WEEK 16 AGENDA: DECEMBER 17-21

Foci: Semicolons & Colons/ Anticipating S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders

Notes:
*Remember to bring new or almost new clothes, gifts and toys for the Wind River Reservation Christmas Drive by December 18
*Have a wonderful winter break! School resumes on January 2nd!
*Homebase - SS gifts and Christmas party on Friday! Remember to wear your Christmas Costume for the contest!

NO HOMEWORK THIS WEEK OR OVER BREAK. ALL MISSING WORK DUE BY FRIDAY.

MONDAY:
WNB #11: Student Prompt
More practice with Homophones
Update Reading Log in WNB and share current book topics and themes

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY: Semicolons and Colons
Practice and Grammar Derby

THURSDAY:
*Review Short Story comments & reflect on what you did well and what you would like to improve on in your next big piece of writing.
*File writing from Q2: TTT 2 & 3, Short Story
*Interactive Writing - Punctuating Dialogue Review and Practice

FRIDAY
*WNB #12: What are the biggest issues facing teens right now? How can you positively and effectively cope with these pressing problems?
*Guided Fishbowl Discussion

WEEK 15 AGENDA: DECEMBER 10-14

Foci: Mood and Symbolism, Short Story Terminology Review

Notes:
*Winter Break is from December 22nd-January 1st
*Please enjoy photos of kids from frozen tableaux activity in post below.
*Please bring unwrapped gifts, toys, and clothing for the Wind River Reservation Project.

Homework:
*If you haven't spent your hour outside of class on your story, do so before Monday. Stories are due at the end of class on Monday.
*There will be a short story unit test on Friday in completion of our unit. This is an 8th Grade Standard - Literary Terminology.

*Homework for this week is:

1) Spend 1 hour outside of class studying independently or cooperatively with peers for this test.

2) Homophone Worksheet

MONDAY: Finish editing short story. All stories due by the end of class. Remember to use the story checklist, your grading rubric, and title helpers as you finish up.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY:
Share stories in Base Groups & do Daybook pp. 78-86 cooperatively

FRIDAY: BRING SSR BOOK TO CLASS!
*Homophone Worksheet due
*SHORT STORY UNIT TEST!!!!

Story Publication Opportunities:

Writing Conference Contest
http://www.writingconference.com/contest.htm
Deadline is January 8th, 2008.

Teen Ink Contest
http://teenink.com/Contests/
Contest is ongoing.

MINI-PHOTO GALLERY FROM FROZEN TABLEAUX

WEEK 13 & 14 AGENDA: NOVEMBER 26-DECEMBER 6

Foci: Drafting Short Stories, Peer Editing, and Understanding Theme

Notes: We will be typing our stories in class this week and next week. If students want to transfer their pieces from home to school, flash drives and email are excellent tools.

NO SCHOOL ON DECEMBER 7 - TEACHER INSERVICE.


STAY TUNED FOR PHOTOS FROM OUR FROZEN TABLEAUX ACTIVITY - Please contact me if you DO NOT WANT your child pictured on this blog.

Homework: Daybook 55-59 due on Friday

Recent WNB's:

WNB #8 - Draft Setting and Conflict
WNB#9 - Short Story Chronology Mapping and Element Lists

MONDAY AND TUESDAY:
Mini-lessons: Point of View, Titles & Story Leads

SHORT STORY ASSIGNMENT LOGISTICS

Things to think about as you write your story:

o What stories stuck out for you that you read in preparation for this? What made them good and memorable?
o What kind of mood do you want to create in your piece?
o Who will be your narrator?
o Will they employ 1st person, 3rd person limited, or 3rd person omniscient technique?
o What does your protagonist want?
o What central conflict will your character face? What complications will occur along the way?
o Who or what stands in the way?
o What order will you sequence your events? Do you need to start at the beginning or not?
o Will your characters be dynamic or static?
o What literary techniques will you use – e.g. personification, irony, dramatic irony, hyperbole, understatement, foreshadowing, suspense, symbolism?
o What tone will you employ as an author?

TIMELINE:
Typing days in class: November 26, 27, 28, 30, 3, 4. 5, 6

Other:
Individual Conferencing throughout process
Peer Editing - November 29
Base Group Sharing – December 10 & 11

ROUGH DRAFT DUE NOVEMBER 30
2 COPIES OF FINAL DRAFT DUE DECEMBER 6

FORMAT:
You need a title, header and footer
Double space, 12-point, Arial font
2-7 pages in length (unless you chose TTT3 Exemption option)

GRADING:
Your piece will be graded according to the rubric distributed, which is based on the 6 Traits for Writing.

WEEK 12 AGENDA: NOVEMBER 19&20

Foci: Structure of a short story and story leads

Notes:
Thanksgiving Break begins on Wednesday, November 21. NO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY. Have a great holiday!!!

Homework:
TTT#3 due on Monday. Students who plan to exceed 7 pages on their short story are exempt from this piece.

No homework over break. Students are welcome to begin typing their short stories. We will begin typing in school after break.

Things to think about as you continue drafting your story:
Who will be your narrator? Will they employ 1st person, 3rd person limited, or 3rd person omniscient technique? What does your protagonist want? What central conflict will your character face? Who or what stands in the way?

MONDAY
TTT#3 due
Read "A Path through the Cemetery" by Leonard Q. Ross
Do reflection questions in base groups
Plan tableaux

TUESDAY
Tableaux scenes
Story Leads

WEEK 11 AGENDA: NOVEMBER 12-16

Foci: Sci Fi and Characterization

Notes:
Odds Bodkin at JHHS Tuesday 9-10
Homework Help on Monday of this week, not Tuesday

Homework:
TTT #2 due on Monday, November 12
TTT #3 due on Monday, November 19

We will be starting to plan and draft our short stories this week. Length is 2-7 pages. If you want to exceed this length, your option is to do so, as well as read one extra story, and be exempted from TTT #3.

MONDAY:
TTT #2 due
Finish Main Character Questionnaires
SPEED MEETING EXERCISE - Getting to know characters
Draft Opposing Characters

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:
Introduction to Si-Fi
Story time: "There Will Come Soft Rains" - Ray Bradbury
BASE: Review Short Story Terminology

THURSDAY
WNB #8: Design Setting and Conflict
Plot Map Stories
Story Leads

FRIDAY
WNB #9: Student Prompt
Paper in the Middle: Short Story Terms Review Game

WEEK 10 AGENDA: NOVEMBER 5-9

Foci: Short Stories and Punctuating Dialogue

Notes:
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY
BOOK TALKS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY
CONFERENCES ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 3-7
NO HOMEWORK HELP THIS TUESDAY BECAUSE OF CONFERENCES

Homework:
Tic Tac Toe #2 due on Monday, November 12

MONDAY AND TUESDAY:
Book Talks and Punctuating Dialogue

WEDNESDAY
Organize Binders
New Base Groups
Daybook 49-52

THURSDAY:
WNB #9
Read TTT #2 story in class

QUARTERLY REFLECTION

Questions:

1) What is your overall effort in this class?

2) Are you respectful to your peers and teacher?

3) Do you come to class prepared, with all of your materials?

4) How organized are you?

5) Describe the organization of your binder, your WNB, and your writing portfolio. You may choose to use some vivid figurative language here!

6) Look back at the goal sheet you set for first quarter. Which goals have you been pursuing, and which have you met?

7) Set some goals for second quarter here.

8) Comment on your base group. What kind of group would you like to be in next time?

9) Discuss your best piece of writing in this class. Why are you proud of it?

10) What has been your favorite activity this quarter? Why?

WEEK 9 AGENDA: OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 2

Foci: Characterization and commas

Notes:
*This Friday is the end of 1st Quarter. Friday is an early release schedule. Quarterly recognition at JHMS in the afternoon.
*All missing work is due by Wednesday, October 31.
*Halloween is weird hair day!!!
*Student Dance is November 2nd.

Homework: Final 1st Quarter HW - Tic Tac Toe - due on Wednesday, October 31. One box is required. Two boxes optional for extra credit.

MONDAY
-Finish sharing "Landlady" rewritten endings
-Discuss setting and characterization in Roald Dahl's "Landlady"
-Grade Daybooks together
-Daybook p. 46 - Characterization

TUESDAY
-Commas and Comma Splices mini-lesson
-Grammar in Context: More practice punctuating dialogue - samples taken from student narratives

WEDNESDAY - WEIRD HAIR DAY
-Tic Tac Toe due
-Share Tic Tac Toe in Base Groups
-Vocabulary List #2 - 5 words from texts: "Landlady" and Tic Tac Toe story

THURSDAY
-Read "Lamb to Slaughter" by Roald Dahl
-Make 5 CM's about characterization as we read

FRIDAY - EARLY RELEASE SCHEDULE
-Quarterly Reflection

WEEK 8 AGENDA: OCTOBER 22-26

FOCUS: Mapping the Short Story

Upcoming Short Story Unit: Students will read a variety of short stories and respond to literary prompts. Classroom discussion and activities will focus on the question: What makes a good short story? Unit will culminate in a student written short story.

Parent Teacher Conferences are November 6th and 7th.

Student Dance is October 26 - this date is going to change.

Final First Quarter Homework Assignment:
Select one assignment from the Short Story Unit Tic Tac Toe.
Submit your typed response by Wednesday, October 31st.

MONDAY
Finish conferencing for narratives
Finish typing final drafts

TUESDAY
Final narrative draft due - turn in two copies
WNB #6 - Student Prompt
Vocabulary List #2

WEDNESDAY
Narrative Unit Quiz
Share Narratives

THURSDAY
Finish sharing narratives
Mapping the Short Story & Short Story Terminology
Begin "Landlady"


FRIDAY
Finish "Landlady"
WNB #6 - New Ending for "Landlady"
Grammar in Context:
Reviewing dialogue punctuation and the dash
Commas and comma splices

WEEK SEVEN AGENDA: OCTOBER 15-19

Foci: Narrative Structure and Essentials of a Story


Weekly Homework: Complete Daybook pages 39-45. Annotate and complete the assignments for “Journey to Topaz” and “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.” This assignment is due on Friday.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY:

Continue drafting Narratives
Rough Draft due at the end of class on Tuesday

WEDNESDAY

Peer Editing x 2
Complete checklist and response sheets for two peers

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Continue working on Narrative - final draft due at the end of class on Monday
Daybook Homework due on Friday

Narrative Topics

This is a space for you to share what you are writing your narrative piece about. Simply post your topic under the 'comments' link and make sure to put your name at the bottom. It will be fun for everyone to find out what others are writing on...have fun!!!

WEEK SIX AGENDA: OCTOBER 8-12

Over the next two weeks you will be creating a narrative essay.
A narrative essay is a recollection of an experience. The essay shows how one experience has shaped or formed a part of you. A good narrative essay is focused on a meaningful incident or event. The reader should see, smell taste and feel what happened. A strong narrative has an individual voice that suggests the importance this event has had on you. Usually a narrative utilizes a first person point of view, and uses honest and realistic dialogue where it fits. For the next two weeks, spend one hour per week improving, revising or adding to the writing time provided in class. Time spent interviewing parents or others is a valuable use of this time.

Foci: Narratives & Punctuating Dialogue

Weekly Homework - due on Friday:
I. Read "What's the Worst that Could Happen?" by Bruce Coville
Task: Highlight all the places you find figurative language (imagery, similes, metaphors, onomatopoetic words, sensory details, personification, etc.)
Respond: How does figurative language improve the story?
You need to use two quotes from the text to support your argument. Remember to INTRODUCE YOUR QUOTES AND CITE THE PAGE NUMBERS IN PARENTHESES!!!

II. WNB's due on Friday: Entries 3-5: Bully Sketch, Letter to Kyle Walker, Narrative Pre-writing

Notes:
There is no school on Monday - district wide inservice for teachers


TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:
Begin Drafting Narratives
1) Finish your pre-writing - WNB#5
2) Begin Typing - 12 point font, double space

Header format:
Name
Period number
Date

You need a title, and page numbers with your last name.

THURSDAY:
Grammar Mini-Lesson: Commas, the dash, and punctuating dialogue

FRIDAY:
WNB's due
Response to "What's the Worst that Could Happen?" due

Keep Typing

WEEK FIVE AGENDA

Foci: Literature and Life & MLA Format

Weekly Homework:

Daybook Pages 15-22 - due Friday
"The Man in the Casket" Responses - Re-do's are due on Friday

NOTES:

We will be MAP testing on October 2nd. Make sure to bring your SSR book to class on these days in case you finish early.

MONDAY:

Review CD, CM, topic and concluding sentences
How to Write a Better Paragraph
Literary Terms, cont.

TUESDAY:

MAP testing
*Bring your SSR book to class*


WEDNESDAY:

Literary Terms Bingo
Vocabulary

THURSDAY:

Expand on definition of narrative
Read sample narratives in Base Groups:
1) Determine what makes them good.
2) Come up with a list of common criteria for strong narratives.

FRIDAY:

Turn in Daybooks
Turn in reworked Casket Responses
MLA Format: Parenthetical References Powerpoint & Thesis Sentence
Narrative Pre-Writing

Nuggets from Miracle Boy Discussion

Scars stay forever…you can’t take them away.

A message could be many things.

The color yellow symbolizes change – maybe that’s why Miracle Boy wears yellow at the end of the story.

I thought of the telephone wire as a timeline for the story.

Miracle Boy seems to become more innocent after his feet are cut off.

The shoes are a symbol of both guilt and forgiveness.

It was interesting that the seasons changed from before the accident to afterward.

You don’t have to relate to the story literally to understand its message.

Guilt and pity have a lot to do with each other.

I think the cigarette hanging from Miracle Boy’s dad’s mouth symbolized his burning hatred for Lizard.

Violence doesn’t solve anything; it just creates more anger.

Maybe the old shoes symbolized Miracle Boy’s old self; cutting them down from the wire revealed his new self.

Sometimes flashbacks interrupt a story.

Miracle Boy seems to be going through a kind of mental puberty.

WEEK FOUR AGENDA

September 24-28

Weekend Homework: Write 10 pieces of commentary on "Miracle Boy." USE YOUR NOTES FROM THE TEXT. You need to write in complete sentences. This is due at the beginning of class on Monday.

Foci: Talking about Literature and Life, Vivid Verbs and Active Voice

Week Three Homework:
Read “The Man In The Casket", a short narrative essay. Create a well-written two-chunk paragraph in response to the following prompt: Describe the narrator’s changing tone in “The Man in the Casket.” (Tone is defined as the author’s attitude towards his or her subject.) You must complete the shaping sheet and a final copy OR a rough draft and final copy. This assignment is due on Friday, September 28th. Type!

Notes

*Thanks for attending Back to School Night!!!

*Each quarter, I expect that you are reading at least three novels or books independently. Record your efforts in the Reading Log in your WNB.

Monday
Turn in 10 pieces of commentary on MB from last Friday.
Explain HW and review "chunks".
Do discussion questions in Base Groups for MB.
Prepare for Graded Discussion on MB.

Tuesday
Graded Discussion on Miracle Boy - double fishbowl
Self Evaluations

Wednesday
Read "Hole". Write 10 CM's as we read. Focus on:
1) use of flashback and memory; 2) The difference between details and confusion vs. the "truth".
WNB#4: Write a letter to Kyle Walker as if you are the main character in “Hole.” Vividly explain exactly what happened that day. Use active verbs.

Thursday
Grammar Mini-Lesson:
Vivid Verbs - Cooking and Sports
Vocabulary Derby - Create and compile VOCABULARY LIST 1.

Friday
Submit "Man in the Casket" Response
WNB#5: (Student written prompt) Write a short biography about the person to your left. Use vivid verbs.
Review Daybooks

WEEK THREE AGENDA

September 17-21

Focus: What is a narrative?

Week Three Homework:
Daybook pp. 9-14 (due Friday)

Notes

*Open House is Tuesday, September 18th 6:30-8:15.

*Each quarter, I expect that you are reading at least three novels or books independently. Record your efforts in the Reading Log in your WNB.

Monday
Finish Sharing Name Jerseys
Active Verbs Quiz
Handout Daybooks
Organize WNB: 3 Appendices - Vocabulary, Mini-Lessons, Reading Log
WNB#3: Sketch and label a time when you witnessed bullying or cruelty. Use details and color.

Daybook: pages 9-14 due Friday. Be neat and complete and annotate all readings.

Tuesday
Read “Miracle Boy”
Make ten insightful CM’s as we read
Literary Terms

Wednesday
8th grade Field Trip to Colter Bay Indian Arts Museum
Bring lunch and warm clothes!

Thursday
Finish reading “Miracle Boy”
WNB #4: Student Drawn Prompt
Vocabulary Bowl

Friday
Collect Daybook homework
Graded Discussion of “Miracle Boy” & Self Evaluation
Elements of a Good Discussion: Participate, listen, refer back to the story, offer fresh responses, and avoid dominating, direct questions to classmates.

WEEK TWO AGENDA

Week Two Agenda

September 10-14

Week Two Weekly Homework:
1) $11 for Day Books due on Friday the 14th
2) Name Essay (Mango Street) with jersey design and color due on Friday the 14th
3) WNB #1 due on Wednesday: One thing I wish my parents/teachers knew about me...
4) WNB #2 due on Friday: My writing territories...

Monday
Media Center: Students will receive their user names and passwords for the school network, and an orientation to the class blog: http://language-link.blogspot.com/

***Students and parents should check the blog regularly for weekly schedules, homework, and updates.***

Tuesday - School Picture Day
7 things about names due (parent interviews)
Begin drafting 'Name Essay' and jerseys Finish WNB #1

Wednesday
WNB #1 due
Base Groups - business cards and label writing portfolios
Notes on Active Verbs and practice
Revise Essay and finish jerseys

Thursday
Complete essay revision and strings on jerseys
WNB #2: My Writing Territories

Friday
$11 due for Day Books
WNB #1 and #2 due - turn in WNB to class shelf
More practice with Active Verbs

Homework: Study Active Verb notes for mini-quiz on Monday

WEEK ONE AGENDA

Week One Agenda

September 4-7

Week One Weekly Homework:
1. Purchase binder, pencils, journal, and a box of tissue and bring to class by Friday.
2. Craft 6 compelling writing prompts for your peers by Friday.
3. Parent Inventory due Friday for bonus.
4. $11 for Day Books due on the 14th!


Tuesday
Welcome and Seats
Student Inventory
Activity and Yarn Game

Wednesday
Writer’s Notebook Rubric
CEF and Parent Inventory
Writers Notebook: What I wish...

Thursday
Homework Reminder
Establish Base Groups: Business Cards, Label Portfolios
Personal Questions PowerPoint
Review of Jane Schaeffer terms

Friday
Collect 6 Journal Prompts
Read “My Name”
Make five CM’s or Comments


Homework: Interview parents about your name.
Create a list of at least seven details or facts you learn from your
conversation in your Writer’s Notebook #1 or WNB. Have ready for Monday's class.

Writer's Notebooks

We will be keeping Writer's Notebooks in 8th Grade this year, which we will refer to as WNB's. These will be used for in-class writing, responses to literature, and vocabulary. Each student should buy a composition book for this purpose. Students are expected to have this notebook ready by the end of the first week, and bring it to class every day. Below you will find a description of WNB's. All students will receive a grading rubric for this ongoing project during the first week of class, and should paste it into their class binders for year-long reference.

• These notebooks are intended to be a place for you to collect and draw inspiration from. They are highly personal, and each outcome will be different than the next. They will be used for pre-writing, in-class writing prompts, and vocabulary. Writer’s Notebooks will be collected regularly. Be creative and show who you are!!!! This rubric should help you gauge your performance and our expectations for your product.

• The top row of the rubric contains questions you should ask yourself before turning in your notebook.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE EACH GRADING PERIOD:
Is my notebook unique? Does it reflect my personality? Did I experiment with different writing styles and include a variety of artifacts? Do I have all the required entries? Are all my entries complete? Is my notebook presented clearly and creatively?

WNB's will be graded according to the following aspects, which are based on the Six Traits for writing. Student grading rubrics will break this down in detail.

• Ideas and Organization
• Effort and Presentation
• Style and Application
• Voice and Individuality

Welcome 8th Grade Students and Parents!

Welcome 8th Grade Students and Parents!!!

I am excited for a great year to come! I am new to Jackson Hole, and new to JHMS this year. I moved here this summer from Boulder, Colorado, where I recently completed my Master's Degree. I am very happy to be a part of this wonderful community, and I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you.

This blog will be a space for parents to stay connected to what we are doing in class, reading and homework schedules, and literature circle activities.

You are all welcome to email me with any questions, etc. at any time. You can contact me at: jflammang@teton1.wy.k12.us

You can also reach me at 307-733-4234 ext. 3102

Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Jessica Flammang