Mrs. Fifield's Lovely Language Arts

2012-01-24T16:23:00.000-05:00

Here is the reading log link, once again.

Extra Credit Opportunity!

2012-01-24T16:21:00.000-05:00

Even though the third quarter just began, it is nice to have some extra credit in your back pocket. Bring in any appropriate, old magazines that you or your parents don't want anymore and you will get one point for each one (up to 10 points). These points will be added in as needed. In other words, they will not go on top of your grade like the hall pass extra credit does at the end of the quarter, but will be used to make up points that you are missing. I will keep track of how many extra credit points you have earned. Feel free to bring in more than 10 magazines, even though you won't get credit for them! I am hoping to do an activity with them soon...

2012-01-17T07:07:00.000-05:00

A day students should have worked on the plot mountain and "comic" for "The School Play" over the weekend, and B day students will receive that assignment today. Reading logs are due today for B day students and tomorrow for A day students. This is a significant portion of your grade! Extra credit for unused hall passes will be applied by the end of the day on Thursday (when I finalize my grades). Hall passes will begin again on Monday. You will also start new team time groups on Monday.

2012-01-11T07:31:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that reading logs are due on Tuesday, January 17th (B day) and Wednesday, January 18th (A day). Please utilize the 3 day weekend to catch up with your reading. This is a LARGE percentage of your grade because it is an ongoing assignment throughout the entire quarter. Don't forget!

Extra Credit

2012-01-05T09:58:00.000-05:00

Since winter break is over, the way to find the winter break packet is a little differnt. Now, on the home page for duval schools, scroll down the page until you see the "Fast find." Search for "winter packets." Click on the first search result and that will take you to the winter packets page. Select 6th grade Reading and complete for extra credit. Again, this is due on January 9th and 10th. I will not take it after those days.

Additionally, reading logs will be due on January 17 (B day) and 18 (A day). You should have logged a thousand pages on your reading logs. If you need a new one, scroll down the blog for the posting where I have linked to the forms.

On another note, you should have completed your planning for the essay we started in class for homework, and some classes should have gone ahead and written the counterargument paragraph. Tonight, A day students will need to finish the "Show, Don't Tell" work we started in class (B day will probably need to finish this over the weekend).

Extra Credit

2011-12-27T14:18:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and restful winter break! If you need extra credit, you may complete the following for up to 50 points extra. The points will be added on wherever you need them. For example, if you scored a 0/100 on the Compass Odyssey assignment, 50 points would be added in so that it would be a 50/100. Or, if you only have a few points missing here and there, they would be added in to make up the difference.

To receive extra credit:
*Go to the duvalschools.org home page
*Click on the 5 on the scrolling window (under the tabs), or wait for the images to scroll through until you see "Winter Packets"
*When you see "Winter Packets," click on "more"
*Scroll down the page and click on 6th grade reading
*Complete the activities assigned (read through the entire packet before beginning so that it is clear as to what you should do)
*Please print out the packet and staple your work to it. Make sure you label all of your work and put your name, date, and period on the front.

This is due to me no later than Monday, January 9 (A day) and Tuesday, January 10 (B day). It WILL NOT be accepted after those dates!!!!!

Please also note that the reading log is due soon. You need to have recorded 1000 pages on your log to receive full credit.

Upcoming Homework

2011-11-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

A day students - your homework was to take another classic tale like "The Three Little Pigs" that could be told from two sides. Select a character and tell the story from his or her side, just like in "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs." You do not have to illustrate it, but creativity is always encouraged. Minimum of 500 words (about one page). This is due on Wednesday, December 7th. [B day students do not have this assignment yet]

The Compass Odyssey assignment is due on December 14th (although work done on the 15th will also be accepted since I have given that date to a few people). This is the Units 3 and 4 assignment under the Language Arts folder.

Here is the reading log link again.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-22T16:27:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful, long break over the Thanksgiving holidays. To get a head start on upcoming homework, I have gone ahead and assigned a new Compass Odyssey folder. Click on "Language Arts" and then "Units 3 and 4 Reading Assignment." This large folder will cover the standards we are focusing on for the rest of this quarter. I am not officially assigning this until next week, but you have an extra six days to work on it if you want. This will be due before the winter break for everyone on Wednesday, December 14th.

Have a great break!

2011-11-08T16:43:00.000-05:00

We have begun Units 3 and 4 on Text Features, Plot, Cause and Effect, and Theme. Students have taken the baseline assessment and have started working on text features. In class, we began taking notes on pages 842 and 844 using a handout. Students should finish this at home, if not already. Pages 843 and 845, the students should complete on a separate sheet of paper. They are to read the articles and answer numbers 1-3 on each page. This will go into the reading notes section of their notebooks. Today (or B day, tomorrow), we began working on the text features mini project. 1A students should complete the project at home (due on Thursday) because we will be attending the spelling bee. 3A students will have time in class to complete the project, as will B day students.

A note on grades: I am working on getting items graded and will be updating OnCourse in the next few days.

Some Reminders and Notices...

2011-11-01T07:20:00.000-04:00

The revised district timed writing #1 is due tomorrow, November 2nd for A day and Monday, November 7th for B day. You need your original essay with a parent's signature, your grade explanation that we did in class, your revised essay (if you type it, please type in Times New Roman 12 point font), and your list of potential hooks ALL STAPLED TOGETHER WITH YOUR NAME ON EACH PAGE.

The practice in writing hooks (where I gave you five prompts and you had to write hooks for each one) has been due, but I will still accept it due to the craziness of the last week. 6th period's is due today. After this assignment, no other late work will be accepted. We decided as a team to not accept late work anymore (unless there are extenuating circumstances, of course) because it does not do you any good to do work after we have moved on from a topic. The point of homework and classwork is to ensure that you receive practice in the items being taught. If you don't do the work, you don't show the learning process.

Over the next couple of days, we will have the second district timed writing and then we will begin Units 3 and 4 (text features, cause and effect, plot, and theme).

Please make sure you are continuing to keep up with your reading logs! Scroll a few posts down and you will see a link to the reading log if you need another copy.

Compass Odyssey Vocabulary Assignment

2011-10-24T10:08:00.002-04:00

Due to technical issues with the Compass Odyssey website, and to help your grades a little, the vocabulary assignment will now be due on Monday, October 31st (A) and Tuesday, November 1st (B). If you have already finished the assignment, then you have nothing to worry about. If you have not finished yet, this gives you another week to get it done!

Don't forget to turn in your reading logs this week! This is a large percentage of your overall grade!!!!!!

Compass Odyssey will be shut down this weekend!

2011-10-21T15:10:00.000-04:00

So...bad news. Compass Odyssey will be shut down this weekend from Friday (tonight) at 6:00 until Sunday at 4:00. This means that you have just under three hours today (if you read this immediately after I post it) and a few hours on Sunday night to work on my Vocabulary Assignment if you were planning on doing it this weekend. Due to this, I will excuse you if you don't have Odyssey done by Monday, October 24 (A) or Tuesday, October 25 (B). The last day I will accept Odyssey (which is also the last day I am able to accept work) will be Wednesday, October 26 (A) or Thursday, October 27 (B).

Reading Logs are still due next Wednesday and Thursday. Remember, you get credit for what you have done, so don't stress out if you didn't quite make it to 1000. 800 pages and up will give you a B or higher on that assignment. See post below for a link to the reading log.

If you will notice on your progress reports, the reading log and the odyssey assignment both count for around 14% of your grade. These are very important items! Don't forget these!!!!!!!!

Also, don't forget your make-up work, if you had any.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reading Logs

2011-10-19T22:24:00.000-04:00

For some reason, the website I was using to post documents keeps asking people to join facebook. That was definitely not my goal and I'm not sure why that is. Let's see if this will work for the reading logs...

Click here to go to the reading log.

Progress reports, etc.

2011-10-19T15:41:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow and Friday, everyone will receive a mini-print-out of their grade, as well as items that are highlighted or stapled that can be made up. In other words, if you are missing the similes and metaphors worksheet, for example, you will get a new copy of the similes and metaphors worksheet. Obviously, if you still have that work, you should turn it all in ASAP and refrain from taking my extra copies. My grades for the first quarter will be finalized on Thursday, October 27th...no exceptions! Our grades are due by noon on Friday, October 28th, but with the high volume of online traffic on the gradebook system, it will be nearly impossible to update a grade that morning.

Don't forget Compass Odyssey! Make sure you are clicking on "Vocabulary Assignment," and not "FCAT Learning Path." Some of the activities are repeated, yes, but when I check the Vocab. assignment, your completion of an activity in another folder will not show up on my report. That means that you might do just as much work, but if it wasn't the right work, you won't receive credit.

1000 pages are also due next week! Please make sure you bring your reading logs to class.

A few reminders...

2011-10-14T09:38:00.000-04:00

Don't forget that you need to have 1000 pages read by the end of the first quarter. That means you have less than two weeks to finish your reading. I will check the logs and have you add everything up the week after next.

Additionally, don't forget to complete the Compass Odyssey assignment. When you click on Language Arts, you should see a tab at the top of the page that says "Vocabulary." Do all of the folders in that tab by Monday, October 24 (A) or Tuesday, October 25 (B).

Just a note that when you look at your grades on OnCourse, a grade of 0 means I did not receive any work. If it says "No Grade," it means I have not yet graded the assignment or entered it into the gradebook.

2011-10-05T10:38:00.000-04:00

Hooray! I can finally post information again. For some reason, I have not been able to log on to the blog when at school, but our computers were just updated and that seems to have solved the problem. Since I last updated, we have been working with figurative language and sound devices. Students should have completed the following assignments either in class or at home:

Homework for similes/metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and sound devices
Figurative language flippy charts
Similes and metaphors chart for the story "All Summer in a Day"
Hyperbolic Cartoons
Alliteration and Onomatopoeia poem
Analyzations of poems

I will check the reading logs next class for progress. We have about three weeks left in this quarter, so 1000 pages should be read by then.

Some updates...

2011-09-14T10:37:00.000-04:00

--There are still a few students that have not completed one or both of the tests in Compass Odyssey. The list of students is on my board! Remember that once you click on "Language Arts," the two tests are next to each other (parts 1 and 2). I have not yet assigned work with the learning path or other assignments, but that is coming soon : )

--I promise that I will check reading logs soon, maybe this week, maybe next week. Keep up with your reading, and make sure you follow the instructions on the back of the reading logs. Please let me know if you need another reading log.

--Literature books need to be brought to school if they are at home now. We do not have a class set. If there is every a need to bring the book home, students may take advantage of the online book. Instructions for accessing the book are on the orange sheet of paper all students received on Day 1. However, every story does not appear in the book, so check before you rely only on the online book!

--There are ten students that are currently overdue with their library books. The list of names is on my board. Please return or renew them ASAP!!!

Some notes...

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

---FYI - the Compass Odyssey tests that you just took will go in the gradebook so that we can see your grades easily when needed, as well as to let your parents know where you stand. However, they will not be counted as a grade that alters your points, so no worries!

---Just a reminder that the first round of books are due today, September 8th. If you checked out a book that is due today, please return it ASAP. If you are not finished, you must renew your book with a new entry on the library check-out list.

---Thank you to all of the parents that came to Open House! I hope I didn't talk too fast : )

The only post-it note question I received was in regards to the amount of writing the students will be doing this year. We will definitely put some focus on writing to begin preparing them for the FCAT writing test (which they officially take in 8th grade). The amount of writing completed should increase with each year. In 6th grade, we will primarily focus on the planning stages and introductory paragraphs of essays so that they have a solid foundation when entering 7th grade.

Compass Odyssey, etc.

2011-09-06T10:16:00.000-04:00

If you are absent September 6-7, make sure you log on to Compass Odyssey and complete the tests that decide your learning path. Once you are logged into Odyssey, click on "Language Arts," then "FCAT Reading Test - 6th Grade, Part 1." Complete the test, taking your time! When you finish, complete Part 2 (go back to the first page and it should be next to Part 1). You do not need to begin working on your learning path yet. To see your scores, go to the home page of Odyssey and click on the backpack in the upper left corner.

Summer Reading is due September 6-7, so make sure you get your essays AND books-in-bags turned in ASAP. I was hoping to have the book-in-a-bag presentations today and tomorrow, but the Odyssey test takes up the majority of the period. We will just have to wait on that!

Also just a note, the first wave of library books will be due on September 8th! Make sure you return them on time to give others a chance to read the books.

Reading Log

2011-09-05T09:52:00.002-04:00

Reading Log

2011-08-30T10:44:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder to work on your Super Six superheroes at home if you do not finish them in class! Today and tomorrow, we are transfering our sketches to construction paper, so you need to come prepared. Also, there are still a few students who have not shown me a signed syllabus. Remember that this is the first grade! By now, notebooks should be ready to go and you should be coming to class with blue/black ink pens. Summer reading is officially due next Tuesday and Wednesday. The presentations might have to be pushed back a day because we have been scheduled to go into the computer lab on those days.

And So It Begins...

2011-08-25T15:01:00.000-04:00

Pat yourselves on the back; you made it through the first two rounds of A/B days! Here are some Language Arts updates:

--Homework was to finish getting everything signed, to get organized, and to start logging your reading.
--Summer reading assignments have been turned in for the most part, but there are still some students who are not finished. These will be due no later than September 6 (A Day) and September 7 (B Day). You will present your projects on those days. No whining! We must get used to speaking out loud and in front of people. You will only present your book-in-a-bag.
--Don't forget that you need to have everything ready to go for Language Arts by next week; that includes having blue or black pens to write with, a notebook for dividers, and a folder for your reading log.

I will try to attach the reading logs to the blog, as well as the "Super Six" handout that you received.

First Day of School

2011-08-22T10:24:00.000-04:00

What a whirlwind!

Today you heard (or will hear) tons of information. Hopefully, it won't be too overwhelming for you to process. Just a few reminders for students and parents alike:

--please go through the manilla folders you received today and get everything signed that asks for a signature. Make sure you go through all of the information that doesn't ask for a signature, as well.
--please remember to go over the curriculum paper and sign that for the student to bring in to me. This is a five point assignment. I will check for it on the next A/B day, though the paper will stay in your notebook.
--Review the orange paper you received ("Information you need to know") and get your notebook in order. Please bring your organized notebook to class on Wednesday, along with a 3-prong folder. We will go over notebooks then.
--Parents, please do me the favor of completing the "Million Word Essay" handout. This is simply a way for you to tell me something about your child that you think I may need to know; it is not part of your student's grade.
--Remember to work on summer reading if you have not already turned it in. Summer reading will officially be due on Tuesday, September 6 (A-day) or Wednesday, September 7 (B-day). Those that turned it in today (Monday), or will turn it in tomorrow (Tuesday) will receive extra credit for being proactive. Projects will be presented on the due date.

Thank you to all of the parents that brought in supplies for the team! We will definitely be prepared for the new year now!

Let's have an awesome day 2!

Supplies for 2011-2012 6th Grade Language Arts

2011-07-27T13:57:00.000-04:00

Welcome to 6th grade! Somehow, wires must have gotten crossed when I sent in my supply list to the school because the list on the JLCP website is not correct for my class. Oops! Note that students will be responsible for their own items and supplies will not be collected to be shared "community style" (excluding any art or sanitary supplies that are donated). Please disregard that list for my class and buy the following items, instead:

-1 1-inch 3 ring binder with pockets
-5 dividers
-1 3-prong folder
-College ruled notebook paper (enough for the entire year)
-Black and/or blue ink pens (enough for the entire year; eraseable is fine)
-#2 pencils
-Personal pencil sharpener (one that works without batteries)
-Post-it notes/sticky notes
-Highlighters (any color)
-1 pack of Colored pencils
-Crayons and/or washable markers

Items for Everyone:

-Tissues
-Hand Sanitizer
-Paper towels
-Lysol wipes
-Colored computer paper

In addition, students should always carry a personal reading book in case of down time throughout the school day : )

Thank you, and sorry about the mix-up!

Incoming 6th Graders...Don't forget Summer Reading!

2011-07-27T13:47:00.000-04:00

Summer Reading 2011

2011-04-27T09:11:00.000-04:00

You should have read through chapter 5 in And Then There Were None by now. If you were absent last Wednesday or Thursday, or this past Tuesday or Wednesday, you need to see me about making up the quizzes on Chapters 1-2 and Chapters 3-5. For next class, you need to have chapters 6 and 7 read. Even if you were absent one day, you need to continue keeping up with the readings. This is your responsibility! We will have another brief reading quiz on Chapters 6-7 next class.

Sticky note assignment and homework

2011-04-20T12:37:00.000-04:00

Sticky Notes!!!
As you read chapter 3, your task is to write down on a sticky note any instance where
• There is exquisite language
• A strong emotion is evoked
• A clear image is created
• There is confusion and you have a question
• You say, “Oh, wow!”
• You see a phrase you would use
• You suspect a character
• You make a connection or see something interesting
You may use the same sticky notes for multiple instances, so make sure you put the page number. Stick the sticky notes in the book! Make sure you put your name on each one in case they get separated from your book. When you finish chapter 3, go back and do the same for chapters 1 and 2. You will be required to continue making sticky notes for every chapter. You should have at least 5 notes per chapter. I will check at certain times to make sure you are keeping up with your sticky notes! If you prefer to mark in your book, that is fine...just make sure it is your book!

By Tuesday, April 26 (A) and Wednesday, April 27 (B) you should have read through chapter 5. We will have another reading quiz on that day! Make sure you keep up with your sticky notes and your character chart.

Reading Homework!

2011-04-18T15:27:00.000-04:00

By Wednesday, 4/20 (A) and Thursday, 4/21 (B) you should have read chapters 1 and 2 of And Then There Were None. Part of chapter 1 was read in class if you were here. Fill in your character chart as you go. Remember tht if you are in Learning Recovery or you were absent, it is your responsiblity to get the work made up. There will be a small quiz on the readings on those days. Do not rely on Sparknotes and other cheats! If you pay close attention to the readings, you should do fine on the quizzes.

This week should be a reading journal week, but due to the long weekend, I am requiring the next check for the next Friday, April 29th. However, make sure you still complete your 30 minutes of Odyssey!

Make up work from 3/23-24

2011-04-04T08:15:00.000-04:00

For any student that was absent on the Wednesday or Thursday before Spring Break, please complete the following assignment and turn in ASAP. This is the first grade for the fourth quarter.

*Bellringer #3 - "Discuss" question on page 358
*Read "Reading Strategy: Predict" on page 359 and begin the chart
*Read "The Monkey's Paw" and fill in your chart whenever you see a "predict" question in the margin.

Also, don't forget to purchase And Then There Were None!!!

Happy Spring Break!

2011-03-24T16:19:00.000-04:00

Here's wishing that everyone has a wonderful and safe Spring Break! Don't forget to buy And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie!!! Bring the book in by Friday, April 8th (or bring in the receipt that shows your copy is on its way). If you don't have the book by the time we start reading, imagine the blank spots in the gradebook that will negatively affect your grade.

DON'T FORGET!!!!!

2011-03-21T15:24:00.000-04:00

Please do not forget to purchase a copy of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None by Friday, April 8th. You must bring it in so that I can mark you off as having the book. We will begin reading the book after the FCAT. Check bookstores - including used bookstores - and online! If you order the book and it won't be in by the 8th, bring in a receipt so that there is proof that the book is on its way. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

Extra Credit for Hall Passes

2011-03-21T07:27:00.000-04:00

Just as an FYI: Extra Credit for unused hall passes and any other extra credit earned (such as through team time games, etc.) will be entered in wherever you may need extra points. For example, if you did not use your 4 hall passes and you missed a reading journal entry, the 0/50 will become 4/50. It is not much in the grand scheme of things, but it could be just enough to push you to the next letter grade, depending on where you currently stand.

Novel Study for the Fourth Quarter

2011-03-17T16:01:00.000-04:00

Please purchase a copy of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None by Friday, April 8th. We will be reading this book for a novel study after the FCAT. Try the usual bookstores, but also don't hesitate to try amazon.com or used book stores such as Chamblin's Book Mine (2 locations in Jacksonville). These books are gently used and loved, but will be more affordable. For suspense's sake, please do not read ahead!

2011-03-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

Hooray!!! I can finally update the blog again, after a couple of weeks of technical difficulties.

I am more satisfied this quarter with the overall grades (keep in mind that they are not finalized yet), as every class has a mid-C to a high-B average. With make up work turned in and extra credit completed, I believe that number will only rise.

Extra Credit Activity:
*Complete the following to earn 50 extra credit points, which will be added into the grade as make up work for any 0s, up to 50 points.

Read pages 396-412, "The Story of an Eyewitness" and "Letter from New Orleans." While reading, answer the questions on the sides of the stories (A-I for both stories). Also answer the questions on page 413. All answers must be in complete sentences in order for you to earn this credit. This is an all or nothing assignment, meaning that you will not receive credit if it is almost done or halfway done, only if it is completely done.

Due March 21 (A) and March 22 (B). NO LATER!!!

***A reminder***Reading Journal Check #14 will be due on April 8th. This gives you two extra weeks to complete the assignment, as it should be due next week, but will not be.

Compass Odyssey for 2/18

2011-02-18T09:36:00.002-05:00

Attention: Compass Odyssey has been having technical difficulties, so I will excuse everyone from Odyssey for this week. Please make sure you try on Saturday and the following week for next Friday's 30 minute check.

Progress Reports

2011-02-17T15:53:00.000-05:00

Midway through the third quarter already!

Progress reports will be going home next Tuesday. I would like to remind parents that these are a snapshot in time and do not necessarily mean that your child will hold that grade throughout the quarter. However, please make sure your children are handing in all of their work. Missing work is a large contributer of low grades. Due to this reason, last week I gave all of the students a list of the assignments that we had completed in the first couple weeks of the quarter. We had a make up day in class where they could complete the work and then were given over the weekend to finish up what was left. Some students took advantage, but a surprising number of students chose to forgo the priviledge of having extra time. I hope that this trend will not continue.

I also want to remind everyone that the reading benchmark tests are next Tuesday and Wednesday, and the FCAT Writes is on March 1st.

Have a wonderful three day weekend!

2011-01-11T12:19:00.002-05:00

Just in case you haven't finished...

Unit 5 Performance Task

Write an article that might have appeared in a newspaper of the 1800s that explains why people are going west at such a high rate. Be sure to mention how the people’s ambitions might have driven them to make such a leap of faith. Use an appropriate tone for the time period and subject matter.
This must be at least a page long and include an illustration (you may base the illustration on the poems).

"The Lady, or the Tiger" Project Info.

2011-01-11T07:07:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! It's hard to believe that the second quarter is coming to a close. As we finish this quarter and go to the next one, please remember to stay on top of all assignments so that you don't have to worry about your grades! This quarter is going to fly by with FCAT and Spring Break, so there won't be any time to play around!

Here is the information on the project for "The Lady or the Tiger," in case you lost yours:

Due Tuesday, January 18 (A)/Wednesday, January 19 (B) 70 points
“The Lady, or the Tiger?”

You are now going to make your own decision as to what happens when the princess chooses the door for her lover. Is it the lady, or the tiger?

Using construction paper, you must assemble a door which can be closed. When the door is opened, there will be a picture of either a lady or a tiger in the back. On the door(s), you will explain why you believe the princess would have chosen that particular fate for her lover. You must use at least one quote from the story. Think of this as part of a larger essay and this is one of the body paragraphs. In other words, the explanation must be at least 8 sentences and use plenty of support for your belief.

Be creative with this! Remember that the kingdom in which this story takes place seems to be rather wealthy, so make your doors/door frames appear as such. Your “lady” or “tiger” should also be more than stick figures (you may print off a picture, if you like, but please make sure they are appropriate). Additionally, when making this difficult decision, be sure to take every side into account. Our author himself said, “[the decision] involves a study of the human heart which leads us through devious mazes of passion, out of which it is difficult to find our way” (691). This will be the first grade of the 3rd quarter.

On time (project was turned in on the day for which it was asked) – 10 points
Neatness (project is put together well, with few to no errors and is neatly written or typed) – 15 points
Creativity (time was obviously spent constructing the frame/doors and making it look nice) – 20 points
Explanation (has at least 8 sentences, uses at least one quote, and gives plenty of support for the decision) – 25 points

Extra Credit, etc.

2010-12-15T16:11:00.002-05:00

The holidays are quickly approaching, so in the spirit of having an actual break, you do not have to worry about completing Compass Odyssey or reading journals over the holidays. The next Odyssey (besides this Friday) will be the first Friday after we come back in January and the next reading journal (also besides this Friday) will be the second Friday after we come back. However, if your grade is a C or below, I recommend that you complete the extra credit assignment below...

Extra Credit:
Over the break, compose an essay persuading me to give you 50 extra credit points, to be used to make up for any zeros in the grade book. For example, this could count of one reading journal check THAT IS ALREADY A ZERO or one full Compass Odyssey check plus 2/3 of another THAT ARE ALREADY ZEROS. I emphasize the part about already being zeros, because this is not something you can do to make up for upcoming assignments. This is due the Monday (A) and Tuesday (B) when we get back. If you forget it on one of those days, I'll still give you 40 points if it is turned in on that Wednesday/Thursday or 30 points if it is turned in on Friday/Monday, etc. Also keep in mind that a paragraph will not count as an essay, but 5 complete, solid paragraphs, with a clear thesis, reasons, support, transitions, and a counterargument will. Take an hour out of your two week break to do this and you will start the new year (and end the second quarter) on a slightly sturdier foot.

Have a wonderful break!

DON'T FORGET COMPASS ODYSSEY!!!

2010-11-01T17:02:00.002-04:00

While inputing grades for Compass Odyssey this past week, I noticed that I seemed to have fewer students in my classes. "Oh wait," I exclaimed, "It isn't that I have fewer students, it's that fewer students are completing the 30 minute Compass Odyssey assignment that is required each week!"

Weird considering that this is a 30 point assignment for EACH week. 30 points go quite a long way when they are consistently missing from the gradebook. Additionally, I don't allow make-up work for Odyssey since I enter in the dates of the week and cannot time travel, as much as I would sometimes like to.

Hopefully, this is an anomaly that will not continue for the remainder of the year!

(In case you missed it, this means that you need to do Compass Odyssey each week. If it doesn't work at home, try at the library or at school in the mornings or afternoons. We are also open to allow team time, with notes from parents!)

Extra Credit for Hall Passes

2010-10-22T14:23:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! Thanks for a successful first nine weeks! Just letting you know that the hall pass credit (the extra points up receive based on hall pass usage - up to four points) will be added to your final exam grade. In other words, if you had a 38/50, you now have a 42/50, assuming you didn't use any hall passes. This might bring your grade up a couple of percentage points, so keep that in mind for next semester!

Have a wonderful 3 day weekend and make sure to bring your books to class next week!

2010-10-21T15:40:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that reading journals are due tomorrow, Friday! The reading journals do impact your grade negatively if you don't turn them in. These journals will go on the second 9 week's report card. Compass Odyssey for the week is also due. It seems that the problems are slowly being fixed, so keep trying to log on. I counted the past three weeks together, so if you did 30 minutes at any point in the last three weeks, it was counted for each week. This was the fairest way of counting the assignment since there have been difficulties with it. If all else fails, you may always go to the library or stay at school after hours (or come before school to the computer lab). You are growing up, don't forget that! This Compass Odyssey will also be counted on the next nine weeks.

If there is any missing recent work, please turn that in to me ASAP (think Bellringers!). Grades are due Monday.

Reading Journal Questions...in case you lost yours!

2010-10-19T13:27:00.001-04:00

Reading Journals
Throughout the school year, you will be required to complete a reading journal while striving to meet the 25 book goal. Using notebook paper, you will write down your responses to the given questions and place them in your notebooks. When you place your papers in the notebooks, cross off the questions used and write down the title of your book on the title page. These notebooks will be specific to the reading journals and will stay in class. Every fifth day (every fifth A-day and every fifth B-day), Mrs. Fifield will check the journals to make sure they are being updated and will check you off. At this time, there should be at least 2 new entries (these entries may be from the same book).
For each entry, you are to choose one question from the following list and answer in at least one page. For each question, create a brief graphic organizer to help you answer the question (this does not count as part of your 1 page!). You may not use a question more than once, unless otherwise stated. Some questions may be specific to certain kinds of books, so choose carefully. Not all of the questions will be answered during the year (more than likely), but challenge yourself to get to as many as possible. The more you read, the better you become!
1. What kind of person is ___________________________? How do you know? Support your answer with facts from your book.

2. In real life, events and people can change a character. Trace how an important event or person changed the character by the end of the book.

3. Who is the narrator of this story? Support why do you think the author chose this narrator.

4. Finish this sentence: I like the way the author _____. Be sure to use support for something you like about the way the author wrote the story.

5. Have you read any other books by this author? How does this one compare?

6. Write a brief interview with the main character of your book. (An interview means the questions and the answers.)

7. Critique the setting. How does the setting make the story more interesting?

8. Predict what do you think will happen next in this story? What evidence from what you have already read helps you prove your prediction?

9. Write a letter to a friend advising him/her to read your book. Explain why he/she should read it.

10. Explain why your book should be included in the class’s list of TOP TEN BOOKS.

11. Write a letter to a friend advising him/her to read your book. Explain why he/she should read it.

12. What did the author have to know about to write this book? What kinds of research did he/she have to do? Use evidence from the book to explain what the author researched.

13. Predict what will happen to one of the characters after this book ends. What will the rest of his/her life be like? What evidence from the book makes you think this will happen?

14. Assume the role of an interesting character in your book and write a monologue in that character’s voice.

15. Choose a quotation from your book. Discuss what it means and why it is memorable. (Be sure to list the page number where it can be found.)

16. If you have read another book with a similar theme or subject, compare the two.

17. Choose actors/actresses to portray the main characters in a movie version of your book and support your choices.

18. Make up five interview questions (with answers) for a minor character in your book.

19. Explain where and how you think the main character will die. What evidence from the book makes you think so?

20. Explain what the main character wants more than anything. What evidence from the book makes you think so?

21. Explain where the main character would most want to travel. What evidence from the book makes you think so?

22. Compare and contrast where you live with the neighborhood or town in the book. (You may want to use a Venn diagram.)

23. Draw the setting of your book and explain it.

24. Interpret the title of the book. Is it appropriate? Why or why not? If not suggest a better one and defend it.

25. Explain what you think happened before the story began. What evidence from the book makes you think so?

26. Draw a portrait of your main character and describe it.

27. Create a poster for your book. Include 1) a reference to the plot. 2). a quote from the book. 3). a review or statement about its quality.

28. Make a drawing of an object from your book that you think would symbolize one of the characters. Tell why you chose this object and what it says about the character.

29. Design an award for the main character. Tell why the character is to receive it and who will present it to him/her.

30. You are a psychologist offering advice to the main character in your book. Identify the problem the character faces and explain the advice you would give.

31. If your main character is a student, write a progress report or note from his/her teacher. What evidence from the book makes you think a teacher would evaluate him/her this way?

32. Describe an experience you’ve had that was like an experience of your main character.

33. Create and interpret a bookmark featuring your book.

34. Make a TV script for one scene from your book. Include stage and camera directions.

35. Write a poem about a character in your book. Be sure to use literary techniques in your poem.

36. Quote at least two passages of good description or good dialogue from your book and interpret them. Be sure to list the pages where these can be found.

37. Find and write down 20 similes and/or metaphors from your book. List the page numbers. This takes time so plan to do this over the reading of the whole book. Don’t save this until last or you will have trouble doing it.

38. Describe a field trip you would like to take because of your book. Discuss how it relates to the book.

39. Finish this sentence: “I wonder why…” Analyze an event or events from the story to show why you wonder.

40. What did a character do to surprise you? Explain why that action surprised you.

41. What part of the book made you stop and think? Explain why.

42. If this book has a movie version and you have seen it, compare and contrast the two.

43. If you were to make a movie of this book, argue which scenes you would be sure to include and scenes you would leave out.

44. If you have finished your book, interpret what you think the author’s message (theme) is.

45. What parts of the book seem most believable? What parts seem most unbelievable? Explain why.

46. Evaluate the author’s vocabulary. Does your book contain several big words? Foreign words? Technical language? Slang? Old-fashioned words? Why do you think the author made this choice of vocabulary? Use evidence from your book to show why.

47. Critique your book. What are the best parts of this book? What are the worst parts? Explain why.

48. What characters would you like to be in this novel? Explain why. What personality traits of this character would you like to have? Explain why.

49. Support what you consider to be the most important decision made in this book? How does it affect the character? How does it affect the outcome of the book?

50. Do any of the characters remind you of friends, family members, classmates, teachers, etc? Demonstrate how they are similar (be nice!).

51. Compare and contrast yourself and any of the characters in your book. Support how your personality is the same or different.

52. Do you like the end of your book? Explain why or why not. If you don’t like it, explain how would you end it?

53. Make a timeline of at least eight events in the life of the main character in your book.

54. Pretend you are your favorite character in your book. Write a diary entry about something in the story.

55. Make a dictionary (ABC order) of at least twenty-five words for the subject of your book. This takes time so be sure to do this while you read the book. It will make your work easier.

56. Find a quotation (not from your book) and argue why a character in your book would like it. Why would he/she think this quote is meaningful? Tell where the quote is from.

57. Explain 3 to 5 facts, theories, or incidents that you found particularly interesting. Be sure to define why you think they are interesting.

58. Write a newspaper article about something in the story. Be sure to follow the characteristics of a newspaper article.

59. Design an ad for a product that is in the story or would be useful to a character in the story. In a paragraph, demonstrate why the character would buy/use this product. (You may use the computer to produce your ad.)

60. Write an editorial about an issue important to your main character. Be sure to follow the characteristics of an editorial.

61. Write a letter to your senator about an issue your main character would find important.

62. Create a brochure about a topic from your book. You may use a computer to create a brochure.

63. Create a Power Point presentation featuring the highlights of your book. Be sure not to give away the ending of your story. Print out the presentation and place in your notebook.

64. Explain a lesson you learned from reading your book. Evaluate why that is an important lesson to you.

65. Identify some new information you learned from this book.

66. When does this story take place? Was it long ago, in the future, or the present? What did you learn about this time period?

67. Analyze a conflict between two characteristics. How was it resolved? What did you learn about these characteristics?

68. Were there problems characters could not solve? Identify one or two and explain why you think they were not resolved.

69. What is the genre of your book? Demonstrate places that support your decision using your book.

70. What literary techniques did you find? Flashback? Foreshowing? Figurative language? Find and describe examples of two of these techniques.

71. Did the author create different moods? Critique passages in the text that reveal two different moods, and share. Point out the words, phrases, and actions that helped create the mood.

72. Discuss some points that the author is making about family, friends, feelings, nature, life experiences, or an historical period. Use details from the story that back up a point you are making.

73. Discuss what the author might have been saying about family relationships and offer support from the story to back up your position.

The following questions are specific for biography, autobiography, and memoir:

74. Discuss three to four personality traits that helped make this person achieve his/her goal.

75. Analyze two problems this person had to overcome.

76. Interpret what you feel enabled this person to realize personal hopes and dreams.

77. Were there people and/or events that helped this person realize his/her dream? Select two and identify how each influenced the person.

78. What do you admire or dislike about this person? Explain your position.

79. Discuss how you and this person are alike or different. Give specific examples in your discussions.

80. Explain how this person affected the lives of other people during his/her time or during our time.

The following questions are specific for historical fiction:

81. Identify clues you used to determine the time and place of the book.

82. Demonstrate what this book teaches you about the role of men and women during these times.

83. Would you enjoy living during the time of this book? Explain why or why not.

84. Analyze how people coped with economic problems such as scarcity of food, money, and jobs.

85. Evaluate how minorities are portrayed. Are they stereotyped? Identify examples.

The following questions are specific for fantasy:

86. What are the settings? Explain the elements of fantasy that you see in the setting.

87. How does the author enable you, the reader, to enter the fantasy world? Are they realistic elements? Discuss some of these and how they affect the story.

88. Describe special powers the hero possesses. For what purpose does he/she use these powers?

89. Is there a struggle between forces of light and dark? Who wins? Offer support for the victory.

90. Does the story deal with values and themes about death? Support your opinion with events from the story.

91. Demonstrate how this book changes your thinking.

The following questions are specific for science fiction:

92. Identify scientific advances you see in the society. How do these advances in technology affect the characters’ decisions and actions?

93. Are problems characters face in the story similar to or different from those people face today? Explain with two examples.

94. Does the author deal with present-day issues such as population, food supplies, ecology, and/or technological advances?

95. Does the story offer hope for humanity or is it a warning? Explain your conclusion.

96. How do people fit into this futuristic society? Are they subordinate to machines? Has democracy vanished? See if you can identify the changes and offer some reasons for each one.

97. Would you like to live in this society? Are there advantages and disadvantages? Argue reasons from the text to support your decisions.

The following questions are specific for mystery:

98. Trace how the author builds suspense and excitement. Find three passages and discuss how the author accomplishes this. Was it through description, characters’ thoughts, and characters’ actions?

99. Identify the mystery that must be solved. Discuss how the setting affects the mystery.

100. Trace the clues that the author includes to lead you away from solving the mystery.

101. Define the traits the main character possesses that enable him/her to solve the mystery.

102. Explain why the main character became involved in the mystery.

103. Interpret how danger affects the decisions and actions of the main character/detective.

104. At what point in the book were you able to solve the mystery? Support why you could do so.

105. Discuss the part you consider most suspenseful. Explain why you feel this way.

The following questions are specific for nonfiction:

106. Explain why you selected this nonfiction book.

107. Identify and discuss what you learned from two of the following: photographs, charts, diagrams, or illustrations.

108. Explain whether or not this book changed your thinking on this topic. If so, how? If not, why not?

109. Demonstrate how the author wove opinions into facts. Find examples of each.

The following questions are specific for folk and fairy tales:

110. Can you classify your fairy/folktale and explain why you selected the category? Was it a cumulative, circular, realistic, wonder, beast, numskull, giant, or quest tale? Support your answer with facts from the story.

111. Does the tale revolve around magic numbers? If so, critique the role of these magic numbers in the story and how they affected the adventures and characters.

112. Support why heroic tasks or deeds must be accomplished.

113. Trace how the adventures, the magic, and other characters change the life of the hero or heroine.

114. Demonstrate any human characteristics animals, flowers, and toys have. Explain how their qualities are similar to yours.

115. What is the clash or struggle between good and evil? Who wins? Offer support for your opinion on the victory.

116. Who is the hero? The heroine? Evaluate the qualities that make him/her heroic.

These next questions you can use more than once but no more than three times per school year.

117. Reading this piece made me think about …

118. The most important idea in the piece for me was ____________ because …

119. I was surprised by ____________ because ...

120. This piece helped me understand …

121. One thing that made me stop and think was …

122. Here are some questions the piece raised in my mind …

123. Here are some questions I would like to ask the authors of this piece …

124. One “ah-ha” I had when I read was …

125. I learned something new when I read this piece. This is what I learned…

126. I agree (do not agree) with ____________ because…

127. I would like to discuss ______ with my peers because …

128. I want to know more about __________ because …

Adapted from N. Atwell, Mrs. Debbie Parsons, Nelson County High School and Judy Hopkins, Bernheim Middle School

Compass Odyssey Issues

2010-10-13T14:57:00.002-04:00

For those that are still having trouble logging into Odyssey, here is a solution that should solve the problem. I will count this week's Odyssey for the past two weeks (10/1 and 10/8) due to these problems. In other words, this weekend I will enter in the dates of 9/25-10/15 and if you have completed your 1/2 hour at some point during those weeks, it will count for all three weeks. This seems to be the fairest way of doing it since the issues were no fault of your own.

Session timeouts on initial login and during their sessions.
Compass Odyssey Session Timeouts

Symptoms:
When connect to Odyssey Login page the rocket ship number should not change when reloading/refreshing the page.
Upon a refresh/reload the rocket ship number changes meaning that the session cookie is corrupt or not being created locally.

Resolution:
Logged in as the user with the problem
Open Internet Explorer
Delete the cookies on the local machine.

Internet Explorer
Tools
Internet Options
General Tab
Under Browsing history
Delete
Delete Cookies
Close
OK

Close all IE Windows and restart Internet Explorer. Once connected to Odyssey the number should not change upon refresh

2010-10-11T15:43:00.002-04:00

So, needless to say, I'm really bad about keeping up with the blog! I vow to do better...

Make sure you bring your books to class every day. It is very important that you have your own personal book so that you are not distracted by others around you.

If you have not completed the letter, the prompt was as follows:

There are consequences for every decision you make. Suppose a character from one of these selections wrote a letter asking for assistance in dealing with a consequence from a decision he or she made in the story. Write the character's letter using tone to convey the message. Choose another character from one of the other selections and have him or her respond using the appropriate tone of that character.

Please remember to complete reading journals. These seem to be the most neglected assignment and are contributing to severe drops in grades.

Please study the following items for the quarter exam on Tuesday, 10/19 or Wednesday, 10/20:
Verbal, Situational, and Dramatic Irony
The FOSC rubric
The 4 square
TAPing out the prompt
Foreshadowing

Compass Odyssey and Class Chatter Live

2010-09-16T08:22:00.003-04:00

For those of you that were not here on Wednesday or Thursday, please log on to Compass Odyssey and complete the test that will determine your learning path. This will count towards your 30 minutes a week. Click on "Language Arts" and then "FCAT prep - Reading 8th grade." Take your time on the test! The more accurate you are, the less work you will have to do later.

Also, we set up out ClassChatterLive accounts.
Go to www.classchatterlive.com/2Aday (if you are in my 2nd period class)
/3Aday (3rd period)
/4Bday (4th period)
/5Bday (5th period)
/6Bday (6th period).

This will take you to the student log-in page. For class log-in, enter either 2a, 3a, 4b, 5b, or 6b, depending on which class you are in. Your student password is unique to you and,if you were absent, I will email them to your parent or to you, if you have already sent me an email. I have locked your ability to change your passwords, so please write down your password - along with the log-in information - so that you don't forget. Your first assignment is posted. Click on "Assignments" and then "Uncategorized Assignments." To complete, click on "Assignment not started."

I told A day that this would be due Friday, but I'll change that and let you have through the weekend. This will give everyone a chance to familiarize yourselves to the program.

Don't forget to do your reading journals (the next check is next Friday) and complete any missing work!!!

2010-09-07T16:21:00.002-04:00

This week's schedule is pretty crazy, so please be extra mindful of everything that is due. Summer reading should be turned in to me this week (no exceptions). The first reading journal check is Friday. Judging by the amount of journals currently in the classroom, I'm worried that quite a few of you will not be ready for the check. Compass Odyssey will be checked every Friday. I'm VERY proud of everyone for completing it this past week. All but three people had well over 30 minutes. I'm thinking about starting a contest to see who can get the most minutes. We'll see : ) Also, don't forget your homework! Many of you did not have it for me today (B day will turn it in tomorrow and Friday). Don't forget that a day late equals a lower grade.

2010-08-29T15:05:00.002-04:00

We've made it through the first week of the new school year (hooray!) and I am finally updating my blog for the first time since last year. My apologies for the lack of information!

Parents, if you have not done so already, please send your contact information (names, phone numbers, and email addresses) with your child so that we may more easily stay connected with everyone. Hopefully, we can put together a newsletter and an email list so that everyone can stay updated on awesome team 8A. Also, we thank you for the supplies that have so far been donated! We still could use some more copy paper (colors are fine), hand sanitizer, tissues, and art supplies (colored pencils and markers, especially).

Students, don't forget to be working on your 30 minutes of Compass Odyssey and reading journals each week. The first day I check Odyssey will be Friday, September 3rd, and reading journals will be checked on September 9th and 10th. The absolute last day to turn in summer reading will be September 7th.

Finally, make sure you bring your literature books to class EVERY DAY, unless otherwise stated. It wastes valuable class time when I have to place students with the more responsible students that did bring their books. Be warned...there may be days when I count having books as a grade!

Here's hoping for a wonderful Week 2!

2010-05-12T21:40:00.001-04:00

Ok, so it doesn't entirely relate (thus the reason why I won't show it in class), but it is a classic and hilarious. It incorporates math and history into something we are studying in Language Arts.

Monty Python's version of Arthur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4_9kDO3q0w&feature=related

2010-05-08T19:41:00.002-04:00

Your advertisements are due Tuesday and Wednesday. Don't forget them at home, please! Also, please check OnCourse to see what you are missing. There are still a few things that I haven't graded yet, but be mindful of what you still have to turn in. There are only a few weeks to go, and I don't want everyone rushing at the end to catch up.

2010-05-04T14:50:00.002-04:00

If anyone was absent when we did the foldable, the directions are as follows:
1. Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold again to form a "hamburger."
3. Fold again so that you have eight squares.
4. Cut the foldable along the horizontal lines HALFWAY so that your paper now has flaps.
5. On the front, label each square either "myths," "legends," "fables," or "tall tales."
6. On the inside, use the chart on page 626 to take notes, making sure you leave room for later additions.

1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th periods...

Using one of the following Greek Gods or Goddesses, develop a product or company that they might be a part of. Then develop an advertisement showcasing that product.

THE OLYMPIAN GODS
Aphrodite
Apollo
Ares
Artemis
Athena
Demeter
Dionysus
Hades
Hephaestus
Hera
Hermes
Hestia
Poseidon
Zeus

Before developing your advertisement, research your God or Goddess online (avoid Wikipedia). Make a list of at least ten aspects of your mythical being and then create a sketch of your advertisement/product. Remember – advertisements have loaded language, catch phrases, and colorful illustrations.

Your final product should be on about one half of a piece of poster board and you will present your idea to the class. On the back (or on an attached piece of paper) explain why your product embodies the characteristics of the God or Goddess.Due Tuesday, May 11 (A) or Wednesday, May 12 (B)

6th period...Don't forget to complete your Greek God and Goddess worksheet at home! If you lost the worksheet, the names are posted above (write three characteristics and draw an illustration).

*Parents - Please Note* Progress Reports will go home in the next couple of days. The grades are a representation of your child's grade for one moment in time. There are many items that are not in the gradebook yet. Please don't panic if you are not satisfied with your child's grade right now. More than likely, it will change.

2010-03-17T15:53:00.001-04:00

If you didn't finish the timeline for Eleanor Roosevelt, please finish that for homework, as well as the questions on page 774 (#s 3-5, 7, 8). Answer those in complete sentences, please.

Remember to bring your books to class!!!

2010-03-07T12:33:00.002-05:00

RAFT Activity

For this assignment, you will take on the role of one of the characters in “The Last Dog.” Since there aren’t many characters in this story, you may choose to write as someone who is probably part of Brock’s world. Once you choose your character, you will then choose the audience to whom the character is writing or whom the character is writing about, as well as the format. Your topic is Brock’s departure from the “world of the dome.” You will address the circumstances surrounding his departure and what his departure means to him, the people inside, Brog, the world outside, etc.

Role - Brock, Scientist, Citizen of the dome, or Someone outside the dome
Audience - Brock, Scientist, Citizen of the dome, or Someone outside the dome
Format - letter, diary entry, a speech, a song, an article, other...
Topic - Brock's departure from the "world" of the dome

2010-03-02T15:45:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to bring in your comic strip homework on Wednesday (A day) and Thursday (B day). Remember: You need at least 8 frames for your causes and effects, with pictures and captions. It will be easier to start with an effect ("I had a bad dream") and then make the following frames a cause ("...because I had a bad dream...," "...because I watched a scary movie...," "...because Redbox was out of comedies...," and so on). Make it pretty!

Also, let this be a reminder about the new discipline policy for team 7A. We will be handing out pink slips ("D" slips) to any student that doesn't follow proper procedures and misbehaves in class. One pink slip is a warning, two pink slips denote a phone call home, three mean a detention, four - and any others after that - warrant a referral. We count the pink slips over all the classes (for example, a pink slip from my class and Ms. England's class means that you have two pink slips. The effect of that is a phone call home).

2010-02-25T12:08:00.002-05:00

Today (and tomorrow if you're B-day) we focused on parsing out why an author writes what they do, otherwise known as author's purpose. For your homework, you are to find an article that interests you from a newspaper, a magazine, or an online news source and bring it to class, along with an extended response (7-10 sentences) that explains what the author's purpose of the text is. You are to explain your thoughts using details from the text. This is due next class!

Have a wonderful weekend!

2010-02-12T11:49:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Sorry for the long absence from the blog...

Here is where everyone should be as of Friday (A)/Tuesday (B):

1A, 3A - You should have read "A Day's Wait," answered the questions at the end of the story, completed the quickwrite, completed the worksheet that accompanied the story, and added on to that worksheet with the style chart. Please also complete the extended response question as follows:

Why does Schatz wait so long to share his fear of dying with his father? Using details and information from the story, explain what this choice reveals about Schatz’s personality. Use specific details from the text to support your answer.

4B, 5B - You should be to the same point as 1A and 3A once you have me for class on Tuesday. You will receive the extended response prompt then, so don't worry about it over the weekend.

6B - You should have finished "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed," turned in your notes while reading, and completed the purple mood worksheet. If you did not already turn those in, please bring them to class on Tuesday. We will go over them to make sure we are all on the same page and move on with the next item on the schedule.

For the most part, the subs reported pretty good behavior from everyone, so I'm very grateful for that. There are a few students that I know were spoken to or sent out of the class, so I will be speaking with those students individually.

*A note to the parents* If there are any parents that would be willing to donate boxes of tissues, it would be greatly appreciated as we all get through the winter weather and enter allergy season!

Some Important Announcements...

2010-01-25T14:42:00.002-05:00

As we begin a new quarter, I would like to start off on a fresh page with a couple of announcements:

**First, from now on assignments are to be completed using only blue or black ink pens. No pencils or other colored pens will be allowed. Please keep a pencil handy in case we have a scantron test, but only use a pencil in such a case. Pens are much easier to read and are more professional, so everyone needs to get used to writing with them. If you are uncomfortable having neatly drawn scratches on your paper when you make a mistake, I suggest using eraseable pens or white out.

**Second, you will now be limited to 5 hall passes per nine weeks for my class. Any unused hall passes will count as extra credit at the end of the semester, so use them wisely. Hall passes I will be counting will be for things such as going to the bathroom, getting water, or going to your lockers, not times when you are called to the main office, for example.

**Third, everyone needs to remain proactive when completing assignments to avoid scrambling to make the grade at the end of the quarter. If an assignment is given, just do it!

2010-01-13T13:54:00.002-05:00

Here are the questions from "What Do Fish Have to Do With Anything?":

1. What kind of man might Willie’s father be? How do you know?
2. How do the lives of Mrs. Markham and Willie change after Mr. Markham leaves?
3. What do you think Willie, his mom, and the homeless man need more of in order to be happy?
4. Compare and contrast how Mrs. Markham and the homeless man react to Willie’s questions.
5. Is it likely Mrs. Markham will change? Explain why or why not.

For those classes that have not yet finished the story, these questions will be given to you when we do. Make sure you bring your inference charts to class next time.

If you have not turned in your persuasive essay packets, I need them ASAP. I can't stress enough how much better partial credit is than a zero.

If you are choosing to revise your District Writings #3, they are due to me in the class following the one in which I gave them back to you. If you are satisfied with your grade, make sure you bring the essays back so that we can put them in your portfolios.

2010-01-08T15:27:00.003-05:00

Don't forget to look at the January 2nd post for information on how to access the online version of the textbook. This way, you won't necessarily have to bring your book home.

On Monday and Tuesday, we will work on the inference charts (except 6B, who will begin them, due to the spelling bee delay). Don't forget to bring them. Also, if you still have not turned in your persuasive essays, I expect them first thing next week. Points will be taken off, yes, but fewer points is much better than a big, fat ZERO!

Have a wonderful weekend! Let's hope we get some snow flurries!!!

Congratulations!!!

2010-01-08T15:24:00.001-05:00

Congratulations go out to Justice Cordova, winner of the school-wide spelling bee!

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-02T20:43:00.003-05:00

Time is ticking until we return. Your persuasive essays - no exceptions - will be completely due Tuesday, January 5th (A) or Wednesday, January 6th (B). This includes everything we have done with the essays (the steps, the model, the persuasion map, the rough draft, peer editing, final copy).

I'm excited for the new year with the amazing Team 7A and can't wait to see all of the improvements yet to come. Make a resolution to be proactive and become a wonderful student, if not already!

By the way, here is the much anticipated online activation code for our textbook. This way, you won't necessarily have to bring your textbook home . . .

ACTIVATION CODE: 3767769-30
Product Name: McDougal Littell Literature Grade 7 - eEdition - FL

Go to http://www.classzone.comClick Language Arts, Middle School, Florida, and GO
Choose your book cover for given grade level.
All of the resources above the red line are open and do not require a Username or Password. All students may access. To sign up for an account, click Online Book.
Choose New Visitors, then Create Student Account.
Type in the Activation Code from the top of this page for your given grade level text.
Students are to type in their birthday. The birth date is never used again - it just verifies the ages of the students registering for an online account.
Fill in all the information, check the agreement box, and click Create Account.

2009-12-14T14:30:00.002-05:00

B Day---DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR PERSUASIVE ESSAYS TO CLASS ON TUESDAY!!! Remember: whenever you see something written in bold or in all capital letters, it means that it is very important. Text written in red also usually qualifies as being very important.

A Day---We will finish peer editing in class on Wednesday. When we finish peer editing, you will work on revising your essays.

2009-12-10T15:33:00.002-05:00

At this point, you should have already turned in your revised District Timed Writings. If you still have them in your possession, give them to me ASAP, including everything that we did along with them (post-it notes, peer edit slips, revised introductions, etc.).

A Day - The first draft of your persuasive essay is due on Monday, December 14th. Don't forget to bring that, as well as the other papers that go along with it (steps to writing a persuasive essay, sample essay, etc.).

B Day - Continue to work on your essays tonight and over the weekend. The first draft will be due on Tuesday, December 15th.

On another note, please come prepared with paper, pens, and all ELA items every single day. Your peers should not be held responsible for providing you with materials.

2009-11-30T16:20:00.002-05:00

Your revised timed writings are due Wednesday 12/2 (A) or Thursday 12/3 (B). Make sure you have everything that we have done with them (first drafts, post-it notes, peer editing forms, planning, revised drafts of your introductory paragraphs, final copy) in order to receive full credit.

2009-11-23T16:00:00.002-05:00

DON'T FORGET: If you had any assignments to make up, you need to turn them in ASAP. Progress Reports go out on December 3rd, so time is ticking. The absolute last day to turn items in is Monday, November 30th!!!

Also, over the Thanksgiving Break, work on revising your District Timed Writings. These will be due soon after you come back, so the more you have done, the better. Focus on organization, adding details, being specific, and elaborating on your main points. By this point, you should have a nice, solid introductory paragraph; after that, it's just cake : )

2009-11-19T16:09:00.002-05:00

This weekend, think about what you can do to improve the quality of your introductory paragraphs and the process you go through during prewriting. Compose a revised indroductory paragraph that includes an engaging beginning, a main idea/thesis statement, and a brief mention of your three main points. Next week, we will discuss the rest of the paper further and you will have the nice, long Thanksgiving break to revise your papers. You must revise your papers to receive a higher grade.

Also, if you had any work to make up for me, turn it in ASAP. You will only have a couple of class periods to take advantage of this offer.

2009-11-17T14:06:00.002-05:00

Don't forget: Make up the assignments you are missing ASAP!!! I told you who could still receive full credit due to absences, etc., as well as who can still receive half credit due to being irresponsible. It will greatly behoove you to take advantage of this second chance. FYI - there are a few items that I have not yet entered into the gradebook which can still be turned in.

In the upcoming days, we will focus on improving our writing skills, including revising the District Timed Writing #3.

Also remember that coming to class is chance to learn and improve your skills. I should not have to stop instruction because of interruptions; this hurts you in the end. Show your classmates and teachers that you are a respectful, mature, young adult.

2009-11-12T16:31:00.000-05:00

Due Friday (A) or Monday (B): Compose 5 sentences and identify the conjunctions as coordinating or correlative. You must have at least two sentences with correlative conjunctions. Also, don’t forget to bring back the classwork (Exercise 14 from the grammar book)!

You will need your literature book tomorrow, so don’t leave it at home!!!

The words for your vocabulary are found in the green outlined boxes on pgs 238 and 893 in your literature books. Remember: it is your responsibility to know the definitions (these are also found in the stories just before the words lists). The words are as follows:
Balk, Compulsory, Elusive, Eminent, Genially, Rehabilitate, Retribution, Saunter, Unperceived, Virtuous, Anecdotal, Consensus, Demonize, Inadvertence, Prospective, Scrutiny, Travesty, and Visceral.

2009-11-06T15:02:00.002-05:00

By the way, the grammar items you should now have for your index cards are as follows:

Noun
Verb
Adverb
Adjective
Preposition
Conjunction
Interjection
Pronoun
Clause
Independent Clause
Dependent (Subordinate) Clause

Have a nice weekend!!!

You should also have a card for the table of contents.

2009-11-06T11:57:00.002-05:00

Homework Due 11/10 (A) or 11/11 (B): Compose six sentences and identify the independent and dependent clauses (there must be at least three sentences with dependent clauses). Also, work on your index cards. We will update these as we go, so you should always have them with your Language Arts stuff, along with the table of contents card. I do ask you to please purchase index cards if you do not already have them (the regular 3x5 will suffice). I do have some, but not enough for everyone.

We had a pop quiz today/Monday! Those that were absent will need to take the quiz as soon as possible.

The fifth Bellringer will be on 11/10 (A) and 11/11 (B). Remember that I will collect all five on those days, so please bring them to class.

What we did Wednesday and Thursday...

2009-11-05T08:39:00.000-05:00

Identify features of a non-fiction text that help the reader understand what he or she is reading using the article "What do we Know About Sharks?" pg 873. Take Cornell Notes on the text features - not the article - to show your understanding. The summary should include what the text features do as a whole, how they are beneficial to the reader, and what you believe to be the most important feature.

Remember to review main vs. minor characters, internal vs. external conflict, inferencing, and points of view, and make sure you remember basic details about the stories we've read together. Also, bring index cards to class if you have them.

Bring your book to class everyday!!!

At Last!

2009-11-02T14:52:00.001-05:00

I am finally getting my blog up and running! I will keep this as updated as I can with information about assignments, quizzes, and other important goings-on for the rest of the school year. The first assignment to be listed is as follows:

Compose an ending to "A Retrieved Reformation," by O. Henry, that describes what happens next. Write in complete sentences (a story format) for about half a page. Due 11/4 (A) or 11/5 (B).

Don't forget to complete 30 minutes of Compass Odyssey weekly and begin to get into the habit of reading nightly. We will start monitoring how many books we read in the near future.

Also, a quiz is coming soon! Start refreshing your memories on points of view, internal vs. external conflict, main vs. minor characters, and inferences.