Thursday, September 30th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After more vocabulary studies, students will continue their exploration of reader predictions and the author's use of irony.
Homework - In a paragraph, explain how the dynamic characters change over the course of the story.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After more vocabulary studies, students will continue to define the author's purpose in "Names/Nombres."  Students will begin to brainstorm their own personal essay topics for use on their next test.
Homework -In a paragraph, explain a situation where someone made a negative first impression on you, but later changed it.

Wednesday, September 29th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After the introduction to the unit 2 vocabulary unit, students will determine the relationship between reader predictions and examples of situational irony.
Homework - September's RRS is due tomorrow.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After the introduction to the unit 2 vocabulary unit, students will then define the author's purpose in "Names/Nombres."  Students will begin to brainstorm their own personal essay topics for use on their next test.
Homework - September's RRS is due tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 28th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After students take their first vocabulary quiz, they will read their next story, "The Ransom of Red Chief," by O. Henry.  They will make predictions during this process and check their accuracy after the process.
Homework - In a paragraph, answer the following: Judging how Red Chief behaves in the story, what sort of person do you think he will be when he grows up?

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After students take their first vocabulary quiz, they will read their next story, "Names/Nombres," by Julia Alvarez.  They will then define the author's purpose and begin to brainstorm their own personal essay topics.
Homework - Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  How does this quote apply to the ideas in this essay?  Explain in a paragraph.

Friday, September 24th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will compare/contrast ideas between similar works related to the story, "Stop the Sun."  We will then review for the test on Monday.
Homework - Using the rough outline provided in class, students are to continue writing their rough draft for the following essay question: Describe the author's use of theme in the story, "Stop the Sun."  The rough draft is due on Monday before the test.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will practice combining ideas into more developed sentences.  They will also present their examples of internal/external conflicts that they culled from various media sources.
Homework - Using the rough outline provided in class, students are to continue writing their rough draft for the following essay question: Describe the author's use of conflict in the story, "Thank You, M'am."  The rough draft is due on Monday before the test.

Thursday, September 23rd

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue to improve their writing with the aid of predicate adjectives, predicate nouns, and adverbs. 
Homework - Using the rough outline provided in class, students are to begin writing their rough draft for the following essay question: Describe the author's use of theme in the story, "Stop the Sun."  The rough draft is due on Monday before the test.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to define and apply the concept of internal & external conflict to the characters in our current story.  They will then apply this concept to other forms of media and present it to the class.
Homework -  Using the rough outline provided in class, students are to begin writing their rough draft for the following essay question: Describe the author's use of conflict in the story, "Thank You, M'am."  The rough draft is due on Monday before the test.

Wednesday, September 22nd

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to improve their writing with the aid of predicate adjectives and adverbs
Homework - Students are to continue working on their September RRS which is due next week.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to define and apply the concept of internal & external conflict to the characters in the story, "Thank You, M'am."
Homework - Students are to continue working on their September RRS which is due next week.

Tuesday, September 21st

Parents and Guardians: Yesterday, the students received their vocabulary books for the school year.  It is highly recommended that they purchase these books so they can write in them.  The cost is $9 and you can pay with cash or a check made out to Conrad Schools of Science.  All students who purchase a book will receive a receipt.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After some vocabulary practice and discussion, students will be able to determine the theme of the story, "Stop the Sun."
Homework - In a paragraph, answer the following: Because the war took place before Terry's parents were married, Terry's father thinks that the war has "nothing to do with his family."  Why do you think he feels this way?  Do you agree with his feeling about this?  Why or why not?

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - After some vocabulary practice and discussion, students will continue working on their cause/effect projects .  They will then present them to the rest of the class.
Homework - In a paragraph, answer the following:Why do you think that Mrs. Jones treats Roger the way she does?

Friday, September 17th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will read the story, "Stop the Sun" by Gary Paulson.  They will then describe how they can connect with the main character's handling of a difficult experience.
Homework - Interview Question: How is it possible to help someone that doesn't want any help?  Explain with an example.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will read their next story, "Thank You, M'am," from Langston Hughes.  They will then examine the author's use of cause/effect relationships.  Students will then compose and illustrate examples of these relationships and present them to the rest of the class.. 
Homework - Students are to watch one TV show episode and give 3 examples of cause/effect relationships found in the plot.

Thursday, September 16th

8th & 7th Grades

Both sections are taking their first test of the school year.  When they finish, they are to complete any make-up work then continue reading the next story which we will officially start tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 15th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to use context clues in figuring out vocabulary words.  They will then examine the various forms on conflict in the story as well as how they were eventually resolved.
Homework -Study for tomorrow's test on "Raymond's Run."

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to use context clues in figuring out vocabulary words.  They will then consider how the themes of the story might have been different if it was told from an alternative perspective.
Homework - Study for tomorrow's test on "Seventh Grade."

Tuesday, September 14th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to identify and compose samples of sentences that demonstrate an unusual word order. They will then continue giving their presentations from yesterday.
Homework - Students will continue reading their book for the September RRS.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to identify the subjects and predicates in a variety of sentences.  This skill is important in avoiding run-on and fragment sentences in their writing.  They will then continue giving their presentations from yesterday.   
Homework - Students will continue reading their book for the September RRS.

Monday, September 13th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to compose and present an acceptance speech based on the main character's achievements in the story "Raymond's Run."  Another option is to compose similar product based on one of their own personal achievements.
Homework - Interview Question : Describe a skill that you have practiced in order to be good at it. 

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to examine the author's use of theme in the story "Seventh Grade."  Students will then rewrite the story from another character's perspective in order to see how the theme might change.
Homework - In a paragraph, explain a situation where somebody lied to you.  Did this affect your relationship with that person?  Explain why or why not.

Thursday, September 9th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to examine the story elements based on "Raymond's Run".  They will then create their own diagram of the story elements found in one of their summer reading books and present it to the class.

Homework - In a paragraph, describe the main character's personality traits using examples from the story.  Is she someone that you would be friends with?  Why or why not?

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to analyze the importance of the setting found in "Seventh Grade." They will particularly observe the sensory details utilized by the author.

Homework -   Interview Question: What is the difference between a white lie and a regular lie?  Are there any situations where lying is acceptable?  Why or why not?

Wednesday, September 8th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to determine cause and effect relationships found in their first story, "Raymond's Run."  They will then apply this skill to any of the three books they were to read over the summer break and present it to the class.

Homework - Continue working on the monthly RRS, due September 30th.  Those who need to continue working on their summer reading assignments may do so as well.

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will describe connections they  have with the main character of "Seventh Grade" in terms of personality traits, thoughts, feelings, etc.  They will then apply this skill to any of the three books they were to read over the summer break and present it to the class.

Homework - Continue working on the monthly RRS, due September 30th.  Those who need to continue working on their summer reading assignments may do so as well.

Tuesday, September 7th

8th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to determine cause and effect relationships found in their first story, "Raymond's Run."

Homework - Interview Question: Why do people make fun of others who have disabilities?

7th Grade

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to read the story "Seventh Grade" and describe connections they  have with the main character in terms of personality traits, thoughts, feelings, etc.

Homework -  In a paragraph, answer the following: Why do people feel the need to create false impressions of themselves in front of others? Explain with an example.

Thursday, September 2nd

Parents & Guardians - Today, students will receive a copy of the Reader Response Sheet (RRS) that is due on the last day of every calendar month.  Over the course of each month, students are to read an approved book and answer questions based on it.  For each marking period, students are to submit between 2-3 Reader Response Sheets.  Late submissions will only receive partial credit.  These assignments account for 10% of the final grade per marking period.

Lesson Objectives - Students will...

• gain an awareness of my behavior expectations as well as the consequences for not meeting them.
• receive their fist two Reader Response Sheets (September and October) as well as an explanation of my expectations in completing them.
• be able to identify the three types of questioning that we will see over the course of the year:
• Determining meaning
• Interpreting meaning
• Extending meaning 

 Homework - Students are to find a book for their September RRS assignment over the holiday weekend.

We start the real work on Tuesday, so be prepared! 

Wednesday, September 1st

Day Three

Lesson Objectives - Today, both ELA sections will spend time discussing the appropriate behaviors necessary when interacting with their peers over the course of the year.  Groups will analyze realistic scenarios and determine the "wrong way" and "right way" in handling these situations.

Homework - Students are to get the bottom portion of the classroom behavior letter signed and returned to me tomorrow.  Those who need to continue working on their summer reading assignments may do so as well.