It's 3rd Quarter at JHMS!!! WEEK 20: JANUARY21-25

Focus: Beliefs and Values

Notes:

*Young Authors submissions are due on March 3rd. Guidelines are posted in classroom. Students who revise their latest short story or create a new one will be given enrichment credit.

*Book Bistro is enrolling new members. Consider joining as a great way to talk about books and earn enrichment credit for this class. See Mrs. Brumsted.

*All students should be reading at least three books outside of class per quarter and maintain a detailed Reading Log in WNB.

*Greg Mortensen, author of Three Cups of Tea will be addressing JHMS students on January 28th at 1:45 at the High School.

*Spelling Bee is February 6th and is a late arrival day--classes begin at 9:40.

*Parent Teacher Conferences are March 4th and 5th.

Weekly Homework:
Bring items that reflect your "CONCEPT OF SELF" for Belief Project. Some ideas include: special photographs, plane tickets, concert tickets, game tickets, awards, found objects, memorabilia, magazines.

Monday:
Finish Outsiders Movie and reflect on film vs. book

Tuesday: Partners Belief Project Begins with writer Katie Stanfeder and artist Molly Armour introducing Dream Boards. The Belief Poject will result in several finished products: an expository essay, a dream board, a belief poem and an inside-out protrait. The Project will culminate in a Community Panel that parents are welcome to attend on February 25th.

Wednesday & Thursday: Work on Dream Boards

Friday: Winter Carnival. We will be on an early release schedule.

OUTSIDERS ESSAY QUESTIONS

Directions:

Choose one question to answer (worth 30 points). You can answer two questions for your second quarter extra credit opportunity (worth 15 points extra). REMEMBER TO RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE PROMPT. Do not include unnecessary information. Be specific and focused as you write. It is a good idea to create a short list or outline before you begin. Length should be 3-5 paragraphs (about one page - DOUBLE SPACED).

Use these materials to help you: Outsiders novel, your notes and previous quizzes, reading packets, essay grading rubrics. Remember to use concrete details and commentary, topic and concluding sentences, and organize your essay. Make sure to proofread for spelling and grammatical errors when you finish. Finally, refine your word choice and sentence variation before you turn it in.

QUESTIONS:

1. Compare and contrast the Socs and the Greasers. Which gang is portrayed more favorably and how?

2. Compare and contrast Soda and Darry. Why are they both important to Ponyboy's development?

3. Is The Outsiders still relevant today? Why are students across the nation still reading this book? How do its themes span across time?

4. Do you think it is obvious that this novel is the first effort of a sixteen-year-old author? Support your answer with details from the book.

5. Comment on the novel's resolution. Is it complete? Does it satisfy the reader? Is anything missing?

6. What would you change about the novel and why? Be specific.

7. Analyze the symbolism in the novel. Ideas to focus on: Greasers' long hair, names of characters and gangs, Robert Frost poem, Gone With the Wind novel.

WEEK 19 AGENDA: JANUARY 14-18

Focus: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Notes:

*Friday is the end of second quarter. It is an Early Release Day. All missing work is due on Tuesday.

*MAP testing on Monday, January 21st. Students will take three 20 minutes MAP exams.

*Belief Project with PARTNERS will begin next Tuesday and span until February 19th. IT will culminate with a community forum on February 25th from 8:45-10:45.

*Spelling Bee is on February 6th.

*Winter Carnival and Early Release Day on Friday January 25th.

Homework:

Bring 1-2 QUALITY magazines to class by Friday to use for next week's belief collages.

MONDAY:
*Vocab. Story Due
*Quiz on Chapters 8-12
*Perceptions of Social Isolation - Who are the outsiders in your world? Describe and discuss a group of people wo are marginalized or left out of your world.

TUESDAY:
*OUTSIDERS READING PACKETS DUE!!!*
*Watch dramatic skits
*Closing Discussion - Novel Resolution, Symbolism, Lasting Impact

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY:
OUTSIDERS MOVIE/POPCORN PARTY!!!

WEEK 18 AGENDA: JANUARY 7-11

Focus: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Notes:

*Students are expected to stay up to date with the reading schedule and reading packet assignments, and be prepared for unannounced reading quizzes.

*Homework Help resumes this Tuesday after school from 2:45-3:45.

Weekly Homework:
*Read Chapters 5-12 by Friday
*Panic Poem

MONDAY:
*Discuss developments of Chapters 3&4: Emerging themes and character dynamics
*Open Mind Activity
*Read Chapter 5 and complete "Panic Poem" in Reading Packet for tomorrow.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:
BASE GROUPS: Share Panic Poems
Read Chapters 6 & 7 and plan skits with props

THURSDAY:
Performance Drama - Scene Re-enactments

FRIDAY:
Read 9-12 and begin Vocabulary Story

HOMEWORK FOR WEEKEND:
FINISH THE NOVEL!!!
Vocabulary Story due on Monday
***COMPLETED READING PACKETS DUE ON TUESDAY!!!***

WEEK 17 AGENDA: JANUARY 2-4

Focus: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Notes:

*Welcome Back!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!!!

*Remember to complete WNB #12: Reflections on Short Stories - What you did well and what you would like to improve on in your next big piece of writing ; and WNB #13: What are the biggest issues facing teens today?

*We will be reading The Outsiders over the next few weeks. Students are responsible for checking a copy out from the Media Center and returning it upon completion of the unit.

*A suggested reading schedule will be provided. Students are welcome to read ahead in the novel. Audio versions of the novel available upon request.

Homework:
1) Find one piece of information on the author and bring to class on Thursday for discussion.

2) DUE FRIDAY:
Chapters 1-2 completed &
HOTSEAT QUESTIONS

WEDNESDAY:
*Check out books from Media Center
*Read author info. and introduction together
*Silent reading

THURSDAY:
*Share info. on S.E. Hinton - WORD MURAL!!!
*Predict plot of novel
*Web Graffiti Discussion - Mood and Symbolism

FRIDAY:
*Chapters 1-2 due - ENTRY TICKET
*Open Mind Activity
*HOTSEAT QUESTIONS
*Silent reading - Chapters 3 and 4 due for Monday

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.