Assignments for the Week 2/26 to 3/1/2024
Monday (2/26/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Remember the Valentine's Day Dance has been rescheduled to the Sham-Rock Sneaker Dance on 3/15/2024. Dress up for Career Day on 3/5. Best career uniforms/costumes will win gift cards and cash prizes. Obtain and return your Lakeside Field Trip Slip from/to Mrs. Allen-Threat. March 8th is a Virtual Learning Day; no school for students.
Note: 1st/4th period watched Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City."
All periods- Make sure that you have Complete Quickwrite 64. Class will share and discuss responses to QW 64. Independent student work day. As a class, students will use "The City" by Ray Bradbury to answer The City Exploration Questions. (Note: For Question 13 see Exploring Thematic Messages for a few ideas. You do not have to do Question 14; we all know the most important line of the story is how the city enjoys the slow, luxurious pleasure of dying.)
Homework-Complete The City Exploration Questions (due 2/28). Make sure all entries are completed in your Digital Journal (DJ).
Help from Mr. Reed: I remember reading "The City" in an AP class I was taking in high school. I studied all of my notes to prepare myself over what I thought would be a very simple test. Instead, my teacher, an admirer of the past and fine literature, asked me to explain one statement in the form of an essay: ""The City," a history of European settlement in America, but on a galactic level."
Quickwrite 64
What would be a good story for a news reporter to do on HMS? Why do you believe should be shared?
Exploring Thematic Messages
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday(2/27/2024)
Announcements: You will need your copy of The Illustrated Man in class today. Virtual Learning Day next Friday (3/8/23). 8th Pizza Fundraiser this Thursday. (Funds will go towards renting a DJ and photo booth for the 8th grade Career Day.) Plan accordingly for our upcoming Career Day on 3/5/24. (It is highly encouraged that you wear an occupational costume or professional/business-like attire.)
All periods-Read "The Other Foot" and completed the After Reading Questions by 3/1 (a link to your work should be submitted to your period's Google Class Doc).
Homework-Click here to complete the Food Options Survey for our 8th Grade Career Day Conference. Complete The City Exploration Questions (due 2/28). Complete The Other Foot After Reading Questions (due 3/1). Make sure all entries are completed in your Digital Journal (DJ).
Reflection 65 (complete for homework tonight)
1. What do you think of the short story, "The City"? (Did you like it? Was it too morbid? Could you relate?)
2. What do you think the story is about? (Does it sound like a similar tale that you have read in history?)
3. What examples of great adjectives/descriptive language can you identify in “The City”? (Explain how each example affects the story.)
4. What type of narration was used in Bradbury’s “The City”? (How does it affect the reader's understanding of the story?)
Quickwrite 66 (complete in class today)
1. What is an idiom?
2. Explain the following idiom: When the teacher enrolled in his graduate program, he remembered what it was like for the shoe to be on the other foot. (Idiom: shoe on the other foot. What do you believe the idiom: “Put the shoe on the other foot” would mean?)
3. Why do you believe people would use this expression?
Progress Check
Resources
Wednesday(2/28/2024)
Announcements: You will need your copy of The Illustrated Man in class today. Test over "The City" and "The Other Foot" this Friday (3/1/24). Virtual Learning Day next Friday (3/8/23). Tired of school lunch? We'll, we're having a small Pizza Fundraiser this Thursday (2/29); first come. $2 a slice and pre-orders are available. (Funds will go towards renting a DJ and photo booth for the 8th grade Career Day.) Plan accordingly for our upcoming Career Day on 3/5/24. (It is highly encouraged that you wear an occupational costume or professional/business-like attire.)
All periods-Read "The Other Foot" and completed the After Reading Questions by 3/1 (a link to your work should be submitted to your period's Google Class Doc).
Lunch w/Mr. Poff-America (x3), Gianella (x3), Naderah (x3), Denis (x1)
Homework-Complete The City Exploration Questions (due 2/28). Complete The Other Foot After Reading Questions (due 3/1). Make sure all entries are completed in your Digital Journal (DJ).
Progress Check
Resources
Thursday (2/29/2024)
Announcements: Click here to view today's Morning Announcements. You will need your copy of The Illustrated Man in class today. Test over "The City" and "The Other Foot" this Friday (3/1/24). (Sorry, I will have to push back our 3/1 Hunger Games Team Day once again. Work is super busy these days.) Career Day Chick-fil-A Lunch-$10.00. Friday is the last day to pre-order your CFA lunch for Career Day.) Virtual Learning Day next Friday (3/8/23). Small Pizza Fundraiser this Thursday (2/29). $2 a slice and pre-orders are available. (Funds will go towards renting a DJ and photo booth for the 8th grade Career Day.) Plan accordingly for our upcoming Career Day on 3/5/24. (It is highly encouraged that you wear an occupational costume or professional/business-like attire.)
Voting for Your 8th Grade Superlatives-Click here or use the QR code to access the voting Form for this year's 8th grade Superlatives.
All periods-Student Work Day. Reflection 67. Research It 68.
Homework-Study for your test over "The City" and "The Other Foot." Click here to complete the Quizizz for "The Other Foot" (9196 1102). If needed, complete R67, RI68, and CT69 for homework.
Reflection 67
1. What is theme?
2. What did Willie mean by: “This is the other shoe, Mayor, and the other foot.” (TLM pg 46)
3 . If you were one of the African-American characters in “The Other Foot,” would you have chosen to leave Earth as well? Explain your answer.
4. In your opinion, what is a thematic message of “The Other Foot” by Ray Bradbury?
5. After reading this story, did you feelings/opinion about revenge change? Explain.
Research It 68
In “The Other Foot,” Bradbury explains that African Americans left Earth to colonialize Mars because of the unfair treatment they received. However, in the 1800s, a similar incident occurred in American history. Did you know that a group of freed slaves left America to set up a colony of their own? Tell me where this colony was located and what is it named? List your source(s) that validate/support your answer.
Critical Thinking 69 (Quiz Grade)
Part A: How does Bradbury present opposing thematic messages with “The City” and “The Other Foot”? (Hint: Think about how each protagonist resolved their feelings regarding revenge. Happiness vs Emptiness; Forgive vs Forget; Humanity vs Inhumanity.)
Part B: What is bigotry? How does “The Other Foot” focus on this word? What internal and external conflicts are you able to identify? (Hint: Majority oppressing the minority. How does Bradbury’s resolution in the story present his thoughts and ideas?)
Part C: After reading "The Other Foot," do you believe that Bradbury agreed with America’s need for a Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s/60s?
Part D: How did Bradbury use “The Other Foot” to present what could happen in America, if changes were not made in the areas of equal rights and social justice?
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Remember the Valentine's Day Dance has been rescheduled to the Sham-Rock Sneaker Dance on 3/15/2024. Dress up for Career Day on 3/5. Best career uniforms/costumes will win gift cards and cash prizes. Obtain and return your Lakeside Field Trip Slip from/to Mrs. Allen-Threat. March 8th is a Virtual Learning Day; no school for students.
Note: 1st/4th period watched Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City."
All periods- Make sure that you have Complete Quickwrite 64. Class will share and discuss responses to QW 64. Independent student work day. As a class, students will use "The City" by Ray Bradbury to answer The City Exploration Questions. (Note: For Question 13 see Exploring Thematic Messages for a few ideas. You do not have to do Question 14; we all know the most important line of the story is how the city enjoys the slow, luxurious pleasure of dying.)
Homework-Complete The City Exploration Questions (due 2/28). Make sure all entries are completed in your Digital Journal (DJ).
Help from Mr. Reed: I remember reading "The City" in an AP class I was taking in high school. I studied all of my notes to prepare myself over what I thought would be a very simple test. Instead, my teacher, an admirer of the past and fine literature, asked me to explain one statement in the form of an essay: ""The City," a history of European settlement in America, but on a galactic level."
Quickwrite 64
What would be a good story for a news reporter to do on HMS? Why do you believe should be shared?
Exploring Thematic Messages
- humanity vs inhumanity
- corruption
- posthuman
- colonialism
- abuse of technology
- "The City" by Ray Bradbury
- The City Exploration Questions
- The City: Story, Summary, and Analysis
- “The City” by Ray Bradbury, adapted by Mike Mignola, from The Ray Bradbury Chronicles volume 5, published by NBM, 1993.
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday(2/27/2024)
Announcements: You will need your copy of The Illustrated Man in class today. Virtual Learning Day next Friday (3/8/23). 8th Pizza Fundraiser this Thursday. (Funds will go towards renting a DJ and photo booth for the 8th grade Career Day.) Plan accordingly for our upcoming Career Day on 3/5/24. (It is highly encouraged that you wear an occupational costume or professional/business-like attire.)
All periods-Read "The Other Foot" and completed the After Reading Questions by 3/1 (a link to your work should be submitted to your period's Google Class Doc).
Homework-Click here to complete the Food Options Survey for our 8th Grade Career Day Conference. Complete The City Exploration Questions (due 2/28). Complete The Other Foot After Reading Questions (due 3/1). Make sure all entries are completed in your Digital Journal (DJ).
Reflection 65 (complete for homework tonight)
1. What do you think of the short story, "The City"? (Did you like it? Was it too morbid? Could you relate?)
2. What do you think the story is about? (Does it sound like a similar tale that you have read in history?)
3. What examples of great adjectives/descriptive language can you identify in “The City”? (Explain how each example affects the story.)
4. What type of narration was used in Bradbury’s “The City”? (How does it affect the reader's understanding of the story?)
Quickwrite 66 (complete in class today)
1. What is an idiom?
2. Explain the following idiom: When the teacher enrolled in his graduate program, he remembered what it was like for the shoe to be on the other foot. (Idiom: shoe on the other foot. What do you believe the idiom: “Put the shoe on the other foot” would mean?)
3. Why do you believe people would use this expression?
Progress Check
- Click here to complete the Food Options Survey for our 8th Grade Career Day Conference.
- Read "The Other Foot" and completed the After Reading Questions by 3/15 (a link to your work should be submitted to your period's Google Class Doc)
- Work on your career day costume. Can't wait to see it.
- Digital Journal updated. (You should have journal entries.)
Resources
- "The Other Foot" by Ray Bradbury
- The Other Foot After Reading Questions
Wednesday(2/28/2024)
Announcements: You will need your copy of The Illustrated Man in class today. Test over "The City" and "The Other Foot" this Friday (3/1/24). Virtual Learning Day next Friday (3/8/23). Tired of school lunch? We'll, we're having a small Pizza Fundraiser this Thursday (2/29); first come. $2 a slice and pre-orders are available. (Funds will go towards renting a DJ and photo booth for the 8th grade Career Day.) Plan accordingly for our upcoming Career Day on 3/5/24. (It is highly encouraged that you wear an occupational costume or professional/business-like attire.)
All periods-Read "The Other Foot" and completed the After Reading Questions by 3/1 (a link to your work should be submitted to your period's Google Class Doc).
Lunch w/Mr. Poff-America (x3), Gianella (x3), Naderah (x3), Denis (x1)
Homework-Complete The City Exploration Questions (due 2/28). Complete The Other Foot After Reading Questions (due 3/1). Make sure all entries are completed in your Digital Journal (DJ).
Progress Check
- Click here to complete the Food Options Survey for our 8th Grade Career Day Conference.
- Read "The Other Foot" and completed the After Reading Questions by 3/15 (a link to your work should be submitted to your period's Google Class Doc)
- Work on your career day costume. Can't wait to see it.
- Digital Journal updated. (You should have journal entries.)
Resources
- "The Other Foot" by Ray Bradbury
- The Other Foot After Reading Questions
Thursday (2/29/2024)
Announcements: Click here to view today's Morning Announcements. You will need your copy of The Illustrated Man in class today. Test over "The City" and "The Other Foot" this Friday (3/1/24). (Sorry, I will have to push back our 3/1 Hunger Games Team Day once again. Work is super busy these days.) Career Day Chick-fil-A Lunch-$10.00. Friday is the last day to pre-order your CFA lunch for Career Day.) Virtual Learning Day next Friday (3/8/23). Small Pizza Fundraiser this Thursday (2/29). $2 a slice and pre-orders are available. (Funds will go towards renting a DJ and photo booth for the 8th grade Career Day.) Plan accordingly for our upcoming Career Day on 3/5/24. (It is highly encouraged that you wear an occupational costume or professional/business-like attire.)
Voting for Your 8th Grade Superlatives-Click here or use the QR code to access the voting Form for this year's 8th grade Superlatives.
All periods-Student Work Day. Reflection 67. Research It 68.
Homework-Study for your test over "The City" and "The Other Foot." Click here to complete the Quizizz for "The Other Foot" (9196 1102). If needed, complete R67, RI68, and CT69 for homework.
Reflection 67
1. What is theme?
2. What did Willie mean by: “This is the other shoe, Mayor, and the other foot.” (TLM pg 46)
3 . If you were one of the African-American characters in “The Other Foot,” would you have chosen to leave Earth as well? Explain your answer.
4. In your opinion, what is a thematic message of “The Other Foot” by Ray Bradbury?
5. After reading this story, did you feelings/opinion about revenge change? Explain.
Research It 68
In “The Other Foot,” Bradbury explains that African Americans left Earth to colonialize Mars because of the unfair treatment they received. However, in the 1800s, a similar incident occurred in American history. Did you know that a group of freed slaves left America to set up a colony of their own? Tell me where this colony was located and what is it named? List your source(s) that validate/support your answer.
Critical Thinking 69 (Quiz Grade)
Part A: How does Bradbury present opposing thematic messages with “The City” and “The Other Foot”? (Hint: Think about how each protagonist resolved their feelings regarding revenge. Happiness vs Emptiness; Forgive vs Forget; Humanity vs Inhumanity.)
Part B: What is bigotry? How does “The Other Foot” focus on this word? What internal and external conflicts are you able to identify? (Hint: Majority oppressing the minority. How does Bradbury’s resolution in the story present his thoughts and ideas?)
Part C: After reading "The Other Foot," do you believe that Bradbury agreed with America’s need for a Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s/60s?
Part D: How did Bradbury use “The Other Foot” to present what could happen in America, if changes were not made in the areas of equal rights and social justice?
Career Day
As of now, you will be able to sit where you want, a DJ will play music for your entire luncheon, and photo booths will be available for you to take pictures or make videos/gifs with your friends.
Assignments for the Week 2/12 to 2/16/2024
Monday (2/19/2024)
No school. February Break.
Tuesday(2/20/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. STEM Day at Urban Air this Thursday (2/22/2024), you will need a signed waiver to attend. Valentine Dance 2/23/24 (Tickets are $5.00).
Note: You will need your The Illustrated Man novels this week.
Attention: If you are going to Urban Air for STEM Day, see Mr. Reed for a waiver. It must be signed and returned tomorrow in order to attend Thursday's field trip. (Note: You can also click here to open, view, and print the waiver.)
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards. It's going down this Sunday (2/25/24).
Today's Assignments
1. Make sure that you have submitted your MLK Projects on your period's Google Class Doc.
2. You should have also posted Personal Narrative on your period's Google Class Doc. Please highlight your statement of importance or the significance of your event. This should be in your conclusion. It's worth 15 points.
3. Please make sure that you changed the number/title of last week's Research It 60 to Research It 61. We were off a number. Sorry for the inconvenience.
4. Complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit.
5. Complete the Love and Valentine's Day Learning Module in Flocabulary.
6. Complete Quickwrite 62
Quickwrite 62
1) What is revenge?
2) Do you believe in getting revenge? If so, why?
3) Can you recall a situation where you were tempted to get revenge? Did you do it?
4) Reflect on your answer for question three. How did either getting revenge or deciding not to get revenge make you feel?
Resources
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Wednesday(2/21/2024)
Announcement: This Friday's Valentine's Dance has been cancelled.
All periods-Complete Quickwrite 62 in your Digital Journal. Class will read and discuss "The City" by Ray Bradbury. After reading the story, the class recapped the plot using illustrations by Michael Mignola. Mr. Reed assigned and explained Critical Thinking 63a, Critical Thinking 63b, and Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only).
Homework-Complete Critical Thinking 63a, Critical Thinking 63b, and Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only) by 2/26/2024. Complete The City Exploration Questions by 2/27/2024.
Quickwrite 62
1) What is revenge?
2) Do you believe in getting revenge? If so, why?
3) Can you recall a situation where you were tempted to get revenge? Did you do it?
4) Reflect on your answer for question three. How did either getting revenge or deciding not to get revenge make you feel?
Critical Thinking 63a
1. Explicate the expression: Revenge is a dish best served cold. (Help from Mr. Reed: You may want to research the etymology/origin of this saying; examine its application/use as a proverb, phrase, idiom; and then construct a definition that allows you to understand the true meaning of this expression when it is said or used.)
2. After establishing an understanding of the expression, "revenge is a dish best served cold," explain how the saying applies to Ray Bradbury's "The City."
3. Moment of truth: Do you agree with the expression, "revenge is a dish best served cold"? Explain.
Critical Thinking 63b
1. Define this saying: 'to make the sons pay for the sins of the fathers.'
2. How does this expression apply to Ray Bradbury's "The City." (Hint: What makes the city's revenge so potent?)
3. Select one word to describe "The City": retaliation or revenge. Explain. (Did another word come to mind when completing this question? Please share and elaborate on your thoughts.)
4. How is reconciliation an antonym for the city?
Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only)
1. It has been stated that "The City" is an allegory about colonialism. Explain. (Tip: You can work with a partner or in a group. Discuss your thoughts, ideas, and explore the content of the question.)
No school. February Break.
Tuesday(2/20/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. STEM Day at Urban Air this Thursday (2/22/2024), you will need a signed waiver to attend. Valentine Dance 2/23/24 (Tickets are $5.00).
Note: You will need your The Illustrated Man novels this week.
Attention: If you are going to Urban Air for STEM Day, see Mr. Reed for a waiver. It must be signed and returned tomorrow in order to attend Thursday's field trip. (Note: You can also click here to open, view, and print the waiver.)
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards. It's going down this Sunday (2/25/24).
Today's Assignments
1. Make sure that you have submitted your MLK Projects on your period's Google Class Doc.
2. You should have also posted Personal Narrative on your period's Google Class Doc. Please highlight your statement of importance or the significance of your event. This should be in your conclusion. It's worth 15 points.
3. Please make sure that you changed the number/title of last week's Research It 60 to Research It 61. We were off a number. Sorry for the inconvenience.
4. Complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit.
5. Complete the Love and Valentine's Day Learning Module in Flocabulary.
6. Complete Quickwrite 62
Quickwrite 62
1) What is revenge?
2) Do you believe in getting revenge? If so, why?
3) Can you recall a situation where you were tempted to get revenge? Did you do it?
4) Reflect on your answer for question three. How did either getting revenge or deciding not to get revenge make you feel?
Resources
- "The City" by Ray Bradbury
- The City Exploration Questions
- The City: Story, Summary, and Analysis
- “The City” by Ray Bradbury, adapted by Mike Mignola, from The Ray Bradbury Chronicles volume 5, published by NBM, 1993.
- "The Other Foot" by Ray Bradbury
- The Other Foot After Reading Questions
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Wednesday(2/21/2024)
Announcement: This Friday's Valentine's Dance has been cancelled.
All periods-Complete Quickwrite 62 in your Digital Journal. Class will read and discuss "The City" by Ray Bradbury. After reading the story, the class recapped the plot using illustrations by Michael Mignola. Mr. Reed assigned and explained Critical Thinking 63a, Critical Thinking 63b, and Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only).
Homework-Complete Critical Thinking 63a, Critical Thinking 63b, and Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only) by 2/26/2024. Complete The City Exploration Questions by 2/27/2024.
Quickwrite 62
1) What is revenge?
2) Do you believe in getting revenge? If so, why?
3) Can you recall a situation where you were tempted to get revenge? Did you do it?
4) Reflect on your answer for question three. How did either getting revenge or deciding not to get revenge make you feel?
Critical Thinking 63a
1. Explicate the expression: Revenge is a dish best served cold. (Help from Mr. Reed: You may want to research the etymology/origin of this saying; examine its application/use as a proverb, phrase, idiom; and then construct a definition that allows you to understand the true meaning of this expression when it is said or used.)
2. After establishing an understanding of the expression, "revenge is a dish best served cold," explain how the saying applies to Ray Bradbury's "The City."
3. Moment of truth: Do you agree with the expression, "revenge is a dish best served cold"? Explain.
Critical Thinking 63b
1. Define this saying: 'to make the sons pay for the sins of the fathers.'
2. How does this expression apply to Ray Bradbury's "The City." (Hint: What makes the city's revenge so potent?)
3. Select one word to describe "The City": retaliation or revenge. Explain. (Did another word come to mind when completing this question? Please share and elaborate on your thoughts.)
4. How is reconciliation an antonym for the city?
Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only)
1. It has been stated that "The City" is an allegory about colonialism. Explain. (Tip: You can work with a partner or in a group. Discuss your thoughts, ideas, and explore the content of the question.)
Thursday(2/22/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements.
All periods-Today, most students will attend STEM Day at Urban Air from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those staying behind, please work on
Homework-Complete Critical Thinking 63a, Critical Thinking 63b, and Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only) by 2/26/2024. Complete The City Exploration Questions by 2/27/2024.
Friday(2/23/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Remember the Valentine's Day Dance has been rescheduled to the Sham-Rock Sneaker Dance on 3/15/2024.
Note: 6th/7th period watched Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City." Reviewed journal entries
All periods- Complete Quickwrite 64. Class will share and discuss responses to QW 64. Independent student work day. Before working on Wednesday's journal entries, watch Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City." Afterwards, complete Critical Thinking 63a-c (if applicable) and The City Exploration Questions.
Quickwrite 64
What would be a good story for a news reporter to do on HMS? Why do you believe should be shared?
Exploring Thematic Messages 65d
Help from Mr. Reed: I remember reading this story in an AP class I was taking in high school. I studied all of my notes to prepare myself over what I thought would be a very simple test. Instead, my teacher, an admirer of the past and fine literature, asked me to explain one statement in the form of an essay: ""The City," a history of European settlement in America, but on a galactic level."
Homework-Watch Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City."
Resources
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements.
All periods-Today, most students will attend STEM Day at Urban Air from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those staying behind, please work on
Homework-Complete Critical Thinking 63a, Critical Thinking 63b, and Let's Get Deep 63c (4th period only) by 2/26/2024. Complete The City Exploration Questions by 2/27/2024.
Friday(2/23/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Remember the Valentine's Day Dance has been rescheduled to the Sham-Rock Sneaker Dance on 3/15/2024.
Note: 6th/7th period watched Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City." Reviewed journal entries
All periods- Complete Quickwrite 64. Class will share and discuss responses to QW 64. Independent student work day. Before working on Wednesday's journal entries, watch Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City." Afterwards, complete Critical Thinking 63a-c (if applicable) and The City Exploration Questions.
Quickwrite 64
What would be a good story for a news reporter to do on HMS? Why do you believe should be shared?
Exploring Thematic Messages 65d
- humanity vs inhumanity
- corruption
- posthuman
- colonialism
- abuse of technology
Help from Mr. Reed: I remember reading this story in an AP class I was taking in high school. I studied all of my notes to prepare myself over what I thought would be a very simple test. Instead, my teacher, an admirer of the past and fine literature, asked me to explain one statement in the form of an essay: ""The City," a history of European settlement in America, but on a galactic level."
Homework-Watch Let's Talk, Entertainment's review of Ray Bradbury's "The City."
Resources
Assignments for the Week 2/12 to 2/16/2024
Monday (2/12/2024)
Friendly Reminder: You can order your Valentine Roses from Cole on Team 8D.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
All periods-Student Work Day. Continue working on your MLK Jr. Presentations. Today is the last class period I will give you to work on this project. Use your time wisely. Reminder, you can work individually, as a pair, or in a group of no more than four on this assignment.
Let's get started: Open The Extraordinary Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learning Module. Scroll down to the section: Presenting Your Learning. Read the instructions for creating a presentation over the life of Dr. King. Begin working on your project. All projects should be submitted on your period's Google Class Doc by 2/15/2024.
Heads up: I will be checking on your progress. If I see you off task, you will be spending the week eating lunch with Mr. Poff. Additionally, allowing you all to work in groups on this assignment means I expect your projects to be top tier.
Homework-Work on your MLK Jr. projects. Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk.
Tuesday(2/13/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume/uniform.
Heads up: PTSA Bake Sale tomorrow. Bring your money.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
Congrats Sophia on making All County for Region 2!
All periods-Student Work Day. Today is the last day to work on your MLK Jr. Presentations. (This time I'm serious lol.) Start posting links to your project on your period's Google Class Doc.
Homework-Work on your MLK Jr. projects. Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk.
Attention Minecraft Gamers: Students in Georgia are invited to join Georgia NASEF Farmcraft® 2024, a free, engaging STEAM-based program that teaches the challenges faced by agricultural producers and distributors in Georgia and around the world in a custom Minecraft game, supported by lesson plans and online engagement with teachers and subject experts. The competition is open to teams in grades 3-12.
Farmcraft 2024 Details and Resources
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Wednesday (2/14/2024)
Important-Click here to verify your confirmation/payment for STEM Day at Urban Air and Lunch on 2/15/2024. If your name is not listed, you are not confirmed and/or your payment has not been received. Note: Remember to click on the tabs at the bottom to toggle between pages on the Team Orders Worksheet.
Last Call-Today is the last day that you can pay for tomorrow's lunch. All payments must be received before lunch.
Updates: Your request for an extension on the MLK Project has been granted. All projects are now due on 2/20/24. Do not forget to post a link to your presentation on your period's Google Class Doc.
All periods-Research It 60. Mini-lesson: What's the Story Behind Valentine's Day? Watched BrainPop's video on Valentine's Day and completed the interactive quiz. Complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit by 2/21 and the Valentine Learning Module in Flocabulary by 2/22/24.
Research It 61-What are some Valentine's Day tradition occurring around the world?
Homework-None. MLK projects can be submitted now, but are not officially due until 2/20/22.
Thursday(2/15/2024)
Announcements: Unfortunately, student grades did not allow us to host today's intended Team Day. However, we do not want the actions of the few to affect the rewards for the many. So we're pushing today's Hunger Games activity to 3/1/24. This will give everyone the opportunity to improve their grades so that the entire team can participate as a whole. We will still have our luncheon. Food will be served between 11:45 a.m. and noon. We will have ELT, and then we'll begin transitioning to our activity groups at 1:45 p.m. Please spare and moment and use the link in the Team Day section to sign up for your group. Read the instructions carefully to avoid any embarrassing issues.
Friendly Reminder: No school this Friday (2/16) or next Monday (2/19).
Team Day: Click here to access the Team Day Sign-up Sheet.
Important-Click here to verify your confirmation/payment for STEM Day at Urban Air and Lunch on 2/15/2024. If your name is not listed, you are not confirmed and/or your payment has not been received. Note: Remember to click on the tabs at the bottom to toggle between pages on the Team Orders Worksheet.
Last Call-Today is the last day that you can pay for STEM Day at Urban Air. All payments must be received before lunch.
All periods-Please change the number/title of yesterday's journal entry to Research It 61. Complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit by 2/21 and the Valentine Learning Module in Flocabulary by 2/22/24. If needed, also work on your MLK projects.
Heads up: Check your grades and read the comments in Infinite Campus. Several students received 0/Incomplete grades for their Spring Digital Journal links. I requested new links with the proper settings (Editing access) and an email to inform me that the task has been completed. I am in the process of completing the first round of Digital Journal checks. If I cannot access your work after three requests, you will receive a permanent 0 for this assignment.
Homework-None. Enjoy your break! (Unless you are behind, which means you need to work on completing your MLK projects and reading your novel for your February Book Talk.) If you want to work ahead, remember to complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit by 2/21 and the Valentine Learning Module in Flocabulary by 2/22/24.
Friendly Reminder: You can order your Valentine Roses from Cole on Team 8D.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
All periods-Student Work Day. Continue working on your MLK Jr. Presentations. Today is the last class period I will give you to work on this project. Use your time wisely. Reminder, you can work individually, as a pair, or in a group of no more than four on this assignment.
Let's get started: Open The Extraordinary Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learning Module. Scroll down to the section: Presenting Your Learning. Read the instructions for creating a presentation over the life of Dr. King. Begin working on your project. All projects should be submitted on your period's Google Class Doc by 2/15/2024.
Heads up: I will be checking on your progress. If I see you off task, you will be spending the week eating lunch with Mr. Poff. Additionally, allowing you all to work in groups on this assignment means I expect your projects to be top tier.
Homework-Work on your MLK Jr. projects. Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk.
Tuesday(2/13/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume/uniform.
Heads up: PTSA Bake Sale tomorrow. Bring your money.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
Congrats Sophia on making All County for Region 2!
All periods-Student Work Day. Today is the last day to work on your MLK Jr. Presentations. (This time I'm serious lol.) Start posting links to your project on your period's Google Class Doc.
Homework-Work on your MLK Jr. projects. Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk.
Attention Minecraft Gamers: Students in Georgia are invited to join Georgia NASEF Farmcraft® 2024, a free, engaging STEAM-based program that teaches the challenges faced by agricultural producers and distributors in Georgia and around the world in a custom Minecraft game, supported by lesson plans and online engagement with teachers and subject experts. The competition is open to teams in grades 3-12.
Farmcraft 2024 Details and Resources
- Registration is now open at https://www.gpb.org/education/georgia-farmcraft; registration deadline is April 5, 2024.
- Feb. 6 at 2pm ET | Livestream kickoff with program details. Subscribe to GPB Education YouTube channel for livestream updates.
- Feb. 6 – Mar. 12, 2024 | Pre-season: within the standard Minecraft game, participants use their creativity to complete three Georgia-related challenges related to forestry, vertical farming and aquaponics, and regenerative agriculture.
- Mar. 11 – Apr. 19, 2024 | Regular season: participants are granted access to the specialized Farmcraft world. Through the regular season, participants will be presented with three challenges that they must complete to be eligible for awards at the end of the program.
- Through the pre-season and regular season, GPB and NASEF will host regular livestreams where participants have a chance to learn from agriculture experts.
- Participants who choose to enter the Georgia competition must submit gameplay scores by April 19, 2024. A Georgia awards livestream will be held on May 2, 2024 in collaboration with Skillshot Media, with winners receiving gift cards.
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Wednesday (2/14/2024)
Important-Click here to verify your confirmation/payment for STEM Day at Urban Air and Lunch on 2/15/2024. If your name is not listed, you are not confirmed and/or your payment has not been received. Note: Remember to click on the tabs at the bottom to toggle between pages on the Team Orders Worksheet.
Last Call-Today is the last day that you can pay for tomorrow's lunch. All payments must be received before lunch.
Updates: Your request for an extension on the MLK Project has been granted. All projects are now due on 2/20/24. Do not forget to post a link to your presentation on your period's Google Class Doc.
All periods-Research It 60. Mini-lesson: What's the Story Behind Valentine's Day? Watched BrainPop's video on Valentine's Day and completed the interactive quiz. Complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit by 2/21 and the Valentine Learning Module in Flocabulary by 2/22/24.
Research It 61-What are some Valentine's Day tradition occurring around the world?
Homework-None. MLK projects can be submitted now, but are not officially due until 2/20/22.
Thursday(2/15/2024)
Announcements: Unfortunately, student grades did not allow us to host today's intended Team Day. However, we do not want the actions of the few to affect the rewards for the many. So we're pushing today's Hunger Games activity to 3/1/24. This will give everyone the opportunity to improve their grades so that the entire team can participate as a whole. We will still have our luncheon. Food will be served between 11:45 a.m. and noon. We will have ELT, and then we'll begin transitioning to our activity groups at 1:45 p.m. Please spare and moment and use the link in the Team Day section to sign up for your group. Read the instructions carefully to avoid any embarrassing issues.
Friendly Reminder: No school this Friday (2/16) or next Monday (2/19).
Team Day: Click here to access the Team Day Sign-up Sheet.
Important-Click here to verify your confirmation/payment for STEM Day at Urban Air and Lunch on 2/15/2024. If your name is not listed, you are not confirmed and/or your payment has not been received. Note: Remember to click on the tabs at the bottom to toggle between pages on the Team Orders Worksheet.
Last Call-Today is the last day that you can pay for STEM Day at Urban Air. All payments must be received before lunch.
All periods-Please change the number/title of yesterday's journal entry to Research It 61. Complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit by 2/21 and the Valentine Learning Module in Flocabulary by 2/22/24. If needed, also work on your MLK projects.
Heads up: Check your grades and read the comments in Infinite Campus. Several students received 0/Incomplete grades for their Spring Digital Journal links. I requested new links with the proper settings (Editing access) and an email to inform me that the task has been completed. I am in the process of completing the first round of Digital Journal checks. If I cannot access your work after three requests, you will receive a permanent 0 for this assignment.
Homework-None. Enjoy your break! (Unless you are behind, which means you need to work on completing your MLK projects and reading your novel for your February Book Talk.) If you want to work ahead, remember to complete "Valentine for Ernest Mann" in CommonLit by 2/21 and the Valentine Learning Module in Flocabulary by 2/22/24.
Assignments for the Week 1/26 to 2/2/2024
Monday (2/5/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Heads up: Teachers will post grades for the 4.5 Weeks Progress Report on 2/9/2024. (Make sure you are monitoring your grades in Infinite Campus.)
Lunch w/Mr. Poff-Yosmanny, Charles, Madison, Darius, Marin, Izzy, Amauri, Alexandra, Anso, Danya,
All periods-Student Work Day. Use this time wisely to complete any unfinished work. Use the Progress Check to ensure you have complete all assigned work. If you have not completed the Works Cited Learning Module in Flocabulary, please do so today.
Homework
If applicable, complete any unfinished work (see this week's Progress Check). Digital Journal entries 57-59 due 2/6/2024.
Progress Check
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday (2/6/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Lunch w/Mr. Reed- Yosmanny, Charles, Madison, Darius, Marin, Izzy, Amauri, Isis, Huy, Alexandra, Anso, and Danya.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
All periods-Quickwrite 60. Writer's Workshop w/Mr. Reed. Students used the resources in the Personal Narrative Learning Module to revise their introductions. Students shared their introductions and as a class, we offered constructive criticism and feedback.
Homework-Complete Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives using "Silent But Deadly" (due 2/9). See Monday's Progress Check.
Quickwrite 60
1. Review the introduction you created for your personal narrative. What technique did you use to grab your reader's attention? Tip: Use the "How to Use Attention-Grabbing Openers . . . " resource.
2. Highlight your Statement of Importance/Significance of the event. (Tip: This should be in your conclusion.) Do you think your statement adequately expresses why your event is an important memory to you?
Resources
Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives
Personal Narrative Checklist
How to Use Attention-Grabbing Openers in Your Introductory Paragraphs
Wednesday (2/6/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Lunch w/Mr. Reed- Yosmanny, Charles, Madison, Darius, Marin, Izzy, Amauri, Isis, Huy, Alexandra, Anso, and Danya.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
All periods-Writer's Workshop w/Mr. Reed. As a class, we read and dissected several used the resources in the Personal Narrative Learning Module to revise their introductions. Students shared their introductions and as a class, we offered constructive criticism and feedback.
Homework-Complete Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives using "Silent But Deadly" and submit it on your period's Google Class Doc (due 2/9). Read at least two personal narrative examples from the list of student models (see below). Study the format, style, techniques, and elements in your selected personal narrative examples. Revise your personal narrative; make sure you have highlighted your statement of importance/significance of the event (due 2/8/24). Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk. See Monday's Progress Check to make sure you have not missed any missing assignments.
Personal Narratives-Student Models
Conquering Your Fears
Keep an Eye on the Sky
My First Talent Show
Racist Warehouse
The Great Paw Paw
Giving Life
Silent But Deadly
Right Place, Right Time-Grade 8 Personal Narrative Reading Passage (GAMS) and Scoring Rubric Activity (Constructed Response)
Thursday(2/8/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
All periods-Student Work Day. Complete Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives using any personal narrative from the Student Models list (ex "Silent But Deadly") and submit it on your period's Google Class Doc (due 2/9).
Homework-Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk. See Monday's Progress Check to make sure you have not missed any missing assignments.
Friday (2/9/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume/uniform.
All periods-Open The Extraordinary Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learning Module. Scroll down to the section: Presenting Your Learning. Read the instructions for creating a presentation over the life of Dr. King. Begin working on your project. All projects should be submitted on your period's Google Class Doc by 2/15/2024.
Homework-None. Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk.
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Heads up: Teachers will post grades for the 4.5 Weeks Progress Report on 2/9/2024. (Make sure you are monitoring your grades in Infinite Campus.)
Lunch w/Mr. Poff-Yosmanny, Charles, Madison, Darius, Marin, Izzy, Amauri, Alexandra, Anso, Danya,
All periods-Student Work Day. Use this time wisely to complete any unfinished work. Use the Progress Check to ensure you have complete all assigned work. If you have not completed the Works Cited Learning Module in Flocabulary, please do so today.
Homework
If applicable, complete any unfinished work (see this week's Progress Check). Digital Journal entries 57-59 due 2/6/2024.
Progress Check
- Make sure your KWL Chart 51 is complete. This is a quiz grade. (Heads up: Study the information you collected.)
- Prepare for a Digital Journal check. You should have 59 entries completed due 2/6/2024.
- Complete Works Cited Learning Module (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Complete Active and Passive Voice Learning Module (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Complete Quotation Marks Learning Module (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Complete Quotation Marks in Dialogue Learning Module (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Complete Run-On Sentences Learning Module-Part 1 (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Complete Run-On Sentences Learning Module-Part 2 (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Complete Transitions Learning Module (Flocabulary) due 2/7/2024
- Revise your personal narrative rough draft by 2/7/2024
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday (2/6/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Lunch w/Mr. Reed- Yosmanny, Charles, Madison, Darius, Marin, Izzy, Amauri, Isis, Huy, Alexandra, Anso, and Danya.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
All periods-Quickwrite 60. Writer's Workshop w/Mr. Reed. Students used the resources in the Personal Narrative Learning Module to revise their introductions. Students shared their introductions and as a class, we offered constructive criticism and feedback.
Homework-Complete Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives using "Silent But Deadly" (due 2/9). See Monday's Progress Check.
Quickwrite 60
1. Review the introduction you created for your personal narrative. What technique did you use to grab your reader's attention? Tip: Use the "How to Use Attention-Grabbing Openers . . . " resource.
2. Highlight your Statement of Importance/Significance of the event. (Tip: This should be in your conclusion.) Do you think your statement adequately expresses why your event is an important memory to you?
Resources
Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives
Personal Narrative Checklist
How to Use Attention-Grabbing Openers in Your Introductory Paragraphs
Wednesday (2/6/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Lunch w/Mr. Reed- Yosmanny, Charles, Madison, Darius, Marin, Izzy, Amauri, Isis, Huy, Alexandra, Anso, and Danya.
Click here to RSVP for the 2024 Dante Awards.
All periods-Writer's Workshop w/Mr. Reed. As a class, we read and dissected several used the resources in the Personal Narrative Learning Module to revise their introductions. Students shared their introductions and as a class, we offered constructive criticism and feedback.
Homework-Complete Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives using "Silent But Deadly" and submit it on your period's Google Class Doc (due 2/9). Read at least two personal narrative examples from the list of student models (see below). Study the format, style, techniques, and elements in your selected personal narrative examples. Revise your personal narrative; make sure you have highlighted your statement of importance/significance of the event (due 2/8/24). Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk. See Monday's Progress Check to make sure you have not missed any missing assignments.
Personal Narratives-Student Models
Conquering Your Fears
Keep an Eye on the Sky
My First Talent Show
Racist Warehouse
The Great Paw Paw
Giving Life
Silent But Deadly
Right Place, Right Time-Grade 8 Personal Narrative Reading Passage (GAMS) and Scoring Rubric Activity (Constructed Response)
Thursday(2/8/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
All periods-Student Work Day. Complete Investigative Reading: Personal Narratives using any personal narrative from the Student Models list (ex "Silent But Deadly") and submit it on your period's Google Class Doc (due 2/9).
Homework-Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk. See Monday's Progress Check to make sure you have not missed any missing assignments.
Friday (2/9/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. 2/9/2024 is the last day to turn in your $10.00 for lunch on Team Day. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2 until 2/9/2024. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled; refunds and payment transfers will continue this week for 8D students. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume/uniform.
All periods-Open The Extraordinary Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learning Module. Scroll down to the section: Presenting Your Learning. Read the instructions for creating a presentation over the life of Dr. King. Begin working on your project. All projects should be submitted on your period's Google Class Doc by 2/15/2024.
Homework-None. Finish reading your novel for February's Book Talk.
Assignments for the Week 1/26 to 2/2/2024
Monday (1/29/2024)
Tuesday (1/30/2024)
Wednesday (1/31/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. The activities will be sponsored by the team, but the catered lunch will cost $10.00. Today is the last day to complete the February Team Day Lunch Survey. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned, No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled. Refunds will be issued this week. Sorry for the inconvenience. Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Floral arrangement and sympathy cards for Coach Mays-Today the team sent a floral arrangement and sympathy cards to Coach Mays. She lost both of her parents over the break.
Floral arrangement and sympathy cards for Mr. Jones-Today the team sent a floral arrangement and sympathy cards to Coach Mays. She lost both of her parents over the break.
Urban Air Stem Day-Click here to view the list of students attending our upcoming STEM Day at Urban Air on 2/22/2024.
February Team Day Lunch Survey-Click here to cast your vote. (You have until 2/1 to complete the survey.)
1st/4th period-Continuation of Compare and Contrast 56. Students will watch excerpts of Selma to visualize/conceptualize the content they are studying in the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Extraordinary Life Learning Module.
1st period-Finished
4th period-Finished
6th period-Finished
7th period-Finished
6th/7th period-Log into CommonLit and read: "Monkeyman" by Walter Dean Myers (670L/8th gr.), "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott (2020/8th grade), and "Truth" by Nikki Grimes (2017/7th gr.). Complete Reflection 57a-b, Compare and Contrast 58, and Compare and Contrast 59.
Homework- See today's Progress Check (1/29). Complete any unfinished work.
Reflection 57a
Think about the idea of nonviolent resistance in both "Monkeyman" (Walter Dean Myers) and "Martin Luther King, Jr."
1. Using the referenced texts ("Monkeyman" and "Martin Luther King, Jr.), why do you think nonviolent resistance is so effective?
2. How does "Monkeyman" carry on the legacy of Dr. King?
Reflection 57b
In "Monkeyman," a teenager watches his friend stand up to a neighborhood gang and learns a powerful lesson about courage. Let's reflect on the short story, while comparing it to "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK."
1. Explain how both texts depict a reaction to violence.
2. What choice does Kennedy asay people must make in the face of violence?
3. What did Monkeyman choose when faced with violence?
4. Do you think Kennedy would approve of Monkeyman's choices?
Compare and Contrast 58
In "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott, a speaker explains what their community does to fight hate. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare Martin Luther King, Jr. with the speaker of the poem ("We Are Wise").
1. What are they fighting?
2. How do they fight?
3. What are they risking?
4. Who are they provoking?
5. Does the speaker of the poem embody what Martin Luther King, Jr. taught? Why or why not?
We Are Wise
Zetta Elliott (2020)
We are wise. We will rise. We
fight hate. We tempt fate. We
risk all. We
stand tall. We
provoke. We
stay woke.
Compare and Contrast 59
In "Truth" by Nikki Grimes, a speaker compares the possibilities of a new day to a storm. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare it to Grimes' "Truth."
1. Explain how the two texts contribute to your understanding of how hopeful leaders encourage action.
2. How does the message Nikki Grimes's poem compare to Martin Luther King's message during the Civil Rights movement?
3. How do both texts convey similar attitudes present during the Civil Rights movement?
Resources
Thursday(2/1/2024)
1st/4th period-Log into CommonLit and read: "Monkeyman" by Walter Dean Myers (670L/8th gr.), "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott (2020/8th grade), and "Truth" by Nikki Grimes (2017/7th gr.). Complete Reflection 57a-b, Compare and Contrast 58, and Compare and Contrast 59.
6th/7th period-Revise personal narratives using the Iowa Grade 8 Narrative Rubric.
Need help with your personal narrative: Click here to open the Personal Narrative Learning Module. Review the Student Models and Resources to help you fine tune your story.
Personal Narrative Formatting Tips
Homework- See this week's Progress Check (1/29). Complete any unfinished work.
Resources
Iowa Grade 8 Narrative Rubric
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Reflection 57a
Think about the idea of nonviolent resistance in both "Monkeyman" (Walter Dean Myers) and "Martin Luther King, Jr."
1. Using the referenced texts ("Monkeyman" and "Martin Luther King, Jr.), why do you think nonviolent resistance is so effective?
2. How does "Monkeyman" carry on the legacy of Dr. King?
Reflection 57b
In "Monkeyman," a teenager watches his friend stand up to a neighborhood gang and learns a powerful lesson about courage. Let's reflect on the short story, while comparing it to "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK."
1. Explain how both texts depict a reaction to violence.
2. What choice does Kennedy asay people must make in the face of violence?
3. What did Monkeyman choose when faced with violence?
4. Do you think Kennedy would approve of Monkeyman's choices?
Compare and Contrast 58
In "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott, a speaker explains what their community does to fight hate. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare Martin Luther King, Jr. with the speaker of the poem ("We Are Wise").
1. What are they fighting?
2. How do they fight?
3. What are they risking?
4. Who are they provoking?
5. Does the speaker of the poem embody what Martin Luther King, Jr. taught? Why or why not?
We Are Wise
Zetta Elliott (2020)
We are wise. We will rise. We
fight hate. We tempt fate. We
risk all. We
stand tall. We
provoke. We
stay woke.
Compare and Contrast 59
In "Truth" by Nikki Grimes, a speaker compares the possibilities of a new day to a storm. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare it to Grimes' "Truth."
1. Explain how the two texts contribute to your understanding of how hopeful leaders encourage action.
2. How does the message Nikki Grimes's poem compare to Martin Luther King's message during the Civil Rights movement?
3. How do both texts convey similar attitudes present during the Civil Rights movement?
Homework- See this week's Progress Check (1/29). Complete any unfinished work. Digital Journal entries 57-59 due 2/6/2024.
Friday (2/1/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. The activities will be sponsored by the team, but the catered lunch will cost $10.00. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled. Refunds will be issued starting today. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Breaking News: I had to take a break from grading your personal narratives. As a team, your narratives are in passive voice, filled with run-on sentences, plagued by capitalization/punctuation errors, fail to properly use quotation marks with dialogue, and contain harsh transitions through your chronological moments. We need a few mini-lessons before we revise our rough drafts.
Warning: If you received a 0 for your personal narrative rough draft, you have until Wednesday to complete it for late credit. Your personal narrative was was due at the end of the fall semester. I reassigned the narrative for revisions and we agreed on 1/24/24 as the due date. All class received an extension, and the final due date was 1/31/2024. If you still have an incomplete narrative in February, this is unacceptable and we need to conference. Please schedule a meeting ASAP.
All periods-Revisit Critical Thinking 53 and answer Question 2. Complete Active and Passive Voice Learning Module (Flocabulary). Quotation Marks Learning Module (Flocabulary), Quotation Marks in Dialogue Learning Module (Flocabulary), Run-On Sentences Learning Module-Part 1 (Flocabulary), Run-On Sentences Learning Module-Part 2 (Flocabulary), and Transitions Learning Module (Flocabulary).
Critical Thinking 53 (Pre/Post Assessment)
1. Before beginning the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Extraordinary Life Learning Module, tell me why you think America celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? (Pre-Assessment)
2. After completing the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Extraordinary Life Learning Module, tell me why you think America celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? (Post-Assessment)
Homework-None. If applicable, complete any unfinished work (see this week's Progress Check). Digital Journal entries 57-59 due 2/6/2024. If you want to get a jump start, read over the MLK Presentation requirements (rubric) and review the list of available presentation software programs. Select a software to create your MLK Presentation.
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday (1/30/2024)
Wednesday (1/31/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. The activities will be sponsored by the team, but the catered lunch will cost $10.00. Today is the last day to complete the February Team Day Lunch Survey. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned, No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled. Refunds will be issued this week. Sorry for the inconvenience. Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Floral arrangement and sympathy cards for Coach Mays-Today the team sent a floral arrangement and sympathy cards to Coach Mays. She lost both of her parents over the break.
Floral arrangement and sympathy cards for Mr. Jones-Today the team sent a floral arrangement and sympathy cards to Coach Mays. She lost both of her parents over the break.
Urban Air Stem Day-Click here to view the list of students attending our upcoming STEM Day at Urban Air on 2/22/2024.
February Team Day Lunch Survey-Click here to cast your vote. (You have until 2/1 to complete the survey.)
1st/4th period-Continuation of Compare and Contrast 56. Students will watch excerpts of Selma to visualize/conceptualize the content they are studying in the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Extraordinary Life Learning Module.
1st period-Finished
4th period-Finished
6th period-Finished
7th period-Finished
6th/7th period-Log into CommonLit and read: "Monkeyman" by Walter Dean Myers (670L/8th gr.), "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott (2020/8th grade), and "Truth" by Nikki Grimes (2017/7th gr.). Complete Reflection 57a-b, Compare and Contrast 58, and Compare and Contrast 59.
Homework- See today's Progress Check (1/29). Complete any unfinished work.
Reflection 57a
Think about the idea of nonviolent resistance in both "Monkeyman" (Walter Dean Myers) and "Martin Luther King, Jr."
1. Using the referenced texts ("Monkeyman" and "Martin Luther King, Jr.), why do you think nonviolent resistance is so effective?
2. How does "Monkeyman" carry on the legacy of Dr. King?
Reflection 57b
In "Monkeyman," a teenager watches his friend stand up to a neighborhood gang and learns a powerful lesson about courage. Let's reflect on the short story, while comparing it to "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK."
1. Explain how both texts depict a reaction to violence.
2. What choice does Kennedy asay people must make in the face of violence?
3. What did Monkeyman choose when faced with violence?
4. Do you think Kennedy would approve of Monkeyman's choices?
Compare and Contrast 58
In "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott, a speaker explains what their community does to fight hate. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare Martin Luther King, Jr. with the speaker of the poem ("We Are Wise").
1. What are they fighting?
2. How do they fight?
3. What are they risking?
4. Who are they provoking?
5. Does the speaker of the poem embody what Martin Luther King, Jr. taught? Why or why not?
We Are Wise
Zetta Elliott (2020)
We are wise. We will rise. We
fight hate. We tempt fate. We
risk all. We
stand tall. We
provoke. We
stay woke.
Compare and Contrast 59
In "Truth" by Nikki Grimes, a speaker compares the possibilities of a new day to a storm. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare it to Grimes' "Truth."
1. Explain how the two texts contribute to your understanding of how hopeful leaders encourage action.
2. How does the message Nikki Grimes's poem compare to Martin Luther King's message during the Civil Rights movement?
3. How do both texts convey similar attitudes present during the Civil Rights movement?
Resources
- Selma, written by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay, is available for free viewing with Prime Video.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-Flocabulary
- Martin Luther King Jr. & Leadership-Flocabulary
- Civil Rights-Flocabulary
- Martin Luther King, Jr.-CommonLit
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Changing America-CommonLit
- I Have a Dream-CommonLit
- *Martin Luther King, Jr. Nobel Acceptance Speech-CommonLit (4th period)
- *Letter from Birmingham Jail-CommonLit (4th period)
- RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK-CommonLit (4th period)
- *For King's Adviser, Fulfilling The Dream 'Cannot Wait'-CommonLit (4th period)
- Langston Hughes' hidden influence on MLK-CommonLit (4th period)
Thursday(2/1/2024)
1st/4th period-Log into CommonLit and read: "Monkeyman" by Walter Dean Myers (670L/8th gr.), "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott (2020/8th grade), and "Truth" by Nikki Grimes (2017/7th gr.). Complete Reflection 57a-b, Compare and Contrast 58, and Compare and Contrast 59.
6th/7th period-Revise personal narratives using the Iowa Grade 8 Narrative Rubric.
Need help with your personal narrative: Click here to open the Personal Narrative Learning Module. Review the Student Models and Resources to help you fine tune your story.
Personal Narrative Formatting Tips
- 12 pt. font
- Times New Roman
- Double spacing
Homework- See this week's Progress Check (1/29). Complete any unfinished work.
Resources
Iowa Grade 8 Narrative Rubric
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Reflection 57a
Think about the idea of nonviolent resistance in both "Monkeyman" (Walter Dean Myers) and "Martin Luther King, Jr."
1. Using the referenced texts ("Monkeyman" and "Martin Luther King, Jr.), why do you think nonviolent resistance is so effective?
2. How does "Monkeyman" carry on the legacy of Dr. King?
Reflection 57b
In "Monkeyman," a teenager watches his friend stand up to a neighborhood gang and learns a powerful lesson about courage. Let's reflect on the short story, while comparing it to "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK."
1. Explain how both texts depict a reaction to violence.
2. What choice does Kennedy asay people must make in the face of violence?
3. What did Monkeyman choose when faced with violence?
4. Do you think Kennedy would approve of Monkeyman's choices?
Compare and Contrast 58
In "We Are Wise" by Zetta Elliott, a speaker explains what their community does to fight hate. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare Martin Luther King, Jr. with the speaker of the poem ("We Are Wise").
1. What are they fighting?
2. How do they fight?
3. What are they risking?
4. Who are they provoking?
5. Does the speaker of the poem embody what Martin Luther King, Jr. taught? Why or why not?
We Are Wise
Zetta Elliott (2020)
We are wise. We will rise. We
fight hate. We tempt fate. We
risk all. We
stand tall. We
provoke. We
stay woke.
Compare and Contrast 59
In "Truth" by Nikki Grimes, a speaker compares the possibilities of a new day to a storm. Think back to the article, "Martin Luther King, Jr." Compare it to Grimes' "Truth."
1. Explain how the two texts contribute to your understanding of how hopeful leaders encourage action.
2. How does the message Nikki Grimes's poem compare to Martin Luther King's message during the Civil Rights movement?
3. How do both texts convey similar attitudes present during the Civil Rights movement?
Homework- See this week's Progress Check (1/29). Complete any unfinished work. Digital Journal entries 57-59 due 2/6/2024.
Friday (2/1/2024)
Announcements-Click here for today's Morning Announcements. Team Day 2/15/24. The activities will be sponsored by the team, but the catered lunch will cost $10.00. STEM Day at Urban Air is 2/22/2024. Bus 1 is full. We will still accept permission slips and money for Bus 2. If there are not enough students to fill Bus 2, those placed on Bus 2 will not be able to attend this field trip and their funds will be returned. No school on February 16th and 19th (February Break). Camp Jekyll has been canceled. Refunds will be issued starting today. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Career Day will be 3/5/24; start thinking about your Career Day costume.
Breaking News: I had to take a break from grading your personal narratives. As a team, your narratives are in passive voice, filled with run-on sentences, plagued by capitalization/punctuation errors, fail to properly use quotation marks with dialogue, and contain harsh transitions through your chronological moments. We need a few mini-lessons before we revise our rough drafts.
Warning: If you received a 0 for your personal narrative rough draft, you have until Wednesday to complete it for late credit. Your personal narrative was was due at the end of the fall semester. I reassigned the narrative for revisions and we agreed on 1/24/24 as the due date. All class received an extension, and the final due date was 1/31/2024. If you still have an incomplete narrative in February, this is unacceptable and we need to conference. Please schedule a meeting ASAP.
All periods-Revisit Critical Thinking 53 and answer Question 2. Complete Active and Passive Voice Learning Module (Flocabulary). Quotation Marks Learning Module (Flocabulary), Quotation Marks in Dialogue Learning Module (Flocabulary), Run-On Sentences Learning Module-Part 1 (Flocabulary), Run-On Sentences Learning Module-Part 2 (Flocabulary), and Transitions Learning Module (Flocabulary).
Critical Thinking 53 (Pre/Post Assessment)
1. Before beginning the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Extraordinary Life Learning Module, tell me why you think America celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? (Pre-Assessment)
2. After completing the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Extraordinary Life Learning Module, tell me why you think America celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? (Post-Assessment)
Homework-None. If applicable, complete any unfinished work (see this week's Progress Check). Digital Journal entries 57-59 due 2/6/2024. If you want to get a jump start, read over the MLK Presentation requirements (rubric) and review the list of available presentation software programs. Select a software to create your MLK Presentation.
Google Class Docs (Spring 2024)
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Assignments for the Week 2/27 to 3/3/2023
Monday (2/27/2023)
Announcements-You will need your The Illustrated Man (TLM) books all week. (We will read two stories from the TLM.) The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street assessment has been cancelled. (Thank me later; we have too much going on.) Pizza Friday Fundraiser this Friday.
Word of the Day: Explicate (analyze, interpret, and explain)
All periods-Quickwrite 89. Create KWL Chart 90 (What is Poetry). Activity: Rip It Out. (Students erased what they thought they knew about poetry and agreed to start with a clean slate.) Activity: Why Do We Need Poetry. Watched snippets of the Dead Poets Society. ( "What Makes a Poem . . . a Poem?" by Melissa Kovacs. Activity: Is Rap Poetry? Class read: "Broken (I Am Not Broken, I Am Free)" by Dee Rees and "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" by Tupac.
Homework-See Progress Check.
Quickwrite 89
1. What is your definition of poetry?
2. Do you like poetry?
3. Why do you think people write poetry?
4. In your personal opinion, do you think we need poetry?
5. Do you think music is poetry? Explain your response.
KWL Chart 90
Create a What is Poetry? KWL Chart in your Digital Journal. Complete the "What I Know" and "What I Want to Know" about poetry sections. Suggestion: While you are learning about poetry in this week's lessons, please enter any new information that you have learned into your What is Poetry? KWL Chart.
Reflection 91
1. Explicate this quote: ‘This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls. Armies of academics are going forward, measuring poetry. No, we will not have that here. Now my class, you will learn to think for yourselves again. You will learn to savor words and language. No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.’
2. Why do you think I selected this quote?
Reflection 92
Rapper Jay-Z writes in his book Decoder, that “Rap is poetry.” ‘It’s thought provoking, it’s thought behind, and it’s great writing in it as well. You never hear rappers being compared as the greatest writers of all time. But if take the lyrics, pull them away from the music, put them up on a wall, and someone had to look at them…they would say this is genius, this is genius work."
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
Progress Check
Announcements-You will need your The Illustrated Man (TLM) books all week. (We will read two stories from the TLM.) The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street assessment has been cancelled. (Thank me later; we have too much going on.) Pizza Friday Fundraiser this Friday.
Word of the Day: Explicate (analyze, interpret, and explain)
All periods-Quickwrite 89. Create KWL Chart 90 (What is Poetry). Activity: Rip It Out. (Students erased what they thought they knew about poetry and agreed to start with a clean slate.) Activity: Why Do We Need Poetry. Watched snippets of the Dead Poets Society. ( "What Makes a Poem . . . a Poem?" by Melissa Kovacs. Activity: Is Rap Poetry? Class read: "Broken (I Am Not Broken, I Am Free)" by Dee Rees and "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" by Tupac.
Homework-See Progress Check.
Quickwrite 89
1. What is your definition of poetry?
2. Do you like poetry?
3. Why do you think people write poetry?
4. In your personal opinion, do you think we need poetry?
5. Do you think music is poetry? Explain your response.
KWL Chart 90
Create a What is Poetry? KWL Chart in your Digital Journal. Complete the "What I Know" and "What I Want to Know" about poetry sections. Suggestion: While you are learning about poetry in this week's lessons, please enter any new information that you have learned into your What is Poetry? KWL Chart.
Reflection 91
1. Explicate this quote: ‘This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls. Armies of academics are going forward, measuring poetry. No, we will not have that here. Now my class, you will learn to think for yourselves again. You will learn to savor words and language. No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.’
2. Why do you think I selected this quote?
Reflection 92
Rapper Jay-Z writes in his book Decoder, that “Rap is poetry.” ‘It’s thought provoking, it’s thought behind, and it’s great writing in it as well. You never hear rappers being compared as the greatest writers of all time. But if take the lyrics, pull them away from the music, put them up on a wall, and someone had to look at them…they would say this is genius, this is genius work."
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
Progress Check
- Presented in February's Book Talk (Monday (2/27/23) is the last day)
- Submitted a quality, project-worthy Idiom Illustration (last day to submit for partial credit 2/27/23)
- Took advantage of the (OPTIONAL) Foreign Language Idiom Illustration Extra Credit Opportunity (last day to submit 2/27/23)
- Completed Compare/Contrast 88 by 2/28/23
- Updated Digital Journal to ensure it includes all entries and is ready for the upcoming DJ check
- Completed Friday's Constructed Response Assessment over Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin
- Completed Friday's Pop Quiz by 2/27/23
- Study the Quizlet vocabulary set: Poetic Devices and Elements
- Complete "On Broadway" by Claude McKay (CommonLit poem) by 3/1/23
- Completed reading article "Lin-Manuel Miranda" (CommonLit) by 3/1/23
- Completed "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes (CommonLit) by 3/2/23 (This is for all periods. 6th period completed it earlier this week. Sorry Kimora & Dustin. I need you to redo this assignment. I had to delete your work and reassign it to your period with a different complexity.)
- Complete "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" by Tupac Shakur (due 3/2/23).
- Currently reading your novel for March's Book Talk
Tuesday (2/27/2023)
1st/4th period-Digital Journal Update (Quickwrite 89, KWL 90, Reflection 91, and Reflection 92). Recap of yesterday's video snippets ("Rip It Out" and "Why Do We Read and Write Poetry?"). Poetry readings/explications ("Broken" by Dee Rees and "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" by Tupac Shakur).
6th/7th period-Recap of yesterday's lesson on poetry. Quickwrite 93. Students watched "It Takes a Village" and listed ways that they believe the video connects to Hughes' "Thank you M'am (Reflection 94).
Quickwrite 93
1. Define theme? (Denotation or your own words)
2. What do you think the theme of “Thank You M’am” is?
Reflection 94
While watching "It Takes a Village," list all of the ways that you believe it connects to Langston Hughes’ “Thank You, M’am.”
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJcg8gd4b8
Homework-Make sure that you have complete all of the assignments under Monday's Progress Check.
Wednesday (2/28/2023)
Announcement: If you were absent last Friday (2/23/23) and did not complete the Constructed Response Assessment, please come to my ELT today for a make up administration.
Thought of the Day: Poetry is the art of expressing one's thoughts in verse.
All periods-Welcome to March. Today's assignments are listed there.
Thursday(3/1/2023)
1. What is an idiom?
2. Explain the following idiom: When the teacher enrolled in his graduate program, he remembered what it was like for the shoe to be on the other foot. (Idiom: shoe on the other foot. What do you believe the idiom: “Put the shoe on the other foot” would mean?)
3. Why do you believe people would use this expression?
4. Personally, do you believe in revenge?
Reflection
1. What did Willie mean by: “This is the other shoe, Mayor, and the other foot.” (TLM pg. 46)
2. What is theme?
3. Identify a thematic message in “The Other Foot” by Ray Bradbury.
Analysis of CommonLit's (Fall) Free Reading Assessment
Analysis of MAP (Fall/Winter) Reading and Language Usage Score
1st/4th period-Digital Journal Update (Quickwrite 89, KWL 90, Reflection 91, and Reflection 92). Recap of yesterday's video snippets ("Rip It Out" and "Why Do We Read and Write Poetry?"). Poetry readings/explications ("Broken" by Dee Rees and "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" by Tupac Shakur).
6th/7th period-Recap of yesterday's lesson on poetry. Quickwrite 93. Students watched "It Takes a Village" and listed ways that they believe the video connects to Hughes' "Thank you M'am (Reflection 94).
Quickwrite 93
1. Define theme? (Denotation or your own words)
2. What do you think the theme of “Thank You M’am” is?
Reflection 94
While watching "It Takes a Village," list all of the ways that you believe it connects to Langston Hughes’ “Thank You, M’am.”
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJcg8gd4b8
Homework-Make sure that you have complete all of the assignments under Monday's Progress Check.
Wednesday (2/28/2023)
Announcement: If you were absent last Friday (2/23/23) and did not complete the Constructed Response Assessment, please come to my ELT today for a make up administration.
Thought of the Day: Poetry is the art of expressing one's thoughts in verse.
All periods-Welcome to March. Today's assignments are listed there.
Thursday(3/1/2023)
1. What is an idiom?
2. Explain the following idiom: When the teacher enrolled in his graduate program, he remembered what it was like for the shoe to be on the other foot. (Idiom: shoe on the other foot. What do you believe the idiom: “Put the shoe on the other foot” would mean?)
3. Why do you believe people would use this expression?
4. Personally, do you believe in revenge?
Reflection
1. What did Willie mean by: “This is the other shoe, Mayor, and the other foot.” (TLM pg. 46)
2. What is theme?
3. Identify a thematic message in “The Other Foot” by Ray Bradbury.
Analysis of CommonLit's (Fall) Free Reading Assessment
Analysis of MAP (Fall/Winter) Reading and Language Usage Score
Assignments for the Week 2/21 to 2/24/2023
Monday (2/20/2023)
No school. President' Day. Enjoy your last day of your February Break.
Tuesday (2/21/2023)
Announcement: I gave everyone an extension on last week's Idiom Illustration Project. I was shocked by the number of students who were not prepared to turn in their work today and by the audacity some students had when attempting to turn in low-quality work. Students who did not turn in their projects today, can turn them in for late credit. Remember, -20pts will be deducted each day you fail to turn in this project. After three school days, the project will become a permanent zero.
Friendly Reminder-Test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" tomorrow.
Help from Mr. Reed: Below are a few examples of great idiom illustrations that were produced by your peers. Check them out if you need help with your project.
Heads up: I'm considering shutting down our class website for a while. Objectively, I want to help you all create/build organizational and responsibility skills. You have to learn to take ownership of your education. And so far, some of you are still producing too many excuses. Your teachers invest a lot of time to ensure you guys have an updated, organized class websites. However, we still have students who admit they are unaware of assignment due dates because they are not regularly checking the class website. (Are we wasting our time?) When you transition to high school, a lot of your teachers/instructors may not have a teacher website. They may not summarize your lessons, itemize your assignments with due dates, post links to resources, and offer extra credit opportunities. This is a realistic view of your next academic chapter. I'll keep you all posted on my decision. But, start preparing yourself. You may need to start jotting down your daily work/assignments in your agenda and/or app of your choice. Before shutting down our class website, I will suggest student-friendly recommendations as a courtesy.
1st/4th period- Students continued presenting their Book Talks.
6th/7th period-Students were given the entire work period to work on their unfinished Idiom Illustrations Projects.
Homework-If you did not Complete Task 1 of the Idiom Illustration Project , it's past due (2/21/23). You have until Friday to turn in the assignment. However, each day (starting Wednesday), -20 pts will be deducted. However, you can turn in Task 2 (the Exploration Activity) in the Idiom Illustration Project for extra credit tomorrow. Start searching for your next novel to read for your March Book Talk.
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023. Extra credit opportunities are listed under last Thursday's assignments (2/9/23).
Progress Check
Resources
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Story
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set
What is a Monster? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWAFHN4YCo)
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period (use for fiction novels)
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period (use for fiction novels)
No school. President' Day. Enjoy your last day of your February Break.
Tuesday (2/21/2023)
Announcement: I gave everyone an extension on last week's Idiom Illustration Project. I was shocked by the number of students who were not prepared to turn in their work today and by the audacity some students had when attempting to turn in low-quality work. Students who did not turn in their projects today, can turn them in for late credit. Remember, -20pts will be deducted each day you fail to turn in this project. After three school days, the project will become a permanent zero.
Friendly Reminder-Test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" tomorrow.
Help from Mr. Reed: Below are a few examples of great idiom illustrations that were produced by your peers. Check them out if you need help with your project.
Heads up: I'm considering shutting down our class website for a while. Objectively, I want to help you all create/build organizational and responsibility skills. You have to learn to take ownership of your education. And so far, some of you are still producing too many excuses. Your teachers invest a lot of time to ensure you guys have an updated, organized class websites. However, we still have students who admit they are unaware of assignment due dates because they are not regularly checking the class website. (Are we wasting our time?) When you transition to high school, a lot of your teachers/instructors may not have a teacher website. They may not summarize your lessons, itemize your assignments with due dates, post links to resources, and offer extra credit opportunities. This is a realistic view of your next academic chapter. I'll keep you all posted on my decision. But, start preparing yourself. You may need to start jotting down your daily work/assignments in your agenda and/or app of your choice. Before shutting down our class website, I will suggest student-friendly recommendations as a courtesy.
1st/4th period- Students continued presenting their Book Talks.
6th/7th period-Students were given the entire work period to work on their unfinished Idiom Illustrations Projects.
Homework-If you did not Complete Task 1 of the Idiom Illustration Project , it's past due (2/21/23). You have until Friday to turn in the assignment. However, each day (starting Wednesday), -20 pts will be deducted. However, you can turn in Task 2 (the Exploration Activity) in the Idiom Illustration Project for extra credit tomorrow. Start searching for your next novel to read for your March Book Talk.
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023. Extra credit opportunities are listed under last Thursday's assignments (2/9/23).
Progress Check
- Complete the Idiom Illustration Project (Task 1)
- Log into PenPals Schools and complete "Walking to Freedom" and "Reflection" (watch video, read article, respond to 3 peers) by 2/17/23.
- Make sure your Digital Journal is updated and ready for evaluation. Depending on your class period, your upcoming DJ check will cover five or ten entries from #71-87.
- Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/21/23 (game code: 4625 5739)
- Complete an optional extra credit assignment for TMADOMS (due 2/21/23).
Resources
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Story
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set
What is a Monster? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWAFHN4YCo)
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period (use for fiction novels)
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period (use for fiction novels)
Wednesday (2/22/2023)
Announcement: Test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" due by Friday. (Use assessment links below to complete the test for your class period.) Scores and feedback for our most recent CommonLit reading assignments has been released. (Check CommonLit and Infinite Campus to review your academic performance on these assessments.)
Heads up: I'm considering shutting down our class website for a while. Objectively, I want to help you all create/build organizational and responsibility skills. You have to learn to take ownership of your education. And so far, some of you are still producing too many excuses. Your teachers invest a lot of time to ensure you guys have an updated, organized class websites. However, we still have students who admit they are unaware of assignment due dates because they are not regularly checking the class website. (Are we wasting our time?) When you transition to high school, a lot of your teachers/instructors may not have a teacher website. They may not summarize your lessons, itemize your assignments with due dates, post links to resources, and offer extra credit opportunities. This is a realistic view of your next academic chapter. I'll keep you all posted on my decision. But, start preparing yourself. You may need to start jotting down your daily work/assignments in your agenda and/or app of your choice. Before shutting down our class website, I will suggest student-friendly recommendations as a courtesy.
Alert-All extra credit opportunities for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" have expired. (I hope you took advantage of that opportunity to increase your overall ELA average if you were attempting to receive all A's/B's before the 9 Week Reporting Cycle.) The consequences of using a fake account/email address with CommonLit. (If I spend my time to trace and verify the owner of a fake email account, you will lose your Internet privileges for the rest of the school year.
Note: Students who received less than proficient scores on selected CommonLit reading articles will participate in a series of follow up assignments/activities/conferences to improve their academic performance on comprehending expository/informational text.
Luncheon w/Mr. Poff: Martha, Giovanni, Moctar, Emely S., Makayla, Sam (4th), Dylan (4th), Charles, Jaedon, Tra'Vaughn, Javion, Daniera, Anthony, Justin, Valeria, Jhunseo, Andy, Serena, Ariana, Evon, Tyti, MacKenzie, Diego, Tyasia, Arcina, Zariya,
All periods-Create and complete Compare/Contrast 88.
6th/7th period-Read "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes (CommonLit).
Compare/Contrast 88
Create a 4x10 graphic organizer in your Spring Digital Journal. Label your columns as such: Column 1-Reading Assignment; Column 2-Score; Column 3-Source; and Column 4-Performance Analysis. Enter your most recent reading articles under Column 1. (Note: You can find your last 9/10 CommonLit reading articles under the Class Performance Data List.)
Need Help: Open Mr. Reed's Spring Digital Journal to view an example of Compare/Contrast 88. Pro Tips: You will need to insert a few rows below the last row of Column 4 to have enough space for all of your reading assignment entries. Create slimmer margins for Column 2 (Score) and Column 3 (Source). This will allow you to have more space for Column 4 (Performance Analysis), which will allow you to freely enter as much text as needed to list a thorough analysis of your academic performance on the assessment. Center (Ctrl + E) the headings of your columns to improve the aesthetics of your graphic organizer.
Class Performance Data
Resources
Georgia Lexile Reading Levels
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Thursday (2/23/2023)
1st/4th period-Book Talks.
6th/7th period-Student Work Day.
Homework-Compare/Contrast 88. Begin looking for/reading your March novel.
Friday (2/23/2023)
Announcements-Team Store is closed today! (Unless Mr. Poff decides to allow the student employees to open the store for lunch.) Also, I'm considering canceling TMADOMS test. This week was short and extremely busy. I'll let you know on Monday. Regardless, it will be a take home assessment and open notes with a reduced amount of questions. No stress. Lastly, several of you mentioned that you are unable to see what questions you missed in your CommonLit reading assignments, which does not allow you to create a thorough performance analysis for Compare/Contrast 88. Again, no stress, do the best you can with the information available. I will take the new limitations CommonLit has placed on your student accounts into consideration. Thank you to those students who sent me an email to alert me of this issue.
Note: Mr. Reed will be off campus today. However, I will be monitoring your progress with today's assignments online. I'm sure I do not have to remind you of my expectations, as well as what will happen if your behavior does not meet the standards. I expect you to come into the classroom and work silently as well as independently, until class is over. Do not ask to do anything that you know I would not allow. It will get you in serious trouble. If you choose to do otherwise, the consequences will be extremely severe and without question. Choosing to sit next to a peer that you should not, will not be an excuse. The only person responsible for your inappropriate actions will be you. I hope you choose to act accordingly and show Ms. Green the upmost respect. Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend.
Friendly Reminders-Monday will be the last day for Book Talks. (Be prepared if you have not presented your novel to the class.) Monday is also the last day you can turn in the Idioms Illustration Project for late credit. (On Tuesday, the assignment becomes a permanent zero for anyone who did not submit it for partial credit.) Do not try to turn in any work to Ms. Green. You need to give it to me personally on Monday.
Heads up: Earlier this month, you read "Before Rosa Parks There Was Claudette Colvin" by Margot Adler (CommonLit). A lot of students struggled with this informational text, therefore, I am assigning everyone a constructed response based upon this reading assignment. The constructed response is timed and must be completed during your class period. It is a test grade.
All periods-Complete the Constructed Response Assessment for your class period (see below for links). Use Margot Adler's (2009) article: "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" and the R.A.P.P or R.A.C.E. Strategy to answer the constructed response question for your class period. The window to complete the Constructed Response for each class period is very specific. It will open at the beginning of your class and close at the end. It is a test grade and a timed practice activity to help prepare you for the upcoming Georgia Milestones Assessment. You do not have time to daydream, go to the restroom, braid your hair, or do anything off task. If your assessment has not been submitted by the end of the class period, you will get a zero. This is the equivalent of not being able to complete a constructed response during a timed Georgia Milestones testing session. (Pro Tip: Use the Claudette Colvin Constructed Response Help document as a framework to create a good/great constructed response. Use the article ("Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette") to extract strong textual evidence that you can use to help support/validate your constructed response answer.)
If you finish your constructed response assessment and have at least 10-15 minutes remaining, complete Friday's Pop Quiz (see link below). Otherwise, the Pop Quiz will by due by Monday evening (2/27/23). Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/27/23 (game code: 4625 5739)
Homework-None. Compare/Contrast 88 (due 2/27/23). "Thank You Ma'am" (CommonLit) reading assignment due for 6th period only (2/27/23). Friday's Pop Quiz (due 2/27/23). CommonLit reading articles ("On Broadway" and "Lin-Manuel Miranda") due 3/1/23. Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/27/23 (game code: 2925 1015)
Resources
"Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" by Margot Adler (2009)
Claudette Colvin Constructed Response Help
Friday's Constructed Response Assessment
1st period, click here to complete today's constructed response assessment
4th period, click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
6th period, click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
7th period (Group A), click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
7th period (Group B), click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
Friday's Pop Quiz Links
1st period, click here to take today's pop quiz.
4th period, click here to take today's pop quiz.
6th period, click here to take today's pop quiz.
7thperiod (Group A), click here to take today's pop quiz.
7th period (Group B), click here to take today's pop quiz.
Progress Check
Announcement: Test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" due by Friday. (Use assessment links below to complete the test for your class period.) Scores and feedback for our most recent CommonLit reading assignments has been released. (Check CommonLit and Infinite Campus to review your academic performance on these assessments.)
Heads up: I'm considering shutting down our class website for a while. Objectively, I want to help you all create/build organizational and responsibility skills. You have to learn to take ownership of your education. And so far, some of you are still producing too many excuses. Your teachers invest a lot of time to ensure you guys have an updated, organized class websites. However, we still have students who admit they are unaware of assignment due dates because they are not regularly checking the class website. (Are we wasting our time?) When you transition to high school, a lot of your teachers/instructors may not have a teacher website. They may not summarize your lessons, itemize your assignments with due dates, post links to resources, and offer extra credit opportunities. This is a realistic view of your next academic chapter. I'll keep you all posted on my decision. But, start preparing yourself. You may need to start jotting down your daily work/assignments in your agenda and/or app of your choice. Before shutting down our class website, I will suggest student-friendly recommendations as a courtesy.
Alert-All extra credit opportunities for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" have expired. (I hope you took advantage of that opportunity to increase your overall ELA average if you were attempting to receive all A's/B's before the 9 Week Reporting Cycle.) The consequences of using a fake account/email address with CommonLit. (If I spend my time to trace and verify the owner of a fake email account, you will lose your Internet privileges for the rest of the school year.
Note: Students who received less than proficient scores on selected CommonLit reading articles will participate in a series of follow up assignments/activities/conferences to improve their academic performance on comprehending expository/informational text.
Luncheon w/Mr. Poff: Martha, Giovanni, Moctar, Emely S., Makayla, Sam (4th), Dylan (4th), Charles, Jaedon, Tra'Vaughn, Javion, Daniera, Anthony, Justin, Valeria, Jhunseo, Andy, Serena, Ariana, Evon, Tyti, MacKenzie, Diego, Tyasia, Arcina, Zariya,
All periods-Create and complete Compare/Contrast 88.
6th/7th period-Read "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes (CommonLit).
Compare/Contrast 88
Create a 4x10 graphic organizer in your Spring Digital Journal. Label your columns as such: Column 1-Reading Assignment; Column 2-Score; Column 3-Source; and Column 4-Performance Analysis. Enter your most recent reading articles under Column 1. (Note: You can find your last 9/10 CommonLit reading articles under the Class Performance Data List.)
Need Help: Open Mr. Reed's Spring Digital Journal to view an example of Compare/Contrast 88. Pro Tips: You will need to insert a few rows below the last row of Column 4 to have enough space for all of your reading assignment entries. Create slimmer margins for Column 2 (Score) and Column 3 (Source). This will allow you to have more space for Column 4 (Performance Analysis), which will allow you to freely enter as much text as needed to list a thorough analysis of your academic performance on the assessment. Center (Ctrl + E) the headings of your columns to improve the aesthetics of your graphic organizer.
Class Performance Data
- "Martin Luther King, Jr." -1st (), 4th (), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "I Have a Dream"-1st (), 4th (), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "The Voting Rights Act of 1965"-1st (62%), 4th (85%), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "Malcolm X"-1st (63%), 4th (80%), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "Empowering the Black Power Movement"-1st (58%), 4th (72%), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK"-1st (54%), 4th (65%), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott"-1st (82%), 4th (97%), 6th (70), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin"-1st (62%), 4th (78%), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus"-1st (53%), 4th (71%), 6th (), 7th-Group A (), 7th Group B ()
- "Langston Hughes' Hidden Influence on MLK" by Jason Miller-4th (86%)
- "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes-6th ()
Resources
Georgia Lexile Reading Levels
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Thursday (2/23/2023)
1st/4th period-Book Talks.
6th/7th period-Student Work Day.
Homework-Compare/Contrast 88. Begin looking for/reading your March novel.
Friday (2/23/2023)
Announcements-Team Store is closed today! (Unless Mr. Poff decides to allow the student employees to open the store for lunch.) Also, I'm considering canceling TMADOMS test. This week was short and extremely busy. I'll let you know on Monday. Regardless, it will be a take home assessment and open notes with a reduced amount of questions. No stress. Lastly, several of you mentioned that you are unable to see what questions you missed in your CommonLit reading assignments, which does not allow you to create a thorough performance analysis for Compare/Contrast 88. Again, no stress, do the best you can with the information available. I will take the new limitations CommonLit has placed on your student accounts into consideration. Thank you to those students who sent me an email to alert me of this issue.
Note: Mr. Reed will be off campus today. However, I will be monitoring your progress with today's assignments online. I'm sure I do not have to remind you of my expectations, as well as what will happen if your behavior does not meet the standards. I expect you to come into the classroom and work silently as well as independently, until class is over. Do not ask to do anything that you know I would not allow. It will get you in serious trouble. If you choose to do otherwise, the consequences will be extremely severe and without question. Choosing to sit next to a peer that you should not, will not be an excuse. The only person responsible for your inappropriate actions will be you. I hope you choose to act accordingly and show Ms. Green the upmost respect. Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend.
Friendly Reminders-Monday will be the last day for Book Talks. (Be prepared if you have not presented your novel to the class.) Monday is also the last day you can turn in the Idioms Illustration Project for late credit. (On Tuesday, the assignment becomes a permanent zero for anyone who did not submit it for partial credit.) Do not try to turn in any work to Ms. Green. You need to give it to me personally on Monday.
Heads up: Earlier this month, you read "Before Rosa Parks There Was Claudette Colvin" by Margot Adler (CommonLit). A lot of students struggled with this informational text, therefore, I am assigning everyone a constructed response based upon this reading assignment. The constructed response is timed and must be completed during your class period. It is a test grade.
All periods-Complete the Constructed Response Assessment for your class period (see below for links). Use Margot Adler's (2009) article: "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" and the R.A.P.P or R.A.C.E. Strategy to answer the constructed response question for your class period. The window to complete the Constructed Response for each class period is very specific. It will open at the beginning of your class and close at the end. It is a test grade and a timed practice activity to help prepare you for the upcoming Georgia Milestones Assessment. You do not have time to daydream, go to the restroom, braid your hair, or do anything off task. If your assessment has not been submitted by the end of the class period, you will get a zero. This is the equivalent of not being able to complete a constructed response during a timed Georgia Milestones testing session. (Pro Tip: Use the Claudette Colvin Constructed Response Help document as a framework to create a good/great constructed response. Use the article ("Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette") to extract strong textual evidence that you can use to help support/validate your constructed response answer.)
If you finish your constructed response assessment and have at least 10-15 minutes remaining, complete Friday's Pop Quiz (see link below). Otherwise, the Pop Quiz will by due by Monday evening (2/27/23). Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/27/23 (game code: 4625 5739)
Homework-None. Compare/Contrast 88 (due 2/27/23). "Thank You Ma'am" (CommonLit) reading assignment due for 6th period only (2/27/23). Friday's Pop Quiz (due 2/27/23). CommonLit reading articles ("On Broadway" and "Lin-Manuel Miranda") due 3/1/23. Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/27/23 (game code: 2925 1015)
Resources
"Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" by Margot Adler (2009)
Claudette Colvin Constructed Response Help
Friday's Constructed Response Assessment
1st period, click here to complete today's constructed response assessment
4th period, click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
6th period, click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
7th period (Group A), click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
7th period (Group B), click here to take today's Constructed Response Assessment.
Friday's Pop Quiz Links
1st period, click here to take today's pop quiz.
4th period, click here to take today's pop quiz.
6th period, click here to take today's pop quiz.
7thperiod (Group A), click here to take today's pop quiz.
7th period (Group B), click here to take today's pop quiz.
Progress Check
- Presented in February's Book Talk (Monday (2/27/23) is the last day)
- Submitted a quality, project-worthy Idiom Illustration (last day to submit for partial credit 2/27/23)
- Took advantage of the (OPTIONAL) Foreign Language Idiom Illustration Extra Credit Opportunity (last day to submit 2/27/23)
- Completed Compare/Contrast 88 by 2/28/23
- Updated Digital Journal to ensure it includes all entries and is ready for the upcoming DJ check
- Completed Friday's Constructed Response Assessment over Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin
- Completed Friday's Pop Quiz by 2/27/23
- Study the Quizlet vocabulary set: Poetic Devices and Elements
- Complete "On Broadway" by Claude McKay (CommonLit poem) by 3/1/23
- Completed reading article "Lin-Manuel Miranda" (CommonLit) by 3/1/23
- Completed "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes (CommonLit) by 3/2/23 (This is for all periods. 6th period completed it earlier this week. Sorry Kimora & Dustin. I need you to redo this assignment. I had to delete your work and reassign it to your period with a different complexity.)
- Currently reading your novel for March's Book Talk
Assignments for the Week 2/13 to 2/17/2023
Monday (2/13/2023)
Announcements: Test over TMADOMS on Wednesday (2/15). No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks continue this week. (We will finish by Thursday.) Mr. Poff is out today. Students will receive instruction on a modified/rotational schedule.
All classes-All periods finished watching Twilight Zone's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (TMADOMS). Book Talks continued.
Homework-Complete and submit TMADOMS Exploration Questions (due 2/14/23) on your period's Google Class Doc. Last call for any unfinished CommonLit reading articles. (Check last Wednesday's (2/10/23) Progress Check.) Complete "Walking to Freedom" and "Reflection" in PenPals Schools (due 2/17/23). Watch the video on "Idioms" in BrainPop. Complete Task 1 of the Idiom Illustration Project (due 2/21/23). Task 2 (the Exploration Activity) in the Idiom Illustration Project is extra credit. Consider completing a TMADOMS extra credit opportunity to improve your grade. Start searching for your next novel to read for your March Book Talk.
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023. Extra credit opportunities are listed under last Thursday's assignments (2/9/23).
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday(2/14/2023)
Announcements: Test over TMADOMS on Wednesday (2/15). No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks continue this week. (We will finish by Thursday.) Mr. Poff is out today. Students will receive instruction on a modified/rotational schedule.
All classes-The Story Behind Valentine's Day Activity. Students completed Research It 87. Afterwards, Book Talks continued until the end of class.
Homework-Submit TMADOMS Exploration Questions (due 2/14/23) on your period's Google Class Doc. Last call for any unfinished CommonLit reading articles. (Check last Wednesday's (2/10/23) Progress Check.) All CommonLit reading articles will be reviewed, graded, and scored on 2/15/2023. Complete "Walking to Freedom" and "Reflection" in PenPals Schools (due 2/17/23). Watch the video on "Idioms" in BrainPop. Complete Task 1 of the Idiom Illustration Project (due 2/21/23). Task 2 (the Exploration Activity) in the Idiom Illustration Project is extra credit. Research It 87 due 2/16/23. Consider completing a TMADOMS extra credit opportunity to improve your grade. Start searching for your next novel to read for your March Book Talk.
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023. Extra credit opportunities are listed under last Thursday's assignments (2/9/23).
Research It 87
Create a list using organized bullet points that explains the story behind Valentine's Day. To complete this task, read "History of Valentine's Day" and watch "The First Valentine" as well as BrainPop's "Valentine's Day." (Additional optional readings: Who Was the Real St. Valentine?, 6 Surprising Facts About St. Valentine, The dark origins of Valentine's Day, and For Valentine's Day, the Bronx Zoo let's you name a roach after your sweetheart.
Wednesday(2/15/2023)
Announcements: Your test over TMADOMS has been postponed until 2/21/23. (The testing links for each period will be activated on Tuesday.) No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). February's S.T.E.M. Day at Andretti's goes down tomorrow. Get excited!
All classes-All periods finished watching Twilight Zone's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (TMADOMS). Book Talks continued.
All periods-Book Talks.
Homework-Using your class period's assessment link, complete your take home test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" by 2/21/23 (11:59 p.m.)
Update: Hey guys . . . Microsoft Forms has been acting pretty weird today. (This is the tool I planned on using to administer your test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.") For some reason, a few of the features that I am accustomed to using are not functioning properly. With that being said, let's postpone our test until next week (Tuesday-2/21/23). I want to make sure the integrity of the test is protected and everyone is able to complete an assessment that reflects their class period's personal study of TMADOMS.
Thursday(2/15/2023)
Announcements: Today is the day! Our February S.T.E.M. Day has finally arrived. We're taking over Andretti's! Get excited!
Friendly Reminder: Your test over TMADOMS has been postponed until 2/21/23. (The testing links for each period will be activated on Tuesday.) No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks will continue on Tuesday/Wednesday (2/21 & 2/22/23)
Student's Staying on Campus-Make sure you have completed all of the assignments in the Progress Check.
Progress Check
Friday(2/15/2023)
Announcements: No school.
Friendly Reminder: Your test over TMADOMS has been postponed until 2/21/23. (The testing links for each period will be activated on Tuesday.) No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks will continue on Tuesday/Wednesday (2/21 & 2/22/23)
Enjoy your February Break!
Announcements: Test over TMADOMS on Wednesday (2/15). No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks continue this week. (We will finish by Thursday.) Mr. Poff is out today. Students will receive instruction on a modified/rotational schedule.
All classes-All periods finished watching Twilight Zone's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (TMADOMS). Book Talks continued.
Homework-Complete and submit TMADOMS Exploration Questions (due 2/14/23) on your period's Google Class Doc. Last call for any unfinished CommonLit reading articles. (Check last Wednesday's (2/10/23) Progress Check.) Complete "Walking to Freedom" and "Reflection" in PenPals Schools (due 2/17/23). Watch the video on "Idioms" in BrainPop. Complete Task 1 of the Idiom Illustration Project (due 2/21/23). Task 2 (the Exploration Activity) in the Idiom Illustration Project is extra credit. Consider completing a TMADOMS extra credit opportunity to improve your grade. Start searching for your next novel to read for your March Book Talk.
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023. Extra credit opportunities are listed under last Thursday's assignments (2/9/23).
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday(2/14/2023)
Announcements: Test over TMADOMS on Wednesday (2/15). No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks continue this week. (We will finish by Thursday.) Mr. Poff is out today. Students will receive instruction on a modified/rotational schedule.
All classes-The Story Behind Valentine's Day Activity. Students completed Research It 87. Afterwards, Book Talks continued until the end of class.
Homework-Submit TMADOMS Exploration Questions (due 2/14/23) on your period's Google Class Doc. Last call for any unfinished CommonLit reading articles. (Check last Wednesday's (2/10/23) Progress Check.) All CommonLit reading articles will be reviewed, graded, and scored on 2/15/2023. Complete "Walking to Freedom" and "Reflection" in PenPals Schools (due 2/17/23). Watch the video on "Idioms" in BrainPop. Complete Task 1 of the Idiom Illustration Project (due 2/21/23). Task 2 (the Exploration Activity) in the Idiom Illustration Project is extra credit. Research It 87 due 2/16/23. Consider completing a TMADOMS extra credit opportunity to improve your grade. Start searching for your next novel to read for your March Book Talk.
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023. Extra credit opportunities are listed under last Thursday's assignments (2/9/23).
Research It 87
Create a list using organized bullet points that explains the story behind Valentine's Day. To complete this task, read "History of Valentine's Day" and watch "The First Valentine" as well as BrainPop's "Valentine's Day." (Additional optional readings: Who Was the Real St. Valentine?, 6 Surprising Facts About St. Valentine, The dark origins of Valentine's Day, and For Valentine's Day, the Bronx Zoo let's you name a roach after your sweetheart.
Wednesday(2/15/2023)
Announcements: Your test over TMADOMS has been postponed until 2/21/23. (The testing links for each period will be activated on Tuesday.) No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). February's S.T.E.M. Day at Andretti's goes down tomorrow. Get excited!
All classes-All periods finished watching Twilight Zone's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (TMADOMS). Book Talks continued.
All periods-Book Talks.
Homework-Using your class period's assessment link, complete your take home test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" by 2/21/23 (11:59 p.m.)
Update: Hey guys . . . Microsoft Forms has been acting pretty weird today. (This is the tool I planned on using to administer your test over "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.") For some reason, a few of the features that I am accustomed to using are not functioning properly. With that being said, let's postpone our test until next week (Tuesday-2/21/23). I want to make sure the integrity of the test is protected and everyone is able to complete an assessment that reflects their class period's personal study of TMADOMS.
Thursday(2/15/2023)
Announcements: Today is the day! Our February S.T.E.M. Day has finally arrived. We're taking over Andretti's! Get excited!
Friendly Reminder: Your test over TMADOMS has been postponed until 2/21/23. (The testing links for each period will be activated on Tuesday.) No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks will continue on Tuesday/Wednesday (2/21 & 2/22/23)
Student's Staying on Campus-Make sure you have completed all of the assignments in the Progress Check.
Progress Check
- Log into PenPals Schools and complete "Walking to Freedom" and "Reflection" (watch video, read article, respond to 3 peers) by 2/17/23.
- Make sure your Digital Journal is updated and ready for evaluation. Depending on your class period, your upcoming DJ check will cover five or ten entries from #71-87.
- Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/21/23 (game code: 4625 5739)
- Complete an optional extra credit assignment for TMADOMS (due 2/21/23).
Friday(2/15/2023)
Announcements: No school.
Friendly Reminder: Your test over TMADOMS has been postponed until 2/21/23. (The testing links for each period will be activated on Tuesday.) No school this Friday (2/17/2023) or next Monday (2/20). Book Talks will continue on Tuesday/Wednesday (2/21 & 2/22/23)
Enjoy your February Break!
Assignments for the Week 2/6 to 2/10/2023
Monday (2/6/2023)
Announcements: Special shout out Crissth, Jhunseo, Zuri, and Tyti for making the HMS Soccer Team.
Friendly Reminder: Mr. Poff and Mrs. Allen informed the team the unfortunate news that we have had an increase in silent lunch due to class tardies and behavior. Please remember that three silent lunches automatically result in being issued an after school detention. Two after school detentions will make you ineligible for field trips, team activities/events etc. (Yes, this means your behavior today can result in you not being able to participate in all of the team/school's future activities (Six Flags, End of the Year Celebration, etc.) Get your behavior in order (in and outside of the classroom), or be prepared to deal with the consequences. Book Talk presentations start this Friday.
1st/4th/7th period-Completed Quickwrite 82 as an opening activity, followed by a quick review of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set. Students copied Reflection 83 into their DJs, but did not answer the questions until Mr. Reed showed them "What is a Monster?" Afterwards, students were given a few moments to answer the questions in R83. The class then shared their responses to QW 82 and R83. Mini-introduction to Rod Serling (from Twilight Zone) and the teleplay genre. Students were then assigned reading parts for Act 1 of "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (TMADOMS) pg. 142-147. As a class, we discussed Act 1 of TMADOMS (setting, characters, plot, and conflicts).
6th period-Student Work Day. Unfortunately, 6th period struggled with getting prepared for today's lesson. As a result, they worked silently on the items listed in today's progress check and will receive an alternative assignment tomorrow. Pro Tip: Come prepared for class, ready to learn, or else. It's just that simple.
Quickwrite 82
What is your definition and/or description of a monster?
Reflection 83
Watch "What is a Monster?" with John Landis and answer the following questions:
1) Do you agree with John Landis' definition of a monster?
2) What do you think about his commentary on why we need monsters? (Is there any truth to his statement? Explain your answer.)
3) Do you think we need monsters? Explain your answer.
John Landis: “A monster is either physically or mentally detestable, often an aberration in appearance and behavior. The word ‘monster’ is generally associated with the concept of evil, both in thought and action. Normal-looking people who behave in reprehensible ways are also referred to as ‘monsters.’ What’s fascinating is that there are evil monsters and there are benign monsters and there are actually good monsters. Every culture in the world has monsters within in. But basically what are we afraid of? The main two fears are from the outside and from the inside. There are the other tribe, the other country, the other religion, the other political party. Whatever the ‘other’ is, we tend to make them monsters, and we are scared to death of them. Then there is the monster from within, which is explored in things like Jekyll and Hyde. It has to do with your own madness…”
Homework-See Progress Check.
Progress Check
Resources
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Story
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set
What is a Monster? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWAFHN4YCo)
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period (use for fiction novels)
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period (use for fiction novels)
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Announcements: Special shout out Crissth, Jhunseo, Zuri, and Tyti for making the HMS Soccer Team.
Friendly Reminder: Mr. Poff and Mrs. Allen informed the team the unfortunate news that we have had an increase in silent lunch due to class tardies and behavior. Please remember that three silent lunches automatically result in being issued an after school detention. Two after school detentions will make you ineligible for field trips, team activities/events etc. (Yes, this means your behavior today can result in you not being able to participate in all of the team/school's future activities (Six Flags, End of the Year Celebration, etc.) Get your behavior in order (in and outside of the classroom), or be prepared to deal with the consequences. Book Talk presentations start this Friday.
1st/4th/7th period-Completed Quickwrite 82 as an opening activity, followed by a quick review of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set. Students copied Reflection 83 into their DJs, but did not answer the questions until Mr. Reed showed them "What is a Monster?" Afterwards, students were given a few moments to answer the questions in R83. The class then shared their responses to QW 82 and R83. Mini-introduction to Rod Serling (from Twilight Zone) and the teleplay genre. Students were then assigned reading parts for Act 1 of "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (TMADOMS) pg. 142-147. As a class, we discussed Act 1 of TMADOMS (setting, characters, plot, and conflicts).
6th period-Student Work Day. Unfortunately, 6th period struggled with getting prepared for today's lesson. As a result, they worked silently on the items listed in today's progress check and will receive an alternative assignment tomorrow. Pro Tip: Come prepared for class, ready to learn, or else. It's just that simple.
Quickwrite 82
What is your definition and/or description of a monster?
Reflection 83
Watch "What is a Monster?" with John Landis and answer the following questions:
1) Do you agree with John Landis' definition of a monster?
2) What do you think about his commentary on why we need monsters? (Is there any truth to his statement? Explain your answer.)
3) Do you think we need monsters? Explain your answer.
John Landis: “A monster is either physically or mentally detestable, often an aberration in appearance and behavior. The word ‘monster’ is generally associated with the concept of evil, both in thought and action. Normal-looking people who behave in reprehensible ways are also referred to as ‘monsters.’ What’s fascinating is that there are evil monsters and there are benign monsters and there are actually good monsters. Every culture in the world has monsters within in. But basically what are we afraid of? The main two fears are from the outside and from the inside. There are the other tribe, the other country, the other religion, the other political party. Whatever the ‘other’ is, we tend to make them monsters, and we are scared to death of them. Then there is the monster from within, which is explored in things like Jekyll and Hyde. It has to do with your own madness…”
Homework-See Progress Check.
Progress Check
- Place the title of your book, along with the author's name under the correct column on your period's Google Class Doc. Find a great webpage that presents information your book. Embed the link into the text you placed under the column for your book's information (due 2/3/23).
- Read Empowering the Black Power Movement (CommonLit) due 2/8/23.
- Complete Quickwrite 79a (due 2/8/23).
- After completing Compare and Contrast 78 and Quickwrite 79a, complete Reflection 80 (due 2/9/23).
- Read and complete "Langston Hughes' Hidden Influence on MLK" in CommonLit (4th period only) by 2/9/23.
- Complete Quickwrite 79b (4th period only) by 2/9/23.
- Log into PenPals Schools and complete "Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks" (watch video, read article, respond to 3 peers) by 2/8/23.
- Read "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions (due 2/9/23).
- Read "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions (due 2/9/23).
- Read "Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions (due 2/9/23).
- Use the skills you learned yesterday to create a Venn Diagram in your Digital Journal. Name it Compare and Contrast 81. Based upon the information you have learned so far, compare and contrast Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks. Enter their similarities and differences in your Venn Diagram (due 2/9/23).
- Use your period's Book Talk rubric to begin practicing for your Book Talk presentation. Presentations begin this Friday (2/10/23).
Resources
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Story
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set
What is a Monster? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWAFHN4YCo)
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period (use for fiction novels)
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period (use for fiction novels)
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Tuesday (2/7/2023)
Announcement: I'm almost done grading your test over "The Crowd," as well as your two CommonLit reading articles on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I'm working in incognito mode so that I can review and analyze the team's performance on these three constructed response assessments. Upon completion, I will examine the entire team's performance and decide how I will award credit for these assignments and use them to improve your ability to construct written responses. Thank you for your patience.
1st/4th/7th period-Recap of yesterday's lesson. (What happened in Act 1 of TMADOMS?) Mr. Reed assigned new reading parts to the students. As a class, we finished reading TMADOMS and discussed the characters, plot, conflict, resolution, and thematic messages. Next, we discussed our upcoming Book Talk presentations. Mr. Reed showed students examples of Book Talks (the good, bad, and ugly). We concluded the class by reviewing tonight's homework and due dates.
Homework-Prepare for your Book Talk by watching all of the video examples. Use the information learned to create an outline of your Book Talk presentation. Then . . . Practice! Practice! Practice! Remember this is a major grade. Please review the book talk video examples (see below) to help you prepare a presentation. Pro Tip: Use the H.E.A.T. method to create an outline for your Book Talk. (Dr. Gustafson introduces the H.E.A.T. technique in his video, "Build Better Book Talks.")
Announcement: I'm almost done grading your test over "The Crowd," as well as your two CommonLit reading articles on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I'm working in incognito mode so that I can review and analyze the team's performance on these three constructed response assessments. Upon completion, I will examine the entire team's performance and decide how I will award credit for these assignments and use them to improve your ability to construct written responses. Thank you for your patience.
1st/4th/7th period-Recap of yesterday's lesson. (What happened in Act 1 of TMADOMS?) Mr. Reed assigned new reading parts to the students. As a class, we finished reading TMADOMS and discussed the characters, plot, conflict, resolution, and thematic messages. Next, we discussed our upcoming Book Talk presentations. Mr. Reed showed students examples of Book Talks (the good, bad, and ugly). We concluded the class by reviewing tonight's homework and due dates.
Homework-Prepare for your Book Talk by watching all of the video examples. Use the information learned to create an outline of your Book Talk presentation. Then . . . Practice! Practice! Practice! Remember this is a major grade. Please review the book talk video examples (see below) to help you prepare a presentation. Pro Tip: Use the H.E.A.T. method to create an outline for your Book Talk. (Dr. Gustafson introduces the H.E.A.T. technique in his video, "Build Better Book Talks.")
Help for Your Book Talk
A book talk is a short (30 second - 2 minute) speech designed to encourage someone to read a book. Book talks include a brief summary (synopsis) of the story, giving listeners an idea of plot, characters, conflicts, and at times, themes found in the . However, a book talk does not summarize the entire plot or give away the ending or major plot points of the story. In other words, no spoiler alerts!
Your Book Talk should contain the following: (In progress)
Bonuses that can be added
Tips
Your Book Talk should contain the following: (In progress)
- Copy of book or cover picture (book should be present)
- An opening that grab's audience's attention (Try integrating the H.E.A.T. technique)
- Title of the book
- Author's introduction/background
- Genre
- Awards/accolades
- Brief synopsis of the book (point of view, exposition/plot description (include protagonist/antagonist(, hook)
- Find a way to hook your listener and entice them to read the book (even if you did not like the book)
- Rating and recommendation (1-5 Stars, two thumbs up, 1-10, etc.)
- Lexile
- Page length
- Question and answer segment
- Aim to keep your total presentation between 1-2 minutes (pros can do a great one in 30 seconds)
Bonuses that can be added
- personal connection made to the book
- connect the book to the audience
- how to find the book
- translations and/or other editions available
- presenting as a character in the story
Tips
- Speak clear and loudly
- Watch the speed of your speech (do not talk too fast/slow)
- Maintain eye contact with your audience
- Use H.E.A.T. (Hook, Energy, Audience, and Time) to create an outline for your presentation
- Do not tell the resolution (ending) of your book
- No fidgeting/pacing
- Stay on topic
- Hold the book so that the audience can see it
- Demonstrate professionalism
How to Do a Book Talk by Thomas Burby (YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kln1mTngLq4)
Note: I do not recommend reading a passage during your Book Talk unless it is masterfully done. Also, do not create a five minute presentation or read off of notes (if you can help it.). You will begin losing your audience after the 2-3 minute mark.
Note: I do not recommend reading a passage during your Book Talk unless it is masterfully done. Also, do not create a five minute presentation or read off of notes (if you can help it.). You will begin losing your audience after the 2-3 minute mark.
Cinder Book Talk by Jasneet (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhCqIjlyylY)
Book Talk on Code of Honor by Nick (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbwmStcxEi8)
Freewater Book Talk by LPMS Library (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCxmueaj3H0)
Example of a Good Book Talk by Ashley Strausser (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTwpMcmetoM)
Build Better Booktalks by Dr. Brad Gustafson (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRkqjudkaME)
Pro Tip: Bring the H.E.A.T.
Pro Tip: Bring the H.E.A.T.
Book Talk on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by Coach Pod (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M3LtJw7uvY)
Book Talk on The Paper Bag Princess by Coach Pod (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bil5XsVcLbo)
Book Talk Examples by Heather Van Otterloo
Example of a Bad Book Talk by Ashley Strausser (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFQEUW4VEb4)
Wednesday(2/10/2023)
Announcements: Students, if you send any teacher an email, please make sure your correspondence is created and sent with professionalism. Your teachers are not your "homies" and we do not have time to decipher text abbreviations/meanings. (My preferred puzzle is Sudoku, not student emails.) Also, do not write the body of your text in the Subject Line of your email. It sends a blank message to your recipient. (And it looks ridiculous.)
Friendly Reminder: Book Talks start this Friday. Please practice your presentation. Test over The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street (TMADOMS) 2/14/23.
Note: Mr. Reed will be off campus today. Please use your time wisely to complete all of your assignments by the due date. Also, any behavior problems will result in a minimum of detention on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. (This will disqualify you from future team activities, school events, and field trips.) Be smart. Come in. Be quiet. Work on your assignments silently and individually. That's all. Have a great day.
All periods-Student Work Day. Complete all assignments in the Progress Check. Tomorrow, I will add your assignments for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." Note: I will begin grading your CommonLit assignments the morning of 2/9/2023. Due to the extension, I will not accept any late work on any of your CommonLit reading articles. Use your time wisely.
Homework-See Progress Check; one day extensions granted on all of last week's assignments. Make sure that you all check your CommonLit to ensure you completed "Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus." I'm not sure if it was a glitch, but the article did not populate for some students under their assignments. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/14/23 (game code: 4625 5739).
Progress Check
Resources
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Story
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set
What is a Monster? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWAFHN4YCo)
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period (use for fiction novels)
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period (use for fiction novels)
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Announcements: Students, if you send any teacher an email, please make sure your correspondence is created and sent with professionalism. Your teachers are not your "homies" and we do not have time to decipher text abbreviations/meanings. (My preferred puzzle is Sudoku, not student emails.) Also, do not write the body of your text in the Subject Line of your email. It sends a blank message to your recipient. (And it looks ridiculous.)
Friendly Reminder: Book Talks start this Friday. Please practice your presentation. Test over The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street (TMADOMS) 2/14/23.
Note: Mr. Reed will be off campus today. Please use your time wisely to complete all of your assignments by the due date. Also, any behavior problems will result in a minimum of detention on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. (This will disqualify you from future team activities, school events, and field trips.) Be smart. Come in. Be quiet. Work on your assignments silently and individually. That's all. Have a great day.
All periods-Student Work Day. Complete all assignments in the Progress Check. Tomorrow, I will add your assignments for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." Note: I will begin grading your CommonLit assignments the morning of 2/9/2023. Due to the extension, I will not accept any late work on any of your CommonLit reading articles. Use your time wisely.
Homework-See Progress Check; one day extensions granted on all of last week's assignments. Make sure that you all check your CommonLit to ensure you completed "Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus." I'm not sure if it was a glitch, but the article did not populate for some students under their assignments. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/14/23 (game code: 4625 5739).
Progress Check
- Place the title of your book, along with the author's name under the correct column on your period's Google Class Doc. Find a great webpage that presents information your book. Embed the link into the text you placed under the column for your book's information (due 2/3/23).
- Read Empowering the Black Power Movement (CommonLit) due 2/9/23.
- Complete Quickwrite 79a (due 2/9/23).
- After completing Compare and Contrast 78 and Quickwrite 79a, complete Reflection 80 (due 2/9/23).
- Read and complete "Langston Hughes' Hidden Influence on MLK" in CommonLit (4th period only) by 2/9/23.
- Complete Quickwrite 79b (4th period only) by 2/9/23.
- Log into PenPals Schools and complete "Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks" (watch video, read article, respond to 3 peers) by 2/9/23.
- Read "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions (due 2/9/23).
- Read "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions (due 2/9/23).
- Read "Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions (due 2/9/23).
- Create Compare and Contrast 81. Add a Venn Diagram. (You learned this skill last week.) Based upon the information you have learned so far, compare and contrast Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks. Enter their similarities and differences in your Venn Diagram (due 2/9/23).
- Watch all of the Book Talk videos uploaded under Wednesday's assignments.
- Use your period's Book Talk rubric and Wednesday's pro tips to create your Book Talk presentation. Practice! Presentations begin this Friday (2/10/23).
- Make sure your Digital Journal is updated and ready for evaluation. Depending on your class period, your upcoming DJ check will cover five or ten entries from #71-80.
- Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz to prepare for your test on 2/14/23 (game code: 4625 5739)
- Consider completed an extra credit assignment for TMADOMS (see below).
Resources
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Story
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizlet Vocabulary Set
What is a Monster? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWAFHN4YCo)
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period (use for fiction novels)
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period (use for fiction novels)
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Thursday (2/9/2023)
Announcements: Book Talks begin tomorrow. Bring the novel you plan on presenting in your Book Talk with you to class tomorrow. See below for extra credit opportunities. (Yes, you can do more than one extra credit opportunity). Book Talks begin tomorrow. Remember to practice.
All periods-Student Work Day. Complete Research It 84 and Reflection 85 in your Digital Journal. Complete TMADOMS Exploration Questions.
Homework-Research It 84 (due 2/10). Reflection 85 (due 2/10). TMADOMS Exploration Questions (due 2/14). Practice your Book Talk; presentations begin tomorrow. Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz Review Game for prepare for your test over the teleplay (game code: 0755 9675). Consider completing one or more of TMADOMS extra credit opportunities to improve your grade.
Research It 84
Use scholarly sources on the Internet to answer the following questions:
1) What is communism and how does it differ from a democracy?
2) Who was Joseph McCarthy?
3) What did Joseph McCarthy accuse people of doing/being?
4) Did McCarthy have any proof to support/validate his accusations?
5) How could the accused prove their innocence against McCarthy's claims?
6) What brought the McCarthy era to an end?
7) What connection does Joseph McCarthy have to the teleplay "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"?
Reflections 85
Authors create characters with specific traits and qualities. Sometimes we may love, hate, admire, despise, or simply ignore the construction of certain individuals in the story. However, a great author always has a purpose with their creations.
1. Focus in on Les Goodman. Why was he a significant character in the story?
2. Identify another character that you feel possessed an important role. Explain and support your selection.
Announcements: Book Talks begin tomorrow. Bring the novel you plan on presenting in your Book Talk with you to class tomorrow. See below for extra credit opportunities. (Yes, you can do more than one extra credit opportunity). Book Talks begin tomorrow. Remember to practice.
All periods-Student Work Day. Complete Research It 84 and Reflection 85 in your Digital Journal. Complete TMADOMS Exploration Questions.
Homework-Research It 84 (due 2/10). Reflection 85 (due 2/10). TMADOMS Exploration Questions (due 2/14). Practice your Book Talk; presentations begin tomorrow. Play The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Quizizz Review Game for prepare for your test over the teleplay (game code: 0755 9675). Consider completing one or more of TMADOMS extra credit opportunities to improve your grade.
Research It 84
Use scholarly sources on the Internet to answer the following questions:
1) What is communism and how does it differ from a democracy?
2) Who was Joseph McCarthy?
3) What did Joseph McCarthy accuse people of doing/being?
4) Did McCarthy have any proof to support/validate his accusations?
5) How could the accused prove their innocence against McCarthy's claims?
6) What brought the McCarthy era to an end?
7) What connection does Joseph McCarthy have to the teleplay "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"?
Reflections 85
Authors create characters with specific traits and qualities. Sometimes we may love, hate, admire, despise, or simply ignore the construction of certain individuals in the story. However, a great author always has a purpose with their creations.
1. Focus in on Les Goodman. Why was he a significant character in the story?
2. Identify another character that you feel possessed an important role. Explain and support your selection.
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Extra Credit Opportunities
Note: All TMADOMS extra credit opportunities are due on 2/21/2023.
Mobs Through History
Select a mob to research. Investigate why it formed and what it did. (Example-St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, the storming of the Bastille, the Boston Tea Party, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Bolshevik Revolution.) Gather information from scholarly sources and create an informative presentation about your mob.
News Report (Option 1)
Imagine that you are a reporter who arrives on Maple Street near the end of the events depicted in the teleplay. As you watch the neighbors attack each other, try to find out details that will answer the who, what, how, why, when, and where questions. Write a news article that summarizes the events that have occurred on Maple Street.
News Report (Option 2)
Create an actual news broadcast that reports the events at Maple Street. Make sure that your broadcast contains all of the information of option 1.
Comic Strip
Create a colorful, well-organized comic strip for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Movie Trailer
Create a movie trailer for Rod Serling's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Film Adaption
Create a film adaptation of Rod Serling's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Mobs Through History
Select a mob to research. Investigate why it formed and what it did. (Example-St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, the storming of the Bastille, the Boston Tea Party, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Bolshevik Revolution.) Gather information from scholarly sources and create an informative presentation about your mob.
News Report (Option 1)
Imagine that you are a reporter who arrives on Maple Street near the end of the events depicted in the teleplay. As you watch the neighbors attack each other, try to find out details that will answer the who, what, how, why, when, and where questions. Write a news article that summarizes the events that have occurred on Maple Street.
News Report (Option 2)
Create an actual news broadcast that reports the events at Maple Street. Make sure that your broadcast contains all of the information of option 1.
Comic Strip
Create a colorful, well-organized comic strip for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Movie Trailer
Create a movie trailer for Rod Serling's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Film Adaption
Create a film adaptation of Rod Serling's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Friday (2/10/2023)
Announcements: Book Talks begin today. Please have your novels with you.
All periods-Compare and Contrast 86. Book Talks
Compare and Contrast 86
Create a 4x3 table to identify noticeable similarities and differences between "The Monster Are Due on Maple Street" (teleplay) and one of its film adaptations (Twilight Zone: The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, ). Enter the following information into your chart: Film adaptations of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” (Column 1/Row 1); Similarities to the original story (Column 2/Row 1); Differences to the original story (Column 3/Row 1); How do the differences affect the story? (Column 4/Row 1); Twilight Zone/S1E22 . Tip: Use bullets to organize/separate your text in the columns for similarities and differences.
Homework-None. (Practice for your Book Talk if you did not present today.)
Announcements: Book Talks begin today. Please have your novels with you.
All periods-Compare and Contrast 86. Book Talks
Compare and Contrast 86
Create a 4x3 table to identify noticeable similarities and differences between "The Monster Are Due on Maple Street" (teleplay) and one of its film adaptations (Twilight Zone: The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, ). Enter the following information into your chart: Film adaptations of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” (Column 1/Row 1); Similarities to the original story (Column 2/Row 1); Differences to the original story (Column 3/Row 1); How do the differences affect the story? (Column 4/Row 1); Twilight Zone/S1E22 . Tip: Use bullets to organize/separate your text in the columns for similarities and differences.
Homework-None. (Practice for your Book Talk if you did not present today.)
Assignments for the Week 1/30 to 2/3/2023
Monday (1/30/2023)
1st/4th-Finished watching the last snippet of Selma. (Added new information learned into KWL Chart 72.) As a class, we reviewed the content viewed ( from Selma) and why many called Dr. King "A Hero for Justice." Next, students created KWL Chart 75 (on Gandhi) in their Digital Journals. Students then began filling in the "What I Know" section about Gandhi. As a class, we watched a BrainPop video on Gandhi and completed the interactive quiz. Next, we opened PenPal Schools and worked on the Mahatma Gandhi learing module (watch the video, read the article, answer the question in the Discussion forum).
6th/7th period-Student Work Day. Students reviewed today's Progress Check and worked on their assignments. Mr. Reed worked with learners to completed their assignments.
Homework-Log into CommonLit and complete "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK" and "Malcolm X" due 2/2/23. KWL Chart 76.
KWL Chart 75 (This is a separate quiz grade.)
Create a Mahatma Gandhi KWL Chart in your Digital Journal. Complete the "What I Know" and "What I Want to Know" about Mahatma Gandhi sections. Suggestion: While you are learning about Gandhi's life in this module, please enter any new information that you have learned into your Gandhi KWL Chart. Important dates and major events will be excellent additions to your KWL Chart. This information will prove helpful when you begin to create your future presentation over Gandhi.
KWL Chart 76 (This is a separate quiz grade.)
Create a Malcolm X KWL Chart in your Digital Journal. Complete the "What I Know" and "What I Want to Know" about Malcolm X sections. Suggestion: While you are learning about Malcolm X's life in this module, please enter any new information that you have learned into your Malcolm X KWL Chart. Important dates and major events will be excellent additions to your KWL Chart. This information will prove helpful when you begin to create your future presentation over a civil rights leader/activist.
Progress Check
Tuesday (1/31/2023)
Announcements: Team 8D will hold a job fair on Monday (2/6/2023) for ELT students on Team 8D. Please begin working on your resume if you are interested in applying for employment on the team. Note: A list of jobs and requirements will be posted later this week. Interviews will occur during Monday's job fair (2/6/23) from 1:10 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.
1st period-Student Work Day. Mr. Reed discussed the quality of the work being submitted by this class period. (You guys are capable of better and I want better. Otherwise, I am not accepting it.) Mr. Reed provided students with feedback on their first DJ check for the spring semester. Learners were given an opportunity to review their commentary, conference with Mr. Reed re: any areas of concern, and revise/improve/correct their MLK KWL Charts (Digital Journal entry #72). Note: If you have not completed Quickwrite 71, this needs to be done ASAP. You have until 4:00 p.m. to get it done before it becomes a permanent zero.
4th/6th/7th period-Learners opened PenPal Schools and began working on "The Fight for Civil Rights" (learning module). Watching the video, reading the article, and respond to at least three peers. Students also reviewed feedback received on their first DJ check for the spring semester. Mr. Reed hosted student-teacher conferences and worked with learners to complete this week's assignments. Note: If you have not completed Quickwrite 71, this needs to be done ASAP. You have until 4:00 p.m. to get it done before it becomes a permanent zero.
Pro Tip: Click here to review a step-by-step tutorial on sharing and submitting links to a Google Class Doc.
Lunch with Mr. Poff (Tuesday to Friday) - Martha, Giovanni J., Emily M. A., Moctar, Dianses, Isabella V., Opal, Dustin, Tyti, MacKenzie,
Homework-Have you been keeping up with your work? Are you reviewing the Progress Checks to make sure you are keeping pace with the class to complete your assignments by the due date? Friendly reminder-Critical Thinking 74 is due today. The following learning modules in PenPal Schools are also due today: "Meet Pen Pals," "Diversity and Discrimination," "Discrimination Long Ago," and "Mahatma Gandhi." "The Fight for Civil Rights" (learning module in PenPal Schools) is due 2/3/23. Make sure you complete "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK" and "Malcolm X" in CommonLit by 2/2/23. All novels should be completed by 2/6/2023. We will begin the next stage of your Book Talk on Monday (2/6/23).
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Wednesday(2/1/2023)
All periods-Recap on this week's lesson and assignments. Introduction to Malcolm X. Watched BrainPop's video on Malcolm X. (Students placed newly learned information about Malcolm X into KWL Chart 76.)
Quickwrite 77
Why doesn't Malcolm X get a holiday like Martin Luther King Jr.?
Compare and Contrast 78
Create an overlapping Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Martin Luther King Jr. with Malcolm X. If you need help with this task, click here for directions, pictures, and tutorials.
Tip: When looking for similarities/differences, consider how the goals and processes of the two activist compare. Think about what they had in common. Ponder over why some people may have felt compelled to follow Malcolm over Dr. King.
Note: Venn diagrams are ideal for illustrating the similarities and differences between several different groups or concepts.
Resources
Georgia Lexile Reading Levels
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period
Thursday (2/2/2023)
Announcements: The Team Job Fair has been postponed (not canceled). We will let you know when we have rescheduled the date.
All periods-Think-Pair-Share Activity. Students will work together individually, in pairs, or in groups to complete today's assignments.
Help from Mr. Reed: BrainPop's "Civil Rights" video includes information about Rosa Parks, and their "Muhammad Ali" video includes information about Malcolm X that can be added to KWL Chart 76.
Quickwrite 79a
After reading "Malcolm X," and "Empowering the Black Power Movement," answer the following questions.
1. How are the ideas of Malcolm X reflected in the Black Power Movement?
2. Why do you think some African Americans rejected ideas of integration and peaceful resistance?
How do you think Malcolm's murder in 1965 influenced the civil rights movements that followed?
Quickwrite 79b (4th period only)
1. After reading "Malcolm X" and "Langston Hughes' Hidden Influence on MLK," do you think Dr. King would have distanced himself from Malcolm, like he did with Langston Hughes? Explain (why or why not).
2. How did Dr. King, Malcolm X, and Langston Hughes contribute to furthering African Americans' rights?
Reflection 80
Imagine you lived during the Civil Rights Movement. You have been closely comparing and studying the ideas, beliefs, and philosophies of Dr. King and Malcolm X. Who would you choose to be your hero/champion for justice?
Compare and Contrast 81
Based upon the information you have learned so far, compare and contrast Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks. Enter their similarities and differences in your Venn Diagram.
Interested in learning more about the life of Malcolm X? Consider reading the critically acclaimed The Autobiography of Malcolm X for your next book talk.
Resources
The Life of Helen Joseph
Friday (2/3/22)
All periods-Academic Recovery Day.
1st period-All students on 8D voted for team superlatives in 1st period.
4th period-Student work session.
5th-7th period-Academic Recovery Day. Students failing one or more classes used today's afternoon block to complete extra credit opportunities in Math/Science or make up work in ELA/SS.
Homework-None. Remember to finish reading your book by 2/6. We will begin activities for our February Book Talk.
1st/4th-Finished watching the last snippet of Selma. (Added new information learned into KWL Chart 72.) As a class, we reviewed the content viewed ( from Selma) and why many called Dr. King "A Hero for Justice." Next, students created KWL Chart 75 (on Gandhi) in their Digital Journals. Students then began filling in the "What I Know" section about Gandhi. As a class, we watched a BrainPop video on Gandhi and completed the interactive quiz. Next, we opened PenPal Schools and worked on the Mahatma Gandhi learing module (watch the video, read the article, answer the question in the Discussion forum).
6th/7th period-Student Work Day. Students reviewed today's Progress Check and worked on their assignments. Mr. Reed worked with learners to completed their assignments.
Homework-Log into CommonLit and complete "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK" and "Malcolm X" due 2/2/23. KWL Chart 76.
KWL Chart 75 (This is a separate quiz grade.)
Create a Mahatma Gandhi KWL Chart in your Digital Journal. Complete the "What I Know" and "What I Want to Know" about Mahatma Gandhi sections. Suggestion: While you are learning about Gandhi's life in this module, please enter any new information that you have learned into your Gandhi KWL Chart. Important dates and major events will be excellent additions to your KWL Chart. This information will prove helpful when you begin to create your future presentation over Gandhi.
KWL Chart 76 (This is a separate quiz grade.)
Create a Malcolm X KWL Chart in your Digital Journal. Complete the "What I Know" and "What I Want to Know" about Malcolm X sections. Suggestion: While you are learning about Malcolm X's life in this module, please enter any new information that you have learned into your Malcolm X KWL Chart. Important dates and major events will be excellent additions to your KWL Chart. This information will prove helpful when you begin to create your future presentation over a civil rights leader/activist.
Progress Check
- Complete all questions in Critical Thinking 74 (due 1/31/2023)
- Complete "I Have a Dream" reading assignment in CommonLit by 1/24/2023 (past due)
- Watch "Civil Rights" and "Voting Rights" in BrainPop (add newly learned info into Dr. King KWL Chart 72) by 1/26/2023 (past due)
- Complete "Meet Pen Pals," "Diversity and Discrimination," "Discrimination Long Ago," and "Mahatma Gandhi" in PenPals Schools (due 1/31/2023)
- Respond to at least three peers' responses in the discussion forums for "Meet Pen Pals," "Diversity and Discrimination," "Discrimination Long Ago" and "Mahatma Gandhi" (in PenPals Schools) by 1/31/2023.
- Complete "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK" and "Malcolm X" in CommonLit by 2/2/23.
- Your KWL Charts in your Digital Journals should be filled with new information learned about Dr. King (KWL Chart 72), Gandhi (KWL Chart 75) and Malcolm X (Chart 76). Remember, each KWL Chart is a separate quiz grade.
- Continue reading novel. Novel reading should be completed by 2/6/23.
Tuesday (1/31/2023)
Announcements: Team 8D will hold a job fair on Monday (2/6/2023) for ELT students on Team 8D. Please begin working on your resume if you are interested in applying for employment on the team. Note: A list of jobs and requirements will be posted later this week. Interviews will occur during Monday's job fair (2/6/23) from 1:10 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.
1st period-Student Work Day. Mr. Reed discussed the quality of the work being submitted by this class period. (You guys are capable of better and I want better. Otherwise, I am not accepting it.) Mr. Reed provided students with feedback on their first DJ check for the spring semester. Learners were given an opportunity to review their commentary, conference with Mr. Reed re: any areas of concern, and revise/improve/correct their MLK KWL Charts (Digital Journal entry #72). Note: If you have not completed Quickwrite 71, this needs to be done ASAP. You have until 4:00 p.m. to get it done before it becomes a permanent zero.
4th/6th/7th period-Learners opened PenPal Schools and began working on "The Fight for Civil Rights" (learning module). Watching the video, reading the article, and respond to at least three peers. Students also reviewed feedback received on their first DJ check for the spring semester. Mr. Reed hosted student-teacher conferences and worked with learners to complete this week's assignments. Note: If you have not completed Quickwrite 71, this needs to be done ASAP. You have until 4:00 p.m. to get it done before it becomes a permanent zero.
Pro Tip: Click here to review a step-by-step tutorial on sharing and submitting links to a Google Class Doc.
Lunch with Mr. Poff (Tuesday to Friday) - Martha, Giovanni J., Emily M. A., Moctar, Dianses, Isabella V., Opal, Dustin, Tyti, MacKenzie,
Homework-Have you been keeping up with your work? Are you reviewing the Progress Checks to make sure you are keeping pace with the class to complete your assignments by the due date? Friendly reminder-Critical Thinking 74 is due today. The following learning modules in PenPal Schools are also due today: "Meet Pen Pals," "Diversity and Discrimination," "Discrimination Long Ago," and "Mahatma Gandhi." "The Fight for Civil Rights" (learning module in PenPal Schools) is due 2/3/23. Make sure you complete "RFK's Speech Following the Death of MLK" and "Malcolm X" in CommonLit by 2/2/23. All novels should be completed by 2/6/2023. We will begin the next stage of your Book Talk on Monday (2/6/23).
Google Class Doc Link
1st period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
4th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
6th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
7th period-Click here to open the Google Class Doc for your period.
Wednesday(2/1/2023)
All periods-Recap on this week's lesson and assignments. Introduction to Malcolm X. Watched BrainPop's video on Malcolm X. (Students placed newly learned information about Malcolm X into KWL Chart 76.)
Quickwrite 77
Why doesn't Malcolm X get a holiday like Martin Luther King Jr.?
Compare and Contrast 78
Create an overlapping Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Martin Luther King Jr. with Malcolm X. If you need help with this task, click here for directions, pictures, and tutorials.
Tip: When looking for similarities/differences, consider how the goals and processes of the two activist compare. Think about what they had in common. Ponder over why some people may have felt compelled to follow Malcolm over Dr. King.
Note: Venn diagrams are ideal for illustrating the similarities and differences between several different groups or concepts.
Resources
Georgia Lexile Reading Levels
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period
Thursday (2/2/2023)
Announcements: The Team Job Fair has been postponed (not canceled). We will let you know when we have rescheduled the date.
All periods-Think-Pair-Share Activity. Students will work together individually, in pairs, or in groups to complete today's assignments.
- Place the title of your book, along with the author's name under the correct column on your period's Google Class Doc. Find a great webpage that presents information your book. Embed the link into the text you placed under the column for your book's information.
- Read Empowering the Black Power Movement (CommonLit)
- Complete Quickwrite 79a
- After completing Compare and Contrast 78 and Quickwrite 79a, complete Reflection 80 (see below)
- Read Langston Hughes' Hidden Influence on MLK (4th period only)
- Complete Quickwrite 79b (4th period only)
- Log into PenPals Schools and complete "Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks" (watch video, read article, respond to 3 peers).
- Read "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions.
- Read "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions.
- Read "Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus" (CommonLit) and answer the comprehension questions.
- Use the skills you learned yesterday to create a Venn Diagram in your Digital Journal. Name it Compare and Contrast 81. Based upon the information you have learned so far, compare and contrast Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks. Enter their similarities and differences in your Venn Diagram.
Help from Mr. Reed: BrainPop's "Civil Rights" video includes information about Rosa Parks, and their "Muhammad Ali" video includes information about Malcolm X that can be added to KWL Chart 76.
Quickwrite 79a
After reading "Malcolm X," and "Empowering the Black Power Movement," answer the following questions.
1. How are the ideas of Malcolm X reflected in the Black Power Movement?
2. Why do you think some African Americans rejected ideas of integration and peaceful resistance?
How do you think Malcolm's murder in 1965 influenced the civil rights movements that followed?
Quickwrite 79b (4th period only)
1. After reading "Malcolm X" and "Langston Hughes' Hidden Influence on MLK," do you think Dr. King would have distanced himself from Malcolm, like he did with Langston Hughes? Explain (why or why not).
2. How did Dr. King, Malcolm X, and Langston Hughes contribute to furthering African Americans' rights?
Reflection 80
Imagine you lived during the Civil Rights Movement. You have been closely comparing and studying the ideas, beliefs, and philosophies of Dr. King and Malcolm X. Who would you choose to be your hero/champion for justice?
Compare and Contrast 81
Based upon the information you have learned so far, compare and contrast Helen Joseph and Rosa Parks. Enter their similarities and differences in your Venn Diagram.
Interested in learning more about the life of Malcolm X? Consider reading the critically acclaimed The Autobiography of Malcolm X for your next book talk.
Resources
The Life of Helen Joseph
Friday (2/3/22)
All periods-Academic Recovery Day.
1st period-All students on 8D voted for team superlatives in 1st period.
4th period-Student work session.
5th-7th period-Academic Recovery Day. Students failing one or more classes used today's afternoon block to complete extra credit opportunities in Math/Science or make up work in ELA/SS.
Homework-None. Remember to finish reading your book by 2/6. We will begin activities for our February Book Talk.
Assignments for the Week 2/28 to 3/4/2022
Monday (2/28/2022)
Announcement: If you are attending our S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta, click here to fill out your waiver. (You will need to complete your waiver with your parent.) All waivers must be completed by March 3, 2022. Also, the team will sponsor (buy) your lunch for the field trip-our treat.
Follow these steps to complete your iFLY waiver:
1.Click on the iFLY Event Planner link. Scroll down to the section for Guests. Click on Select Guest. Click on your name.
2. Verify (enter) your birthday.
3. Select your preferred language.
4. Complete the Check-in (Name, Email, Phone, Birthdate).
5. If it's your first time flying with iFLY Atlanta, you may have to fill out additional information.
6. Select your flying status ("Flying").
7. Carefully read the iFLY Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement (with your parents). Click the box to initial each section. Click yes or no for the Additional Questions section, sign in the box, and click Check In to complete your waiver.
8. Wait for your waiver to process and produce the Thank You page. You should receive a message that informs you that your waiver is now complete.
Note: If your name was not listed in the guest section of the iFLY Event Planner, please see Mr. Reed as soon as possible.
All periods-Lecture on Gandhi. Class watched a BrainPop video on Gandhi and completed the interactive quiz. Next, we opened Pen Pals Schools, watched the video for the Mahatma Gandhi Learning Module, read the accompanying article, and responded to the question in the discussion forum. Please remember to respond to three peers by Wednesday to complete the assignment.
Homework-Complete the Diversity and Discrimination as well as the Mahatma Gandhi Learning Modules by Wednesday (3/2). Remember to respond to at least three peers in each discussion forum.
Friendly Reminder: This Friday is a Pizza Friday. All pizza orders must be placed with Mr. Reed by this Thursday. Also, you cannot use your Chromebook to fill out the iFLY waiver (sorry for the inconvenience). The District's firewall blocks the sites for student accounts. Please use a home computing device or your mobile phones to complete the waiver.
Tuesday (3/1/2022)
All periods-Click here for a summary of today's lesson and assignments.
Announcement: If you are attending our S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta, click here to fill out your waiver. (You will need to complete your waiver with your parent.) All waivers must be completed by March 3, 2022. Also, the team will sponsor (buy) your lunch for the field trip-our treat.
Follow these steps to complete your iFLY waiver:
1.Click on the iFLY Event Planner link. Scroll down to the section for Guests. Click on Select Guest. Click on your name.
2. Verify (enter) your birthday.
3. Select your preferred language.
4. Complete the Check-in (Name, Email, Phone, Birthdate).
5. If it's your first time flying with iFLY Atlanta, you may have to fill out additional information.
6. Select your flying status ("Flying").
7. Carefully read the iFLY Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement (with your parents). Click the box to initial each section. Click yes or no for the Additional Questions section, sign in the box, and click Check In to complete your waiver.
8. Wait for your waiver to process and produce the Thank You page. You should receive a message that informs you that your waiver is now complete.
Note: If your name was not listed in the guest section of the iFLY Event Planner, please see Mr. Reed as soon as possible.
All periods-Lecture on Gandhi. Class watched a BrainPop video on Gandhi and completed the interactive quiz. Next, we opened Pen Pals Schools, watched the video for the Mahatma Gandhi Learning Module, read the accompanying article, and responded to the question in the discussion forum. Please remember to respond to three peers by Wednesday to complete the assignment.
Homework-Complete the Diversity and Discrimination as well as the Mahatma Gandhi Learning Modules by Wednesday (3/2). Remember to respond to at least three peers in each discussion forum.
Friendly Reminder: This Friday is a Pizza Friday. All pizza orders must be placed with Mr. Reed by this Thursday. Also, you cannot use your Chromebook to fill out the iFLY waiver (sorry for the inconvenience). The District's firewall blocks the sites for student accounts. Please use a home computing device or your mobile phones to complete the waiver.
Tuesday (3/1/2022)
All periods-Click here for a summary of today's lesson and assignments.
Assignments for the Week 2/21 to 2/25/2022
Monday (2/21/2022)
Announcement: No school today due to our February Break.
Tuesday (2/22/2022)
All periods-Taco Twosday Team Day. No classes.
Homework-Complete any incomplete, missing, or late assignments.
Progress Check
Wednesday (2/23/2022)
Announcement: You are a few journal entries away from your next journal check. Please invest the time this week to make sure that your Digital Journal is updated and up to par with the class' expectation. Pro Tip: Click here if you need help with updating/organizing your Digital Journal.
All periods-Today, the class worked on creating effective (short answer) written/constructed responses. As a class, we reviewed "How Salt Shook an Empire" by Sara Wilson Etienne. In this a brief informational text, the author discusses Mahatmas Gandhi's march to the sea to protest a law put in place by the British Empire. Students used their Digital Journals to complete Written Response 38 (see below). Afterwards, we discussed their work and how to make improvements to their written/constructed responses.
Homework-Written Response 38. Prepare for Digital Journal check. Review Tuesday's progress check and make sure that you have completed all assignments.
Written Response 38
1. Open "How Salt Shook an Empire" by Sara Wilson Etienne (it's linked above and under today's resources).
2. Read/review the article. Under this section, list (using bullets) how/ways how Gandhi peacefully protested against the British Empire.
3. Using the information you collected in #2, answer the following question: How does the text help readers understand the connection between peaceful protest and positive change?
4. Review/reread your answer response in #3. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being not well/very poor and 5 being excellent/extremely well done, how would you rate your short answer written response? (Be honest with your scoring and explain why.)
5. Review the R.A.P.P. Strategy for creating a written/constructed response.
6. Use the R.A.P.P. Strategy to revise/rewrite your original answer response in this section.
Resources 1st period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
4th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
6th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
7th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
Thursday(2/24/2022)
Morning Announcements
Friendly Reminder: Take a moment to read the blurb (below) about our upcoming team events/activities and voice your opinion by voting in the survey. Before completing the survey, keep the following things in mind:
1.Due to time constraints and transportation complications, only half of the team will be able to attend our S.T.E.M. Day field trip at iFLY Atlanta.
2.
All periods-How Salt Shook an Empire Written Response Activity. Interactive lesson on Mahatmas Gandhi (BrainPop and Pen Pals Schools). Compare and Contrast Movie Activity-Gandhi (Part 1 of 4).
Pro Tip: If you need help creating/setting up a Digital Journal, click here.
Announcement: No school today due to our February Break.
Tuesday (2/22/2022)
All periods-Taco Twosday Team Day. No classes.
Homework-Complete any incomplete, missing, or late assignments.
Progress Check
- Make sure that you have signed up for Pen Pals Schools account and joined our online class (see below)
- Complete your Personal Narrative (past due)
- Martin Luther King Jr. & Leadership Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Civil Rights Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Primary & Secondary Sources Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Voting Rights Act & Selma March Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Activism Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Malcolm X Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Public Speaking Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Quotation Marks Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Transitions Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- Active & Passive Voice Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- Colons & Semicolons Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- CommonLit: "How Salt Shook an Empire" (due)
- Ruby Bridges and Bravery Flocabulary Learning Module (in progress)
- CommonLit: "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding Onto History"
Wednesday (2/23/2022)
Announcement: You are a few journal entries away from your next journal check. Please invest the time this week to make sure that your Digital Journal is updated and up to par with the class' expectation. Pro Tip: Click here if you need help with updating/organizing your Digital Journal.
All periods-Today, the class worked on creating effective (short answer) written/constructed responses. As a class, we reviewed "How Salt Shook an Empire" by Sara Wilson Etienne. In this a brief informational text, the author discusses Mahatmas Gandhi's march to the sea to protest a law put in place by the British Empire. Students used their Digital Journals to complete Written Response 38 (see below). Afterwards, we discussed their work and how to make improvements to their written/constructed responses.
Homework-Written Response 38. Prepare for Digital Journal check. Review Tuesday's progress check and make sure that you have completed all assignments.
Written Response 38
1. Open "How Salt Shook an Empire" by Sara Wilson Etienne (it's linked above and under today's resources).
2. Read/review the article. Under this section, list (using bullets) how/ways how Gandhi peacefully protested against the British Empire.
3. Using the information you collected in #2, answer the following question: How does the text help readers understand the connection between peaceful protest and positive change?
4. Review/reread your answer response in #3. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being not well/very poor and 5 being excellent/extremely well done, how would you rate your short answer written response? (Be honest with your scoring and explain why.)
5. Review the R.A.P.P. Strategy for creating a written/constructed response.
6. Use the R.A.P.P. Strategy to revise/rewrite your original answer response in this section.
Resources 1st period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
4th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
6th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
7th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
Thursday(2/24/2022)
Morning Announcements
Friendly Reminder: Take a moment to read the blurb (below) about our upcoming team events/activities and voice your opinion by voting in the survey. Before completing the survey, keep the following things in mind:
1.Due to time constraints and transportation complications, only half of the team will be able to attend our S.T.E.M. Day field trip at iFLY Atlanta.
2.
All periods-How Salt Shook an Empire Written Response Activity. Interactive lesson on Mahatmas Gandhi (BrainPop and Pen Pals Schools). Compare and Contrast Movie Activity-Gandhi (Part 1 of 4).
Pro Tip: If you need help creating/setting up a Digital Journal, click here.
Friday (2/25/2022)
Announcement: If you are attending our S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta, click here to fill out your waiver. (You will need to complete your waiver with your parent.) All waivers must be completed by March 3, 2022.
Follow these steps to complete your iFLY waiver:
1.Click on the iFLY Event Planner link. Scroll down to the section for Guests. Click on Select Guest. Click on your name.
2. Verify (enter) your birthday.
3. Select your preferred language.
4. Complete the Check-in (Name, Email, Phone, Birthdate).
5. If it's your first time flying with iFLY Atlanta, you may have to fill out additional information.
6. Select your flying status ("Flying").
7. Carefully read the iFLY Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement (with your parents). Click the box to initial each section. Click yes or no for the Additional Questions section, sign in the box, and click Check In to complete your waiver.
8. Wait for your waiver to process and produce the Thank You page. You should receive a message that informs you that your waiver is now complete.
Note: If your name was not listed in the guest section of the iFLY Event Planner, please see Mr. Reed as soon as possible.
All periods-Lecture on concepts, main/central idea, and theme. Discussed the concept of discrimination and the central idea of what happens when we do not embrace diversity. The class watched Flocabulary's video on Ruby Bridges and discussed reasons why they believe she encountered discrimination. Next, discussed the class' performance on the CommonLit article, "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out . . . ." Lastly, we opened Pen Pals Schools, watched the video for the Diversity and Discrimination learning module, read the accompanying article, and responded to the question in the discussion forum.
Homework-None. (Make sure that you respond to three peers in the Diversity and Discrimination Learning Module by Wednesday.)
Announcement: If you are attending our S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta, click here to fill out your waiver. (You will need to complete your waiver with your parent.) All waivers must be completed by March 3, 2022.
Follow these steps to complete your iFLY waiver:
1.Click on the iFLY Event Planner link. Scroll down to the section for Guests. Click on Select Guest. Click on your name.
2. Verify (enter) your birthday.
3. Select your preferred language.
4. Complete the Check-in (Name, Email, Phone, Birthdate).
5. If it's your first time flying with iFLY Atlanta, you may have to fill out additional information.
6. Select your flying status ("Flying").
7. Carefully read the iFLY Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement (with your parents). Click the box to initial each section. Click yes or no for the Additional Questions section, sign in the box, and click Check In to complete your waiver.
8. Wait for your waiver to process and produce the Thank You page. You should receive a message that informs you that your waiver is now complete.
Note: If your name was not listed in the guest section of the iFLY Event Planner, please see Mr. Reed as soon as possible.
All periods-Lecture on concepts, main/central idea, and theme. Discussed the concept of discrimination and the central idea of what happens when we do not embrace diversity. The class watched Flocabulary's video on Ruby Bridges and discussed reasons why they believe she encountered discrimination. Next, discussed the class' performance on the CommonLit article, "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out . . . ." Lastly, we opened Pen Pals Schools, watched the video for the Diversity and Discrimination learning module, read the accompanying article, and responded to the question in the discussion forum.
Homework-None. (Make sure that you respond to three peers in the Diversity and Discrimination Learning Module by Wednesday.)
Assignments for the Week 2/14 to 2/18/2022
Monday (2/14/2022)
Announcement: Mr. Reed will be off campus today. Ms. Mercer will cover my afternoon classes. Please use your time wisely to complete your assignments. Also, I am expecting you guys to be the same, excellent ladies and gentlemen that I enjoy teaching in class. However, please note that any behavior problems will result in a severe consequence (no exceptions). All you need to do is come into class, work quietly as well as independently on your assignments, and have a great, drama-free Valentine's Day.
All periods-Today is a student work day and the assignments will prepare you for the lessons you will complete this week. The Quotation Marks, Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Flocabulary learning modules are due today. (If you have not completed them, get a move on it. I will not offer late credit for any of these assignments.) You have also been assigned the Ruby Bridges Flocabulary Learning Module (due this Wednesday). Take a moment to watch Flocabulary's video regarding their Black History Month Contest (it's listed in your assignments in Flocabulary). If you're interested, join the challenge to compete for the prize money. Lastly, you also have reading assignments in CommonLit: "How Salt Shook an Empire," and "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine . . . . " Please make sure that you have completed all of the assignments in the Progress Check; it's there to help.
7th period-If available, Ms. Fauntleroy may host your last day of Book Talks; otherwise, I will complete them on Tuesday when I return.
Homework-Complete the following CommonLit reading assignments by Thursday (2/17) : "Malcolm X," "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott," "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," and "Rosa Parks."
New students: If you need help signing up for CommonLit, click here for directions and your period's class code. If you need help signing up for Flocabulary, click here for directions and your period's class code.
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Friendly Reminders
Progress Check
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Tuesday (2/16/2022)
Announcement: Due to transportation issues, we now have limited seats available for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta. Previously, we have extended the deadline to allow as many students as possible to attend the event. Now, we need to assign our remaining seats on a first-come-first-go basis.
All periods-Students logged into PenPals Schools and received an in-class orientation to their global, project-learning program. After receiving an introduction to our team's selected unit (Walking to Freedom), students started the first learning module ("Meet PenPals!"). Inside the learning module, students reviewed the discussion forum question, watched the module's video, read the article, answered the discussion forum question, and responded to at least three peers.
Homework-Complete the following CommonLit reading assignments by Thursday (2/17) : "Malcolm X," "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott," "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," and "Rosa Parks."
New students: If you need help signing up for CommonLit, click here for directions and your period's class code. If you need help signing up for Flocabulary, click here for directions and your period's class code.
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Friendly Reminders
Progress Check
Wednesday (2/16/2022)
Announcement: Due to transportation issues, we now have limited seats available for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta. Previously, we have extended the deadline to allow as many students as possible to attend the event. Now, we need to assign our remaining seats on a first-come-first-go basis. We will continue to collect/accept money for iFLY until we reach our maximum number. Afterwards, students who are able to pay by 2/22/22, can receive special permission to attend Team 8C's S.T.EM. Day at iFLY on next Thursday (2/24/22).
All periods-Student Work Day. Due to last week's MAP Testing administration, I am allowing students in-class work days to catch up on their assignments. (This also ensures that all students have access to a computing device with high-speed Internet access.) While students are working, Mr. Reed held student-teacher conferences, allowed students to do make up Book Talks, reviewed/scored/entered grades, and provided troubleshooting help with the Pen Pals Schools program.
Special thanks to my students for their patience. Researching over 140 novels/books was a enormous task. But, I am glad I was able to learn about your reading selections so that I could provide better feedback on your Book Talk. As stated, you should see new grades entered this for last and this week's assignments.
Homework-Complete the following CommonLit reading assignments by Thursday (2/17) : "Malcolm X," "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott," "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," and "Rosa Parks."
New students: If you need help signing up for CommonLit, click here for directions and your period's class code. If you need help signing up for Flocabulary, click here for directions and your period's class code.
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Thursday(2/17/2022)
Announcement: All of our spots for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta have been filled. Students that would still like to attend S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta and are able to pay $40.00 by 2/22/22, can receive special permission to attend Team 8C's S.T.EM. Day at iFLY on next Thursday (2/24/22). Please see Mr. Reed or Mr. Poff for further details. Note: The team will collect final Taco Tuesday payments and permission slips in first period only. Afterwards, students will not be able to participate in this event. Remember, no school this Friday (2/18) and next Monday (2/21) due to our February Break.
Students in 1st period-Click here to complete the Taco Tuesday Team Day survey.
All periods-The class will log into Pen Pals Schools and complete the next learning module ("Discrimination a Long Time Ago") in the Walking to Freedom Unit. Mr. Reed will facilitate the digital lesson and assist students as they complete the assignment with 20,000 global peers in over 151 different countries. Students will watch the video in the "Diversity a Long Time Ago" module, read the article, answer the question in the discussion forum, and respond appropriately to at least three different peers.
Homework-Absolutely none! Enjoy your February Break ladies and gentlemen. Remember, Taco Tuesday Team Day goes down when we return to school next Tuesday. Wear your best Taco Tuesday gear and get ready for a day of fun and excitement . . . oh, and loaded nachos.
Friday (2/18/2022)
Announcement-No school due to February Break.
Announcement: Mr. Reed will be off campus today. Ms. Mercer will cover my afternoon classes. Please use your time wisely to complete your assignments. Also, I am expecting you guys to be the same, excellent ladies and gentlemen that I enjoy teaching in class. However, please note that any behavior problems will result in a severe consequence (no exceptions). All you need to do is come into class, work quietly as well as independently on your assignments, and have a great, drama-free Valentine's Day.
All periods-Today is a student work day and the assignments will prepare you for the lessons you will complete this week. The Quotation Marks, Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Flocabulary learning modules are due today. (If you have not completed them, get a move on it. I will not offer late credit for any of these assignments.) You have also been assigned the Ruby Bridges Flocabulary Learning Module (due this Wednesday). Take a moment to watch Flocabulary's video regarding their Black History Month Contest (it's listed in your assignments in Flocabulary). If you're interested, join the challenge to compete for the prize money. Lastly, you also have reading assignments in CommonLit: "How Salt Shook an Empire," and "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine . . . . " Please make sure that you have completed all of the assignments in the Progress Check; it's there to help.
7th period-If available, Ms. Fauntleroy may host your last day of Book Talks; otherwise, I will complete them on Tuesday when I return.
Homework-Complete the following CommonLit reading assignments by Thursday (2/17) : "Malcolm X," "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott," "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," and "Rosa Parks."
New students: If you need help signing up for CommonLit, click here for directions and your period's class code. If you need help signing up for Flocabulary, click here for directions and your period's class code.
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Friendly Reminders
- No school this Friday (2/18) and next Monday (2/21) due to our February Break.
- Next Tuesday is our Taco Tuesday Team Day. (All participants must turn in their permission slips and $13.00 by this Thursday-2/17.)
- iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and money is also due 2/17/2022 for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta.
- This Thursday (2/17) is Parent-Teacher Conference Night (please contact Mr. Poff to make an appointment).
- Due to Parent-Teacher Conference Night, this Thursday's after school tutorial has been cancelled.
Progress Check
- Make sure that you have signed up for Pen Pals Schools account and joined our online class (see below)
- Complete your Personal Narrative (past due)
- Martin Luther King Jr. & Leadership Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Civil Rights Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Primary & Secondary Sources Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Voting Rights Act & Selma March Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Activism Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Malcolm X Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Public Speaking Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Quotation Marks Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Transitions Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- Active & Passive Voice Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- Colons & Semicolons Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- CommonLit: "How Salt Shook an Empire" (in progress)
- Ruby Bridges and Bravery Flocabulary Learning Module (in progress)
- CommonLit: "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding Onto History"
- Return signed permission slip and $12.00 for Taco Tuesday Team Day (due 2/17/2022)
- Return signed permission slip and $40.00 for S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY (due 2/17/2022)
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Tuesday (2/16/2022)
Announcement: Due to transportation issues, we now have limited seats available for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta. Previously, we have extended the deadline to allow as many students as possible to attend the event. Now, we need to assign our remaining seats on a first-come-first-go basis.
All periods-Students logged into PenPals Schools and received an in-class orientation to their global, project-learning program. After receiving an introduction to our team's selected unit (Walking to Freedom), students started the first learning module ("Meet PenPals!"). Inside the learning module, students reviewed the discussion forum question, watched the module's video, read the article, answered the discussion forum question, and responded to at least three peers.
Homework-Complete the following CommonLit reading assignments by Thursday (2/17) : "Malcolm X," "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott," "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," and "Rosa Parks."
New students: If you need help signing up for CommonLit, click here for directions and your period's class code. If you need help signing up for Flocabulary, click here for directions and your period's class code.
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Friendly Reminders
- No school this Friday (2/18) and next Monday (2/21) due to our February Break.
- Next Tuesday is our Taco Tuesday Team Day. (All participants must turn in their permission slips and $13.00 by this Thursday-2/17.)
- iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and money will continue to be collected until all seats are filled. We will try to collect money until 2/17/2022 for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta. However at this point, seats are first-come-first-go due to transportation limitations.
- This Thursday (2/17) is Parent-Teacher Conference Night (please contact Mr. Poff to make an appointment).
- Due to Parent-Teacher Conference Night, this Thursday's after school tutorial has been cancelled.
Progress Check
- Make sure that you have signed up for Pen Pals Schools account and joined our online class (see below)
- Complete your Personal Narrative (past due)
- Martin Luther King Jr. & Leadership Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Civil Rights Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Primary & Secondary Sources Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Voting Rights Act & Selma March Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Activism Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Malcolm X Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Public Speaking Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Quotation Marks Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Transitions Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- Active & Passive Voice Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- Colons & Semicolons Flocabulary Learning Module (due)
- CommonLit: "How Salt Shook an Empire" (in progress)
- Ruby Bridges and Bravery Flocabulary Learning Module (in progress)
- CommonLit: "The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding Onto History"
- Return signed permission slip and $12.00 for Taco Tuesday Team Day (due 2/17/2022)
- Return signed permission slip and $40.00 for S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY (due 2/17/2022)
Wednesday (2/16/2022)
Announcement: Due to transportation issues, we now have limited seats available for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta. Previously, we have extended the deadline to allow as many students as possible to attend the event. Now, we need to assign our remaining seats on a first-come-first-go basis. We will continue to collect/accept money for iFLY until we reach our maximum number. Afterwards, students who are able to pay by 2/22/22, can receive special permission to attend Team 8C's S.T.EM. Day at iFLY on next Thursday (2/24/22).
All periods-Student Work Day. Due to last week's MAP Testing administration, I am allowing students in-class work days to catch up on their assignments. (This also ensures that all students have access to a computing device with high-speed Internet access.) While students are working, Mr. Reed held student-teacher conferences, allowed students to do make up Book Talks, reviewed/scored/entered grades, and provided troubleshooting help with the Pen Pals Schools program.
Special thanks to my students for their patience. Researching over 140 novels/books was a enormous task. But, I am glad I was able to learn about your reading selections so that I could provide better feedback on your Book Talk. As stated, you should see new grades entered this for last and this week's assignments.
Homework-Complete the following CommonLit reading assignments by Thursday (2/17) : "Malcolm X," "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott," "Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin," and "Rosa Parks."
New students: If you need help signing up for CommonLit, click here for directions and your period's class code. If you need help signing up for Flocabulary, click here for directions and your period's class code.
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Thursday(2/17/2022)
Announcement: All of our spots for our 3/10/2022 S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta have been filled. Students that would still like to attend S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY Atlanta and are able to pay $40.00 by 2/22/22, can receive special permission to attend Team 8C's S.T.EM. Day at iFLY on next Thursday (2/24/22). Please see Mr. Reed or Mr. Poff for further details. Note: The team will collect final Taco Tuesday payments and permission slips in first period only. Afterwards, students will not be able to participate in this event. Remember, no school this Friday (2/18) and next Monday (2/21) due to our February Break.
Students in 1st period-Click here to complete the Taco Tuesday Team Day survey.
All periods-The class will log into Pen Pals Schools and complete the next learning module ("Discrimination a Long Time Ago") in the Walking to Freedom Unit. Mr. Reed will facilitate the digital lesson and assist students as they complete the assignment with 20,000 global peers in over 151 different countries. Students will watch the video in the "Diversity a Long Time Ago" module, read the article, answer the question in the discussion forum, and respond appropriately to at least three different peers.
Homework-Absolutely none! Enjoy your February Break ladies and gentlemen. Remember, Taco Tuesday Team Day goes down when we return to school next Tuesday. Wear your best Taco Tuesday gear and get ready for a day of fun and excitement . . . oh, and loaded nachos.
Friday (2/18/2022)
Announcement-No school due to February Break.
Assignments for the Week 2/7 to 2/12/2022
Monday (2/7/2022)
Announcement: The 4.5 Progress Report grades will be posted on 2/10/2022.
All periods-Day 1 of our Book Talks. Mr. Reed started all class sessions by explaining today's Book Talk structure (expectations, presentation order, purpose of teacher feedback, etc.). Students volunteered to present their Book Talks on Day 1 (with +15 bonus pts. awarded). All presenters received teacher praise/feedback. Job well done guys; can't wait for tomorrow.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Progress Check
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Tuesday (2/8/2022)
All periods-Day 2 of our Book Talks. Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Wednesday (2/9/2022)
Announcement: HMS will conduct a Severe Weather Drill at 9:10 a.m. Be ready. Don't forget: 1) Taco Tuesday Team Day permission slips and $13.00 are due on 2/17/2022; 2) iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and $40.00 are due on 2/17/2022. We will not have any field trips in April due to Georgia Milestone Testing.
All periods-Day 3 of our Book Talks. Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Thursday(2/10/2022)
Announcements: Don't forget: 1) Taco Tuesday Team Day permission slips and $13.00 are due on 2/17/2022; 2) iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and $40.00 are due on 2/17/2022. We will not have any field trips in April due to Georgia Milestone Testing.
All periods-Day 4 of our Book Talks. Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Friday (2/12/2022)
Announcements: Don't forget: 1) Taco Tuesday Team Day permission slips and $13.00 are due on 2/17/2022; 2) iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and $40.00 are due on 2/17/2022. We will not have any field trips in April due to Georgia Milestone Testing.
All periods-Day 5 of our Book Talks (last day). Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Announcement: The 4.5 Progress Report grades will be posted on 2/10/2022.
All periods-Day 1 of our Book Talks. Mr. Reed started all class sessions by explaining today's Book Talk structure (expectations, presentation order, purpose of teacher feedback, etc.). Students volunteered to present their Book Talks on Day 1 (with +15 bonus pts. awarded). All presenters received teacher praise/feedback. Job well done guys; can't wait for tomorrow.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Progress Check
- Make sure that you have signed up for Pen Pals Schools (see below)
- Complete your Personal Narrative (past due)
- Martin Luther King Jr. & Leadership Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Civil Rights Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Primary & Secondary Sources Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Voting Rights Act & Selma March Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Activism Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Malcolm X Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Public Speaking Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Quotation Marks Flocabulary Learning Module (past due)
- Transitions Flocabulary Learning Module (in progress)
- Active & Passive Voice Flocabulary Learning Module (in progress)
- Colons & Semicolons Flocabulary Learning Module (in progress)
- Return signed permission slip and $12.00 for Taco Tuesday Team Day (due 2/18/2022)
- Return signed permission slip and $40.00 for S.T.E.M. Day at iFLY (due 2/18/2022)
Need help signing up for Pen Pal Schools and joining our team's digital classroom? Click here, and scroll down to the How to Enroll section for step-by-step directions. You can also use the Pen Pal Schools Student Guide.
Pen Pal Schools Classroom Code: nz84436
Tuesday (2/8/2022)
All periods-Day 2 of our Book Talks. Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Wednesday (2/9/2022)
Announcement: HMS will conduct a Severe Weather Drill at 9:10 a.m. Be ready. Don't forget: 1) Taco Tuesday Team Day permission slips and $13.00 are due on 2/17/2022; 2) iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and $40.00 are due on 2/17/2022. We will not have any field trips in April due to Georgia Milestone Testing.
All periods-Day 3 of our Book Talks. Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Thursday(2/10/2022)
Announcements: Don't forget: 1) Taco Tuesday Team Day permission slips and $13.00 are due on 2/17/2022; 2) iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and $40.00 are due on 2/17/2022. We will not have any field trips in April due to Georgia Milestone Testing.
All periods-Day 4 of our Book Talks. Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Friday (2/12/2022)
Announcements: Don't forget: 1) Taco Tuesday Team Day permission slips and $13.00 are due on 2/17/2022; 2) iFLY S.T.E.M. Day permission slips and $40.00 are due on 2/17/2022. We will not have any field trips in April due to Georgia Milestone Testing.
All periods-Day 5 of our Book Talks (last day). Students were randomly called to present their Book Talk during class.
Note: I believe Flocabulary reassigned the Quotation Marks Learning Module twice. You only need to complete this assignment once. My apologies for any confusion.
Homework-Complete the Transitions, Active & Passive Voice, and Colons & Semicolons Learning Modules in Flocabulary (due 2/12/2022). Continue practicing for your Book Talk if you have not presented. Check the Progress Check (below) to make sure you are on track with your period's assignments.
Assignments for the Week 1/31 to 2/4/2022
Monday (1/31/2022)
Announcement: Special shout out to our very own GRADY ELLERMAN for being voted one of The-Best-of-the-Best Middle School Basketball Players in the DeKalb County School District! We're proud of you sir.
All periods-Quickwrite 37. Introduction to the art of Public Speaking and creating a speech that demonstrates your command of formal English. The class watched BrainPop's Public Speaking video and completed the interactive quiz. Next, we watched Flocabulary's Public Speaking Skills video and discussed how to create an outline for our upcoming Book Talk speech. Lastly, the class reviewed and discussed the Book Talk Rubric (see below). The class concluded with a Book Talk questions and answer segment.
Homework-Complete the Public Speaking Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Wednesday). Use your period's Book Talk Rubric to create an outline for your speech and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Begin practicing your speech for your Book Talk. Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Tip: If you are struggling with creating an outline for your Book Talk speech, use the Book Report outline to help your speech.
Quickwrite 37-Create a 2x2 graphic organizer that lists reading and literary skills that you have learned so far in your English Language Arts studies. (Note: This is not limited to your eighth grade academic school year.) Column 1-Reading Skills. Column 2-Literary Skills. (Pro Tip-Look at the Word Wall in our classroom for examples.)
Resources
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period
Book Report Outline
1st period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
4th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
6th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
7th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
Tuesday (2/1/2022)
Announcement: Special shout out to our very own GRADY ELLERMAN for being voted one of The-Best-of-the-Best Middle School Basketball Players in the DeKalb County School District! We're proud of you sir.
All periods-Today we will begin drafting your Book Talk outlines for your presentation. Below are a list of things that should provide you with a great foundation for your outline. 1) Open a blank document using Word Online or Google Docs. 2) Title the document: Book Talk Outline 1. 3) Create subtitles for each section in your outline (see the bolded words below) and then input your information. 4) Share a link to your outline on your period's Google Class Doc. 5) *Drake voice* #ThankMeLater. This will be a handy resource to help you prepare for your presentation next week.
Heads Up: Tomorrow we will work on the art of presenting your Book Talk within a specific time period. Bring your novels to class tomorrow.
Homework-Complete the Public Speaking Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Wednesday). Create an outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Resources
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period
Book Report Outline
1st period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
4th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
6th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
7th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
Wednesday (2/2/2022)
Announcement: Today, you will need your novel in class.
All periods-Student Workshop: Public Speaking/Presentation Skills. Students used the sample script (below) to present a 15 second speech to their classmates. Students evaluated their stage presence and identified things they would like to improve for their final presentation.
Good afternoon, my name is __________________________ (your name). Recently, I read _________________________ (name of book) by ____________________ (author). It’s a ________ (genre of book) about ________________ (protagonist) . . .
Homework-Complete the Public Speaking Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Wednesday). Create an outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Thursday(2/3/2022)
Announcement: Today, you will need your novel in class.
All periods-Student Work Day. Students worked on their Book Talk outlines. Mr. Reed held student-teacher conferences.
Homework-Complete the Quotations Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Monday). Complete your outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Friday (2/4/2022)
Announcement: Today, you will need your novel in class.
All periods-This week's last student work day. Students worked on their Book Talk outlines. Mr. Reed held student-teacher conferences.
Homework-Complete the Quotations Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Monday). Complete your outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Announcement: Special shout out to our very own GRADY ELLERMAN for being voted one of The-Best-of-the-Best Middle School Basketball Players in the DeKalb County School District! We're proud of you sir.
All periods-Quickwrite 37. Introduction to the art of Public Speaking and creating a speech that demonstrates your command of formal English. The class watched BrainPop's Public Speaking video and completed the interactive quiz. Next, we watched Flocabulary's Public Speaking Skills video and discussed how to create an outline for our upcoming Book Talk speech. Lastly, the class reviewed and discussed the Book Talk Rubric (see below). The class concluded with a Book Talk questions and answer segment.
Homework-Complete the Public Speaking Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Wednesday). Use your period's Book Talk Rubric to create an outline for your speech and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Begin practicing your speech for your Book Talk. Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Tip: If you are struggling with creating an outline for your Book Talk speech, use the Book Report outline to help your speech.
Quickwrite 37-Create a 2x2 graphic organizer that lists reading and literary skills that you have learned so far in your English Language Arts studies. (Note: This is not limited to your eighth grade academic school year.) Column 1-Reading Skills. Column 2-Literary Skills. (Pro Tip-Look at the Word Wall in our classroom for examples.)
Resources
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period
Book Report Outline
1st period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
4th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
6th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
7th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
Tuesday (2/1/2022)
Announcement: Special shout out to our very own GRADY ELLERMAN for being voted one of The-Best-of-the-Best Middle School Basketball Players in the DeKalb County School District! We're proud of you sir.
All periods-Today we will begin drafting your Book Talk outlines for your presentation. Below are a list of things that should provide you with a great foundation for your outline. 1) Open a blank document using Word Online or Google Docs. 2) Title the document: Book Talk Outline 1. 3) Create subtitles for each section in your outline (see the bolded words below) and then input your information. 4) Share a link to your outline on your period's Google Class Doc. 5) *Drake voice* #ThankMeLater. This will be a handy resource to help you prepare for your presentation next week.
- Introduction (Greet your audience, introduce yourself, state the name of the book you read, the author(s) who wrote it, and the genre of your novel.)
- Author Background/Information (Where was your author born, raised, and currently residing (if applicable)? Provide a very brief history of their career, things that the author may be well-known for, any literary awards/honors/accolades received, and their motivation/inspiration for writing this book . . . if this data is available)
- Plot Summary (Summarize the plot (in your own words) without giving away the ending. Use literary terms to discuss the type of narration/point of view, where the action of the story takes place (setting). the main characters (protagonist/antagonist), their types of conflict/complications (internal/external), and deliver a hook that will encourage your audience to read the book.)
- Recommendation/Qualifications (Who would you recommend this book to? Tell your audience why you selected this book and what makes it a good/great read. Did you have a favorite character? Why? What make this character unique/special. Were they dynamic or static? How did the author use your favorite character to advance the plot of the story? Did you appreciate specific thematic messages that certain characters learned? Could they be applied to your personal life? (Only share this information if it does not give away the resolution of the story.) Is the book's title appropriate? How does it connect to the story? (If you can share that information without giving away important details in the plot that should remain a secret.) Note: It's acceptable to say that you did not enjoy reading the book and why. Even though you would not recommend it directly to your friends, you may have peers in the audience with different tastes in literature. Therefore, still include the book's Lexile score (if available) and it's appropriateness for readers in a specific range/grade level. You may also want to encourage lovers of the book's genre or people who enjoy particular themes/topics to read the book. Lastly, if a reader needs a particular skill set to truly enjoy and comprehend the novel, you may want to inform your audience of this information-ex. making inferences, recognizing foreshadowing, understanding types of irony, appreciating the use of suspense, character development, conflict and resolution, using context clues/surrounding text to learn new vocabulary, etc.)
Heads Up: Tomorrow we will work on the art of presenting your Book Talk within a specific time period. Bring your novels to class tomorrow.
Homework-Complete the Public Speaking Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Wednesday). Create an outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Resources
Book Talk Rubric for 1st/6th/7th period
Book Talk Rubric for 4th period
Book Report Outline
1st period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
4th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
6th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
7th period, click here to open your period's Google Class Doc.
Wednesday (2/2/2022)
Announcement: Today, you will need your novel in class.
All periods-Student Workshop: Public Speaking/Presentation Skills. Students used the sample script (below) to present a 15 second speech to their classmates. Students evaluated their stage presence and identified things they would like to improve for their final presentation.
Good afternoon, my name is __________________________ (your name). Recently, I read _________________________ (name of book) by ____________________ (author). It’s a ________ (genre of book) about ________________ (protagonist) . . .
Homework-Complete the Public Speaking Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Wednesday). Create an outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Thursday(2/3/2022)
Announcement: Today, you will need your novel in class.
All periods-Student Work Day. Students worked on their Book Talk outlines. Mr. Reed held student-teacher conferences.
Homework-Complete the Quotations Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Monday). Complete your outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.
Friday (2/4/2022)
Announcement: Today, you will need your novel in class.
All periods-This week's last student work day. Students worked on their Book Talk outlines. Mr. Reed held student-teacher conferences.
Homework-Complete the Quotations Learning Module in Flocabulary (due Monday). Complete your outline for your Book Talk and submit it to your period's Google Class Doc (due Friday). Practice presenting your Book Talk (friends, family, teachers, etc.). Presentations will begin the week of February 7th, 2022.