To search this page, press "Ctrl" + "G" or "F".
Click here for the vocabulary quiz schedule.
We will start class with a discussion of a model sentence on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
We will start class with a quick-write on most Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Weekly Agenda:
Week of 6-10
M-T: Do quick-writes in your writing notebook.
Week of 6-3
Take the STAR reading test this week to check your reading progress and to set a goal for the summer.
- Click here for STAR test directions.
- Click here for the STAR test link. (Or just go to the Sparta Middle School Links page.)
F: Turn in your final reading record. Discuss and practice avoiding false arguments.
R: Print and turn in your argumentative essay (page 24 of the argumentative essay packet).
W: Write the fourth paragraph (the response to a counterargument) and the fifth paragraph (the conclusion) of your argumentative essay (page 23 of the argumentative essay packet).
T: Write the second and third paragraphs of your argumentative essay. Each paragraph should focus on and support a single argument or reason (page 23 of the argumentative essay packet).
M: The Michigan's Adventure trip is today.
Week of 5-27
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 18 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Share your opinion statement (thesis/claim with reasons) in class. Write the first paragraph of your argumentative essay (pages 18 and 22 of the argumentative essay packet).
W: Develop your thesis/claim and collect evidence to support your arguments (pages 16-18 of the argumentative essay packet).
T: Introduce Vocab 18.
M: No school today
Week of 5-20
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record. Take the Vocab 17 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Develop your reasons/arguments related to your topics, then choose the topic you will will use for your argumentative essay (pages 12-15 of the argumentative essay packet).
W: 8th grade recognition practice or make-up time.
T: Pick a couple possible topics for your argumentative essay, page 11 of the argumentative essay packet.
M: Introduce Vocab 17. Discuss argumentative essay packet pages 9-10.
Week of 5-13
F: Half-day today. Fill out your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
R: Pages 6-10 of the argumentative essays packet: Read and analyze "Hollywood Film Makers Should Not Be Villainized for Violence."
W: Pages 3-6 of the argumentative essays packet: . Read and analyze "Hollywood, Stop Exposing Our Kids to Violence."
T: Complete pages 1-2 of the argumentative essays packet: Pick an issue or topic and write a quick letter explaining your position on that issue.
M: Discuss the taco night essay and counterarguments.
Week of 5-6
F: Discuss the taco night essay. Turn in your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
R: Sub today. Complete assignments on flashback and foreshadowing.
W: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "Son, You've Made a Mockery of Taco Night" by Fritz Becker. Turn in your analysis of this essay.
T: Discuss the Pitts essay. Do a quick-write. Review phrases and clauses.
M: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "In My Opinion: Don't Lower the Bar on Education Standards" by Leonard Pitts.
Week of 4-29
F: Fill out your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
R: Discuss counterarguments. Quick-write - Compare the two elephant essays.
W: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "Why Elephants Need Circuses and Zoos" by Deborah Olson.
T: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "No More Curtain Calls for Elephants" from The Los Angeles Times.
M: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "The Fight to Keep Voracious Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan" from The Grand Rapids Press.
Week of 4-22
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 3 & 4. Take the Vocab 16 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Introduce argumentative essays. Read and analyze a model argumentative essay - "An Open Letter to Claire's Corporate" by Raylene Marks.
T-W: Complete and submit your research video. Wednesday is the last day we will work on these in class. Sign up to present your video in class. You must present it in class by May 21 to receive full credit. We will watch two videos each day in class. Students who do not present their videos in class by May 21 may turn them in for half-credit.
M: Introduce Vocab 16.
Week of 4-15
F: Fill out your reading record for week 3. Take the Vocab 15 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
T-R: Complete your research video.
M: Introduce Vocab 15.
Week of 4-8
F: Fill out your reading record for week 2 and turn it in. Read your novel in the library.
R: Combine your audio and your images to create your research video.
W: Demonstration of 1) how to record the audio for your research video and 2) how to use Adobe Spark or WeVideo to create your research video. Note: Record your audio with "online-voice-recorder.com" on your Chromebook or "Voice Record Pro" (free version) on a phone.
T: PSAT testing
M: Find or create images and charts to illustrate the report/script for your research video.
Week of 3-25
R-F: No school. See you after spring break.
W: Finish writing the report or script for your research video. Make a list of images and charts you could use to illustrate the report/script for your research video, then find or create those images and charts. Fill out your reading record for week 1.
T: 1st hour: Finish your script. 4th & 5th hours: You are going to Appleview for your social studies project.
M: Follow your outline or graphic organizer as you write the report/script you will use to narrate your research video.
Week of 3-18
F: Review comma rules. Take the Vocab 14 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Review your research notes. Identify the best information and summarize it. Organize you information into categories and plan the best order to present them. Create an outline or graphic organizer to show the categories for your information and the order in which you will present them.
W: Sub today. Complete and turn in an assignment on theme.
T: Mystery Research Project: Last day to conduct your research and take notes.
M: Introduce Vocab 14.
Week of 3-11
F: Turn in your reading record for weeks 7 & 8. Take the Vocab 13 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
W-R: Mystery Research Project: Identify sources for your topic and questions. Conduct your research and take notes.
T: Review and practice note-taking. Review what makes a source credible or reliable.
M: Introduce Vocab 13.
Week of 3-4
F: Fill out your reading record for week 7. Take the Vocab 12 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Mystery Research Project: Write research questions. Identify sources.
W: Introduce the mystery research project. Pick a topic for your research project.
T: For the Sparta Needs Project:
1. Choose a text structure that fits the information you noted and works to answer the question "What are Sparta's basic need?".
2. Use that text structure as you write a paragraph that answers the question and summarizes what you learned from analyzing the data on Sparta's basic needs. Write your paragraph in Google Docs and share it with me at [email protected].
M: Introduce Vocab 12.
Week of 2-25
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 5 and 6. Take the Vocab 11 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Introduce and practice identifying text structures, like chronological, sequential, compare/contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution, or spatial/descriptive.
W: For the Sparta Needs Project:
1. Discuss the sources used. Are they credible? What other sources could you use?
2. Organize the data you analyzed. How does this information fit into categories or groups?
T: Introduce Vocab 11.
M: Snow day
Week of 2-18
F: Fill out your reading record. Read you novel in the library.
W-R: Analyze data from the Sparta Basic Needs Project. Write a summary of your findings. (You will use the summary to complete the Sparta Basic Needs Project in your social studies class.)
T-W: Finish analyzing how Starlee Kine does research in her podcast "Mystery Show - Episode 3 - Belt Buckle."
M: No school today
Week of 2-11
F: No school today
R: Turn in your reading record for weeks 3 & 4. Review your STAR reading test results. Take the Vocab 10 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
T-W: Snow days
M: Fill out your reading record for week 3. Analyze how Starlee Kine does research in her podcast "Mystery Show - Episode 3 - Belt Buckle."
Week of 2-4
W-F: Snow days
T: Take the STAR reading test to determine your current reading level, then read your novel in the library.
- Click here for STAR test directions.
- Click here for the STAR test link. (Or just go to the Sparta Middle School Links page.)
M: Introduce Vocab 10. Fill out your reading record for weeks 1 & 2.
Week of 1-28
M-F: Snow days
Week of 1-21
F: Snow day
R: Grammar lesson on verbals (Verbals are gerunds, participles, and infinitives.)
W: Get the MP3 Independent Reading Record. Review your Everyday Horror Story and reflect on your progress as a writer.
T: 5th & 6th hours - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
M: 3rd & 4th hours - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
Week of 1-14
F: 2nd hour - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
R: 1st hour - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
W: Snow Day
T: Snow Day
M: 1st hour: Review for the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
4th and 5th hours: Spelling with suffixes:
For Midterm Benchmark Exam review quizzes on Quizizz.com...
...from Mr. Duyck: Go to https://join.quizizz.com and use the game code 218586
...from Miss Sajdak: Go to https://join.quizizz.com and use the game code 493662
Click here for the Midterm Benchmark Exam Study Guide. (It's also under "Handouts and Assignments.")
Click here for the link to Quizlet.com for Vocab Lessons 1 to 9. (Also under "Quizlet & More.")
Week of 1-7
F: Complete the character assignment about "Abuela Invents the Zero" in Studysync. Get the midterm exam study guide. Turn in your reading record for weeks 7 and 8. Study Vocab 1 to 9 on Quizlet to prepare for the midterm exam.
R: Practice using the subjunctive sentence mood.
T-W: Read and analyze "Abuela Invents the Zero" by Judith Ortiz Cofer.
M: The Silent E Spelling Rule
Week of 12-17
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 9 quiz (Vocab 8 for 1st hour). Grammar practice: Subjunctive and conditional mood.
R: Grammar practice: Active and passive voice.
W: Practice using capital letters, especially with proper nouns.
T: Take the comma quiz. Review the requirements for your Everyday Horror Story, including title and MLA format. Finish your Everyday Horror Story.
M: Introduce Vocab 9 (Vocab 8 for 1st hour). Write your Everyday Horror Story.
Week of 12-10
F: Take the practice comma quiz. Fill out and turn in your reading record. Take the Vocab 8 quiz. (!st hour is taking Vocab 9 this week because I gave out the wrong list.) Write your Everyday Horror Story.
R: Introduce capitalization rules. Show, don't tell with the Simpsons.
W: Comma Review Quiz Bowl
T: Everyday Horror Story - Write a character sketch for your main character. Practice commas.
M: Introduce Vocab 8. Practice commas.
Week of 12-3
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 7 quiz. Read your novel.
T-R: Practice commas. Everyday Horror Story - Develop a plot for your story and turn in a story map.
M: Introduce Vocab 7. Practice commas.
Week of 11-26
F. Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 3 and 4. Read your novel in the library.
R: Everyday Horror Story - Develop a story idea.
W: Review synonyms, antonyms, and idioms. Practice comma rules with Socrative.
T: Fill out your reading record for week 3. Practice commas. Finish the foreword to "Night Shift" by Stephen King and turn in the question sheet.
M: Snow day
Week of 11-19
R-F: Eat turkey and read your novel.
M-W: Read and analyze the foreword to "Night Shift" by Stephen King.
Week of 11-12
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 1 & 2. Take the Vocab 6 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Finish your poster, then 1) study Vocab 6 or 2) play the practice comma games on the "Quizlet & More" page or 3) read your novel or 4) work on your book project.
T-W: Complete the Tell-Tale Poster Project.
M: Introduce Vocab 6. Introduce comma rules. (Each day in class until Christmas break we will practice using commas correctly.)
Week of 11-5
F: Fill out your reading record for week 1 of the second marking period. Take the Vocab 5 quiz. Read your novel.
W-R: Read and analyze "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.
T: Analyze "Annabel Lee" by Poe as you answer the "Think Questions" in Studysync.
M: Introduce Vocab 5.
Week of 10-29
F: Take the Vocab 4 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Take the subject & predicate quiz. Analyze "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.
W: Take the practice subject & predicate quiz. Read "Annabell Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.
T: Listen to a story, "The Ethics of Jokes" by Garrison Keillor. Analyze and discuss the story in class. Complete and turn in the question sheet.
M: Introduce Vocab 4. Introduce the book project and presentation for Marking Period 2.
Week of 10-22
F: Complete the subjects and predicates practice sheet and check your answers. Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 7 and 8. Read your novel in the library.
R: Compare the text of the "Cujo" excerpt to the film version of the same scene. Review and practice subject and predicate.
W: Answer the "Think Questions" for "Cujo" in Studysync. Review and practice subject and predicate.
M-T: Continue to read and analyze an excerpt from "Cujo" by Stephen King (in Studysync). Complete a characterization chart for Donna Trenton and Cujo in "Cujo" by Stephen King.
Week of 10-15
F: Substitute teacher today. Fill out your reading record for week 7. Take the Vocab 3 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Read and analyze an excerpt from "Cujo" by Stephen King (in Studysync).
T-W: Use the R.A.C.E. strategy (restate, answer, cite, explain) to answer the Think Questions for "The Monkey's Paw" in Studysync.
M: Introduce Vocab 3.
Week of 10-8
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 5 and 6. Read your novel in the library.
R: Answer the comprehension questions for "The Monkey's Paw."
W: Read and discuss "The Monkey's Paw" in Studysync.
T: Introduce "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Discuss Imperialism and fakirs in India.
M: Review the Momaday review sheet. Sign in and tour Studysync.
Week of 10-1
F: Fill out your reading record for week 5. Read your novel in the library.
R: Read and analyze plot in the short story "Men Are Different" by Alan Bloch.
W: Complete and turn in the review sheet for the Momaday essay and stories.
M-T: Read and analyze "The Indian Dog" and "The Physicians of Trinidad" by Momaday.
Week of 9-24
F: Fill out your independent reading record and turn it in. Take the Vocab 2 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Take the parts of speech makeup quiz (on nouns and verbs). Analyze your STAR reading level test and set a reading goal. Continue to read and analyze the essay "A Storyteller and His Art" by N. Scott Momaday.
W: Play a vocab game. Read and analyze the essay "A Storyteller and His Art" by N. Scott Momaday.
T: QW. Create and turn in a story map for the short film "Knick-Knack" by Pixar.
M: Model sentence (MS). Introduce Vocab 2.
Week of 9-17
F: Fill out your independent reading record and keep it. Take the Vocab 1 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: QW. Take the STAR test to check your reading level. We will check again in December to see how much it improves.
W: Introduce literary terms. Review plot with the short film "Geri's Game" from Pixar.
T: QW. Practice Vocab 1.
M: Introduce Vocab 1
Week of 9-10
F: No school for students today
R: Fill out and turn in your reading record. Take the parts of speech quiz. Read your novel in the library.
W: Make a flip-book to practice parts of speech.
T: Turn in your list of books to read. Practice parts of speech.
M: QW (Quickwrite). Review and practice identifying parts of speech.
Week of 9-4
F: Fill out your independent reading record. Take the vocab midterm benchmark pretest. Continue to look for good books and finish your list of books to read this semester.
R: Find good books and make a list of books to read this semester.
W: How to find good books
T: Library Scavenger Hunt
M: No school
Week of 8-28
F: No school
R: PBIS Kickoff
W: Review parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections). (Protect Young Eyes Assembly in the morning)
T: Take the standards part of the midterm benchmark pretest.
M: Introductions, seating chart, quick write
Click here for the vocabulary quiz schedule.
We will start class with a discussion of a model sentence on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
We will start class with a quick-write on most Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Weekly Agenda:
Week of 6-10
M-T: Do quick-writes in your writing notebook.
Week of 6-3
Take the STAR reading test this week to check your reading progress and to set a goal for the summer.
- Click here for STAR test directions.
- Click here for the STAR test link. (Or just go to the Sparta Middle School Links page.)
F: Turn in your final reading record. Discuss and practice avoiding false arguments.
R: Print and turn in your argumentative essay (page 24 of the argumentative essay packet).
W: Write the fourth paragraph (the response to a counterargument) and the fifth paragraph (the conclusion) of your argumentative essay (page 23 of the argumentative essay packet).
T: Write the second and third paragraphs of your argumentative essay. Each paragraph should focus on and support a single argument or reason (page 23 of the argumentative essay packet).
M: The Michigan's Adventure trip is today.
Week of 5-27
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 18 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Share your opinion statement (thesis/claim with reasons) in class. Write the first paragraph of your argumentative essay (pages 18 and 22 of the argumentative essay packet).
W: Develop your thesis/claim and collect evidence to support your arguments (pages 16-18 of the argumentative essay packet).
T: Introduce Vocab 18.
M: No school today
Week of 5-20
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record. Take the Vocab 17 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Develop your reasons/arguments related to your topics, then choose the topic you will will use for your argumentative essay (pages 12-15 of the argumentative essay packet).
W: 8th grade recognition practice or make-up time.
T: Pick a couple possible topics for your argumentative essay, page 11 of the argumentative essay packet.
M: Introduce Vocab 17. Discuss argumentative essay packet pages 9-10.
Week of 5-13
F: Half-day today. Fill out your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
R: Pages 6-10 of the argumentative essays packet: Read and analyze "Hollywood Film Makers Should Not Be Villainized for Violence."
W: Pages 3-6 of the argumentative essays packet: . Read and analyze "Hollywood, Stop Exposing Our Kids to Violence."
T: Complete pages 1-2 of the argumentative essays packet: Pick an issue or topic and write a quick letter explaining your position on that issue.
M: Discuss the taco night essay and counterarguments.
Week of 5-6
F: Discuss the taco night essay. Turn in your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
R: Sub today. Complete assignments on flashback and foreshadowing.
W: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "Son, You've Made a Mockery of Taco Night" by Fritz Becker. Turn in your analysis of this essay.
T: Discuss the Pitts essay. Do a quick-write. Review phrases and clauses.
M: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "In My Opinion: Don't Lower the Bar on Education Standards" by Leonard Pitts.
Week of 4-29
F: Fill out your reading record. Read your novel in the library.
R: Discuss counterarguments. Quick-write - Compare the two elephant essays.
W: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "Why Elephants Need Circuses and Zoos" by Deborah Olson.
T: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "No More Curtain Calls for Elephants" from The Los Angeles Times.
M: Read and analyze an argumentative essay - "The Fight to Keep Voracious Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan" from The Grand Rapids Press.
Week of 4-22
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 3 & 4. Take the Vocab 16 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Introduce argumentative essays. Read and analyze a model argumentative essay - "An Open Letter to Claire's Corporate" by Raylene Marks.
T-W: Complete and submit your research video. Wednesday is the last day we will work on these in class. Sign up to present your video in class. You must present it in class by May 21 to receive full credit. We will watch two videos each day in class. Students who do not present their videos in class by May 21 may turn them in for half-credit.
M: Introduce Vocab 16.
Week of 4-15
F: Fill out your reading record for week 3. Take the Vocab 15 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
T-R: Complete your research video.
M: Introduce Vocab 15.
Week of 4-8
F: Fill out your reading record for week 2 and turn it in. Read your novel in the library.
R: Combine your audio and your images to create your research video.
W: Demonstration of 1) how to record the audio for your research video and 2) how to use Adobe Spark or WeVideo to create your research video. Note: Record your audio with "online-voice-recorder.com" on your Chromebook or "Voice Record Pro" (free version) on a phone.
T: PSAT testing
M: Find or create images and charts to illustrate the report/script for your research video.
Week of 3-25
R-F: No school. See you after spring break.
W: Finish writing the report or script for your research video. Make a list of images and charts you could use to illustrate the report/script for your research video, then find or create those images and charts. Fill out your reading record for week 1.
T: 1st hour: Finish your script. 4th & 5th hours: You are going to Appleview for your social studies project.
M: Follow your outline or graphic organizer as you write the report/script you will use to narrate your research video.
Week of 3-18
F: Review comma rules. Take the Vocab 14 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Review your research notes. Identify the best information and summarize it. Organize you information into categories and plan the best order to present them. Create an outline or graphic organizer to show the categories for your information and the order in which you will present them.
W: Sub today. Complete and turn in an assignment on theme.
T: Mystery Research Project: Last day to conduct your research and take notes.
M: Introduce Vocab 14.
Week of 3-11
F: Turn in your reading record for weeks 7 & 8. Take the Vocab 13 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
W-R: Mystery Research Project: Identify sources for your topic and questions. Conduct your research and take notes.
T: Review and practice note-taking. Review what makes a source credible or reliable.
M: Introduce Vocab 13.
Week of 3-4
F: Fill out your reading record for week 7. Take the Vocab 12 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Mystery Research Project: Write research questions. Identify sources.
W: Introduce the mystery research project. Pick a topic for your research project.
T: For the Sparta Needs Project:
1. Choose a text structure that fits the information you noted and works to answer the question "What are Sparta's basic need?".
2. Use that text structure as you write a paragraph that answers the question and summarizes what you learned from analyzing the data on Sparta's basic needs. Write your paragraph in Google Docs and share it with me at [email protected].
M: Introduce Vocab 12.
Week of 2-25
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 5 and 6. Take the Vocab 11 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Introduce and practice identifying text structures, like chronological, sequential, compare/contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution, or spatial/descriptive.
W: For the Sparta Needs Project:
1. Discuss the sources used. Are they credible? What other sources could you use?
2. Organize the data you analyzed. How does this information fit into categories or groups?
T: Introduce Vocab 11.
M: Snow day
Week of 2-18
F: Fill out your reading record. Read you novel in the library.
W-R: Analyze data from the Sparta Basic Needs Project. Write a summary of your findings. (You will use the summary to complete the Sparta Basic Needs Project in your social studies class.)
T-W: Finish analyzing how Starlee Kine does research in her podcast "Mystery Show - Episode 3 - Belt Buckle."
M: No school today
Week of 2-11
F: No school today
R: Turn in your reading record for weeks 3 & 4. Review your STAR reading test results. Take the Vocab 10 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
T-W: Snow days
M: Fill out your reading record for week 3. Analyze how Starlee Kine does research in her podcast "Mystery Show - Episode 3 - Belt Buckle."
Week of 2-4
W-F: Snow days
T: Take the STAR reading test to determine your current reading level, then read your novel in the library.
- Click here for STAR test directions.
- Click here for the STAR test link. (Or just go to the Sparta Middle School Links page.)
M: Introduce Vocab 10. Fill out your reading record for weeks 1 & 2.
Week of 1-28
M-F: Snow days
Week of 1-21
F: Snow day
R: Grammar lesson on verbals (Verbals are gerunds, participles, and infinitives.)
W: Get the MP3 Independent Reading Record. Review your Everyday Horror Story and reflect on your progress as a writer.
T: 5th & 6th hours - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
M: 3rd & 4th hours - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
Week of 1-14
F: 2nd hour - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
R: 1st hour - Review and take the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
W: Snow Day
T: Snow Day
M: 1st hour: Review for the Midterm Benchmark Exam.
4th and 5th hours: Spelling with suffixes:
For Midterm Benchmark Exam review quizzes on Quizizz.com...
...from Mr. Duyck: Go to https://join.quizizz.com and use the game code 218586
...from Miss Sajdak: Go to https://join.quizizz.com and use the game code 493662
Click here for the Midterm Benchmark Exam Study Guide. (It's also under "Handouts and Assignments.")
Click here for the link to Quizlet.com for Vocab Lessons 1 to 9. (Also under "Quizlet & More.")
Week of 1-7
F: Complete the character assignment about "Abuela Invents the Zero" in Studysync. Get the midterm exam study guide. Turn in your reading record for weeks 7 and 8. Study Vocab 1 to 9 on Quizlet to prepare for the midterm exam.
R: Practice using the subjunctive sentence mood.
T-W: Read and analyze "Abuela Invents the Zero" by Judith Ortiz Cofer.
M: The Silent E Spelling Rule
Week of 12-17
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 9 quiz (Vocab 8 for 1st hour). Grammar practice: Subjunctive and conditional mood.
R: Grammar practice: Active and passive voice.
W: Practice using capital letters, especially with proper nouns.
T: Take the comma quiz. Review the requirements for your Everyday Horror Story, including title and MLA format. Finish your Everyday Horror Story.
M: Introduce Vocab 9 (Vocab 8 for 1st hour). Write your Everyday Horror Story.
Week of 12-10
F: Take the practice comma quiz. Fill out and turn in your reading record. Take the Vocab 8 quiz. (!st hour is taking Vocab 9 this week because I gave out the wrong list.) Write your Everyday Horror Story.
R: Introduce capitalization rules. Show, don't tell with the Simpsons.
W: Comma Review Quiz Bowl
T: Everyday Horror Story - Write a character sketch for your main character. Practice commas.
M: Introduce Vocab 8. Practice commas.
Week of 12-3
F: Fill out your reading record. Take the Vocab 7 quiz. Read your novel.
T-R: Practice commas. Everyday Horror Story - Develop a plot for your story and turn in a story map.
M: Introduce Vocab 7. Practice commas.
Week of 11-26
F. Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 3 and 4. Read your novel in the library.
R: Everyday Horror Story - Develop a story idea.
W: Review synonyms, antonyms, and idioms. Practice comma rules with Socrative.
T: Fill out your reading record for week 3. Practice commas. Finish the foreword to "Night Shift" by Stephen King and turn in the question sheet.
M: Snow day
Week of 11-19
R-F: Eat turkey and read your novel.
M-W: Read and analyze the foreword to "Night Shift" by Stephen King.
Week of 11-12
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 1 & 2. Take the Vocab 6 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Finish your poster, then 1) study Vocab 6 or 2) play the practice comma games on the "Quizlet & More" page or 3) read your novel or 4) work on your book project.
T-W: Complete the Tell-Tale Poster Project.
M: Introduce Vocab 6. Introduce comma rules. (Each day in class until Christmas break we will practice using commas correctly.)
Week of 11-5
F: Fill out your reading record for week 1 of the second marking period. Take the Vocab 5 quiz. Read your novel.
W-R: Read and analyze "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.
T: Analyze "Annabel Lee" by Poe as you answer the "Think Questions" in Studysync.
M: Introduce Vocab 5.
Week of 10-29
F: Take the Vocab 4 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Take the subject & predicate quiz. Analyze "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.
W: Take the practice subject & predicate quiz. Read "Annabell Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.
T: Listen to a story, "The Ethics of Jokes" by Garrison Keillor. Analyze and discuss the story in class. Complete and turn in the question sheet.
M: Introduce Vocab 4. Introduce the book project and presentation for Marking Period 2.
Week of 10-22
F: Complete the subjects and predicates practice sheet and check your answers. Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 7 and 8. Read your novel in the library.
R: Compare the text of the "Cujo" excerpt to the film version of the same scene. Review and practice subject and predicate.
W: Answer the "Think Questions" for "Cujo" in Studysync. Review and practice subject and predicate.
M-T: Continue to read and analyze an excerpt from "Cujo" by Stephen King (in Studysync). Complete a characterization chart for Donna Trenton and Cujo in "Cujo" by Stephen King.
Week of 10-15
F: Substitute teacher today. Fill out your reading record for week 7. Take the Vocab 3 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Read and analyze an excerpt from "Cujo" by Stephen King (in Studysync).
T-W: Use the R.A.C.E. strategy (restate, answer, cite, explain) to answer the Think Questions for "The Monkey's Paw" in Studysync.
M: Introduce Vocab 3.
Week of 10-8
F: Fill out and turn in your reading record for weeks 5 and 6. Read your novel in the library.
R: Answer the comprehension questions for "The Monkey's Paw."
W: Read and discuss "The Monkey's Paw" in Studysync.
T: Introduce "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Discuss Imperialism and fakirs in India.
M: Review the Momaday review sheet. Sign in and tour Studysync.
Week of 10-1
F: Fill out your reading record for week 5. Read your novel in the library.
R: Read and analyze plot in the short story "Men Are Different" by Alan Bloch.
W: Complete and turn in the review sheet for the Momaday essay and stories.
M-T: Read and analyze "The Indian Dog" and "The Physicians of Trinidad" by Momaday.
Week of 9-24
F: Fill out your independent reading record and turn it in. Take the Vocab 2 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: Take the parts of speech makeup quiz (on nouns and verbs). Analyze your STAR reading level test and set a reading goal. Continue to read and analyze the essay "A Storyteller and His Art" by N. Scott Momaday.
W: Play a vocab game. Read and analyze the essay "A Storyteller and His Art" by N. Scott Momaday.
T: QW. Create and turn in a story map for the short film "Knick-Knack" by Pixar.
M: Model sentence (MS). Introduce Vocab 2.
Week of 9-17
F: Fill out your independent reading record and keep it. Take the Vocab 1 quiz. Read your novel in the library.
R: QW. Take the STAR test to check your reading level. We will check again in December to see how much it improves.
W: Introduce literary terms. Review plot with the short film "Geri's Game" from Pixar.
T: QW. Practice Vocab 1.
M: Introduce Vocab 1
Week of 9-10
F: No school for students today
R: Fill out and turn in your reading record. Take the parts of speech quiz. Read your novel in the library.
W: Make a flip-book to practice parts of speech.
T: Turn in your list of books to read. Practice parts of speech.
M: QW (Quickwrite). Review and practice identifying parts of speech.
Week of 9-4
F: Fill out your independent reading record. Take the vocab midterm benchmark pretest. Continue to look for good books and finish your list of books to read this semester.
R: Find good books and make a list of books to read this semester.
W: How to find good books
T: Library Scavenger Hunt
M: No school
Week of 8-28
F: No school
R: PBIS Kickoff
W: Review parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections). (Protect Young Eyes Assembly in the morning)
T: Take the standards part of the midterm benchmark pretest.
M: Introductions, seating chart, quick write