Monday, August 31, 2020

Oooh, it's "First-Day-of-School" Eve!  Are you excited? I am! 

Just a quick note... With so much new to us, I am unsure how much my blog will be necessary this year.  I'm looking to YOU for feedback.  What would you like to see here?  Some things (like Zoom links) can't be shared here due to confidentiality and security.  Other things are possible though!

In the meantime, if you have questions, please email me (pjohnson@ and you know the rest).  

If you are looking to get into Canvas, try clicking HERE and using your regular school email and password to get in.  (You might see a "Microsoft" screen...that's okay. Just continue with your school email and password.) 

Continued Pandemic Learning

All assignments are listed in PJ's Google Classroom under the "Classwork" option. Here is the video I created for you in case you are still confused about how to manuever through Google Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpYrAARlig8


Here is a quick list of the assignments that are now due.  For specific directions, please go to the Google Classroom.

Quick Reading Inventory--5 points--originally due 4/17
Your assignment during the original COVID closure was to read 20 minutes each day. Tell me what you have been reading during this time please. (I'm just looking for a short response--a bulleted list of titles is fine). This can simply be emailed to me.

"Invictus" Assignment--10 points--originally due 4/23
Students read the poem "Invictus" and wrote about the theme and poetic devices (assignment on Google Classroom)

Reading/Quarantine Journal--20 points--originally due 4/14
Students were to write each day on the original quarantine period (March 18-April 14), either writing a response about what they read or how they are feeling about the pandemic situation. For an A+, students need at least 10 thoughtful, thorough responses (each about a paragraph long).

Daily Language Practice 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 4/30--5 points each
These are very short and quick assignments, also found on Google Classroom.  Students get 5 points just for completing the assignment.  (Writing "IDK" is not completing the assignment, by the way.) These daily language practices help review important language arts standards.

Advice to the World essay--25 points--originally due 4/17
In a separate Google Document (NOT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW), write a 5-paragraph essay that gives advice to others. Think of something that is important to you that you wish others would know. Maybe you think people should always work hard, or maybe you think they should have fun more often. Or maybe you think there should be a balance. Or maybe you have advice about something more complex, like social justice issues--poverty, racism, rape culture, child abuse, mental health, environmental concerns, educational system, etc. Or maybe you want to give an uplifting message about staying strong when struggles happen. You decide the topic. So... you can put questions in the comment box below, but DO NOT type your essay there. Open up a new Google Document for that.

Creative Story--12 points--due Friday, May 1
This assignment is listed in Google Classroom. Students had to watch a video and then write a story from the perspective of an ordinary household item.

Pandemic Distance Learning

Hello 8th Graders,

Most of you have joined my Google Classroom.  If you have not, please do so. I have emailed you the code to get in.  (Some of you also have a personal email invite to my classroom.)

Remember, I only have two assignments that I gave you before all of us left:

1. Read 20 minutes each day.  This can be any reading--novels, children's stories, speeches, internet sources, movie subtitles--it all counts! Just practice intentional reading every single day.
   
2. Write 2-3 times each week.  Originally, I said this should be in response to what you are reading.  However, as the COVID-19 pandemic spiraled every which way, I said you could write instead about what is going on while you are away from school at this time.

These assignments were given to you before Governor Evers changed the return date to "indefinitely," which means that it is not certain when we will return to the physical classroom/building.  Therefore, after April 13, you will see other assignments and lessons that are more specifically focused on some of our 8th grade expectations.  Until then, please just read every day and write when you can.  These are good practices no matter how old you are, and writing about the current events may help you organize your thoughts about everything.

If you need to redo older assignments, I have put a tab on the top of this page with directions to 3rd quarter assignments.  Also, if you are looking for ways to challenge yourself, there is a tab entitled "enrichment exercises" that will give you some ideas.

Please stay in touch with any concerns you may have. I hope you are all staying healthy and taking the social distancing recommendations seriously.