Mrs. Smith’s Class

Welcome back to the new trimester. As we begin I want to make sure you are aware that many of the class assignments can either be viewed on Moodle or can be submitted on Moodle. There is a link on this site called elearning/moodle that will take you to the moodle site.

Reading. We will be working a lot with Junior Great Books this trimester. We will also be reading the novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” If we have time this trimester we will also begin Animal Farm. Aside from these in class activities, we will continue the literature reports due each Friday, and you will have three new non-fiction books to read this trimester. The topics this time are History, Current Events and Pacific Northwest. The forms are on the Moodle site.

Language Arts. This trimester we are working on persuasive writing and speaking. The majority of the trimester will be working on learning forms of rhetoric, performing historic speeches, and writing original speeches. Students need to select and practice an historic speech of their own choosing. They need to write a speech on a constitutional issue connected to our history curriculum. And, they need to practice using different forms of rhetoric in their writing. As we get into the later part of the trimester we will be converting our speeches into legislative bills to use in our 8th grade mock senate. In addition to these tasks we will be continuing our work on understanding the English language and spelling.

History: We are working on the foundation of the new nation, the writing of the Constitution, the structure and workings of the Constitution, and responsibilities of citizenship. We will be completing the state required Classroom Based Assessment this trimester, which involves creating a product based on taking a position on a constitutional issue. This is the topic we will use in our speech unit in Language Arts and also for the Mock Senate. The chapters in the book will include 8-11 and the Constitution Handbook following Ch. 8.

There are lots of things going on now in Challenge Block. The Trimester is coming to an end soon and many items are coming due.

Reading:

• Don’t forget your Literature Reviews. These are due every Friday. Remember to log onto moodle from the link on this blog to enter the weekly Lit. Reviews. The books you report on must also be listed on your nightly reading log.
• You have your Non-fiction required readings to keep up on as well. These can be used for your Literature Reviews so you can be accomplishing both at the same time. Remember 1st trimester’s required readings are books on Writing, Sports or other competitive activity, and science or nature. The due dates and submission instructions are on the moodle site.

Language Arts.

• We have not had weekly homework packets while we prepared for the summative test for the material included in the homework packets. Packets will resume when I have returned the tests to you so you can retake if necessary and not have competing information to study.
• You should now be finishing up the “Who Am I” project. The final essay is due this week and the final project is due Nov. 14th. This is when you should resubmit any corrections to previously graded essays.

History

• Research project to be turned in Wed. Nov. 5th.  Remember the paper must be typed, double spaced, and have a bibliography. You must also turn in your notes compiled for this paper.
• History test over Ch. 6 will take place Friday. You may use your paper as a study guide during the test.

As the school year is now in full swing I will try to keep a list of work expectations listed here so parents and students are able to stay on top of work. This site is interactive so if you have questions please respond here or send me an email via school email.

Reading:

• We are taking our first in class test on Friday. We read Ray Bradbury’s “Drummer Boy of Shiloh” and discussed it focusing on the theme of coming of age. We worked with discussion questions in class and had some homework from the book (p. 9).
• We have literature reports due every Friday. These are the evidence that students are completing their assigned nightly reading. Students are to read for at least 1/2 hour a night, 5 nights a week. Reading should be recorded on the school wide reading log. Lit reports must reflect books recorded on the reading log.
• Non-fiction reguirements for this trimester are; writing (an author discussing his or her thoughts on writing, Sports or other competitive activity, and Science, math or nature. Forms to record these readings are available on moodle,

Grade 8: Summer Reading List 2008

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Welcome to the 8^th Grade Challenge class.  This summer while enjoying yourself I also expect you to keep your brain engaged and active.  To help facilitate this activity I am enclosing a reading list.  This list was developed by Everett Public Schools and is on the district web site if you lose your copy.   However I have made some modifications to drop some of the lower level reading materials and replace some out of print materials. To do this I have replaced some of the eighth grade list with some from the 9^th grade list. I have also included some classical options for students desiring a more traditional reading list as well as some newer popular materials. http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/reading/Summer%20Reading%20List

In addition to expecting you to read the books, I also expect you to complete the following assignment, which will be collected the first week of school next September. You are required to read a total of three books from the enclosed list, at least one of which must be non-fiction. You must choose books you have not previously read.

This assignment is to help you enhance your abilities in the following learning standards as well as inform me of areas of possible concern.

• Build vocabulary through wide reading
• Demonstrate evidence of reading comprehension
• Understand and apply knowledge of text components to comprehend text
• Read to learn new information
• Read for literary experience in a variety of genres
• Develop interests and share reading experiences

The culminating writing activity will be completed in class. However, you are required to bring notes (described as followed) to class. You will turn in your notes to me with the writing assignment.

Book notes:

• A description of the main character(s): You should write one paragraph for each of the main characters.  Each paragraph should describe both physical characteristics and personality traits of the main characters. For the non-fiction book describe of the focus of the book and characters of importance. You should write one paragraph describing the topic, the structure of the book (how it is organized), people who may be important in the understanding of the story, and what field or discipline it describes.
• A description of the setting: In a detailed paragraph, you will need to explain where the action of the story takes place. This is possible even with the non-fiction books.
• A list of the main events: As you make this list, try to place the events that occur in chronological order. This works with the non-fiction books as well except Eats, Shoots and Leaves, which will require a discussion of problems discussed.
• An explanation of the conflict: In a detailed paragraph, you should identify problems that the characters face. How do the characters react to these problems? How do the characters resolve these problems or conflict? For the non-fiction book describe the same information for the individuals discussed, the historical events that occurred or the problem addressed in the book.

For each book, record title and author of the book you are writing about. Each book is to be reported on a separate sheet of paper. All work must be typed or written neatly in blue or black ink. This assignment will be counted as 5% of your grade for the first trimester; half from the notes take on the books, half from the in-class assessment.

History:We are deeply involved in the American Revolution history research paper. Remember to polish your drafts and to do any final research work over break. When we come back from break we will be spending the time in class working on typing your drafts. Final copies are due Friday, January 4th.

Reading: We are working on the Jr. Great Books selection “Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.” Class discussion will take place Thuraday, Dec 13, and post discussion written questions will be completed in class Dec. 15.

Language Arts: We are working on the requirements of a formal research paper to support our work in history class.

Reading: In class we are working on the story Charles and identifying theme and supporting details. We will be completing the review questons on Charles in your composition notebooks and completing the graphic organizer for theme. The assessmetn for Charles will be Friday, October 5.

Language Arts: Sentence Diagraming quiz will be on Friday over simple and compound predicates and subjects. In class we have worked on descriptive language and you were assigned a worksheet on Monday. This is due now.

History: We have a test over Ch. 1 sections 1-3 on Tuesday Oct. 9th. Be sure your homework for chapter 1 is completed. Check your homework sheet for details.

Reading: First Literature Letter is due Friday, September 21. Refer to your guideline and rubric for details about form.

Language Arts: First draft of your Beach Essay due Friday, September 21. Remember, this it to be a description of the sensory input you experienced, not a list of events of the day.

History: Nothing due tomorrow but continue to work on Section 1 Cornell notes. Remember, final summative assessment of all 50 states and the capitals is on Monday.

Reading: First Literature Letter is due this Friday. This is the summative assessment for the nightly reading assignment.

Language Arts: Complete classwork if necessary.

Social Studies: Map Quiz Southwestern states and capitals.