Tuesday, January 31st

Lesson Objectives - Students will read their next story, "An American Childhood."  With this story, they will analyze the steps the author took to create a character study.  Eventually, they will choose a person in their lives and apply the same writing principles.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph:  Pick a person in your life who you find interesting.  What makes this person interesting to you?  What have you learned from this person?  Explain using specific details.

Monday, January 30th

Lesson Objectives - Students are taking their first test of the third marking period today.  They will have them back by the end of the week in order to make corrections.

Homework - January's RRS is due tomorrow!

Thursday, January 26th

Lesson Objectives - After organizing their 2nd marking period folders for storage, students will prepare and present their traditional/modern fable projects.  Audience members will determine the moral/theme of the presented works and provide positive feedback/constructive criticism.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph: Describe your work ethic.  Are you an ant? A grasshopper?  A Bess or Lottie?  Explain using your personal experiences. 

Wednesday, January 25th

Lesson Objectives - After working in Lesson 6 in the vocabulary book, students will prepare their presentations that they will start sharing tomorrow.  They can either create an original traditional fable or they can make a modern fable based on an already established traditional fable.  Student will not only be assessed by the content and delivery of their presentation, but also by critically analyzing the works of other students.

Homework - Students are to continue working on January's RRS.  It is due on Tuesday of next week.

Tuesday, January 24th

Lesson Objectives - Students will start lesson 6 in the vocabulary book by acting out the word meanings in front of the class.  They will then continue yesterday's lesson finding similarities and differences between "The Richer, the Poorer" and "Ant and Grasshopper."

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph:  "Think of a family member.  In what ways are you similar to that person?  How are you different?  How can family members use their differences to help one another grow?"

Monday, January 23rd

Lesson Objectives - Students are starting "The Richer, the Poorer" in class today.  They will compare this to last week's fable, "Ant and Grasshopper."  They will eventually create their own example of the modern fable.

Homework - Interview Question: Answer the following with supporting details.  Which has a greater impact on human behavior?  A) The genetic material inherited from one's parents.  B) The environment in which one is raised.

Tuesday, January 17th

Lesson Objectives - Students will start their next unit regarding the modern fable.  In order to do so, we'll look back at the traditional fable, "Ant and Grasshopper."  Students will compare/contrast various versions of this fable.

Homework - Tomorrow is the last day for students to submit late/missing assignments for partial credit.

Tuesday, January 10th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to identify and explain the various life lesson and human nature themes found in the story "The Scholarship Jacket."

Homework - Students are to begin writing their test essay rough draft for the following prompt: Explain and provide examples of the types of theme the author uses in "The Scholarship Jacket."  The finished rough draft is due on Friday.  It is worth 3 homework credits!!!

Monday, January 9th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to identify and explain the various life lesson and human nature themes found in the story "The Scholarship Jacket."  Eventually these ideas will be used in their essay on a test this Friday.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph: Do you think that the author's representation of Martha was a realistic depiction of a teenager?  Explain why or why not using details from the story.

Friday, January 6th

Lesson Objectives - Students are starting their final story of the marking period, "The Scholarship Jacket."  Here, were will discuss the importance of connecting with the main character in order to discover the theme of the story.

Homework - Interview Question: Explain a situation where you believe you were treated unfairly in the workplace.  Was the issue resolved?  If so, how?

Thursday, January 5th

All students are taking their winter DCAS testing today. 

Wednesday, January 4th

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue with yesterday's lesson and its focus on text organizers found in non-fiction articles.  They will then review certain elements of poetry that we discussed before the break.  Both will help students in tomorrow test.

Homework - Students will take their Winter DCAS test on Thursday.  Get plenty of rest, eat breakfast,  and bring your brains tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 3rd

Parents, Guardians, and Students - Welcome back!  I hope everyone is rested and ready to pick up where we left off.  There are only a few days left in the second marking period, so please make sure everything is completed and turned in on time.

Lesson Objectives - Students will start their Lesson 5 in the Vocabulary book.  They will then examine and analyze the use of text organizers (such as headlines, subheadings, pull quotes, photographs, and captions) in the context of a non-fiction news article.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph: What are some ways in which teens in our area can volunteer their services?  How would you help out in the community?  Explain with details.