I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing, fun Monday!
This week in language arts, we will be focusing on Wordskills unit 11. The unit will be introduced on Tuesday, and due on Friday. (book and quiz).
Additionally, we will begin our in-depth preparation for the ISAT test. 8th graders are testing in both reading and writing, and over the next three weeks, we will be working on every aspect of the test, making sure students feel comfortable and confident before taking the test.
This week we will focus on reading and answering multiple choice questions.
***ISAT tests are the week of March 10th.
In reading class, we will continue reading the novel, Monster. We are nearing the end of the novel. This week, the defense will rest, we will ear closing statements, and Steve's verdict will be read. Stay tuned to see what Steve's future holds!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
What's Happening in Class?
WOW! The 1960's debates are off to a great start!
The debates started last Friday, and I was impressed with many of the students' performances. There were some pretty challenging roles, and most handled them with grace and spunk! Grades are now posted if you want to see your point totals!
This week in language arts, in addition to performing debates, we will be focusing on several lessons from the ISAT Coach workbook, and we will be working on a 1960's culminating activity which requires students to develop an original piece of work based on the information gained during the unit. Explanation of the assignment is below:
Write an original poem revealing a personal point of view of the 1960's. Select from the given topics on your assignment sheet, or choose one of your own, equal to those suggested. Your poem must be at least 16 lines in length and may rhyme or be free verse. ***If you choose to write a rhyming poem, make sure it doesn't come across as silly or insincere.
We will then be sharing these poems in class and displaying them in the hallways for everyone to enjoy. I will also post a selected few on my blog!
This week in reading, in addition to performing debates, we will be selecting a new book report book (free choice fiction).
We will also continue to read and discuss the thought-provoking novel, Monster. Steve's future still lies in the balance. Based on the testimonies of several people, it does not look too promising for him. Stay tuned to see if his defense attorney can turn things around!
The debates started last Friday, and I was impressed with many of the students' performances. There were some pretty challenging roles, and most handled them with grace and spunk! Grades are now posted if you want to see your point totals!
This week in language arts, in addition to performing debates, we will be focusing on several lessons from the ISAT Coach workbook, and we will be working on a 1960's culminating activity which requires students to develop an original piece of work based on the information gained during the unit. Explanation of the assignment is below:
Write an original poem revealing a personal point of view of the 1960's. Select from the given topics on your assignment sheet, or choose one of your own, equal to those suggested. Your poem must be at least 16 lines in length and may rhyme or be free verse. ***If you choose to write a rhyming poem, make sure it doesn't come across as silly or insincere.
We will then be sharing these poems in class and displaying them in the hallways for everyone to enjoy. I will also post a selected few on my blog!
This week in reading, in addition to performing debates, we will be selecting a new book report book (free choice fiction).
We will also continue to read and discuss the thought-provoking novel, Monster. Steve's future still lies in the balance. Based on the testimonies of several people, it does not look too promising for him. Stay tuned to see if his defense attorney can turn things around!
Monday, February 4, 2008
What's happening in class?
I hope everyone enjoyed the three day weekend!! Snow days are fun! :)
***This week's schedule is readjusted because of last Friday's snow day. Below you will find the new plan of attack for Monday, February 4th through Tuesday, February 12th:
Monday = L.A. = Wordskills unit 10 (book corrected and quiz taken)
reading = LAST DAY OF RESEARCH in IMC for DEBATES!!
Tuesday = No School
Wednesday = L.A. and reading = Organizational day for debates. Schedule for debates decided, role playing requirements discussed, last minute preparation (information, questions, introduction speeches and bibliographies)
Thursday = Early dismissal (students dismissed at 11:30)
L.A. and reading = Read and discuss the novel, Monster.
Friday = L.A. and reading = DEBATES!!
Monday = L.A and reading = DEBATES!!
Tuesday = L.A. = DEBATES!!
reading = Correct ISAT Coach workbook pages 228-245.
***To get into the role of a strong debater, you may want to check out the movie, The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washington. Click on the link below to read more about the movie!!
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809870043/info
***This week's schedule is readjusted because of last Friday's snow day. Below you will find the new plan of attack for Monday, February 4th through Tuesday, February 12th:
Monday = L.A. = Wordskills unit 10 (book corrected and quiz taken)
reading = LAST DAY OF RESEARCH in IMC for DEBATES!!
Tuesday = No School
Wednesday = L.A. and reading = Organizational day for debates. Schedule for debates decided, role playing requirements discussed, last minute preparation (information, questions, introduction speeches and bibliographies)
Thursday = Early dismissal (students dismissed at 11:30)
L.A. and reading = Read and discuss the novel, Monster.
Friday = L.A. and reading = DEBATES!!
Monday = L.A and reading = DEBATES!!
Tuesday = L.A. = DEBATES!!
reading = Correct ISAT Coach workbook pages 228-245.
***To get into the role of a strong debater, you may want to check out the movie, The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washington. Click on the link below to read more about the movie!!
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809870043/info
Sunday, January 27, 2008
What's happening in class?
It's the last week of January! Where does the time go?
***This week will be pretty busy for all of the 8th graders, both in and out of class. Here are some important dates and events to remember:
Monday night (January 28th) at 7:00 P.M. = DGS open house for incoming freshmen, last names beginning with A-Mal.
Wednesday = (January 30th) 8th grade picture day! Dress sharply!
Wednesday night (January 30th) at 7:00 P.M. = DGS open house for incoming freshmen, last names beginning with Mam-Z.
This week in L.A., we will be working on Wordskills unit 10. The completed book and quiz are due on Friday. Additionally, we will be researching information pertaining to the 1960's hot-button debate topics.
***Debates begin on Wednesday, February 6th!!
This week in reading class, we will continue reading the novel, Monster. It is not looking very promising for the main character, Steve Harmon, right now. The prosecutor's witnesses have definitely done some damage to Steve's character.
Will he be able to win the jury over when he testifies, or will he simply do more harm than good? Stay tuned to find out!
***This week will be pretty busy for all of the 8th graders, both in and out of class. Here are some important dates and events to remember:
Monday night (January 28th) at 7:00 P.M. = DGS open house for incoming freshmen, last names beginning with A-Mal.
Wednesday = (January 30th) 8th grade picture day! Dress sharply!
Wednesday night (January 30th) at 7:00 P.M. = DGS open house for incoming freshmen, last names beginning with Mam-Z.
This week in L.A., we will be working on Wordskills unit 10. The completed book and quiz are due on Friday. Additionally, we will be researching information pertaining to the 1960's hot-button debate topics.
***Debates begin on Wednesday, February 6th!!
This week in reading class, we will continue reading the novel, Monster. It is not looking very promising for the main character, Steve Harmon, right now. The prosecutor's witnesses have definitely done some damage to Steve's character.
Will he be able to win the jury over when he testifies, or will he simply do more harm than good? Stay tuned to find out!
Monday, January 21, 2008
What's happening in class?
I hope everyone enjoyed having a day off from school to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday!
This week in language arts, we will continue the 1960's unit. On Tuesday, January 22nd, I will be explaining the role-playing debates, and discussing the 5 hot-button topics students will be debating. Each student will have the opportunity to rank his or her preference of the role he or she would like to play, and all students will also be able to rank which topics they would like to research.
Roles for each debate include:
***2 opposing characters, presenting opposite views of a given topic using reasoning skills and facts...
***1 moderator, running and contolling the debate, making sure each character has an equal opportunity to share his or her oppinion, backed up with facts...
***1-2 reporters, asking questions, and challenging answers during and after the debate.
The debate topics are below:
1. Women's Issues (stay at home mom versus women's rights advocate)
2. The Vietnam War (Vietnam vet versus war protester)
3. The Counter Culture (generation gap-parent versus hippie)
4. The 1968 Democratic Convention (Mayor Daley versus Tom Hayden)
5. The Space Race (astronaut versus social worker)
***In language arts, we will also have a 1960's test, based on the three informational videos viewed in class last week. A study guide will be provided on Tuesday, and the test will be on Friday.
In reading, we will continue reading and discussing the novel, Monster.
This week in language arts, we will continue the 1960's unit. On Tuesday, January 22nd, I will be explaining the role-playing debates, and discussing the 5 hot-button topics students will be debating. Each student will have the opportunity to rank his or her preference of the role he or she would like to play, and all students will also be able to rank which topics they would like to research.
Roles for each debate include:
***2 opposing characters, presenting opposite views of a given topic using reasoning skills and facts...
***1 moderator, running and contolling the debate, making sure each character has an equal opportunity to share his or her oppinion, backed up with facts...
***1-2 reporters, asking questions, and challenging answers during and after the debate.
The debate topics are below:
1. Women's Issues (stay at home mom versus women's rights advocate)
2. The Vietnam War (Vietnam vet versus war protester)
3. The Counter Culture (generation gap-parent versus hippie)
4. The 1968 Democratic Convention (Mayor Daley versus Tom Hayden)
5. The Space Race (astronaut versus social worker)
***In language arts, we will also have a 1960's test, based on the three informational videos viewed in class last week. A study guide will be provided on Tuesday, and the test will be on Friday.
In reading, we will continue reading and discussing the novel, Monster.
Friday, January 11, 2008
What's happening in class?
The 1960's were awesome!!
Next week in L.A and reading, the 8th grade class will begin a 4 week unit focused on the 1960's. We will be viewing and discussing videos of the decade, researching hot-button topics of the decade and performing role-playing debates reflecting the top 5 hot-button issues of the times. Check back next week when I will have more specific unit information posted on my blog..............
Additionally....
In L.A. we will be working on unit 9 from the Wordskills workbook. Monday I will introduce the unit, and Friday, students will correct their workbooks and take a quiz on the 20 target words in the unit.
In reading, we will continue reading and discussing the novel, Monster by Walter Dean Myers. Steve Harmon, the 16 year old main character of the book is charged with felony murder. We find out in the opening few pages that his supposed role in the murder was that he was the person who went into the store just prior to the robbery/murder of the store owner, to make sure all was clear. In otherwords, he went into the store to make sure there were no cops in the store, and therefore the robbery could take place.....
Wait a minute...... If that's all he did, why is being charged with felony murder???????
Next week in L.A and reading, the 8th grade class will begin a 4 week unit focused on the 1960's. We will be viewing and discussing videos of the decade, researching hot-button topics of the decade and performing role-playing debates reflecting the top 5 hot-button issues of the times. Check back next week when I will have more specific unit information posted on my blog..............
Additionally....
In L.A. we will be working on unit 9 from the Wordskills workbook. Monday I will introduce the unit, and Friday, students will correct their workbooks and take a quiz on the 20 target words in the unit.
In reading, we will continue reading and discussing the novel, Monster by Walter Dean Myers. Steve Harmon, the 16 year old main character of the book is charged with felony murder. We find out in the opening few pages that his supposed role in the murder was that he was the person who went into the store just prior to the robbery/murder of the store owner, to make sure all was clear. In otherwords, he went into the store to make sure there were no cops in the store, and therefore the robbery could take place.....
Wait a minute...... If that's all he did, why is being charged with felony murder???????
Monday, January 7, 2008
What's happening in class?
The first week back from winter break will be a busy one!
In language arts, we will be accomplishing two tasks. The first task is to write the required essay for DGS. ***On Tuesday, January 8th, all 8th graders will be given a prompt created by the English staff at DGS. They will have 30 minutes to write a well organized, detailed essay, on the given topic. These essays will then be used as one of many criteria to help determine placement in freshmen English classes for the 2008-2009 school year.
Secondly, we will be delving into the exciting world of subject-verb agreement. :) Students will learn to identify and use correct subject verb agreement in order to improve their writing and speaking skills.
In reading, we will begin reading the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. It is a thought provoking story about a 16 year old on trial for felony murder. Check out the link below for more information about this current day piece of literature.
http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0060280778.asp
***Just as a reminder: AR book report quizzes are due to me by Wednesday, January 16th!!!
In language arts, we will be accomplishing two tasks. The first task is to write the required essay for DGS. ***On Tuesday, January 8th, all 8th graders will be given a prompt created by the English staff at DGS. They will have 30 minutes to write a well organized, detailed essay, on the given topic. These essays will then be used as one of many criteria to help determine placement in freshmen English classes for the 2008-2009 school year.
Secondly, we will be delving into the exciting world of subject-verb agreement. :) Students will learn to identify and use correct subject verb agreement in order to improve their writing and speaking skills.
In reading, we will begin reading the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. It is a thought provoking story about a 16 year old on trial for felony murder. Check out the link below for more information about this current day piece of literature.
http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0060280778.asp
***Just as a reminder: AR book report quizzes are due to me by Wednesday, January 16th!!!
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