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!!!