Week 4, Quarter 1 - 7th & 8th Grade English

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

Mrs. Rice

Week 4, Quarter 1

7th Grade – Monday 8/31 ( 1*)

·         Team Meeting – team t-shirt design

8^th Grade – Monday 8/31 ( 2*, 3*, 4*)

·         SWT 8/31

·         Root of the Week – Clar

·         Multi-Media Review Presentation

·         Portfolio Reflection – Revision

Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Thurs 9/3

7^th Grade – Tuesday 9/1 (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         SWT 8/31

·         Root of the Week – Clar

·         Multi-Media Review Presentation

·         Notes on Plot (terms)

Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Tuesday 9/8

8^th Grade – Tuesday 9/1 (2*, 3*) and Wednesday 9/2  (4*)

·         Sacred Writing Time (SWT) 9/1 and 9/2

·         Quack Video – Poetic Devices and Common Poetry Terms

 (notes in Notes/Activities Section of Comp Book)

Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Thurs 9/3

Wednesday 9/2 – 7^th Grade (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Finish Notes on Plot

·         Edgar Allan Poe Activity – Give One, Get One

Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Tuesday 9/8

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

*Mrs. Rice has a substitute*

·         Inference pre-test

·         The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – play (whole class)

·         Inference Activity on Play – seat partners

 Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Tuesday 9/8

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

·         Revision Video and Partner/Whole Class Discussion

·         Peer Revision Groups of 3

Homework:  Using the specific advice of your peers that you wrote on your sticky notes, revise your letter.  Use the “model butterfly” letter to support your revision.  Revision due Wed 9/9

Friday 9/4 – 8^th Grade (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         SWT 9/4 “I Request Some Money”

·         Continue Peer Revision Groups of 3

·         When finished, take home all of your own copies to help with your revision.

Homework:  Using the specific advice of your peers that you wrote on your sticky notes, revise your letter.  Use the “model butterfly” letter to support your revision.  Revision due Wed 9/9

Homework Help for the Letter Writing Assignment

How to Break Down the “Clothing Brand Letter” Assignment

Due: Thursday 9/3 (8^th graders)  and Tuesday 9/8 (7^th Graders)

1.      You can do it!  It’s a challenging assignment, I know, but I wouldn’t give it to you if I didn’t think you could benefit from it in many ways.  You’re a superstar.  You’ve got this!  Plus, we will be mailing our final drafts.  You are going to make a difference!

2.     Re-read the Scope article on pages 4-10, “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?” by Kristin Lewis and Gini Sikes.  Answer the five questions in the homework packet.  Question 3 requires you to re-watch the 6 minute video that we watched in class.  Go to scope.scholastic.com and click “Student”.  Use the password: BDBRICE340.  This is also written on page 13 of your tracker.

3.     Decide on the brand of clothing you want to research.  Pick a brand that manufactures their clothing in other countries.  Check the tags of your favorite brands.  Don’t choose Nike, since Nike can be used as an example in your letter.

4.     Start by “Googling” the brand name and find the U.S. contact address for your letter.  Then search around their website for info on their manufacturing practices.  Jot down what you find.  Next, go to the various web addresses listed on the front page of your homework packet (you highlighted this area) and write down what you discover, both good and bad.

5.     Read the model for writing your letter provided in your packet, as well as the sample letter provided for you and type your letter.  Follow the guidelines for setting up a business letter.  Save your letter so that you can access it again for a second draft.  Print it and bring it to class on the due date.

6.     If you need to do the internet research or type it at school, see me Monday-Thursday after school or at lunch and I’ll set you up.  If you need me to print your letter, please email me your Word document in an attachment or bring it in on a thumb drive.

Week 3, Quarter 1 - 7th and 8th Grade English

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

Mrs. Rice

Week 3, Quarter 1

7th Grade – Monday 8/24 (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Sacred Writing Time (SWT) 8/24

·         Misspelled/Misused Word List Glued into “Word Study” section of Comp Book

·         Root of the Week #1 – DOC

·         Multi-Media Review Presentation

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

Due Friday, 8/28

8^th Grade – Monday 8/24 ( 4*)

·         Collect any late Class Policy Letters/Student Release Forms/Summer Reading Logs

·         Sacred Writing Time (SWT) – “Loss”

·         Portfolio and 7^th Grade Comp Book – Reflection and Learning Goals

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

  due Thurs 2/27 (2* only) and Fri 2/28 (3*, 4*)

7^th Grade – Tuesday 8/25 (6*) and Wednesday 8/26 (7*, 1*)

·         6* Tuesday = Team Meeting to Set Up Team Name!

·         7* and 1* Wednesday = Fall Reading MAP Test

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

Due Friday, 8/28

8^th Grade – Tuesday 8/25 (2*,3*,4*)

·         Sacred Writing Time (SWT) 8/25

·         Misspelled/Misused Word List Glued into “Word Study” section of Comp Book

·         Root of the Week #1 – DOC

·         Multi-Media Review Presentation

·         Start Quack Video – Poetic Devices (notes in Notes/Activities Section of Comp Book)

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

  due Thurs 2/27 (2* only) and Fri 2/28 (3*, 4*

8^th Grade – Wednesday 8/25 (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         2* = Anti-Bullying Presentation (Counselors)

·         3* and 4* = Fall Reading MAP Test

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

  due Thurs 2/27 (2* only) and Fri 2/28 (3*, 4*)

7^th Grade – Thursday 8/26 (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         SWT 8/27

·         Root of the Week – DOC

·         Notes on the Short Story (Notes and Activities Section of Comp Book)

·         Read Aloud, model text “The Escape”

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

Due tomorrow (assigned 1 week ago)

8^th Grade – Thursday 8/26 (2*) and Friday 8/27 (3*, 4*)

·         SWT 8/26 (2*) and 8/27 (3*, 4*)

·         Finish Root of the Week Activity (Doc)

·         Collect Close Read Activity – partner discussion

·         Hand out and Review Letter Writing Packet

Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Thurs 9/3

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

·         SWT 8/27  - The 5 Minute Short Story

·         Collect Close Read Activity – partner discussion

·         Hand out and Review Letter Writing Packet

Homework:  Re-read September Scope p. 4-10.  Complete 5 questions in packet, then complete brief on-line research of your favorite brand.  Finally, type your first draft of your letter.  Be sure to follow the letter outline and sample in your packet.  Questions and letter due Tuesday 9/8

Can't Make It to Parent Night? Here are Highlights for English

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                                               

 Citing text evidence                                               

 Constructed response                                                              

Personal narrative                                                                     

Compare/Contrast essay                                                         

Writing fluency and idea development                

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

Analyzing text structure and purpose

                                                      

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.

On-line version = scope.scholastic.com  Student log-in = Rice340, but that will expire in September.  A new log in is TBA.

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.

3)      Text Book – The literature anthology and writing texts are used in class only.  

English Class Policy and Procedure - 7th & 8th Grade

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.

In middle school English, we approach text in various ways, including close reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  We focus on reading comprehension and vocabulary, working with the writing traits and various writing genres, and analyzing both literary and informational text in its many forms.  The curriculum is a combination of textbooks and supplemental materials and includes both individual and group projects. 


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 Infinite 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.


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 (8th grade), and various writing pieces when needed to be completed at home. The magazine can be accessed on line at scope.scholastic.com.  Password is to be announced. 


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:

Week 2, Quarter 1 - 7th & 8th Grade English

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

Mrs. Rice

Week 2, Quarter 1

7th Grade – Monday 8/17 (6*, 7*, 1*) crunch = shortened classes

·         Sacred Writing Time Seating Chart

·         Composition Notebook Set Up

Homework:  None (don’t get used to that J )  Please check Infinite Campus for missing work.

8^th Grade – Monday 8/17 (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         Finish Comp Book Set Up and Vote!

·         Review Class Policy Letter and NBCT Student Release Form

·         Set Up Partner Seating Charts

Homework:  Parents Need to Review and Initial Blue Class Policy Letter.  Parents Need to Read and Fill Out Student Release Form (be sure to circle the permission) = Due Thursday 8/20

7^th Grade – Tuesday 8/18 (6*, 7*, 1*)

·         Finish Composition Notebook Set Up

·         Room Tour

·         Class Policy Letter and NBCT Student Release Form

Homework:  Parents Need to Review and Initial Blue Class Policy Letter.  Parents Need to Read and Fill Out Student Release Form (be sure to circle the permission) = Due Friday 8/21

8^th Grade – Tuesday 8/18 (2*) and Wednesday 8/19 (3*,4*)

·         Kid President Video and Sacred Writing Time Prompt

·         Multi-Media Review Sign Ups and Examples

·         Review September Scholastic Scope Magazine feature article, “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?” and video introduction on clothing manufacturing conditions in Bangladesh

·         Hand out and review Close-Read Activity

Homework:  Parents Need to Review and Initial Blue Class Policy Letter.  Parents Need to Read and Fill Out Student Release Form (be sure to circle the permission) = Due Thursday 8/20

Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?” – due Thurs 2/27 (2* only) and Fri 2/28 (3*, 4*)

7^th Grade – Wednesday 8/19 (6*, 7) and Thursday 8/20 (1*)

·         Collect early Class Policy letters and Student Release Forms

·         Multi-Media Review Sign Ups and Example

·         Partner Seating Charts

Homework:  Parents Need to Review and Initial Blue Class Policy Letter.  Parents Need to Read and Fill Out Student Release Form (be sure to circle the permission) = Due Friday 8/21

8^th Grade – Thursday 8/20 (2*, 3*, 4*)

·         Collect Class Policy Letters and Student Release Forms

·         Vote on Composition Notebooks!

·         Password Set Up and Trip to the Library Computer Lab/Library Policies

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

  due Thurs 2/27 (2* only) and Fri 2/28 (3*, 4*)

7^th Grade – Friday 8/21 (6*, 7*, 1*) plus a team meeting

·         Collect Class Policy Letters and Student Release Forms

·         Glue Partner Seating Charts into Comp Book

·         7* only = choose D partners and vote on comp books

·         Review September Scholastic Scope Magazine feature article, “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?” and video introduction on clothing manufacturing conditions in Bangladesh

·         Hand out and review Close-Read Activity

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

Due Friday, 8/28

8^th Grade – Friday 8/21 (2*, 3*)

·         Collect any late Class Policy Letters/Student Release Forms/Summer Reading Logs

·         Sacred Writing Time (SWT) – “Loss”

·         Portfolio and 7th Grade Comp Book - Reflection and Learning Goals

Homework:  Read September Scope, p. 2-10.  Complete activity on p. 2 and 3 directly in magazine.  Complete Close Read Activity for article “Why Are Your Clothes So Cheap?”

  due Thurs 2/27 (2* only) and Fri 2/28 (3*, 4*)

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

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

Mrs. Rice

Week 1, Quarter 1

7th Grade – Monday 8/10 (6*, 7*, 1*) 12 min classes

·         Hand out and review “Letter to Self”

·         Hand out Yearbook Applications

·         Review Composition Notebook Requirements

Homework:  Letter to Self due on Thurs 8/13

Bring your school ID or printed schedule to English on Thursday 8/13 (needed for library)

Personalize (decorate) your composition notebook – due on Monday 8/17

8^th Grade – Monday 8/10 (2*, 3*, 4*) 12 min classes

·         Hand out and review park note

·         Collect summer reading logs

·         Review Composition Notebook Requirements

Homework:  Wear team t-shirt and bring water bottle tomorrow for team builders at the park
 Summer reading log due by Friday 8/14

 Personalize (decorate) your composition notebook – due on Friday 8/14

7^th Grade – Tuesday 8/11 (1*)

·         Core team meeting – review team policies and supply list

Homework:  Letter to Self due Thursday 8/13

Signed team policy letter due Thursday 8/13

Bring your school ID or printed schedule to English on Thursday 8/13 (needed for library)

Personalize (decorate) your composition notebook – due on Monday 8/17

8^th Grade – Tuesday 8/11 (2*, 3*, 4*)

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

·         3* and 4* = Welcome Back Team Dauntless team builders and lunch at the park

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

Summer reading log due by Friday 8/14

Personalize (decorate) your composition notebook – due on Friday 8/14

7^th Grade – Wednesday 8/12 (6*, 7*, 1*)

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

Homework:  Letter to Self due Thursday 8/13

 Signed team policy letter due Thursday 8/13

Bring your school ID or printed schedule to English on Thursday 8/13 (needed for library)

Personalize (decorate) your composition notebook – due on Monday 8/17

8^th Grade – Wednesday 8/12 (2*, 3*) and Thursday 8/13 (4*)

·         Collect signed core team policy letters and summer reading logs

·         “50 Things to Know About Mrs. Rice’s Class” – whole group discussion and review

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

Summer reading log due by Friday 8/14

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

·         Collect homework – “Letter to Self”

·         Collect Core Team Policy Letter (reviewed and signed by student and parent)

·         Library – set up Outlook and Infinite Campus passwords

Homework:  Personalized (decorated) composition notebook due on Monday 8/17

7^th Grade – Friday 8/14 (6*)

·         Full team meeting with Administration – Got Grit? J

Homework:  Personalized (decorated) composition notebook due on Monday 8/17

8^th Grade – Friday 8/14 (2*, 3*, 4* crunch)

·         2^nd Period = Full team meeting with Administration – Got Grit? J

·         Crunch = Collect final Summer Reading Logs and Core Team Policy Letters (reviewed and signed by parent)

·         Set up Composition Notebook

Homework:  If you still need to turn in your Summer Reading Log or Core Team Policy Letter, please get that in on Monday.  If you want to finish personalizing your comp book, do that this weekend.