Enjoy your well deserved break with your family and friends. Recharge your batteries and come back in January ready to shine like the Language All-Stars I know you are!!!!!
Monday, December 22, 2014
This Week - 12/22/14 and 12/23/14
This week we will be watching The Outsiders in class. I was absent today (12/22/14), so I will collect your character assignments tomorrow when I see you.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/19/14
AGENDA
Objective: Students will learn the difference between the denotation of a word and its connotation in order to be able to select the best words while writing to set the mood and tone of a piece they compose.
1.) Long overdue word work
2.) Denotation vs. Connotation song and notes (if you were absent, take a piece of paper and take notes on what denotation is and what connotation is and put this in your binder. When you come back to school on Monday, I will give you the graphic organizer to put your notes on)
3.) A little word work on our own
4.) Sentences
5.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
1.) Finish your character assignment (due Monday)
2.) Illustrated sentences
ILLUSTRATED SENTENCE ACTIVITY
IF YOU WERE IN SCHOOL TODAY: You worked with your group on a silly little story. Then you rewrote the story changing the words' connotations. After that, you broke up the story so that everyone in the group had a piece (1-2 sentences). I gave you blank computer paper. On one piece of paper, you wrote the positive connotation sentence your group came up with. On the second piece of paper, you wrote the negative connotation sentence your group came up with. Then you illustrated them appropriately to show the meaning of each sentence. On Monday, we will put them together so each group has a connotation book and we will share stories.
IF YOU WERE ABSENT TODAY: Rewatch the denotation vs. connotation Flowcabulary video linked above. Pay particular attention to the part about the story of the old man. Did you notice that they first told about the old man in a positive way and then the next slide they retold it in a negative way? Did you notice that they did that with all parts of the story? What I want you to do is to write a creative, 8th grade quality sentence about whatever you want. Do that on one piece of computer paper. Illustrate it completely and appropriately. Then, rewrite that sentence changing some words' connotations so that the sentence now evokes a different image and feeling. Write that on a second piece of computer paper and illustrate that appropriately.
Objective: Students will learn the difference between the denotation of a word and its connotation in order to be able to select the best words while writing to set the mood and tone of a piece they compose.
1.) Long overdue word work
2.) Denotation vs. Connotation song and notes (if you were absent, take a piece of paper and take notes on what denotation is and what connotation is and put this in your binder. When you come back to school on Monday, I will give you the graphic organizer to put your notes on)
3.) A little word work on our own
4.) Sentences
5.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
1.) Finish your character assignment (due Monday)
2.) Illustrated sentences
ILLUSTRATED SENTENCE ACTIVITY
IF YOU WERE IN SCHOOL TODAY: You worked with your group on a silly little story. Then you rewrote the story changing the words' connotations. After that, you broke up the story so that everyone in the group had a piece (1-2 sentences). I gave you blank computer paper. On one piece of paper, you wrote the positive connotation sentence your group came up with. On the second piece of paper, you wrote the negative connotation sentence your group came up with. Then you illustrated them appropriately to show the meaning of each sentence. On Monday, we will put them together so each group has a connotation book and we will share stories.
IF YOU WERE ABSENT TODAY: Rewatch the denotation vs. connotation Flowcabulary video linked above. Pay particular attention to the part about the story of the old man. Did you notice that they first told about the old man in a positive way and then the next slide they retold it in a negative way? Did you notice that they did that with all parts of the story? What I want you to do is to write a creative, 8th grade quality sentence about whatever you want. Do that on one piece of computer paper. Illustrate it completely and appropriately. Then, rewrite that sentence changing some words' connotations so that the sentence now evokes a different image and feeling. Write that on a second piece of computer paper and illustrate that appropriately.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/18/14
AGENDA
1.) Work on character drawing and paragraph assigned yesterday. The laptop part is there for you to use.
HOMEWORK
1.) Characterization map and paragraph need to be completed to accompany your characterization drawing for MONDAY.
RUBRIC ELEMENTS WITH FURTHER EXPLANATION
1.) The Character Map: The directions are on the paper. Any questions, ask me!
2.) The Paragraph: Tell me if your character is either round or flat and then dynamic or static. Reference your notes and the blog from last Tuesday (12/16) if you want to rewatch the notes videos we watched that day. Make sure you support what you're saying with both your notes and with specific information from the text. This assignment can be typed or handwritten. I want to see your mastery of commas in your writing, so I would have my comma notes handy, too, if I were you!
1.) Work on character drawing and paragraph assigned yesterday. The laptop part is there for you to use.
HOMEWORK
1.) Characterization map and paragraph need to be completed to accompany your characterization drawing for MONDAY.
RUBRIC ELEMENTS WITH FURTHER EXPLANATION
1.) The Character Map: The directions are on the paper. Any questions, ask me!
2.) The Paragraph: Tell me if your character is either round or flat and then dynamic or static. Reference your notes and the blog from last Tuesday (12/16) if you want to rewatch the notes videos we watched that day. Make sure you support what you're saying with both your notes and with specific information from the text. This assignment can be typed or handwritten. I want to see your mastery of commas in your writing, so I would have my comma notes handy, too, if I were you!
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/16/14
AGENDA
Objective: To continue our deeper study into The Outsiders and practicing having a true discussion.
1.) Chapters 7-10 reading check
2.) Discussion for chapters 7-10
3.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Finish The Outsiders
2.) Word work due tomorrow
Objective: To continue our deeper study into The Outsiders and practicing having a true discussion.
1.) Chapters 7-10 reading check
2.) Discussion for chapters 7-10
3.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Finish The Outsiders
2.) Word work due tomorrow
Monday, December 15, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/15/14
AGENDA
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to continue with characterization.
1.) SRI Testing
2.) Journal Prompt: At the end of chapter 9, Johnny tells Pony to "Stay Gold." Look back at the conversation Johnny and Pony have (page 76 "One morning I woke up earlier than usual." to page 78 "By the fifth day..."). Pay special attention to Robert Frost's poem. After rereading this, what do you think Johnny meant by telling Pony to "stay gold"? Make sure that you support what you're saying with proof from the text.
3.) If time allows, please add to your character drawing.
HOMEWORK
1.) Add to your character drawing based on what we've read thus far
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to continue with characterization.
1.) SRI Testing
2.) Journal Prompt: At the end of chapter 9, Johnny tells Pony to "Stay Gold." Look back at the conversation Johnny and Pony have (page 76 "One morning I woke up earlier than usual." to page 78 "By the fifth day..."). Pay special attention to Robert Frost's poem. After rereading this, what do you think Johnny meant by telling Pony to "stay gold"? Make sure that you support what you're saying with proof from the text.
3.) If time allows, please add to your character drawing.
HOMEWORK
1.) Add to your character drawing based on what we've read thus far
Friday, December 12, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/12/14
AGENDA
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to continue with characterization.
1.) Chapters 4-7 reading check
2.) Thin (leaf) vs. Thick (root) question refresher
3.) Break out into small groups to create SPARK questions for your chapter
4.) Our first true book talk about chapters 4-7
5.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Read chapters 8, 9 and 10 for Monday, 12/15/14. Dialogue with your text and come up with two-four SPARKS to bring to our conversation on Monday.
2.) As you read, continue to add to your character drawing with new information about your chosen character!
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to continue with characterization.
1.) Chapters 4-7 reading check
2.) Thin (leaf) vs. Thick (root) question refresher
3.) Break out into small groups to create SPARK questions for your chapter
4.) Our first true book talk about chapters 4-7
5.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Read chapters 8, 9 and 10 for Monday, 12/15/14. Dialogue with your text and come up with two-four SPARKS to bring to our conversation on Monday.
2.) As you read, continue to add to your character drawing with new information about your chosen character!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/11/14
I am out today, 12/11/14. Please make sure all of yesterday's work and all of the assigned reading is completed for tomorrow, Friday 12/12/14!
AGENDA
Objective: To continue getting to know Ponyboy and the other Greasers in The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
1.) Grab a laptop out of the cart and head to the blog (the directions for the character drawing activity are on there)
2.) Keep working on character activity (directions below). You need to have at least 3, no more than 6 quotes (from chapters 1-6) to show your character's core of who they are (their personality, values/beliefs, etc.). OR you can continue reading The Outsiders. You need to have through chapter six read by tomorrow.
3.) As you read your chapters, you need to dialogue with your text (either with sticky notes or on a separate piece of paper) using the two essential questions that we've already gone over as a guideline (stereotyping and characterization). Whatever evidence you find to support finding answers to those questions, make sure you note it! I will be checking your form of dialoguing on Friday!
4.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
Whatever you don’t finish today in class is homework for tonight. Make sure you bring all of your dialoguing to class tomorrow!
CHARACTER ASSIGNMENT
1.) Choose one of the following characters to be your character: Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, Dallas "Dally" Winston or Sherri "Cherry" Valance
2.) Write your character's full name at the top of a piece of paper
3.) Using all of the characterization information (direct) and clues (indirect), draw your character in the center of the paper. You MUST use your text to make sure every detail is covered in your character's physical features.
4.) Then go through the chapters you've read so far. Find quotes that show (indirect characterization) who the character really is and what they're all about. Use your notes (the S.T.E.A.L. method) for finding this information if you need help.
CHARACTER ASSIGNMENT
1.) Choose one of the following characters to be your character: Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, Dallas "Dally" Winston or Sherri "Cherry" Valance
2.) Write your character's full name at the top of a piece of paper
3.) Using all of the characterization information (direct) and clues (indirect), draw your character in the center of the paper. You MUST use your text to make sure every detail is covered in your character's physical features.
4.) Then go through the chapters you've read so far. Find quotes that show (indirect characterization) who the character really is and what they're all about. Use your notes (the S.T.E.A.L. method) for finding this information if you need help.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/10/14
AGENDA
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to continue with characterization.
1.) Chapters 1-3 reading check
2.) Weekly word work presentations
3.) Accountable talk discussion for chapters 2 and 3
4.) Choices, choices, choices...
5.) Tomorrow
6.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Character Drawing due on Friday
2.) Read chapters 4-6 (including 6) for Friday
CHARACTER ASSIGNMENT
1.) Choose one of the following characters to be your character: Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, Dallas "Dally" Winston or Sherri "Cherry" Valance
2.) Write your character's full name at the top of a piece of paper
3.) Using all of the characterization information (direct) and clues (indirect), draw your character in the center of the paper. You MUST use your text to make sure every detail is covered in your character's physical features.
4.) Then go through the chapters you've read so far. Find quotes that show (indirect characterization) who the character really is and what they're all about. Use your notes (the S.T.E.A.L. method) for finding this information if you need help.
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to continue with characterization.
1.) Chapters 1-3 reading check
2.) Weekly word work presentations
3.) Accountable talk discussion for chapters 2 and 3
4.) Choices, choices, choices...
5.) Tomorrow
6.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Character Drawing due on Friday
2.) Read chapters 4-6 (including 6) for Friday
CHARACTER ASSIGNMENT
1.) Choose one of the following characters to be your character: Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, Dallas "Dally" Winston or Sherri "Cherry" Valance
2.) Write your character's full name at the top of a piece of paper
3.) Using all of the characterization information (direct) and clues (indirect), draw your character in the center of the paper. You MUST use your text to make sure every detail is covered in your character's physical features.
4.) Then go through the chapters you've read so far. Find quotes that show (indirect characterization) who the character really is and what they're all about. Use your notes (the S.T.E.A.L. method) for finding this information if you need help.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/09/14
AGENDA
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to begin to understand the different types of characters and the process of characterization.
1.) Turn in open responses
2.) 10 minute journal: How do you learn about characters in the books you read or in the movies you watch? How do you decide if you like them or not? If they're a good person or not? What information are your assumptions founded on?
3.) Characterization notes using the following youtube videos: Flat and Round Characters, Dynamic and Static Characters, and Characterization
4.) Characterization in chapter one of The Outsiders
5.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Word Work Wednesday is tomorrow!
2.) Read chapters 2 and 3 for tomorrow. Please make sure that you're dialoguing with your text/writing down/flagging examples of characterization (both types) so that we can chat about it tomorrow. (Just to give you a heads up, starting tomorrow I will be giving you reading checks for your warm-ups to assess how well you read the assigned chapters. This will be a very basic check-up, however, if you don't read the chapters thoroughly or at all, it will show.)
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to begin to understand the different types of characters and the process of characterization.
1.) Turn in open responses
2.) 10 minute journal: How do you learn about characters in the books you read or in the movies you watch? How do you decide if you like them or not? If they're a good person or not? What information are your assumptions founded on?
3.) Characterization notes using the following youtube videos: Flat and Round Characters, Dynamic and Static Characters, and Characterization
4.) Characterization in chapter one of The Outsiders
5.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Word Work Wednesday is tomorrow!
2.) Read chapters 2 and 3 for tomorrow. Please make sure that you're dialoguing with your text/writing down/flagging examples of characterization (both types) so that we can chat about it tomorrow. (Just to give you a heads up, starting tomorrow I will be giving you reading checks for your warm-ups to assess how well you read the assigned chapters. This will be a very basic check-up, however, if you don't read the chapters thoroughly or at all, it will show.)
Monday, December 8, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/08/14
AGENDA
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to begin to understand the different types of characters and the process of characterization.
1.) Turn in comma mini projects and check rough drafts of open response
2.) 10 minute journal: Write about stereotypes. What are they? What do you think about them? Explain.
3.) The Outsiders introduction and essential questions
4.) Video clip and discussion
5.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Final drafts of writing check up due tomorrow (Tuesday, 12/09/14)
2.) Read chapter one of The Outsiders
3.) Weekly word work assignment due on Wednesday (Wednesday, 12/10/14)
Objective: To understand the essential questions for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and to begin to understand the different types of characters and the process of characterization.
1.) Turn in comma mini projects and check rough drafts of open response
2.) 10 minute journal: Write about stereotypes. What are they? What do you think about them? Explain.
3.) The Outsiders introduction and essential questions
4.) Video clip and discussion
5.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Final drafts of writing check up due tomorrow (Tuesday, 12/09/14)
2.) Read chapter one of The Outsiders
3.) Weekly word work assignment due on Wednesday (Wednesday, 12/10/14)
**Something interesting that the ELA Report Cards yielded is that people think it's easier to remember their word work if it were due on Wednesday, because then this assignment would be due on Word Work Wednesdays. Good idea!**
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/04/14
AGENDA
Objective: To continue with yesterday's activity where you show me how well you have mastered comma usage and your understanding of the 13 rules.
1.) Quick check in as a class
2.) Work on your project (*as you're working, I will be conferencing with each of you)
3.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
1.) Continue working on your mini-projects (due on Monday)
2.) Weekly word work is due on Tuesday
Objective: To continue with yesterday's activity where you show me how well you have mastered comma usage and your understanding of the 13 rules.
1.) Quick check in as a class
2.) Work on your project (*as you're working, I will be conferencing with each of you)
3.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
1.) Continue working on your mini-projects (due on Monday)
2.) Weekly word work is due on Tuesday
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/03/14
AGENDA
Objective: To show our knowledge of comma usage through completion of a choice mini-project.
1.) Visit the book fair (children who do not have money today may go again first thing tomorrow AM to purchase things if they so choose)
2.) Check and grade HW
3.) Question and Answers - any thing that needs to be clarified regarding commas?
4.) Mini-Project explanations and choice
5.) Time to work on mini-projects
6.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
Work on your mini project
Objective: To show our knowledge of comma usage through completion of a choice mini-project.
1.) Visit the book fair (children who do not have money today may go again first thing tomorrow AM to purchase things if they so choose)
2.) Check and grade HW
3.) Question and Answers - any thing that needs to be clarified regarding commas?
4.) Mini-Project explanations and choice
5.) Time to work on mini-projects
6.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
Work on your mini project
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/02/14
AGENDA
Objective: To discover the comma rules and create a useful reference page about commas
1.) Turn in monthly word work assignments
2.) Reporting back my findings from yesterday's report card
3.) Discuss yesterday's activity's findings
4.) Fill in notes page (For my absent friends, here is the link to an already filled out notes page for you; make sure you read over it and come in prepared to ask any questions. You will be held accountable for knowing this information)
5.) Let me serenade you!
6.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Comma worksheet (double sided)
2.) Bring your author letters to class tomorrow (Wednesday)
Objective: To discover the comma rules and create a useful reference page about commas
1.) Turn in monthly word work assignments
2.) Reporting back my findings from yesterday's report card
3.) Discuss yesterday's activity's findings
4.) Fill in notes page (For my absent friends, here is the link to an already filled out notes page for you; make sure you read over it and come in prepared to ask any questions. You will be held accountable for knowing this information)
5.) Let me serenade you!
6.) Agenda books
HOMEWORK
1.) Comma worksheet (double sided)
2.) Bring your author letters to class tomorrow (Wednesday)
Monday, December 1, 2014
SHOUT OUTS and THANK YOU! - 12/01/14
I'd like to give a big, old SHOUT OUT to all of the Language All-Stars that met or exceeded their personal reading goals for Trimester One...
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME JOB!!!!!!
Period One: Steph B., Sandra H. and Seth Q.
Period Three: Hayley A., Jess D., Jen M., Matt P., Lizzie S., Reina S. and Elias Z.
Period Four: Molly B., Derek D., John G., Brooklyn S., Zach S. and Nick T.
Period Six: Chris A., Casey D., Anthony R., Lauren D., Kyle W., Marin C., Rachel M., Jadon A., Jonathan L., Jacob H., Annabelle H., Ryan P., Mike K., and Kaleigh C.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Your honesty and feedback that you gave me on your ELA Trimester One Report card was more valuable than I could ever tell you! You guys ROCK!
Today's Class and Tonight's Homework - 12/01/14
AGENDA
Objective: To get acquainted with the comma and how it's used.
1.) 20 minute journal time - ELA Trimester One Report Card
2.) Intro to the comma
3.) Discuss comma activity
4.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
1.) Monthly word work project due tomorrow (Tuesday, 12/2/14)
EXTRA
I found this visual on the Internet, and I thought that you'd all like to see it! If you click on it, it should take you to a larger, easier to read image. Let me know if you want a copy and I can print one out for you to keep as a reference in your binder!
Objective: To get acquainted with the comma and how it's used.
1.) 20 minute journal time - ELA Trimester One Report Card
2.) Intro to the comma
3.) Discuss comma activity
4.) Agenda Books
HOMEWORK
1.) Monthly word work project due tomorrow (Tuesday, 12/2/14)
EXTRA
I found this visual on the Internet, and I thought that you'd all like to see it! If you click on it, it should take you to a larger, easier to read image. Let me know if you want a copy and I can print one out for you to keep as a reference in your binder!
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