8th Grade Language Arts

Essays Finalized

2010-04-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

All essays should have been turned in at the end of the period today. All that stands between us and spring break is the benchmark assessment tomorrow! Do your best!

Another Good Day

2010-03-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Essays are due at the end of the period tomorrow. We will take our benchmark exams on Friday.... then SPRING BREAK!!!

Excellent Work

2010-03-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

Excellent work by all students today. We got a lot accomplished! Thank you for your hard work. Keep it up!

Essays Due Thursday

2010-03-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about the pieces of the essays that have been turned in to me so far. The writing is strong and the evidence and quote choice is aligned. Your set ups and explanations support your quotes well.

At this point, I have seen at least the character paragraph from almost all of you. If you have not shown me this piece yet, please make sure that you have something to show me tomorrow, so that you have the opportunity for feedback that could improve your writing and your grade.

Here is the Essay Checklist that I gave you in class today.

Vocab Quiz and Events Essay

2010-03-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Final Characterization Essays are due April 1st. After today, you should have completed the following paragraphs:

Character Paragraph #1
Character Paragraph #2
Event Paragraph Describing the two characters responses to a shared event

On Monday and Tuesday, we will work on the introduction and conclusion.
Wednesday, we will be peer editing and revising.

Again, FINAL DRAFTS are due on 4/1/10!!!

Characterization Essay

2010-03-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

I am excited for you all to continue working on your characterization essays. By the time you finish this assignment, you will have an essay that demonstrates your ability to use evidence to support your ideas, incorporate quotes into your writing, think about and describe the traits of a character, compare and contrast two characters' responses to a given situation, and use sentence variety in your writing. I can't wait to read the final drafts next week!

CHARACTERIZATION ESSAY OVERVIEW
EVENT GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
SAMPLE CHARACTER PARAGRAPH AND INSTRUCTIONS
CHARACTER PARAGRAPH GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

Complete your Word Work Tonight

2010-03-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

Be ready to write tomorrow!!!!

Literature Circles- Focus on Event Mapping

2010-03-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Today in literature circles, students worked together to map out the main events for the story. Tomorrow, we will have word wizard presentations and work on the next stage of their Characterization Essays.

As a preview, the final Characterization Essay which will be due prior to spring break will include the following:

Introduction
Body Paragraph #1- Character 1 (3 traits, 3 quotes with set up and explanations) - This was due on 03/22 (draft).
Body Paragraph #2- Character 1 (3 traits, 3 quotes with set up and explanations) - This will be due by 03/25 (draft).
Body Paragraph #3- Significant Event and Characters' Response - Due date to be announced.
Conclusion

Catch Up Day

2010-03-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Today, we caught up on our work and prepared for conferences next week. Students had the opportunity to complete their character paragraphs which were due at the end of the period today.
They also worked on their reading (BOOKS SHOULD BE FINISHED BY TOMORROW!!!!!) and their roles for tomorrow's literature circle.
Finally, they had the opportunity to prepare for their conferences next week by pulling work to share at their conferences.

Vocab/Sentence Quiz Work on Paragraph Essay

2010-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, we will have a quiz on sentence types and vocabulary words from our word wizards.
Your word work and any revisions are due to me as well.
Your character paragraph with 3 traits and 3 pieces of evidence will be due at the end of period.
Remember, set-up, quote, explanation.

Bring Completed Character Evidence Charts

2010-03-17T07:58:00.001-07:00

Make sure to bring your completed Character Evidence Chart to class tomorrow. It should have specific quotes and page numbers.

Character Essay

2010-03-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

We will begin writing character essays on Thursday. As you read your books, please continue to gather evidence about your character to use in your essay.

Literature Circles- Focus on Characterization

2010-03-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, we will be meeting in literature circles as we do each Tuesday. Please make sure you have your reading and roles completed when you arrive to class. Also, make sure that you have your book with you! We will begin to chart our characters and evidence tomorrow, so think about which character you are interested in tracking.

Sentence Types:
Remember to revise your sentence type quiz.
Sentence Type Quiz Revision
For each sentence that you did not correctly identify or construct:
Look back at what you wrote. Why is your answer incorrect? Write a four sentence explanation answering the following questions:
o Which parts of your sentences are Independent and Dependent clauses?
o What makes a sentence compound or complex?
o What type of sentence did you originally write?
o Rewrite this sentence on the same topic, but in using clauses appropriately.

For example, if you wrote the following as a compound sentence:
I play soccer and basketball during Fit for Life.
You could explain:
This sentence is not a compound sentence because it does not join two independent clauses. In order for this to be compound, the words before and after the conjoining conjunction would need to be independent clauses. “I play soccer” is an independent clause, but the phrase after the conjunction “basketball during Fit for Life” is not because it is missing a verb. In order for this sentence to be compound, I could have written:
I play soccer during Fit for Life, but sometimes we play basketball.
If you need some more practice with sentence types"
More practice with sentence types.

Sentence Type and Vocab Quiz Tomorrow

2010-03-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is a half day. Dismissal is at noon.
We will have a quiz on sentence types and the word wizard words for the week.
Make sure that you have your reading and your role completed for Tuesday's literature circle meetings!

Words for 8A:
Last Week: coachmen weather skiff dulce petulant
This Week: glumly atheist paregoric surrey parched

Words for 8B:
Last Week: chateaux gingerly prodigious strife photostated
This Week: pilfering probed glint etymologies deathly

ITBS Week...

2010-03-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

Due to ITBS testing this week, our schedule will be altered slightly, so we only get to meet as a class on Monday, Tuesday and 1/2 hour on Friday.
On Monday, we are working some more on independent and dependent clauses and compond and complex sentences. See some websites for review and practice below. We will also get our new vocabulary words from our word wizards for the week.
On Tuesday, we will work with our literature circle groups, so make sure that you have your reading and your role completed.
On Friday, we will have a quiz on the vocabulary for the week and sentence types.

Sentence Types Review
More Review
Interactive Quiz on Sentence Types
Interactive Sentence Type Quiz #2
Reminder of Roles:
Summarizer/Questioner: Think about the major events in the reading and write a minimum of six sentences describing those events in your Reading Response Log. Come up with at least 3 DEEP questions that would lead to interesting conversation among your group on the literature circle meeting day. On literature circle meeting days, your role will be to keep the conversation flowing. The better questions are, the easier this will be.

- Evaluator: Think about the actions and decisions the characters in your text made. Choose a passage from the text in which you think a character made an important decision. Be prepared to read this aloud during the week's literature circle meeting and to lead a discussion this character's choice. In your Reading Response Log, write about 3 alternatives to the decision that the character made. Minimum of 6 sentences.

-Illustrator/Quote: Choose a quote from the week's reading, write it in your RRL and draw an illustration to go with it. Write 3 sentences to explain why you choose that quote and how the drawing relates to the quote. Be prepared to share your quote and drawing at the meeting.

-Word Wizard: Choose six words from the text that are either new to you, used in an interesting way, or repeated often throughout this week's reading. In your Reading Response Log: define the word (including the part of speech), note the page where you found it, use it in a sentence, and explain why you chose this word. Additionally, on the Monday before your weekly meeting, you will be required to present ONE word to the class that they will be quizzed on at the end of the week. Present your word on a poster including the definition. Present the class with a strategy for remembering this word.

ITBS Next Week

2010-03-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

We will have ITBS next week. Make sure you are well-rested and that you eat a good breakfast!

Humanities Night is TOMORROW

2010-03-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

Make sure the bring everything that you need for your presentation! Tomorrow, we will be working on your prediction essays, if you have not turned yours in you must have it by tomorrow, so that you can participate in class.

Humanities Night is THURSDAY

2010-03-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

We will be working on your presentations for Humanities Night tomorrow. Please make sure to bring your artifact and ideas about how you might present it to our visitors.

First Literature Circle Meeting Tomorrow

2010-03-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, we will have our first literature circle meetings tomorrow. Please make sure that you have completed your role responsibilities for tomorrow, so that you can have a productive and interesting conversation about your books.

Prediction Essays

2010-02-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Tonight, please work on your Prediction essay based on the first chapter of your literature circle reading. Class will only be 1/2 hour tomorrow, so you will not have much in class time to finish.

Also, make sure that your letter to your parent(s) regarding Humanities Night is ready to be mailed.

Literature Circles- Finally!!!

2010-02-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

I am so glad that we finally started literature circles today. Make sure that you have read your first chapter by Thursday. Remember, that your next draft of your Seedfolks chapter is due on Friday.

Seedfolks Drafts

2010-02-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

Today in class you should have completed your first draft of your new chapter for Seedfolks. Tonight, for HW please complete your letter inviting an adult friend or family member to Humanities Night on March 4th from 6:30-8PM.

Story Map

2010-02-19T13:47:00.000-08:00

Today, I shared a model chapter that I wrote with the class, and we worked on story maps. They took a little longer than expected, so we are going to spend Monday writing rough drafts. Final drafts will still be due on Friday.

A New Chapter

2010-02-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

Today, students began their cultural research and their character maps for the chapter they will write for Seedfolks. Their character maps should be completed by the beginning of class tomorrow.

Book Projects For Seedfolks

2010-02-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

We finally finished Seedfolks. We have explored the characters, the conflicts and the resolutions, and the theme of the book over the last week. Now, it is time for the students to take it to a higher level and create their own deliberate and thoughtful response to the book.
Which brings us to BOOK PROJECTS!!
Today we discussed book projects. These are a student's chance to shine creatively and show off their knowledge of the book at the same time.
To get started on this, students need to complete a book reflection. This is part of the book project grade and shows knowledge of each of these different ideas.
Together, we have studied the rubric and talked about what needs to be done in order to succeed on this assignment. Here is a list of sample project ideas that students may choose from, or propose their own.

All of this is due on Wednesday, February 17th at the beginning of class. I will be on the Jekyll Island trip with the 6th graders through the rest of the week. The students will have three FULL class periods to complete this work.

Florence's Character Traits

2010-02-04T12:01:00.000-08:00

Today in class, you read and highlighted and took notes on the chapter about Florence. We also began to fill in the character trait chart. Please complete the character trait chart for HW tonight. When you return to class tomorrow, you should have at least five actions listed with the trait you think they reveal.

Conflict and Resolution

2010-02-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

Now that we have looked at the major four types of conflict in literature and five common ways that characters resolve conflicts, think about how conflict is addressed within your own book. What is the conflict? Is it external or internal? How is it resolved?

Response to Literature
Please read for at least 30 minutes in your independent book and respond with one of the strategies that we have been practicing in class. Make sure to follow the directions for the response.

Response to Literature

2010-02-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

Please read for at least 30 minutes in your independent book and respond with one of the strategies that we have been practicing in class. Make sure to follow the directions for the response.

Seedfolks Jigsaw

2010-01-28T11:34:00.001-08:00

Presentations start tomorrow. Don't forget about the extra credit. Can't wait to see what you bring!

2010-01-27T11:38:00.000-08:00

Be prepared to complete your posters for your chapter in Seedfolks during class tomorrow.

Complete FINAL Draft of Expository or Persuasive Essay

2010-01-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

Make sure your draft is ready tomorrow! Final deadline. Also, make sure you complete your part of the Seedfolks jigsaw project for tomorrow.

Complete FINAL Draft of Expository or Persuasive Essay

2010-01-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

Please complete your final draft tonight for HW tonight. It is due at the beginning of class tomorrow. Your essay will be a major portion of your LA grade for your next progress report.

One simple way to improve your writing's organization is to work on your transitions.

You can email your paper to me at scannon@atlantachartermiddle.com

Independent Reading Response Log

2010-01-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to read in your independent book tonight AND complete a response from your notebook: predictor, evaluator, summarizer, scene setter/illustrator, questioner, connector, or word wizard/researcher.

8th Grade Writing Assessment

2010-01-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

The students did it! We took the 8th Grade Writing Assessment today. The students were focused and on task. Thank you for all of your support.

Ready to Write!!!

2010-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

The Georgia Writing Assessment is tomorrow. Make sure to get a good night's rest, eat your breakfast, and get to school on time! You are going to kill it!

Peer Editing and Reading Response Logs

2010-01-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight for HW, please complete another entry in your Reading Response Notebook. Remember, these will be turned in to me tomorrow for grading.
I hope that you got good feedback on your writing assessment draft today. We will continue the work on your persuasive or expository essays tomorrow.

Seedfolks!

2010-01-13T08:43:00.001-08:00

Today, we started reading Seedfolks and learned about Ana and Kim.
Kim's family is from Vietnam, to learn more about Vietnam follow the link. For extra credit, you can tell the class tomorrow something you learned about Vietnam that may relate to Kim.
We also practiced the following reading strategies/responses:

For HW tonight, please choose one of the roles and use it to respond to your independent reading. Please also include the title of the book and the pages that you read.
Predictor
*What do you think will happen next?
*Why? Back up your answers with reasons from the text.

(Make 2-3 predictions. Write at least 2 sentences about each.)
Connector
*Text to text
* Text to self
* Text to screen
* Text to world
(Make at least 2 connections. Write at least 2 sentences to explain each one.)
Illustrator/Scene Setter
*What do you see in your head as you read?
*Draw scenes or depict imagery
*Cartoon, stick figures, flowcharts
*Where did the action take place?
*Did the location or time change?
*Draw a map of a character’s movements
(Draw a picture. Write at least 2 sentences to describe it.)
Evaluator
*What is your opinion of actions taken in the book?
*Do you think that the characters acted correctly?
*What would you have done if you were that character?
*Would another character have done things differently?

(Write at least 3 sentences. Explain your opinions)

Independent Reading Starts Tomorrow

2010-01-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

Make sure that you bring a book for independent reading tomorrow!

Mock Writing Assessment

2010-01-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

Today, you began your mock writing assessment. We will continue with the second half of the assessment tomorrow. During the later half of this week and the beginning of next week, I will be meeting with you one on one to discuss your writing and to set goals for the assessment.

For your homework tonight and tomorrow night, I would like you to find a book that you can enjoy reading independently. If you are in the midst of a book already, pick out a book that you might like to read next. You may borrow books from the classroom or school library, or you may go to a local library or bookstore. If you don't know where to begin here is a link to some recommended and award winning books for young adults.

Looking at Ideas

2010-01-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Today, we compared our class created checklist for good writing with the rubric from the Georgia Department of Education, and we missed a few things. In the next several class periods, we will be devoting time to making sure that we understand the rubric for the writing test and that we know how to be successful in each area of the rubric.

In our next class period, our focus will be on ideas.
In consideration of this, your homework tonight is to read Lethal Possibilities and respond to the following:

Is her essay persuasive or expository? How do you know?
What is her main idea in the essay?
What details does she use to support her ideas?
What is her viewpoint on violence?

For extra credit, you can create a concept map or outline of her ideas.

Welcome Back! Happy New Year. Ready to Work?

2010-01-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

As we discussed today, we have a lot to do in the next ten days to prepare for the Georgia Writing Assessment on January 20th. We will be reading a variety of essays, so that we can learn from them how to become better writers. Tonight for HW, please read one of the following essays and compile at least five qualities/features of good essays. Be prepared to discuss these features in class tomorrow.

Race and the Census
Obama Needs to Meet with and Cheney?
No Fly List
World's Healthiest Food