week of January 18

Students have been using class time and time outside of school to prepare for the 1960 debates that will begin Wednesday, January 20 and continue through Friday, January 22. As of today, each student should have 50 note cards of information they can use during their debate. Each student needs to understand both sides of the each debate topic and have questions that pertain to each side of the debate. Today, students received information about the bibliography they will hand in at the time of their debate. This weekend should be used to organize the information they have and form valuable questions/facts to share. The assignment is worth 100 points in language arts and 100 points in reading class.

week of January 11

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Upon their return, the 8th graders have watched videos and taken part in discussions regarding important events that occurred in the 1960's. They also received information regarding the debates that will take place on January 20-22. Today everyone found out what role they have in the debate and what topic their debate covers. It would be a great idea for everyone to take time this weekend to familiarize themselves with the topic they were assigned to. Below is listed an overview of the 1960's unit.

Monday, 1/4
- 1960’s Overview video and study guide providing background information.

Tuesday, 1/5
- That Memorable Year 1963 video and study guide providing background information.

Wednesday, 1/6
- That Memorable Year 1968 video and study guide providing background information.

Thursday, 1/7
-1960’s role-playing debates explained in detail. (This is an individual project. NO GROUP PREPARATION IS NEEDED) Preference of roles and topics submitted.

Friday, 1/8
- Topics and roles for role-playing debates assigned. Explanation sheets for assigned roles and rubrics are distributed. Independent research may begin.

Monday, 1/11
-To IMC for Miss Hagensee's explanation of debate research resources available at home and at school.

Tuesday, 1/12 through Friday 1/15
- Student research during one class period per day in the IMC. Resources available to students include computers, vertical file, books on reserve, search engines, and over 100 printouts on each topic supplied by each L.A. and reading teacher.

Monday, 1/18
-NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, 1/19
- Explanation of bibliography format. Class time for final role-playing debate preparation and making of bibliographies.

Wednesday, 1/20 through Friday, 1/22
– Role playing debates performed!!!!!!!!!!!

***Every student is responsible for his/her research on both sides of the topic assigned. A bibliography with a minimum of 5 sources is required of every student.
***Every student should have a minimum of 50 note cards of borrowed information. The format used for note cards will be the same format required by Mr. Safranski in social studies class earlier in the year.
***This project is worth 100 points towards your L.A. grade, and 100 points towards your reading grade.
***At the beginning of each debate, reporters are required to turn in AT LEAST 6 questions and possible answers (in final draft form) for each character in their debate.

Happy Holdiays!!!

In January the 8th graders will begin the 1960's unit in language arts. Within the 4 week unit, students will watch informational videos and participate in class discussions involving the important events within the decade. Students will also research a particular topic and participate in a formal debate.


I hope everyone has a relaxing holiday! Enjoy the valuable time you have with family and friends! See you in the new year!

THE OUTSIDERS

In reading class we have finished reading the novel The Outsiders. The students really enjoyed the book and did well through out the unit. The students did an activity today in which they wrote a paragraph about which character they were most similar to in the novel. We will beginning the Mythology unit.

week of November 23

During the short week of November 23, the 8th grade reading classes will be finishing The Outsiders. We will be reviewing for the final test on Monday and the test will be on Tuesday. We will also be picking out our next book report book.

I hope everyone has something to be thankful for! Have a wonderful extended weekend!!!

week of November 16

In reading class the 8th graders will be finishing The Outsiders. As usual, it has been enjoyed by all the students and they have been to excited to read it everyday. After we take the final test, we will be watching the movie.

In language arts we are continuing to write persuasive essays. We have taken the students through each part of the writing process. Today we worked on the first body paragraph and we will continure with the second and third body paragraphs and conclusion early in the week. The rough draft will be due on Wednesday.

week of November 9

This week in language arts we will begin writing our third essay of the year, a persuasive essay. This essay follows the same format as the expository essay (Character Sketch). It does not require any research because the students write about something they are already familiar with.

Also, the polished draft of the Character Sketch is due Tuesday, November 10. This is worth 10 points. Students need both their graded final draft and polished draft to earn the 10 points.

In reading we are continuing to read The Outsiders. We will taking a quiz on Chapters 6-8. Students will be quizzed on vocabulary and comprehension of the novel.

In RtI, we will be focusing on context clues. We will be doing an activity with vocabulary from The Outsiders which will help them on Tuesday's quiz.