"Magi" quiz

For the "Gift of the Magi" quiz, make sure you know the following:

• Vocabulary from the story
• Characters, setting, conflict, point of view of the story
• Allusion: the Bible is alluded to in the story
• Irony: the story is an example of SITUATIONAL IRONY because the outcome is the opposite of what is expect to happen
• Symbols: Della's hair and Jim's watch are example of symbolism (those objects symbolize the love and affection the couple has for one another)

Book Projects and Spelling Bee

READING: Book projects are due on Friday, January 4, 2013.  Laptops are not allowed to go home over the holiday break, so if you want to work on your book project then you can use your home computer or do a story board.  If you use your home computer, you should use googledocs so you can access your project from any computer.

SPELLING BEE: Congratulations to Cassie Riley and Angela Haith, who will represent our team at the school spelling bee in January.  Please check out www.spellingbee.com to get some helpful study hints.

The Gift of the Magi

READING:
This week we will be reading a short story called "The Gift of the Magi".  This story is by O. Henry, which was a pen name used by William Sydney Porter *that will be a bonus question on the quiz next week*
Your quiz will be about questions from the story, irony, and the vocabulary

ENGLISH:
Students are working on a compare/contrast essay between two animals of their choice.  This will be due on Thursday, Dec. 20

New Trimester!

READING:
Since this is a new trimester, your reading logs will count as follows:
No signature=80...you may bring it in up to 2 days late to get credit (100 on the second day, 90 on the third)

We are watching "Tom Sawyer" on Monday and Tuesday this week.  Keep in mind the scenes that are different from the book.

You will have a book project due on FRIDAY, JANUARY 4.  I'm telling you NOW so you have time to read a book and do the project.  Keep in mind LAPTOPS DO NOT GO HOME OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK, so if you want to do a Keynote, you'll have to do it in Google Docs.  You may also do a story board or a written/typed report.

ENGLISH:
There is a vocabulary quiz tomorrow over the following words: bond, clangor, diffident, ecstasy, effect, enlist, enthusiast, frantic, prime, touching

There is an adjective worksheet packet that will be given on Tuesday.  If it's not done in class it must be done for homework. 

We will have 2 guest speakers coming to class on Thursday.  My friends, Casey and Erin Shea, are visiting from Pittsburgh, PA and they both work for a t.v. station.  Please be respectful as they talk with you and make sure you ask them questions.  They're both looking forward to coming in and sharing what they do with you.

Tom Sawyer Test Thursday

Your test on Tom Sawyer will have a mix of multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blanks, and putting events in chronological order.  Here's a sneak peek...these are the events that you'll have to put in the correct order:

Tom and Huck witness the murder in the graveyard
Tom gets other boys to whitewash Aunt Polly’s fence
Tom asks Becky to “get engaged”
Tom, Joe, and Huck run away to Jackson’s Island
The Widow has Huck move in with her


Also make sure you look at the character quiz, as those names will show up on the test.

Thanksgiving homework

Over break you will have a worksheet to do: Responding Questions for chapters 11-24.  There are only 5.  Do not do the discussion questions as we will discuss in class.
THERE WILL BE A TEST ON THE NOVEL THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER on Thursday, November 29.  We will review in class the day before, but you can be looking over your questions from the chapters. 

Tom Sawyer's Eulogy

Today, November 7, we are reading Chapter 14 of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  IF YOU HAVE MISSED ANY CHAPTERS UP UNTIL NOW, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CATCHING UP (either borrow a book from me or read on a computer).
Below is the writing assignment that I gave in class today:
A EULOGY is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone who has just died.

The people of Tom Sawyer’s town believed he has drowned.  Imagine you are one of the following characters in the story:
Aunt Polly
Sid
Becky Thatcher
Mary

Write a eulogy for Tom from that person’s point of view. Here are some things you could  include:
A short life history of the person
Details about family and friends
Favorite quotes, Bible scripture, or books (remember what Tom liked to read)
Best memories about Tom

Characters for Tom Sawyer Quiz

Tom Sawyer: Main character
Huckleberry Finn: Tom's friend; never goes to school or church
Joe Harper: Tom's friend; similar upbringing to Tom; played Robin Hood with Tom
Becky Thatcher: Tom's new crush; he wanted to be engaged to her
Aunt Polly: Person who takes care of Tom
Sid: Tom's half brother; they don't get along
Mary: Tom's cousin; she lives with him
Muff Potter: town drunk; accused of killing Dr. Robinson
Injun Joe: Native American who really killed Dr. Robinson
Amy Lawrence: Tom's old crush; he broke her heart

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

If you need to catch up on reading Tom Sawyer, please go to this link:
www.literaturepage.com, then click on Mark Twain, and finally The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

BOOK PROJECT CRITERIA

Keynote book project
Story Board Project
Written Book Report

Back to normal...

Now that testing is FINALLY over, here's what's going on in class:
READING: Your book projects are due on Friday, October 19.  Make sure you see me for paper if you want to do the story board.  Also, if you are doing a Keynote, you must present to the class.

Yesterday we read "The Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.  You will be working on some comprehension questions both individually and as a group.  You will also be watching the video of the story, and then will be asked to write a compare/contrast piece for the story and video.

ENGLISH: There is a vocab quiz over the first Vocab-u-lit packet that was due yesterday.  The quiz is Friday.  Thursday is the last day to work in class on your collage for the Museum of I project.  On Friday you will begin brainstorming for the essay piece of the project.  The entire project will be due on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2. On that day, you will be presenting to the class.  Presentations will go into the next week.

BOOK PROJECTS

In reading, you have your first book project due on Friday, October 19.  If you chose to do a Keynote, then you will present to the class on that day.  Your book project must be done on a book that you have read in the past month (one you've been writing in your reading log).
If you need paper for a story board, please see me.

Quizzes, quizzes, quizzes :-)

READING: This week we are going to talk about irony, and read a short story that is a great example of it.  You also have a QUIZ over the words for the root "man" and "manu" on FRIDAY.

ENGLISH: You have a quiz over nouns on FRIDAY.  Look over the worksheets on the following items:
Nouns: abstract, concrete, collective
Plural Nouns
Possessive Nouns (adding an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in 's', and an apostrophe and s to singular and irregular plural nouns)
Subject (who or what the sentence is about) and Predicate (the action that the subject is doing)

Possible Bonus Points

You're having a reading quiz next Tuesday on "Charles".  The story was written by Shirley Jackson.  She wrote a story called "The Lottery", which caused her to received a lot of hate mail.

September 19, 2012

READING: This week we'll be reading the short story "Charles", by Shirley Jackson.  We will look as some of the challenging vocabulary and answer some comprehension questions.  You will also be receiving some more practice with Greek and Latin roots.  This week it's "man" or "manu", meaning "hand". Here are a couple of reminders: 
1) Have your reading log signed for Monday
2) There will be a quiz regarding "Charles" on Tuesday.  Make sure you know that vocab.

ENGLISH: This week you should be finishing your descriptive writing piece.  We are also going to discuss what makes a complete sentence.  On Friday you will be going on a tour of the cafe kitchen.  Mrs. Beaudoin has done this for my classes in the past, and it really gives students a greater appreciation for what the lunch ladies do every day. 
Tonight's homework: Worksheet on subjects and predicates

New Year!!!

Ok new 8th graders...let's get going on this year already! :-)  A couple of reminders for next week:
1: Get those reading logs signed for Monday
2: NWEA tests will occur on Monday and Tuesday next week
3: ALWAYS make sure you have a silent reading book with you for my class.
4: Check my blog often to make sure you don't miss any notifications

FINALS!!

Tomorrow, June 6, will be the final exams for both Reading and English.  For English, you will have a persuasive writing prompt.  For Reading, you will read a short story and answer several questions.  DON'T PANIC.  Try your best and you will be just fine!

English Quiz Wednesday :-)

I may have mentioned a vocabulary and pronoun quiz for this Tuesday, but since I didn't put it on my board, I'm going to give it on Wednesday.  With that long weekend I'm sure many of you didn't think to bring your vocab home to study.  Don't forget the pronouns too!

QUIZ THIS WEEK

Here are the 20 prefixes and suffixes that you'll be quizzed over this Wednesday:
anti- against
bi- two
circum- to go around
dis- deprive, exclude
ex- out of, from, outside
inter- among, between
mis- wrong, incorrect
post- after, later
pre- early, before
sub- under, below
able, ible- capable, fit for
ate- act on, change
graph- written, recorded
ist- one who does something
ism- a belief
ity- quality, state of being
ize- change, alter, treat as
less- without
ory- a place of or for
ous- full of something

Reading Quiz next Tuesday

The following Greek and Latin root words will be on a quiz next Tuesday.  Make sure you know what they mean in English:
Portare- to carry
Audire- to hear
Spectare- to look at
Volvere- to turn
Scribere- to write
Medicus- doctor
Magnus- great
Medius- middle
Populous- people
Aqua- water
Archaeo- ancient
Biblio- books
Geo- earth, ground
Phobe- fear
Anthropo- human, man
Bio- related to life
Poly- many
Acro- on top; high
Auto- self
Graph- writing; listing

April 23, 2012

WELCOME BACK!  I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather on our vacation!  Here's what's coming up:
READING: You have a BOOK PROJECT due on MAY 17, 2012.  You will have the option of a storyboard, written report, or Keynote presentation.  I have all the handouts on my bulletin board.  Make sure you have a book when you come to class every day, as I will likely give you a little time each day to read.

ENGLISH: We'll start off with some Vocab-u-lit this week.  You will also be assigned to write a compare/contrast essay, which will be due next Friday, May 4.

This is the home stretch before summer, so really give it your all!!!

Vacation...

I hope you all get rest and some enjoyment during vacation.  Please make sure you come to class with a reading book next Tuesday.  You'll have one more book project to do before the end of the year.

DANIEL'S STORY FINAL QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE

DANIEL’S STORY: FINAL QUESTIONS

CHOOSE 2 of the 4 essay questions to write a well thought out answer.  Your answers should be a minimum of 2 good paragraph (5-7 sentences each), but no more than 4.

TIPS TO WRITE THOROUGH ANSWERS:

*Start with a good introductory sentence.  Restate the question.

*Use examples from the book to back up your opinion.

*Add any personal connection.

*End with a good concluding sentence.

1. How is the theme of wisdom portrayed in the novel? What character(s) symbolize wisdom?

2. How does Daniel's character grow throughout the novel? How does his growing boldness and involvement with the resistance mirror his internal growth? Use the text to support your answer.

1. How are the radio, Daniel's camera, and Erika's violin symbols of hope? In what ways do the Jews quietly demonstrate they have hope? Use the text to support your answer.

4. In what ways does Father's quiet wisdom and intelligence help his family survive during their time in Lodz? Be sure to include factual examples from the text.

*Study your quiz: know the important camps

*Study past questions from the chapters

*Know the order of Daniel’s journey

Remember the characters:

Daniel

Erika

Friedrich

Mr. Schneider

Rosa

Auntie Leah

Uncle Peter

Adam (Daniel’s friend in Auschwitz who was a part of a resistance)

Karl (Daniel’s communist friend in Buchenwald; part of the resistance)

Peter

April 2, 2012

READING: I assigned some final essay questions for some thoughts about Daniel's Story.  I gave a choice of 4 questions; students must choose 2 to write THOUGHTFUL answers to.  Each question should be answered in about 2-3 well thought out paragraphs.  These questions are due on Wednesday this week.  Also on Wednesday there is a test over the novel.  See me if you didn't get a study guide.

ENGLISH: This week students are working on a travel brochure for a country of their choosing.  Keep track of where you got your facts; you must hand in a paper with your brochure that cites your sources. This is due on Thursday.

MARCH 27, 2012

Reading: We will be finishing Daniel's Story this week.  The students seemed to enjoy it, although it was a rather depressing story.  It did show us how hope, faith, and love can help you get through even the toughest situations.  There will be a test over the book next week.

English: There is a vocab quiz tomorrow.  I'm also putting questions about gerunds and active and passive sentences.  We've been going over quite a bit of grammar this week, including subjects and predicates.  Don't forget: The subject of the sentence is who or what the sentence is about.  It must be a noun (person, place, thing, or idea) or a pronoun (I, we, she, it, etc).   The predicate contains the verb, including the helping verbs (is, are, were, will, etc).

March 20, 2012

READING: We're currently reading Daniel's Story, which is about a young Jewish boy and his experiences in Germany and Poland during WWII.  There will be a quiz over some terms used in the book on THIS FRIDAY.  See me if you need a new list with definitions.

ENGLISH: We're finishing up the essays about "What Family Means to Me".  This is for the contest sponsored by the Rotary Club. I will also be handing out a vocabulary packet tomorrow, which will be due on Friday.

March 2, 2012 Update

READING: Make sure you have your reading log signed for Monday.  Also, if you are unhappy with your current grade, you may do another book report for extra credit.  Grades close on Friday, March 16...which is right around the corner!

ENGLISH: Restaurant reviews are due on Tuesday.  We are sharing, so be prepared to read it in front of the class.

Week of Feb. 13

READING: Quiz on Figurative Language on Thursday.  Book projects (report, story board, or movie poster) due Friday, Feb. 17.

ENGLISH: Vocab quiz tomorrow.  The words are: absorbing (adj), astonishing, bequest, evolve, forfeit, version, expenditure, stimulate, ideal, and hazard.

STUDY GUIDE FOR READING QUIZ

The quiz over figurative language will be Thursday, February 16.  Here is what you should know:
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Idiom
Oxymoron
Figurative
Literal
Hyperbole

*Make sure you know the meanings of those terms, but also be able to read a statement and identify which term fits best.
*You also may want to read over "The Road Not Taken"...it could show up on a bonus question :-)

****BOOK PROJECTS DUE NEXT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17****

February 6, 2012

READING: This week we're learning about figurative language.  We're looking at metaphorical poems, idioms, and many others.  There will be a quiz next Thursday (2/16) over the material.  Some terms to keep in mind are:
idiom
figurative vs. literal
metaphor
simile
hyperbole
understatement

ENGLISH: Great job on debates last week!  Students are working on fun poems that we're going to submit to the Portland Seadogs for a contest.  The topic should be their favorite ball park food or summer memory.

January 26, 2012

READING: There will be a quiz next Wednesday over the following:
Author's purpose (persuade, inform, entertain)
Main Idea (where/what it is in a paragraph)
Theme (lessons we have to INFER from a story)
Fable (short stories with lessons)

DON'T FORGET READING LOGS FOR MONDAY!

ENGLISH:
Debates: tomorrow is the last day to research and add information to your group essay.  On Monday, the debates will start, and go as follows:
Mon: Medical testing on animals should be banned
Tues: The U.S. should ban cigarette sales
Wed: The U.S. should ban the death penalty

Monday, January 23 update

READING: Today we started talking about THEME.  The class took notes.  If you missed it, please see me for the notes and homework.
I'm also handing out an outline for your next book project tomorrow, which will be due on Friday, Feb. 17.

ENGLISH: Debate rough draft essays are due tomorrow.  The final drafts will be due on Friday and we'll start debating on Monday.  Each debate will take the entire class period.

ENGLISH: DEBATES!

We are starting to debate in English class!  Today I separated the students into groups and we decided on the following topics to debate:
1) The death penalty should be banned in the United States
2) Medical testing on animals should be illegal
3) Cigarettes should be banned in the United States

Check out some of these websites to get some research:
Death penalty ban: AFFIRMATIVE:

• www.antideathpenalty.org

Death penalty ban: NEGATIVE:

• www.wesleylowe.com

Medical animal testing ban: AFFIRMATIVE:

• http://www.aboutanimaltesting.co.uk/using-animals-testing-pros-versus-cons.html

Medical animal testing ban: NEGATIVE:

• http://www.aboutanimaltesting.co.uk/using-animals-testing-pros-versus-cons.html

Cigarette ban: AFFIRMATIVE

• http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm

Cigarette ban: NEGATIVE

• www.philipmorrisusa.com (this is a leading tobacco company in the US)

January 5, 2012

READING: Today we are reading a short story by Walter Dean Myers, called "The Treasure of Lemon Brown".  There are comprehension questions that should be completed for homework if not done in class.

ENGLISH: We're watching The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washington, to get us ready for our debate unite.  This movie is a true story of the all black debate team at Wiley College in Texas in 1935.  It's very inspirational.