News for the month of February:
 
In preparation of ISAT both the 7th and8th graders will be focusing on the following reading concepts:

Main Idea and Details
Plot and Setting
Supporting Generalizations
Summarizing
Text stuctures
Fact and Opinion 
Denotation and Connotation
Roots and Affixes
Arguements and Author's Point of View
Literary Structure
Character

Your scholars should be bringing  home their ISAT Coach Books, Common Core Packets, and assigned articles nightly.

I am planning to add a Black History Report to our lessons. I will send information home as soon as the outline is finalized.

Ms. Blanchard    

Middle School Literacy-Fofana- Week of February 3

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.

Objectives: SWBAT

6A

Monday: Use the reading strategy if inference to gain a deeper understanding of a text.

Tuesday: Use the reading strategy of drawing conclusion to gain a deeper understanding of a text.

Wednesday: Interpret and follow a set of given instructions.

Thursday: Identify when a text is written in a chronological sequence and explain the purpose of the structure.

Friday: Complete assessment with at least a 70% mastery. 
6A Packet-1
6A Packet-2

Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots
Chronos(G), Demos(G), Ex(L), Judex(L), Pan(G), Sequor(L), Annus(L), Ge(G), Mikos(G), Omnis(L)

6A Homework:

  Monday                Tuesday              Wednesday                Thursday                   Friday

Handout: Pages 62-65 in CC coach book.

Complete ISAT coach pages 75 to77

Handout Study island printout

Handout Answer questions relating to “An Island is Born”

Study Island and Compass Learning

6B 

Monday: Identify the genre of a given passage. 

Tuesday: Identify the series of events within the plot of a given a text.

Wednesday: Determine a character’s trait by looking for specific clues within a text.

Thursday: Identify the author’s message or a given passage.

Friday: Complete assessment with at least a 70% mastery.



Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots

Ad(L), Bene(L), Fragilis(L), Re(L), Sub(L), Voco(L), Aqua(L), Decem(L), Magnum(L), Phone(L)

6B-Homework

          Monday              Tuesday                Wednesday        Thursday              Friday

Handout Complete lesson practice ISAT coach- pages 124-125

Handout Complete lesson practice ISAT coach- pages 135-137

Handout Complete lesson practice ISAT coach- pages 139-141

Handout Complete lesson practice ISAT coach- pages 146-149

Complete study island assignments

7A

Monday: Determine the main idea and supporting details of a given text.

Tuesday: Determine the main idea of a complex text.
                          Use the main and idea and supporting details of a text to formulate a summary.

Wednesday: Define theme as author’s message
                                   Identify the theme of a given text

Thursday:  Determine an author’s purpose for writing a text.

Friday: Complete assessment with 70% or higher mastery.

Word Study: Greek/Latin Roots

Audio(L), Cresco(L), Erro(L), Jacio(L), Neos(G), Tendo(L), Centum(L), Hydor(G), Primus(L), Quartus(L)

7A- Homework

                  Monday                Tuesday        Wednesday         Thursday          Friday

Handout Complete pages 87-89 of ISAT coach book

Complete CC ISAT coach pages 95-97

Complete pages 151-153 of ISAT coach books

Complete pages 82-85 of ISAT coach books

Complete study island assignments

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-

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

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of December 10th

Important Updates:

• All scholars must log on to Compass Learning daily to work on folders. 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.
• BAS testing has began. Any scholar who is not yet at a level "Z" will be tested during the BAS testing window.
• December 21, 2012: End of 2nd Quarter
• January 11, 2013: Report Card Pick-Up

Objectives: SWBAT

6th Grade

Monday: Define and analyze character motivation within a story

Tuesday: Analyze plot development (e.g., conflict, rising action, falling action, resolution) to determine    whether and how conflicts are resolved.

Wednesday: Identify and explain different types of conflict in a text

Thursday: Identify the climax of a story and defend their choice by analyzing the overall structure of the plot.

Friday: Complete reading and vocabulary assessment

Word Study: Connotations

7th Grade

Monday: 

Tuesday: 

Wednesday: 

Thursday: 

Friday: 

Word Study: Connotations

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of November 12th

Important Updates:

• Scholars in 6A now have gym on Mondays. Please ensure that scholars are coming to school on Monday's in gym uniforms.
• All scholars must log on to Compass Learning daily to work on folders. Compass learning grades will be recorded every Monday for the previous week's activities.
• November 20, 2012: Progress Reports go home with scholars.
• November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break

Objectives: SWBAT

6th Grade

Monday: Identify details about setting and about the main character

Tuesday: Evaluate how the setting contributes to the conflict.

Wednesday: Identify the effects of setting on a character’s actions

Thursday: Evaluate the effects of setting on conflict resolution

Friday: Read and analyze a magazine article and its features

Word Study: Syllables

7th Grade

Monday: Complete a chronological order assessment

Tuesday: Identify the central conflict of a given text

Wednesday: Evaluate how cause-and-effect affects events in the plot of a given text

Thursday: Identify the effects of point of view on the theme of a story

Friday: Identify the climax of a given text.

Word Study: Multiple meaning words

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of October 29

Important Updates:

• Scholars in 6A now have gym on Mondays. Please ensure that scholars are coming to school on Monday's in gym uniforms.
• November 2, 2012: Professional Development Day (non attendance day for scholars)
• November 20, 2012: Progress Reports go home with scholars.
• November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break

Objectives: SWBAT

6th Grade

Monday: Complete a main idea assessment

Tuesday:Review Text Features

Wednesday: Identify words that imply order

Thursday: Identify the chronological order of events within a given text.
Word Study: Synonyms

7th Grade

Tuesday: Evaluate claims and assertions using a different text

Wednesday: Identify and evaluate evidence that supports the claims using a different text

Thursday: Evaluate accuracy of evidence using a different text
Word Study: Synonyms

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of October 23rd

Important Updates:

• Scholars in 6A now have gym on Mondays. Please ensure that scholars are coming to school on Monday's in gym uniforms.
• November 2, 2012: Professional Development Day (non attendance day for scholars)
• November 20, 2012: Progress Reports go home with scholars.
• November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break

Objectives: SWBAT

6th Grade:

Monday: Identify  the main idea of a given passage

Tuesday: Determine the main idea in a topic sentence

Wednesday: Identify the implied main idea of a text

Thursday: Summarize a text using main idea

Friday: Choose the best summary for a nonfiction text

Word Study: 

• Recognize that some words are spelled alike but have different meanings 
• Use context clues to determine the meaning of a multiple-meaning word

7th Grade:

Monday: Identify the characteristics of a biography

Tuesday: Evaluate claims and assertions

Wednesday: Identify and evaluate evidence that supports the claims

Thursday: Evaluate accuracy of evidence

Friday: Evaluate claims and assertions using a different text.

Word Study: Use context clues that restate meaning to determine the meaning of a word.

Handouts
7th Grade Exit Tickets
6th Grade Exit Tickets
Best Summary Worksheet
Main Idea-Thursday

Welcome Back!!!

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Fall Break.
This week both the 7th and 8th graders will be focusing on Non Fiction. As a class we will discuss and identify the following:

• Non Fiction Subgenres
• Features of Non Fiction Text
• Organization of  Non Fiction Text

I will also be introducing "On the Record" this week in class. "On the Record" is a program created by Scholastic that focuses on enhancing students' understanding of Non Fiction text. 

Also, this Friday is Report Card Pickup. Students are not in attendance on Friday.

Have a great week,

Ms. Blanchard 
  

Ms. Blanchard Literacy Class 10/1-5

Ms. Blanchard's Literacy Class

7th Grade
Greek and Latin Word Parts:
Cred- believe, trust
Short Story: Zebra
Focus: Main Character, Cause-and-Effect, Character Motivation and Reaction

8th Grade
Greek and Latin Word Parts:
Dem/Demo-People
Short Story: Stop the Sun
Focus: Main and Minor Characters, Cause-and-Effect, Plot, and Theme

Fall Break Homework Packets
Students will have homework over the Fall Break. The completed packet is due on Monday, October15, 2012

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of October 1

Important Updates:

• Middle Discipline Plan Letter
• First Quarter Ends: October 5, 2012
• Fall Break: October 8-12
• Report Card Pick-Up: October 19, 2012
• Compass Learning is up and running. Please sign on to complete all your assignments.

Objectives: SWBAT

6th Grade

• Identify and define theme
• Identify the theme of a short story
• Analyze the theme of a short story
• Analyze cause and effect relationship in a fiction

7th Grade

• Identify character traits and motives
• Analyze character traits and motives
• Identify the setting of a short story
• Identify and analyze the theme a short story

Hand Outs:

6th Grade

• Exit Tickets
• Character Development
• Cause and Effect
• Discussion Questions

7th Grade

• Character Comparison
• Character Traits and Motives
• Exit Tickets

Small Groups:
Reading Strategies and Comprehension

• 6th Grade: Cause and Effect/Author’s Purpose
• 7th Grade: Cause and Effect/Summarizing

Blanchard's Literacy Class 9/24-28

7th Grade
Short Story: Names/Nombres
Focus: Characteristics and Purpose of the Personal Essay
Word Study: Aud, Son, Phon =Sound/Hear
Small Group Focus: Reading Comprehension
Weekly Assessments will be taken on Thursday, September 27,2012
No School Friday, September 28,2012

8th Grade Retreat  9/25-9/27
Have fun and be safe!!!!!!!

Reading September 17th thru 21st

The 7th graders will be reading  a short story: "Thank You M'am"
Focus: Central Conflict, Internal Conflict, External Conflict, Cause-and-Effect, Plot
Novel: "The Skin I'm In"
Greek and Latin:
Astr-/Astro- star or star shaped

1. astronomy
2. astronomer
3. astrophysics
4. asterisk
5. astrology
6. astrologer
7. astronomical
8. astronautics

The 8th Graders will be reading the short story " Raymond's Run"
Focus: Central Conflict, Internal Conflict, External Conflict, Cause-and-Effect, Plot
Novel: "Romiette and Julio
Greek and Latin: Ad- to move toward, in addition to
1. adapt
2. addition
3. addict
4. advise
5. addiction
6. additive
7. additional
8. adhere

Middle School Literacy-Fofana Week of September 17th

Important Updates

• September 28th: Professional Development Day ( No School)
• Please make sure that all scholars are coming to school in uniform. This includes tie, button down blue shirt, and dress shoes. Violation notices will be issued to those who are not in complete uniform.
• Middle School Discipline Letter

Objectives:

6th Grade

SWBAT:

• Understand and appreciate a short story
• Draw on context clues to help bring meaning to words
• Identify and analyze the plot of a story
• Identify and use sequence of events to help gain a deeper understanding of a story
• Identify character traits and the story evidence that supports that trait

7th Grade:

SWBAT:

6th Grade Packet:

• Habibi Novel Study Packet
• Vocabulary and Grammar in Context
• Weekly Vocabulary Worksheet
• Weekly Vocabulary Index Cards
• Plot Graphic Organizer
• Sequence of Events Graphic Organizer
• Weekly Exit Tickets

7th Grade Packet

• The Skin I'm In Novel Study Packet