POETRY! We will be using our text book in class for most of this unit - so, other than occasional writing assignments,  students will not likely be working on this at home - EXCEPT for needing to memorize and practice reciting with  feeling the poem they will be sharing with the class after break :) (this sharing day is called, "Beatnik Day" - students may wear black - turtle necks, berets, goatees etc.... we will sip hot chocolate or cider, play bongos, snap our fingers and say things like, "Cool Daddy-O"  all while listening to students share their chosen poems.  Good times :)

Finally - in Civics we will cover ch. 5 (the Legislative branch) and 7 (the Judicial branch) - short quizzes will likely follow each chapter.  Choice book reading and journaling should continue as needed as well. 

P.S. the Choice Book Journal for 2nd quarter (40 questions/comments/observations ---- 10 per 1/4 of the book) is DUE ON JANUARY 10th!

Here's to the whirlwind of learning between Thanksgiving and Winter breaks!  This week we will wrap up Animal Farm - the Cycle of Power and Chapter 6 Civics.  We will finish the AF video, do some group activities on the Cycle of Power while learning more about dictatorships. The reading checks for ch. 6 Civics will be finished by Thursday --- and our final test on the previously mentioned material will be Friday.  Whew.  In between all the Civics, we will work on a small poetry unit in our literature book - this will continue until break (each student will have a poem to memorize over break). Hopefull we are all good at finding all the energy we can muster! Welcome back :)

Happy almost Thanksgiving break :)  Just a quick note to say that I am thankful for the opportunity to work with middle schoolers! They challenge and engage me intellectually, emotionally, socially and athletically (post turkey trot sore) --- thank you for sharing your students with me!

Also....this week we are continuing our reading of Animal Farm and our study of the Cycle of Power (dictatorship vs. democracy)  Students need to be through chapter 6 by today with the chapter questions completed as well.  The rest of the book will be finished by Thursday (time in class to wrap up the last chapter) with all the chapter questions.  The rest of the packet (metaphors, character log and Cycle of Power notes) is due on the Monday following break. 

Chapter 6 CIVICS section 1 will be worked on this week as well - students who are absent or who need more time will need to complete the "Reading Checks" on their own time (due Thursday).