9/30/15 Last day of September!

English 7:  Students took the STAR reading for mid-semester assessments.  Several students chose to redo their DOL quizzes for a better grade right after the test. We'll present Story Elements on Monday.   Homework:  Check the grade book for missing/failed assignments (redo failed work) - read AR




English 8: Students took the STAR reading for mid-semester assessments.  The biography rough draft (Edgar Allan Poe) was due today.  We'll do peer editing with these on Monday.  Homework: Check the grade book for missing/failed assignments (redo failed work)  - read AR

9/29/16

English 7:  After a DOL quiz, students worked to finish their group project "Short Story Elements."  I have been quite impressed with the quality of PowerPoint and Prezi presentations I have seen so far.  We will be presenting on Monday.   Homework:  Story Elements project - read AR




English 8: After a DOL quiz, students worked to finish the biography rough draft (Edgar Allan Poe), which will be due tomorrow.  Homework: rough draft with *text evidence  - read AR

9/28/16

English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students worked on their group project "Short Story Elements."  They will be given a bit of time tomorrow after the DOL quiz to finish it.   Homework:  Story Elements project - read AR




English 8: After DOL/Journal, students started work on the biography rough draft (Edgar Allan Poe).  They will have some time to work on the rough draft in class tomorrow after the DOL quiz, and it will be due Friday.  Homework: rough draft with text evidence  - read AR

9/27/16

English 7:  After Journal, students worked were given time to work on their group project "Short Story Elements."  They decided jobs for each group member, the format for presentation (poster, PowerPoint, word document, etc..), and began to put the project together.  Each student should be continuing his or her job for the terms given (define, examples, and visual).  We will have some time in class tomorrow to put it all together in preparation for presenting Thursday.  Homework:  Story Elements project - read AR




English 8: After Journal, students continued research for a biography on Edgar Allan Poe.  We discussed the essay structure of the biography, and students started work on a pre-write graphic organizer   Due tomorrow is the pre-write.  Homework: pre-write - read AR

9/26/16

English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students were given conference time/date sheets to show to parents and get signed.  We started a presentation project on "Short Story Elements."  Students will work in groups to create a presentation describing the element they were given within each group.  We discussed this in class, but will work on it together tomorrow.  It is not homework this evening.  Homework:  - read AR
English 7B:  After DOL/Journal, we briefly discussed a presentation project on "Short Story Elements" we will work on tomorrow in class.  Students will work in small groups to present terms.   Homework:  - read AR


English 8: After DOL/Journal, students began research for a biography on Edgar Allan Poe.  Due tomorrow are notes from 3 resources.  Homework: 3 resources and notes - read AR

9/22/16

English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students went to the gym to take class pictures.  Because class was short today due to pictures, I will collect the objective summary tomorrow.   Homework:  pg. 5-6, annotate, objective summary - read AR
English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students worked on annotating pg. 5-6.  We discussed 'objective summary,' and students were assigned a summary of the story, "A Dinner Party."   Homework:  annotations for pg. 5-6 (either in the book or online text), and objective summary - read AR


English 8: After Journal, students listened to the audio version of  "An Hour with Abuelo."  Assigned was an extended response for the pg. 13 "The Big ?" Can all conflicts be resolved?  Homework: pg. 13 extended response- read AR

9/21/16

English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students were asked to turn in yesterday's homework (pg. 3 question #3).  Assigned today was CLOSE Reading pg. 5-6, annotating, and writing an objective summary.  Homework:  pg. 5-6, annotate, objective summary - read AR
English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students were asked to turn in yesterday's homework (pg. 3 question #3).  Assigned today was completing a first reading of pg. 5-6.  Homework:  read pg. 5-6 - read AR


English 8: After Journal, students worked with several different partners to peer review their objective summary and pg. 13 #1-3 (especially text evidence).  Added to this assignment was pg. 13 #5-7.  The entire assignment (passage with annotations, objective summary, and pg. 13 #1-7 will be collected tomorrow).     Homework: pg. 13 #5-7 - read AR

Harley helping with computer work

9/20/16

English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students continued to explore the online textbook.  Assigned was reading pg. 2-3 and answering the vocabulary question on pg. 3 (question #3 - using 4 of the words in a paragraph).  Homework:  pg. 2-3 & question #3 vocab. (paragraph)- read AR


English 8: After DOL/Journal, students were assigned additional questions for "An Hour with Abuelo" - pg. 13 # 1-3 (answer all parts - use text evidence where appropriate).     Homework: pg. 13 #1-3 - read AR

9/19/16

English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students explored their online Pearson Literature textbook.  Assigned was more exploration, along with an item to share with the class (something discovered on the online text that is useful or interesting).  Homework:  Online text exploration & idea - read AR


English 8: After DOL/Journal, students were assigned the short story "An Hour with Abuelo" (pg. 9-12).  Due tomorrow are full annotations (on photocopy of the story) and an objective summary.     Homework: annotations & objective summary - read AR

9/14/16

English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students worked on the Independent CLOSE read activity (due tomorrow).  The partner read was collected for grading.   Homework:  Independent CLOSE Read - read AR
English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, students continued to work on a CLOSE ready activity with a partner. If it was not completed in class, it is homework (due tomorrow).  Homework:  Partner CLOSE Read - read AR
English 8A: After DOL/Journal, students were given a bit of time to finalize and ask questions about the Vocabulary 3 worksheet assigned through Pearson.  Assigned was reading pg. 5-6 in Pearson Lit. textbook, annotating, creating an objective summary, and answering two "Ask Yourself..." questions on pg. 4.  Homework: Pearson Lit. (annotations, summary, 2 questions) - read AR
English 8B: After DOL/Journal,  students worked on the Big Picture Vocabulary 3 page on the online textbook.  If not completed in class, it is homework.  Homework: Vocab. 3- read AR

9/13/16

English 7A:  After Journal, students worked on a CLOSE ready activity with a partner.  This is due tomorrow.   Homework:  Partner CLOSE Read - read AR
English 7A:  After Journal, students worked on a CLOSE ready activity with a partner.  We will finalize this in class tomorrow.  Homework:  read AR
English 8A: After DOL/Journal, students read textbook pages 2-3 for understanding of the Unit 1 theme (Conflict).  Assigned was the Big Picture Vocabulary 3 page (assigned through the online textbook, or given as a hard copy upon request).     Homework: Vocabulary 3 page - read AR
English 8B: After DOL/Journal,  students read textbook pages 2-3 for understanding of the Unit 1 theme (Conflict).  Assigned was the Big Picture Vocabulary 3 page (assigned through the online textbook, or given as a hard copy upon request).  Students will be able to complete this in class tomorrow (not homework).   Homework: - read AR

Harley

9/9/16 Happy Friday!

English 7:  Students were able to re-take the DOL quiz for an average of the two grades.  For the remainder of class, students worked on the Partner CLOSE Read activity.  We will resume this Monday.  Homework:  - read AR
English 8:  The Independent CLOSE Read activity was due.  In class, students worked on a Diamante Poem about themselves.  If this was not completed in class, it is homework.  Homework:  Diamante Poem - read AR

9/8/16

English 7:  Students took their first DOL Quiz today.  After the quiz, we started a partner CLOSE read that will be continued tomorrow.  Homework:  - read AR
English 8A:  After a DOL Quiz, students finished work on their Independent CLOSE read, which was collected for grading.    Homework: - read AR
English 8B: After a DOL Quiz, students started work on their Independent CLOSE read, which is homework if not completed in class.     Homework: Independent CLOSE read  - read AR

9/7/16

English 7:  After DOL/Journal, we continued CLOSE Reading.  Students observed the teacher modeling a close read activity and were assigned the questions associated with the activity.    Homework:  CLOSE Read questions (complete sentences) - read AR
English 8A: After DOL/Journal,  worked on the independent CLOSE Read activity.  This is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.      Homework: Independent CLOSE read if not completed in class - read AR
English 8B: After DOL/Journal,  students worked on the partner CLOSE Read activity.  This is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.    Homework: Partner CLOSE Read (annotations & complete sentences) - read AR

9/6/16

English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students began the introduction to CLOSE Reading.  They will watch a CLOSE reading modeled by the teacher tomorrow, and write observations.    Homework:   - read AR
English 8A: After DOL/Journal,  students completed the partner CLOSE read activity.  They will work on an independent activity tomorrow in class.    Homework: finish partner CLOSE read if not completed in class - read AR
English 8B: After DOL/Journal,  students completed the class CLOSE read activity.  They began working on the partner CLOSE read and will continue this tomorrow.   Homework: Annotate Partner CLOSE Read - read AR

Harley

9/2/16 - Have a Great Labor Day Weekend!!

English 7:  After Journal, students worked on a descriptive bubble map (using adjectives) about themselves.  Students have the weekend to finish it (if not completed in class), and decorate it if desired.  It is due Tuesday.   Homework:  Bubble Map - read AR
English 8A: After Journal,  students worked with partners to CLOSE Read a Mark Twain letter.  We will continue this on Tuesday (not homework).  Homework: - read AR
English 8B: After Journal, students observed a "teacher model" of the CLOSE Read activity.  We will have a few minutes to finish it on Tuesday before they start a partner CLOSE Read activity.  Homework:  - read AR

9/1/16 - Happy September!

English 7:  After DOL/Journal, we completed theWPM (words per minute) assessment.  Students then created login (username and password) information for StudentVUE and were given a short tour of the system. ParentVUE loings were sent home to those who needed them.   Homework:  - read AR
English 8A: After DOL/Journal, students who needed login information for StudentVUE were assisted in gaining access to the site.  ParentVUE loings were sent home to those who needed them. We continued CLOSE Reading activities.   Homework: - read AR
English 8B: After DOL/Journal, students who needed login information for StudentVUE were assisted in gaining access to the site.  ParentVUE loings were sent home to those who needed them. We started a "teacher model" of the CLOSE Read activity, and will finish it tomorrow.   Homework:  CLOSE Reading activity "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (if it was not completed today) - read AR