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