Happy Early Thanksgiving! Just an FYI - Jerry Harms will be subbing for me on 11/17 &18 as well as 11/28 & 29 while I fly to Regina, SK to be with my husband. He had knee replacement surgery this past Monday and he needs me with him as he recovers and to accompany him on his flight back to the states. The kids are in terrific hands and I trust they will do just fine!
In English - In the standard blocks we started To Kill a Mockingbird -- they have a question/character log/vocabulary packet to work on as we go through the book. We have already started the book this week (they should be through ch. 3 by Friday) and they are expected to read through ch. 8 by the Monday following break (this is about 10 pages a day).
Block 2 is reading Al Capone Does My Shirts - ask them what they are learning about the depression, Alcatraz, Autism, etc...
Blocks 1 and 3 took their WSH ch. 6 quiz today --- we will be working on ch. 7 when I return
Block 2 - finished work on ch. 5 WSH - ch. 6 will be covered after break
All blocks are continuing to watch Frontier House - very fun supplement to our study of the frontier :)
No new grades will be entered until I return from Canada --- to hard to carry papers with me all that way. Thanks for your understanding! kw
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Well - 1/2 days came and went --- conferences went well --- I enjoyed meeting with those of you who dropped by :)
In our standard blocks:
English - we finished, "Shakespeare's Secret" and turned in our final literature circle prep page and questions. Following this, we delved in the world of E. A. Poe -- quite suitable for the Halloween season. The Tell Tale Heart is in our lit. book, and the sampling of a few other works really left an impression on the students. They completed an in-class writing that detailed what they had learned about his life and a paragraph on the opinion of him as a man and an author. The vast majority of kids found him fascinating and would like to read more of his work in the future!
History - we have now completed 5 chapters and are currently working on the 6th. Ch. 5 and 6 deal with the settlement of the PNW by "whites". We have covered Lewis and Clark, the fur trade, missionaries, settlers, Chinook Jargon in addition to how this leads into the Indian Wars. We are watching the series Frontier House to supplement these chapters.
Next up: To Kill a Mockingbird --- look for this at home within the next week.
FYI - Jerry Harms will be subbing for me on the 17th, 18th, 28th, and 29th while I am in Canada for my husband's knee surgery.
In Essentials - we did a 2 week unit on the genre of Horror. We read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (and watched the Disney version as well) - we read an essay by Stephen King on whether or not children should be exposed to horror and read a short story of his as well (from a previous lit. book. We culminated this unit with a few other short stories and E.A. Poe. Much writing was done - and the students were very engaged!
WSH - we are finishing up group presentations for ch. 5 and will begin watching the series Frontier House.
Next up - Al Capone Does My Shirts :)
In our standard blocks:
English - we finished, "Shakespeare's Secret" and turned in our final literature circle prep page and questions. Following this, we delved in the world of E. A. Poe -- quite suitable for the Halloween season. The Tell Tale Heart is in our lit. book, and the sampling of a few other works really left an impression on the students. They completed an in-class writing that detailed what they had learned about his life and a paragraph on the opinion of him as a man and an author. The vast majority of kids found him fascinating and would like to read more of his work in the future!
History - we have now completed 5 chapters and are currently working on the 6th. Ch. 5 and 6 deal with the settlement of the PNW by "whites". We have covered Lewis and Clark, the fur trade, missionaries, settlers, Chinook Jargon in addition to how this leads into the Indian Wars. We are watching the series Frontier House to supplement these chapters.
Next up: To Kill a Mockingbird --- look for this at home within the next week.
FYI - Jerry Harms will be subbing for me on the 17th, 18th, 28th, and 29th while I am in Canada for my husband's knee surgery.
In Essentials - we did a 2 week unit on the genre of Horror. We read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (and watched the Disney version as well) - we read an essay by Stephen King on whether or not children should be exposed to horror and read a short story of his as well (from a previous lit. book. We culminated this unit with a few other short stories and E.A. Poe. Much writing was done - and the students were very engaged!
WSH - we are finishing up group presentations for ch. 5 and will begin watching the series Frontier House.
Next up - Al Capone Does My Shirts :)
Friday, October 14, 2011
It's blue day today - the last day of our first spirit week - which means we have a spirit assembly as well :)
This week in English we discussed the presentation by Dr. Delahoyd --- most students really enjoyed his thoughts on the conspiracy theory and some even plan to view the movie, Anonymous when it comes out in theatres. (I believe it will be PG-13) --- We started our first novel (Shakespeare's Secret) and we are working with abreviated Literature Circle packets in small groups. We only have 32 books, so the reading is done in class. If students need more time (or if they are absent) they may check a book out overnight but it is VERY important they return it to my room before school starts the next day!
In WSH we are completing a quick read and the questions at the end of ch. 3 - this material is a review of information already taught in 4th grade. We will spend more time on the chapters that address the changes in Native culture that evolved after the arrival of "white" settlers.
Questions are due in class today!
Book Reviews will also be returned today and Monday - many students need to work on minimizing their summary of their stories and focus more on providing their opinion/analysis --- we'll continue to work on this skill throughout the year :)
This week in English we discussed the presentation by Dr. Delahoyd --- most students really enjoyed his thoughts on the conspiracy theory and some even plan to view the movie, Anonymous when it comes out in theatres. (I believe it will be PG-13) --- We started our first novel (Shakespeare's Secret) and we are working with abreviated Literature Circle packets in small groups. We only have 32 books, so the reading is done in class. If students need more time (or if they are absent) they may check a book out overnight but it is VERY important they return it to my room before school starts the next day!
In WSH we are completing a quick read and the questions at the end of ch. 3 - this material is a review of information already taught in 4th grade. We will spend more time on the chapters that address the changes in Native culture that evolved after the arrival of "white" settlers.
Questions are due in class today!
Book Reviews will also be returned today and Monday - many students need to work on minimizing their summary of their stories and focus more on providing their opinion/analysis --- we'll continue to work on this skill throughout the year :)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Hopefully you have arrived her because your student brought home a slip with the blog info. Please sign the slip and have your student return it to me on Thursday 9/29.
This week has been a bit "wonky" --- Magazine Drive....Q6 Field Trip...finishing MAPS Math....make up MAPS...and working on our WA st. maps --- not exactly a regular schedule but we are trying to get a few things done!
English: We turned in our first choice book reviews today --- next week we will start Shakespeare's Secret in class and enjoy a visit from Dr. Michael Delahoyd. He will be talking with us about Shakespeare conspriracy theories :)
WSH: WA state map building is well underway --- all the work is done in class so you won't be seeing any of this at home ---- you should however see your student studying for the upcoming PNW map test on Tues. 10/4 --- this covers WA, OR, and ID and will be worth a whopping 50+ points! They need to study!!!
This week has been a bit "wonky" --- Magazine Drive....Q6 Field Trip...finishing MAPS Math....make up MAPS...and working on our WA st. maps --- not exactly a regular schedule but we are trying to get a few things done!
English: We turned in our first choice book reviews today --- next week we will start Shakespeare's Secret in class and enjoy a visit from Dr. Michael Delahoyd. He will be talking with us about Shakespeare conspriracy theories :)
WSH: WA state map building is well underway --- all the work is done in class so you won't be seeing any of this at home ---- you should however see your student studying for the upcoming PNW map test on Tues. 10/4 --- this covers WA, OR, and ID and will be worth a whopping 50+ points! They need to study!!!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
OK - if you've found this blog....GOOD FOR YOU!!! :) This past week in class we checked off ch. 2 WSH questions and took a quiz - most students did quite well. We are beginning our group map project this week - and will continue into, and finish up next week. Students will have a 3 state map to complete - this material will be convered on a 50 point test 9/30 --- the state of Washington - in more detail - will be constructed with clay, or candy, or other materials in class. Students have the instructions for this project if you are interested in the details.
In English - choice books that they have been reading for weeks now (many students have finished multiple books - but some are still on #1) need to be completed so that a book review may be written by next Tues. 9/27. We are using a handout from OWL (online writing lab) Purdue --- these reviews should be info packed - but short and sweet (no more than a page). We are creating a notebook of reviews for student use in class. Next up ---- Shakespeare's Secret - a novel :)
In English - choice books that they have been reading for weeks now (many students have finished multiple books - but some are still on #1) need to be completed so that a book review may be written by next Tues. 9/27. We are using a handout from OWL (online writing lab) Purdue --- these reviews should be info packed - but short and sweet (no more than a page). We are creating a notebook of reviews for student use in class. Next up ---- Shakespeare's Secret - a novel :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
If you're reading this you have obviously found this blog on your own. I am still working with the district tech folks to get my link added to the staff page. Hopefully that will happen sometime soon!
In the meantime - we had our first quiz in Washington State History last week. Most students did quite well. If your student earned a score that you or they are not pleased with, I would encourage them to study - or change how they study. Many middle schoolers are just beginning to aquire "study" skills. Doing the assignment at this level is simply not enough. Adding flashcards, having someone quiz them etc...is often more effective. We moved on to chapter 2 yesterday - questions are due on Thursday - quiz to follow next Tuesday 9/20.
In English - we are turning in the final draft of their Music & Me essay today. We will conduct a "read-around" and then a few of the kids want to share a sample of their music and their essays for fun and extra credit.
MAPS testing begins this Friday for Reading....Math will be next Friday.
Be on the look out for requests for simple supplies for a group Map project for WSH. This project will start next week.
Finally....your student should be reading a choice book at home!!! Encourage at least 15 - 30 minutes of reading each night.
P.S. ask for a demonstration of the Earth shaping forces of the PNW :)
In the meantime - we had our first quiz in Washington State History last week. Most students did quite well. If your student earned a score that you or they are not pleased with, I would encourage them to study - or change how they study. Many middle schoolers are just beginning to aquire "study" skills. Doing the assignment at this level is simply not enough. Adding flashcards, having someone quiz them etc...is often more effective. We moved on to chapter 2 yesterday - questions are due on Thursday - quiz to follow next Tuesday 9/20.
In English - we are turning in the final draft of their Music & Me essay today. We will conduct a "read-around" and then a few of the kids want to share a sample of their music and their essays for fun and extra credit.
MAPS testing begins this Friday for Reading....Math will be next Friday.
Be on the look out for requests for simple supplies for a group Map project for WSH. This project will start next week.
Finally....your student should be reading a choice book at home!!! Encourage at least 15 - 30 minutes of reading each night.
P.S. ask for a demonstration of the Earth shaping forces of the PNW :)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A new year!!! 8th grade 2011/2012
Welcome to another year! This blog will provide "blurbs" regarding what we are doing in class each week (or at least most weeks) and significant dates for larger projects and tests. I will use the blog to give you enough information so that you and your student can have conversations regarding what they are learning (or at least being taught) in class. The first couple of weeks of class have been filled with much of the usual "schtuff" that the first weeks require....rules, procedures, text book check out, etc.... We have managed to complete a few things though.
They already turned in a Life Map with 6 paragraphs describing memorable/significant events in their lives.
We have choice books selected and are making progress with reading and journaling.
And finally, we are working our way through the first chapter of the Washington State History text.
So far, so good and thanks for checking in! :)
*** Look for work on a Music and Me essay and a quiz on chapter 1 WSH
They already turned in a Life Map with 6 paragraphs describing memorable/significant events in their lives.
We have choice books selected and are making progress with reading and journaling.
And finally, we are working our way through the first chapter of the Washington State History text.
So far, so good and thanks for checking in! :)
*** Look for work on a Music and Me essay and a quiz on chapter 1 WSH
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