Over the next few weeks in language arts, we'll be finishing Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. The culminating assessment for the novel will be an essay. Students have been doing a great job in their class discussions of the novel.
In history, we're moving into the Revolutionary War era of American history. Students studied the Declaration of Independence, paraphrasing the entire Declaration and illustrating the complaints. We'll be reading a section of Adventure Tales of America and answering questions, comparing and contrasting the strengths and weaknesses of the Americans and the British forces. We'll also be watching a Discovery Channel film about the Revolutionary War. Before the winter break, students will have a test on the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Upcoming Events and Assignments: November 11 through November 25
In language arts, we'll be expanding our exploration of literary terms and the Hero's Journey archetype by reading Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. We'll be holding Socratic Seminars in class to discuss and analyze the novel. In addition to the resources in students' SPRINGBOARD, we'll be using a series of packets to help access the vocabulary and themes in the novel. Here are links to packet one, packet two, and packet three.
In history, students are jumping into what I think is one of the most exciting units of the year: the Boston Massacre Mock Trial! Here's a link to an overview of the trial and a calendar of activities and assignments. Students will be learning about courtroom procedures and historical figures who were a part of the trial, whether as witnesses, defendants, or attorneys. We'll examine how historical events can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. I invite parents to attend the trials on Wednesday, November 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 for period 6 history students and on Thursday, November 19 from 1:00-3:00 for period 7 history students.
In history, students are jumping into what I think is one of the most exciting units of the year: the Boston Massacre Mock Trial! Here's a link to an overview of the trial and a calendar of activities and assignments. Students will be learning about courtroom procedures and historical figures who were a part of the trial, whether as witnesses, defendants, or attorneys. We'll examine how historical events can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. I invite parents to attend the trials on Wednesday, November 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 for period 6 history students and on Thursday, November 19 from 1:00-3:00 for period 7 history students.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
October 26th through November 6th
In language arts classes, we're continuing to write and analyze stories, examining plot through the lens of the Hero's Journey archetype. We've been thinking both creatively and critically, reading and writing in a range of styles and genres. During the first week of November, students will take a quiz on the Hero's Journey Archetype and the key literary terms we've been working with in our reading and writing. Here's a link to a list of key terms and plot elements we've been studying.
In history, students will be studying the "Road to Revolution." We'll begin with an overview, using the comic style history text Adventure Tales of America (here's a copy of the question guide) as well as a higher-level history textbook for more depth. Then we'll be launching into one of my favorite parts of the year: the Boston Massacre Mock Trial!
In history, students will be studying the "Road to Revolution." We'll begin with an overview, using the comic style history text Adventure Tales of America (here's a copy of the question guide) as well as a higher-level history textbook for more depth. Then we'll be launching into one of my favorite parts of the year: the Boston Massacre Mock Trial!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
October 12th through October 23rd
It's hard to believe it, but the end of the first quarter is coming up on October 23rd. It's been a great start to the year!
In language arts, we'll be jumping into the SPRINGBOARD books, beginning with an examination of the Hero's Journey Archetype. We'll read, analyze, and discuss an excerpt from A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, and a section of Homer's Odyssey.
In history, students will be preparing and presenting a mock trial. The trial is based on the historical trial of Anne Hutchinson. We'll review some of the key people, concepts, and places we've studied during the first quarter, and we'll have an end-of-quarter test on Thursday, October 22nd. Here's a link to a study guide for the test.
In language arts, we'll be jumping into the SPRINGBOARD books, beginning with an examination of the Hero's Journey Archetype. We'll read, analyze, and discuss an excerpt from A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, and a section of Homer's Odyssey.
In history, students will be preparing and presenting a mock trial. The trial is based on the historical trial of Anne Hutchinson. We'll review some of the key people, concepts, and places we've studied during the first quarter, and we'll have an end-of-quarter test on Thursday, October 22nd. Here's a link to a study guide for the test.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
September 28th - October 9th
In language arts, students will be taking a mastery test on the eight parts of speech. We'll build on our understanding of the eight parts of speech to review sentence structure and simple versus compound sentences. Our Springboard books have arrived as well, so we'll be "springing" into that work as well. Here's a link to a website with information about the Springboard curriculum.
In history, we'll be continuing to study the 13 original colonies, finishing the colonial brochure before comparing and contrasting life in the various colonies. Students will review the names and locations of the 13 original colonies, and during the week of October 5th, we'll have a map quiz. Here's a link to a website that allows students to practice the locations of the 13 colonies. We'll discuss the Trial of Anne Hutchinson, and students will have an opportunity to participate in our first mock trial.
Also, a reminder: school won't be in session on Thursday, October 1st and Friday, October 2nd because of teacher inservice.
In history, we'll be continuing to study the 13 original colonies, finishing the colonial brochure before comparing and contrasting life in the various colonies. Students will review the names and locations of the 13 original colonies, and during the week of October 5th, we'll have a map quiz. Here's a link to a website that allows students to practice the locations of the 13 colonies. We'll discuss the Trial of Anne Hutchinson, and students will have an opportunity to participate in our first mock trial.
Also, a reminder: school won't be in session on Thursday, October 1st and Friday, October 2nd because of teacher inservice.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Upcoming Assignments and Events: September 14th - September 25th
We have some exciting events coming up in eighth grade. The whole eighth grade will be going to see William Shakespeare's Othello at Perseverance Theatre, with half of the students attending the show on September 17th and the other half on September 24th. Folks from the the theater are also coming to language arts classes to prepare students for the play. A big thanks to everyone at Perseverance Theatre for making this happen!
In addition to getting ready for Othello, we're continuing to study the parts of speech over the next couple of weeks in language arts. The following are links to some of the assignments:
Prepositions: Notes and Practice
Prepositions Writing Prompts
Conjunctions and Interjections: Notes and Practice
Sentence Diagrams: Adjectives and Adverbs
In history, we'll begin reading a chapter from Adventure Tales of America about exploration. Here's a link to the assignment. We'll move into some work in the textbook about the 13 original colonies, and students will work to create "Colonial Brochures" for a "Tour of the 13 Colonies" activity.
A few more upcoming dates:
Students will be MAP testing on September 18, 21, and 22.
Mid-Quarter is on Friday, September 18th. Students should be about 50% of the way to their reading point goals by this point, and they should have read at least one non-fiction book.
In addition to getting ready for Othello, we're continuing to study the parts of speech over the next couple of weeks in language arts. The following are links to some of the assignments:
Prepositions: Notes and Practice
Prepositions Writing Prompts
Conjunctions and Interjections: Notes and Practice
Sentence Diagrams: Adjectives and Adverbs
In history, we'll begin reading a chapter from Adventure Tales of America about exploration. Here's a link to the assignment. We'll move into some work in the textbook about the 13 original colonies, and students will work to create "Colonial Brochures" for a "Tour of the 13 Colonies" activity.
A few more upcoming dates:
Students will be MAP testing on September 18, 21, and 22.
Mid-Quarter is on Friday, September 18th. Students should be about 50% of the way to their reading point goals by this point, and they should have read at least one non-fiction book.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
This Week...
I hope everyone enjoyed a great long weekend. Here's a look at what's happening in classes this week…
Language Arts- We'll focus on adjectives and adverbs this week. We'll work on defining and identifying adjectives and adverbs, and we'll discuss how they impact our writing. The following are links to some of our assignments and materials: Adverbs (Notes and Practice), Adjectives Review, and Nouns through Adverbs Review.
Advanced Language Arts- On Tuesday, we'll review adjectives and adverbs (here's a link to the review), and on Wednesday we'll have a quiz on nouns through adverbs. We'll move into prepositions at the end of the week.
History- Last week, students finished researching their Early American groups. This week, we'll write a Works Cited page, organize a speech, practice presenting in small groups, and present in class. Here's a link to the packet students are using for the project.
Language Arts- We'll focus on adjectives and adverbs this week. We'll work on defining and identifying adjectives and adverbs, and we'll discuss how they impact our writing. The following are links to some of our assignments and materials: Adverbs (Notes and Practice), Adjectives Review, and Nouns through Adverbs Review.
Advanced Language Arts- On Tuesday, we'll review adjectives and adverbs (here's a link to the review), and on Wednesday we'll have a quiz on nouns through adverbs. We'll move into prepositions at the end of the week.
History- Last week, students finished researching their Early American groups. This week, we'll write a Works Cited page, organize a speech, practice presenting in small groups, and present in class. Here's a link to the packet students are using for the project.
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