Monday - Feb 25, 2013


7th & 8th Grade:  Spelling and Literary Terms - Week 6

zucchini – green veggie

capricious – unpredictable

mozzarella – white cheese

vigilante – mob justice

filibuster – long winded talk

vanilla – flavor

conquistador – conqueror

plausible – possible

Attendance – Turnout

Prosperous – Wealthy

 

Literary Terms:

1.  Dissuade - To advise a person against doing something.  Opposite of persuade.

2.  Emaciated - To waste away physically.  Starving, extremely skinny

3.  Fixated - To focus or concentrate obsessively

4.  Forlorn - Sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion

5.  Diction - A choice of words, especially with regard to correctness, effectiveness when heard or read.  How you say things. 

 

7th Grade: New spelling - Week 6, and Lit terms. No Current Events this Friday.  Journal - Describe how you deal with pain and injury.  Describe an injury or illness you had to endure, and how you handled it.

We are beginning our unit on research papers.  There is much to discuss as we tackle these. 

8th Grade:  New spelling, Lit terms, then we spent the day in the Library working on History Day projects.  THESE ARE DUE TUESDAY!!!!



10th Grade Spelling, Literary Terms, and Grammar Link:

Lit Terms                              Week 6

Epigram – a brief, witty saying or poem: 

·         “One bad apple spoils the barrel.” 

·         “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” ~ Ben Franklin

Epitaph – A short poem or verse written in memory of someone. 

·         Here lies Michael John Cotter, who I shot when he married my daughter.

Epithet – a word or phrase used in place of someone’s name.

·         “Hulk” Hogan

·         Alexander “The Great”

·         the “Material Girl”

·         Ivan “The Terrible”

·          “The Rock”

Epiphany – A sudden realization of something – the Lightbulb moment.  Eureka!

·         In Mary Poppins, the old banker has an ephiphany of understanding and laughs so hard at a joke about “A man with a wooden leg named Smith” that he actually dies.

Spelling – week 6

1.  Antarctic – The SOUTH pole

2.  Ascend – to go up

3.  Ascertain – To find out / figure out

4.  Assess – to judge / size up for quality

5.  Bankrupt – Broke

6.  Bouillon – a cube of meat extract used for making soup

                Bullion – A metal ingot or bar

                                Soup bouillon / gold bullion – pretty much the same pronunciation for both words

7.  Bouyant – Floats

8.  Bureau – Dresser / Government agency

9.  Capital – Money for projects

                Capitol – Chief city

10.  Carburetor – Engine part

Grammar – Gotta Love those verb forms!

·         Base form – Nothing added to the end.   The verb is in its natural state. 

o   Eat, Dance, Fly, Hike

·         Present Participle (Present progressive) – ING added to the end. 

o   Eating, Dancing, Flying, Hiking

·         Past – Usually ends with ED, but not always. 

o   Ate, Danced, Flew, Hiked

·         Past Participle (Past Progressive) – Similar to Past tense, but has a helping verb with it. 

o   Have flown, Have danced, Have eaten, Have hiked

 

10th Grade:  Vocab, spelling, Lit and Grammar terms - Week 6.  We discussed the speech videos the kids watched over the weekend.  What did you learn about yourself from watching the video?  Will this help you do better next time?

History:  Work in lab on projects. 

Tuesday - Feb 19, 2013

7th Grade:  We discussed the story "Names" from page 496.  We looked at Main Idea, Objective and Subjective statements in the story.  Today, for homework, students need to read the next story called "Elizabeth I" on page 506.  For tomorrow, find the main idea of this story, as well as one or two other significant points the author is making in the story.  We will discuss these in class.

8th Grade:  Computer Lab to work on process papers.  Watsons papers due tomorrow.

10th Grade:  Finish speeches.  Great job guys.  I'll have videos for you tomorrow to watch and evaluate for class next week.  No homework.

History:  Executive Branch notes on power point.  See a class mate, or Mr. Hawley for copies of notes.  No homework. 

Monday - Feb 18, 2013

7th Grade:  Read from pages 496 - 504.  Find 5 examples of subjective statements - with page numbers for the quote.  Find 5 examples of objective statements - with page numbers, and find the main idea of this story.  Due Tomorrow.  There is a discussion of what subjective and objective statements are on page 496.

8th Grade: 
-Watsons chapters 1-5 open book test.  Due Wednesday.  See Mr. Hawley for extra copies.

- Library to Work on Process papers.  Examples and guidelines were shown in class.  See a friend or Mr. Hawley for notes.  Here is a quick recap:

Outline your process paper. There are four specific parts that the contest requires in your process paper:

1) Explain how you chose your topic.

2) Explain how you conducted your research

3) Explain how you selected the exhibit category and how you created your project.

4) Explain how your project relates to the National History Day theme that year.

Jot down a few main points for each of these four parts. Form these rough ideas into full sentences and complete thoughts. Add comfortable transitions from one paragraph to the next.

Retype your outline into a complete process paper.

·         Create a cover sheet according to the National History Day Contest's specifications.

·         This must include only the title of your entry, your name, and the contest division and category you are competing in.

·         Do not include any additional information. Print these and include them with your final project.

 

 

110th Grade:  We began our speeches today.  I saw some great stuff, and a few things that needed improvement.  But it's a learning process for all.   We will continue these, and hopefully finish them up tomorrow.

 

     History:  Continuation of our notes on the Executive Branch, with stories galore!  Get notes from Mr. Hawley's laptop, or a friend. 

Feb 14, 2013 - VALENTINE'S DAY!! - Thursday

7th & 8th Grade:
-Spelling test - Week 5
-Subject and Predicate examples on the white board. 
The Subject is who did it.  The predicate is what they did.  No homework.  7th grade got a watered down version of this.  8th grade was harder. 

10th Grade:
-Valentines day video. 
-Study for test tomorrow.
-Subject and Predicate monster lesson.  Mr. Hawley has the powerpoint if you need to come get the notes.  No homework.  Just lots and lots and lots of practice.  Remember, in a question, put the sentence into a statement.  This helps simplify it so you can find the subject and predicate much easier. 

History:  It's time to start learning the Preamble to the Constitution.  There is a school house rock video that is really good at helping kids memorize the words to this document. 
-We began taking notes and discussing the Executive branch of the federal government.  See Mr. Hawley for notes

Wednesday - Feb 13, 2013

7th Grade:  DOL and grammar practice most of the day.  We had the chance to read our ballads to the class, and several memorable ones were presented.  Ballads due.  No homework. 

8th Grade:  DOL, and then we read chapter 4 in Watsons together.  No homework.  Journals due today.

10th Grade:  Lab day to research and write persuasive speeches.  No homework.  Journals due today.

History:  Notes on Annotated Bibliography, and a review of the process paper rules in the packet for Wyoming History Day projects.  No homework. 

Tuesday - Feb 12, 2013

7th Grade:  Still waiting for Jared to get better so we can have the spell-off between him and Callin for 3rd and alternate in the spelling bee.  Get better soon!\

Today, we put together our lego projects.  Only 2 students from 4th period and 3 students from 7th period were able to successfully put the projects together.  Moral of the story?  Technical writing requires great precision in describing what you want people to do.  But the bigger picture is that your job as a writer is to make the reader's experience as smooth and easy as possible, no matter what style of writing you engage in.  Nobody likes a bumpy ride.  Not in an airplane, not in a car, and not in an essay, or book, or how-to manual. 

Next, we begin our unit on Bias and stereotyping.  Here are the definitions I had students write down in class:

Bias:  Preconceived notions, thought, or opinions you hold.  Often you are raised with these, and don't really stop to think about the fact that someone else might have a different point of view.  Republicans vs Democrats, City vs Country, Chevy vs Ford.  In some countries, bias abounds about how baby boys are much more desirable than baby girls, etc.  Writers often write with a distinct bias.  Our job will be to find that bias, identify it, and consider it in our calculations of how effective an argument is, or is not. 

Stereotype:  Lumping people or groups or things into huge categories and making blanket generalizations.  All boys are better at math than girls.  All girls have better balance than boys.  All city people are democrats, or all country people are republicans.  This is a dangerous way to write and to see the world, which is complex and many layered - NOT black and white, round or square. 

8th Grade:  Read pages 547-563 about the battles of Shiloh.  Answer questions 9-13 on page 563. 

10th Grade:  Lab day to find statistical evidence to back up your persuasive speech.  I also read a persuasive, but humorous article by Dave Barry about what kind of gift to buy a woman.  I have copies in my classroom if you want to read it. 

History:  Chapter 1, pg 13 - 19 in the History of US book.  Summarize the chapter for tomorrow.  Lab work for the rest of the period on History Day Projects. 

Monday - Feb 11, 2013

7th & 8th Grade:

Week 5

Lit Terms: 

Ballad:  A song or songlike poem that tells a story

1.  influenza – Flu

2.  pistachio – nut

3.  incognito – disguised

4.  vendetta – out for revenge

5.  mascara – eye liner

6.  virtuoso – prodigy

7.  stucco – wall mud

8.  ballerina – dancer

9.  malaria – mosquito sickness

10.  scenario – situation

Grammar Link:  Subject and Predicate

      In a sentence, there are two parts

            – the Subject       (who did it)

-       and the predicate (what they did).

Joe ate a cake

Bob and Jillian are trainers on the show “Biggest Loser”

In a question, the subject and predicate might be in a different order.

Where did Elsie go? (Elsie did go where?)

How come I have to do all this work? (I have to do all this work, how come???)

You still ask the same questions. 

- Who did it? 

- What did they do?

Homework:  Try and write a ballad, set to any tune you want.  Subject:  Burlington life

Ex:  Set to 10 little Indians

There once was a boy who lived in Burlington

Walked everywhere for lack of transportation

 

Didn’t matter much cause the town was so tiny

He could get round just fine.

 

Then one day he came across a mustang

Grabbed the wheel and went off a-screeching

 

Now he’s in jail cause the cops came a chasing

Till he pays the massive fine

 

Mom came and got him from incarceration

Dad came and spanked him till red inflamation

 

He learned his lesson, now he is a-waitin’

Till he’s 16, that’s just fine.

 

After we finished the weekly spelling words, we held our spelling bee for 7th and 8th grade today, to see who would represent us in Lovell at the District Bee on Feb 27.  Final rounds will conclude tomorrow, and the winners will be announced on the blog. 

 

 

10th Grade:

Week 5

Diction – an author’s choice of words based on thier correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.  There are several kinds of diction.  The following are some of them: (You will be expected to know all of these terms for the test on Friday.)

·         Archaic – old fashioned phrases or words – Wherefore art thou?

·         Colloquialism – local speech patterns common to a certain area.  Very informal – I used to could.

·         Jargon – Technical, specific language used by specialty groups.  504, IEP, ELL, SIP, Mom and Dad

·         Profanity – disrespect for sacred things

·         Slang – very common, street language – take a chill pill, chillax!

·         Vulgarity – swearing, gross, crude language.  – used too often in movies to make it “Real.”

Spelling - Week 5

1.  Aerial – In the sky

2.  Affect – the input  (Effect – the outcome)

3.  Agreeable – willing, to your liking

4.  Aisle – tiny passageway on planes

5.  Alcohol – Libations

6.  Alignment – how things line up

7.  All right – OK – NEVER one word!!!!!!! a’ight

8.  Anecdote – story with a point to it.

9.  Annihilate – completely destroy

10.  Anonymous – secret identity

Antecedent – Always goes with a pronoun.  Identifies the pronoun in the sentence. 

I went with Margaret to the dance.  She looked really pretty.

Bob is my best friend, although he can be a real jerk sometimes.

My cat is stupid – she refuses to drink out of anything but the toilet or the fish tank

Homework:  Write a 1 page journal entry about a family vacation you took – include 5 antecedents and identify them in your paper with a highlighter.  Due Wednesday.

After we completed the spelling, we listened to a persuasive speech by Dr. Benjamin Carson from last week.  You can easily look it up on Youtube.  It is about 27 minutes long, and was given at the National Day of Prayer, attended by President Obama.  It is a fabulous example of persuasive speaking, and even though it was given at a religious function, it is not really a religious text, but more of a "How to save yourself and America" talk.  Look it up.  Listen to it.  It may be the most profound thing you hear all year. 

Wednesday - Feb 06, 2013

7th Grade:  
-DOL: RC Helicopter manual mistakes.  Funny stuff, but confusing
-Study for spelling test tomorrow.
-Turn in Journal 3 for the week (Paradigm shift)
-Read Walmart Cart descriptions to class.
-Technical Writing - Block building exercise:  I passed out 3 foam building blocks to each student.  They had to stack them vertically, and then write a description of how to stack them.  Students exchanged blocks and instructions, and tried to replicate the block structure.  It is much more challenging than it sounds.  Every aspect must be considered.  This was a practice round.  Tomorrow, the real assignment will happen with Legos and we will be using more pieces.  It's fun, but challenging to get it right.

8th Grade: 
-DOL:
-Pass in Journals
-Pass in Questions from yesterday's homework pg 508 # 1,2,4,5,6
-We started reviewing MLA citation formats in preparation of our History Day papers coming up next week.

10th Grade:
-DOL
-Read persuasive arguments for or against the Dog articles by Cesar Milan and Mark Derr.
-Persuasive essay from Mr. Hawley about what it takes to succeed in college.
-Political Ads for and against other oponents.  We will be watching several examples of these tomorrow. 
-Begin thinking seriously about a topic you want to argue for the persuasive essay.

History: 
Read Preface in "A History of US" books.  Then work in lab on Projects.  Mr. Hawley has these new books.  They are NEVER to leave the room.  All reading in them must be done in class, or in my room after school, before school, etc.

Tuesday - Feb 05, 2013

7th Grade:  We are starting a technical writing unit.  We practiced describing faces in pictures today.  Homework:  Describe a shopping cart.  Here is the catch.  You can't name it.  You must simply describe what it looks like in the best detail you can manage.  About 1/4 page.

8th Grade:  Non Fiction reading.  Read pages 484 - 508.  There are two stories here.  In the second story, about Harriet Tubman, answer questions 1,2,4,5,6 at the end of the story.  Due Wednesday.

10th Grade:  Evaluating persuasive writing.  There are two stories from page 592 - 605.  One by Cesar Milan about how to train dogs, and the other called "Pack of Lies" refuting Cesar's claims.  Read both stories, and then write a paper, about 3/4 page, arguing AGAINST the one you find the least convincing.  We will be reading these to the class tomorrow.

History:  Read Ch 7, Section 3 in the Text.  Define the terms on page 218 that are in blue at the bottom of the page.  Then Summarize the section for tomorrow.  After you finish, work on the History Day project.

Monday - February 4, 2013

7th/8th Grade spelling and journal
The Middle School Spelling Bee will be held this coming Monday.  I have copies of the study sheet if you want one. 

Get the new February Reading Log from my back table - White color this month

Week 4

femininity – Femaleness

Contiguous – neighboring

Incorruptible – won’t go bad

Pernicious – evil

Euphemism – suggestive prhase

hyperbole – exaggeration

arachnid – spider

paradigm – view point

pneumatic – air powered

cacophony – noisy

 

 

Journal - A paradigm is the way in which you see the world.  Describe how your worldview might change if you went to live in a very different place, like a city, or the jungle, etc.  Use 5 spelling words, and highlight, or underline them for easy identification.

 

7th Grade: 

Spelling Week 4 words

Journal - See above

Read from page 448-459 in the text book.   Answer all the critical reading questions found on those pages.  Due Tomorrow.

 

8th Grade: 

Spelling Week 4

Journal - See above

Pass back papers, review grades for both classes.

Discussion of what to expect with History Day projects this week.

 

History:  Finish watching the movie "A More Perfect Union"

Discussion of First and 4th amendment rights.  Who wins this lawsuit?

 

10th Grade Lit Terms, spelling, and Grammar Focus - Week 4

Denouement – The final resolution or outcome of a play or a story.  “And they lived happily ever after.”

                Name the denouement in these movies:  Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Shrek.

1.  Abbreviate - shorten

2.  Abscess – sore, inflamed skin

3.  Accede – to agree

4.  Accommodate – help out

5.  Accurate - right

6.  Ache – pain

7.  Acquaintance - friend

8.  Acquiesce – to give in

9.  Adjourn – to suspend, pause

10.  Admissible – allowable

Misplaced Modifiers – Add more info to a word

– modifiers that have been placed incorrectly; so the meaning of the sentence is not clear.  Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the word they modify.

·         We have an assortment of combs for active people with unbreakable teeth.

·         Eagerly awaiting her birthday, Mary's presents were all picked up and admired by Mary many times throughout the course of the day.

·         Princess Beatrice was photographed running in the surf on the island of St Barts with her American boyfriend Dave Clark dressed in a blue bikini last month

·         They just said it's going to rain on the radio

·         You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian composers, artists, and writers are buried daily, except on Thursdays.

·         Her only full-time paid employee is a pleasant young woman with a nose ring named Rebecca, who sits at the front desk.

·         She handed out brownies to children wrapped in Tupperware.

Dangling Modifiers

A word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.  A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept.

·         Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on

·         Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was needed

·         Without knowing his name, it was difficult to introduce him

·         To improve his results, the experiment was done again

·         The experiment was a failure, not having studied the lab manual carefully