Week of Oct. 15

Thursday
Students took the Stems List #3 +2 +1 Quiz.
P3 and P4 - we went over and students turned in Pronouns w/s p. 2 and p. 116 (Messed-up Titles and Bicycle Stew).
P3 - extra enrichment points for those who had completed the work; it will not count against the others.
All periods completed and turned in questions #1-8 on p. 38 (except #3).
Homework
Read.




Wednesday
Students completed an open-book quiz on "Broken Chain".
They turned in the remaining "Pronouns and Antecedents) w/s. Homework
Study for quiz.



Tuesday
Students worked on understanding Pronouns.
Homework
Study and read.


Monday
Students used the textbook to answer the "Raymond's Run" selection test. P6 students did not finish; they will complete the test tomorrow.
Homework
Stems List #1-3  quiz on Thursday.

Week of Oct. 8

Friday
Non-fiction Friday.
Homework
Study for Stems List #3 test next Thursday. Read. 



Thursday
Students continued to present their projects.
Homework
Read and study for next Stems List (#3) Quiz.




Wednesday
We finished the Dramatic Tableaux and began the book report presentations. This is graded according to the rubric that the students received Oct. 1.
Homework
Study and read


Tuesday
Groups presented their Dramatic Tableaux
Homework
Study Stem List #3 - test next Thursday


Monday
No School - Fall Break Day

Week of Oct. 1

Friday
Read and discussed Broken Chain and Oranges. Assigned pages to self-selected groups from Raymond's Run, Broken Chain, and Oranges. Students had time in their groups to decide which scene they would depict as a Dramatic Tableau.
Homework
Review your part in the Dramatic Tableau you will present on Tuesday.



Thursday
Collected Book Report Projects.
Continued to analzye "Raymond's Run."
Homework
Read


Wednesday
Quickwrite:

Respecting a person means seeing him or her clearly and valuing what you see. Write a paragraph about a time when you gained new respect for someone. What helped you see more clearly? What does a person need to do to gain respect?

Continued to analyze "Raymond's Run" with regard to allusions, dialect, figurative language, providing evidence from the text. Clarified unfamiliar vocab in the story and set them in context; learned about the author; discussed the setting and background of the story.
Homework
Finalize Book Report Project - due tomorrow.

Tuesday
Collected Squeaky FB page.
Continued to analzye "Raymond's Run" with regard to types of character. Students took notes and responded to several prompts (the responses were collected).
Homework
Read and work on Book Report Project - due Thursday.




Monday
Collected remaining "Raymond's Run" questions and answers.
Analyzed "Raymond's Run" with regard to character and motivation. Students took notes and made connections to the text with the song "Someone to Lean On." (This was collected.)

Homework
Facebook Page Template. Complete for Squeaky.

Week of Sept. 24

Friday

Students took the Stem List Quiz #2, read and answered questions on the Cuban Missile Crisis informational text, and completed a survey. The CMC results are graphed by each student in their goals folder. The SLQ #2 results are posted on our class' PDSA board for discussion and feedback.
Homework
Read and study vocab. If you have not completed the informational test diagnostic, please do so. Pls send me a copy of your results.




Thursday
Clocking Time w/s was collected.
We worked on Characterization and Common Nouns w/s 33-34. These were collected.
Homework
Study Stems Lists 1 and 2 for tomorrow's quiz.



Monday-Wednesday
Students completed grammar activities and had time to read in class.
Homework
Read and study vocab. Wednesday's homework: Clocking Time w/s - due tomorrow. 

Week of Sept. 17

Thursday


Homework
No test tomorrow - technology hampering availabliity.





Wednesday
Students revised and improved on their pen pal letters before e-mailing me the letter as an attachment and handing in a hard copy. 
Homework
Read



Monday
Crosswords from Friday were turned in.
Students had time to go to the library and/or read their novel. 
Homework
Study Stem List 2 for quiz on Friday; review Stem List #1 and Week 1 words - I include previously learned material in tests. Read; it's imperative you have a book to read with you each day at school



HAVE YOUR LIBRARY CARD AND/OR NUMBER WITH YOU FROM NOW ON.

Week of Sept. 3

This week students
 - engaged in grammar, mechanics, and usage activities
 - had time to study and work on their Stems List #1  (test postponed until next week  -  keep studying)
 - practiced their Language Arts skill online (P3)
 - completed a New York Times activity online [With one partner, choose your top 10 Innovations. Open a Word doc, rank them from highest (10 - best) to lowest in Word (put the name of the innovation in bold). Explain why you chose each one (type 2-3 well-written sentences). Do NOT copy and paste - that would be plagiarism. Remember to do quality work. Delete any extra blank pages, make sure names of both you and your partner plus date and period are at the top, and print.] P4, and 5/6 Those who finished turned their work in. There will be time next week for the rest to complete and print their work.

Homework
Take the ELA Survey - Fall. Some still have to take it!!
Read; study stems - Test Tues., Wed., or Thurs. of next week on Stems List 1 - including locating stems in English words

Week of Aug. 27

This week students will

 - organize and update their Goals folder
 - create a class mission and goal statement for our PDSA
 - take the DRA  (District Reading Assessment - not for a grade)  (Tuesday)
 - engage in grammar, mechanics, and usage activities
 - have time to study and work on their Stems List #1
 - engage in brain-challenging and -stimulating activities
 - take a nonfiction reading comprehension test (Mir Station) as part of their informational text reading comprehension goal (to be updated on their comprehension graph sheet in their goals folder)
 Homework
Take the ELA Survey - Fall
Read; study stems - Test Wed. or Thursday

Week of Aug. 20

This week students will

- organize and label their five folders
- discuss learning strategies that they find effective for the particular type of learner they are
- Handout: Rocket Man packet for reading comprehension (due Friday)
- in cooperative groups, completed Literary Elements crossword puzzle (to be used as a study guide)
- take the SRI (Student Reading Inventory) to determine their lexile level and receive a customized list of books at their level (Thursday)
- engage in grammar, mechanics, and usage activities
- finish, print, and hand in their pen pal letters (Friday)
- take a test on Stems List #1 (Friday)
- stretch their brains by completing the Gory Gardening crossword puzzle (turned in)
Homework
Complete the ELA Survey by Aug. 31

Grades

FYI - There appear to be problems with the PowerSchool gradebook, so I am currently unable to update grades.

Week of Aug. 13

Friday
Back to School Survey and writing activity. Students shared in class and then turned it in.
Homework
Study stems. Get a book for class. Read!
Take ELA Survey on my website.


Thursday
Pre-test on Reading Comprehension. Multiple Intelligences Survey and graphing activity.
Homework
Study stems. Finish MI Survey. All forms due Friday  (tomorrow).




Wednesday
In the lab, students began their friendly letter to a pen pal.
Handout: Stem List 1 (Test 8/24)
Homework
Complete ELA Suvey - Fall at home. Study stems (terms and definition; know which words contain which stems.



Tuesday
Collected library cards.
We went over and discussed the Adv. Language Arts syllabus in class.
Handout: Syllabus Acknowledgement form
Students brains were challenged with Murder Mystery Crossword Puzzle #18.
Homework
Have parent complete Syllabus Acknowledgement form and return to me tomorrow.




Monday
Welcome back!
Handout: Phx Public Library Card application form
Grammar and Syntax Pre-Test (Wm & M)
Top 10 reasons it's good to be back at school
Homework
Fill out and return application form

.

Read, Read, Read!!

WHAT HAPPENS TO STUDENTS OVER THE SUMMER?

 At best, students show little or no academic growth over summer. At worst, students lose one to three months of learning. To avoid this, check out the flowchart below to help you choose your reading material.

http://teach.com/great-educational-resources/summer-reading-flowchart

Week of May 7

Monday
Collected Book Report Recipe
Journaling: Use complete sentences when you write.


1. On a fresh sheet of paper, write the date.
Read the prompt below and respond in three paragraphs.
Give your piece a good title.
Imagine your best friend steals your boyfriend or girlfriend. Describe the short-term and long-term effects on your friendship and on your other friendships.

2. Skip four lines.
Write the date. Read the following: A series of events has made you a target of the paparazzi and one of the world’s most sought-after celebrities. How did this happen and how are you dealing with it.
Respond in two good paragraphs.

3. Skip four lines or use a fresh sheet of paper. Write the title (A Day in the Life of…).
Read the prompt below and respond:
In a sci-fi kind of style, you have magically gained the ability to change into the person you most want to be in the world. Describe a day in your life.

Students had time to work on their Alphabiography Project.
Homework
Work on Project

Week of April 30

Friday
Early Release - Special Schedule


Thursday
SRI (lexile level) testing.
Write what you see #103.
Homework
Work on projects - due Monday and Friday of next week



Wednesday
Write what you see #93 - due today
Students had the rest of the period to work on their book projects
Homework
Alphabiography Project due 5/11 - due date applies even if you are absent



Tuesday
Collect Stems List #7
Stems List #7 Quiz
Alphabiography Project - introduction
Handouts: green-directions with rubric, white-pre-writing, purple-brainstorming sheet (for Alphabio project - white one due today)
Collected the white pre-writing sheet
Homework
Alphabiography Project due 5/11 - due date applies even if you are absent


Monday
Lang. Arts writing prompts for Mon., 4/30/12
1. On a fresh sheet, copy this down, skip a line, and respond: While organizing your bookshelf, you notice a book called, “The Story of You.” You open it to find a description of your own life up to this point. As you flip farther, it details your existence until death. What do you do? Explain why.
2. On a fresh page, put the date at the top, copy this down, skip a line, and respond: "I've learned that guys don't understand girls very well." Respond to this quote, either agreeing or disagreeing with it. Use complete sentences and write one good paragraph.
3. Copy this down on a fresh sheet with the date at the top, skip a line, and respond: The opportunity arises to go back in time and alter one event. What event do you alter? Describe your trip to the past and its consequences in the present. Use complete sentences and respond in three paragraphs.
Collected the cartoons with captions.
Handout: Book report recipe (due 5/7)
Homework
Study for test tomorrow (stem #7 list)

Problems Continue

Blogger has made changes to its interface, and this is causing me considerable problems when trying to update. Students should have the week's lesson plans written in their agenda; please check there for what we are doing in class.

Week of April 23

Friday Turn in Reading Journals Handout: Homework: Reading Journal Wednesday and Thursday Work on Reading Journals P3 and P5 - pen pal letters Homework: Reading Journal Tuesday P3 and P5 - Tech Skills Assessment P3 and P5 - rough drafts of letters due P4 - create narratives online with plot elements.   Homework: Reading Journal Monday Read and recognize plot elements in stories. P3 and P5 - received letters from pen pals;   Homework: Read. p3 and P5 - rough drafts due tomorrow

Week of April 16

Monday through Thursday
AIMS testing ~ Special Schedule
Homework:
Read.

Week of April 9

Tuesday through Friday
We reviewed for AIMS.
Change: No Stems List #7 test until the week after AIMS.
Stems List #7 sentences are due the day of the test.
Homework:
Work on Reading Journal Packet.



Monday
I checked for the Stems List #7 - will collect on Thursday.
We practiced completing a sample AIMS test and reviewed answers. Determined where mistakes (if any) were made on the sample test and note the errors near the questions/answers.
Homework:
Stems List #7 quiz on Thursday, April 12. Study for the quiz here
Finish the "Allusion" packet.
"Allusion" packet will be collected tomorrow.
P5 must complete error recognition and "Allusion" packet for tomorrow.

Problems updating

Blogger has made changes to its interface, and this is causing me considerable problems when trying to update. Students should have the week's lesson plans written in their agenda; please check there for what we are doing in class.

Week of April 2

 Friday
No School - Spring Break Day


Thursday
Handout: Types of Organizational Patterns (and How to Find Them)
We reviewed text structures and received the handout as a study guide.
Students had time to work on their Stem List #7 or their reading journal activity. 
Homework:
Stems List #7 sentences are due Mon., April 9
Directions for Stem List #7:
1. Number each stem on the list.
2. On the back or on a separate sheet, write a GOOD sentence using EACH one of the listed words correctly (follow the same order). The meaning of the word should be clear.
3. In the sentence, capitalize the stem portion of the word.
Example: Becky Sue had to get braces from the ORTHOdontist so her teeth would grow straight.
4. Skip a line between sentences.
Reading Journal due April 27
What counts: Neatness, Creativity, Effort, Accuracy
Have your reading journal book in class each day along with your journal packet.


Wednesday
Test prep work
Homework:
Read, study stems list


Tuesday
Handout: Stems List #7.
Students practiced categorizing words in alphabetical order (according to their place in a dictionary). On the back, they were to use five of the given words correctly in a sentence (one sentence per word). This w/s was turned in.
Homework:
Stems List #7 sentences are due Mon., April 9
Directions for Stem List #7:
1. Number each stem on the list.
2. On the back or on a separate sheet, write a GOOD sentence using EACH one of the listed words correctly (follow the same order). The meaning of the word should be clear.
3. In the sentence, capitalize the stem portion of the word.
Example: Becky Sue had to get braces from the ORTHOdontist so her teeth would grow straight.
4. Skip a line between sentences.
Reading Journal due April 27
What counts: Neatness, Creativity, Effort, Accuracy
Have your reading journal book in class each day along with your journal packet.




Monday
P3 and P5 - Collected Stems List 1-6.
The class went to the library to check out books they had not read before, books that will be used to complete the Reading Journal.
Handout: Reading Journal
Homework:
P4 - Stems 1-6 due tomorrow
Reading Journal due April 27
What counts: Neatness, Creativity, Effort, Accuracy

Week of March 26

Thursday/Friday
Students worked on the Literary Devices crossword puzzle and turned it in.
Handout: Vocab Stems List 1-6
Students worked on this in class.
Homework:
Vocab Stems List due Monday


Wednesday
Error/Fixit: Ides of March/Volcanic Iceland
Students worked on the Literary Devices crossword puzzle.
Homework:
The crossword is due for P4 & 5 tomorrow, and for P3 Friday.


Tuesday
Error/Fixit: Nuts for Pecans/Larsen B Ice Shelf
We revised for and took the final Parts of Speech / Sentence Structure test, graded it, and turned it in.
Handout: Literary Devices crossword (review - students could work in groups and use their notebooks).
Homework:
Lit. Devices is not homework; we will continue it on Friday.



Monday
Error/Fixit: Tunisia/Silly Putty
Paragraph structure work: Japanese-Amercans During WWII and Albert Einstein: Winning the Race to Develop the Atom Bomb
The first was turned in; the second w/s was to be finished for homework
Homework:
Finish w/s 229 - due tomorrow

Spring Break

March 19-23

PTA Conferences March 29

Week of March 12

Friday
7th/8th grade field trip


Thursday
Stems List #6 Quiz.
In groups, students continued discussing and completing the Turning to the Dictionary for Help Packet (3-3 to 3-8), which was due at theend of the period.
Homework:
Read


Wednesday
Error/Fixit
In groups, students continued discussing and completing the Turning to the Dictionary for Help Packet (3-3 to 3-8)
It was turned in, and students will finish it tomorrow.
Homework:
Stem List #6 sentences - due tomorrow
Quiz on the Stems #6 tomorrow




Tuesday
Error/Fixit: Ezra Jack Keats/Tuskegee Airmen
Handout: Turning to the Dictionary for Help Packet (3-3 to 3-8)
Students worked on this activity, turned it in, and will continue with it tomorrow.
Homework:
Stem List #6 sentences - due 3/15
Quiz on the Stems on Thursday



Monday
Collected Sonnets.
Students worked on posters featuring aspects of Pirate Pride for Whirlybird Wednesday.
Students had time to work on their Stem List #6 sentences.
Homework:
Stem List #6 sentences - due 3/15
Quiz on them Thursday

Week of March 5

Friday
I collected the worksheets from yesterday.
Students watched a documentary on E. A. Poe and completed a worksheet on the poet.
Poe worksheet was turned in.
Those who were absent can view the documentary online at the following sites:
E.A. Poe Biography
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

On a blank sheet of paper, make three columns, landscape format. Label them: What I already know about Edgar Allen Poe; Some things I wonder about him; Interesting details from the documentary
Fill in the first two, then fill in the last one as you watch the videos.
Homework:
If absent, view documentary online and complete worksheet.
Stems List #6 sentences due Thursday, 3/15, and there will be a test on them next week.
Sonnets due Monday



Thursday
Students worked on grammar, syntax, figurative language, literary elements, spelling, and vocabulary (Language Practice Week 9 and 10, and Week 5 Friday (O. Henry).
Homework:
Finish w/s for homework



Wednesday
Error/Fixit: Barbie/Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Handouts: Shakespearean Sonnet Rubric; Sonnet example; Poem in Pocket w/s for tomorrow
We reviewed and practised the iambic pentameter and the structure of Shakespearean Sonnets.
Homework:
Find poem for Poem in your Pocket Day - tomorrow
Start on Stem List #6 sentences - due 3/16
Shakespearean Sonnet due Monday, 3/12 (follow rubric)



Wednesday
Error/Fixit: Barbie/Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Handouts: Shakespearean Sonnet Rubric; Sonnet example; How to write a Sonnet; Poem in Pocket w/s for tomorrow
We reviewed and practised the iambic pentameter and the structure of Shakespearean Sonnets (this link will help)
Homework:
Find poem for Poem in your Pocket Day - tomorrow
Work on Stem List #6 sentences - due 3/16; quiz next week
Shakespearean Sonnet due Monday, 3/12 (follow rubric)


Tuesday
Collected ballads
Error/Fixit: Ohio/Dr. Seuss
We watched videos on iambic pentameter and writing a sonnet.
Students focused on creating short lines that rhymed.
Homework:
Find poem for Poem in your Pocket week.
Create three sets of couplets that rhyme. Each end rhyme of the couplet must rhyme, but not all three couplets have to rhyme.


Monday
Collected plot diagram of movie from students who were in Rm 705 on Friday.
Error/Fixit: The Pig/Whooping Crane
Students began their own ballads based on Bad Country Ballads w/s.
Requirements: 16 lines; couplets rhyme; must tell a story
Homework:
Final copy of original ballad due tomorrow
Start on Stem List #6 sentences - due 3/16
Quiz on them next week

Week of Feb. 27

Friday
Early Release - Special Schedule
Students turned in Spine Poems


Thursday
Collected Stems List #5 sentences
Students took the Stems List #5 Quiz.
Homework:
Spine Poems due tomorrow
Language Packets due Monday



Wednesday
P3 turned homework in.
Grammar: George Frederick Handel/First Woman Dentist
Students then began a close reading of an article on leap years.
Directions: For Period 3 all are required to be done by tomorrow.
Tasks as you read through the article:
1. Highlight words that are uncommon (do not include names)
2. With a pencil, circle words around each word that may provide meaning
3. Underline unusual, strong verbs
4. Highlight (use a different color) words that have a strong tone/connotation
5. Complete a tree map of the five most interesting sections (your choice)
Homework:
Stems List #5 Quiz tomorrow
Sentences due.



Tuesday
We completed Edit/Fixit w/s Michael Jordan/Pluto.
Students continued with their reading of "The Cremation of Sam McGee," digging deeper into the text.
One w/s was completed in class; the second was for homework.
Homework:
Finish Sam McGee w/s
Work on Stems List #5 - due Thurs., 3/1



Monday
Students took the District Reading Assessment online.
Homework:
Work on Stems List #5 - due Thurs., 3/1

Week of Feb. 13

Friday
Students responded in writing to several prompts:
#132 - First Impressions; #135 - The Handsome, Rude Man...
#139 - That was then, this is now
#139 - Before using commas
Homework:
Stems Test next week on #1-4.



Thursday
Collected Stems List #1-4 assignment and the Language Collection Chart.
Continued with practicing sentence variety, especially with -ing at the beginning and the end.
Homework:
Read



Thursday
Collected the Language Collection Chart.
Continued with practicing sentence variety, especially with -ing at the beginning and the end.
Homework:



Wednesday
We worked on ways to vary our sentence structure using two adjectives at the beginning, and -ing at the beginning and at the end.
Students took notes and then practiced creating their own sentences.
Homework:
Study and finish the stem list sentences (due tomorrow



Monday
Students used their stems list to complete the Stems List #1-4 packet. They will use this as a study guide.
After they matched up all the words:
On a separate sheet of paper, give ONE example of EACH of the stems (in the same order as on the yellow sheet) and use it correctly in a sentence.
Skip a line between stem/word/sentence and the next stem/word/sentence.
Homework:
Finish the assignment over the next few days - it is due Friday.
In case you have misplaced it, a copy of the list can be found here.

Week of Jan. 30

Friday
Students engaged in brain-stretching exercises.
Homework:
Read and review as needed.



Thursday
Students took the Literary Elements quiz.
They then completed a Dictionary Scavenger Hunt and edited the Edison/Groundhog Day w/s (all of which they turned in).
Homework:
Read and review as needed.


Wednesday
No School for students - Staff Development Day.


Tuesday
We studied internal rhythm in poetry, and in limericks in particular.
Handout: Language Collection Sheet - due Feb. 16.
Directions: Fill out as you complete your personal reading.
Homework:
Study for test.


Monday
We practiced syllabication and meter in poems.
Grammar, usage, and mechanics: Rubber Duck/Isaac Newton.
Homework:
Study for test.

Week of Jan. 16

Friday
Students practiced literary figures of speech.
Featured Figures of Speech w/s Part 1 and Part 2 (graded and collected).
Homework:
Study vocab, lit terms, and read

Thursday
Lexile testing in the lab.
Students typed up their pen pal letters and e-mailed them to me.
Homework:
Study vocab and read


Wednesday
Students wrote a final draft of their paragraphs and turned everything in (brainstorming on the bottom, rough draft next, final draft on top, all stapled together.
Homework:
Study vocab and read


Monday
No School - Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

Week of Jan. 9

Wednesday
I collected the "We Cool" poems.
We reviewed poetic devices (Carl Sandburg to Haiku).
Handout: Blue handout on Poetic Devices and examples from poems.
Student began work on it in class. We will continue on Friday.
Homework:
Spelling Test on Tales #26-46 on Friday.
Bring a book to read each day


Tuesday
I collected the Reading Logs.
Tales #46
Vocab:capitulated
ok ill go gnarly capitulated hapless corpulent harold
Tales #47
Vocab:apprehension
the next saturday however gnarly and harold are filled with apprehension as they get dressed for the party
Handed back first packet on Writing Poetry.
Handout: New packet on Writing Poetry (Gwendolyn Brooks, etc.)
We worked again on poetic devices.
Students wrote a rough draft poem based on the style of "We Cool"
Homework:
Write the poem on a lined sheet of paper (to be turned in).
Have a book to read with you every day.



Monday
Welcome back!
Students respoded to one of two writing prompts in their journals (kept in the classroom).
Then they worked on word exercises (Brain Daily Wordplay).
Handout: Monday Week 1 Language Practice (two-sided w/s).
Homework:
Finish Monday Week 1 Language Practice (two-sided w/s).
Study Tales Vocab (spelling and definition) #26-46
Spelling Test on Friday
Bring a book to read each day
Reading Log (pink sheet) due tomorrow