This is our timeline for this and next week:
Monday - view excerpt of "Oprah and Elie Wiesel in Auschwitz", journal writing and reflection;
HW - write in your journal - Revisit the rationale of learning about the Holocaust. To answer this you must reread your journal writing entries
Tuesday - Finish the "The Diary of Anne Frank" play
Wednesday - Journals are due = quiz grade and turn in textbooks
Thursday - Quiz on Holocaust Vocabulary and History and turn in textbooks
Friday - Field Day
Monday - Review for Final Exam
Tuesday - Final Exam in the afternoon
posted on: May 14, 2007
"The Diary of Anne Frank" in the Literature Series - read
page 745 and answer questions (1-5).
Practice ACT 1 Scene 5 for Monday.
posted on: May 04, 2007
ACTIVITIES AND DATES:
Due Tuesday, May 8th
Illustrated in a poetic format of quotation from NIGHT
Due Thursday, May 10th
The Creative Exchange project
All students have rubrics and directions for these projects.
posted on: May 02, 2007
All students are to finish reading NIGHT by Monday.
We will have an inquiry based discussion and review meaningful excerpts.
Journal prompts for NIGHT, Classwork on Monday:
(Select two for responses)
How and why did the author use foreshadowing in his story? Describe three foreshadowing scenes.
What did you learn about yourself and about humanity after reading NIGHT?
Express the meaning of the title NIGHT as an appropriate metaphor for the author's experiences.
A class project will be assigned on Tuesday titled "The Creative Exchange", and it will be due May 10 and 11.
On Wed. we will begin "The DIary of Anne Frank" in our Literature series.
posted on: April 27, 2007
Read in NIGHT pages 21-26 or 22-28.
Tonight is the FIlm Festival, so I am wishing all groups and individuals the best of luck!
posted on: April 24, 2007
Monday - Students are to read up to page 20 in small book or page 22 in large book.
posted on: April 23, 2007
Friday - Students need to bring an orange to class for a lesson incorporating oral history of survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein.
Monday - Students need a copy of NIGHT by Elie Weisel. NIGHT is still on the Top Ten Non-fiction Book Lists and was Oprah's Book Club selection for last year.
If students are unable to find a copy, parents need to email me or drop me a note as I do have class copies available to borrow. NIGHT will be a week-long reading/writing genre study
.
posted on: April 18, 2007
This is a big week on the completion of our unit on verbals.
Preview of the final nine weeks:
Students are required to have a copy of NIGHT by Elie Wiesel by April 23.
During the week of CRCT Testing we will begin our Holocaust unit.
The week of April 16 will cover historical content information.
The week of April 23rd will begin the reading of NIGHT.
The week of April 30 will begin the reading in our Literature series of the play version of "The Diary of Anne Frank."
Please check the weekly agenda attached:
posted on: March 23, 2007
Students recorded notes for grammar review. Since we are studying Verbals, Students need to practice their grammar skills. They have study guides and notes, practice sheets, and their textbooks.
Test on Verbals is Thursday - March 29th!
Notes from class:
posted on: March 21, 2007
Students are working on skillsheets on gerunds and infinitives for HW on Monday.
Tuesday we will review gerunds and infinitives and students will rehearse presentations for sharing their magazines with other classes in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
There will be a HW review sheet on gerunds and infinitives.
posted on: March 19, 2007
LESSON PLANS FOR 3/14-3/16
ACLA – Periods 1, 3, 6, 7
Essential Question?
How does an author apply conventions and grammar in written format?
ELA8C1.a,b,c,d,e,f,g
(Students may only view our awesome magazines after finished with all of the work, please be careful and gentle!)
Wednesday 3/14/07
Writing and Grammar “Gerunds” and “Gerund Phrases” pgs. 441-442
Read and discuss “Key Concepts”
Students write answers to Exercises 13, 14, and 15
Check work at end of period (last ten minutes)
HW: Workbook pgs. 81-82
Thursday 3/15/07
Check HW from Wed.
Writing and Grammar “Infinitives” and “Infinitive Phrases” pgs. 443-445
Read and discuss "Key Concepts”
Students write answers to Exercises 16, 17, 18
Check work at end of period (last ten minutes)
HW: Workbook pgs. 83-84
Period 6 to theater to view Lassiter program.
Friday 3/16/07
Go to media center for lesson with Mrs. Hendrix.is an alternate lesson:
Check HW from Thurs.
Worksheets on Infinitives, Gerunds, and Gerund Phrases
No HW over the weekend
posted on: March 13, 2007
Today, March 12th, students tested on the reading strategy USING CONTEXT CLUES.
Tuesday, March 13th, students will review the reading strategy of MAKING INFERENCES.
There is no HW, except to be reading their self-selected books.
posted on: March 12, 2007
Students are working on reading strategies in class. We will have a strategies test on Monday, March 12th.
posted on: March 08, 2007
Just a reminder for the last few assignments due for tomorrow and next week.
HW checks on all Conflict sheets on Friday, March 9
Rough draft of essay of Response to Literature - Conflict, Monday, March 12
Test on short stories we read in the Literature series, Tuesday, March 13
Final copy of essay of Response to Literature - Conflict, Wednesday, March 14.
posted on: March 08, 2007
A test on the stories in Literature book will be on Tuesday, March 13.
The stories are:
"Cub Pilot on the Mississippi"
"Up the Slide"
"Gentleman in Rio en Medio"
"Saving the Wetlands"
Read, review your conflict sheets, and your class notes.
posted on: March 06, 2007
DUE DATE - March 12 the rough draft of the response to literature essay on the theme of Conflict .
March 14 is the due date for the final draft of the response to literature essay.
posted on: March 05, 2007
Reading students have been working on the skill of Making Inferences.
We are reading passages and then answering inference questions in a work packet.
What is not finished in class is to be completed for HW.
We will continue to work on comprehension skills throughout the month of March.
posted on: March 01, 2007
This is a short school week.
Wednesday 2/21
Students review appositive phrases, prepositional phrases, and process check the Fun Facts section of their magazines.
Students take a pop quiz covering appositive phrases and adjective and adverb phrases.
Thursday, 2/22
Students become familiar with participles and participial phrases.
Text Writing and Grammar pgs. 437-440.
HW - Workbook pgs. 75-78.
Friday, 2/23
Check HW from Workbook pgs. 75-78
Reference skills lesson with Mrs. Hendrix in the media center.
posted on: February 21, 2007
It is Wed. and a short school week.
Wednesday, 2/21
Students read and discuss in Scott Foresman Literature "Harriet Tubman" pgs. 204-215.
Review of Vocabulary skills
HW are the sections "Making Connections" and "Vocabulary Study" pgs. 214-215.
Thursday, 2/22
Students review the HW
Students work on a comprehension and vocabulary skill packet of the story "Harriet Tubman"
Friday, 2/23
Practice of comprehension skill "Making Inferences"
posted on: February 21, 2007
Lesson Plans for Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007
Advanced Language Arts, Mrs. Kaplan, periods 1, 3, 6, 7
Essential Question?
How does the learner apply the conventions and grammar into written format?
Materials:
Writing and Grammar Book
pgs. 433-434
“Using Prepositional Phrases That Act as Adjectives”
“Using Prepositional Phrases as Adverbs”
Read and study the explanations, then
Write Ex. 3, 4, 5, and 6
Skill sheets on Prepositional phrases as Adjectives and Adverbs
(Students may finish for HW or you may start checking work with students if time is available)
Lesson Plans for Friday, Feb. 16, 2007
Advanced Language Arts, Mrs. Kaplan, Periods 1, 3, 6, 7
Materials:
Writing and Grammar Book
Pgs. 434-435
“Using Appositives in Phrases”
Read and study explanations
Write Ex. 7 and 8
Workbook pgs. 79-80
(Students may finish for HW or you may start checking work with students if time is available)
posted on: February 14, 2007
Today students shared the Valentine's y stories they wrote.
On Tuesday, a rough draft of their expository article for the magazine is due.
posted on: February 12, 2007
Here is the agenda for Reading class.
Remember, progress reports go home this Wednesday.
posted on: February 12, 2007
I am attaching two items for the magazine project. The next process check is for the expository article due on Tuesday the 13th.
The first is the rubric for the final project.
Rubric for Magazine Unit.doc
The second is a checklist for this project with the process timeline.
Checklist for Magazine Project.doc
posted on: February 09, 2007
Below is the reading class agenda for the week of 2/5/07:
posted on: February 02, 2007
On Friday, students turned in their drafts for the advertisement section of the magazines; I was thoroughly impressed. Students took extra care in exhibiting creativity, accuracy, and task completion on this part of the assignment. Our next part will be the expository article, and the instructions will be discussed on Monday.
I am attaching the overall agenda for this week beginning 2/5/07:
posted on: February 02, 2007
Attached is the weekly agenda. Seven magazine advertisements are due on Friday; this counts as a quiz grade.
After the advertisements we will begin writing an expository article on our topic. An MLA handout will be given on Friday for citing references.
posted on: January 30, 2007
Attached is the agenda for this week in Reading.
posted on: January 30, 2007
Attention 8th Grade Parents and Students: Please note the following important dates for Lassiter Registration:
February 5: Student Assembly with Lassiter
February 8 at 6:30 PM (Lassiter Gym): Open House and Curriculum Fair
February 13: Students to bring home registration materials
February 15 from 5:00-7:00 PM (Lassiter Media Center): Open Forum for parent questions
February 16: Registration materials due to Mabry Homeroom Teacher
Please email Mrs. Haag (sarah.haag@cobbk12.org) with questions.
posted on: January 29, 2007
We are continuing with our Civil Rights unit.
See attached agenda for this week.
posted on: January 19, 2007
Students have begun a technical writing unit by creating magazines. which is to be produced at home and fully completed by March 7th.
Monday each needs to declare the theme and title of his/her magazine.
At home students will work on producing the advertisements for the magazine which are due by February 1.
Note change from agenda from 1/31 to 2/1.
posted on: January 19, 2007
We have our book reports due on Thursday and Friday.
A unit on Civil Rights begins this week to integrate Reading with the studies of the Language Arts Curriculum.
See the weekly agenda below:
posted on: January 16, 2007
The WRITING ASSESSMENT is tomorrow. I am certain all students are prepared and ready for this important task.
I would like to recommend a fantastic and uplifting movie for all students: The Freedom Writers. Check it out!
Remember: book reports are due this week.
Below is the week's agenda.
posted on: January 16, 2007
Let's write right! That is what we are doing this week!
See attached agenda:
posted on: January 10, 2007
I hope everyone had a joyous holiday vacation and are ready for a new year and semester of work and preparation for high school.
All classes have a book report on the winter reading assignment which is due next week on Jan. 18th or 19th.
We are reading "Paul Revere's Ride" in our reading book.
This study included comprehension sheets on plot of the narrative poem and vocabulary.
Students are to memorize the first stanza for Friday.
See agenda:
posted on: January 08, 2007
Attached is the weekly agenda for ACLA. Lots of writing!
posted on: December 08, 2006
This is the letter sent home today with students to all parents. Please sign and have student return by Tuesday.
Again, Happy Reading!
Winter reading.doc
posted on: December 08, 2006
Below is the agenda for this week in Reading.
posted on: December 04, 2006
I am attaching the agenda for this week in ACLA. Note that on Monday a poem is due. We worked on this in class on Thursday and Friday.
The poem focuses on using subordinate clauses in poetic format. This is a challenging and creative assignment.
posted on: December 01, 2006
BOOK REPORTS OVER WINTER HOLIDAYS!
Because the state standards lists 25 books as a goal in reading for all students, I am requiring my students to self select a book to read over the two weeks holiday. I will give each student a plot development graphic organizer to use while reading.
When students return on Monday, Jan. 8th, I will assign a summary report to be written in class. They may use the book they read and the graphic organizer to write this book report. This will count as a writing grade for the third nine weeks.
Happy Reading during the break! I know I have at least three books that I am eagerly waiting to read.
Good luck!
posted on: November 29, 2006
Below is the agenda for period 2 - Reading.
posted on: November 27, 2006
I am attaching the agenda for the week beginning 11/27 after Thanksgiving.
I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving; we all have lots to give thanks.
Happy researching also!
posted on: November 21, 2006
See the below tips on how to write your research report.
posted on: November 20, 2006
In Reading - Period 2, we are working on the skill Compare and Contrast. on Friday, students will read and discuss the poem by Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken." Using a Venn Diagram, students will record similarities and differences of the two roads, and then write a well-developed compare/contrast paragraph.
In ACLA, students are researching their reports on the Revolutionary War period. On Monday, students researched in the MAC-LAB using the Cobb Virtual LIbrary. Wed.- Fri. students research in the media center using books and encyclopedias.
Remember to check the attachments on previous blog entries.
posted on: November 16, 2006
Below are attachments for our research project. Students are encouraged to use this blog for extra help.
Project Dates
Research Project Due Dates.ppt
The Complete Research Guide
posted on: November 15, 2006
Please look this over for help on your process in doing the research.
posted on: November 15, 2006
Students are working on the skills of Cause and Effect and Compare and Contrast.
See agenda:
posted on: November 14, 2006
Attached are the lessons for Nov. 6-10.
We are beginning an interdisciplinary unit with Social Studies on the period of the Revolutionary War.
Students will begin the research process on Friday in the media center with Mrs. Hendrix.
3x5 note cards are due for school on Monday when the actual research will begin.
posted on: November 08, 2006
Attached are the lessons for Reading Period 2. Students are working on the reading and writing skill of Cause and Effect.
This skill is useful for the writing of the research paper and expository writing in the Language Arts classes.
posted on: November 08, 2006
Below is this week's agenda:
posted on: November 01, 2006
Lassiter is hosting a Parent Night for all rising 8th graders. They will be providing information to begin the transition and curriculum. Please plan to attend on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 PM at Lassiter.
posted on: October 31, 2006
All classes are recording quotes and writing interpretations in their journals.
Attached are the first four weekly quotes and journal entries.
Success is to be measured not so.ppt
posted on: October 30, 2006
The quiz for Friday on Complex Sentences is postponed until Tuesday, 10/31.
HW for tonight is pg. 460 - Exercise 48 and pg. 461 - Exercise 50.
posted on: October 26, 2006
Clauses, Complex Sentences, Compound - Complex Sentences
posted on: October 20, 2006
This is just a preview of the next three weeks of class.
A test on "The Tell Tale Heart" is postponed until Wed. from today. Extra review time was necessary.
Students will complete their Poe projects, and those are due next Monday and Tuesday.
After our Poe unit, students will begin composing complex and compound - complex sentences.
From there we will study clauses - adjective and adverb clauses.
Lots of new grammatical and writing concepts are heading our way. These will be fun and challenging!
posted on: October 17, 2006
Mrs. Morton created these Period 2 Reading Plans :
Monday-October 16, 2006
Warm-up- Talking about Change- Read p. 2-3 To encourage students to think about the kinds of changes that happen each day, discuss contemporary news-local, national, or world events that they have heard about. List events that triggered major changes; which changes are for the better (Saddam Hussein) and which are difficult to handle (911, Hurricane Katrina)
• Which of the changes are local? national? global?
• Which are environmental? political? personal?
• Which affect you personally?
Tuesday-October 17, 2006
Writing- Students will finish “Change to me is…” and share with class.
• What do you do when change is difficult?
• What changes have you recently experienced?
• How is your definition of change similar to or different from the comments given on this page?
p. 4 Students will name some examples of change beyond human control. (aging, war, accident, weather, natural disaster)
How might an individual retain personal control during events beyond control? (adjust; think before acting; remain calm; avoid snap decisions)
Review Vocabulary-Use overhead to discuss words and meaning.
Before Reading-Building Background & Getting into the Story & Reading Tip (predicting) Read first three paragraphs and then predict what the story is about.
Understanding Plot Handout p. 1 & Study Guide Questions
Vocabulary and Story Test Friday
Wednesday-October 18, 2006
Review info from Tuesday- Share Predictions from Reading Tip completed on Tuesday.
Review Vocabulary
Understanding Plot Handout p. 1 & Study Guide Questions
Listen to story on tape up to p. 9. Stop and answer questions
Finish Story. Complete Study Guide.
Vocabulary and Story Test Friday
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Review Answers to Study Guide and Understanding Plot
True/False Quiz-Check
Review Vocabulary
Vocabulary Worksheet & Vocabulary Study p. 15 in book
Vocabulary and Story Test Friday
Friday-October 20, 2006
Test
Skillbook p. 1-2 & 47-50
posted on: October 17, 2006
Instead of reading "The Black Cat", students will read "The Tell Tale Heart" in the Literature series, pages 520- 528. Students will answer in complete sentences the comprehension questions (1-6) on page 528.
Students will complete a graphic organizer on the plot development of the story.
Students will analyze the story for suspense techniques.
posted on: October 10, 2006
Students will continue reading and analyzing Edgar Allan Poe stories and poems.
A project will be explained on ThursdaY.
THE DUE DATE IS OCTOBER 23 OR 24, 2006.
posted on: October 06, 2006
We are reading AND THEN THERE ARE NONE. Students have read up through "Chapter 7" and are role playing the parts of the story.
Students are to create a character booklet as a project.
CHARACTER BOOKLET RUBRIC-1.doc
posted on: September 29, 2006
We are well into our Edgar Allan Poe Unit.
See this week's agenda:
posted on: September 29, 2006
Below is the agenda for the week in ACLA. We are starting our author study of Edgar ALlan Poe and many selections of his literary pieces will be read over the next three weeks.
posted on: September 26, 2006
The quiz on adjective and adverb phrases has been moved to Thursday instead of today, Wednesday. Students should study their workbook pages and work packet on phrases.
Students will begin reading Edgar Allan Poe's short stories on Thursday. The mystery genre unit and the author study of Edgar Allan Poe will continue for the next three weeks.
Persuasive essays will be returned on Monday, Sept. 25th. I am pleased with the written expression of the students.
One major area for improvement will be in composing a thesis statement. This is a brand new writing skill, and students will continually practice this addition to their introductory paragraph.
The thesis statement builds a CLEAR, CONCISE, and CONSISTENT main idea for the writer to focus.
The thesis statement introduces a CLEAR, CONCISE, and CONSISTENT composition for the reader.
posted on: September 20, 2006
Students turned in their persuasive essays on Thursday and Friday. I am pleased with their attempt to be punctual and follow directions. I am eager to read most over the weekend.
Students took their first test this week on persuasive writing techniques. Their study guide consisted of notes recorded in class. Students highlighted key concepts from skill sheets, copied key words and phrases from the textbook, and answered questions from the chapter.
Note taking is a study skill which requires practice and refinement.
Below is the agenda for Sept. 18 - 22.
posted on: September 15, 2006
Students turned in their persuasive essays on Thursday and Friday. I am pleased with their attempt to be punctual and follow directions. I am eager to read most over the weekend.
Students took their first test this week on persuasive writing techniques. Their study guide consisted of notes recorded in class. Students highlighted key concepts from skill sheets, copied key words and phrases from the textbook, and answered questions from the chapter.
Note taking is a study skill which requires practice and refinement.
Below is the agenda for Sept. 18 - 22.
posted on: September 15, 2006
ACLA
Test on The Pearl is Friday.
Bring a spiral notebook to serve as your annual journal to class on Monday.
All students:
Bring a book to read and enjoy to all classes daily.
Build you notebook or binder with the 4 divided sections.
posted on: August 17, 2006
ACLA and Reading Period 2
Essential Question: How do characters use decision making skills to solve conflicts?
Reading Standard: ELA8R1
"The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts".
Review Essential Question and students restate in their own words.
ACLA
The Pearl – class discussion, read pages 4-6 out loud to identify conflict
Class work:
Literature book
Define literary terms using glossary:
1. Character
2. Characterization
3. Setting
4. Conflict
Characterization sheet – class work and finish for homework
READING – per. 2
CARS Test - Comprehensive Assessment of Reading Strategies:
Student pretest for reading comprehension skill development
posted on: August 16, 2006
