New Scholastic Student Password as of August, 29th

Please note, this password has changed (slightly) from the one handed out on parent-night and given to students in class. The Scholastic website required the update; I apologize for any confusion. -Mrs. Rice

website = scope.scholastic.com (leave the www part off)
updated student password = JRice340 (capital J, capital R)

Week 4, Quarter 1 - 7th & 8th Grade English (Class Activities and Homework)

Homework & Class Activities for 7^th & 8^th Grade English

Mrs. Rice

Week 4, Quarter 1

** Math MAP testing schedule all week – 90 minute block classes (you only have English twice this week)

Tuesday 9/2  - 7^th Grade (1*)

·         Team Meeting

Homework:  Read Scope pages 10-16; Complete “Vocabulary & Literary Elements” packet – due on Friday 9/5

Tuesday 9/2 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         SWT 9/2

·         Root of the Week, p. 72 of comp book

·         Multi-media review presentation

·         Love That Dog and poetry analysis “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost.

Homework:  Read Scope p. 10-16; Complete “Vocabulary and Literary Elements Analysis” packet – due on Thursday 9/4

** Sacred Writing Points will be given on Friday.  If you’ve had an absence, you need to make up your missed SWT before then.

Wednesday 9/3 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*) and Thursday 9/4 – 7^th Grade (1*)

·         SWT 9/3 & 9/4

·         Root of the Week, p. 72 of comp book

·         Multi-media review presentation

·         Finish close read of “Unbroken” and turn in

Homework:  Read Scope pages 10-16; Complete “Vocabulary & Literary Elements” packet – due on Friday 9/5

** Sacred Writing Points will be given on Friday.  If you’ve had an absence, you ned to make up your missed SWT before then.

Thursday 9/4 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         SWT 9/4

·         Review and collect homework packet

·         Hand out and review “Poetry Dive” and Critical Thinking Questions – homework

·         Finish “Stopping By Woods” partner analysis and complete essay outline

Homework:  “Poetry Dive” (both sides) and Critical Thinking Questions due Friday, 9/12

Friday 9/5 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*) crunch

·         SWT 9/5

·         Review and collect homework packet

·         Hand out and review “Poetry Dive” and Critical Thinking Questions – homework

·         Notes on the Elements of the Short Story Genre, p. 101

  Homework:  “Poetry Dive” (both sides) and Critical Thinking Questions due Thursday, 9/11

Week 3, Quarter 1 - 7th & 8th Grade English (Class Activities & Homework)

Homework & Class Activities for 7^th & 8^th Grade English

Mrs. Rice

Week 3, Quarter 1

Monday 8/25 – 8^th Grade (4*)

·        8/25 Sacred Writing Time (SWT)

·        Literary Elements Review Video and Notes – p. 101 of comp book

Homework:  Complete Grammar Section, p. 2 & 3 in September Scope (circle correct answers)

Read “Unbroken”, p. 4-9.  Complete both sides of the close-read activity sheet.

Due Thursday 8/28 (2*) and Friday 8/29 (3*, 4*)

Monday 8/25 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)

·        Finish setting up Composition Notebook (Comp Book)

·        Review re-set Infinite Campus Passwords (not for every student)

·        8/25 Sacred Writing Time (SWT)

·        Multi-media Review

·        If time allows – Root of the Week, p. 71 of comp book

Homework:  First Scope assignment will be completed in class, starting on Wednesday. 

Tuesday 8/26 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)

·        8/26 SWT

·        Review re-set Infinite Campus Passwords (not for every student)

·        Multi-media Review

·        Root of the Week, p. 71 of comp book

·        Finish Literary Elements Review Video and Notes – p. 101 of comp book

Homework:  Complete Grammar Section, p. 2 & 3 in September Scope (circle correct answers)

Read “Unbroken”, p. 4-9.  Complete both sides of the close-read activity sheet.

Due Thursday 8/28 (2*) and Friday 8/29 (3*, 4*)

Tuesday 8/26 – 7^th Grade (6*)

·        Team Meeting – Team Name and T-shirt

·        Crunch tomorrow (6*, 7*, 1*)

Wednesday 8/27 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         SWT 8/27 – comp book

·         (4* = multi media review)

·         Love That Dog (novel) and “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams – poetry analysis and try-on (creating our own) p. 103 of comp book

Homework:  Complete Grammar Section, p. 2 & 3 in September Scope (circle correct answers)

Read “Unbroken”, p. 4-9.  Complete both sides of the close-read activity sheet.

Due Tomorrow 8/28 (2*) and Friday 8/29 (3*, 4*)

Wednesday 8/27 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)

·         SWT 8/27 – comp book

·         “Root of the Week” p. 71

·         Begin “Unbroken” – Scholastic

Homework:  First assignment done in class.  Homework will be assigned starting tomorrow

Thursday 8/28 – 8^th Grade (2*) and Friday 8/29 (3*, 4*)

·         SWT 8/28 and 8/29 – in comp book

·         Review Close read vocab, questions, theme (homework) and turn in

·         “Unbroken” quiz and constructed response

·         Video Introduction on the Battle of Baltimore (1814) – Manifest Destiny & Westward Expansion – Hand out and review homework packet

Homework:  Read Scope p. 10-16 – Complete “Vocabulary Acquisition and Practice” & “Literary Elements and Devices” – due Thursday, 9/4

Thursday 8/28 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         SWT 8/28 – comp book

·         Video Introduction on the Battle of Baltimore (1814) – Manifest Destiny & Westward Expansion – Hand out and review homework packet

·         “Unbroken” article and close read activity

Homework:  Read Scope p. 10-16 – Complete “Vocabulary Acquisition and Practice” & “Literary Elements and Devices” – due Friday, 9/5

Friday 8/29 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1* crunch)

·         SWT 8/29 – comp book

·         “Unbroken” Close Read Activity

Homework:  Read Scope p. 10-16 – Complete “Vocabulary Acquisition and Practice” & “Literary Elements and Devices” – due Friday, 9/5

Parent Night Info for 7th & 8th Grade English - Parent Night = Thurs 8/21 at 6 PM

Parent Night Information for English Class

Mrs. Jennifer Rice, M.Ed. -  room 340

jrice@washoeschools.net

blog:  www.bdbrice.blogspot.com

7^th Grade Curriculum Highlights                                                  

Greek/Latin root and prefix study                                          

Literary analysis using elements of literature                      

Close-analysis of informational text                                       

Introduction to poetic devices                                               

 Topic sentence for organizing                                                

 Constructed response                                                              

Personal narrative                                                                     

Compare/Contrast essay                                                         

Basic/compound/complex sentence techniques                

Multi-media critique                                                                 

The Civil Rights Movement                                                      

Independent reading and response                                       

Accountable Talk                                                                       

Summer reading log (between 7^th and 8^th grade)               

8^th Grade Curriculum Highlights

Greek/Latin root and prefix study

Elements of literature review

Close-analysis of informational text

Poetry analysis using poetic devices

3 part parallel thesis for organizing

Expository essay with support  

 Developing persuasive arguments

 Plagiarism and paraphrasing research    

 Writing dialogue and using quotations 

 Multi-media critique   

  The Holocaust

Independent reading and response

Socratic Seminar

Using in-text citations

                                                       

What You Can Expect To See At Home

1)      Scholastic Scope Literary Magazine  - students are given their own magazine each month, and the majority of homework activities are assigned from various pieces in the magazine.  Feel free to read with your son/daughter as the topics are current and of high interest.  Homework is assigned at the end of each week and due the end of the following week.

2)       Novel Projects/Essays – during one grading quarter, an independent novel project with reader’s journals will go home.  A weekly breakdown of work for the project is provided.  In 8^th grade, an in-class novel will also require chapter readings at home.  You will also see various writing drafts on those occasions they aren’t finished in class.

3)      A Completed Tracker – students are given time and prompting at the beginning of every class period to write their homework from the agenda board and highlight due dates.

4)      Study Guides – vocabulary/spelling quizzes every 4-5 weeks on our weekly word-study of Greek and Latin roots and prefixes, and unit test study guides.

5)      Multimedia Critique – students only bring this assignment home for one week during the entire school year.  When you see it on Infinite Campus with a blank score, that simply means it’s not yet your child’s turn, or he/she has gone already.  A blank score does not affect the overall grade. 

What You Won’t See At Home

1)      In-Class Work – all classwork is kept in the composition book in the classroom and is given a completion score once or twice a quarter.

2)      Final Writing Drafts – all graded essays are kept in the student’s English portfolio.  Portfolios and composition books will go home the end of 8^th grade.

Classwork and Homework - 7th and 8th Grade - Week 2, Quarter 1

Homework & Class Activities for 7^th & 8^th Grade English

Mrs. Rice

Week 2, Quarter 1

Monday 8/18 – 7^th Grade (7*, 1*)

·         Reading MAP testing

Homework:  Have a composition notebook in class tomorrow

Monday 8/18 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4* crunch – classes are 15 minutes)

·         New seating chart

·         Hand in comp book or take home to personalize

·         Media Review – review! Example modeled

·         3*/4* = Reading MAP testing

Homework:  Personalized comp book (optional) due in class tomorrow (2*) and Wed (3*, 4*)

Tuesday 8/19 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Sacred Writing Time Seating Chart

·         Collect Comp Books

·         Explain Multi-media review and sign up (Example modeled)

Homework:  Enter the comp book decorating contest (optional)!  Comp books due tomorrow (6*, 7*) and Thursday (1*)

Tuesday 8/19 – 8^th Grade (2*) and Wednesday 8/20 (3*, 4*)

·         Comp book judging

·         Finish multi-media review example (4* only)

·         Class policy letter

·         Set up seating partners – A,B,C,D days

Homework:  Initialed class policy letter due on Thursday, 8/21

Wednesday 8/20 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*) and Thursday 8/21 (1*)

·         Decorated Comp Book Competition

·         Class Policy/Procedure Review

·         Room tour

Homework:  Parents please read and initial English Class Policy Letter – due Friday 8/22

Thursday 8/22 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         Final Comp Book Vote

·         3*/4* = Glue Seating Charts and practice A,B,C,D seat partners

·         Check English Class Policy Letter for Parent Initials

·         Set up Composition Notebook

·         Hand out September Scope Magazine – Review Grammar Section, p. 2 & 3

Homework:  Complete Grammar Section, p. 2 & 3 in September Scope (circle correct answers)

Read “Unbroken”, p. 4-9.  Complete both sides of the close-read activity sheet.

Due Thursday 8/28 (2*) and Friday 8/29 (3*, 4*)

Friday 8/22 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Final Comp Book Vote

·         Check English Class Policy Letter for Parent Initials

·         Set up A,B,C,D partners and glue seating charts into comp books

·         If time allows, set up comp book

Homework:  We will do part of our first Scope assignment together to set the expectation.  You will finish the rest at home and it will be due the end of next week.  

Friday 8/22 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*)

·         8/22 Sacred Writing Time (SWT)

·         Figurative Language Review Video and Notetaker

Homework:  Complete Grammar Section, p. 2 & 3 in September Scope (circle correct answers)

Read “Unbroken”, p. 4-9.  Complete both sides of the close-read activity sheet.

Due Thursday 8/28 (2*) and Friday 8/29 (3*, 4*)

7th and 8th Grade English Class Policies/Procedures

Welcome to English!

 Mrs. Rice, room 340 – jrice@washoeschools.net

 For a list of weekly homework assignments, due dates, and daily class activities, visit my blog at www.bdbrice.blogspot.com.

The focus in middle school English is on improving reading comprehension and vocabulary levels, working with the writing traits and various writing genres, and analyzing both literary and informational text.  The curriculum will be a combination of textbook and supplemental materials and will include both individual and group projects.  Textbooks will be used in class only.

Tracker

You must bring your tracker to class every day.  It will remain in your binder at all times. As soon as you are seated, copy the homework information from the agenda board into your tracker EXACTLY as you see it.  When you finish, take out your highlighter and highlight the due dates. Even if you have already finished an assignment, please write it in the tracker for reference.  Your tracker must be filled out properly if you would like to use a pass during class.  You are also receiving credit in Advisory for completing your tracker.

Composition Book

A composition notebook is required for English.  The composition book will remain in the classroom except for rare occasions when you need to finish class assignments at home.  The comp book is set up very specifically and we will do this in class. It is your responsibility to make up sacred writing time entries, notes, and other in-class assignments if you are absent.  I will keep a running table of contents on the homework bulletin board, and will give you one week notice before comp books are graded for you to make up any missing assignments and complete unfinished work.    

Revising Work/Retaking Tests

You have the opportunity to revise or redo most assignments, and I will often write “revise and return for further credit” in Infinite Campus.  Quizzes may be retaken, but unit tests are a final grade.  My classroom is open at lunch nearly every day for test retakes and help with class work or homework.  You can also come in after school any day except Wednesdays.  Make the most of this opportunity!

Grading Policy and Extra Credit

 I use a standard point grading system which means that some projects and assignments are worth more points than others.  The following grade scale will be used in every core class: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59-0 = F.  Grades will be posted in the classroom, and assignments and scores will be updated on Inifinite Campus every week. I do not typically offer extra credit as a means to improve grades.  You can improve your grade by redoing/revising any assignment so that I know you are working on the skills required for the class. I am always generous with the extra credit, however, when I receive work from a student who has gone above and beyond the requirements. J

Late Work Policy

Late work will be accepted for 75% credit of the earned score.  Missing assignments at the end of the quarter will be accepted for 50% credit of the earned score.  Long term projects and multi-media reviews will not be accepted late. You are given the same number of days you were absent plus one day to make up missing assignments at no penalty.  Work Ethic grades are lowered ½ grade for each missing and/or late assignment per quarter.

Homework

Weekly homework is assigned at the end of each week and is due at the end of the following week.  The majority of homework throughout the year will consist of various readings and activities from Scholastic Scope, a literary magazine for middle school students.  The magazine is yours to keep, and you will receive one per month.  Each week of the month you will be given homework assignments from the magazine, so it’s important that you don’t lose it.  Other homework assignments throughout the year will include an independent novel project, chapter readings from an assigned novel (8^th grade), and various writing pieces when needed to be completed at home.

Multimedia Critique

You will sign up for one week during the school year to take home the multimedia binder.  Your job will be to write a critique on one of the following: a movie, video game, book, or music album of your choice. Examples of how to write each type of critique will be provided for you in the binder as well as a model of a book critique.  The following Monday, you will present your critique to the class using one visual aide.  During the grading period in which you have signed up, you will earn 100 points for completing the activity.

Spelling/Vocabulary Tests

In addition to the vocabulary you will be studying from various stories, we will focus on one Latin or Greek prefix/root and a corresponding word each week.  After four weeks, you will be tested on both spelling and definitions.  You are always tested on all of the roots and words we’ve studied, plus the four new ones.  Knowledge of common prefixes and root words help us figure out the meaning of new words we encounter.

                                                                                                   

                                          Parent/Guardian, please initial after review ____  Due:

7th Grade (and new 8th graders to the team) - Letter to Self Directions

HOMEWORK ON THE FIRST DAY??? (Due Thurs 8/14)

Directions:  Write a letter to your end-of-year 8^th grade self, from your beginning-of-year 7^th grade self.  (Example:  To my older, wiser, and even more fabulous 8^th grade self,).  These will not be shared with others.  You may handwrite or type your letter (any font, any size).  Please use spell-check or a dictionary.  Read your letter before turning it in and correct any mistakes.  Use complete sentences and change paragraphs when you change topics.  You don’t want your older self to think your younger self was sloppy!  Remember, the more detailed the letter, the more fun you’ll have reading it at the end of 8^th grade!  Include the following information in your letter:

1.       How did you feel when you woke up on the first day of 7^th grade?  Explain.

2.      What did you decide to wear and how did you do your hair on the first day?  Are you wearing anything new or special?

3.      If you didn’t go to Billinghurst for 6^th grade, how is Billinghurst different from your last school?  If you were here last year, skip to number 4.

4.      Do you notice any changes already from your 6^th grade year to 7^th grade?  Does it feel different to be a 7^th grader?  How?

5.      What worries you about this coming school year?  Explain.

6.      What excites you about this coming school year?  Explain.

7.      Did you have any embarrassing moments on the first few days, or did you feel lost, confused, or overwhelmed? 

8.      Do you like someone right now?  Think someone is cute/hot?  Going out with anyone?

9.      Who is/are your best friend(s)?

10.  Talk about some of your favorite things, like your favorite TV shows, bands/music, brand of clothes, sports or hobbies, restaurant/food, place to shop, video games, books, etc.

11.  Make some predictions about what you think you’ll be like at the end of 8^th grade when you read this letter again.  Will you be taller?  Will you have the same friends?  Will your hair be different?  Will you have good grades?

12.  Give yourself two pieces of advice about going into high school.

7th & 8th Grade English - Week 1, Quarter 1

Homework & Class Activities for 7^th & 8^th Grade English

Mrs. Rice

Week 1, Quarter 1

7th Grade – Monday 8/11 (6*, 7*, 1*) 12 min classes

·         Hand out and review “Letter to Self”

Homework:  Letter to Self due on Thurs 8/14

8^th Grade – Monday 8/11 (2*, 3*, 4*) 12 min classes

·         Hand out and review park note

·         Collect summer reading logs

Homework:  Bring a brown-bag lunch and water tomorrow for team builders at the park

                       Summer reading log due by Friday 8/15

7^th Grade – Tuesday 8/12 (1*)

·         Core team meeting – review team policies and supply list

Homework:  Letter to Self due Thursday 8/14

                       Signed team policy letter due Thursday 8/14

8^th Grade – Tuesday 8/12 (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         2* and 3* = Welcome Back Team Prestige team builders and lunch at the park

·         4* = small group review and presentation of team policies and procedures

Homework:  Core team policy letter reviewed and signed by parent – due Friday 8/15

                       Summer reading log due by Friday 8/15

7^th Grade – Wednesday 8/13 (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Welcome New 7^th Graders! Team builders and lunch at the park

Homework:  Core team policy letter reviewed and signed by parent – due tomorrow 8/14

                       Letter to Self-  due tomorrow, 8/14

8^th Grade – Wednesday 8/13 (2*, 3*, 4* crunch)

·         Collect signed core team policy letters and summer reading logs

·         Library computer lab visit – set new Windows username and password; try Infinite Campus username and password (I.T. can reset if needed)

Homework:  Core team policy letter reviewed and signed by parent – due Friday 8/15

                       Summer reading log due by Friday 8/15

7^th Grade – Thursday 8/14 (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Collect Letter to Self (completion credit) and file in portfolio

·         Collect team policy letter (reviewed and signed by parent)

·         Set up Windows usernames and log-ins and Infinite Campus usernames and log-ins in library computer lab

Homework:  need composition notebook in class by Tuesday 8/19 (sewn pages only; NOT glued or spiral bound)

8^th Grade – Thursday 8/14 (4*)

·         Core team meets with Administration

Homework:  Tomorrow is last day to turn in summer reading log for full credit and signed core team policy letter

7^th Grade – Friday 8/15 (6*)

·         Core team meets with Administration

Homework:  need composition notebook in class by Tuesday 8/19 (sewn pages only; NOT glued or spiral bound)

Come mentally prepared to take the reading MAP test on Monday 8/18

8^th Grade – Friday 8/15 (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         Collect final reading logs and signed core team policy letters

·         Small groups:  50 Things to Know About Mrs. Rice’s Class

Homework:  need composition notebook in class by Monday 8/18 (sewn pages only; NOT glued or spiral bound)

Come mentally prepared to take the reading MAP test on Monday 8/18.