Hello :)  For these final two days before a much anticipated vacation we will focus on our poetry unit.  Our in-class Literature text book is our primary source, but other works are being shared as we continue to work our way through various forms of poetry.  The bulk of our work will focus on analysis of peoms, but the students will be expected to write a few as well.  Today we will write poems that describe someone - our first attempt as a class at writing poetry - I truly look forward to hearing what they have to say! 

Additionally, we will spend some time with a variety of poetry books to help the kids select a poem for recitation.  Other than their choice book/journal for 2nd q. which is due January 10th, this is their only homework for break.  Please look at the Poetry Outloud web site for information on recitation evaluation.  Students should be prepared to share their poem from memory on Beatnik Day - January 15th (tentative date). 

Finally, Thank you all for sharing such amazing students with me - truly a pleasure to teach here in Pullman - I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy a fabulous vacation! :) 

www.poetryoutloud.com

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).

UGH! I wrote a post, but apparently never posted it! So sorry!  Well....this week is always a bit chaotic - but I think we are making good progress with our study of Edgar Allen Poe - the students are being introduced to his plays and stories - I use a variety of approaches to catch their interest - Youtube readings, Hulu clips, videos, reading on their own and www.poemuseum.org.  We cover a few literary terms along the way as well as discuss the art of the short story.  Hopefully those of you that attend conferences tomorrow will not find my Dead Poet look too distracting :)

There is a MUSIC AND ME essay due on Thursday for Blocks 1 and 2 and Friday for Block 3 (because of our half day schedule. 

Reminder - I will not be available for conferences on Thursday evening.  Hope to see you tomorrow instead ! 

Have a wonderful rest of your week - bask in the last gasp of warm temps - I know I am savoring and being thankful for every last drop of sunshine and light breezes! :)

10. Windy Nights - Robert Louis Stevenson


WHENEVER the moon and stars are set,

Whenever the wind is high,

All night long in the dark and wet,

A man goes riding by.

Late in the night when the fires are out, 5

Why does he gallop and gallop about?



Whenever the trees are crying aloud,

And ships are tossed at sea,

By, on the highway, low and loud,

By at the gallop goes he. 10

By at the gallop he goes, and then

By he comes back at the gallop again.

This somehow seemed fitting for a day like today.  The English teacher in me can't help but think in poems :)

FYI - the students are receiving a packet for the last 2 presidential debates today.  They will need to watch at least one of them and to the required worksheet.  There is an extra credit for 2nd quarter option attached as well.  Hope you are engaging in this wonderful right of citizenship alongside your student! 

We also have our Bill of Rights project due on Friday - Quiz Friday as well.  For fun review, encourage your student to check out www.icivics.org  and the "Do I Have a Right? " game :)