Name: ______DUE: Tuesday, August 29th

ELA Notebook

Your ELA notebook will be a tool you use nearly every day this year. It will represent you as a reader, writer, and learner. Your first assignment in this class is to decorate the cover, set up the inside, and write your first entry.

PART 1: Cover & Set-Up (Minor Grade)

Cover

Decorate or design the cover in a way that represents your personality and interests. You can use photos, words, printed pictures, stickers, magazine cutouts, drawings, paint, etc. / _____/50
“Laminate” the cover with clear packing tape*, Mod Podge, or other sealant.
*If you do not have clear packing tape, ask to use Mrs. Snyder’s BEFORE the due date. / _____/15

Notebook Set-Up

Title the first page “Table of Contents” and leave the next 2 pages blank. / _____/10
Skipping the first 3 pages (Table of Contents), number the front and back of every page in the first half of the notebook. / _____/15
When the journal is closed, neatly write your first name, last initial, and class period on the top and bottom page edges in dark ink. / _____/10

TOTAL: _____/100

PART 2: Who I Am (Daily Grade)

On the first page following the table of contents, write your first entry describing yourself. Use Monday’s brainstorming tri-fold to get started. Each paragraph should be 4-6 sentences long. Use the questions if you get stuck, but definitely don’t try to answer them all!

Picture: Glue a picture of yourself at the beginning of your entry. / _____/10
Paragraph 1: What makes you YOU?
§  What are your hobbies/interests?
§  What do you believe or care about strongly?
§  What are your favorites (movies, TV shows, music, classes, etc.)?
§  What is your home life like? Family? Pets?
§  Where are you from/where have you lived?
§  What have been your greatest life accomplishments or struggles?
§  What is one of your most unique qualities? / _____/30
Paragraph 2: What kind of reader/writer/ELA student are you?
§  How do you feel about reading and writing?
§  How often do you read and/or write?
§  Have you struggled with reading and/or writing? If so, what has helped you in the past to overcome it?
§  What sort of books do you enjoy or dislike reading?
§  What type of writing to enjoy or dislike?
§  What have you liked or disliked about past ELA/reading classes?
§  What can I do as your ELA teacher to support you? / _____/30
Paragraph 3: What are your goals?
§  What are your academic goals for 7th grade?
§  What are your extracurricular goals for 7th grade?
§  Where do you want to go to college?
§  What career do you want to pursue?
§  What kind of person do you want to become? / _____/30

TOTAL: _____/100

Example:

Cover Entry

I was born in College Station, Texas, where I lived until I was 18. Then, I moved to San Marcos to go to Texas State University, and I loved it there! I currently live in Buda with my husband, my dog Scout (who’s amazing), and my cat Albee (who’s annoying). I love traveling, camping, binging Hulu and Netflix shows, and taking barre and body combat classes at my gym. But there’s nothing I love more than teaching, and this will be my ninth year doing it!

ELA was always my favorite subject, and I got lucky to have amazing teachers along the way who fostered my love for the subject. I’ve never been the fastest reader, but I’ve always enjoyed doing it – particularly fantasy (Harry Potter is my all-time favorite!), realistic fiction, and mystery. I try to read at least 20 minutes every night, and I tend to read A LOT more when I’m on vacation. I feel confident writing essays and personal narratives, but I struggle more when it comes to fiction. I love writing poetry, but I want to improve my skills in that area.

This year, I want my classroom to be a true reader/writer workshop. I want us all to grow together and support each other as we struggle and succeed. I want to finish my National Board certification with work that I’m proud of. Personally, I want to remember to make time for myself and exercise, walk my dog, and tackle my tall stack of books to read. I want this to be my best year yet!

***Fold and put this rubric inside the front cover of your notebook. Turn it in to the shelf that matches your class period.