Due to the early dismissal, periods 4 and 9 will follow yesterday's post and continue work with "O Captain! My Captain!"

Everyone else will be reading and working with "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  This narrative poem (poem that tells a story) is based on the famous journey of Paul Revere on the eve of the Revolutionary War.

Here's a link to the poem: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15640

***Classwork is questions 1-10 on page 515 on brown literature books.  All answers should be written using complete sentences.

Here's a link to an informative site on Walt Whitman.  You'll find a brief biography, as well as access to some of his other poetry.

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/126

Quick Assessment:

Rewrite the following sentences inserting commas where necessary.

     1.  Mr. Manley packed a tent a fishing pole bait and a book for his camping trip.

     2.  Walt Whitman was a talented fascinating poet.

Classwork for today:

In the brown literature books, answer all questions on page 535 dealing with "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman.  Be sure to use complete sentences.

Today's Class:

1. Go over homework on "Using Commas"

2. Introduce "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman

3. Group activity focusing on metaphors in the poem.


Here's a link to a reading of this famous poem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSAymj4hp7Y&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Notes for this week:

“O Captain!

My Captain!”

-Poem by Walt Whitman  American Poet (1819-1892)

extended metaphor- a comparison between two unlike things that extends through an entire poem or piece of literature.

symbolism- when one thing is used to represent something else

tone- the author’s attitude toward a subject

irony- the opposite of what is expected or intended.

Tonight's Homework:

Finish the back side of the worksheet on "Using Commas."

Today in class, we finished a video focusing on the important elements of fiction.  We also went over some of the basic rules for when and when not to use commas.

Quiz tomorrow on the vocabulary terms from "Stop the Sun."  Study!!

Homework:

Bring novels to class for independent reading.

If you're interested, here's a site with more information on the Vietnam War: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War

Quick Assessment:  What literary elements fit the following examples?

1.  The embarrassment ate into Terry.
2.  He had the eye of a vulture.
3.  I've told you to be quiet a billion times.
4.  Big Bob ate both burritos.
5.  The boom and pop of the gun hurt my ears.

We are finishing "Stop the Sun" in class today.  Students are to complete the selection questions using complete sentences.  What is not finished in class should be done for homework.

There will be a vocabulary quiz for the new terms on Friday.

Tonight's Homework:
Complete front and back of worksheet on punctuating titles properly.

Our literary focus this week will be a short story called "Stop the Sun" written by Gary Paulsen.  http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/

Here are the notes:

“Stop the Sun”

by: Gary Paulsen

setting- present day

main character- Terry Erickson

Literature Elements

Theme- the message that an author wishes to get across

***3^rd person point of view- the narrator of the story is an outsider that is not a character in the story

a.     objective- the narrator only has limited knowledge of the characters

b.     omniscient- the narrator is all knowing

Words to Know

persist (verb)- to continue stubbornly

          ex. At times, students persist at being obnoxious.

dry (adjective)- direct and without emotion

          ex. After winning the World Series, the players seemed dry.  They weren’t even excited.

founder (verb)- to get stuck or to break down

          ex.  Cars that don’t have four-wheel drive often founder in the snow.

inert (adjective)- having no power to move or act; lifeless

          ex.  After being struck by the winning punch, the boxer became inert.

chant (verb)- singing or speaking in monotone.

          ex. One will often hear the crowd chant at a football game.

Quiz Tomorrow on "The Great Rat Hunt."  You will need to study your vocabulary terms as well as the following literary elements.

onomatopoeia- words that sound like the actions they describe.
  ex. buzz, pop, fizz, thump

metaphor- a direct comparison of two unlike things.

hyperbole- an exaggeration

simile- a direct comparison of two things using "like" or "as."

personification- giving human qualities to non-human objects.

alliteration- the repeating of beginning consonant sounds in literature.
  ex. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Today we are working in groups to complete analysis questions for "The Great Rat Hunt."  Students are handing in one set of questions for their group.  It is important that everyone works together and that one person is not doing everything.  

Parents and students:  See Monday's post for the questions.

Quiz on the new vocabulary for "The Great Rat Hunt" on Friday.  Here are the words again:

barricade
brusquely
fumigate
improvise
ineptitude
mug
perpetual
rationalize
ravage
reserve 

Tonight's Homework:
Complete front and back (Yes, you must rewrite the paragraphs on the back) of worksheet focusing on capitalization. 

Here are some rules to help you:

Welcome Back!  Here are the notes for the literature we are covering this week.  There is also a classwork assignment attached that everyone is responsible for handing in on Thursday.

“The Great Rat Hunt”

By Laurence Yep (p. 107)

      VOCABULARY WORDS

            barricade-           blockade

            brusquely-          abruptly; sharply

            fumigate-            exterminate

            improvise-          to act without a plan

            ineptitude-         clumsiness

            mug-                    the face

            perpetual-          long lasting

            rationalize-         justify; excuse

            ravage-                destruction

            reserve-               unfriendliness

MEMOIR

Definition: A first-person recollection of an experience or event

3 Characteristics

1.             told from 1^st person point of view using       the pronouns I, me, we

2.             are accounts of actual events

3.             include the writer’s feelings and beliefs about his/her family and community

Theme

Definition: The message about life or human nature communicated by a literary work

·    Apply lessons learned by the main characters to ALL of us

◦  Themes of Rat Hunt

We don’t have to be good at everything

Sometimes it’s smart to be scared

Don’t underestimate love

Acceptance

It’s okay to be you

It’s important to try

“The Great Rat Hunt”

By Laurence Yep

(Pages 107-114)

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

Directions: On your paper, answer each question in a complete sentence.

1.           Identify this literary genre.

2.           Describe Laurence’s conflict.

3.           Do you think Laurence’s father resents him for not being able to keep up?  Why or why not?

4.           On page 108 in the top paragraph of column B, how does Yep use personification in describing the rat?

5.           What situations in Father’s past might explain his brusqueness and reserve? (Hint: see page 111) 

6.           Do you see any relationship between Laurence’s feeling of being an outsider in his own family and his father’s experience as an immigrant?  Explain.

7.           Why was it so important to Father that Eddy and Laurence learn to play American sports? (See page 112, col. A)

8.           Yep uses hyperboles on page 113, bottom of column A to describe the rat.  Write one of them on your paper.

9.           In your opinion, which is worse, being a failure or being a coward?  Why?

10.       Why is it significant to Laurence that his father called it “our” trophy?

11.       What do you think is the theme of this memoir?  (Hint: look in column A on page 114)

Assignments handed in for the 2nd quarter

1. Vocabulary Sentences for "The Tell Tale Heart"  11/17
2. Selection Questions for "The Tell Tale Heart"  11/18
3. Open book quiz on "The Tell Tale Heart"  11/21

Here's a link to the A&E biography of Edgar Allan Poe.  We will be viewing this video in class today (after the quiz) and tomorrow.
http://www.biography.com/people/edgar-allan-poe-9443160/videos

Have a happy and well deserved Thanksgiving break!

I wanted to thank students and chaperones for a great trip yesterday.  Despite the rain, we seem to have made it through alive.

Tonight's Homework:

Write 10 complete sentences, using one of the new vocabulary words from "The Tell Tale Heart" in each.  If you are having trouble with some of the tricky ones, refer to this page for examples included in Tuesday's notes.

This picture will make sense to you when we are done reading the story.

**This week, and into next week, we will be discussing "The Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.  Here's a site with some more information on this famously morbid American author of the 19th century. http://www.poemuseum.org/index.php

**Here are the notes for the week:

“The Tell Tale Heart”

by: Edgar Allan Poe

-short story

Literary Elements

mood- the feeling/attitude expressed by the reader

tone- the feeling/attitude of the author/narrator

conflict- pay attention to conflicts both internal and external

point of view- “The Tell Tale Heart” is told in the first person narrative

Words to Know

acute (adj.)- sharp or keen               

The narrator has acute eyesight.

conceived (verb)- thought of            

The idea was conceived during a dream.

vex (verb)- to disturb or annoy        

Students who are unprepared vex me.

stifled (verb)- smothered                  

The scream was stifled by a pillow.

crevice (noun)- a crack           

The crevice was formed by an earthquake.

stealthily (adv.)-secretly; cautiously

The villain stealthily snuck away.

audacity (noun)- shameless daring/boldness, nerve               

Audacity can get one in trouble.

vehemently (adv.)- with intense emotion

I vehemently screamed in pain.

derision (noun)- mocking/taunting

The bully’s derision caused me to fight.

hypocritical (adj.)- false or deceptive, fake

Squeaky considered girls’ smiles to be hypocritical.

**We are officially in the 2nd marking period.  All late/missing assignments from the first quarter can not be handed in for credit at this point.

**This week's literary focus is "The Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.  See the next post for class notes and information.

 **Tomorrow is our field trip to New York City.  All students should wear their Green Team shirt from last year.  If you don't have it, please try to wear a shirt that is navy blue.  This is important, as we will want to make sure that everyone is visible.  Parents should arrive to pick up students at around 7:30 PM at the front bus turn-around (near entrance "C").

This week students are writing their cumulative tasks for the first quarter. 

For those parents who don't know what these are, here's a brief explanation.

There is no actual final exam in 8th grade English.  Instead, students are assessed quarterly with a listening comprehension test and a cumulative essay.  Here's the breakdown of how final exam grades are calculated.

4 listening tests (one per quarter)- 20%
4 cumulative essays (one per quarter)- 60%
ELA practice reading comprehension (given in March)- 20%
-The total of these assessments combined results in the students' final exam grade for the year

Students are currently taking the Scantron Reading Assessment in the computer lab.  Anyone who is absent needs to make up the test as soon as possible.

Here's a great site to practice rules the rules of English.  Keep in mind, we may not get to everything in class.  This is a great opportunity to be proactive in working on skills that you know you have trouble with.

http://www.chompchomp.com/

Today in class, we are reading "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.  This famous poem about choices, seems to give advice about thinking through life altering decisions. 
The classwork is questions 1-7 on page 601 in the brown books.  These are due by the end of class on Friday.

Follow this link for a text and audio version of the poem.
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717

Yesterday, students took a listening comprehension test.  If you were absent, I will be doing a make-up on Monday of next week during 10th period.  If you can't make it, please let me know so we can make arrangements.  

Have a great weekend!!

Eastern Catskill Mountains 

This section is known as the Devil's Path

What is the personification in the above quote?

1st effort on poems from "Mother to Son" are due today.

Classwork:

Lesson 5- Figurative Language

Here are some more examples of personification:

**Quick Assessment: Write your own example of a metaphor

 

Today's Classwork/Homework- Due Tomorrow, 10/26/11        

 

Write an extended metaphor poem in the same style as Langston Hughes answering the mother in "Mother to Son."  Use a different metaphor (rather than crystal stairs) to describe your own insights about life.  

 

Here's an example:

 

Sample “Mother to Son” Poem

Extended Metaphor

Little Soldier

By Julia L.

Mama,

Life ain’t easy;

I know this now.

You give me the strength to fight the battle.

Life is a battle,

Obstacle after obstacle.

I was once a soldier,

Naïve to the death and hardship of war,

But with your wisdom, I am now commander.

Commander of my own troops,

Me, myself, and I.

I may lose a few battles now and then,

And I will certainly triumph over the war.

Thank you for being my trainer.

Thank you for helping me with my quest.

Thank you for being wise and kind

And revealing the key.

The key to the door.

The key to life.

Life ain’t easy,

But I will fight to the finish.

Fight to the death.

Here are the notes for today:

Figurative Language- language that can not be taken literally.

metaphor- a direct comparison of two unlike things without using the words "like" or "as."
   ex. Skip is a clown.

simile- a comparison of two things using "like" or "as."
   ex. She runs like the wind.

personification- giving nonliving things living qualities
   ex. The basketball danced around the rim.

Today, we are reading "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes  http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83.  He is famous as being a Harlem Renaissance poet and writer of short fiction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Renaissance

Langston Hughes'
Mother to Son

---

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Summary (Conclusion) Paragraph

What is a summary paragraph?
The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a "conclusion."

What does it do?
It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense that your essay is complete.

How do I write one?
1. Restate the strongest points of your essay that support your main idea.
2. Conclude your essay by restating the main idea in different words.
3. Give your personal opinion or suggest a plan for action.

Example:

Overall, the changes that occurred in hockey have helped to improve the game. Hockey is faster and more exciting as a result of changes in the past 120 years. For these reasons, modern hockey is a better game than hockey in the 1890s.

Supporting (Body) Paragraphs

What are supporting paragraphs?Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay.

What do they do?They develop the main idea of your essay.

How do I write them?

1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay.
2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph.
3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.

To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.

Examples of transition words that can help you to link your paragraphs together:

-For listing different points: first, next, then, finally

-For counter examples: however, even though, on the other hand, nevertheless

-For additional ideas: another, in addition to, related to, furthermore, also

-To show cause and effect: therefore, thus, as a result of, consequently

 Like all good paragraphs, each supporting paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a summary sentence.

Introduction Paragraph

What is an introduction paragraph?
The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay.

What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important.
 
How do I write one?
1. Write the thesis statement. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement.
2. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts, quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay.
 
Example:
     Hockey has been a part of life in Canada for over 120 years. It has evolved into an extremely popular sport watched and played by millions of Canadians. The game has gone through several changes since hockey was first played in Canada.

Today we are finishing up class work that will be collected for a quiz grade on "Raymond's Run."  Please make sure that if you were absent, all work gets made up in a timely fashion. 

Tomorrow, I will be doing a lesson on essay writing.  All students have an essay due for social studies this week, and it is important that they know how to organize their thoughts.  Here's a helpful site with some quick tips for writing different types of essays.

http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/essay/

It's Yankee Candle Time!!

In an effort to raise some funds for our upcoming field trip to see "Sister Act" in New York City (info. and permission slips will be distributed in class this week), we will be participating in a Yankee Candle fundraiser.  Students will receive the fundraising packets, including catalogs and order forms in class today, October 12. 

**All money is to be collected, documented on the order forms, and handed in to Mr. Manley no later than Monday, October 24, 2011.

In class, we are continuing to read "Raymond's Run."  Make sure to keep up with all reading if you are absent from class. 

Here are the notes for this week.  We'll be reading the short story "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara.  Here's a website with informantion about the author:  http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/index.php/Toni_Cade_Bambara

“Raymond’s Run”

 by: Toni Cade Bambara

setting- Harlem, present day

narrator- Squeaky (also the main character) 1^st person point of view

Words to Know

relay- a race where several team members are used to finish

      Ex. The Unites States lost the 400 meter relay at the track meet.

clutch- to grasp and hold tightly

      Ex. I watched the student nervously clutch the note she had written.

prodigy- a person with great talent

      Ex. Tiger Woods was a child prodigy when it came to golf.

sidekick- a close friend

      Ex.  Many superheroes have a trusty sidekick.

periscope- a device that lets one see beyond the area he/she is in.

      Ex.  To see above the water the captain of the submarine used the periscope.

Literary Element

Conflict- A struggle between two forces

5 Types:

Person vs. Person

Person vs. nature

Person vs. society

Person vs. technology

Person vs. themselves\

**No Homework Tonight**

A Chance to Redeem Yourself!

Please write the following sentences on separate paper to be handed in.  Each has a missing apostrophe that you will need to put in the correct spot.

1.  Artists techniques vary for making pictures look three-dimensional.

2.  In this picture, one roads edges seem to meet in the distance.

3.  Notice the size of the womens heads that are closest to the viewer.

4.  They look larger than the womans head who sits behind them.

5.  An artists use of light can also suggest depth.

Characters are the people, animals, or objects in a story.  To understand a character, look at the character's traits, emotions, and motivations.
1. A character's traits are behaviors that show his or her personality.
2. Emotions are the feelings the character expresses in thoughts, words, and actions.
3. Motivations are the reasons a character does something.  Motivations can be expressed through a character's thoughts, words, or actions.

Today, students will be reading a selection called, "Ana's Crusade."  The main focus will be character and conflict.  This assignment is to be handed in during class for a quiz grade.

Still Hangin' in There!!

Yesterday, we continued our work with the different literary genres.  We also, practiced working with singular possessive and plural possessive nouns.  Some students still seem to have some issues with the rules. 

Here they are for future reference:

A possessive noun shows ownership.  Singular nouns add an apostrophe and "s" to form the possessive (worker/worker's).  Most plural nouns add an apostrophe after the s to form the possessive (workers/workers').  Plurals that don't end in s (men/mice) add an apostrophe and "s" (men's/mice's) to show possession.