Hi everyone,
I was out Tuesday and Wednesday of this week due to a death in the family.

Students were responsible for reading the short story "The Treasure of Lemon Brown," by Walter Dean Myers.  They were to complete questions 1,2,4,5 on page 345 in the green literature books. 

Today in class, students were given a quick formative assessment of their knowledge of point of view in literature.  They are currently responsible for the following terms.

Point of View
1st Person Point of View
3rd Person Objective Point of View
3rd Person Omniscient Point of View

**Please study these terms if you still don't know them!

We also viewed a short film adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery."  This story is famous for it's irony.

Today's Class:

1. Proverb of the Day:  "A bad workman blames his tools."

2. Notes on point of view:

Shirley Jackson's "Charles" relies on the point of view of Laurie's mom to keep the reader wondering what is going to happen until the very end.  If the story were written from Laurie's point of view, we would have a completely different understanding of what was going on.  If you're having trouble understanding point of view, here's a link to help you out http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/understanding-point-of-view-in-literature.html

 3. Classwork/Homework

Editing Practice: Complete the last page of the packet on "Charles."  I'll tell you the number of mistakes in each paragraph during class.

Quiz tomorrow on the new vocabulary from "Charles."

Here are the words, in case you forgot (They're in your notebooks and on this site, so that shouldn't be possible):

renounced
swaggering
simultaneously
haggard
incredulously
elaborately
insolently

Homework:
Use each of the above words in a complete sentence.  You may change the suffix (ending) of the words to fit the appropriate context.

**Extra Credit Opportunity**

What is ironic about this sign?

Today we will finish reading Shirley Jackson's "Charles" in class.  The ironic ending should leave readers wanting more.  Try to think of two reasons the ending is ironic.  Think about what we expect vs. what really happens.  Also, think about who Laurie's mother is really looking for.

Yesterday's quiz was returned today.  Students have until Friday if they'd like to do a retake.  Scores will be averaged together.  Ex.  1st try- 85%,  2nd try- 95%, Final score - 90%

Today in class, we are taking a quiz on the elements of fiction.  We will also be reading the short story, "Charles" by Shirley Jackson.  Pay attention to the irony in the story as it makes for a surprise ending!

Tonight's homework:

Complete both sides of worksheet on complete subjects and complete predicates.  Make sure to read the directions carefully.

Complete Subject- part of a sentence that is made up of the noun or pronoun and the words that tell about it.

Complete predicate- part of a sentence made up of a verb and words that tell what the subject is, has, or does.

Ex. The Constitution of the United States set forth our country's basic laws.
            (complete subject-red)                          (complete predicate- blue)

Happy Monday!

Proverb of the day:  All that glitters is not gold.

**Tomorrow there will be a short quiz on the terms classes took notes on last week.  If you don't have the notes, refer to previous entries on this site.

This week, we'll be studying a short story called, "Charles" written by Shirley Jackson ( http://shirleyjackson.org/index.html).  The main element of focus will be irony.  Here are the notes:

“Charles”

by: Shirley Jackson

Literary Terms

1.                  short story- a short work of fiction that can usually be read in one sitting.  Short stories usually focus on 1 or 2 characters that face a single problem (conflict).

2.                  setting- the time and place of the action of a story

3.                  irony- when there is a difference between what is expected and what actually happens.

Vocabulary Words

renounced- gave up or abandoned

    Ex. For her New Year’s resolution, Carrie renounced chocolate.

swaggering- strutting (walking) confidently

    Ex. On the first day of school, Dan was seen swaggering through the halls.

simultaneously- at the same time

    Ex. Both students answered the question simultaneously.

haggard- tired looking

    Ex. At the end of the day, Mr. Manley had a haggard look on his face.

incredulously- with disbelief

    Ex. Laura stared incredulously at the dog that could talk.

elaborately- doing something with great care.

    Ex. Mark elaborately pieced together his model airplane.

insolently- boldly (very) disrespectful

    Ex. For speaking to the principal insolently, Jessica was suspended.

Happy Friday everyone!

Today, we're finishing up with a plot exercise using The Velveteen Rabbit.  All work is to be done in class and handed in today.

Extra Credit opportunity for the weekend!!

Answer the following riddle correctly (without cheating), and receive 5 extra points on next week's quiz on the terms we've taken notes on.  Answers must be written and handed to me at the beginning of class on monday. 

Here's the riddle:

  How could a baby fall out of a twenty-story building onto the ground and live?

Proverb of the Day:  "Actions speak louder than words."

Today, we will continue our work with plot.  Here are some new definitons that you need to know:

conflict- a struggle or problem that the characters face

protagonist- the main character(s)

antagonist- character or force that oppose the main character(s)

secondary characters- minor or less important characters

setting- time and place

theme- the message or moral that a story teaches

**Exit Ticket**

What are the 5 parts of a story's plot?

Hi everyone,
I've been out for the past two days and would like to go over what was done in class.

Monday:  Students worked with the literary element, plot, while exploring the myth, "The Flight of Daedalus."  Here are some brief definitions and a diagram that students are expected to know:
 

• Exposition: the beginning of the story, establishment of setting and characters
• Conflict: the problem(s) faced by the characters
• Rising Action: events in the story leading up to the climax
• Climax: the culmination of events in the story, point of highest reader interest
• Falling Action: events leading to the solving of the story’s problems
• Resolution: how events and problems of the story are solved

On Tuesday, students read about and explored the literary element, theme.  They read a short piece, "A Simple Arrangement."
Theme- a central idea or ideas explored by a literary work.  There may be more than one theme in a given piece of writing.

Packets for both days are due today, Wednesday, Sept. 14 in class.

Happy first Friday of the year to everyone!  I hope the weather wasn't too big a problem.  Today, we are focusing on a short proofreading activity.  I am collecting all of the "Personal Profile Sheets" for a homework grade.  This one's easy: if you hand it in, you get a 100%. 

I'll be out Monday and Tuesday of next week for family business.  On Monday, classes will focus on "Plot," and on Tuesday, "Theme."  All work is due to be gone over and handed in upon my return on Wednesday.

Have a great weekend, and remember those who gave their lives on 9/11/01.

Today we finished covering class rules and expectations.  Everyone should complete their "Personal Profile Sheet" for homework if it wasn't finished in class. 

Remember, you must bring the following items to class every day:

1. pen or pencil

2. English notebook

3. English folder

4. Agenda planner

5. Any assignments due

Here's a link to one of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien. http://www.tolkien-online.com/

Welcome Back!

Welcome to my blog for ELA 8.  I trust everyone had a exciting but restful summer.  Check this site often for any important information, assignments, definitions, or news specific to things going on at JWB or in my classes.  Good Luck and have a great year!