Language Arts Week of 11/26/12

Hope you enjoyed your holiday and shared some great family time together.
Your only assignment over the holiday was to read your Science Fiction novel and Catching Fire if you opted to tackle two books.

All papers were graded and entered over the holiday.  Check the portal and see if you forgot to hand in something or had to redo something. 

Our unit on Power, how is it attained and how is it held, ended with a five paragraph essay addressing these essential questions.  Two grades were received -- one for writing, one for reading.
You have the option of rewriting this paper but must submit the original with your revision in order to have it regraded.   Some of you spent a great deal of time telling me who has power, but not how they attained it or held it.  The best papers focused on three main ways power is attained and cited examples from our readings (including The Hunger Games).  Your final paragraph asked for your opinion what type of power is the best, and is long-lasting. 

This week:
We will wrap up our Science Fiction unit with a test on Wednesday.
We will be working on a unit that focuses on the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln to coordinate with your studies in Social Studies and the "Lincoln" movie which we will be going to see.

Book reports are due Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 for those students choosing to complete only one book.  All three parts of the report are due on your book.  Those students who are reading two books, must submit one part of the book report on the completed book on November 28th, then submit the other two parts on your second book by Wednesday, December 5th, 2012.

Language Arts Week of 11/19./12

Weekend work:

Finish the figurative language packet (second sheet); take the quiz, then correct it yourself using the rest of the packet; study what you don't know so you can do well on a test.

READ, READ, READ..... you should be reading your Science Fiction novel.
Option One Read one book complete all three items on book report form by 11/28
Option Two Read two books complete all three items, but one on the first book due 11/28, the other two on the second book by 12/5

Week of 11/19/12
Monday: 
   Science Fiction -- notes
   Read "One Week and counting,"  Extended response due at end of class
   Homework: Read pages 549 and 550 (add to notes in your Reading Notebook on Science Fiction) Read "Rain Rain Go Away" by Isaac Asimov pgs. 554-562 in literature book; complete questions # 1, 2, 4, 5, 7  due on Wednesday on looseleaf to be handed in

Tuesday:
    Science Fiction -- continue notes on authors
    Read "The Martian Chronicles" as a Readers' Theatre
    Homework: Finish "Rain Rain Go Away"

Wednesday:
    Science Fiction assessment
         Read "The Secret" and complete assessment in class (bring colored pencils)


Thanksgiving Holiday -- enjoy
     READ!!

Language Arts Week of 11/12/2012

Monday -- No school Veterans Day
Tuesday -- Parent Teacher Conferences

Language Arts (Wednesday and Thursday)
     We'll be viewing The Hunger Games (be sure to have your permission slips signed).  Students will be constructing a t-chart showing similarities and differences between the book and the novel.  During class you will be noting scenes and plot details from the movie.  At home, you should be updating the second column by adding details from the book.
    Books will be collected on Friday.

First assignments that are being graded:
11/9 -- Self-evaluation was due  (students examined their own grades, strengths, weaknesses & set some goals)
11/8 -- Performance Assessment on how power is attained and held in society.  This counts for two grades:  content is a Reading test grade; structure is a Writing test grade.
11/9 -- Extra credit (electoral maps were due) --- none will be taken late.


You should have checked out a Science Fiction novel (stay at or below your lexile level).  You had a four day weekend to try to read at least 1/2.  You will receive a book report format this week.  This will be due the Tuesday after Thanksgiving break.

Current Events is due Thursday, November 15th.

New Quarter:   get new notebooks, pens, paper.....whatever is needed for a great quarter!!

Language Arts Week of 11/5/2012

End of quarter items finished and handed in by 11/2/12
*Presidential Editorial for Writing
*Reading Journals entries 11-20
*Legend of Sleepy Hollow performance packet

Weekend assignment:
Power -- gather evidence (fill in chart given out in class on 11/2/12)
Study for Hunger Games test
Prepare portfolios for examination next week (beginning Tuesday)

Monday, November 5th
Reading Test -- Hunger Games Final
Election debate -- Using your Presidential editorials, students will debate issues trying to convince class to vote for their candidate
Books read 1st Quarter report to be completed in class.

Princeton & Harvard turned in their journals -- thought you might need your vocabulary words -- here they are!
Vocabulary from Unit 3
   incapacitated -- unable to act or respond
   peruse - to read thoroughly; survey or examine in detail
   ominous - threatening; evil-looking
   futile - ineffective, useless
   extricating - freeing or releasing from entanglement; to liberate
   attributes - a quality belonging to a person, thing or group
   revoked - to take back or withdraw
   garish - crude or tastelessly colorful; showy; elaborate


Tuesday, November 6th
Election Day -- 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will participate in a Mock Election
Themes and symbols in Hunger Games
Preparation for Final Unit Assessment
Portfolio examination begins