Wednesday/Thursday, April 29/30, 2015

Announcements and Reminders:
If you have not finished SAGE testing, you will be called out of class when spaces are available.

Retakes for the word parts test are available during Cavetime today, tomorrow, and Friday.

Pick up book orders, if interested.  Orders go in on Friday afternoon.

Today, April 30, is Poem-in-Your-Pocket Day!  

“Read poetry every day of your life ...Poetry expands the senses and keeps them in prime condition....What poetry? Any poetry that makes your hair stand up along your arms. ...You say you don't understand Dylan Thomas? Yes, but your ganglion does, and your secret wits, and all your unborn children." -Ray Bradbury

[in Just-] BY E. E. CUMMINGS in Just- spring          when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman whistles          far          and wee and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it's spring when the world is puddle-wonderful the queer old balloonman whistles far          and             wee and bettyandisbel come dancing from hop-scotch and jump-rope and it's spring and          the                   goat-footed balloonMan          whistles far and wee

Spring is like a perhaps hand e. e. cummings, 1894 - 1962           III Spring is like a perhaps hand (which comes carefully out of Nowhere)arranging a window,into which people look(while people stare arranging and changing placing carefully there a strange thing and a known thing here)and changing everything carefully spring is like a perhaps Hand in a window (carefully to and fro moving New and Old things,while people stare carefully moving a perhaps fraction of flower here placing an inch of air there)and without breaking anything.

More Favorite Poems

Today's Activities:
1.  Work on your Book of the Month Assignment which is due a week from Friday.
Finish reading your book if needed.
Create the rough draft of your cube and check it off with Ms. Dorsey.
Receive the cardstock cube and create your quality copy. 

April-May Book of the Month Assessment.docx

Cube2 Rough Draft.doc

Poem 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amDo-KqUjpA

Terms 

• rhyme
• metaphor
• refrain: a phrase or line repeated at intervals within a poem, especially at the end of a stanza. 

Cool Water 
Sons of the Pioneers, 1947

All day I've faced a barren waste without the taste of water,
Cool water.
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry and souls that cry for water,
Water. Cool, clear water.

[Chorus:]
Keep a movin' Dan, don't you listen to him Dan, he's a devil not a man
and he spreads the burnin' sand with water.
Dan, can you see that big green tree where the water's runnin' free
and it's waitin' there for me and you.
Cool, clear water.

The night are cool and I'm a fool. Each star's a pool of water,
Cool water.
But with the dawn I'll wake and yawn and carry on to water,
Water. Cool, clear water.

[Chorus:]
Keep a movin' Dan, don't you listen to him Dan, he's a devil not a man
and he spreads the burnin' sand with water.
Dan, can you see that big green tree where the water's runnin' free
and it's waitin' there for me and you.
Cool, clear water.

The shadows sway and seem to say tonight we pray for water,
Cool water.
And way up there He'll hear our prayer and show us where there's water,
Water.  Cool, clear water.

[Chorus:]
Keep a movin' Dan, don't you listen to him Dan, he's a devil not a man
and he spreads the burnin' sand with water.
Dan, can you see that big green tree where the water's runnin' free
and it's waitin' there for me and you.
Cool, clear water.

Dan's feet are sore. He's yearning for just one thing more than water,
Cool water.
Like me, I guess, he'd like to rest where there's no quest for water,
Water.  Cool, clear water.

found at and adapted from http://www.songlyrics.com/sons-of-the-pioneers/cool-water-1947-lyrics/

Composition Book Prompt:  

Label with the title "Water" and with today's date.

Answer any or all of these questions.  

Have you ever been really thirsty, or ever been short of water?  

Do you know of any stories or books or movies or other shows in which the characters were short on water?  

What do you know about drought?  What do you know about deserts? 

B5, B6, B7  to here:

4.  Begin reading A Long Walk to Water.
(For those students assigned to complete background research, here are the links: Sudan Research)

Targets:
“I can determine the meaning of visual representations on a map.”

 “I can read for gist as we begin Chapter 1 in A Long Walk to Water.” 

Vocabulary!

Add these highlighted words to your vocabulary section in your composition book: (page 25)

Do you know what to do when you are asked to "determine"?

• Determine means to decide after study. 
• The word representation is made up of the root word present, meaning “to show or symbolize,” and its affixes (beginning and endings) re- and -tion. Explain that adding these affixes changes the meaning of the word present with re- meaning “again” (like repeat) and -tion meaning “the act of doing something.” Explain that when these parts of the word are put together, re-presenta-tion, the word means the act of showing or symbolizing something again, in this case with visuals or pictures on a map. 

present:  to show or symbolize

re- :

-tion: the act of doing something

Gist:  “Gist” is simply one’s initial sense of what a text is mostly about: it is a low stakes first 

“toe hold” into making sense of a text, preceding and less formal than identifying main idea.

Read Chapter 1 for gist.
Reread for Close Reading -- I Wonder. . . . .  I Notice. . . .

B7 to top of page 6


A1 to here

What  does it mean to ‘effectively participate in a discussion'?  Partners. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2tI5zW3IU8  The Good Lie

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

If you need to retake your Word Parts Test this week, carefully study so you will receive full points. It will be offered beginning on Wednesday of this week and through Friday.
_______________________________
Word Parts with example words 

1. auto = self    as in automobile, autobiography
2. bio =  life      as in biology, autobiography
3. con, co, col, cor, com = together, with  (prefix)   as in conversation, cooperation, communicate
4. dict =   speak     as in diction, dictate, predict 
5. duc, duct = lead    as in conduct,  induct
6. graph =  write        as in autograph, biography
7. in, im = in, into (or) not  (prefix)     as in import,  ineligible 
8. inter = between  (prefix)     as in interject 
9. ject =    throw        as in interject,  reject
10. meter = measure      thermometer, telemetry 
11. micro =   small          microscope, microbiology
12. -ology, -logy = study of (branch of knowledge, science of)  (suffix)  as in biology, geology, etc. 
13. port =   carry    as in import, export, deport, portage, portable
14. pre =   before  (prefix)       as in predict, prefix, prepare
15. re =   again (prefix)      as in reject, redo
16. scope =   examine     as in microscope, telescope
17. tele =   far     as in telescope, teleport
18. tract =   pull    as in tractor,  retract,  attract
19. trans =   across     as in transport, transact 
20. vis or vid =  see     as in video, vision, revision 

Humor -- If You Gotta Go, Start Early

 If You Gotta Go, Start Early

     This story is about a rather strange reply for a campground reservation. It is said to be 

true, but you be the judge. 

     A woman who was rather old-fashioned, delicate, and elegant - especially in her 

language - was planning a week's vacation in Florida, so she wrote to a particular 

campground and asked for a reservation. She wanted to make sure the campground was

fully equipped, but didn't quite know how to ask about the toilet facilities. 

     She just couldn't bring herself to write the word 'TOILET' in her letter. 

After  much deliberation, she finally came up with the old-fashioned term 'BATHROOM 

COMMODE.' But when she wrote that down, she still thought she was being too 

forward. 

     So, she started all over again, rewrote the letter and referred to the bathroom commode merely as the B.C. 'Does the campground have it's own B.C.?' is what she actually wrote. 

     Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all and when he got the letter, 

he just couldn't figure out what the woman was talking about. That B.C. business really 

stumped him. After worrying about it for a while, he showed the letter to several campers, 

but they couldn't imagine what the lady meant either. So the campground owner, finally 

coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about the location of the local Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the following reply: 

     'Dear Madam: I regret very much for the delay in answering your letter. I now take the 

pleasure in informing you that a B.C. is located nine miles north of the campground 

and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit it is quite a distance away 

if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a 

great number of people usually take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late.' 

     'The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded that we had 

to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now, there isa supper being planned to raise money to buy more seats. They're going to hold it in the

basement of the B.C.' 

     'I would like to say it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is 

sure no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, 

particularly in cold weather.' 

     'If you do decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first 

time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks.' 

     'Remember, this is a friendly community.'

Spring!

[in Just-] BY E. E. CUMMINGS in Just- spring          when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman whistles          far          and wee and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it's spring when the world is puddle-wonderful the queer old balloonman whistles far          and             wee and bettyandisbel come dancing from hop-scotch and jump-rope and it's spring and          the                   goat-footed balloonMan          whistles far and wee

Spring is like a perhaps hand e. e. cummings, 1894 - 1962           III Spring is like a perhaps hand (which comes carefully out of Nowhere)arranging a window,into which people look(while people stare arranging and changing placing carefully there a strange thing and a known thing here)and changing everything carefully spring is like a perhaps Hand in a window (carefully to and fro moving New and Old things,while people stare carefully moving a perhaps fraction of flower here placing an inch of air there)and without breaking anything.

The Hand -- by Mary Ruefle

The teacher asks a question.

You know the answer. You suspect

you are the only one in the classroom

who knows the answer because the person

in question is yourself, and on that 

you are the greatest living authority,

but you don't raise your hand.

You raise the top of your desk

and take out an apple.

You look out the window.

You don't raise your hand, and there is

some essential beauty in your fingers,

which aren't even drumming, but lie

flat and peaceful.

The teacher repeats the question.

Outside the window, on an overhanging branch,

a robin is ruffling its feathers

and spring is in the air. 

Hubble Telescope

Hubble Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=129&v=ki6kQT7YPQY

Monday/Tuesday, April 27/28, 2015

If you have not finished SAGE testing, you will be called out of class when spaces are available -- likely not for a few days.

Pass back papers from the bottom wire basket.
Pick up book orders, if interested.

Today's Activities:
1.  Work on your Book of the Month Assignment which is due a week from Friday.
Finish reading your book if needed.
Create the rough draft of your cube and check it off with Ms. Dorsey.
Receive the cardstock cube and create your quality copy.

April-May Book of the Month Assessment.docx

Cube2 Rough Draft.doc

(Please pass back the work from the lower wire basket and book orders.)

Examples of themes in the next book we will read:

• We need to persevere.
• Never lose hope.
• Always continue to work towards your goals and attain them.
• Often we can reach a large goal by addressing one small goal at a time. 
•  Individuals can survive in challenging environments.
• In the end, the family bond survives despite  problems.
• A tragedy or a tough situation can be turned into a triumph. 
• Sacrifices and hard work pay off in the end.
• Hardship brings understanding of the hardships of others.
• People need to help each other. 

2. Graded Quizzes on commas and on poetry -- Open "booklet" (and packet)!
If you earn a poor grade today, you would want to go back and watch the PowerPoints about poetry and take better notes in your booklet.  Also, study the examples and correct answers in your comma packet.


3.  Write in your composition book  --  About War   Title your entry "War and Water" and include today's date.  Respond briefly to each of these scenarios.

SCENARIO 1

You are 11 years old. You have been separated from your family by a war. In order to survive, you must walk to an area of safety hundreds of miles away. On the journey you must avoid soldiers and dangerous wildlife, and manage to find food and water. The journey will take months. You do not know if you will survive or ever see your family again.

If this was an experience you had to live through, how do you think

it would affect the person you grew up to be?

SCENARIO 2

You are 11 years old. You live with your family in an area far from towns or cities. Your family does not have any running water or electricity. You are responsible for getting water for your family to drink. To do this, you must walk eight hours every day to a pond and back. You will have to do this every day for years and years.

If this was an experience you had to live through, how do you think

it would affect the person you grew up to be?

B5 to here:

4.  Begin reading A Long Walk to Water.
(For those students assigned to complete background research, here are the links: Sudan Research)

Targets:
“I can determine the meaning of visual representations on a map.”

 “I can read for gist as we begin Chapter 1 in A Long Walk to Water.” 

Do you know what to do when you are asked to "determine"?

• Determine means to decide after study. 
• The word representations is made up of the root word present, meaning “to show or symbolize,” and its affixes (beginning and endings) re- and -tion. Explain that adding these affixes changes the meaning of the word present with re- meaning “again” (like repeat) and -tion meaning “the act of doing something.” Explain that when these parts of the word are put together, re-presenta-tion, the word means the act of showing or symbolizing something again, in this case with visuals or pictures on a map. 

present:  to show or symbolize
re- :
-tion: the act of doing something

Gist:  “Gist” is simply one’s initial sense of what a text is mostly about: it is a low stakes first “toe hold” into making sense of a text, preceding and less formal than identifying main idea.

What  does it mean to ‘effectively participate in a discussion'?  Partners. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

If you need to retake your Word Parts Test this week, carefully study so you will receive full points. It will be offered beginning on Wednesday of this week and through Friday.
_______________________________
Word Parts with example words 

1. auto = self    as in automobile, autobiography
2. bio =  life      as in biology, autobiography
3. con, co, col, cor, com = together, with  (prefix)   as in conversation, cooperation, communicate
4. dict =   speak     as in diction, dictate, predict 
5. duc, duct = lead    as in conduct,  induct
6. graph =  write        as in autograph, biography
7. in, im = in, into (or) not  (prefix)     as in import,  ineligible 
8. inter = between  (prefix)     as in interject 
9. ject =    throw        as in interject,  reject
10. meter = measure      thermometer, telemetry 
11. micro =   small          microscope, microbiology
12. -ology, -logy = study of (branch of knowledge, science of)  (suffix)  as in biology, geology, etc. 
13. port =   carry    as in import, export, deport, portage, portable
14. pre =   before  (prefix)       as in predict, prefix, prepare
15. re =   again (prefix)      as in reject, redo
16. scope =   examine     as in microscope, telescope
17. tele =   far     as in telescope, teleport
18. tract =   pull    as in tractor,  retract,  attract
19. trans =   across     as in transport, transact 
20. vis or vid =  see     as in video, vision, revision 

Battle of the Books -- 2015-2016

You could get a start by reading some of the Battle of the Books selections over the summer.


Battle of the Books Junior High Titles 2015-2016   By Title

1. Nothing But The Truth -- Avi 
2. Fahrenheit 451 -- Bradbury, Ray 
3. School Story, The  -- Clements, Andrew 
4. Watsons Go to Birmingham, The  -- Curtis, Christopher 
5. Midwife’s Apprentice  -- Cushman, Karen 
6. Johnny Tremain   -- Forbes, Esther 
7. One-Eyed Cat  -- Fox, Paula 
8. Julie of the Wolves --  George, Jean Craighead 
9. When Zachary Beaver Came to Town --  Holt, Kimberly 
10. Everything on a Waffle -- Horvath, Polly 
11. Swindle  -- Korman, Gordon 
12. Wreckers, The  -- Lawrence, Iain 
13. If Your Name was changed at Ellis Island --  Levine, Ellen 
14. DragonQuest--  Paul, Donita K. 
15. Long Way from Chicago, A  -- Peck, Richard 
16. Becoming Naomi Leon  -- Ryan, Pam 
17. Taking Sides  -- Soto, Gary 
18. Witch of Blackbird Pond, The  -- Speare, Elizabeth G. 
19. Maniac Magee  -- Spinelli, Jerry 
20. Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind  -- Staples, Suzanne Fisher

Thursday/Friday, April 23/24, 2015

Continue Testing
Any students who do not complete SAGE Testing today will go to Ms. John in lab 211 during our next class time to finish up.

Students are receiving points for appropriate participation in testing, and will receive points based on the grade they receive on the test.  Scores are available from SAGE after each student finishs the summative test.