Mr. Podolski’s 8th Grade Language Arts
Been counting down? If you have, you’ll notice that, not counting today, there are merely two Mondays left of the school year. It’s crazy to think how quickly it’s all gone by. We are rapidly approaching the end of our WWII journey. Hang in there. The end is in sight.
Here’s how this week (5/14/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today in class, after taking the AIMSWEB reading inventory for the final time, we will discuss chapters 9 and 10 of Soldier Boys. After that, students will have a chance to get started on chapter 11. Chapter 11 with the packet should be completed for tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, we will discuss chapter 11. After discussing, students will read chapter 12 with their packet.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will discuss chapter 12. After discussing, students will read chapter 13 with the (final installment of the) packet for tomorrow.
THURSDAY – Today students will have double duty. We will briefly discuss 13, and students will have to read through 14 and 15 for Friday, anticipating a quiz over chapters 11-15.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have a quiz covering chapters 11-15. There is no homework expected for the weekend.
If you look at the calendar, there is less than a calendar month until graduation. So far, you guys have done a pretty good job maintaining focus. Please remember that the closer we get to June, the more difficult it will be. Hang in there.
Here’s how this week (5/7/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will have the opportunity to wrap our discussion regarding chapters 5 and 6 of Dean Hughes’ Soldier Boys. Students will be expected to have chapter 7 with their packet by tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, we will discuss chapter 7 of Soldier Boys. Due to MAP testing, students will need to be through chapter 9 with their packets by Thursday.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will have a work day, due to afternoon MAP testing. Students should be through chapter 9 with their packet by tomorrow.
THURSDAY – Today, students will discuss both chapters 8 and 9. They should have chapter 10 with their packets done for tomorrow. They should also be prepared for a comprehension.
FRIDAY – Today, students will take a comprehension quiz over chapters 6-10. Due to SEL, there is no homework expected for MONDAY.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s May this week. We are done with Anne Frank, and I hope you all enjoyed the performance on Friday. We are left with Dean Hughes’ Soldier Boys taking up the majority of the remainder of our year.
Here’s how this week (4/30/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will discuss the exposition of both plot lines from Soldier Boys. We will examine the parts of the world from which the characters come, in addition to covering the answers from their guided reading packets. After that, students will read chapter 3 with their packets.
TUESDAY – Today, students will cover the ins and outs of chapter 3 from Soldier Boys. Following the discussion, they will move onto chapter 4 with their packets.
WEDNESDAY - Today, students discuss chapter 4 from Soldier Boys. Following the discussion, they will move onto chapter 5 with their packets.
THURSDAY - Today, students will cover chapter 5 from Soldier Boys. STUDENTS SHOULD EXPECT A BRIEF QUIZ OVER CHAPTERS 1-5. Following the discussion and quiz, they will move onto chapter 6 with their packets.
FRIDAY - Today, students will cover the ins and outs of chapter 6 from Soldier Boys. Following the discussion, they will move onto chapter 7 with their packets.
Alright, here we go… Another 4-day week. We are done READING The Diary of Anne Frank, but that does not mean that it’s all over. We still have the unit test and the field trip to take care of.
Here’s how this week (4/16/12) should look:
THE TEST FOR THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK WILL BE MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.
MONDAY – Today, students will have a Socratic discussion over all of Act II, focusing mainly on scenes 4 and 5. This will be the first step in the review for next week’s test. There WILL be a graded component to the Socratic discussion this time around. There is no homework expected today.
TUESDAY – Today, students will be given a characterization assignment to work on in class. It will focus on the 10 characters of the play, utilizing both direct and indirect characterization. This assignment will be due Thursday.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will have a brief time to continue working on their characterization assignment. In addition, we will continue reviewing for next week’s test. The characterization assignment is due tomorrow.
THURSDAY – Today, we will play a review game in anticipation of next week’s test. We will also collect the characterization assignments. There is no written homework expected today.
FRIDAY – No school… Lucky you.
Welcome back… I hope those of you that spent time with friends and family over the holiday weekend enjoyed yourself. We are back to work for a full week.
Here’s how this week (4/9/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, in class, we will wrap up any further review questions regarding Act I of The Diary of Anne Frank in preparation for tomorrow’s quiz. After that, we will get started on Act II, Scene 1. There is no homework expected today.
TUESDAY – Today, students have their quiz on Act I of The Diary of Anne Frank. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will finish the remainder of Scene 1. After that, we will read Act II, Scene 2 in class. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY – Today, in class, most periods will have a substitute teacher, as I will be out of the building at a meeting. Students will pick up where they left off, spending the time reading Act II, Scene 3 in class. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY – Today is a shortened schedule due to SEL in the afternoon. We will do our best to finish the play, reading Act II, Scenes 4 and 5. There is no homework expected today.
And… We’re back! I hope you all had a relaxing spring break. Roughly two months until graduation. While that is uber-exciting, let’s remember that it is still two months of school.
Here’s how this week (4/2/12) should look:
MONDAY - Today, in class, students will continue reading The Diary of Anne Frank. By class tomorrow, we should be through Act I, Scene 4. There is no homework expected today.
TUESDAY - Today, after reviewing the end of scene 3 and scene 4, students will pick up where they left off, reading Act I, scene 5. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY - Today, students will have a brief comprehension quiz over the first act of The Diary of Anne Frank. Following the quiz, we will spend the class reviewing for a quiz next week. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY - Today, we will continue to review for next week’s quiz. We will play Anne Frank Jeopardy in class. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY - No school… Lucky you.
The clock is ticking so loud you can almost hear it. Spring break only 4 more wake-ups away. We have a busy week, though, as we start laying the groundwork for our next unit and the beginning of 4th quarter. Hang on, just a little longer, and you get a well deserved week off!
Here’s how this week (3/19/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, in class, students will begin reading Act I, Scene 1 of The Diary of Anne Frank. Throughout the reading, for which students will be assigned parts, we will stop and discuss key elements of the story. It is likely that we will finish Act I, Scene 1 today. There is no homework expected today.
TUESDAY – Today, students will pick up where they left off, likely with Act I, Scene 2. We will read the entire class period. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY – In possibly the most anticipated day of the school year, students will enjoy book talks about get information about the summer reading programs at the Vernon Area Library. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY – Today, after the hiatus for the library talks, we will continue reading from where we left off on Tuesday. We will likely get through the rest of Scene 2 and most, if not all of Scene 3 today. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY – Today, in light of many students departing early for break, class will be dedicated to a vocabulary building game. Have a good spring break.
Hi. I’m back. Now that ISAT week is out of the way, we’re once again off and running. Unfortunately, non-fiction will be coming to a close in the very near future. We are staring 4th quarter right in the face, and that will be filled with The Diary of Anne Frank and Soldier Boys, both focused on the struggles of World War II. That being said, we still have some loose ends to wrap up before we get there.
Here’s how this week (3/12/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will have a chance to begin to decipher the difference between non-fiction and historical fiction. Using “Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury, students will distinguish fact from fiction, pulling the actual information out of a fictitious story. The short story on Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” is due tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, students will turn in their short stories based on Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” Before they are completely collected, students will have a chance to share their writing, either in small groups or for the whole class. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will read a small collection of poems written by children. The class will then have an open discussion about these poems as to their intent, meaning, and context. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY – Today, we will wrap up discussions on the poems from yesterday. We will then move into non-fiction accounts about World War II and the Holocaust, including stories about the concentration camps. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY – Today, we will continue our discussions and readings about WWII and the Holocaust. There is no homework expected today.
Well, this is another crazy week, but it should be pretty exciting. For those of you going, the Washington trip should be a lot of fun. For those of you staying here, you get to experience a very well put together display about the Holocaust. Either way, there are opportunities to come away with some substantial knowledge.
Here’s how this week (2/27/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will focus on the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. We will review both the text and audio recordings of “I Have a Dream” and “The Gettysburg Address.” There is no homework expected for tonight.
TUESDAY – Today, we will continue our work with short non-fiction pieces. Students will read a short piece individually and present the main ideas to their classmates. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY – Today, those going to Washington depart. Those staying behind will go to the Holocaust museum in Skokie.
THURSDAY – Today is a half day. Those students not going to Washington will report to assigned classrooms throughout the day.
FRIDAY – No school. Lucky you.
OK… This time I mean it. I’ll be here all week. Although, it seems not nearly an amazing feat, considering we’re already a day in when the week starts. Your hearts will sing as poetry comes to a close this week. For as much as most of you disliked the unit, you guys did a great job, and I am really looking forward to the poetry slam. That being said, we’re mere weeks from break. Let’s hang in there!
Here’s how this week (2/20/12) should look:
MONDAY – No school. Lucky you.
TUESDAY – Today, students will receive their performance slots for the poetry slam. Students will present either Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Following the assignments, we will kick off the non-fiction unit with a story “Americans All” from the textbook. Students will have to have an open-ended question prompt ready for Friday.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will present their poetry slam performances. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY - Today, students will present their poetry slam performances. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY – Utilizing the student derived prompts from Tuesday, students will engage in a Socratic discussion. Students should feel free to call upon prior knowledge and other readings to engage in the activity. There is no homework expected today.
What an odd quarter it has been. I am finally here for a full week, which is good. The week is not full, which is not so good. We still have quite a bit to do. First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for the hard work you put into your poetry anthologies. I know, to a lot of you poetry, and this project, seem silly. What I think and hope you’ll realize is that you know far more about poetry than you think, and that will carry over into all types of reading. We’ve got a little over a week of the poetry unit left. Hang in there.
POETRY UNIT TEST THURSDAY!
Here’s how this week (2/13/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will receive their last assignment for the poetry unit. While the test will be this week, this assignment will be due next. It should be seen as more a celebration of poetry (and the end of the unit for some). In addition, we will begin reviewing for the unit test, which is Thursday. Students should review for Thursday’s test.
TUESDAY – Today, we will continue reviewing for Thursday’s test. Students will have the opportunity to take a would-be quiz in class to determine how well they actually know the information from the unit. Students should review for Thursday’s test.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will play a review game in preparation for tomorrow’s test. Students should review for tomorrow’s test.
THURSDAY – Today is the unit test on poetry. :) Outside of the presentations, there is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have the opportunity to work on their poetry slam presentations. There is no homework expected today.
Another full week! I’m sure you’re all thrilled that we have another full five days to discuss poetry at length. You guys have been doing a great job, despite all your grumbling. We need to keep up the pace. If we do, we’ll have a couple work days for the anthology project next week.
POETRY ANTHOLOGIES DUE FEBRUARY 10TH!
Here’s how this week (1/30/12) should look:
MONDAY: Today, students will review everything that we’ve covered so far: alliteration, assonance, imagery, simile, metaphor, rhyme and rhyme scheme, narratives, ballads, epics, lyric, and sonnets. They will have a synthesis activity to make sure everyone is on the same page. There is no homework expected today.
TUESDAY: Today, students will cover odes. We will read several different examples, examining what they have in common and what is different. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY: Today, students will have a chance to work on their poetry anthologies. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY: Today, students will learn about the lesser used poem types: limericks and haiku. We will cover the structure of each, making sure that they understand what goes into these two poem types. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY: Today, students will cover elegies. We will discuss format and tone, comparing the poem type to ode. There is no homework expected today.
The second half of the year has officially started, and we’re off to a great start. We no longer have to worry about the placement test, and we finally have the poetry unit off the ground. In addition, we finally have a full week of classes, so we have a great opportunity to get a lot done.
Here’s how this week (1/23/12) should look:
MONDAY – Building off of our work with ballads, we will read a pseudo-epic in class, taking care of the full narrative family of poems. Students will have the opportunity to view a clip of a real epic, as well. There is no homework expected today.
TUESDAY – Today, students will have a chance to review things like alliteration, assonance, and imagery. In addition, we will go over extended metaphor poetry. Students should be able to read the poems and analyze what is being compared and what the comparison means. There is no homework expected today.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will have an opportunity to work on their poetry anthologies. Most will be in the gathering stage, searching for poems that fulfill the list of requirements. There is no homework expected today.
THURSDAY – Today, students will discuss all things rhyme. What is rhyme? Rhyme scheme? What are the different types of rhyme. After doing so, we will go into the two different types of sonnets: Petrarchan and Elizabethan. There is no homework expected today.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have a quiz over the poetic devices and types that we’ve covered thus far. Any time left over after the quiz will be dedicated to their poetry anthologies.
Halfway home. There is one semester standing between you and freshman year. It’s amazing how fast the first half of the year went, but here we are. We will finally have a chance to get the poetry unit up and running. It’s another short week, but there will be plenty to keep us busy.
Here’s how this week (1/16/12) should look:
MONDAY – No school. Lucky you.
TUESDAY – Today, students will receive their seating charts for 3rd quarter. After that, students will take time preparing themselves for a mini-presentation that will be given on Thursday. In pairs or small groups, students will be required to make a graphic representation of one or two of the poetic terms for the unit. After that, students will be introduced to the big 3rd quarter project, the poetry anthology.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will take their final reading inventory. This is used as a supplement for Stevenson High School placement, especially for those students who placed in a “borderline” area between two of the levels. Students should bring something to work on, as they will be given the whole class period to work.
THURSDAY – Today, students will present their poetic vocabulary to the class. Those not presenting will take notes, utilizing these definitions for the poetry unit and the poetry anthology.
FRIDAY – Building on our work from before break with narrative poems and the mini-presentations, we will move into discussing what goes into a ballad. After that, we will read and discuss a ballad as a class.
It’s hard to believe that we get to see all the work we did for 1st semester pay off already. You guessed it. It’s placement week. It’s going to be a bit on the odd side with scheduling, but we are still going to get down to business.
FRIDAY MARKS THE END OF 2ND QUARTER. IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE MISSING ANY ASSIGNMENTS, PARTICULARLY THE INDEPENDENT READING JOURNALS, THEY MUST BE HANDED IN BY FRIDAY FOR ANY CREDIT.
Here’s how this week (1/9/12) should look:
MONDAY – Today will be a catch-all day. Students will have a chance to look over their mock placement tests from Friday and ask questions. After that, we will have a student-centered review based on their questions in preparation for tomorrow’s English placement. There is no homework today.
TUESDAY – Today will be a laid back day, as the placement test is given during periods 1 & 2. Students will have the opportunity to discuss what went well and what they’re concerned with regarding the test. There will be no homework today.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students who were not happy with one or more of their assessments during 2nd quarter will be given a 2nd chance. An optional 43-point quiz will be offered for students who are interested in boosting their grade. The quiz will cover: independent/dependent/phrase, simple/compound/complex/compound-complex, commas/semicolons, pronouns, and non-fiction comprehension. There is no homework for today.
THURSDAY – Today will be another light day, as students recover from taking the math placement test. Remember that periods 1 & 2 will be at the end of the day today. There is no homework for today.
FRIDAY – Today is a half-day. Students will have the chance to analyze a poem during the shortened period. There is no homework for the weekend.
Happy new year! It’s hard to believe that such an extended break has now come and gone. It’s even harder to believe that we are almost 1/2 way through the year. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), both are true. Considering what is looming on the not-so-distant horizon, he have a lot of rust to shake off. Let’s get down to work.
PROVIDED WORK GETS DONE IN CLASS, NO HOMEWORK IS EXPECTED THIS WEEK.
Here’s how this week (1/2/12) should look:
MONDAY – No school.
TUESDAY – Today, after a very brief review of what happened over break, students will embark on reviewing material from earlier in the year via the SHS review packet. We will be using this each day this week, so please make sure to bring it to class.
WEDNESDAY – Today, we will review another couple activities from the SHS packet. After that, students will take time taking notes and discussing figurative language and poetic devices.
THURSDAY – Today, we will review another couple activities from the SHS packet. After that, we will go through some sample activities as a whole class.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have an opportunity to take a simulated placement test in order to practice their pacing in answering reading questions about fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
It is now to the point where you can seemingly hear the second hand on the clock as it methodically lessens the time between you and a couple weeks off. Please remember, though, that we do have quite a full week. ANYONE leaving for break early should check with me to get a review packet for the placement test.
Here’s how this week (12/12/11) should look:
QUIZ WEDNESDAY
MONDAY – Today, students will take the quizzes on their independent reading books. By now, all journal entries should be in. After that, we will review commas and semicolons and take notes on poetic devices and figurative language.
TUESDAY – Today, students will review pronoun-antecedent agreement. After that, we will talk about the difference between object and subject pronouns. Notes will be followed by a grammar review game.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will have a quiz over all grammar related information: sentence structure, phrases and clauses, fragments and run-ons, commas and semicolons, and pronouns.
THURSDAY – Students will participate in the in-class spelling bee during class.
FRIDAY – Students will play a vocabulary-based game in class.
For many of you, I am sure the countdown to break has begun. Let’s just remember that school DOES last 2 more weeks before it’s official. 
We will have PLENTY to keep us busy.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT JOURNAL ENTRY #4 IS DUE FRIDAY.
THERE IS A QUIZ ON YOUR BOOK ON MONDAY.
CHECK FIRSTCLASS AND POWERSCHOOL TO FIND OUT WHAT ASSIGNMENTS YOU’RE MISSING.
Here’s how this week (12/5/11) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will be practicing comma usage with embedded grammar practice. After that, we will be taking notes on pronouns and different poem types. There is no homework for tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, we will discuss the differences in usage between the semicolon and the comma. In addition, students will have a chance to practice selecting pronouns to agree with their antecedents. They will have a worksheet for homework.
WEDNESDAY – Today, we will review the skills from Monday and Tuesday before moving on to “Paul Revere’s Ride.” During the discussion, the students who read this specific poem will serve as “experts,” carrying the discussion as we move forward. There is no homework for tomorrow.
THURSDAY – Today, students will practice again with embedded grammar. Following that, they will have time to finish reading their independent reading book in class. The final independent reading journal is due tomorrow.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have an overall grammar review. This will cover phrases and clauses, simple through compound-complex sentences, punctuation, parts of speech, and everything in between. There is no homework for the weekend, but the students will have a quiz on their independent reading books on Monday.
Welcome back! I hope that you all had some time to spend with family and friends over the Thanksgiving break. I know, seeing some of you before school today, that it seems that many of you have refreshed your energy, which is great because we’re going to need it. Just three weeks until winter break… Let’s get some serious work done.
Here’s how this week (11/28/11) should look:
JOURNAL ENTRY #3 IS DUE FRIDAY.
THERE IS A QUIZ THURSDAY.
MONDAY – Today, students will review the idea of compound-complex sentences for a quiz on Thursday. After that, students will attempt their first Socratic discussion on Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” There is no homework for tonight.
TUESDAY – Today, students will again review compound-complex sentences for Thursday’s quiz. Following that, we will be introducing the idea of embedded grammar practice. There is no homework for tonight.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will have a substitute teacher. They will be working on reading and deciphering a narrative poem in order to bridge the gap between prose and poetry. They will be responsible for reading on of: “The Raven,” “The Highwayman,” “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” or “Paul Revere’s Ride.” They will be expected to have the directed reading questions answered in order to discuss by Friday.
THURSDAY – Today, students will have an identification quiz on everything from phrases, fragments, and run-ons to compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. After that, students will have an opportunity to read their independent novel for their entry for Friday.
FRIDAY – Today, students will discuss at length the poems read on Wednesday, focusing on how they are both alike and different from a typical short story. There is no homework for the weekend.
Finally, a full week of school. I know you’re all thrilled. 
We are coming to an end with our work on the elements of literature, and we will be moving on to the exciting world of poetry. Hang in there… A week off is right around the corner.
INDEPENDENT READING JOURNAL #2 IS DUE FRIDAY.
Here’s how this week (11/14/11) should look:
MONDAY – Students have their unit test on all things literature. The test will involve reading a short story and applying the skills learned over the course of the first quarter. After their test, they may read their independent reading book quietly.
TUESDAY – Students will be introduced to compound-complex sentences. After that, students will read both “A Valentine for Earnest Mann” and “Introduction to Poetry” as we kick off our poetry unit. Students will discuss the two poems in small groups. Students will have a compound-complex sentence worksheet for homework.
WEDNESDAY – Today, we will review compound-complex sentences. After that, students will work on what they already know about poetry. In partners, students will work on a poster that represents what they already know about the world of poets and poetry. There is no homework for tonight.
THURSDAY – Students will have a chance to wrap up their posters in order to present them to their classmates in an “open forum” on poetry. From there, we will go to a large group discussion on what makes a poem and why people do or do not enjoy poetry. Independent journal #2 is due tomorrow.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have their first opportunity to take part in a Socratic discussion. They will read the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and have a student only discussion based on the poem. There is no homework over the Thanksgiving Break. Have fun!
Well, it was nice to have a semi-normal week last week, but now we’re going to need everyone to focus, as the schedule gets a little disrupted again. We only have three and a half days to get through what we need to, and it’s a lot.
Here’s how this week (11/7/11) should look:
INDEPENDENT READING RESPONSE JOURNAL #1 IS DUE THURSDAY VIA FIRSTCLASS.
THE UNIT TEST OVER STORY ELEMENTS IS MONDAY.
MONDAY – Today, students will take their second reading inventory from SHS. Not only is this a hierarchical measurement of their comprehension, but it will also be used as a supplementary tool in the case of borderline placement. Following the inventory, students will be given Richard Carroll’s “The Most Dangerous Game.” The story needs to be finished for class tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, utilizing “The Most Dangerous Game,” students will begin their review for the unit test on Monday. The review will start with a collective review of all the elements we’ve covered in the unit, followed by an application to the story. There is no homework, outside of studying, tonight.
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will continue the review with “The Most Dangerous Game.” After group time, we will collectively answer questions regarding setting, characters, conflict, plot, point of view, theme, and irony. There is no homework, outside of studying, tonight.
THURSDAY – Today, the first reader response journal is due. Students should be 1/4 of the way through their independent reading book by now. Response journals should be handed in via FirstClass. During the shortened periods, we will review, again, for Monday’s test. Students should review their materials over the weekend.
FRIDAY – No School – If you know a veteran, be sure to thank him or her for what he or she has done for this country.
Happy Halloween! October has drawn to a close, and now we look to a rapidly closing year. November and December will go quickly, so we need to do what we can to keep pace.
STUDENTS NEED THEIR INDEPENDENT READING BOOK BY FRIDAY.
Here’s how this week (10/31/11) should look:
MONDAY – Today, in honor of Halloween, students will take time to finish the discussion on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” After that, they will listen to another of his famous stories, “A Cask of Amantillado.” There is no homework today.
TUESDAY – Today, students will take notes on how to move from compound sentences to complex sentences. After that, we will discuss theme and how it is developed over the course of a story. Students will have a complex sentence worksheet for homework.
WEDNESDAY – Today, continuing the work with theme, students will work with W.W. Jacobs’ story “The Monkey’s Paw.” Students will read the story in small groups and work on the general message sent by the story.
THURSDAY – Today, students will take their second reading inventory of the year. Once again, it will progress, over seven questions, from a question on simple stated fact to the overall piece and author’s purpose. Students will have a complex sentence worksheet for homework.
FRIDAY – Today is an early dismissal day. Students will have a quiz over complex sentences. Also, with the next independent reading project being officially assigned today, students need to have their books by today. A list of the 20 choices can be found on FirstClass.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to quarter two. It’s really hard to believe that the year is going this fast, but if you look at the weather, autumn has arrived, and it looks like winter is not far behind. That being said, let’s wipe the slate of first quarter clean and dive right in.
Here’s how this week (10/24/11) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will review the ideas on simple sentences and independent clauses. After that, we will spend a brief moment discussing tone and how it pertains to a piece of writing. Students will then independently read “The Circuit: Cajas de Carton,” answering questions 10-12 on page 413. These questions will be used in discussion tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, students will discuss the non-fiction piece from yesterday, focusing on the ideas of tone and mood and how it pertains to a piece of writing. After that, students will take notes on point of view, focusing on the different points and how they impact a piece of writing using “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.”
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will quickly review simple sentences and independent clauses. After that, we will move into a discussion on compound sentences, combining two or more independent clauses into one sentence. We will then discuss point of view’s impact on a story, students will take time learning about irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic.
THURSDAY – Today, in class, after reviewing compound sentences students will listen to a reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” focusing on point of view, unreliable narrator, and irony.
FRIDAY – Today, students will have a quiz on simple and compound sentences. Following that students will be introduced to the independent reading project for second quarter.
Another weekend has come and gone, and the weather is starting to emphasize that we are almost a month into fall. It’s the last week of the quarter, which sounds crazy, I know, but we have to wrap everything up. Let’s get to work.
Here’s how this week (10/17/11) should look:
MONDAY – I will be out of the building. Students will take their ISAT prep quiz. After that, they will be randomly assigned 1 of 4 short stories. Students will spend time reading the story following the ISAT prep.
TUESDAY – Today, students will continue to read the short story from yesterday. After reading, they will put together an assessment on setting, characters, conflict, and plot. This is homework if it’s not completed.
WEDNESDAY – Today, in class, students will bring in their short story and their assessment. To prepare for tomorrow’s test, they will trade their assessment and story with another student. The end of class will be used for clarification.
Setting, Character, Conflict, Plot Practice
THURSDAY – Today, students will take their mid-unit exam on setting, characters, conflict, and plot.
FRIDAY – Today, students will get their first look at sentence structure, focusing on sentence parts and simple sentence structure. There will be no homework for the weekend.
I hope you had a chance to get some rest and have some fun over your long weekend. It’s a big week this week, so we need to get right to work.
Here’s how this week (10/10/11) should look:
MONDAY – No school, lucky you.
TUESDAY – Today, after meeting in the classroom, students will report to the computer lab. We will be completing our work with “Flowers For Algernon” by Daniel Keyes. In the lab, students will be researching social psychology projects. With their research, they will connect their findings to the short story, culminating with the design of their own social psychology experiment.
Famous Studies In Social Psychology
WEDNESDAY – Today, students will report directly to the computer lab. They will finish their work on their social psychology experiment designs. Any time left over can be spent finalizing their independent book projects.
THURSDAY – Today is a presentation day. Students will get in front of the class to give their book talks. Each segment of the project should be clearly explained, in order.
FRIDAY – Today is also a presentation day. We will complete the project presentations from Thursday.
The strange weeks continue this week, but you have all been doing very well in adjusting, so please keep it up. We are again down to 4 days, and with an assembly on Thursday, we need to make the most of the time we have. Please keep in mind that independent reading presentations will begin a week from Thursday.
Here’s how this week (10/3/11) should look:
MONDAY – Today, students will review the different segments of plot from Friday. After that, we will do an introductory activity on Rorschach ink blots before beginning the story “Flowers For Algernon.” Students will be given a graphic organizer to accompany the story that they will be required to fill out as they read. We will read aloud as a class today. There is no expected homework today.
TUESDAY – After reviewing the happenings from the first part of the story, students will be broken into small groups to continue reading “Flowers For Algernon” and working on their graphic organizers. There is no expected homework today.
WEDNESDAY – After a brief question and answer period, students will have the opportunity to finish reading “Flowers For Algernon” independently, continuing on with their graphic organizer. Should they finish in class, they will have a brief graded assessment to fill out. If they do not finish in class, it will be due on Thursday.
THURSDAY – Today is an assembly day, so classes will be shortened. Students who did not finish the assessment Wednesday will hand them in first thing. After that, students will utilize the shortened class periods to work on their independent reading projects.
FRIDAY – No School – Lucky You
Another week has come and gone, and we have another strange week staring us in the face. We’re down to 4 days this week, so we need to make sure that we make the most of them.
Here’s how this week (9/26/11) should look:
MONDAY – Today, we will finally have the opportunity to discuss our mini-study on O. Henry. We have read two of his works, one well known, the other not so much. In addition, we read a brief non-fiction piece that tied into “A Retrieved Reformation.” Please be ready to talk about all three pieces in depth. No homework is expected for today.
TUESDAY – Moving along, we will spend time reviewing setting and characters. We will then take notes on our next element, conflict. We will discuss the different types of conflict, citing examples of each. After that, we will read aloud a very brief story, drawing on our new found knowledge to decipher the conflict. No homework is expected for today.
WEDNESDAY – Considering we have the components, today will be dedicated to plot. We will review setting, characters, and conflict, and then we will put them all together to discuss plot, the story line of a story. No homework is expected for today.
THURSDAY – No School
FRIDAY – Today will be spent in the computer lab taking the MAP test for language usage.
Well, there went another weekend. I know that this weather doesn’t make it all that easy to feel motivated, but this might… We are just about halfway through first quarter. Keep that in mind as we keep moving forward.
Here’s how this week (9/19/11) should look:
MONDAY – Students will review the introduction of characters and characterization. Following that, they will find out about a famous American author, O. Henry. After that information, we will spend time reading one of his lesser known pieces, “A Retrieved Reformation.”
TUESDAY – Today is a bit of an odd day. I will be in meetings all day. In order to maintain our push to maximize comprehension and understanding, students will be given an ISAT style baseline assessment in class. Any time after that can be spent finishing “A Retrieved Reformation” or working on the independent reading project that was assigned last week.
WEDNESDAY – Another meeting day… Students have math MAP testing in the afternoon, so periods 4, 5, and 7 will have the class period to work on their independent reading projects. All students should have an independent novel of at least 125 pages by today.
THURSDAY – Today, students will discuss “A Retrieved Reformation,” focusing mainly on the idea of characters and characterization. Following that, students will be given an article that connects the fiction to real life. Students can expect an assessment on the story.
Retrieved Reformation – Modern
FRIDAY – Today, continuing a mini-author study on O. Henry, students will have the opportunity to read possibly his most famous work, “The Ransom of Red Chief.” Once again, students will focus on characters and characterization. If this is not finished, students are expected to have it read by Monday.
And here we are at the start of another week. You guys have been doing a great job so far, and I hope it continues. We have (almost) a full week, so here we go.
Here’s how this week (9/12/11) should look:
MONDAY – We will be wrapping up both “The Inn of Lost Time” and the discussions from the anniversary of 9/11. There will be a brief comprehension assessment on the short story, followed by a piece of non-fiction on samurais and ronin. This piece should be finished by tomorrow.
TUESDAY – Today, students will discuss the piece of non-fiction on samurais and ronin. We will connect the information from the piece to the characters from “The Inn of Lost Time.” After that, we will review the aspects of setting, pre-read “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” and students will read the story by Thursday.
WEDNESDAY – Today is somewhat of a crazy day. Towards the end of the day, students on Team 4 will have MAP testing. That being said, students that have class will use the time to complete and discuss the reading assigned yesterday.
THURSDAY – Today, students can expect an assessment on both the aspects of setting, as well as the two stories with which we’ve started the year. After that, we will begin our discussion on the element of character. Students will briefly take notes on character, and then we will move on to O. Henry’s “A Retrieved Reformation.” Students should finish the story for homework.
FRIDAY – Today is an early dismissal, with the afternoon being dedicated to SEL work. Students will discuss “A Retrieved Reformation,” followed by a non-fiction piece that shows a modern day connection to the story. Today will also be the introduction of the first independent reading project.
Retrieved Reformation – Modern
Labor Day has come and gone, and autumn is almost officially here. With a short week, we have a lot to get done. So far, you guys have been great, so let’s keep it up.
MONDAY – No School – Labor Day
TUESDAY – In class, students will take a hierarchical reading inventory passed down from Stevenson High School. This assessment is a tool that will be used in determining progress and possibly assisting in their high school placement. Multiple inventories will be given throughout the year.
WEDNESDAY – SUMMER READING PROJECTS DUE TODAY. In addition, students will receive their textbooks and their Holt readers. The textbooks MUST be covered by the end of the week. After distribution, we will take brief notes on character before beginning a story titled “The Inn of Lost Time.” If the story is not finished in class, we will finish the remainder on Thursday.
THURSDAY – After finishing “The Inn of Lost Time,” students can expect an assessment on their comprehension. Following their assessment, students will be given a non-fiction piece on samurais and ronin that correlates to the short story. This piece should be read in order to discuss by Monday.
FRIDAY – In remembrance of September 11th, today will be dedicated solely to discussing the ideas of peace, harmony, and how the tragedies from that day affected the country and the world. There is no homework unless students have yet to finish the non-fiction piece from Thursday.
OK, ladies and gentlemen, our feet are officially wet, and it is time to get down to business. This week will be benchmark assessment heavy, meaning that we are going to use much of this week to determine just where everyone is at in regards to Language Arts. And, as an added bonus, we are looking at a 3-day weekend, so let’s get things started before we get to relax.
Here’s how this week (8/29/11) should look:
MONDAY – Me Bag presentations. Students will get up and give a brief oral presentation about themselves to their classmates. There is no homework today, unless students have yet to finish their summer reading book.
TUESDAY – Me Bag wrap-up. Any students who did not get to present yesterday will have the opportunity to present today. After that, students will move on to a handwritten copy of a cold prompt for MyAccess. There is no homework today, unless students have yet to finish their summer reading book.
WEDNESDAY – Computer lab day. Students will report directly to the computer lab today. They will receive back their cold prompt from yesterday and enter it into the MyAccess system. There is no homework today, unless students have yet to finish their summer reading book.
THURSDAY – Summer reading projects. Finally, students will have the opportunity to work on their summer reading projects. Students will be constructing book jackets for the books that they read over vacation. These projects will be due Wednesday September 7.
FRIDAY – Summer reading projects. After taking a brief AIMSWEB assessment, students will have the opportunity to continue on their summer reading projects. Students will be constructing book jackets for the books that they read over vacation. These projects will be due Wednesday September 7.
Hello everybody… Welcome to 8th grade Language Arts class. This is the spot where you can find the tentative schedule for each week of the school year. It will be updated every Monday. Please note that due to the fluid nature of the classroom experience, these plans do change from time to time. Also, when handouts are given, electronic copies will be available here, as well. I am excited about this school year, and I hope you are, too.
Here’s how this week (8/22/10) should look:
MONDAY - No School
TUESDAY - No School
WEDNESDAY – 1/2 day – Students will introduce themselves and get a brief feel for what the classroom is going to be like.
THURSDAY - Students will receive a parental questionnaire, along with a contact information sheet. If this could be returned by Monday, it would be greatly appreciated. We will begin discussing classroom norms, along with expectations. In addition, the students will have the majority of the period to work on a brief introductory project, the Me Bag, which they will present tomorrow.
FRIDAY - Students will present their Me Bags, introducing themselves to their classmates and me. There is no homework for the weekend, unless a student has yet to complete his or her summer reading book.