Saturday, November 1, 2008

Order In The Court

Monday marks the trial scheduled for the four members of the pact. Julie James, Helen Rivers, Barry Cox, and Ray Bronson will stand trial for the second degree murder of ten year old David Gregg.

Your five paragraph essays about your hero are to be typed to be passed in on Tuesday, November 4th. Please have all five paragraphs written and your TORSO completed.This was worked on during class on Friday, October 31st.

Penny Books look wonderful!

Last week's "Quote of the Week" has provided some very insightful responses. "No Learning Ever Goes To Waste" has definitely sparked some thoughtful comments. It is very encouraging to read these thoughtful impressions of the importance of "learning" regardless of subject area. Many have commented that what you learn now may actually help you when you least expect it. Well Done Team!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Trial, Monday, November 3,2008

The parts have been assigned for The Trial where the four members of the pact will be questioned by prosecuting and defense attorneys. The stage has almost been set. Look for pictures next week on the TMS web page.

We will have a long composition question, which we will be working on this week using a TORSO ( Topic, Opinion,Reasons,Summary and Opinion) which is an acronym for a graphic organizer used when writing a 5 paragraph essay.

Don't forget Penny Book!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Penny Book Due Halloween

The book has been read and the Final has been taken. From the results of the tests, you obviously understood and liked the book! I am very glad. Next week we will begin working on The Trial of The Pact. Students will be needed to impersonate the four members of the pact, the parents of the four teenagers on trial, Elsa, Megan and of course the all important jury. Prosecuting and defense attorneys will also be important. Character choice will be based on interest, responsibility with homework, and of course a clear knowledge or understanding of the book.

The journal writing each week continues to inspire me. The past two "Quotes of the Week" have included: " How Can You Turn Failure Into Success? Learn From It" and "Look For The Best Part In Each Person That You Meet." You have some worderful insights! WE now need to incorporate good spelling and punctuation into our journal writing.

Penny Books due Friday, October 31st! Please check spelling and punctuation of your captions. Your final grade will include 30 points for a picture representing each year, 30 points for a penny, 40 points for a caption explaining each picture and its importance using correct spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. (Conventions)

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Final Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be the final for the novel I Know What You Did Last Summer. The students have worked on their Final Preparation Sheets which they received last Friday. We have gone over all the Parts of a Story, Literary Terms, Figurative Language, Character
Identification, and some important vocabulary.

Webs have been provided for open response questions and both answers are due tomorrow. Students will pass in both but only one will be graded. We will be working on improving open responses next week in addition to preparing for The Trial of The Pact.

Don't forget The Penny Book!

Friday, October 17, 2008

It's The Weekend

We have just about completed each chapter in the book. On Monday, October 20th, we'll finish the rest of chapter 17 and all of chapter 18. When we have completely discussed the book and gone over the final preparation sheet WHICH IS HOMEWORK OVER THE WEEKEND, we will take the final.

Make sure you complete the front part of the sheet, over the weekend. Complete sentences are a "must" because they are also what will be expected on the final. Refer to your literary term sheet in your binder if you have any questions. A copy of the literary terms sheet can be found on the front of this blog. Study as you do your sheet.

Penny Books are due on Halloween!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Team Meeting Pep Talk

Team 7-2 had a brief team meeting today to remind students about the importance of doing homework, getting organized, bringing materials to class, and showing corrected tests and quizzes to parents. Some students have become "lax" in one or more of these areas. PLEASE TRY YOUR BEST!

Homework tonight includes doing quarter notes for Friday, October 17th. Complete Figurative Language sheet from class today. Copy 5 examples of similes, metaphors, personification, and alliteration from the book I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Progress reports were sent home a couple of weeks ago, some grades have gone up and some grades have gone down.

Parents, it is never too late to check your children's homework.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Hey Kids.....nice job on your journals

I am very impressed by your responses to the" Quote of the Week" for last week, October 6. "List 5 things for which you are thankful ." Many of your responses are very well-articulated and well-thought. Some of the most common responses include; family, food, home, clothes, education, and pets. Still others include health, ability to play sports, electricity, the envoronment, and a free country. Your explanations are also pretty good. I am very thankful for all of you! No Kidding!!

Don't forget to study for the Grammar Retest scheduled for after school on Wednesday, October 15. Make sure your test has been signed by a parent or guardian. Your rides should pick you up by 3:30pm. If you would rather come early in the morning, please let me know.
Finish the Book! It's awesome!!!!!