October 20, 2010 is the National Day of Writing and Last Day to Hand in Reflections Entries

See our school home page for more on the PTSA Reflections Contest.

Here is another writing contest.  I was recently reminded to encourage you to enter this contest for young people sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Look for details at  http://www.vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen/

And, if you're quick, you could enter this one:

American Fork City Library 
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 2010 SCARY STORY CONTEST
Calling for entries in four age categories:
      Children 6-8
      Junior 9-11
      Youth  12-18
       Adult 19+  We encourage clever stories that build suspense and mystery.   While scary, chilling puzzles are desirable, graphic depictions of violence are discouraged.  Humorous tales are always welcome.  The entry fee is $3.00 per entry.  Entries must be received no later than Monday, October 18.  Submission guidelines and entry forms are available at the circulation desk in the library.  Awards will be announced in the Children's Library on Thursday, October 28 at 6:00p.m.

Game with Commas in a Series

http://www.childu.com/sample_act/34lang_confusion.html

Make-up Work for Composition Book

If you earned only a poor grade on your composition book you make make up some points by doing the following (you may make up to 1/2 of the points you missed).

5 points each: 
1.  Respond in 150 words or more to  up to four of these prompts:

   1.   It's just natural -- just the way things are --

                     for various groups to hate each other. (page 6 of The Outsiders)

 2.   Kids should date and hang out with  "their own kind."

    (page  76)

3.    It's not the group you belong to that determines what you

                                              are and what you do -- it's individual choice. (page 102)

4.    It's the kids in the middle --- not the very rich or

                                              the very poor -- that are the lucky ones." (page 103)

5. Some people are so important in your life that you

                                              can't get along without them. (page 108)

 6. Nice kids are scarce nowadays.  (page 114)

7. It's important to keep up your reputation --

                                              whether it's good or bad.  (page 116)

 8.   "You get tough and you don't get hurt.   You look out

                                              for yourself and nothing can touch you."  (page 128)

 9.  Someone who will "really listen to you, listen and

                                             care about what you're saying, is something rare."

                                             (page 154)

10.  There are hundreds of kids who hate the world.  Someone should tell them that there is good in the world -- before it's too late. (page 155)

For each one of the prompts, you will also complete a punctuation worksheet. 
Punctuations Worksheets Comp Bk Make-up.doc 


Once you've completed the worksheets, you may correct them using these corrected copies:  
Punctuations Worksheets Corrections for Comp Bk Make-up.doc

Reading Minute Assignments

Your reading minute assignments are recorded on the class calendar on this blog and on Skyward under the sign up assignment -- unless you signed up after October 12.

Remember that you can read from any published text that you think your classmates would enjoy and that is appropriate for the classroom.


This image was found at beautifulkitchens.wordpress.com.

Authors!

This is from Neil Gaiman's blog:

Mr. Gaiman says, "On Saturday, I went and had free ice cream with Daniel Handler (as announced on this blog). I would have liked to meet author Lemony Snicket, but unfortunately he was mysteriously detained and Mr Handler showed up as his representative.
This photograph commemorates the event. I am on the left. Mr Handler is holding the ice cream."

from http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.Neil_Gaiman/blog/696255-big-blog-on-a-train

October 13, 2010

October 13, 2010
Bell-Ringer:    Label the page with today's date.  Write at least a half-page.
Johnny, on page 121 of The Outsiders says, "I don't want to die now.  It ain't long enough.  Sixteen years ain't long enough.  I wouldn't mind it so much if there wasn't so much stuff I ain't done yet and so many things I ain't seen."    What things do you want to make sure you  do and see before you die?  In other words, what is on your bucket-list? 

image from http://thecia.com.au/reviews/b/bucket-list.shtml
sehintonoutsiders.blogspot.com

  _____________________ 

2. Reading Minute:  See the calendar for your day.

A1  Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan and Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

A2  The Treasure Tower by Franklin W. Dixon

A3  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

A4  Nicholas by  Rene Goscinney and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

3.  Reading:  Developing reading skills and learning literature terms and strategies. 

The Outsiders
Character and Conflict in Literature
* Don't forget to fill in your chart about a character from The Outsiders.

Today we read from The Outsiders: (the track and time information are notes for me, the teacher) 

A1     page 124, track 2, minute 24:08 to page 140, disk 4, track 1, minute 15:10

A2      118?  track 2, minute 15:11 to page 130 Disk 3, track 3, beginning

A3    page  114,   track 2, 7:15 to page  127 . disk   3  track  2      minute 29:52

A4   page  114,   track 2, 7:23  to page 125, disk e, track 2, minute 25:39

Students practiced the kind of thinking about characters they will need to do as they prepare their book-of-the-month essays for this month (October). 
 

4.  Spelling/Vocabulary:  Do you know your commonly confused words yet? Make sure you're using them correctly in your writing. confused words chart.doc 43.0 KB
Dictation or  Sparkle or ? with the commonly confused words.

Test on Commonly Confused Words October 21
Important reminders:
Your October Book-of-the-Month Assignment is due October 19. Have your book read and bring it and your extensive notes on a character from the book.  You should be signing up for your book of the month.  The last day you may receive points for signing up is October 8.

If you were absent when we went to the lab to take these tests,  you will need to take the MyAccess writing test in computer lab (Room 223) during one Cave Time, and the SRI in the computer lab during another.

If you were here and did not finish the SRI, you may finish it in the computer lab (Room 223)  during

Cave Time. For the SRI, print your results and bring them to me.

Your September Book-of-the-Month project was due on the 21st.  You may still hand it in for points minus 25% up until October 22nd.

October 22 is the last day to hand in late or revised work for the first term (which ends October 29).  
Make sure you're up-to-date on your composition book at The Composition Book -- So Far.

We will check your composition books on October 13.

Reminder about Book-of-the-Month

October Book-of-the-Month Assignment