4/30

Today we finished up our discussion of Hitler's rise to power.  We then moved into our discussion of Pearl Harbor and read Daniel Inouye's first hand account of that day.  Please see our blog for those clips.
HW: Respond to the prompt on the blog.  Remember 7-12 sentences that contain substance for your response and then read a few other responses and comment (2-3sentences of substance).

4/29

WOO HOO State testing is over for a while!  We kicked off Clarklisto's WWII project today.
HW:  Please go to the our blog to respond to the prompt.


In addition, many students failed to turn in their essays on Call of the Wild today and very few opted to stay period 10 to complete these.  The essay is a major grade and it will be difficult to pass without the grade.


There will not be a reading log due this week but you need to be reminded that your WWII book needs to be completed by May 15th.

4/23

Today in class I handed out the assignment of rate essay (see below).  I explained the assignment with great detail.  I explained the essay, a rough draft and the worksheet will be expected to be turned in on Monday of next week.  I also eliminated the reading logs for the week.
We then read ch 6 together in class.  Students will be given class periods tomorrow and Thursday to work toward finishing the book and writing the essay as I will be out of district grading ELA exams.

Reminder that permission slips for the movie should be returned tomorrow.

After reading the novel and reflecting on who thrives and who dies, it becomes clear that London feels certain qualities are necessary for survival.  What are three of these qualities and how does London make them clear to us?

Characters who live:          Qualities they possess

Characters who die:                   Qualities they do not have:

4/22

Today we read from Call of the Wild.  We will finish the book by the end of the week.  There is a take home essay test that students in 3rd period will need to complete by Monday 4/29.  Afternoon students will most likely complete the assignment in class but if not completed in class, they will need to turn the essay in on Monday 4/29.
HW: Take home essay and read 90 minutes

4/16-4/18

We took the ELA exams these last three days.  Nice job sitting for so long.  In class today we reviewed Call of the Wild by separating into groups and answering questions on each chapter then sharing to a large group.  The rest of the time we met, we worked on the blog assignment.  Once the blog is completed students were to follow the directions below:

Save and Publish your blog

Open my blog http://bomber8ela.blogspot.com/

in a new tab

go to right hand side of my blog in section called Tools for Maggie's project and click on "Maggie's wall for posting"

Double click on background.  Add title of book you have chosen to review, your name,  genre, then link your blog by pasting the url address you have copied 

It will say awaiting approval

HW: Read. log. post-it

Be sure to bring Call of the Wild books to class tomorrow.

4/15

Welcome back after the unexpected 3 day weekend.  I hope we can say goodbye to the snow for good!  Today in class we read, talked about vocab, transitions and the necessity to read with focus and to be willing to read again.  I let students know where they needed be for testing,--A-Kerley will be in my room, Kroes through Wylie will be in Mr. Clark's room.  90 minutes is a long time to sit for 3 days straight so be sure you have eaten a good breakfast so you can be ready to focus and do the best you can on this test.  You may bring water bottles.  If you finish early you may read quietly but are not permitted to work on anything else.  Please leave all electronic devices at home or in your lockers; they will not be allowed in the test rooms.

I collected logs from 4/8-4/15 and handed out new logs 4/15-4/22.  I also collected any extra credit assignments.

HW: Relax and read.

4/11

We read in class.  Students were instructed to write down vocabulary words and invigorating verbs they noticed as they read.  We then spent time sharing these words with partners, looking up definitions of words that were foreign to them.  An opportunity for extra credit was offered.  If students are so moved, they can write me a mildly to rip-roaringly amusing story using 10 of the words they noted as they read. Using  a partner's words are fine too.  This has to be turned in by the end of the day tomorrow.
HW: Enjoy your book and do the extra credit if you want.

4/10

We read IR books again in class and I conferenced with lots of you. You are really reading some great books and scary ones!  I can't believe you are not having nightmares with Dean Koontz and Stephen King images flashing in front of your faces for 20 minutes a day! I returned the practice quiz and we talked about all the great things you guys have been doing as you write and read.  Your annotations rock, your transitions have come so very far and you all see the necessity of using details from the text to prove your points.  Great work.
HW: Enjoy your books post-it free

4/9

You will all be happy to know I did remember to call my dad for his b-day!  I did, however, forget to update this blog yesterday.  In class we read for 20 minutes and decided that it could be a post it free week for reading.  I discussed the blog assignment and explained it will not be due until Monday 4/22 and you will have time after the test to work on it during class.  I then went over the format of the NYS ELA exam that is to be administered on Tuesday 4/16, Wednesday 4/17 AND Thursday 4/18.  NEXT week.  The test promises to be more rigorous than in years past and I have been trying to allay fears of performing poorly.  The students simply need to do their best NYS's test obsession should not be allowed to raise anxiety in our children.  HW: Enjoy your book post-it free and RELAX.

Monday 4/8

Welcome back.  As a huge present to you for your return--I gave a practice test today!  I know how awful right?  As I explained in class we only have a week before the state tests and this week will be devoted to drawing your attention to the little details we have been working on all year that will help make a difference in your test scores.  Unfortunately, we need a basis for our discussion and this test is the way to do it.  Tomorrow's class will be way more interactive and pleasant.  I hope you all have fabulous evening.  Your only homework is to pick up the IR books again and start logging your time while keeping post its.