8th Grade--3/23

Today we went to the resource center to take part in the read-a-thon. The read-a-thon raised money for rebuilding Haitian libraries destroyed by the earthquake.

IMPORTANT! I have changed the reading assignment for Monday after break in the interest of your sanity. See below!

Due Monday after break...

-Read sections 3 & 4 in The Book Thief

-March IR log

Long term due dates...

-Shakespeare summative writing final draft is due on 4/3

7th Grade--3/23

Today we worked on using metaphor, simile, and personification as tools for rewriting. We also discussed the function of these tools, and when a metaphor is too complicated (and therefore becomes a little distracting).

We also learned new WM words: "compatriot", "launch", and "meek"

Due Monday after break...

-Final drafts of poems (with rough drafts)

-March IR log 

Long term due dates...

-Pictures for your selected poem due on 4/3

8th Grade--3/22

Today we learned new WM words ("impassive" and "trappings"). I handed back my edits on Shakespeare summative writing, discussed common errors or struggles, and then students had about thirty minutes to work on making corrections or changes to their papers.

Due tomorrow...

-Read-a-thon money if you're participating

-Unconventional narrator story start

Long term due dates...

-Read sections 3-5 in The Book Thief for 4/2

-March IR log due on 4/2

7th Grade--3/22

Today we began to edit our poems, looking specifically for words that could be cut, words that could be improved, opportunities to change line breaks, and places where stanza breaks could be used. We edited all three of our poems, and we will continue to work on them tomorrow.

We also learned new WM words: "frugal", "mirage", "woo" & "debonair"

Due tomorrow...

-Make today's revisions to your poems, and bring in fresh copies of each poem tomorrow.

Long term due dates...

-Final drafts of poems due on 4/2

-March IR log due on 4/2

8th Grade--3/21

Today we learned two new WM words: "scepter" and "mollify". We then worked on giving voice to our unconventional narrators and worked on our unconventional narrator stories.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Unconventional narrator story start due on 3/23
-Read sections 3-5 in The Book Thief for 4/2

-March IR log due on 4/2

7th Grade--3/21

Today students learned the WM words "initiative" and "endure". 7A students worked on writing poetry based on fictional stories, and 7B students worked on writing poetry from moments in time.

This was our last writing day for poetry. Please bring in your top three poems TYPED tomorrow.

Due tomorrow...

-Three typed poems due

Long term due dates...

-Final drafts of poems due on 4/2

8th Grade--3/19

Today we got our third WM list and learned the word "crusade". Next we took a quiz on Part #2 of The Book Thief, and we discussed the section as well.

Due tomorrow...

-Second draft of Shakespeare writing

-Reflection questions on The Book Thief

Long term due dates...

-Read sections 3-5 in The Book Thief for 4/2

-March IR log due on 4/2

7th grade--3/19

Today we worked on poetry. The 7A class wrote poems about objects, and the 7B class wrote poems about their beliefs. We looked back at sample texts before beginning our writing.

We also began the third WM list and learned the words linchpin and hone.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Three typed poems due on Thursday, 3/22

8th Grade--3/14

Today 8th graders were not in English class; they went on a field trip to Cantigny with Mr. Rice.

Due Monday...

-Read Part 2 of The Book Thief and annotate

Long term due dates...

-Second draft of Shakespeare writing due on 3/20

7th Grade--3/14

Today students were in the RC for English class participating in the read-a-thon. They also received their final grades for trimester 2, and they filled out needs inventories based on the feedback.

Due Monday...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Three typed poems due on Thursday, 3/22

8th Grade--3/13

Today we did a reflection on our writing from trimester 2 and filled out a needs self assessment. Next, students began peer and self editing their summative Shakespeare writing.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Read Part 2 of The Book Thief for Monday, 3/19

-Second draft of Shakespeare writing due on 3/20

7th Grade--3/13

Today the students continued their study of poetry. 7A worked on writing poems based on their beliefs, and 7B worked on writing poems based off of objects.

Due tomorrow...

-Money for read-a-thon due

Long term due dates...

-Three typed poems due on Thursday, 3/22

8th Grade--3/12

Today we took a quiz on The Book Thief. I shared areas to look for when annotating, and we discussed where we've seen these ideas appear already in the text.

Due tomorrow...

-Rough draft of summative Shakespeare writing

Long term due dates...

-Read Part 2 of The Book Thief for Monday, 3/19

7th Grade--3/12

Today we worked on writing poems based off of things that annoy or anger us. We shared lines from these poems at the end of class.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Money for read-a-thon due on 3/14

8th Grade--3/9

Today students continued to work on their Shakespeare summative writing. The rough draft for this assignment is due on Tuesday.

Due Monday...

-Prologue and Part One of The Book Thief read and annotated

Long term due dates...

-Rough draft of summative Shakespeare writing due on 3/13

7th Grade--3/9

Today we continued to work on poetry. 7A worked on poetry derived from emotions, and 7B worked poetry derived from their passions.

Due Monday...

-None

Long term due dates...

-None

8th Grade--3/8

Students continued to work on their summative writing pieces for The Taming of the Shrew.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Prologue and Part One of The Book Thief should be read and annotated for 3/12

-Rough draft of summative Shakespeare writing due on 3/13

7th Grade--3/8

Today the students continued to work on poetry. 7A began writing poems inspired by emotions, and 7B began writing poems inspired by their own passions.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-None

8th Grade--3/7

Today we began work on our summative writing for Shakespeare. We will continue to work on this throughout the rest of the week.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Prologue and Part One of The Book Thief should be read and annotated for 3/12

-Rough draft of summative Shakespeare writing due on 3/13

7th Grade--3/7

Today we wrote poetry about nature while sitting in the courtyard. Students worked on using the literary elements to describe natural elements, and they shared out sections of their poems with the class.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-None

8th Grade--3/6

Today we were introduced to World War 2 and our next novel, The Book Thief. We each wrote a creative piece about our view of World War 2 and used these moments to dive straight into the novel. These moments may also come up in future writing assignments, so don't lose track of them! We read the prologue aloud; please read part 1 for next Monday.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Prologue and Part One of The Book Thief should be read and annotated for 3/12

7th Grade--3/6

Today students had a shortened period due to the ISAT. We discussed the different things that authors use to inspire their poetry, and we decided the order in which we'd like to address these types of inspiration.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-None

8th Grade--3/5

Today we did reading and recall for our antagonist fiction.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-None

7th Grade--3/5

Today we listened to the second round of student book talks for trimester #2.

Due tomorrow...

-Finish poetry packet and reflection questions for tomorrow

Long term due dates...

-None

8th Grade--3/2

Today students took a field trip to Navy Pier where they watched a performance of A Taming of the Shrew.

Due Monday...

-Antagonist story start

Long term due dates...

-None

7th Grade--3/2

Today students had time to read their poetry packets and do ISAT practice while the 8th graders were on their field trip.

Due Monday...

-Book Talk #2

Long term due dates...

-Finish poetry packet for Tuesday, 3/6

8th Grade--3/1

Today students took the Shakespeare Test. Tomorrow is the Shakespeare field trip, so be sure to get your permission slips in to me or you won't be allowed on the bus! eek!

For tomorrow's field trip, please dress appropriately. This means no jeans, no shorts, no t-shirts. Dress like you would if your parents were taking you out to a nice dinner. This is the theater, and we represent our school. We'd like to do so well.

Due tomorrow...

-Bring money for lunch at Navy Pier

Long term due dates...

-Antagonist story start due on 3/5

7th Grade--3/1

Today we did an activity to practice using literary elements as tools for description. I also distributed and discussed the poetry packet. This should be read and completed by Tuesday of next week. Bring this packet with you to class tomorrow, as you will have the period to work.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term due dates...

-Book Talk #2 on 3/5