Monday, December 24, 2007

Happy Holidays!


Wishing all my students a safe and fun-filled winter break. Enjoy your time off and I will see you in '08!

This picture is my homebase, who look wonderful, before the ballroom dancing! You all did a great job, and I was so impressed with your dancing - I think you could show me a thing or two!!

Monday, December 17, 2007

The Outsiders - Chapter 10-12 Vocabulary

Chapter 10-12 Vocabulary

stupor
delirious
grasped
acquitted
desperate
bewilderdly
deny
pity
flinching
veered

Period 6 - Journal #4

Finish the following thoughts:

The best thing about being me is?
The worst thing about being me is?

Consider your two completed statements.

How do you think one of the characters from The Outsiders would have completed these statements? Explain why you believe he or she would have completed it as so.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Outsiders Chapter 7 & 8 Vocabulary

Chapter 7 & 8 Vocabulary

mimicking
recurring
aghast
exploits
abruptly
resemblance
debating
aimlessly
ruefully
leery

The Outsiders - Chapter 1-6 Study Guide

The Outsiders - Chapter 1 - 6 Study Guide

Be familiar with the following characters:
Ponyboy
Sodapop
Darry
Johnny
Dally
Two-Bit
Steve
Cherry
Marcia
Socs
Greasers
Know:
the differences between the Greasers/Socs
- why are they separate groups?
Johnny's relationship with:
- his parents
- Dally
You will be given 5 quotes from the book where you will need to e able to describe the significance of each quote.
Understand:
- Darry's life (what we know)
- Soc's - do they have is as good as Ponyboy thinks?
- Cherry/Ponyboy - what they have in common
- Jail - the effects
- the fire
Vocabulary
- 5 words from each section (ch. 1-2, ch. 3-4, ch. 5-6)

Words will be used in a sentence from the book - you explain the definition

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

December 11 - Period 6 - Clique Journal - The Outsiders

Clique - "a narrow or exclusive circle or group of persons held together by common interests, views or purposes."

Responding to this definition, do cliques exist within our school? Do you yourself have an exclusive group of friends? Why do you think you have chosen to associate with those particular people? How does your friendship group influence your life?

Friday, December 7, 2007

Monday, December 10 - Homework

LA 1, 7
Wordskills WB pg's 95-110 due Thursday
Typed rough draft due tomorrow (Tuesday)
Test corrections due tomorrow

LA 4
Wordskills WB pg's 83-98 due Thursday
Typed rough draft due tomorrow (Tuesday)
Test corrections due tomorrow

Reading 3, 8
Chapter 5 & 6 Vocab.

groggy
reluctantly
imploringly
sullenly
eluded
vital
indignant
gorged
conviction
inhalation

Reading 6
Journal Entry
Who are you? What makes you unique? What factors influence who you are?

Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Outsiders Ch 3 & 4

Chapter 3 & 4 Vocabulary

sophisticated
incredulous
nonchalantly
sarcasm
bootlegging
elite
unceasingly
resignedly
premonition
apprehensive
contemptuously
bewildering
winced

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Persuasive Writing Notes - Introduction, Body, Conclusion

Introduction

- "Hook"
- usually the first sentence
- directs the reader to the position you are taking

There are 5 different "hooks" to choose from
1. A powerful statement
2. A quotation
3. A statistic or fact
4. A question
5. An unusual detail or anecdote

- Intro. could also include background info about the ISSUE

- Thesis Statement - usually last sentence

1. Tells the reader the writer's specific position on the topic of the essay
2. This is a clear focus on the topic

Body Paragraphs

1. Topic Sentence/Transition
- usually an opinion/fact that directs the course of the paragraph

2. Each topic sentence could/should state:
-reason
-benefit
-advantage

3. Evidence - Helps develop the topic sentence
- facts
-observations
- other info. to support the writer's position

4. Transitional Words/Phrases
- use between body paragraphs to ensure the flow of the paper

Conclusion

1. Restate your Thesis - don't write it exactly the same as you did in your intro.

2. The main points of each body paragraphs should be summarized (re-word)

3. If you suggest a solution: you must discuss its impact

4. If you give a call to action: suggested steps should be given

5. Exit Sentence - final sentence and most important sentence of entire essay

- prediction
- question
- recommendation
- quotation

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Period 6 - Chapter 1 - journal

Having read chapter 1 of The Outsiders, what is your impression of the setting, including time period and place? What clues helped you come to these conclusions?

Monday, December 3, 2007

The Outsiders - Ch. 1-2 Vocab.

Chapter 1 & 2 Vocabulary

asset
complicated
content
cowlick
incredulous
lone(d)
madras
nonchalantly
quivering
rarely
slouched
sarcasm

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving! 11/20/07








Wishing all my students and their families a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. If you are travelling this year I wish you a safe trip to and from wherever you are spending this long break.



I am sure you all need the break - first trimester has been busy and you have all done a fantastic job!



As we take a break this Thanksgiving, I hope you all take the time to think about all you have to be thankful for! I am thankful for all of my students, fellow teachers and family this holiday season.



I hope when you return on Monday you will all be refreshed and ready to start the new trimester!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Verb Notes - Lessons 9 & 10

Direct Objects

Direct Objects:
- always a noun or pronoun
- answers whom or what

One man could not exit his driveway because of the damage.

subject - man
verb - could exit
direct object - driveway (what the man could not exit?)

Indirect Object

Indirect Object:
- to find ask:
to whom, for whom, to what, for what

The IO comes between the verb and the DO

Jay's homer gave the team the lead.

subject - homer
verb - gave
IO - team (for whom did the homer help?)
DO - lead (what did the homer do?)

There can be more than one IO!!!!!!!

He told Sam and Jim a joke.

subject - he
verb - told
IO - Sam, Jim (to whom he told the joke to)
DO - joke (what he told)

Predicate Noun

Remember Linking Verbs? The link the subject to a word in the predicate. Sometimes the word is a noun.

Lance is a student.

Lance = student

"is" is the linking verb

Predicate Adjective

Linking verbs can also link a subject to an adjective.

Greg is funny.

Greg = funny

"is" links Greg to the adjective "funny."

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Hayes 11/14

LA
Eng. WB pages 48 & 52 (periods 1,7)
Eng. WB pg's 48,52,54 (period 4)

Reading 3,8
Weekend was Murder test on Monday

Reading 6
finish questions

Verb Notes - Lessons 7 & 8

Progressive Forms

use the form of the verb "be" when forming progressive forms

present progressive - is -ing
past progressive - was -ing
future progressive - will be -ing
present perfect progressive - has been -ing
past perfect progressive - had been -ing
future perfect progressive - will have been -ing

Transitive & Intransitive Verbs

1. Transitive verbs have a direct action toward someone or something
2. A transitive verb always has at least one object

The mechanic had repaired the truck.

subject - mechanic
verb - had repaired
object - truck

You can ask who or what was repaired - the truck!

The owner paid the mechanic.

subject - owner
verb - paid
object - mechanic
You can ask who the owner paid - mechanic!

1. Intransitive verbs never have an an object
2. There is no "receiver" of the action

The truck was running well.

subject - truck
verb - was running
no object

The driver turned left quickly
subject - driver
verb - turned
no object

Monday, November 12, 2007

Verb Lessons 1-6 Study Guide

On Tuesday in class you will review lessons 1-6 with Mrs. Cuzzone while I am at the high school for a meeting. You and a partner will work on pages 168 & 169 in your English Text to review for the quiz on Wednesday.

If you need to review more on your own. Sign up on the board to check out a book for the night.

Verb Lessons 5 & 6

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs do not follow the same form as regular verbs

For instance:

a regular verb such as:

shop

4 principal parts

verb - shop

present participle - is shopping (is - ing)

past - shopped (-ed)

past participle - has shopped (has -ed)

Irregular Verb - be

4 principal parts

verb - be

present participle - is being (still continue using is and -ing after the verb)

past - was, were (the past tense for irregular verbs will NEVER use -ed)

past participle - has been (continue to use has before the past tense of the verb)

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Fahrenheit 451 Study Guide

Review:

RA #3 vocab. (passed-back yesterday)

The conversation at Guy's house with Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Bowles, Mildred & Guy
Conversations with Faber

Literary Elements:
personification, simile, alliteration, onomatopoeia, dramatic irony, metaphor, flashback, man vs. man, direct characterization, allusion, internal conflict, foreshadow, situational irony

Themes throughout the novel:
conformity, change and transformation, censorship, alienation & loneliness, dehumanizing effects of mass culture (i.e., TV)

Verb Notes - Lessons 3 & 4

Lesson 3 - Tenses

You are already familiar with the past (rehearsed) , present (rehearse) and future tenses (will rehearse). These three tenses are known as simple tenses.

Principal Parts

Principal Parts include:
base form of the verb - chop
present participle of the verb - is chopping
past tense of the verb - chopped
past participle of the verb - has chopped

Perfect Tenses
Present Perfect - has, have rehearsed
Past Perfect - had rehearsed
Future Perfect - will have rehearsed
Lesson 4 - Forms of be, have, and do
You can use be, have and do as main verbs and as helping verbs
Be, have and do have different forms for different subject and for different tenses.
Ssingular Subjects
Be Have Do
I am, was have, had do, did
you are, were have, had do, did
he, she, it is, was has, had does, did
(or singular nouns)
Plural Subjects
we are, were have, had do, did
you are, were have, had do, did
they are, were have, had do, did
(or plural noun)

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Verbs - Lessons 1&2

Action, Being and Linking Verbs

Action Verbs can be:

physical - run

mental - dream

Being Verb

-shows a state of being - is

Linking Verb

-Links subject to predicate

Mrs. Hayes is a teacher. Mrs. Hayes = teacher

Linking vs. Action:

Linking:

The tomato grew moldy.
The tomato was moldy

Action:

Jim grew tomatoes.
Jim is not tomatoes.

Verb Phrases

Verb Phrase
1. main verb - main action or being
helping verb - completed the meaning of the verb

Heidi is running well today
hv - is
mv- running
verb phrase - is running

2. be, have, do can be main and helping verbs

3. Words interrupt a verb phrase

Do you see any signs? Change questions to statements to make it easier to identify verb phrases: You do see signs.

verb phrase - do see

I can't find the map. I can not find the map.

verb phrase - can find

Monday, November 5, 2007

Project Challeng 1984





Project Challenge has been busy reading an independent novel 1984. These students are given weekly assignments and discuss the reading during morning project challenge meeting times. One of Project Challenge's students is seen here taking a "break" to get into character for a fun filled night of trick-or-treating! Do you have your reading done?

Sunday, November 4, 2007

October 31 - Noun Notes

Unit 2
Kinds of Nouns
Common & Proper Nouns

Definition of a noun - a person, place, thing or idea
example of:

person Mrs. Hayes
place Lakeview
thing dog
idea love

proper noun - names a particular person, place, thing or idea. Capitalize

example of a proper noun - Mrs. Hayes, Lakeview Jr. High

common noun - names a general class of person, place, thing or idea

example of a common noun - dog, tree, school

Concrete & Abstract Nouns

concrete nouns - refers to material things, to people or to places

example of concrete nouns - pony, students, textbooks

abstract nouns - names, ideas, feelings or qualities

example of abstract nouns - love, relief, patriotism, language

Compound & Collective Nouns

Compound Noun - noun with two or more words

Examples of compound nouns:

One-word - textbook, airplane
Separate words - Edgar Allan Poe, The Weekend was Murder
Hyphenated words - runner-up, sister-in-law

Collective Noun - names a group or collection of people, animals or things considered as a unit
Example of collective noun - committee, class, family

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Noun Notes - Lessons 3 & 4


Unit 2
Singular & Plural Nouns

Singular noun - a noun that names one person, place, thing or idea

Example of singular nouns – book, radio, school, box, buzz, hero, fly

Plural noun - more than one person, place, thing or idea

to form a plural noun we already know to add -s to the singular noun.
Remember many plural nouns require spelling changes so think before writing down an answer.
Regular Forms
Rules for Forming Plurals

Add -s to form the plurals of these nouns: globes Michaels
most singular nouns

most nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel radios stereos
many nouns ending o pianos altos

nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel donkeys valleys

proper nouns ending in y Bradys Malloys

some nouns ending in f or fe roofs safes

Add -es to form the plural of these nouns boxes buzzes
nouns ending in s, x, sh, ch, z

some nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant echoes heroes

nouns ending in y preceded by a consonant (change y to i first) flies

some nouns ending in f or fe (change f to v first) calves

Irregular Forms
Unusual Noun Forms
1. Some plurals are formed by irregular spelling changes.

2. Some nouns have the same singular and plural forms.

3. Some nouns are used only in the plural form.

4. Some nouns end in s but have a singular meaning.

5. Some nouns from other languages are made plural as in the original language.
6. Compound nouns usually are made plural by adding -s to the most important word in the compound.
7. Compound nouns that are written as one word or do not have a noun part are made plural by adding -s at the end.
8. Letters, numbers in mathematics, symbols, and words used as words are made plural by adding an apostrophe and an -s ('s).

Unit 2
Possessive Nouns

Possessive nouns - show ownership or relation to something
examples of possessive nouns: Mrs. Hayes's classroom - the classroom belongs to Mrs. Hayes,
Steven's pencil, the pencil belongs to Steven
Rules for Forming Possessive Nouns

Most singular nouns:
Add an apostrophe and -s ('s).
Mrs. Hayes - Mrs. Hayes's
Tom - Tom's

Plural nouns ending with s:
Add only an apostrophe (').
Girls - Girls'
babies - babies'
Joneses - Joneses'
* keep in mind how the noun is given to you - for instance Joneses is plural (meaning ALL of the Joneses in the family not ONE Jones family member)

Other plural nouns:

add an apostrophe and -s ('s) to the end.
Children - Children's
geese - geese's

Compound nouns:

add an apostrophe and -s ('s) to the end.
Sister-in-law - sister-in-law's
sisters-in-law - sisters-in-law's

if two or more person own a single thing, place the apostrophe after the last person's name!!!
ex: Miguel and Scott's basketball.

If each owns a thing separately, make each noun possessive.
Ex: Miguel's and Scott's basketballs.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Fahrenheit 451 Vocab RA 1 & 2 and RA 2 Questions

Vocabulary

stolid
refracted
imperceptibly
pulverized
melancholy
capillary
multifaceted
ballistics
erected
proclivities
odious
ravenous
pratfall
dictum
noncombustible
tactile

RA 2
1. Who was Captain Beatty?
2. How did the firemen know which houses had books?
3. What lie did Captain Beatty tell Montag?
4. What did Montag do in the old lady's attic?
5. Why were the alarms to burn always at night?
6. Why did the old woman light the match and commit suicide?
7. What happened to Clarisse? Was it an accident?
8. What was Montag afraid Captain Beatty would discover when he came to visit?
9. Why did Captain Beatty believe books should be destroyed?
10. What did Montag show Mildred after the captain had left the house?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Big Move!!!! 10/27/07





Greetings & Salutations from my new house! I wasn't at school on Friday due to moving into a new house. As I'm sitting in my office this Saturday morning I can tell you I'm very excited to be living in a bigger place!!!

It's been a busy weekend so far just moving as well as celebrating. I'll be sure to share pictures soon of the new house, but for the time being enjoy the pictures of my two cats - Coco & Chanel.

*Don't forget your imaginative narratives are due on Tuesday!!!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Look What's New - Brain Pop!



Welcome Tim & Moby!!!!!!!

Brain Pop is now available to Lakeview students. Check out http://www.brainpop.com/ if you're not familiar, but it's a great educational website available for teachers and students. If you're interested in using Brain Pop see me during class. Students can use Brain Pop from 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Brain Pop offers short movies featuring Tim & Moby teaching different skills and/or subject matter.
Next week - LA classes will be watching a review movie about dialogue and how to use it when writing.
Currently, all LA classes are writing Imaginative Narratives. These are stories in which a story is being told using imaginative details with events or characters that are created. Today in class I checked all students ideas and they are great! I can't wait to see the finished products.
All imaginative narratives will be due Tuesday, October 30th.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

What's Happening in Reading????

At the conclusion of this week, both reading classes will have wrapped up their unit tests. I am trying to start preparing students for what finals are like when they are in high school. For unit tests I am taking it slow - testing over numerous stories, but in a condensed form. I'm really trying to reiterate to students the importance of SAVING ALL PAPERS from a unit and using those to study.
DGS will be a wake up call to those students who aren't known for their organizational skills! Finals cover an ENTIRE semester of classwork therefore students need to be organized and paying attention in their classes.

As we come to an end with our first reading units, students will begin their first novel soon.
Regular reading classes (periods 3,8) will be reading The Weekend Was Murder Advanced Reading (period 6) will read Fahrenheit 451

Project Challenge students will read 1984 students will use class time for reading and completing discussion worksheets and PC morning time to discuss the assigned reading for the week.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Period 6 - Essay Options

On your test next Wed. you will be given 2 of the following essays to write about. You will only need to select ONE essay to respond to in a thoughtful way. Be familiar with all possible essays.

You would respond to the following essays using: "Full Circle," Wasps' Nest," "Trifles," "The Great Taos Bank Robbery"

1. Which character(s) from the stories listed above our easiest to fool, and which do you think is most difficult?

2. Think about the strange or unusual behavior of some of the character in the selections listed above. Which strange or unusual action did you find easiest to understand, and hard to understand.

3. Which characters, from the selections above, are victims and which are victimizers (those who deliberately harm others). Are any of the characters considered both?

You would respond to the following essays using: "The Open Window," "Sorry, Right Number," "In the Family"

4. The selections listed above involve events that go beyond the limits of credibility. What events were most believable, and which events were least believable?

5. Many of the selections above concern images or views of death and how it affects the characters hwo remain after someone dies. Be able to describe the image or view of death in the select and how it affects the characters who remain.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

10/02 - Period 3 & 8 Journal Assignment - The Hitchhiker

The Hitchhiker Journal Assignment

Write an additional scene that reveals what Adams does next.

Use relevant dialogue and specific action

1 page minimum

your entry should be written as the same format of the text

Monday, October 1, 2007

Grammar Test - Wednesday, October 3

All LA classes have a test this Wednesday over Unit 1 in the English textbook.

Students can review for the test at the following website

http://www.eduplace.com/

1. Click on student tab at top

2. Click the picture of our textbook (same as bellow)

3. Grades 6-8

4. Grammar Blast

5. Grade 8 - Unit 1

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Mystery Book Report - due 10/17 (Period 6)

Mystery
Book Report
Due 10/17/07
40 Points

On a separate sheet of paper, either printed from the computer, or created on a poster. Complete the following:

1. Heading & seat number (2 points)


2. Title of Book, author and pages (2 points)

3. Write 7 difficult or interesting words from your story following the question mark shape
provided. You can use the one given to you or make a larger version. (7 points)

4. Then use each of the 7 words in a questions about your mystery. (7 points)

5. Make a list of all the clues that led to solving the mystery. You must have a minimum of 7

clues. (7 points)


6. Write out the 5 W's of the mystery. (10 points)
What happened?
Who did it?
Where?
When?
Why?

7. If you made a radio show of this mystery, what sound effects would you need? (5 points)
You can do this by showing a picture of the sound (hand-drawn, computer generated) or you may make a list of sounds (minimum of 5 sounds)

Science Fiction Book Report due 10/17 (periods 3 & 8)


Science Fiction
Book Report
Travel Brochure
Due 10/17/07
40 points


Assignment: You will be creating a travel brochure advertising the setting of the story

1. You must include 4 pictures of your setting/events that happen within the story

2. Cover – Name of book, author and page numbers. A picture of the overall setting of the book.

3. Pages 2, 3 & 4 should contain the following:
Who are the guides of this trip
What types of things can people do while in the area
What types of adventures will the main characters take them on
Where will they stay and how will they get to the location

4. The entire brochure must be in color, either hand- drawn or computer generated.

5. Spelling, grammar and punctuation must be correct

6. Your heading and seat number should be on the back of
your book report.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Week of September 17th


This has been quite a week!


Monday - Open House Night



13 hour days are pretty much my limit, but I appreciate all of the parents who made it to Open House Night! It was great seeing familiar faces from some of my former student's parents from sixth grade as well as those that I haven't had the opportunity to meet until now. The night flew by and you were all given a great deal of information in the 10 minute periods you had with each teacher. As always, any questions, comments, concerns that I can address please feel free to send my way either by e-mail or calling me. The school year has been terrific thus far and I really am enjoying my new 8th grade position.






Thursday - Washington DC Meeting



We are only two weeks away from the 8th grade Washington DC trip! Miss Casey and I are looking forward to a successful trip with our 90 Lakeview students. The kids are going to have such a great time and learn so much in 3 days. It's amazing how much they get to see, the information they gather as well as the fun that they have. I always look forward to students sharing their pictures the weeks after the trip.






Remember



- students must be at Lakeview at 5:15 am to load onto the buses on Saturday, October 6th.



- the phone chain will begin once we land on Monday evening so you know when to pick up your son or daughter



- school dress code applies!



- school rules and behavior applies!



- check the TSA website to review restrictions for what you can and cannot bring on the plane






Any questions? Feel free to contact myself of Miss Casey






Friday



Students turned in their first book report for the year. I'm looking forward to them all and have already displayed some projects in the hallway.


Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather!


Go Cubbies!









Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Diary Entry for 6th period class due Friday 9/14

Write a minimum of 2 entries
Each entry must be a minimum of 1 paragraph

An important character in the story who does not appear is Molly Deane (the fiance). Write 2 diary entries she might have composed during this story.

September 12 - IMC - Period 3 & 8

Was Grace Wiley brave or foolish to live as she did? The class has been divided into two teams to defend each side of the argument. Find facts to support your position at the following Web sites:

National Geographic: Interactive King Cobra
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/kingcobra/index-ie.html

Beware! This Web site contains a life-size king cobra. Did you know that a King Cobra can stand as tall as a human adult? Or that cobras can sleep with their eyes open? Learn all about the King using the life-sized model at this site.

The Deadly King Cobra
http://www.pitara.com/discover/earth/online.asp?story=21

Information about this venomous snake, including the record length of a cobra (over 18 feet!), cobras' habits and habitats, and a description of the effect the snakes' venom has on humans.


Assignment:

Gather information to defend your position – you are trying to argue whether Grace Wiley was brave or foolish to live as she did.

Grab your readers' attention
-Begin with an interesting or powerful piece of information to draw your reader in.

State your position
-Decide what you need to prove.

Support your position (using information from the websites)
-Your opinion alone is not enough – you need to sway people opinions. Support your points
with facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions.

Anticipate objections
-What might your opponents say to support their position? Could they challenge any of your
evidence?

Conclude clearly
-Give a strong final impression. Restate your main idea and key points o listeners remember
them.

Wednesday, September 12 - Period 6 IMC

Think of some famous villains from real life, literature, movies, or television.
The following websites may help you with some ideas:

List of historical people portrayed as villains
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_historical_people_portrayed_as_villains

AFI's 50 top villains in movies
http://www.filmsite.org/afi100heroesvillb.html

Top 10 TV villains
http://blogs.mcall.com/tvwatchers/2007/07/oh-poor-you-10-.html

Select one or two figures and write about the following in paragraph form:

What motivates this criminal mind?
Is this person evil by nature or has something happened to turn him or her to criminal activity?
What in this person's behavior serves as clues to his or her personality?
Do you feel sympathy or understanding for this person?

Monday, September 10, 2007

Writing Activity - Period 4 - Due Wed. Sep. 12

Period 4

"Every great action is extreme when it is undertaken. Only when it has been accomplished does it seem possible to those creatures of more common stuff." - Stendhal

Write an explanation as to what this quote means. (1 paragraph minimum)
Describe a situation(s) that illustrates Stendhal's quotation. (1 paragraph minimum)
Decide whether you agree or disagree with Stendhal's statement or not and explain why. (1 paragraph minimum)

Writing Activity Periods 1 & 7, due Wed. 9/12

LA 1,7

Write a short account (3 paragraphs minimum) of a memorable event from your childhood. In order to make your account lively and dramatic, describe the background and the characters fully. You might also use dialogue to give the exact words spoken.

* Dialogue Review - English Book page 256

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Journal choices for periods 3 & 8

Journal 1
Have you ever had new people move into your neighborhood? Explain what you thought about the new people before meeting them. How accurate were your assumptions?

Journal 2
Think about today's quote from Stephen King, "I guess when you turn off of the main road, you have to be prepared to see some funny houses." Explain a time when you went off the main road. Describe the experience - what was the situation - were there "funny houses"?

All journals must be 2 paragraphs with 5-6 sentences in each

This Week...

This week classes are beginning their first unit in reading. Regular classes will focus on short stories and poems that have the common theme, "Strange Goings-On." The advance class is beginning their own unit about detective/mystery stories.

Classes are completing their first essay of the school year - three goals they want to accomplish by May. Each student selected a personal, academic and extracurricular goal they want to meet.

I'm enjoying getting to know all of my students (most for a second time - since I had many in 6th grade), but it is amazing to see how much they have changed and GROWN!

Again, keep communication going parents and students - feel free to e-mail or call anytime.

Friday, August 31, 2007

August 31, 2007

We've made it through the first week! I've looked forward to meeting those students who will be with me for the next nine months. Today, students received their first essay assignment. The students will write about 3 goals they hope to achieve by May 2008. They will select one personal, academic and extracurricular goal to achieve and explain the steps they will take to complete the goals. This is a great way for students to have a positive outlook on the school year and have something to achieve. In the month of May we will revisit these essays and see how close we got to our goals. The first draft of the paper is due September 4th.

In reading classes, students received the assignment for their first book report of the year. This book report is called "Character Significance." Students will select 4-5 pictures and explain in 5-6 sentences (per each picture) how the picture is significant to the main character(s) in the book.
Students were given a handout that lists all requirements. Book reports are due on September 21st.
Have a safe and fun 3 day weekend!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Welcome Back! 9/28/07

All students received the following letter today in LA:


August 28


Dear Parent(s):
As your child’s eighth grade language arts and reading teacher, I am eager to get to know both you and your child throughout the school year. The following is a brief overview of the grading scale, heading, classroom rules and homework policy. Please read through the material and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 783-5007, or e-mail me at shayes@ccsd66.org , feel free to also view my blog through the Lakeview school link.
Sincerely,

Shannon Hayes


The grading scale is as follows:
90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D Below 60 is failing


Students must use the following heading on all assignments:
Name (First & Last)
Date
Subject/ Period
Assignment


The heading should be in the upper right corner of the page. If a student does not use a heading or it is incomplete they will lose 5 points off of an assignment.

An overview of textbooks and novel lists will be provided the night of Open House, Monday, September 17, 2007.


Classroom Rules:
1. Be in your seat and prepared to begin class when the bell rings.
2. Write down assignments at the beginning of class.
3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on when you want to speak.
4. Do not leave your seat or the room without permission.
5. Treat others as you wish to be treated.


Completing all assignments, including homework and studying for tests, is a necessary component of your child’s progress. Students are expected to turn in all assignments on time. Failure to do so will have a lowered grade on the assignment. Major assignments (essays, projects, etc.) will receive 10 points off for every day late. When a lesson/unit is completed students can no longer turn in missing assignments for that part of the unit, and will receive a 0 on any work that was not completed during that time.

I am looking forward to a great school year! Please sign and return this portion no later than Friday, August 31.
______________________________________________________________________________________
I have read and understand the information regarding grading scale, textbooks and classroom rules.
Student’s Name _________________________________________
Student’s Signature ______________________________________
Parent’s Signature________________________________________