Week of Dec. 14th - Dec. 18th, 2009

Monday: Begin "Respecting Differences" Essay
Homework: Complete "Respecting Differences" Rough Draft
Tuesday: Complete Peer Edit Evaluation, Literature & Library Book Check, Begin typing "Respecting Differences" Essay
Homework: Continue "Respecting Differences" Essay
Wednesday: Finish typing "Respecting Differences" Essay & Begin viewing "Charly"
Homework: Finish Final of "Respecting Differences" Essay...Due Tomorrow!
Thursday: Turn in "Respecting Differences" Essay & Continue viewing "Charly"
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Finish viewing "Charly" and participate in Diversity Day!
Homework: No Homework. Enjoy the Holidays!!!

Week of Dec. 4th - Dec. 11th, 2009

Monday: Continue reading "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Finish reading and discussing "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Finish reading "Flowers for Algernon"
Wednesday: Silent work day
Homework: Complete questions #1-12 and #1-4 on page 223
Thursday: Snow Day! No School!
Homework: Complete questions #1-12 and #1-4 on page 223
Friday: Correct and Collect "Flowers for Algernon" questions #1-12 & #1-4 on page 223
Homework: No Homework

Week of Nov. 30th to Dec. 4th, 2009

Monday: Begin Daniel Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: No Journals, Silently read "Flowers for Algernon" pages 201-210 and create Vocabulary Flashcards (words on page 200)
Homework: Finish class work
Wednesday: Journals, Discuss SRI score, New Academic Policy, and Social Contract, Reading Pop-Quiz
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: Journals, Read "Flowers for Algernon" pages 210-215
Homework: Get Letter Signed & Study for Vocabulary
Friday: No Journals, Discuss SRI scores and Lexile levels, Visit library
Homework: Get Letter Signed & Study for Vocabulary

Improved Academic Policy

Dear Parent/Guardian,
In order to help support academic excellence, students that have a grade of “C-“ or below, that have missing or late assignments, and/or have been producing unsatisfactory work will be required to stay after school on Tuesdays from 3:15pm-4:15pm. The students that stay after may either coordinate their own individual transportation from school or may take the activity bus home at 4:15pm. If students fit any of the above mentioned stipulations, attendance on Tuesdays from 3:15pm- 4:15pm is mandatory until their grade and work adequately meets academic expectations and requirements.
Please sign and return the bottom portion of the letter that was sent home with your son/daughter on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009, to verify that you and your 8th grader have read, and fully understand, this policy that your son/daughter will be held accountable to uphold. Returning this sheet of paper will account for one homework grade for your son/daughter. Thank you for continuing to take an active and supportive role in your child’s education; it is truly appreciated.

Thanks,
Miss Brown

P.S.:

Any student unable to serve 3:15pm - 4:15pm may make pre-arrangements to serve their time from 7:00am - 8:00am on any Tuesday.

Interactive Calendar: Click to the date you wish to view.

Week of Nov. 30th to Dec. 4th, 2009

Monday: Begin Short Story Unit with Daniel Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Read pages 202-210 of "Flowers for Algernon" and complete Vocabulary Flashcards
Homework: Complete unfinished in class work
Wednesday: Discuss improved school policies, check Flashcards, "Flowers for Algernon" Pop Quiz
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: Read pages 210-215 of "Flowers for Algernon" and discuss
Homework: Get letter signed by parent and study flashcards
Friday:
Homework: Continue to study Vocabulary words

2nd Marking Period Extra Credit Opportunities...

1. Complete a pre-approved Book Report Project (will be available starting Monday, Nov. 30th, 2009)
2. Attend a culturally enriching performance (i.e.; play, theatre, opera, symphony, etc.) and bring Miss Brown a parent-signed program from the event
3. Bring in an inspiring or motivational quote to share as a launch at the end of class


Stay posted! Additional extra credit opportunities coming soon...

Week of Nov. 23rd - Nov. 27th, 2009

Monday: Last Day of Sherlock Holmes "Silver Blaze" Play Rehearsal
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Perform Sherlock Holmes "Silver Blaze" Play
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: School wide "Diversity Day" (Half Day of school)
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
Homework: No Homework

Technology Survey

Click Here to take survey

Week of Nov. 16th- Nov.20th, 2009

Monday: Begin Sherlock Holmes "Silver Blaze" Play Project
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Continue "Silver Blaze" Play Rehearsal
Homework: No homework
Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences...3:30pm-7:30pm
Wednesday: Continue "Silver Blaze" Play Rehearsal (1, 2, and 3 Hours Only)
Homework: No Homework
Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences...12:30-3:00 & 5:00-7:30pm
Thursday: Continue "Silver Blaze" Play Rehearsal (4, 5, 6 Hours Only)
Homework: No Homework
No Conferences Today!
Friday: Library Book Checkout
Homework: No Homework
No Conferences Today!

Week of Nov. 9th- Nov.13th, 2009

Monday: Review Mystery Unit and Begin discussing Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes
Homework: Study for Test...Due 11/13
Work on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Tuesday: Listen to Radio recording of Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes Speckled Band"
Homework: Study for Test...Due 11/13
Work on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Complete Questions #1-13 on page 45...Friday 11/13
Wednesday:Silent In-class Work Day...Study for Test, Complete Sherlock Holmes Questions, and Work on Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study for Test...Due 11/13
Work on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Complete Questions #1-13 on page 45...Friday 11/13
Thursday: Silent In-class Work Day...Study for Test, Complete Sherlock Holmes Questions, and Work on Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study for Test...Due 11/13
Work on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Complete Questions #1-13 on page 45...Friday 11/13
Friday: Study and Take Vocabulary Test, Review and Turn-in Sherlock Holmes Questions
Homework: Finish Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16 (Rough Draft, Final Draft, and parent signed Peer Evaluation)

Week of Nov. 2nd- Nov.6th, 2009

Monday: Explain and begin Comic Strip Project, Begin study of Agatha Christie
Homework: Work on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Vocabulary Test....Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009
Tuesday: Begin viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" and take notes
Homework: Continue working on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Vocabulary Test...Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009
Wednesday: Continue viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" and take notes
Homework: Continue working on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/16
Vocabulary Test...Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009
Thursday: Finish viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" and take Quiz
Homework: Complete take-home Quiz...Due Friday, Nov. 9th, 2009
Continue working on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/6
Vocabulary Test...Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009
Friday: Review Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root words
Homework: Continue working on Comic Strip Project...Due Monday 11/6
Vocabulary Test...Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009

Week of Oct.26th to Oct.30th

Monday: Discuss and Turn In Questions #1-10 on page 19. Begin Part 1 of State Assessment "Thank You, M'am"
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Finish Part 2 of State Assessment "Thank You, M'am" and fnish sharing Scary Stories
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: View and work in groups to complete questions on Poe's "The Raven"
Homework: Finish questions on "The Raven"
Thursday: Discuss and turn in questions on "The Raven", View Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Grammar and Genre Friday
Homework: Grammar Homework

Week of Oct.19th to Oct.23rd

Monday: Begin sharing Scary Stories
Homework: Sleep and Eat well for MEAP and Complete questions #1-11 and #1-3 on page 149...due Wed. 10/21/09
Tuesday: Continue MEAP Testing and Continue sharing Scary Stories
Homework: Complete questions #1-11 and #1-3 on page 149 due tomorrow
Wednesday: Discuss and collect Poe Questions
Homework: No Homework...Sleep and Eat well for MEAP Testing
Thursday: Continue MEAP Testing and Continue sharing Scary Stories
Homework: Study for Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart" reading selection Test
Friday: Take "Tell-Tale Heart" Test then Read and answer questions to "Rain, Rain, Go Away!"
Homework: Complete "Rain, Rain, Go Away!" questions #1-10 on page 19

Week of Oct.12th to Oct. 16th

Monday: MEAP Week!!! No New Vocabulary Terms Assigned, Introduce Interactive Grammar, Explain 6+1 Traits of Writing, Explain Scary Story Writing Assignment
Homework: Sleep and Eat well for MEAP Testing
Tuesday: MEAP Testing Begins today. Work on Brainstorm and Rough Draft of Story
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: Discuss creating Mood and Atmosphere with Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart" and Continue work on Brainstorm and Rough Draft of Story Scary
Homework: Sleep and Eat well for MEAP Testing
Thursday: Continue MEAP Testing and Discuss "punctuating dialogue"
Homework: No Homoework
Friday: Complete Brainstorm, Rough Draft, and Peer Evaluation of Scary Story
Homework: Complete Brainstorm, Rough draft, Peer Evaluation, and Final copy of Scary Story...Due Monday, October 19th

Week of Oct.5th to Oct.9th

Monday: New Vocabulary Terms Assigned, Continue MEAP Preparation with Genre Wheel group mini-project
Homework: Complete crossword puzzle and Extra Credit Wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Review Test...Fri., 10/9/2009
Tuesday: Continue MEAP Preparation with Genre Wheel group mini-project
Homework: Complete crossword puzzle and Extra Credit Wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Review Test...
Wednesday: Finish and share MEAP Preparation with group Genre Wheel mini-project
Homework: Complete Crossword puzzle and Extra Credit Wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Review Test...
Thursday: Continue MEAP Preparation with a Genre Pop Quiz
Homework: Complete Crossword puzzle and Extra Credit Wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Review Test...Due Tomorrow!!!
Friday: Study, Complete, Hand-in, & Take Review Vocabulary Test
Homework: No Homework

Week of Sept.28th to Oct.2nd

Monday: New Vocabulary Terms Assigned, Continue MEAP Preparation with reviewing Literary Devices
Homework: Complete both word puzzles and study for Vocabulary Test...Fri., 10/2/2009
Tuesday: Create a 1-page Journal Entry using an "Interesting Lead" and a "Conclusive Ending" and visit the Library
Homework: Complete word puzzles and study for Vocabulary Test...
Wednesday: Continue MEAP Preparation with reviewing Literary Devices
Homework: Complete word puzzle and stduy for Vocabulary Test...
Thursday: Collect Journals, Take Figurative Language Test, and begin Genre mini-project
Homework: Complete word puzzle and study for Vocabulary Test...Due Tomorrow!!!
Friday: Study, Complete, Hand-in, & Take Vocabulary Test, Kick Ball Game MSU vs. UofM
Homework: No Homework

Week of Sept. 21st- Sept.25th, 2009

Monday: Assign New Vocabulary Terms. Continue MEAP Preparation in reading, creating a Plot Diagram, and Summarizing the reading selection; "The Daisy"
Homework: Complete reading, answering questions, plot diagraming, and summarizing the reading selection; "The Daisy"...Due tomorrow, Tues. 9/22/2009
Complete Crossword and Study for Vocabulary Test- Friday 9/25/2009

Week of Sept. 14th- Sept.18th, 2009

Monday: New Vocabulary Terms Assigned, Begin MEAP Preparation with "Test Taking Strategies Part 1"
Homework: Complete wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Test...Fri., 9/18/2009
Tuesday: Continue MEAP Preparation with "Test Taking Strategies Part 2" & SRI Testing
Homework: Complete wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Test...
Wednesday: Continue MEAP Preparation with "Test Taking Strategies Part 3" & SRI Testing
Homework: Complete wordsearch and stduy for Vocabulary Test...
Thursday: Continue MEAP Preparation with discussing Plot Diagrams with "Song of Masefield" reading selection
Homework: Complete wordsearch and study for Vocabulary Test...Due Tomorrow!!!
Friday: Study, Complete, Hand-in, & Take Vocabulary Test, Continue MEAP Preparation with Correcting and Collecting "Song of Masefield"
Homework: No Homework

Week of Sept. 7th- Sept.11th, 2009

Monday: Labor Day...No school!
Tuesday: First Day of School
Homework: Review Syllabus and Parent Letter with parent/guardian. Return Slip due...Monday 9/14/2009
Wednesday: Beging working on "I Am" biopoem mini-project in class (Due Monday 9/14/2009)
Homework: Return signed syllabus and parent letter
Thursday: Continue to work on "I Am" biopoem mini-project in class
Homework: Return signed syllabus and parent letter
Friday: Complete "I Am" biopoem mini-project in class.
Homework: Return signed syllabus & Complete "I Am" biopoem mini-project. Due Monday 9/14/2009