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1. "Character Traits" 1/2 sheet with "Vocabulary" on the back.

You are to write 5 character traits you like and 5 that you don't like.

For "Vocabulary, you are to write each vocabulary word in you own sentences. The 5 vocabulary words can be found on page 108.

2. "Character Traits" full sheet. You are to pick four characters from fiction or nonfiction and write 3-10 of their character traits.

3. Proofreading 1/2 sheet 17A. Here are the clues:

line

number       corrections

1                    1

2                    3

3                    0

4                    4

5                    2

6                    1

7                    2

8                  10

9                    2

                  -------

total:            25

Capitalization         15

Apostrophe              1

Comma                    5

Period                      2

Word                        2

                            -----

Total:                     25

Monday, October 3, 2011

Today I read to the class Super Dooper Jezebel by Tony Ross and we looked at pages 106 and 107 in the literature book. (In some classes I also told the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.)

For homework tonight, you are to pick any three characters from these stories:

Super Dooper Jezebel

Cinderella

Little Red Riding Hood

Jack and The Beanstalk

On a paper titled "Characterization," describe the five ways we come to know each character. Use the five categories on p. 106-107.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Today in class we compared news articles and checked to be sure they all had headlines, bylines and datelines.

We got two new proofreading half-sheets, 15B which was review, and 17A which was new.

Here are clues for 17A

Line number followed by number of corrections:

1     2

2     2

3     2

4     5

5     3

6     1

7     2

8     1

    _____

      18

Type of corrections:

Caps                       4

Close up space        1

Word                       3

Apostrophe             1

Comma                   4

Period                     1

Question mark        2

take-out                 2

                            -----

                              18

The homework for the weekend is to complete the reading log and the two proofreading half-sheets.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Tonight's homework is to write a newspaper article about Beatrice Bira. (See goatsforpeace.com)

The news article needs to have a headline, byline and dateline. See page 62 and 63 of the literature book for definitions and an example. The body of the article should be between 50 and 100 words.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Today we had another vocabulary test on the same latin words.

Tonight's homework:

1. Get your progress report signed by a parent.

2. "Literature p. 93, 97, 99, 100"

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Today we compared homework.

Then we studied for and had a test on these latin words from page 41:

1. prehendere

2. ligare

3. specere

4. adaptare

5. terra

6. ambulare

7. terrere

8. pedis

9. dicere

10. mater

11. jus

12. ignire

13. ducere

Tonight's homework is "Literature p. 47" on a 1/2 sheet and to study for tomorrow's vocabulary test which will be on the same words.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Today we read, "Look Mom, No Cavities" and we discussed finding the main idea of informational texts.

Tonight's homework:

"Literature p. 40"

and the proofreading half-sheet which is a review assignment.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Today we spent a lot of time writing and rewriting the assignment that were due today and then we did silent sustained reading.

We talked about p. 37, figuring out meaning of words by looking at contrast.

The weekend homework is "Writing p. 36; Practice p. 37" and completing the reading log.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

I was absent today.

You have three new items for homework:

"Reading Check, p. 36"

"Interpretations, p. 36

"Writing, p. 66"

For the Reading Check, students are to answer the questions 1-5 with complete sentences and to complete the chart in #6.

For Interpretations, students are to answer the questions with complete sentences. Some questions will require more detailed answers.

For Writing, students are to write at least a couple of paragraphs.

The homework that was due today, the "Rikki-Tikki Plot Retelling" paper with all five plot retellings (p. 23, 25, 26, 29, 30), will also be due tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Today in class we continued to read Rikii-Tikki-Tavi and we saw a couple of short videos related to the story.

Your homework for tonight is to finish your "Rikki-Tikki Plot Retelling" paper with all five plot retellings (p. 23, 25, 26, 29, 30).

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Today in class we watched a short video on snakes to get background on the story we're reading in class.

We did the Quickwrite, page 20, on bullying.

We read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi up to page 25.

Tonight's homework is to do the #2 Plot Box on page 25. Add this to your paper titled, "Rikki-Tikki Plot Retelling."

Monday, September 19, 2011

English:

Today in class we started out with SSR then we read the first couple pages of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Everyone titled a paper "Rikki-Tikki Plot Retelling" and responded to question number one.

We then got an early start on tonight's homework:

"Literature p. 88, #6-11; p. 90, #1-5"

Friday, September 16, 2011

English:

Today in class we saw the video of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

We talked about Joe McCarthy, McCathyism, black listing, the red scare and communism. 

Homework for the weekend is:

1. The Reading Log.

2. "Literature p. 88, #1-4"

Thursday, Septemeber 15, 2011

English:

Today in class we reviewed the terms "complications,"  "inferences" and "scapegoating."

We finished the teleplay "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."

We talked about who are the real monsters in the story.

Tonight's homework is "Literature p. 79, #1-5."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

English:

Today in class we reviewed the terms "complications,"  "inferences" and "scapegoating."

An inference may or may not turn out to be true if you get more information.

After the review, we broke up into small groups to read Act One "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"

Homework for tonight is "Literature p. 78, #1-9"

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

English:

Today we read about subject/verb agreement on page 66 and about complications and inferences in plot on page 67. I told a brief story about a cat with parakeet feathers in its mouth.

We did the Quickwrite on page 67 about jumping to conclusions.

Then we continued reading The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

Your homework tonight is to write a second draft of your Quickwrite.

Monday, September 12, 2011

English:

Today we corrected the half-sheets, collected the reading logs, had silent sustained reading, and started The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street.

Homework is to write the vocabulary words on page 68 in your own sentences.

Friday, September 9, 2011

English:

Today we took a 40 item English test.

After that, we got the proofreading half-sheet 15A.

Clues:

line    number of corrections

1        0

2        4

3        3

4        6 

5        2

6        4

7        1

8        3

9        2

        ____

         25

types of corrections

cap                14

period              3

word                3

comma            4

take-out          1

                 __________

                     25

Your homework for the weekend is your reading log and the proofreading half-sheet.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

English:

Today we had Part One of our test. Tomorrow we will have a test similar to Part One and we will have Part Two which will be on the vocabulary from pages 6, 15, 20, 48, 62.

Tonight's homework is to study for the tests.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

English:

Today in class we corrected some of the subject/predicate 1/2 sheets.

Students read p. 62-64 of the literature book.

We talked about the importance of including helping verbs when identifying the simple predicate. We noted that forms of "to be" are often helping verbs.

Tonight's homework:

1. "Literature p. 61 & 65"

2. Study for tomorrow's test on the forms of "to be" and the vocabulary from these pages:  6, 15, 20, 48, 62.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

English:

Today in class we corrected the first 10 sentences from the blue sheet called Thirty Sentences. The task was to underline the simple subject once and the simple predicate twice.

We talked about infinitives and the "to be" family member:

is

am

are

was

were

be

being

been

And we talked about regular and irregular verbs.

You have two items for homework tonight:

1. "Literature p. 60, #7-10"

2. "Subjects and Predicates"

For "Subjects and Predicates," make a copy of your "Five Perfect Sentences" and underline the simple subject once and the simple predicate twice.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Labor Day. No School.

Friday, September 2, 2011

English:

Today we started out with SSR (Silent Sustained Reading) of our A. R. books.

Then we continued recruiting members of the GREEN A CLUB for the Five Perfect Sentences.

After that, we talked about subjects, predicates and objects. Mr. Stick was kind enough to participate in a demonstration.

We talked about the difference between subject pronouns and object pronouns.

I passed out a blue sheet of paper which we titled "Thirty Sentences." Part of your homework for the weekend is to complete the activity for this paper which is to underline the simple subject once and the simple predicate twice.

The shortest sentence that students came up with, a sentence with the required subject and predicate, was "I do."

Thursday, September 1, 2011

English:

I checked your vocabulary homework but asked you to keep it in your binder for further study.

Today we continued to read Three Skeleton Key. Your homework for tonight is "Literature p. 60, #1-6." Please answer the questions with complete sentences.

History:

Today we read together page 80-87 from the little blue book on Ancient Rome and then we worked on the maps. Students did such a good job working on the maps that I decided to delay the due to Tuesday. Your only homework tonight is to work on the map but it will be due on Tuesday.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

English:

Today in class we worked more on Five Perfect Sentences in order to expand the Green A Club and hear the Bell of Success ring.

Then we read our A. R. books.

After that, we started Three Skeleton Key on page 50 and talked about point of view.

Tonight's homework is titled "Vocabulary." You are to write the definitions of the vocabulary words on page 20 and page 48 in your own words.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

English:

Today in class we corrected PRHS 31B, we read the story, A Funny Thing Happened on the First Day of School, and we worked on "Five Perfect Sentences."