During the week of September 28th, students will continue writing their first narrative essay of the year. After sharing topic ideas on Monday, students will write their introductions, bodies and conclusions. ***Rough drafts (2-2 1/2 pages) will be due on Thursday, October 2nd. I'm looking forward to reading some creative stories!
In reading, students will get back their graded short stories test. Overall, students did an excellent job on their first big test of the year! I had several great grades and I was very happy with the results!
The next unit in reading will be a study of the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. It is an intriguing, thought-provoking novel written in a combination of diary and play form. It is the story of a 16 year old African American boy named Steve who is accused of felony murder. The book can't help but spark very interesting discussions involving our judicial system and when and when not a person is guilty of a crime.
Stay tuned....................:)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
What's happening in class?
The week of September 22nd will be a busy one!
In language arts, students will be creating their first narrative essays of the year. After looking at sample essays, discussing topic ideas, and planning their papers, students will be creating their own original stories. Rough draft essays will be due next Thursday, October 2nd.
In reading, we will begin sharing poster board book reports in class today! I'm anxious to see the final projects!
This Friday, students will be showcasing their knowledge via the short story final test. They have been doing an excellent job throughout this unit. Students will receive a final review and have two days to prepare for the test.
***This Friday students will also be going on a golf field trip, with an opportunity to try their hands at the golf range, miniture golf, or the challenging 3 par course.!!
In language arts, students will be creating their first narrative essays of the year. After looking at sample essays, discussing topic ideas, and planning their papers, students will be creating their own original stories. Rough draft essays will be due next Thursday, October 2nd.
In reading, we will begin sharing poster board book reports in class today! I'm anxious to see the final projects!
This Friday, students will be showcasing their knowledge via the short story final test. They have been doing an excellent job throughout this unit. Students will receive a final review and have two days to prepare for the test.
***This Friday students will also be going on a golf field trip, with an opportunity to try their hands at the golf range, miniture golf, or the challenging 3 par course.!!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Story Board Book Report requirements and rubric - 40 pts.
********The purpose of this assignment is to tell the plot of your book through pictures.
Procedure:
1. Number 1 - 8 on a piece of paper. Write down, in order of occurrence, the 7 or 8 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 7 or 8 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. Color your pictures. ****Under each picture, write a brief explanation of your picture. (Explain what's happening in your picture) These short explanations should be in final draft form.
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 Monday, September 22nd, 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.
Rubric:
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.
Procedure:
1. Number 1 - 8 on a piece of paper. Write down, in order of occurrence, the 7 or 8 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 7 or 8 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. Color your pictures. ****Under each picture, write a brief explanation of your picture. (Explain what's happening in your picture) These short explanations should be in final draft form.
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 Monday, September 22nd, 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.
Rubric:
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.
Monday, September 15, 2008
What's happening in class?
***The Irons Oaks field trip was a definite success! The weather (80 and sunny) cooperated and so did the kids! The 8th grade class bonded while working together to accomplish challenging, sometimes frustrating, yet rewarding activities.
This week in L.A., students will be entering into a review of the exciting world of NOUNS!! :) We will be reviewing concepts, practicing key ideas, and using their knowledge in writing.
This week in reading we will be reading the short story, "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. It is an interesting story which challenges your opinion about fate.
Even if you were warned of the possible negative consequences of doing so, would you still be tempted to make three wishes if you knew they'd be granted? Click on the link below to see what happens to the main character in "The Monkey's Paw" when he is faced with the same dilemma.........
http://www.americanliterature.com/Jacobs/SS/TheMonkeysPaw.html
Students will also begin work on their first book reports. Each student will be creating a poster board story board which will summarize his or her chosen novel.
***Later this week I will post the book report requirements and the grading rubric.
Tuesday evening is Lakeview's OPEN HOUSE. I hope I see you there!!
This week in L.A., students will be entering into a review of the exciting world of NOUNS!! :) We will be reviewing concepts, practicing key ideas, and using their knowledge in writing.
This week in reading we will be reading the short story, "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. It is an interesting story which challenges your opinion about fate.
Even if you were warned of the possible negative consequences of doing so, would you still be tempted to make three wishes if you knew they'd be granted? Click on the link below to see what happens to the main character in "The Monkey's Paw" when he is faced with the same dilemma.........
http://www.americanliterature.com/Jacobs/SS/TheMonkeysPaw.html
Students will also begin work on their first book reports. Each student will be creating a poster board story board which will summarize his or her chosen novel.
***Later this week I will post the book report requirements and the grading rubric.
Tuesday evening is Lakeview's OPEN HOUSE. I hope I see you there!!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
What's happening in class?
The week of September 8th - September 12th will be a busy one!
***The 8th grade cooperative learning field trip to Irons Oaks Adventure Center is Thursday, September 11th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cross your fingers for good weather. :) We're going rain or shine!
In language arts, students will be presenting their "Me Bag" speeches. These speeches give students the opportunity to share several different items and explain their connection to their lives. All 6 items are put into a bag, and then taken out and displayed during the speech about themselves, thus the title, "Me Bag" speech. Students are asked to include the following:
1. Favorite food
2. Ethnic background and/or religion
3. Something that captures his/her personality
4. A hidden talent
5. An admired family member
6. A goal for the 2008-2009 school year
***We began speeches last week. They were informative, interesting and fun, and I'm looking forward to learning more about the rest of my students this week!
In reading, we are continuing the short story unit. The two story's we will be focusing on this week are "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. They are two totally different stories, yet both very intriguing in their own ways. Check them out yourselves by clicking the links below!
http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Holt-EOL2/Collection%201/raymond1.htm
http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/tell-tale-heart.html
ENJOY!!
***The 8th grade cooperative learning field trip to Irons Oaks Adventure Center is Thursday, September 11th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cross your fingers for good weather. :) We're going rain or shine!
In language arts, students will be presenting their "Me Bag" speeches. These speeches give students the opportunity to share several different items and explain their connection to their lives. All 6 items are put into a bag, and then taken out and displayed during the speech about themselves, thus the title, "Me Bag" speech. Students are asked to include the following:
1. Favorite food
2. Ethnic background and/or religion
3. Something that captures his/her personality
4. A hidden talent
5. An admired family member
6. A goal for the 2008-2009 school year
***We began speeches last week. They were informative, interesting and fun, and I'm looking forward to learning more about the rest of my students this week!
In reading, we are continuing the short story unit. The two story's we will be focusing on this week are "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. They are two totally different stories, yet both very intriguing in their own ways. Check them out yourselves by clicking the links below!
http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Holt-EOL2/Collection%201/raymond1.htm
http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/tell-tale-heart.html
ENJOY!!
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