READING............
On Monday, October 1st, students will be taking their first unit test in reading. Each student will receive and complete in class a study guide for the test which will include a list of targeted vocabulary for making flash cards, a list of the short stories covered in the unit + a summary of each story, and the definitions of the key elements of a short story. Studying this information before Monday should ensure a good grade on the test!
***We will be choosing a new silent reading book on Tuesday, October 2nd, and students will be selecting Accelerated Reader free choice novels.
On Wednesday, we will begin our first novel study, The Outsiders - a well-loved classic exploring the topics of stereotyping, overcoming tragedy, growth, and acceptance.
LANGUAGE ARTS..........
Rough draft narratives were turned in last Monday for teacher edit, and returned on Friday. Final draft narrative essays are due on Tuesday, October 2nd. They are worth 100 pts! Here's to creating great polished essays!!!!!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
What's happening in class?
L.A. = Currently, each student is working on writing an original narrative essay. After discussing what makes a great story, and listening to and reading model essays from past 8th grade writers, students concieve their own topic idea and are then encouraged to use creativity to develop their own story and writing style.
You never know. We may have a future author among us! Keep in mind the fact that S.E. Hinton was only 16 years old when she wrote her first novel, The Outsiders.......
reading = Currently, we are multi-tasking in reading class. Tomorrow, September 20th, students begin presenting their first book report - a story board focusing on the plot of their free choice fiction novel......We are also in the middle of a short story unit, which exposes students to a number of writing styles, plots and focus. In addition to reading the stories and discussing them, we are also expanding vocabulary understanding and doing reflective writing.
Before reading the short story, "The Lady or the Tiger," by Frank Stockton to prompt a character study of the main character, the princess, students were asked to respond to the question, "Which emotion is stronger, love or jealousy?" After reading the story, the students used knowledge gleaned from the text to write their own ending to the unfinished story, defending their belief that the princess made her decision based on either love or jealousy over powering her in the end.
What do you think? Check out the story at http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Frank_R_Stockton/The_Lady_or_the_Tiger/The_Lady_or_the_Tiger_p1.html
You never know. We may have a future author among us! Keep in mind the fact that S.E. Hinton was only 16 years old when she wrote her first novel, The Outsiders.......
reading = Currently, we are multi-tasking in reading class. Tomorrow, September 20th, students begin presenting their first book report - a story board focusing on the plot of their free choice fiction novel......We are also in the middle of a short story unit, which exposes students to a number of writing styles, plots and focus. In addition to reading the stories and discussing them, we are also expanding vocabulary understanding and doing reflective writing.
Before reading the short story, "The Lady or the Tiger," by Frank Stockton to prompt a character study of the main character, the princess, students were asked to respond to the question, "Which emotion is stronger, love or jealousy?" After reading the story, the students used knowledge gleaned from the text to write their own ending to the unfinished story, defending their belief that the princess made her decision based on either love or jealousy over powering her in the end.
What do you think? Check out the story at http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Frank_R_Stockton/The_Lady_or_the_Tiger/The_Lady_or_the_Tiger_p1.html
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Rubric for Poster Board Book Report
Explanation of novel plot (detail, clarity) 10 pts.______
Pictures telling story 10 pts.______
(neat, detailed, colored
and blurbs in final draft)
Delivery (enthusiastic, good eye contact) 10 pts. ______
Story summary in written form (final draft) 10pts. ______
+__________
40 pts.
Comments:
Pictures telling story 10 pts.______
(neat, detailed, colored
and blurbs in final draft)
Delivery (enthusiastic, good eye contact) 10 pts. ______
Story summary in written form (final draft) 10pts. ______
+__________
40 pts.
Comments:
Story Board Book Report
***The overall purpose of this assignment is to tell the plot of your book through pictures.
1. Number 1 - 10 on a piece of paper. Write down, in order of occurrence, the 8, 9 or 10 most important events that take place in your book.
2. Leaving space for the title of your book and the author's name, (which you will need to include somewhere on your poster board), divide your poster board into 8, 9 or 10 squares, to match the number of important events you've chosen to share.
3. Now draw your story's plot, using the squares to tell your story. ****Under each picture, write a brief explanation of your picture. (Explain what's happening in your picture)
4. Since you won't be able to tell your entire story through your poster board, (you will just be focusing on the main events from beginning to end) you also need to write ( in final draft form) a complete one page summary of your book, which you will give me the day you present your book report.
5. On Friday, September 20th, we will begin oral presentations of the poster boards. Your grade will also include your speaking skills. Remember to speak clearly, loudly enough for all to hear, and slowly enough so we can follow along and understand what you are saying. Eye contact is also very important! Please practice your presentation before class.
1. Number 1 - 10 on a piece of paper. Write down, in order of occurrence, the 8, 9 or 10 most important events that take place in your book.
2. Leaving space for the title of your book and the author's name, (which you will need to include somewhere on your poster board), divide your poster board into 8, 9 or 10 squares, to match the number of important events you've chosen to share.
3. Now draw your story's plot, using the squares to tell your story. ****Under each picture, write a brief explanation of your picture. (Explain what's happening in your picture)
4. Since you won't be able to tell your entire story through your poster board, (you will just be focusing on the main events from beginning to end) you also need to write ( in final draft form) a complete one page summary of your book, which you will give me the day you present your book report.
5. On Friday, September 20th, we will begin oral presentations of the poster boards. Your grade will also include your speaking skills. Remember to speak clearly, loudly enough for all to hear, and slowly enough so we can follow along and understand what you are saying. Eye contact is also very important! Please practice your presentation before class.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Me Bag Speech
****Beginning Friday, September 8th, my language arts classes will present Me bag Speeches. The Explanation of and the rubric for this presentation are below:
"ME BAG" SPEECH
Directions: Present a 2-3 minute speech about yourself which contains an introductory statement, a concluding statement, and an object for and an explanation of the following:
1. The food you love the most
2. Your ethnicity, culture, background, religion
3. Something that captures your personality
4. A hidden talent that you possess
5. One admired family member
6. One goal you would like to accomplish this year
*****Speeches will begin on Friday, September 7th
GOOD LUCK!
____________________________________________________________________
ME BAG SPEECH RUBRIC
1. INTRODUCTION (interesting, focused on self) 4pts. _____
2. BODY OF SPEECH 12pts. _____
A. Favorite food
B. Ethnicity-culture-background-religion
C. Object the captures personality
D. A hidden talent
E. One admired family member
F. One goal for the school year
3. CONCLUSION (summarizing, tied to introduction) 4 pts. _____
4. DELIVERY (posture, voice level, clarity, eye contact) 5 pts. _____
(enthusiasm)
GRADE =
TOTAL = + _____
25 pts.
____________________________________________________________________
"ME BAG" SPEECH
Directions: Present a 2-3 minute speech about yourself which contains an introductory statement, a concluding statement, and an object for and an explanation of the following:
1. The food you love the most
2. Your ethnicity, culture, background, religion
3. Something that captures your personality
4. A hidden talent that you possess
5. One admired family member
6. One goal you would like to accomplish this year
*****Speeches will begin on Friday, September 7th
GOOD LUCK!
____________________________________________________________________
ME BAG SPEECH RUBRIC
1. INTRODUCTION (interesting, focused on self) 4pts. _____
2. BODY OF SPEECH 12pts. _____
A. Favorite food
B. Ethnicity-culture-background-religion
C. Object the captures personality
D. A hidden talent
E. One admired family member
F. One goal for the school year
3. CONCLUSION (summarizing, tied to introduction) 4 pts. _____
4. DELIVERY (posture, voice level, clarity, eye contact) 5 pts. _____
(enthusiasm)
GRADE =
TOTAL = + _____
25 pts.
____________________________________________________________________
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