December 14, 2015 - December 18, 2015

12/14/15 – 12/18/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: Review for test on Romeo and Juliet. Group review activity/discussion. Test is on Wednesday. Final copy of essay is due on Friday.

Tuesday: Finish review activity discussion. Work on final copy of essay.

Wednesday: End of play test on Romeo and Juliet. After the test, we will begin notes on short stories.

Thursday: Notes on short stories and begin reading “Cask of Amontillado.”

Friday: Turn in final copy of the expository essay today and then read “Cask of Amontillado” together.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: Discuss/review pronouns and antecedents in textbook and students will complete practice exercises on this topic today.

Tuesday: Return vocabulary lesson packet and discuss terms in packet. Vocab. Quiz on these terms will be on Friday. Discuss notes on personal pronouns in textbook.

Wednesday: Personal pronouns – complete practice exercises and discuss together. Begin notes and discussion on subject and object pronouns. Practice exercises for homework.

Thursday: Review personal pronouns practice exercises. Pronouns in compound subjects and objects – discuss notes and complete practice exercises.

Friday: Vocabulary test on lesson packet 3. When finished test, review practice exercises for pronouns in compound subjects and objects. Possessive pronouns notes and practice exercises.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the different kinds of nouns and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

 

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Continue reading the play, “A Christmas Carol” together in class. Students will also continue to work on the green analysis packet as we read.

Tuesday: Continue reading the play, “A Christmas Carol” together in class. Students will also continue to work on the green analysis packet as we read.

Wednesday: Continue reading the play, “A Christmas Carol” together in class. Students will also continue to work on the green analysis packet as we read.

Thursday: Read play and complete packet as we read. We will discuss sections within the packet together also.

Friday: Continue reading the play, “A Christmas Carol” together in class. Students will also continue to work on the green analysis packet as we read.

Essential Questions: What dramatic elements do playwrights use to enhance their plays?

How do authors use characterization to make characters within a play seem real?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Odd): Finish discussing the topic of “Inferences and Conclusions” using Study Island. Students should turn in their quiz questions for this section also if they have not already done so. Begin topic of theme. We will discuss notes on theme and complete a practice activity in class.

Tuesday (Even): Finish discussing the topic of “Inferences and Conclusions” using Study Island. Students should turn in their quiz questions for this section also if they have not already done so. Begin topic of theme. We will discuss notes on theme and complete a practice activity in class.

Wednesday (Odd): Students will complete quiz questions on “Theme” topic today in class. When finished, students will begin examining the next topic of setting.

Thursday (Even): Students will complete quiz questions on “Theme” topic today in class. When finished, students will begin examining the next topic of setting.

Friday (Odd): Finish discussing notes on setting and students will complete an activity on setting in class. Students will then complete the quiz questions on setting in class today.

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What do literary devices, such as imagery, theme, etc. add to works of literature and how do we identify them?

December 7, 2015 - December 11, 2015

12/07/15 – 12/11/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: Work on expository essay on laptops. Rough Draft is due on Friday (12/11). Final copy is due next Friday (12/18).

Tuesday: Work on expository essay on laptops. Complete and discuss study guide questions for Act 5 of R and J. Test on the play, Romeo and Juliet, will be on Wednesday (12/16).

Wednesday: Finish discussing study guide questions for Act 5 of the play. Complete review packet for test in small groups and discuss.

Thursday: Discuss group review activity in class today as a review for the test next week. Work on essay (if needed).

Friday: Turn in rough draft of essay and work on final copy, which is due next Friday.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: Discuss exact nouns together as a class. Begin working on review sections on nouns in textbook (p. 88-89) #1-80. This is due on Thursday. Test on nouns is Friday.

Tuesday: Work on review sections in the textbook. This is due Thursday.

Wednesday: Work on review sections in book and vocabulary lesson. Vocabulary lesson work in the packet is due on Monday.

Thursday: Review for test on nouns. Test is tomorrow.

Friday: Turn in review work for nouns from the textbook. Test on nouns.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the different kinds of nouns and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

 

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Review Hoot novel and discuss/turn in last two chapters for lit. circle tasks. Test on Hoot will be on Wednesday. Notes on drama from the textbook (p. 724 – 725). Use cornell note sheet to take notes.

Tuesday: Discuss notes on drama and begin reading the play, “A Christmas Carol” together in class. Students will be given a packet to complete on characterization as we read through the play.

Wednesday: Take test on Hoot today. When finished, students will continue reading the play and work on answering the questions in the packet as they read.

Thursday: Read play and complete packet as we read. We will discuss characterization in the play at this point.

Friday: Continue reading, “A Christmas Carol” together as a class.

Essential Questions: What elements make up a novel and how do authors use these and other literary devices to enhance their writing?

What themes exist within the novel, Hoot, and can we relate these to our own lives and experiences?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Even): Review answers to lit. unit pretest and chart individual results.

Tuesday (Odd): Review answers to lit. unit pretest and chart individual results. Students will then complete the first lesson on study island on textual evidence. They will turn in the quiz questions on textual evidence also.

Wednesday (Even): Students will complete the first lesson on study island on textual evidence and complete the practice quiz questions on textual evidence.

Thursday (Odd): We will discuss/chart the results of the textual evidence quiz from last class together. Students will also complete the next lesson on study island on inferences and conclusions. We will discuss this together and students will complete a lesson activity and the quiz questions.

Friday (Even): We will discuss/chart the results of the textual evidence quiz from last class together. Students will also complete the next lesson on study island on inferences and conclusions. We will discuss this together and students will complete a lesson activity and the quiz questions.

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

November 30, 2015 - December 4, 2015

11/30/15 – 12/04/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: No School

Tuesday: Read Act 4 and complete/discuss study guide questions for Act 4.

Wednesday: Finish reading Act 4 of the play and complete the study guide questions for this Act. The quiz for Act 4 will be on Tuesday (12/8).

Thursday: Watch scenes from the movie version of R and J. Work on the “Modern Connections” Essay in class also.

Friday: Work on the “Modern Connections” Essay in class. Rough Draft is due on Dec. 11.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: No School

Tuesday: Finish discussing singular/plural nouns together and review responses in packet.

Wednesday: Discuss notes on possessive nouns and complete practice exercises.

Thursday: Review exercises on possessive nouns and finish packet on possessives. Discuss notes on exact nouns.

Friday: Review exact nouns and complete practice exercises on these. Review responses and begin review section on the nouns unit. Review sections are due on Tuesday (12/8). Unit test on nouns will be on Thursday (12/10).

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the different kinds of nouns and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

 

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: No School

Tuesday: Finish watching movie version of the novel, Hoot. Students will note any differences they see between these two versions.

Wednesday: Literature circles – students will work on the next task within their group for two chapters of the book that the group agrees on. Lit. circle task sheets are due on Friday. Students must have read to the end of the book by tomorrow and complete the discussion questions up to the end of the novel for tomorrow also.

Thursday: Review responses to discussion questions for chapters 16 to epilogue. Continue to work on lit. circle tasks in groups.

Friday: Review lit. circle tasks that were due today. Discuss notes on drama and begin the play, “A Christmas Carol.”

Essential Questions: What elements make up a novel and how do authors use these and other literary devices to enhance their writing?

What themes exist within the novel, Hoot, and can we relate these to our own lives and experiences?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday: No School

Tuesday (Even): Begin pretest on Literature Unit using Study Island.

Wednesday (Odd): Take pretest on Literature Unit using Study Island.

Thursday (Even): Finish pretest on Lit. Unit and review answers together to track areas of strength and weakness at the start of this unit. Begin first section on textual evidence.

Friday: Finish pretest on Lit. Unit and review answers together to track areas of strength and weakness at the start of this unit. Begin first section on textual evidence.

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

November 23, 2015 - November 27, 2015

11/23/15 – 11/27/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: Discuss “Modern Connections” expository essay assignment together and review sample together. Review responses to theme and symbolism group activities. Read Act 4 and complete study guide questions.

Tuesday: Read Act 4 and complete/discuss study guide questions for Act 4.

Wednesday: Indoor Field Day Activities – Congratulations Spartans on achieving 82.9 on our School Performance Profile!

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: Sentence Posters for Concrete/Abstract, Common/Proper, Collective/Compound Nouns. Posters are due tomorrow by the end of class.

Tuesday: Turn in sentence posters on nouns by the end of class today. Discuss notes and examples of singular and plural nouns. Independent practice of singular/plural nouns.

Wednesday: Indoor Field Day Activities - Congratulations Spartans on achieving 82.9 on our School Performance Profile!

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the different kinds of nouns and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Turn in Lit. Circle task sheets for chapters 10-11 today. Students will receive discussion questions for chapters 18 – Epilogue. Discussion question sheets for these chapters are due on Dec. 3^rd. Students must read to the end of the novel by Dec. 3^rd. Begin watching scenes from the movie, Hoot.

Tuesday: Watch movie version of Hoot. Students will note differences viewed in the film version.

Wednesday: Indoor Field Day Activities - Congratulations Spartans on achieving 82.9 on our School Performance Profile!

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

Essential Questions: What elements make up a novel and how do authors use these and other literary devices to enhance their writing?

What themes exist within the novel, Hoot, and can we relate these to our own lives and experiences?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Odd): Finish typing final copy of narrative essay and turn in rough draft and final copy today. Begin taking pre-test for Literature Unit on Study Island.

Tuesday (Even): Finish typing final copy of narrative essay and turn in rough draft and final copy today. Begin taking pre-test for Literature Unit on Study Island.

Wednesday (Odd): Indoor Field Day Activities - Congratulations Spartans on achieving 82.9 on our School Performance Profile!

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

November 16, 2015 - November 20, 2015

11/16/15 – 11/20/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: Read start of Act 4 and complete study guide questions in groups.

Tuesday: Group activity on symbolism within Romeo and Juliet.

Wednesday: Finish activity on symbolism (if needed) and read Act 4. Students will also complete study guide questions as they read Act 4.

Thursday: Group activity examining themes in Romeo and Juliet.

Friday: Discuss symbolism activity and “modern connections” writing assignment. Rough draft is due on Dec. 8^th and final copy is due on Dec. 11^th. Read Act 4 together and complete study guide questions.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: Turn in final copy of the argumentative essay. Students will complete vocabulary squares on the next 8 words from the list of Hoot vocab. Terms (incentive to alliance). The vocab. Squares are due on Thursday and the quiz on these words will be on Friday.

Tuesday: Grammar Unit – Nouns; students will examine notes and examples of concrete/abstract nouns and common/proper nouns. They will also complete practice exercises from the textbook and discuss responses together.

Wednesday: Students will complete the worksheet on concrete/abstract nouns and common/proper nouns. When finished, students should work on the vocabulary squares for the list that is due on Thursday.

Thursday: Review vocabulary terms from Hoot in preparation for the quiz tomorrow. Students will turn in the vocab. Squares tomorrow before the quiz.

Friday: Vocabulary quiz on Hoot terms. Students will also turn in the vocab. Square sheet. After the quiz, students will continue with the grammar unit on nouns. Students will discuss the next section on nouns in the textbook and complete practice exercises.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the different kinds of nouns and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Read chapter 14 together and discuss questions for chapter 13. Lit. Circle sheet for chapters 8 and 9 is due tomorrow. Students will have a quiz on Friday on chapters 1 – 10.

Tuesday: Discuss Lit. Circle work for chapters 8 and 9 today. Students will turn in their work today. Finish reading chapter 14 in class together and complete discussion questions for tomorrow.

Wednesday: Students will read chapter 15 in class today and complete the discussion questions for this chapter.

Thursday: Lit. Circle work for chapters 10 and 11 is due on Monday. Students will work on this for part of the class and also read chapter 16 together.

Friday: Quiz on chapters 1 – 10 of the novel. When finished, students will work on lit. circle tasks for chapters 10 and 11 or continue reading chapter 16. Students must have chapter 15 read for Monday.

Essential Questions: What elements make up a novel and how do authors use these and other literary devices to enhance their writing?

What themes exist within the novel, Hoot, and can we relate these to our own lives and experiences?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Even): Students will work on writing the narrative essay assigned to them. The rough draft is due on Friday and the final copy is due on Tuesday (11/24).

Tuesday (Odd): Students will work on writing the narrative essay assigned to them. The rough draft is due on Thursday and the final copy is due on Monday (11/23).

Wednesday (Even): Students will work on the narrative essay in class today.

Thursday (Odd): Students will take a pretest on the topics within the literature unit today. They will log in to Study Island to take the pretest.

Friday (Even): Students will take a pretest on the topics within the literature unit today. They will log in to Study Island to take the pretest.

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

November 9, 2015 - November 13, 2015

11/09/15 – 11/13/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: ACT 80 DAY – Parent Conferences

Tuesday: Finish reading Act 3 and discuss study guide questions. Review Act 3. Quiz on Act 3 will be on Thursday.

Wednesday: Review Act 3 of R and J. Watch scenes from Act 3 of movie version.

Thursday: Quiz on Act 3. Finish watching Act 3 of the movie version. We will discuss similarities and differences observed in the movie and written play.

Friday: Begin reading Act 4 of R and J. Students will respond to study guide questions in small groups.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: ACT 80 DAY – Parent Conferences

Tuesday: Students will continue to work on their argumentative essay. The intro. and conclusion outlines are due today. They will also begin typing the final copy of the essay, which is due on Thursday.

Wednesday: Discuss notes on the use of in-text citations and examine examples. Students will continue to type the final copy of the essay. They must use the proofreading and editing checklist when finished in order to revise and print the final copy.

Thursday: Turn in the final copy of the argumentative essay today. Students will then define new vocabulary terms from the novel, Hoot. They must complete the vocabulary squares for Monday.

Friday: Begin grammar unit two: Nouns; Students will discuss kinds of nouns and take notes on these. They will also practice identifying different kinds of nouns and using these in their writing.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the different kinds of nouns and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

What specific elements make up argumentative writing and how do we incorporate these elements into our own argumentative writing?

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: ACT 80 DAY – Parent Conferences

Tuesday: Examine responses to the small group work completed on chapters 1 – 7 of Hoot (point of view, conflict, etc.). Discuss Lit. Circle work for chapters 6 and 7 of Hoot and review discussion questions for chapters 8 and 9. Students will turn in this work today. Read chapter 10 together in class.

Wednesday: Read chapters 10 and 11 in class together. Complete and discuss questions for chapters 10 and 11. Questions for ch. 10 and 11 due tomorrow.

Thursday: Turn in discussion questions for ch. 10 and 11 today. Work in lit. circle groups today on tasks for chapters 8 and 9 (due on Friday at end of class).

Friday: Finish lit. circle work on chapters 8 and 9 and discuss together. Students will turn in work today for ch. 8 and 9.

Essential Questions: What elements make up a novel and how do authors use these and other literary devices to enhance their writing?

What themes exist within the novel, Hoot, and can we relate these to our own lives and experiences?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday: ACT 80 DAY – Parent Conferences

Tuesday (Even): Students will take the unit one exam on writing.

Wednesday (Odd): Students will take the unit one exam on writing.

Thursday (Even): Students will choose a writing prompt to respond to. We will review the format for a narrative and students will begin to work on a five paragraph narrative essay using the elements examined throughout the writing unit. Final copy is due: Wednesday (11/18).

Friday (Odd): Students will choose a writing prompt to respond to. We will review the format for a narrative and students will begin to work on a five paragraph narrative essay using the elements examined throughout the writing unit. Final copy is due: Thursday (11/19).

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

November 2, 2015 - November 6, 2015

11/02/15 – 11/06/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: Students will read Act 3, scene 2 of R and J today. They will work in groups to complete the study guide questions and we will discuss these together. Students will continue to work on laptops (if needed) to finish the Facebook profile project.

Tuesday: Students will continue to read Act 3 today. We will discuss study guide questions together also.

Wednesday: Students will read Act 3 together with assigned parts and work on answering study guide questions for Act 3. We will discuss questions together for each scene.

Thursday: Students will read Act 3 together with assigned parts and work on answering study guide questions for Act 3. We will discuss questions together for each scene.

Friday: Finish reading Act 3 together and students will complete and discuss the study guide questions for Act 3. We will also begin to review Act 3 together. The quiz on Act 3 will be on Tuesday of next week.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: Students will continue to work on their outline for the argumentative essay. This outline is due on Thursday.

Tuesday: Students will continue to work on their outline for the argumentative essay. Explain introduction and conclusion outline sheets. When they finish the first outline worksheet, they can complete the outline sheets for the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Intro. And conclusion outlines are due on Tuesday of next week.

Wednesday: Students will continue to work on the essay outline and intro./conclusion outline sheets also.

Thursday: Students will turn in the essay outline today and continue working on the introduction/conclusion outlines today.

Friday: Students will continue to work on the intro and conclusion outlines today. These are due on Tuesday. They can also begin to type the final copy of their essay today in class.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the various types of sentences that we use In speaking and writing and how do we differentiate between these different types?

How do we differentiate between the complete subject/predicate and simple subject/predicate of a sentence, and how do we make sure we are using these parts correctly in our own writing?

How do we find the subject in different types of sentences and why is it important to know its location?

What are the different kinds of conjunctions and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

What specific elements make up argumentative writing and how do we incorporate these elements into our own argumentative writing?

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Work for Lit. circles (chapters 4 and 5) due tomorrow; Students will read chapter 6 in class today and complete the discussion questions for this chapter.

Tuesday: Finish work on Lit. Circle tasks for chapters 4 and 5. Read chapter 7 out loud in class together. Students also have discussion questions for chapter 7 that they should complete when finished reading.

Wednesday: Discuss questions from chapters 6 and 7 together. Lit. circles – students will rotate jobs within their group and work on completing their task for chapters 6 and 7 of the book. This work is due on Friday.

Thursday: Students will work in groups to identify and outline the plot elements within the story so far. They will describe the exposition and the details presented to the reader within this part of the book as well as anything making up the rising action at this point in the story. Students will also identify the point of view and protagonist/antagonist in the novel. We will discuss these together as a class and students will then continue to work on the lit. Circle work for chapters 6 and 7.

Friday: Discuss Lit. Circle work for chapters 6 and 7 of the book, Hoot. Read chapters 8 and 9 and complete discussion questions for Tuesday.

Essential Questions: What elements make up a novel and how do authors use these and other literary devices to enhance their writing?

What themes exist within the novel, Hoot, and can we relate these to our own lives and experiences?

 

 

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Odd): Students will read and use talking to text to analyze a news article. They must then answer specific questions on the article and write a written response explaining their thoughts about how the article was written.

Tuesday (Even): Students will read and use talking to text to analyze a news article. They must then answer specific questions on the article and write a written response explaining their thoughts about how the article was written.

Wednesday (Odd): Review Unit one writing topics in preparation for the exam on Friday.

Thursday (Even): Review Unit one writing topics in preparation for the exam on Tuesday.

Friday (Odd): Students will take the unit one exam on writing.

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

October 26, 2015 - October 30, 2015

10/26/15 – 10/30/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: CDT Testing in computer lab (make ups); all other students will work on the comic strip assignment for Act 3, scene 1 of the play (due on Friday)

Tuesday: Discuss themes and symbolism in Romeo and Juliet so far; introduce a mock “Facebook” project and students will work on the project in class with their partners today; assign due date for the project

Wednesday: Students will work on their “Facebook” profiles based on the characters in the play. They will use laptops to create them.

Thursday: Work on “Facebook” profile project using laptops

Friday: As a class, we will continue to read the play together with assigned parts. Students will read Act 3, scene 2 of the play and discuss study guide questions together.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: CDT Testing in computer lab (make ups); other students will research possible topics related to environmental issues for their argumentative essays

Tuesday: Students will be given the due date for the argumentative essay assignment today. They will work on researching their topics online using the laptops, and they will also work on their thesis statements. We will examine examples together and discuss how to write an effective thesis statement as well as other information that should be included in the introduction paragraph of the essay.

Wednesday: Students will work on the argumentative essay assignment today in class. They will use information from their research to fill in their outlines.

Thursday: Students will work on the outline for the argumentative essay.

Friday: Students will work on writing the argumentative essay today in class. We will discuss how to give credit to the sources that they use within their essay.

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the various types of sentences that we use In speaking and writing and how do we differentiate between these different types?

How do we differentiate between the complete subject/predicate and simple subject/predicate of a sentence, and how do we make sure we are using these parts correctly in our own writing?

How do we find the subject in different types of sentences and why is it important to know its location?

What are the different kinds of conjunctions and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

What specific elements make up argumentative writing and how do we incorporate these elements into our own argumentative writing?

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Discuss Lit. circle work for chapters 2 and 3. Students will then read chapter 4 together as a class and complete discussion questions for chapter 4.

Tuesday: Students will read chapter 5 in class today and complete discussion questions for this chapter. Students will turn in discussion question sheets for chapters 4 and 5 today. Students will also work in lit. circle groups to complete work for chapters 4 and 5. They will keep the same job that they had for the first two chapters of the book.

Wednesday: Students must read chapters 6 and 7 of the book and complete the discussion questions for these chapters today.

Thursday: Discuss chapters 6 and 7 together. Students will finish lit. circle work for chapters 4 and 5 and share with their group members.

Friday: Review of terms from the notes – Students will identify information presented in the exposition of the book as well as any information that contributes to the rising action of the story. Students will also identify any dramatic irony within the story up to this point as well as describe the point of view.

Essential Questions: How can we effectively comprehend and analyze informational text and use the text details to support claims?

What essential elements make up informational texts and how do we differentiate between these elements in our analyses?

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Even): Finish examining sensory details and precise language. Students will complete quiz questions on this section. Packet is due next class.

Tuesday (Odd): Finish examining sensory details and precise language. Students will complete quiz questions on this section. Packet is due next class.

Wednesday (Even): Students will read and use talking to text to analyze a news article. They must then answer specific questions on the article and write a written response explaining their thoughts about how the article was written.

Thursday (Odd): Students will read and use talking to text to analyze a news article. They must then answer specific questions on the article and write a written response explaining their thoughts about how the article was written.

Friday (Even): Finish reading and analyzing the article presented during the previous class.

Essential Questions:

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?

October 19, 2015 - October 23, 2015

10/19/15 – 10/23/15

Academic English 9 (Periods 1, 4)

Monday: CDT Testing in computer lab

Tuesday: CDT Testing in computer lab

Wednesday: Make-up quizzes for Act 2 (anyone who still needs to take the quiz); Finish discussing notes on theme and symbolism; Introduce Facebook project; students will begin to work on Facebook project using information from the play; assign due date

Thursday: Work on Facebook profile using laptops

Friday: Work on Facebook profile using laptops

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What themes from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are still relevant in today’s society and how do we relate to them?

Which dramatic elements help make Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet” so popular with its audience?

 

Honors English 7 (Periods 2, 8)

Monday: CDT Testing in computer lab

Tuesday: CDT Testing in computer lab

Wednesday: Unit One Exam

Thursday: Finish exam (if needed); students will also discuss argumentative writing and be introduced to a writing assignment; they will begin work on the first part of this assignment today in class

Friday: Work on argumentative writing assignment (part one – topic and thesis statement)

Essential Questions: How does learning new vocabulary words help us become better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners?

What are the various types of sentences that we use In speaking and writing and how do we differentiate between these different types?

How do we differentiate between the complete subject/predicate and simple subject/predicate of a sentence, and how do we make sure we are using these parts correctly in our own writing?

How do we find the subject in different types of sentences and why is it important to know its location?

What are the different kinds of conjunctions and how do we use them correctly in our own writing?

What specific elements make up argumentative writing and how do we incorporate these elements into our own argumentative writing?

 

Honors Reading 7 (Period 7)

Monday: Hoot novel – discuss chapter 2 discussion questions together in class. Students will also be placed into groups for their literature circles today. We will discuss the instructions and objectives for the lit. circles. Groups will complete their assigned tasks for the first two chapters of the book.

Tuesday: Literature circles – groups will discuss work for the first two chapters and turn this in when finished. Read chapter 3 together as a class. Students will work on discussion questions for tomorrow.

Wednesday: Discuss chapter 3 questions and read chapter 4 of the book. Students will complete chapter 4 discussion questions for tomorrow.

Thursday: Direct vs. indirect characterization activity – students will work with a partner to find examples of direct and indirect characterization in the chapters read so far. We will discuss these together as a class.

Friday: Literature circles – students will work in their groups to complete their assigned tasks for chapters 3 and 4. This work is due on Monday.

Essential Questions: How can we effectively comprehend and analyze informational text and use the text details to support claims?

What essential elements make up informational texts and how do we differentiate between these elements in our analyses?

 

PSSA Language Arts 7/8 (Period 5B: Odd and Even Days)

Monday (Even): Students will turn in their completed quiz questions on transitions and organizing ideas from last week (if they have not already done so). We will then discuss the last section of the writing unit: Precise language and sensory details. Students will highlight key ideas in the notes and complete an activity on sensory details.

Tuesday (Odd): Students will turn in their completed quiz questions on transitions and organizing ideas from last week (if they have not already done so). We will then discuss the last section of the writing unit: Precise language and sensory details. Students will highlight key ideas in the notes and complete an activity on sensory details.

Wednesday (Even): Discuss correct answers to the transitions/organizing ideas questions. Students will have the opportunity during class today to write explanations for the questions they got wrong. They must write down why the answer was wrong and explain the correct answer in their own words. If time permits, we will discuss the sensory details activity together.

Thursday (Odd): Discuss correct answers to the transitions/organizing ideas questions. Students will have the opportunity during class today to write explanations for the questions they got wrong. They must write down why the answer was wrong and explain the correct answer in their own words. If time permits, we will discuss the sensory details activity together.

Friday (Even): Finish examining sensory details and precise language. Students will complete quiz questions on this section. Packet is due next class.

Essential Questions:

What kinds of reading strategies help us navigate and comprehend informational texts?

How can reading strategies, like talking to text, help us understand questions on the PSSA tests?

What makes up an effective introduction and conclusion and how do we incorporate these elements into our own writing?

How do we effectively support and develop our topics throughout our writing?

How do we organize our ideas well and use transitions to successfully guide our readers through our writing pieces?

How do sensory details and precise language help to better communicate our messages in our writing?