Friday, January 29th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Apply their unit 4 vocabulary words in a sentence exercise.
• Tell the difference between abstract and concrete nouns. 

Homework - Students will prepare for their "Immigrant Kids" Test on Tuesday as well as Wednesday's vocabulary quiz.

There are only 26 school days left until DSTP testing!

Thursday, January 28th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to determine the effectiveness of the primary sources used in the story "Immigrant Kids" (Page 2b).  They will then continue working on vocabulary unit 4.

Homework - Students will get their SDR (which has the final 2nd marking period grade) signed by a parent/guardian. The January RRS is due this Friday.

There are only 27 school days left until DSTP testing!

Wednesday, January 27th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to organize the author's information in an outline format (page 2a).  Students will then create their own outlines based on their personal interests.  These will be presented to the rest of the class.

Homework - Students should work on January's RRS that is due this Friday.

There are only 28 school days left until DSTP testing!

Monday, January 25th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Practice their written response skills so that they are prepared for the DSTP.
• Identify the difference between primary and secondary sources in a non-fiction writing sample. (Page 1b)

Homework - Interview Question: Do you think there will be a point where the United States might close it's borders to prevent new immigrants from coming in?  Using details, explain why you think that the US government should or should not do this. 

There are only 30 school days left until DSTP testing!

Friday, January 22nd

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Analyze the components of a news article in order to understand its structure and purpose. This is a brief DSTP review exercise.
• Make corrections to their recent quiz on Vocabulary unit 3

Homework - Students can complete their quiz corrections for additional credit. Any make-up work is due by the end of the week!
 

There are only 31 school days left until DSTP testing!

Thursday, January 21st

Lesson Objectives - Students will be taking their Unit 3 Vocabulary quiz after a brief review. They may work on an extra credit assignment or January's RRS after the quiz. We will also work on test corrections for a past test.


Homework - Students can make test corrections on the "A Retrieved Reformation" test. Please make sure that they are submitted before this Friday.

There are only 32 school days left until DSTP testing!

Wednesday, January 20th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Analyze the components of a news article in order to understand its structure and purpose.  This is a brief DSTP review exercise. 
• Make corrections to their recent quiz on Vocabulary unit 3

Homework - Students can complete their quiz corrections for additional credit.  Any make-up work is due by the end of the week!

There are only 33 school days left until DSTP testing!

Tuesday, January 19th

Parents & Guardians - We have half-days all of this week due to mid-terms.  Today and tomorrow, I will meet with my first two classes.  I will not meet with my last period class until Thursday and Friday.   Even though I may not meet with your child in class on certain days, he or she is still welcome to submit any missing or late assignments.  The marking period officially closes this Friday!

Lesson Objectives - Students will be taking their Unit 3 Vocabulary quiz after a brief review.  They may work on an extra credit assignment after the quiz.  We will also work on test corrections for a past test. 

Homework - Students can make test corrections on the "A Retrieved Reformation" test.  Please make sure that they are submitted before this Friday.

There are only 34 school days left until DSTP testing!

Wednesday, January 13th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Apply their understanding of characterization to stories that we have previously read. They will present their findings to the rest of the class.
• Earn more credit by making corrections to the Unit 2 Vocabulary quiz.

Homework - Students will continue writing their rough draft for the essay that is part of Friday's test. This is the last test of the second marking period. Essay question: Explain the author's use of static and dynamic characters in the story, "What do Fish Have to do with Anything?"

There are only 37 school days left until DSTP testing!

Tuesday, January 12th

Parents & Guardians - Please be aware that the second marking period is rapidly coming to a close!  Please check HAC so that you know if any missed assignments need to be completed and turned in.  If you are interested in a conference on Thursday, January 28th between 2:30-6:20, please contact the main office at 992-5545.  I will contact you for a conference if your child is in danger of failing for the year.

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Use context clues in order apply the Unit 3 vocabulary words in sentence form.
• Apply their understanding of characterization to stories that we have previously read.  They will present their findings to the rest of the class.

Homework - Students will start writing their rough draft for the essay that is part of Friday's test.  This is the last test of the second marking period.  Essay question:  Explain the author's use of static and dynamic characters in the story, "What do Fish Have to do with Anything?"

There are only 38 school days left until DSTP testing!

Monday, January 11th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Determine whether a character is a static or dynamic character. (Page 15a)
• Explain how the author uses characterization in order to provide details about his characters. (15b)

Homework - Explain whether you agree or disagree with this statement: "Money can't buy happiness, but you can rent a lot of it."  Explain.

There are only 39 school days left until DSTP testing!

Friday, January 8th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Check their yearly progress via the MAP computer assessment. (First and Second periods only)
• Use details from the story in order to draw conclusions about the main characters. (Page 14b)
• Determine whether a character is a static or dynamic character. (Page 15a)

 Homework - Get SDR (Student Detail Report) signed by a parent or guardian.

There are only 40 school days left until DSTP testing!

Thursday, January 7th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Use details from the story in order to draw conclusions about the main characters. (Page 14b)
• Determine whether a character is a static or dynamic character. (Page 15a)
• Check their yearly progress via the MAP computer assessment. (Last period only)

Homework - Get SDR (Student Detail Report) signed by a parent or guardian.

There are only 41 school days left until DSTP testing!

Wednesday, January 6th

Most of the seventh grade students are going on the Junior Achievement field trip with Mr. McLean, so I will not meet with the majority of my students today.  Those that I will see will start working on the third unit of their vocabulary book.  They will also have the opportunity to work on late/missed assignments to help improve their grades.

There are only 42 school days left until DSTP testing!

Tuesday, January 5th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to...

• Compose a response in RARE format which complies with the DSTP scoring rubric.
• Use story information to draw conclusions about important characters.

Homework - In a paragraph with a topic sentence, explain a situation where you taught something to your parents/guardians.  Use detailed sentences with examples to support your ideas.

There are only 43 school days left until DSTP testing!

Monday, January 4th

Parents, Guardians, & Students:  Welcome back!  I hope the break gave you time to recharge your batteries.  We are now entering "crunch time" as we wrap up the second marking period.  Please be aware that there are only 44 days left until we take the DSTP in English and Math!

Lesson Objectives - Since we lost a few days before the break, we will use today as a make-up day so that students can get caught up on old assignments.  We will continue with new material tomorrow.

Homework - Class Work Packet pages 7-13 and the December Reader's Response Sheet are due no later than Thursday, January 7th.