January 28-Februaru 2

This Week In Room 305

8A
Scholars will be working with the word part derm.
The words for the week are:
dermatitis, dermatology, hypodermic, dermatology,   epidermis, and taxidermy
Students will explore Static and Dynamic Characters, Flat and Round Characters,  Character Motivation and Reaction, and Character, Traits 
This Month's Novel: Bronx Masquerade

7B
Scholars will be working with the word part semi.
The words for the week are:
semiformal, semiconductor, semicircle, semiannual, semifinal
 
Scholars will be analyzing pieces of text and determining possible themes and finding evidence within the text to support the theme.
Scholars will also use the assigned novel and determine who are main and minor characters and identify the character traits of characters found within their novel.

This Month's Novel: We Beat The Streets

8B

Scholars will be working with the word part derm.
The words for the week are:
dermatitis, dermatology, hypodermic, dermatology,   epidermis, and taxidermy


Scholars will be analyzing pieces of text and determining possible themes and finding evidence within the text to support the theme.
Scholars will also use the assigned novel and determine who are main and minor characters and identify the character traits of characters found within their novel.

This Month's Novel: Bronx Masquerade

Middle School Literacy-Fofana- Week of January 28

Important Updates:

• All scholars must log on to Compass Learning daily to work on folders. They must compete at least a quiz a week. Compass learning grades will be recorded every Monday for the previous week's activities.
• All Study Island assignments must be completed by due dates in order to receive credit. All grades for Study Island assignments will be recorded on Mondays.
• Scholars will be given the opportunity to re-take a tests if they qualify. This does not apply to quizzes. The first re-take is scheduled for 1/31/2013 from 8:00 to 8:30 in room 306.

Objectives: SWBAT

6A

Monday: Analyze how an author evokes mood by interpreting sensory details.

Tuesday: Read, interpret and answer questions about poetry.

Wednesday: Determine the central idea of a poem by interpreting the title and generating an alternate title.

Thursday: Determine how an author creates a visual in the mind of the reader by interpreting imagery.

Friday: Complete a unit assessment with 70% mastery.
Lesson Packet for 6A 

Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots

Auto-

circum-

hyper-

malus-

polis-

trans-

bi-

duo-

tri-

unus-

6B 

Monday:  Use prior knowledge to help make predictions

Tuesday: Determine author’s purpose for writing a text.

Wednesday: Define main idea

                          Identify the main idea of a given passage.

Thursday: Make inferences, draw conclusions and make generalizations

Friday: Use main idea and supporting details to create a summary.
Weekly Lesson Packet for 6B

Word Study:Homographs

7th Grade

Monday: To use clues in a fiction text along with real-life experiences to make an inference about a given text.

Tuesday: Analyze details and draw conclusions to help gain a deeper understanding of a given text.

Wednesday: Define generalization.
                          Differentiate between “good” and “bad” generalizations.

Thursday:  Define main idea

                       Identify the main idea of a given passage.

Friday: Analyze a passage for main idea
               Determine of the main idea of a given passage is stated or implied.

Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots

1. Solvo-
2. morphe-
3. valeo-
4. scribo-
5. astron-
6. hemos-
7. photo-
8. dico-
9. dictum-
10. celer
11. finis-
12. pan-
13. judex-

Vocabulary Words 1/28 and Important Events and Reminders

Vocabulary words this week is the suffix “sphere” which means the surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky.

1.     hemisphere

2.     biosphere

3.     atmosphere

4.     chromosphere

5.     microsphere

6.     ecosphere

7.     photosphere

8.     stratosphere

9.      thermosphere

10.   hydrosphere

Write down 3 bonus words with the suffix “sphere”.

1._________________________2._______________________3.________________________         

                  (many students are leaving their bonus words blank on their quizzes) 

Monday:  Write down the definitions of each vocabulary word.

Tuesday:   Continue to write the definitions of each word.  Write a story using at least 5 of the vocabulary words. Study the definitions.

Wednesday:  Write synonym (a similar word) for the words listed on the board using the Thesaurus.

Thursday:  Practice learning the definitions with the Bingo board.  Study with flash cards.

Friday:  Review definitions and spelling/Vocabulary test Friday.

Important reminders and events:

• Word study quiz and figurative language quiz on Friday
• Students have been given their theme and point of view quizzes returned and graded. Please check with them for their scores or Gradebook
• We are continuing to work on Extended Responses in writing
• We will be studying poetry for the next two weeks
• We will be still dismissing outside. Please make sure your scholar has on the appropriate winter clothing. 

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of January 21

Important Updates:

• All scholars must log on to Compass Learning daily to work on folders. They must compete at least a quiz a week. Compass learning grades will be recorded every Monday for the previous week's activities.
• All Study Island assignments must be completed by due dates in order to receive credit. All grades for Study Island assignments will be recorded on Mondays.
• Scholars will be given the opportunity to re-take a tests if they qualify. This does not apply to quizzes. The first re-take is scheduled for 1/28/2013 from 8:00 to 8:30 in room 306.

Objectives: SWBAT

6A

Monday: Holiday-MLK Day

Tuesday: Identify how diction is used to create imagery and mood.
                      Interpret tone by analyzing word choice.

Wednesday: Identify and use personification and hyperbole in poetry

Thursday: Identify and analyze different forms of poetry.

Friday: Define and analyze a haiku
                  Identify and analyze a concrete poem.

Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots

1. ad- to, forward
2. bene- good, well
3. fragilis- breakable 
4. re- back, again
5. sub- under 
6. voco- call
7. aqua- water 
8. decem- ten
9. magnus- great 
10. phone- sound, voice 

6B 

Monday: Holiday-MLK Day

Tuesday: Identify and note the differences between a fact statement and an opinion statement.

Wednesday: Identify cause and effect relationships in informational text.

Thursday: Identify the order of events in a given text.

Friday: Review genres and subgenres
                       Identify the genre of a given piece of writing.

Word Study:Re-teach Greek/Latin Roots from the previous

7th Grade

Monday: Holiday-MLK Day

Tuesday: Define and identify the different types of meter within a poem.
                           Create and write a rap about a topic of their choice using the iambic, trochee, dactylic, and        anapest meters 

Wednesday: Edit peer poetry portfolios
                                   Provide constructive feedback about reviewed portfolio

Thursday:  Read a selection of poems written by other teens and identify figurative language, sound devices and                      meter as well as the themes expressed in the poem.

Friday: 

Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots

1. chronos- time
2. demos- people
3. ex -from, out of  
4. judex- judge 
5. pan- all 
6. sequor- follow 
7. annus- year 
8. ge- earth 
9. mikros- small 
10. omnis- all 

 
Vocabulary Test # 1 Re-Take Documents
KIM-Vocabulary Worksheet
Test # 1 Re-Take Words
Vocabulary Map
Re-Take Parent Letter

Word study words 1/22/13 and 5th grade events

VOCABULARY WORDS WITH THE suffix “ual” which means the kind of, or pertaining to.

1.     gradual

2.     individual

3.     casual

4.     unequal

5.     unusual

6.     intellectual

7.     punctual

8.     equal

9.     mutual

10.   multilingual

11.   habitual

12.   gradual

13.   annual

14.   manual

15.   virtual

Write down 3 bonus words with the suffix “ual”.

1._________________________2._______________________3.________________________

Monday:  No School.

Tuesday:   Write down definitions of each word.  Write a story using at least 5 of the vocabulary words.

Wednesday:  Write synonym (a similar word) for the words listed on the board using the Thesaurus.

Thursday:  Practice learning the definitions with the Bingo board.  Study with flash cards.

Friday:  Review definitions and spelling/Vocabulary test Friday.

• Thank you for all of you for helping the Taffy Apple School Wide fundraiser! 
• Please remember that all these word study words are aligned to the ISAT in March
• Theme quiz on Wednesday
• Word Study quiz on Friday

6th grade social studies for the week of 1.15.13

OVERVIEW: We will look at reasons why humans go to war.  We will start looking at factors that forced America into the Civil War, including slavery, economics, and human rights.  Friday we will also listen to one of the greatest speech's in American history, MLK's "I Have a Dream."

HOMEWORK: students will have readings to complete each night and Friday will have a writing assignment identify their own "dream."

QUIZZES/TESTS: students will begin preparing vocabulary notes in preparation for a vocabulary test next week.

6th and 8th grade writing (Scott) for the week of 1.15.13

OVERVIEW: I will introduce a new writing curriculum we are rolling out called Traits Writing from Ruth Culham.  This includes the writing process we have been using but stresses the 6+1 traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation).  We will specifically look at the first two steps in the process: pre writing and drafting.

HOMEWORK: Students will have a short writing assignment that aligns with these traits and steps each night.

QUIZZES/TESTS: none

*WINTER BREAK ESSAYS DUE TUESDAY 1.15.13

8th grade social studies for the week of 1.15.13

OVERVIEW: We will be continuing our Constitution Unit this week by looking at factors that lead to writing of the actual document: the Constitutional Convention, The Great Compromise, and other important civic ideas we find in America.  Also, Friday students will listen to one of the greatest speech's in American history, MLK's "I Have a Dream. and look at our own dreams.

HOMEWORK: students will have readings and questions to answer each night continuing what we are studying in class.

QUIZZES/TESTS: students will have a short quiz Wednesday and Thursday to check understanding of previous nights readings.  Students should also be taking notes on chapter vocabulary and work on studying content words for vocabulary test next week.

6th grade social studies for the week of 1.7.13

OVERVIEW: We will begin our WAR themed unit today by talking about the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War and why colonists were unhappy with England.  We will read and watch videos to gain background knowledge on the events, people, and places of the specific time period.  In this unit we will look at reasons for war, results of war, bystanders of war, and what war looks like (just to name a few).  We will concentrate on American wars (i.e. the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the most recent conflicts in the Middle East.

HOMEWORK: Students will have readings and questions to complete at home each night.

ASSESSMENTS: no quizzes of tests this week

8th grade social studies for the week of 1.7.13

OVERVIEW: We will begin our CONSTITUTION UNIT today by talking about the American Revolution and why colonists were unhappy with the King and the English government.  We will read and watch videos to gain background knowledge on the events, people, and places of the specific time period.

HOMEWORK: Students will have readings and questions to complete at home each night.

ASSESSMENTS: Looking ahead our estimated CONSTITUTION TEST date will be the second week in March.

6th and 8th grade writing (scott) for the week of 1.7.13

OVERVIEW: We will be reviewing our literary essays, what worked and what we still may need to work on.  Building on the essay format (introduction, body, and conclusion), supporting with details, and interpreting the facts with our own ideas we will complete a prompt about our winter break.

HOMEWORK: Students will begin prompt in class Monday and continue to work on the template for homework as well revising, editing and drafting the final copy.

ASSESSMENT: final copy will be due Thursday

Welcome Back! January 7th, 2013

Hello! I hope you all enjoyed your break! Back to work. Below are the words for this week. There will be a quiz on Friday. 

VOCABULARY WORDS 

Suffix “-ment” which means “act of” or “state of” or “result”. Write down 3 bonus words with the suffix “-ment”.

1. achievement

2. amendment

3. nourishment

4. establishment

5. accomplishment

6. contentment

7. fulfillment

8. advancement

9. implement

10. acknowledgement

11. engagement

12. enlargement

13. agreement

14. amusement

15. monument

1._________________________2._______________________3.________________________

Monday:  Copy definition of each word and make flash cards of the vocabulary words. Sort the words into the three categories.

Tuesday:  Continue to write down definitions and finish flash cards.  Write a story using at least 5 of the vocabulary words.

Wednesday:  Write synonyms (a similar word) for the words listed on the board using the Thesaurus.

Thursday:  Practice learning the definitions with the Bingo board.  Study with flash cards.

Friday:  Review definitions and spelling/Vocabulary test Friday.

REMINDER: Report card pick up is January 11th. It will be held in the gymnasium and is first come, first serve.