Spring into Poetry!

I can't believe it's already March! We are starting our poetry unit, and you will have the chance to exercise all of your poetic abilities. Here are this week's poetry topics:

Wednesday: Making Comparisons Using the Five Senses (Similes)
Poem (in class): Write about what's in your backpack, making sure you write five similes, one for each of the five senses!

Thursday: Concrete Imagery
Poem (in class): Write about your bedroom, using language that appeals directly to the five senses.
Friday: Personification
Poem (in class): Write a poem that turns a feeling or an emotion into a person. Your poem should include concrete imagery and at least TWO similes.

Each of these lessons will give you other skills to use when you write poems in the future!

Here comes the end...

Of our "Lessons in True Courage" Unit!

Here's how we'll be wrapping things up this week:

Monday: Essays DUE! Read the Epilogue of Parallel Journeys and discuss the ways Alfons and Helen have both shown courage.

Tuesday: IR TEST #2! Begin working on study guide for unit test.

Wednesday: Library day, check out new book for IR Test #3
Continue working on study guide for unit test.

Thursday: Study Guide/Review Day

Friday: UNIT TEST!!!!

Writing Workshop Week

This week is our writing workshop, where we work together in class to write Persuasive Essays. You have been assigned one of three prompts:

Yellow: "Would you consider it dangerous to read Alfons' point of view? Why might some people consider it dangerous to read about what young Nazis believed?

Green: "When Alfons Heck was a young teenager, he thought that Hitler was a great hero who would save Germany. Much later, he realized the terrible damage that Hitler caused, both to Jewish people and to the young Germans who followed him. Do you think people who are not fully adult should be held responsible for their decisions and actions?

Orange: "During the speaking tours that Helen and Alfons made, audience members were sometimes angry at Helen. They believed she should be less forgiving toward a former member of the Hitler Youth. Why do you think that Helen believes so strongly that we should not hate all the members of any group? Do you agree with her?"

This week we'll be breaking down the process of how to write a persuasive essay. Here's what our week will look like:

Monday: How to write a strong argument
-You'll brainstorm your claim and supporting arguments.

Tuesday: Introduction and Thesis
-You'll write a strong introduction paragraph with a hook and arguable thesis.

Wednesday: Body Paragraphs and OREO
-You'll compose three body paragraphs that support your argument.

Thursday: Conclusion and Peer Review
-Finish up your rough draft and have a friend look it over.

Friday: Writing Day
-Spend the class period working on your final draft of the paper.
-If you finish in class on Friday you may turn it in.

If not, all essays are due on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 at the beginning of class. No exceptions.

Links for Holocaust Information

Interview with Helen Waterford: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_oi.php?MediaId=2300
After watching, click on "View all Oral Histories" to see the whole library.
The Holocaust Explained: http://www.theholocaustexplained.org/

The History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/the-holocaust

America and the Holocaust: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/teachers/index.html

February 9, 2015

Here's this week's schedule:

Monday: Finish first six chapters of Parallel Journeys. 
Homework: Venn Diagram and 10 Questions

Tuesday: Begin reading last six chapters of Parallel Journeys.
Yellow groups will read 12, 14, 18.
Red groups will read 15, 17, 21.

Wednesday: LIBRARY DAY!
Character Study #3: Anne Frank
You need to check out a nonfiction book (biography or autobiography is preferred)
Our Next IR Test is on Tuesday, 2/24

Thursday: Continue reading last six chapters

Friday: Continue reading last six chapters
Yellow groups should be FINISHED with 12, 14, 18
Red groups should be FINISHED with 15, 17, 21

Parallel Journeys and a Sentence Quiz!

This week we have been reading excerpts from the book Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Ayer. This book tells two different perspectives of WWII--Alfons Heck's, a young boy growing up in Nazi Germany, and Helen Waterford's, a young Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust.

We have also been discussing finding the subjects and verbs in the following types of sentences:
1. Simple Sentences
2. Sentences with Compound Subjects and Compound Verbs
3. Questions
4. Commands
5. Sentences beginning with "There" or "Here."

Tomorrow we will take a sentence quiz on these five types of sentences. Each sentence will be taken directly from Parallel Journeys.

January 26, 2015

Monday: Character Study #2: The Life of Winston Churchill

Note-taking Skills: Mind Maps and Venn Diagrams

Homework: Finish Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting Martin Luther King, Jr, and Winston Churchill

Tuesday: Read Chapters 12-13 of Number the Stars

Wednesday: Library Day! Please bring books to renew/return and any fines or fees you might owe! 

Read Chapters 14-15 of Number the Stars

Homework: Test Practice Worksheet

Thursday: Read Chapters 16-17 of Number the Stars

Answer comprehension questions based on the novel.

Friday: IR Test #1 over a novel of your choice. 

Bring IR books to class—you can use them on the test!

Make a comic strip based on Number the Stars.

Homework: Finish Comic Strip based on Number the Stars. 

Week 21: 1/20/15

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! Now the rubber meets the road--we've got about 5 weeks until Spring Break, and they will be busy ones!

Tuesday 1/20: Character Study #1: The Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
New Note-taking Strategy: 2-Column Outline

Wednesday 1/21: Chapters 7-8 of Number the Stars.
Homework: Test Practice Lessons 5-6

Thursday 1/22: Chapters 9-11 of Number the Stars.

Friday 1/23: QUIZ over the following topics:
-Vocabulary Chapters 1-11
(contempt, exasperated, imperious, intricate, sabotage, deftly, distorted, protrude, ruefully, tentatively)
-Reading comprehension Chapters 1-11 (I will return Ch. 1-5 sheet tomorrow)
-Character Study #1: MLK

Your Chapters 6-11 worksheet is DUE on Friday before the quiz!
After the quiz we will check Wednesday's homework.

Questions to Consider: How does Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life match up with the definition of courage you created last week?

Weekly Schedule:

Monday 1/12: Read "Suzy and Leah" and compare to Number the Stars.

Tuesday 1/13: Catch up day--discuss Scandinavian countries where Number the Stars takes place.

Wednesday 1/14: Library day and GLOBAL SCHOLAR!
-You will need to check out a novel for your first IR Test (1/30)
-Homework: Test Practice Lessons 3-4

Thursday 1/15: Work with a partner to write a personal definition of courage, read Chapter 6 of Number the Stars.

Friday 1/16: Check Test Practice Homework
Work on Number the Stars Reading Comprehension Questions

Welcome Back!

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Winter Break! Now it's time to hit the ground running! Here's our schedule for this week:

 

Tuesday 1/6: Review classroom policies.

Take a pre-test for the upcoming semester.

 

Wednesday 1/7: Introduce our next unit--Lessons in True Courage

Learn how to take Cornell notes.

Homework: Test Practice Lessons 1-2

 

Thursday 1/8: Introduce vocabulary for Chapters 1-5 of Number the Stars.

Continue background information on Denmark and WWII.

Read Chapter 1 of Number the Stars.

 

Friday 1/9: Check Test Practice Lessons 1-2

Read Chapters 2-3 of Number the Stars.

 

Exam Schedule and Study Guide

Only one week left until Winter Break! I know everyone is busy trying to get their work caught up. Here's a reminder about this week's schedule:

Thursday: 2nd, 4th, and 6th Period Exams
Friday: 1st, 3rd, and 5th Period Exams

Just a quick reminder--if you haven't turned in any of the following items, I need them by WEDNESDAY at the latest:

• Makeup Quizzes/Tests
• A Wrinkle in Time Folder
• A Wrinkle in Time Projects

 

Project Reminder

Please do not forget that your A Wrinkle in Time projects are due THIS WEEK! If you're not sure which day you are presenting on, please ask me. If you know you will be absent on the day you present, please let me know so that I can re-schedule your presentation. 

Because next week is finals week, there is not much time for you to make up your project presentations. 

A Wrinkle in Time Folders

Folders are due on Monday! Here's how I will be grading your folder--it counts as a quiz grade!

1. Is your Table of Contents filled in? (1 point)
2. Are all 13 assignments completed and present in the folder?(39 possible points)
    --Each completed assignment is worth three points.
3. Are all three journals complete? (60 possible point)
   --Each journal has two questions worth 10 points each.


If you're missing the Table of Contents here it is:

1. Ch. 1-2 Worksheet
2. Ch. 3-4 Worksheet
3. Character Chart and Body Biography **5th period only
4. Ch. 1-4 Writing
5. Ch. 5-6 Worksheet
6. Vocab Square and Sensory Notes
7. Journal #1
8. Ch. 7-8 Worksheet
9. Ch. 5-8 Writing
10. Journal #2
11. Ch. 9-10 Worksheet
12. Ch. 11-12 Worksheet
13. Journal #3 and Chapter 9-12 Writing (We will do this IN CLASS on Monday)


If you haven't completed Journals 1 or 2 the questions are HERE. 

If you are missing a Chapter Worksheet, they are HERE. 

AWiT Project Requirements

There have been some issues with the link to the document version of this, so here are the requirements if you've lost your sheet!

A Wrinkle in Time Projects

Directions: Choose one of the following projects for A Wrinkle in Time. Your projects will be due on Thursday and Friday, December 11th and 12th

Instagram It: Create an Instagram account for one of the characters in A Wrinkle in Time. How would they document their journey in photographs? You should include:

• At least 5 “Instagram” posts.
• A username for your character
• Comments from other characters on your post
• Captions for each post that explain what the picture is and why it is important
• You can make this on a poster, a PowerPoint, etc.

Museum Curator: Imagine that you are the founder of the Wrinkle in Time museum. What objects would you include to represent this novel? You should include:

• 5 artifacts—objects you can bring to class and show everyone.
• One paragraph written about each object explaining why these objects represent the novel.
• Your paragraphs should be written in blue or black ink, double spaced, and numbered 1-5 to correspond with the artifacts.

Cast the Movie: You have just been handed the job of directing the new film version of A Wrinkle in Time. Which famous actors/celebrities would you choose to play the roles of the major characters? You should include:

• Pictures of your choices for the following roles: Meg, Charles Wallace, Calvin, Mrs. Murry, Mr. Murry, the man with the red eyes, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, Sandy, Dennys, and the Happy Medium.
• You should write a two to three sentence summary for each character explaining why you chose them.
• You may present this on a poster, tri-fold board, or PowerPoint.

Make a Playlist: You are working on the film version of this book, and it’s your job to come up with the soundtrack for the movie. What songs would you pick that match the theme and the mood of the story? You should include:

• 5 songs that represent the mood and the theme of the novel. Your songs must be school appropriate—no language, drug or alcohol references, etc.
• A CD cover and track list for the soundtrack.
• A brief summary (3-4 sentences) for each song that explains why you picked it and how it fits best with the book.
• If you would like, we can listen to little bits of each song.

Scrapbook: Make a scrapbook that represents the book. This is your chance to be creative and include pictures of the characters. You should include:

•  5 pages that show different aspects of the book.
• Pictures and writing that show the character’s journey through the book.

Board Game: Create a board game based on A Wrinkle in Time. You should include:

• Instructions for the game
• Game pieces/cards/etc.
• A one paragraph explanation of how your game represents the book in some way.

December is here!

I hope that you are all smiling after a great Thanksgiving break! We only have THREE weeks until Christmas break, so we'll be finishing up A Wrinkle in Time this week. Here's our schedule:

Monday:
Bellwork- Copy down vocabulary for this week.
Classwork- Read Chapter 9 of AWiT. Start Chapter 10 if time permits.
Work on Chapter 9-10 worksheet
Homework- Vocab flashcards and write a sentence using each word. (Except 6th! They don't have homework today.)

Tuesday:
Bellwork- Conjunction notes
Classwork- Read Chapter 10 of AWiT, Start Chapter 11 if possible.
Finish Chapter 9-10 worksheet and keep in your AWiT Folder.

Wednesday: LIBRARY DAY! Bring books!

Thursday:
Bellwork- Conjunction practice
Classwork- Read Chapter 11 of AWiT, Start Chapter 12 (last chapter) if possible.
Work on Chapter 11-12 worksheet.

Friday:
QUIZ over vocabulary, conjunctions, and Chapters 9-12.
Homework: Make sure your folder is complete. This means finish 9-10 and 11-12 worksheets if you need to, make sure you have journals 1-3 finished.

Other announcements:
1. Grades should be updated by Friday of this week.
2. Folders for A Wrinkle in Time are DUE on MONDAY 12/8
3. Projects are due next Thursday and Friday.

Impact Aid Survey

Every student should have received an Impact Aid Survey during their first period class. It is extremely important that these surveys are returned by Friday, November 21st. Please complete the survey and return to your advisory teacher as soon as possible!

Weekly Update 11/7

Here's our schedule for this week:

Monday: Read Chapter 7 of A Wrinkle in Time individually
Work on Chapter 7 worksheet
Choose AWiT Projects (due 12/11-12)
Homework: Vocabulary Review

Tuesday: Read Chapter 8 of A Wrinkle in Time as a class
Work on Chapter 8 worksheet
Homework: Study for Vocab Test!

Wednesday: Finish Chapter 7-8 worksheet
Review game for Thursday's test

Thursday: 
TEST over Latin and Greek root words.
You can find the list and the study guide under the Important Documents tab.
Responding to AWiT Chapters 5-8

Friday: Group work over AWiT Chapters 5-8

Important Documents

I've added some new documents to the class website that should help you prepare for some major assignments we have coming up!

We will have a cumulative vocabulary test on Thursday, November 20th. You can access the review sheet HERE.

A Wrinkle in Time Projects are due on Thursday and Friday December 11-12. You can access the project sheet for A Wrinkle in Time HERE.

These documents are also on the "Important Documents" tab at the top of the blog. Let me know in class if you have trouble accessing the documents!

Veteran's Day

This week is a short week as we celebrate Veteran's Day. Here's our class Schedule:

Monday: 
-Get AWiT Folder set up
-Read Chapter 5 of AWiT alone or with a partner
-Complete Chapter 5 Review sheet
-Homework: Vocabulary flashcards for chapters 5-6 of AWiT (NO ROOT WORDS!)

Tuesday: Veteran's Day

Wednesday: 
-Read Chapter 6 of AWiT alone or with a partner
-Complete Chapter 6 Review sheet
-Homework: Vocabulary square for one of our words

Thursday: 
-LIBRARY
-Sensory notes for the planet Camazotz
-I will give out project sheets for A Wrinkle in Time Projects

Friday: 
-Quiz
-Journal Entry on A Wrinkle in Time Chapters 5-6

November!

Here's what's happening this week:

Today: We will finish reading chapter 4 of A Wrinkle in Time and start analyzing the three main characters.
Homework: write a sentence using your 10 vocabulary words--inspire, perspire, respiration, spirited, photogenic, telephoto, photosynthesis, flamingo, flammable, and inflammation.
Homework: If you didn't finish your character chart in class, you will need to have it complete on Wednesday!
Homework: You will need a folder with two pockets and brads by Friday.

Wednesday: We will create "body biographies" of the three main characters from AWiT.


Thursday: Continue working on "body biographies" and chapters 1-4 worksheet
Homework: You will need a folder with two pockets and brads by Friday.
Homework: Study for Quiz

Friday: Quiz over lesson 14 words, Chapters 1-4 words, Chapters 1-4 of AWiT.
-I will hand out grade slips with your average.
-All makeup work is due on MONDAY.
-Progress reports come out next week.
-Each group will also present their body biographies after the quiz.