8th Grade Language Arts Blog

Week of Jan 30 - Classwork & Homework

2012-01-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

REMEMBER - If you need homework help, make use of M/W/F morning resource time or make an appointment after school to meet with Ms. Barnes.

Bring your choice book for SSR (silent sustained reading) EVERY DAY!

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing
Review literary elements
Work on Book Review and Book Jacket - due Fri Feb 3
Connection Paper and Bookmark past due
Textbook - "There Will Come Soft Rains" - discussion and draft review
Literary Devices

Book Project

Week of Jan. 23 - Classwork and Homework

2012-01-23T12:35:00.000-08:00

NO SCHOOL Friday, January 27th - midterm grading

REMEMBER - If you need homework help, make use of M/W/F morning resource time or make an appointment after school to meet with Ms. Barnes.

Bring your choice book for SSR (silent sustained reading) EVERY DAY!

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing
Review literary elements
Finish "Connection Paper" and discuss "Book Review"
Textbook - "There Will Come Soft Rains"

Book Project

Week of Jan. 16th Classwork/Homework

2012-01-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

NO SCHOOL Monday, January 6th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

REMEMBER - If you need homework help, make use of M/W/F morning resource time or make an appointment after school to meet with Ms. Barnes.

Bring your choice book for SSR (silent sustained reading) EVERY DAY!

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing
Review literary elements
Discuss Book Project "Connection Paper"

Book Project

Week of Jan 9th - Classwork/Homewwork

2012-01-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

REMEMBER - If you need homework help, make use of M/W/F morning resource time or make an appointment after school to meet with Ms. Barnes.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

Book Project

Students need to continue reading their chosen books for the current book project (fantasy, mystery or sci-fi), and need to budget how many pages to read daily so that they finish on time. All information and guideline sheets will be provided: Day-to-Day Bookmark, Connection Paper, Book Jacket & Review Project. The Book Jacket will include specific information and reflect original artwork. The review should be 300 words. It should include information about characters, setting, action or events, conflict, language, narration and imagery. Get approval from the teacher before writing the final copy. All Monroe classes expect quality work - please focus on this.

Related deadlines:
DUE JAN 20 - Connection paper (same directions as for previous project)
DUE JAN 26 - Finish book (finish book complete yellow bookmark info)
DUE FEB 3 - Book jacket/review project

Grammar
JAN 13 - Verb Quiz

SOCIAL STUDIES
DUE JAN 6 - Family Service
DUE JAN 6 - Jamestown paragraph

Shelly Moon Workshop
The concluding performances for this special writing workshop will be on Thursday, January 12 during 3rd and 6th periods and all the eighth graders will have an opportunity see them.

Shelley Moon is a poet, playwright and proud instigator of social change. She is a seasoned performer who allows the creative arts to inspire shifts in social consciousness and spiritual evolution.

Shelley Moon helps people find their voice and how to use it. She supports participants in her workshops through the process of telling the stories they need to tell and letting go of the ones they no longer need.

Through her Artist-In-Residency programs for school children and through her therapeutic Personal Narratives Workshops for all facets of communities, Shelley Moon encourages opening and transformation for all who participate. [from http://www.creativevoiceinyou.com/]

Week of Dec. 5th - Classwork/Homework

2011-12-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

"Every Day Edit"
daily editing practice (capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar)

Vocabulary
On a sheet of notebook paper define each vocabulary word - due Wed., Dec. 7th
Complete vocabulary sentences provided (fill in the blank) - due Thu., Dec. 8th

myriad, perspective, perturb, prodigious, relevant, skittish, tether, unison, vie, willful

Challenge List: banal, beguile, belie, belligerent, benediction, benevolent, benign, bequeath, blight

Cultural Book Project

Students need to continue reading their chosen books for the cultural book project, and need to budget how many pages to read daily so that they finish on time.

Related deadlines:
Fri Nov 18th - parent signature due
Wed Nov 23rd - 1/3 of the book must be read
Wed Nov 30th - 2/3 of the book must be read
Tue Dec 6th - the connection paper is written
Thu Dec 8 - must be finished reading the book (including author's note/info)
Fri Dec 9 - cover for the project is completed
Mon Dec 12 - story web is completed
Wed Dec 14 - cultural info with all other project parts - project due

SOCIAL STUDIES
Shelly Moon Workshop - M/T/Th/F this week
Shelley Moon is a poet, playwright and proud instigator of social change. She is a seasoned performer who allows the creative arts to inspire shifts in social consciousness and spiritual evolution.

Shelley Moon helps people find their voice and how to use it. She supports participants in her workshops through the process of telling the stories they need to tell and letting go of the ones they no longer need.

Through her Artist-In-Residency programs for school children and through her therapeutic Personal Narratives Workshops for all facets of communities, Shelley Moon encourages opening and transformation for all who participate. [from http://www.creativevoiceinyou.com/]

Week of Nov. 28th - Classwork/Homework

2011-11-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

NO SCHOOL - Fri., Dec. 2nd

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

Memorize 23 Helping Verbs - quiz Thu Dec 1
[is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, has, have, had, do, does, did, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, could]

"Every Day Edit" - daily editing practice (capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar)

Prepare connections paper

Cultural Book Project

Week of Nov 21st - Classwork/Homework

2011-11-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

NO SCHOOL - Thu., Nov. 24th and Fri., Nov. 25th

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

Thanksgiving Guest essay - due Wed., Nov. 23rd including:
- 2-paragraphs, 5-9 sentences per paragraph, including topic and concluding sentences
- a transitional sentence which smoothly takes the reader from paragraph one to paragraph two
- six+1 traits; focus on organization, word choice, and sentence fluency
- neatly written in ink or word processed, *remember to edit before printing

Cultural Book Project

Week of Nov. 14th Classwork & Homework

2011-11-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

Students need to continue reading their chosen books for the cultural book project, and need to budget how many pages to read daily so that they finish on time.

Related deadlines:
Fri Nov 18th - parent signature due
Wed Nov 23rd - 1/3 of the book must be read
Wed Nov 30th - 2/3 of the book must be read
Tue Dec 6th - the connection paper is written
Thu Dec 8 - must be finished reading the book (including author's note/info)
Fri Dec 9 - cover for the project is completed
Mon Dec 12 - story web is completed
Wed Dec 14 - cultural info with all other project parts - due

Vocabulary
Unit 3a: allot, amass, audacious, comply, devoid, elite, grapple, incapacitate, instigate, longevity

Review all words from 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3a
Definitions due Wed Nov 16 (flashcards optional); whole class "vocab bee" Fri Nov 18

SOCIAL STUDIES
Native American Societies around 1500 - Quiz Fri Nov 18th (ok to use notes)
Map of Native American Societies - due Fri Nov 18th
Map of African cultures during the 1500s - continue working on

Week of Oct. 31st - Classwork and Homework

2011-11-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

"Signs of Fall" descriptive writing assignment; graphic organizer
Three Critical Features of Descriptive Writing:
- Paint a word picture for the reader
- Use words that appeal to the senses: taste, touch, hearing, sight, smell
- Stay in the same tense
All good writing is descriptive.

Sentences: simple, compound, complex
Include and identify complex sentences in your writing. A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Romeo and Juliet - all-school morning field trip to Hult Center Thursday, November 3rd.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Personal time line Due Thu. 11/3

Week of Oct. 17th - Classwork/Homework

2011-10-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

Continue writing book report - guideline sheet and class time provided - due Oct 25th.
This paper must be in YOUR OWN WORDS, plagiarism is not permitted
Paragraph 1 - intro
Paragraph 2 - setting
Paragraph 3 - characters
Paragraph 4 - plot
Paragraph 5 - analysis
Don't forget spelling, capitalization, neatness and quotation marks where necessary

Vocabulary
Unit 2a: antics, avowed, banter, bountiful, congested, detriment, durable, enterprising, frugal, gingerly
flash cards due - Wed Oct. 19th; crossword puzzle due - Thu Oct 20th

Challenge List: abstract, acclaim, accolade, acquiescent, acrimony, adamant, adroit, advocate, affable
flash cards due - Wed Oct. 19th; paired practice in class

SOCIAL STUDIES
Review 5 Themes of Geography - Quiz Fri Oct 28th
- location: the "where" of geography; in relation to other things
- place: human and physical characteristics
- human/environmental interaction: humans interact with and change their environment
- human movement: the transfer of people, products, ideas; why people moved
- regions: areas with similar characteristics
World Map - complete in class, if unfinished do as homework

Week of Oct 10 - CLasswork/Homework - Periods 1,4,6

2011-10-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

WEEK OF OCT 3rd

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing

Finish discussing "The Landlady" in textbook pg. 71

Re-write Emerson's poem "What is Success?" - due Thu 10/6

Begin writing book report - guideline sheet and class time provided - due Oct 25th.
This paper must be in YOUR OWN WORDS, plagiarism is not permitted
Paragraph 1 - intro
Paragraph 2 - setting
Paragraph 3 - characters
Paragraph 4 - plot
Paragraph 5 - analysis
Don't forget spelling, capitalization, neatness and quotation marks where necessary

Reading Logs
Reading Log #4 - due Mon 10/10

Entry 1 - conflict description (internal/external)

Entry 2 - foreshadowing (1-3 clues) and prediction

Entry 3 - main character development

(what does the character think, feel say, do, look like?;

what do others say about the character?)

SOCIAL STUDIES
History "Frozen Moments"
The 5 Themes of Geography
- location: the "where" of geography; in relation to other things
- place: human and physical characteristics
- human/environmental interaction: humans interact with and change their environment
- human movement: the transfer of people, products, ideas; why people moved
- regions: areas with similar characteristics

Week of Oct 3 - Classwork/Homework - Periods 1,4,6

2011-10-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

WEEK OF OCT 3rd

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading/Writing
Writing fluency essay - essay about a specific successful person - in class Mon 10/3

Read "The Landlady" in textbook pg. 71 - in class Wed Oct 5, and due Fri Oct 7

Re-write Emerson's poem "What is Success?" - due Thu 10/6

Reading Logs

Reading Log #3 - due Mon 10/3
Reading Log #4 - due Mon 10/10

Entry 1 - conflict description (internal/external)

Entry 2 - foreshadowing (1-3 clues) and prediction

Entry 3 - main character development

(what does the character think, feel say, do, look like?;

what do others say about the character?)

Vocabulary
Vocab 1b definitions - due Wed 10/5
Vocab sentences - due Thu 10/6
Vocab quiz - Fri 10/7
hover, jostle, laggard, plaudits, preclude, revert, rubble, servile, vigil, wrangle

SOCIAL STUDIES
History "Frozen Moments"
The 5 Themes of Geography
- location: the "where" of geography; in relation to other things
- place: human and physical characteristics
- human/environmental interaction: humans interact with and change their environment
- human movement: the transfer of people, products, ideas; why people moved
- regions: areas with similar characteristics

WEEK of SEP 26 - Classwork/Homework - Periods 1,4,6

2011-09-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

READING/WRITING
"Broken Chain" (p. 16-24) - read by Wed 9/28
Four types of sentences worksheet - complete in class Wed 9/28

A declarative sentence makes a statement and is punctuated by a period.

An imperative sentence is a polite command or request. It ends in a period or exclamation mark.

An exclamatory sentence expresses great emotion or excitement. It ends in an exclamation mark.

An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends in a question mark.

Writing fluency essay "What is Success?" - Thu 9/29 in computer lab

READING LOGS
Reading Log #2 - due Tue 9/27
Reading Log #3 - due 10/3

VOCABULARY
Vocab definitions - due Wed 9/28
Vocab sentences - due Thu 9/29
Vocab Quiz Fri - 9/30
adage, bonanza, churlish, citadel, collaborate, decree, discordant, evolve, excerpt, grope

Have a Great Summer!

2011-06-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Good Luck Freshman!
Eighth graders concluded their time at Monroe with poster projects, a field trip, promotion ceremony, and dance. Thanks to the students for their good work this year. We encourage students to continue to read, write, draw and explore during this summer. Visit local book shops or any of the Eugene Public Library locations.

Best wishes for your future,
Ms. Barnes and Ms. Hagerty

Poetry and Poster Project

2011-05-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

Poetry

Students have started a unit on poetry. By the end of the week they will need to select their favorite poem or poet. Students may wish to explore poetry in the class textbooks, the public library, or poetry websites like http://www.poets.org/.

Final Project Posters - Due Tuesday, June 7th

Students have been assigned to star their year-end culminating project posters. This is an annual tradition for 8th graders; the final products will be displayed in the courtyard for "promotion day." The posters will contain students' best writing assignments from this year, personal images and/or symbols, and a decoratively designed layout with a name alliteration phrase (ie., Crystal's Cachet, or Crystal's Capsule, or Creative Crystal). The design will include a border, a color scheme, spacing, and matting. Things to avoid: overcrowding, no color or too many colors, no images, light pencil sketches, drawing directly on the background paper.

Poetry and Poster Planning

2011-05-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Reading

All students should have finished A Soldier's Heart and returned their copy to the school library. Students are studying the theme of the American Dream in relation to the 8th grade Ellis Island unit. They will soon begin studying poetry.

Writing

PAST DUE - Autobiography and BioPoem - edited and typed final drafts were due Tue., May 17th.

PAST DUE - Soldier's Heart study guide (blue book) and vocab chart.

Final Project Posters

Students will begin planning year-end culminating project posters this week. This is an annual tradition for 8th graders; the final products will be displayed in the courtyard for their promotion day. The posters will contain students' best writing assignments from this year, personal images and/or symbols, and a decoratively designed layout with a name alliteration phrase (ie., Crystal's Cachet, or Crystal's Capsule, or Creative Crystal). The design will include a border, a color scheme, spacing, and matting. Things to avoid: overcrowding, no color or too many colors, no images, light pencil sketches, drawing directly on the background paper.

Writing Assignments Due

2011-05-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

Reading

All students should have finished A Soldier's Heart and returned their copy to the school library. We are studying the theme of the American Dream in relation to the 8th grade Ellis Island unit. Next week we will also begin studying poetry.

Writing

Per. 3, 4, 5, 6 - Autobiography and BioPoem - edited and typed final drafts due Tue., May 17th.

PAST DUE - Soldier's Heart study guide (blue book) and vocab chart.

Assignments due

2011-05-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

This week...
We are doing assignment catch-up, along with completing online Easy CBM testing in reading and vocabulary.

Reading

All students should have finished A Soldier's Heart and returned their copy to the school library.

Writing - assignments were due Friday, May 6th
Soldier's Heart blue booklet study guide; autobiographies, biopoems.
Drafts must be edited with an staff member of our class
and submitted to Ms. Barnes before final editions will be accepted.

"Soldier's Heart," Autobiographies, Punctuation Practice

2011-05-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Reading

All of Ms. Barnes' students have checked out a copy of A Soldier's Heart from the school library. We are continuing to read approximately one chapter per day.

Reading Schedule

Read Ch. 9 on Monday, May 2nd

Read Ch. 10 together in class Tuesday, May 3rd

Soldier's Heart blue booklet study guide due Friday, May 6th

Writing

Autobiography - complete draft due Friday, May 6th

Plenty of time was given in class for this writing assignment, but if behind, students should've continued writing at home. Skip lines, keep your copy in your binder, and bring to class everyday.

Paragraph 1: intro paragraph - state thesis w/a "hook"

Paragraph 2: 1st body paragraph - describe your past w/an anecdote

Paragraph 3: 2nd body paragraph - describe your current life w/one memorable middle school event

Paragraph 4: 3rd body paragraph - describe your future w/plans, goals, hopes

Paragraph 5: conclusion paragraph - summary of highlights, conclude w/quotation or your personal "motto"

BioPoem - due Monday, May 9th

A direction and sample sheet was provided for this assignment and we started this project in class Thursday, May 5th.

Punctuation Practice

We are practicing identifying independent clauses, coordinating conjunctions, and accompanying punctuation.

"Soldier's Heart" and Autobiographies

2011-04-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

HS Planning

Counselors from Sheldon High School will be at Monroe Tuesday, April 26th to help 8th graders complete course selection forms for next year.

Reading

All of Ms. Barnes' students checked out a copy of A Soldier's Heart from the school library today. We are continuing to read approximately one chapter per day.

Reading Schedule

Read Ch. 5 on Monday, April 25th

Read Ch. 6 on Tuesday, April 26th

Read Ch. 7 on Wednesday, April 27th

Read Ch. 8 on Thursday, April 28th

Writing

We've started a draft of our 5-paragraph autobiographies. Most of the writing will be done in class, but if behind, you should continue writing at home. Skip lines, keep your copy in your binder, and bring to class everyday.

Paragraph 1: (last week) intro paragraph - state thesis w/a "hook"

Paragraph 2: (last week) 1st body paragraph - describe your past w/an anecdote

Paragraph 3: (this week) 2nd body paragraph - describe your current life w/one memorable middle school event

Paragraph 4: (this week) 2nd body paragraph - describe your future w/plans, goals, hopes

Paragraph 5: (next week) conclusion paragraph - summary of highlights, conclude w/quotation or your personal "motto"

"Soldier's Heart" and Autobiographies

2011-04-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

Reading

We read Flowers for Algernon last week and today we held a discussion about its topic, artificially enhanced human intelligence.

All of Ms. Barnes' students checked out a copy of A Soldier's Heart from the school library today. We had an introduction to the Civil War setting via "accessing prior knowledge," "building new knowledge," and a discussion of the intro to Chapter 1, the entirety of which is to be read by Wed., April 20th. We will be reading approximately one chapter per day.

Reading Schedule

Read foreword and Ch. 1 on Tuesday, April 19th

Read Ch. 2 on Wednesday, April 20th

Read Ch. 3 on Thursday, April 21st

Read Ch. 4 Friday, April 22nd

Writing

OAKS round 2, "Flowers for Algernon"

2011-04-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

OAKS - round 2

Reading

Students should be reading a choice book. We are reading Flowers for Algernon in class this week. Soon we will be begin A Soldier's Heart.

"Smiley Face Tricks," Grammar Usage, "The Star Beast"

2011-04-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

8 Smiley Face Tricks - writing tips

The Outsiders Wrap-Up - essays past due

Grammar - usage practice

(period 3) then/than 4/6; vocab predictions 4/5

(period 4/5/6) its/it's 4/5

(all periods) vocab flashcards due 4/7 - prize drawing for those who are done!

Reading

Students should be reading a choice book. In about two weeks will be begin A Soldier's Heart in class.

Grammar, Anne Frank

2011-03-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

8 Smiley Face Tricks - writing tips

The Outsiders Wrap-Up - essays past due

Anne Frank - the play

Grammar - usage practice

their/there/they're 3/30; your/you're 3/31; then/than 4/1

Field Trip - Anne Frank: A Contemporary Ballet
We will be going on a field trip to see this special presentation at the Hult Center on April 1st. Permission slips have been sent home. Slips and $5 admission, or a request for scholarship, were due by March 16th. Last chance to turn these in will be right after spring break We also need chaperones to assist - please consider helping the eighth graders enjoy this special opportunity.

2011-03-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

New Unit
We will soon be studying poetry. Feel free to explore poetry beforehand - online, in the school library or at a public library.

Anne Frank - A Contemporary Ballet
We will be going on a field trip to see this special presentation at the Hult Center on April 1st. Permission slips have been sent home. Slips and $5 admission, or a request for scholarship, were due by March 16th . Last chance to turn these in will be right after spring break We also need chaperones to assist - please consider helping the eighth graders enjoy this special opportunity.

Outsiders - past due; OAKS testing

2011-03-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

All Outsiders essays (final copy typed or written neatly in ink, stapled to drafts and quotation sheets), journal entries and/or written assignments were DUE the week of March 6th. If you have not turned yours in, speak with Ms. Barnes. All Outsiders books must be returned to the school library when essays are finished.

State OAKS Testing
During the week of March 6th we worked hard at completely our first round of OAKS reading testing. For those who did not finish, there will be special sessions next week to complete the test. It is best for students to arrive to school well rested and well fed everyday, especially on test days.

New Unit
We will soon be studying poetry. Feel free to explore poetry beforehand - online, in the school library or at a public library.

Anne Frank - A Contemporary Ballet
We will be going on a field trip to see this special presentation at the Hult Center on April 1st. Permission slips have been sent home. Please return them before March 16th with five dollars, or with a request for scholarship. We also need chaperones to assist - please consider helping the eighth graders enjoy this special opportunity.

Outsiders ESSAYS in progress - due dates given

2011-02-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Reading Schedule:

By Tue 2/28 - read Ch 11
By Tue 3/1 - read Ch 12 (end of book)

Assignments
Per 4, 5, 6:
- "We'll Make the Rules" in-class activity
- Intro to three paragraph essay format (review samples and discuss directions on handout)

- Outsiders essay - written only in class - concluding Monday, March 7th

Per 3:
- Quiz on Tuesday, March 1st
- Outsiders journal due this week

- Outsiders final essay, typed or written in ink at home, due Monday, March 7th

- Outsiders study guide Tuesday, March 8th

Journal Entries – Outsiders Quotations
Copy each day's quotation and respond briefly (3 sentences).

Literary Elements
characterization
conflict
dialogue
main character
mood
plot
purpose
setting
style
theme

Literary Devices
alliteration
allusion
anachronism
assonance
dialect
exaggeration
flashback
foreshadowing
hyperbole
imagery
irony
metaphor
onomatopoeia
personification
rhyme
rhyme scheme
simile

2011-02-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

Reading Schedule:

By Tue 2/22 - read Ch 5/6

By Wed 2/23 - read Ch 7

By Thu 2/24 - read Ch 8

By Fri 2/25 - read Ch 9

By Mon 2/28 - read Ch 10

Per 4, 5, 6: Outsiders - emerging themes, social survey, Venn diagram
Per 3: Outsiders - power and health within social classes; journal/green book study guide - one activity page per chapter. Past due assignments: personal survey; long journal entry from 2/15; Pony, Cherry and self activity; open mind; grocery store activity (due 2/23).

Journal Entries – "Social Class "
Copy each day's quotation and respond briefly (3 sentences).

Literary Elements
characterization
conflict
dialogue
main character
mood
plot
purpose
setting
style
theme

Literary Devices
alliteration
allusion
anachronism
assonance
dialect
exaggeration
flashback
foreshadowing
hyperbole
imagery
irony
metaphor
onomatopoeia
personification
rhyme
rhyme scheme
simile

Social Class and "The Outsiders"

2011-02-14T11:03:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance
Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F 8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty. We welcome UO student teacher Eric Renner.

New Lit Unit: The Outsiders
Students will check out a copy of The Outsiders from the school's collection and will be expected to read chapters that will be assigned daily. Throughout this unit there will be related activities, writing assignments and quizzes. Periods 3, 4, 5 and 6 are all studying this book, but Period 3 will cover some aspects differently with Mr. Renner.

Per 4, 5, 6: "Blast from the Past"/review Outsiders chapters 1 and 2/quiz/working with grammar - conjunctions/continue reading Outsiders through chapter 6 by Tue., Feb. 22nd.
Per 3: Review Outsiders chapters 1 and 2/look at the book in many ways or perspectives (Pony, Cherry, self)/discuss social classes/continue reading Outsiders through chapter 6 by Tue., Feb. 22nd.

Journal Entries – "Social Class "
Copy each day's quotation and respond briefly (3 sentences).

Literary Elements
characterization
conflict
dialogue
main character
mood
plot
purpose
setting
style
theme

Literary Devices
alliteration
allusion
anachronism
assonance
dialect
exaggeration
flashback
foreshadowing
hyperbole
imagery
irony
metaphor
onomatopoeia
personification
rhyme
rhyme scheme
simile

Book Jackets • Lit Elements and Devices

2011-02-11T12:30:00.000-08:00

Book Jacket Assignment and Lit Vocab

2011-02-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance
Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F 8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty. We welcome UO student teacher Eric Renner.

8th grade Trip & Promotion Celebration Intent Contract
Read with your parents, sign and return to school before Fri., Feb. 4th.

Mystery/Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book Project
Several weeks ago students were assigned to read a mystery, fantasy or science fiction book by February 2nd. This week an assignment/direction sheet has been given for creating a book jacket or "movie poster" with a book review of their choice book. This assignment is due Wed., Feb. 9th.

Journal Entries – "Heroes "

Cultural Book Project - speech presentations

Reading Comprehension - Harrison Bergeron - follow-up questions

More Literary Terms - vocab definitions provided and discussed in class
alliteration
allusion
assonance
dialect
exaggeration
foreshadowing
hyperbole
imagery
irony
metaphor
onomatopoeia
personification
rhyme
rhyme scheme
simile

More Cultural Book Speeches and Literary Terms

2011-01-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

Cultural Book Speeches and Literary Terms

2011-01-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

"I, Too" and Cultural Book Report Speeches

2011-01-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F 8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty. We welcome student teacher Eric Renner

Journal Entries - quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Genres - continue to discuss various genres of literature

Cultural Book Project - speech presentations

"I, Too"

Read and respond to this powerful poem by Langston Hughes

Cultural Book Report Speeches

Vocab 5b - quiz Tue, Jan., 11th

Journals, Genres, Vocab 5b, Speeches

2011-01-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Journal Entries - "New Year's Resolutions"

Genres - discuss various genres of literature

Cultural Book Project - speech preparation

Vocab 5b

Flash cards - due Thu., Jan. 6th

Sentences - Fri., Jan. 7th.

indiscriminate

intrigue

jurisdiction

plausible

plebeian

prodigal

proximity

pulverize

sequel

volatile

Vocab 5a and Cultural Book Project

2010-12-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Vocab 5a

Definitions - due Thu., Dec. 16th

Quiz - Fri., Dec. 17th.

aghast

ample

apparition

assert

cower

disdain

epitaph

ethical

facetious

inaudible

Cultural Book Project - project due Wed., Dec. 15th

A few weeks ago each student was given a packet for this project. Students should read daily and follow the directions in the project packet. This week Ms. Barnes will teach about more aspects of the cultural book project and present some examples of previous student work for this assignment.

Main elements of the project: day-to-day bookmark, calendar schedule, parent signature, reading log, cultural words list, expository connection paper, creative choice assignment, outline for speech, cover for project, oral presentation

Cultural Book Project

2010-12-07T11:12:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Movie - Swing Kids

As part of the broader study of cultures, relationships and conflicts, the 8th grade Language Arts groups will be shown this historical fiction video about a groups of students in the Hitler Youth League and the resistant "Swing Kids." This week we will conclude this movie and complete a question/ review packet about it.

Cultural Book Project - project due Wed., Dec. 15th

Permission Slip, Lit Circle Sharing, Book Project

2010-11-29T12:11:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Movie - Swing Kids - permission slip due Tue., Nov. 30th

Lit Circles

Groups finish sharing about their reading selections from the textbook; audience takes notes

Post - Thanksgiving

week-long writing assignment

Cultural Book Project - written project due Wed., Dec. 15th

Read daily and follow the directions in your project packet

Left side of book mark - due 11/24

Plan and parent signature - due 11/24 (ok 11/29)

Lit Circle Sharing and Cultural Book Project

2010-11-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Lit Circles

Groups finish sharing about their reading selections from the textbook

Quick Edit

Yamodo

Creative word/picture assignment

Cultural Book Project - Due 15th

Read, read, read - and follow the directions in your project packet

Left side of book mark - due 11/24

Plan and parent signature - due 11/24 (ok 11/29)

Cultural Book Project and Vocab 4b

2010-11-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Classwork/Homework
"Thanksgiving Guest" essay - due Thu., Nov. 18th

Multicultural literature circle sharing
Cultural book project instructions presented - project due Dec. 15th

Journal Prompts (5 entries, 1 per day)

Theme - "Cultural Diversity"

Vocabulary #4b

Definitions - due Wed., Nov. 17th
Cloze sentences (fill in the blank) - due Thu., Nov. 18th
Quiz - Fri., Nov. 19th
peruse
porous
promontory
prone
qualm
recourse
residue
solicitous
staid
sustain

"Thanksgiving Guest" and Lit Circles

2010-11-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Thanksgiving Guest
Write a descriptive two paragraph essay about a special Thanksgiving dinner you create.
Include details about the special guest, the meal, conversation, entertainment, and other guests.
The assignment sheet listing requirements was provided in class.

Literature Circles
The week we are focusing on culturally diverse selections from our textbook:
"Mrs. Flowers"
"The Circuit"
"Camp Harmony"
"Raymond's Run"
"Ribbons"
"The Treasure of Lemon Brown"
"The Medicine Bag"
"An Hour with Abuelo"

Everyday Edits
Grammar practice - this week's focus is punctuation.

This week we started our culturally diverse literature circles:

Vocabulary
Yamodo - creative word/picture assignment

Writing Portfolios - Poetry- Vocab 4a

2010-11-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Book Report - PAST DUE (10/27)

We've introduced and discussed the "Book Report Guidelines - Standard Format for Fiction" which follows a 5-paragraph writing format. This was to be used for our book reports, which were due October 27th.

Classwork

This week we will evaluate our Halloween literature circles, set up our writing portfolios, read poetry, review punctuation.

Four kinds of sentences - due Fri., Nov 5th
declarative, imperative, interrogative exclamatory
Write 2 sentences for each, 8 sentences total.

Journal Prompts (5 entries, 1 per day)

Theme - "Books"

Vocabulary #4a

Definitions - due Wed., Nov. 3rd
Cloze sentences (fill in the blank) - due Thu., Nov. 4th

Quiz - Fri., Nov. 5th
annul

blasé

bolster

deplore

frivolous

muster

nonentity

obsess

ornate

oust

Halloween Lit Circles and Vocab 3b

2010-10-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

REMINDER: Fri., Oct. 29th Fall Social

Students who have not completed assignments may be required to do such, in a designated classroom, instead of attending the social.

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Book Report - Due Tue., Oct. 27th

We've introduced and discussed the "Book Report Guidelines - Standard Format for Fiction" which follows a 5-paragraph writing format. This is to be used for our book reports, due October 27th. By this point, students should have chosen a fiction book (one they've previously read or one they are now finishing) and begin writing their book reports, paragraph by paragraph. We will have some time in class to do this as well.

Journal Prompts (5 entries, 1 per day)

Theme - "Education"

Reading Focus

This week we begin our Halloween literature circles, with the following selections from our text:

"The Landlady" by Roald Dahl

"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs

"The Third Wish" by Joan Aiken

"The Open Window" by Saki

"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury

Vocabulary #3b

Foldable pattern sheet - due Wed., Oct. 27th
Visual representations - due Thu., Oct. 28th

Quiz - Fri., Oct. 29th - listing words and their synonyms
myriad

perspective

perturb

prodigious

relevant

skittish

tether

unison

vie

willful

"Signs of Fall" and Vocab 3a

2010-10-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

REMINDER: Fri., Oct. 22th - early release

Friday school will be held from 12:15 to 3:15 in the cafeteria on the 22nd. This is an academic intervention for students who need to complete outstanding assignments or projects and are referred by teachers. Teachers will contact a parent/guardian and have them sign and return forms by Thursday. Please note that transportation home is not provided. If you have any questions, call the school.

Tardy school will also begin this Friday after school. Tardy school is not an optional intervention like Friday/Saturday school. Students who do not attend tardy school on the assigned day will still be held accountable.

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

"Signs of Fall" - Due Fri., Oct. 22nd

Write a descriptive paragraph from your outdoor observations of autumn.

Remember:

5-8 sentences

Topic sentence, detail sentences, concluding sentence

Six traits of good writing

Clearly reworked rough draft

Final copy - neat and ink or word processed

Signature of adult who helped you proofread for content and presentation

All three papers stapled together with final on top

Book Report - Due Tue., Oct. 27th

Journal Prompts (5 entries, 1 per day)

Theme - "effort"

Reading Focus

This week we begin learning how to participate in literature circles. Next week we will set up our Halloween literature circles.

Vocabulary #3a

Foldable pattern sheet - due Wed., Oct. 20th
Visual representations - due Thu., Oct. 21st

Quiz - Fri., Oct. 22nd - listing words and their synonyms
allot

amass

audacious

comply

devoid

elite

grapple

incapacitate

instigate

longevity

"The Broken Chain" and Vocab 2b

2010-10-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Homework/Classwork Assistance

Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), or after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Book Report - Due Oct 27th

The Broken Chain

We are studying plot while reading the textbook selection The Broken Chain by Gary Soto. Students have already been introduced to our online textbook http:///my.hrw.com, accessible with a personal, provided username and password. This option has been provided as an enhancement to regular textbook use.

Vocabulary #2b
Flashcards due Wed., Oct. 13th
Crossword Puzzle due Thu., Oct. 14th
glut
incognito
invalidate
legendary
maim
minimize
oblique
veer
venerate
wanton

Reading Log #4 and "The Wise Old Woman"

2010-10-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

We are still focusing on retelling stories, specifically The Wise Old Woman from our textbook. Also, students should be thinking about a book choice, novel or short story selection, for our book reports in October. Students have various times to work on assignments or receive help at school: sometimes during class, during morning resource (M/W/F8:30-9:00am), and after school - if arranged with Ms. Barnes or Ms. Hagerty.

Retell - The Wise Old Woman - Due Wed., Oct. 6th

The eight retells for this story are due Wednesday, October 6th. Students can make arrangements with Ms. Barnes to borrow a copy of this story, or visit the school library to borrow a copy of the textbook. Last Friday students were introduced to our online textbook http:///my.hrw.com, accessible with a personal, provided username and password. This option has been provided as an enhancement to regular textbook use and as an alternate to hand writing this assignment. The digital notebook version must be printed, either at home or at school, and turned in during class. By Wednesday, we will have have had four partial in-class sessions, as well as outside of class time, to complete this assignment.

Reading Log #4 - Due Fri., Oct. 11th
Remember to read 30 pages outside of class and complete three log entries this week. Again, the task is to summarize and react to what you are reading about every ten pages. You may read fiction only.

Vocabulary
This week we are doing a creative in-class assignment using ideas from www.yamodo.com ("Read, Draw, Write,... Pass it on!"). Ask your student or friend about his or her definition of "zaplax."

Reading Log #3 & Vocabulary Unit 2a

2010-09-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

One focus this week will be on retelling stories. We will begin with the selection The Wise Old Woman, from our textbook. Also, be thinking about a book choice, novel or short story selection, for our book reports in October.

Reading Log #3
Remember to read 30 pages outside of class and complete three log entries this week. Again, the task is to summarize and react to what you are reading about every ten pages. You may read fiction only.

Vocabulary Unit 2a
Week of September 27 -October 1, 2010
This week you will study the first ten words from Unit 2 of Vocabulary Workshop (pages 28 and 29). You will complete a variety of activities using these words. Some exercises will be done in class, and some assignments will be done as homework. This week’s words are also listed below for your convenience.

1. antics
2. avowed
3. banter
4. bountiful
5. congested
6. detriment
7. durable
8. enterprising
9. frugal
10. gingerly

Due Wednesday, September 29th: Flash Cards for each of the vocabulary words listed above. On one side of each card write the term; on the other side of each card write the definition. Use these cards to study for Friday’s quiz.

Due Thursday, September 30th: Crossword Puzzle using this week’s words. This puzzle will be supplied by the teacher.

A quiz over these words will be given on Friday, October 1st.

Check Out the Comic Corner

2010-09-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Your comic characters are up on the bulletin board and beaming down on us with big smiles and lots of teeth. We will rotate the characters since there is not room to display all of them at once.

Reading Log #2 Due Monday, September 27th

2010-09-23T16:31:00.000-07:00

Remember to read 30 pages outside of class and complete three log entries this week. Again, the task is to summarize and react to what you are reading about every ten pages. You may read fiction only.

Vocabulary Unit 1b

2010-09-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

This week you will study the second ten words from Unit 1 ofVocabulary Workshop (pages 22 & 23). You will complete a variety of activities using these words. Some exercises will be done in class, and some assignments will be done as homework. This week’s words are also listed below for your convenience.

11. hover 16. revert

12. jostle 17. rubble

13. laggard 18. servile

14. plaudits 19. vigil

15. preclude 20. wrangle

Due Wednesday, September 22nd: On a separate sheet of notebook paper define each word listed above. You may use the definitions listed in Vocabulary Workshop or those found in a dictionary.

Due Thursday, September 23rd: On a separate sheet of notebook paper use each word in a sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning.

A quiz over these ten words will be given on Friday, September 24th.

Welcome to Ms. Barnes' Blog!

2010-09-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, you’ve found our 8th Grade Language Arts Blog! I hope that you and your parents will find it helpful in tracking our class activities and homework assignments. This week we will complete the Easy CBM Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary district tests on Monday and Tuesday. Also, we are looking forward to Open House here at Monroe on Thursday evening (September 23rd). See you in class.

Classwork/Homework for the Week of May 31st

2010-06-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

LANGUAGE ARTS

Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen

[US Civil War historical fiction novel]
Wed June 2nd - Ch. 5 due; quiz Ch. 3-5

Thu June 3rd - Ch. 6 due

Fri June 4th - Ch. 7 due

Autobiographical Newspaper Project

A green sheet detailing the elements of this FINAL project (alliterative title, colors, theme, imagery, five writing pieces from this year) was distributed last week. This sheet was due with a parent signature June 1st and the final project is due June 9th.

Time Travel Story

You are going to write an imaginative story about traveling back in time to change an important historical event. You may select any significant event in US or world history. However, you must choose a specific event that is well known to others, and you must include the actual date and place of the event in your story. You will need to research the event so that you can write realistically. A trip to the library or a web site search should provide you with needed information. You must also include the details about how you built/found the time machine that allows you to travel back to change the selected historic event.

Examples of previously chosen time travel events include: preventing the assassination of John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr.; saving the Titanic from sinking; assisting Harriet Tubman on the Underground Railroad; and preventing Hitler from ever coming to power. You cannot use violence to change an event; instead, you must find creative ways to attempt to change history for the better. You get to decide whether you are successful or not in changing the event. In either case, you should let your readers know how your intervention impacted future events and how it changed your life. Did you make it back to today? Do you remember the adventure? Will you make further attempts to change history in the future?

You will have some time in class to write this story, but you should expect to spend more time outside of class to complete this project. Your rough draft is due on Wednesday, June 2. The final draft is due on Friday, June 4th.

Journal Prompt: Civil War

Autobiographies, Outsiders essays, and biography reports are past due. If you have not finished yours, visit C-4 during lunch, resource or after school, to edit and neatly type your final copy. Final pieces must have a centered, specific title that refers to something about you, a centered byline, and it must be typeset in double-spaced, 12 point text. Biography reports have additional formatting requirements - check your guideline sheet or check with Ms. Barnes. We are continuing to hold biography presentations - prepare and practice yours if you have not yet presented.

SOCIAL STUDIES
We are currently studying the US Civil War via the text, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, classroom simulations, and other resources.

Classwork/Homework for the week of May 24th

2010-05-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ellis Island Simulation Wed May 26th (periods 1/2/3)
Please continue to plan your costume for your immigrant profile.
Requirements for Processing:
- Immigrant name
- Name card
- "Memorize" identity information
- Wealth card
- Immigrant checklist
- Costume

LANGUAGE ARTS

Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen
Mon May 24th - Forward, Map, Ch. 1
Tue May 25th - Ch. 2
Wed May 26th - Ch. 3
Thu May 27th - Ch. 4; Quiz#1 Forward/Map/Ch. 1
Fri May 28th - Ch. 5

Time Travel Story

Journal Prompt: Travel

Vocab: Section 12b, definitions due 5/27, quiz 5/28
nauseate
negate
pivotal
recipient
ruse
teem
tenet
tractable
ungainly
voracious

SOCIAL STUDIES
We are currently studying the following subjects via the text, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources:

The Nation Breaking Apart

- Wilmot Proviso, 1846

- Compromise of 1850

- Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854

- "Bleeding Kansas" 1855

- Caning of Sumner 1856

- Dred Scott vs. Sandford, 1857

- Attack on Harper's Ferry, 1859

- Election of 1860

Classwork/Homework for the Week of May 17th

2010-05-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Ellis Island Reminder: Please continue to plan your costume for your immigrant profile. Students will be given their specific profiles and background this week.

LANGUAGE ARTS
Autobiographies, Outsiders essays, and biography reports are past due. If you have not finished yours, visit C-4 during lunch, resource or after school, to edit and neatly type your final copy. Final pieces must have a centered, specific title that refers to something about you, a centered byline, and it must be typeset in double-spaced, 12 point text. Biography reports have additional formatting requirements - check your guideline sheet or check with Ms. Barnes. We are continuing to hold biography presentations - prepare and practice yours if you have not yet presented.

Western Novels:
Students should be finished reading their western novels.

Vocab: section 12a

definitions due 5/18, sentences due 5/19, quiz 5/21

abdicate

bestow

capacious

caustic

crusade

deface

embargo

fallacy

levity

mendicant

* Also on May 21st there will be a Vocabulary Bee against Ms. Smart's class so study the definitions for the following words from the last three units (11a, 11b, 12a):

abdicate bestow capacious caustic crusade deface embargo fallacy levity mendicant

mediate milieu outlandish overbearing pert quirk regale shiftless taint appease belated

calamitous cite conventional decoy delve ensue gallantry impart

SOCIAL STUDIES
We are continuing to study Westward Migration via the text, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources.

Crossword - due Monday, May 17th

Quiz - Westward Movement - Monday, May 17th

Unit test and quote collage - due Tuesday, May 18th

Social Studies Vocab:

Manifest Destiny

Louisiana Purchase

Sectionalism

Polk

interest

bias

Tecumseh

Santa Anna

Matamoros

Austin

Lone Star

Guadalupe Hidalgo

Classwork/Homework for the Week of May 10th

2010-05-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

REMINDER: No School Friday, May 14th

"Friday School" for those students specially assigned by teachers will be held in the cafeteria from 9am-12pm. Students who have not completed western novel reading and response sheets, autobiographies, and Outsiders essays by Thursday, May 13th, will be assigned to "Friday School."

Ellis Island Reminder: Please continue to plan your costume for your immigrant profile.

Western Novels:
Students should be finished reading their western novels by the end of this week, Thursday, May 13th.

Vocab: section 11b

definitions due 5/12; sentences due and quiz 5/13

judicious
mediate
milieu
outlandish
overbearing
pert
quirk
regale
shiftless
taint

SOCIAL STUDIES
We are continuing to study Westward Migration via the text, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources. This week students took notes on The Mexican-American War and did reflection work on one of President Tyler's speeches. Students were assigned to read pg. 579-584 in the textbook and answer the odd-numbered questions.

Crossword - due Monday, May 17th

Quiz - Westward Movement - Monday, May 17th

Unit test and quote collage - due Tuesday, May 18th

Social Studies Vocab:

Manifest Destiny

Louisiana Purchase

Sectionalism

Polk

interest

bias

Tecumseh

Santa Anna

Matamoros

Austin

Lone Star

Guadalupe Hidalgo

Classwork/Homework for the Week of May 3rd

2010-05-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

LANGUAGE ARTS
Autobiographies are past due. If you have not finished yours, visit C-4 during lunch, resource or after school, to edit and neatly type your final copy. It must have a centered, specific title that refers to something about you, a centered byline, and it must be typeset in double-spaced, 12 point text.

Continue reading western novels:
Mon: pages 71-80
Tue: pages 81-90
Wed: pages 91-100
Thu: pages 101-110
Fri: pages 111-120

Journal prompts - Texas sayings
Comparing Texts (p.178)
Read pages 178-182
After reading, complete comparison chart and ALL the activities on page 183.

Vocab: section 11A
appease
belated
calamitous
cite
conventional
decoy
delve
ensue
gallantry
impart

SOCIAL STUDIES
We are continuing to study Westward Migration via the text, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources.

Homework for the Week of April 19th

2010-04-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

HOMEWORK DUE DATES

Autobiography:
Intro paragraph 4/19
1st body paragraph 4/20
2nd body paragraph 4/21
3rd body paragraph 4/22
Concluding paragraph 4/23

Westward Movement Acrostic poem 4/20

Prepare/Practice Biography Speech 4/21 +

Biography reports were due 4/2

The Outsiders essays were due 4/15

Lit Circles - Western Movement Theme

2010-04-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with studying Westward Migration in our Social Studies class, we will be reading historical fiction novels of the same era, in our Language Arts class. "Lit circles" (reading groups) will be comprised of the following titles:

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie, by Kristiana Gregory

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman

Jayhawaker by Katherine Peterson

Scrib by David Ives

Lyddie by Katherine Peterson

Shane by Jack Schafer

Runs with Horses by Brian Burks

Call of the Wild by Jack London

Westward Movement Unit

2010-04-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

We are now studying Westward Migration and reading historical novels from that time period. On Tuesday, Ms. Barnes will share artifacts from a Westward Migration Trunk on loan from Lane ESD. The trunk contains items that would be included in a family's covered wagon over the Oregon Trail. While listening to the presentation and examining the artifacts, students will take notes on why the items were included and how they would be used in daily life on the trail or at trail's end.

In-Class Writing Assignment

2010-04-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

In Language Arts class we are currently writing our autobiographies. These will be five paragraph essays. Paragraph one is the introductory paragraph that includes a grabber (question, anecdote, startling fact, or quotation) and a thesis statement that alerts the reader about the topic of the essay. Paragraph two tells about the student's past, including at least one story about his/her early life. Paragraph three is dedicated to the present, including at least one memory about middle school. Paragraph four explores future plans and goals. Paragraph five is the concluding paragraph that brings the essay to a close with a quotation or "words to live by." We are writing this in class, writing one paragraph a day. Students who do not finish the daily paragraph must complete it that evening for homework. Any student who shows up for class without the daily completed paragraph will join the "Literary Lunch Bunch" in my classroom. After eating lunch, those students report to my class for the rest of the period to work on their missing work.

Thanksgiving Guest Writing Assignment Due November 24th

2009-11-12T19:58:00.000-08:00

You have just been told that you may invite anyone in the world to your house as your guest for Thanksgiving dinner. You will be writing two paragraphs. The first paragraph will be about your guest. Who will you invite? Why have you chosen this particular guest? Try to write a creative, interesting paragraph which has a good topic sentence to get your reader's interest and attention.

The second paragraph should be about your celebration. What will you serve? What will you discuss? Will there be other guests? What do you plan to do to make it worth his/her time? Plan the celebration carefully and tailor it to your special person's needs and personality. Feel free to use the back of this sheet to do some brainstorming.

This two paragraph description is due Tuesday, November 24th.

Remember the following guidelines:

___ About 5 sentences for each paragraph, including a topic and concluding sentence

___ A TRANSITIONAL sentence which smoothly takes your reader from paragraph one to paragraph two

___ Six +1 traits of good writing; focus on ORGANIZATION, WORD CHOICE, and SENTENCE FLUENCY

___ Paragraphs are neatly written in ink or word processed

Vocabulary Unit 5a

2009-11-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

Week of November 9-13, 2009

This week you will study the first ten words from Unit 5 of Vocabulary Workshop (pages 58 and 59). You will complete a variety of activities using these words. Some exercises will be done in class, and some assignments will be done as homework. This week’s words are also listed below for your convenience.

1. aghast 6. disdain

2. ample 7. epitaph

3. apparition 8. ethical

4. assert 9. facetious

5. cower 10. inaudible

Due Thursday, November 12th: On a separate sheet of notebook paper define each word listed above. You may use the definitions listed in Vocabulary Workshop or those found in a dictionary.

A quiz over these ten words will be given on Friday, November 13th.

Social Studies This Week --

2009-11-02T21:51:00.000-08:00

1. Our "All About Me" introductory unit has been completed! Look for a major hall display of Personal History Time Lines. Notebooks will be graded at the end of this week.

2. Students are creating a Geography Handbook as an appendix to their interactive notebooks.

3. Our next unit of study will be called "A Meeting of Different Worlds." The North American continent in the 1500's was the place where three groups -- Native Americans, early European explorers, and African slaves -- converged to begin the process of forging a new country, unlike any the world had ever seen.

Colonial Novels Selected This Week!

2009-11-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

We have begun our Literature Circles in Language Arts class. Soon we will begin reading historical novels linked to Colonial America and the American Revolution. The following novels are possible choices for this assignment:

1. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes -- “This story of a tragically injured young silversmith who ends up hip-deep in the American Revolution is inspiring, exciting, and sad. Winner of the prestigious Newbery Award.” -- Editorial Review.

2. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier -- “Young Tim is caught between his brother’s patriotism and his father’s Tory sympathies, in this classic story of the American Revolution. This stirring and authoritative novel earns a place beside our best historical fiction.” --The Horn Book (Strong language and graphic war descriptions).

3. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare -- “A high-spirited teenage girl rebels against the narrow-minded ways of Puritan Connecticut and befriends a lonely old woman who is subsequently accused of being a witch. Strong plot, fully realized characters, and convincing atmosphere distinguish this historical narrative.” --Booklist.

4. The Fighting Ground by Avi -- “At thirteen, Jonathan dreams of fighting in the American Revolution. Almost by accident, he is recruited into a fighting unit and experiences the reality of war, including being taken prisoner and coming to grips with his feelings about shooting to kill.” -- School Library Journal (Decoding level appropriate for developing readers).

5. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare -- “Until the day his father returns to their cabin in the Maine wilderness, 12-year-old Matt must try to survive on his own. During an attack by swarming bees, Matt is astonished when he’s rescued by an Indian chief and his grandson, Attean. As the boys come to know each other, many months pass without a sign of Matt’s family. Then Attean asks Matt to join the Beaver tribe.” -- Editorial Review.

6. Sarah Bishop by Scott O’Dell -- “The tale of a girl’s strength and courage during the American Revolution, written by the Newbery Medal-winning author of Island of the Blue Dolphins. Readers will especially relish Sarah’s fierce independence.” -- School Library Journal.

Vocabulary Unit 4b

2009-11-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

Week of November 2-6, 2009

This week you will study the second ten words from Unit 4 of Vocabulary Workshop (pages 52 and 53). You will complete a variety of activities using these words. Some exercises will be done in class, and some assignments will be done as homework. This week’s words are also listed below for your convenience.

11. peruse

12. porous

13. promontory

14. prone

15. qualm

16. recourse

17. residue

18. solicitous

19. staid

20. sustain

Due Wednesday, November 4th : On a separate sheet of notebook paper define each word listed above. You may use the definitions listed in Vocabulary Workshop or those found in a dictionary.

Due Thursday, November 5th: On a separate sheet of notebook paper use each word in a sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning. Underline the vocabulary word in each sentence.

There will be a quiz over these words on Friday, November 6th.

Halloween Literature Circles

2009-10-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

This week students will select a "scary" short story from Elements of Literature to read and discuss as part of the beginning Literature Circle experience. During the early part of the week, Ms. Barnes will introduce lit circles and student roles in this cooperative group model. The purpose of lit circles is to create temporary reading groups to discuss a self-selected piece of literature. This model provides an opportunity for students to engage in authentic discussions of literature instead of relying on teacher-prepared questions or activities.

Geography Quiz on Wednesday

2009-10-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

There will be a short quiz on Wednesday, October 21st, covering the five themes of geography:

location, place, interaction, movement, and region. Students must know the descriptions of each theme and be able to draw a graphic representation of each one.

Vocabulary Unit 3b Activities

2009-10-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Vocabulary Unit 3b is featured this week. Activities include daily classroom review, definitions due this Wednesday, and a quiz on Thursday, October 22nd. The words for this week are:

11. myriad

12. perspective

13. perturb

14. prodigious

15. relevant

16. skittish

17. tether

18. unison

19. vie

20. willful

Personal History Time Line

2009-10-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Students are currently creating personal history time lines that depict 10 important events in their lives. Events on the time line may be all personal or may mix personal with world events such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, etc. Each event should be dated in chronological order, summarized in a sentence or two, and include some kind of graphic (photo, magazine cut-out, clip art, or drawing). The time line should contain a title (including student name) and text should be in ink or word processed. The time lines are due this Thursday, October 22nd.

Novel Book Report Due October 30th

2009-10-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

Book Report Guidelines

Standard Format for Fiction

(100 Points)

* Paragraph 1 -- Introduction (10 pts.)

Begin with a grabber to hook the reader. Tell the title of the book. Tell who wrote it. Provide the name of of the illustrator, if there is one. What kind of novel is it (historical fiction, science fiction, etc.)? Has the book won any awards? How many pages does the book have? When and where was it published?

* Paragraph 2 -- Setting (15 pts.)

Where and when does the story take place? Give a detailed

description of the setting and how it affects the story.

* Paragraph 3 -- Characters (20 pts.)

Who are the main characters in the book? How old are they?

What do they look like? Describe their personalities. How do

they change as the novel develops? Who is your favorite character?

* Paragraph 4 -- Plot (20 pts.)

Write a short summary that describes the important events that

happen in the book. Include examples from the beginning, the

middle, and the end of the book.

* Paragraph 5 -- Analysis (20 pts.)

What was the theme of the novel? Describe your favorite and least favorite parts of the book. Explain why. Is the book well written? Would you recommend this book to others? Tell why or why not?

* Don’t forget:

Spelling (5 pts.)

Capitalization and Punctuation (5 pts.)

Neatness (5 pts.)

Writing Assignment Due Friday

2009-10-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Signs of Fall

For Language Arts this week, you are to spend some time sitting outside all alone. Be sure no one is around to disturb you. Listen carefully, smell deeply, touch objects, slowly look around you . . . look up, down, and to each side. Next, on the back of this paper, make a list of all the signs of fall you can find. Now, carefully write a paragraph in which you describe the signs you have chosen, so that anyone reading your paragraph will have a vivid mental picture of what autumn is like in our town. Be sure to develop a strong topic sentence with three to five supporting sentences and a good concluding sentence.

REMEMBER:

1. Five to eight sentences

2. Topic sentence, detail sentences, concluding sentence

3. Six traits of good writing, focusing on IDEAS and

WORD CHOICE

4. Clearly reworked rough draft

5. Final is neat and written in ink or word processed

6. Signature of adult who helped you proofread your

work for content and presentation (on RD)

7. All three papers (directions, rough draft, final) stapled together with final on top

THIS PARAGRAPH IS DUE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH!

Vocabulary Bee Scheduled for Friday, October 16th

2009-10-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

Vocabulary Unit 3a

Week of October 12-16, 2009

This week you will study the first ten words from Unit 3 of Vocabulary Workshop (pages 35 and 36). You will complete a variety of activities using these words. Some exercises will be done in class, and some assignments will be done as homework. This week’s words are also listed below for your convenience.

1. allot

2. amass

3. audacious

4. comply

5. devoid

6. elite

7. grapple

8. incapacitate

9. instigate

10. longevity

Due Wednesday, October 14th: On a separate sheet of notebook paper define each word listed above. You may use the definitions listed in Vocabulary Workshop or those found in a dictionary.

Due Friday, October 16th: Be prepared to participate in a vocabulary bee that includes words from Unit 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3a above. For your convenience, listed below are the words from Units 1 and 2. You need to be able to define each of the 50 words we have already studied this fall.

Unit 1 Unit 2

1. adage 1. antics

2. bonanza 2. avowed

3. churlish 3. banter

4. citadel 4. bountiful

5. collaborate 5. congested

6. decree 6. detriment

7. discordant 7. durable

8. evolve 8. enterprising

9. excerpt 9. frugal

10. grope 10. gingerly

11. hover 11. glut

12. jostle 12. incognito

13. laggard 13. invalidate

14. plaudits 14. legendary

15. preclude 15. maim

16. revert 16. minimize

17. rubble 17. oblique

18. servile 18. veer

19. vigil 19. venerate

20. wrangle 20. wanton

Frozen Moments in US History

2009-10-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

This week students are staging "frozen moments" in US history. Each group has selected an event from the past to dramatize as a still photograph. The rest of the class tries to identify the event based on the "photo." Events include 9/11, the Civil War, the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, the assassination of JFK, the Boston Tea Party, and many others. Check back here for photos in the near future.

Vocabulary Unit 2a

2009-09-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

This week you will study the first ten words from Unit 2 of Vocabulary Workshop (pages 28 & 29). You will complete a variety of activities using these words. Some exercises will be done in class, and some assignments will be done as homework. This week’s words are also listed below for your convenience.

1. antics 6. detriment

2. avowed 7. durable

3. banter 8. enterprising

4. bountiful 9. frugal

5. congested 10. gingerly

Due Wednesday, September 30th: On a separate sheet of notebook paper define each word listed above. You may use the definitions listed in Vocabulary Workshop or those found in a dictionary.

Due Thursday, October 1st: On a separate sheet of notebook paper use each word in a sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning.

A quiz over these ten words will be given on Friday, October 2nd.

Reading Log #3 Due Monday, October 5th

2009-09-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Remember to read 30 pages outside of class and complete three log entries this week. Again, the task is to summarize and react to what you are reading about every ten pages. You may read fiction or nonfiction, magazines or newspapers.

Welcome to Ms. Barnes’ Blog

2009-09-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, you’ve found our 8th Grade Block Blog! I hope that you and your parents will find it helpful in tracking our class activities and homework assignments. This week we will complete the Easy CBM Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary district tests on Wednesday and Friday, as well as welcoming a guest speaker from the Peace Jam movement on Thursday. Also, we are looking forward to Open House here at Monroe on Thursday evening (September 24th). See you in class.

Reading Log #2 Due Monday, September 28th

2009-09-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

Remember that you are responsible for 30 pages of outside reading each week. For Reading Log #2, you are supposed to summarize and react about every ten pages. If you are an avid reader, you may wish to summarize and react every 20 pages. Relax and enjoy whatever you are reading -- short stories, novels, newspapers, biographies, game manuals, etc. Your reading log should include three well written entries each week.

Vocabulary Assignment

2009-09-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

This week we are studying the second half of the words from Unit 1 in Vocabulary Workshop (pages 22 & 23). Definitions are due on Wednesday, September 23rd; sentences are due on Thursday, September 24th; and there will be a quiz over these words on Friday, September 25th.

The words are listed below:

11. hover 16. revert

12. jostle 17. rubble

13. laggard 18. servile

14. plaudits 19. vigil

15. preclude 20. wrangle

Paragraphs Based on Grandparent Survey

2009-09-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Now that you have interviewed your grandparent/parent/guardian, you will use that information to write a paragraph or two to introduce them as our links to "Living History." Using the purple survey sheet, combine answers to create a short but compelling character study of your relative. Be sure you use what you have learned in class about writing powerful paragraphs. See the reminders below.

A powerful paragraph includes:

1. A topic or main idea sentence that captures the reader's attention

2. Supporting detail sentences that develop the main idea

3. A variety of sentences -- including short, medium

4. Correct capitalization, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

5. A concluding sentence that echoes or extends the main idea

Although we will begin writing these paragraphs in class, you should expect to finish this assignment as homework. Your final copy should be written in blue or black ink or word processed. Your completed piece of writing, along with a drawing/clipping/photo, is due at the beginning of Language Arts class on Wednesday, September 23rd . This assignment is worth 30 points. Late assignments will receive reduced credit.