8th Grade--4/30

Today we met in reading groups to discuss the first section of science fiction reading. The second section was distributed today and is due on Friday. I cannot publish this packet online due to copyright issues, so see me if you lost your copy. After reading discussions, we worked in different groups to dissect the subgenres of science fiction and generate ideas for science fiction writing. Please finish completing this packet for Thursday. A copy can be found here.

Due tomorrow...

-Grammar quiz corrections #1

-April IR log

Long term deadlines...

-Complete subgenres packet for 5/2

-WordMasters test on 5/2

-Read scifi packet #2 and answer questions for 5/3

-Grammar quiz corrections #2 for 5/6

7th Grade--4/30

Today students worked on review for the WordMasters test on Thursday. You can find the jeopardy board with answer key right here.

Due tomorrow...

-April IR log

-Read Ac1 1 in Raisin in the Sun

Long term deadlines...

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/29

Today students took the second grammar quiz of the trimester. After that, students worked to solve practice analogies for WordMasters. That handout can be found here.

Due tomorrow...

-Final draft of BT essay with previous drafts attached

-Science Fiction packet #1 and questions

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz Corrections #1 due on 5/1
-April IR log due on 5/1

-WordMasters test on 5/2

7th Grade--4/29

Today students peer and self edited their memoirs. The editing packet can be found here.

Due tomorrow...

-Memoir second draft TYPED with all drafts attached

Long term deadlines...

-April IR log due on 5/1

-Read Ac1 1 in Raisin in the Sun for 5/1

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/26

Today I began class by going over the mistake trends that I saw when editing the most recent essay. We talked these trends through together. Next, I distributed the essays with my corrections. Students had the remainder of the period to make corrections to their essay and ask any questions about my feedback.

Due Monday...

-Grammar Quiz on Absolutes (with a review on appositives and passive/active voice)

-WordMasters notecards, project & sentences

Long term deadlines...

-Final draft of BT essay due on 4/30 NEW DUE DATE

-Science Fiction packet #1 and questions due on 4/30

-Grammar Quiz Corrections #1 due on 5/1

-WordMasters test on 5/2

7th Grade--4/26

Today we looked at the conclusion in the memoir mentor text and briefly discussed the elements our conclusion should contain. Students then continued to draft and many began typing out their drafts for Monday.

Due Monday...

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences

-Memoir rough draft TYPED

Long term deadlines...

-Read Ac1 1 in Raisin in the Sun for 4/30

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/25

Today we worked on defining the term "science fiction", and we shared our definitions with the class. After that, we were given our first packet of assigned reading for the science fiction unit and began reading for Tuesday. We also reviewed grammar homework on absolute phrases.

Due tomorrow...

-Bring a digital copy of your essay for class

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz on 4/29 (Absolutes) NEW DUE DATE

-WordMasters notecards, project & sentences due on 4/29

-Final draft of BT essay due on 4/30 NEW DUE DATE

-Science Fiction packet #1 and questions due on 4/30

-Grammar Quiz Corrections #1 due on 5/1

-WordMasters test on 5/2

7th Grade--4/25

Today you read the "How to Read a Play" handout as a class. After that, Mr. Malstrom distributed copies of A Raisin in the Sun, and you began reading it as a class.

Due tomorrow...

-Anecdotes written in your journal

Long term deadlines...

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-TYPED memoir rough draft due on 4/29 

-Read Ac1 1 in Raisin in the Sun for 4/30

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/24

Today we took the grammar quiz on passive/active voice and appositives. We then did our final grammar lesson on absolute phrases. You can find that powerpoint here. There will be a quiz on this material on Monday. Homework can also be found below by level.

IDENTIFYING
DISCOVERING
GENERATING

Due tomorrow...

-Grammar HW on absolutes

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz on 4/29 (Absolutes) NEW DUE DATE

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-WordMasters test on 5/2

7th Grade--4/24

Today students began class by sharing sections of their memoir introductions. Next we discussed the definition of the word "anecdote" and the function of anecdotes as support in a memoir. We made a list of qualities found in a good anecdote, and students began to craft their anecdotes for their memoirs.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-Anecdotes written in your journal for class on Friday

-TYPED memoir rough draft due on 4/29 

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/23

Today we finished the WM packet. Next, we learned about appositives. Access the PPT here. The homework sheets are below. Tomorrow we will have a quiz on this material.

Appositive HW:
IDENTIFYING
DISCOVERING
GENERATING

Due tomorrow...

-Grammar HW on appositives

-Grammar Quiz on 4/24 (Passive/Active Voice & Appositives)

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz on 4/29 (Absolutes) NEW DUE DATE

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-WordMasters test on 5/2

7th Grade--4/23

Today students had the day to work on their WordMasters assignments which are due next Monday. Those assignments are the notecards, sentences in your WM packet, WM project, and the WM handout that was distributed today. If you misplace your handout, you can find an extra copy below.

IDENTIFYING
DISCOVERING
GENERATING

Due tomorrow...

-Memoir intro written in journal

Long term deadlines...

-TYPED memoir rough draft due on 4/29 

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/22

Today we worked on peer and self editing for our Book Thief essays. We also learned the WM words "capitulate", "flaccid", "talisman" & "recoil", and we reviewed the grammar homework on passive & active voice.

Due tomorrow...

-Book Thief essay second draft TYPED

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz on 4/24 (Passive/Active Voice & Appositives)
-Grammar Quiz on 4/26 (Absolutes)

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-WordMasters test on 5/2

7th Grade--4/22

Today we finished learning the WM words for list #3. After that, we shared our thesis/purpose statements for our memoirs. We looked at the memoir mentor text and used it as a basis to discuss the structure and opening of a memoir. Students used the remaining time to begin crafting their memoir introductions.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-Memoir intro written in journal for 4/24

-WordMasters notecards, project, handout & sentences due on 4/29

-TYPED memoir rough draft due on 4/29 

-WordMasters test on 5/2

8th Grade--4/19

Today students were on a field trip to the Holocaust Museum in Skokie.

Due Monday...

-BT Essay rough draft

-Grammar HW

Long term deadlines...

-BT essay second draft due on Tuesday
-Grammar Quiz on Wednesday (Passive/Active Voice & Appositives)
-Grammar Quiz on Friday (Absolutes)

7th Grade--4/19

Today students worked on finding common themes in their memories. We worked to develop a thesis or unifying message for our memoir by the end of the period. If you have not already done so, do this for Monday.

Due Monday...

-Have a thesis for your memoir

Long term deadlines...

-None

8th Grade--4/17

Today we began the final grammar unit of the year, doing a lesson on passive voice. Locate the powerpoint here. Students took a formative assessment on the topic to determine their homework levels. Homework sheets are available below. We also learned the WM words "dormant", "faction", and "capitulate".

Passive vs. Active Voice Homework:
IDENTIFYING
DISCOVERING
GENERATING

Due tomorrow...

-None (students not on the field trip will have time to work on writing, so bring a flash drive and your Book Thief book)

Long term deadlines...

-BT Essay rough draft due on Monday, 4/22

7th Grade--4/17

Today we began class by learning the WM words "begrudge", "flippant", "grimace", "castigate" and "zealous". After that, we used a mapping strategy to generate memories. We will begin looking at these memories to define topics tomorrow.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-None

8th Grade--4/16

Today we did reading and recall for our opposite stories.

Due tomorrow...

-Bring your BT book in to have the annotations graded if you did not already do so. If I get your book before advisory at 8:30am, I will NOT consider it late.

Long term deadlines...

-BT Essay rough draft due on Monday, 4/22

7th Grade--4/16

Today we began class by journaling to generate ideas for our memoirs. We used quotes and different emotions to recall moments from our past that might be valuable tools for memoir. Next, we learned the WM words "ardor", "brigade", "assuage", and "fanatic".

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-None

8th Grade--4/15

Today we took reading quizzes for the end of The Book Thief. After that, we discussed the end of the novel, learned the new WM words "censure" and "abominate", and began working on the final essay for The Book Thief.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-BT Essay rough draft due on Monday, 4/22

7th Grade--4/15

Today we learned new WordMasters words "inert", "incite", "skeptic", and "moderate". After that, we began working on generating ideas for our memoirs. We began by speed writing with the prompt "I remember...". Students ended class by sharing a few of their memories. Below is an example of my "I remember..." writing.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-None

8th Grade--4/12

Today students continued to work on their opposite story starts. We spoke briefly at the beginning of class about how your opposite should continue to evolve. Every time you encounter a decision for your character, you must be the character and make the decision that would make sense for them rather than the one that would make sense for you.

Due tomorrow...

-Finish The Book Thief (Chs 9, 10, & epilogue) for Monday

-Opposite story start typed for Monday

Long term deadlines...

-None

7th Grade--4/12

Today students took the third trimester grammar test. After the test, students began reading their memoir mentor text packets and answering the questions for Monday.

Due Monday...

-Memoir mentor text reading and questions

Long term deadlines...

-None

8th Grade--4/11

Today students continued work on their opposite fiction stories. We began class with a mini lesson on how to communicate character traits subtly without just telling the reader. The worksheet to practice this can be found here.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-Finish The Book Thief (Chs 9, 10, & epilogue) for Monday

-Opposite story start typed for Monday

7th Grade--4/11

Today students reviewed for the grammar test. They made grammar practice questions which you can find below:

Prepositional phrases practice
Dangling modifiers practice
Semicolons and Colons practice
Adjective clauses practice
Adverb clauses practice

Due tomorrow...

-Grammar Test

Long term deadlines...

-None

8th Grade--4/9

Today students began class by taking the reading quiz on chapter 8. After that, they used dominos to create symbolic representations of the plot and/or characters of the novel. After students presented these to the class, we learned three new WM words: "wrest", "sonorous", and "flotsam". Students were given 15 minutes at the end of class to begin their last section of reading.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-Finish The Book Thief (Chs 9, 10, & epilogue) for Monday

7th Grade--4/9

Today students learned the new WM words "volatile", "aerie", and "recede". After that, they worked in groups on a review packet which you can find here. After that, we discussed the review packet as well as semicolons used in sentences with an interrupter. At the end of class, students began creating practice sentences. They will continue to do this on Thursday.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz Corrections #2 due on Thursday

-Grammar Test on Friday

8th Grade--4/8

Today we learned the WM words "covert" and "retinue". We also started working on our opposite stories.

Due tomorrow...

-Read part 8 in The Book Thief

Long term deadlines...

-None

7th Grade--4/8

Today we took a grammar quiz after we reviewed the grammar homework. Students had the rest of the period to work on their grammar quiz corrections.

Due tomorrow...

-None

Long term deadlines...

-Grammar Quiz Corrections #2 due on Thursday

-Grammar Test on Friday