Welcome to the 2008-2009 academic year! Your child should have brought home my parent letter for you to sign yesterday; this was to be returned today as homework credit. Your child also has a copy of "Mrs. Reynolds' Memo" to the "New 8th Grade Arrivals" in the front of his/her LA binder. Please read over this with your child. He/She is very familiar with the contents and the highlighted vocabulary. I look forward to a productive year with your child.Homework-
08/12/08- All classes-Complete the definitions for the 13 highlighted words from the "memo" using ONLY the definition that fits the context of the word as it is used in the memo sentences(most completed this in class).Journal topic- What are my expectations of Arnold and my teachers? The format should be the title, "My Expectations", on the top line and the date in the upper right. One full journal page is required. It may be split into two paragraphs addressing Arnold as a school and the teachers in different paragraphs. This is due tomorrow, 08/13/08.Homework- 08/13/08Magnet-NoneTraditional- Journal topic- "Thr Trickster". Title and date as you did last night. One full page describing in detail any trick/joke that either you or someone else has played/pulled on anyone (including you if someone else played a trick on you). We are preparing for a short story section utilizing the various types of humor. Due tomorrow.
08/14/08.Homework- 08/14/08Magnet- Journal topic "The Trickster". Any trick that you have played on anyone else or a trick that was played on you. Any trick that you know has been played on anyone. Describe in detail. What was the outcome? Explain. 1 full journal page.Tarditional- In at least one paragraph on notebook paper, explain in detail how you think Laurie felt about the "Charles" joke that he played on his parents. Do you think he enjoyed it? Why or why not?Title the assignment "Charles" on the top line with your name and date in the top right.
Homework- 08/18/08Traditional and Magnet- You are to complete Lesson 1(page 3) Vocabulary from the workbook. You should complete pages 5 and 6 of the workbook. In your LA binder you should copy all ten words with the definitions from column A (page 5) as your dictionary (include the part of speech). You should then write "CC" (for context clues) and copy BOTH SETS OF CONTEXT CLUES following the defintion; that is the set from the rectangle and the set from column B. THE VOCABULARY TEST IS ON FRIDAY, 08/22/08. STUDY EVERY NIGHT!Traditional ONLY for 08/18/08- I will be checking for the "Charles" work tomorrow. You should have A, B, C from the paperback Holt that was to be completed in class. You should have my section D from the board that should have been completed in class. You should have the vocabulary section of your literature book (page 479) as section E. I WILL BE CHECKING FOR THIS AS WELL TOMORROW! This is a large classwork grade, and you also had the weekend to complete this if needed. NO EXCUSES WILL BE HONORED!
HOMEWORK- 08/19/08Magnet- Study for Lesson 1 vocabulary test on Friday.Traditional- Complete your "Charles Faces the Music" paper. Remember, it must be broken into at least 2 paragraphs and be at least on full notebook page. Study for you Lesson 1 vocabulary test on Friday.
HOMEWORK- 08/20/08 Magnet and Traditional- GUM, pages 2-4. Follow all directions. Remember to study for your Lesson 1 vocabulary test on Friday (study definitions and column B). Also, make sure your notebook is organized and ready for your notebook check on Friday. You should have all DWU's with corrections from class and all WOD's with my example sentence for every word. Remember, if you are absent for any of these, it is YOUR responsibility to see me for a copy. The copy cannot be used for a notebook check; you must have it written and corrected in your LA binder.
HOMEWORK- Magnet and Traditional- 08/21/08 STUDY FOR YOUR LESSON 1 VOCABULARY TEST FOR TOMORROW! You should study your definitions and column B from the workbook. Also, you need to be sure that the WOD/DWU section of your LA binder is organized by dates and word numbers. You are also having an open-notebook organization/assignment test tomorrow. Both these tests are a large part of your grade. Please be prepared.
HOMEWORK- 08/22/08- All Blocks- Yes, you have weekend homework IF YOU DID NOT COMPLETE THIS IN CLASS AFTER THE TESTS. Complete the 30 vocabulary words from "The Ransom of Red Chief"; remember, these include Words to Own. Also, you are to read pages 482-485 of the story and answer in one paragraph the following question: Why is this story titled "The Ransom of Red Chief"? You are to use the following opening/topic sentence: The story is titled "The Ransom of Red Chief" for several reasons. You should write the paragraph on separate paper to be turned in to me. The paragraph should include details and transitional words/phrases. You should address the words "ransom" and "Red Chief" in your paragraph as part of the answer to this question. You may write "The Ransom of Red Chief" across the top line as a title. Use your name, date, and block as the heading in the top right.
HOMEWORK- Monday, 08/25/08All Blocks- You are to complete Vocabulary Lesson 2. You should use column A to write your 10 ten words and definitions. After each definition you should label "CC" and write BOTH sets of context clues that we highlighted in class (from the rectangle and column B). You must also work column A and page 10. This is a double duty homework.3rd Block- The above plus your one paragraph that begins with the following topic/opening sentence: The story is titled "The Ransom of Red Chief" for several reasons. You may answer this by reading the first three pages (482-485). Explain why the words ransom and red chief are included. HOMEWORK- 08/26/08All blocks should be studying for the Lesson 2 vocabulary test on Friday. The information should be in your LA binder.2nd Block only- Up to the point where we stopped reading in "The Ransom of Red Chief", you are to pick one word from vocabulary or Words to Own and write the exact sentence from the text in which the word appears. Underneath that you are to paraphrase the meaning. Re-write it in langauge that anyone could understand instead of the "high sounding" and/or inappropriate language of the speaker.
HOMEWORK- 08/27/081st Block- Take 4 sentences that contain phrases/words spoken by Sam or Bill in "The Ransom of Red Chief". These may include the vocabulary and Words to Own; it may be any "high sounding" sentence. Write the entire sentence as it appears in the book and underline the word/phrase that to is difficult to understand. Directly underneath where you have copied this from the book, you are to paraphrase the sentence by using understandable terms WITHOUT changing the meaning.***Also remember to study for Friday's Lesson 2 vocabulary test.2nd Block- Take the note on page 491 and paraphrase it WITHOUT CHANGING THE MEANING. You must NOT leave things out.***Also remember to study for Friday's Lesson 2 vocabulary test.3rd Block- Study for Friday's Lesson 2 vocabulary test.
HOMEWORK- Thursday, 08/28/08All blocks should study for tomorrow's Lesson 2 vocabulary test.All blocks now have an AR book,and you should be reading at home each night for at least 20 minutes. You are to bring the AR book to class EVERYDAY!1st Block (magnet)- You should complete the paraphrase handout that I gave in class. DO NOT leave out any context in your paraphrase. Follow the directions regarding the use of the dictionary for particular words. Re-write every part of the selection in understandable language. Last night's homework should have helped you with this. I need correct punctuation.
HOMEWORK- Tuesday, 09/02/08ALL BLOCKS RECEIVED GRADED TEST(1) BACK FROM ME TODAY ALONG WITH GRADED VOCABULARY WORDS and other graded papers.All blocks received two study guides for "The Ransom of Red Chief". THIS TEST WILL BE ON FRIDAY! YOU NEED TO BE STUDYING THE VOCABULARY WORDS AND THE PARAPHRASE SELECTIONS THAT WE DISCUSSED!You also need to make sure that you have ALL DWU AND WOD entires since 08/25. We will have an open notebook test on Friday as well. This should only require that you have been copying the work we do together everyday.Magnet students received Journal Check #1 inside of your journals today.
HOMEWORK- Wednesday, 09/03/08-ALL BLOCKS SHOULD BE BUSY STUDYING FOR "THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF TEST" ON FRIDAY. IF YOUR NOTEBOOKS ARE NOT ORGANIZED, YOU HAD BETTER GET BUSY DOING SO!!!Magnet- Page 16, Exercise 7 from the Holt textbook. Answers only. Label the subject and simply write the compound verb from each sentence. If you did not complete today's classwork from page 495 of the older literature book, you should do so. Remember my instructions on how to do these as COMPOUND SENTENCES! You were instructed to write down the word sets that you had left to complete. It's your responsibility!
HOMEWORK- Thursday, 09/04/08-STUDY FOR YOUR LITERATURE TEST TOMORROW!Great job with "Red Chief" presentations today! We all had a really good time while learning!HOMEWORK- Monday, 09/08/081st Block-Magnet- You are to complete in your journal the ironic thank you note to Bill and Sam from Johnny regarding the camping trip. You must include at least 3 references from the story. You may "spice it up". You must have an opening, details, and a funy closure. The note may be sarcastic funny but must convey verbal irony.You also need to complete pages 288-291 of GUM (16-17 should already be done).You are to bring in a postcard (used or new).2nd Block- If you did not complete the chart and 7 questions from the paperback Holt Interactive, you should have seen me about taking a book home. Plenty of time was given in class for this (nearly the entire period).Complete pages 16-17 of GUM and pages 288-291 -Double Duty HW- You are also to bring in a postcard (used or new) for extra credit.3rd Block- Same as 2nd block. You also have the 5 sentence fragments to complete using the directions I gave in class (fragment in front as an introductory clause with a comma). Also, postcard for extra credit.
HOMEWORK- TUESDAY- 09/09/081st Block (magnet)-None- We are continuing MAP testing 2nd and 3rd Block- Of the 16 Word of the Day words that should have been copied into the LA binder as of today, the students are to take 10 and create their own sentences. They may use my context idea from my example sentence (that should be copied daily); however, they cannot copy the sentence directly, nor can they just change names. Also, they MUST HIGHLIGHT CONTEXT CLUES in the sentence. The sentences should contain enough context clues in order to understand the word with its proper use. Underline the word itself. I am counting this as a large class assignment, as the students had time to begin this after the MAP test today.HOMEWORK-
Wednesday, 09/10/08-1st Block (magnet)- Take any 10 of the WOD words to this point and create your own example sentence. You may look at my example and use the same context idea, but you are not to copy mine; you also cannot simply change the names. The sentences should contain enough CONTEXT (just as mine do) in order to show that you understand the meaning and use of the word. You are to underline the word that you used and HIGHLIGHT the CONTEXT CLUES in your sentence (just like we do with our vocabulary lesson). ***This is a large grade, as much class time was availabe to complete this. The MAP test today should not have taken that long!All Blocks(1st, 2nd, 3rd)- You are to complete your one and one-half page journal "ironic" thank-you note from Johnny to Sam and Bill. Remember, this must include at LEAST 3 REFERENCES TO THE STORY (THE EVENTS) of the camping trip (kidnapping). You must have an opening, details, and a funny closure. You may "spice it up" by having Johnny talk about his parents, friends, school, neighbors, etc. Please make these creative because they are part of a larger mini-project that will be revealed next week. PROPER GRAMMAR, SENTENCE STRUCTURE, SPELLING, AND PUNCTUATION ARE EXPECTED! We have done enough DWU's at this point that there should be NO RUN-ON SENTENCES NOR SENTENCE FRAGMENTS!! Have FUN AND BE CREATIVE with this!! Be prepared to read these in class tomorrow. REMEMBER, IF YOU CANNOT READ YOUR OWN WORK, NEITHER CAN I; YOU WILL BE IN TROUBLE WITH THE GRADE IF THIS HAPPENS!! PROOF YOUR WORK LIKE WE DO WITH DWU'S!!!!!
HOMEWORK- Thursday, 09/11/08-ALL BLOCKS- Complete the corrections for the ironic thank-you note that we corrected together in class. This should be RE-WRITTEN neatly on another piece of paper.Also, if you did not complete your one and one-half page journal entry in the same style as the note that we corrected today, YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND DO SO. Remember, there must be 3 references to events in the story. The completed thank-you note should be in perfect form in the journal to be taken-up tomorrow. If there are numerous errors, and it is obvious that you did not proof read it as we did the note in class today, you will receive no more than 50%. You need to have someone else read your note in order to see if it makes sense to them.If you did not bring your signed progress report back today, please do so tomorrow. The mini-project rubric will be given on Monday. The journal (ironic thank-you note is one forth of our project).
FRIDAY, 09/12/08- Have a good weekend! If your "Johnny letter" jounal entry needs work, make it HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND! You will receive the mini-project rubric on Monday, and this is a large portion. The letters that we read in class today were FANTASTIC!!! You all put so much thought into these. Your creativity was OUTSTANDING!!! Great classes!!
MONDAY, 09/15/08- HOMEWORK-ALL BLOCKS- You must complete pages 17-18 for Lesson 4 Vocabulary in the Vocabualry Workshop book. You should then copy the 10 definitions for each word along with the 2 SETS OF CONTEXT CLUES THAT WE HIGHLIGHTED TOGETHER IN CLASS. This will count as a DOUBLE DUTY!!***WOD List 1- Test on Thurday, 09/18/08- Study guide will be given tomorrow.***Lesson 4 Vocabulary Test on Friday, 09/19/08.***Mini-Project Rubric with materials will be given out in class tomorrow, 09/16/08. THE DUE DATE FOR THIS PROJECT IS SEPTEMBER 30th. We will spend tomorrow working on these, and we spent several days last week working on these as well. All of this cannot be completed in class. YOUR CHILD WILL BE EXPECTED TO FIND AT LEAST FIVE(5) FACTS ABOUT CANADA ON HIS/HER OWN. PLEASE SEE THE RUBRIC TOMORROW; MY INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE VERY CLEAR.
TUESDAY, 09/16/08- HOMEWORKALL BLOCKS- Study for the WOD test on THURSDAY, 09/18/09. Study for your Lesson 4 Vocabulary test on Friday, 09/19/09. A study guide for the WOD test was given today. Lesson 4 study guide consists of pages 17 and 18 of the Vocabulary Workshop book.***The Mini-Project Rubric was given to EVERY STUDENT today. I have gone over every aspect of this in class today. I have also given card-stock paper for the students to use for the postcards. I am offering extra credit if the written portion of the post card is word-processed and glued in the section that is be be written. I am also offering extra credit if one REAL postcard is attached to just one of the postcards (5 points extra). 10 points extra if both of the students' created post cards are word processed. REMEMBER, THE 5 FACTS ABOUT CANADA MUST BE TRUE/REAL. This project is due September 30th (two weeks).
WEDNESDAY, 09/17/08 - HOMEWORKMagnet- Complete page 129 of the Holt text. Follow the directions that I gave in class; do not follow the book. Study for the WOD test tomorrow(Thursday) and the Lesson 4 Vocabulary test on Friday.2nd and 3rd blocks- Study for the WOD test (study guide given) for tomorrow; study for Lesson 4 Vocabulary test on Friday.All Blocks- Parents and students should be reading over the rubric for the mini-project that is due on Sept. 30th. We have spent nearly one week working on/discussing this in class. Card-stock paper has been issued to the students. Students are free to use the computers in my room to find the facts about Canada, but they must let me know if they need my help with this. Also, extra credit is being offered if the written portion of the post cards has been typed and cut/pasted on the postcards.
Thursday, 09/18/09- HOMEWORK Study for the Lesson 4 Vocabulary Test to be given tomorrow. Also, GUM pages 88-89 and pages 121-122. Do NOT tear these out. Continue finding the city/province in Canada that you wish to use for your "Bill letter". Work on the "Bill letter" in your journal.
Monday, 09/22/08 - HOMEWORK- Lesson 5 Vocabulary from Vocabulary Workshop (p.19). Write definitions from column A and both sets of context clues which we highlighted. Work pages 21 and 22. Continue working on your "letter from Bill in Canada" in your journal and both postcards. This is due 09/30/08. A powerpoint package of Canada was handed out in class today.***2 large tests and 2 large class assignments were given back with grades today. We will continue to work on clauses and sentence structure this week.
Tuesday, 09/23/08- HOMEWORK1st Block- No Homework 2nd and 3rd Block- GUM page 123 (entire page)- you must look for relative pronouns and subordinating conjuctions; GUM page 128 (1-10 only); GUM page 132(1-10 only).***Mini-Projects due next Tuesday, September 30th!
Thursday, 09/25/08- HOMEWORK-All blocks should study for the Lesson 5 Vocabulary test tomorrow. Also, all blocks should have completed GUM page 123 (entire page), GUM page 128 (1-10), GUM page 132 (1-10). You must look for both subordinating conjuctions and relative pronouns on page 123. ***Remember, projects are due on Tuesday, Sept. 30th.
Friday, 09/26/08 - Homework***ALL PROJECTS ARE DUE TUESDAY, SEPT. 30TH!!1st Block- Magnet- Ex.6, page 127 Holt and Ex.8, page 130 Holt. This is to be turned in on Monday morning. Follow the directions that were on the board. You had time after the test to complete most of this.
Monday, 09/29/08- Homework-
1st and 2nd Blocks- Mini-projects due tomorrow! Also, you are to take the 15 homonoyms that you copied in your notebook (should be in the grammar section) and create 15 sentences using one word in a sentence; the sentences should have enough context to show that you know the meaning. Underline the word.
3rd Block- Mini-Projects due tomorrow!! No other homework. Go back and look at your rubric in order to be sure that you have everything!!! Remember the extra credit items that I told you that you could earn.
Tuesday, 09/30/08- No Homework. We presented mini-projects today. Everyone who participated in this project did an outstanding job!
Wednesday, 10/01/08- Homework
All blocks- Construct a 10 question quiz (that you do not answer). Follow my instructions using a blank and a ( ) containing two choices at the end of the sentence. You are also to create a separate answer key. You are to use any 10 of the 44 (42 for 1st block) homonyms that SHOULD BE COPIED IN YOUR LA BINDER. This may be typed for 10 points extra credit.
Thursday, 10/02/08- Homework
All blocks should now have 78 homonyms copied from the Holt text into the grammar section of the LA binder. ***You should be studying these nightly. I plan to give a large test on Tuesday, Oct. 7th, covering all of these.
2nd and 3rd blocks only- GUM, pages 222, 343, 344
Friday, 10/03/08- Homework
All blocks should be studying for a homonym test on Tuesday (no notebook help).
2nd and 3rd blocks- GUM pages 221, 345, 346, 347
Monday, 10/06/08- Homework
All blocks have Lesson 6 vocabulary homework. 10 definitions from the book (column A) must be copied and two highlighted sets of context clues. ***NO HOMONYM TEST TOMORROW*** Everyone did a great job with the homonym work on Friday. Per MCSD guidelines, we will take an in-class Language Arts Diagnotic test from the CRCT Coach book tomorrow. Your student will be able to see where he/she stands in terms of standards at this juncture. This will also give them an idea as to why we are studying so many different areas in Language Arts in terms of the CRCT.
Tuesday, 10/07/08- Homework
All blocks should be studying for the Lesson 6 vocabulary test on Friday. There is also a notebook check for a large class assignment test grade on Friday. Everyone should have an AR book checked out of the library and should be taking AR tests at this point. Please read your AR book at least 20 minutes every night. AR WILL be a 10% grade next 9 weeks.
Thursday, 10/09/08- Homework
All blocks study for Lesson 6 Vocabulary Test. All blocks should have your notebook organized for tomorrow's notebook class assignment test.
1st Block (Magnet)- Complete p. 146 of the Holt textbook- Ex. 3; Write all 10 sentences and follow my directions for complex sentences.
3rd Block- Complete sentences 1-5 of Ex. 3, p. 146 of Holt textbook; you should have the 5 sentences copied from classs- you had time. Follow my directions for complex sentences.
Friday, 10/10/08- Homework
1st Block Magnet- Complete Exercise 6, page 403 of Holt if you did not do so in class today. Answers only (subject-verb agreement).
Monday, 10/13/08- Homework
1st Block Magnet- Complete Ex.5, p.402 from the Holt text if you were not able to do so before we STAR tested in the library. Highlight as I instructed.
All blocks- You should be reading your AR books for at least 20 minutes every night. Your AR grade will be your number of words divided by 250,000 this 9 weeks.
***This week in class we will complete studying the 4 Basic Sentence Structures. We are looking ahead to a test on this Friday. You should be stuying your notes and examples that I have given. There is no vacabulary lesson this week as we are going to focus on the completion of WOD List #2. We are also going to jump into our large expository essay. This is a tough process, and all students need to come prepared to write and revise. This essay will count as a 40% grade for the upcoming new 9 weeks. This process is in preparation for the GA 8th Grade Writing Test in January.
Tuesday, 10/14/08- Homework
1st Block Magnet- Complete Ex. 4, page 148 of Holt test. Follow my directions regarding underlining (opposite of the book).
2nd Block- You should underline the independent clauses once and the dependent clauses twice in the 4 sentences that you copied from the text.
3rd Block- Underline the dependent clauses twice and the independent clauses once in your sentence #4 that you copied from the text.
***All blocks should be studying the 4 basic sentence structures from your notes for a test on Friday. All blocks should be reading AR books for at least 20 minutes per night.
Wednesday, 10/15/08- Homework
1st Block Magnet- GUM pages 140-141. You need to also study the list of subordinating conjunctions on page 128 of the Holt text. You will have a test on Friday on the 4 Basic Sentence Structures.
2nd Block- Underline as directed the sentences that you copied from the Holt text on page 148 (#'s 5-10). You had time to copy these in class.
***All blocks should study for a test on the 4 Basic sentence structures on Friday. You need to study the list of subordinating conjunctions in your binder.
Thursday, 10/16/08- Homework
All blocks- GUM, pages 146-147. This is a study guide for the test on the 4 basic sentence structures tomorrow. You will also earn 5 points or lose 5 points on the test for completion or non-completion of this study guide.
Friday, 10/17/08- NO HOMEWORK- If you were out Friday, make-up test on Monday.
Monday, 10/20/08- All blocks should be studying for the WOD test to be given this Thursday. A study guide will be given tomorrow. Your student should have all 20 definitions and example sentences copied in the notebook; this is a daily procedure. ***3 large test papers were given back today. You should ask your student to show you the results. Your student should be reading an AR book for at least 20 minutes every night.
Tuesday, 10/21/08 - Homework- All blocks should complete the study guide that was given in class for the WOD test that will be on Thursday. All words and definitions should be in the Language Arts binder. We are preparing for our expository essay. Students will be required to write drafts both in class and at home. Assignments for this will come later in the week as we just began our introduction today; notes should be in the writing section of the notebook.
Wednesday, 10/22/08- Homework- All blocks should study notes and study guide for the WOD #2 test tomorrow. Also, all students should have 5 sections/types of transitional words copied into the writing section of the LA binder. We have begun our graphic organizer for the first large expository essay. These should be brought to class daily. You should also be reading your AR book at home for at least 20 minutes per night.
Thursday, 10/23/08- Homework
All blocks should be brainstorming the "pros" and "cons" of being a teenager. We will put these ideas into a graphic organizer and mind map tomorrow. This will be used to complete the first draft of your expository essay, "Being a Teenager". All blocks should be reading an AR book for at least 20 minutes every night. You are required to obtain 250,000 words for this nine weeks. You have had time to go to the library in my class.
2nd and 3rd Blocks- GUM pages, 37-38. Follow directions in the GUM book. We had a class lesson on this today.
Friday, 10/24/08- Homework
1st Block Magnet- pages 37-38 of GUM. This lesson was taught. Follow all directions. Mind map pros and cons of being a teenager; use the graphic organizer "spider" that we discussed (separate pieces of paper).
2nd Block- Mind map using the graphic organizers (spider); mind map both pros and cons; use separate pieces of paper.
3rd Block- You should be reading your AR books throughout the weekend. You are to write down 6 (six) pros (positives) and 6 (six)cons (negatives) of being a teenager. Come to class ready to mind map these using a graphic organizer that we will construct
together.
Monday, 10/27/08- Homework
1st and 2nd Block- You are to use your graphic organizer and construct an introductory paragraph and two body paragraphs (pros and cons) for the essay, "Being A Teenager". Each paragraph must have at least 8 sentences. Use the information that we did together in class today. We almost wrote this together. You need to proof-read your work.
3rd Block- You are to follow the above directions for 1st and 2nd blocks, but you are only constructing 2 paragraphs. You are to construct the introductory paragraph and the pros paragraph. Each paragraph must have at least 8 sentences. Proof-read your work! Put the title, "Being A Teenager", on the top line.
Tuesday, 10/28/08- Homework
1st Block- Read AR books and be prepared to write a 2nd draft in class tomorrow.
2nd Block- Complete your closing paragraph using your graphic organizer.
3rd- Read AR books. Be prepared to write your 2nd draft in class.
Wednesday, 10/29/08 - Homework
***All parents be aware that your student will be receiving an AR grade this 9 weeks. The grade will be based on the number of words read; this number will be divided by 500,000. If your child is not taking AR tests, this grade will lower the overall average. Your child should be reading part an AR book EVERY NIGHT. Please ask your child where his/her AR book is located. All students are allowed to go to the library when they complete books. This grade is 10%. Reading one million words from books outside of the text material is a GA State Standard.
***All students should have a returned draft of "Being A Teenager". The draft was checked ONLY for organization according to the graphic organizer that we created in class TOGETHER. By tonight, there should be a total of 4 paragraphs with at least 8 sentences in each paragraph (intro., pros, cons, closing; PROOF-READ AND REVISE!!! If your student CANNOT show this to you, then it has not been completed. PLEASE COMPLETE ACCORDING TO THE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER. I will have them form a 2nd draft in class tomorrow following my instructions (this will be hand written in pen). From this draft, I will take another grade according to grammar and construction (I will grade much more strictly on this). I will return these with corrections on Wednesday of next week (no school on Tuesday), and a FINAL DRAFT TO BE TYPED WILL BE DUE ON NOVEMBER 10TH (MONDAY BEFORE VETERAN'S DAY). I will give them a rubric for grading expectations and directions for a cover page prior to the final draft. This applies to all blocks (1st block- I have your closing paragraphs; this is the only block that I have any part). Parents, I have students who are not completing these items in class or at home. Please ask your child about this.
10/30/08- Homework
***All blocks are to take the 1st draft of "Being A Teenager" and hand-write a 2nd draft in blue or black ink. The students are to skip lines (double-space) and must write neatly. The may make draw one line through any mistake or use white out. ALL BLOCKS HAD THE ENTIRE CLASS PERIOD TO WORK ON THIS TODAY with my help. This process is the EXACT PROCESS that the students MUST USE on the 8th grade writing test in January. ****These 2nd drafts are due tomorrow; the students should have utilized the time in class today.
Parents, PLEASE HELP YOUR STUDENT PROOF HIS/HER WORK!!! I have taught SO MANY GRAMMAR CONCEPTS, but the students often fail to proof their own work. This second draft will also count as a 40% portion of the students' grades since it should have been primarily completed in class. I plan to return these on Wednesday of next week. When this major project is completed, the students will turn in a packet to me containing the following: 1 graphic organizer, 2 mind maps, 1st draft, 2nd draft (pen- hand written), and a final typed copy (I will give a rubric next week regarding that final draft due on Nov. 10th). Please remember, I did NOT grade the 1st draft for grammar/structure; I only graded for organization of the paragraphs with supporting details utilizing the graphic organizer. *****Huge notebook check tomorrow; everyone has had the opportunity to see me if they needed any missing items from the DWU's, grammar/writing notes, or WOD's. It is the responsibility of the student to ask me; I reminded all of them today.
Monday, 11/03/08- Homework
All blocks are to list three wishes that they would wish if given the opportunity. You are then to write one positive outcome of the the wish and one negative outcome of the wish (for all 3 wishes). You cannot wish for three more wishes. This is in conjunction with the play that we are reading called "The Monkey's Paw". Your student should have notes in the literature section of his/her binder where we discussed the 4 elements of a short story, foreshadowing, suspense, and we listed examples of foreshadowing to the point where we read today in class. If your student does not have these notes, then he/she simply refused to write them down; there was plenty of time. Please continue to read AR books nightly. This will be a grade divided by 500,000 words; it will be 10% of the final grade. We cannot take every day to read all day and do no other learning activity. The students are free to take AR tests when they let me know that they need to do so, as well as go to the library. Fridays are a big AR
day for us.
Wednesday, 11/05/08
No homework. DAT testing today and tomorrow. I have not been able to complete the grading of the 2nd draft (pen copy) of "Being A Teenager". We were in a workshop yesterday. I have moved the date of the word processed copy back to Nov. 17th. I plan to give the students the graded 2nd draft back on Nov. 10th, and they will have one week to complete it. I will also give them a rubric on that day. ***Your student NEEDS to be reading an AR book at least 20-30 minutes per night--every night. The AR grade will be reflective on the report card for this 9 weeks.
Friday, 11/07/08- All students should complete their current AR book this weekend and be prepared to take AR tests on Monday.
Monday, 11/10/08- No school on Tuesday. Students will receive the 2nd pen draft copies of the expository essay back on Wednesday. Instructions regarding final word-processed drafts will follow on this site.***Students should be reading AR books EVERY night. The grade reflected on Wednesday's progess report is the student's word count divided by 500,000 which is where the student should be at the end of THIS nine weeks. Many students are not reading the books that have been checked out. Many students are playing when given time in class to read AR books.
Thursday, 11/13/08- Homework- 2nd and 3rd blocks only-p. 198 of the Literature Book- Shaping Interpretations-questions 2-7.
Please send magazines, markers, blunt scissors, and glue sticks with your student tomorrow if possible. We will be working on our mini-projects for "The Monkey's Paw".
I was out due to illness yesterday. All students received their progress reports from me today. Please sign and return. Students also received the 2nd draft graded copies of "Being a Teen" essay along with an extensive rubric for the Final Draft due on Nov. 20th. PLEASE GO OVER THIS WITH YOUR STUDENT. AR TIME SHOULD ALSO BE HAPPENING EVERY NIGHT FOR MY CLASS. You should see the AR% on the progress reports; this grade will change as more AR tests are taken. Please sign-up for Home Connect (we sent the letters home), and your student can take AR tests at home; you can also monitor the word count (this is a State Standard).
Tuesday, 11/18/08- Homework
***All Monkey's Paw advertisement brochures are due tomorrow. I extented this until tomorrow due to my having to attend a conference/workshop yesterday.
***Final draft for the "Being a Teenager" essay and the packet are due on Thursday (20th). You MUST follow the rubric with respect to the word processing and the cover page. You were given the directions/rubric for this last Thursday. This counts as two 40% grades (the packet and the graded final draft).
***AR book reading should be taking place every night! You had library time today!
Wednesday- 11/19/08- Homework
The final typed draft of "Being a Teenager" is due tomorrow. The packet (see rubric) is also due; this includes the entire 6 parts of this process that we have completed. Please follow the directions that you have received (these were given one week ago). You should also be reading your AR every night.
Friday- 11/21/08- Homework
Study the questions that were given (with answers) for "The Monkey's Paw" test on Monday, 11/24/08. Read AR books for at least 20 minutes every night!
Monday- 11/24/08- Homework
1st Block- Read AR books for at least 20 minutes!
2nd and 3rd Blocks- If you did not complete your two paragraphs, you must do so tonight. 1st paragraph- at least five things for which you are thankful. Give a reason for each area that you write about. This must be at least 8 sentences. 2nd paragraph- one thing/area that you want to change in 2009 (about yourself or some situation). Tell why you want to change this area; be honest and be specific. You must give details, and this must be at least 8 sentences. Opening/topic sentence should be, "In 2009 I wish to change...". ***Read AR books for at least 30 minutes if you already turned this in to me!
Monday- 12/08/08- Homework
All classes should study for the WOD LIST #3 test that will be given tomorrow. I was out last week for my husband's surgery, but this was written on the board. The students received an exact study guide today. I returned a test today, and I will be posting more returns this week and next. ***Students should be reading AR books for 20-30 minutes EVERY NIGHT.
Tuesday- 12/09/08- Homework- READ AR BOOKS!!! We are on the countdown for this 9 week's word count of 500,000 words! This is going to be 10% of the final grade!!! MAP test in Reading tomorrow.
Monday- 12/15/08- All blocks KEEP READING AR! I returned essay packets today in a folder.
1st Block- Page 55, EX.3- 1-10 from Holt. Follow my labeling directions from your notes (not the book).
2nd Block- Construct two sentences each from the 6 VERBS that you copied from the board. Use one verb as an action verb and again as a linking verb. Label the linking verbs the way that you were were given in your notes today.
3rd Block- READ AR books only!
WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR!!! WE HAVE ENTERED 2009 AND ARE ON THE COUNTDOWN FOR THE CRCT!! THE 8TH GRADE WRITING TEST IS ALSO JANUARY 21ST WHICH IS JUST WEEKS AWAY!!
01/06/09- Tuesday-Homework
1st Block- Read AR books. We are now required to have 750,000 words by the end of the 3rd nine weeks!
2nd block- 2 sentences for each of the 10 words copied from page 61, Ex. 7. These were to be copied in your notebook from Holt. One use of the verb as transitive and one use as intransitive (you have notes).
3rd block- 2 sentences for each of the 5 words copied from page 61, Ex. 7. These were to be copied in your notes. See your notes for one transitive and one intransitive sentence for each of the 5 words.
01/07/09-Wednesday-Homework-READ AR BOOKS!!!
1st block- Page 72 of GUM. Follow directions. If you did not complete Holt EX.7, page 60-61, you must do so.
2nd and 3rd block- Page 77 of GUM. Follow directions and write PN over the predicate nominative (noun) that you underlined.
01/08/09- Thursday-Homework
1st block- GUM p.77- follow directions on the page
2nd block- GUM p. 79- follow directions on the page
3rd bloock- GUM p. 78- complete and follow my directions
01/12/09- Monday Homework- All blocks have a test on linking verbs, action verbs, direct objects, subject complements (PA/PN) tomorrow. Know if the active verb is transitive or intransitive. You have four study guides that we have gone over in class. They are: DWU of 01/08/09; DWU of 01/12/09; GUM p. 79; GUM p.80. Also, your prespositional phrases that have copied into your notebook should be reviewed.
1st & 2nd blocks- 5 persuasive reasons on your persuasive writing prompt.
01/13/09- Homework- All blocks should have their 5 reasons on the front of the persuasive writing prompt, and one entire introductory paragraph is to be completed on the back of the prompt. This one paragraph should contain at least 8 sentences and serve as a "catchy" opening paragraph as we did with expository writing. Your opinion of the topic should be clear in this opening paragraph. ***Mock 8th Grade Writing Test tomorrow. THE REAL GA 8TH GRADE WRITING TEST IS NEXT WEDNESDAY, 01/21/09.
01/14/08- Homework-
1st block- Read AR only
2nd & 3rd blocks- Take the graphic organizer that we did together in class and create a final draft essay for your persuasive writing prompt. You may write in pencil. Skip lines (write on every other line). You must have 4 paragraphs with at least 8 sentences in each paragraph.
01/15/09- Homework-
1st Block- Construct the 4 paragraph persuasive essay that follows the writing prompt and the graphic organizer that was put on the board today. If you did not complete page 456 of the Holt test, you must do so.
See note below for the other two blocks for tomorrow.
2nd & 3rd blocks- Read AR and organize your WOD section of your notebook in order to give me the 20 W0D sentences with all indicators circled and the sentence structures.
01/16/09- Homework- Organize your WOD sentences. Be sure all indicators are circled as to what sentence structure is being used. You will need to have them for an open notebook check on Tuesday. READ AR books during the long weekend. Your word count will be divided by 750,000 this 9 weeks. Remember, this is a 10% grade. ***NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY. Wednesday is the REAL GA Middle Grades Writing Test.
01/20/09- Homework- ALL STUDENTS SHOULD GET PLENTY OF REST TONIGHT IN PREPARATION FOR THE 8TH GRADE WRITING TEST TOMORROW.***There will be a study guide for WOD List #4 issued on Thursday, and the test will be Friday (23rd). We have worked with a sentence review of these words today in class.***Any student who did not complete the 20 example sentences with my directions MUST do so tonight; there was plenty of time in class for this.
1st Block(Magnet)-Homework- From Holt Text- Review C- page 280 and Ex. 4- page 277. Answers only for both activites. Look at the list of possible grammar usage errors beginning on page 265(the words in blue)for references.
01/21/09- Homework- All blocks study for WOD test tomorrow. You were given a study guide. All blocks are having a notebook organization test. All materials are from the DWU's from 01/06-01/21. These should already be in your notebook.
01/26/09- Homework- All blocks should be reading AR books. By progress report time I must divide by 750,000 words.
1st Block- Holt- p. 281-A, p.281-B, p.279-Ex.5-Answers only. Page 282- Re-write the paragraph with the one correction in EACH sentence. This must be in paragraph form without the numbers. This will count as a 20% grade.
02/02/09- Homework-
1st block- Give the reasons that the father did not buy the scarf. Must be at least 4 sentences.
We have been working on CRCT Reading Practice. Please read AR books at home. On the progress report Wednesday, there will be a percentage of 750,000 words that have been read; this counts as a 10% percentage of the total grade.
02/04/09- Homework
***Progress reports were given to students today. Please sign and have the student return these to the academic teacher. ***Read AR books at home for at least 20 minutes per night. ***All classes NEED to study the list of subordinating conjunctions that SHOULD be written in the grammar section of the LA binder. By now you should be able to identify the COMPLEX part of a sentence!!!
02/05/09- Homework
1st block- You are to create a paragraph in what might be a short story where you exhibit characterization based on the five components that we discussed in class today.
2nd block- You are to paraphrase the paragraph on page 23 of the story, "Mrs. Flowers". You should have far more than just one line. Explain what Mrs. Flowers is trying to say to Marguerite. You must refer to the word meanings at the bottom of the page.
3rd block- You are to create a paragraph in what might be a short story where you exhibit characterization based on the five components that we discussed in class today.
02/06/09-Homework
1st block- Complete "Mrs. Flowers" and be prepared to have a reading check quiz.
2nd and 3rd block- Many of you did NOT complete your homework last night. This grade WILL be a zero if I do not have the work by Monday when you enter class. You will not get full credit, but partial credit is better than a zero. I do not give tremendous amounts of written homework, and there is no reason for this lack of completion. ***READ AR books!!! The percentages are low if you are not completing books and taking AR tests.
02/09/09-Homework
1st Block- Using the text from "Mrs. Flowers", you must characterize Mrs. Flowers. You may write this in paragraph form or copy sections of text and give your explanation of her character. You CANNOT simply copy the text! You must use the text to back your reasons as to why you are characterizing her the way you see it.
2nd Block- Read and be prepared to work on question #6 from page 25 of "Mrs. Flowers".
3rd Block- Complete reading the story, "Mrs. Flowers". Be prepared for a quiz.
02/10/09- Homework
1st Block- You are to find and copy direct examples of the imagery (5 senses) used in "Mrs. Flowers" (one example of each of the 5 senses).
2nd Block- You are to take question #6 on page 25 and construct a well written paragraph regarding anyone who has impacted your life or the life of someone else. You are to give specific examples of what the situation was, how the person impacted the other person/you for the better, and characterize the person about whom you are writing. ***This should be AT LEAST an 8 sentence paragraph and MAY be broken into 2 paragraphs.
3rd Block- You are to complete your five examples of imagery from "Mrs. Flowers". You must have one direct example of each of the 5 senses.
02/11/09- Homework
1st and 3rd Blocks- You are to write your 2 paragraphs according to the directions given on the board. These paragraphs are from question #6 on page 25 of "Mrs. Flowers". The first paragraph is all about a person that influenced your life in a positive manner. Give details about the person using character traits or talking about the actions of the person. The 2nd paragraph should deal with YOU and the type of difference that this person has made in your life. Who would you have been without this person? Who are you now as a result of this person? ***Each paragraph should have at least 8 sentences.
2nd Block- Complete "TRY IT" on page 25 of text. You must write the paragraph and underline the correct word choice.
02/17/09-Homework
1st Block- Complete your page 151-152 Holt text work. You MUST follow my directions regarding the sentence structure (circling and underlining) and answers (structure) at the end AND on a separate paper.
2nd Block- Complete 10 sentences from directions from Review B, page 149-150. Follow book directions and my directions from board. Anyone who did not finish was given a copy of the page.
3rd Block- Read AR Books!!
02/18/09-Homework
1st Block- page 149-150 of Holt test- Review B. Follow the text directions and underline/label the way we have always done. Do not worry about prepositional phrases.
2nd Block- Read AR book for at least 20 minutes. Study your subordinating conjuctions list.
3rd Block- If you took any work from the Holt text home, you must complete it. Everyone has the sentences copied already. You must have a separate answer page after you have shown the work and written the answers at the end. You cannot abbreviate the structure.
02/19/09-Homework
1st Block- Holt page 148- write only the dependent/subordinate clauses for each sentence. Sentences that contain two were written on the board.
2nd Block- Green Grammar Creative Mini-Project. You are to take the green paper that I gave you and become creative with AT LEAST one concept from the 4 sentence structures that we have studied. You may create a jingle, rap, advertisement, game, song, etc. You may incorporate any concept regarding this HUGE UNIT that we work on almost daily. THE MORE CREATIVE, THE MORE POINTS THAT YOU RECEIVE!! I will drop your lowest grade in one area and replace it with this. HAVE FUN!!
3rd Block- READ your AR books and study your WOD definitions. Test next week.
02/20/09-Homework
1st Block- The mini-project that we started in class today is due Monday. See 2nd block yesterday for details. If you have a partner, you need to have your work completed by the time you walk in on Monday morning. MAP Reading on Monday. I will count this as a grade. We are having a notebook organization 40% check on Tuesday. We are also having a WOD test near the end of the week; a study guide will be given.
2nd Block-Start studying for the WOD test next week. Also, we have a notebook check on Tuesday (40%). MAP Reading on Monday; I will count this as a test grade. Read AR books!!!
3rd Block-Complete your mini-projects that we started in class today. They are DUE on Monday. Read AR books. MAP Reading test on Monday; I will count this as a test grade.
02/24/09-Homework
***All blocks***GUM pages, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194- YOU MUST USE THE CHARTS THAT YOU COPIED TODAY. ALSO LOOK ON PAGE 193 OF GUM AT THE TOP FOR A MINI-LESSON. THERE WAS MUCH TIME IN CLASS GIVEN FOR THIS TODAY. YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS TONIGHT. 40% classwork grade!!
Notebook organization test tomorrow!! I gave you a checklist!! Use it!!
02/25/09-Homework
****All blocks should be studying for the WOD test on Friday. This is from List #5. All 20 definitions should be written in the LA binder. Study guide tomorrow.*****
1st Block- page 188 GUM
2nd Block- page 188 GUM, 5 Words to Own definitions from "The Treasure of Lemon Browm" copied in literature section of LA binder. Venn Diagram for "Things I Value"/"Things My Parents Value"
3rd Block- Read AR books for at least 20 minutes.
02/26/09-Homework
All blocks study for the WOD List #5 Test tomorrow.
03/03/09-Homework
1st and 2nd Blocks- You are to correct the GUM packets using the chart from your notes (troublsome verbs). This entire packet will count as a 40% class grade. We have worked on this for days.
3rd Block-Complete your Venn Diagram with 5 in each circle and 2 in the middle.- "What I Value Most/What My Parents Value Most".
03/04/09-Homework
1st Block- Complete Venn Diagram
2nd Block- Finish reading "The Tresure of Lemon Brown"
3rd Block- Copy the definitions for the 5 Words to Own from "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" in the literature section of your binder.
03/05/09-
1st Block- 4 questions from the overhead from "The Treasure of Lemon Brown". Plenty of time to copy questions.
2nd and 3rd Block- 5 questions from the overhead from "The Treasure of Lemon Brown". Plenty of time to copy questions.
03/09/09- ALL BLOCKS should be reading AR books. Tomorrow will be the last day to take AR tests for this 9 week grading period. All word counts will be divided by 750,000 for an average. This is one of the 10% grade categories. We are reading "The Landlady" in class and will be answering questions from the story tomorrow. The concept is foreshadowing. ***WOD #5 test returned to students today.
03/10/09-AR word count extended until Wednesday. One more day to take tests. Grades exported on Thursday.***All blocks should read AR books tonight!!
2nd Block-You are to complete your reading check (a-d) for the "Landlady" and you are to create an alternative ending for "The Landlady". It must be at least one full page and you must have some parts that indicate the following: What happens to Billy? Why did the police never find the bodies of the other two young men? What made the landlady the person that she has become? You may use actual dialogue or you may write from Billy's point of view (1st person) or from a 3rd person point of view. BE CREATIVE!!!
03/12/09- READ AR BOOKS!!! MANY AR GRADES ARE VERY POOR!! WE WILL NOW BE STARTING THE FINAL 9 WEEKS WHERE I MUST DIVIDE THE WORD COUNT BY 1 MILLION WORDS!!
1st and 2nd Block- 5 examples of foreshadowing. Must include page number.
3rd Block- You may create an alternate ending for "The Landlady" for extra credit.
03/16/09- All blocks need to continue reading AR books for the last 9 weeks. One million words is now the goal!!
1st Block-Ex.3, page 84 of Holt-answers only.
2nd Block- Construct 3 sentences each of which use an action verb. 1 sentence with no objects; 1 sentence with only a direct object; 1 sentence with both a direct and indirect object. Label verb and objects.
3rd Block- You have the lowest number of AR words of all the blocks. ***You NEED to read an AR book for at least 30 minutes!!!
03/16/09-AR FOR ALL!!!
1st Block-Holt- page 88 and 89- Review B and C- Follow directions
2nd and 3rd Blocks- GUM-page 73- You must label S, AV, (HV if there is a helping verb), DO, IO- put ( ) around all prepostional phrases. You should have a list of prepositions in your grammar section in the LA binder.
03/17/09-
1st-Holt page 100-Write only prepositional phrases and label adjective or adverb (the type phrase it is serving as in the sentence).
2nd-GUM page 83- Follow all directions plus label S, LV, AV, and put ( )around prepositional phrases.
3rd-GUM page 75- Follow all directions- DO, IO, OP
03/19/09-
All Blocks look over your DWU's that are associated with direct and indirect objects and predicate adjectives/nominatives. You WILL have a 20% quiz tomorrow from these.
1st Block- above plus GUM 90-91. Also, your quiz will consist of the work that we went over today from Holt, page 92.
03/24/09-Homework
1st block- Ex. 8- page 108. You are to choose any 5 of these and create a sentence using the entire gerund phrase. You cannot change the gerund phrase. Do NOT use them in a subordinate clause.
2nd block- Ex. 8- page 108. You are to choose any 3 of these and create a sentence using the entire gerund phrase. Do NOT use them in a subordinate clause.
3rd block- You should be reading your AR BOOKS and reviewing your grammar notes.
03/25/09-Homework
1st Block-Holt Handbook- Ex.5-page 103- Write the entire participial phrase (do not write the sentence).
2nd block- READ AR BOOKS- goal is 1 million words this 9 weeks
3rd block- READ AR BOOKS- goal is 1 million words this
9 weeks
03/27/09-Homework-All Blocks
Study all of your CRCT Coach Practice Daily Warm-Up's from this week only. You will have a short test on these tomorrow. This is NOT open notebook. We have discussed ALL of these in class daily.
03/30/09- Homework
1st Block- Holt, page 220- Review A- answers only
2nd Block- Read AR books!!
3rd Block- Create a small paragraph using chronological order (time order). Use transition words.
04/01/09-Homework-***All blocks will have a WOD TEST on Friday. Study guide given tomorrow, BUT YOU HAVE HAD THIS WORD 6 LIST IN DEVELOPMENT FOR WEEKS!!! You should HAVE all the words in your binder RIGHT NOW!!
1st block (magnet)- Create one of each: alliteration, personification, metaphor, simile
2nd block- Create one alliteration and complete your 5 WOD sentences IF YOU DID NOT COMPLETE THEM IN CLASS!
3rd block- COMPLETE 5 WOD SENTENCES IF YOU DID NOT DO SO IN CLASS!! You must either find a fable and bring it to class or create one of your own. A fable teaches a moral lesson.
04/02/09-Homework
***ALL classes have a WOD List #6 test tomorrow!! Study guide given and worked in class. Have known about this for days!!! Words should be in binder!!
3rd block- one example of alliteration, one of personification, one of metaphor, one of simile.
04/23/09-Homework
All Blocks- You are to write THE SENTENCE FROM THE STORY, "THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS", where each of the following vocabulary words is found (do NOT write the definition!): oblivious, warrens, sublime, paranoia,
solvent,tremulous,sheathings, psychopathic
***This is a triple homework!!! It is also part of a study guide for the TEST next week!!!
04/29/09-Homework
****ALL BLOCKS****
Study for a test tomorrow on "There Will Come Soft Rains". You have had a study guide for the past 3 days!! Also, look at the 8 words in the 04/23/09 Homework spot above. You will be expected to fill in the blank from the sentence in the STORY where the word is contained. This is NOT definition matching. You wrote the sentences for homework. I would re-write them for study practice.
05/05/09-Homework
You are to complete your summaries of "The Inn of Lost Time" where you write at least one paragraph for each of the 3 stories (1 framework story and 2 stories within the framework). You are to give specific details, names, events. This should take AT LEAST one page and you may need more than one page. We have been working on this story in class for one week. You have all of the knowledge. This is a very large classwork grade. Names must be specific and spelled correctly. If you just say "that man", I will count off drastically if a name was in the textbook!
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