HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

Have a great time! See a good movie. Read a good book. Laugh.


See you in 2009!

Get ready for party on Friday!

Bring cups or games or food (treats for all) and good spirits! It's holiday time!

Finished work on mini-novels.

Final response due Thursday. No Pencil!

Fri: Spell test #9 and exercises.

PARTY! Bring food to share!!!!!!!

Nearly (!) finished mini-novel discussion

Period 2: In groups, discussed novel and then whole class discussion.
If you left class early for music activities, you must turn in the questions sheet on Weds. Kyra, Ricky, Khiana, Kiana, Riley, Jasmine.

Period 4: Handout -- pick the most effective and least effective character description from Old Man And The Sea. Did the ending make sense to you?

Per. 5: Be prepared on Weds. to write a new account of Gitano's visit to the ranch.



Final response assignment due Thursday.

HW: Thurs: Final response mini novel

Fri: Spelling post-test #9.

Holiday Party! Bring treats to share.

QW: Write about the hardest thing you have ever had to do in your life. Complete sentences. 5 min.

Per. 2: The Pearl: Discuss last 2 ?s in pre-read worksheet. Popcorn read opening, ch. 3, p. 27. Discuss.

Per. 4: Same QW and other choices: (1) Old age is to be feared more than death; (2) anyone over 40 is untrustworthy; (3) when going on an adventure, it is better to be lucky.

The Old Man And The Sea: Read from 1936 article by Hemingway and class discussion on second third of book.

Per. 5: QW as above. Can do any of the 4 choices. The Red Pony: Class discussion.

HW: Tues: Finish mini-novel

Thurs: Final response mini novel

Fri: Spelling post-test #9.

Holiday Party! Bring treats to share.

Took quiz on first part of mini-novel. Trade Grade.

Handed in writer's notebooks. Get yours in by Monday if absent.

Lots of papers returned, including group work projects/presentations.

HW:

Mon: Per 2: chs. 3/4 The Pearl
Per 4: pg. 70 The Old Man And The Sea
Per 5: chs 2/3 The Red Pony

Tues: All classes finish reading your mini-novels. You have no other English homework and two SSR periods to get it done.

"Literature is as old as speech. It grew out of the need for it and it has not changed except to become more needed..."
------John Steinbeck in his 1962 Nobel Prize Speech in Stockholm

Watched documentary on Steinbeck, one of America's greatest writers, author of The Red Pony and The Pearl. "The literary titan led a remarkable life, from his childhood in California's Salinas Valley to his later years in the coastal fishing town of Monterey. Toiling as a field hand during his youth, Steinbeck subsequently penned sensitive portrayals of poor laborers in his timeless novels."

HW: Expect quiz. By Friday read:
Period 2 -- The Pearl, chapters 1 &2, at least.
Period 4 -- The Old Man And The Sea, pg.34, at least
Period 5 -- The Red Pony, chapter 1, through pg. 37, at least.

WOD: compassion (n)-- a deep awareness or sympathy for another's suffering or feeling. (Nearly empathy, but not quite!) The class had great compassion and gave special gifts for the McGill family, adrift after losing their home in a great fire.

Mini -novel pre-reading work. Vocabulary and predicting on each novel and background on authors. (Click on their pictures on sidebar for more information)

By Friday read:
Period 2 -- The Pearl, chapters 1 &2, at least.
Period 4 -- The Old Man And The Sea, pg.34, at least
Period 5 -- The Red Pony, chapters, through pg. 37, at least.

Completed final quiz on mini-novel.
Returned books.

Books still out: Jacob, Simon, Ry, Norzin.
Need to take quizzes at lunch on Weds., Simon, Ry, Norzin.

Worked on pre-reading handout for next mini-novel.


On Weds, will get next mini-novel. Read at least the first third by Thursday.

Use your SSR time wisely on this!

Period 2 -- The Pearl, chapters 1 &2, at least.
Period 4 -- The Old Man And The Sea, pg.34, at least
Period 5 -- The Red Pony, chapters, through pg. 37, at least.

QW: Gain perspective, from another's point of view. Write a thank you note to the Twin Hills students who donated food and presents to your family this holiday season.

Finish group presentations on Grand Conversation of mini-novel

HW: Tuesday:

• 2nd response mini-novel.
• Bring in books to return and exchange for next mini-novel
• Final Quiz on mini-novel. If you have kept up with reading, you will do fine on the quiz.

Spelling Test # 8 trade/grade. Hand in exercises

"Grand Conversations." About Hemingway and Steinbeck. Your groups teach. Timed. Graded. 20 points. Engage your classmates. Finish on Monday.

All good books are alike in that they are truer
than if they had really happened
and after you are finished reading one
you will feel that all that happened
to you and afterwards it all belongs to you;
the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse,
and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was.
~ Ernest Hemingway ~

HW: Mon: Finish mini-novel

Tues: 2nd response due. Bring books to exchange for next mini novel. Quiz on book.

QW: On your mini-novel. Find the best sentence in the passage. Explain it in terms of plot, character, theme or symbol. (Each class has different passage -- on board)

Daily Grammar Day 5. Rewrite sentence to correct

Surprise pop quiz on No Excuses words

Group work on your mini-novel. Select a passage. Paraphrase. Read Out Loud. Say why great, moving or significant. Present to class. Each person must participate. Graded. Will continue on Friday and Monday, if needed.

HW: Fri: Spelling Quiz No. 8 and 1-20 questions
Mon: Finish mini-novel
Tues: 2nd response due, as well as your books. Turn in for next mini-novel.

Daily Grammar Edit, #4

Finished group mini novel quizzes. To take on Thursday.


Reminders: Review no excuses words.
Mini novel has to be finished (read) by Tuesday 12/09 Turn in book to get next one.
Mini novel #2 quiz on mini novel on Tues. along w/ 2nd response due

HW: Friday: spelling test # 8 and exercises
Tues. Dec 9: 2nd response mini-novel. If you did a graphic already, this one has to be a written one.

WOD-- THEME --The main idea or meaning in a literary work. The theme of a work is not the same as the works’ subject. The theme is the abstract concept that is made concrete through the images, characterization, and action of the text. The theme provides an answer to the question: What is the work about? Unlike plot, which deals with the action of a work, theme concerns itself with a work's message or contains the general idea of a work.

QW: If you had a really important test to take and could cheat by looking at someone else's paper, would you? Why or why not?

Daily Grammar Edit: Week 3, Day 2 & 3

Discussed theme in literature. What means. Notes from overhead. The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching. The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.
For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless. Or, the subject of a story could be about a great drought, while the theme is man against nature.

Group work: Mini Novel #1 Test Design:
Write three questions. Should be about plot, character, and theme. Answers must be in two to three sentences. Must turn in one sheet with the questions, and one sheet with the questions and the answer, with page #s in book, if appropriate.

First response mini novel due today, in basket.

Reminders: Review no excuses words.
Mini novel has to be finished (read) by Tuesday 12/09 Turn in book to get next one.
Mini novel #2 quiz on mini novel on Tues. along w/ 2nd response due

HW: Friday: spelling test # 8 and exercises
Tues. Dec 9: 2nd response mini-novel

QW: You have awakened as an inanimate object. Write a letter telling a human friend what your new life is like.

Spell #8 trade/grade exercises

Returned & explained & filed IOA essays

Discussed first response assignment due tomorrow, Tues. Check for plagiarism. Do not copy and paste from websites unless you put in quotation marks and say specifically where information comes from! Take care with plagiarism traps, passing someone else's work off as your own. Tips on avoiding plagiarism.

Work time: spelling sentences, first response -- mini-novel.

Check this website for links to Steinbeck, Hemingway, assignments, handouts, and rubrics.

HW: First response mini novel due Tues., BOP

WOD: gorge (v) to stuff with food. Bartholomew gorged himself with mashed potatoes, stuffing and chocolate pecan pie on Thanksgiving and was sick through the new year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We finished defending the turkey, in our essay style "Turkey's Last Plea," and then shared his/her "defense statements."

Partner writing. Creating stories with partners.

Over vacation, have fun and READ -- your favorite novels or magazines and your mini-novels. Reading is breathing, moving into someone else's world, appreciating another life, experiencing compassion. Go for it!

Look over a general rubric for grading of essays. Also take time to look at traits of effective essay writing.

HW: Coming up: Mini novel assignment, Tues., Dec. 2

Took quiz on mini-novel and peer-graded and handed-in.

Returned rough drafts of movie essay. Final draft due tomorrow, Tuesday. Click link to movie essay for particulars if you have lost your assignment sheet.

Essay reminders: avoid use of "I," and "you." Check your final draft for grammatical errors and no excuses words. Type. Double-space.

Look over a general rubric for grading of essays. Also take time to look at traits of effective essay writing.

HW: Tuesday: Final draft movie essay.

Coming up: Mini novel assignment, Tues., Dec. 2

Peer-edited movie essay rough drafts and handed in.

Wrote spirited defenses on behalf of the turkey, on Thanksgiving, persuasive arguments to not be cooked for dinner. Essay style, of course!
Assignment: Imagine you are a turkey. Convince someone not to cook you for Thanksgiving dinner. What would you say to convince them? Brainstorm first. Make sure to have a thesis statement, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

You might:
• think about some reasons a turkey might not want to be cooked.
• write the five most convincing reasons.
• use your best ideas in your writing

HW: Read first 35 pages of mini-novel. Be prepared for quiz on Monday.

Tues: Final draft movie essay. (Returned on Monday-- click "movie essay" link for copy of assignment)

WOD: symbolism --an object or character or image that represents (symbolizes, stands for) a concept or abstract idea. Red roses symbolize passionate love.

parable -- a brief, succinct story in prose or verse that illustrates a moral or religious lesson. (Allegory). The moral of the story (parable) is..........

In your Great American novels by Steinbeck and Hemingway, as you are reading, keep note of the symbols and what is the moral message, if any.

Each class took notes on the author of their book, the times in which he wrote and why his work is considered a classic.
We worked on pre-reading strategies for each of the three novels -- Period 2, The Red Pony; Period 4, The Pearl; Period 5, The Old Man And The Sea.

Guide To Traits of Quality Writing 

HW: Finish handouts on pre-reading activities.
Bring movie essay work to class on Thursday.

QW: Free choice. 5 minutes

Daily grammar. Overhead. Write in notebooks. Fix.

Great American Novel -- checkout and project plan.
Per 2 -- The Red Pony; Per 4 -- The Pearl; Per 5 -- The Old Man And The Sea

Work time, 0 or 10 points. Movie essay or read new novel.

QW: Your little brother or sister is lost, or you are so frustrated that you want to sell him/her! Write an ad that will help you find or sell him or her.

Hamadi, Use Venn diagram to compare/contrast Hamadi and Prof. Shlemiel. At end write three complete sentences which one you would enjoy meeting and why. Use intelligent answers connected to the stories and the Venn diagram you just filled out. Hand in for grade.

Persuasive essay on favorite movie assignment. (Handouts) Begin brainstorm. RD due Fri, BOP; Final due Tues 11/25

HW: Brainstorm chart or cluster diagram due for 5-paragraph movie essay.

Please turn in your biographies to my classroom or the library before you can check out our next book.

QW: "The wave of the future is coming, and there is no way of fighting it" -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

*Spell test # 7 trade/grade/hand in with work and corrections

*Grade grammar tests. Include CB or lose 5 points. Hand in

*Short stories: Iaac Bashevis Singer's "The Day I Got Lost," p. 534, and Naomi Nye's "Hamad," p. 539. Finish reading "Hamadi" for homework.


HW: Mon: Finish reading "Hamadi," p. 539.

Grammar Test. Can use your own study card.

The short story and literary elements: plot, setting, character and theme.
Another way to look at characters.
Characters are flat or round. Flat have no unique traits, or maybe only 1 or 2 recognizable traits. Round characters have individual personalities with a unique combination of likes and dislikes, opinions,etc.
Characters can be dynamic or static. Dynamic characters change or grow as the story progresses. Static characters stay the same.

Literature textbook: In class, read Isaac Bashevis Singer's "The Day I Got Lost," p. 534, and Naomi Nye's "Hamad," p. 539.
Pay attention to main character and their traits. See whether you can identify with any of the characters in the two stories.

HW:
Fri: Final draft IOA essay. With self-edit form and rough draft attached. Stapled together BEFORE come to class. Due BOP> (You are getting one extra day on this. Take advantage. Do a great job.)

Fri: Spelling Test Unit 7. Corrections and work due.

WOD: lout (n) an awkward, brutish person. Because the three louts behind her in the movie theater were loud, Rebecca changed seats.

Work time day. 0-10 points. Can do:
*Study for grammar test
*IOA final draft with your own, self-edit form attached and rough draft. Typed. Stapled.
*Spelling corrections and 1-20 work, page 41. Unit 7. Due Friday, post-test.

Those of you who decided to bring your work and actually work today, congratulations!
This will be the last of our class time work days for a while.

HW:
Fri: Final draft IOA essay. With self-edit form and rough draft attached. Stapled together BEFORE come to class. Due BOP> (You are getting one extra day on this. Take advantage. Do a great job.)

Fri: Spelling Test Unit 7. Corrections and work due.

WOD: condone (v) to regard something or treat something as acceptable, forgivable or harmless.
QW: If you could be the smartest, most attractive or most athletic kid in your class, what would you choose? Why?

Spell pretest #7 Sentences and corrections due Friday. Post-test
DOL exercises, two, write in notebook and correct.

Work time (0-10 pts)
*Biography final project
*IOA Final draft with self-edit attached (Get handout)Use peer edit form. (Get handout if haven’t yet) (Computer time on Weds.)
*Spelling correx and sentences

HW: Weds: Final biog project due Weds 11/12 (no school on Tues)
Thurs: Final Draft IOA essay with self-edit attached

QW: "Rosa sat so Martin Could Walk. Martin walked so Obama could run. And Obama ran so our children could fly." Think. Reflect. Write. Complete Sentences.

Book Reviews. Handouts to show you some ideas for how to write your own for final book project. Copy of cover and back cover of Jane Goodall biography as example.

Returned IOA rough draft. Had to have transitions and conclusion for full credit. Work on if do not have. Discussed the complete essay. Needs to have 1) Introductory paragraph, which includes the THESIS statement, or hook that gets your reader interested and tells what the essay will be about. 2) Obstacles body paragraph. Transition to the next. 3)Influences body paragraph. Transition to the next. 4)Accomplishments body paragraph. Includes CONCLUSION. (Conclusion can be a separate 5th paragraph) Conclusion wraps up or closes the essay. Sums up overall ideas and ends memorably, with a strong statement, interesting quote or comment.

HW: Coming up:
Weds. 11/12: Biography final project.
Thurs. 11/13: Final draft IOA essay. MUST BE TYPED, double-spaced. (Will have computer time on Weds finish.)

Grammar Tests -- those of your peers. Take, trade, grade. Evaluate.

Biography final project discussion.

Start work on final project. Due next Weds., 11/12.

IOA essays returned on Friday. Final IOA essays due Thurs., 11/13

Discussed New York Times article on a Georgia African-American voter involved in the civil rights movement: After Decades, A Time To Reap

Daily Oral Language: on sentences and the overhead. Class fix.

Trade/grade practices sentences and hand in.

Create grammar test study cards to use Thursday. Use a 4X6 card only. (Supplied by me!) Can write on both sides. Can use during test. Look closely at parts of speech definitions. Be able to identify part of speech. Be able to recognize improper usage. Understand sentences and identify run on, fragment, compound and complex.

The victory speech of President-Elect Obama.

HW: Grammar test on Thursday. Bring grammar study card to use during test and turn in after.

QW: Why are people considering this election historic? How do you think it is? What do you hope will change in our world with a new president? Write at least four complete sentences. One has to be compound. Use proper punctuation.

Handed in biography check #3.

Returned essay graph on "Not To Go With Others." Returned grammar cards.

Discussed grammar test. We will have a grammar test made from your tests on Thursday. It will be open study card. You will have time in class on Weds. to create your own study card.
Went over handout on simple and compound sentences.

Grammar card sentence project. Work on in class. Finish for homework. Due BOP Weds. If you take home your grammar cards, please bring back on Weds.

HW: Finish grammar card sentences.

QW: Write about what things you were afraid of a few years ago that no longer disturb you. In this quick write, grammar and writing practice: At least 1 sentence has to have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Class and computer time to finish IOA essay, due EOP. Edited rough draft, using edit response form. Computer time.
Today's class work time is worth zero or 10 points. If not working, get zero. Not negotiable.

If done IOA essay rough draft, can work on:
Biography #3 due Tues
Compound/complex sentences handout, due Tues
Final biography project, due 11/12

HW: Biography check #3 due Tues
Should finish biographies by Friday. Final project due 11/12.

Friday was Halloween!

We unscrambled Halloween-themed words! And won prizes.

We read scary stories and poems. We shared quick writes.

We wrote BLOTZ poems.


HW: Monday, bring work to finish rough draft with peer edit of IOA essay. Work esp. on transitions and conclusion. Due EOP Monday. Will have time in computer lab to finish.

QW: "I could tell whatever was behind me was impatient." (Can read on Friday)

Spell test #5 trade/grade/turn in
Return Biog check #2
Work on sentence types: simple, complex, compound, complex-compund
Worksheet -- simple and compound sentences.

Peer/edit/grade "Not To Go With Others" paragraph.

Go over essay conclusion and transitions -- handouts on phrases and words

Returned IOA essays. Rough draft and peer edit due EOP Monday. Read assignment over. Make sure you label your essay parts, write transitions between paragraphs, and write a conclusion at the end. Can bring in draft on flash drive on Monday to work on during class. Rough draft must be edited using form I gave you.


Thurs: 10/30: Spelling corrections and post-test #5 (DATE CHANGE)
Mon: 11/03: IOA rough draft with self edits. Due EOP. Will have class time.
Tues., 11/04: Biography check #3

QW: "I got trampled by the duck..."

* Finish notes on Hokusai and Zaremski, p. 636
* Class discussion on main points of each
* Compare the 2 works. Use chart on p. 643 as guide. Can have 1 partner
* Write 1 paragraph, essay style, how the title “Not To Go With Others” relates to the main point of Hersey’s story. (Use labels.) Hand in EOP or finish for HW. Due Weds.

HW: Weds: Essay graph on title of Hersey’s story. BOP.
Thurs: 10/30: Spelling corrections and post-test #5 (DATE CHANGE)
Mon: 11/03: IOA rough draft with self edits. Due EOP. Will have class time.
Tues., 11/04: Biography check #3

Returned biography check #1 and discussed biography check #2, due Tuesday.

Spelling pretest #5. Sentence work and post-test on THURS (not Friday!)

QW: On the economy. Read NY Times article: As Yard Sales Boom in Hard Times, Sentiment Is First Thing to Go. Write your own definition of rich/poor. Then write: What would you sell at a yard sale? What price would you put on it? At the end of the day, what would be your everything-must-go price?

Textbook work on biographical narratives continued on Tuesday.

HW:
Tues., 10/28: Biography check #2.
Thurs: 10/30: Spelling corrections and post-test #5 (DATE CHANGE)
Mon: 11/03: IOA rough draft with self edits. Due EOP. Will have class time.

WOD: frugal (adj). avoiding waste; thrifty. Thomas was frugal with his allowance, choosing only to buy a chocolate bar once a week and put the rest in a savings account

Spelling Test # 4 Test/trade/grade

Read biographical narratives, “Hokusai: The Old Man Mad About Drawing” and John Hersey’s “Not To Go With Others.” P. 634.

Fill in chart for main points of paragraphs and main point of the excerpts. Finish in class on Monday.

Coming up:
Tues., 10/28: Biography progress check #2
Fri., 10/31: IOA paragraphs, rough draft with edits

QW: If your parents told you your best friend was a bad influence and that you were no longer allowed to hang out together, how would you feel? Would you do what they said?

Discuss Maya Angelou questions. Hand in.

HW: Spelling Unit 4, post-test. Hand in work sentences and pre-test.

IOA paragraphs handed in. Rough draft due Friday, Oct. 31. Follow instructions on handout. Do not submit in pencil. Typing is the best. Double space. 12-point font.

Handed out 2nd quarter late passes. Must submit at end of quarter for 5 points extra credit, or use for one late assignment turned in one day late. Don't lose. This is only one issued for the quarter.

Finished Maya Angelou I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Exercises p. 38, 1-6. Complete sentences. Finish for HW.

HW: Textbook, exercises, p. 38. 1-6.

WOD: figurative (adj) of speech, not literal; Her hair was like snow, soft, light and nearly weightless is an example of figurative language.

QW: Write a letter that your grandchildren will open in 50 years telling them what the world is like today.

Biography check in #1 due in basket

Maya Angelou excerpt from I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in Prentice Hall textbook. Popcorn, class read aloud and discuss. Notice Angelou's use of figurative language:
"I sopped around the house, like an old biscuit, dirty and inedible... Then I got to know the lady who threw me my first lifeline."

More on Maya Angelou http://www.mayaangelou.com/ShortBio.html

"Words mean more than what is set down on paper.
It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning."
-- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Do Q&A at end, individually. Finish in class on Weds.


HW: IOA paragraphs due Weds., use essay style format.

QW: “And that’s when it started to get weird…”

Spelling Unit Four, pretest. Trade/Grade. If miss more than 2, write each missed word 5X and do exercises 1-20 for Friday and take post-test

Grammar Test group project due today in basket.

Class-time to work on: Biog check #1; IOA paragraphs; Unit 4 spelling sentences and test Friday

HW:
Tues: Biography check #1 -- double-entry journal with direct passages and page numbers noting influences, obstacles or accomplishments of subject of your biography.
Weds: IOA (influences, obstacles and accomplishments) paragraphs due. Your own. Use essay style format and label. No pencil.
Fri: Spelling sentences and post-test Unit 4.

WOD: resolute (adj) firm in purpose or belief; unhesitating. The soldier stood resolute against the enemy.

Spelling Unit Three: take, trade, grade, hand in.

Time to polish final draft of group grammar test. Make it neat and clear!

Work on Influences, obstacles and accomplishments essay paragraphs.

10/20: Grammar Test final group project.
10/21: Biography response #1. Should be well into reading & using post-its.
10/30: Report cards sent home.

QW: So I went to the zoo and stole 200 flamingos.

Essay Paragraph. It's back! Commentary, what is it?

Influences, obstacles, accomplishments, your own, in essay format. Handout. Pre-write using any one of six ways of prewriting. In class.

HW:
10/17: Spelling test Unit Three sentences and corrections and post-test.
10/20: Grammar Test final group project
10/21: Biography response #1. Should be well into reading & using post-its.
10/30: Report cards sent home.

Go over biography check-in # 1 due Tuesday, 10/21.
Questions on grammar test design?

Grammar Test Design group work, first draft due today, EOP.
Semicolons worksheet.

First quarter ends Friday.

Coming up:

10/17: Spelling test Unit Three sentences and corrections and post-test.
10/20: Grammar Test final group project
10/21: Biography response #1. Should be well into reading & using post-its.
10/30: Report cards sent home.

QW:What is the one fairy tale character you hate and why? How would you make it/him/her different?

Go over comma splices and run-ons – two handouts

Grammar Test group work (design)
Rough due Weds. – will have class time.
Final due Mon 10/20

Group roles:
Reporter/notetaker; co-chairs, organize and lead; researcher: book & handouts; accountant – makes sure you have enough questions; final draft – responsible for

WOD: myth (n) -- a traditional story, esp. one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events; a humorous or horrific story or piece of information circulated as though true.

Columbus Day activity. Handouts, discuss, and:
QW: Is history a permanent, unchanging story (myth) of the past or is it something that changes over time? (Think about the story of Columbus)?

Spelling pretest Unit 3 Trade/grade/ Sentences and post-test on Friday
Check and go over comma splices & run ons

Make sure you are reading biography. First progress report due Tues, 10/21.

HW: Due Tuesday: Comma splices and run ons (#2) handout

WOD: nebulous (adj.) -- indistinct, vague. Betty Sue's description of the film was so nebulous that I'm still not sure what it is about.

QW: "Loneliness should not be a habit."

Spelling post-test Unit 2. Trade/grade/

Sentence fragments 2 checked and discussed.

HW: Comma Splices and Run Ons -- handouts due Monday.

Grammar Test Design, groups of 4. Handout. First draft due Weds., Oct. 15; final due Mon., Oct. 20.

QW: If for one day you could do exactly what you want and not get punished or caught, what would you do?

Sentence fragment 1, Go over in class.
Sentence fragment 2, due on Fri.

Work time: grammar cards; spelling unit 2; read biography; sentence fragments 2


HW: Friday:
*Grammar card project due NO LATES. NO PENCIL. NO EXCUSES.
* Study for spelling test Unit 2; unit 2 spelling, word 5 times, exercises 1-20 due.
*Sentence fragments 2 worksheet

WOD: implacable (adj) not to be appeased; incapable of being pacified; inexorable;
She conducted her life and her work with all the steady and implacable seriousness of a steamroller.

Drill and Kill: Grammar pronouns. Worksheet due today. Graded.
Sentence Fragments 1: worksheet, due Thurs. for HW.
It's okay to get some not right. It's not okay not to try and turn in nothing.

Work time: grammar cards, spelling, unit 2, read biography

On grammar cards: read instructions; put in as much detail as can for part of speech; sentences and/or definitoins help grade (not extra credit); include your word list (already graded); pencil gets a zero.

HW: Due Thursday, worksheet, Sentence Fragments 1

QW: "The clouds parted perfectly so the blinding full moon was unavoidable."

(Excellent QW prompt. It came from the writing of one of your peers!)


Returned papers and Writer's Notebooks. Wow! You are great writers. Keep it up!

Filed papers in portfolio in classroom.

Write Source book checkout. Your copy for the year. Use for grammar card project, grammar card worksheets and other work (research, how to write essays, etc.) as it comes up.

HW: Weds: Finish pronouns worksheet
Bring in work to do grammar card project in class.

WOD: rue (v) to feel regret, remorse. As Robert watched Annabelle’s plane leave, he knew he would rue the day he let his true love get away.

QW: Advice to adults on having fun.

Filled in planners for future assignments, including due dates for biography assignment. Turned in biography choices.
Spelling Unit 2 pretest. Corrections and sentences 1-20 due Friday. Post-test on Friday.

Updated grades posted on bulletin board. Check out yours!

Grammar Worksheets. Parts of speech review and pronouns handout. Start in class. Can work on at home; continue on Tuesday.

HW: Spelling test and corrections, Unit two, Friday.
Grammar Card project. Friday. No lates.

Spelling Test Unit One.

Writer's Notebooks handed in and shared.

HW: Biography Choice, Monday. Must be 200 pages! In class on Monday!

Coming Up:
Friday: Spelling test Unit Two
Grammar Card project.

QW: "Time just twisted our hands."

Writer's Notebooks due Friday. Select 5 with post-its for me to read. Number all the rest. I will count.

Went over spelling sentences, Unit One. Post-test on Friday. Hand in pretest and post-test and worksheets.

Grammar worksheets. Went over concrete, abstract, collective nouns. Parts of speech review, overhead.

HW: Writer's Notebooks due
Study for spelling test, Unit One.

WOD: verbiage (noun) an overabundance of words; wordiness. The sheer volume of verbiage she indulged in over the years made her seem intelligent to her classmates.

Biography Work -- Handouts, assignments. Biography pick due Monday, Oct. 6.

Your book must be at least 200 pages. Pick someone you are interested in knowing about. Find a subject you are interested in and a person who was (is) involved in that. Go to my bookshelf, Twin Hills school library, bookstores -- used and new, and the Sonoma County Public Libray: www.sonomalibrary.org. Go to search, keyword a subject you are interested in and select a biography. You can even just put the word "biography" in the keyword, and you'll get a huge list of suggestions. If you have a library card, you can have your choice of book sent to Sebastopol library for pickup. No muss; no fuss, and something you want to spend the next month with!

Mark 8 parts of speech on this quote: "Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are not opened."

Grammar worksheets: Went over nouns. Pronouns. Handouts.

HW:
*Thurs. Grammar worksheets (concrete nouns) due and Manipulating sentences
*Fri: Writers notebooks and spelling post-test

QW: What would you do if you saw someone left out of a game on purpose?

Grammar: Manipulating Sentences, day 2. Practice in class. Identify and manipulate sentences from worksheet. Finish for Thursday. Use resources: class "cheat" sheet on eight parts of speech; thesaurus, dictionary, web sites, The Write Source, Twin Hills planner, Prentice Hall textbook, index, P. R-22

Work time: Grammar card word list; grammar worksheets, spelling.

HW: Weds: Grammar Card word list; spelling words, Unit 1
Thurs: Grammar Worksheets (2); manipulating sentences
Fri: Writer's Notebooks; Spelling test, Unit 1

QW: "Something is drastically wrong. Every time I pick up the phone..."

Checked out spelling books. Returned mystery books.
Spelling pretest, Unit 1. If miss more than two, sentences 1-20, pg. 15, due Weds.
EC on sentences if did 19 or more correct on pretest. Test on Friday.

Grammar, eight parts of speech review and worksheets. Manipulating Sentences worksheet. Complete in class on Tuesday.


HW: Due Weds., 100-word list for grammar cards.
Spelling sentences.

Yearbook field-trippers still need to turn in Wednesday work!

QW: Free choice

Discussed Grammar Card project on the eight parts of speech. Handout.
Word list due Weds., Oct. 1.* Final Grammar Card project due Friday., Oct. 10.

Reviewed information sources for grammar work, including the following websites:

http://englishplus.com/grammar/
www.dailygrammar.com
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Advanced, but a fun one: http://www.grammaruntied.com/

Other sources, Prentice Hall textbook, index, Pg. R22. You have this one at home!

Mystery Novel Project response -- last class period for novel response.

HW: Mystery novel response project due Monday 9/29. Check response carefully for COSM. Neatly staple work together. No pencil.

*Students on yearbook field trip have to turn in word lists by Weds., afternoon, when return from field trip.

Modeled & acted out essay/argument/persuasion, Part 2.

Self-editing method for mystery novel project paragraphs -- a method to work on rough drafts. Keep handout in English notebook for future reference.

Mystery Novel project work time will continue on Friday. Make sure to bring materials to class.

WOD: blithe (adj)lacking or showing a lack of due concern; "Homer Simpson spoke with blithe ignorance of the true situation;" and/or carefree and happy and lighthearted; "Cassandra was loved for her blithe spirit."

Model & acted out essay/argument/persuasion.

Mystery novel project plan due end of period. What is your plan to finish? What do you have left to do? Write this down and show me by end of period or bring to writers conference.

Handed out Mystery Novel Check #2, due Thurs. Worked on in class.
There will be some class time on Thurs and Fri to finish up mystery novel project.

WOD: undulate (v) To move in, or have, waves; to vibrate; to wave; as, undulating air. Rather than tuna, several hundred white-sided dolphins come into focus, undulating crisply through the sea surface below.

Work on Speckled Band project while Writer’s Conference

*HW: Due Weds, Adventure of the Speckled Band project

Writers still to do: 2: Kaitlyn, Jasmine, Cassidy 3: Rollin, Caitlin, Sam F., Manna, Sarah Fuji, Kate; 4: Avalon, Will, Kelly

WOD: morose (adj) gloomy, sullen, ill-tempered. No one could blame her for being morose when her cat had to go back to the vet for the third time in a month.

Work on Speckled Band project (40 points, due Weds BOP) while Writer’s Conference.

Tuesday writer's conferences:
Per 2: Becca, Kaitlyn, Johan, Jasmine, Cassidy, Kiana
Per 4: Sam L, Chris M., Emily, Kyndall, Rollin, Caitlin, Sam F., Sarah, Manna, Kate
Per 5: Kirsha, Bryce, Kyle, Amanda, Stefan, Avalon, Will, Kelly.

HW:
Weds.: Speckled Band project
Thurs: Mystery Novel Progress Check #2
Monday: 9/29: Mystery Novel Final Project (this is a date change from original handout; you have an extra two days.)

WOD: nefarious (adj)-- wicked or criminal. The girls' nefarious actions toward some of the others at the dance were obvious to all.

On Friday class continued work on "Speckled Band" project and writer's conferences.

Be prepared for Monday writer's conferences, worth 20 points:

Per 2: Sarah, Luke, Marian, Jordan, Sierra, John
Per 3: Tenzin, Max, Sam, Sean, Ryan, Chris M. Emily, Norzin
Per 5: Vicki, Gina, Jonah, Dylan, Rylind, Kirsha

Remember class time is for working on Sherlock Holmes "Speckled Band" project, which will be due beginning of class on Weds., 9/24. Four-part project worth 40 points.

WOD: hat trick (n) The scoring of 3 goals in one game by a single player; a succession of 3 victories or successes. Mickey Mantle often managed a hat trick, getting three hits in three turns at back, making fans ecstatic.

Worked on Speckled Band project and Writer's Conferences.

Friday conferences:
Per2: Simon, Riley, Tanner, Miguel, Angela, Nia, Marlen.
Per 3: Joe C, Tenzin, Tristan, Jacob, Jesus, Miles, Norzin, Yesenia
Per 5: Shannin, Alyssa, Madi, Parker, Maria, Victoria

HW: Prepare for your writer’s conference. See assignment. Carries 20 points. Work on Speckled Band project due Weds., and mystery novel reading.

WOD: omniscient (adj.) having infinite awareness, understanding and insight; possessed of knowledge. While many students expect their teachers to be omniscient, George was glad Mr. Hawkins was honest about what he did not know.

Sherlock Holmes "Adventure of the Speckled Band", mini-project, due Weds 9/24.
Work time on project in class for next four days.

Returned papers and discussed Writer's Conference expectations. Conferences scheduled for Thursday through Tuesday. You have your day on paper given to you in class today. Be prepared with three pieces of work to discuss. Conferences carry 20-point value. Look at handout for details.



HW: If you are scheduled for a writer's conference, be prepared!

For Thursday: Per 2: Marlen, Natalie, Khiana, Travis, Ricky and Kyra; Per 4: Jessie, Cris S., Devyn, Matt, Rene, Jose, Heather; Per. 5: Nick, Stephen S., Kaya, Joe, Eric and Colette

WOD: dauntless (adj) The dauntless firefighters remained in the smoldering building until they were certain all were evacuated.

QW: " A shot hit the window. He escaped. For now."

Personal impact essay paragraph on desk. Trade. Two peer edits. You will be graded on peer-editing work. Return. Write final draft. Due end of class today. Staple together: first draft, final draft, both peer responses.

Get handout on active reading strategies.

HW: Read mystery novel.

WOD: phantasmagoria:(n) a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined. He liked to mix his ice cream toppings -- chocolate, strawberry, licorice -- into a phantasmagoria of flavors.

QW: Who are your heroes? Why do you think they are so terrific?

Returned rough draft of T.T.Heart essay paragraph. Rewrote final during class and handed in.

HW: Essay paragraph #2: Using essay paragraph format, describe a friend or family member who has had a significant impact on your life. Concrete details (CD) will be anecdotes or memories. Rough draft due Tuesday. Label parts: TS, CD#1, CM 1 & 2, CD#2, CM#3 & 4 and conclusion. To be peer-edited on Tuesday.

WOD: quintessence (N) The essence of a thing in its purest form; the most typical example or representative. Marshmallows at a barbecue are the quintessence of summer.

QW: The worst injury you ever had and how did it happen and why.

Class work time to write one essay paragraph on villain or victim character study in Tell Tale Heart. Rough draft due at the end of the period, today.
Use handouts. Fill in all prompts. Hand in prompts 1-8, along with the rough draft paragraph.

WOD:torrid (adj) violently hot; drying or scorching with heat; burning; parching; as, "torrid heat;" characterized by intense emotion; as, "a torrid love affair."
We knew it was coming because just before the hurricane hit, the atmosphere felt heavy and torrid.

QW: Write about why remembering 9/11 is important.

No excuses spelling test.Trade and grade. Words wrong, write 10 times. Due Friday.

Essay paragraph on villain/victim. Example on overhead.
On your own, write a one-paragraph essay character study on either the villain or the victim in Tell Tale Heart. Rough draft paragraph. We will work on a final paragraph on Friday in class. Like Legos: we are building essay.

HW: Mystery Novel Progress Check #1 due on Friday.
Write 10 times corrections on mispelled No Excuses words due Friday

WOD: furtive (adj), done by stealth, surreptitious, sly. We exchanged furtive glances across the room when my mom asked who had eaten all the cookies.

No excuses pretest, Part 3. Study for No excuses spelling test on Thursday.

Discussed assignment for Mystery Novel Progress Check #1. Due on Friday.

Group work on villain/victim in Tell-Tale-Heart. Using character map handout, filled in personality traits and description of each. Group work. The more detail in your chart, the easier to the next step, an essay paragraph on the victim or villain, Thursday's classwork.


HW: (1) Study for No Excuses spelling test on Thursday.
(2) Mystery Novel Progress Check #1 due on Friday.

Word-Of-The-Day: characteristic (adj) distinguishing personality trait or quality. I heard my friend's characteristic laugh and knew she was nearby.

No Excuses spelling test moved to Thursday, 9/11

Pretests on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Use the tests to get yourself to perfect!

"The World On Turtle's Back," class "popcorn" read. Discuss, then wrote in writer's notebooks:
Why Iroquois honor both the left-handed and right handed twin? Consider character and characteristics. Used handouts on traits and connected to traits work in Science class and scientific investigation.

Returned paragraph work on Tell-Tale-Heart. Common class discoveries: Don’t use slang on school written work. Not he “creeped me out,” but disturbed or bothered. Not “guy,” but the old man or the narrator. Typing is great. Now double-space!

Discussed what is character/characterization. See handout.

HW: Continue reading mystery novel. Should be halfway. Novel progress check #1 on Weds.

My Twin Hills email address not currently working. If ?s, please send to: teachsilver@gmail.com

Welcome to our 8th grade English class website. I will update periodically. This will be a great place to check what happened in class and homework. Please use this as an extra "classroom buddy." From time to time, I will post handouts that were given out in class. Have fun and practice safe and responsible computing! --Ms. Silver

Friday, Sept. 5.

QW: If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability or quality, what would it be?

In class, checked in Demons No Excuses study project.

Discussed Thursday's QW: why do people tell stories about their families, their communities, their world? What is a story that is told in your family?


Began work on Native American storytelling/literature. Introduction, notetaking.
Began class "popcorn" read "The World On The Turtle's Back."

WOD: carafe (n) serving vessel for liquids. When I am tired, a carafe of coffee from my students would be teriffic!


On Monday, will do no excuses pre-test.
Tuesday: No Excuses test
Weds: Mystery Novel Progress check #1. Should be halfway through novel by now.