OOPS!

Hello Parents! I've received a few questions about the recent grades input to Gradelink for the term paper outline and intro paragraph. In reviewing the info, I realized I made a mistake inputting the scores. I put the paragraph scores into the outline slot. Although this does make the score for that assignment "skewed", it does not effect the overall grade for the class since overall, the student will still score the same number of points between the two assignments. My final percentage is based on total points earned divided by total points possible. I apologize for any inconveniences.

TKAM Vocab

Ladies and Gentlemen, below is the list of vocabulary words for Section 1 (Chapters 1-5). Here are the requirements for ALL vocabulary lists while we are working on To Kill a Mockingbird:
1) Use the Dictionary link found on the Useful Links menu to the right of the posts.
2) Find the terms in the text and use the definition that matches the context from the novel.
3) Write/type/list the correct definitions. These definitions will be graded at the end of the section, i.e. once we finish Chp. 5, I will check to see that you have the definitions completed.
4) When we finish a section, there will be a spelling test and vocab quiz or crossword puzzle.

There are no set dates for the tests or definitions. Pay attention in class to our progress in each section. There will be verbal reminders as we go, but it's almost time for high school and you need to continue becoming independent learners.

Section 1 list:
Synonyms Collards Repertoire

Malevolent Predilection Beadle

Inquisitive Benign Dispensation

Erratic Iniquities Contentious

Monosyllabic Gothic Probate

Edification Cowlick Vapid

Nocturnal Domiciled Nebulous

Indigenous Meditating Condescended

Tranquility Benevolence Diminutive

Auspicious Melancholy Magisterial

Short Week of April 22

Happy Earth Day!

Key concepts for this brief week:

- TKAM: you all have your "wiki groups" and individual logins. The link is on the menu bar to the right of the blog. Remember to have your individual 5 facts on the Scottsboro Trial posted by tomorrow and the 5 facts on The Great Depression posted by Monday.
- Vocab for section 1 (Chapters 1-5) will be posted tomorrow.

- Term papers: May 1, 2009 is important!!!!!!!
- Completed, perfect, attention grabbing, preview of arguments, approved thesis intro paragraph is due (5 points)
- Completed, clear outline of ENTIRE essay due. This means you have a minimum of 8 headings with details about the arguments along with some degree of researched support. (10 points)

Do not wait until the last minute to get info for the term paper. You have already had 6 weeks to work on this!

Last Second Reminders!

Okay everyone, remember tomorrow is the deadline for your thesis statements to be submitted for credit. So far I would say less than half the class has submitted drafts. Any I receive tomorrow will ONLY receive a grade, no feedback! Grades will be posted on Gradelink by Saturday afternoon. If you want feedback you will have to set-up an appointment once we return to school. The grade is ten points, so a previously approved/edited thesis is guaranteed a ten out of ten. Obviously any really good ones tomorrow will also receive a ten out of ten. Any other score will be based on the following "rubric": name is stated, contribution is clear, and significance is valid and "provable". I will not be providing feedback on theses past 7:00pm Thursday night.

Also, just a mini reminder to do some research on the Scottsboro Trial/Boys in preparation for To Kill a Mockingbird.

Hope you are enjoying the break!

Important Information!

Class of 2009, please pay attention to the following information:

- 8th Grade Memory Books: Please bring in a picture of yourself from grades K to 8. They do not have to be pictures from SJS, just pictures of you. These pictures must be submitted by this Wednesday to Mrs. Keaton.

- 8th Grade Field Trip to "Ain't Misbehavin": Order forms must be submitted by this Wednesday to Mrs. Baquet in order to attend the May 8 showing.

- Term Paper update: Today (4/6) was the due date to receive English points on your approved topic/contribution. Remember, the thesis statement MUST be APPROVED by April 17. This is during the middle of break and will require you to email me. Simply turning one in by the 17th is NOT enough; you must receive formal approval.

- Holy Week: Please remember to attend Holy Thursday Mass at 7pm, Good Friday Services at 1pm, and one of the Masses for Easter.

God bless and enjoy the Easter vacation.

Writing PowerPoint

A couple of the slides' pictures were distorted, but the main content/information remains intact.

Week of March 30

There is a lot going on this week, so I hope everyone comes prepared each day!

Tuesday: small groups can review for the Lit unit test on Thursday; time in computer lab to research topic/contribution for term papers. Remember, APPROVED topics are due April 6!

Wednesday: Baseball review game for Lit Unit Test; perfect tenses. Hopefully you are also working on the outline for your unit essay. You must have your own copy of To Kill a Mockingbird by today!

Thursday: Unit test - critical thinking multiple choice, comprehension short answer.

Friday: Unit essay - use the quote "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all" as your thesis statement. Show how the three unit themes are developed in "Flowers for Algernon" around this thesis using the five paragraph essay format. This will be completed in class. You may have a one page outline with you.

Week of March 23

This week brings us vocabulary, the end of "Flowers for Algernon", the perfect tenses, and a term paper. First the vocabulary (spelling/vocab test Friday; vocab packets due Friday):

motivation (206), psychology (212), neurosurgeon (214), tangible (216), specter (216), refute (216), illiteracy (219), obscure (220), syndromes (220), introspective (220)
Daily Vocab words: rancor, venerable, prosaic, impetuous, sagacious
Workbook pages: 92, 93, 94 (Part A only)

Plan on a "Flowers for Algernon" critical reading quiz Friday as well!

Today (3/23) we will preview your 3rd trimester term paper. Key dates to remember:
April 6 - Topic due
April 17 - Last day for thesis approval (email during the Easter break)
May 1 - Outline of essay arguments / Completed Introductory Paragraph
May 18 - Peer Edit in class
May 21 - Final Draft due
May 22 - Living Museum
The directions and rubric will be posted on the 8th grade Web page.

Finally, don't forget to have your own copy of To Kill a Mockingbird with you in class by April 1!

Poetry Week

As Black History Month concludes, the 8th graders are presenting original poems as well as works written by African - American Poets. The class of 2009 learned about Langston Hughes the Harlem Renaissance, and and his involvement in that movement, before reading one of his short stories. Using the content and inspiration from the story, students created their own poems which they presented to the class. After explicating two additional poems by Hughes, the class will present, from memory, works from great poets such as Claude McKay and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Keep an eye out for a special presentation from one of our own 8th graders at the Assembly this Friday!

Vocab Packet #5

Here are the words for this week's list:

mutinous (144), wan (144), swarthy (144), unfurled (144), stalwart (149), stanza (150), exhausted (155), thoroughly (155), manifestly (156), exertion (156), maneuver (158), ascent (158), descent (158)

Daily vocab words:

Workbook pages: 65, 66, 70 (please write out answers, you don't have to fill in the crossword puzzle)

Spelling sentences (will be assigned in class Wednesday)

Packet due on Friday: daily vocab exercises, workbook pages and spelling sentences

Vocab/Spelling test Friday 2/6

Slave Narrative

Timeline for writing process:
2 Clusters (prewrite) - due Fri 1/23 (10 points)
Second Draft - due Monday 1/26 (means you have work to do this weekend!)
Peer Edit - due Tuesday 1/27 (means it's "done"; 10 points)
Final Draft - due Thursday 1/29

Requirements:
Format - min 3 pages; 12 font; times/arial font; double space; 1" margins; include rubric (on 8th grade page) with final draft

Story (see rubric) [20 points - Lit]
Setting: place and time, details; has direct impact on plot!
Plot: 3c's need to be clear
Characters - detailed, clear
Include dialogue

Writing (see rubric) [25 points - Eng]

Spelling - 20 points

Week of January 12

Today the 8th graders received formal outlines for the two remaining reports for the 2nd trimester. The Biography Report is due on February 13 and students need to select their book by 1/20. The class also received the presentation guidelines for their Narnia group reports. The format is a little different from previous years, so remember, if you have questions ask sooner than later! Presentations begin on March 2.

There are no vocabulary packets this week. There is a vocab/spelling quiz next Tuesday 1/20:
receding (123), competent (125), microbes (125), hemisphere (125), radial (125), heedless (125), implications (125), fugitives (133), incentive (135), disheveled (135), guttural (135), mutinous (137), cajoling (137), indomitable (137), fastidious (139)

Friday is a block period for Narnia groups.

No school Monday!

Week of 1/6

Happy New Year and welcome back. The next 3 months have a lot of work for the class of 2009: essays, test prep / high school entrance exams, Narnia, etc. Hopefully your resolutions will help keep you prepared and organized!

Vocab packet #4 due Friday 1/9
1) in class Tuesday there will be 4 test prep words and 3 daily vocab words
2) Lit workbook pg. 49
3) textbook vocab list: apprenticeship (109), mote (110), countenance (110), furtive (110), inquest (111), pretext (113), intimation (114), judicious (114), indulgent (114), emancipated (116).

Spelling and vocab quizzes will be Monday 1/12.

We will also read a story by Mark Twain, work on a 5 paragraph essay, and review your Narnia group's progress in class on Friday. (hint: get those wikis updated)

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