Ms. Johnson

Week of October 29, 2007

This week, we are working on writing our persuasive papers.  In sixth period, each day, we are working together to write parts of the paper's rough draft.  On Monday, introductory paragraphs were due; today, three body paragraphs are due.  Tomorrow, we'll work on conclusions.  We're assessing our work and are preparing for writing the formal persuasive paper on Thursday in class.  I'm sure that after Mrs. Johnson returns, she'll continue to work with our students on additional persuasive writing exercises.

All classes will write persuasive papers in class on Thursday. 

This week periods 1, 2, 3, and 7 are having mini-lessons on a couple of elements of clear, vivid writing.  Today, these students are writing a twelve-sentence story without using any "being" or linking verbs.  We're focusing on "showing" instead of "telling" what's happening.  On Wednesday, we'll work on parallelism.  I've noticed these students very frequently misuse the verbs lie, lay, take, bring, raise, rise;  therefore, we're doing some grammar workbook exercises on these and other troublesome verbs. 

I've enjoyed working with Dickerson's eighth-grade language arts students for the four weeks that I have been here with them.  I appreciate all that you parents have done to help with behavior when I've asked for your support and help.  You have a great group of kids.  I'll miss them.  Dr. Williams

October 24--Test date changes

I just learned that the language arts test days have changed for this nine weeks.  In order for tests to coincide with this new testing schedule, the test on vocabulary 4 words will now be on Friday, and the grammar quiz will be on Thursday.  The content covered on these tests has not changed.

October 23, 2007

SAT Vocabulary #4 test on Thursday.  This test will require the students to UJNDERSTAND the meaning of the 20 unit four words and to APPLY the meaning, placingthe word correctly in a sentence and selecting a situation in which the word would most likely be used.  It is important that students know the meaning of these words, but applying these meanings will be of utmost importance. 

On Friday, there will be a brief quiz over active and passive voice and "being" and linking verbs.  This will take only a few minutes to complete.  Students should not need to study for this test, because we will have worked on the workbook pages involving these items in class. 

I'd like to remind all parents and students that students need to come to class each day prepared to work.  Each morning, I post in two different conspicuous places what the students will need in class each day.  This will always include binder (with plenty of notebook paper), a book to read, and a writing apparatus (pen and pencil).   I also let them know what book/s--if any--they need to bring to class.  I am checking randomly to see that students have what they need for class and am awarding points to be added together for a homework grade.    Please help your child be prepared for class.

Active and Passive Voice Verbs

Homework for Tuesday, October 23--Complete Exercise #1 on pages 129-130 in the grammar workbook.  Do not do exercise #2 on these pages.  On Tuesday, we will discuss linking and "being" verbs and active and passive voice.

Week of October 22

This week, we will be focusing our attention on persuasive writing.  We will do a pre-write in class today.  Later this week, we will work on making our writing colorful and exciting and on avoiding "being" verbs and passive voice in our writing.  Students will create a 12-sentence story that will be due this week. 

Picture Re-Take Information

Picture re-takes will be on Tuesday, October 23.  Students will be allowed to have retakes done who were absent on September 18, who enrolled after September 18, who had pictures taken and parents want a re-take (students must have a note and the picture package), or who did not have money on September 18 whose parents want pictures and who have the money/envelope.

October 19

In class today, we worked on linking verbs and verbs in the "to be" family.  Students in all classes should complete workbook pages 17-20 if they did not complete these in class.  Students in periods 1, 2, 3, and 7 should complete the vocabulary activity "I'm Thinking of a Word Which..." with four more SAT vocabulary words from list 4.  I believe that most students completed these two activities; if not, they should complete them for class on Monday.

Tentative test date for SAT vocabulary #4--Thursday, October 25.

Notebook requirements

Each student should have his/her notebook or binder in class every day.  Each notebook should contain the following:

Notebook paper and spare pencil/pen

Sentence Structure sheet

SAT vocabulary packet

Daily Grammar Practice
Yellow--Appendix D
Orange--Appendix A
White--Appendix B
Br. Green--Tuesday notes
White--Wednesday notes
Salmon--Thursday notes
H. Green--Friday notes

Style Builders--Blue

Ways You Might Begin Your Narrative

M.E.S.S.--Salmon color

When students don't have their work or supplies that they need for class, we lose valuable instructional time; when a student must borrow supplies, it usually creates a disturbance.  I will begin today checking notebooks on a random basis.  I will assign points to students who have all of their supplies in class.

I would really appreciate it if parents would double check to make sure that students have all of the supplies that they need. 

Monday, October 15, 2007

Please make sure your notebooks contain the information given on the board on Monday.  I will be doing periodic notebook checks this week and in the next few weeks.

Test Thursday on misplaced modifiers.

Mini-maze book with information on eight semi-difficult SAT words (refer to KWL chart) is due on Wednesday.  Each page should contain one word, its definition, a sketch to remind you of the meaning, and a personal connection sentence.  It will be great if this is as colorful as you can make it--the drawing or sketch should be colored.

Research says that the average individual needs 15 instances of being involved with a new vocabulary word before that word becomes a natural part of the individual's vocabulary for speaking, writing, and reading.

Homework for 10/9

Finish What Was Started In Class--We discussed a variety of play of words found in a comic strip.  For example, Subdue--When you wait for the sandwich to be delivered; Gruesome--What happened to somebody who had a growth spurt. 

Students were asked to pick one word from SAT 1, SAT 2, and SAT 3.  They had to write the new definition and illustrate.  They could not use the word assail, abridge, or deride.

TEST on Thursday!  Sentence Structure Sheet