Narnia Projects

Here is a BRIEF outline of Christmas Break responsibilities:
1) You must have the book read by the end of Christmas break.
2) You received a login for your group's wiki page. By January 9 you must personally login and participate by adding details about the literary elements from your book. The wiki will serve as a group "brainstorm" / note-taking center for all relevant information concerning the book. Remember to "sign" your info for each posting.
3) When you return from break, a new set of directions will be passed out to the class outlining the presentation requirements.

Wiki links can be found on this blog. Keep in mind my reminder to type your insights/comments in a word document and save it on your computer to ensure there are no "mishaps" with the wiki page.

Merry Christmas 8th Grade!

As an early Christmas present, I have offered bonus points to any students who turn in their cd book reports on the original due date of Wednesday, December 17. For students who might not have budgeted your time wisely, you may turn the assignment in ON THE DAY WE GET BACK (January 6) and not a second later. Although this is a "gift" from me keep in mind, this is not a gift you will receive in high school!

Reminders: Lit Unit comprehension test Tues 12/16; Lit Unit essay test Wed 12/17.

Reports!

Class of 2009! Don't forget to keep working on your "CD" book report! It is due on December 17th.

Narnia, Narnia, Narnia! It's baaaaaack! Groups have been created and novels assigned. Remember that by the time you return from Christmas Break each student needs to have completed their novel. Wiki pages will be provided to each group prior to Dec. 18th and all group members will need to participate in the creation of outlines for each of the literary elements prior to January 9th.

Vocab Packet #3 - due Friday December 5

Vocabulary Words for packet #3:
procured (49), sallied (50), sinew (51), mantle (51), unwonted (51), bedraggled (51), voracious (53), devoured (53), mesas (54), infinite (65), brisk (67), loitering (67), placidly (67), acquiescent (68), scolded (75), sturdy (75), rivulets (76), furrows (76), supple (76), stoic (76).

Please remember to enter the meaning of "finite" into your vocab journals as well.

The rest of your vocab packet this week includes the 3 daily vocab words given in class today and Literature workbook pages 27, 29, and 34. Vocab packets due on Friday, Dec. 5th.

Vocab and spelling quizzes on Monday, December 8.

Vocab Packet #2

Here is the vocab list for this week. Study tip: write out all definitions, whether as flash cards or for repetition / practice. Spelling and Vocabulary test on Friday!

renounced (15), insolently (15), raucous (15), simultaneously (16), incredulously (17), memoir (23), fiscal (25), taut (27), benign (27), infuse (27), intolerant (28), couched (28), incessant (DV), utopia (DV), lethargy (DV), evanescent (DV), negligible (DV), and capitulate (DV).

You are also responsible for knowing the meanings of the root" -cred-" (12) and tolerate (22).

Your vocab packet this week includes the following assignments:
1) Daily Vocab Words (3 issued in class on Monday)
2) Literature workbook pages 7 and 12
3) textbook pg. 30 (Build Vocabulary)
4) Write ten spelling sentences that include prepositional phrases in each.
- Review directions given in class

Book Report Reminders!

8th graders!!!!!! Do not forget that your Holocaust Book Reports are due on Thursday, November 6. Bring your novel, any resources, drafts, and questions to class tomorrow. You will have a Friday block period to work on any aspect of the report including any one-on-one assistance you may need.

In addition, keep in mind the Book Summary is due on November 17th and the outline of questions is on the 8th grade page of the website. Remember, you have had the opportunity to work on this since the beginning of September.

Newbery Reports

Holocaust Podcast

Listed below are the groups and their topics. If your class number doesn't match with what I said in class, stick with the group listed in class! Remember to check the 8th grade page for the podcast directions and this blog next week to listen to the podcast.

U.S. reaction to Holocaust DURING World War II: 804, 809, 814, 827, 812

Catholic Church's reaction to Holocaust DURING World War II: 806, 815, 819, 823, 831

Concentration Camps - types, purposes, locations, descriptions: 803, 810, 816, 821, 828

Persecution of non-Jews - who and why: 802, 813, 818, 826, 833

Resistance to the Holocaust / Aide for the Jews DURING World War II: 807, 811, 822, 824, 832

Ghettos: purpose/description/effects: 805, 808, 817, 830

Genocide around the world SINCE World War II - choose 3 major incidents: 801, 829, 820, 825, 834

Holocaust KWL chart

During class today the students filled in the Know and Want to know of the KWL chart on the Holocaust. For homework each student is asked to do a few minutes of research on two of the following questions from "W" and bring their info to class tomorrow.

Why were Jews put into concentration camps? What kinds of camps were there?
What were the outcomes of the Holocaust?
How did Hitler die?
Who besides the Jews were affected during the Holocaust?
What were the responses and actions of the United States and Catholic Church?
Who, besides Hitler, was highly involved in the actions against the Jews?
What was the exact time period of the Holocaust?
Who were some of the people who helped the Jews?

The following site provides additional links that may help with your research. Remember to always make sure the site you are using is valid and reliable!

Week of October 14

Due to conferences, this week's schedule will limit the number of times we meet. In English we will review for the unit test covering sentence types, simple and compound subjects/predicates, and simple and compound sentences. This link provides a brief outline of the unit or take a quiz to review your comprehension. Remember your first 5 paragraph essay is due Tuesday and the unit test is Friday!

In Literature we will create a KWL chart previewing our unit on the Holocaust. We will also read an excerpt of a play based on the Diary of Anne Frank giving us insight into a young girl's experiences during this time period as well as allowing the class to comprehend the differences between play scripts and narrative stories. Visit the Anne Frank Center website to learn more about our brave protagonist.

Vocab and Report Choices

Welcome to your first set of vocabulary words! The definitions for the terms are found on the page listed in parentheses. During the course of the week you should use one or more of your study skills to learn the spelling AND definitions for each word. Pay close attention to prefixes, suffixes and root meanings as they will be of great help on your high school entrance exam. On Friday we will take a spelling test and vocab quiz using the format discussed in class.

plot (533), naturalist (535), spirited (535), arresting (536), sobers (536), suspense (541), acute (543), dissimulation (543), profound (543), sagacity (543), crevice (544), gesticulations (544), derision (544), dissemble (547), exposition (definition from class notes)

Here is the book list for your Holocaust Report. Please select one of the following novels and inform me of your choice prior to Thursday, October 9.
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli; The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank; The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne; I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson; Malka by Mirjam Pressler; Jacob’s Rescue by Malka Drucker; Night by Elie Wiesel (parent permission required)

Kira-Kira discussion questions

Remember to answer the following questions for class discussions this Wednesday. You can use bullet points or complete sentences to finish the assignment.

A) Create a Venn Diagram for uncle Katsu and the father

B) Uncle K’s name, “Katsu”, means triumph. How does Uncle Katsu live up to his name?

C) Why does Mr. Takeshima (dad) quietly accept the blatant racism demonstrated by the motel clerk in Tennessee en route to Georgia?

D) How does Mr. Lyndon exploit (take advantage of) the workers at the hatchery?

E) Why does Mrs. Takeshima fear the union and feel it is a bad idea?

Week of 9/1

The class of '09 will begin analysis of Kira-Kira this week with a focus on plot and characters.

Be sure to begin reading your Newberry Award selections and plan your time wisely. Remember the book report is due September 30!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to the class of 2009! I hope that you enjoyed the summer as well as the Newberry Award winning novel Kira-Kira. This is the first time I will be teaching the novel to the 8th grade and I look forward to the analytical discussions we will be having in class. As soon as the year begins we will hit the ground running as we review the novel and each student begins work on a Newberry Award winner for their first book report!

Throughout the year I will use the blog to post information about assignments, updates on class sessions, and online resources that can be used to help develop your literary skills.

8th grade is a time of great challenges, change, and excitement! Get ready for a great year.

Varsity Football Prepares to Defend League Title

Hello Spartan faithful! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer vacation, reading lots of books, and sleeping late. I'm getting 2 of 3 done; the sleeping late is tough.

As summer progresses quickly it's time to start thinking about football practice! Despite the fact that all the info was passed out before school ended, I figure some of you may have "misplaced" the paper or maybe your dog ate it, etc. So here are the key dates and information:

Summer workouts begin Monday, August 11th! We will practice from 5-6pm at Westchester Park on the following dates: 8/11; 8/12; 8/14; 8/18; 8/19; 8/21; 8/25; 8/26; and 8/28.

There is no school on September 1 (Labor Day) so there will not be practice that day. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2 our regular practice schedule for the season will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays with games usually on Saturdays from mid-September until mid-November. Exact practice times for the school year will be posted at the end of the summer after confirmation from the Park.

Remember, please email Mr. B (spartan7th@hotmail.com) if you plan on playing, but will miss summer practices due to vacation plans. The summer workouts are not mandatory, but they will provide a head start for players participating.

See you on the 11th. Go Spartans!

Lady Spartans Advance to Elite 8

Congratulations to the Lady Spartans for their hard-fought victory last night in the CYO's Sweet 16! Coach Rawson has led his team deep into the playoffs yet again and this weekend is HUGE for the girls. On Saturday they take on St. Martin of Tours at 1pm at St. Matthias in Downey. A victory Saturday places the girls in the Final Four and assures them of a trip to Staples Center and yet another banner for the gym. After their victory Saturday the ladies play at La Salle High School in Pasadena at 1pm for a shot at their 2nd consecutive CYO Championship Game. Spartan Nation, this is AMAZING and who knows when it will happen again. This weekend could put the Lady Spartans in the same company as the Lakers (87 and 88, 2000, 2001 [the Lakers did win a 3rd in a row in '02 but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves!]).

Spartan Nation, you MUST find a way to come out and support these hard working ladies and their coaches. I've arranged for bonus points for all Junior High students who attend the games, so I hope for a huge turnout! Below are directions to both locations from St. Jerome School. Feel free to look up your own routes, these directions are from Yahoo!

Go Lady Spartans!

Saturday 1pm St. Matthias - 7851 Gardendale street Downey, 90242
405 south; 105 east; 710 North; Exit Imperial Hwy EAST (stay on for about a mile);
Turn Right on Garfield (stay for ½ a mile);
Bear left on Gardendale for ½ a mile
7851 Gardendale


Sunday 1pm La Salle High School - 3880 East Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, 91107
Left on La Tijera; Bear Left on La Cienega (North) to the 10 East;
110 North; 5 North; CA 2 North; CA 134 East; 210 East;
Exit San Gabriel Blvd.
Left on Sierra Madre Blvd. (take for about 2 miles)
3880 East Sierra Madre Blvd

Slave Narrative Assignment

Class of 2008, as part of the slave narrative assignment I am asking for you to respond to a few questions as part of an evaluation of the technology aspect of the project. This is a required homework assignment. Please read the information below and respond to each of the questions. All students who respond in detail to the questions AND send them via email will receive two bonus points on their essay.

Technology Goals:
- Understand how to discover information on the Internet about the Underground Railroad.
- Use “Inspiration” program as a prewriting tool.
- Use “Word” to draft, edit and publish a short story.

Please respond to the following questions:
1) Did technology assist you in understanding the concepts of research and the writing process?

2) Did this project help improve your technology skills? How?

3) List any suggestions to help make the project go smoother or to better understand the concepts of Internet research and the writing process.

Spartans Basketball

Congratulations to the Boys' Basketball team as their two victories this weekend assure them of back to back League Championships! On Saturday the Spartans defeated St. Anastasia 46-21 and then beat St. Mark's on Sunday 38-19. The Spartans remain undefeated in CYO play with a current record of 23-0. Please come out and support the Spartans Thursday night as they complete League play against St. Joseph at 6:30 in Spartan Gymnasium.

Congratulations also go out to the undefeated Lady Spartans as they advanced to the Sweet 16 of the CYO playoffs! The ladies play this Wednesday at 7pm at Providence High School in Burbank. I would like as many of the boys as possible to make the game so we will end practice this Wedneday at 4:15 in an attempt to give as many people a chance to drive out to Burbank as we can.

Good luck Lady Spartans!

Spartans Basketball

Just a quick update about this week's schedule. We will have regular practice Wednesday (3:15-4:45). Thursday we will have an abbreviated practice from 3:30-4:15 in the backyard. This way all our parents can enjoy a wonderful Valentine's Day Dinner!

Saturday we play St. Anastasia at 2pm at St. Anthony School in El segundo. Sunday we take on St. Mark's at St. Anthony's gym at 4pm.

Finally, our game for Saturday the 23rd has been moved to our gym on Thursday night the 21st at 6:30pm. It is our final regular season game before playoffs start on march 1. The playoff schedule will not be posted until approximately Thursday, Feb. 28th.

Harriet Tubman at the Forefront

Harriet Tubman is a symbol of strength and leadership in the face of conflict and injustice. he 8th grade will spend the next two weeks learning more about the Underground Railroad and slave narratives through a biography on Tubman, Internet research, and class lectures. At the end of the week students will begin prewriting as they prepare to write a historical fiction short story about a runaway slave.

Vocabulary this week:
third-person narrative (131), Fugitive Slave Law (133), fugitives (133), incentive (135), disheveled (135), guttural (135), mutinous (137), cajoling (137), indomitable (137), fastidious (139)

Spartans Basketball Team Continues to Roll

The Spartans Basketball team continued their impressive season with a convincing 53-15 victory over St. John Chrysostom last night. The defense came out with energy and determination often stealing the ball before the opponents could cross half-court. The Spartans are now 2-0 in League play and 18-0 overall.

The season continues this Sunday at St. Anthony's Gym in El Segundo. The Spartans will take on St. Bernadette at 5pm so come out and support the boys!

Following the Bernadette's game the Spartans will be off for two weeks before taking on St. Anthony at Noon on Feb. 9th and Visitation at 2pm on Feb. 10th.

"I Have a Dream"

8th grade! Here is a review for your assignment. Print out the "Dream" speech by Dr. King (on the 8th grade page as a Word document) and highlight areas relevant in our search for justice and freedom. Remember to look past some of the wording and extend his message to 2008 and our Nation and world today. This assignment is due tomorrow.

The second part is to write a poem that reflects on the message of "I Have a Dream." You may focus on the concepts and ideals using the 1963 speech, or you may be inspired to use the pictures and discussions from today's class. Remember to THINK and allow yourself time to be inspired prior to writing. The poem is due Thursday and must be typed. The goal is to display them at Open House Sunday, so please make sure you have proofread and edited or you will have to rewrite Thursday night.

Open House Volunteers

Calling all Spartan Christian Leaders in the Junior High!! I would love to have your assistance at Open House on Sunday, January 27th. We have Catholic Schools Week Mass at 9am followed by the Open House. I need students to come in uniform (some in sports, some in regular school uniforms) to help staff the event.

Some students will be used as "security" to keep children away from the play structure and running around the grounds. Some students will be used as tour guides and take prospective parents around campus and answer general questions. Finally, a few students will serve as "locators" and provide visitors with any needed directions.

Service hours will be provided.

Please confirm with you parents that you can and will be available from 10:30-12 that Sunday then email me (spartan7th@hotmail.com) with your preferred job this weekend.

Thanks for your assistance in making St. Jerome a great place to learn.