Dec. 9

We worked on a practice exam today.

When you get a chance, please complete the survey here: Jan-May Survey.

Next class, we'll run through the answers of today's practice exam and see how to improve.

Do have those terms written out.

Dec. 5

Yippee! We had our fun cross-grade today.

We'll look at those terms for the exam next day and do some other prep work for the exam.

Dec. 3

Great debate today!

Next class: Making Connections

Review the overview sheet (uploaded to Google Drive and linked on the side here).

Dec. 1

Death by Scrabble!

Some of us got very carried away, but the important thing is that DB did not win!

Next class: debate! Be ready to debate "Gentlemen, Your Verdict."

Nov. 27

We had a fantastic end to our Book Thief projects. You all did exceptional jobs on your projects.

We read "Gentlemen, Your Verdict" and divided up into debate groups for Dec. 3.

Next class, we will play Scrabble. Hopefully, no one will be able to cause things to happen by spelling words.

We do have a synthesis paper coming up. Review the notes on the side. I've also included exam prep information for you.

Nov. 25

• debate with shadows - Mrs. Wright guilty or not guilty
• "Death by Scrabble"

I need the Making Connections papers!

Nov. 19

Please check the side for the fantastic story, "A Jury of Her Peers." Start reading it so you can finish reading it at the start of next class (about 20 minutes). Please be sure to bring in a device on which to read this PDF file. No device? No problem. Ask the teacher to get x number of Chromebooks from Room 214.

Poem submissions due by next class. Please include contact information (address with postal code, email address, phone number).

We will be using this link next class: Jury of Her Peers exercises

Contests

Entering the poetry contest? Turn in your submission of no more than 24 lines by Nov. 21.

The creative writing (short story) contest deadline is not until March 15. 360 words max.

Nov. 5

We spent time on making connections in groups.

Next class: fun viewing activity.

Plan B (if projector not working): reading and maybe working on Making Connections.

Nov. 3

Making Connections!

We looked at expectations for making connections then worked on reading two stories and taking notes for a making connections paper.

Oct. 30

• final deadline for revised drafts of Roswell "Leaving Normal" character sketch: Monday
• Book talks are now complete.
• Dates (Nov. 17 and 27) have been set aside for Book Thief projects.

Oct. 28

• book talks
• decisions regarding Book Thief projects - please email me your proposed dates
• peer editing of literary paragraphs

Homework: Take the feedback provided by your peers and revise your character sketch. Be sure to look at the rubric and checklist, too. Turn in your revised character sketch (electronically or on paper) by Friday. Hang onto your draft of the paragraph on setting for now.

Oct. 17

• How to write a character sketch
• Book talks
• Tell-Tale Heart
• Handing in revised 5-minute writes 

Book Talks

October 15

1. Lauryn S.
2. Tiarra
3. Aileen
4. Celin

October 17

1. Lauren C.
2. Christina
3. Derika
4. Sarah

October 28

1. Daniel
2. Sabrina
3. Isabelle
4. Jaimie

October 30

1. Jason
2. Alex
3. Christian
4. Scott
5. Agostino

Sept. 12, 2014

• Continuing with our Book Thief lit circles
• upcoming dates: Sept. 24 - Cross-grade original composition, Sept. 26 STAR assessment
• Book Thief must be done by Thanksgiving

Sept. 8, 2014

Have you joined Goodreads yet? Don't forget to add me: Ms FB.