IMPORTANT LINKS BELOW

March 20, 2019

PJ'S BLOG, Last updated THURSDAY, MAY 23




------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey! We are getting so close to the end of the year! Many of you have inquired about extra credit options.  As always, you can visit the Good Fight Community Center, take a selfie, and send it to me for one point for either Reading or Writing, and I will be collecting Free Day cards the last week of school  Otherwise, here are some more options:


STATUS CHECK DIRECTIONS 5/10

NOVEL UNIT INFORMATION
  • Independent Challenge Peeps: Click HERE for instructions.
  • Book Group Peeps:  Click HERE for Tic-Tac-Toe 1-3 instructions, and click HERE for Tic-Tac-Toe 4-6 instructions.
  • Scroll down for the older assignment directions.
Here is the calendar for the remaining days of the school year.  *Just a note... sometimes things happen, and the schedule has to change. However, being that this is the end of the year, we don't have a lot of "wiggle room."  Let's finish strong everyone!


DISCUSSION GROUP MAKE-UP POINTS
If you are absent for a book club discussion day or need to improve your discussion points, here is the make-up option:

Write about three different talking points from the book, telling why you think it is an important part to discuss. Fill out the template below for guidance.
  1. The first point I would want to talk about is.... The reason I think it is important to talk about is... (add at least 2 sentences for why).
  2. The second point I would want to talk about is.... The reason I think it is important to talk about is... (add at least 2 sentences for why).
  3. The third point I would want to talk about is.... The reason I think it is important to talk about is... (add at least 2 sentences for why).

"Where I'm From" poem due 4/26 (Prewrite was due 4/24)

Eighth Grade Farewell Assignment for New Product due 5/13

Index Card Identity Assignment for New Product due 4/15

Advertisement for New Product due 4/5
Click HERE for current notes associated with this assignment. 



Tic-tac-toe Story Assignment due 4/2
Click here to go to the PDF format of these directions if the below photo is not clear enough for you.


Ekphrastic Paragraph and Poetry due 3/27
Ekphrastic poetry is poetry in response to art.
  1. Study the artwork around the room.  Choose one art print to write about. 
  2. Write one paragraph describing the piece of artwork. Use as many sensory details as you can. Remember, sensory details are words that evoke the senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, taste).

  3. Think of the “stories” that could be associated with the artwork.
  4. Who could the characters be? (not necessarily human or living beings)
  5. What is the setting? Think of mood, atmosphere, as well as place and time.
  6. What theme/message is being sent to the viewer of the picture?
  7. What feelings, memories, thoughts are conjured?
  8. Then decide which perspective your poem will take. (In other words, whose point of view? Is it from the view of someone/something IN the picture? Someone looking through a window and seeing it?)
  9. Write your poem. This is a free verse poem, which means you have freedom over the format.  It doesn’t have to rhyme.
Here are the specific requirements for the poem. Please follow directions.
  1. At least five DIFFERENT poetic devices (For example, If your poem has more than one instance of rhyme, you can only count it once, for example.)
  2. Label your poetic devices. In other words, underline/highlight them and tell me what they are.
  3. Your poem must be at least 20 lines and include at least 75 total words.
  4. Your poem will be graded on the following:
    • Depth of thought (not rushed/“thrown together”)
    • Poetic devices (at least 5 different ones--LABELED)
    • Use of rich and imaginative language (sensory details)


Door Design Directions due 3/29






 

ALL THIRD QUARTER ASSIGNMENTS ARE LISTED BELOW THIS POINT.

Hello Students and Families! If you are looking for LATE or MISSING assignments, please visit my last blog post. Click HERE for that (or scroll down for some devices).

Harlem Renaissance Annotations and Advertisement due 3/20

  1. Here are the directions I emailed to all of you on March 19:
    Quick write: Today's quick write can be on any topic you want. It still needs to be one-paragraph long (two for AP/Humanities-bound students). Put it with your other quick writes. 
  2. This is an INDIVIDUAL TASK. NO GROUPS!
  3. Read and ANNOTATE the attached article about Harlem Renaissance. Make sure you turn in the annotations!
  4. After reading, create an advertisement for the Harlem Renaissance (see #6 for specific details).
  5. Assume your audience has never heard of the Harlem Renaissance.
  6. Create a mini-poster on regular-sized white copy paper that teaches others about the Harlem Renaissance.
  7. This is due tomorrow. It will be a 3rd quarter Reading grade. For full credit, you need a neat and organized poster that has at least FOUR important details from the reading.

March 4, 2019

Updated March 12, 2019

 "Independent Theme" assignment, due 3/13


 "Danger of Single Story" assignment, due 3/8
1. View Chimamanda Adichi's Ted Talk. (Click here.)
2. While listening, write down two interesting things she says.
3. After you are done, write what you believe is her overall message, or central idea.

"Raymond's Run" assignment, due 3/5

In the "Elements of Literature" textbook, which is on the shelf in my classroom:

**Read “Raymond’s Run,” (p. 97-104)
**Answer the following questions:
  • All of the “Thinking about the Selection” section 1-12, page 104
  • All of the “Analyzing Literature” section 1-3, page 105
  • All of the Critical Thinking and Reading section 1-2, page 105
  • All of the Understanding Language section 1-2, page 105
Other recent assignments (Click on them for more information.)

March 1, 2019

Friday, March 1, 2019

Happy Friday 8th Grade Families! I’m sorry that I didn’t get this out to you sooner. It has been a busy couple of days!

First of all, congratulations to our NHD representatives who will be competing in the regional NHD contest at UWL on Wednesday, March 27. The winners are listed at the bottom of this message.  Permission slips and feedback sheets from the judges will be distributed by Tuesday, March 5.

Secondly, my goal is to have all the NHD projects graded by Tuesday.  I appreciate your patience in this process.  Once students get their grades, they can revise their projects for a better grade if they choose to do so.  I will also try to have at least one NHD work night each week during the month of March. Next week, I am available on Tuesday, March 5, and --if there is a need-- I will consider opening up Friday, March 8 for regional contenders only.  If your 8th grader is competing and would like to work with me on Friday, please have them communicate this to me.  Please stay tuned for more NHD work night dates.

Thanks again for all your support during the NHD process.  I have four children in my home who, among the four of them, have created six NHD projects during their middle years.  I know it can be stressful.  However, the research skills they have (hopefully) learned will be helpful in future educational endeavors.

If you have any questions, please reach out.  Don’t forget to check out the list of NHD regional competitors at the bottom of this email.

Enjoy your weekend!

SCHOOL CONTEST WINNERS/REGIONAL COMPETITORS

Individual Exhibit Category
Emilia V.
Jenna H.
Eliott M.
Maryann A.
Alternate: Maddy W.

Group Exhibit Category
Helen B., Becca I., & Alexie L.
Taya S. & Katie T.

Individual Performance Category
Lily B.
Nora E.

Group Performance Category
Brinn B., Reyna K., & Kaitlyn E.

Individual Documentary Category
Ben C.
Jenna S.
Maddey L.
Alex K.

Group Documentary Category
Maria A. & Ava S.
Arlo W. & Isaac T.
Destini G., Stella K., Gianna B.,  & Jennifer Y.

Individual Website Category
Roman W.
Chris M.
Alternates:  Eli S. & Kayla K.

Group Website Category
Rosemary G. & Norah H.
Alex P. & Ella S.
Wyatt B. & Casey E.

Individual Paper Category
Calvin P.
Cameron D.
Harper R.
Lydia T.