Monday/Tuesday, October 5/6, 2015

Announcements and Reminders:                                                                   Last time we took the Spelling Test on where/wear and our/are, and the Final Test on Literary Terms.  If you missed that day you will be requested for Cavetime on Tuesday, October 6. Our next spelling test will be on ALL of our commonly confused words. Practice with flashcards:  https://quizlet.com/_1kmci4 For your next Book of the Month, read contemporary realistic fiction. See your goldenrod handout for the Book of the Month Assignment. This is a link to  some examples of contemporary realistic fiction. The book discussions will be held on October 20/21.  October Group Book Discussion Evaluation.docx   The term ends on October 23. Ms. Dorsey has gathered some contemporary realistic fictions books on the rolling table at the front of the room.  You may want to look at them.  As you read, look for evidence for one or more themes in your book. Don't miss this chance to earn extra credit: Extra Credit Poem Memorization

Targets for Today:  I can demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English spelling for twelve sets of commonly confused words. (Utah State Core Language Arts: Language, Standard 2) I can recognize and define major elements of literature, especially theme.  (Utah State Core, Language Arts 7, Reading: Literature Standard 2, 3, 4, 6, and Language, Standard 5 for figurative language) I can read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. 925L–1185L (Utah State Core, Language Arts 7, Reading: Literature Standard 10)  I can define and recognize VERBS! (Utah State Core, Language Arts 7, Language Standard 1)

Today’s  Agenda:   Pick up your composition book?   Sign up for your October Book of the Month. (B6, B7 -- We'll do the drawings we missed on Friday.) 1. Bell Ringer: (5-7 minutes)   Journal Write:   Select one of these memes, and write a half page or more about the quote -- why you do or do not think it is true.  Share examples.      2.  Individual Reading (10 minutes)  -- Contemporary Realistic Fiction           The element of literature we're focusing on this month is THEME.            Determine a theme of the book you choose and              provide  evidence for that theme from your book.        Examples of Themes:     "Amigo Brothers"     True friendship can last through difficult trials.     Friendship is more important than winning.     "Little Red and the Hungry Wolf"     Crime doesn't pay.     Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone --     Each person can make a contribution with his or her own         unique talents.    Here is an example of providing a piece of evidence from the book: Title of book: Alice in Wonderland    One topic from Alice in Wonderland is "Games/ Learning the Rules": In Wonderland, Alice must often learn new and strange rules. Not following the rules can cause problems for her. For instance, she is required to follow the Queen's rules in the game of croquet. Alice has gotten better at adapting to new situations as the story goes on. Theme: Each of us must learn to adapt to new situations in life. Examples of Theme from Movies and an extra credit opportunity.  3.   Prepare for Composition Book check.  (Teacher Note: Print and Copy w/ plenty of extras.)   OUR COMPOSITION BOOK CHECK WILL BE NEXT TIME.   YOU WILL NOT CHECK YOUR OWN, SO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS THERE AND IN ITS PLACE BEFORE OUR NEXT CLASS. RECEIVE THE HANDOUT AND See the tab above for COMPOSITION BOOK.    4.   Today you will set up your appointment clock on the last page of your composition book. Appointment Clocks   5. Parts of Speech:  Verbs!   (Teacher note: Prepare Pictionary game.)  What is a sentence?   A sentence is a complete thought.   A sentence MUST have a verb, either expressed or implied. What is a verb? Recognizing Verbs Take notes in your composition book under Notes and QuickWrites. Verb Pictionary 6.  Sparkle for Spelling Words -- the test will be on October 12/13.

If You Were Absent:    Do the journal write in your composition book or on a piece of paper you can tape into your composition book.     See the tab for Composition Book.  Prepare for the composition book check next time.    Study your spelling words for the overall test on the 12th or 13th. You could practice with flashcards: https://quizlet.com/_1kmci4    Study the information about theme and verbs.