Day Ninety-Six, 2/15

Today, we read a story called "There Will Come Sot Rains" and previewed the next essay (Slides)
Today's Song: "Clap (One Day)", Pharaohe Monche
Today's Homework: Book Paper Five and the "Put Down That . . ." Essay
 
Parents: There is a field trip on Wednesday, we will work on the "put down" essay in the lab on Thursday, and the book paper is due on Friday .

Day Ninety-Five, 2/14

Happy Valentine's Day! We discussed technology. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Us", Regina Spektor
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: The Bias Project.
 
PARENTS: The bias project is due tomorrow, there is a field trip on Wednesday, and the book paper is due on Friday .

Weekend Edition, 2/12

Hello! I just published the directions for bookpaper five.  Please email if you have any questions about it or about the Bias Project.

Day Ninety-Four, 2/11

TODAY, we again reviewed the bias project, which will be due Tuesday, and then assessed our work on "Episode of War".
Today's Song: "Silly Love Songs", Wings
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Start the Bias Project.
 
PARENTS: The students have a new project will help them be more aware of the news and the potential for bias in reporting stories.

Click here for lab instructions, 2/10

Hello, Class!
Welcome to  the computer lab!

Today, please print the two articles you will be using for your bias projects.

Then, please get started.

Either write an editorial in which you give your opinion of the topic, and support it with evidence from the articles, . . .

Or, begin writing the letters to the authors of the articles.

When class is nearly over, please print ONE HOOK for the essay prompt you had for homework.  Print the hook in landscape form, using at least 48-point font.

Happy Robot Voice Thursday!

Day NInety-Two, 2/9

TODAY, we again reviewed the bias project, which will be due in a week, and then read a story called "An Epidsode of War" by Stephen Crane. (Slides)
Today's Song: "One Tree Hill", U2
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Continue the Bias Project, and there's a new essay to brainstorm. (DON'T WRITE IT YET.)
 
PARENTS: The students have a new project will help them be more aware of the news and the potential for bias in reporting stories.

Day Ninety-One, 2/8

TODAY, we again saw the theme puppets , and we headed to the library.

TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Start the Bias Project.

 
PARENTS: The rock essays are scored.  (Click here.)

Day Ninety, 2/7

TODAY, we again reviewed the bias project, which will be due in a week, and then made puppets. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Belong", The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Start the Bias Project, and there's a punctuation worksheet.
 
PARENTS: The students have a new project will help them be more aware of the news and the potential for bias in reporting stories. LIBRARY TOMORROW!

Day Eighty-Nine, 2/4

TODAY, we finished our discussion of the theme in "The Lottery", reviewed the homework and the new bias project, and perhaps had time for Justice Skits. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Gone", GhostPoet
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Start the Bias Project.
 
PARENTS: The students have a new project will help them be more aware of the news and the potential for bias in reporting stories.

Click here for lab instructions, 2/3

Please submit the rock essay! -->

Please write, in the comment area, a 25-character story.  (So difficult.)

Please start researching your "Bias Project".

Day Eighty-Seven, 2/2

TODAY, we held a Socratic Seminar for "The Lottery", and prepared for the new essay. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Born to Be Your Man", Birdmonster
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Prepare for the Rock Essay.
 
PARENTS: Today is the last day to sumbit a book for approval for the Independent Reading credit for the first half of the quarter.

Day Eighty-Six, 2/1

TODAY, we discussed a story called, "The Lottery", learned about conclusions, and started a new essay. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Born Broken Hearted", David Wax Museum

TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Playing with hooks.
 
PARENTS: Any student who has not submitted a book for approval by Wednesday will forfeit their Independent Reading credit for the first half of the quart

Day Eighty Five, 1/31

TODAY, we read a story called, "The Lottery". Good luck sleeping tonight. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Still Sound", Toro y Moi

TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Turn in the Friend essay for tomorrow.  Also, here is a comma worksheet.
 
PARENTS: Any student who has not submitted a book for approval by Wednesday will forfeit their Independent Reading credit for the first half of the quarter.

Day Eighty-Six, 1/28

TODAY, Enjoy the snow day. 

TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Last call for the book paper and Storybirds.  There's is a new essay due on Monday. 

PARENTS:  Sorry.  pending all day with 8th graders is usually my job, but on these snow days, I guess it falls to you.  Good luck! 

Day Eighty-Four, 1/26

TODAY, we began a new persuasive essay. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Safari Disco Club", Yelle
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Last call for the book paper and Storybirds.  There's is a new essay due on Friday.
PARENTS: The third book paper must be approved before the week is up.

Day Eighty-Three, 1/24

TODAY, we held SELECTION DAY to learn something about fairness and justice! (Slides)
Today's Song: "Until We Bleed", Kleerup
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Last call for the book paper and Storybirds.  There's is a new essay due on Friday.
PARENTS: The third book paper must be approved before the week is up.

Day Eighty-Two, 1/4

TODAY, we hosted Regie Cabico, a local poet, who is getting us ready for a slam on 2/24!
TODAY'S HOMEWORK:A punctuation worksheet. Please have your fifth book approved.

PARENTS: The third book paper must be approved before the week is up.

Day Eighty-One, 1/21

TODAY, we reviewed the bias homework and the punctuation homework, and played StoryBird Time. (Slides)
Today's Song: "Wild Thing", Noah and the Whale

TODAY'S HOMEWORK: Please have your fifth book approved.

PARENTS: Welcome to the third quarter. There are tons of new calendar items on the right.

Lab instructions, 1/20

First, enter your book five information. (over there -->)

Then, smile and shake hands with the people near you.

Then, do this StoryBird.

Then, make one loud "caw"!

Then, go do this (and tell me your score when you're done).

Then, take a homework and get started.

Then, give yourself a high five;  try not to get injured.

Day Seventy-Nine, 1/19

TODAY, we scored our own essays, learned the origins of punctuation, and wrote in the calendar dates for the quarter. (Slides)
Today's Song: "I. G. Y.", Donald Fagen

TODAY'S HOMEWORK:  The Punctuation Worksheet, if you didn't complete it in class.

PARENTS: Welcome to the third quarter. There are tons of new calendar items on the right.