Today, we will be working with the poem, "Incident" by the great Harlem Renaissance poet, Countee Cullen.  If you like the poem, you can click on the following link to learn more about the author.      http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/55

Enrichment/Extra Credit!!

Look up Countee Cullen's poem, "Tableau."  

Here's a link to the poem:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tableau-2/ 

Print out a copy, and do the following:

1. Perform a close reading- read the poem carefully and write down the gist of each stanza.  Make sure to take notes of words and lines that may seem important or stick out in some way.
2. In your own words, write a paragraph summarizing what is going on in the poem.  What is the poem's message?  Make sure to explain the significance of the title, "Tableau."  

Extra Credit Opportunity!

Write either a rap or country/western song based on the events from chapter 8.  It can be to the tune of an existing song, but the words should be changed (or a majority of the words).  

At this point, all classes should be finished with chapter 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird.  

*There will be a short quiz tomorrow for sections 1, 2, and 3.

*The quiz will be on Thursday for sections 4 and 5. 

Please make sure to keep up with your reading.  You will be lost if you let things slide.  

Remember, if you are absent it is your job to come to me to find out what work you missed!!!! 

Hi everyone!  Sorry I haven't updated the site in a while.  The end of the marking period is quickly approaching.  That being said, we still have a lot to.  Here's some of what's coming up.

12/28 and 10/29- Castle Learning assessment on the laptops.

10/30-11/1- Mid-Unit task on Inside Out and Back Again.

11/4-11/8- Cumulative Writing Assignment on Inside Out and Back Again.

Stay posted for more details.

Today, all classes are taking the STAR Literacy Assessment in the computer lab.  This test is taking the place of the Scantron assessment that we have done in previous years.  Beginning tomorrow, all classes will be starting part II of the novel.

Today, we began working on the students' social studies essential question essay. (Yes, social studies.  The way I figure it, writing is writing, no matter what the class)  It is important that they develop a firm understanding of the elements of a good essay.  We went over the introduction as well as an outline for the body of the essay. 

If you need extra help, please refer to the link on the right side of the page, "Help with Writing Essays."  Here's the question, in case parents are interested:

How did the events during the Reconstruction era effect politics, economics, and society as a whole?  Are these effects still evident today? Due Friday, October 11.

Today, blocks 1,2, and 3 finished reading the article, "The Vietnam Wars," by Tod Olson.  It gives a brief history of Vietnam's resistance against several colonial powers, up to its reunification in 1975.

Block 3 has a packet to finish on "plot" and "setting" that is due on Wednesday.

Extra Credit Opportunity!! Due Friday, 9/27

Above, is an example of Vietnamese currency.  In a well developed paragraph, explain the following:

Who is the man on the bill, and what is his significance to Vietnamese history?

Today, blocks 1,2, and 3 read pages 4-9 from Inside Out and Back Again.  Students were introduced to the "Quick Write" format and were asked to answer the following prompt:

What kind of person is Ha?  Use specific evidence from the text to write a paragraph in which you discuss one of Ha's personality traits.

Keep the following in mind:

• Have I answered the prompt completely?
• Is the evidence I provided relevant and complete?
• Does my paragraph include the following?
– A focus statement
– At least three pieces of specific evidence from the text
– For each piece of evidence, an analysis or explanation: what does this evidence mean?

– A concluding sentence

Today and tomorrow, I am introducing our first book of the year, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.  Here's a link to her author page.  http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/36544/Thanhha_Lai/index.aspx
Enjoy!

New Vocabulary:
**inference- a determination based on evidence
panic- uncontrollable fear
desperate- extreme need
quantities- amounts
clashes- fights
haste- with quickness
poignant- intense
affidavit- a sworn statement
consulate- government official in a foreign country

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back!

Welcome to our class website for 2013/2014!  I trust everyone had an 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!

NYS ELA State Exam will be given Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  Here is what the students will be doing by day.

2013 GRADE 8 COMMON CORE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEST

Day 1

Book 1

• Reading

42 multiple-choice questions (Students darken the circles on Answer Sheet 1.)

Allot 90 minutes

Day 2

Book 2

and

Book 3

• Book 2–Reading

21 multiple-choice questions (Students darken the circles on Answer Sheet 2.)

• Book 3–Reading and Writing

3 short-response questions (Students write answers directly in Book 3.)

1 extended-response question (Students write answer directly in Book 3.)

Allot 90 minutes

Day 3

Book 4

• Reading & Writing

5 short-response questions (Students write answers directly in Book 4.)

1 extended-response question (Students write answer directly in Book 4.)

Allot 90 minutes

The Diary of Anne Frank

Drama by: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

Drama- a form of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience

Setting- July 1942- August 1944, November 1945 in Amsterdam, Holland

Characters: 

Annex Residents:

              -Anne Frank

              -Margot Frank

              -Mr. Frank

              -Mrs. Frank

              --Mr. Van Daan

              --Mrs. Van Daan

              --Peter Van Daan

              ---Mr. Dussell

Workers (helpers) at Mr. Frank’s Business:

              **Miep Gies

              **Mr. Kraler

Act I Vocabulary

conspicuous (adjective)- easy to notice

loathe (verb)- to hate

vile (adjective)- disgusting

indignantly (adverb)- becoming angry by something unfair

wallow (verb)- to take great pleasure in

zeal (noun)- great enthusiasm

oppression (noun)- keeping someone down unfairly

jubilation (noun)- rejoicing in celebration

ostentatiously (adverb)- with great exaggeration

appalled (adjective)- horrified or shocked

1. All study guide work for chapters 21-31 (including "Your Reaction" is due tomorrow. 

2. This Wednesday, we will be in the computer lab to take a quarterly reading assessment using Castle Learning.  

3. Please hand in your copies of To Kill a Mockingbird by Friday.

We are finally finishing To Kill a Mockingbird in class today.  Here are some important dates to remember.

1. Multiple choice test on Thursday, March 14.  Bring something to read or work on quietly in case you finish early.

2. Chapter (packet) work for chapters 21-31 + "Your Reaction" is due on Tuesday, March 19.  Your books are to be handed in Friday, March 22.

Tonight's homework is to read chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird. 

All study guide questions for chapters 12-20 will be collected this Tuesday, February 26.

All students should be finished reading Part I of To Kill a Mockingbird.   Study guide work for chapters 1-11 is being collected in class today. 

Quiz tomorrow on Part I.  Make sure to keep up with your reading.

All Classes should be finished reading chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird for class tomorrow.

Do Now: On your "Entrance Ticket" answer the following question:

What is a metaphor?
Write your own original example.

Today's Goals:
1. Understand and recognize metaphor.
2. Read "Strange Fruit" and understand the realities and fears faced by African Americans in the South.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Web007rzSOI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Extra Credit Opportunity:

Go to this link http://www.billieholiday.com/about/biography.htm and read the short biography about Billie Holiday.  Write a 1 paragraph response explaining some important aspects of her life.

Exit Ticket:  On the back of your "Entrance Ticket," answer the following question:

What is the "Strange Fruit" being spoken/ sung about in the poem/song?

This week, we are beginning discussions on our novel for the year, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  This Pulitzer Prize winning novel follows the lives of Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and her older brother Jem.  It takes place in rural Alabama during the 1930's.  

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Alabama during the 1930’s.  What social conditions existed during this time that would have made it difficult for African Americans or anyone who wasn’t rich?

To Kill a Mockingbird

Novel written by: Harper Lee (female)

Novel- long work of fiction usually broken up into chapters or sections.

Setting- Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930’s

Point of View- the perspective from which a story is told.  TKAM is written in the first-person narrative.  (Scout Finch)

***Theme- a message about life that is communicated through a work of literature.  TKAM- prejudice, growing up, and courage.  

Welcome Back Everyone!

Cumulative Task #2 Begins Today

Come Ready to Write!