Friday, November 20, 2009


Homework

None over the weekend


Class Work Recap

Language Arts

Students took the unit 3 test.

Literature

Students took the unit 3 test (which was separate from the language arts test).

Social Studies

Students worked on timeline challenge 2, which is due on Tuesday, November 24.



Thursday, November 19, 2009


Homework

Spend forty-five minutes studying for tomorrow's language arts/literature test (if you need them, a study guide and capitalization rules PDF are available for download below).


Class Work Recap

Language Arts/Literature

1. The class reviewed the rules for punctuating dialogue on pages 65-67 of the writing packet.  Volunteers then shared their work with the class.

2. The class reviewed the study guide for the language arts and literature test tomorrow.

Social Studies

Students began timeline challenge 2, notebook pages 86-87.



Wednesday, November 18, 2009


Homework

Finish the last page of the social studies test.


Class Work Recap

Language Arts/Literature

Students did exercises on pages 65-67 of the writing packet on punctuating dialogue.

Social Studies

Students had time to study for the test on chapters 11 and 12, then took the test.



Tuesday, November 17, 2009


Homework

Study for tomorrow's social studies test (if you need it, a study guide is available for download below).


Class Work Recap

Language Arts/Literature

Students did exercises on pages 61-62 of the writing packet on identifying and setting a mood in creative writing.  Volunteers then shared their work with the class.

Social Studies

1. The class reviewed chapters 11 and 12 for a test on those chapters tomorrow.

2. In the library computer lab, students began processing 12, notebook page 84.



Monday, November 16, 2009


Homework

Finish writing packet pages 58-60.  Finish reading social studies textbook chapter 12.


Notes

Two documents have been added to the available downloads at the bottom of the page.  One is a PDF file containing the capitalization rules that will be tested as part of Friday's language arts test, and the other is a study guide for Wednesday's social studies test.


Class Work Recap

Language Arts/Literature

1. The class reviewed last week's quizzes on compound and complex sentences, singular and plural nouns, and possessive nouns.

2. Students began exercises on pages 58-60 of the writing packet on identifying and composing figures of speech.  Volunteers then shared their work with the class.

Social Studies

1. The class reviewed the test on chapters 7 and 8 and the chapter 11 quiz.

2. Students began reading textbook chapter 12, "The Struggle to Preserve Judaism," on pages 110-117.

3. Students took notes to prepare for the test on chapters 11 and 12, which will be given on Wednesday.



Friday, November 13, 2009


Homework

None over the weekend


Class Work Recap

Language Arts/Literature

The class started learning about creative writing by completing sentences and composing a paragraph using language related to the five senses (these exercises are on pages 54-56 of the writing packet).  Volunteers then shared their work with the class.

Social Studies

1. Students finished reading notes 11.

2. Students studied for and took the chapter 11 quiz.



Thursday, November 12, 2009


Homework

Finish reading chapter 11 of the social studies textbook.  Work on reading notes 11, notebook pages 78-80, for at least one half-hour.


Class Work Recap

Language Arts/Literature

Students took notes to prepare for the unit 3 language arts and literature tests, which will be given on Friday, November 20.  A study guide containing these notes is available for download at the bottom of the page.

Social Studies

1. Students completed preview 11, notebook page 77.

2. Volunteers shared preview 11 with the class.

3. Students began reading textbook chapter 11, "The Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism," on pages 100-109.



Tuesday, November 10, 2009


Homework (due Thursday)

Finish page 3 of the social studies test.


Class Work Recap

Language Arts

Students had time to study for the re-quizzes on compound and complex sentences, singular and plural nouns, and possessive nouns, then took the quizzes.

Social Studies

Students had time to study for the test on chapters 9 and 10, then took the test.



Monday, November 9, 2009


Homework

Study for tomorrow's social studies test and language arts quiz.


Notes

I am switching to a new format following some student suggestions and my experimenting with some of the website's features.  Please feel free to comment.  Some students also have said that the site can be difficult to read because of strange color contrasts and frequent pop-ups.  Please e-mail me if you have had any difficulties of this kind.  Finally, I added three study aids for tomorrow's language arts quiz at the bottom of the page.


Class Work Recap

Language Arts

1. The class reviewed GUM page 159.

2. The class reviewed the rules on compound and complex sentences, singular and plural nouns, and possessive nouns, for a re-quiz on these subjects tomorrow.

Literature

The class read aloud and discussed the poems, "You Sing" and "How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird," which are on pages 643-647 of the textbook.

Social Studies

In small groups, students reviewed chapters 9 and 10 for a test on those chapters tomorrow.



Friday, November 6, 2009


Language Arts

1. Student volunteers share the paragraphs they wrote on GUM page 156.

2. Class reads together capitalization rules for organizations and other subjects and begins related assignment on GUM page 159.


Literature

Class reads together and discusses the poems, "Something Told the Wild Geese" and "Questioning Faces," on pages 476-478 of the textbook.


Social Studies

1. Do reading notes 10, notebook pages 72-75.

2. Do processing 10, notebook page 76.

3. Review key elements of chapters 9 and 10 for the test on this material next Tuesday, November 10.  A study guide is available for download at the bottom of the page.



Wednesday, November 4, 2009 (Core 1)
Thursday, November 5, 2009 (Core 2)


Language Arts

1. Student volunteers share the paragraphs they wrote on GUM page 153.

2. Class reads together rules on capitalizing place and transportation names and begins related assignment on GUM page 156.

3. Review rules on singular and plural nouns for short quiz next Tuesday.


Literature

Class reads together and discusses the poems, "Street Corner Flight" and "Words Like Freedom," on pages 391-394 of the textbook.


Social Studies

1. Begin preview 10, notebook page 71.

2. Begin reading textbook chapter 10, "The Kingdom of Kush," on pages 94-99.

3. Review chapter 9 quiz.


Homework (due Friday)

Finish GUM page 156 and preview 10.  Finish reading chapter 10.



Tuesday, November 3, 2009


Language Arts

1. Student volunteers share the paragraphs they wrote on GUM page 150.

2. Class reads together rules on capitalizing first words and titles and begins related assignment on GUM page 153.


Literature

Class reads together and discusses the poems, "Western Wagons" and "Night Journey," on pages 284-286 of the textbook.


Social Studies

1. Student volunteers share preview 9 and processing 9.

2. Study for and take short, multiple choice quiz on chapter 9.


Homework

Finish GUM page 153.



Monday, November 2, 2009


General

Attend Day of the Dead presentation by the World Languages department.


Language Arts

Review unit 2 test.


Literature

Class reads together introduction to poems about travel on page 284 of the textbook and discusses travel experiences.


Social Studies

Finish preview 9 and reading notes 9.


Homework

Do processing 9, notebook pages 68-69.



Thursday, October 29, 2009


Language Arts

Class reads together rules on capitalization of people and cultures and does related assignment on GUM page 150.


Literature

1. Class reads together and discusses haiku poems on pages 205-206 of the textbook.

2. Compose a haiku and share it with the class.


Social Studies

1. Begin preview 9, notebook page 65.

2. Read textbook chapter 9, "Daily Life in Ancient Egypt," on pages 80-93.

3. Begin reading notes 9, notebook pages 66-67.


Homework

There is no homework because students do not come to school on tomorrow's teacher work day.



Wednesday, October 28, 2009


Language Arts

Assemble and turn in report final draft.


Literature

Class reads together and discusses the poems, "It Seems I Test People" and "Growing Pains," on pages 196-197 of the textbook.


Social Studies

Study for and take test on chapters 7 and 8.


Homework

Finish the last page of the social studies test.  Tomorrow is Halloween Dress-Up Day at Redwood, and Friday is a teacher work day and day off for students.



Tuesday, October 27, 2009


General

There is a link at the bottom of the page to a study guide for tomorrow's social studies test.  The guide is a Word document replicating the notes I gave in class last week about the test.  I will link to the most recent study guide and let you know when a new one is uploaded. It is important that students do not view the Word document as a substitute for in-class note taking because the discipline of writing one's own notes and looking up vocabulary definitions on one's own is an important step in learning the material.


Language Arts

Study for and take unit 2 test.


Literature

1. Discuss the definitions and examples of "metaphor," "simile," and "personification."

2. Class reads together and discusses the poem, "I'm Nobody! Who Are You?" on page 195 of the textbook.


Social Studies

Class answers practice questions to prepare for tomorrow's test on chapters 7 and 8.


Homework

Finish the final draft of your report.  Study for tomorrow's social studies test.



Monday, October 26, 2009


Language Arts

Class answers practice questions to prepare for tomorrow's test.


Literature

1. Read textbook pages 189-192 on understanding and analyzing poetry.

2. Learn the definitions of "metaphor," "simile," and "personification," which are found on page 192 of the textbook.


Social Studies

1. Review tests on chapters 3/4 and 5/6.

2. Finish reading notes 8.


Homework

Study for tomorrow's language arts test and/or Wednesday's social studies test.  Work on the final draft of your report, which is due on Wednesday.



Saturday, October 24, 2009


General

Grades are up to date in all three classes.



Friday, October 23, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

Peer review of the report rough draft


Social Studies

Begin reading notes 8, notebook pages 60-64.



Thursday, October 22, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

Continue writing the rough draft of your report in the computer lab.  Work on your bibliography using NoodleTools if you finish.


Social Studies

1. Review chapter 7 quiz.

2. Review key elements of chapters 7 and 8 for the test on this material next Wednesday, October 28.

3. Do preview 8, notebook page 59.


Homework

Finish rough draft of your report.



Wednesday, October 21, 2009


Language Arts

Finish preview of format of the next language arts test, which will be given on Tuesday, October 27.


Literature

Continue writing the rough draft of your report in the computer lab.


Social Studies

Study for and take short, multiple quiz on chapter 7.


Homework

Spend at least one-half hour at home working on your report, more if you have not written much of your rough draft because it is due Friday.



Tuesday, October 20, 2009


Language Arts

1. Share stories about Neanderthals written for the first social studies test.

2. Continue preview of format of the next language arts test.


Literature

Continue writing the rough draft of your report (which is due on Friday) in the computer lab.


Social Studies

Finish reading notes 7 and processing 7.


Homework

Spend one-half hour at home working on your report.



Monday, October 19, 2009


Language Arts

1. Student volunteers share the sentences and paragraphs they wrote on GUM page 39.

2. Begin preview of format of the next language arts test.


Literature

Continue writing the rough draft of your report in the computer lab.  The rough draft is due on Friday, and the final draft on Wednesday, October 28.


Social Studies

1. Review test on chapters 1 and 2.

2. Begin reading notes 7, notebook pages 54-57.

3. Begin processing 7, notebook page 58.


Homework

Spend one-half hour at home working on your report.



Friday, October 16, 2009


General

Students attend a "Cool the Earth" assembly before first period.


Language Arts

1. Student volunteers share the sentences and paragraphs they wrote on GUM pages 33 and 36.

2. Class reads together rules on possessive nouns and does related assignment on GUM page 39.


Literature

Continue writing the rough draft of your report in the computer lab.


Social Studies

Read textbook chapter 7, "Geography and the Early Settlement of Egypt, Kush, and Canaan," on pages 64-71.



Wednesday, October 14, 2009 (Core 1)
Thursday, October 15, 2009 (Core 2)


Language Arts

1. Discuss resources you should and should not have with you while you are writing your rough draft.

2. Class reads together rules on singular and plural nouns and does related assignment on GUM page 36.


Literature

Begin writing the rough draft of your report in the computer lab.


Social Studies

1. Finish geography challenge 2.

2. Do preview 7, notebook page 53.


Homework (due Friday)

Spend one-half hour at home working on your report.



Tuesday, October 13, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

1. Discuss the basic format of reports and essays.

2. Student volunteers share two paragraphs they wrote with sufficient transitions.

3. Class reads together rules on common and proper nouns and does related assignment on GUM page 33.


Social Studies

Begin geography challenge 2, notebook pages 50-51.


Homework

Finish outline for your research report.  If done, write a "grabber" for the introduction of your report; if necessary, review the pages (126-128)we discussed in class on how to write a "grabber."



Monday, October 12, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

1. Learn how to use the NoodleTools citation generator at the library computer lab.

2. Finish filling out worksheet with exercises on identifying transition words and phrases in a historical report and writing two paragraphs with sufficient transitions.

3. Discuss common mistakes students make on reports and essays.


Social Studies

Continue timeline challenge 1.


Homework

Finish timeline challenge 1.  Here are the five questions to answer: 1. Which item on the timeline lasted the longest period of time? How can you tell?  2. Which item on the timeline occurred closest to modern times?Approximately how long ago did it occur?  3. Do the dates of any items on the timeline overlap? If so, can you think of a possible connection between those items?  4. In what period of time do most items on the timeline occur? Why do you think most items occur in this time period and not in some earlier time period?  5. Which event on this timeline do you think is most significant? Why?



Friday, October 9, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

1. Discuss how to write transitions throughout your report or essay.

2. Begin filling out worksheet with exercises on identifying transition words and phrases in a historical report and writing two paragraphs with sufficient transitions.

3. Teacher reviews research report outlines.


Social Studies

Continue timeline challenge 1.



Thursday, October 8, 2009


Language Arts

Discuss how to write attention "grabbers" in your introduction so that the reader of your report or essay is interested right away.


Literature

1. Read "Woodsong" on textbook pages 165-169.

2. Define vocabulary words from "Woodsong."


Social Studies

Begin timeline challenge 1, notebook pages 46-47.


Homework

Finish part 1 of timeline challenge 1.



Wednesday, October 7, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

1. Discuss how to write and organize paragraphs for a report or essay.

2. Work on outline for your research report.


Social Studies

Study for and take test on chapters 5 and 6.


Homework

Work on outline for your research report.  Do take-home portion of the social studies test.



Tuesday, October 6, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

At the library computer lab, continue research on topic of your report. Once you have collected enough information, organize your research into outline form.


Social Studies

1. Finish Hammurabi's Code skits.

2. Student volunteers share processing 6.

3. In pairs, study for tomorrow's test on chapters 5 and 6.


Homework

Study for tomorrow's social studies test.



Monday, October 5, 2009


Language Arts/Literature

At the library computer lab, continue research on topic of your report. Once you have collected enough information, organize your research into outline form.


Social Studies

Students perform skits about court cases during the time of Hammurabi's Code and decide these cases following the laws of that code.


Homework

Finish processing 6.



Friday, October 2, 2009


Language Arts

At the computer lab, continue research on topics on which you might write your report.


Literature

1. Read "Older Run" on textbook pages 154-160.

2. Define vocabulary words from "Older Run."


Social Studies

1. Review responses to reading notes 6.

2. Begin processing 6, notebook page 44.



Thursday, October 1, 2009


Language Arts

At the library computer lab, conduct research on topics on which you might write your report.


Literature

Student volunteers share "Summer of Fire" reports.


Social Studies

1. Review key elements of chapters 5 and 6 for the test on this material next week.

2. Review chapter 5 quiz.

3. Do preview 6, notebook page 39.

4. Student volunteers share preview 6.

5. Begin reading textbook chapter 6, "Exploring Four Empires of Mesopotamia," on pages 50-59.


Homework

Finish reading chapter 6.  Do reading notes 6, notebook pages 40-43.



Wednesday, September 30, 2009


Language Arts

Introduction to the library computer lab


Literature

1. Student volunteers share Matthew Henson reports.

2.Begin writing a report on the fires of the summer of 1988 in Yellowstone Park, using the account you read from the textbook as your factual source (you may use additional sources).  The report should beat least one page long.


Social Studies

1. Student volunteers share processing 5.

2. Study for and take short, multiple quiz on chapter 5.


Homework

Finish writing "Summer of Fire" report.



Tuesday, September 29, 2009


Language Arts

1. Student volunteers share paragraphs about a gorilla.

2. Define vocabulary words from "Summer of Fire."


Literature

Read "Summer of Fire" on textbook pages 114-120.


Social Studies

1. Do reading notes 5, notebook pages 32-35.

2. Begin processing 5, notebook pages 36-37.


Homework

Finish processing 5.



Monday, September 28, 2009


Language Arts

1. Continue discussion of paragraph writing.  Fill out worksheet with exercises on writing a paragraph of your choice and transforming a boring paragraph about a gorilla into one that shines with elaboration.

2. Review unit 1 test.


Literature

Continue writing Matthew Henson report.


Social Studies

Class reads together textbook chapter 5, "Was Ancient Sumer a Civilization?" on pages 40-49.


Homework

Finish writing the expanded paragraph about a gorilla.  Finish writing Matthew Henson report.



Friday, September 25, 2009


Language Arts

1. Discuss paragraph writing and fill out worksheet with exercises on writing paragraphs.

2. Student volunteers share their two-paragraph stories which used three compound sentences and three complex sentences.


Literature

Continue writing Matthew Henson report.



Wednesday, September 23, 2009 (Core 1)
Thursday, September 24, 2009 (Core 2)


Language Arts

1. Review worksheet on complex sentences.

2. Begin writing a two-paragraph story using three compound sentences and three complex sentences.


Literature

Begin writing a report on Matthew Henson, using the account you read from the textbook as your factual source (you may use additional sources).  The report should be three-fourths of a page to one page long.


Social Studies

1. Student volunteers share processing 4.

2. Study for and take test on chapters 3 and 4.


Homework (due Friday)

Finish two-paragraph story using three compound sentences and three complex sentences.  Do take-home portion of the social studies test.



Tuesday, September 22, 2009


Language Arts

1. Review worksheet on simple and compound sentences.