March 18 - 21 March 18, 2008

8th graders:  we will continue to work on our grammar practice with pronouns.  Don’t forget that you have a test over pronoun types, number & gender on Friday, March 21st.  Be sure to look over your graphic organizer and “pink” notes. 

In addition, be sure that you have secured your biorgraphy (novel) by the end of the week.  You will also need 3×5 notecards as soon as possible.  Beginning next week, we will go to the library to begin our research.

 6th graders:  we will continue to work on sentences as our grammar practice.  Once we finish the “sketchy” sentence section, we will move into compound and complex sentences.  You guys are doing a great job adding details to your sentences!

February 12 -15 February 12, 2008

8th graders:  I hope that you are enjoying the book so far.  We will continue with our reading; no tests or quizzes are planned for the remainder of the week.  Be sure to check the board each day for assignments to accompany your reading.  Just a reminder:  BE SURE YOU ARE KEEPING UP WITH YOUR TKAM PORTFOLIO!  THIS IS A HUGE GRADE AT THE END OF THE NOVEL!!!!

Also, remember that I will accept Independent Novel Study projects until Thursday without late penalty.  After Thursday, 2/14, points will be taken off if your project is turned in late.

6th graders:  We will continue working on verbs, adverbs, conjunctions and interjections.  Be sure to check the board each day for assignments.  The previously scheduled test for Thursday will be postponed until next Thursday.  I think we need additional practice on these concepts before we test over them.

January 14-18 January 16, 2008

8th graders: 

DON’T FORGET THE WRITING TEST IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16TH.  PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THAT WE HAVE COVERED REGARDING THE WRITING PROCESS…GOOD LUCK!

Next Unit: 

After the test on Wednesday, our next unit will be on the novel.  By Friday, you all should have the novel in your possession.  If you are planning on purchasing this book, please do so soon.  We will begin reading on Tuesday, January 22nd, after a brief historical backgroud preview.  If you plan on checking out the novel from the media center, make sure that all your fines have been paid and that you don’t have any overdue books.  We will check out the books on Friday, January 18th. 

To Kill a Mockingbird portfolio: 

We will be keeping a portfolio for this novel, just as we did with Frankenstein.  However, I’m asking that you plan to put your portfolio in some sort of folder.  Do NOT put it in a three-ring binder; a simple folder is all that you need.  The Table of Contents for the portfolio will remain on the board throughout the unit.  Becasue this will count as a project grade, please make sure you keep up with all the material required in the portfolio. 

6th graders: 

We will continue our unit on Mythology.  Your “trading card” is due Friday.  Remember that your illustrations on the trading card can be traced and should be colored neatly.  The facts on the card should be written in pen, NOT PENCIL!

In addition to mythology, we will begin work on adverbs.  Please be sure to check the board daily and record any homework assignments.  Bring or make sure your grammar handbooks are with you.

Have a wonderful week!

Language Arts Mid-term Exams - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17TH!! December 10, 2007

8th graders will take their mid-term exam for language arts on Monday, December 17th.  The exam will cover both literature and grammar.  The literature portion will consist of a reading passage after which you will answer comprehension, reading skills, and vocabulary usage questions.  All of the questions will come from the reading passage, which means that you don’t have anything to review for the literature portion of the exam.  The grammar portion will consist of past DGP sentences.  Please be sure to locate and have with you all of your DGP sentences on Wednesday, as I will tell you specifically what sentences to expect on the exam.  This part of the exam will cover all the different activities we do with DGP each day, Monday - Friday.    It will help if you will also look over your DGP notes, the purple ones.  Also, you will need to study the specific sentences that I will give you Wednesday.

6th graders will also take a test on Monday, December 17th.  The test will be the same format as the 8th grade exam, only shorter.  I will also go over specific DGP sentences with you on Wednesday.  Be sure to bring all you DGP sentences to class that day.  This test isn’t NOT a mid-term, only a test.

December 10-14 December 10, 2007

8th graders will begin working on a persuasive essay. On Tuesday, we will select topics and begin work on a graphic organizer. With the essay, we will learn some more “tricks” to help improve style. Be sure to check the board each day for homework.

6th graders will complete some revision on Monday in an attempt to minimize the overuse of pronouns in the cause and effect essay. On Tuesday, we will complete a peer editing session with revision to the essay. After that, we will begin working on the final copy to be finished and turned in by Thursday.