Research PowerPoints will be due next week.

8th Grade English:
Always come to class prepared.

We will be concentrating on vocabulary this year. Students will be given a prefix, suffix, and three root words every week to help build their vocabulary. Quizzes on these words will be given on Thursdays.

Students will be given spelling words each week that support their root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Spelling tests will be given on Fridays.

A letter grade is lost for each day that work is late unless the student has received an extension. After the third day, work can only receive an "F". However, an "F" is better than a zero. Students can recover from an "F". It is difficult to recover from a zero. No extra credit points will be applied to zeros earned from not turning in work.

Any student who receives a "D" or "F" on a spelling/vocabulary test can raise the grade to a "C" by writing all missed spelling words ten times and all missed vocabulary words and their definitions five times. The original quiz must be returned with these. The student may write the words (and definitons if required) on the back on the quiz sheet. The make-up work MUST be turned in the day after it is given out. No credit will be given for work turned in late.

Eighth graders are required to read one novel or book every six weeks. These books should be accelerated reader books, but it is not a requirement. Studens should not read books that are more than two levels below their reading level. However, if the student is reading at 10th grade level or higher, they may choose books that are at a 6th grade level because there are not that many interesting books at their level in the library. If a student wishes to read a book below their reading level, or a book that is not an accelerated reading book, they must run it by me first to receive credit for it. If an accelerated reader book is read, the student must take the AR test. If they do not pass the test, they may write a letter to Mrs. Mooney and tell her about the book. If a student reads a book that is not an AR book, they will also be expected to write a letter to Mrs. Mooney to receive credit.

No extra credit will be given when a student has a zero for not turning in work.

All typed writing assignments must fit this format:
Name
Date
Period in upper right corner

12 pt. Font
Times New Roman or Comic Sans
Indented paragraphs
Double spaced
Titled

PowerPoint Project Presentation

For

Victorian Times

1.       You may present in groups of not more that three students. However each of you must have a specific subject to research. (Example: You may not all research a Victorian Christmas. You must break it down so that each of you research something specific about a Victorian Christmas.)

2.     If you work in a group, you all must choose subjects that complement each other. (Charles Dickens + Child Labor + Oliver Twist not Child Labor + Christmas Cards + Jack the Ripper)

3.     Each person in the group is responsible for at least three slides.

4.     Each presentation must have a cover slide with the title of the presentation and the name of the student. (this does not count as one of the presentation slides)

5.     Each slide must have one, and only one, graphic that enhances the information on that slide.

6.     The only thing you may cut and paste into the slide is a graphic. All information must come from the research graphic organizer.

7.    Each presentation must have a Works Cited page. On this page must be listed, as per the handout, all resources used for your presentation. This includes cites for your graphics. 10 points will be deducted without this page.

8.     Using the graphic organizer for research, each member is to research information for his or her page of the presentation. This is the only paper you may use to create your slides. You must have at least two cites. You may not work on your presentation until all your research is complete and I have initialed your research papers.)

9.     You may search the net for a graphics to enhance your slides. This should be saved in your file. Right click on the graphic, go to Save Image As, choose your file in Save As box, rename picture and save. If you choose, you may also draw your own picture. You would then have to scan your picture into your file. Mrs. Mooney could help you with this.

10.  Each person will be responsible for presenting his or her pages.

11.   Mrs. Mooney has set up a research page that you can get to from the library home page. (See Mrs. Smith’s “Victorian” project on the library home page.)

IF YOU PLAGIARIZE ANYTHING ON THIS PROJECT, IT WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC ZERO.

You are not limited to these topics, but you must clear the topic you wish to research with me.

·         All presentations must be ready by January 15^th.

·         Everyone will present their slides to the class. If you refuse, it is an automatic 20 point deduct from your score.

·         50 points

1,3, and 7 periods

Monday, Jan. 25, 2010

In class: Students will write silently in their writing journals. Spelling words will be given and vocabulary cards to fill out. Students will be given their writing packet for this week. Pay day will begin after the writing. Students should work on their vocabulary cards and their writing packets.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010

In class: Students will write silently in their writing journals. Today we will discuss TOFA. We will break up into groups and students will work together to TOFA some writing prompts.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

In class: Students will write silently in their writing journals. We will be doing a writing assignment. Students will critique each other’s work.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010

In class: Today we will move to the library and take the Star test. First period will return to the classroom to present their research projects. Third and seventh periods will remain in the library and finish working on their projects.

Homework: Read 30 minutes.

Friday, Jan. 29, 2010

In class: Class will begin with a spelling/vocabulary test. Writing packets will be collected and new ones will be given. Students should work silently on these packets while bankers do the pay day for this week.

Homework: Have a great weekend!

Week of Jan. 18, 2010

Quote of the Week:

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep is this:  To rise above the little things.”  ~John Burroughs

Homework: Have a great weekend!

Week of Jan. 11, 2010

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.  ~Benjamin Franklin