Mrs. Hislop's Last Day

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you probably already know, I am going to have a baby very soon . . . October 29, if the baby decides to come on time! My maternity leave will start on Monday, October 17, when Kelsey Dickman, who has up until recently been teaching at Pleasant Valley High School, will take over as your child’s teacher for the rest of the year. Ms. Dickman comes very highly recommended by the teachers and administration at PV, and Mr. Caldera and I are confident that she is the best person to teach your children for the remainder of the school year in my absence. For online updates about what’s going on in English 8, please visit Ms. Dickman's blog at http://msdickman8thgradeenglish.blogspot.com/.

Ms. Dickman will also be continuing our Scholastic book orders this year. If you’re interested in online ordering rather than writing a check to Scholastic, please visit www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Remember, our class code is HDW3F if you choose to order online.

Thank you again so much for the support you provide to the school and to us as teachers. I truly love my job because I love teaching your children. I will miss them when I’m gone, and look forward to returning next fall!

See you soon,

Mrs. H.

Fill out your binder reminder or your calendar. Please have your Facebook essay RD ready for me to check. :)

10/10 to 10/14

Monday 10/10:
1. Binder Reminders/Calendars
2. Elements of Fiction Review/TONE
3. Check RD/FB Essays
HW: Study for TEST tomorrow; FD due WEDNESDAY

Tuesday 10/11:
1. Quickwrites
2. Grades/Parent Letters
3. Elements of Fiction Test #2
4. Pass Back Work/Binder Clean-out
HW: Parent Letters DUE FRIDAY; Facebook FD due WEDS

Wednesday 10/12:
1. Quickwrites
2. Review Elements of Fiction Test #2
3. Turn in FB Essay Final Drafts
4. Self-Evaluation/Missing Work Make-Ups
HW: Finish your self-evaluation

Thursday 10/13:
1. Quickwrites
2. Missing Work Make-Ups/Letters of Advice/Class Picture
HW: ALL Missing/Late work DUE TOMORROW!!!

Friday 10/14:
1. Quickwrites
2. Persuasive Essay--Pass Back
3. 2nd Quarter Bathroom Passes
4. Teacher Evaluations/Letters of Advice
HW: NO HW!

Get out a blank piece of paper and set it up in MLA format. Title it "Facebook Essay RD."

Get out your packet of prewriting about Facebook.

Pick up a SCOPE magazine if you haven't already.

Quickwrite 10/5

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "It is not fair to ask of other's what you are unwilling to do your self. Those are words she live by when her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president of the United States. As first lady, Eleanor work hard to improve life for underprivileged people of all creeds races, and nations. Each October 11 the anniversary of Eleanors birth, many people take time to remember the great woman she became.

10/3 to 10/7

Monday 10/3:
1. Elements of Fiction Test
2. Finish Mood Worksheet/"Tell Tale Heart"
HW: NO HW!

Tuesday 10/4:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Review Test
3. Finish FB Essay Prewriting Packet
HW: FB Essay Prewriting Packet

Wednesday 10/5:
1. Quickwrites
2. FB Essay RD
HW: Finish RD

Thursday 10/6:
1. Quickwrites
2. FB Essay Peer Editing
HW: FB Essay Final Draft

Friday 10/7:
1. Quickwrites
2. FB Essay FD Due/Debates

Quickwrite 9/30

in September 1985, Dr. Robert Ballard made an amazing discovery!
Seventy-five year after the ocean liner Titanic had sunk in the North Atlantic
Ocean, ballard and his team founded the ships remains about 350 miles from
newfoundland, canada. Nearly a year later, Ballard used a submersible craft
named alvin and an underwater robot called Jason Jr. To explore the reck.

POP QUIZ!

Set up a blank piece of paper in MLA format. Call it "Mood." Number it 1-2.

Watch the following clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5_0AGdFic

1. How would you describe the MOOD in the clip?

2. What did the filmmakers do to influence the MOOD?

Quickwrite 9/28

For today's quickwrite, write a few sentences telling me what the word MOOD means.

Quickwrite 9/27

Have you read a book by Lemony Snicket! Lemony Snicket is not a real persons name. Its and imaginary name used by the author of the A Series of Unfortunate Events books. In those books, which were first published in Septemer of 1999, readers follow Violet Klaus, and Sunny as they attempt to protect their fortune from greedy count olaf. The identity of Lemony is secret. but he communicates thru his representative, Daniel Handler.

9/26 to 9/30 UPDATED

Monday 9/26:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Finish FB Article/Begin Prewriting
HW: Part 1 & 2 of Persuasive Essay Packet

Tuesday 9/27:
1. Quickwrites
2. Elements of Fiction Review GAME
HW: Study for Elements of Fiction Test

Wednesday 9/28:
1. Quickwrites
2. Mood "The Tell-Tale Heart" Play
HW: Study for Elements of Fiction Test

Thursday 9/29:
1. Quickwrites
2. Mood "The Tell-Tale Heart" Play
HW: Study for Elements of Fiction Test

Friday 9/30:
1. Collect Quickwrites
2. Elements of Fiction TEST
HW: NO HW!

9/26 to 9/30

Monday 9/26:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Finish FB Article/Begin Rough Drafts/Thesis Statements
HW: Finish Rough Drafts

Tuesday 9/27:
1. Quickwrites
2. RD Peer Editing
HW: Final draft due Monday 10/3

Wednesday 9/28:
1. Quickwrites
2. Foreshadowing
HW: Final draft due Monday 10/3

Thursday 9/29:
1. Quickwrites
2. Mood ("Skellig")
HW: Study your Elements of Fiction Vocab sheet; TEST tomorrow.

Friday 9/30:
1. Collect Quickwrites
2. Elements of Fiction TEST
HW: Final draft due Monday 10/3

1. Get out your Words to Know/Story Pyramid worksheet. Make sure your name is on it.

2. Get out your Simple Predicates/Verbs worksheet. Make sure your name is on it.

Instead of a quickwrite today, do this:

1. Get out your Words to Know worksheet from "Raymond's Run." With your partner, fill out the Rising Action and the Falling Action parts on the back.

1. Update your binder reminders or calendars.

2. Open your textbooks to "Raymond's Run." Find the place where we left off on Friday.

3. Get out your "Raymond's Run" vocab worksheet.

4. If you're done with all three of these tasks, volunteer to help me pass back work.

HAPPY MONDAY! :)

Quickwrite 9/20

The story of Johnny Applesede has become some thing of a legend. But did you know that their is a real men behind the Johnny Appleseed myth. John Chapman, who was born in Massachusetts on September 26, 1774 planted apple orchards as he traveled west with the setlers. He own 1,200 acres of orchards from Pennsylvania to Illinois. Some people say Johnny wear no shoes a coffee sack for a shirt and a tin pan as a hat!

9/19 to 9/23

Monday 9/19:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Pass Back Work
3. Finish "Raymond's Run"
4. RR Vocab/Story Pyramid
HW: Finish RR Vocab

Tuesday 9/20:
1. Quickwrites
2. Simple Predicates
3. RR Vocab/Story Pyramid
4. Start Scope/Facebook Article
HW: Finish Grammar/Simple Predicates

Wednesday 9/21:
1. Quickwrites
2. Simple Predicates
3. Continue Scope/Facebook Article
NO HW!

Thursday 9/22:
1. Quickwrites
2. Thesis Statements
3. Start Facebook Essay Outlining/Brainstorming
HW: Finish your outline

Friday 9/23:
1. Grammar Quiz: Complete Sentences, Subjects, Predicates
2. Facebook Essay Rough Drafts
HW: Finish your RD

1. Get your quickwrites from last week and this week ready for me to collect. They should all be on the same piece of paper.

2. Get your HW from last night out (Simple Subjects) so we can check it.

When we're done checking HW and collecting quickwrites, you will take your quiz.

Happy Friday!

Quickwrite 9/13

Edgar Rice Burroughs is born on September 1 1875, in Chicago, Illinoi. As a seller of pencil sharpener, he was always looking through magazines to spot adds for his sharpener's. He read many storys in those magazines as he look through them. He knew that he could write even better tails than the ones he read in those magazines! Some of Burroughs' famous works include Tarzan of the apes and The Land That Time Forgot.

9/12 to 9/16

Monday 9/12:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Complete Sentences
3. "Raymond's Run" Anticipation Guide
HW: Finish Grammar

Tuesday 9/13:
1. Journals
2. Discuss AG
3. "RR" Vocab
HW: RR Vocab

Wednesday 9/14:
1. Journals
2. Simple Subjects
3. Begin "Raymond's Run"
NO HW!

Thursday 9/15:
1. Journals
2. Simple Subjects
3. Continue "RR"
HW: Finish Grammar

Friday 9/16:
1. Journals
2. Sentences QUIZ
3. Finish "Raymond's Run"
NO HW!

Quickwrite 9/8

Labor Day is celebrate each year on the first Monday of September. The first Labor Day was probably celebrated on September 5, 1882 when a parade too honor worker's took place in new York City. Over the next ten years, many states established Labor Day holidays. Then, in 1894, president Grover Cleveland made labor day a holiday through out the land. Did you know that Canada also celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday in September.

No quickwrite today . . . we are going to get down to work on our C. and H. project.

IF YOU WERE ABSENT LAST FRIDAY, YOU NEED TO GIVE LAST WEEK'S QUICKWRITES TO ME!

Please fill out your calendar or binder reminder for this week. While you're doing this, I'll come give you EXTRA CREDIT if you can show me all of August filled out. :)

9/6 to 9/9

Tuesday 9/6:
1. Binder Reminders/Calendars
2. Character Motivations
3. Continue C. & H. Project (Partners)
HW: Study Elements of Fiction Notes

Wednesday 9/7:
1. Quickwrite
2. C. & H. Project (Partners)
HW: Study Elements of Fiction Notes

Thursday 9/8:
1. Quickwrite
2. Turn in C. & H.
3. Start Complete Sentences/Verbs
HW: NO HW!

Friday 9/9:
1. Quickwrite
2. Elements of Fiction Quiz
3. Continue Complete Sentences/Verbs
4. Anticipation Guide: "Raymond's Run"
HW: NO HW!

Quickwrite 9/2

For today's quickwrite, please write a paragraph describing what you plan to do this weekend. Remember, no school on Monday! Happy Labor Day!

Quickwrite 9/1

On september 7 1533 king Henry VIII and his wife, Anne Boleyn, welcomed a daugter into the world. Twenty-five years later, that daughter was crowned Queen Elizabeth I of england. Elizabeth was a strong and admired queen. Her mother wasnt so lucky. Not long after Elizabeths birth, King Henry grew tired of Anne Boleyn and accused her of cheating on him. Henry had her beheaded. Elevan days later, Henry married agan.

8/31 Quickwrite

Grover cleveland was the 24th president of the United States -- but he was the first president to become a father while live in the White House. On August 30, 1893 President Clevelands wife, Frances, gave birth to an baby girl. President and Mrs. Cleveland name their daughter Esther. Esther was not the very first baby born on the white house, however. In 1806, President Thomas Jefferson's granddaughter was born their.

8/30 Quickwrite

When you think of earth quakes in the United States, do you usually think of the western states. That don't mean earthquakes do not happen in the eastern states. On August 31 1886, the first major eastern earthquake was recorded it hapened near Charleston, South Carolina. The charleston earthquake was not the first eastern earthquake, but it was the worse. Other earthquakes be recorded in the eastern United States as far back as 1638.

Fill out your binder reminder or calendar for this week. Remember, I'll be giving you extra credit NEXT WEEK if you have everything filled out for August (and the first two days of September).

When you're done with your calendar, check out the book order catalog. Please don't write on it.

8/29 to 9/2

Monday 8/29:
1. Binder Reminders/Calendars
2. Book Orders
3. Start Elements of Fiction
HW: Write a very short story about the funniest moment of your life. (1-2 paragraphs).

Tuesday 8/30:
1. Quickwrites/Grammar
2. Review DMH Letters
3. Create Writing Folders
4. Continue Elements of Fiction
HW: NO HW!

Wednesday 8/31:
1. Quickwrites/Grammar
2. Continue Elements of Fiction
HW: NO HW!

Thursday 9/1:
1. Quickwrites/Grammar
2. Start Calvin and Hobbes Project
HW: Calvin and Hobbes DUE Wednesday, 9/7

Friday 9/2:
1. Quickwrites/Grammar
2. Continue Calvin and Hobbes
HW: Calvin and Hobbes DUE Wednesday, 9/7

STAR Mirror Assessment Day 3

Hello! Please get out a pencil and put everything else away, unless you have your Dear Mrs. H. final draft to give me. If you still need to turn it in, please leave it on the corner of your desk.

If you are completely done with the test, I have a word game worksheet for you to work on. Once you're finished with the word game, you may either do SSR or HW.

Also, I have cancelled your quiz tomorrow! Hooray! NO HW TONIGHT!

STAR Mirror Assessment Day 2

Hello! Please get out a pencil and put everything else away, unless you have your Dear Mrs. H. final draft to give me. If you still need to turn it in, please leave it on the corner of your desk.

Thank you!

STAR Mirror Assessment

Hello! Please get out a pencil and put everything else away, unless you have your Dear Mrs. H. final draft to give me. If you still need to turn it in, please leave it on the corner of your desk.

Thank you!

Don't forget to tell your parents about Back to School Night tonight. I would love to meet them.

1. Please get out your Dear Mrs. Hislop rough draft, final draft, and rubric.

2. Put them in this order on the side of your desk: Rubric on top, rough draft in the middle, final draft on the bottom.

3. Write down your HW for this week in your binder reminder or calendar.

8/22 to 8/26

Monday 8/22:
1. Journals
2. Collect/Share DMH Final Drafts
3. Start Elements of Fiction: April in Paris
HW: STAR Mirror Test tomorrow. Get plenty of sleep, and eat a great breakfast.

Tuesday 8/23:
1. STAR Mirror Test
HW: Tell your parents to come to Back to School Night tonight at 6:30.

Wednesday 8/24:
1. Journals
2. Finish STAR Mirror
3. Elements of Fiction
NO HW!

Thursday 8/25:
1. Journals
2. Continue Elements of Fiction
HW: Study for your QUIZ tomorrow!

Friday 8/26:
1. Journals
2. Elements of Fiction QUIZ
3. Continue Elements of Fiction
HW: NO HW!

8/19 Quickwrite

Agnes Bojaxhiu were born in Macedonia on August 27, 1910 when Agnes
turned 18 years old, she joined a community of nuns and moved to Calcutta
India. There she was nown as Mother Teresa. While teaching at St. Marys High
School, Mother Teresa caught a glimps of how Calcutta’s poorest people lived.
Soon she devoded her life to working in the citys slums. That work earned her
the Nobel Piece Prize in 1979.

8/18 Quickwrite

On August 21 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the united states.
Since that time, the people of Hawaii have celebrate their statehood with a
special holiday on the third friday on August. Did you know that hawaii is the
widest of the U.S. states. The state consists of eight maine islands spread over a
large area. The state’s name probably come from the native word Owhyhee,
which means “homeland.”

8/17 Quickwrite

For many years, people had to imagine what earth look like from space?
In 1959, those people got there first real look! On August 7 that year, the U.S.
satellite Explorer VI transmited the first picture of Earth from space. Two year
later, the first human got to seen that view when Russia send a man into space.
A few week after that russian space flight, Alan Shepard become the first U.S.
astronaut in space.

Daily Quickwrite 1

Set up a piece of paper in MLA format. Title it "Quickwrites 8/16-8/19."






Are you a Elvis Presley fan. Elvis were one of the most popular singers of
all time. His hit song include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Are You Lone Some
Tonight” and “Hound Dog.” When Elvis died on August 16, 1977, fans round
the world went in to mourning. Each August, thousands of fans flock to
Presleys home -- called Graceland -- in Memphis Tennessee, to remember the
singer and mark the anniversary of his death.

Fill out your Binder Reminder or calendar for this week with all your homework.

Get out any parent signature forms or computer use forms you have for me.

8/15 to 8/19

Monday 8/15:
1. Collect Forms
2. Advice Letters
3. Personal Crests

Tuesday 8/16:
1. Journals
2. DMH Brainstorming
2. Personal Crests
HW: Have your computer use form signed. Due tomorrow.

Wednesday 8/17:
1. Journals
2. Collect Forms
3. DMH Rough Drafts
4. Personal Crests
HW: Crests due tomorrow.

Thursday 8/18:
1. Journals
2. DMH Rough Drafts
3. Editing and Revising
4. Final Draft Requirements
HW: Final Draft Due TOMORROW.

Friday 8/19:
1. Journals
2. DMH Final Draft Read-Around
3. Start Elements of Fiction
HW: NO HW!

Please get out the two handouts I gave to you yesterday. Look them over with your partner. We are going to have a quiz on that information in just a few minutes. Happy Friday!

8/10 to 8/12

Wednesday 8/10:
1. Welcome to CJHS!
2. Meet Mrs. Hislop
3. Cougar Orientation: Getting Organized
HW: Bring an SSR book, pencils, and your binder tomorrow.

Thursday 8/11:
1. Partner Work
1. Roll and Website
2. Class Information, Rules, and Procedures
HW: Parent signature on all forms by MONDAY 8/15

Friday 8/12:
1. Procedures TEST
2. Getting to Know Mrs. H.
HW: All forms due MONDAY 8/15

Big Bad Eighth Grader

Here is a short list of some things that happened when I was a big, bad eighth grader:

1. My best friend from sixth and seventh grade, Amy H., suddenly didn't want to be friends anymore, so I had to find a new best friend! Don't worry, it all worked out in the end, but it was DRAMA at the time!

2. I started dating my first boyfriend. (Then we broke up. Then we started going back out again when we were sophomores. Then we broke up. Then we started going back out when we were in college. Then we broke up. Then I met my husband and married him instead. So watch out . . . you could end up dating that eighth grade boyfriend or girlfriend for longer than you'll imagine.)

3. I became friends with some people I still talk to today, like my buddies Tyler, Jessie, and Amy B.! Jessie was a student teacher here at CJHS. Amy B. has a little daughter now, too, so our daughters are now friends!

4. I was a teacher's aide for my favorite history teacher, Mrs. Bishop. That's where I learned how to grade papers and help students.

SIT IN THE FIRST THREE ROWS. YOU MAY SIT WITH YOUR FRIENDS, BUT BE PREPARED TO BE MOVED IF YOU ARE WHISPERING DURING THE MOVIE.

Get out:
1. Blank piece, MLA. Title: ANNE FRANK

2. Parent surveys.

Computer Lab 5/18/11

1. Complete this online survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YTTMW27

2. Complete any work from yesterday you haven't finished yet.

3. Work in Plato at your own pace.

Get out:
1. Small green book
2. Vocabulary

Work on:
1. Vocabulary
2. Pages 227, 228, and 229

You may work with ONLY ONE OTHER partner of your choice.

For today's journal, write a few paragraphs about your weekend.

Write one paragraph telling about the best parts of your weekend.

Write one paragraph telling about the low points of your weekend, if you want to.

If you don't want to write about the low points, then just tell me what your best weekend would be.

5/16 to 5/20

Monday 5/16
1. BR/Calendars
2. Journals
3. Anne Frank
HW: Make sure your AF vocab pictures are completed.

Tuesday 5/17
1. Journals
2. Anne Frank
3. Vocab Check
NO HW!

Wednesday 5/18
COMPUTER LAB
1. Online Survey

Thursday 5/19
1. Journals
2. Anne Frank
3. Review Vocab

Friday 5/20
1. Journals
2. Anne Frank

Computer Lab 5/10/11

Read pages 221-226 in your book. Answer the following questions using the blog comment below. Remember to NUMBER YOUR ANSWERS and INCLUDE YOUR FIRST NAME WITH YOUR ID NUMBER.

1. What does Dussel say happens to people who refuse the call-up notice? (221)

2. What does Anne learn happened to her friend, Jopie de Waal? (222)

3. How does Dussel react when he hears that Peter has a cat? (223)

4. Whom does Anne watch from the window? (224)

5. Time skips forward a little on page 225. When you read Anne's Voice, what do you learn about the relationship between Dussel and Anne?

6. Which statement best summarizes the news that Mr. Dussel tells the families? Choose A, B, or C.
A. Conditions on the outside have become much worse.
B. Conditions on the outside have improved.
C. Conditions on the outside have stayed the same.

7. What do you think will happen, now that an additional person has joined the group?

If you finish the questions above, please go into Plato and work at your own pace.

Character Journal #2

Instead of a journal today, start working on your HW . . . Character Journal #2. If you haven't done #1 yet, start working on that one.

SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER! MLA FORMAT!

Why is Anne always trying to bother Peter? Write one paragraph why.

Why do the van Daans and the Franks still make the kids do homework? Write one paragraph why.

If you were Mrs. Frank, how would you react to Mrs. van Daan's flirtations with your husband?

Internet Movie Database

If you'd like more information about your WWII/Holocaust movie options, this is a reliable website:

The Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/

5/9 to 5/13

Monday 5/9:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Journals
3. Anne Frank
4. "No Walls"
NO HW! Come to 8th Grade Awards Night!

Tuesday 5/10:
1. Journals
2. Anne Frank
3. Vocab Check
4. Character Journal #2
HW: Finish your character journal

Wednesday 5/11:
1. Journals
2. Blog Comment/Computer Lab
3. Anne Frank Online Worksheet
NO HW!

Thursday 5/12:
1. Journals
2. Jim Jessee, Guest Speaker
3. Anne Frank
HW: Write up your notes from Mr. Jessee's presentation today. Due tomorrow.

Friday 5/12:
1. Thank You Notes for Mr. Jessee
2. Anne Frank
HW: Character Journal #3

Please complete this journal on a separate piece of paper set up in MLA format.

Mr. Frank tells Anne, "There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind."

What does he mean?

Please write 1-2 paragraphs explaining what he means, and how his message might apply to your own life.

For today's journal, please write me a paragraph about the differences between what we've read so far in the play, and the realities of Anne's life. For instance, in the play, the family sharing the hiding place with the Franks are called the van Daans, but in real life, they were the van Pelses.

Please get out your homework from last night, your calendar, your vocab, your glossary, your small green book, your large green book, and a pencil. Find Anne Frank in both the large and the small books.

Get out your vocabulary from yesterday. Make sure your pictures are finished. Quiz your partner for FIVE MINUTES only. I am going to come around and stamp your vocabulary if you are done with it.

MUCHAS GRACIAS, MIS ESTUDIANTES FABULOSOS!

Good Morning!

For today's journal, please write about the high points and low points of your weekend. Please write at least a paragraph, and include lots of details.

THANK YOU!

PS Have your HOMEWORK OUT ON YOUR DESK for me to collect.

Good Morning!

For today's journal, please write a paragraph about what you have learned about Anne Frank and her family over the past few days in the computer lab. Please complete this assignment on a separate sheet of paper set up in MLA format.

Good Morning!

Please complete today's journal on a blank piece of paper set up in MLA format.

Imagine you are being forced to leave your home. You are allowed to bring 20 pounds of your most precious possessions. What would you take? What would you be forced to leave behind? How would this make you feel?

4/26 to 4/29

Tuesday 4/26:
1. Journal Responses to Preview Anne Frank
2. How big was the Secret Annex?
3. Website Preview
HW: Finish your writing about the Secret Annex.

Wednesday 4/27:
COMPUTER LAB
1. Blog Comment
2. Research Anne Frank

Thursday 4/28:
COMPUTER LAB
1. Blog Comment
2. Research Anne Frank

Friday 4/29:
1. Research write-ups
2. Anne Frank Vocabulary
HW: Getting Packed Assignment (DUE MONDAY)!!!

4/18 to 4/21

Monday 4/18:
1. Journals
2. Intros and Thesis Statements

Tuesday 4/19:
1. Journals
2. Finish Poetry Presentations
3. Intros and Thesis Statements

Wednesday 4/20:
1. Journals
2. Intros and Thesis Statements
3. Rewrite "F4A" Intros

Thursday 4/21:
STAR Schedule . . . no English!

Friday 4/22:
NO SCHOOL! Have a great four-day weekend and a fabulous Easter! See you TUESDAY, APRIL 26!!!

4/11 to 4/15

All this week:
STAR Testing
Finish Poetry

NO HW!

Good Morning! For your journal today, write to me about what the high points and the low points of your weekend were.

Poetry Groups!

Get into your groups. Make sure you open your textbooks to your assigned poem. We will start presenting in about 5 minutes.

For today's journal, please write to me about how STAR testing went this morning. Did you eat breakfast this morning? Did you try to get a little extra sleep?

Get out your poetry notes! We have a lot to do today! :)

In your journals, please make guesses about what the following words mean:

TONE and MOOD.

For today's journal, write down as many examples of ONOMATOPOEIA as you can. When you can't think of any more, write down words that are ALLITERATIVE with the following words:

1. Cougar
2. Chico
3. English
4. Tree
5. Spirit
6. School

Good Morning!

For today's journal, please write a few sentences explaining what RHYME and RHYTHM are. Then I want you to make a guess at what the word ONOMATOPOEIA could mean.

4/4 to 4/8

Monday 4/4:
1. Journals
2. Poetry
HW: If you HAVEN'T ALREADY, bring in a copy of your favorite poem or song lyrics.

Tuesday 4/5:
1. Poetry
2. STAR Test Practice
HW: Study your poetry vocab.

Wednesday 4/6:
1. Poetry
2. STAR Test Practice
HW: Study your poetry vocab.

Thursday 4/7:
1. Poetry
2. STAR Test Practice
HW: Study your poetry vocab.

Friday 4/8:
1. Poetry TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST
2. STAR Test Practice

Get out your copy of Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout. In your journal, write down all the words that rhyme in the poem. For instance, just from the first four lines:

STOUT/OUT
PANS/YAMS

Please get out your notes we've taken so far about poetry. Write in your journal what FORM, SPEAKER, METAPHOR, SIMILE, and IDIOM mean.

Please get out yesterday's word roots unit. We are going to quiz together, then work on poetry.

1. Show Mrs. H. that your Word Parts #8 is DONE, with all your pictures drawn.

2. Find a partner and quiz each other for your quiz.

Thank you!

3/28 to 4/1

Monday 3/28:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Poetry Vocabulary
HW: Study your poetry vocabulary

Tuesday 3/29:
1. Journals
2. Poetry Vocabulary
3. Word Parts #8 QUIZ
4. Word Parts #9
HW: Study your poetry and word parts

Wednesday 3/30:
1. Poetry Vocabulary
2. Review Word Parts
HW: Study your poetry and word parts

Thursday 3/31:
1. Finish Poetry Vocabulary
2. Continue Poetry
HW: Bring any poem or song lyrics that you like to class with you tomorrow.

Friday 4/1:
1. Continue Poetry
HW: Bring any poem or song lyrics that you like to class with you on Monday.

On a blank sheet of paper set up in MLA format, please answer the following questions:

1. What is something new you learned yesterday in the library?
2. What was your favorite poetry station, and why?
3. What was your least favorite poetry station, and why?
4. When we go to the library again tomorrow, what are some ways to show our librarian and her classroom respect?

Thank you! :)

3/21 to 3/25

Monday 3/21:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Review "Flowers for Algernon" Essays
3. Begin Poetry Vocabulary
HW: Study your Word Parts #7

Tuesday 3/22:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts #7 Quiz
3. Word Parts #8
4. Continue Poetry Vocab
HW: Study your Poetry Vocab

Wednesday 3/23:
Library Poetry Stations!

Thursday 3/24:
1. Journals
2. Continue Poetry Vocab
3. Start Poetry
HW: Poetry Review

Friday 3/25:
Library Poetry Stations!

What is the difference between ESSAYS, SUMMARIES, and STORIES? How are they the same? How are they different?

Get out this week's list of word parts. Start quizzing a partner, as long as you are done with all your pictures. Get ready for Mrs. Hislop to quiz you and your partner!

3/7 to 3/11

Monday 3/7:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Word Parts Quiz #6
3. Word Parts #7
HW: Study your word parts

Tuesday 3/8:
1. Journals
2. Review F4A
3. Review 5-Paragraph Essays
HW: Study your word parts

Wednesday 3/9:
1. Journals
2. Begin 5-Paragraph Essays: F4A
HW: Finish your rough draft

Thursday 3/10:
1. Journals
2. Study Word Parts
3. Peer Editing: 5-Paragraph Essays
HW: Be ready to write tomorrow!

Friday 3/11:
1. Journals
2. 5-Paragraph Essays FINAL DRAFTS

HAVE A GREAT SPRING BREAK! See you Monday, March 21!

For today's journal, write 1-2 paragraphs explaining whether or not you think Charlie should have ever had the operation. I will be collecting them today, so please do them on a separate piece of paper.

For today's journal, write 1-2 paragraphs predicting what will happen next in "Flowers for Algernon."

Thank you! :)

Please get out your word parts study sheet. IF YOU ARE DONE WITH THE ENTIRE THING, INCLUDING THE PICTURES, you may choose a partner and quiz each other. IF THERE ARE ANY BLANKS ON IT AT ALL, please stay in your desk and finish it. THANK YOU!

2/28 to 3/4

Monday 2/28:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Word Parts #5 Quiz
3. Start Word Parts #6
HW: Study word parts

Tuesday 3/1:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts #6
3. F4A
HW: Study word parts

Wednesday 3/2:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts #6
3. F4A
HW: Study word parts

Thursday 3/3:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts #6
3. F4A
HW: Study word parts

Friday 3/4:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts #6
3. F4A
4. 5-Paragraph Essay Review
HW: Get ready for your Word Parts #6 QUIZ on Monday!

For today's journal, write 1-2 paragraphs summarizing what happened in "Flowers for Algernon" yesterday while we were reading. Don't forget to mention what Charlie plans to do with his life.

Flowers for Algernon POP QUIZ

Good Morning! You have a POP QUIZ! YIPPEE!

Please answer the following questions on a blank piece of paper set up in MLA format. You may use your book.

1. Why are the customers in the restaurant laughing at the new dishwasher?

2. Why is Charlie laughing at the dishwasher, too?

3. What does Charlie realize as he's laughing at the dishwasher?

4. What does Charlie mean when he says, "I was just like him"?

2/22 to 2/25

Monday 2/21:
No School! Happy Presidents' Day! Thanks, George Washington!

Tuesday 2/22:
1. BR and Calendars
2. Roots #4 Quiz
3. Start Roots #5
HW: Study Roots #5

Wednesday 2/23:
1. Journals
2. Roots #5
3. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study Roots #5

Thursday 2/24:
1. Journals
2. Roots #5
3. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study Roots #5

Friday 2/25:
1. Journals
2. Roots #5
3. "Flowers for Algernon" QUIZ
HW: Study Roots #5 for your QUIZ on MONDAY!

Instead of your journal today, get out your list of Greek and Latin word parts for this week, find a partner, and quiz. YOU ARE GRADED ON YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY.

Computer Lab 2/16/11

Good Morning! Here are your tasks for English today:

First, answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES using the blog comment below. Remember to include your NAME and ID NUMBER and that your comment does not process until you see the YELLOW BOX. NUMBER your answers. Use your BOOK if you need to.

1. Why does Charlie quit his job?
2. Do you think Charlie was better or worse off before he got smart?
3. Why do Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss have an argument about Charlie?
4. Why are Dr. Nemur's and Dr. Strauss's motivations different?

Second, go to THIS WEBSITE and quiz yourself on the Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes we have been studying. This website will quiz you on the entire list of 55; we have only studied 20 so far. Don't get frustrated if it's one you don't know. Just DO YOUR BEST on those ones.

THANKS!

Roots 4 Quizzing

Instead of a journal today, I'd like you and your partner to quiz each other on this week's list of roots. I will be giving points to partners I see talking to one another!

THANKS!

2/14 to 2/18

Monday 2/14:
Happy Valentine's Day! Candy and parties all day! Just kidding. Welcome to junior high. :)
1. BR
2. Roots Quiz #3
3. Correct Roots Quiz
4. Roots #4
5. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study your vocab.

Tuesday 2/15:
1. Journals
2. Roots #4
3. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study your vocab.

Wednesday 2/16:
COMPUTER LAB
1. Blog Comment
2. "Flowers for Algernon" Electronic Worksheet
3. Roots Online Study
HW: Study your vocab.

Thursday 2/17:
1. Journals
2. Roots #4
3. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study your vocab.

Friday 2/18:
1. Journals
2. Roots #4
3. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study for Roots #4 QUIZ TUESDAY the 22nd. Happy 3 Day Weekend! Thanks, George Washington!

Please do today's journal on a separate piece of paper that you can turn in. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:

1. What have you learned about reading functional documents like warranties, instructions, and advertisements?

2. How can you use this information in your own life?

3. Did it help you to work on the test yesterday with a partner? Why or why not?

Functional Documents

Please get out your worksheet about Functional Documents, along with the answers to the questions. Have them out on your desk with your names on BOTH SHEETS.

Prepare yourselves, your pencils, and your desks for your test.

2/7 to 2/10

Monday 2/7:
1. BR and Calendars
2. Word Parts Quiz #2
3. Correct Quiz
4. New Word Parts Unit
5. Finish Functional Docs
HW: Functional Docs TEST TUES!

Tuesday 2/8:
1. Journals
2. Practice Word Parts
3. Functional Docs TEST!

Wednesday 2/9:
1. Journals
2. Practice Word Parts
3. Review Functional Docs TEST
4. "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study your word parts

Thursday 2/10:
1. Journals
2. Practice Word Parts
3. "Flowers for Algernon"
NO HW!

For today's journal, write a paragraph explaining the difference between nonfiction and fiction. Then, tell me what "Functional Documents" are and why they're important.

For today's journal, please write 1-2 paragraphs summarizing what you did with the substitute yesterday. Include details about your behavior. Separate piece of paper; MLA.

1/31 to 2/4

Monday 1/31:
1. Binder Reminders
2. Word Parts Quiz
3. Review Flowers for Algernon Quizzes
4. New Word Parts
HW: Study your vocab

Tuesday 2/1:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts
3. Flowers for Algernon
HW: Study your vocab

Wednesday 2/2:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts
3. Functional Documents
HW: Bring an example of a "Functional Document" from home.

Thursday 2/3:
1. Journals
2. Word Parts
3. Funtional Documents
HW: Study for your QUIZ Monday; Functional Documents TEST tomorrow.

Friday 2/4:
1. Functional Documents Test
2. Flowers for Algernon

For today's journal, please write a short (1-2 paragraphs) summary of what has happened in "Flowers for Algernon" so far. Do this on a SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER SET UP IN MLA FORMAT. Title: "Flowers for Algernon" summary.

Instead of journals today, we are going to do a little organizing and passing back work. Then we'll get down to work. Please KEEP EVERYTHING I GIVE BACK UNTIL I TELL YOU TO THROW AWAY STUFF.

Good Morning!

For today's journal, please write a paragraph describing the best and worst parts of your weekend. Thank you!

Remember to do this AFTER your calendar! :)

1/24 to 1/28

Monday 1/24:
1. BR/Calendars
2. Vocabulary/word parts
3. Flowers for Algernon
HW: Study your vocab/word parts!

Tuesday 1/25:
1. Journals
2. Study word parts
3. Flowers for Algernon
HW: Study your vocab/word parts!

Wednesday 1/26:
1. Journals
2. Flowers for Algernon
HW: Study your vocab/word parts! Quiz MONDAY, JANUARY 31.

Thursday 1/27:
1. Journals
2. Flowers for Algernon
HW: Study your vocab/word parts! Quiz MONDAY, JANUARY 31.

Friday 1/28:
1. Journals
2. Vocab/Word Parts GAME!

1/18 to 1/21

NO SCHOOL MONDAY! THANK YOU, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.!

Tuesday 1/18:
1. BR/Journals
2. Pronouns
3. Continue "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Study your grammar/vocab

Wednesday 1/19:
1. Journals
2. Pronouns
3. Continue "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: Grammar/vocab

Thursday 1/20:
1. Journals
2. Adjectives/Adverbs
3. Continue "Flowers for Algernon"
4. Adjective/Adverb Hunt
HW: Adjective/Adverb Hunt

Friday 1/21:
1. Journals
2. Grammar QUIZ
3. Continue "Flowers for Algernon"
HW: NO HW!

Subject Pronouns

Look at the following sentences and write down in your journals which pronouns you should use for each one.

1. During the art fair, Greg and (I, me) acted as guides.
2. Hundreds of pictures were on display; (they, them) were beautiful.
3. (He, him) and I helped visitors around the auditorium.
4. When visitors arrived, (they, them) were impressed with the quality of the work.
5. Very busy guides were (us, we).

Computer Lab 1/12/11

1. Take the yearbook online survey. It's under "Favorites." The code is 2011abc.

2. Leave a comment below about whether or not you think it's ok for doctors to operate on your brain to make you smarter or not. I know that's a weird question, but it has to do with the short story we're about to start reading, "Flowers for Algernon." Don't forget to SIGN your blog comment with your FIRST name and your ID number. Remember, you will earn full credit for writing in complete sentences and using capitalization and punctuation. The writing traits you're practicing today are IDEAS and CONVENTIONS.

3. Finish your Subject Pronouns worksheet COMPLETELY. DUE TOMORROW.

4. When you've finished #1 and #2 above, work in Plato at your own pace.

Writing Traits Dance

Please pull out your notes about the 7 Writing Traits.

Next to each writing trait, DRAW a stick figure doing the DANCE for that trait.

Review with your partner.

Be ready to DANCE.

Everybody is different in some way. Some people speak with a noticeable accent. Others wear unusual clothes. Sometimes people make fun of those who are different. How would you respond to the following statements?

"Your hair looks weird that way."
"We can tell you're new around here."
"What are you; some kind of dummy?"
"Where are you from, anyway?"

Have you ever been in a situation when you felt OUTSIDE of the group, or different in some way? OR . . . have you ever been in a situation when you were an INSIDER, and you were all ganging up on an OUTSIDER?

1/10 to 1/14

Monday 1/10:
1. Journals
2. Grammar: Pronouns
3. 7 Writing Traits Dance
4. Start Flowers for Algernon
HW: Be ready to dance tomorrow. No joke.

Tuesday 1/11:
1. Journals
2. Grammar: Pronouns
3. Review Dance
4. Continue Flowers for Algernon
HW: Finish Pronouns Worksheet

Wednesday 1/12:
COMPUTER LAB!
1. Blog Comment/Journal
2. Survey
3. Flowers for Algernon Response to Literature Writing
HW: Finish your R to L if you haven't already!

Thursday 1/13:
1. Journals
2. Grammar: Pronouns
3. Response to Lit Writing
4. Flowers for Algernon
HW: Study for your PRONOUNS quiz tomorrow!

Friday 1/14:
1. Journals
2. Grammar QUIZ
3. Correct Quiz
4. Flowers for Algernon
HW: NO HW!

Good Morning! Please pull out the short story you wrote in yesterday's journal. Mrs. H. will give you a pen. Start circling all the PRONOUNS you used.

Example:

Yesterday I went to the store with my friends Billy, Ed, and Jordan. We saw some cool shoes. They were expensive, though, so I will have to save my money if I want to buy them soon.

In English, we've come up with these lovely little words called PRONOUNS. Pronouns are NOT nouns, they REPLACE nouns. We use them when we want to shorten a sentence and to avoid sounding repetitive.

A Paragraph WITHOUT Pronouns:
Mrs. Hislop went for a walk yesterday. Mrs. Hislop saw some nice houses. Mrs. Hislop liked the nice houses.

A Paragraph WITH Pronouns:
Mrs. Hislop went for a walk yesterday. She saw some nice houses. She liked them.

For today's journal, I'd like you to write a paragraph about what you did yesterday after school. Make sure you include at least three NAMES in your writing. We will use your writing to practice pronouns in a few minutes.

Computer Lab

Today in the computer lab:
1. Complete The Outsiders survey directly to your right.
2. Complete THIS SURVEY about our January learning targets.
3. Leave a comment below answering the following question: Do you like learning using the Internet, blogs, webpages, and web surveys? Please write in complete sentences.
4. Start working in Plato at your own pace.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school!

For today's journal, please write me a PARAGRAPH about what was GOOD about Winter Break, and a PARAGRAPH about what was BAD about Winter Break.

THANK YOU!