Ms. Attard

Monday, August 22, 2011

We completed a Baseline Writing Assignment in class based on our Mandalas.  Each student chose three sections of his/her Mandala that are the most important and completed an autobiographical essay. 

Announcement:  We will begin a poetry writing project this week.  Bring a flashdrive to class to save your work because you may choose to do some additional work at home.

Friday, August 19, 2011

We continued to work on our “Writing is like…” posters.  Your final poster will need to be turned into me Monday before class dismisses. 

Announcement:  We will begin reading To Kill a Mockingbird at the start of September.  Let me know if you are having trouble borrowing, checking-out, or acquiring a copy of the book. 

Happy Weekend!

Friday, August 19, 2011

A second Benchmark assessment was given to the students today.  They were assessed on their knowledge of Parts of Speech, Parts of a Sentences, Phrases & Clauses, and Sentence Types .

The students finished their Mandalas and shared with the class.

Happy Weekend!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

We continued to work on our “Writing is like…” posters.  I am seeing some creative work and can't wait to see the final products!

Announcement:  We will begin reading To Kill a Mockingbird at the start of September.  Let me know if you are having trouble borrowing, checking-out, or acquiring a copy of the book. 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Today, we took an 8^th grade English Language Arts Benchmark to assess the students’ skills.  We will use this information to see our learning needs.

The students continued to work on their Mandalas.  This will have to be completed by tomorrow in class.

 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

We reviewed our class syllabus today.  Make sure you take this home to read over with your parents/guardians.  You will need to have this signed and returned.

Our Mandala assignment continues.  The students worked on their Mandalas during class.  This assignment will be due Friday!

Homework:  Review syllabus with parents/guardians, sign, and return.

Important Dates:  Mandala Project due Friday

Monday, August 15 & Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts!

Monday, August 15th - We began our year with an introductory activity using a metaphorical expression. Each student used critical thinking to compare a picture to his/her middle school journey.

We worked in groups to create a group resume for a classmate introduction.

Tuesday, August 16th - You will receive and review your course syllabus tomorrow in class. 

We began an assignment to create a Mandala.  What is a Mandala?  It is a meaningful design made in the form of a circle.  Mandalas are circular drawings made to represent harmony and wholeness of life or the wholeness of a person.  Each student is creating a Mandala as a representation of who they are.  Symbols are chosen as representations.  If you want to check out some Mandalas, visit www.mandalaproject.org. 

Remember, this is your chance to be unique and extraordinary. Wow us!



Wednesday, August 17, 2011

We reviewed our class syllabus today.  Make sure you take this home to read over with your parents/guardians.  You will need to have this signed and returned.

We continued working on our "Writing is like..." project.

Homework:  Review syllabus with parents/guardians, sign, and return.

Monday, August 15 & Tuesday August, 16, 2011

Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts!

Monday, August 15th - We began our year with an introductory activity using a metaphorical expression. Each student used critical thinking to compare a picture to his/her middle school journey.

We worked in groups to create a group resume for a classmate introduction.

Tuesday, August 16th - You will receive and review your course syllabus tomorrow in class. 

We began a group assignment using the analogy "Writing is like..."  The students are working together to create visual representations with metaphors connecting writing to objects, places, people, or events.  Remember to be critical thinkers!