HAVE A GREAT BREAK!!!

Happy Holidays! See you in 2009!

Note: When you return from break, please bring the following items with you for our upcoming pARTner's Belief Project:

* a favorite magazine or two that can be cut up

* a shoe box full of artifacts that represent who you are

* artifacts might include: letters, ribbons, pictures, poems, receipts, old ski passes or any small item that reveals something about you!

These mementos will be used throughout the project for brainstorming, sharing, writing prompts, and artwork. The project will involve an artist in residence, a writer in residence, and all 8th Grade Core English classes. It will span from January 5th-February 20th, and will culminate in public display and student readings. We are excited!

WEEK 16: DECEMBER 15-19

Photo Source: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/christmas-tree.gif&imgrefurl=http://soundbiteblog.com/category/washington/kitsap-county/poulsbo-wa-real-estate/&h=348&w=300&sz=7&tbnid=DtYdj21vYTEJ::&tbnh=120&tbnw=103&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchristmas%2Btree&usg=__OH5BcdMzmhesiXqmspt2A25HOaQ=&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=5&ct=image&cd=1
Agenda: This week students are finishing their Literature Circle novels, which focus on various disabilities and differences. In groups, they are researching the particular condition their book focuses on, and presenting information about it to the class through a visual poster. We are also continuing to work on commas.

Weekly Homework:
1)Finish Lit. Circle book for Friday
2)Finish Poster Project for Friday with group


MONDAY:
*Weekly Overview
*Finish Open Mind
*Correct Comma WS
*Reading time

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:
Poster project research and construction in Media Center

THURSDAY:
Final Lit. Circle Day:
1) Plot Chart & Discuss Resolution
2) Final Discussion Sheet
3) Reflections
4) Complete folder -- organize and submit
5) Final Poster Planning

FRIDAY:
POSTER PROJECT PRESENTATIONS!!!

Have a great vacation!!!

WEEK 15 AGENDA: DECEMBER 8-15

photo source: http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/lang_lit_circles.htm

Announcements:

*Midterm is December 10. All missing work is due.

Weekly Homework:
1) Keep up with your Lit. Circle Reading Schedule
2) Complete your role sheet for your lit. circle
3) Comma Worksheet due Friday

MONDAY:
*Weekly Overview
*Role Sheets for tomorrow's Lit. Circle
*Reading time

TUESDAY:
*Lit. Circle #2
*Lit. Response: Conflict

WEDNESDAY:
*Open Mind Activity
*Return and file narratives
*Comma Splices
*Reading time

THURSDAY:
*Lit. Circle #3

FRIDAY:
*Comma Worksheet due
*Media Center -- research your novel's disability with group
*Begin Poster Project

A slice of inspiration!!!

WEEK 14: DECEMBER 1-5

Announcements:

*NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY -- TEACHER INSERVICE

*BOOK POST #1 for this quarter is due on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2.

*Midterm is December 10.

Weekly Homework:

1) Check out novels by Tuesday. Read first 20 pages.
2) Study for graded dialogue quiz on Wednesday.

MONDAY:

1) Weekly Overview and homework
2) Literature Circle Overview
3) Ms.Swiggum -- book talks on our seven choices
4) Choose your novel on paper

TUESDAY:
*BOOK POST #1 DUE!!!*
1) WNB #11: What makes good writing? & What makes a good discussion group?
2) Check out novels
3) Reading time

WEDNESDAY:
1) Graded quiz on dialogue
2) Prepare role sheets for Literature Circle meeting tomorrow

THURSDAY:
Literature Circle Meeting #1: You need your role sheet completed and first 20 pages of your novel read for this.

FRIDAY:
NO SCHOOL!!!

WEEK 13: NOVEMBER 24-28

Announcements:

*NO SCHOOL NOVEMBER 26-28 for Thanksgiving Break.

*First book post for Second Quarter due December 2.

*Midterm is December 10.

Agenda:

This week, students are finalizing their fictional narratives as well as continuing to practice dialogue punctuation in the context of their writing. We are using clickers on Monday to review punctuation rules.

After break, students will be selecting a new novel to read from a collection of seven choices, and beginning a literature circle project with their chosen books. This project will culminate in a 'graphic novelette,' which is a comic storyboard showing the plot sequence, climax, and conflict resolution in the story using an online program called Comic Life.

MONDAY:
Review Novel Essay test
Dialogue with Clickers
Finish narrative peer editing

TUESDAY:
Finalize and submit narrative piece

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

WEEK 12: NOVEMBER 17-21

Agenda: This week students are peer editing their fictional narratives, using teacher and peer feedback to construct a final draft of their piece. Additionally, students are reflecting on their narrative novels through a written essay, and continuing to dramatize Gary Soto's Novio Boy, a contemporary Latino play, in class.

Weekly Homework:

Spend one hour outside of class working on your narrative. This could mean having a parent read your piece, having another peer review it, working on word choice or dialogue with a peer, or reworking your intro. or conclusion.

MONDAY:

Continue peer editing process

TUESDAY:

*Work on final drafts
*Prepare for novel essay test

WEDNESDAY:

Novel Essay Test

THURSDAY:

Dialogue Review
Novio Boy by Gary Soto

FRIDAY:

*Dialogue with clickers
*Work on final drafts

WEEK 11: NOVEMBER 10-14

Agenda: This week, students are completing their narrative novels and group discussions. Additionally, students are working on a second draft of their personal, fictional narratives, and peer editing one another's work. Students are also continuing to study and practice dialogue punctuation, and beginning to review and work with commas and semicolons.

Weekly Homework:

1) Finish novels for Tuesday
2) Dialogue Worksheet due on Friday

MONDAY:
1) Weekly Overview and homework
2) Commas and semicolons: video and practice
3) Reading time

TUESDAY: NOVEL DAY
*Novels need to be finished for today.*
1) Discuss predictions of endings and outcomes -- use WNB #9
2) Mini-lesson: 2 chunk paragraph review and structure & italicizing and quoting
3) WNB #10: Craft a 2-chunk in response to your novel

WEDNESDAY:
1) Finish 2-chunks in WNB
2) Review teacher comments on Narrative Draft #1
3) Computers: Type Draft #2

THURSDAY:
1) Novel Review Exercise
2) Novio Boy cont.

FRIDAY:
1) Review Dialogue Worksheet in class
2) Mini-lesson: Tracking Comments in Microsoft Word
3) PEER EDITING: Each student will review and comment on another's piece & Individual Conferencing with teacher on Narrative Draft #1

WEEK 10 AGENDA: NOVEMBER 3-7

Image Source:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.emich.edu/english/gsp/
writing.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.emich.edu/english/gsp/&h=428&w=640&sz=10&hl=en&start=157&um=1&usg=__xL1jQYkalTj6bC-ALFrLqNIFNoE=&tbnid=REtu2s-fI9DH3M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Bwriting%26start%3D140%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

Announcements:

*Happy 2nd Quarter! Congratulations to all students who attended Quarterly Recognition! Keep up the good work!

*Parent/Teacher Conferences Wednesday, November 5th from 3-7 and Thursday, November 6, from 3-7 in the large gym. Parents are requested to sign up for times through students' home base teachers.

*NO SCHOOL for students or teachers on Friday, November 7, due to conferences.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter on their own, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page). Posted comments can be viewed under 8th Grade Flammang link at top of page.

Agenda: This week students are continuing to draft their fictional narratives, incorporating figurative language and key aspects of narrative writing. Additionally, students are continuing to read, discuss, and respond to their narrative novels in small groups. Finally, students will be reviewing 2-chunk paragraph writing structure and practicing interactively.

Weekly Homework:

1) Turn in any leftover 1st Quarter Reflections (due Monday).

2) Novel reading and character hot-seating questions due on Wednesday. (Assigned last Tuesday, October 28).

3) Narrative Rough Draft due on Thursday.

MONDAY:
*Leftover 1st Quarter Reflections due
*Weekly Overview and homework
*Pick new classroom jobs
*Grade reports for Q1
COMPUTERS: TYPE NARRATIVE
-work with figurative language and key aspects of narrative writing

TUESDAY:
*Book Fair in Media Center
COMPUTERS: TYPE NARRATIVE
-work with headers, footers, and inserting page numbers

WEDNESDAY: NOVEL DAY
*Reading and hot-seating questions due
*Character hot-seating
*Reading assignment and homework for next time (Tuesday, November 11)
*WNB #9: Predictions of novel ending

THURSDAY:
*Narrative Rough Draft due at the end of class!*
Computers: Typing time

FRIDAY: NO SCHOOL!

WEEK 9 AGENDA: OCTOBER 27-31

Image source: www.frugallawstudent.com/.../10/halloween.jpg

Announcements:

*October 31 is the end of first quarter. ALL MISSING WORK DUE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter on their own, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page). Posted comments can be viewed under 8th Grade Flammang link at top of page. Both posts for first quarter are due by October 31.

*Enrichment credit options must be completed by October 31.

*Quarterly Recognition is on October 31. All quarterly recognition forms must be in for students to participate.

*Parent/Teacher Conferences are November 5 & 6 from 3-7 p.m. in the JHMS small gym. Letters and time sign-ups will go home with students in their TEAM classes.

Agenda:
This week students are completing dramatization of Act One from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and finishing a subtext exercise that develops dramatic voice inflection. They are also continuing to read and discuss their narrative novels and draft their own fictional narratives. Additionally, students will be dramatizing a selection from Gary Soto's short play, "Novio Boy."

Weekly Homework:

FOR TUESDAY: (This was assigned last Monday, October 20).
*A Step from Heaven:
1) Read pages 33-69 for Tuesday, October 28.
2) Draw the scene that was the most interesting or powerful for you. Include a quote and a page number.

Forgotten Fire: (This was assigned last Monday, October 20).
1) Read pages 59-92 Tuesday, October 28.
2) Draw the scene that was the most interesting or powerful for you. Include a quote and a page number.

FOR FRIDAY:
Complete the 1st Quarter Reflection Questions from blog -- use directions in post

MONDAY:
*Weekly overview and homework/narrative topics/blog poll
*Record narrative deadlines and typing days
*Finish Act One of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
*Complete Subtext Excercise

TUESDAY: NOVEL DAY
*Return TTT 1-3 & Review grading points
*Reading and hand-drawn scenes with cited quotes due*

Heaven:
In-class Activity: Share drawings & pair/share 3 discussion questions
Discussion: How is Young Ju changing as a character?
Reading and HW for next time: pp. 70-110 & prepare five good questions for characters in the book(for next Wednesday - November 5).

Fire:
In-class activity: Share drawings & pair/share 3 discussion questions
Discussion: How is Vahan becoming like his father?
Reading and HW for next time: pp. 93-174 & prepare five good questions for characters in the book. (for next Wednesday - November 5).

WEDNESDAY:
*Novio Boy: Context, Selection and Dramatization
*Reflect in WNB

THURSDAY:
Mini-lesson: Dialogue in Narrative Writing
Computers: Continue drafting Fictional Narrative

FRIDAY: Happy Halloween!!!
*1st Quarter Reflection due!!!*
*Finish reflections
*Reading time for novels!
*Quarterly Recognition!!!

1st QUARTER REFLECTION

Directions: Answer the questions below and turn in to the tray by Friday, October 31 on paper. Each answer must be about 3-4 sentences long to receive full credit. THESE MUST BE TYPED AND DOUBLE SPACED.

1) What is your overall effort in this class?

2) Are you respectful of your peers and teacher?

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

4) Describe the organization of your binder and your WNB. You might use some vivid figurative language here!

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

6) What two books did you read this quarter on your own? Did you post both of your book commentaries?

7) Comment on The Legend of Colton H. Bryant and Alex Fuller's visit.

8) Look at your Power School grade report for Language Arts. How many assignments did you choose not to complete?

9) What was your favorite activity this quarter? Why?

10) Based on your answers, set THREE GOALS for second quarter.

NARRATIVE TOPICS

Students...post what you are writing your narrative about here!

WEEK 8 AGENDA: OCTOBER 20-24

Image Source: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/amndws/
Amnd01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sites.google.com/a/csredhawks.org/ms-rogal-s-homepage/scl---b/a-midsummer-nights-dream&h=484&w=717&sz=77&tbnid=bgBdVGN1FdwJ::&tbnh=95&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmidsummer%2Bnight%2527s%2Bdream%2Bimage&usg=__tu9PnneHZ_5jYx9HGQXu4E9quQo=&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=3&ct=image&cd=1

/>Announcements:
*Students are expected to stay up to date with their Writer's Notebook Entries. All entry prompts can be found on the left of this blog page under "Writer's Notebook Entries." Writer's Notebooks are due on MONDAY, OCTOBER 20: Entries 1-8.

*8th Grade Field Trip to Center for the Arts this Friday, October 24. Students must have updated Emergency Forms on file to participate in this outing.

*October 31 is the end of first quarter.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter on their own, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page). Posted comments can be viewed under 8th Grade Flammang link at top of page. Both posts are due by October 31.

*Enrichment credit options must be completed by October 31.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK:
A Step from Heaven:
1) Read pages 33-69 for Tuesday, October 28.
2) Draw the scene that was the most interesting or powerful for you. Include a quote and a page number.

Forgotten Fire:
1) Read pages 59-92 Tuesday, October 28.
2) Draw the scene that was the most interesting or powerful for you. Include a quote and a page number.
3) ***EVERYONE...POST YOUR NARRATIVE TOPIC UNDER "Student Narrative Topics" by Friday***

Agenda:
This week students are continuing to read and research the context of their narrative novels. Also, students are reading and dramatizing Act One of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in preparation for our field trip to the Center for the Arts this Friday to see the play. Additionally, students will participate in dramatic mini-lessons to complement Shakespeare's play. Students are also beginning to draft their fictional narrative pieces, while working to incorporate dialogue and figurative language into their writing.

MONDAY:
*Writer's Notebook Entries 1-8 due!!!*
1) Weekly Overview and homework
2) Small Class Discussion: Forgotten Fire
Interview with An Na for A Step from Heaven

TUESDAY:
1) Class Discussion: Shakespeare's Theater and anticipating theme
2) Begin A Midsummer Night's Dream -- Act One

WEDNESDAY:
*Graded Apostrophe Quiz with clickers!*
1) Finish A Midsummer Night's Dream -- Act One
2) Rhythm & Inflection Exercise

THURSDAY:
Computers - Work on Draft One of Narrative

FRIDAY:
FIELD TRIP!!!

*Homework due on Tuesday of next week!*

WEEK 7 AGENDA: OCTOBER 13-17

Announcements:
*Students are expected to stay up to date with their Writer's Notebook Entries. All entry prompts can be found on the left of this blog page under "Writer's Notebook Entries." Writer's Notebooks are due on MONDAY, OCTOBER 20: Entries 1-8.

*NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13 due to Teacher Inservice.

*October 31 is the end of first quarter.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter on their own, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page). Posted comments can be viewed under 8th Grade Flammang link at top of page.

Agenda:
This week, students are beginning to read fictional narrative novels: Forgotten Fire, by Adam Bagdasarian, and A Step from Heaven, by An Na. They are also beginning to plot and draft their own fictional narratives, as well as continuing to study apostrophe use in context and crafting dialogue.

Weekly Homework:
1) Check out novels from Media Center.
2) A Step from Heaven-- Read pp. 1-31/Forgotten Fire - Read pp. 1-58.
3) Record three concrete details and three comments on your bookmark. Heaven needs to be prepared by Friday. Fire needs to be prepared by Monday.

MONDAY: NO SCHOOL

TUESDAY:
*TTT #3 due!
*Weekly Overview and homework
*Novel choices and blank bookmarks
*Apostrophes in context: Interactive video Part 2 and video quiz
*Read sample student narrative & review narrative structure

WEDNESDAY:
*Laminated Bookmarks
*Narrative deadlines and grading rubric
*Narrative Leads
*WNB #7: Plotting your narrative

THURSDAY:
*Dialogue Workshop
*Dialogue for narrative

FRIDAY:
*Weekly Homework due!
*WNB #8: Book Impressions
*Small class dicussion: A Step from Heaven
NetTrekker Virtual Museum for Forgotten Fire

MONDAY:
Small class discussion: Forgotten Fire
An Na's website tour for A Step from Heaven

WEEK 6 AGENDA: October 6-10

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*Alexandra Fuller, author of The Legend of Colton H. Bryant, is coming to JHMS to read from her book, and present material to the 8th Grade on Monday, October 6!!!

*Students are expected to stay up to date with their Writer's Notebook Entries. All entry prompts can be found on the top left of this blog page under "Writer's Notebook Entries." Writer's Notebooks are due on MONDAY, OCTOBER 20.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter on their own, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page). Posted comments can be viewed under 8th Grade Flammang link at top of page.

*NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13 due to Teacher Inservice.

*October 31 is the end of first quarter.

Agenda:

This week, students are continuing to read and respond in writing to a selection of fictional narratives. They are also beginning to draft characters and plot lines for their own fictional narrative pieces. Additionally, students are continuing to study apostrophe use in context and active verbs.

Weekly Homework:
*DUE FRIDAY*

1) Tic Tac Toe reading and response due

2) Study for Active Verbs graded quiz -- THURSDAY!

MONDAY:
*No 6th or 7th period classes for 8th Grade today -- Alexandra Fuller reading in Commons.*

1) Weekly Overview, weekly homework, and quiz notice

2) Choose a new Fictional Narrative

3) Video quiz - apostrophes

4) Reading time -- Fictional Narrative Selection #2

TUESDAY:
*Tic Tac Toe Response #1 due*

1) Discuss and share literary responses in small groups

2) Mini-lesson: 'How can I write a better paragraph? Hooks, intoductory sentences, and concluding sentences'

WEDNESDAY:
1) Narrative Assignment Overview

2) WNB #6: Character Drafting

THURSDAY:
1) Book talk with Ms. Swiggum -- Forgotten Fire and A Step from Heaven

2) Active Verbs graded quiz

FRIDAY:
*Weekly Homework due -- TTT #2*

1) WNB #7: Plotting your narrative

2) Reading Day -- student narrative samples

WEEK 5 AGENDA: September 29 - October 3

Announcements:

*Midterm is October 1. Students should check Power School to make sure all their work is in. Language Arts help session after school on Wednesday of this week.

*Each day, 8th Graders have a 30-minute enrichment period after lunch. The focus for enrichment is reading. Students are reading The Legend of Colton H. Bryant by Alexandra Fuller during 1st Quarter. The author is coming to JHMS to read from her book and present material to the 8th Grade on Monday, October 6!!!

*Students are expected to stay up to date with their Writer's Notebook Entries. All entry prompts can be found on the top left of this blog page under "Writer's Notebook Entries." When a set of entries are due, students will receive one week's notice in order to make sure all entries are revised and completed before the due date.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter outside of school, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page). Posted comments can be viewed under 8th Grade Flammang link at top of page. Students should aim to post their first comment by October 1.

AGENDA:
This week, as we continue to explore narrative structure and voice, students are reading from a selection of fictional narratives and responding to selected pieces in writing. Students are continuing to study active voice and apostrophes in context, and beginning to study citations while refining their thesis statements for their History research papers. Additionally, students will be working to tighten up their paragraph structure with strong introductory and concluding sentences. In class, clickers, Brain Pop, and interactive writing will be used to practice skills and assess comprehension.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK:
*DUE ON FRIDAY*
1) WNB #5: Thesis statement
2) Read first fictional narrative choice for Friday.

MONDAY
*Reminder: Did you add a divider for vocabulary to your binder?*
1) Weekly Overview and homework. Discuss significance of blog picture. Visit library blog to check posts -- reminder of midterm on October 1. Look at clicker poll and remind on new poll (will be posted later this week).

2) Review 'Apostrophe Headaches.' Apostrophe lesson with clickers/share what you learned.

3) Finish reading and labeling figurative language in "What's the Worst that Can Happen?" by Bruce Coville. In the margins, jot down three thoughts on the use figurative language in this story.

TUESDAY
1) Discuss how figurative language contributes to the plot and creates voice in Coville's narrative piece.

2) Narrative Notes continued...

3) Fictional Narratives Tic Tac Toe handout, assignment, deadlines, and overview. Students need to choose and read three narratives and complete response activities.
Due dates:
TTT #1) October 7
TTT #2) October 10
TTT #3) October 14

4) Story choices and reading time

WEDNESDAY
*Reminder: Is your first comment up on the library blog?*
1) Thesis workshop #2 & Thesis Brain Pop

2) Reading time

THURSDAY
1) More apostrophes ... correct apostrophe homework from last week.

2) Brain Pop - Citations.

3) MLA Format Powerpoint

FRIDAY
*WEEKLY HOMEWORK DUE!*
1) How can I write a better paragraph? Mini-lesson on hooks, introductory sentences, and concluding sentences.

2) Figurative Language Bingo!!!

WEEK 4 AGENDA

Announcements:

*MAP Testing begins this week. 8th Graders will be taking the reading test in history class, the math test in math class, and the language usage test in English class. Testing will take place 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th periods on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

*Student grades can be checked online using Power School. Each student needs an id and password (from the Student Center) for this purpose.

*Emergency forms need to be turned into the office, whether there are information changes or not.

*Each day, 8th Graders have a 30-minute enrichment period after lunch. The focus for enrichment is reading. Students are reading The Legend of Colton H. Bryant by Alexandra Fuller during 1st quarter.

*Students are expected to stay up to date with their Writer's Notebook Entries. All entry prompts can be found on the top left of this blog page under "Writer's Notebook Entries." When a set of entries are due, students will receive one week's notice in order to make sure all entries are revised and completed before the due date.

*Students are required to read two books per quarter outside of school, and post comments for SSR credit on Ms. Swiggum's library blog at http://www.kswiggum.edublogs.org/ (hyperlink on left of page).

AGENDA September 21-26:

This week, students will begin reading a series of fictional narratives, most of which they will select from a menu of choices. The first selection will be read as a class -- "What's the Worst that Can Happen?" by Bruce Coville. Students are also studying narrative structure, literary terminology, and thesis statements this week. We will be reviewing active verbs and figurative language as well.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK: Due Friday

1) Grammar Worksheet

2) Put 2-3 artifacts of your own, with explanations/captions in your WNB

MONDAY:

1) Blog Agenda and weekly homework

2) Ms. Swiggum's library blog -- post two comments per quarter

3) Language Arts binder organization

*Bell Work
*Assignments
*Grammar
*Writing
*Graded Work
*Vocabulary

3) What is a narrative?

4) WNB 'Catch up time'

TUESDAY:

MAP TESTING - LANGUAGE USAGE

WEDNESDAY:

1) www.freerice.com - 10 minutes of English Grammar

2) Literary Terms handout

3) Begin "What's the Worst that Can Happen?" and label figurative language

THURSDAY:

1) Brain Pop! Action Verbs video review and quiz (action verbs, direct objects, indirect objects)

2) Finish "What's the Worst that Can Happen?" and label figurative language.

FRIDAY:

*Weekly Homework due!!!*

1) Review and grade grammar homework

2) Mini-lesson and workshop: thesis statements

HOME BASE:

*Emergency Forms due this week

*One fact on oil drilling due on Monday

*SSR on Tuesday and Thursday

WEEK 3 AGENDA

SEPTEMBER 15-19

Announcements:

*Back to School Night Tuesday, September 16 from 6:30-8:15. All students and parents are encouraged to attend!

*Signed quarterly recognition forms need to be turned in this week.

*MAP Testing begins September 22.

*Student grades can be checked online using PowerSchool. Each student needs an id and password (from the Student Center) for this purpose.

*Each day, 8th Graders have a 30-minute enrichment period after lunch. Mondays are dedicated to student advisory and home base activities. Fridays are dedicated to SSR. (This week, SSR will be held on Thursday). The focus for enrichment is reading. The first novel that students will read is The Legend of Colton H. Bryant by Alexandra Fuller.

*Students are expected to stay up to date with their Writer's Notebook Entries. All entry prompts can be found on the top left of this blog page under "Writer's Notebook Entries." When a set of entries are due, students will receive one week's notice in order to make sure all entries are revised and completed before the due date.

THIS WEEK'S AGENDA:

This week students are completing the drafting and revising process on their name jerseys. Completed jerseys are due at the beginning of class on Friday. Finished name jerseys will be presented and displayed, showcasing both student artwork and writing.

Students are also studying active verbs, and working to incorporate them into their writing. We are using clickers and interactive writing in the classroom this week to practice skills and assess comprehension.

Next week, we will move into reading a selection of fictional narratives, and learning the rules of MLA formatting, which will help 8th Graders begin their first big research project of the year in their history classes.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK:

For Friday:

1. Color code your summer experience paragraph. We will do this together in class on Monday.

red:topic sentence (1)

blue:concluding sentence (1)

green: concrete details (2)

yellow: commentary (4)

2. Revise paragraph to include any of these that are missing.

3. Locate passive voice in your writing. Revise for active verbs.

4. Spell-check, proofread, and re-type your piece. Attach your final draft to your rough draft and turn in.

MONDAY:

1) Blog Agenda for the week/explanation of weekly homework

2) Review Lit. Response Rubric for final grading of paragraph

3) Mini-Lesson: Color coding paragraphs -- Interactive writing sample

4) Drafting of name jersey essay/design jersey

TUESDAY:

1) Mini-lesson: Active Verbs review with clickers

2) Drafting of name jersey essay/design jersey

WEDNESDAY:

1) WNB #3: "I lost..."

2) Focused revision of jersey essay draft

THURSDAY:

1) Mini-lesson: Focused review of active verbs with clickers

2) Finalize jersey design

3) Copy final drafts onto jerseys

FRIDAY:

WEEKLY HOMEWORK DUE at the beginning of class!!!

1) WNB #4: Draw a tree, and on each leaf and/or each branch, write a word or phrase that reflects your personality.

2) Jersey presentations.

WEEK 2 Agenda

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) Leftover/Incomplete Student and Parent Inventories, and signed Classroom Policies need to be turned in this week.

2) 8th Grade field trip to Colter Bay Indian Museum in Grand Teton National Park, this Friday, September 12. Students need to bring warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and a sack lunch. Buses leave at 9:00 a.m. and return at 2:00 p.m.

3) Back to School Night Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30.

4) Please utilize this classroom blog to stay updated on agendas, homework, projects, announcements, and field trips.

5) Student grades can be checked online using PowerSchool. Each student needs an id and password (from the Student Center) for this purpose.

6) Each day, 8th Graders have a 30-minute enrichment period after lunch. Mondays are dedicated to student advisory and home base activities. Fridays are dedicated to SSR. (This week, SSR will be held on Thursday). The focus for enrichment is reading. The first novel that students will read is The Legend of Colton H. Bryant by Alexandra Fuller.

AGENDA:

This week, we are beginning Unit 1: "Telling My Story." Students will begin by researching the origins of their given names and surnames. Expect your child to interview you on this topic. Students are expected to collect 3-5 facts about the origins and significance of their names. In class, we will read an excerpt from Sandra Cisneros' House on Mango Street. Then students will draft a 3-paragraph essay about their names, and revise it for a "name jersey," which will be decorated with pictures and graphics that reflect students' unique identities. These jerseys will be displayed and presented to the class.

As the unit continues, students will be choosing several short narratives to read from a group of selections that represent this theme. During this reading, students will be learning to identify new literary terminology. Afterward, they will be selecting one of two novels to read, analyze, and discuss: A Step from Heaven, by An Na, or Forgotten Fire, by Adam Bagdasarian. The unit will culminate with a digital narrative in the end of first quarter!

Weekly Homework:
Students will be assigned a weekly homework task each Monday, and it will be due on Friday. This week, it is due on Thursday since we have a field trip on Friday.

HW: Write and revise a complete paragraph about your most enjoyable experience this summer. Remember to use a topic sentence, a concluding sentence, concrete details, and commentary. Do your best to incorporate active verbs!!! This must be: TYPED, SPELL-CHECKED, and PROOFREAD. (DUE ON THURSDAY AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS!!!)

MONDAY:

*Turn in leftover forms. Return incomplete forms.

1) Weekly Overview

2) Blog Hunt Results and other tips for navigating our blog.

3) Review Jane Shaffer terminology.

4) House on Mango Street excerpt

TUESDAY:

1) Research names online: www.babynames.com

2) Name jersey assignment details

3) WNB #2: Pre-writing and drafting for name jersey

WEDNESDAY:

1) Active Verbs mini-lesson and practice game

2) Design and color name jerseys

3) Continue drafting

THURSDAY:
*Weekly Homework due!
*All leftover and incomplete forms due!

Finish drafting and write final draft of name jersey

FRIDAY:

FIELD TRIP TO COLTER BAY INDIAN MUSEUM!!! 9-2

*Remember your warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and sack lunch.

Welcome 8th Grade Students and Parents!

Welcome 8th Grade Students and Parents!!!

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 year. I love living in Jackson Hole and the Tetons, and I am excited for another great school year!!!

This is my second year at JHMS. I moved to Jackson in 2007 from Boulder, CO., where I did my Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education at The University of Colorado. My Bachelor’s Degree is in English and Psychology from The University of Iowa. I have been teaching since 2000, and I have worked at the pre-school, middle school, high school, and university levels in Colorado, Wyoming, and abroad at an American School in La Paz, Bolivia.


I am bilingual (English/Spanish), and have spent several years living in South America – Venezuela and Bolivia. I have traveled and lived extensively around the world including Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and Australia. My passions include: snowboarding, hiking, running, dancing, yoga, drumming, reading and writing, and traveling.


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

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.

Please utilize the classroom blog to stay updated on assignments, homework, projects, and deadlines: http://language-link.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to a great school year!!!

Jessica Flammang

CLASSROOM POLICIES
This form will be handed out on the first day and must be returned by Friday, September 5 with student and parent signatures.

1)Follow all JHMS policies, guidelines, and expectations.

2)Come to class on time and prepared each day with necessary materials including: texts, binder, notebook, journal, pen/pencil, JHMS agenda, and any other necessary materials for the current project or assignment.

3)When the bell rings, you are in your seat with your materials out and ready to go.

4)No food or soda. Water is allowed. Bottles must be recycled.

5)Clean up after yourself after each class session. Recycle all paper and bottles.

6)When you use classroom items, return them to where they are kept when you are finished.

7)Utilize the classroom blog regularly: http://language-link.blogspot.com.

8)Be responsible – come prepared and ready to stay. Leaving class requires a pass.

9)Be respectful – raise your hand, listen and respond thoughtfully to others and respect their opinions. Behave and speak respectfully toward all substitutes, classroom guests, staff, administrators, observers, and project facilitators. Have a good attitude!

10)Be safe – behave with others’ welfare in mind. Conduct yourself appropriately.

11)Produce your best work.

12) When you are absent, it is your responsibility to get and complete all missing work.

13)Attend homework help sessions if you are receiving a failing grade.

14)Inappropriate behavior and speech will not be tolerated.

15)Be an active member of the classroom community! Share, contribute, cooperate, and participate.


Student Signature:________________________________________ Date:__________


Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________ Date:__________

WEEK ONE AGENDA:

MONDAY - NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY

TUESDAY:

1) Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts! Room tour, evacuation procedures, classroom rules, materials needed

2) Media Center Visit for id's and passwords

WEDNESDAY:

1) CEF and materials reminder

2) WNB Rubrics model and overview

3) Bring 3 prompts for Writer's Notebooks for Friday

THURSDAY:

1) Personal Questions Powerpoint

2) Blog Tour and Scavenger Hunt

FRIDAY:

*Student and parent surveys due
*Classroom Policies due
*3 prompts due

1) More on WNBs -- Read "What is a Writer's NB, Anyway?"

2) WNB #1: "One thing I wish my parents/teachers knew about me..." and share

3) Blog Hunt results...

Writer's Notebooks

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!!!!

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

Grading:

A: All entries are present. Entries are complete, legible and thoughtful.

B: Most entries are present. Entries are complete, legible and thoughtful.

C: Several entries are missing or incomplete. Some entries are illegible or not well thought out.

D or below: Half or more entries are missing or incomplete.

1st Quarter WNB Prompts:

WNB #1: One thing I wish my parents/teachers knew or understood about me is...

WNB #2: Pre-writing/drafting for Name Jerseys.

WNB #3: I lost...

WNB #4: Draw a tree, and on each leaf and/or each branch, write a word or phrase that reflects your personality.

WNB #5:

WNB #6:

WNB #7:

WNB #8:

Parker's poems...

Magnetic Poetry:

Whisper Wing

We Exagerate
Create
Destroy
Butterfly
She Turns
Whispers
Summer Helps
Wing Whispers
She Whispers

Diamante:

Hate
Ugly, Faceless
Demeaning, Loathing, Despising
Violent, Dangerous, Clash, Lasting
Friendly, Adoring, Holding
Beautiful, Lively
Love

Max's Magnetic Poem

I Nibble on the chimichanga,
And taste the warm sauce,
the wild cream squeezes & wiggles as I inspect its delicious qualities,
melon pies lay with jelly,
delicious bananas glisten with taste off my tongue,
As I sit in the downtown diner...

Kayla's Magnetic Poem

wish that the winter will

whisper wild with their song because

they see white snow under your love

FINAL AGENDA: JUNE 2-6

Focus: Graduation Speeches and Poetry

Notes:

*Summer Reading Program Presentation 7th hour on Tuesday
*Graduation practice and locker clean out 7th hour on Friday
*Early Release schedule on Friday
*Heise Hot Springs trip on Monday, June 9 - students will need to bring $10 for this
*8th Grade Graduation at 6:30 on Monday, June 9
*Textbooks due on Wednesday. Students will be fined if they are not turned in by Friday.

Weekly Homework:

*Create an original oxymoron and bring to class
*Study for Poetry exam

MONDAY: ALL ENRICHMENT CREDIT DUE TODAY!!!
Finish graduation speeches
Enrichment credit presentations
Limericks and haikus

TUESDAY:
Final leftover speeches
Lyric and narrative poems

WEDNESDAY: TEXTBOOKS DUE!
Sonnets and Sestinas
Share oxymorons
Poetry review

THURSDAY:
Poetry Exam

FRIDAY: FINAL DEADLINE FOR TEXTBOOKS WITHOUT FINE!
Correct Poetry Exam together
Take home - Day Book, WNB, Writing Portfolios

AGENDA MAY 26-30

Focus: Graduation Speeches

Notes:

*NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY 26th - MEMORIAL DAY

*Homework Help Tuesday after school

*Bronx Roundtable Discussion May 29th at lunch

*Talent Show 12:30-2:30 Friday May 30th at JHHS

*FINAL POETRY EXAM ON JUNE 5

Weekly Homework:
Practice your speech outside of class two times - once in front of a mirror and once for a friend or parent.

Tuesday: FINAL SPEECH WORK DAY
Complete:

-sign up for days
-read grading rubric
-finish Powerpoint
-draft note cards
-practice

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY:
GRADUATION SPEECHES!!!

"Starting the Day" by Andrew Deslauriers

talk
meet
discuss
define life
is this all we do
why not sit still
and go slow
for a change
find love
in simple things
and see
what happens

BRIDGER'S BRILLIANCE!!!

Love & War


TO THE WORLD...
More love and less war
Iraq and Darfur
Everyone not loving and always hating
Peace is definitely not what we are demonstrating
We should not be mad and all get along
The way we are living is really wrong
People shouldn't discriminate because of beliefs or race
These are just a few of the problems we face
Imagine the world all full of love
Everything would be nice like a hand in a glove
We would be able to take off and soar like a dove
So next time you are mad don't push and shove
Open up your heart and share the love...

AGENDA MAY 19-23

Foci: Poetry Terminology and Graduation Speech

Notes:

*Students will be taking the MAP Test in Language Usage all periods on Tuesday, May 20

*Homework Help Tuesday after school

*Enrichment Credit Finalization on Monday -- all enrichment credit is due June 2nd

*NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, MAY 26 for Memorial Day

*Talent Show is May 20 from 12:30-2:30

Weekly Homework:
Speech Outline is due on Friday
Bring photos, music, videos from home on flash drives for your Powerpoint

Students are compiling their graduation speeches this week, which will be given next week. They have found a quotation or anecdote to frame their speech around, and will be completing a structured outline, a written draft, and a Powerpoint Presentation. Students can bring tangible photos and data on flash drives to scan into their PPTs. The goal is to push Powerpoint skills by attempting more complex approaches such as layering slides, animation, graphics, including video clips, sound background, photo collages, etc. There is a lot of room for creativity here!!! Speeches should be about five minutes long. Please help your student practice for this!!!

MONDAY:
Powerpoint Making for Graduation Speech
Begin outlining speech

TUESDAY:
MAP TESTING ALL DAY

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY:
Draft Speeches

FRIDAY:
FINISHED SPEECH OUTLINE DUE!!!
Finish drafting
Peer Edit
Teacher conferencing on speeches

One more day after this to finish peer editing and finalizing on Tuesday. Speeches will be given next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

AGENDA MAY 12-16

Foci: Poetry Terminology and Public Speaking

Notes:
*All enrichment credit due by June 2
*Bronx Masquerade Roundtable Discussion will be held on Thursday, May 29 at lunch

Weekly Homework:
1) Read over graduation materials carefully. Consider the aspects of effective speeches.
2) Find a quote a a story to frame your graduation speech -- due Friday.
3) Write an original 'apostrophe poem.' Who could you address? What might you say? Use Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" to guide you.

MONDAY:
Introduce graduation speech project and review assignment guidelines
"Oranges" by Gary Soto (textbook pp. 408-409) and interpretation exercise

TUESDAY:
Watch performances on videotape from last week.
Identify strong and weak aspects of personal performance.
Review performance techniques.

WEDNESDAY:
"Mirror" and "Fish" by Sylvia Plath
Poetry Terminology
Dueling

THURSDAY:
Powerpoint Review and Practice in Media Center -- this is a required element of your graduation speech!!!

FRIDAY:
Share quotes and stories for speeches
Share apostrophe poems.
Bronx Selection

AGENDA MAY 5-9

Foci: The Harlem Renaissance & Performing Poetry

Notes:
*Mary Oliver will be speaking at Walk Festival Hall Thursday, May 8.
*WNB 17-25 due on Friday, May 9
*Bronx Masquerade Roundtable Discussion will be held on Thursday, May 29 at lunch
*All 4th Quarter Enrichment Options must be complete by June 2
*Poetry Performances Wednesday and Thursday
*Post PAWS Pizza Party Wednesday (Periods 1 and 4)/Thursday (Periods 5 and 6) -- style="font-weight:bold;">STUDENTS NEED TO BRING MONEY FOR THIS BY TUESDAY!!!

Weekly Homework:
*Finish Society Poem (WNB 24)
*WNB due of Friday

Essential Questions:
*What are some of the main themes evident in Harlem Renaissance poetry?
*What are some effective ways to perform poetry?
*How is poetry a form of communication?

Monday:
Mini-Performance Workshop: Eye contact, gestures, intonation
Keep working on WNB 24 - we will share "Society Poems" on Friday

Tuesday:
Women of the Harlem Renaissance
"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou
Work with partners on annotation and final practice

Wednesday:
POETRY PERFORMANCES
P4 Party for Periods 1 and 4

Thursday:
POETRY PERFORMANCES
P4 Party for Periods 5 and 6

Friday:
***FINAL WNB DUE -- ENTRIES 17-25***
Share Society Poems (WNB 24)

Kat's Magnetic Poem

Kat 1st hour
Magnetic poem
Extra Credit

I wish of the storm to whisper
Peace to arrive at the summer window
Mad or gentle
Cry
Magic take who you want
Quiet sky
Fly
Grow Green
Laugh
Sing
Love
I wish of the storm to whisper

Shelly's Magnetic Poem

I race her in the rodeo, rope and ride.
She is a barrel horse, a beautiful chestnut mare.
We full trot bareback to the arena, then run across.
Always wild, fast and gentle.
Her mane and tail flying.
My girl has a white blaze and a buck.
So beautiful, loving. majestic, graceful, and willing.

AGENDA April 28-May 2

Homework from Friday: Found poems
Weekly Homework: Find your poem, get it approved, and begin memorizing it. Use list of suggestions.

Notes:
*April is National Poetry Month.
*On May 2nd, at the Center for the Arts, student work from our 3rd Quarter Belief Project will be displayed. Some students will read their poems and essays. You will receive postcard invitations in the mail. Event is from 4:30-6:30. PLEASE COME to support our students!!!
*Students need to bring money for Post-PAWS-Pizza-Party. Party is May 7th for periods 1&4 and May 8th for periods 5&6.
*Final WNB due on May 9 (entries 17-25)
*Wednesday is a late arrival day. Students come at 9:40. Periods 1-4 only that day.
*Poetry Alive on Wednesday April 30: 1:40-2:25.
*Mary Oliver will be speaking at Walk Festival Hall on May 8. Free tickets available at Teton County Library with valid library card.
*Remember 4th Quarter Enrichment options. See me with your choices.

Essential Questions
➢ What was the Harlem Renaissance?
➢ How does poetry reflect and preserve culture?
➢ Can poetry function as resistance/revolution?

April 28
Share found poems
Introduce PHASE ONE OF SPEAKING AND LISTENING: Memorize and perform a poem – performances are May 7 and 8 – work with a partner. This partner will be your support figure, your debate partner, and your main student grader. Final performance grades will be averaged – partner grade, self grade, teacher grade.
*Distribute Assignment guidelines and grading rubric
*Distribute list of poets as suggestions
Weekly Homework: Find your poem, get it approved, and begin memorizing it

Poetry Selection:
Langston Hughes – Weary Blues, Dreams, and Theme for English B
Countee Cullen – Harlem Shadows and A Song of Praise
Bronx Masquerade Selction: Doubtless p. 118
*Terms: allusion, personification, simile, metaphor, extended metaphor, symbol

April 29
Read Aloud: Bronx Masquerade selection: Black Box p. 84 and For The Record p. 79
WNB 24: What bothers you about society or your position in it? What does it look like? How do you confront it? How can you conquer or resolve your conflict with it?
Now: Create a poem from your responses in WNB 24

April 30
LATE ARRIVAL DAY
POETRY ALIVE 1:40-2:25
Administrivia – check in with kids on poems

May 1
Read Aloud: Bronx Masquerade Selection
NLR: Mini-performance workshop: Eye contact, gestures, intonation
Writing Workshop: Finish and share Society Poems
*Sparker – Maya Angelou – Still I Rise

May 2
Bring poems to class for approval/pick partners

Poetry Selection: Women of the H.R.
Jessie Redmond Fauset
Gwendolyn Bennett
Mae Cowdrey

Collaborative Annotation

*HW for Monday: Annotate your poem and bring it to class on Monday.

MAGNETIC POETRY!!!

Remember -- posting your magnetic poem is one of your 4th quarter E.C. options. Post it to the top of this page and INCLUDE A TITLE AND YOUR NAME!!! See magnetic poetry link on right side of page.

AGENDA APRIL 21-25

WELCOME BACK!!! Hope everyone had an excellent vacation!!!

Notes:
*Homework Help Tuesday after school
*Get binders ready for Poetry/Speech Unit
*April is National Poetry Month!!!
*R.A.P. Sign-up Deadline is April 27. Visit Teton County Library or call 733-2164 ext. 103
*Post PAWS Pizza Party - May 7 (1st and 4th) & 8 (5th and 6th). Students need to bring contributions to party organizers.

Weekly Homework: WNB 21 (See below)


Unit Focus Skills:

➢ Creating imagery
➢ Using literary techniques
➢ Poetry terminology
➢ Classification of Poems
➢ Dueling and debate
➢ Annotating Poetry
➢ Targeting an audience
➢ Memorizing and reciting
➢ Analyzing poetry
➢ Speaking and listening for different purposes
➢ Instructing an audience

***Enrichment credit options: These serve as your 4th quarter extra credit options and can be completed at any point before June 2nd.***

1)Participate in R.A.P. Sign up deadline is April 27. Visit Teton County Library for details. (30 points)

2)Post your magnetic poem on our blog (15 points)

3)Post comments (5 THOUGHTFUL, INTERESTING RESPONSES required) to the magnetic poems posted on our blog. YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND POST IN THE CORRECT PLACE FOR CREDIT. (15 points)

4)Read Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes and attend a roundtable discussion (time T.B.A.) (30 points)

5)Close poet study. Read and annotate ten poems by the same author. Write two pages of overview on poet’s life and work. Attend guidance sessions (twice during lunch). (30 points)

6)Find one revolutionary, contemporary poet. Perform two of his/ her poems for the class and give a short overview of her/his life and works. (30 points)

7)Podcast your graduation speech and drop it into Open Access Folder: Flammang JHMS Graduation Speeches (15 points)


Essential Questions

➢ What is poetry?
➢ How is poetry a form of communication?
➢ Why does poetry survive?

April 21
Web Graffiti: React to the book you read over spring break – write the title, author, and describe the mood, tone, and theme

Discussion of graffiti we wrote

WNB 21: Answer the questions below about your novel.

For homework: Then create a well-crafted 2-3 paragraph summary of your novel incorporating these answers.

1) Describe the protagonist of your book. What did she/he want? Did he/she get it? Was there an antagonist?

2) What was the main conflict of your book. How did the climax and resolution of your novel deal with it?

3) Why did the author write this book? What kind of audience was he/she targeting? What was the main theme of the piece?

4) Would you recommend this novel to someone else? Why or why not? If so, for what type of audience/individual would it be most appropriate?

Administrivia:
*Return papers
*Announce RAP POETRY SIGN-UP (remind as one of 4th quarter e.c. options)
*plan P4: Post-PAWS-Pizza-Party – MAY 7 and 8. Delegate students to collect money and set up order and ambiance.
*Weekly HW: WNB 21
*4th and 6th: Finish Poster Project Presentations

AGENDA MARCH 31- APRIL 4

Focus: Disability Poster Project

Notes:

*Homework Help on Tuesday after school

*Greg Mortenson, author of Pennies for Peace, will be at JHHS on Wednesday, April 2nd. 8th Graders will attend his speech 6th and 7th periods that day.

*Quarter 3 Recognition is on Friday, April 4th at the Rec. Center from 12:45-2:15. Remember to send swimsuits with your kids if they plan to swim.

Weekly Homework:

Over Spring Break, students need to read a novel that has been recommended to them by another student, teacher, parent, etc. They will be asked to respond in writing to this piece after break. Homework for this week is to decide on a book, check it out, and begin reading.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY:
Work on assembling posters and creating hooks for presentations.

WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY:
Poster Project Presentations

THURSDAY:
WNB #20 and share: Write a letter to a future teenager -- one who will be your age now in 10 years! What advice can you offer? What warnings are necessary?
Check out/begin reading Spring Break selection

QUARTER 3 REFLECTION

Directions: Respond to the questions below in a typed Word document. PLEASE DOUBLE SPACE. You need to write 3-4 sentences or more for each question. Make sure your paper has the proper heading: name, class, date, assignment.

QUARTER 3 REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1) Look back at the goals you set for 3rd Quarter. Which ones have you achieved? Which ones are you still working on?

2) How are you feeling as you prepare to transition to high school? Are you ready? Academically? Socially? Emotionally? Be honest. What are you excited about? What are you nervous about?

3) As we enter 4th Quarter, what skills do you feel are most important for you to review and practice before graduation?

4) How have you changed from the beginning of this school year to the end of this school year?

5) Comment on how our visitors have influenced you this quarter: Kati, Molly, the community forum, Tamora Pierce.

6) How has your writing improved over the course of this year so far? Be specific. What still needs to improve in this area?

7) Reflect on our major projects this quarter: Belief Project, Literature Circles, PAWS preparation. What did you gain from these? How could they be improved?

8) What advice would you offer to incoming 8th Grade students?

AGENDA MARCH 17-21

Foci: PAWS Writing and Literature Circles

Notes:

*PAWS TESTING MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK - kids can bring food and books to read after their testing.

*Friday, March 21 is the end of the quarter. All missing work and extra credit for third quarter (see below) must be in by WEDNESDAY!!!

Weekly Homework:

*Finish Literature Circle books

*Prepare roles for Lit. Circles

MONDAY & TUESDAY:

PAWS WRITING TESTING

WEDNESDAY:
Formal Literature Circle Meeting #4
-Roles
-Questionnaire
-Predict ending of novel

THURSDAY:
Formal Literature Circle Meeting #5
-Roles
-Discuss novel's resolution
-Finalize folders
-plan to present to class on disability from your book/prepare posters

FRIDAY:
Quarter 3 Reflection in iMac lab

Extra Credit Opportunities for 3rd Quarter:

1) Complete podcast and drop it into Open Access Folder: Flammang Final Podcasts

2) Submit work to Wyoming Young Authors Project (deadline is March 14).

3) Submit work to JHMS Literary Magazine - drop into Open Access Folder: Flammang - Lit. Mag. Submissions.

4) Submit Belief Essay to NPR - parent permission needed.

5) Participate in Tamora Pierce's 'Fantasy Writing Workshop' (March 13).

AGENDA MARCH 10-14

Foci: Literature Circles and PAWS Practice

Notes:

*Thanks for attending conferences! It was great to see such a fabulous turnout!

*Young Authors deadline is Friday, March 14

*Formal Lit. Circle meetings this Tuesday and Thursday

*Tamora Pierce will be holding a fantasy writing workshop 7th period this Thursday, March 13. All 8th graders are welcome to attend.

*Homework Help Tuesday after school

*Quarter 3 ends on March 21

*PAWS begins on March 24

Weekly Homework:
*Research your book's disability further.

*Write a 2-chunk paragraph explaining your findings. Use a topic sentence and concluding sentence.

*Lit. Circle reading and role preparation

MONDAY:
-PAWS reading practice
-Finish Daybook pp. 103-106

TUESDAY:
Formal Lit. Circle Meeting #2

WEDNESDAY:

Review homophones, lit. terms, and commas

THURSDAY:
Formal Lit. Circle Meeting #3

FRIDAY:
Punctuation review: semicolons, colons, dashes

AGENDA MARCH 3-6

Foci: Literature Circles and PAWS Practice

Notes:

*NO SCHOOL THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 7!!!*

*Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.*

*NO HOMEWORK HELP THIS WEEK because of PT Conferences.*

*Wyoming Young Authors submission deadline is March 14. Students can submit poems, essays, and stories. See me for details and submission forms.*

*Third Quarter ends on March 21 -- Quarterly Recognition is scheduled for that afternoon.*

*PAWS Testing begins on March 24.*

Weekly Homework:

1) Literature Circle reading and role preparation

2) Research the disability your book addresses - find 3 facts about your topic

3) Add three new vocab. words from your lit. circle novel to your vocab. list. Record their definitions, three synonyms, one antonym, and use each word in a sentence.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY:

Book Fair talks with Ms. Swiggum

Check out Literature Circle books from Media Center

Meet your groups

Set reading schedule

Get roles and make predictions

WEDNESDAY:

WNB 18: PAWS Writing Practice Round 2

PAWS Writing Rubric

Read and prepare roles

THURSDAY:

Literature Circle Meeting #1

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY!!!

Weekend Homework:

Read and prepare roles for Literature Circles

AGENDA FEBRUARY 25-29

Foci: Belief Project Wrap-Up and What is a Literature Circle?

Notes: No School Friday, March 7 (next Friday)

***If students would like to bring small tokens of appreciation to present to Kati and Molly in thanks for their work, have them ready for Wednesday.***

NO WEEKLY HOMEWORK THIS WEEK


MONDAY:
Community Forum 8:45-10:15
Catch-up periods: 4,5,6

TUESDAY:
All Belief Project work must be in and on display boards by today: collage, poem, essay!!!
Web Quest - Vocabulary Games
Apostrophe Practice

WEDNESDAY:
Belief Project Celebration with Mrs. Hoelscher's classes and Molly and Kati!!!

THURSDAY:
Mrs. Swiggum (media center director) will be here introducing our Literature Circle novel selections. Students will vote according to interest, and be grouped according to preference. These groups will function as 3rd and 4th quarter base groups. The theme for our Literature Circles is disability/disease/handicap. We will be exploring the realities and practical implications of autism, leukemia, muteness, cerebral palsy, and blindness, as presented in these works. This project will span five weeks. The selections include:

1. Al Capone Does my Shirts by Jennifer Coldenko

2. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

4. Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

5. Touch the Top of the World by Erik Weihenmayer

FRIDAY:
Begin Literature Circles
Meet your group

WEEKEND HOMEWORK:
Begin your reading according to group schedule and prepare your discussion sheets according to roles.

Outsiders Skits

AGENDA: February 19-22

Foci: Beliefs, Values, and Self Image

Notes:

*The Community Forum will be held on Monday, Feb. 25th from 8:45-10:15. This is the culminating event of our Belief Project. All 8th Graders will attend.

*NO SCHOOL on Friday, March 7

Weekly Homework:

*Generate a list of questions that you would like to pose the community panel. What burning questions do have that you want answers for? Remember the theme of the Belief Manifesto project is to uncover personal beliefs. We started this project with the most basic questions: Who are you? What do you want? What are you willing to work for? The members of the panel will include a writer, a children’s lawyer and advocate, a bilingual high school student, a police chief and a recent college graduate. Submit a list of at least six questions and include which panel member you would most like to answer your question. Due on Friday!

As you complete your belief essay, consider the following advice from Kati:

1) Beliefs are something we can make choices towards.
2) Good writing has good rhythm. Read your work out loud to yourself to find words that need clarification or rewording.
3) Don’t be afraid to go “in scene.” Use dialogue and specifics when needed.
4) Sentence fragments are generally not a helpful tool for readers. To create voice and style with punctuation-- use colons, semicolons, dashes and commas.

TUESDAY& WEDNESDAY
Collage assembly and gluing
Complete Belief Essay

THURSDAY
Final Draft of Belief Essay due!!!
Finalize collage
Final 1-1 Conferencing with Kati

FRIDAY
*PANEL QUESTIONS DUE!!!*
Celebration!!! Share poems and essays!

WEEK 24: February 11-15

Foci: Beliefs, Values, Goals, Self Image

Notes:
*NO SCHOOL next Monday, February 18
*Community Forum is set for February 25 from 8:45-10:15
*Please note important due dates this week!!

Weekly Homework:

1) Remember to bring shoe box of memorabilia in on Tuesday.

2) Spend one hour out of class working on your belief essay. Focus on word choice and organization of ideas.


MONDAY:
Begin drafting belief essay. One on one help from Kati.
Isolate a phrase or collection of words to incorporate into your "Inside Out Portrait."

TUESDAY:
FINAL POEM DRAFT DUE!!!
Color theory and color palette with Molly.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY:
WNB 6-16 DUE on WEDNESDAY!!!
Collage work with Kati

FRIDAY:
BELIEF ESSAY DRAFT 1 DUE!!!
Collage layout and assembly

WEEK 23 AGENDA: FEBRUARY 4-8

Foci: Beliefs, Values, and Personal Goals

Notes:

*Wednesday is a late arrival day for students -- students will come to school at 9:40 and report to their 1st period class

*The Spelling Bee will be held at 1:20 on Wednesday, February 6

Weekly Homework:
Find an example of a person (alive or from history) who is a good example of standing up for her/his personal beliefs. You could research them on the internet or in the library. In your WNB, write 2-3 solid paragraphs about why this person is an inspiration to you.

MONDAY:
Belief Game with Kati

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY:
Belief Poem Workshop and revision

THURSDAY:
Essay Idea Generation
FRIDAY:
Begin drafting essays

WEEK 21 AGENDA: JANUARY 28-FEBRUARY 1

Focus: PERSONAL BELIEFS, VALUES, and GOALS
As we continue to work on the pARTners Project, students will begin to explore in depth their personal beliefs, values, and goals for the future. Major steps of this project -- led by Molly Armour (visual artist) and Kati Standefer (writer) -- include:

1) Dream Board Generation
2) Belief Poems
3) 3-Dimensional Inside Out Portrait
4) Expository Essay
5) Podcasting

Notes:

-Homework Help is this Tuesday after school

-Quarter 2 Reflections due on Tuesday -- questions are on blog 1 post down

-By February 11, students need to have a digital image imported to classroom computer, and a shoebox of personal memorabilia ready


Weekly Homework:

Click on the hyperlink to the right: NPR - This I Believe Essays

Task:

1) Listen to TWO "This I Believe" essays.

2) Complete a T-Chart of concrete details and commentary

Monday:
Finish Dream Boards and share with the class

Tuesday:
***QUARTER 2 REFLECTION DUE!!!***
Belief Poem Generation with Kati

Wednesday:
Draft poem

Thursday:
Belief Poem Workshop with Kati

Friday:
Revise and print Belief Poems - due at the end of class