Language Arts 12-29-13

Happy Holidays All!
Hope you are enjoying your break.

Your only assignment for Language Arts is to do the research on your family roots (you received instructions and the grading rubric) and begin plotting out all the information that you have obtained.  Remember your biography focuses on one member of your family -- tell their history -- use figurative language.

Although I have graded tests and The Outsiders' Packets, I have been unable to get onto Gradebook over the holiday.

I will continue to try to update your grades, but so far have been unsuccessful.

Language Arts 12-18-13

Language Arts 12-16-13

Today we recorded and discussed vocabulary words for Chapters 8 & 9.
We listed to the two chapters of The Outsiders.
We created the sequence of events for Chapter 8, worked on the chapter analysis, and began a three-step for Chapter 9.

All Chapter analysis sheets and three-steps are due for chapters 1-9 on Thursday, 12/19.  This includes the chart of characters.

SciFi stories must be revised, corrected & resubmitted as a final on Friday 12/20.

Current events due Tuesday 12/17.
Assessment worksheet for chapters 4-6 on The Outsiders will be collected Wednesday 12/18.

Field Trip to see Catching Fire on 12/17.  Wear your uniform, bring a lunch.

Assessments this week:
   Figurative language and The Outsiders final on Friday 12/20

Genealogy Project -- December/January 2013/2014

Genealogy Project – 8^th Grade  Language Arts                                        (crw2013)

 

 

Your History in America…..where did it begin?

“The best growth happens when we bring into the present the

best of what we have experienced in the past.”

Each of us has a personal history which includes the people and their experiences which make us who we are.

 

Your project is to trace your roots – where does your family fit into the History of this World.   Remember in today’s world we experience a rich variety of family configurations.  Families are not always comprised of blood relatives.  A family can consist of friends, foster, and adoptive relatives.  A family consists of both the people you may be linked to by blood and the people you care about and who care about you.

 

The emphasis is on quality not quantity.  It is not important to list every second and third cousin you are related to; rather try to trace your ancestry back to another country or continent and provide an interesting look into the history of a few relatives.

1. Research your family roots (begin by sitting down with mom or dad and finding out who is related to who and how;  speak to grandma, grandpa, an aunt or uncle about your ancestors) Draw a sketch.
2. Find one primary document (a birth certificate, marriage certificate, naturalization paper from a member of your family, report card, letter, etc.)   Attach a copy (not the original) to your paper and explain the relationship of the person to you and label the document.

3.  Find a creative way to illustrate on a poster board your family tree.  (for example, a family who trace its roots to a member of the plumbing union, displayed each member as a pipe joined by joints)  (another example,  a family with artistic qualities featured each relative as colors on a color wheel)    Be sure whatever your design, that the relationships between the names are clearly displayed. (grandma, grandpa, aunt, etc.)  Include name, relationship, place of birth & dates if you have of birth/death.

 

4.  Choose one of your ancestors (you cannot be one).  (You can do an additional relative for extra credit).   Write a one typed page paper describing the specific history of that person.  Attempt to choose a person who will help show how your family got its roots in the United States and in your community where you live today.  Be sure to list your source of information (interview with person or another relative and the date).  It could be about a relative who has died, but someone else tells you the story.  Be sure to list that person as the source and the date you interviewed them.

 

Three Part Project

                          (visual display on poster board)

                          (typed paper – research on one key person

                                ( copy of a primary document)

DATES:  Research over the holidays -- December 18th to January 6th 

                 Rough drafts for individual histories and idea for display  January 14th, 2014
 

                 Final project due : January 28th, 2014

 

CRITERIA:

1.     Effort evident in attempt to trace ancestry

2.     Creativity of design, well executed, neatly drawn, colorful

3.     Clarity of display and biographies(one can see relationships)

4.     Well-written, grammatically correct biography

5.     one copy of a primary document included and labeled

 

 

 

Student _____________________________

Genealogy Project – Language Arts

BIOGRAPHY:

          _____PRESENTATION: (10 pts.) Double-spaced, typed

          _____ENGLISH: (30 pts.) Grammatically correct/proofread

          _____RESEARCH: (100 pts.) Thorough look into on relation

          _____CREATIVITY: (20 pts).Creative description with anecdotes

PRIMARY DOCUMENT:

          _____included (30)

             _____labeled (10)  

POSTER:

          _____PRESENTATION: (50 pts.) Ink or marker, neatly completed without errors

          _____CREATIVITY: (50 pts.) Theme obvious and well-displayed

          _____CLARITY: (50 pts.)Relationship between student and relatives clearly shown using theme, names and titles listed Sue Tone - aunt, grandma, etc.); birth dates and countries of birth attempted

          _____RESEARCH: (50 pts.) Ancestors traced showing time and effort

 

                                                                      TOTAL PROJECT  POINTS _______ out of 400 points

 

PRESENTATION (Speaking Grade):                                                          __________/__________

          _____ Clarity (able to understand presentation)          Clarity/fluency    Knowledge

          _____ Summarization (good summary of info & reason for design)

          _____ Class able to hear presentation                                    

 

Language Arts 12-13-13

Language Arts:

Today we recorded our vocabulary for Chapter 7.  Reviewed figurative language.
Recorded two flash cards for verbs and pronouns.

We listened to the rest of Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 of The Outsiders.  We began the sequence of events together on our Chapter maps.

Homework:
finish corrections for Simple Solutions Test #10  (Grammar rule,  what I did wrong,  correction)
work on Chapter Analysis maps for chapters 1-7.
Current events on Nelson Mandela due on Tuesday 12/17.
Make sure flash cards are complete.
Journal entries on "jealousy" and "consequences."

Language Arts 12-12-13

Today we wrote down and discussed our Vocabulary for Chapters 5 & 6 of the Outsiders.
We listened to Chapter 5 and 1/2 of Chapter 6.  We worked on our chapter analysis of Chapter 5 and a three-step for Chapter 6.

We created two flash cards: one on parallel structure and one on adverbs.

Homework:
Simple Solutions corrections:  (due Monday 12/16)
    1., Grammar rule
    2.  What I did wrong
    3.  Correction

Current Events on Nelson Mandela (Due Tuesday, 12/17)

Work on Chapter Analysis Maps of Chapters 5 and three-step for Chapter 6.

Language Arts 12-11-13

Today we took our Outsiders Test I  (25 comprehension questions, 9 identification, 11 vocabulary -- chapters 1-3).
We discussed chapter 3 and listened to Chapter 4.  We reviewed some figurative language terms (synecdoche, idiom, imagery).
Teams completed their comparisons of the Socs and the Greasers, and the differences between "tuff" and "tough" according to the novel.
We received papers back & prepared our binders for signatures.


(Princeton took their Simple Solutions test today;  Harvard & Yale had a night off since they took their test on Tuesday).

Homework:
chapter Analysis sheets on Chapters 3 & 4.
Simple Solutions Lesson 41
Get your portfolio signed (additional sheets are on Mrs. Urbinati's website).


Reminders:
Progress reports went home today.  Bring back the small slip at the bottom signed.
Blue Man Group Deposit $40.00 due Friday.
Catching Fire field trip form and $11.00 due Friday (late payments will not be accepted.)
High School registration is due by Friday.

Language Arts 12-10-13

Princeton:
Corrected Simple Solutions #40

Yale & Harvard:
Took our Simple Solutions test on lessons 37, 38, 39, 40; packets handed in.

All:
Wrote out our vocabulary for Chapter 4 of The Outsiders and reviewed vocab for chapters 1,2,3
Listened to The Outsiders, Chapter 3.
Wrote out a journal entry on gangs. (homework!)
As teams, constructed a Venn Diagram comparing/contrasting Socs and Greasers; needed three actual quotes from the book.
Defined tuff, and tough; found one picture of each for our poster.

Homework:
Journal entry
Study for Test on The Outsiders Chapters 1,2,3 (includes comprehension and vocabulary)
Princeton (study for Simple Solutions Test)
Fill in as much of the Chapter Analysis on Chapter 3 as possible.

Language Arts 12-9-13

Today we wrote out a study guide for the Simple Solutions Tests on Lessons 37, 38, 39, & 40.
We practiced some exercises to review for the test.
We wrote out out vocabulary words for Chapter 3.

Princeton:
We listened to Chapter 3 of The Outsiders and worked on the chapter analysis.
We finished giving our "Gettysburg Address" speeches.
We peer-edited our Science Fiction stories.
(We're finishing Lesson 40 for homework & taking our Simple Solutions test on Wednesday).

Yale:
We listed to Chapter 2 of The Outsiders.

Harvard:
We finished reading Chapter 2 of the Outsiders.
We peer-edited our Science Fiction stories.


Homework:
Create a draft with your ideas for the following:
1.       a chart listing "Tuff"    and    "tough".
     what images come to mind with each word which Ponyboy discussed in the novel.


2.     create a Venn diagram comparing the Socs and the Greasers


Tuesday; Simple Solutions test for Yale & Harvard
Wednesday:  Chapters 1-3 test on The Outsiders for all sections (this includes vocabulary).

Language Arts 12-6-13

Friday:
Took down Vocabulary for Chapter 2
Finished reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
Classwork:
     The Outsiders Chapter 2 Analysis
     Character table

Homework:
   Princeton (complete journal entries).
   All sections:  Science fiction narrative due Monday 12/8
   Study literary terms and elements

Language Arts 12-5-13

Room 203 took the Math MAP Test from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.


Today we copied our Vocabulary words for The Outsiders Chapter one.
We discussed allusions present in our new novel.
We began reading chapter one and created a character chart.
We recited the first two lines of the Gettysburg Address.

Princeton also did a "Short Write" using the Civil War Journal.

Homework:
Simple Solutions #40
Science fiction narrative (2 to 5 pages long) due Monday


8th Grade Announcements:

Field Trip Money (Catching Fire) due by 12/13
$40.00 deposit due for Blue Man Group 8th Grade Graduation Trip
Progress Reports go home next Wednesday.

Language Arts 12-4-13

Today we recorded 10 literary terms.  Homework was to define and provide an example for each.

We took notes on the Literary Element -- Style.

We completed a "short write" using our homework (the "Think and Note" from "A Civil War Journal" by Louisa May Alcott.).  These were collected.

We read and discussed a power point on the "Curse on the Presidency" to complete our non-fiction unit.

Students handed in their book reports.

Students received the Common Core standards for listening and speaking to insert into their binder.

We recorded journal questions from The Outsiders.

Homework:
complete two journal entries
Simple Solutions #39
memorize Gettysburg Address

Language Arts 12-3-13

Today we created a journal entry defining and giving examples for 10 of our figurative language vocabulary.  This was entry # 2.

We watched the video "Four Minutes of the Civil War,"  read a non-fiction piece about Wilmer McLean, and examined our character analysis of Lincoln. (this was handed in today).

We corrected Simple Solutions #37.

We took down flash cards on Literary elements of mood and tone & inferencing.

HOMEWORK:
Simple solution #38
Read literature book pages 784-787 do a "Think and Note"  on this Civil War Journal
Book report due tomorrow
Gettysburg address memorization (students have been giving their speeches each day)  last day is Thursday.

Language Arts 12-2-13

Happy December

Today we completed Journal entry #1  "Booth's Reasons for Assassination" by reading a non-fiction article and bullet pointing key ideas.
We reexamined "O Captain, My Captain" and in team, examined quotes from "Lincoln: A Photobiography" to make inferences about Lincoln's character traits.  We began a character analysis which is due tomorrow with specific evidence from our readings.
All papers were handed back and missing assignment sheets were passed around.

Yale & Harvard took notes on the literary element: Mood.


Homework:
Simple Solutions # 37
Finish character analysis sheet began in class on Lincoln
Memorize your lines of the Gettysburg Address; speeches began today.
Book report (adjusted date!)  Wednesday, December 4th.

Continue work on your own scifi stories 

Congratulations Room 203 -- Perfect attendance today!!

Language Arts 11-26-2013 and Thanksgiving Holiday

Today our DO NOW:

copy words and definitions from pages 770 to 781
   (5 from  Lincoln: A Photobiography and 2 from "O Captain, My Captain")
We took our Simple Solutions Test #9 and handed in our packets
We handed in our Grammar Handbooks which we created from all our Simple Solutions lessons through 25.  Those can now be discarded if you want to clean out your binder.

We examined the poem, "O Captain, My Captain."   We handed in our three questions that we answered after reading the poem.

Harvard submitted their journals;  Yale & Princeton got theirs back.

We discussed the movie GLORY and the assignment for Social Studies.
Complete the RL8.1 worksheet which is the organizer to write a paper.  Most of it should be bullet points or phrases not complete sentences, except for the introduction (restating the thesis) and the lead.  Question is "How is respect earned? 

We received our book report options.

HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Finish reading your novel (this was your choice of book and genre).  Begin work on your book report (you received the sheet with 3 options).  Book report due December 3rd.

2. Continue writing your very own short science fiction story.  Should be about two typed pages but no more than five typed pages.  Rough draft due by Friday, December 6th.

3.  Memorize the first few sentences of the Gettysburg Address for a speaking grade.
Students ready will begin presenting on Tuesday, December 2nd.

4.  Do something nice for your family and take a minute to be thankful for all they have given you.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your long holiday break.

Language Arts 11-25-13

Today we completed a review for our Simple Solutions Test tomorrow.  Three sentences with directions and suggestions for studying were entered into our Black & White composition notebook.
We corrected Simple Solutions #35 & 36. 

Yale & Princeton handed in their Purple/Black Reading journals for grading.
Current Events was collected.

We took notes on Non-fiction.
We watched a short video on the Gettysburg Address, highlighted the parts of the speech we have to memorize to present to the class for a "speaking grade," and completed a paraphrasing exercise with a partner.

Homework:
Packets for Simple Solutions will be collected on Tuesday as we take the test on lessons 33, 34, 35, 36.
Grammar handbooks which we began last week are due  (write or type all bolded grammatical principles with an example if it would help you understand -- we are creating a grammar study guide).
Green literature book:  read page 780 "O Captain, My Captain" and complete questions #1, 3, 4
on page 781

Harvard journals will be collected on Tuesday.

Language Arts 11-22-2013

Today we completed a journal entry on
John Fitzgerald Kennedy  (we bullet pointed all we knew about him; we added to our entry after we watched the video and read an article about his assassination)
We completed a Listening Activity by watching a short video on JFK and answering 10 multiple choice questions;  we corrected this in class & discussed.
We analyzed the excerpt we read from Lincoln: A Photobiography and handed in our "Think and Note" sheet.  We took notes on Abe Lincoln in our journal from a power point.
We examined "coincidences" between Lincoln and Kennedy.
We read a SCOPE article on the day Kennedy was assassinated.

HOMEWORK:
Current Event due Monday
Simple Solutions Test will be on Tuesday
work on SciFi story,  read your novel

Know what your RIT score is (found on the NWEA MAP sheet you have in your binder)!
Ask someone over 55 if they remember the day Kennedy was shot.  What were they doing... how did they get the news.... how did they feel....what did they remember?


8th Grade News:
A blue stapled paper was passed out in all Language Arts classes today from the 8th Grade Parent Committee.  It was about the 8th Grade trip to Blue Man Group.  A deposit is required and due in December.  Please check all particulars on this handout.

Language Arts 11-21-13

Today:
Took notes on "Active Listening"
We took a comprehension test on "The Secret" by Arthur Clarke.
We took our SciFi test.

Graded SS #35

Homework:
Do SS # 36
Read pages 769-775 Lincoln, A Photobiography in your Green Literature book.
Create a "Think and Note" as you read.
Compass Learning activities online

Language Arts 11-21-13

Language 11-20-13

Papers returned, organized in portfolios.
Clean-out procedure:  Simple Solutions # 1-24  (create a grammar mini-handbook -- type or write grammar principles that are bolded;  include an example), then discard.
Hunger Games:  keep your paper and choose three pieces of your best work to keep; others can be discarded.
Current Events:  keep "Are You A Loser" which is the model, others can be discarded

Corrected Simple Solutions #34,  #35 I homework

Finished notes on SciFi authors; did a review for tomorrow's test
Corrected the Orson Welles worksheet; watched part of a video of the original broadcast.

Read aloud "The Secret." by Arthur Clarke.

Homework:
Study for Sci Fi Test on Thursday
SS #35
begin work on grammar mini-handbook
get portfolio signed

Yale & Princeton:  write a letter to Santa asking for something for a child with a life-threatening illness or a gift to make the world a better place (writing grade & fundraiser for Make A Wish)

Harvard:  also read another story from Scope Magazine and poem on SciFi.

Language Arts 11-19-2013

All:
Read a SCOPE article entitled "Welcome to the Future."  As a journal entry, students jotted down the 12 projected changes and created three of their own.  Class discussed feeling the author had about the future.  Introduced the literary element, tone.

Took notes in our Red notebook on tone, looked at examples.  (Students were asked to go home tonight and explain Tone to someone.)

Yale & Princeton: corrected Simple Solutions #33.  Handed in "Rain, Rain Go Away" homework assignment.
Yale & Harvard handed in Sci Fi Poems

Homework:
Yale & Princeton:  read an article about Orson Welles and answer the questions on the back of the story sheet.
Tell someone about Tone.
Simple Solutions #34
Read your novel.

Harvard:
write a letter to Santa for Make A Wish.
Simple Solutions #34
Read your novel.

Language 11-18-2013

Princeton/Yale:
DO NOW:  copied a chart with five vocabulary words from "Rain, Rain Go Away."  Reviewed as a class the definition, origin, root word and meaning.
Took Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 29, 30, 31, 32; handed in packet.
(Princeton handed in SciFi Poem; Yale will examine theirs tomorrow & hand in)
Listened to Isaac Asimov's short story: "Rain, rain Go Away."   Constructed a "Think and Note" sheet.  Used their Think and Note to complete a selection objective test.  Went over answers together.
Homework:
complete a chart comparing the neighbors (three examples each)
         Evidence of how they were normal                  Evidence of how they were unusual

List three examples of how Asimov foreshadowed the ending of this SciFi story.
Simple Solutions #33
Read your student choice novel.

Harvard:
Same as above except completed "Rain, Rain Go Away" selection test in class.
Homework:
Simple Solutions #33
Read article on Orson Welles and complete questions.
Read your novel.

Language Arts 11-15-2013

Princeton/Yale/Harvard

Journal entry:  two science fiction settings; write as if you are the narrator telling story (in your purple journal)
Begin writing your own Science Fiction short story -- this is the writing project due when we return form Thanksgiving break.
Checked in portfolios signed by parents.
Collected three-part book reports (pop up settings with details from book,  three typed paragraphs describing sci-fi, elements in your book, and your evaluation if your book was sci fi or not,  character trait chart show three traits with three pieces of evidence from text each)
Power point - reviewed elements of science fiction
Flash card created on Trilogy

Read Green Literature 587 -- took notes on e.e. cummings and May Swenson;  read two Sci Fi poems and analyzed as partners, then group.

Homework:
Write your own Sci Fi poem using May Swenson's as a model (it should be a riddle -- see text)
Find a novel to read -- your choice any genre, lower than your lexile to read for enjoyment.
Study for Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 29,30,31,32

(Harvard -- took their Simple Solutions Test on Friday 11/15)

Language 11-14-13

Princeton/Yale/Harvard:
   Took notes on authors of Science Fiction.  Completed a journal entry which included four statements that we had to agree or disagree with; had a discussion to explain our answers.  Read an excerpt from The Martian Chronicles.  Conducted a Think Aloud as we read the story.  Pairs completed three followup comprehension questions.

Corrected Simple Solutions #32.  

Harvard: collected book reports

Handed out Sleepy Hollow packets, Benchmark Test,  Hunger Games Essay, etc.  Portfolios must be signed tonight.

Princeton/Yale:
Book Reports due tomorrow  11/15
Get portfolio signed

Harvard:
Simple Solutions Test on Friday; lessons 29, 30, 31, 32
Get portfolio signed.

Language Arts 11-13-13

What We Did Today:

Princeton/Yale/Harvard:
Created flashcards for Science Fiction, Figurative Language, Pseudonym, Alliteration, Consonance, Assonance

Princeton/Yale:
Finished reading "One Week and Counting."  constructed a 7-10 sentence summary and evaluation if the story was Science Fiction

Handed in Current Events
Simple Solutions -- corrected 31; 32 is for homework

Harvard:
Continued power point notes on Science Fiction writers; organized flash cards into categories
Corrected Current Events and handed in
Began reading 549 in Green literature book & taking notes

Homework:
Simple Solutions 32
Work on Book report  (Harvard due Thursday 11/14, Yale/Princeton due 11/15)
Portfolios will be signed Thursday evening this week.


HOMEROOM:
return report cards signed, envelopes & promotion policy slip

please get your supplies in; we're running out of paper!

Language Arts 11-8-2013

Princeton, Yale & Harvard:

In class today:

"Legend of Sleepy Hollow" project collected.

Journal entry (purple journal)
    How does the science fiction genre differ from other fiction genres?  What books have you read that are scifi?  What makes a book science fiction?

Took notes on Science fiction.

Watched a video on SciFi, took notes & summarized.

(Princeton & Harvard):
read "One Week and Counting"  summarized and determined if it met SciFi requirements.

All went over book report requirements:
Corrected due dates:   Harvard 11/14,   Princeton & Yale 11/15

Homework:
Current Events weekend, due 11/13
work on book report
organize your portfolio

Language Arts 11-7-13

    

Princeton/Yale/Harvard:

 

Journal entry (Purple Journal) on MAP testing and District Promotion Policy -- students journaled on what they can do to be successful both focusing in the classrooms during instruction and on that day in the lab.

       Corrected Simple Solutions lessons 29 & 30.  Homework tonight is Lesson 31.

        Finished our notes on Washington Irving and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."  Created a flashcard for our decks on "Satire."

        Worked on completing our Project on the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" which is due tomorrow.

Homework:

Simple Solutions #31

Finish your "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" Project.

Read your Sci Fi novel.

Language Arts 11-6-13

All three sections took their CPS first quarter Benchmark exam in Language Arts.  The new exams are formatted to the new Common Core curriculum requiring students to make inferences and prove them with text evidence.  Students examined the poetry of Robert Frost -- "The Road Not Taken."

Students took their Literary Elements skill test on plot and theme.  This was an objective test.  Students were given the questions on Monday in their journal entry.

Corrections on the Root word test were turned in. 

Journal entry today:  pages in the Grammar book on transitive and intransitive verbs

Students had time to work on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" project which is due on Friday 11/8/13.

Homework:
continue reading your SciFi novel  (book report due dates:  Harvard 11/14,  Yale & Princeton 11/16)
Simple Solutions  30
Get your portfolio examined and parent signature sheet signed.

Language Arts 11-5-13

All sections:

Took the Simple Solutions Test #7 on lessons 25, 26, 27, 28; packets handed in.
took Part I of the CPS Benchmark Test Quarter One.
Collected 5 paragraph essays
Collected self-evaluation
collected Simple Solutions Packet

Homework:
work on "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" assignment
read your scifi novel
Complete Simple Solutions #29

Language Arts 11-4-13

Princeton, Yale and Harvard:
    Corrected Simple Solutions #28
    Journal entry:  created a study guide for Skill Test on Wednesday covering Plot and Theme
    Created two flashcards on Flashback and foreshadowing
    Received grades for Reading and Writing 1st Quarter,  examined our points toward graduation, began a self-evaluation which is due Tuesday 11/5.
    Took our comprehension test on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and the Root word quiz on 10 root words.
    Practiced interpreting poems and finding themes.

Homework:
    Study for Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 25, 26, 27, 28  (review transitive and intransitive verbs, prepositions and prepositional phrases)
    Five paragraph essay final due on The Hunger Games: Book vs. Movie
    Finish Self-evaluation
    Continue reading your SciFi novel
   
   

Second Quarter 2013

FIRST GRADES OF THE NEW QUARTER

1.  Compass Learning:
   exercises have been assigned to each of you in Language Arts for our NWEA MAP testing that is coming up late November/early December.
   I will get a weekly report showing me which activities you have completed.  This will count as a grade, so be sure to log on at home or during computers and work on Compass Learning.

2.  Simple  Solutions:
Test on Lessons 25, 26, 27, 28

3.  Skill tests   *** Literary elements (focus on plot and them, review of point of view, characterization and setting) and literary techniques (irony), and connotation/denotation.
                        ***Figurative Language

4.  Comprehension test on "Legend of Sleepy Hollow"   (we read the story together in class on Wednesday & Thursday; you will be working on a project on Monday after taking your comprehension test; you began this project on Thursday.)  Project is due on Friday, November 8th.

Language Arts 11-1-13

Language Arts  -----   November 1st, 2013

Beginning of Second Quarter, 2013
       Time to clean out your locker, folders, straighten papers, file, get new supplies.
       Evaluate what you did right this past quarter and what you did wrong.  What changes do you need to make to meet your goals?
      Are you focused?  Do you give 100% during each class?  Are you completing all your work?  Are you proud of your work and your accomplishments?  Have you sought help when you needed it?

Language Arts 10-31-13

All sections:
Complete a journal entry detailing nine prefixes and roots with definitions and examples in preparation for Quiz on Monday Nov. 4th.
Completed our Readers' Theatre of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
Took powerpoint notes on Washington Irving and his writing.
Discussed project based on our story and began first portion.

Homework:
Theme poem with topic and theme statement due 11/4
Five paragraph essay (final - double-spaced written or type) on changes between the book and movie of The Hunger Games due 11/5
Study for quiz on roots.

Read your scifi novel.

Happy Halloween!

Language Arts 10-30-13

Princeton, Yale & Harvard:
Today we checked Simple Solutions Lesson 26 & 27.
We filled out our Reading Record for the 1st quarter and handed it in.
We created 5 flash cards on the literary element Plot.
We went over requirements for our 5 paragraph essay and our theme poem and set due dates.
We began our short story to practice our plot, character and setting analysis skills:  "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Homework:
continue working on paper, poem, and reading your Science Fiction book.
Do lesson 28.

Language Arts 10-29-13

Princeton:
Finished our Minotaur powerpoint; completed a short write on how its influence was seen in The Hunger Games.

All Sections:
Grammar review -- pick out parts of speech.
Recorded the scifi book we chose to read.
Reviewed literary element of theme, our poem based on the theme and talked about our 5 paragraph essay.  (Princeton & Yale watched Taylor Swift's videos for The Hunger Games)
New DEADLINES:   Monday, November 4th -- Theme poem
                                   Tuesday, November 5th -- Five Paragraph Essay -- final paper due (double spaced either hand-written or typed)

Homework:  read your science fiction novel
Simple Solutions #27; review 5 components of PLOT in your notes; bring glue & scissors, colored pencils to class tomorrow

Language Arts 10-28-13

Princeton & Yale, Harvard:
Today we corrected Simple Solutions #25;  we copied down & reviewed rules for underlining names of books, magazines, etc. and putting names of articles in quotes.  We received all our graded papers back and checked grade sheets and missing assignment sheets.
We read another of Robert Frost's poems, "Nothing Gold Can Stay," and analyzed it explaining its meaning and its theme.  We examined our 5 paragraph essays comparing The Hunger Games movie and book.  Rewrites are due Wednesday
Homework:  Simple Solutions 26, Rewrite into a final copy your essay (type it or write it skipping lines).  Read your Science Fiction novel. 

Harvard also read their self-written poems that focused on one of the theme topics from The Hunger Games.  Final copies should be ready  by Monday, November 4th.

Tomorrow we'll go over our figurative language packets.

Language Arts 10-25-13

ALL SECTIONS:
Friday:  took Final exam on The Hunger Games and Simple Solutions Test #6 (Lessons 21 to 24).
Created a one page sheet entitled "Theme topics" and "Themes."  We copied down theme topics for the Hunger Games.   We worked on a Figurative Language review packet during class.
(Princeton -- we proof read each others' essays comparing the book and the movie, we continued the powerpoint entitled Theseus and The Minotaur, we reviewed the literary element: theme.
Yale -- we read Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," analyzed it and developed the theme.
Harvard -- we examined two songs written by Taylor Swift addressing themes in The Hunger Games.
Homework:
Choose one theme topic, write the theme that was developed in the novel, and create the draft of a poem expressing this theme.
Simple Solutions #25
Read two to three chapters of the Science Fiction novel you chose.  Create a sequence of events, a "think and note," a few three steps, etc. (your choice) as you read;  note setting descriptions & page #s for the final book report.
Finish the figurative language packet if you did not finish it during class time.

(Students had the opportunity to stay after to finish any makeup work.)

Language Arts 10-24-13

All:
Today we completed a grammar review to prepare for tomorrow's Simple Solutions Test in our Black & White Grammar Notebook, took notes in our Red Reading Notebook on the literary element of Theme, and created two flashcards on theme.
Author study on Suzanne Collins was collected; portfolio signatures of parents checked.

Princeton:
We read in our Literature Text pages 390-391 about Robert Frost and his poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", while searching for the theme and inferences that could be made from text evidence.  We began writing poems that address a theme from The Hunger Games.

Yale:
We peer-edited our second draft of our essays comparing the movie and the book of The Hunger Games.  We examined it for content and conventions.

Harvard:
We read in our Literature Text pages 390-391 about Robert Frost and his poem "Stopping byWoods on a Snowy Evening", while searching for the theme and inferences that could be made from text evidence.  We began writing poems that address a theme from The Hunger Games.
We peer-edited our second draft of our essays comparing the movie and the book of The Hunger Games. We examined it for content and conventions

Homework (ALL):
Study for Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 21, 22, 23, 24; prepare packet
Study for Final on the Hunger Games (don't forget to study the vocabulary from Part III)
Find and begin reading a Science Fiction novel of your choice.

Language Arts 10-21, 10-22, 10-23

Language Arts Update:

Monday, 10/21
    Positive Practice -- writing about reading
Harvard & Princeton:  (students evaluated their progress on Grammar/Writing, The Hunger Games, Listening & skills)
Homework:
     Complete a graphic organizer, outline, or t-chart (your planning step)
     TOPIC:   the three biggest changes from the Book to the Movie that had the greatest effects and whether you thought they were positive or negative
     Simple Solutions #22

Tuesday, 10/22
    Journal entry:  Ironies (define & list ten from the Hunger Games)
    Students took a Comprehension Reading test
    Corrected Simple Solutions #22 & 23
    Began their drafts in class; finish for homework
    Homework:   Finish Simple Solutions #24 and complete the 5 paragraph draft

Wednesday, 10/23
    Yale & Harvard:    Writing about reading -- watched the Theseus & the Minotaur powerpoint; completed a think and note; completed a short write (Assessment)
    Princeton:  peer editing of 5 paragraph draft on The Hunger Games;  begin rewrites;  self-reflection (students evaluated their progress on Grammar/Writing, The Hunger Games, Listening & skills)
   All corrected Simple Solutions #24

   

Language Arts 10-18-13

Language Arts

Princeton, Yale & Harvard:
We completed a journal entry:
  "Power" -- list examples of who had the power in The Hunger Games, how they attained it, did they hold it?
We reviewed Chapter 26; did an exercise paraphrasing and examining the key idea in 26 that "the most dangerous part of the Hunger Games was about to begin."
We read Chapter 27 together in class.
Some classes had the opportunity to continue the movie.
We graded Simple Solutions #21.
I collected 3 steps and any outstanding papers on The Hunger Games.
Homework:
"Catch up weekend" -- review your journal -- your should have between 8 and 10 completed journal entries; collection of journals for a grade will be next week.
Simple Solutions #22
Begin thinking of the three most important changes from the book to the movie and whether you think those had a positive or negative effect on the story.

Author's Study on Suzanne Collins will be due on Wednesday, October 23rd.

ANNOUNCEMENT 10-19-13

Greetings Class of 2014.
I'm sorry but I don't have access to Gradebook at home currently so I cannot update any grades.
Hopefully it will be back on track sometime today or tomorrow.  So check back for grades.
Thank you
Mrs. Wms.

Language Arts 10-17-2013

Language Arts:

Harvard, Princeton & Yale:
Took Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 17, 18, 19, 20 (handed in our packets).
Took a Quiz on The Hunger Games, chapters 23, 24, 25.
Discussed these chapters as a group and how the possession of "power" has changed in the story.
Completed a "Short Write" on Cato using text evidence.
Completed a "listening" activity on Slavery; watched video and completed 10 questions.

HOMEWORK:
Read Chapter 26 of The Hunger Games
Complete a three-step:
    1. Give the chapter a title
    2. Draw an illustration that is key to this chapter
    3.  Provide a 5 to 10 sentence summary of this chapter

Simple Solutions # 21


8th Grade Stuff:
    * measured today for our cap & gowns.
    *Tomorrow evening is SES Vendor night 5- 7
    and Mother-Son Movie Night.
    *end of the quarter is less than two weeks away.

Language Arts 10-16-13

Language Arts
What we did today (Wednesday):

Princeton and Harvard (Yale had a shorter class since they were on a field trip)
Completed a "listening" activity on The Underground Railroad -- watched a five minute video and completed 10 questions.
Completed a Grammar review -- took notes & discussed some review activities for the Simple Solutions Test; examined clauses and verb tenses.
Discussed chapters 22 & 23 of The Hunger Games
Corrected Simple Solutions #20

Homework:
Read Chapters 24 & 25, complete your assigned job for your Literature Circle (Yale and Princeton); Harvard -- do three steps on each.
Study for the Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 17 to 20; have your packet stapled to hand in.

Language Arts 10-15-13

Princeton & Yale:
Today we took The Hunger Games Part II Test.
We completed a journal entry on Chapter 19 & 20.
We met in Literature Circles and discussed our jobs for chapters 19 & 20.
We read Chapter 21 together.
Handed in Character Tables.

Homework:
Read 22 & 23; complete Guided Reading sheet.
Current Events

Harvard:
Today we discussed chapter 21 & 22.  Completed a journal entry that consisted of paraphrasing quotes from the Hunger Games.  We did an oral review of literary elements and figurative language.
We completed a "Short Write" on the "true" Peeta.
We met in Literature Circles to share our three steps for lessons 21 & 22.
Handed in Character tables and three steps.

Homework:
Read 23; complete Guided Reading sheet
Current Events

Language Arts 10-11-13 and weekend assignments

Princeton:
Today....we added a flash card on Connotation and Denotation
Checked our purple journals so that all entries are labeled, dated & numbered (with highlighting).
Completed a journal entry on The Hunger Games -- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 17 & 18
Literature Circle meetings to discuss and share jobs; assigned jobs for 19 & 20
Corrected Simple Solutions 19
Watched part of the movie and wrote down differences with book

Yale:
Today....
Checked our purple journals so that all entries are labeled, dated & numbered (with highlighting).
Completed a journal entry on The Hunger Games -- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 17 & 18
Literature Circle meetings to discuss and share jobs; assigned jobs for 19 & 20
Corrected Simple Solutions 19
Watched part of the movie and wrote down differences with book

HOMEWORK (Princeton & Yale):
Read The Hunger Games Chapters 19 & 20; complete a job for each on separate pieces of paper.
Complete Simple Solutions 20
Study for Test on Part II of the Hunger Games.  Test is on Tuesday, October 15. (don't forget to study your vocabulary words -- serrated, rendezvous, etc.)
Your character tables should be completed and ready to hand in.

Current events will be due on Wednesday, October 16th (weekends are a good time to get an article from a Sunday paper if your family has one delivered.)

Harvard:
Today....
Completed a journal entry:   Create a sequence of events for chapters 19 & 20 bullet pointing 10 events to take the reader from start to finish.
Corrected Simple Solutions 19
Literature Circle meetings to share "Three steps."
Completed movie up to Part III of the book.

Homework:
Read chapters 21 & 22; complete a Three step for each.
Simple Solutions #20
Current events due Wednesday
Character tables should be complete by Tuesday.

Language Arts 10-10-13

Princeton & Yale:
 Today we:
Created three flashcards: Denotation/Connotation, Analogies, Synonyms/Antonyms
Corrected Simple Solutions #18
Discussed comprehension questions for chapters 15 & 16
Completed a "short write" on Rue.  Why did Katniss choose her as an ally?  Circle one word and change it to a more precise word.  Underline the lead sentence (does it pull the reader in?)
Checked in portfolios & parent signatures.
Modeled a Literature Circle; spent time completing first literature circle meeting (all papers inserted into folders for 1st grades)

Homework:
Read chapters 17 & 18; complete one job for each.
Simple Solutions Lesson 19


Harvard:
  Today we:
Created flashcards (see above)
Literature Circles to discuss 17 & 18
Took Hunger Games Part II assessment
Continued watching part of movie that matches our readings.

Homework:
Read chapters 19 & 20; complete Three steps for each (give the chapter a title, draw an illustration of a key scene; write a three to seven sentence summary of the chapter).

Language Arts 10-9-13

Princeton & Yale:
Today we corrected Simple Solutions Lesson #18, reviewed "Connotation and Denotation" of words.
We discussed comprehension questions for The Hunger Games, Chapter 14.
We read Chapter 15 together.  We learned the five types of jobs for our literature circles and assigned jobs to each member for Chapter 15 and for Chapter 16.
We examined several forms of outlining (Princeton took notes; Yale tomorrow).

Homework:
Read Chapter 16, complete literature circle jobs for Chapter 15 and 16; each should be on a separate piece of paper.

Harvard:
Today we corrected Simple Solutions Lesson #17 and reviewed Appositives.
We completed a journal entry with comprehension questions for Chapters 17 & 18 in the Hunger Games. 

Homework:
Simple Solutions #18
Study for test on Part II of the Hunger Games


ALL:
continue work on Character Table charts; will be collected on Tuesday;
this weekend:  Current Events weekend due Tuesday.

Language Arts 10-8-13

Princeton:
What we did today --
   Journal entry: questions for chapters 12 & 13; discussed and showed evidence.
   updated chart of evidence for Peeta; added text evidence.
   Corrected Simple Solutions Lesson #17
   Watched movie, making comparisons between book & movie.

Homework:
Read Chapter 14 and complete a Think and note
Simple Solutions #18
Continue Character Table

Yale:
What we did today --
   Journal entry: questions for chapters 12 & 13; discussed and showed evidence
   Corrected Simple Solutions Lesson #17
   Watched movie, making comparisons between book & movie.

Homework:
Read Chapter 14 and complete a Think and note
Simple Solutions #18
Continue Character Table

Harvard:
What we did today --
Journal entry:  questions for chapters 15 & 16
Took Simple Solutions #4 Test
Literature Circles -- completed jobs
Compared movie and book -- continue journal entry

Homework:
Read 17 & 18
Complete job
Simple Solutions Lesson 17

Language Arts 10-7-13

Princeton/Yale:
Today  we discussed Chapter 12 of Hunger Games,  took our Simple Solutions Test on lessons 13 to 16.
Began watching the movie and completing a journal entry to compare the book & the movie.
Yale literature circles -- completed "Settings" for a grade

Homework:
Read Hunger Games Chapter 13, complete a Think and note.
Simple Solutions lesson #17.
   

Harvard:
Today we corrected all our Simple Solutions.  Discussed The Hunger Games.
Continued movie and continued comparison chart between movie and book.
Received pages 3 & 4 of the Character table and worked on identifying our characters.
Literature circles - discussed jobs.

Homework:
Read 15 & 16, do your job, Simple Solutions Test

Language Arts 10-4-2013

Princeton:
Completed comprehension questions for chapters 10 & 11 in Purple Journal; discussion of sequence of events in The Hunger Games.
Redid Current Events assignment according to format.
Copied notes on Sentences -- Clauses (independent and dependent/main & subordinate) -- discussion and clarification, practice
Journal entry #14 -- Movie vs. Book -- began watching The Hunger Games and jotting down differences between movie and book.

Homework:
Study for Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 13-16 and Parts of Speech Quiz; have packet ready to hand in.  Read Chapter 12 in Hunger Games, complete a "Think and Note."  Finish character table, both sides, if you have not.


Yale:
Completed comprehension questions for chapters 10 & 11 in Purple Journal
Took Parts of Speech Quiz, corrected & reviewed
Copied notes on Sentences -- Clauses (independent and dependent/main & subordinate) -- discussion and clarification, practice
Wrote down new vocabulary words for Part II of Hunger Games and discussed usage.

Homework:
Study for Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 13-16; have packet ready to hand in.  Read Chapter 12 in Hunger Games, complete a "Think and Note."  Finish character table, both sides, if you have not.



Harvard:
Took Parts of Speech Quiz, corrected & reviewed
Copied notes on Sentences -- Clauses (independent and dependent/main & subordinate) -- discussion and clarification, practice
Literature Circles -- finished discussion on Chapters 11 and 12; finished "Settings" for grade
Continued movie  and taking notes on differences between the movie and the book.
Took down new vocabulary words for Part II and discussed usage.

Homework:
Study for Simple Solutions Test on Lessons 13-16 ; have packet ready to hand in.  Read Chapter 13 &14 in Hunger Games, complete your Literature Circle job.;  Finish character table, both sides, if you have not. 

Language Arts 10-3-13

Harvard:
    Completed a "Cornucopia" activity assessing "setting"
    Watched part I of the movie, The Hunger Games, and began a journal entry comparing movie and book.
     Comprehension questions for chapters 10 & 11 

Homework:
Read Chapter 12, complete a "Think & Note"  citing each district, their tributes, characteristics of the tributes & how/if they died
Study for a Parts of Speech quiz
continue work on Character Table

Princeton:
    Checked Simple Solutions 15 & 16, and Grammar worksheet
    Comprehension questions on Chapter 11
    Received HG test back & we reviewed the answers
Homework:
Read Chapter 11, complete a "Think & Note"  citing each district, their tributes, characteristics of the tributes & how/if they died
Venn Diagram:  compare Gale and Peeta


Yale:
   Comprehension questions on Chapter 11
   Corrected SS 16 & grammar worksheet
Homework:
Read Chapter 11, complete a "Think & Note"  citing each district, their tributes, characteristics of the tributes & how/if they died
Study for a Parts of Speech quiz
continue work on Character Table

Language Arts 10-2-13

Princeton:
   Today completed the Part I test on our novel The Hunger Games (covering chapters 1-9 and vocabulary)
   Completed the REACH Performance Assessment (BOY)
  
Homework:
Grammar worksheet, Simple Solutions #16
Read Chapter 10 and complete a "Think and Note" sheet
(Current Events will be collected tomorrow)
Binder signature


Yale:
    Today completed the Part I test on our novel The Hunger Games (covering chapters 1-9 and vocabulary)
    Discussed and collected Current Event #2
    Literature Circles -- Setting completion
    Corrected SS #14 & 15

Homework:
Grammar worksheet, Simple Solutions #16
Read Chapter 10 and complete a "Think and Note" sheet
Binder signature

Harvard:
     Grammar Review -- completed and discussed
     Returned Hunger Games' tests and reviewed answers
     Literature Circles -- Chapter 10 and settings
     Corrected SS #15

Homework:
     Read chapter 11 and complete job
     Simple Solutions #16
     Binder signature


(HOMEROOM:   if you owe 50 cents for Mrs. Roche's wall tile, please bring in your money.
Return Progress Reports with parent signature)

Language Arts 10-1-13

Princeton & Yale:
    Took a quiz on Chapters 7/8 in our purple journal;  Princeton turned in their journals today; Yale got theirs back.
    Discussed questions for Chapter 9
    Graded Simple Solutions Lesson 14

Homework:
   Study for Test on Part I - The Hunger Games (Chapters 1 - 9)
   Current Events due Wednesday
   Simple Solutions #15
   Finish Character information chart (side one) begun in class


Harvard:
    Took test today on Part I - The Hunger Games
     Handed in Current Events
     Graded Simple Solutions 14
     Saw video on Figurative Language

Homework:
   Character info chart (side one)
    Read chapter 10, complete your job

Language Arts 9-30-13

All classes today:
*created flash cards on Figurative Language
*corrected Simple Solutions #13
*Hunger Games - discussed Chapter 8
Yale journal collected today.

Homework:
Princeton & Yale:
Read chapter 9, create a "Think and Note" sheet (at least one full page)
Simple Solutions 14
Current Events due on Wednesday
Princeton journals to be collected tomorrow

Harvard:
Study for Test on Hunger Games Part I
Current Events due Tuesday
Simple Solutions #14

Language Arts 9-27-13

ALL:  complete Simple Solutions #13
Current events (find an article especially if your families only receive the weekend paper) -- suggestions --  Syria weapons & U.N. ,  Kenya mall siege,  U.S. government budget & possible shut down


Princeton and Yale:
Read Hunger Games chapter 8; complete chapter analysis; study for a quiz on 7 & 8
Current event due Wednesday 10/2
Make sure purple journals are complete (entries 1-10; highlight the # of entry, date & title) -- will be collected on Monday.

Harvard:
Read Hunger Games chapter 9; complete team assigned job
Current event due Tuesday 10/1
Journals submitted on 9/27; will be returned next week.


This weekend -- do something kind for someone without being asked!

Language Arts 9-26-13

Princeton:
Study Simple Solutions; test on Friday Lessons 9 to 12;  packets will be collected.
Read The Hunger Games Chapter 7; complete a chapter analysis

Yale:
read The Hunger Games Chapter 7; complete a chapter analysis

Harvard:
read The Hunger Games Chapter 8; complete your team assigned job.

Language Arts 9-25-13

9-25-13


ALL:  get portfolios(binders) signed by parents.

Princeton --
Catch up night!  Reread Chapter 6; complete chapter analysis and "Think and Note."
Study Simple Solutions for Test on Friday, Be prepared to hand in packet of lessons 9-12.

Yale --
Catch up night!  Reread Chapter 6;  complete chapter analysis and "Think and Note."
Study Simple Solutions for Test on Thursday, Be prepared to hand in packet of lessons 9-12.

Harvard --
Read Chapter 7 and complete job assigned by the Literature Circle.
Study Simple Solutions for Test on Thursday, Be prepared to hand in packet of lessons 9-12.


What happened today:
Grammar exercises reviewing subject and predicates (Yale and Princeton);  reviewing possessive nouns (Harvard);  finished notes in Reading notebook on Characterization;  corrected Simple Solutions #12; discussion of The Hunger Games.

Language Arts 9-23-13

What we did today:
    took notes on characterization
    answered questions on Chapter 4 in the Hunger Games in our Reading Journal
    corrected Simple Solutions #10

Literature Circles:
   Princeton -- short write on why Katniss did not want Peeta to be chosen as tribute from District 12
   Yale -- drew District 12 using quotes from the book
   Harvard -- shared jobs (vocab, character, connection & discussion leader)

Homework:
   Princeton & Yale:  Read chapter 5 and complete a "Chapter Analysis" also known as our "Write and Note"
   Harvard:  Read chapter 5 and complete the job assigned to you by your group

All:
Simple Solutions #11
Review your notes

Upcoming:
Letter home from the West: final copy stapled to brainstorm sheet, editing sheet, & draft due on Wednesday 9/25

Language Arts Saturday, September 21st, 2013

Greetings Class of 2014,

Updates:

Friday, September 20th Homework due 9/23/13

Princeton & Yale:
read The Hunger Games Chapters 3 & 4,  complete a "Think and Note" sheet on each chapter;  it should be at least one page each;  stop to note sequence of events, vocab words, great lines from the story, questions you have, predictions, etc. (put down page #s -- you'll find it much easier to complete writing assignments that request that you use textural evidence -- you'll be able to turn to the page & look it up rather than paging through the novel again!)
Talk to someone about the novel & what is going on!

Simple Solutions Lesson 10
Harvard:
read Chapter 4 and complete the assigned job your team gave you.  Be maintaining your "Think and Note" sheets that we began the first chapter.
Simple Solutions 9 & 10

Grammar reviews -- if you are still struggling with the Simple Solutions Tests you need to:
1. do the lessons! (test comes directly from the lesson;  even some of the questions are the same!)
2. correct your lesson when we do so in class with a red pen that shows you what you have to go over & study
3. use the HELP pages at the end of the book to figure out ones that you are unsure of
4. google online "Grammar reviews" or use the websites I gave you to review


English:   WRITING   ASSESSMENT
Rewrite your "Letter Home from the West" for Wednesday,  9/25/13
This is your final!   Have your complete packet ready.  1. brainstorm sheet we did together 2. rough draft  3. editor's sheet (if you didn't have your homework last week, you will have to find someone to edit your work)  4. final letter (do not put your heading, just sign your first and last name to the letter; put on a date (remember you're in the 1850s, 60s, etc. depending on which events you are referencing from history).

THIS WEEKEND:
Do something kind for someone that no one asked you to do!

Language Arts Week of September 16th to 20th, 2013

Language Arts:

Yale & Harvard:
   Current events due 9/17; you have an instruction sheet; a C/E that we did together to use for help.
   Cut out an article from a newspaper or print from an online newspaper and attach to the back of your summary;  follow the format.
Princeton
  Current events due 9/18 (see above)

Monday:
Simple Solutions #7
Fantasy Book Reports were collected.
(Harvard: read The Hunger Games to page 20)

Tuesday:
Simple Solutions #8
(Princeton and Yale: read The Hunger Games to page 20, complete Chapter Graphic)

Wednesday  (Writers' Workshop)
Study for test
"I am from..." draft due.
Proofreading "Letters Home from the West" during class;  rewrite for a final draft
Take portfolios home for parent's signatures!
Read The Hunger Games,  complete task

Thursday:
Simple solutions Test (Lessons 5 to 8 to be handed in)
Parent signatures due on portfolios.
Read The Hunger Games,

Friday:
Simple Solutions #9
Read The Hunger Games

September 9th to September 13th, 2013 -- Language Arts

Language Arts:
    Focus on Literary element - Setting,  Literary technique/device - Irony
    Skill - inferencing
    Writing -- summarizing,  parts of speech

Monday:
Simple Solutions Lesson #3
Study for Tuesday's tests ("Ransom of Red Chief" - comprehension, vocabulary, ironies) (Skills:  Point of View, Setting and Irony)
Fantasy Novel -- finish reading this week; book report format/rubric handed out; due September 16th

Tuesday:
Simple Solutions Lesson #4
Tests today (hand in homework packet for "Ransom of Red Chief" which includes "think and Write," Vocabulary definitions, pg. 80 #3,4 (Harvard only),7,8  and 81 #1-10)
Author's Study:  O. Henry  (follow format) due Friday, September 13th

Wednesday:
Writing Workshop -- NOUNS, PRONOUNS, APPOSITIVES
Study your notes, practice on exercises
"I am from...."
Writing assignment -- Social Studies theme  "Going Westward" 

Thursday:
Simple Solutions Test #1 (Lessons 1-4)
Comprehension Check -- "Born Worker" 

Friday:
Simple Solutions Lesson #5
Finish reading your fantasy novel and complete book report  "Setting" -- see rubric handed out.


8th Grade Parent Meeting:
Thursday, September 12th at 5:15 p.m.

Forms:  ID card package,  health forms went home 9/10 from the school nurse listing requirements for school (immunizations, etc.),  School Code of conduct,  Eye check up form requiring parental permission  (please return by Wednesday!) Thanks.

Wendy's Night -- Monday 9/10 from 5:00 to 8:00
PTC Tile Sale -- buy a tile for the new building $15.00

Week of September 2nd, 2013 - September 6th, 2013

"What's in a Name" research project -- Due Date  Wednesday September 4th.

Simple Solutions Lesson one - 9/4,  Lesson two 9/6

Vocabulary words for "Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry
    (see page 69)  definition and part of speech

Read daily your choice of Fantasy Novel.

Current Events due Monday, September 9th.

What you should know...
  8 literary elements,  5 keys to success, 3 general categories of genres
  Literary element:  Point of View (5 types and be able to explain & pick them out)
  Literary device/technique:  Irony
  Strategies good readers use.


Techniques we've used:
      Think and Write!
      Volley discussion
      Word analysis
       Finding text evidence


We're off to a great start!
All grade book issues should be cleared up by this weekend.  All grades will be posted;  please check yours by Sunday, 9/8.
8th Grade News:
 Voting on luncheon and class trip on Friday 9/6;  announcement of results next week and at mandatory 8th Grade Parent Meeting on 9/12 at 5:15 p.m.
 Make sure all your forms are in!

Welcome Class of 2014 -- September 1st, 2013

Welcome Class of 2014....
and Welcome to my information blog for Language Arts.


We got off to a great start with super attendance for the Class of 2014.    Our opening assembly about the Hale Mission inspires us to do our best.
A = High Academic Standards
B = High Behavior Standards
C = Community Involvement
  Equal Students who are College and Career Ready


This past week we took a test on the 8 Literary Elements, 3 categories of Genre and 5 keys to success.   We filled out an interest inventory and chose a Fantasy genre novel.   We read the story "Charles,"  completed vocabulary and some reflections on the characteristics of Charles & Laurie.

Study your vocabulary words &  make them part of your daily speech.  Remember, highlight them if you use them in a paper or in your journal.  Show me that you're using them!

This past week's words:
   incredulously,  swaggering,  incredible,  cynically, cynic,  insolent, renounced

Week of September 2nd to September 6th, 2013

Fantasy novel  (you should be reading your fantasy novel at home for at least 15 to 20 minutes per evening).  You will have until September 15th to finish.

Due Wednesday, September 4th:  1st research project on your name -- talk to your parents about how you got your name, research your name;  follow the instructions handed out and the rubric for scoring.

This week we will be working on grammar exercises from a new grammar book and Simple Solutions.   We will listen to "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and read "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O'Henry. 

Study your vocabulary words &  make them part of your daily speech.  Remember, highlight them if you use them in a paper or in your journal.  Show me that you're using them!

GOALS:
Be able to define and identify: Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs
Be able to define and identify Point of View and Inferencing.
Follow a format, use precise language and paint a picture of your roots by constructing a poem entitled "I am from...."

Congratulations Class of 2013!! -- Photo site

Congratulations Graduates!!


The photos from the luncheon and from Springfield are online at Snapfish.
You may have to establish an account to view them.
Once you have an account (ask your parents to open one), you can order pictures and they can be delivered to your closest Walgreens.

address: http://nathanhale2013.snapfish.com/snapfish/otsc=SYE/otsi=WCR
room code: Hale2013

June News -- Week of June 3rd, 2013

All classes are reading
Warriors Don't Cry.

Literature Circles agreed upon a method of summarizing each chapter (story map, three-step, journal, etc.)

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013
WDC -- read chapters 6 & 7

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Simple Solutions Test 61, 62, 63, 64 
WDC (Princeton) read chapters 8, 9, 10, 11
WDC (Harvard & Yale) chapters 8, 9, 10

Thursday, June 6th, 2013
8th Grade Luncheon at The Castle
10:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Friday, June 7th, 2013
WDC (Princeton) read chapters 12, 13, 14, 15
WDC (Harvard & Yale) chapters 11, 12, 13

HARVARD:
Three pieces of your original work must be published for grading on Friday, June 7th.

YALE & PRINCETON:
Three pieces of your original work must be published for grading on Monday, June 10th.

PORTFOLIO CHECK NEXT WEEK!

Language Arts Week of 5/20/13

LANGUAGE ARTS:

Last week for missing work or retakes.

Afterschool Class this week on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Parallel Journeys:
   We are reading two chapters per night and completing story boxes.
   Test on 9-17 on Wednesday 5/22/13

Simple Solutions
#61, 62, 63



8th Grade News:

May 24th  Minute to Win It Assembly -- admission -- attendance

June 6th Luncheon permission slips were handed out.  They are due back on Friday, May 24th.
Luncheon is "Dress Up."  No jeans no gym shoes.  Boys:  shirt & tie, suit coat optional.
                                                                                  Girls: appropriate clothing as discussed

Language Arts Week of 5/13/13

Common Core Unit on Power, responsibility, choices.

Focus on The Holocaust.

This week we're reading Parallel Journeys, two chapters per evening and completing a story box for each.  The story box should list the title given to the chapter by the author,  a subtitle that you created, a 3 to 6 sentence summary of the chapter & a picture to remind you of a major event that occurred in this chapter.

Simple Solutions:
Test on Tuesday 5/14/13; packet on 57 to 60 collected.

Complete Lesson 61.


EXPLORE TESTING on Thursday, May 16th
Get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast!
Last lunch this day (12:30)

Friday
Revised schedule to accommodate Fun Fair!

T-shirts are in -- have all your fees and forms in to get yours.

Language Arts 5/6 to 5/10 & 8th Grade News

things due:
Kennedy High School visitation day  May 29th - permission slip and $4.00
Springfield final payment
Diploma name sheet
Graduation fee $65.00
School fee 30.00

TESTING schedule:
   Tuesday 5/7/2013  Room 201/204  MAP TEST READING
   Thursday 5/9/2013 Room 203 MAP TEST READING
   Wednesday 5/15/2013 All 8th graders -- Day One Explore Testing - Inventory
   Thursday 5/16/2013  All 8th graders -- Explore testing (Reading, Math, English, Science)
       (special incentive for attendance on 5/15 & 5/16 -- dress down on 5/17)
    Week of 5/20 --  Map testing MATH


Progress reports go home on 5/16/2013



1. Romeo & Juliet -- Letter to the Prince of Verona about guilt must be written in school.  If you did not finish you can come Thursday am, Friday am., Thursday pm or Friday pm.  Due by 4:00 p.m on Friday.

2.  Work on Simple Solutions 57, 58, 59, 60
(we're two days behind correcting;  test will be next week)

3.  Journals will be collected either Thursday 5/9 (Yale & Princeton)  Friday 5/10 (Harvard).


READING:
Parallel Journeys -- new non-fiction text we will be reading;  stay up with vocabulary, discussion questions & reading each evening.






 

Romeo and Juliet -- Vocabulary Act IV and Act V

Romeo & Juliet - vocabulary

Act IV•Deny, desperate, lamentable, miserable, pitiful, remedy, prosperous

Act V•Contagion, dispose, famine, infectious, loathsome, pestilence, vengeance, banished, fury, unaccustomed, unsavory

Language Arts Week of 4/29/13

Shakespeare!

"All the world is a stage!"........ memorize your lines!

You should have rewritten or typed your "Jack London's introduction of you."
Family Shields were due Monday, April 29th for full credit.

We'll be reading Romeo and Juliet -- your assignment each evening will be to define the vocabulary words;

Monday:
Took our Simple Solutions Test and handed in our unit.
Saw a Brain Pop on Shakespeare & watched a model of taking notes on video.
Read and pinpointed key ideas in an article on Elizabethan Customs.

HOMEWORK:
Shakespearean Insults!!  Use the guide and make up 5 of your own with your translation.
Define the Vocabulary for Act I

Tuesday:
Vocabulary for Act II
Book reports due on Wednesday! May 1st (this is an assessment grade)

Wednesday:
Vocabulary for Act III
Simple Solutions Lesson 57

Thursday:
Vocabulary for Act IV
Simple Solutions Lesson 58

Friday:
Vocabulary for Act V
Simple Solutions Lesson 59

BOOK REPORT FORMAT Due Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

You had two and 1/2 weeks to choose and read a novel of your choice -- any genre. I hope you've found an interesting novel or non-fiction text to share with us.
Your book report is due May 1st, 2013. (This is an assessment grade so be sure to use ink.)
List below is the Book Report format:


BOOK TITLE:
AUTHOR:
COPYRIGHT:
Number of Pages:
Genre:
Author's Purpose:

I.  Main Characters (with a short description of each)
      A.
      B.
      C.
II.  Setting
      A.  Time _______________
      B.   Place _______________
      C.  Environment __________________
III.  The Plot:  A Timeline
     A.
     B.
     C.
     D.
     E.
     F.
IV. Point of View (explain)
V. Symbol or Drawing
    Draw two symbols present in your story and write a sentence/phrase that shows what they symbolized in your story
    OR
    Draw one of the settings in your story.  (can be part of report, doesn't have to be a whole page)
VI.  Your opinion of the book

DUE  Wednesday, May 1st, 2013