Book Poster Project

Book Poster Project

1.    Pick a book that you loved or that you really liked that you read in 8^th Grade.

2.    Create a movie style poster about that book. (portrait layout)

3.    Design, develop and make the poster. Use any combination of media that you wish including collage, drawing, markers, graphics. 

Include

Book title, author, date of publication, graphics.

Major characters, some plot teasers, theme

Your opinion of this book

A mini-bio of YOU, and a drawing or picture of you

Soul Surfer Girl 

 

                          



              

Intelligence Week - Lesson Plans for May 12-16

Language Arts 

EQ: Does Intelligence Matter?
Flowers for Algernon

Vocabulary

Cores 1,2,3 - See "Flowers for Algernon" list on this blog

Reading and Writing EQs?

• Does intelligence matter?
• If given a chance would you choose to be smart or popular?

Readings and Written Response

•  "Flowers for Algernon" Short story: characterization, inference, theme. Text 220
• Writing, What is intelligence? What are the different intelligences? How do we respond to people who have low IQ?
• Honors -

Poem for the Week - May is time for some Shakespeare!

Sonnet 18

William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd; But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st; Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st; So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Reflection:

What's Willie saying?

What do you like and why?

Sonnet 18 Explanation

Paraphrase 

Sonnet 18 Audio 

Sonnet - a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure

Rhyme Scheme - 

A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyme between lines of a poem or song. It is usually referred to by using letters to indicate which lines rhyme; lines designated with the same letter all rhyme with each other. Therefore, it is the pattern of end rhymes or lines.

Bid me to weep, and I will weep   ABAB

While I have eyes to see;

And having none, yet I will keep

A heart to weep for thee.

 

 

Social Studies/US History

CNN Student News

U.S. History - The American Revolution 

• Creating the Constitution, Chapter 8

  •  Study Guide

  •  Test

  
  Annanberg Video

Lesson Plans May 5 - 16 DCAS Testing

Homework- READ for 45 minutes every night. Take AR Tests. 
Study vocabulary.
Library and AR testing as needed.  

Language Arts 

Vocabulary

• Within Dinosaur article 

Reading EQs

• What does an author do to convey opinion?
• How do we infer from texts?

Readings and Written Response

•  "The Girl Who Discovered a Dinosaur" Central ideas, inference, argument writing, author's craft, text evidence, author's point of view. SCOPE April issue 2014
• Paired video, Beyond the Story: Paleontologist.
• Critical reading skills on literary device, structure, mood and tone, inference, author's craftte
• Honors - "Common Core" article from Time magazine. Read. Reflect. Opine. due Wednesday

Writing

•  SCHOLASTIC SCOPE ACTIVITY • APRIL 2014
  
  VIDEO: “Beyond the Story: Into the World of a Paleontologist”• 
• SKILL: Critical Thinking Video-Discussion Questions
  ”Beyond the Story: Into the World of a Paleontologist”
  Directions: Be sure to consider the narration, footage, images, and music as you answer the following questions.
  1. Lauren refers to some dinosaurs as “superstars.” What does she mean by this? Why might some species be considered superstars while others are not?
  2. Lauren says, “Like pieces in a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, each scientist’s research contributes more to our understanding of Earth’s natural history.” How does the video support this claim?
  3. After watching the video and reading the article “Dinosaurs for Sale,” what do you imagine is Dr. Butts’s opinion of private fossil collections?
  4. How has the world of paleontology changed since the days of Mary Anning? Consider what you learned in the video as well as the article “The Girl Who Discovered the Dinosaurs.”

 Poetry

Mothers Day Poetry

Spring Survey and Research Project

1. Research a topic of interest 
2. Create a survey on Google Drive - Forms
3. Include at least 5 questions about the topic
4. Send to your classmates and they will respond to you.
5. Collect your data on your Google Drive spreadsheet.
6. Analyze the data and plan a research report.
7. Include three paragraphs: introduction where you explain why you are researching the topic, the analysis of the results, your opinion of what the results mean.  Type, print and post. Hand in including your spreadsheet from Google Drive Research.  
8. Present to the class.  

Technology and RTI 

Technology Integration - create blog posts that relate to the themes and topics 
RTI - Mon + Tue = Math
RTI - Wed, Thur, Fri = Reading 

Social Studies
CNN Student News
Watch this special broadcast of news and take notes on the organizer. Discuss the news of the day in small groups and whole class. Read and watch the news for homework.  

Local News - Coast Press
News Summary includes 2 paragraphs: the 5 W's of the article (who, what, when, where, why and how) and then a paragraph with your opinion, how you connect to the article, what you know. 

History Alive! (brown text)
Chapter 8: The Constitution
Text Outline and Notes - handouts to be completed
The American Revolution Booklet Project evaluation and reveal
Reading Chapter 8 and taking notes.

James Madison mini bio
Benjamin Franklin mini bio

The Declaration Video read aloud


 

Lesson Plans for April 28-May 3 Haiku and Tweet Poem Challenge Week1

 

Homework- READ for 45 minutes every night. Take AR Tests. 
Study vocabulary.
Library and AR tests this week on Tuesday, April 29. Bring your books. 

Language Arts 

Vocabulary

• William Shakespeare - Flocabulary  (Core 1)
• Flocabulary - How to Become an Entrepreneur - New words, definitions, exercises (Cores 2-3)

Reading EQs

• Do the powerful have a responsibility to care of the powerless?
• What does it mean for history to repeat itself? Why does this happen?

Readings and Written Response

•  "The Girl Who Discovered a Dinosaur" Central ideas, inference, argument writing, author's craft, text evidence, author's point of view. SCOPE April issue 2014
• Paired video, Beyond the Story: Paleontologist.
• Critical reading skills on literary device, structure, mood and tone, inference, author's craftte
• Honors - "Common Core" article from Time magazine. Read. Reflect. Opine. due Wednesday

Writing

•  SCHOLASTIC SCOPE ACTIVITY • APRIL 2014
  
  VIDEO: “Beyond the Story: Into the World of a Paleontologist”• 
• SKILL: Critical Thinking Video-Discussion Questions
  ”Beyond the Story: Into the World of a Paleontologist”
  Directions: Be sure to consider the narration, footage, images, and music as you answer the following questions.
  1. Lauren refers to some dinosaurs as “superstars.” What does she mean by this? Why might some species be considered superstars while others are not?
  2. Lauren says, “Like pieces in a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, each scientist’s research contributes more to our understanding of Earth’s natural history.” How does the video support this claim?
  3. After watching the video and reading the article “Dinosaurs for Sale,” what do you imagine is Dr. Butts’s opinion of private fossil collections?
  4. How has the world of paleontology changed since the days of Mary Anning? Consider what you learned in the video as well as the article “The Girl Who Discovered the Dinosaurs.”

 

Poetry Writing and Exploration for Poetry Month

Poetry Terms Quiz - take this here. 
 
Haiku How To
Haiku are short poems that use sensory language to capture a feeling or image. They are often inspired by an element of nature, a moment of beauty or a poignant experience. Haiku poetry was originally developed by Japanese poets, and the form was adapted to English and other languages by poets in other countries. Link to this Haiku blog for more info then write 2 or 12 of your own Haiku

Poetry Tweets
Explore the power of 140 characters or less. Read more on this Twitter blog and then write 3 or 15 of your own poetry Tweets.  

Poetry Project

Create a booklet with your original poems. Include 5-10 haikus, 5-10 Tweet poems and 3 other poems. Use your colored pencils to decorate and draw. 

 

Spring Survey and Research Project

1. Research a topic of interest 
2. Create a survey on Google Drive - Forms
3. Include at least 5 questions about the topic
4. Send to your classmates and they will respond to you.
5. Collect your data on your Google Drive spreadsheet.
6. Analyze the data and plan a research report.
7. Include three paragraphs: introduction where you explain why you are researching the topic, the analysis of the results, your opinion of what the results mean.  Type, print and post. Hand in including your spreadsheet from Google Drive Research.  
8. Present to the class.  

Technology and RTI 

Technology Integration - create blog posts that relate to the themes and topics 
RTI - Mon + Tue = Math
RTI - Wed, Thur, Fri = Reading 

Social Studies
CNN Student News
Watch this special broadcast of news and take notes on the organizer. Discuss the news of the day in small groups and whole class. Read and watch the news for homework.  

Local News - Coast Press
Read two articles and summarize. Bring to class on Tuesday to discuss and turn in.
News Summary includes 2 paragraphs: the 5 W's of the article (who, what, when, where, why and how) and then a paragraph with your opinion, how you connect to the article, what you know. 

History Alive! (brown text)
Chapter 7: The American Revolution
Text Outline and Notes - handouts to be completed
The American Revolution Booklet Project - see posting on this blog for details. Due on Wednesday.

The Declaration Video read aloud


 

Parody for "Happy" Assignment

Parody for the "Happy" Song
Assignment: Write a parody or similar song lyrics using the Happy Song as your model. Write a draft, then revise for homework and turn in on Thursday.  Also turn in your "Place" poem that was from last week, inspired by the "Library" poem by Nikki Giovanni.  Due 3/20/14.

 

DRAFT
 
Because I'm angry
Clap along if you feel like your world's about to end
Clap along if you feel like you lost your best friend
Clap along if you feel like you 8th grade year is done
Clap along if you feel like work here is no fun.

It might sound crazy what I'm ranting about
Snow clouds are forming: I'm not OK
I'm a black balloon slipping into the night
This world is too tough to get it right.

Lesson Plans Mar 18-28 Last Weeks of MP3!

Homework- READ for 45 minutes every night. Take AR Tests.  Deadline for third MP for AR tests is Thursday, March 20. Take three tests by then.
Study vocabulary.
Library during RTI and homeroom. 

Language Arts 

Vocabulary

• Power Plus Lesson 7  (Core 1)
• Flocabulary - We're Coming Up (Cores 2-3)

Reading EQs

• How do readers/viewers identify cause and effect in non-fiction?
• How does an author use craft to suggest details?
• How does a reader use text evidence to support claims?

Readings and Written Response

• Non-Fiction: "Saving the Great White Monster" Scope magazine
  
• Questions relating to selection
• Critical reading skills on text features, inference, note-taking and synthesizing skills

Core 1 - Reading

Poetry

Happy

Pharrell Williams

Verse 1:
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take away
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way

Chorus:
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Verse 2:
Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don’t waste your time
Here’s why

Chorus:
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Happy, come on, bring me down
Happy, come on, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Come on, bring me down
I said bring me down
Come on, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Come on, bring me down
I said


Happy, come on, bring me down
Happy, come on, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Come on, bring me down
I said bring me down
Come on, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Come on, bring me down
I said


Technology and RTI 

Technology Integration - create blog posts that relate to the themes and topics 
RTI - Mon + Tue = Math
RTI - Wed, Thur, Fri = Reading 

Social Studies
CNN Student News
Watch this special broadcast of news and take notes on the organizer. Discuss the news of the day in small groups and whole class. Read and watch the news for homework.  
History Alive! (brown text)
Chapter 9: The Constitution
Text Outline and Notes - handout to be completed
Project: Create a Wordle - see other post. 


Essential Questions 

      

Lesson Plans Snowy Week! Two Days OFF! March 5-14, 2014

Homework- READ for 45 minutes every night. Take AR Tests.  Deadline for third MP for AR tests is Friday, March 21. Take three tests by then.
Study vocabulary.
Library during RTI and homeroom. 

Language Arts 

Vocabulary

• Power Plus Lesson 6  (Core 1)
• Vocabulary with the Anne Frank unit (Cores 2-3) 
• Flocabulary - Harrison Bergeron (Cores 2-3)

Reading EQs

• How do readers/viewers understand and appreciate cinema/text?
• How does a character develop and change throughout a drama?
• How do authors use internal and external conflict to advance character development in cinema?
• What are the themes in the movie/book?

Readings and Written Response

• Fiction: excerpts from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
• Questions relating to theme and friendship.
• Critical reading skills on Movie and Book Review.

Book Chat/Groups on Friday 

                
Skills 
Reading Strategies: Connect, Predict, Visualize, Question, Summarize, Clarify
Literary Analysis: flashback, conflict, character development, theme


NOTES
Conflict - the struggle between opposing forces
Internal conflict - a problem within a character such as struggles with difficult decisions or feelings, takes place in thought
External conflict - a character struggles against another person or some other outside force


Core 1 - Writing - Research Project
See the Human Rights post. Research and write an essay about human rights.

Core 2, 3 - Writing - Personal Opinion
Responding to Movie/Book review

Poetry

My First Memory ( Of Librarians )

Nikki Giovanni

This is my first memory:
A big room with heavy wooden tables that sat on a creaky
wood floor
A line of green shades—bankers' lights—down the center
Heavy oak chairs that were too low or maybe I was simply
too short
For me to sit in and read
So my first book was always big
In the foyer up four steps a semi-circle desk presided
To the left side the card catalogue
On the right newspapers draped over what looked like
a quilt rack
Magazines face out from the wall
The welcoming smile of my librarian
The anticipation in my heart
All those books—another world—just waiting
At my fingertips.

Nikki Giovanni Read Around
In “The Read Around,” a weekly video feature, authors discuss the when, where and how behind their books. Above, Nikki Giovanni discusses her latest book, “Chasing Utopia,” the beer that inspired its title and why poetry keeps people from feeling lonely

Technology and RTI 
Technology Integration - create blog posts that relate to the themes and topics 
RTI - Mon + Tue = Math and Wed + Thur = Reading 
Friday = Core class with SSR  

Social Studies
CNN Student News
Watch this special broadcast of news and take notes on the organizer. Discuss the news of the day in small groups and whole class. Read and watch the news for homework.  
History Alive! (brown text)
Chapter 8: Creating the Constitution
Text Outline and Notes - handout to be completed
Project: Create a poster that contains symbols of the struggle to form a nation. 

Essential Questions 

1.  How did the Articles of the Confederation fall short in the creation of our nation?
2. What were the issues??
3. How did the Americans reach a compromise?

Read 

107-110 aloud with the class. Discuss key ideas. S take notes.

S make a list of all vocabulary words and write the definitions.

Questions to answer on paper. 

1. Why did the delegates disagree about the role of a strong nation? (page 108) What were the views of each side?
2. Why were the small states upset about the Virginia Plan? Explain. 

Read 111-114 aloud with the class. Discuss key ideas. S. take notes.

       

Lesson Plans Feb 24-28

Homework- READ for 45 minutes every night. Take AR Tests.  Study vocabulary.
Library this Thursday - STAR and AR tests  

Language Arts 

Vocabulary

• Power Plus Lesson 5  (Core 1)
• Vocabulary with the Anne Frank unit (Cores 2-3) 
• Flocabulary - It's Alright (Cores 2-3)

Reading EQs

• How do readers understand and appreciate drama?
• How does a character develop and change throughout a drama?
• How is flashback used to enhance the plot?
• How do authors use internal and external conflict to advance character development?
• How does conflict advance the plot?

Readings

• Text: Play based on the Diary Act, Scene Four 476-480
• Text: Play Act One Scene Five,  480-488
• Text Questions on 488: character development and conflict
• Worksheet on Conflict
• Worksheet on Character Development 

Writing - Explanatory Essay

• Create a pre-write, draft, then revise and edit for a final
• Explanatory Essay - see rubric for purpose/organization, evidence/elaboration and conventions
• Prompt: Pick a character from the list below.  Describe the character and how the person changes through the course of this play. Include at least two examples citing references from the play.   (For example, Dussel likes to keep to himself - then give an example from the play that illustrates this trait. . Dussel does not like children to be vocal or a bother - then give an example from the play that illustrates this trait.) 
•  Pick a character: Anne, Mrs. Frank, Peter, Mr. Van Daan

Common Core State Standards 

8W2 – Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. 

8W2a – Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

8W2b – Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

8W2c – Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

8W2d – Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

8W2e– Establish and maintain a formal style. 

8W2f– Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

Book Chat/Groups on Friday - Holocaust novels

                
Skills 
Reading Strategies: Connect, Predict, Visualize, Question, Summarize, Clarify
Literary Analysis: flashback, conflict, character development


NOTES
Conflict - the struggle between opposing forces
Internal conflict - a problem within a character such as struggles with difficult decisions or feelings, takes place in thought
External conflict - a character struggles against another person or some other outside force


Core 1 - Writing - Research Project
See the Human Rights post. Research and write an essay about human rights.

Core 2, 3 - Writing - Personal Opinion
Write to respond to question #6 on page 488. Anne says she is trying to change her bad qualities and behavior. Do you think it's possible to change in this way? Explain your opinion

Poetry

The Butterfly

Pavel Friedmann 4.6.1942

The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing
against a white stone…

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ‘way up high.
It went away I'm sure because it wished to
kiss the world goodbye.

For seven weeks I've lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto
But I have found my people here.

The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut candles in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don't live in here,
In the ghetto.

  Reflection

1. In this poem, what does the butterfly represent?
2. Name one metaphor.
3. Why do you think the author choose a butterfly?

Terezin 

Terezin Survivor Video 

I Never Saw Another Butterfly Readings

Technology Integration - create blog posts that relate to the themes and topics

RTI - Mon + Tue = Math and Wed + Thur = Reading 

Friday = Core class with SSR 

Social Studies

CNN Student News 

Watch this special broadcast of news and take notes on the organizer. Discuss the news of the day in small groups and whole class. Read and watch the news for homework. 

History Alive! (brown text) 

Chapter 7:  -The American Revolution

Text Outline and Notes - handout to be completed
Project: Create a booklet that summarizes each sub-chapter. Use words, sentences and symbols to complete the booklet.  Be prepared to present this to the class.

Essential Questions 

1.  How did the American Revolution impact our nation?
2. What were the strengths and weaknesses of each side?
3. What was the cost of freedom to the Americans? 

7.4 Britain Almost Wins the War

7.5 Pep Talk

7.6 Tide

7.7 War South

7.8 War Ends

7.9 Summary

Text Outline and Notes

Test and Essay on Chapter 7