Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Week 6, Quarter 2 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 6, Quarter 2

Monday 11/24 – 8th Grade (4*)
·         Counselor Presentation in all Core Classes  - Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Monday 11/24 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         SWT 11/24 – Awkward Family Thanksgiving
·         Root of the Week, p. 81
·         Multi-Media Review Presentation
·         Finish Seminar Reflections and Coach Sheets
Homework:  Read November Scope p. 21-23 and complete “Scavenger Hunt” sheet – due Tue 12/2
Bring in an independent novel to sign up on Tues 12/2

Tuesday 11/25 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         SWT 11/25 – Awkward Family Thanksgiving
·         Sign up Independent Novel
·         Root of the Week, p. 81
·         Multi-Media Review Presentation
·         Hate That Cat
Homework:  Remember that Ice Skating is Monday 12/1 – come prepared with lunch and the right clothing!
Start reading your independent novels – Reader’s Journals will be handed out next week.

Tuesday 11/25 – 7th Grade (6*)
·         SWT 11/26 – Thanksgiving Catastrophe story
·         Notes on Characterization, p. 107 of comp book
·         Character Traits Lists – groups of 4
Homework:  Read November Scope p. 21-23 and complete “Scavenger Hunt” sheet – due Tue 12/2
Bring in an independent novel to sign up on Tues 12/2


Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy Your Break!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Week 5, Quarter 2 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 5, Quarter 2
** Academic Warning Notices for any student earning a C or below in English so far this quarter should have gone out this week; however, I was home with a family emergency and was unable to enter grades.  Please check Infinite Campus regularly as it is updated through the rest of the quarter, and please turn in any missing assignments and/or revisions ASAP.  There are only 4 weeks left in the first semester.  Thank you.

Monday 11/17 – 7th Grade (7*, 1*) substitute teacher
·         SWT 11/17
·         Turning an Interview into an Article activity
Homework:  Bring Scope magazine to class tomorrow to use on your quiz. Quiz is on the paired text “Would We Be Killed” and “Life on the Rez”, so review those articles.
Due Friday = Turning an Interview into an Article packet.  Staple the article you write to the packet.

Monday 11/17 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*) substitute teacher
·         SWT 11/17
·         Root of the Week, p. 80
·         Paired text quiz – “Would We Be Killed?” and “Life on the Rez”
·         Turning an Interview into an Article Activity
HomeworkDue Thursday = Turning an Interview into an Article packet.  Staple the article you write to the packet.

Tuesday 11/18 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)  substitute teacher
·         SWT 11/18
·         Root of the Week, p. 80
·         Paired text quiz – “Would We Be Killed?” and “Life on the Rez”
·         Turning an Interview into an Article activity
Homework:  Due Friday = Turning an Interview into an Article packet.  Staple the article you write to the packet.

Tuesday 11/18 – 8th Grade (2*) and Wed 11/19 (3*, 4*) substitute teacher
·         SWT 11/18 and 11/19
·         Partner “Found Poetry” Activity
HomeworkDue Thursday = Turning an Interview into an Article packet.  Staple the article you write to the packet.



Wednesday 11/19 - 7th (6*, 7*, 1* crunch) substitute teacher
·         SWT 11/9
·         Begin short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl
Homework:  Due Friday = Turning an Interview into an Article packet.  Staple the article you write to the packet.

Thursday 11/20 – 7th Grade (1*)
·         Suicide Prevention and Awareness Program (counselor presentation)

Thursday 11/20 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4* crunch)
·         SWT 11/20
·         Finish Root of the Week Activity, p. 80 of comp book
·         Multi-media review presentation
·         Collect homework / Review and hand out “Scavenger Hunt” debate activity
·         Late/Absent Poetry Readings
Homework:  Read Scope p. 21-23 and complete “Scavenger Hunt” activity – due Tues 11/25
Bring a new novel to class for Independent Book Project on Tuesday 11/25

Friday 11/21 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         Finish Root of the Week Activity, p. 80 of comp book
·         Multi-media review presentation
·         Collect homework/ Review and hand out “Scavenger Hunt” debate activity
·         6* = Scavenger Hunt activity
·         7*/1* = Finish Socratic Seminar
Homework:  Read Scope p. 21-23 and complete “Scavenger Hunt” activity – due Tues 12/2
Bring a new novel to class for Independent Book Project on Tuesday 12/2

Friday 11/21 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4* crunch)
·         Continue SWT from Thursday
·         Hand out and review Ice Skating field trip info letter
·         The Star of David – WWII brainstorm activity
·         Introduction to our Holocaust and Anne Frank unit
 Homework:  Give the Ice Skating Field Trip Info Letter to Parents tonight (does NOT need to be signed)
Read Scope p. 21-23 and complete “Scavenger Hunt” activity – due Tues 11/25

Bring a new novel to class for Independent Book Project on Tuesday 11/25

Field Trip Info for Monday, December 1st - Team Prestige

Ice Skating Information - Team Prestige

Monday, December 1st (the Monday after Thanksgiving break) students on Team Prestige will spend their core classes ice skating at the outdoor rink at the Reno Aces stadium for their team holiday celebration!  Busses will leave Billinghurst at 10:30 AM and will arrive back to school by 1:30 PM.  Bus cost and skate rentals will be covered with team funds.  Students must bring a lunch.  A snack bar is usually available, but there is no guarantee one will be open at the new location.  Students are asked to dress appropriately.  Consider layers, thick socks, gloves, hat, sunglasses, a coat, and sunscreen. Students who arrive at school dressed inappropriately for outdoor weather (shorts, t-shirt with no coat, sandals) will be asked to call home to change or may have to stay at school.  Students may bring their own skates. We STRONGLY encourage students to leave all I-Pods, phones, and electronic games at home or locked in school lockers as they are often lost or left behind on field trips.  ** Students need to bring core binders to school in case the ice rink closes due to weather.  We will reschedule an alternative trip at another date if possible.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Week 4, Quarter 2 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 4, Quarter 2

Monday 11/10 – 7th Grade (1*)
·         SWT 11/10
·         Root of the Week, p. 79
·         Close-Read Activity – vocabulary
Homework:  Read Scope (November) p. 10-17 and complete Close-Read Activity Sheet – due on Thursday

Monday 11/10 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         SWT 11/10
·         Root of the Week, p. 79
·         Multi-media review presentation
·         Share and turn in poetry book project
·         Root of the Week quiz #2 (spelling and vocabulary)
Homework:  Read Scope (November) p. 10-17 and complete Close-Read Activity Sheet – due on Friday
Friday = poetry reading!  I’ll give you your poetry book back and you choose a poem to read.  Dramatic readings, berets, and bongo drums encouraged J

Tuesday 11/11 – Veterans Day
No School

Wednesday 11/12 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         SWT 11/12 (5 minutes only)
·         Multi-media review presentation
·         Socratic Seminar – Button, Button
  Homework:  Read Scope (November) p. 10-17 and complete Close-Read Activity Sheet – due on Thursday

Wednesday 11/12 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*) and Thursday 11/13 (4*)
·         SWT 11/12 and 11/13
·         Collect any late poetry book projects / practice poetry reading with partner
·         Partner “Found” poetry activity
Homework:  Read Scope (November) p. 10-17 and complete Close-Read Activity Sheet – due on Friday

Friday = poetry reading!  I’ll give you your poetry book back and you choose a poem to read.  Dramatic readings, berets, and bongo drums encouraged J

Thursday 11/13 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         SWT 11/13
·         Review Close Read Activity and collect
·         “How to Turn an Interview into an Article” – hand out/review
Homework:  Read p. 32 of Scope (November) – p. 32 is the back side of the magazine
Complete Article packet then write the Article (staple together) – due Friday 11/21

Friday 11/13 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         SWT 11/13 (Frenchie Eulogy)
·         Collect Close Read Activity
·         Review “How to Turn an Interview into an Article”
·         Dramatic Poetry Readings and Cheetos day!
  Homework:  Read p. 32 of Scope (November) – p. 32 is the back side of the magazine
Complete Article packet then write the Article (staple together) – due Thursday 11/20

Friday 11/13 – 7th Grade (6*)
·         SWT 11/13
·         Switch partners for Socratic Seminar
Homework: Read p. 32 of Scope (November) – p. 32 is the back side of the magazine

Complete Article packet then write the Article (staple together) – due Friday 11/21

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

8th Grade Directions for Poetry Book - due Monday 11/10

Poetry Book Directions and Table of Contents


1)    Every one of your personal poems needs a title – avoid titles like “My Object Poem” or “Metaphor Poem”.  Properly capitalize each title. 
2)    You do not need to type your name on every poem.  Your name will be on the cover page.
3)    Create a cover page with a unique book title and your first and last name.  Avoid titles like “My Poetry Book”.
4)    Bind your poems together in any fashion you wish.  Keep the Table of Contents Page on top.  All of your poems and the poetry analysis essay should follow the order of the Table of Contents.
5)    Pay close attention to spelling and homophones.  Poems use limited words so errors stand out!


Poetry Inspired by Those of the Text
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Table of Contents

1.     So Much Depends Upon – Inspired by “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams

2.   Object Poem – Inspired by “Dog” by Valerie Worth

3.  List Poem – Inspired by “Street Music” by Arnold Adoff

4.  Shape Poem – Inspired by “The Apple” by S.C. Rigg

5.   Blues Poem – Inspired by “Love that Boy” by Walter Dean Myers

6.  Family Extended Metaphor Poem – Inspired by “Fifth of July” by John

7.   Poetry Analysis of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Study Guide for Greek/Latin Root-of-the-Week Quiz 2

“Word of the Week”
Study Guide #2

Quiz will be on Thursday 11/6 (6*, 7*, 1*) and Monday 11/10 (2*, 3*, 4*)

Greek/Latin Roots (know the definition of each)
1.     voc = “call”
2.     cata = “with”
3.     counter = “against or opposite”
4.     flu = “flow or blow”
5.     tri = “three”
6.     un- = “not or opposite”
7.     crudus = “raw or rough”
8.     dict = “to speak”

Word of the Week (know how to spell each and the definition)

1.     vocation (vo-ca-tion) = a person’s main occupation or job. Often used to indicate a “calling” to a job that requires a lot of dedication like teaching, nursing, or ministry.

2.     catalyst (cat-a-lyst) = something that causes a reaction or change

3.     countervail (coun-ter-vail) = to oppose or exert a force against something

4.     fluid (flu-id) = 1) a liquid substance, 2) not set; changing,  3) smooth or easy
                                     style,   4) easily converted to cash

5.     triad (tri-ad) = any group of 3 closely related things or
                               people

6.     unemphatic (un-em-phat-ic) = without emphasis or strong
                                                       meaning

7.     crude = unpolished, unfinished, impolite


8.     dictatorial (dic-ta-to-ri-al) = acting like a dictator 

Monday, November 3, 2014

Week 3, Quarter 2 - 7th & 8th Grade English

Homework & Class Activities for 7th & 8th Grade English
Mrs. Rice
Week 3, Quarter 2

Monday 11/3 – 8th Grade (3*, 4*)
·         Sacred Pumpkin Time!
·         Highlight October SWT dates
·         Multi-Media Review Presentation
·         Study Guide and Create Notecards for Root of the Week Quiz
Homework
Argumentative Essay Packet with Essay attached due Thurs 11/6 (2*, 3*) and Fri 11/7 (4* only)
 Wednesday, Sacred Writing Time for October will be scored – finish up any entries that are not at least ½ page or that may be missing from absences.  All poems written in class will be due also and we’ll be typing them in the lab.

Study notecards (or study guide) for Root of the Week Quiz #2. Quiz on Monday 11/10

Monday 11/3 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*) and Wednesday 11/5 (1*)
·         SWT 11/3 and 11/5 – If I was President of the United States for a Day…
·         Multi-media review presentation
·         Socratic Seminar, part 1
HomeworkDue Thursday = Vocab/Spelling Quiz #2

                       Argument Essay Packet with Essay Attached

Wednesday 11/5 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)
·         Sacred Writing Time entries for October scored today (completion credit)
·         Poetry book examples and directions
·         Computer lab time to type and print poems
HomeworkDue tomorrow (2*, 3*) and Friday (4* only) = Argument essay packet with essay attached
Due next Monday = Spelling/Vocab test #2 (Greek/Latin roots)  and Completed Poetry Book

Thursday 11/6 – 7th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)
·         SWT 11/6
·         Argument Essay “Look-Fors” and Turn In
·         November Scholastic with Native American Heritage video – hand out and review Close Read activity
·         Greek/Latin root spelling and vocab quiz #2
·         Finish round 1 of Socratic Seminar if there is time
Homework:  Read November Scope pages 10-17 and complete Close Read Activity (both sides)
Due next Thursday 11/3

Thursday 11/6 – 8th Grade (2*, 3*) and Friday 11/7 (4*)
·         Collect Argument Essay Packet with Essay Attached
·         Hand out November Scope magazine and Close Read Activity Sheet
·         Computer Lab to finish typing and printing poems
HomeworkDue Monday 11/10 = Poetry Book (see directions) and Spelling/Vocab Test #2 (study your flash cards and/or study guide)

Due Friday 11/14 = Read November Scope pages 10-17 and complete Close Read Activity (both sides)