information into paragraphs that stay on topic, flow smoothly from one idea to another, and cover all the required material (as seen in the rubric on the back page of their packet). Writing the paper should be the easy part of this project. Gathering materials, finding relevant information, and putting it onto notecards and citing them was the hard part. Most students are writing their 7th, 8th, or 9th paragraphs and will finish up with the conclusion early next week. Due to computer lab access this year, (hurrah!) the project is going much more smoothly and quickly! Some of the due dates may be pushed up to allow time for our novel unit AND for me to grade so they can revise them!

**Heads UP! The My 3 Words Project is coming along nicely. There are about 10 more students left to videotape, and any parent interested on being on the parent planning committee please e-mail me at mcioni@d50schools.com. I would love to have you partake in this great night of celebrating your child's 7th grade journey.
I haven't thought of a title for this year's group yet, but I have several ideas. Invitations will go out to family members and friends. All are invited to this red carpet extravaganza!

April 14, 2011

2011-04-14T11:06:00.000-05:00

Today was the last day for working in the library.
My 3 Words information was collected, so I can get a schedule out tomorrow as to when each student will be videotaped.

By Tues., April 26, all students need to have the following completed and ready to go at the beginning of class:
1. at least 5 bibliography notecards
2. at least 30 informational notecards
3. completed outline in packet
4. completed thesis statement
5. completed introduction

last Hotwire 4.1 - 4.4 due that Friday.

Enjoy Easter!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

2011-04-13T09:10:00.000-05:00

My 3 Words Information handed out today!!!! So excited for this mini-project to begin.

RESEARCH PROJECT:
Two class periods spent on writing notecards, gathering more sources if needed, and getting questions answered! If you are behind, come in early between 7:50 and 8:20!

Over break: study vocabulary Unit 6! One more hotwire to finish over break, then you can just plow through books!

Today in class:

2011-04-11T12:02:00.000-05:00

We worked on our notecards to help us organize information. Students should be bringing all research materials every day. They need their packet, bibliography cards, and any printed source material. Around 40 notecards will be due on April 15th. They had one class period today, and they will have 2 on Tuesday and at least 2 more throughout the week probably more.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
I will be sending home a schedule for MY 3 WORDS Taping. If I can get some done over spring break, I would love to do so. It is a great activity that culminates in a spectacular red-carpet event at the end of the year, and it really brings us together as a class. Information will be sent home in the next couple of days.
Thank you!

Career Research Paper

2011-04-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

Last week, we began the Annual Career Research Paper. It is a daunting task, but they way we break it up should make it very manageable for the students.

At this point, students should have the following completed items:

Signed Packet
Working Thesis Pg. 4
Working Outline Pg. 5-7
All Resources Printed and Available for Classroom Manipulation
Blank Notecards
At least 5 Written Bibliography Cards
Works Cited Typed and Turned In

If these items are not completed, they should be worked on over the weekend! Thanks and work hard!

Vocabulary Remediation

2010-12-06T15:19:00.001-06:00

Vocabulary Remediation is due on Thursday, Dec. 9 by 3:30 at the very latest.
*Meeting with Miss Cioni required
*Word Charts
*Parent Signature
*15 minutes on vocabulary website (DAILY) if at home, please sign off on it!

RETAKE IS ON FRIDAY during class

Extra Credit: Schedule your meeting with her for vocabulary remediation by 8:35 a.m. Remember that when you do meet with her, you MUST have your word charts completed and test signed!!!
If you don't have to remediate, tell me what the SHAMPOO terms are and you will be golden!
(5 points)

7th Graders! LOOK at this!

2010-11-29T12:59:00.000-06:00

Your unit 3 vocabulary test is Friday. PLEASE, please study. It is worth 100 points. Remediation to follow if you receive lower than a 78%.

Also, in order to stay on track to read at least 8 books by the end of the year, you need to complete Hotwires 1.1 - 1.4 AND 2.1 - 2.4 by Friday, Dec. 3. Please get your reading log signed and filled out as well.

It is extremely important for you to complete all of this homework and to study!!!! PLEASE study!

Rebecca Caudill Alert!

2010-11-15T12:49:00.000-06:00

Students must read at least 3 books off of the 2010 - 2011 Rebecca Caudill List by February 20 in order to earn the chance to go to the party to celebrate.

Some books are All Shook Up
Trouble
The Mailbox (highly recommended by students thus far)
Fablehaven (another favorite)
11 Birthdays
The Boy Who Dared

and more!!!!!!

Extra Credit...how many have you read? Tell me tomorrow!

Extra Credit Opportunity

2010-11-09T16:25:00.000-06:00

Create a poster on an 8 x 11 sheet of paper of 1 SHAMPOO term.
First come, first serve on which figurative device you choose. Please check with me first! Only one poster for each. Poster must be colorful (no white), the figurative device labeled clearly and in blocked lettering, an example(s) must be used as well, one drawing is needed to complete the poster.

DISCLAIMER ALERT!!!!!
Extra credit will be awarded based on overall quality, neatness, and correctness. If I do not deem the poster worthy of hanging in my room, extra credit will NOT be awarded.

Total points of extra credit: 25 (for whatever class you choose)

P.S. This extra credit is top secret. People should find out by reading the blog NOT word of mouth.
Extra credit is due by Monday, November 15

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2010-11-09T16:11:00.002-06:00

Chapter 1 begins Wednesday!!!!!

Poetry: You Can't Write a Poem About Anything......Can you?

2010-10-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

Many students seem to view poetry as limiting...nature, love, and rhyme are the first things that come to mind. Well, throughout this year, I hope to show them that there are NO LIMITS when it comes to poetry. With example in tow, they were asked to write about something seemingly difficult. Something they wouldn't think someone would ever write a poem about. Ask your child to read his/her creation and see what was written!

"The Self-Proclaimed Epic Woop Child" : Paired Reading with VOICE!

2010-10-19T15:55:00.000-05:00

We read the children's book Icky Sticky Frog because we are studying figurative language in literature and in our own writing. This book has great onomatopoeia such as Slurp! Woop! and Gulp! The kids paired up and read it together. This is one group's version...voted most funny by their peers, and it has been viewed many times throughout the day today!

Icky Sticky Frog: Paired Reading/Fluency practice and a lot of laughs!

2010-10-18T16:05:00.000-05:00

It is always great when you hear a student say, "Man! I love this class!" Plus we get work done too! Who knew learning could be so much fun!!!???!!!
I am currently working on uploading a video I took in class. Too Funny.

Kids, I will show it to you in class tomorrow. I know how much you love it.

TEST WEDNESDAY

2010-10-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

Test over Figurative Language and Short Story Elements.

Do you SHAMPOO? Figurative Language in our writing...

2010-10-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

S- Simile
H - Hyperbole
A - Alliteration
M - Metaphor
P - Personification
O - Onomatopoeia
O - Oxymoron

All are examples of Figurative Language. Please see the Powerpoint Handout given to your child for definitions.

What story did we begin reading in class today? Worth 5 extra credit points in each class.

Plot, Setting, and Wiki Pages

2010-09-27T23:19:00.000-05:00

Look soon for directions on how to access the wiki page I will be creating in order for documents such as word files, powerpoints, and more that are discussed in class to be viewed my parents and students alike. If it is lost, there it shall be for you. I hope to have that up and running within the next week.
Thanks!

Also, in class today, we discussed the elements of plot and setting as well as reviewing dramatic irony and verbal irony with Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" routine.

Irony

2010-09-22T15:04:00.002-05:00

Irony can bring about a range of emotions within a person. Whether it is dramatic, situational, or verbal irony, all types can change a person's feelings in an instant. In addition to relating to a character's position, we have also discussed irony and read two stories, "Charles" and "No News" that depicted irony at its best. No news is good news until you dig a little deeper! (read the story -- you'll understand.)

Heating up - Lazy Day

2010-09-21T13:39:00.003-05:00

Today we worked on Compare/Contrast paragraphs. Most students did well with their clue words signifying whether the two items were the same or different. We also reviewed the character activities from the centers yesterday. We realized that while we read it is important to think about what the characters might be feeling and why. We studied irony and character's feelings in the story "Too Soon a Woman" where a pioneer family runs out of food. Someone they pick up along their travels has to take care of the family and eventually must eat a potentially poiSOnous mushroom in order to keep the kids from starving. Does she live?

While we accomplished a lot in class, we discussed how some days feel like lazy days. Everyone is tired not feeling their best. With the seasons changing, please get to bed early. Eat healthy food, eat breakfast. Wash your hands often. Get your sleep!

Enjoy the rest of the day!

Mohawk for Mr. Fields?????

2010-09-17T14:50:00.002-05:00

If the girls head to State by winning on Saturday, Mr. Fields will receive a mohawk haircut! Wish the girls good luck! Come to the game!!!!

Sectionals Saturday!

2010-09-16T12:44:00.002-05:00

Lady Wildcats will be playing at O'Neil Park in Bloomington on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. for the Sectional game. If they win, the Wildcats will be Statebound!Come and cheer them on!

REGIONAL CHAMPS

2010-09-14T14:25:00.003-05:00

Extra Credit Option: Have the answer to these two questions. Shh. Don't tell anyone. The fewer the people the more points you earn! Good luck! 1. By whom is Miss Cioni standing? 2. Who is touching the plaque?

It isn't every year that the District 50 softball team wins the regional championship game! Last night, the Lady Wildcats did just that! By a score of 4 to 0 over St. Pat's the Wildcats endured the first 3 innings before Chelsea Lathrom lead off with a triple scoring the game-winning and only run the Wildcats would need. The Lady Wildcats executed every play and battled at the plate to bring home the much anticipated regional championship. They head to Sectionals in Bloomington at O'Neill Park for their game against Leroy at 1p.m. Come and cheer them on!

On a side note, Mr. McCormick, the assistant principal/athletic director, promised the girls he would shave his head if they were victorious. True to his word. He did.

2010-09-14T14:24:00.000-05:00

Regional Winners and PowerPoints!

2010-09-09T15:16:00.002-05:00

So we won our first regional game last night! I was totally pumped. We still have a few things to work on, but who doesn't! I am excited about playing Robein on Saturday! Come cheer us on! I am looking forward to great things from these girls. Such sweethearts really. We play at noon in Metamora at the high school fields. Let's get a big group from D50! Hope to see you there!

In class, we are doing many things from writing to reading. PowerPoint has been the main tool of use at this point. We are talking about why we read and why it is important to be good at it along with the elements essential to a good, strong paragrpah. Revising is the name of the game!

Well, off to practice! Enjoy the beautiful day!

Change is Good: Blog!

2010-09-07T12:40:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my blog! Maybe I am computer illiterate, but the website was NOT agreeing with me. I am able to manuever around my blog much easier, and I hope to use it in much the same way.

I am excited to use the technology we received with the grant, and I hope it will enhance learning experiences for all students. Please check the log daily for homework assignments, assignments that are posted, and many other things.

I look forward to a great year working with you and your child. I love teaching, I love kids, and it is a great day to be alive!

My contact info: mcioni@d50schools.com (quickest response through e-mail)
or call the school at 745-3121.
Free hours: 1st period - prep 8:35 - 9:15.

2010-09-02T11:30:00.001-05:00

TEST

My 3 Words Project

2008-10-15T13:07:00.003-05:00

Today an exclusion letter was sent home to inform parents of the project. Please sign if you want your child excluded from the video we will be making. There is also a white sheet you need to sign just so I know that you are aware of what we are doing and to get your feedback on the culminating aspect of the project. We are looking forward to it!

DUE FRIDAY!

My 3 Words Project

2008-08-28T12:52:00.002-05:00

This project is one I hold near and dear to my heart. It all started several years ago on Good Morning America. Several people got together and thought it would be interesting to ultimately define yourself in just 3 words. They put their sayings to music, and the rest is history. Groups all over have been creating their own 3 Words videos whether it be to create a sense of unity, get to know each other, or even a creative writing assignment. Last year, my 7th grade classes and I created our own 3 Words video to depict who we were as individuals as well as a group. The project was a huge success, and the final product was special to all of us. I would like to try it again this year.

The video is also coupled with an essay entitled I Believe...
This essay is a way each individual can portray an idea or philosophy of their own to others. It isn't meant to preach, but instead a chance for them to reflect on why something is important to them and the thing they learned from it or why they care about it. This assignment received varied responses from students last year ranging from friendship and cancer to stealing and self-confidence. The possibilities are endless, and while it may seem overwhelming to some, the outcome is always valued that much more.

I look forward to working with you on this project and learning more about you in the process.

Good luck!

Miss Cioni