Advanced Language Arts

**Blogs have been created for each LA class on blogger.com. The students will periodically need to post work on the blog so each student will need to create an account on blogger.com. Just go to the class blog (see links above) and post a comment -- it will walk you through the process.

First Trimester
8A: Review of Grammar Usage and Mechanics
++ Clauses -- Subordinate (Adjective and
Adverb) Introduce Noun Clauses
++ Parts of Speech -- Parse Nouns and
Verbs, Sentence Analysis
++ Diagramming

Reading/Literature:
++ Sir Author Conan Doyle -- "The
Adventures of the Speckled Band", "The
Red Headed League"
++ Poe -- Various short stories and poems
++ Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
++ Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
++ The Diary of Anne Frank

Writing:
++ Scholastic Writing
++ Pro-Life Essay Contest
++ Letters about Literature Contest

7A: Review of Grammar Usage and Mechanics
==Parts of Speech -- Parse Nouns and Verbs,
Sentence Analysis
== Diagramming
== Types of Sentences -- simple, compound
complex -- clauses (adjectival,
adverbial)

Reading/Literature:
==The Giver by Lois Lowry -- emphasis on
futuristic society and the elements of
fantasy
==The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen --
introduces research paper
== various short stories from literature
book

Writing
==Scholastic Writing
==Pro-Life Essay Contest
== Letters about Literature Contest

Both 7A and 8A

Long Term Assignments:

~Vocabulary: Rotate work and test every
other Wednesday. Unit word lists as well as
games and puzzles for study purposes can be
found online by following the link above.
~7A: Level B
~8A: Level C

~Public Speaking will take place on the last
school day of each month. The topics are
as follows:

~September: Pride
~October: Accomplishments
~November: 15 years from now
~December: Book Share
~January: Current Events
~February: Something to Change
~March: Life Lessons
~April: Fear
~May: Choice

~Book Reports: 4 book reports will be turned
in throughout the school year. They will each
focus on a different topic.

~October 16: Subject
~January 14: Theme
~March 19: Speaker
~May 13: Imagery

~Book types for reports are as follows:

~October: American Author
~January: Award Winning Book
~March: Biography, Autobiography,
or Memoir
~May: Choice

~Reading Logs are due at the end of each
marking period and must include a minimum of
5 books each. The following topics will be
covered in each reading log:

~Character
~Symbolism
~Conflict
~Description
~Audience/Purpose

~Remember only ONE topic needs to be covered
for EACH book.


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Religion

Important Dates to Remember:
1) Confirmation Rally: November 20 at Diocesan Center
2) Closing of 40 Hours: February 16
3) Confirmation Retreat: April 23
4) Confirmation Rehearsal: April 27
5) Confirmation: April 30

Don't forget! 10 Service hours due November 16, 10 more due January 15, last 10 due March 15