Friday, October 24, 2008

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.

Monday, October 20, 2008

NARRATIVE TOPICS

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

Sunday, October 19, 2008

WEEK 8 AGENDA: OCTOBER 20-24

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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!*