Congratulations!

You are finished with your first semester at the Academy!  This is something you should definitely celebrate! It has been such a joy to have you first semester and I look forward to seeing you next year in 8th grade English.

Grades are posted on Edline.  There is a grade on the report marked Midterm Grade.  This is the grade you received on your midterm test.  Overall, I was very impressed!

Have a terrific break!

It's A Wonderful Life

We will conclude It's a Wonderful Life tomorrow.  With the remaining time you will have a silent, healthy snack study.

Friday: "It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Next Year" Party.  My party game includes a literary term BINGO!  Make sure you study up to be eligible for FABULOUS PRIZES :)

It's A Wonderful Life!

Today and yesterday we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and discussed the similarities and differences between it and "A Christmas Carol."

Looking Ahead:
THURSDAY: We will have a study day in class.  You may bring a small NUTRITIOUS snack (NO CHIPS or CANDY).  Acceptable ideas brainstormed: popcorn, pretzels, fruit, drink box, water, pita bread.

FRIDAY: We will celebrate with a "It's not goodbye, it's see you soon" party!  I am sad to leave you, but excited that I will see you next year for 8th grade English!  I got volunteers to bring in various goodies (THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS and parents :)  We will also be playing a party game: "Literary term BINGO!"  Start studying so you can win FABULOUS prizes!!! :)

Could this be the Bitterings at the watering hole before turning completely into Martians?

They look a little tan here!

Today we finished the story.  We also discussed what makes the story have a circular plot.

After reading you completed questions 6 and 7.

6.  The lieutenant likes the Martian landscape.  What could you predict from that information?

7.  What do you think the relationship between the Bitterings and the newcomers will be?  EXPLAIN your answer

You also were given a frame on a piece of paper.  You are to draw (IN COLOR) a picture that may appear in the Bitterings family scrapbook or on their wall of family photos.  Be sure you can explain your photo to the class on Monday!

No Class Today---MASS!

We did not meet for class today.

But do not forget to bring your 

coloring utensils tomorrow!!!

1 MORE DAY FOR BRADBURY

We almost finished the story today!  We read up though 489, middle of the 2nd column.

We discussed a great deal!  You were all excellent; I am super proud!

You answered the following two questions in class:
1) #4 on page 491
2) Which scene in the story can you visualize most?  Go back to the scene and describe it.  How many senses are you using?

TOMORROW we will not meet because we have church at the Big Church.
FRIDAY: We will finish the story.  Also, BRING YOUR COLORING UTENSILS!!!!

Almost finished with "Dark they were...and Golden-eyed"

Today we read up to page 487 end of the second column when Cora is telling Harry they should move to the Villa.

Then you added answers to the following questions on the same sheet you did yesterday's questions on:

1. Why won't Harry eat anything grown from the garden?
2. Why does he eat the sandwich?
3. Events/Actions: a.  advance the plot  b. foreshadow future events  c.  explain characters' actions and motivations.  Find 2 events that help give you the "Aha! Since this has happened, I know what will happen next in the story" OR "Because this happened, I know why a character acted a certain way"
4. Look at the illustration on page 486.  Give 2 interesting details about it that are "hard to see."  How does this illustration relate to our story?  Explain.

Continuing with "Dark they were..." by Bradbury

Today we continued reading the short story by Bradbury.

We read up to page 484, 2nd column when Sam says, "Now look what you've done!  You've broken my mirror."

With 15 minutes remaining you answered 4 questions on a separate sheet of paper:

1. The action of the story are the events that advance the plot (rather than thoughts/ideas).  From pages 479-481 list 3 action events. (FOR EXAMPLE (and the example does not count in the 3): they land in a rocket on Mars.
2. Why is it important to rename the Martian landmarks with human names?
3. Unusual things start to happen!  List at least 4.
4. On page 491, answer question #3

Starting "Dark they were, and golden-eyed"

Today we began Dark they were, and golden-eyed by Ray Bradbury.

We began class  by discussing Mars and about what you learned about science fiction. Next we began reading the story.

We will continue with the story next week.

NO HOMEWORK!! Except perhaps to start studying for mid-term exams. I gave you a review sheet.  This review sheet can also be found on our Edline page!!

Ray Bradbury study

The next story we will read is by Ray Bradbury and is in the genre of SCIENCE FICTION!

You had the entire hour to learn a bit about our new author.  You read 474-478 in your lit. books and answered the following questions:

Ray Bradbury Author Study: Complete answers on another sheet of paper.

“In Love With the Future”

1. What does Bradbury specifically like and what evidence is provided to prove it? 
2. Who admires Bradbury?

“When I was 19, I sold newspapers”

3. Briefly summarize Bradbury’s early years.

“I was literally writing a dime novel”

4. What is a dime novel?
5. What novel of his was a dime novel?  Briefly explain what this novel is about.

“Future Worlds, Present Reality”

6. When you read science fiction, what should you pay attention to?

Page 478

7. In your own words, what is THE RED PLANET?
8. Focus your reading: Describe the two types of plots.  What type of plot will Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed have?
9. What is visualizing; what does visualizing ask the reader to do?

Define the vocabulary words in the story:  amiss, forlorn, recede, dwindle, flimsy

We will begin our new adventure to the planet Mars tomorrow!!! :)

A Christmas Carol Wrap-Up

Today we finished discussing A Christmas Carol. We discussed the plot sequence and labeled the parts together.  You wrote these in your notes.  I also collected the 3 questions from Monday along with the synonyms and antonyms work.

Finally I gave you a crossword puzzle.  There are a few errors.  If you want Cratchit as the answer, spell it "CRACHIT".  Also, 5 across is CHRISTMAS.

Finishing A Christmas Carol

First we discussed the questions you completed last week.

Next we finished A Christmas Carol!  We read scene 6 together.  Afterwards you completed the following questions on page 275: 1, 5, 6 and 7.  On page 276 you completed the synonyms and antonyms exercise.

Tomorrow we go to see A Christmas Carol at Meadowbrook Theatre!  Make sure you have your permission slip in (they were due last week).  Bring money to go out to lunch afterward and dress as you are going to the theatre!  I am looking forward to this trip with you!  It's always a great time!!

We will save watching the movie until just before we break for Christmas.  When we return on Wednesday we will discuss the play a little further.  You will have questions about it again on your midterm.

Continuing with A Christmas Carol

Today you read Scenes 4 and 5 to yourself.

You added odious and charitable to your definitions in your notebook.

You completed the 3 questions on page 270 in complete sentences.

1. What do you think Scrooge felt when he saw Sparsit, the charwoman, and the cook laughing over his corpse and dividing his belongings?  Explain.
2. What thoughts came to mind when you read Scrooge's reaction to news of Tiny Tim's death?
3. Why do you think Tiny Tim's death affects Scrooge so deeply? 

When you finished the reading/work from above you had time to do the following.  Continue thinking about it because tomorrow you will have a short test; we only have 25 minutes of class time so the test will not be too extensive.

Homework:
I would study vocabulary (words from the story as well as your drama/play terms), know characters, and basic parts of the story/plot.

Scrooge and the First Spirit

Scrooge and the Spirit of Christmas Past

Today we reviewed the definitions of a play/drama that you wrote in your notebook yesterday.  Next we read Scene 3 (Scrooge and the First Spirit).  

Homework:

Next Tuesday we will have a 25 minute quiz on the definitions and parts of A Christmas Carol story.  Please begin studying

A Christmas Carol and parts of a play

Today we read through scene 2 of "A Christmas Carol."  After we finished we read pages 245-249 in the literature book and read about parts of a play.  You took down the definitions in your notebook.  It was crucial to take down very good notes as this will help you study for your quiz next week before break.

NO HOMEWORK!

Yesterday and Today

Here is a picture of Fred trying to urge Scrooge to Christmas dinner.

Yesterday we visited the seminary!  I really enjoyed my time with all of you!  I hope  you got a lot out of it.  I learned some new things too :)

Today we continued with A Christmas Carol.  First we recapped what we started reading Monday.  Then we finished the scene.  You also took down two more literary definitions: moon and irony.  We also took down more regular word definitions from the book.  If you were absent today, make sure to borrow someone's notebook.

In addition we answered the two questions on page 257 and added a third: What is ironic about what we as readers know about Scrooge and what the gentleman visitor is asking of Scrooge?

Again, if you need some help, I am here or ask a trusting friend who wrote the answers down.

Beginning A Christmas Carol

Today we discussed the Dickens Webquest further with you.

Then we began reading the play by assigning parts and reading aloud.  We discussed the story along the way.

Nice work today!  No Homework!

Prepare for the field trip to the seminary tomorrow!

A Christmas Carol Webquest

The following assignment is due MONDAY!


Charles Dickens Webquest

You will need to use the links at this website to research Mr. Dickens. http://charlesdickenspage.com/

Please copy and paste the questions into a Word document and type the answers.  If you do not finish in the class period, attach the document to an email and send it to yourself and finish at home.

Have a merry time!

Dickens Fast Facts                           

1.     When was Charles Dickens born?

2.     What were his parents’ names?       

3.     Explain what happened to his father that made an important impact on his life?

Reading Dickens

4.     What makes reading a Dickens novel difficult?

Dickens’ London

5.      What was London like during Dickens’s time?  Use about 6-8 sentences.  Read this page thoroughly; it is quite interesting and different from life here in Michigan 2011.

Dickens’ Map

6.      The map is interactive.  Find Camden Town.  Click on it.  Why is it important to A Christmas Carol?

7.     Why is "The City" important?

8.     Why is the Royal Exchange important?

Dickens and Christmas

9.     There are 8 articles on this link, make sure to read all of them EXCEPT #4 and 7. After you read them, give one or two interesting connections between what you learned and how it is important to A Christmas Carol.

Article 1:

Article 2:

Article 3:

Article 5:

Article 6:

Article 8:

Go Beyond: Charles Dickens and the Industrial Revolution

Find an .edu website that offers information on Charles Dickens and the Industrial Revolution.  Summarize what you learned in at least 3 sentences.  What is the Industrial Revolution and how did it effect Dickens' work?

Movie vs. Book and the Christmas Spirit

Today you worked in groups to produce a Venn Diagram about the similarities and differences between the book and the movie for The Devil's Arithmetic.

Next you had an assignment to help prepare for our next reading of A Christmas Carol.  You wrote an in-class draft about "What the Christmas spirit means to you."

Homework:
TYPE your 8-10 sentence paragraph explaining "what the Christmas Spirit means to you".  You must have a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion.  IT MUST BE TYPED (double spaced).  This is due tomorrow.

Finishing "The Devil's Arithmetic"

Today we finished the movie "The Devil's Arithmetic."

Tomorrow we will discuss the Venn diagram assignment along with another assignment to start getting us in the Christmas Carol spirit!

NO HOMEWORK TONIGHT!

"The Devil's Arithmetic" movie Continued!

Today with our shortened hour (because of Mass) we were able to watch about 20 more minutes of the movie.  We should be able to watch the rest tomorrow and discuss the similarities and differences.

"Devil's Arithmetic" the Movie

Today we began the movie, "The Devil's Arithmetic."  You began to note the similarities and differences.

Devil's Arithmetic TEST

Today you took the Devil's Arithmetic test. 

With the time remaining you had a chance to catch up on other class work.

NO HOMEWORK!  Enjoy your long weekend!

Looking Ahead:

Next week we will watch "Devil's Arithmetic" and at the end of the week, we will start A Christmas Carol.

Devil's Arithmetic: Discussing the entire book and preparing for the test!

Today we discussed the essay question for the test as a class and possible ways to answer it.  Make sure you have a good draft in your head.  Organize your answer!  Have an introduction, examples to support your topic and a conclusion!  Learn from the mistakes you may have made on the previous test.

Next we did a little Devil's Arithmetic quiz out loud.  You did a nice job.  I think you will be ready for
your test tomorrow!! :)

No Class Today---MASS!

Today we went to Mass and you were all VERY GOOD!  Wow!  I didn't know what a great group of delightful singers we had :)  I was very impressed with your behavior!

Tomorrow I will prepare you for Thursday's test on The Devil's Arithmetic.  You can begin to prepare tonight by going to your chapter questions and studying the questions.

Discussing the end of Devil's Arithmetic

Today I handed back the questions you turned in on Friday and we discussed the end of the book.

Next you worked in groups compiling questions for the test.  You have a voice in this test.  Make sure your group questions are not too easy! :-)

I will collect your tests tomorrow.

NO HOMEWORK TONIGHT! 
Remember to wear your Mass uniform tomorrow!!

The book's finished so let's take a break!

Today I collected questions from Chapters 16 to the Epilogue.

Afterward we watched the movie "Coraline."

Hope you had a great time at your first Academy Activity! :)

The Last of Devil's Arithmetic: Chapters 18 & 19 and the Epilogue

Today we discussed Chapters 16 & 17.

Next we you began on your homework:
Chapters 18-19 and the Epilogue (the questions are below).  I will collect Chapters 15-Epilogue tomorrow.
Chapter 18

• Commandant Breuer has gathered 5 men.  Why?  Whom does Chaya recognize?
• What “extras” does Breuer say his “pets” receive that other transports to not receive?
• What does Fayge shout to Shmuel?
• Summarize what Hannah tell the other girls about the future?  Include the message Hannah wants them to remember.
• The 4 girls are divided.  3 of them go one way and the last one goes away by herself.  Where do the 3 go?  Who leads them and what does she start to tell them?  Who goes away on her own?

Chapter 19

• Hannah opens her eyes and sees...?
• Hannah sits next to Aunt Eva at the table.  What does Hannah stare at?  Summarize the conversation between Hannah and Aunt Eva.  What is Hannah’s last line?

EPILOGUE

• The epilogue is created to give us, the readers, an answer to some of the questions we are left with in the story.
• What did Chaya do for Rivka?
• What happened to Gitl and Yitzchak?  What important positions did Gitl and Yitzchak take on after being in the camps?

Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 16-17

Here are the questions we worked on today after discussing and collecting Chapters 13-15.

Chapter 16

• What essentially is the Devil’s Arithmetic?
• Explain why the blokova lose 3 fingers?
• Summarize the conversation Rivka has with Chaya about whose fault it is that people are dying in the camps.
• “There will be times when he will surround you with walls of darkness. But..." Finish this very inspiring quote.

Chapter 17

• What information does Gitl confide in Chaya with?
• What important character does not get involved in the plan?  What is her reason?
• Summarize what happens with the plan.

Devil's Arithmetic: Chapter 15

Today we had a shortened hour due to Mass.  We had time to correct your answers from Chapters 13 & 14.  Next I gave you Chapter 15 questions to complete for tomorrow.

I WILL BE COLLECTING THESE QUESTIONS, 13-15 TOMORROW!  Make sure you complete all of them!

Devil’s Arithmetic
Chapter 15

• What does Rivka do to help when the Commandant comes?  Whom is she helping?
• What does Chaya do to help?
• What did their meals consist of?
• List at least 5 jobs the prisoners in the camp had?  Where was Chaya sent to work?
• What does the phrase “a nemer iz nishtkeyn geber” mean?
• Why were the people chosen at the end of Chapter 15?
• Why must the girls not use the word death or killed, but instead say chosen or processed?
• INFER: Why is becoming harder for Hannah to remember her modern life in New York?
• What happened to Rabbi Boruch, Fayge’s father?

Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 13 & 14

Today you took a friend's quiz.  I hope you enjoyed it!

Afterward you picked up the following questions for chapters 13 & 14 which are due tomorrow!

Devil’s Arithmetic
Chapter 13 & 14

• What does the German word “schnell” mean?
• Why does Gitl slap Chaya for for touching little Tzipporah?
• Chaya meets an important new girl in the camp.  What is her name?  Explain (do NOT list) some important things she does for Chaya and others throughout chapters 13 & 14.
• What rules do the girls have to follow in order to stay alive?
• What does it mean when Rivka says she “organizes”?
• Who is Commandant Breuer and what is he in charge of doing?
• What is Chaya’s number and what does she say it stands for?

Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 12 & 13

Today I collected questions from chapters 8 & 9 and the summaries from Ch. 10 & 11.

Then I gave you time to complete the next assignment:
Reading chapters 12 & 13 and writing a short quiz!
Here are the quiz requirements.  You must have:

• A Matching section: at least 5 questions
• A Fill in the Blank section: at least 5 questions
• 1 short answer question: that would take at least 3-5 sentences to answer.
• a spot that says CREATED BY (with your name after it so I can give you credit!)

On a separate sheet you MUST create and answer key.

Some of the questions MUST be about chapters 12 & 13 specifically so I know you completed the reading.  The remaining questions can be about anything from chapters 1-13.

On Monday you will swap your quiz with someone else and they will take it!

Illegible quizzes will receive NO CREDIT!  If you think your handwriting may be tricky to read, PLEASE TYPE IT!

You may also go above and beyond!  Examples: make a word bank for the fill in the blank questions, give an extra credit question, decorate the test, bring in a small treat if your student does well on the test!  Or think of your own special way to do more!

You will receive a homework grade for completing the test for your student and you will receive a participation grade for taking someone else's test.

Devil's Arithmetic QUEST taken & new chapters to read!

Today you took the Devil's Arithmetic Quest.

After you were finished, you handed in Chapters 6-7 questions.

Finally you picked up your homework:
Chapter 8 & 9 questions/reading

Devil’s Arithmetic
Chapter 8

• According to Fayge, what can Chaya expect a lot of at the wedding?
• What does Chaya tell Fayge that sets her at ease?
• What village is Fayge from?
• By researching AND using the context of the book, what is a shul?
• Infer from the reading:
• Army trucks are in front of the shul; the badchan says, “I see the Angel of Death,” what do you think is happening?  Who are these people in the trucks?
• What year is it on the Jewish calendar?  The Christian calendar?
• Chaya tells everyone of the pending danger.  Summarize how does the Rabbi, Reb Boruch, respond?

Chapter 9

• For what reason does the colonel tell the Rabbi and the rest of the Jewish people before the shul they must go with them in the trucks?
• The badchan truly understands what is going on and mutters a few key, figurative phrases about the evil that is going on.  Jot down three of them.
• Why does the Rabbi comply with the orders?

Devil's Arithmetic QUEST taken & new chapters to read!

Today you took the Devil's Arithmetic Quest.

After you were finished, you handed in Chapters 6-7 questions.

Finally you picked up your homework:
Chapter 8 & 9 questions/reading

Devil’s Arithmetic
Chapter 8

• According to Fayge, what can Chaya expect a lot of at the wedding?
• What does Chaya tell Fayge that sets her at ease?
• What village is Fayge from?
• By researching AND using the context of the book, what is a shul?
• Infer from the reading:
• Army trucks are in front of the shul; the badchan says, “I see the Angel of Death,” what do you think is happening?  Who are these people in the trucks?
• What year is it on the Jewish calendar?  The Christian calendar?
• Chaya tells everyone of the pending danger.  Summarize how does the Rabbi, Reb Boruch, respond?

Chapter 9

• For what reason does the colonel tell the Rabbi and the rest of the Jewish people before the shul they must go with them in the trucks?
• The badchan truly understands what is going on and mutters a few key, figurative phrases about the evil that is going on.  Jot down three of them.
• Why does the Rabbi comply with the orders?

Devil's Arithmetic Quest

The words quiz and test mean the same to me :)  Tomorrow you have a quest!

Here are some items you may want to know!

1. The characters we have met in the book.  There will be a matching part with a description for each name. Know your characters!
2. There will be 5 yiddish terms on the test: shtetl, badchan, afikoman, Dayneu, shmatte.  There will be a matching section for this as well.
3. 3 short answer questions.  They will need a topic sentence, details to support, and a concluding sentence.
   1. Hannah/Chaya are good at telling stories.  Discuss Hannah telling stories.  To whom does she tell one to?  Why does she tell it? How does her audience receive it?  Discuss Chaya telling stories.  To whom does she tell them to?  Why does she tell them? How does her audience receive it?
   2. There are many differences between Hannah’s life in New York and in Poland.  In a short paragraph (topic sentence, supporting details and a conclusion), give at least 3 major differences.
   3. The importance of remembering the past plays an important theme.  Choose one of the following questions to answer in a short paragraph.
   1. Is there a time in your life that you wish you could forget?  Describe the situation.  Why do you want to forget it? (painful, embarrassing, etc)  Although you want to forget it, why do you know it is a good thing to remember it?
   2. Why does Hannah not want to go to the Seder meal?  Why do you think she does not like remembering her past?  Why is it important for her to remember her

Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 6/7

Today we began by correcting work for Chapters 4 and 5 in Devil's Arithmetic.  I also collected this work.

Then I gave you time to work on time to work on Chapters 6 and 7.

Devil’s Arithmetic 
Chapter 6

1. Hannah is getting used to living with Gitl.  What is the worst this she has discovered?
2. We know that Gitl and Shmuel live in Krakow, Poland.  What city was Chaya living in before coming to stay with them?  Research this city on Google and find at least 3 facts about it.
3. Look up the Yiddish word, shmatte.  What does it mean?
4. We finally find out Hannah and Chaya’s full names.  What are they?
5. Describe the meeting between Chaya and the girls.  In your description tell why the girls were shocked.

Chapter 7

1. List the stories Chaya tells the girls.
2. Hannah, in her world, is not _____________________ and Chaya, in the dream world, is _________________________.
3. What is the  klezmer?  (Google it if needed)
4. According the Hannah, what does a badchan remind her of?  What does her name Chaya mean?

You will have a test on Chapters 1-7 on Wednesday.  Come prepared to answer questions.  All short essays must be answered COMPLETELY for full credit.

Homework:

Finish Ch. 6 & 7 questions

Looking ahead: you will have a test on chapters 1-7 Wednesday.  This will be the last grade of the marking period, so study your chapter questions well!

Devil's Arithmetic Chapter 3 Answers/ Work on Chapters 4-5

Today we discussed the answers to chapter 3 in Devil's Arithmetic. I assigned you to read Chapters 4-5. For class/homework you have to read both chapters and complete chapter 4 questions (see below) and complete the crossword puzzle.

Have a great weekend!

And Go BLUE!!

The Devil’s Arithmetic

Chapters 3

1. Hannah complains that nothing is fair.  How does Aunt Eva cleverly reply?
2. What part of the of the evening is Hannah excited for? (Grandpa Will pleads a case for her).
3. What is the afikoman? If you do not know from prior knowledge or context of the reading, please look this up.
4. For the most part, how does Hannah treat her brother Aaron?  Give two descriptive examples of how she has done this.  The examples can come from chapters 1-3.
5. Grandpa Will wisely said, “A sacrifice unasked is so much greater.”  Explain what this means to you.  
6. Draw a picture of what Hannah saw as she opened the door for Elijah. Use the description author Jane Yolen gives you to help you.

Chapter 4

7. What does the woman call Hannah in her “daydream”?  What is the significance of the name?
8. Who is the man in the field? What event is coming up for him?
9. What city/state does Hannah live in in “real life”?
10. One word to characterize Gitl is determined.  Give an example of how Gitl is determined.
11. What was the strangest thing about Hannah’s “dream”?
12. In the “dream world,” what happened to Chaya’s family?  What does Hannah do at the end of the chapter that reminds her of her “real” mother?