3/29/13 Have a great weekend!

English 8th: We continued watching the Anne Frank movie.  Students turned in their class journal entries & illustrations. Payment for the published version ($5) is due by the end of next week.   *homework: read AR


Geography 7th: Students watched a Modern Marvels video on the Suez Canal. 
*homework:  - read AR
English 7th: Students worked in cooperative reading groups to read The Giver. *homework:  read AR

3/28/13 - Conference Day - Early Release

Conferences March 26-28 (early release days)

English 8th: Students chose to work on their class journal entries & illustrations in class, and watch more of the movie tomorrow.  *homework: Class Journal Entry & illustration due Friday - NO vocabulary homework this week - read AR


Geography 7th: Quiz Ch.16 Section 2 - We reviewed content during class and then took the quiz. 
*homework: No homework tonight for geography  - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th: Students worked in cooperative reading groups to read The Giver. *homework: NO spelling homework this week - read AR

3/27/13 Conferrence Day - Early Release

Conferences March 26-28 (early release days)

English 8th: Students started watching the movie Anne Frank today.  The purpose of watching this movie before finishing the book is to solidify character identification/personalities.  We will continue it tomorrow.  *homework: Class Journal Entry & illustration due Friday - NO vocabulary homework this week - read AR


Geography 7th: pg. 450 #2-7 - due tomorrow.  Students have a quiz tomorrow - please study.  Ch. 16 Section 2
*homework: pg. 450 if not completed in class - study for quiz  - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th: Students worked in cooperative reading groups to read The Giver. *homework: NO spelling homework this week - read AR

3/26/13 (Early Release Conference Day)

Conferences March 26-28 (early release days)

English 8th: We discussed results of the EXPLORE (pre-ACT) test the students took last semester. They checked out the website: www.explorestudent.org  - students were able to see different career descriptions, school requirements, and salaries. We will begin watching the Anne Frank video tomorrow.  *homework: Class Journal Entry & illustration due Friday - NO vocabulary homework this week - read AR


Geography 7th: Picture vocabulary pg. 450 #1 - students had the options of drawing their vocabulary words, use Glogster, or use a computer program such as Publisher. 
*homework: Picture vocab. if not completed in class - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th:  We discussed reading groups and the roles that will be performed while in these groups.  Students started reading The Giver.  *homework: NO spelling homework this week - read AR

3/25/13

Conferences March 26-28 (early release days)

English 8th: We discussed results of the EXPLORE (pre-ACT) test the students took last semester.  They will be exploring the results and associated carreer websites tomorrow. *homework: NO vocabulary homework this week - read AR


Geography 7th: Students started Ch. 16 Section 2 (pg. 447-450).  They worked on a graphic organizer within groups, and then worked on Guided Reading 16-2 independently.
*homework: GR 16-2 if not completed in class  - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th: Students were given their class novel The Giver in class and predicted the plot of the book.  We discussed and went over the details of their grade reports for this class as well.  *homework: NO spelling homework this week - read AR

3/14/13

OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT 5-8 PM - SEE YOU THERE!!

English 8th: Anne Frank Quiz section 2 (pg.24-75) - Students were given a copy of their class journal entry to start the editing/typing process (needs to be completed digitally - handed in via usb flashdrive or "DropITtoME." Due date for both digital entry & illustration will be determined after Spring Break. *homework: ALL Vocabulary work due tomorrow - study for TEST   - read AR


Geography 7th:  Quiz Ch. 16 Section 1 - Students were given an Asia map activity to work on after the quiz, which is also an exercise in following instructions.  It is due tomorrow.
*homework: map activity (Asia)  - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th: Students learned to identify and write personification within their journals.  We completed the "write your own" QAR activity within groups, and discussed "cooperative group" activity when we start our novel (The Giver by Louis Lowry).  *homework: Spelling ALL due tomorrow - study for spelling TEST - read AR

3/13/13

English 8th: Each student read their class journal ending today - what fun creative endings!  Congratulations Kyle as the author of the winning "ending."  Students read Anne Frank in reading groups.  They needed to read to at least page 75 in preparation for tomorrow's Quiz (pg. 24-75).    *homework: Vocabulary - - read AR


Geography 7th: We corrected Section Review - pg.446 #1-6.  Students were assigned a map activity in preparation for tomorrow's quiz.  The activity is identifying trade routes and bodies of water in the Middle East.  Quiz over Ch. 16 Section 1 tomorrow (it was originally scheduled for today, but has been postponed until Thursday - tomorrow).   
*homework: map activity (trade routes) - QUIZ tomorrow over ch. 16 section 1 - study - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th: Students learned to identify and write alliteration within their journals. They worked within reading groups and practiced writing QAR questions from a passage read together (United through Language).  What was not finished is homework; however, they will get the chance to check their work within groups before turning in the packet.  *homework: "write your own" QAR/Unraavel packet - spelling - read AR

3/12/13

English 8th: Students finished their class journal endings, and we will read/vote on the ending tomorrow. Students read Anne Frank within cooperative reading groups.  *homework: Vocabulary -   - read AR


Geography 7th:  Section Review - pg.446 #1-6 
*homework: pg. 446 #1-6 if not completed in class - QUIZ tomorrow over ch. 16 section 1 - study - no current event this week - read AR
English 7th: Students learned to identify and write onomatopoeia within their journals.  They worked within reading groups for the first time, and are learning to write QAR questions from a passage read together.  We will continue working with this tomorrow - it is not homework.  *homework: spelling - read AR

3/11/13

English 8th: Students received a new Vocabulary list (Anne Frank).  They will start with Section 1 (24 words).  I instructed them to work with 20 words for each day's homework (unless the item in the program states they can use less - such as a paragraph with 10 words), but they should not leave out the same words each day (I want them to work with all of the words during the week in some capacity). Monday's work will be writing synonyms & antonyms for each word (no packet).  The word list has been put into the "digital locker" portion of the grade book and can be printed from there if lost.   We read through the class journal and started our "endings" - we'll continue them tomorrow.  The journal is great so far!!  *homework: Vocabulary - synonyms/antonyms  - read AR


Geography 7th: No current event this week!  I gave the kids a break so they have some time to get caught up on school work or AR before the break.  We started Ch. 16 (Middle East) pg. 442-446.  Students worked on a chart with their groups and were assigned the Guided Reading Activity 16-1.  I
  *homework: Guided Reading 16-1 & chart if not completed in class - read AR
English 7th: Students received their new spelling words & worksheet.  We went over the words, their meanings, and the pronunciation in detail.  Students learned to identify and write hyperbole within their journals.  We also charted assessment information in their portfolios.  I am quite proud of the progress I'm seeing.  *homework: spelling - read AR

3/7/13

English 8th: We completed the WPM assessments today, and students had some time to work on their vocabulary review packet.  We read Anne Frank and made additions to the character wall.     *homework: Vocabulary Review Packet (due tomorrow) study for test  - read AR


Geography 7th: The Middle East unit was introduced with a KTWL activity.  Students continued working on their Oil video response sheet (# 5 is a written response paragraph), and they were shown several websites on my blog where they can get further information.  A map activity packet was handed out, but is not homework - we will work on it tomorrow in class.  *homework: Oil response sheet & current event (due tomorrow)- read AR
English 7th:  Students took the STAR reading test as part of their mid-semester assessments.  They were given time to do DOL/Journal and spelling.  During this time I completed the WPM assessments as well.   *homework: spelling -(due tomorrow) study for test -  read AR

3/6/13

English 8th: Students took the STAR reading comprehension test for their mid-semester assessments.  They worked within cooperative reading groups reading Anne Frank for the remainder of the class. *homework: Vocabulary Review Packet (due Friday) - read AR


Geography 7th: We continued watching The Story of Oil video, and will continue tomorrow. Students are generating great questions and insight in our discussions.  This is in preparation for our next Unit on Southwest Asia (the Middle East). *homework: current event (due Friday)- read AR
English 7th:  We have started mid-semester assessments. Students took the MAZE comprehension assessment, and I started WPM (words per minute).   We corrected the QAR from yesterday, and students will write their own tomorrow.  *homework:  spelling - read AR

3/5/13

English 8th:  We have started mid-semester assessments.  Students took the MAZE comprehension assessment, and I started WPM (words per minute).  They worked within cooperative reading groups reading Anne Frank for the remainder of the class.   *homework: Vocabulary Review Packet (due Friday) - read AR


Geography 7th: Students completed a KTWL graphic organizer on the topic of oil (petroleum).  We started watching The Story of Oil video, and will continue tomorrow.  This is in preparation for our next Unit on Southwest Asia (the Middle East).   *homework: current event (due Friday)- read AR
English 7th: Students received their spelling worksheet with word list for the week. They worked on an independent QAR/Unraavel (Navajo Code Talkers) *homework: QAR/Unraavel if not completed in class - read AR

3/4/13

English 8th:  Students received a review packet for vocabulary - Lessons 1-5.  The packet is the only vocabulary work this week.  Students should identify words they are having difficulty with in the packet and spend time studying for the test Friday.   *homework: Vocabulary Review Packet (due Friday)  - read AR


Geography 7th:  TEST Chapter 3 - Students received their weekly current event - due Friday.   *homework: current event (due Friday)- read AR
English 7th:  Students received their spelling worksheet with word list for the week.  They worked on an independent QAR/Unraavel (Navajo Code Talkers)  *homework: QAR/Unraavel if not completed in class - read AR

3/1/13

*Mrs. Nash was not in the classroom 2/27/13, or 2/28/13 (substitute)

English 8th: Vocabulary work was due & students took their Vocabulary TEST.  *homework: 
 read AR


Geography 7th:  Current Events were due.  We went over the Ch. 3 Study Guide.  Students should study and complete their foldables for use on the Ch.3 TEST Monday.   *homework: study for Ch. 3 TEST Monday - foldable - read AR
English 7th: Spelling work was due & students took their Spelling TEST.  We went over the Tell Tale Heart QAR/Unraavel, and students were given time to work further on the packet they worked on in pairs yesterday.  *homework:  read AR