Friday, December 16, 2011
Happy Holidays
Wishing you all a safe and happy winter break! May you all have a prosperous New Year!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Project Challenge - The Year in Rap - 2011
Project Challenge is working to create a "Year in Rap" 2011 - this is an original rap students are creating to reflect what took place in the past year. Students are working in groups of 2,3 or 4 and will submit their "Year in Rap" to the New York Times. Deadline is 4:00 January 6, 2012. Good Luck PC.
Below is the link to the blog as well as last year's "Year in Rap 2010" to view.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/student-contest-celebrate-2011-by-writing-raps-about-the-years-news/#comment
Below is the link to the blog as well as last year's "Year in Rap 2010" to view.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/student-contest-celebrate-2011-by-writing-raps-about-the-years-news/#comment
The Year in Rap: 2010 from Flocabulary on Vimeo.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Next Week 11/28-12/2
Advanced LA classes will begin a descriptive/persuasive writing unit regarding personal pet peeves! Should be interesting. I am very excited because I have completely revamped the advanced LA curriculum this year. All major writing assignments are brand new and completely different from the regular classes.
Advanced Reading classes are switching books. Period 4 will begin The Christopher Killer. Period 6 will read After. The classes are eager to read what the other class has been doing!
LA - period 7 - completing our verb unit. There will be a quiz on Thursday, December 1.
Reading - period 8 - beginning our next classroom novel The Cay.
Advanced Reading classes are switching books. Period 4 will begin The Christopher Killer. Period 6 will read After. The classes are eager to read what the other class has been doing!
LA - period 7 - completing our verb unit. There will be a quiz on Thursday, December 1.
Reading - period 8 - beginning our next classroom novel The Cay.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Final Projects
Advanced classes have final projects due for their class novel. Projects will be showcased in class on Monday morning! Mrs. Liles will be visiting 2nd periods showcase. I am very excited to see, read and share these projects! This is a brand new novel added to the advanced curriculum. This has been a fun unit for both myself and the students. They have offered good suggestions, comments and reflections about the novel!
Next week I will be posting some of the projects for parents to see from both classes!
Periods 7 & 8
Will complete the verb unit in the next 2 weeks. A quiz will be on Thursday, December 1.
We completed our novel, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Next week students will write a "final journal" from Steven's perspective. This journal will be the last assignment for the novel. The students have really enjoyed reading this novel! Don't worry class, the next novel, The Cay is a great book too!
Next week I will be posting some of the projects for parents to see from both classes!
Periods 7 & 8
Will complete the verb unit in the next 2 weeks. A quiz will be on Thursday, December 1.
We completed our novel, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Next week students will write a "final journal" from Steven's perspective. This journal will be the last assignment for the novel. The students have really enjoyed reading this novel! Don't worry class, the next novel, The Cay is a great book too!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Week of November 7-11
Advanced LA
The beginning of the week will focus on review and creating a note-card to use on the quiz Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will move into the second portion of our verb unit.
Advanced Reading 4
This week, students will finish reading After. I know many have had to read ahead to find out Tom and his friends fate at Central High School. Students have really enjoyed this book, and I have been impressed by their connections they have been able to make to social studies and how many first amendment rights are being taken away from the students in the book! The third week of November will be working on a final assessment and I can't wait to see what the students produce!
Advanced Reading 6
Students are wrapping up The Christopher Killer novel. We have had a lot of fun with this book. Students will finally find out who murdered Rachel! Will they be right? The following week, I will be introducing some project options that I think the students will enjoy. They will be able to take facts from our book and put a twist on it through an interesting choice of topics!
LA 7
Classes will begin Unit 3 - verbs this week. Lessons 1-7 will be focused on. At first these lessons will seem like review, but remember you can always check-out a book to take home and review more on your own! Remember to see me if you need help before school or during study hall.
Reading 8
Starting the week with review over chapters 8-14 on Monday. Quiz on Tuesday - don't forget to study your vocabulary! The week will conclude with chapters 15 & 16.
The beginning of the week will focus on review and creating a note-card to use on the quiz Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will move into the second portion of our verb unit.
Advanced Reading 4
This week, students will finish reading After. I know many have had to read ahead to find out Tom and his friends fate at Central High School. Students have really enjoyed this book, and I have been impressed by their connections they have been able to make to social studies and how many first amendment rights are being taken away from the students in the book! The third week of November will be working on a final assessment and I can't wait to see what the students produce!
Advanced Reading 6
Students are wrapping up The Christopher Killer novel. We have had a lot of fun with this book. Students will finally find out who murdered Rachel! Will they be right? The following week, I will be introducing some project options that I think the students will enjoy. They will be able to take facts from our book and put a twist on it through an interesting choice of topics!
LA 7
Classes will begin Unit 3 - verbs this week. Lessons 1-7 will be focused on. At first these lessons will seem like review, but remember you can always check-out a book to take home and review more on your own! Remember to see me if you need help before school or during study hall.
Reading 8
Starting the week with review over chapters 8-14 on Monday. Quiz on Tuesday - don't forget to study your vocabulary! The week will conclude with chapters 15 & 16.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Week of October 31- November 4
Advanced LA
Some spooky stories will be shared in class on Monday! Remember it is black and orange day - sorry no costumes allowed!
Tuesday - Pass backs - Wow - I have a lot to get back to you! Let's seriously consider doing a rewrite for compare/contrast essays. So many of you are on the right track and really need to work on improving your writing in terms of elaborating your ideas further. Take your writing to the next level advanced students!
Wednesday - Friday - Unit 3 - Verbs. This unit will continue into next week.
Advanced Reading - Period 4
Monday - Chapter 6 discussion using the "quote finder" worksheet and continuing with chapter 7. Stalin - what do you know about him? Bring in three facts to share with the class on Tuesday and you could earn more than just a Spartan Star!
Tuesday - Ch 7 journal and Chapter 8 read aloud. There is an interesting point for discussion on page 177.
Wednesday - Chapter 9 - main details worksheet - similar to what you have done in science.
Thursday - not sure if we will be following this exact schedule this week. We may be moving on to chapter 10 if we stay on schedule.
Friday - book report work time
Advanced Reading - Period 6
Monday - Chapter 6/7 discussion worksheet - I'm sure you will bring some interesting thoughts and discussion to offer to your groups!
Tuesday - Are you keeping up with your vocab? In class we will discuss chapter 8 and move on to Chapter 9 with a main details worksheet.
Wednesday - Chapter 10 and a character journal. Ch. 6-10 vocab. is due tomorrow!
Thursday - Chapter 11
Friday - Book report time/ silent reading - AR book!
LA 7
This week's focus will be Unit 2 - Nouns! Many students think, "this is easy" or "do we have to?" Nouns are important in regards to writing and especially showing possession! Students struggle with possessive nouns as well as identifying when an idea is a noun (beauty, time, etc.). A graded picture prompt will be given on Friday for students to demonstrate their knowledge about noun usage.
Reading 8
Still reading our classroom novel, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Students will work through chapters 11-14 this week. We read independently, in groups, with partners or I read a chapter allowed. We will also be checking out our final book report book for the trimester. This is an accelerated reader book report. Students will select a free-choice fiction book in the genre they enjoy most, science fiction, mystery, adventure, horror, realistic fiction and so on. Before the end of the trimester, students will need to take an AR test in my room and turn it in for their final book report. If they are unhappy about their grade they can
1. choose to read another book and replace the grade
2. discuss an alternative book report to turn in showing comprehension/understanding of the book.
Some spooky stories will be shared in class on Monday! Remember it is black and orange day - sorry no costumes allowed!
Tuesday - Pass backs - Wow - I have a lot to get back to you! Let's seriously consider doing a rewrite for compare/contrast essays. So many of you are on the right track and really need to work on improving your writing in terms of elaborating your ideas further. Take your writing to the next level advanced students!
Wednesday - Friday - Unit 3 - Verbs. This unit will continue into next week.
Advanced Reading - Period 4
Monday - Chapter 6 discussion using the "quote finder" worksheet and continuing with chapter 7. Stalin - what do you know about him? Bring in three facts to share with the class on Tuesday and you could earn more than just a Spartan Star!
Tuesday - Ch 7 journal and Chapter 8 read aloud. There is an interesting point for discussion on page 177.
Wednesday - Chapter 9 - main details worksheet - similar to what you have done in science.
Thursday - not sure if we will be following this exact schedule this week. We may be moving on to chapter 10 if we stay on schedule.
Friday - book report work time
Advanced Reading - Period 6
Monday - Chapter 6/7 discussion worksheet - I'm sure you will bring some interesting thoughts and discussion to offer to your groups!
Tuesday - Are you keeping up with your vocab? In class we will discuss chapter 8 and move on to Chapter 9 with a main details worksheet.
Wednesday - Chapter 10 and a character journal. Ch. 6-10 vocab. is due tomorrow!
Thursday - Chapter 11
Friday - Book report time/ silent reading - AR book!
LA 7
This week's focus will be Unit 2 - Nouns! Many students think, "this is easy" or "do we have to?" Nouns are important in regards to writing and especially showing possession! Students struggle with possessive nouns as well as identifying when an idea is a noun (beauty, time, etc.). A graded picture prompt will be given on Friday for students to demonstrate their knowledge about noun usage.
Reading 8
Still reading our classroom novel, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Students will work through chapters 11-14 this week. We read independently, in groups, with partners or I read a chapter allowed. We will also be checking out our final book report book for the trimester. This is an accelerated reader book report. Students will select a free-choice fiction book in the genre they enjoy most, science fiction, mystery, adventure, horror, realistic fiction and so on. Before the end of the trimester, students will need to take an AR test in my room and turn it in for their final book report. If they are unhappy about their grade they can
1. choose to read another book and replace the grade
2. discuss an alternative book report to turn in showing comprehension/understanding of the book.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Have you considered...
Have you considered...
why I offer challenge activities to your class?
when Project Challenge is given an assignment, I also offer it to the whole class?
why I make you think "outside the box"?
why I use words like "elaborate" or "extend" in terms of your writing?
why I don't settle for average?
why I don't accept the bare minimum?
Because you CAN and because you should push yourself to be the BEST you can be!
why I offer challenge activities to your class?
when Project Challenge is given an assignment, I also offer it to the whole class?
why I make you think "outside the box"?
why I use words like "elaborate" or "extend" in terms of your writing?
why I don't settle for average?
why I don't accept the bare minimum?
Because you CAN and because you should push yourself to be the BEST you can be!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Week of October 17-21
Advanced LA
This weeks focus will be on fairy tale and fable writing. Students will have the opportunity to create an original fairy tale or fable with a partner or individually in class this week. Students will have the entire week to work on this in class in the hopes that students will not need to get together outside of school time. I know how busy all of their schedules are so I want them to have the time they need in class. This also means that they need to be using their work time wisely! Because of many important handouts with multiple classes, I will post the fairy tale/fable assignment on Monday.
Advanced Reading - Period 4
Students just began reading their first novel - After Next week we will get through chapter 2-4. This novel has lengthy chapters so I don't want to overload them with too much reading and worksheets. The weeks focus will involve signing up for journal characters. Selecting a character in which they will write journals from that character's perspective. We will also focus on main idea/detail notes, picture representation of a scene and explore why The Catcher in the Rye would be a "banned book". Students will also get their book report assignment which will be posted on the blog Tuesday. Students will have time to work on book reports on Friday to start planning out their comparison books.
Advanced Reading - Period 6
We have read the first 2 chapters of The Christopher Killer. Monday we will review the main ideas from these chapters and read chapter 3 in class. As we are introduced to Cameryn's best friend Lyric, students will create a Venn diagram about these friends! Students will be introduced to a new character - Adam and will complete a R.A.F.T. activity. Students will also have book report time on Friday to continue making their mystery puzzle book reports!
Language Arts - period 7
Moving into expository writing! Students will thoroughly enjoy this assignment - even if they don't like to write! Students will be a writing a "Character Sketch" about a friend or family member! This week will focus on brainstorming, writing the introduction and body paragraphs. I will also give some suggestions for incorporating new transitions and using other words besides "said."
Reading - period 8
Class on Monday will introduce the comparison book report - storyboard. There were some problems with directions from the last book report. I will post this assignment on Monday in order for all information to be accessible to all students/parents as I did the last time. Reports must be on a LARGE piece of poster board. If you cannot get the right size, see me - I will get you one! Students will have a chapter 1-7 quiz on Wednesday. We will finish up the week by reading chapters 8 and 9 in Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie.
This weeks focus will be on fairy tale and fable writing. Students will have the opportunity to create an original fairy tale or fable with a partner or individually in class this week. Students will have the entire week to work on this in class in the hopes that students will not need to get together outside of school time. I know how busy all of their schedules are so I want them to have the time they need in class. This also means that they need to be using their work time wisely! Because of many important handouts with multiple classes, I will post the fairy tale/fable assignment on Monday.
Advanced Reading - Period 4
Students just began reading their first novel - After Next week we will get through chapter 2-4. This novel has lengthy chapters so I don't want to overload them with too much reading and worksheets. The weeks focus will involve signing up for journal characters. Selecting a character in which they will write journals from that character's perspective. We will also focus on main idea/detail notes, picture representation of a scene and explore why The Catcher in the Rye would be a "banned book". Students will also get their book report assignment which will be posted on the blog Tuesday. Students will have time to work on book reports on Friday to start planning out their comparison books.
Advanced Reading - Period 6
We have read the first 2 chapters of The Christopher Killer. Monday we will review the main ideas from these chapters and read chapter 3 in class. As we are introduced to Cameryn's best friend Lyric, students will create a Venn diagram about these friends! Students will be introduced to a new character - Adam and will complete a R.A.F.T. activity. Students will also have book report time on Friday to continue making their mystery puzzle book reports!
Language Arts - period 7
Moving into expository writing! Students will thoroughly enjoy this assignment - even if they don't like to write! Students will be a writing a "Character Sketch" about a friend or family member! This week will focus on brainstorming, writing the introduction and body paragraphs. I will also give some suggestions for incorporating new transitions and using other words besides "said."
Reading - period 8
Class on Monday will introduce the comparison book report - storyboard. There were some problems with directions from the last book report. I will post this assignment on Monday in order for all information to be accessible to all students/parents as I did the last time. Reports must be on a LARGE piece of poster board. If you cannot get the right size, see me - I will get you one! Students will have a chapter 1-7 quiz on Wednesday. We will finish up the week by reading chapters 8 and 9 in Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie.
Friday, October 7, 2011
October 10-14
It's time to make sure you are paying close attention to the homework board and my blog advanced students! Next week you will each begin your classroom novel. In order for you to be able to bring the novels home, each class will be reading a different novel. At the conclusion of each novel unit we will "switch" books! Happy reading!
Advanced LA
Because of the short week, we will be using the Buckle Down wb in LA to work on a short lesson about story elements. This unit will review plot structure while we read a story that is in the advanced textbook. I will also be incorporating a CRISS strategy into the lesson called a RAFT write-up. I am going to randomly give out a variety of different RAFT assignments and students will produce many different products. RAFT is an acronym for Role, Audience, Format and Topic - if you are in my advanced class - come in on Wednesday with what RAFT means to earn yourself 2 extra credit points!!!
Advanced Reading - Period 4
This week will focus entirely on pre-reading activities to get your ready to read our first novel, After. We will discuss the Columbine school shooting and explore our rights as Americans. This will lead into a classroom debate focusing on 3 different roles, student, principal and parent. Should be fun!
Advanced Reading - Period 6
Book report assignment will be discussed which goes along with our first novel, The Christopher Killer. Students checked out mystery books and will be creating a mystery puzzle for their next book report assignment! I have included the assignment at the bottom of the blog.
LA 7
Buckle Down - comparison/contrast will be this weeks focus. The lesson is short therefore we will get through it in one day, but there will be a journal assignment as a follow up on Thursday. This journal will be a direct connection to our novel, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Be ready to share journals in class on Friday!
Rdg. 8
Continue with Drums and a discussion about the 5 Stages of Death and more information about Leukemia. We will get through chapters 5 & 6 this week.
Period 6 - Mystery Puzzle Book Report
Advanced LA
Because of the short week, we will be using the Buckle Down wb in LA to work on a short lesson about story elements. This unit will review plot structure while we read a story that is in the advanced textbook. I will also be incorporating a CRISS strategy into the lesson called a RAFT write-up. I am going to randomly give out a variety of different RAFT assignments and students will produce many different products. RAFT is an acronym for Role, Audience, Format and Topic - if you are in my advanced class - come in on Wednesday with what RAFT means to earn yourself 2 extra credit points!!!
Advanced Reading - Period 4
This week will focus entirely on pre-reading activities to get your ready to read our first novel, After. We will discuss the Columbine school shooting and explore our rights as Americans. This will lead into a classroom debate focusing on 3 different roles, student, principal and parent. Should be fun!
Advanced Reading - Period 6
Book report assignment will be discussed which goes along with our first novel, The Christopher Killer. Students checked out mystery books and will be creating a mystery puzzle for their next book report assignment! I have included the assignment at the bottom of the blog.
LA 7
Buckle Down - comparison/contrast will be this weeks focus. The lesson is short therefore we will get through it in one day, but there will be a journal assignment as a follow up on Thursday. This journal will be a direct connection to our novel, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Be ready to share journals in class on Friday!
Rdg. 8
Continue with Drums and a discussion about the 5 Stages of Death and more information about Leukemia. We will get through chapters 5 & 6 this week.
Period 6 - Mystery Puzzle Book Report
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Week of October 3 - 7
Advanced LA
This week we will focus on Nouns! Pre-test was given in classes where 3 students tested out of the noun unit! Congratulations to those students! Parents were e-mailed if their son or daughter tested out. There will be a test on Friday.
Advanced Reading
Students are working this week to write a compare/contrast essay. Students were given the assignment on Monday to compare and contrast, The Third Wish and The Monkey's Paw. They need to show 2 examples of how the stories compare and 2 examples of how they contrast. We discussed in detail about the difference between strong and weak examples and how our evidence should be extended and justified by our own explanations. The assignment is shown below.
Third Wish - Monkey Paw Compare-contrast
Language Arts - period 7
Students received their Buckle Down workbooks this week. This is an ISAT prep. workbook that we use in both LA and Reading classes. The workbook doesn't just prepare students for ISAT it also focuses on important elements of literature and poetry. These elements will be important for students to remember for both high school and college. This weeks focus in on story elements. The students are reading a humorous adaptation from the short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry.
Reading - period 8
Finally, it's here - Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick! Students found out on Monday what "Dangerous Pie" finally is! Did they tell you? Did you guess correctly? Poor Steven, or I should say, his drumsticks! His prized possession, autographed drumsticks, were used by his 4 year-old brother Jeffrey, to mix a concoction of eggs, coffee grinds, coca-cola and matchbox cars to make "dangerous pie"!!! Can you imagine how old this 13 year-old boy was to see his brother using his prized possession sticks? The students love this book already! By the end of the week we will have made our way through the first 4 chapters.
This week we will focus on Nouns! Pre-test was given in classes where 3 students tested out of the noun unit! Congratulations to those students! Parents were e-mailed if their son or daughter tested out. There will be a test on Friday.
Advanced Reading
Students are working this week to write a compare/contrast essay. Students were given the assignment on Monday to compare and contrast, The Third Wish and The Monkey's Paw. They need to show 2 examples of how the stories compare and 2 examples of how they contrast. We discussed in detail about the difference between strong and weak examples and how our evidence should be extended and justified by our own explanations. The assignment is shown below.
Third Wish - Monkey Paw Compare-contrast
Language Arts - period 7
Students received their Buckle Down workbooks this week. This is an ISAT prep. workbook that we use in both LA and Reading classes. The workbook doesn't just prepare students for ISAT it also focuses on important elements of literature and poetry. These elements will be important for students to remember for both high school and college. This weeks focus in on story elements. The students are reading a humorous adaptation from the short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry.
Reading - period 8
Finally, it's here - Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick! Students found out on Monday what "Dangerous Pie" finally is! Did they tell you? Did you guess correctly? Poor Steven, or I should say, his drumsticks! His prized possession, autographed drumsticks, were used by his 4 year-old brother Jeffrey, to mix a concoction of eggs, coffee grinds, coca-cola and matchbox cars to make "dangerous pie"!!! Can you imagine how old this 13 year-old boy was to see his brother using his prized possession sticks? The students love this book already! By the end of the week we will have made our way through the first 4 chapters.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Dangerous Pie
On Monday we will begin the discussion of "Dangerous Pie". Do you know what dangerous pie is? Any guesses...what do your parents think dangerous pie might be. Come in on Monday to class and share what your parents think dangerous pie is and you may earn a point or two of extra credit! Sorry...this only applies to periods 7 & 8!
Don't worry advanced classes - you'll get your chance soon!
Don't worry advanced classes - you'll get your chance soon!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Week of September 26-30
Advanced LA (periods 2, 5)
Monday - Narrative essay due!
English Book Unit 1 - pre-test to assess prior knowledge, begin Unit 1 for those who don't test out/move through lesson at faster pace for grammatical components that are already mastered.
Tuesday - Continue Unit 1
Wednesday - Study guide to review
Thursday - Unit 1 assessment - once test is completed we will go to the IMC to continue to work on reading assignment
Friday - Early dismissal - time to work on reading assignment
Advanced Reading (periods 4, 6)
Monday - Book Report Presentations
Tuesday - Book Report Presentations
Wednesday - Finish book report presentations/SCOPE magazine
Thursday - Book Check-Out. Period 4 will check out book that relate to our first novel After. Period 6 will check out mystery books to go along with their first novel The Christopher Killer.
Friday - Buckle Down workbooks given out. Complete Lesson 7 in class and do pages 95-98 for homework. This will lead into the first week of October - focusing on compare and contrast writing in relationship with what we read.
LA (period 7)
Monday - English book Unit 1. Lessons 1 -3
Tuesday - Continue Unit 1
Wednesday - Complete Unit 1
Thursday - Study Guide and review
Friday - Unit 1 test - Early Dismissal
Reading (period 8)
Monday - Book Report Presentations
Tuesday - Book Report Presentation
Wednesday - Study guide to review
Thursday - Unit 1 test
Friday - Early dismissal - finish LA test
Monday - Narrative essay due!
English Book Unit 1 - pre-test to assess prior knowledge, begin Unit 1 for those who don't test out/move through lesson at faster pace for grammatical components that are already mastered.
Tuesday - Continue Unit 1
Wednesday - Study guide to review
Thursday - Unit 1 assessment - once test is completed we will go to the IMC to continue to work on reading assignment
Friday - Early dismissal - time to work on reading assignment
Advanced Reading (periods 4, 6)
Monday - Book Report Presentations
Tuesday - Book Report Presentations
Wednesday - Finish book report presentations/SCOPE magazine
Thursday - Book Check-Out. Period 4 will check out book that relate to our first novel After. Period 6 will check out mystery books to go along with their first novel The Christopher Killer.
Friday - Buckle Down workbooks given out. Complete Lesson 7 in class and do pages 95-98 for homework. This will lead into the first week of October - focusing on compare and contrast writing in relationship with what we read.
LA (period 7)
Monday - English book Unit 1. Lessons 1 -3
Tuesday - Continue Unit 1
Wednesday - Complete Unit 1
Thursday - Study Guide and review
Friday - Unit 1 test - Early Dismissal
Reading (period 8)
Monday - Book Report Presentations
Tuesday - Book Report Presentation
Wednesday - Study guide to review
Thursday - Unit 1 test
Friday - Early dismissal - finish LA test
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Week of September 19-23
Advanced L.A. (periods 2 & 5)
Monday - How are essays graded? Using the ISAT rubric to grade examples and learn how the writing and the grade "match up"!
Tuesday - Peer Editing - Peer edit with 2 partners. First to look for correct elements of your narrative, second have a partner grade your essay using the ISAT rubric
Wednesday - Prepositions - a quick review
Thursday - Are you writing with prepositions correctly? Spice up your sentences *this might be something to
consider with revising your narratives!!
Friday - Quote Activity/Journal Writing
Advanced Reading (periods 4 & 6)
Monday - "The Dinner Party" - discuss stereotypes
Tuesday - "The Third Wish"
Wednesday - Short Story Study Guide (will be posted on blog by Wednesday - students will receive handout)
Thursday - Time to review for short story test, "Is Facebook turning you into a monster????"
Friday - Short Story Test - Book Report due on Monday!
Language Arts (period 7)
Monday - Short Story Test (during LA)
Tuesday - Eng. Book - Unit 7 - prepositional phrases
Wednesday - Collect Final narrative, pronouns after prepositions
Thursday - How to write using prepositions
Friday - Story starter/apply what has been taught and use in a journal writing assignment
Reading (period 8)
Monday - Watch "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"
Tuesday - Book Report Time - read silently, work on book report
Wednesday - What is Dangerous Pie?
Thursday - Scope Magazine
Friday - Finish writing story starter from 7th period and share if you want! Book Report due on
Monday!!!
Monday - How are essays graded? Using the ISAT rubric to grade examples and learn how the writing and the grade "match up"!
Tuesday - Peer Editing - Peer edit with 2 partners. First to look for correct elements of your narrative, second have a partner grade your essay using the ISAT rubric
Wednesday - Prepositions - a quick review
Thursday - Are you writing with prepositions correctly? Spice up your sentences *this might be something to
consider with revising your narratives!!
Friday - Quote Activity/Journal Writing
Advanced Reading (periods 4 & 6)
Monday - "The Dinner Party" - discuss stereotypes
Tuesday - "The Third Wish"
Wednesday - Short Story Study Guide (will be posted on blog by Wednesday - students will receive handout)
Thursday - Time to review for short story test, "Is Facebook turning you into a monster????"
Friday - Short Story Test - Book Report due on Monday!
Language Arts (period 7)
Monday - Short Story Test (during LA)
Tuesday - Eng. Book - Unit 7 - prepositional phrases
Wednesday - Collect Final narrative, pronouns after prepositions
Thursday - How to write using prepositions
Friday - Story starter/apply what has been taught and use in a journal writing assignment
Reading (period 8)
Monday - Watch "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"
Tuesday - Book Report Time - read silently, work on book report
Wednesday - What is Dangerous Pie?
Thursday - Scope Magazine
Friday - Finish writing story starter from 7th period and share if you want! Book Report due on
Monday!!!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Smiley Face Tricks
Remember to incorporate at least 5 smiley face tricks when revising and writing your 2nd draft!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Week of September 12-16
Take a peek at what's in store for next week in LA & Reading!
Advanced LA - periods 2&5
Monday - brainstorming activity in journals & discussion about choices for narrative essay
Tuesday - Discuss the grading rubric and read a sample essay. Start graphic organizer and finish for homework.
Wednesday - Writing rough drafts
Thursday - Focus on sensory details & revising drafts using post-it notes!
Friday - Rubric activity & complete 2nd draft by Monday
Advanced Reading - periods 4 & 6
Monday - book report assignment & read "The Dinner Party"
Tuesday - short story - "The Monkey's Paw"
Wednesday - short story - "The Hitchhiker"
Thursday - Watch "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Hitchhiker"/visual interpretation activity
Friday - Read book report book & begin plotting out storyboard
Language Arts - period 7
Monday - Focus on body paragraphs
Tuesday - Conclusion
Wednesday - Sensory Details - how to "spice" up your writing
Thursday - Rubric Activity - how your essay is graded
Friday - Peer Editing w/ 2 people
Reading - period 8
Monday - Book report assignment/Begin plotting out book report and/or continue reading book. *short story test on Friday!
Tuesday - Short Story - "Rikki Tikki Tavi" focus on prediction and personification
Wednesday - continue "Rikki Tikki Tavi"
Thursday - Discuss "Rikki" homework questions & review short stories
Friday - Short story test
Storyboard Book Report
Advanced LA - periods 2&5
Monday - brainstorming activity in journals & discussion about choices for narrative essay
Tuesday - Discuss the grading rubric and read a sample essay. Start graphic organizer and finish for homework.
Wednesday - Writing rough drafts
Thursday - Focus on sensory details & revising drafts using post-it notes!
Friday - Rubric activity & complete 2nd draft by Monday
Advanced Reading - periods 4 & 6
Monday - book report assignment & read "The Dinner Party"
Tuesday - short story - "The Monkey's Paw"
Wednesday - short story - "The Hitchhiker"
Thursday - Watch "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Hitchhiker"/visual interpretation activity
Friday - Read book report book & begin plotting out storyboard
Language Arts - period 7
Monday - Focus on body paragraphs
Tuesday - Conclusion
Wednesday - Sensory Details - how to "spice" up your writing
Thursday - Rubric Activity - how your essay is graded
Friday - Peer Editing w/ 2 people
Reading - period 8
Monday - Book report assignment/Begin plotting out book report and/or continue reading book. *short story test on Friday!
Tuesday - Short Story - "Rikki Tikki Tavi" focus on prediction and personification
Wednesday - continue "Rikki Tikki Tavi"
Thursday - Discuss "Rikki" homework questions & review short stories
Friday - Short story test
Storyboard Book Report
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Ray Bradbury - Short Stories
As the year comes to an end, I thought it would be fun to explore the cool short stories written by Ray Bradbury. This week we read:
"Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed"
"The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind"
"All Summer in a Day"
Next week we will read
"August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains"
View the "You Tube" video to see the video adaptation of "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains".
"Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed"
"The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind"
"All Summer in a Day"
Next week we will read
"August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains"
View the "You Tube" video to see the video adaptation of "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains".
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Next Week 5/23-5/27
LA/Rdg & Advanced LA/Rdg.
Monday
LA - Begin Radio Show Unit - We are listening to different radio shows and creating our own!
Rdg. - AR due 5/27
Adv. LA - Play performances
Adv. Rdg. - continue play performances
Tuesday
LA - Listen to "Little Orphan Annie" commercial. Discuss the commercial extra credit opportunity and radio show assignment
Reading - continue brainstorming and group work for radio show
Adv. LA - Theme song of your year unit. Brainstorm events from the year and search lyrics
Adv. Rdg. - "The Ransom of Red Chief" - read story in class and answer questions for hw
Wednesday
LA - Complete initial plans for play and begin writing script using laptops
Rdg. - Summer Reading Program discussion in IMC
Adv. LA - Begin writing rough draft paragraphs including description of event, connection to line in song and the overall connection and significance
Adv. Rdg. - IMC Summer Reading program discussion
Thursday
LA - complete scripts, print off for everyone to have a copy
Rdg. - Reading of "All Summer in a Day" and essay connection
Adv. LA - Begin final draft project of theme song
Adv. Rdg. - View "The Ransom of Red Chief" literature in performance
Friday
LA - Practice w/ sound effects to be prepared for Tuesday's presentation of Radio Shows
Rdg. - View "All Summer in a Day" literature in performance
Adv. LA - Theme Song due Tuesday
Adv. Rdg. - "Rain, Rain, Go Away" story
Monday
LA - Begin Radio Show Unit - We are listening to different radio shows and creating our own!
Rdg. - AR due 5/27
Adv. LA - Play performances
Adv. Rdg. - continue play performances
Tuesday
LA - Listen to "Little Orphan Annie" commercial. Discuss the commercial extra credit opportunity and radio show assignment
Reading - continue brainstorming and group work for radio show
Adv. LA - Theme song of your year unit. Brainstorm events from the year and search lyrics
Adv. Rdg. - "The Ransom of Red Chief" - read story in class and answer questions for hw
Wednesday
LA - Complete initial plans for play and begin writing script using laptops
Rdg. - Summer Reading Program discussion in IMC
Adv. LA - Begin writing rough draft paragraphs including description of event, connection to line in song and the overall connection and significance
Adv. Rdg. - IMC Summer Reading program discussion
Thursday
LA - complete scripts, print off for everyone to have a copy
Rdg. - Reading of "All Summer in a Day" and essay connection
Adv. LA - Begin final draft project of theme song
Adv. Rdg. - View "The Ransom of Red Chief" literature in performance
Friday
LA - Practice w/ sound effects to be prepared for Tuesday's presentation of Radio Shows
Rdg. - View "All Summer in a Day" literature in performance
Adv. LA - Theme Song due Tuesday
Adv. Rdg. - "Rain, Rain, Go Away" story
Friday, May 13, 2011
Advanced LA - Theme Plays!
I'm looking forward to seeing the advanced LA students performances! Students are currently working on their rough drafts for a play they will perform in class after Memorial Day Weekend! There are 5 groups and all of them have been hard at work. Because of these students busy schedules we are using classroom time to write the play, rehearse and make background scenes all in class! It is great watching them be so creative!!! Below is the information the students received.
Play Requirements
Play Requirements
Friday, May 6, 2011
Week of May 9 - 13 - LA 5/7
Classes will be creating a comic strip. The follwoing will be given to students on Monday and is a double sided worksheet. This way the rubric is on one side as well as typed out requirements discussed in class.
Some important main points/things to keep in mind:
Need a title
6-8 panel comic strip that tells a story from beginning to end
Must be colorful and neat and include backgrounds in the panels - no blank/white space
Dialogue must be clear and easy to read checking spelling and grammar
No stick figures
Comic
Comic Strip
Some important main points/things to keep in mind:
Need a title
6-8 panel comic strip that tells a story from beginning to end
Must be colorful and neat and include backgrounds in the panels - no blank/white space
Dialogue must be clear and easy to read checking spelling and grammar
No stick figures
Comic
Comic Strip
Friday, April 29, 2011
Prepositions
Next week we will focus on prepositions. This important part of speech can be difficult for students to grasp so please encourage students to come in for help if they need it. Prepositions are a large part of speech and good writing habits. It is important for students to grasp and understand the parts of speech before going to high school. I just had a former LV student contact me and he had this to say about the teaching of grammar,
"I need to thank you for your awesome teaching of grammar and English. They don't do that here at South, but after some studying I was able to achieve a pretty insane score on the ACT English section. I believe that it was only possible because of your great teaching, which gave me an excellent foundation of the English language."
I have to say his compliments are kind, but I was most excited to hear the understanding of why we teach grammar and the positive use and function it provides as life long learners!
"I need to thank you for your awesome teaching of grammar and English. They don't do that here at South, but after some studying I was able to achieve a pretty insane score on the ACT English section. I believe that it was only possible because of your great teaching, which gave me an excellent foundation of the English language."
I have to say his compliments are kind, but I was most excited to hear the understanding of why we teach grammar and the positive use and function it provides as life long learners!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Week of April 18-22
Language Arts
Monday 4/18 - discuss and handout "outline rubric", write outline for speech
Tuesday 4/19 - write/finish outline for speech
Wednesday 4/20 - Type outline (bring flashdrive!)
Thursday 4/21 (early dismissal) - Type outline (bring flashdrive!)
Friday 4/22 - no school
Reading - Periods 6 & 8
Monday 4/18 - Discuss "Starving in Siberia" ws. Group work - Read "Perfume" & "Silver Lining" by Wednesday and answer questions. Be ready to discuss questions 1/2 way through class on Wednesday.
Tuesday 4/19 - Group work - Read "Perfume" & "Silver Lining" by Wednesday and answer questions. Be ready to discuss questions 1/2 way through class on Wednesday.
Wednesday 4/20 - Finish up questions/correct questions in class
Thursday 4/21 (early dismissal) - Type outline (bring flashdrive!) use this period as well due to early dismissal
Friday 4/22 - no school
Advanced Reading - Period 2
Monday 4/18 - Literature Circle Meeting - Bookmark due
Tuesday 4/19 - Finsih group 6 discussion of book and continue group talk
Wednesday 4/20 - Literature Circle Meeting - Bookmark due
Thursday 4/21 (early dismissal) - Type outline (bring flashdrive!) - use both periods due to early dismissal
Friday 4/22 - no school
Rubric for Career Outline
Monday 4/18 - discuss and handout "outline rubric", write outline for speech
Tuesday 4/19 - write/finish outline for speech
Wednesday 4/20 - Type outline (bring flashdrive!)
Thursday 4/21 (early dismissal) - Type outline (bring flashdrive!)
Friday 4/22 - no school
Reading - Periods 6 & 8
Monday 4/18 - Discuss "Starving in Siberia" ws. Group work - Read "Perfume" & "Silver Lining" by Wednesday and answer questions. Be ready to discuss questions 1/2 way through class on Wednesday.
Tuesday 4/19 - Group work - Read "Perfume" & "Silver Lining" by Wednesday and answer questions. Be ready to discuss questions 1/2 way through class on Wednesday.
Wednesday 4/20 - Finish up questions/correct questions in class
Thursday 4/21 (early dismissal) - Type outline (bring flashdrive!) use this period as well due to early dismissal
Friday 4/22 - no school
Advanced Reading - Period 2
Monday 4/18 - Literature Circle Meeting - Bookmark due
Tuesday 4/19 - Finsih group 6 discussion of book and continue group talk
Wednesday 4/20 - Literature Circle Meeting - Bookmark due
Thursday 4/21 (early dismissal) - Type outline (bring flashdrive!) - use both periods due to early dismissal
Friday 4/22 - no school
Rubric for Career Outline
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
April 11 - 15
Monday, April 11 – Friday, April 15
Language Arts Classes (all periods)
IMC research time
During this time it will be your goal to research efficiently and effectively in the IMC. Daily checks on use of time will be taken as well as check-points for note card completion. You need to be creating your bibliography as you research! All research will need to be completed on note cards 5-8 sources is required for your research. A minimum of 20 notecards is required.
Use of time in IMC checkpoints (no points but just marked in gradebook)
IMC Checkpoints will be: 4/11, 4/13 & 4/15
Notecard Checks
Completion points for having assigned notecards on the day told. 3 point grade to earn. All or nothing.
Noteacrd checks will be:
Tuesday 4/12 – 6-10 notecards
Thursday 4/14 – 10-15 notecards
Reading Period 2 - Advanced
Students are continuing their Literature Circle Unit. The class has been divided into 6 literature circle groups. The groups have assigned themselves the reading they want to accomplish before each meeting and will complete the book talk bookmarks ahead of time. These bookmarks are used as a way to spark discussion. I use the book discussion time to sit with groups and listen to their discussion. Students receive a grade for discussion times as well as evaluation of group members. Days we are not having literature circle discussion we use class time to discuss similarities of our books as an entire class.
Reading Periods 6 & 8
Continuing with Section 2 of Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. We will be reading, focusing on vocabulary and answering comprehension questions about the novel. I anticipate there will be a quiz over section 2 the week of April 18.
Language Arts Classes (all periods)
IMC research time
During this time it will be your goal to research efficiently and effectively in the IMC. Daily checks on use of time will be taken as well as check-points for note card completion. You need to be creating your bibliography as you research! All research will need to be completed on note cards 5-8 sources is required for your research. A minimum of 20 notecards is required.
Use of time in IMC checkpoints (no points but just marked in gradebook)
IMC Checkpoints will be: 4/11, 4/13 & 4/15
Notecard Checks
Completion points for having assigned notecards on the day told. 3 point grade to earn. All or nothing.
Noteacrd checks will be:
Tuesday 4/12 – 6-10 notecards
Thursday 4/14 – 10-15 notecards
Reading Period 2 - Advanced
Students are continuing their Literature Circle Unit. The class has been divided into 6 literature circle groups. The groups have assigned themselves the reading they want to accomplish before each meeting and will complete the book talk bookmarks ahead of time. These bookmarks are used as a way to spark discussion. I use the book discussion time to sit with groups and listen to their discussion. Students receive a grade for discussion times as well as evaluation of group members. Days we are not having literature circle discussion we use class time to discuss similarities of our books as an entire class.
Reading Periods 6 & 8
Continuing with Section 2 of Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. We will be reading, focusing on vocabulary and answering comprehension questions about the novel. I anticipate there will be a quiz over section 2 the week of April 18.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Week of April 4 - April 8
Upon returning from spring break students will be busy! We will begin our "Career Unit."
Students checked out new book report books Friday, March 25th. If students are in my periods 6 & 8 class they should try to complete the book over break - Everyone should have 20 minutes a day to devote to reading. The goal is for students to be finished or about finished so they can take advantage of the 2 in class book report work days given on April 8 & 15. I am stressing to students how important it is to follow through or else they will find themselves overwhelmed with trying to finish the book report and complete the career unit. Students should be managing time and remembering they are getting a month to read/complete the book report project as well as getting 80 minutes of class time to accomplish this task.
I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing spring break!
Students checked out new book report books Friday, March 25th. If students are in my periods 6 & 8 class they should try to complete the book over break - Everyone should have 20 minutes a day to devote to reading. The goal is for students to be finished or about finished so they can take advantage of the 2 in class book report work days given on April 8 & 15. I am stressing to students how important it is to follow through or else they will find themselves overwhelmed with trying to finish the book report and complete the career unit. Students should be managing time and remembering they are getting a month to read/complete the book report project as well as getting 80 minutes of class time to accomplish this task.
I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing spring break!
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 21-25
Advanced LA & LA periods 5 & 7
As we wrap up the week before Spring Break, seventh graders will be going over how to read text and complete an outline. We will discuss how to use sub-topics correctly and this will help prepare students for the "Career Unit" upon returning from Spring Break. More details to come after break about the "Career Unit."
Advanced Reading
All week students will be using class time and homework time to complete their final projects for
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". I am looking forward to interesting and creative projects. Each day in grade book a "grade" of 'X' or '0' will be entered. This is the parents and students way to see how well they used their class time to work on the project. Students are not receiving any points it is just a "check" grade. Feel free to contact me with any questions and/or concerns about the project.
Reading - periods 6 & 8
We will continue reading Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie this week. This is a great book which explores adolescences through an 8th grader's eyes. Steven has just learned his brother, Jeffrey, has leukemia and we will see how the family reacts to this horrible news. This book offers humor and real life perspective as well and the students are asking daily, "Are we reading more today?" I am glad they are enjoying the book as much as I do!
As we wrap up the week before Spring Break, seventh graders will be going over how to read text and complete an outline. We will discuss how to use sub-topics correctly and this will help prepare students for the "Career Unit" upon returning from Spring Break. More details to come after break about the "Career Unit."
Advanced Reading
All week students will be using class time and homework time to complete their final projects for
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". I am looking forward to interesting and creative projects. Each day in grade book a "grade" of 'X' or '0' will be entered. This is the parents and students way to see how well they used their class time to work on the project. Students are not receiving any points it is just a "check" grade. Feel free to contact me with any questions and/or concerns about the project.
Reading - periods 6 & 8
We will continue reading Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie this week. This is a great book which explores adolescences through an 8th grader's eyes. Steven has just learned his brother, Jeffrey, has leukemia and we will see how the family reacts to this horrible news. This book offers humor and real life perspective as well and the students are asking daily, "Are we reading more today?" I am glad they are enjoying the book as much as I do!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Week of March 14-18
Language Arts - periods 5,7
Monday - completion of pronoun lessons
Tuesday - Picture prompt - see attachment
End of Unit Picture Prompt
Wednesday - Friday - ABC Fairy Tale Assignment - see attachment
Fairy Tale ABC
Reading - periods 6,8
Monday - Pre-reading activites for new in class novel Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
Tuesday - Begin vocabulary for Section 1 of Drums, complete Ch. 1
Wednesday - Chapter 2
Thursday - Chapter 3
Friday - Accelerated Reader book report due
Advanced LA
Monday - Introduction of Fairy Tale Assignment - partner or individual option
- Students create an outline of their plan of completion for the week
Tuesday - Friday - Create, write, illustrate and bind Fairy Tale
Advanced Reading - Fairy Tale Rubric
Advanced Reading
Finish reading The Boy in the Stiped Pajamas
Monday - Read Ch. 18 in class and complete the Ch. 18 ws & poem/poster option
Tuesday - Finish the novel
Wednesday - Bruno's Misunderstandings worksheet
Thursday - Complete Bruno's misunderstanding discussion
Friday - File Folder book report due on Monday - last day to work on project in class
Book Folder Rubric
Monday - completion of pronoun lessons
Tuesday - Picture prompt - see attachment
End of Unit Picture Prompt
Wednesday - Friday - ABC Fairy Tale Assignment - see attachment
Fairy Tale ABC
Reading - periods 6,8
Monday - Pre-reading activites for new in class novel Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
Tuesday - Begin vocabulary for Section 1 of Drums, complete Ch. 1
Wednesday - Chapter 2
Thursday - Chapter 3
Friday - Accelerated Reader book report due
Advanced LA
Monday - Introduction of Fairy Tale Assignment - partner or individual option
- Students create an outline of their plan of completion for the week
Tuesday - Friday - Create, write, illustrate and bind Fairy Tale
Advanced Reading - Fairy Tale Rubric
Advanced Reading
Finish reading The Boy in the Stiped Pajamas
Monday - Read Ch. 18 in class and complete the Ch. 18 ws & poem/poster option
Tuesday - Finish the novel
Wednesday - Bruno's Misunderstandings worksheet
Thursday - Complete Bruno's misunderstanding discussion
Friday - File Folder book report due on Monday - last day to work on project in class
Book Folder Rubric
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 8-11
Advanced LA
We will be finishing up our pronoun unit and having a short test on Friday, March 11. Students have been creating poems, writing a journal and completing some review sheets to practice pronoun use.
Advanced Reading
We are more than half-way through The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Students will review for half of the period on Tuesday and take a quiz over Ch 11-14. I anticipate we will get through Chapter 19 by the end of the week. Some activities will include a "Reader's Theater" for Chapter 17, discussion of chapters and predicting and lastly looking in depth at our main character Bruno and how naive he really is!
Language Arts - periods 5,7
Classes will begin a pronoun unit in which they will create a poem using the subject or theme of water. Students will also work on a proofreading activity to practice correct pronoun use.
Reading 6,8
With the completion of our classroom novel The Wanderer, we will introduce the final book project. It will be explained in full detail to students on Tuesday, but I have also attached the assignment details and rubric below. The final project will be due on Monday, March 14, and is worth 80 points. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the project.
Wanderer Final Project
Wanderer Final Project Rubric
We will be finishing up our pronoun unit and having a short test on Friday, March 11. Students have been creating poems, writing a journal and completing some review sheets to practice pronoun use.
Advanced Reading
We are more than half-way through The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Students will review for half of the period on Tuesday and take a quiz over Ch 11-14. I anticipate we will get through Chapter 19 by the end of the week. Some activities will include a "Reader's Theater" for Chapter 17, discussion of chapters and predicting and lastly looking in depth at our main character Bruno and how naive he really is!
Language Arts - periods 5,7
Classes will begin a pronoun unit in which they will create a poem using the subject or theme of water. Students will also work on a proofreading activity to practice correct pronoun use.
Reading 6,8
With the completion of our classroom novel The Wanderer, we will introduce the final book project. It will be explained in full detail to students on Tuesday, but I have also attached the assignment details and rubric below. The final project will be due on Monday, March 14, and is worth 80 points. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the project.
Wanderer Final Project
Wanderer Final Project Rubric
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Week of Feb. 28-March 4
Language Arts - periods 5 & 7:
Next week we will be reviewing writing components that students should continue practicing. Lessons will be centered around comma use in writing, direct and indirect quotes. This focus will be useful for our research unit that will begin after Spring Break. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these grammatical components through a writing prompt at the end of the week. Students may or may not have language arts homework depending on how they do in class with the lessons as well as when we meet due to ISAT testing.
Reading - periods 6 & 8:
Students will finally find out how Sophie knows Bompie when we finish our classroom text The Wanderer. Students will have comprehension questions to answer to demonstrate their understanding of the chapters. Information about the next book report will be posted on next weeks blog.
Advanced Language Arts - period 2
Due to ISAT testing next week, I only meet with advanced LA 2 times! Next week we will begin our Pronoun unit. Review and teaching of lessons will take place in class and continue with practice through a few homework assignments. The assignments include a poem on Monday and a journal assignment which goes along with our classroom text The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Advanced Reading - period 4
Again this class will only meet two times due to ISAT testing. Students will be ready to discuss Chapter 11-13 (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas)on Monday and continue reading in the text on Monday and Tuesday. We should be able to accomplish a few chapters next week. Tuesday they will have homework covering the chapter we get through. Look to the homework blog to give specific chapter assignments since this always changes due to what we can or cannot complete based on discussion.
Look for a complete description about the next book report on next weeks blog! I discussed requirements on Friday and students will receive a handout on Monday.
Next week we will be reviewing writing components that students should continue practicing. Lessons will be centered around comma use in writing, direct and indirect quotes. This focus will be useful for our research unit that will begin after Spring Break. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these grammatical components through a writing prompt at the end of the week. Students may or may not have language arts homework depending on how they do in class with the lessons as well as when we meet due to ISAT testing.
Reading - periods 6 & 8:
Students will finally find out how Sophie knows Bompie when we finish our classroom text The Wanderer. Students will have comprehension questions to answer to demonstrate their understanding of the chapters. Information about the next book report will be posted on next weeks blog.
Advanced Language Arts - period 2
Due to ISAT testing next week, I only meet with advanced LA 2 times! Next week we will begin our Pronoun unit. Review and teaching of lessons will take place in class and continue with practice through a few homework assignments. The assignments include a poem on Monday and a journal assignment which goes along with our classroom text The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Advanced Reading - period 4
Again this class will only meet two times due to ISAT testing. Students will be ready to discuss Chapter 11-13 (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas)on Monday and continue reading in the text on Monday and Tuesday. We should be able to accomplish a few chapters next week. Tuesday they will have homework covering the chapter we get through. Look to the homework blog to give specific chapter assignments since this always changes due to what we can or cannot complete based on discussion.
Look for a complete description about the next book report on next weeks blog! I discussed requirements on Friday and students will receive a handout on Monday.
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Chapter 1-10 study guide
Vocabulary – know the following:
chaos
dominated
desolate
devise
dismissively
distaste
engaged
escapade
foreseeable
incredulous
presumed
retrieved
reverberated
rummaged
tolerant
Review ALL chapter study guides and discussion sheets
Understand:
simile
metaphor
idiom
personification
hyperbole
chaos
dominated
desolate
devise
dismissively
distaste
engaged
escapade
foreseeable
incredulous
presumed
retrieved
reverberated
rummaged
tolerant
Review ALL chapter study guides and discussion sheets
Understand:
simile
metaphor
idiom
personification
hyperbole
Friday, February 11, 2011
Period 6 & 8 Book Report Assignment - Greeting Card
Greeting Card Project
Directions:Think about the characters in your novel. Imagine that one character is sending a card to another character. What kind of card would they character send and why?
Choices of cards: Birthday, Sympathy, Thank You, Get Well, Friendship, Anniversary, Retirement, New Baby, Valentine's Day, Miss You
Task: There are TWO parts to this project.
1.Create a card to one character in your novel to another character.
2.On a separate sheet of paper, include the following:
The title and date of publication
In one paragraph, explain why you created the card you did.
In one paragraph, explain the importance of this choice and how the novel would be different if the card had actually been sent.
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