Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

Today we read chapter 8 of The Outsiders and had one class period to work on our menus.

Monday, May 21, 2018:

Today we read chapter seven and worked on the menu. REMEMBER, ALL LATE WORK IS DUE ON FRIDAY! That is the last day I will accept any late assignments.

Homework: ALL late work due Friday, 5/25. Book project due 5/29.

Friday, May 18, 2018:

Today we read chapter six and and worked on our menu.

Homework: ALL late work due Friday, 5/25. Book project due 5/29.

Thursday, May 17, 2018:

Today we read chapter five and worked on our menu.

Homework: Narrative due Friday, May 18th. Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018:

Today we read chapter three and four and had some time to work on our menus.

A couple of reminders for this Friday:

1. Bring all textbooks to turn in to the library.

2. Narrative due.

3. Boomers ticket deadline.

Homework: Narrative due Friday, May 18th. Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018:

Today we finished chapter one and read chapter two of The Outsiders. We also had some time to begin working on our last menu!

Homework: Narrative due Friday, May 18th. Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Monday, May 14, 2018:

Today we discussed the menu and read part of chapter one of The Outsiders.

Homework: Complete menu survey on Google classroom. Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

May 7-May 11:

We will be testing this week. Please turn in your narrative by Friday, May 18th.

Friday, May 4, 2018:

Today we wrote narratives. Don't worry about finishing these over the weekend.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Thursday, May 3, 2018:

We continued working on the Flowers for Algernon packet for both periods today.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018:

Today we are continuing to read "Flowers for Algernon" and work on our packets (you should have two sections of TDQ's just about finished in the packet).

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018:

Today we began reading "Flowers for Algernon" and started working on our packets. We will continue this tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Monday, April 30, 2018:

Today, we finished up the poetry packet from Friday and some classes began working on the "Flowers for Algernon" pre-reading activities.

Homework: Complete poetry packet for homework. Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:

We were supposed to present our poetry projects in class today. However, it was apparent after 3rd period that not all groups took it seriously. For this reason, period 1/3 will be presenting again tomorrow and periods 4/5 and 7/8 will present as soon as we start class tomorrow. You've had at least 7 class periods to complete this project. I expect for you to come to class tomorrow with a good presentation.

Homework: Make your presentation amazingly fantastic. Read for 30 minutes. Book projects due May 29th.

Monday, April 23, 2018:

Today we continued working on our poetry project. Remember, we will only have one class period to finish these up tomorrow. We will start presenting in class tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th!

Friday April 20, 2018:

Today we continued working on our poetry project. Be sure to use your class time wisely. You will have until Tuesday to finish the presentations.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th!

Thursday April 19, 2018:

Today we began working on our poetry project. Be sure to use your class time wisely. You will have until Tuesday to finish the presentations.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th!

Wednesday April 18, 2018:

We finished working on our extended metaphor poems today. If you didn't complete yours, please finish it for homework.

Homework: Finish extended metaphor poem. Read for 30 minutes. Book project due May 29th!

Tuesday, April 17, 2018:

Today we began working on our extended metaphor poems. You should at least have your subject, original metaphor, and a few lines of the poem completed by the time you come to class tomorrow. We will finish up the final draft of these tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes and have a good start on your poem. Book project due May 29th!

Monday, April 16, 2018:

Welcome back! Today you read "O Captain! My Captain!" with the guest teacher. You should have finished the graphic organizer for homework.

Homework: Finish symbolism graphic organizer for "O Captain! My Captain!"

Friday, April 6, 2018:

TKAM part two menu is due today. I am so excited to see all of the hard work you put in for the second half of the novel!! We finished up those benchmarks today in class.

Have a fun, safe, fantastic, relaxing, wonderful spring break! See you in a week :)

Thursday, April 5, 2018:

Today we continued writing our benchmarks. You had both classes to write your essay.

Homework: TKAM part 2 menu due TOMORROW, April 6th.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018:

Today we began writing our benchmarks. You had both classes to write your essay.

Homework: TKAM part 2 menu due FRIDAY, April 6th.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018:

Today we went over effective counter arguments and continued work on our menus. If you did not turn in your mockingbird essay, please do so ASAP!

Homework: TKAM part 2 menu due FRIDAY, April 6th.

Monday, April 2, 2018:

Today we had both periods to work on our menus and mockingbird essays.

Homework: Mockingbird essay (body paragraphs 1, 2, and 3) due TUESDAY, April 3rd. TKAM part 2 menu due FRIDAY, April 6th.

Friday, March 30, 2018:

Today we had both class periods to work on our mockingbird essays. Due to time constraints, I decided to make only body paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 due for the essay. If you would like to write the introduction and conclusion, you can earn extra credit.

Homework: Mockingbird essay (body paragraphs 1, 2, and 3) due TUESDAY, April 3rd. TKAM part 2 menu due FRIDAY, April 6th.

Thursday, March 29, 2018:

Today we finished writing the first body paragraph. You had one whole period to write your second body paragraph. Be sure to finish this for homework and submit to Google classroom.

Homework: Finish second body paragraph & submit to Google classroom. Menu due 4/6/2018.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018:

Today we began working on our mockingbird essay. We completed the following in class:

• Watched a BrainPOP about TKAM.
• Created a mind map to help guide our essays. (this is posted on Google classroom)
• Began working together as a class to write the first Schaffer paragraph together.

We will finish writing these tomorrow. Then you'll be ready to tackle the rest of the essay!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Tuesday, March 27, 2018:

Today we finished To Kill a Mockingbird! Yes...I may have teared up a bit during the final chapter. If you were absent, make sure you catch up tonight for homework so you can join in on our mockingbird assignment tomorrow.

I was very happy that MANY of you voted this a "5" (one of the best books you've read), it's mine too :)

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018. If you were absent, FINISH TKAM! Here is a link to the page containing the online PDF and audiobook.

Monday, March 26, 2018:

Today we read chapters 26, 27, and part of 28. We will finish up that chapter tomorrow. Your menu is due in 2 weeks, make sure you are working on it when you have time! If you're behind in reading, catch up at home tonight so you are able to listen to the audiobook tomorrow. Here is a link to the page containing the online PDF and audiobook.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Friday, March 23, 2018:

Today we read chapters 24 and 25 in class. Have a great weekend!

Homework: Menu due 4/6.

Thursday, March 22, 2018:

Today we finished our literature circle roles and discussed with out groups. We will continue reading tomorrow!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Wednesday, March 21, 2018:

THANK YOU for being fantastic students for the guest teacher yesterday. I appreciate all of you. Today we read chapter 23 and began working on our literature circle roles. You'll have time to finish these tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Tuesday, March 20, 2018:

Today we completed a Schaffer paragraph about TKAM. If you didn't finish this in class, it's due tomorrow.

Homework: Finish final draft of Schaffer paragraph. Menu due 4/6

Monday, March 19, 2018:

Today we reviewed a peer's menu and provided specific feedback for improvement. Make sure you review the feedback you were provided in order to make your menu even more amazingly fantastic! We spent most of today working on our menus. April 6th is approaching quickly.. use your time wisely.

TOMORROW: There will be a guest teacher for our class. Please treat her with kindness and respect! If you don't finish the assignment tomorrow, it's due when you come to class on Wednesday, 3/21/18.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Friday, March 16, 2018:

Today we read chapter 22 and had over an hour to work on our menus. Remember, these are due April 6th! Keep up the good work.

Homework: Have a fun, safe, fantastic weekend!

Thursday, March 15, 2018:

Today we read chapter 21 in class and worked on our menu.

**PERIOD 4/5: We read chapter 21 and 22 in class today since most of you voted to keep reading. That means you'll have both periods tomorrow to work on your menus.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Wednesday, March 14, 2018:

Today we finished reading chapter 18 and read chapters 19 & 20! Wow! Great job today. If you were absent for part of class, you'll need to catch up on your own time.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Tuesday, March 13, 2018:

Today we read chapter 17 in class and part of chapter 18. Here is where we left off in each class in case you were absent and want to catch up at home tonight:

• 1/3: page 248
• 4/5: page 251
• 7/8: page 251

Please remember to be working on your menus when you have the opportunity. These are due April 6th!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Menu due 4/6/2018

Tuesday, February 27, 2018:

Today we took our TKAM part one test. Fantastic job!!! Most did an amazing job. We began working on our character mind mirrors. We will finish those up this week.

We also turned in our part one menu. If you are missing assignments from the menu, you may resubmit your packet with the missing assignment(s) completed for late credit.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Monday, February 26, 2018:

Welcome back! Today we reviewed our part one test. Remember to study tonight for the test tomorrow! Your menu is due when you come to class tomorrow. Remember to staple it neatly in order.

Homework: Study for part one test tomorrow. Menu due tomorrow.

Friday, February 16, 2018:

Today we are working on our menus. If you did not finish your menu, you'll need to complete it over the Presidents' Week break. This is due 2/27.

I handed out the study guide for the TKAM part one quiz. Make sure you understand everything on the study guide so you can earn a fantastic grade! Please let me know if you're struggling to understand anything before the quiz. The quiz is Tuesday, 2/27.

Homework: Have a fun, safe, fantastic Presidents' Week break! TKAM part one menu due 2/27.

Thursday, February 15, 2018:

Today we attended Wildcat Camp at ECHS. Periods 4/5 & 7/8 had the opportunity to work on their menus. These are due 2/27.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. TKAM Pt. 1 Menu due 2/27.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018:

Today we are reading chapter 11 of TKAM. Menu due 2/27. I'll be handing out the study guide for the part one quiz later this week so you're able to use it over the week break.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. TKAM Pt. 1 Menu due 2/27.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018:

Today we had both class periods to work on our menus. These are due February 27th. This due date will come up quickly, so make sure you're being diligent.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. TKAM Pt. 1 Menu due 2/27.

Monday, February 12, 2018:

Today we read chapter 10 of TKAM. We had a little time in each class to work on menus. Remember to use your time wisely in class. You only have this week left to finish your menu. If it's not finished by Friday, you'll need to work on it over President's week. These are due February 27th.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. TKAM Pt. 1 Menu due 2/27.

Friday, February 9, 2018:

Today we read chapter 9 and worked on our menu. Remember, these are due February 27th!

Homework: Have a wonderful, safe, fantastic, terrific weekend!

Thursday, February 8, 2018:

Today, we are working on our menu for both class periods. We have the chromebooks in class, so be sure to work on electronic assignments. Today would be a good day to utilize vocabulary.com. Please fill out the Menu Questionnaire if you did not complete it during class. The link is on Google Classroom.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. TKAM Pt. 1 Menu due 2/27.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018:

Today we read chapter 8 and had an entire class period to work on our menu. Remember, those are due FEBRUARY 27th. Also, be sure to work on that quizizz for extra credit. This is due by Friday morning. I am assigning a chapter 8 review due Friday as well. Double extra credit!!!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Complete Quizziz if you decide you want extra credit.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018:

Today we spent BOTH class periods working on our menus. These will be due FEBRUARY 27th. This is 3 weeks away and gives you plenty of time to complete everything. You also have President's Week break to catch up on any parts of the menu you may be behind on.

Also, I am providing another opportunity to boost your grade. If you'd like to take some fun quizzes at home on Quizizz, you can earn some extra points! Simply click the link on Google Classroom, enter your first name, and start the quiz. The first quiz I've assigned is due on Friday morning. You must get 80% accuracy in order to receive the extra credit. You are allowed multiple attempts, so it may take you more than once for 80%.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. TKAM part one menu due 2/27.

Monday, February 5, 2018:

Today we read chapter 7 and had one period to work on our menus. Tomorrow we will have BOTH class periods to work independently on our menus.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

**Please double check your grade in Aeries! I input grades for the storyboard, however, I could not access some of yours. If it's marked as missing, please download a PDF of your storyboard and send it to me via email.

Click here to see awesome student work!

Friday, February 2, 2018:

Today we read chapter 6 and had an entire period of independent work time on the TKAM menu.

PLEASE check your grades and look over the feedback for the argument essay. I recommend revising your essay for a better score. Come to tutorial at lunch or after school for additional help!

Here are the instructions for looking at feedback and revising your essay:

• Un-submit essay from Google classroom.
• Look at feedback/specific comments from me.
• Go to 'File' and click 'Make a Copy'
• Make revisions to the document labeled 'Copy of Orca Essay'.
• Do not resolve comments or amend the original essay.
• Go back to the assignment on Google classroom, hit "add", "google drive", then find the document with your revisions.
• Re-submit your original essay and the revised copy to Google Classroom.

Homework: Have a fun, safe, fantastic, terrific weekend!

Thursday, February 1, 2018:

Today we read chapter 5 of TKAM and worked on our ELA Menu. We also had a one-question quiz. I gave many chances for credit, so there should be no reason for a 0 in the gradebook unless you gave up.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018:

We finished working on our storyboards today. If you did not finish that over the past three days, please finish for homework.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. Finish storyboard if not completed in class.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018:

Today we continued working on our storyboards. We will continue working on those tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes

Monday, January 29, 2018:

Today we went over the ELA Menu for part one of TKAM. Please look over this again and let me know if you have any questions!

We also began working on a storyboard for chapters 1-4 of TKAM. We will finish these up tomorrow or Wednesday.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes

Friday, January 26, 2018:

Today we are reviewing chapters 1-4 of TKAM for a little extra credit.

Homework: Have a fun, safe, fantastic, terrific weekend!

Thursday, January 25, 2018:

Today we went over information for your second semester book project. This is due MAY 29, 2018. Here is the link to the handout.

We also read chapter 4 of TKAM. Scout heard someone inside the Radley house laughing??!!! Spooky!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018:

Today we read chapter 3 of TKAM and worked on our character chart.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018:

Today we finished chapter 1 and 2. We worked on the thinking frame and took a one-question quiz.

Remember, you need to be actively engaged with both listening to the audiobook & following along in your book. This will help with your comprehension of the novel and aid you in getting 100% on those quizzes! Don't make 0's on those quizzes a habit :)

Homework: Finish the thinking frame for chapters 1 & 2 if you didn't complete it in class.

CLICK HERE for the PDF of TKAM

Monday, January 22, 2018:

Today we began reading To Kill A Mockingbird! Yay!! I am so excited to share my favorite book with you. We will finish up chapter 1 tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Friday, January 19, 2018:

We are finishing up the historical context for TKAM today. If you do not finish this, please complete over the weekend and turn it in on Monday. Here are links to the articles:

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Article 4

Homework: Finish TKAM historical context activity if not completed in class. Have a fun, safe, fantastic, terrific weekend!!!

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Today we began learning about the historical context of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Tuesday/Wednesday, January 16-17, 2018

We worked on completing our essays. The final draft is due on Google Classroom by 11:59 pm.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Today we worked on the argument essay. Remember, you should be using the time in class wisely. Many of you are almost done with your rough draft. If you're still on the graphic organizer, you're falling behind. Have a great 3-day weekend. See you Tuesday!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Today we continued the writing process. Most students are on their rough draft at this point. We will continue tomorrow.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

We decided what we would each be writing about (either yes, orcas do belong in captivity OR no, orcas do not belong in captivity) and began the graphic organizer for our essay. Tomorrow we will continue this and start on the rough draft.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Today we read through a few articles and watched two videos about orca whales in captivity. We annotated and took notes on both sides of the argument. Tomorrow we will begin planning our essays.

Homework: Read 30 minutes.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Welcome back! It's officially your last semester of middle school... time flies! Let's make it an awesome one.

Today we set some personal goals for ourselves. If you take it home to have a parent/guardian read and sign, you receive extra credit (which I don't usually offer). Yay!

We also began preparations for the argument essay. We focused on learning how to deconstruct a prompt. Tomorrow we will look at the prompt for this essay and annotate some texts. Woohoo!!!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.