Punctuation

Hyphen -- Spelling

barely/barley

Spelling:  

barely/barley

I just barely made it into class on time.

I enjoy bread made from wheat and barley.

barley

barley

It is confusing to your reader if you write something like this:

He was barley able to do it.  

hear/here

3. Spelling:  

here/hear

How long have you been here?

I can't hear you.

Whose/Who's

Right/Write/Rite

write/right/rite Please write neatly. This is the right spelling. A rite is a ceremony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeMLMlmX6t8 A rite:  a military induction ceremony    Graduation Rites Wedding Rites Funeral Rites

Bored/Board: Commonly Confused Words

This is a sign for Boring, Oregon. 

Essential, Non-Negotiable Spelling – Set 2

Essential, Non-Negotiable Spelling – Set 2   

Students received copies of this to tape into their composition books.

You will lose points if you misspell these in your writing.

to	prep.  means  toward      “Let’s go to that movie.”
too	adv.  means also  or exceeding     “I have too much homework.”
two	n. or adj. or pronoun – the number that comes next after one   “I have two brothers.”
a lot	adj.  means many    “I have a lot of homework.”  (Remember that this is two words. “You can put a hole in a lot – a whole lot!” The hole is the space between words. (Hole and whole are also homophones.)
allot	v. means distribute or assign  “The teacher will allot two candies to each student.”
alot   x	This is not a word! Don’t write it!   x
were	verb, past tense   “We were happy to see you.”
we’re	contraction for the pronoun and verb    “We’re going to lunch.”  Short for “We are going to lunch.”
where	usually adv. or conj.   indicates place   “Where is he?”

    wear                        Did you wear your coat to school?

    

Spelling: Stationary or Stationery?

Brian P. Cleary

Stationary or stationery? Remember: Stationary means fixed in one place -- not moving. Think: stationary bikes are “anchored" in place, so use the letter “a.” Stationery is the paper and “envelopes” used for writing, so use “e.”

Spelling Make-Up

In case you have misspelling one of you commonly confused words in your literacy letters, the make-up assignment is still available in the front of the tan box of folders at the back of the room.  (Whew! That's a lot of prepositional phrases!)

It looks like this, and you could copy and use this:

Student name ___________________________________ (first and last, of course)

If you have misspelled one of our seventh grade commonly confused words, you may make up those points by writing sentences using it correctly.  The meaning of the confused word has to be obvious in the meaning of the sentence.  The sentence must be written legibly and correctly with correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Word Misspelled ______________________________

Sentences:

1. __________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________

Alot?

Thanks to http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html

I tried making one, but I bet you could do better than I did:  alot of verbs.doc

 

and

I'd love it if someone would allot me this alot hat!

August 31/September 1, 2009

August 31/September 1, 2009

Spelling Test -- No, not the prince-into-frog sort of "spelling."
1. Students took a practice spelling test on their teachers' names, the names of the principal and assistant principals, and the name of their counselor. The real test will be in class next time.
See August 21/24 blog for the original assignment.

Everyday Editing
2. Students recombined sentences. The teacher had split up single sentences (which used commas in a series) from books into several sentences. The students then recombined each set of sentences into one. If you were absent, here are your sentences to combine:
_______________________
Example:
The fox coughed.
The fox gagged.
The fox sneezed.
The Stinky Cheese Man flew off his back and into the river, where he fell apart.
(from Jon Scieszka, "The Stinky Cheese Man")

Example of combining the above sentences:
The fox coughed, gagged, and sneezed, and the Stinky Cheese Man flew off his back and into the river, where he fell apart.
_______________________________

In your composition books, write today’s date, then combine these sentences into one using commas in a series. Try not to lose or change any of the meaning. (If you were absent, you may do this on a separate sheet of paper, and then tape it into your notebook.)

1st set of sentences to combine into one that uses commas in a series:

Her cleats were in her backpack.
Her shin pads were in her backpack.
Her sweats were in her backpack.
Her backpack was slung over her shoulder and heavy with homework.

2nd set of sentences to combine into one that uses commas in a series:

I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot glaze.
My skin is fair and clear where it isn’t freckled.
I have eyes like summer storms.

Combine these sentences into one using commas in a series. Try not to lose or change any of the meaning.

Vocabulary
3. Students copied into their composition books this phrase and definition:
character development: how the author tells you about the character

Copy also these ways that an author tells you about a character:
l What the character says and how he or she says it
l What the character does
l What other characters say about him or her
l What the author tells you about the character

3. Poems as examples of how an author (or poet) reveals character:
Literature text -- page 227 "Madam and the Rent Man"
and page 240 "Mama is a Sunrise"

Madam and the Rent Man by Langston Hughes

The rent man knocked.
He said, Howdy-do?
I said, What
Can I do for you?
He said, You know
Your rent is due.

I said, Listen,
Before I'd pay
I'd go to Hades
And rot away!

The sink is broke,
The water don't run,
And you ain't done a thing
You promised to've done.

Back window's cracked,
Kitchen floor squeaks,
There's rats in the cellar,
And the attic leaks.

He said, Madam,
It's not up to me.
I'm just the agent,
Don't you see?

I said, Naturally,
You pass the buck.
If it's money you want
You're out of luck.

He said, Madam,
I ain't pleased!
I said, Neither am I.
So we agrees!

Mama Is a Sunrise
by Evelyn Tooley Hunt

When she comes slip-footing through the door,
she kindles us
like lump coal lighted,
and we wake up glowing.
She puts a spark even in Papa's eyes
and turns out all our darkness.

When she comes sweet-talking in the room,
warms us
like grits and gravy,
and we rise up shining.
Even at nighttime Mama is sunrise
that promises tomorrow and tomorrow.

4. During the day, we spent some time looking at our class library, some students checking out books, some reading. Students also signed up for their Book-of-the-Month club books.

5. We began reading The Outsiders.
B1 --page 2, 3rd paragraph
B2 --page 4, end of paragraph 4
B4 -- page 3, line 5
A1 -- page 2,
A2 -- page 8, 1/2 of the way down
A4 -- page 3, 2nd paragraph

August 19/20, 2008

August 19.20, 2008
Student Targets for today:
Today's Self-Starter:
I'll receive and get acquainted with the class disclosure document.
We spent some time filling out the VIP form.
Notice that the best way to give me your contact information in in an e-mail addressed to me at dorsc405@alpine.k12.ut.us and with the subject line "Parent of [your child's name]

2. I'll start practicing for my first spelling test: teachers', counselor's, and administrators' names. (Notice that we added the advisory teacher's name as #13.)

3. I'll receive and understand the Book-of-the-Month Club assignment.

4. I'll study two vocabulary words: fiction and nonfiction.

5. I'll interview and be interviewed by other students, and take notes to use for a written assignment.

Did you meet all of these targets today? If not, see Ms. Dorsey.

September 7

1. We took a brief trip to "the movies" to set the atmosphere of the 1960's for reading The Outsiders. We watched a clip of a Paul Newman movie, since the novel begins (and ends) with the main character stepping out "into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house," thinking about how "tough" Paul Newman looks, and about how he probably should get a ride home.
2. Students listened to and read along with chapter 1 of The Outsiders. On their own copy, they marked any unfamiliar or confusing words or phrases, or any places they had questions.
3. Students filled out an opinionaire, agreeing or disagreeing with statements related to to The Outsiders and with the topic of "How Do I Fit In?" and writing a brief comment about one of those statements.
4. Students received back their spelling tests and Spelling Survival Lists. They are to select 5 more words (reusing words they missed on the first test) to study for a test on September 21.
5. Students had time to form groups for the Term Project, and turned in requests for topics.
(A4 Finished and corrected the Outsiders Slang papers.)

Remember:
*If you haven't had your binder with folders checked off, do it as soon as possible.
*If you haven't taken your first spelling test, come after school (not on Monday).
*Don't forget to be reading outside class for your Reading Bingo (400 pages per term). Have your book approved and recorded on your bingo card by Ms. Dorsey. You may bring your Reading Bingo book to class to read if you finish an assignment early or otherwise have extra time.

August 23 -- Second Day

1. Spelling Assignment
See the post here titled "Spelling: My Personal Survival List."
On August 23, each student receives the list to fill out.
Homework is finishing filling out the list/chart with a parent or guardian.
Make sure each word is spelled correctly.
The student selects 5 words from the list that he or she has difficulty spelling.
The student studies those five words.
The student returns the Survival List, completely filled out, to the teacher on August 27.
The student takes a test on his or her five selected words on August 31.

2. Discussion of Classroom Rules and Procedures.

3. Reading Bingo Assignment
Students receive their Reading Bingo card to be used to record homework reading all year.
See the card for rules.
Make sure your parents approve of the books you read.
Make sure you have Ms. Dorsey approve and record each book before you begin reading it.
Read 400 pages outside of class each term. When we do a book portfolio, the portfolio book counts, but books we read as a whole class or literature circles do not.
See Ms. Dorsey's website or the English Department website for suggested books.
For Term 1 I recommend Life Problems/Realistic Fiction books.
The Reading Bingo is due Tuesday, October 9.
Reading 10 to 20 minutes a day will get you to your goal of 400 pages or more.
Extra pages lead to extra credit.

4. Classmate interview and writing a paragraph.

Spelling: My Personal Survival List

Our first spelling unit will be on individual survival words. Students will find out what personal words they're not absolutely sure of when they try to spell them. They will select five of those to study for the first spelling test. Here is the chart of survival words that everyone should be absolutely certain of. We will fill out a chart like this in class, students will bring it home for help from parents to fill in any blanks, the teacher will check over the filled in charts and hand them back for the students to keep.

Parents, if there is any information parents feel is too sensitive, you may instruct your student to leave it off.

My first, middle, and last names:
My mother's maiden name:
My mother's first, middle, and last names:
My father's first, middle, and last names:
My grandparents' first, middle, and last names:
My siblings' first, middle, and last names:
My street address:
My town and county:
My teacher's names:	A1
	A2
	A3
	A4
	B1
	B2
	B3
	B4
My school administration		Principal
		Vice-Principal
		Vice-Principal

My school:
My place of birth:
The hospital of my birth:
My allergies, if any:
My physician's name:
Family cars (manufacturer and make):
Days of the week:
Months of the year:
Friends, relatives, or neighbors to call in case of emergency:
My school subjects:
My school address: 1120 N 20 W American Fork, UT 84003
Other local communities (neighboring towns):
Where I will probably attend high school:
My ethnic background: (e.g. Korean)
The lake, river, or ocean nearest to my home:
My friends' first and last names:
The breed and name of my dog or cat or other pet: