No Class Today---MASS!

Today we did not meet because we had Mass.  Remember next Monday-Thursday will be IOWA testing in the morning.  Get a great night's rest and eat a good breakfast before you come to school.

Next week we will begin The Devil's Arithmetic, so make sure you have it with you!

Have a great weekend! 

Art Day in honor of Zebra and John!

Today we made a collage based on "What's Inside My Head".  Items could be cut out and pasted on the paper or you can draw them.

This assignment is due MONDAY!


Important!  We will not meet tomorrow because of Mass and we will not meet next week due to IOWAs.  At the moment, IOWAs are predicted to run Monday-Thursday of next week.  

When we finally meet again you will need the novel, The Devil's Arthematic 

Finished "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes

Today we finished the story.  We discussed how we would fill out the plot line for this story.
You answered 3 questions about the story on loose leaf to turn in to me tomorrow by the end of the class period.

Tomorrow we will have an art day!  We will be making an art piece entitled, "Inside My Head."  Please bring magazines, markers, colored pencils, and glue.  If you have a hot glue gun you can bring that in as well to attach small items to your head (paper head, not your real head :)  (NO GLITTER PLEASE ).

NO HOMEWORK TONIGHT!

Heidelberg write-up, discussion and "Thank You, Ma'm"

Today we began by learning a bit about the Heidelberg Project.  We watched a little video clip, discussed, and I collected your short write-up you wrote for homework.

Next we began our new story, "Thank you, M'am." We discussed our new literature term, cause and effect and we also reviewed conflicts.  As we read, we discussed how these two terms came into play in the story.

Homework:
Add these 5 definitions to your notebook:

• barren
• frail
• suede
• mistrust
• presentable

"Zebra" test with a treat!

Today you took your "Zebra" test.  This took the majority of the hour.

I couldn't help but award you for your excellent behavior with the substitute teacher!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Homework:
Due tomorrow (and if you want to type it, you may!)
Do a google search on The Heidelberg Project.  Write in a short paragraph what you learned about it in 5-8 sentences (at least).
Here are some questions you may want to consider when you write your answer:

• What is it
• Who made it? Why did he/she make it?
• Where is it?
• When was it made?

Guest Teacher and studying for the test Monday

I returned to school Friday to find a lovely note from our Guest Teacher! She said you were nothing short of fabulous. I see a small reward in your future.

This weekend prepare for our literature test Monday. Study the following items:
All literature definitions we have taken from The Outsiders until now
Themes of Zebra
How to make an inference
Understand characteriztion in reference to the story Zebra
reread your answers to the questions we discussed in class pertaining to Zebra

"Zebra"---FINISHED!

Today we finished the "Zebra" story!  I was impressed as we read with your participation! Kudos to you all!

8.       What factual information does the author include about Vietnam?

9.       Connect to the Reading: What emotions did you feel as you learned about Vietnam?

11.       What changes occurred to Zebra while taking the art class? Discuss at least 2.

12.       When does Zebra receive the letter?

13.       Why does Mrs. English “touch her eyes”?

14.       Zebra looks down the street where he once saw John for the first time.  He describes the houses on the day he arrived, as if they were saluting him.  Did he deserve to be saluted?  If so, why?  (Go beyond the fact he served his country).

15.       Who is a static character and who is a dynamic character? Explain.

Homework:

If you did not finish the questions in class or during homeroom, you MUST finish them for

class tomorrow.  I offered you a book if  you needed it!

"Zebra" continued

Today in class we first went over your answers to the questions and discussed. I told you it was most important to me that you try on EVERY question.  And when we discuss answers, if you need to change them in a different color---YOU CAN DO IT, with no consequence/penalty!  What I will mark you down for is NOT completing the questions or not putting in the correct answers!  Most homework assignments will be for you to LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES :)

After the questions we read some more together and silently.  We will finish the story tomorrow along with the questions.

NO HOMEWORK TONIGHT!

"Zebra" and comprehension and inference questions

Today we read some more of "Zebra" by Chaim Potok.
 With 20 minutes left of class, I gave you a series of questions to answer.  They are all due tomorrow.  Every question should be answered in complete sentences.

1.       Describe both Zebra’s appearance and personality.

2.       Describe both John’s appearance and personality.

3.       Explain briefly who Mr. Morgan, Mrs. English, and Mr. Winter are.

4.       INFER: Why do you think Zebra gave John advice about who to speak with once he entered the school?

5.       What suggests that John Wilson is a main character and Mrs. Walsh (pg. 51) is only a minor character?

6.       INFER: How easy was it for John Wilson to draw Zebra’s face?  What evidence does the author give you to make you believe this?

7.       INFER: Why does Zebra want to know more about Vietnam?

You were told if you needed the book to come during homeroom to finish them.  However, I know some

of you are really getting into the story and would not need the book.

Either way, again, the 7 questions are DUE TOMORROW!

More of "Zebra," inferences and making predictions

Today we continued with the story "Zebra".  You all contributed nicely in class by reading and adding to our discussions!  Thank you for being a lively, opinionated bunch!  I am looking forward to finishing the story with you Monday!

NO HOMEWORK (again---you lucky ducks :)

"Zebra" (Character Motivation and Making Inferences"

Today we finally finished "The Outsiders"!  WOOooo HOOooo!

Next I passed back your Outsiders quiz (short/from the beginning of the year), The Outsiders Test (recently), and your Eulogy paper.  We discussed answers.  Most importantly I discussed my comments with you.  My comments ARE IMPORTANT!  If you don't understand what I mean or can't understand my writing: PLEASE ASK ME!  I love teaching and discussing with my students; this is a pleasant process and NOTHING to be scared of at all :)

Finally we began our new story "Zebra" by Chaim Potok.  You added two new definitions to your notebook: motivation and inferences.

Homework:
Define the following words: exuberantly, intricate, menacing, encrusted, gaunt in your literature notebook.

"The Outsiders"

This must be the movie that never ends!  Today we almost finished the movie.  We have about 5 more minutes tomorrow.  I will pass back items and discuss them with you then.

Have another fun, NO HOMEWORK night!!

"The Outsiders"

Today we continued watching the movie.  Tomorrow we will finish.  I will also hand back your test and your eulogy and discuss the results!

TOMORROW WE HAVE A SHORTENED CLASS PERIOD because we have

CHURCH!  

DOn't ForGEt to WeaR YoUr MASS ShirT!!!

The Outsiders Movie

Today we watched "The Outsiders."  Tomorrow you may bring a snack so we can finish the movie.

Happy Day Off of School!!

WOOOOooo HOooooo!

We will move our Movie Days to Monday and Tuesday of next week.

As promised you may bring in a SMALL, REASONABLE snack to view the movie with :)

Have a nice long weekend!

The Outsiders Test

Today you took a test on The Outsiders!

You don't have any homework tonight!  Tomorrow we will begin watching the movie.  You may bring a small snack tomorrow or purchase a bagel / juice from student council and bring it with you!! :)

Eulogy Share and Review for the test tomorrow!

We took the beginning of the hour to share the eulogy you wrote with the rest of the class.

Finally we reviewed as a class what you would need to know for the test.  Consider the following when you review tonight:

• definitions of all of the literary concepts you have in your notebook; you may need to fill in blanks with words!  Be prepared!
• the theme "Don't judge a book by it's cover" and how the theme relates to The Outsiders
• the character chart you filled out on certain characters
• know the plot line: how to label it and how it relates to The Outsiders

Good Luck studying!  See you in the morning!!!

Peer Editing Sessions (for Eulogy)

We discussed how peer editing sessions are run in our class.  We reviewed the MLA Heading and where the title goes and how it all should be formatted.  We discussed what to look for in a peer's paper.

Peer Editing Sessions

1. Read your own paper silently
2. On Mrs. Ehle's cue, swap papers with a buddy and silently edit.
3. On Mrs. Ehle's cue, you had a quiet conversation with your editor about the changes/suggestions.

Homework:

Tonight you will make all the changes to your papers.  Tomorrow I expect:

1. Your completed FINAL COPY with your rubric.  (Should you need a rubric OR to look at a sample eulogy, please see both on Edline).
2. Study your literature definitions.  We will have a test on Thursday.

Prewriting/Drafting the Eulogy

Today we discussed writing a eulogy for Johnny or Dally.  By writing this you are showing you understand characters/character traits.  We went over the rubric for the assignment and at the same time had a chance to look at my sample so you could see how the rubric and the paper work hand-in-hand. You had 30 minutes to write and ask any questions you had.  I was very impressed with how well you worked and how much you got accomplished.

Please go to our edline page to find the sample of my eulogy and my rubric if you misplaced yours.

Homework:

• Tuesday, bring in your finished, typed ROUGH DRAFT.  Make sure it is double-spaced.  On Tuesday we will hold peer editing sessions so you can get feedback.
• Also, continue to look over your literature words/definitions.  We will have a larger Outsiders test including our new vocabulary middle to end of next week.