Language Arts 8
Click here for the Studysync login.
Click here for the Sparta Middle School Library hours.
Click here for the vocab quiz schedule.
Click here for the MP4 Independent Reading Record, a.k.a. your homework.
Click here for the Rickrolled Project.
Every week:
NOTE: From now until the end of May, students will present their book talks. This must be done by the end of May to receive full credit for the book talk. The sign-up calendar is in the classroom.
Week of 6-4
M: 1st hour does not meet today.
4th hour - Take the final exam.
5th hour - Review for the final exam.
T: 1st hour - Make you "Lost Puppy" flyer.
4th hour does not meet today.
5th hour - Take the final exam.
W: Go to Michigan's Adventure and read your novel on a roller coaster.
R: Half-day. Take your assessment portfolio home. Make your "Lost Puppy" poster.
F: Half-day and the last day of school.
Week of 5-28
M: No school today
T: Read "Lost Puppy" by Simon Rich. Create your own lost puppy flyer.
W: 1st hour - Practice and review Vocab 10-18, capital letters, and commas.
4th and 5th hours - Class does not meet today because of 8th grade recognition practice. If you are here, use this time to make up
missing assignments.
R: 1st hour - Review for the final exam.
4th and 5th hours -
F: 1st hour - Take the final exam.
4th hour - Review for the final exam.
5th hour does not meet today.
Week of 5-21
M: Take the capital letter quiz. Read and analyze "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.
T: Substitute teacher today. Complete Point of View 1 and Point of View 2.
W: Substitute teacher today. Complete Imagery 1 and Imagery 2.
R: Take the spelling rules quiz. Finish reading and analyzing "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the STAR reading test to determine your reading progress. Click here for directions. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 5-14
M: Take the practice capital letter quiz. Spelling rules: The doubling rule, pages 17-22. Click here for the whole spelling rules packet.
T: Substitute teacher today. Spelling rules: The silent e rule, pages 24-29.
W: Spelling rules: The final y rule, pages 31-36. Click here for the three spelling rules on one page.
R: Do connotation/denotation and vocab enrichment sheets.
F: Half day today. Turn in your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 5-7
M: Read and analyze "B" by Sarah Kay. Click here for a copy of the poem. Click here for a link to the author reciting her poem.
T: Review and practice capital letters with proper nouns and proper adjectives.
W: Read and analyze "Ain't I a Woman" by Sojourner Truth. (Studysync)
R: Take a practice quiz on capital letters. Read your novel in the library.
F: Fill out your reading record. Read and analyze an excerpt from "The Life of Olaudah Equiano" by Olaudah Equiano.
Week of 4-30
M: Introduce Vocab 18. The quiz is on Thursday. Introduce book talks. Click here for the book talk presentation score sheet.
T: Do a quick-write. Review capital letter usage.
W: Listen to and analyze "Who Can You Save?" from the "Morality" episode of Radiolab. Click here for the script.
R: Take the Vocab 18 quiz.
F: Read and analyze "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Practice capital letters with a letter to Cinderella.
Week of 4-23
M: Introduce Vocab 17.
T: Add characterization to your narrative essay.
W: Add useful details and sensory language to your narrative essay. Click here for a link to a video about description and sensory language. Create a title for your narrative essay. Type your narrative essay.
R: Participate in a group revising activity for your narrative essay. Make your final revisions and type your narrative essay.
F: Fill out your reading record. Review MLA format for your narrative essay. Take the Vocab 17 quiz. Print your narrative essay, label it, and turn it in. Read your novel.
Week of 4-16
M: Snow day
T: Fill out yor reading record for week 1 (if you didn't already). Introduce Vocab 16.
W-R: Write your narrative essay. Click here for a copy of the narrative essay point sheet.
F: Turn in your reading record. Take the Vocab 16 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 4-9
M: M-STEP practice
T-R: M-STEP testing
F: Fill out your reading record and read your novel. (Or finish the M-STEP if you need to.)
--------------- Spring Break ---------------
Week of 3-26
M: Watch the required M-STEP tutorial videos. Click here for the link.
T: Review vocab for the M-STEP. Discuss narrative essay format. Read and analyze "Food for Thought" by Dave Barry and "Dearly Disconnected" by Ian Frazier.
W: Practice identifying gerunds, participles, and infinitives (verbals).
R: Spring break. See you April 9.
Week of 3-19
M: Introduce Vocab 15.
T: Take the STAR reading test to determine your reading progress. Click here for directions.
W: Write Childhood - Journal 3.
R: Write Childhood - Journal 4.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 15 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 3-12
M: Introduce Vocab 14
T: Use visualization as you complete Childhood - Journal 1.
W: Introduce and practice using showing in your writing. Click here for the Simpsons video we used in class. In your writing notebook: Does Homer really want to buy an electric car? Does Homer care about the environment? How can you tell?
R: Practice using "show, don't tell" in your writing. Complete Childhood - Journal 2.
F: Fill out your reading record and turn it in. Take the Vocab 14 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 3-5
M: Introduce Vocab 13.
T: Review "Think Question #2" from "A Celebration of Grandfathers. Complete the Point-of-View assignment from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Studysync.)
W: Snow day
R: Introduce the elements of a narrative essay. Read and analyze "Tricked" by David Sedaris.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 13 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 2-26
M: Complete the main idea assignment for "A Celebration of Grandfathers" by Rudolfo Anaya (Studysync).
T-W: Read and analyze an excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Studysync).
W: Complete The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain point-of-view lesson in Studysync.
R: Sub today. Quick-write and vocab review.
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 2-19
M: Introduce Vocab 12
T-R: Read and analyze "A Celebration of Grandfathers" by Rudolfo Anaya (Studysync). Submit "Think Question #2" using the RACE strategy.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 12 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 2-12
M: Take the Vocab 10 quiz. Fill out your reading record from last week. Practice using commas correctly.
T: Introduce Vocab 11.
W-R: Read and analyze an excerpt from Abuela Invents the Zero by Judith Ortiz Cofer (Studysync).
F: Fill out your reading record and turn it in. Take the Vocab 11 quiz. read your novel.
Week of 2-5
M: Introduce Vocab 10.
T: Finish your research project presentation. If you need a voice recorder, try the "Recorder Plus" app or online-voice-recorder.com.
W-R: Review plot.
F: Snow day. We were going to... Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 10 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 1-29
M: Take notes for your research presentation. Click here for the Research Note-Taking Packet.
T: Review text structure. Click here for the text structure Power Point. Organize your information and plan your research presentation. Click here for the research presentation point sheet.
W: Write the script for your research presentation.
R: Create the slideshow for your research presentation. Use Google Slides or whatever app you want to. Include a "Works Cited" page following MLA format as the last slide of your presentation. Share your presentation slide show with me at [email protected]. Click here for the research presentation point sheet.
F: Fill out your reading record for week 2 and turn it in. Practice using commas correctly. Read your novel.
Week of 1-22
M-T: Introduce and explain the independent reading records and book talks. Practice taking notes for your research. (Include source information, main ideas, and important details. Write caveman style.) Click here for the model text about Egypt by Larry Gonick.
W-F: Pick a research topic, generate research questions, and take notes on what you learn as you do your research. Click here for the Research Note-Taking Packet.
F: Take notes for your research presentation. Fill out your independent reading record. Read your novel in the library.
*************************** End of Semester 1 ***************************
Week of 1-15
M: Review for the midterm exam. Analyze a political cartoon.
Exam Schedule:
1st Hour - Tuesday
4th Hour - Wednesday
5th Hour - Thursday (Half-day)
F: Read your novel in the library. (Half-day)
Week of 1-8
M: Review and practice identifying and writing in active or passive voice. Fill out your reading record. Read your novel.
T-W: How to do research, as modeled by Starlee Kine in "Mystery ShowCase #3: Belt Buckle." Click here for a link to the show.
R: Use credible sources and in-text citations to write a two-sentence research report. Get a copy of the midterm benchmark exam study guide.
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for the second marking period. Share your two-sentence research report through Socrative.com. Analyze an infographic. Click here for the infographic. Click here for the infographic question sheet.
Week of 1-3
W: Hand back and discuss your argumentative essays. Review and practice identifying sentence moods: indicative, imperative, conditional, and subjunctive.
R: Practice identifying sentence moods: indicative, imperative, conditional, and subjunctive.
F: Snow day.
Week of 12-18
M: Read and analyze "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (Studysync).
T: School was cancelled today.
W: Analyze reasons and evidence in "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Bartoletti (Studysync).
R-F: Christmas break. See you on January 3rd. :)
Week of 12-11
M: Introduce Vocab 9
T: Read and analyze an excerpt from "The Diary of Anne Frank" (Studysync).
W: Sub today. Complete a lesson and practice sheets on irony.
R: Analyze informational text elements in "The Diary of Anne Frank" (Studysync).
R: Review (introduce?) and practice identifying sentence moods: indicative, imperative, conditional, and subjunctive.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 9 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 12-4
M: Introduce Vocab 8.
T: Make-up time for your argumentative essay or time to read your novel in the library. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
W: Analyze author's purpose and point of view in "Violence in the Movies" (Studysync).
R: Practice commas. Review irony.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 8 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-27
M: Write the second and third paragraphs of your argumentative essay. This is the body or middle. Each paragraph should focus on one reason/argument and its support. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
T: Write the fourth paragraph of your argumentative essay. This is still the body or middle. This paragraph should focus on and respond to a single counterargument or reason that people might disagree with your opinion/thesis/claim. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
W: Write the ending paragraph for your argumentative essay. This paragraph should complete your essay by supporting your arguments and reminding the reader why your opinion matters. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
R: Review the argumentative essay point sheet and your writing goal for the semester and revise your argumentative essay accordingly. Type your finished argumentative essay in Word or Google Docs. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
F: Print, label, and turn in your argumentative essay. Click here for the argumentative essay point sheet which will help you label and check your essay before you turn it in. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-20
M: Write an opinion statement (the thesis or claim) for your argumentative essay. Analyze the arguments in "Violence in the Movies" in Studysync. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
T: Write the introductory paragraph for your argumentative essay. Research to find support for your reasons/arguments in your argumentative essay. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
W: Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-13
M-T: Introduce argumentative writing. Read and analyze "Violence in the Movies" in Studysync.
W: Explore topics and conduct initial research for your argumentative essay. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
R: Pick a topic and a position on that topic (your thesis or claim) and write reasons for and against that position. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 7 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-6 NOTE: No vocab quiz this week. I had to revise the vocab schedule.
M: Review Vocab 4 to 6. Introduce Vocab 7. Get your new reading record. Be reminded to finish your "Novels I Want to Read" list.
T-R: Read and analyze "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe in Studysync. Review STAR reading test scores.
F: Fill out your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-30
M: Use R.A.C.E. to answer the "Think"questions for an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
T-W: Read and annotate "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe in Studysync. Complete a story map and discuss the narrator.
R: Listen to and analyze "The Ethics of Jokes" by Garrison Keillor. Click here for the question sheet.
F: Take the STAR reading test. Look for good, challenging novels and add them to your "Novels I Want to Read" list. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-23
M: Introduce Vocab 6.
T: Read an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
W: Analyze and cite information from an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
R: Turn in your writing notebook and your reading record and reflections for marking period 1. Use R.A.C.E. to answer the "Think"questions for an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
F: Fill out your reading record and write a three-minute reflection on what you read this week. Take the Vocab 6 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-16
M: Introduce Vocab 5.
T: Practice subject & predicate. Take a practice subject & predicate quiz.
W: Read and analyze "Sorry, Wrong Number" in Studysync.
R: Take the subject & predicate quiz. Identify plot elements in "Sorry, Wrong Number."
F: Fill out your reading record and write a three-minute reflection on what you read this week. Take the Vocab 5 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-9
M: Introduce Vocab 4.
T: Practice subject & predicate. Finish first reading of "The Monkey's Paw."
W: Theme assignment.
R: Read "the Monkey's Paw" a second time, looking for the theme.
F: Fill out your reading record and write a three-minute reflection on what you read this week. Take the Vocab 4 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-2
M: Find details that create a mood of fear in "The Foreword to Night Shift" by Stephen KIng.
T: Practice identifying subject & predicate. Review descriptive writing and how to keep your writing notebook. Practice word-solving strategies.
W: Discuss imperialism, colonial India, and "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. "The Monkey's Paw" text is in Studysync.
R: Read "The Monkey's Paw" by Jacobs. (Studysync)
F: Review subject & predicate. Complete your reading log and reflection. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 9-25
M: Introduce Vocab 3.
T: Practice identifying subject and predicate.
Complete "Blast: Suspense!" (in Studysync) in class.
W-R: Read and analyze the arguments in "The Foreword to Night Shift" by Stephen KIng. Click here for the question sheet.
F: Take the Vocab 3 quiz. Fill out your reading record and write three-minute reflection on what you read this week.
Week of 9-18
M: Introduce Vocab 2.
T-W: Interview and observe another student and use the information you gather to write a one-page description of that student. Be sure to include useful and "golden" details. Introduce subject & predicate.
R: Review your STAR Reading Test results and set a reading goal for the 1st semester. Share your one-page description of another student in class and turn it in. Discuss and practice identifying subject & predicate.
F: Thirty-minute class today because of Unity Games. Take the Vocab 2 quiz. Fill out your reading record and write a reflection on your novel.
Week of 9-11
M: Introduce Vocab 1. (All of the vocab can be found at the "Quizlet & More" tab above.)
T: Begin the "Observation and Details" lesson.
W: 1) Take the STAR reading test. Click here for the directions. Click here for the link to the test.
2) Finish the library scavenger hunt.
3) Look for good, challenging novels and add them to your "Novels I'd Like to Read" list.
R: Turn in your library scavenger hunt sheet. Show me your "Novels I'd Like to Read" list with at least five challenging novels on it. Interview a student and write about them using what you learned from the "Observation and Details" lesson.
F: Take the Vocab 1 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 9-4-17
M: Labor Day
T: Discuss the syllabus.
W: Make a seating chart. Start the midterm pretest.
R: Finish the midterm pretest. Learn how to find good, challenging novels for independent reading.
F: Look for good, challenging novels and add them to your "Novels I'd Like to Read" list. Complete the library scavenger hunt sheet.
******************************************************************************
Click here for the Sparta Middle School Library hours.
Click here for the vocab quiz schedule.
Click here for the MP4 Independent Reading Record, a.k.a. your homework.
Click here for the Rickrolled Project.
Every week:
- Bring your novel to class to read every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Fill out your reading record in class each week on Friday.
- We will review grammar or do a quick-write for 10 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday.
NOTE: From now until the end of May, students will present their book talks. This must be done by the end of May to receive full credit for the book talk. The sign-up calendar is in the classroom.
Week of 6-4
M: 1st hour does not meet today.
4th hour - Take the final exam.
5th hour - Review for the final exam.
T: 1st hour - Make you "Lost Puppy" flyer.
4th hour does not meet today.
5th hour - Take the final exam.
W: Go to Michigan's Adventure and read your novel on a roller coaster.
R: Half-day. Take your assessment portfolio home. Make your "Lost Puppy" poster.
F: Half-day and the last day of school.
Week of 5-28
M: No school today
T: Read "Lost Puppy" by Simon Rich. Create your own lost puppy flyer.
W: 1st hour - Practice and review Vocab 10-18, capital letters, and commas.
4th and 5th hours - Class does not meet today because of 8th grade recognition practice. If you are here, use this time to make up
missing assignments.
R: 1st hour - Review for the final exam.
4th and 5th hours -
F: 1st hour - Take the final exam.
4th hour - Review for the final exam.
5th hour does not meet today.
Week of 5-21
M: Take the capital letter quiz. Read and analyze "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.
T: Substitute teacher today. Complete Point of View 1 and Point of View 2.
W: Substitute teacher today. Complete Imagery 1 and Imagery 2.
R: Take the spelling rules quiz. Finish reading and analyzing "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the STAR reading test to determine your reading progress. Click here for directions. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 5-14
M: Take the practice capital letter quiz. Spelling rules: The doubling rule, pages 17-22. Click here for the whole spelling rules packet.
T: Substitute teacher today. Spelling rules: The silent e rule, pages 24-29.
W: Spelling rules: The final y rule, pages 31-36. Click here for the three spelling rules on one page.
R: Do connotation/denotation and vocab enrichment sheets.
F: Half day today. Turn in your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 5-7
M: Read and analyze "B" by Sarah Kay. Click here for a copy of the poem. Click here for a link to the author reciting her poem.
T: Review and practice capital letters with proper nouns and proper adjectives.
W: Read and analyze "Ain't I a Woman" by Sojourner Truth. (Studysync)
R: Take a practice quiz on capital letters. Read your novel in the library.
F: Fill out your reading record. Read and analyze an excerpt from "The Life of Olaudah Equiano" by Olaudah Equiano.
Week of 4-30
M: Introduce Vocab 18. The quiz is on Thursday. Introduce book talks. Click here for the book talk presentation score sheet.
T: Do a quick-write. Review capital letter usage.
W: Listen to and analyze "Who Can You Save?" from the "Morality" episode of Radiolab. Click here for the script.
R: Take the Vocab 18 quiz.
F: Read and analyze "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Practice capital letters with a letter to Cinderella.
Week of 4-23
M: Introduce Vocab 17.
T: Add characterization to your narrative essay.
W: Add useful details and sensory language to your narrative essay. Click here for a link to a video about description and sensory language. Create a title for your narrative essay. Type your narrative essay.
R: Participate in a group revising activity for your narrative essay. Make your final revisions and type your narrative essay.
F: Fill out your reading record. Review MLA format for your narrative essay. Take the Vocab 17 quiz. Print your narrative essay, label it, and turn it in. Read your novel.
Week of 4-16
M: Snow day
T: Fill out yor reading record for week 1 (if you didn't already). Introduce Vocab 16.
W-R: Write your narrative essay. Click here for a copy of the narrative essay point sheet.
F: Turn in your reading record. Take the Vocab 16 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 4-9
M: M-STEP practice
T-R: M-STEP testing
F: Fill out your reading record and read your novel. (Or finish the M-STEP if you need to.)
--------------- Spring Break ---------------
Week of 3-26
M: Watch the required M-STEP tutorial videos. Click here for the link.
T: Review vocab for the M-STEP. Discuss narrative essay format. Read and analyze "Food for Thought" by Dave Barry and "Dearly Disconnected" by Ian Frazier.
W: Practice identifying gerunds, participles, and infinitives (verbals).
R: Spring break. See you April 9.
Week of 3-19
M: Introduce Vocab 15.
T: Take the STAR reading test to determine your reading progress. Click here for directions.
W: Write Childhood - Journal 3.
R: Write Childhood - Journal 4.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 15 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 3-12
M: Introduce Vocab 14
T: Use visualization as you complete Childhood - Journal 1.
W: Introduce and practice using showing in your writing. Click here for the Simpsons video we used in class. In your writing notebook: Does Homer really want to buy an electric car? Does Homer care about the environment? How can you tell?
R: Practice using "show, don't tell" in your writing. Complete Childhood - Journal 2.
F: Fill out your reading record and turn it in. Take the Vocab 14 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 3-5
M: Introduce Vocab 13.
T: Review "Think Question #2" from "A Celebration of Grandfathers. Complete the Point-of-View assignment from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Studysync.)
W: Snow day
R: Introduce the elements of a narrative essay. Read and analyze "Tricked" by David Sedaris.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 13 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 2-26
M: Complete the main idea assignment for "A Celebration of Grandfathers" by Rudolfo Anaya (Studysync).
T-W: Read and analyze an excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Studysync).
W: Complete The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain point-of-view lesson in Studysync.
R: Sub today. Quick-write and vocab review.
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 2-19
M: Introduce Vocab 12
T-R: Read and analyze "A Celebration of Grandfathers" by Rudolfo Anaya (Studysync). Submit "Think Question #2" using the RACE strategy.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 12 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 2-12
M: Take the Vocab 10 quiz. Fill out your reading record from last week. Practice using commas correctly.
T: Introduce Vocab 11.
W-R: Read and analyze an excerpt from Abuela Invents the Zero by Judith Ortiz Cofer (Studysync).
F: Fill out your reading record and turn it in. Take the Vocab 11 quiz. read your novel.
Week of 2-5
M: Introduce Vocab 10.
T: Finish your research project presentation. If you need a voice recorder, try the "Recorder Plus" app or online-voice-recorder.com.
W-R: Review plot.
F: Snow day. We were going to... Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 10 quiz. Read your novel.
Week of 1-29
M: Take notes for your research presentation. Click here for the Research Note-Taking Packet.
T: Review text structure. Click here for the text structure Power Point. Organize your information and plan your research presentation. Click here for the research presentation point sheet.
W: Write the script for your research presentation.
R: Create the slideshow for your research presentation. Use Google Slides or whatever app you want to. Include a "Works Cited" page following MLA format as the last slide of your presentation. Share your presentation slide show with me at [email protected]. Click here for the research presentation point sheet.
F: Fill out your reading record for week 2 and turn it in. Practice using commas correctly. Read your novel.
Week of 1-22
M-T: Introduce and explain the independent reading records and book talks. Practice taking notes for your research. (Include source information, main ideas, and important details. Write caveman style.) Click here for the model text about Egypt by Larry Gonick.
W-F: Pick a research topic, generate research questions, and take notes on what you learn as you do your research. Click here for the Research Note-Taking Packet.
F: Take notes for your research presentation. Fill out your independent reading record. Read your novel in the library.
*************************** End of Semester 1 ***************************
Week of 1-15
M: Review for the midterm exam. Analyze a political cartoon.
Exam Schedule:
1st Hour - Tuesday
4th Hour - Wednesday
5th Hour - Thursday (Half-day)
F: Read your novel in the library. (Half-day)
Week of 1-8
M: Review and practice identifying and writing in active or passive voice. Fill out your reading record. Read your novel.
T-W: How to do research, as modeled by Starlee Kine in "Mystery ShowCase #3: Belt Buckle." Click here for a link to the show.
R: Use credible sources and in-text citations to write a two-sentence research report. Get a copy of the midterm benchmark exam study guide.
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for the second marking period. Share your two-sentence research report through Socrative.com. Analyze an infographic. Click here for the infographic. Click here for the infographic question sheet.
Week of 1-3
W: Hand back and discuss your argumentative essays. Review and practice identifying sentence moods: indicative, imperative, conditional, and subjunctive.
R: Practice identifying sentence moods: indicative, imperative, conditional, and subjunctive.
F: Snow day.
Week of 12-18
M: Read and analyze "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (Studysync).
T: School was cancelled today.
W: Analyze reasons and evidence in "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Bartoletti (Studysync).
R-F: Christmas break. See you on January 3rd. :)
Week of 12-11
M: Introduce Vocab 9
T: Read and analyze an excerpt from "The Diary of Anne Frank" (Studysync).
W: Sub today. Complete a lesson and practice sheets on irony.
R: Analyze informational text elements in "The Diary of Anne Frank" (Studysync).
R: Review (introduce?) and practice identifying sentence moods: indicative, imperative, conditional, and subjunctive.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 9 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 12-4
M: Introduce Vocab 8.
T: Make-up time for your argumentative essay or time to read your novel in the library. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
W: Analyze author's purpose and point of view in "Violence in the Movies" (Studysync).
R: Practice commas. Review irony.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 8 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-27
M: Write the second and third paragraphs of your argumentative essay. This is the body or middle. Each paragraph should focus on one reason/argument and its support. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
T: Write the fourth paragraph of your argumentative essay. This is still the body or middle. This paragraph should focus on and respond to a single counterargument or reason that people might disagree with your opinion/thesis/claim. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
W: Write the ending paragraph for your argumentative essay. This paragraph should complete your essay by supporting your arguments and reminding the reader why your opinion matters. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
R: Review the argumentative essay point sheet and your writing goal for the semester and revise your argumentative essay accordingly. Type your finished argumentative essay in Word or Google Docs. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
F: Print, label, and turn in your argumentative essay. Click here for the argumentative essay point sheet which will help you label and check your essay before you turn it in. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-20
M: Write an opinion statement (the thesis or claim) for your argumentative essay. Analyze the arguments in "Violence in the Movies" in Studysync. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
T: Write the introductory paragraph for your argumentative essay. Research to find support for your reasons/arguments in your argumentative essay. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
W: Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-13
M-T: Introduce argumentative writing. Read and analyze "Violence in the Movies" in Studysync.
W: Explore topics and conduct initial research for your argumentative essay. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
R: Pick a topic and a position on that topic (your thesis or claim) and write reasons for and against that position. Click here for the argumentative essay packet.
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 7 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 11-6 NOTE: No vocab quiz this week. I had to revise the vocab schedule.
M: Review Vocab 4 to 6. Introduce Vocab 7. Get your new reading record. Be reminded to finish your "Novels I Want to Read" list.
T-R: Read and analyze "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe in Studysync. Review STAR reading test scores.
F: Fill out your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-30
M: Use R.A.C.E. to answer the "Think"questions for an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
T-W: Read and annotate "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe in Studysync. Complete a story map and discuss the narrator.
R: Listen to and analyze "The Ethics of Jokes" by Garrison Keillor. Click here for the question sheet.
F: Take the STAR reading test. Look for good, challenging novels and add them to your "Novels I Want to Read" list. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-23
M: Introduce Vocab 6.
T: Read an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
W: Analyze and cite information from an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
R: Turn in your writing notebook and your reading record and reflections for marking period 1. Use R.A.C.E. to answer the "Think"questions for an excerpt from Cujo by Stephen King (Studysync).
F: Fill out your reading record and write a three-minute reflection on what you read this week. Take the Vocab 6 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-16
M: Introduce Vocab 5.
T: Practice subject & predicate. Take a practice subject & predicate quiz.
W: Read and analyze "Sorry, Wrong Number" in Studysync.
R: Take the subject & predicate quiz. Identify plot elements in "Sorry, Wrong Number."
F: Fill out your reading record and write a three-minute reflection on what you read this week. Take the Vocab 5 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-9
M: Introduce Vocab 4.
T: Practice subject & predicate. Finish first reading of "The Monkey's Paw."
W: Theme assignment.
R: Read "the Monkey's Paw" a second time, looking for the theme.
F: Fill out your reading record and write a three-minute reflection on what you read this week. Take the Vocab 4 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 10-2
M: Find details that create a mood of fear in "The Foreword to Night Shift" by Stephen KIng.
T: Practice identifying subject & predicate. Review descriptive writing and how to keep your writing notebook. Practice word-solving strategies.
W: Discuss imperialism, colonial India, and "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. "The Monkey's Paw" text is in Studysync.
R: Read "The Monkey's Paw" by Jacobs. (Studysync)
F: Review subject & predicate. Complete your reading log and reflection. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 9-25
M: Introduce Vocab 3.
T: Practice identifying subject and predicate.
Complete "Blast: Suspense!" (in Studysync) in class.
W-R: Read and analyze the arguments in "The Foreword to Night Shift" by Stephen KIng. Click here for the question sheet.
F: Take the Vocab 3 quiz. Fill out your reading record and write three-minute reflection on what you read this week.
Week of 9-18
M: Introduce Vocab 2.
T-W: Interview and observe another student and use the information you gather to write a one-page description of that student. Be sure to include useful and "golden" details. Introduce subject & predicate.
R: Review your STAR Reading Test results and set a reading goal for the 1st semester. Share your one-page description of another student in class and turn it in. Discuss and practice identifying subject & predicate.
F: Thirty-minute class today because of Unity Games. Take the Vocab 2 quiz. Fill out your reading record and write a reflection on your novel.
Week of 9-11
M: Introduce Vocab 1. (All of the vocab can be found at the "Quizlet & More" tab above.)
T: Begin the "Observation and Details" lesson.
W: 1) Take the STAR reading test. Click here for the directions. Click here for the link to the test.
2) Finish the library scavenger hunt.
3) Look for good, challenging novels and add them to your "Novels I'd Like to Read" list.
R: Turn in your library scavenger hunt sheet. Show me your "Novels I'd Like to Read" list with at least five challenging novels on it. Interview a student and write about them using what you learned from the "Observation and Details" lesson.
F: Take the Vocab 1 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
Week of 9-4-17
M: Labor Day
T: Discuss the syllabus.
W: Make a seating chart. Start the midterm pretest.
R: Finish the midterm pretest. Learn how to find good, challenging novels for independent reading.
F: Look for good, challenging novels and add them to your "Novels I'd Like to Read" list. Complete the library scavenger hunt sheet.
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