View "A Christmas Carol" at the following YouTube link:
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Du2PcuRb9zFA%26feature%3Drelated
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
8th Grade "Charly" YouTube clips...
8th Grader ELA & AELA
If you would like to view the movie version of Daniel Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"; entitled "Charly". With parent permission, please feel free to click on the following YouTube clip.
Monday, December 12, 2011 - Friday, December 16, 2011
7th Grade ELA
Monday: D.O.L. and Complete "Dog Kennel" Short Answer Assessment
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: D.O.L. and write "Personal Narrative" Assessment
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: D.O.L., view Brain Pop clips of "Charles Dickens" and "Drama", begin reading and listening to Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: D.O.L., begin viewing "A Christmas Carol" clips, and compare/contrast worksheet
Homework: No Homework
Friday: D.O.L. and finish viewing "A Christmas Carol" clips, and compare/contrast worksheet
Homework: No Homework...Happy Holidays. See you all Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012!!!
8th Grade ELA & AELA
Monday: D.O.L., present Revolution/Rebellion Movie Trailers, turn in Revolution/Rebellion Compare/Contrast Essays
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: D.O.L., visit Library
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: Begin "Respecting Differences" 2nd Marking Period Assessment
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: Begin viewing "Charly" and Complete "Respecting Differences" Essay
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Complete D.O.L. and Finish viewing "Charly"
Homework: No Homework...Happy Holidays and See you Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012!!!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" YouTube Link...
View "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" by clicking on the following YouTube Link:
Monday, November 28, 2011
8th Grade AELA SAT Vocabulary Words
Use the following link to help you study for the upcoming SAT Vocabulary Tests:
HAVE FUN!!!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Flowers for Algernon Activity Day
Are You a Critical Thinker?: Questions and Responses
Part I:
1. There are 64 checkers players at a tournament. A player is eliminated when he or she loses a game. How many games must the champion play?
Response: 6 (64 players/2 players per game =32 players left/2= 16/2= 8/2= 4/2= 2, CHAMPION GAME)
2. The electricity goes out, and your bedroom is pitch dark. Yet you still need to find a matching pair of socks! In your drawer are 25 white socks and 25 red socks. How many socks must you take out of the drawer before you get a matching pair?
Response: three (think about it!)
3. If you have two U.S. coins totaling 55 cents and one of the coins is not a nickel, what are the two coins?
Response: a 50 cent piece and a nickel (one is a nickel --but one is not a nickel)
4. If three cats kill three rats in three minutes, how long will it take for 100 cats to kill 100 cats?
Response: three minutes (more cats and more rats don't equal more time)
5. A farmer had 17 chickens. All but 9 died. How many does the farmer have left?
Response: Nine (read the question again --and this time, pay attention!)
6. Is it legal in Canada for a man to marry his widow's sister?
Response: no (he's dead)
7. Change
8. Three men are walking in the rain with no umbrellas and no hats. Two get their hair wet and one doesn't. Why?
Response: the third man is bald
9. A girl went door-to-door selling eggs. At the first house, she sold half her eggs plus half an egg. At the second house, she sold half her eggs plus half an egg. At the third house, she sold half her eggs plus half an egg. After this she had no eggs left --she had sold all her eggs. How many did she start with?
Response: Seven (FIRST HOUSE: half of 7= 3.5 + .5 egg= 4 eggs sold. 3 remaining; SECOND HOUSE: half of 3= 1.5, +.5 eggs= 2 eggs sold, 1 remaining; THIRD HOUSE: half of 1= .5, +.5 egg= 1 egg sold, 0 remaining)
10. You have a 9-gallon container and a 4-gallon container. How can you measure out exactly 6-gallons of water from a tank without using any other container?
Response: Turn the 4-gallon container into a container that will measure out 3 gallons by filling it with one gallon of water. You can get one gallon of water by filling the 9-gallon container and emptying 4 gallons into the 4-gallon container. Now the 9-gallon in it (9 - 4 =5). Empty the 4-gallon container and fill it again from the 9-gallon container. Now the 9-gallon container has 1 gallon (5-4=1). Empty the 4-gallon container again and put the 1 gallon of water in it. Now it will take 3 gallons of water to fill the 4-gallon container. Fill the 9-gallon contianer and dump enough water from it to fill the 4-gallon container the rest of the way. Nine gallons minus 3 gallons leaves 6 gallons in the 9-gallon container!
Part II:
1. T or F: If penicillin cures an infection, then the lack of penicillin in the bloodstream must cause the infection
Response: False. You can't assume that the reverse of something is true. Although this works in some cases (sleep cures tiredness, lack of sleep causes tiredness), obviously we can't say things like, "Since aspirin relieves headaches, lack of aspirin must cause headaches."
2. T or F: Tim and Tom play the lottery. Tim picks numbers 9, 17, 22, 48, 6, 10. Tom picks numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 1 4. Tim has a better chance of winning than Tom.
Response: False. When choosing six numbers out of 40 chances for a lottery, any combination is as likely to come up as any other combination. Just because the numbers are in sequence doesn't decrease their likelihood of coming up.
3. T or F: Since nobody seems to be able to prove that Sana Claus does not exist, it's reasonable to assume that he likely doesn't exist.
Response: False. Disproving the existence of something is very difficult. But just because you can't disprove the existence of something doesn't mean its existence is therefore proven! Maybe this fact of logic is why our legal system says that person is innocent until proven guilty. When charged with a crime, you don't have to prove that you didn't do it. Rather, it must be proved that you did do it.
4. T or F: If statistics show that ice cream sales go up with the number of house infants spend fussing, this means that fussy infants cause people to go out and buy ice cream.
Response: False. Fussy babies and ice cream sales are both caused by 100 degree temperatures and uncomfortable weather conditions.
5. T or F: If a study shows that children who spend their preschool years in a day-care center are more likely to finish college than children who are cared for at home, we can assume that day-care centers educate children better than parents at
Response: False. This information actually tells us nothing -or, rather, we can't way what it does tell us. It may be that day-care facilities are teaching children more, or it may be that children in day care have two working parents who can afford to send them to college in later years. Too often, a little information is interpreted mean a lot more than it does!
Part III:
1. A penny doubled every day would give you, at the end of 30 days...$10,000,000. To be exact, you'd have $10,737,418.24! So who said pennies were worthless?
2. How many times will you need to shuffle a deck of cards to make sure the deck is mixed up?...6-8 times. If you shuffle only a couple of times, a magician who knows the original order of the deck will usually be able to find a card that you remove and replace. (Much of what looks like "magic" is just skillful entertainment).
3. Two people are picked at random from the population of the United States. What are the chances that Person One will know someone who knows someone who knows Person Two?...almost certain (99/100). The chances are almost certain.
4. Four people are meeting for the first time. Two of them have the same astrological sign. Two of them have the same astrological sign. How do you feel about this?...unimpressed (this is expected). At least two will have the same sign four times out of ten.
5. You want to buy a new computer. In January, it goes on sale for 40% off. But you still can't afford it. Then, in March, it's reduced by the 40% more! You go buy it, knowing you'll save this much off the original price...64%. First you save 40%, which leaves 60%. Then you save 40% of the remaining 60%, or 24%. 40%+24%= 64%.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
If you missed reading "The Speckled Band", you may...
Re-watch "The Speckled Band" on YouTube at:
Or, listen to the Radio Broadcast of "The Speckled Band" at:
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011 - Friday, November 25, 2011
7th Grade ELA
Monday: Complete and Review "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" questions
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Complete "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" Test
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: Half Day of School (All hours meet)...Activity Day
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: No School...Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Homework: No Homework
Friday: No School
Homework: No Homework
8th Grade ELA and AELA
Monday: Turn in "Flowers for Algernon" homework and Complete "Flowers for Algernon" Test
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: "Flowers for Algernon" Activity Day
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: Half Day of School (All hours meet)...Activity Day
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: No School...Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Homework: No Homework
Friday: No School
Homework: No Homework
Monday, November 14, 2011 - Friday, November 18, 2011
7th Grade ELA
Monday: Turn in Mystery Comic Strip Project, Continue listening to Doyle's "The Adventures of the Speckled Band"
Homework: Study "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" Vocabulary...test Friday
Tuesday: D.O.L., Using complete sentences respond to the "Thinking About the Selection", "Analyzing Literature", and "Critical Thinking and Reading" Questions on page 45
Homework: Study "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" Vocabulary...test Friday
Wednesday: Half Day of School (Hours 1, 2, 3)...No Class Today with 4th Hour 7th Grade ELA
Homework: Study "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" Vocabulary...test Friday
Thursday: Half Day of School (Hours 4, 5, 6)...continue answering "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" questions
Homework: Study "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" Vocabulary...test Friday
Friday: D.O.L. and complete "The Adventures of the Speckled Band" Vocabulary
Homework: No homework
8th Grade ELA & AELA
Monday: D.O.L., Collect re-submitted Science Fiction Comic Strips, finish answering page 687/712 "Flowers for Algernon" response questions, and begin correcting "Flowers for Algernon" questions
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: D.O.L., continue correcting and discussing "Flowers for Algernon" questions
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: Half Day of School (Hours 1, 2, 3) D.O.L., finish correcting and discussing "Flowers for Algernon" questions
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: Half Day of School (Hours 4, 5, 6) D.O.L., finish correcting and discussing "Flowers for Algernon" questions
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Half Day of School (all hours today)...D.O.L. and Vocabulary Review Activity
Homework: No Homework
Flowers for Algernon page 712 Questions
Finish reading Daniel Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon" on page 200-222 in Brown Literature Book
Using complete sentences, complete the following questions that were found on page 712 in the Green Literature Book...
Respond and Think Critically:
1. In your own words, describe the most significant events in this part of the story. [Summarize]
2. As Charlie's intelligence increases, he begins to lose his ability to communicate with people. Why do you think this happens? [Interpret]
3. When Charlie goes back to Miss Kinnian's class, why does she start to cry and then run out of the room? [Infer]
4. Charlie describes his own pain as his intelligence decreases. Do you think the author is suggesting that Charlie would have been better off if he had never had the operation? Why or why not? [Analyze]
5. As the story ends, Charlie is planning to leave New York. What do you think will happen to Charlie? Explain your thoughts. [Synthesize]
6. BIG QUESTION: Think about what really matters to Charlie when he is a genius. Does this change as he loses his intelligence? Cite examples from the story. [Compare and Contrast]
Vocabulary Practice:
On a separate sheet of paper, write the vocabulary word the correctly completes each sentence. If none of the words fits the sentence, write "none".
a. Technique b. Cowered c. Petition d. Obscure e. Tangible
1. The window's dirt was thick enough to ___________ the view.
2. The boy's friends called him a ____________ because he wouldn't jump off the high-dive board.
3. The boxer's fighting ___________ made him unbeatable.
4. The Quiz Bowl champions gave the principal a __________ for a day off from school.
5. The brightly shining sun helped ____________ the tall mountains.
6. The fog was so thick it seemed quite ___________.
7. During the hurricane, the family ____________ in the basement.
Review: VOICE
2. Throughout the story, Charlie's writing changes. In what ways do the words Charlie writes reveal his increasing intelligence? Support your answer with details and information from the story.
3. In what ways do the words Charlie writes toward the end of the story reveal the loss of his intelligence? Support your answer with details and information from the story.
Flowers for Algernon page 687 Questions
Finish Reading Daniel Keyes' "Flower for Algernon" (page 200-222 in Brown Literature Book)
Using complete sentences, answer the following questions:
Page 687...
Respond and Think Critically Questions
1. Write a summary of the major events in the first part of "Flowers for Algernon." [Summarize]
2. Think about why the doctors have chosen Charlie for this experiment. Why do they have doubts about testing him? [Infer]
3. According to Charlie, why is he unable to interpret the inkblots and pictures? What do you think the real reasons are? [Interpret]
4. Charlie ends his April 14 Progress Report with the word Why. How does this word show that Charlie's thinking has changed? [Analyze]
5. Why is Charlie ashamed at the end of this part of the story? [Conclude]
6. BIG QUESTION: What is your opinion of the experiment? Explain your thoughts. [Evaluate]
Vocabulary Practice
On a separate sheet of paper, write the vocabulary word that correctly completes the sentence. If none of the words fits the sentence, write "none".
Word Options: a. subconscious b. conscious c.laboratory d.plateau
1. After a summer of activities, Huan's life finally reached a __________.
2. Alfonso read the story and thought it was very ______________.
3. I forget your name, but I'm sure it's somewhere in my ______________.
4. The scientist entered the _______________ to complete his experiment.
5. The long-forgotten memory appeared in my ________ mind.
6. In biology class, Tanya is studying _____________.
Review: Point of View
Remember that POINT OF VIEW is the relationship of the narrator to the story. In the first-person point of view, the narrator is a character in the story, referred to as "I", who is telling the story. First-person point of view gives you excellent insight into the narrator's thoughts and feelings. In limited third-person point of view, the narrator is outside the story and reveals the thoughts of only one character. In a story with omniscient third-person point of view, the narrator can reveal events, thoughts, and actions of all the characters.
3. From what point of view is "Flowers for Algernon" written? Why do you think the author chose this point of view? Explain your answer with details from the story?
4. In what ways does Charlie's language show the effects of the operation on his mind?
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Flowers for Algernon: Blue and Pink Questions with Responses
Blue Question #1 on page 698: What do Charlie's comments about Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss tell you about his intellectual growth?
Suggested Response: Charlie has become very critical of the doctors. He is surpassing them intellectually and no longer holds them in the awe that he once did.
Blue Question #2 on page 698: What does this comment tell you about the ways in which Charlie changed?
Suggested Response: Charlie is able to perform abstract thinking and no longer takes things at face value
Pink Question #1 on page 699: What could Charlie's struggle to communicate with Miss Kinnian foreshadow about the future of Charlie's relationships?
Suggested Response: Charlie will be just as alone as he was before the operation because no one will be able to relate to him on his intellectual level.
Blue Question #3 on page 701: Why does Charlie get so angry? Think about ways in which he might see his former self in the boy who dropped the dishes.
Suggested Response: Charlie is angry because he realizes he is laughing at someone who doesn't understand what's going on and can't defend himself. Charlie sees his past self in the boy and realizes he has been acting just like his "friends" in the factory. He takes it very personally because he is actually defending his old self.
Pink Question #2 on page 702: What might this incident foreshadow? Remember, the scientists performed the same operation on both Charlie and Algernon.
Suggested Response: The incident with Algernon could foreshadow that the operation's effect might not be permanent or that there might be bad side-effects.
Pink Question #3 on page 703: What do you think will happen to Charlie now that you know what has happened to Algernon? On what clues do you base your prediction?
Suggested Response: Charlie's intelligence will drop back to its original level. He will become violent and antisocial like Algernon. Algernon's behavior and the doctor's warnings might not be permanent are good clues.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011 - Friday, November 11, 2011
7th Grade ELA
Monday: Continue D.O.L. Quiz, Mystery Vocabulary Test, "Ten Little Indian" Quiz
Homework: Complete Mystery Comic Strip Project...extension until Fri. 11/11/11
Tuesday: Complete D.O.L. Quiz, Mystery Vocabulary Test, "Ten Little Indian" Quiz & Library Visit
Homework: Complete Mystery Comic Strip Project...extension until Fri. 11/11/11
Wednesday: D.O.L., Begin discussing and reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Speckled Band" on page 26
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: D.O.L., continue reading/listening to Doyle's "The Speckled Band"
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Junior Achievement Day
Homework: No Homework
8th Grade ELA & AELA
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: D.O.L., continue to read and discuss Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon" (stop at May 25, go back and answer the Blue and Pink questions starting at page 698)
Homework: No Homework
Wednesday: D.O.L., Finish reading Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon", begin answering "Flowers for Algernon" questions
Homework: No Homework
Thursday: Finish reading and begin response questions to Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Continue to complete "Flowers for Algernon" reading questions...due Mon. 11/14/11
Friday: Junior Achievement Activity Day
Homework: No Homework
Monday, October 31, 2011 - Friday, November 4, 2011
7th Grade ELA
Monday: Half Day of School...Discuss missing and late assignments and Mystery Comic Strip Project Rough Drafts
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Mystery Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Tuesday: Begin discussing and viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians"
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Mystery Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Wednesday: Continue viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians"
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Myster Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Thursday: Finish viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" and Reviewing Mystery Comic Strip Project
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Mystery Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Friday: Review Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians", Take "Ten Little Indians" Quiz, Mystery Vocabulary Test, and D.O.L. Quiz
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
8th Grade ELA & AELA
Monday: 1/2 Day of School...discuss grades, turn in missing/late work, turn in Comic Strip Rough Drafts
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Tuesday: Begin discussing and reading Daniel Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Wednesday: Continue to discuss and read Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Thursday: Discuss missing work, visit library, continue to work on Comic Strip
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Friday: Turn In missing/late work, continue to discuss and read Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Monday: Half Day of School...Discuss missing and late assignments and Mystery Comic Strip Project Rough Drafts
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Mystery Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Tuesday: Begin discussing and viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians"
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Mystery Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Wednesday: Continue viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians"
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Myster Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Thursday: Finish viewing Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" and Reviewing Mystery Comic Strip Project
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011; Continue to study for the Mystery Vocabulary Test...Friday, November 4th, 2011
Friday: Review Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians", Take "Ten Little Indians" Quiz, Mystery Vocabulary Test, and D.O.L. Quiz
Homework: Continue to work on Mystery Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
8th Grade ELA & AELA
Monday: 1/2 Day of School...discuss grades, turn in missing/late work, turn in Comic Strip Rough Drafts
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Tuesday: Begin discussing and reading Daniel Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Wednesday: Continue to discuss and read Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Thursday: Discuss missing work, visit library, continue to work on Comic Strip
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Friday: Turn In missing/late work, continue to discuss and read Keyes' "Flowers for Algernon"
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Project...due Monday, November 7th, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Online Comic Strip Sites...
- comicmaster.org.uk
- bitstrips.com
- makebeliefscomix.com
These are some additional online comic strip generators that you may use with your parent/guardians' permission. Do not wait until the last minute to create an online comic strip. Comics are due Monday, November 7th, 2011. You will complete online comics on your own. So, provide yourself time to practice using each site in order to produce a quality final product. Be sure to save frequently. And, practice printing your color copy comic, sending it to Miss Brown’s e-mail… Amanda.Brown@kentwoodps.org, saving it to a jump-drive, etc…
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Online Comic Strip Site
pixton.com is an exceptional site to use to create your final comic strip. Remember, to save your work frequently. Also, don't wait until the last minute if you plan to create a comic strip online. And, practice sending it to Miss Brown's e-mail at... Amanda.Brown@kentwoodps.org
Projects are due Monday, November 7th, 2011
P.S.: If pixton.com is not working well for you, feel free to Google other free online comic strip generators and use any site that you have approval from your parents/guardians from and are able to produce a quality comic by the Nov.7th deadline.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, Oct. 24, 2011 - Friday, Oct. 28, 2011
8th Grade ELA/AELA
Monday: D.O.L., Discuss Comic Strip assignment, and Begin Orson Wells' "War of the Worlds"
Monday: D.O.L., Discuss Comic Strip assignment, and Begin Orson Wells' "War of the Worlds"
Homework: Work on Comic Strip Rough Draft
Tuesday: D.O.L., Begin listening to Wells' "War of the Worlds" Radio Broadcast, and continue to work on Comic strip Project
Homework: Work on Comic Strip Rough Draft
Wednesday: D.O.L., Continue listening to Wells' "War of the Worlds" Radio Broadcast, and continue to work on Comic Strip
Homework: Complete Comic Strip Rough Draft
Thursday: D.O.L.. & Continue Comic Strip
Homework: Work on Comic Strip
Friday: D.O.L. & Continue Comic Strip
Homework: Comic Strip due...Monday, November 7th, 2011
Monday: D.O.L., Discuss & Turn-in Poe's "The Raven"
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary Terms...Test Friday
Tuesday: D.O.L., Explain & Begin Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary Terms...Test Friday
Wednesday: D.O.L., complete Rough Draft of Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary Terms...Test Friday
Thursday: D.O.L., Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary...Test Friday
Friday: D.O.L., Take Mystery Vocabulary Test, Comic Strip Assignment
Homework: Complete Comic Strip...due Monday, Nov. 7, 2011
Tuesday: D.O.L., Explain & Begin Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary Terms...Test Friday
Wednesday: D.O.L., complete Rough Draft of Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary Terms...Test Friday
Thursday: D.O.L., Comic Strip Project
Homework: Study Mystery Vocabulary...Test Friday
Friday: D.O.L., Take Mystery Vocabulary Test, Comic Strip Assignment
Homework: Complete Comic Strip...due Monday, Nov. 7, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
8th Grade Vocabulary...Test Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
8th Grade Vocabulary Words and Definitions...
Test will be Friday, Oct. 21, 2011:
1. Enigma: An unexplainable matter or event
2. Sects: Small groups of people with the same leaders and beliefs
3. Crustaceans: Shellfish, such as lobsters, crabs, or shrimp
4. Aboriginal: First; native
5. Reconnoitering: Making an exploratory examination to get information about a place
6. Artifacts: Any objects made by human work, left behind by a civilization
7. Discreet Surveillance: Careful, unobserved watch kept over a person, expecially one who is a suspect or a prisoner
Friday, October 14, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Oct. 17, 2011 - Oct. 21, 2011
8th Grade ELA & AELA
Monday: Begin reading Clarke's "Crime on Mars"
Homework: Eat & Sleep for MEAP!
Tuesday: Continue reading Clarke's "Crime on Mars"
Homework: Eat & Sleep for MEAP!
Wednesday: Complete all questions; except "Thinking and Writing" on page 143...Use Complete Sentences!!!
Homework: Answer all questions; except "Thinking & Writing", on page 143- Due Thursday 10/21
Thursday: Discuss, Correct, and Collect questions on page 143
Homework: Complete homework worksheet- Due Friday 10/21
Friday: Correct & Collect homework worksheet, Take "Crime on Mars" Pop Quiz
Homework: No Homework
Monday: Begin reading Clarke's "Crime on Mars"
Homework: Eat & Sleep for MEAP!
Tuesday: Continue reading Clarke's "Crime on Mars"
Homework: Eat & Sleep for MEAP!
Wednesday: Complete all questions; except "Thinking and Writing" on page 143...Use Complete Sentences!!!
Homework: Answer all questions; except "Thinking & Writing", on page 143- Due Thursday 10/21
Thursday: Discuss, Correct, and Collect questions on page 143
Homework: Complete homework worksheet- Due Friday 10/21
Friday: Correct & Collect homework worksheet, Take "Crime on Mars" Pop Quiz
Homework: No Homework
Oct. 10, 2011 - Oct. 14, 2011
8th & Advanced 8th Grade ELA
Monday: Discuss Science Fiction Genre and Begin read Isaac Asimov's "Rain, Rain, Go Away" pages 12-19
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP
Tuesday: Continue reading Isaac Asimov's "Rain, Rain, Go Away" pages 12-19 and (using begin asnwering Think About the Selection, Analyzing Literature, Critical Thinking and Reading Questions, and Understanding Language on page 19. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP
Wednesday: Continue Thinking About the Selection, Analyzing Literature, Critical Thinking and Reading Questions, and Understanding Language on page 19. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP
Thursday: Discuss and Correct Reading Selection Questions
Homework: No Homework
Friday: View "Rain, Rain, Go Away" clip and Conclude "Rain, Rain, Go Away" Activity
Homework: No Homework
7th Grade ELA
Monday: Discuss Mystery Genre and Prevalent Authors
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP!
Tuesday: Read Edgar Allen Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP!
Wednesday: Answer "Thinking about the Selection", "Analyzing Literature", and "Critical Thinking and Reading" questions on page 149. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP!
Thursday: Answer "Thinking about the Selection", "Analyzing Literature", and "Critical Thinking and Reading" questions on page 149. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Discuss and conclude Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"
Homework: No Homework
Monday: Discuss Science Fiction Genre and Begin read Isaac Asimov's "Rain, Rain, Go Away" pages 12-19
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP
Tuesday: Continue reading Isaac Asimov's "Rain, Rain, Go Away" pages 12-19 and (using begin asnwering Think About the Selection, Analyzing Literature, Critical Thinking and Reading Questions, and Understanding Language on page 19. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP
Wednesday: Continue Thinking About the Selection, Analyzing Literature, Critical Thinking and Reading Questions, and Understanding Language on page 19. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP
Thursday: Discuss and Correct Reading Selection Questions
Homework: No Homework
Friday: View "Rain, Rain, Go Away" clip and Conclude "Rain, Rain, Go Away" Activity
Homework: No Homework
7th Grade ELA
Monday: Discuss Mystery Genre and Prevalent Authors
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP!
Tuesday: Read Edgar Allen Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP!
Wednesday: Answer "Thinking about the Selection", "Analyzing Literature", and "Critical Thinking and Reading" questions on page 149. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: Eat & Rest for MEAP!
Thursday: Answer "Thinking about the Selection", "Analyzing Literature", and "Critical Thinking and Reading" questions on page 149. NOTE: Answer using complete sentences!
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Discuss and conclude Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"
Homework: No Homework
Oct. 2, 2011- Oct. 7, 2011
Monday: Complete, share, and turn in group Genre Writing assignment
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search and Crossword Puzzle
Tuesday: Continue MEAP Review...Genres (Discuss Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" with 8th grade AELA students)
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search and Crossword Puzzle
Wednesday: Continue MEAP Review...Prefixes/Suffixes and Root Words with Brain Pops Video Clip and Jeopardy Game, (Discuss Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" with 8th grade AELA students)
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search and Crossword Puzzle
Thursday: Continue MEAP Review with "The Writing Process" (8th grade AELA field trip to GVSU "Twelfth Night")
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search and Crossword Puzzle
Friday: Visit Library, Study and complete Vocabulary Review Activity, and Complete Vocabulary Test
Homework: No Homework
Monday, September 26, 2011
Mon., Sept. 26, 2011 - Fri., Sept. 30, 2011
Monday: Review Social Contract
Homework: No Homework
Tuesday: Continue MEAP Review...Genres, Leads/Endings, The Writing Process, Prefixes/Suffixes and Root Words
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search
Wednesday: Continue MEAP Review...Genres, Leads/Endings, The Writing Process, Prefixes/Suffixes and Root Words
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search
Thursday: Continue MEAP Review...Genres, Leads/Endings, The Writing Process, Prefixes/Suffixes and Root Words
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Word Search
Friday: Continue MEAP Review...Genres, Leads/Endings, The Writing Process, Prefixes/Suffixes and Root Words
Homework:No Homework
Week of Mon., Sept. 19, 2011 - Fri., Sept. 23, 2011
Monday: Hand out new Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle, Review Test Taking Skills, Read "Song of Masefield", Review Elements of Fiction Plot Diagram, and Good Reading Skills
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
Tuesday: Hours 1, 2, and 3...Discovery Education In-Class Testing
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
Wednesday: Hours 4, 5, and 6...Discovery Education In-Class Testing
Homework: Complete and Study Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
Thursday: Hours 1, 2, and 3... Study, Complete, Turn-In Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle. Take Vocabulary Test, Read "The Daisy", complete reading questions, and Plot Diagram. MEAP Review Activity
Homework: No Homework
Friday: Hours 4, 5, and 6...Study, Complete, Turn-In Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle. Take Vocabulary Test, Read "The Daisy", complete reading questions, and Plot Diagram. MEAP Review
Homework: No Homework
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, Sept. 6th - Friday, Sept. 9th, 2011
Tuesday: Introductions, Review Parent Letter & Name Game
Homework: None
Wednesday: Finish Name Game; Assign "I Am" Poem Mini-Project (8th grade)/"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" Essay Mini-Project (7th grade)
Thursday: Class time provided to work on mini-projects (7th/8th grade respectively)
Friday: Final class day to work on mini-projects (7th/8th grade respectively)
Homework: Mini-projects due Monday, Sept.12th, 2010
Wednesday: Finish Name Game; Assign "I Am" Poem Mini-Project (8th grade)/"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" Essay Mini-Project (7th grade)
Thursday: Class time provided to work on mini-projects (7th/8th grade respectively)
Friday: Final class day to work on mini-projects (7th/8th grade respectively)
Homework: Mini-projects due Monday, Sept.12th, 2010
Click to enlarge image and to assist you in completing the 8th grade "I Am" poem
Click to enlarge image and to assist you in completing the 7th grade "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" Project (Note: don't forget to attach your picture to your essay).
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Fall 2011 Parent Letter:
Hello Parent/Guardians,
Welcome to Miss Brown’s Language Arts class! I hope we will have a great year together. What will we do in Language Arts this year?
Literature: We will study all types of literature. Your literature book contains a wealth of different types of writing. You will have homework and vocabulary words resulting from our study.
Writing: Writing is a life skill you will use forever. You will be given many opportunities to hone your communication skills. It is important to know and practice the different stages of the writing process, especially now that the State of Michigan is testing students on their abilities in this area. Don’t worry! You will have lots of practice. Sometimes I will choose the topic; sometimes you will choose it. Let your creativity soar! Remember, all writing must be in ink or typed.
Grammar: Grammar is an important component of your Language Arts class. We will have many activities to enhance our skills in grammar and punctuation.
Spelling/Vocabulary: You will be expected spell correctly in all of your writing. You will need to learn the meaning of vocabulary words and how to spell them.
Projects: From time to time, you will participate in group or individual projects which allow you to apply knowledge from several areas of study.
HOMEWORK! HOMEWORK!! HOMEWORK!!!
Homework Policy: If you want to pass this class, you must do your homework. Assignments are due at the beginning of the hour. Remember to do your own work in order to receive all possible points. Please, refer to the school webpage at http://kentwoodps.org/ourschools/valleywoodmiddleschool/ to view the specifics regarding our homework and grading policy at Valleywood.
Late Homework Because of Absence: SEE ME!!! If you have been absent, we will work something out. BUT SEE ME. I WILL NOT come to you.
CLASSROOM RULES: In addition to the regular school/classroom rules, as outlined in your agenda school handbook, remember the following:
ü Respect each other and all school property: do not write on desks or white board.
ü PLEASE write legibly or use a word processor.
ü Display your full effort by keeping your head up and by standing up when you speak
ü Cooperate with each other
o (No physical/verbal fighting; horseplay or other)!
ü Come to class willing and ready to be appropriate, to be prepared, and to participate
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Bibliography Test Answer Key
Click either image to enlarge and view more clearly...
Friday, May 20, 2011
Diary of Anne Frank
Diary of Anne Frank
Act I
Questions & Responses
¨1. At first, Anne is unaffected and considers the hiding place “a very peculiar summer boarding house”.
¨2. While the workers are in the building, there had to be complete quiet. There could be no noise from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. They could move only in their stockinged feet and could not speak above a whisper. They could not run any water.
¨3. Her father’s command that she must never go beyond the door of their hiding place makes Anne realize the severity of their confinement.
¨4. Margot, Anne, and Peter do school assignments under the guidance of Mr. Frank. Mrs. Frank and Mrs. Van Daan do sewing, embroidery, and prepare dinners. They all celebrate Hanukkah. The families cannot make any noise for fear of people becoming aware that they are hiding upstairs. They are never allowed to leave the attic to go outside. When a thief enters the warehouse, his noise fills everyone with fear. They think the intruder is the Green Police
¨5. Anne wants to be able to ride her bike, to laugh, to have new clothes, to have a hot bath, and to be back at school with her friends. Her nightmare was that the Green Police broke down the door and grabbed her.
¨6. Hanukkah is a time of celebration. It is a way of renewing your faith in God. Anne has managed to surprise the group by finding appropriate Hanukkah presents for each one
¨7. Peter is gentle and well mannered. He is shy and at times withdrawn. Anne is intelligent, honest, and eager for perfection. However, at times she can be difficult and temperamental. Peter impulsively rips the Star of David off his shirt and burns it. Anne has stronger feelings about what the star stands for and can’t burn it.
¨8. Margot is quiet, courteous, and distant. Anne is boisterous, self-assertive, and engaging. Their mother prefers Margot’s character to Anne’s. Anne feels she is not understood and has nothing in common with her mother.
¨9. The statement means that, even though they are virtually prisoners in the attic, they can go anywhere through books. Anne is eager for intellectual activity and Mr. Frank is a great source of intellectual stimulation for her.
¨10. Everyone is fearful that the intruder will go to the Green Police and tell of their hiding. Yet they try to renew their faith and courage by continuing to celebrate Hanukkah.
¨11. Traditions help us get through difficult times by giving people a sense of security. The idea of sharing long-established values prevents a sense of rootlessness.
¨12. Answers may vary…Yes. Students should note that Anne provides firsthand observations on the barbarism of the Nazis.
Act II
Questions & Responses
¨ 1. The people from whom Miep had gotten the ration books have been arrested, and so the refugees are particularly hungry.
¨ 2. Answers may vary…Some examples include Mr. Van Daan’s attempt to sell his wife’s fur coat, Peter’s resentment over Dussel’s remark about the boy’s lost cat, news of the workman’s blackmail of Mr. Kraler, Mrs. Van Daan’s disapproval of her son’s growing affection for Anne, and Mr. Van Daan’s theft of food.
¨ 3. News of the D-Day invasion of Normandy
¨ Mr. Kraler tells the group that he thinks one of the workmen is trying to blackmail him and knows that there are people hiding in the attic.
¨ 4. Mrs. Frank wants to turn out the Van Daans because she discovered Mr. Van Daan stealing bread that should have gone to the children.
¨ Mrs. Frank has always been shown to be concerned about the health and well-being of the children
¨ 5. The Gestapo traces the stolen radio back to the thief, who reveals the location of the hideout to the Nazis.
¨ 6. Peter provides her with the security she craves, and now this confidence in his affection for her enables her to be less defensive with the other occupants.
¨ 7. Ulcers can be caused by stress and aggravation. Mr. Frank feels that Mr. Kraler’s ulcers were caused by constantly worrying about their safety.
¨ 8. Mr. Frank refers to the fact that living in confinement, compounded by the strain and tension of war, causes problems among people which might otherwise never occur.
¨ 9. Anne’s successful struggle to achieve courage, hope, and compassion allows her to believe that people are really good at heart.
¨ 10. The implication is that Mr. Frank has lost his faith. Reading his daughter’s entries restores his own faith in humanity.
¨ 11. Answers may vary. Like Anne in this speech, some young people think they can ignore the world’s evils and on the strength of their hopes and ideals make the world a better place.
¨ 12. Anne’s diary is an enduring testimonial to the power of courage and positivism to prevail over despair
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monday, May 16th, 2011 - Friday, May 20th, 2011
7th Grade English Language Arts:
Students will be given class time to complete their final project and review for their Greek Mythology Unit Test. Details for the project will be distributed on Monday, May 17th, 2011. The project will be due on Thursday, May 19th, 2011. The test for the entire Greek Mythology unit will take place on Friday, May 20th, 2011.
8th Grade English Language Arts:
Students have been assigned to read "The Diary of Anne Frank", will view clips from the film, answer questions #1-12 on page 343 and questions #1-12 on page 369. Questions will be due on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011. Class time will be given to work on answering the questions on Monday and Tuesday, May 16th & 17th. If students need additional time to complete the questions, then they will be required to check out a Literature book from the school library and complete the questions by Wednesday, May 18th, 2011. Material will be discussed and reviewed on Wednesday and Thursday, May 18th and 19th, and the test over the reading and vocabulary of "The Diary of Anne Frank" will be Friday, May 20th, 2011.
8th Grade Advanced English Language Arts:
Students are assigned to read Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, complete the accompanying Study Guide, and perform a 10 minute segment of the play by Wednesday, June 1st, 2011.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Some Notes on Note Cards
Sample Note Cards
Note cards should not include your entire speech. Rather, they are simply serving as reminders of what you are going to talk about. For example, instead of writing an entire body paragraph on a note card, just write one or two key sentences (citations included) that will help you to remember your research and main point.
Basic Sample:
Topic: Lyme disease
I. Intro.
II. Body
A. What is it? (Author Name & Page Number)
B. Where do you find it? (Website Name)
C. How do you prevent it? (Article Title & Page Number)
III. Conclusion
More Detailed Example (One Card per "Paragraph"—Introduction, Supporting Evidence 1, Supporting Evidence 2, Supporting Evidence 3, and Conclusion)
Topic: Don’t drink and drive
Card #1: Introduction
A. Describe an horrific car crash
B. You or me—it could happen
C. Introduce thesis statement: “People should not drink and drive.”
Card #2: Supporting Argument 1
A. One problem with drunk driving is that it can potentially harm innocent bystanders.
B. According to ________, ________ accidents are caused by drunk driving.
C. __________ drunk driving accidents result in death (Website Name).
D. Show visual aid (picture of mangled car)
E. Personal story
Card #3: Supporting Argument 2
- A second problem with drunk driving is that getting pulled over by an officer can cost you money and add points to your license.
- Receiving a DUI costs $_________ and can = ________ time in prison (Website Name).
- A recent study conducted by ____________ shows that about $_______ = fines for drunk driving.
- According to an interview with ____________, you can get up to _______ points on your license from a DUI.
Card #4: Supporting Argument 3
- Lastly, drunk driving is completely unfair to your friends and family in the car with you. Do you really want to put their lives at risk?
- In 2009, _________% of people killed by drunk drivers were passengers in the car with the intoxicated driver (Author name & page number).
- In an interview I had with ________, she revealed that her cousin died because the driver of the car she was in was intoxicated.
- Explain how they were close friends and how the accident happened.
Card #5: Conclusion
- In summary, I believe that people should not drive while intoxicated.
- Summarize three points: injury/death to innocent people on the streets, money and points on your license, and injury/death to other people in the car.
- Call to action—stricter rules.
Check this site out for some examples:
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