Realistic Fiction Book Report due 3-8-13

Realistic Fiction Book Report Options  (for all, include the name of the book and the author)  Choose One f the following:

1.  Create a journal/diary of the main character.  Write 4 (four), one page, journal entries as if you were the main character in the book.  Each entry should relate to the theme of the book. 

2.  Illustrations – draw 6 illustrations for the book you read.  Each illustration should be ½ size piece of paper.  Each should include two to three sentences explaining the scene you drew.

3. Sell it --  You are a publicist and you are writing a 2 – 2 ½ page essay to persuade your printing company that this book which you just completed reviewing is worth reading and should be printed.  Details and examples from the book should be used.

4. Interview a major character in your book.  Compose 10 to 15 questions to ask a main character (or authority if necessary) in the book.  You will also need to write the character’s response to each question.  The questions and answers should provide information that shows knowledge of the book. 

Language Arts Week of 3/4/13 to 3/8/13

Language Arts
March 4th to March 8th

ISAT WEEK --  remember to
    "Take that test like you own it!"
    Get enough rest each evening; eat breakfast!
    Bring a healthy snack -- no candy, no hot chips....
        recommended: piece of fruit, granola bar
     GO CLASS OF 2013 --- DO YOUR BEST......
   
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
    ISAT Testing for 8th grade in Reading and Math each day from 9:00 to 12:30.

Realistic Fiction Book Report due on Friday, March 8th, 2013
Work on Poetry Unit.  Organize your portfolio.  Doodle 4 Google...."My Best Day Ever...." (participation counts for extra credit in Writing).

Progress Reports go home this week.  Check the portal for your grades. 

Make-up Work -- you have only one week after due dates to hand in missing assignments.
You will receive 78% if they are done correctly.

Test retakes availabe on Skill tests only.
Write out corrections, have a parent sign your original test, and come to school at 7:00 a.m to retake your test.  You have two weeks from the test date to complete this process.
This quarter -- Literary Elements -- no longer available for retakes
                        Figurative Language -- last day -- Friday, March 8th
                        Genres -- last day for retakes: Friday, March 15th.

ISAT TESTING STRATEGIES
  1. Read the instructions.
  2. Read the whole question
  3. underline key words in the question
  4. restate the question in your own words
  5. read all answer choices
  6.  refer back to the text
  7. Eliminate choices that are obviously wrong
  8. Choose the best answer
  9. Double check your work

EXTENDED RESPONSE GUIDELINES
   Should be more than one paragraph.
   Restate the question or be creative in stating the main idea of your response & STOP>
   Begin providing your supports with details in the form of quotes from the text (be sure to use quotation marks and identify the article or the author) & EXPLANATIONS of the quotes.
    Use transition words.
    Connect with other knowledge or life experiences you have had.
    Wrap up with a conclusion.

Language Arts 2-25 to 3-1-13

Week of February 25th

Monday:
Reviewed figurative language with a team game.
Reviewed Extended response guidelines for ISAT
Journal entry:  recorded genres needed or study guide
Began Poetry unit -- took notes and exit ticket

Homework:
Simple Solutions 35
Study notes
Finish study guide for test  (TEST on Genres on Thursday; study guide due on test day)

Tuesday:
Organize portfolio
Correct Simple Solutions
Poetry note
ISAT Motivational Assembly
Homework: Simple solutions 36

Wednesday:
1/2 of school
shortened classes
Homework:
Poetry Guided Reading sheet

Thursday:
Genre Assessment

Friday:
ISAT Practice Day
Simple Solutions Test 33-36
Last day to retake Literary Elements Test
    *orignal test signed by parent
    *test corrections written out completely
    *retake entire test

Language Arts 2-18 to 2-22-13 (updated 2-22-13)

Man vs Nature book reports were collected on Friday, 2/15. 
All should be choosing a realistic fiction book to read for their next report.
Keep  list of all books you read during the quarter.

We'll be working on legends, tall tales, folk tales & myths this week.
Assignments not completed during classtime will be homework.

Focus on Extended responses in preparation for ISAT and practicing "purposeful talk".

Monday 2/18
Simple Solutions #31
Begin reviewing figurative language (test on Wednesday)

Tuesday 2/19
Simple Solutions 32
Study figurative language; test Wednesday
Simple Solutions Lesson 33

Wednesday 2/20
Test on Figurative Language
Read either Ottonah or Racing Bear and complete Guided Reading

In Class today:
Took test
Read an ISAT practice story on flavoring food; completed 10 objective questions
Created a vocabulary sheet (list word, definition, part of speech, and two or more words in this word family; draw a picture)
EXAMPLE:
apprehensive -- frightened, nervous (adjective)
Word families:  apprehension -- with fear or dread (noun)
                          apprehend -- arrest, seize, to be able to grasp with the mind
intent
stereotype
frailty
assumption



Thursday 2/21
Simple Solutions TEST 29-32
Hand in packet
simple Solutions #33
Create a study guide for Genres (something you are proud up and could be displayed --  it should be a thorough study tool for the next big assessment on Genres -- tonight put on 15 different genres)

____________________________________________
Non-fiction                                           Fiction

Biography -- true story                     Fable -- brief story that teaches a lesson and
written by someone else                                 has animals as the main characters


In Class today:
Took Simple Solutions Test 29-32; collecte packets
Handed in Reading guide for Ottonah or Racing Bear
Listened to story "Girl in the Lavender Dress" 951;  completed a literary analysis together as a class.
Created a flash card on homonyms and homophones (discussed and gave examples)
Corrected our ISAT questions, began extended response as teams.


Friday 2/22
Simple Solutions Lesson 34
Genre study guide continued -- complete for the weekend.
Read your realistic fiction novel.
Re-read Paul Bunyan..... page 934 in Green Lit book
Princeton & Yale: complete characterization map of Paul Bunyan
Harvard: complete a written literature analysis of Paul Bunyan....
   (include an analysis of characters (Paul, Blue & one parent)  and  the setting; should be approximately 1 to 1/2 pages long)

In Class today:
checked Simple Solutions # 33
ISAT extended response practice -- write it; discuss it; examine three graded essays
listen to U.S. folk tale: "Paul Bunyan and Blue," began characterization map (Y & P)
review figurative language

Language Arts 2-11-13 to 2-15-13

TESTING on Monday.

Students not testing have a summary of an article from SCOPE (their choice).  Remember, don't use "I,"  be sure to list name of article in quotes, and underline title of magazine when referring to it.

All students will be completing an assignment on "The Fable" by Mark Twain.  You'll need your Green literature book.

Continue Simple Solutions -- Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32

Genealogy reports will begin this week.

Current Events due 2-13-13.

Book report due 2-15-13 (see prior posting for requirements for the book report).

Class of 2013 Dates and Deadlines

Calendar of Events/due dates:

Friday, 2/8/2013 -- Curtis Granderson Assembly at 9:15
(Remember!  Enthusiasm is the key!

Monday, 2/11/2013 -- National Testing for some of the 8th graders.

Tuesday, 2/12/2013 -- Lincoln's Birthday NO SCHOOL

Thursday 2/14/2013 -- Valentine's Day Sale

Friday, 2/15/2013
8th Grade Graduation Trip to Springfield -- deposit of $25.00 due
Jan/Feb Reward -- Dance
Father-DaughterDance

Wednesday, 2/20/2013
PAWS paper towel collection ends
Rooms with highest number collected gets to have one of the Hale Hounds in their room until next contest!

March 4th, 2013
Graduation Fee of $65.00 due

June 6th, 2013
8th Grade Luncheon

June 13th, 2013
Springfield Trip

June 21st, 2013
Graduation

Language Arts 2-4 to 2-8-13

Important News:
   8th Grade Graduation Photos -- Wednesday, February 6th
Students will take pictures in their outfit and in a cap and gown which will be provided.
Boys: shirt & tie required; suitcoats optional
Girls: dresses/skirt & blouses;  appropriate outfits (see school handout)

Student Council is collecting paper towels for PAWS.

Report Cards:
  Wednesday, February 6th;  please return to school signed by Monday 2/11
Good time to clean lockers, get new supplies -- notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.
Homerooms:  please bring in your supplies if you haven't (kleenex, paper towels, wipes and a ream of paper)

Our studies this week:
Structural Analysis of words continues (Latin & Greek roots, prefixes, suffixes)
Grammar -- Simple Solutions 26, 27, 28  Test on 25-28 on Friday 2/8
Mark Twain -- Green literature book needed all week

Finish reading fiction novel (conflict:  man vs. nature);  Book report due Friday, 2/15.
See separate post for requirements.
If you finish, next genre.....realistic fiction.

"Roughing It"  vocab and page 803 (Vocab and Grammar -- write out) on looseleaf.

Current Events weekend --  look for article on gun control proposals or immigration reform proposals.