August 21/22, 2008

August 21/22, 2008
These are the things we're doing today to reach our current learning targets.
Student Target 1: I will be able to correctly spell, capitalize, and punctuate (where appropriate) the names of my teachers, counselor, and administrator.

Today I’ll practice for my first spelling test teachers’, counselor’s, and administrators’ names.
Students practiced a procedure for learning how to spell words.

Student Target: I'll understand the meaning of select terms we use in English class.
Today I’ll study two vocabulary words: genre and novel. I should have two pink vocabulary sheets -- each at least partially filled out -- in my English binder.

Student Target: I'll prepare for the Utah State CORE test by mastering knowledge and skills that will help me succeed in junior high and high school.
Today I’ll honestly do my best on a pretest of 7th Grade CORE knowledge and skills.

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.

First Spelling Test

First Spelling Assignment
(Please notice that we've added #13 -- your advisory teacher.)

Prepare to be tested on correctly spelling (with correct capitalization) these names:

Be ready to take the test on these names on August 28 (A-Day) or 29 (B-Day).

The names of your teachers (include the correct form of address: Mr., Miss, Ms. or Mrs.)
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________
4. ________________________________
5. ________________________________
6. ________________________________
7. ________________________________
8. ________________________________
Your counselor:
9. _________________________________

The names of our administrators
10. Principal: Mr. Shane Farnsworth
11. Vice-Principal: Mr. Jim Young
12. Vice-Principal: Mr. Todd Dalley
13. Advisory Teacher _______________________

Book-of-the-Month Club Assignment

Book-of-the-Month Club Assignment: In addition to the reading we’ll do in class, students are required to read a novel (or other approved book) on their own (outside of school, during advisory reading time, etc.) each month. You will keep a reading log, and toward the end of the month, you will complete, mostly in class, an assessment based on the book.
Book Requirements: You get to choose your book ☺, but it must meet these requirements.
 The book cannot be one read as a class or as a small group in class.
 The book must be grade level/reading level appropriate.
 The book should be 100 pages or longer. Select a book you can read by the time it is due.
 See the back of this sheet for a list of books not allowed.
 Check your teacher’s website and/or blog for a list of recommended books.
 The book must be approved by a parent or guardian, and by your teacher.
 The teacher may ask you to read a book from a particular genre.

Books Not Allowed for Class Book Assessments

Books Not Allowed for Class Book Assessments
[Some of these books are used as class sets in our 7TH, 8TH and 9TH grade English classes. Others may be considered by our English department teachers to be too “young” for you, or otherwise inappropriate as homework for a junior high class.]

A Tale of Two Cities
Adventures of Ulysses
And Then There Were None
Animal Farm
Book of Three
Boxcar Children, any of the series
Bud, Not Buddy
Call of the Wild
Captain Underpants, any of the series
Charlotte’s Web
Diary of Anne Frank
Getting Away with Murder
Goosebumps, any of the series
Great Brain, any of the series
Great Gilly Hopkins
Gregor the Overlander (#1 and #2)
Harriet the Spy
Holes
Ice Story
Invention of Hugo Cabret
Left for Dead
Midwife’s Apprentice
Mississippi Trial 1955
Phineas Gage
Regarding the Fountain
Roll off Thunder, Hear My Cry
Romeo and Juliet
Stand Tall
Tom Sawyer
The Giver
The Outsiders
The Whipping Boy
To Kill a Mockingbird
Walk Two Moons
White Fang
Words By Heart
Authors:
Judy Blume
Beverly Cleary
Katherine Patterson (most)
R.L. Stein (all)

Literature Class books:
Stargirl
Witness
Esperanza Rising
Road to Memphis
Princess Bride
Gathering Blue
Pudd’n Head Wilson
Trouble Don’t Last
Keylock Man
Storyteller’s Daughter
Hoot
Surviving the Applewhites
The Dark is Rising
The Martian Chronicles
The Hobbit
The Westing Game

Also not accepted:
Books you read for reading skills or literature classes (or other classes), comic books, cartoon books, scriptures.
Please do not select books you have previously read.



The consequence for doing a book assessment on books “not allowed” will be a zero (no points) on the assignment.
Your teacher reserves the right to add or delete books on this list at her discretion.
 Have your book approved by your teacher and parents before you start reading.

Supplies for English Class

Welcome to Ms. Dorsey’s Seventh Grade Language Arts (English Class)
- Supplies Needed for Seventh Grade English Classes -
Prices for school supplies are usually at their lowest just as summer vacation is ending. Watch for deals on these items, and, if you can, pick up enough for the school year.
1. Three-ring binders (Your English binder may be used for more than one class.)
2. Dividers for the binder
3. Plenty of loose-leaf binder paper
4. A couple of 8 1/2” by 11” bound notebooks (spiral bound or pull-out) (The inexpensive 70-page notebooks work well.)
5. One or more composition books to leave in the classroom for reading responses.
6. Pencils (Be prepared to carry more than one.)
7. Pens (standard blue or blank ink for assignments) (Be prepared to carry more than one.)

It is important for each student to bring writing utensils to class every day.
You could bring gel pens, and other colored pens, but don't plan to write assignments using them.

Parents, permanent markers tend to be a nuisance item at school, so have students mark their belongings at home and leave the permanent markers there.

None of these materials are provided by the school,
and bringing required materials to class is considered part of the student’s preparation to learn.

If your family can't afford school supplies, please let the teacher know.

Optional, but helpful: colored pencils (These may be required for other classes.), a handheld pencil sharpener, a small stapler, a three-ring hole punch that fits in your 3-ring binder, sticky notes, a small bottle of hand sanitizer. In case of colds or allergies, your student may want to bring his or her own facial tissues to school, since the brand provided by the school is not the softest.
To contact Ms. Dorsey: E-mail dorsc405@alpine.k12.ut.us Phone 756-8543 ext. 206.

Vampires and Werewolves!

Yes, I have read Breaking Dawn. I finished it within 20 hours of when we bought it just after midnight on the night of its release. And, yes, I enjoyed it (I, too, love Edward Cullen), but see my "disclaimers" below:

Meyer, Stephenie -- Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn [I recommend these books only with these stipulations: 1) a parent should read them before or as the student is reading them (Most moms get hooked on the books, just as I have), 2) a girl reader should first promise to never let a boy into her bedroom unless he is with a moving crew or is her little brother, 3) a girl reader should first promise never to date anyone she can't tell her parents all about, 4) a girl reader should first promise never to date a "dangerous" man, 5) any reader needs to realize that there is no real person who has the willpower of an Edward Cullen. So don't put yourself in "dangerous" situations!]