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

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

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

meap review: leads

More PowerPoint presentations from Amanda

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

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

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).

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

Bibliography Test Answer Key

Click either image to enlarge and view more clearly...

Copied on a lined piece of paper (or print out), your bibliography test work should look like the image(s) here. Please, copy and turn in to Miss Brown by Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 at 4:15pm in order to receive full credit.