Wednesday, September 28th

Lesson Objectives - Students will examine various types of sentence structures.  They will practice writing these and will eventually utilize them in their personal essays.

Homework - Students are to continue writing their personal essay rough drafts.  The Reader Response Sheet for September is due on Friday.

Tuesday, September 27th

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue their examination of the elements found in a personal essay. They will dissect the essay, "Names/Nombres" by looking at the author's observations and attitude about her subject matter.

Homework - Students are to compose their introduction paragraph for their personal essay.  The completed rough draft is due on Monday, October 3rd.  Any past due homework and test corrections are due by Friday.

Monday, September 26th

Lesson Objectives - Students will determine the author's purpose of the personal essay, "Names/Nombres."  They include the following:

1. to entertain
2. to express ideas/feelings
3. to provide information or to explain
4. to persuade

  They will then provide evidence from the story to support their claim.


Homework - Students will choose a personal essay topic from the list given during class.  They will create a graphic organizer (such as a web, outline, chart, etc.) that explains how they plan to express their point.

Friday, September 23rd

Lesson Objectives - Students will start the next story, "Names/Nombres." This is an example of a non-fiction personal essay. They will then determine the author's purpose as well as the means she uses to get her points across. 

Homework - Students are to ask a parent/guardian the following interview question: Describe a situation where you tried to fit in with a group.  Was it easy or difficult?  Explain.  Remember, it is the responsibility of the student to write down the response and ask 2 pertinent follow-up questions.

Thursday, September 22nd

Lesson Objectives - Students are taking their second test of the marking period today.

Homework - Students will receive a copy of their Student Detail Report.  They are to get these signed by a parent/guardian and return it for homework credit.

Wednesday, September 21st

Lesson Objectives - Students will identify and develop sentences that include compound subjects and/or verbs. 

Homework - Students are to continue composing their essay rough draft for tomorrow's test.  The question is as follows: Explain Langston Hughes' use of internal and external conflicts in his short story, "Thank You, M'am."

Tuesday, September 20th

Lesson Objectives - Students will receive their vocabulary books today.  We will start the first chapter together.  They are to bring the book to class every day.  Students will also continue their exploration of internal and external conflicts that are seen in various media sources.

Homework - Students are to begin composing their essay rough draft for Thursday's test.  The question is as follows: Explain Langston Hughes' use of internal and external conflicts in his short story, "Thank You, M'am." 

Friday, September 16th

Parents and Guardians - 

1. On Monday, September 19th, our students will take the Fall round of the DCAS testing.  Please encourage your child to do the best they possibly can so that I can plan lessons that would best suit their individual needs.
2. Today, I'm sending home their first scored test.  Students are make corrections and resubmit it for a higher grade.  Please let them know that you are glad that they are taking responsibility for their mistakes.

Lesson Objectives - After a review of the story elements (exposition, rising action, climax and falling action) students will explore the concept of internal and external conflict.  They will then apply these ideas to movies, TV show episodes, and books.

Homework - Students are to complete the test corrections on loose-leaf paper and have their parents/guardians sign by the original score.  Doing these things will provide extra points which will be applied to the test grade.

Thursday, September 15th

Lesson Objectives - Students will compose examples of cause/effect relationships and present them to the class.

Homework - Watch a half-hour television program.  Make a list of 3 examples of cause/effect relationships.

Wednesday, September 14th

Lesson Objectives - Students will start their next story, "Thank You, M'am."  They will compose examples of cause/effect relationships and present them to the class.

Homework - Classwork pages 1-3 are due at the the beginning of tomorrow's class.  Vocabulary book forms/payments are also due.

Tuesday, September 13th

Parents and Guardians -
We have received the new vocabulary books that we will use for the upcoming two years.  To purchase the book, students can bring in $9 in the form of cash or a check.  All checks can be made out to Conrad Schools of Science.  Students will be able to keep the book after it is completed.

If you choose to not purchase the book, students can borrow one with the understanding that they must write all responses on paper.  If not purchased, students must return the book in good condition.

I highly recommend purchasing the book.  Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions about this matter.

Lesson Objectives - Students are taking their first test of the year!

Homework - Students are to return the vocabulary book form with a parent/guardian signature.

Monday, September 12th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to examine proper sentence structure in order to identify and compose examples of subjects and predicates.  They will then continue their presentations from last week.

Homework - Students may take classwork pages 1-3 home tonight to help them study for tomorrow's test on the story, "Seventh Grade."  It is their responsibility to return them to their folder tomorrow.

Friday, September 9th

Lesson Objectives - Students will begin to analyze the author's use of theme from the story "Seventh Grade."  They will then continue presenting their narratives or scripts to the rest of the class.

Homework - Students are to bring in their second summer reading project on Monday.  They should also continue reading for September's RRS assignment.

Thursday, September 8th

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue their analysis of the story "Seventh Grade."  Today, they will focus on the setting and the author's use of sensory details.  Students will also prepare and present their projects from yesterday's assignment.

Homework - Students are to continue reading a book of their choice so that they can complete September's Reader Response Sheet.

Wednesday, September 7th

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue the lesson objectives from yesterday.  In addition, they will create and present a dramatic scene based on their understanding of the main characters.

Homework - Ask a parent/guardian this interview question: "As an adult, does peer pressure still play a role in how you live your life?  Explain with examples."   Remember, the student is responsible for writing a summary of the response, not the parent/guardian.  Submit on loose leaf paper.

Tuesday, September 6th

Lesson Objectives - Students will start our first story, "Seventh Grade."  They will compare/contrast their lives to that of the main character.  They will then continue giving their summer reading presentations from last Friday.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph with a topic sentence: Why do people feel the need to create false impressions of themselves?  Explain a situation when someone tried to impress you by saying or doing something dishonest.

Thursday, September 1st

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue to learn the policies and procedures that they will follow over the course of the year.  Today, we will address the appropriate behaviors I expect in class.  We will use role-play as a method of determining the best course of action for dealing with student conflicts. After this, students will begin to present their summer reading projects.

Homework - Students are to find a book they they will use for September's Reader Response assignment.  They will also bring home a form for parents/guardians to sign regarding classroom responsibilities.