Remember to show the letter to your parents!

Don't forget to use your book to do the Reading Comprehension sheet for chapter 1 which is due on Monday, March 1st. Answer the 3 Writing Prompt questions in your notebook. Do not do any vocabulary at the bottom of the paper. Your Section One vocabulary test will be on Thursday, March 5th.

Please show the letter, sent home on Friday, to your parents inviting grandparents or great grandparents to talk to us about The Great Depression. If any grandparent or great grandparent is unable to come in, let's talk about an interview!

We will finish our MCAS packet on Monday, also.

Click "check this out" and "This Is Awesome" to the right! Some good clips!

Don't forget, you still have the "Read, Read, Read" link to the spark notes for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Don't forget to check out the chapter summaries!!

Welcome Back

We have just returned from February vacation and we have almost finished (by tonight) the first chapter of our new book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. So far some students have expressed great enthusiasm about the topic of the book and seem interested in our bulletin board "Then and Now." We are discussing the similariities between the Great Depression, which is the setting of the novel, and our economy now.
Many students have brought in articles and pictures depicting the hardships of this era. We have learned about the author, Mildred Taylor, and how she based her story "Song of the Trees" and Roll of Thnder, Hear My Cry on her family experiences. We learned a song by Bing Crosby written in 1931 "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" We will be having a quiz tomorrow on "Song of the Trees." We will also be working on some MCAS.

Vacation Is Not Over Yet

Hey kids! Hope you are having a great week. Did you have a chance to peruse the spark notes for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry? The summaries for each chapter are excellent and let you know information that is really important. Also, did you have a chance to look at the other links to the right (Give This A Try)? I have included a link which can be used for fun, while providing rice for those less fortunate in other countries. There is also a link (You Might find This Useful) for a review of grammar skills. Please, try these so you don't forget about parts of speech and punctuation. I've got all the vocabulary tests corrected and some of your grades will really improve. Now onto the finals. See you on Monday, February 23,2009.

Happy Vacation!

I hope you all have a great vacation. Remember, there is still plenty of time to improve your ELA grade so don"t give up the ship!!!!
I have sited a link for "sparknotes" for our next book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. Click on Read, Read, Read so you can get a jumpstart by glancing through the summary of one or more chapters. It is a story set in Mississippi during the Great Depression. The story deals with racism experienced by African Americans in 1933 particularly the Logan family. Read the sparknotes to introduce yourselves to the strength, faith, and love demonstrated by this incredible family.
I will be busy grading your finals and vocabulary tests this week. Please rest up and have fun because when you return we move "full speed ahead!"

Vocabulary Test on Wednesday, February 11th

We have read up to chapter 19 together in The Giver. The idea of release has now become apparent. We wrote in our journals yesterday about whether or not Jonas's father is aware of what he has done to the lighter of the identical twins. We also speculated where the chute leads after a person has been released. A variety of opinions were given and supported citing evidence from the book. Homework over the weekend is:
1. Finish reading the book (only about 28 pages)
2. Quarter notes for chapter 20 due Monday, February 9th
3. Quiz Time 16-19 due Monday, February 9th
4. All quarter notes 21-23 due Wednesday, February 11th
5. Vocabulary test on Wednesday, February 11th.
6. Final on Thursday and /or Friday ... multiple choice and open response

Remember: Although my last period class received Quiz Time today, all assignments mentioned above were given with 2 or more nights allowed to complete the work.


Have a great weekend!

Chapter 16 Quarter Notes

Today we got back many papers for this term. Tomorrow, Quiz Time 11-15 will be collected for another grade. Students listened to some of the beautiful figurative language used by Lois Lowry in chapter 14 of The Giver. They are finishing up a picture begun today in class. We learned about the atrocities of warfare.Tonight you will learn about the word "love." How could a word so meaningful become obsolete in Jonas's community? Chapter 16 quarter notes are due tomorrow.

Section 4 vocabulary will be due on Friday, February 6, 2009. Keep on reading!!!