1st Nine Weeks
Tuesday - Thursday (10/21 - 10/23)
Learning Goal: Publish children's memoir
- finish typing and illustrating children's memoir
- Use memoir rubric as a guideline
HW: Memoir due on Tuesday, 10/28/08
Monday, 10/20/08
learning Goal: revise memoir drafts & publish persuasive essay
- Finish typing persuasive essays (due today)
- Begin typing children's memoir
- illustration drafts
Friday, 10/17/08 SUBSTITUTE
Open vs. Closed Borders debate ( 1st & 2nd Period combined)
- complete debate reflection
Thursday, 10/16/08
Learning Goal: Publish persuasive essay
- Typing Day
Thursday, 10/9/08
Wednesday, 10/8/08 challenge day
Learning goals: understand persuasive essay requirements. Organize research.
- Preview #31
- Go over essay guidelines & rubric
- Begin prewriting graphic organizer
HW: finish prewriting organizer
Tuesday, 10/7/08
Learning Goals: Improve descriptive writing skills
- Preview #30
- Mini-Lesson - Figurative language & avoiding dead verbs
- Revise drafts for memoir
Monday, 10/6/08
Learning Goals: Develop a critical stance about US borders. Write a thesis statment
- Preview #29
- Write a thesis statement (happy alien organizer)
- Revision - thumbs up! thumbs down!
HW: none
Tuesday, 9/30/08
Learning Goal: Determine significant moments for children's memoir
- Preview #25
- Read Aloud: When I was Young in the Mountains
- what is significant about Rylant's memoir (paired analysis)
- Pre-Write #2 Chart (page 15)
HW: finish persuasive writing notes - http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/persuasive_writing.htm
Monday, 9/29/08
Learning Goal: Identify persuasive techniques in writing
- Preview #24
- Read Aloud - Why mammals should not be caged?
- Two column notes on persuasive writing (page 14)http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/persuasive_writing.htm
Hw: notes due on Wednesday
Frday, 9/19/08 - NO CLASS (8th Grade Field Trip)
Thursday, 9/18/08
Learning Goal: Identify sensory details and incorporate imagery in writing.
- finish sensory detail word picture
- Storyteller's Stool - share word pictures
HW: none!
Wednesday, 9/17/08
Learning Goal: Identify sensory details and incorporate imagery in writing.
Page 7 & 8 Complete "Use your Senses" graphic organizer. Write a sensory detail paragraph using an image.
Final copy of Student Interview due!
HW: none
Tuesday, 9/16/08
Learning Goal: Revise & Edit student interview rough drafts
Peer revision and editing of drafts
HW: Make revisions and write final copy. Type: use 12 point font/double-spaced or Write: Use blue or black pen only. Due tomorrow.
Monday, 9/15/08
Learning Goal: Organize interview notes and topic ideas.
- Page 4 - Prewrite: cluster web of topic and ideas
- Page 5 & 6 - begin rough draft.
- Check comics (page 4)
HW: finish rough draft. Have parent or adult revise and sign.
Monday, 9/8/08
No Class - On Track District Assessment
Friday, 9/5/08
Learning Goal: Share life maps. Use specific praise to compliment students. Analyze maps for patterns
1. Preview #9 - Life Map reflection
2. Gallery Walk
Thursday, 9/4/08
Learning Goal: Plot events on a timeline , Use X and Y axis to determine positive/negative events, Revise Rough Draft
I. Preview #8 - What makes your life map a primary source?
II. Quick Check of Rough Draft
III. Create Final Life Map
HW: FINISH LIFE MAP TONIGHT!
Wednesday, 9/3/08
Learning Goal: Understand how to rate events using positive and negative numbers. Plot events on a timeline. Use X and Y axis to determine positive/negative events
I. Preview #7-Open Journal! Write about whatever your heart desires...
II. Mini-Lesson: Plotting your events
III. Rough Draft of Life Map
IV. Brainstorm Images to use on Life Map
Tuesday, 9/2/08
Learning Goal: Brainstorm important events in your life. Understand how to rate events using positive and negative numbers.
I. Preview #6 - Brainstorm a list of 30 memorable events in your life.
II. Paired Activity: Share some experiences
III. Mini-Lesson: Rate Events as positive or negative
Monday, 9/1/08 NO SCHOOL, Labor Day
Monday, 8/18/08
Learning Goals: Learn and practice classroom procedures
- Complete Who are you? handout
- Go over Class Syllabus
- Class Procedures
- Practice Closing Procedure
HW: Due Friday - Signed syllabus
Tuesday, 8/19/08
Learning Goals: Learn and practice class procedures. Get to know your classmates.
- Turn in Who are you? handout
- Review class procedures
- Discuss class officers
- people bingo/ alliterative name game
HW: get your syllabus signed (due friday)/ get required materials (due Monday)
Wednesday, 8/20/08
Learning Goals: Work successfully in collaborative groups
- Made cooperative appointments
- Collaborative Activity: Chocolate Chip Thinker's Keys
- Brainstormed good social skills when working in groups
Combined 1st and 2nd period!
HW: get supplies
Thursday & Friday - No School due to Tropical Storm Fay
Monday, 8/25/08
Learning Goals: Understand and practice Preview Journal Guidelines. Use graphic organizers to compare personal collages
- Discussed preview guidelines
- Wrote Preview #1 - Reflection on collaboration
- Group Activity: Compare/Contrast Collage features
Tuesday, 8/26/08
Learning Goals:
- Set up interactive notebook.
- Summarize compare/contrast collage discoveries.
- Use correct transitions in summary statements
I. Preview #2 -Read the following poem. Based on the poem and your own beliefs, what do you think the American dream is?
II. Check Supplies
III. Set up interactive notebook
IV. Write compare/contrast summaries
HW: none
Wednesday, 8/27/08
Learning Goals:
- Clarify misconceptions about the American Dream
- Summarize compare/contrast collage discoveries
- Use correct transitions in summary statements
I. Preview #3 - After yesterday's discussion in Mrs. Cheshire's class, what new insight have you gained about the American Dream?
II. Review - Block vs. Alternating Paragraph Form
III. Write Compare/Contrast Paragraphs
A. Use correct transitions
Thursday, 8/28/08
Learning Goal:
- Understand how to use transitions effectively in a compare/contrast paragraph
- Use descriptive language in poetry writing
I. Preview #4
II. Finish Comparison Paragraphs
III. Where I'm From...
HW: Finish "Where I'm From..." poem Due tomorrow!
Friday, 8/29/08 Combined Class with Mrs. Cheshire
Learning Goal:
- Celebrate your identity and background through poetry.
- Understand why people immigrate to the US
I. Preview #5
II. Membership Grids
III. Share "Where I'm From..." poems
IV. Video: "Why I Came to America"
