Welcome to the last week of the quarter, the last week of the semester, and the last week of school for the year 2010!
This week, students are ending 2010 with a bang!
The eighth graders have spent the past two weeks engrossed in Frank Stockton's revered tale, The Lady or the Tiger. The only thing that is lacking in this story is that it does not have an ending. Well, have no fear, the eighth grade is here! Every eighth grade student has penned their own riveting conclusion to Stockton's original story and will spend this week deep in the editing process to make sure it is absolutely perfect before handing in their final drafts on Friday. I can't wait to see how it ends!
All of the eighth grade classes, as well as one seventh grade class will be brave enough to stand at the front of the room (a space normally occupied by our fearless leader... yours truly) and present to the class the novel that they have spend the past seven weeks reading. What a great way to get a recommendation for a good book to read over break!
Also in the seventh grade, we will continue our study of short stories with the holiday classic, Gift of the Magi, as well as honing our own story-telling skills though the creation of mini-storybooks and fine-tuning our summary writing to utter perfection.
An eventful week indeed!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6th - 10th
Brrrr, it's beginning to look like winter and the count-down to winter break has begun!
In the eighth grade, students are taking on the tremendous responsibility of composing the long-awaited conclusion to Frank Stockton's classic short story, The Lady or the Tiger. Students will be able to say definitively, once and for all, what was behind that mysterious door.
In the seventh grade, We begin to wrap-up our short story unit with a couple more short stories just in time for the holidays!
In the eighth grade, students are taking on the tremendous responsibility of composing the long-awaited conclusion to Frank Stockton's classic short story, The Lady or the Tiger. Students will be able to say definitively, once and for all, what was behind that mysterious door.
In the seventh grade, We begin to wrap-up our short story unit with a couple more short stories just in time for the holidays!
Monday, November 29, 2010
November 29th - December 3rd
All the turkey has been eaten, all of the pies devoured and another fall break has come and past.
Do not fret, Language Arts class is always more fun than some silly, old break!
This week, in the eighth grade, students will have the opportunity to explore yet another of the great short stories this universe has to offer. Students will spend their time pondering Frank Stockton's timeless question (as well as the title of his famous story) The Lady or the Tiger?
In the seventh grade, we will continue our work with our book clubs, and class novels while further exploring the fascinating world of short fiction and literary terminology.
Who wants to be on break when you can be in Ms. West's class?!
Do not fret, Language Arts class is always more fun than some silly, old break!
This week, in the eighth grade, students will have the opportunity to explore yet another of the great short stories this universe has to offer. Students will spend their time pondering Frank Stockton's timeless question (as well as the title of his famous story) The Lady or the Tiger?
In the seventh grade, we will continue our work with our book clubs, and class novels while further exploring the fascinating world of short fiction and literary terminology.
Who wants to be on break when you can be in Ms. West's class?!
Monday, November 22, 2010
November 22nd - 23rd
Gobble, gobble, gobble!
Well we have quite a short week! Students will only have class on Monday and Tuesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday, although I doubt you'll hear too much complaining about it!
In the eighth grade, we will have the opportunity to see our most recent short story on the big screen. Students will be able to watch the 1932 classic, The Most Dangerous Game.
In the seventh grade, students will have the opportunity to show off their storytelling abilities by sharing their scary stories with the rest of the class. it will be a hair-raising good time!
Well we have quite a short week! Students will only have class on Monday and Tuesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday, although I doubt you'll hear too much complaining about it!
In the eighth grade, we will have the opportunity to see our most recent short story on the big screen. Students will be able to watch the 1932 classic, The Most Dangerous Game.
In the seventh grade, students will have the opportunity to show off their storytelling abilities by sharing their scary stories with the rest of the class. it will be a hair-raising good time!
Monday, November 15, 2010
November 15th - 19th
It seems impossible that it is already mid-November. This year is just flying by!
In the eighth grade this week, we will continue with our persuasive writing assignment, now adding a creative twist. Students have used what they have learned about persuasive writing, as well as verbal irony, to create a piece convincing the general public to take a vacation to the "lovely" Ship-Trap Island, as the personal guest of General Zarroff himself. This week, they will be adding their artistic flair to this assignment by creating a travel brochure for the infamous island. I am sure that the reservations will start pouring in.
In the seventh grade we will be finishing up with our very scary stories. We will continue through the editing process until they are absolutely perfect! Once we have our final drafts, we will have the opportunity to read to each other. Who will have the most terrifying tale? I suppose we will see!
In the eighth grade this week, we will continue with our persuasive writing assignment, now adding a creative twist. Students have used what they have learned about persuasive writing, as well as verbal irony, to create a piece convincing the general public to take a vacation to the "lovely" Ship-Trap Island, as the personal guest of General Zarroff himself. This week, they will be adding their artistic flair to this assignment by creating a travel brochure for the infamous island. I am sure that the reservations will start pouring in.
In the seventh grade we will be finishing up with our very scary stories. We will continue through the editing process until they are absolutely perfect! Once we have our final drafts, we will have the opportunity to read to each other. Who will have the most terrifying tale? I suppose we will see!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
November 8th - 12th
It's Spirit Week!
This week is sure to be packed with fun, frenzy and, well . . . SPIRIT!
In the eighth grade this week, we will be learning more about irony, more specifically, verbal irony and how it is effectively used in writing. We will also be finishing our reading of The Most Dangerous Game.
Once finished with the story, students will have the opportunity to take all that they have learned and produce a piece of persuasive writing, using the story as the base. Once the writing itself has been completed, students will have the opportunity to add a creative flair to the assignment!
In the seventh grade, we continue our work on our scary stories. Students are using all that they have learned about mood and tone to create some truly creepy, yet creative, tales of terror!
This week is sure to be packed with fun, frenzy and, well . . . SPIRIT!
In the eighth grade this week, we will be learning more about irony, more specifically, verbal irony and how it is effectively used in writing. We will also be finishing our reading of The Most Dangerous Game.
Once finished with the story, students will have the opportunity to take all that they have learned and produce a piece of persuasive writing, using the story as the base. Once the writing itself has been completed, students will have the opportunity to add a creative flair to the assignment!
In the seventh grade, we continue our work on our scary stories. Students are using all that they have learned about mood and tone to create some truly creepy, yet creative, tales of terror!
Monday, November 1, 2010
November 1st - 5th
Welcome back! Now that all of our stomachs are filled to the brim with candy, we welcome November and all of the great things that this month has in store for the seventh and eighth grade.
This week, in both the seventh and eighth grade, we will have the opportunity to peruse though some of the great classics of American literature in order to choose which one of these wonderful novels to read for the required novel. Students will be forming their own book clubs (all the rage these days) so that, while they are reading their novel, they will have others to share their ideas and questions with, while engaging in literary discussions.
In the eighth grade we will begin to read another magnificent short story, filled with danger and drama. The Most Dangerous Game, by Richard Connell will keep students on the edge of their seats and, in addition, they will be able to discover foreshadowing and suspense and see how they are effectively used in literature.
In the seventh grade, we have just finished our reading of Poe's spooky classic, The Tell-Tale Heart. Students will use what they have learned about mood and tone to create their own spine-tingling tale!
What an amazing week we have to look forward to!
Also, I will be sending home some additional information about the trip to Washington D.C. in the upcoming days and weeks. Make sure to get signed up, this is going to be a blast!
This week, in both the seventh and eighth grade, we will have the opportunity to peruse though some of the great classics of American literature in order to choose which one of these wonderful novels to read for the required novel. Students will be forming their own book clubs (all the rage these days) so that, while they are reading their novel, they will have others to share their ideas and questions with, while engaging in literary discussions.
In the eighth grade we will begin to read another magnificent short story, filled with danger and drama. The Most Dangerous Game, by Richard Connell will keep students on the edge of their seats and, in addition, they will be able to discover foreshadowing and suspense and see how they are effectively used in literature.
In the seventh grade, we have just finished our reading of Poe's spooky classic, The Tell-Tale Heart. Students will use what they have learned about mood and tone to create their own spine-tingling tale!
What an amazing week we have to look forward to!
Also, I will be sending home some additional information about the trip to Washington D.C. in the upcoming days and weeks. Make sure to get signed up, this is going to be a blast!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
October 25th-28th
Welcome back to anther exiting week in Ms. West's class. What a week we have ahead
In the eighth grade, we have recently completed the final draft of our analysis of one of the characters found in Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. Now that they have communicated our thoughts in words, students will have the opportunity to stretch their creative muscles, and show their knowledge of their character through the visual arts. This is a very exciting project and I am so very excited to see the wonderful things that I know our students will create!
In the seventh grade, we are focusing on the literary elements of tone and mood. We will have the opportunity to fully explore these concepts through our reading of one of the great tales of terror, The Tell-Tale Heart. We have also spent some time learning strategies known as context clues, that will help us in our reading when we come across a word that we do not understand.
I hope to see everyone at conferences this week as well. I have so many wonderful things to say about these students!
Monday, October 18, 2010
October 18th - 22nd
It is official, we are 1/4 of the way through the school year. While we had a blast first quarter, I have a feeling that second quarter will be even better!
This week, in the eighth grade, we begin writing our analysis of one of the interesting characters that Nathaniel Hawthorne provides us with in his allegorical masterpiece, Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. Students will have the chance to study and analyze their character, and then present their findings to the world in a well written essay.
In the seventh grade, we continue to work with The Necklace, studying cause and effect relationships, as well as the literary ideas of theme and irony.
Here's to another great quarter!
This week, in the eighth grade, we begin writing our analysis of one of the interesting characters that Nathaniel Hawthorne provides us with in his allegorical masterpiece, Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. Students will have the chance to study and analyze their character, and then present their findings to the world in a well written essay.
In the seventh grade, we continue to work with The Necklace, studying cause and effect relationships, as well as the literary ideas of theme and irony.
Here's to another great quarter!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
October 11th - 14th
This week, in both the seventh and eighth grade, we will continue our reading of some of the great fictions of our time!
The eighth graders will continue to be amazed by Hawthorne's symbolism while reading and discussing Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. After their reading they will have the opportunity to fully analyze and understand one of the allegorical characters found within, and stretch their creative muscles in the process.
The seventh grade will continue their reading of Guy De Maupassant's, The Necklace. A story full of suspense and turmoil for the unfortunate characters involved. Through this reading, we will be exploring new vocabulary, as well as leaning to use context clues to decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words.
Remember that the end of the first quarter is this Friday. Students will not be attending school, so that their dedicated teachers can post their grades. It is hard to believe that we are already 1/4th of the way through the school year; time flies when you're having fun!
The eighth graders will continue to be amazed by Hawthorne's symbolism while reading and discussing Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. After their reading they will have the opportunity to fully analyze and understand one of the allegorical characters found within, and stretch their creative muscles in the process.
The seventh grade will continue their reading of Guy De Maupassant's, The Necklace. A story full of suspense and turmoil for the unfortunate characters involved. Through this reading, we will be exploring new vocabulary, as well as leaning to use context clues to decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words.
Remember that the end of the first quarter is this Friday. Students will not be attending school, so that their dedicated teachers can post their grades. It is hard to believe that we are already 1/4th of the way through the school year; time flies when you're having fun!
Monday, October 4, 2010
October 4th - 8th
What an exciting week we have ahead of us!
In the eighth grade, we will continue our study of literary terminology as well as study of great short stories. This week, we will have the opportunity to read a story written by one of the greatest American authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne. We will use hi magnificent short story, Dr Heidegger's Experiment, to explore the ideas of symbol and allegory.
In the seventh grade, we will continue to examine parts of speech as well as diving into some interesting and thought provoking short stories!
Remember that Friday is STEMAPALOOZA!!
All book reports, for both seventh and eighth grade are due
THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6th!
In the eighth grade, we will continue our study of literary terminology as well as study of great short stories. This week, we will have the opportunity to read a story written by one of the greatest American authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne. We will use hi magnificent short story, Dr Heidegger's Experiment, to explore the ideas of symbol and allegory.
In the seventh grade, we will continue to examine parts of speech as well as diving into some interesting and thought provoking short stories!
Remember that Friday is STEMAPALOOZA!!
All book reports, for both seventh and eighth grade are due
THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6th!
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 27th - October 1st
Well, fall is here and I know that the cooler temperatures, falling leaves and crisp air make me want to get comfy and cozy with some good reading. Lucky for our students, that is exactly what they will have the chance to do this week!
In the eighth grade we are finishing up our character stories. The students have been working on these for some time now, writing, editing, and writing some more. They should be extremely proud of their creativity and hard work. I am so excited to have the opportunity to read all of them!
We will also continue to study the language of literature by examining more of the literary terms associated with short stories.
In the seventh grade, we are honing our spelling skills and becoming even more familiar with the various parts of speech. We will also be furthering our understanding of literary language this week by looking at the idea of conflict within a story.
Get ready for another great week!!
Reminder: This Wednesday is picture day. If you did not receive an order form, make sure to ask your homeroom teacher for a copy. SAY CHEESE!!
In the eighth grade we are finishing up our character stories. The students have been working on these for some time now, writing, editing, and writing some more. They should be extremely proud of their creativity and hard work. I am so excited to have the opportunity to read all of them!
We will also continue to study the language of literature by examining more of the literary terms associated with short stories.
In the seventh grade, we are honing our spelling skills and becoming even more familiar with the various parts of speech. We will also be furthering our understanding of literary language this week by looking at the idea of conflict within a story.
Get ready for another great week!!
Reminder: This Wednesday is picture day. If you did not receive an order form, make sure to ask your homeroom teacher for a copy. SAY CHEESE!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
September 20th - 23rd
Welcome back to another short week!
In the seventh grade this week we will continue to examine the elements of short stories through reading and discussion. We will also continue our study of parts of speech , as well as spelling and proper grammar.
The eighth graders are hard at work on their character stories, editing and revising, all the while sharing their creativity and understanding of the six-traits with their classmates through the peer-editing process.
Reminders for this week:
There is no school for students this Friday, September 24th, so dress of choice day for the month of September will be Thursday the 23rd.
Remember all seventh and eighth graders, BOTH of your book reports are due on Wednesday, October 6th. Don't put it off to the last minute!:)
In the seventh grade this week we will continue to examine the elements of short stories through reading and discussion. We will also continue our study of parts of speech , as well as spelling and proper grammar.
The eighth graders are hard at work on their character stories, editing and revising, all the while sharing their creativity and understanding of the six-traits with their classmates through the peer-editing process.
Reminders for this week:
There is no school for students this Friday, September 24th, so dress of choice day for the month of September will be Thursday the 23rd.
Remember all seventh and eighth graders, BOTH of your book reports are due on Wednesday, October 6th. Don't put it off to the last minute!:)
Monday, September 13, 2010
September 13th - 17th
Welcome back to another wonderful week in Language Arts!
This week in the eighth grade, we will begin the process of composing our very first writing assignment. Students will use all the knowledge that they have gained about plot, character, characterization, and point of view to compose a magnificent work of fiction.
We will have the opportunity to share our work with members of the class in order to move through the editing process and make our stories the best that they can possibly be!
In the seventh grade, we will continue our work with the language involved in discussing literature. We will also have the opportunity to begin reading some of the best short stories that this planet has to offer.
We will also continue our study of the English language by looking at the different part of speech, as well as spelling.
I am so excited for another great week!
This week in the eighth grade, we will begin the process of composing our very first writing assignment. Students will use all the knowledge that they have gained about plot, character, characterization, and point of view to compose a magnificent work of fiction.
We will have the opportunity to share our work with members of the class in order to move through the editing process and make our stories the best that they can possibly be!
In the seventh grade, we will continue our work with the language involved in discussing literature. We will also have the opportunity to begin reading some of the best short stories that this planet has to offer.
We will also continue our study of the English language by looking at the different part of speech, as well as spelling.
I am so excited for another great week!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 7th - 10th
Welcome back after the long weekend! This week we will continue to examine the various elements of short stories, and the language that we must master in order to speak about literature as a whole.
We will continue to explore characters in our writing and reading, as well as examine the various points of view that authors use in their storytelling.
We will continue to explore characters in our writing and reading, as well as examine the various points of view that authors use in their storytelling.
Monday, August 30, 2010
August 30th - September 3rd
This week we will be continuing our study of short stories. We will review what we have learned about plot and its various elements, as well as venturing into the worlds of character and conflict.
We will continue to work in our reader's and writer's notebooks, furthering our study of ourselves as students of the language arts.
We will continue to work in our reader's and writer's notebooks, furthering our study of ourselves as students of the language arts.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
August 23rd - 27th
This week in the seventh and eighth grade we will be beginning our study of short stories. We will begin learning the "language of literature" and have a chance to begin reading our first stories as well.
This week we will be continuing to work in our Writer's Notebook, filling it with creative works and story ideas.
We will also begin using our Reader's Notebook this week. This will be a place where students will thoughtfully respond to the literature that we will be reading in class, as well as storing valuable literary information.
**Announcements**
Remember kiddos, this Friday is dress of choice day!
This week we will be continuing to work in our Writer's Notebook, filling it with creative works and story ideas.
We will also begin using our Reader's Notebook this week. This will be a place where students will thoughtfully respond to the literature that we will be reading in class, as well as storing valuable literary information.
**Announcements**
Remember kiddos, this Friday is dress of choice day!
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