HAPPY VACATION!

Reading: When we return from vacation, make sure you have a silent reading book.  It's back to reading log time!!!

English: You have homework, which consists of two homophone worksheets.  It's due the day we return from vacation.

Dec. 6 Update

Reading: There is a quiz on Ashes of Roses this Wednesday.  A study guide will be handed out today. We should be done the book by Friday, then we'll do our final assessment.

English: The commercials are due this Wednesday.  After that, we'll be doing some more vocab and descriptive writing before the holiday break.

ADVISORY: Don't forget to bring in a Yankee Swap gift for Friday, Dec. 16!  I'll bring in some sweet treats for us to share as well.

Week of November 28, 2011

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break!  We only have a few short weeks until the holidays.  Here's what to expect:
READING: We'll continue reading Ashes of Roses in class.  We will be done this book by Christmas.  When we finish, I will assign a project for final assessment.
ENGLISH: This week you have Lesson 4 in Vocab-u-lit.  The packet is due on Wednesday and we'll have a quiz on Friday.  We're also starting to learn about advertising techniques, which coincides with persuasive writing.  You'll be asked to come up with a product and a commercial/ad for it before Christmas break.

Extra Credit Opportunity

There are many of you in Reading class that are super close to the next grade up (B to A, C to B).  Over Thanksgiving Break, I'd like you to write a one page book report about a book you are reading or have read this year.  Here's what to include:

• Introduction, with book title, author, and summary of book
• Main characters (2 or 3 important characters)
• Conclusion: overall opinion of the book, would you recommend it to a friend?

Nov. 17 Update

READING: We'll be having a quiz on Monday on the first 8 chapters of Ashes of Roses.  It's important to know the names of characters and vocabulary on the study sheet I gave you.  Possible extra credit questions could be: What does Uncle Patrick do for work? What is the name of the city in Ireland that Rose's family came from?

ENGLISH: Museum of I presentations are going on this week.  They will likely spill into next week.  Everyone is doing a great job!  Once this is over, we'll be focusing on persuasive writing.

Reading Log update

Since we're reading Ashes of Roses together, I will not be checking reading logs until further notice.  I would still like you to read on your own.

10/31/11 Update

READING: Quiz this Thursday on "The Tell Tale Heart".  Make sure you know the vocabulary and difference between mood and tone.

ENGLISH: Due to the lockdown last Friday, your vocab quiz will now be on Tuesday.  Don't forget your Museum of I project is due the week of November 14.

Week of October 24

READING: This week we are going to read the short story "Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe.  It's pretty creepy!  Don't forget your comic life projects with the graphic organizer are due this FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28.

ENGLISH: This week you have Lesson 3 in Vocab-u-Lit.  The packet is due this Wednesday.  There will be a quiz on Friday.  Make sure you learn the difference between lay/lie and their/there/they're for the quiz as well!
MUSEUM OF I: you should purchase the white board and be planning the organization at home.

"Museum of I" update

The next time you go to Walmart, Target, or the Dollar Store, look for 3x5 notecards.  They will help you with your oral presentation...and they are REQUIRED!  You will need them in class next week to start planning.

Keep up with your work!

Reading: Make sure you get your reading long signed every week.  Several people's homework grades are very poor because they aren't bringing in the log.  That should be an easy grade, so get in the habit.  Your first book project, a comic strip using Comic Life, is due on Oct. 28.

English: Two parts of your Museum of I should be done: self portrait/collage and the Care essay.  Make sure you get your board for the back drop and start planning how you want to organize it.  The final project is due on Monday, November 14.

Who's Checking My Blog?

If you come to me by THIS FRIDAY, and tell me your favorite color, I'll give you a free pass on your reading log next Monday!

Week of September 26, 2011

Reading: DON'T FORGET to get your reading log signed for class each Monday.
English: QUIZ on Monday over vocab words.  BONUS QUESTION: Mrs. LeBlanc likes to eat frozen french fries out of the bag!

September 21, 2011

Reading: We're finishing discussing the short story "Charles" this week.  Students should continue reading on their own, and get a parent signature once the reading goal is met.  You will soon be asked to do your first book project.  More info to come!

English: This week we're finishing up discussing poetry terms.  There will be a QUIZ on the terms on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27.  We'll be starting to write original poetry this week as well.

September 19, 2011

READING: today I'm checking to make sure you met or exceeded your reading goal, and got your guardian to sign.  This is a homework grade EVERY Monday, so get in the habit.  This week we'll talk about characterization, and read a fun story called "Charles".  We'll discuss some challenging vocabulary and do some comprehension questions.

ENGLISH: vocab quiz today, then we'll be talking about onomatopoeia.  Tomorrow we'll discuss alliteration, assonance, and consonance.  All of those are techniques used in poetry.  Be prepared for a poetry techniques quiz sometime next week.  This week you will be putting those terms to use when you start writing your own free verse poem.

BONUS QUESTION FOR MONDAY'S QUIZ

Ms. Clements was born in the month of June.

9/14 Classwork/Homework

Reading: This week we are talking about point of view, and using old favorite fairy tales as examples.  You will be doing some writing at the end of the week: summarize an old fairy tale from a different character's point of view.

English: Vocab this week, also discussing similes and metaphors.  VOCAB QUIZ ON MONDAY.
Make sure you know the definition of THWART for a bonus question!

9/12 Homework

READING: Make sure you stick to your reading goals this week.  If it was too easy or hard, adjust as necessary next week.

ENGLISH: LESSON 1 of Vocab-u-Lit is due on Wednesday this week.  Make sure you define each word, but also write a sentence for that word.  There will be a quiz on those words on Monday.  It will likely be matching or multiple choice.

First week nearly done...

READING: Today we did a handful of questions from NECAP released items to prepare for the upcoming test the first week of October.  Students then spent class time defining some literary terms that we will be discussing throughout the year.

ENGLISH: Today we started writing in journals.  Students were asked to write a paragraph about goals they have for the year.  Next we discussed a type of poem called a cinquain.  Ms. Clements modeled hers and the students created their own.

Class homework

READING: Make sure you have a silent reading book by Monday, September 12.  You should have your binder and all school supplies as well. BRING ALL FORMS BACK SIGNED
ENGLISH: Always come to class with something to write with.  Make sure you have a binder as well.  You can use the same binder for English and Reading if you choose. BRING ALL FORMS BACK SIGNED

School is coming!!!

School starts 2 weeks from today, which means I need to start getting up a bit earlier!  I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer.  I worked for 6 weeks at summer camp, then took some time to prepare for the school year, getting my classroom in order.  I hope you all come to school prepared, with the supplies you need and an open mind, ready to learn.  8th grade is sure to be an exciting year!

Playing around...

This is my first blog, so I'm going to play around and see how to post updates.  This will be where you can check on homework or anything else you missed if you missed a class.  Don't you just love technology?!

Mrs. LeBlanc

Welcome to my class blog!  Make sure you check here daily to see what's going on.