English 8 A/B (Period 4) Assignments

Study for final.  Be sure and know all terms, people and places from your Beowulf handouts, as well as the Beowulf vocabulary. You will be tested on Beowulf vocabulary and vocabulary lists 13 and 14.  All vocabulary lists are attached.

No homework this weekend, but you may want to start studying for your final.  Your final will include a test on Beowulf.  Study the terms, names, places on the handout.  You will also be tested on Beowulf vocabulary words through "ignominious".

Also on the test will be vocabulary words from list 13 and 14, attached below.

Write vocabulary definitions though "stalwart" on your Beowulf list of words.

Write definitions for Beowulf vocabulary through "gumption".

Create and write down five original Kennings (compound words that metaphorically describe other nouns).  Remember battle sweat (blood) and gas guzzler.

Visit the following two websites:
http://www.csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs4a/sutton.htm
http://www.archaeology.co.uk/the-timeline-of-britain/sutton-hoo.htm
Look at the pictures and read the text.  Write down three or four things you find most interesting.  Write a couple of sentences about the items you choose.  You might write about how something connects to something you've learned outside English class or make a prediction about Beowulf, or just write about why the item interests you. Bring your sentences to class for discussion.

Bring in Curious Incident and study a test on the novel TODAY.

Choose an persuasive article or advertisement, flyer, commercial, or any persuasive writing and bring it in to class. Identify the persuasive techniques used in the example.

Complete novel project for Curious Incident. Following the assignment criteria described in your handout, write a physicians journal and a personal journal.

The assignment criteria is attached below.  Read it and follow the instructions carefully.

Write sentences demonstrating parallel structure for vocabulary list # 14.  Information on parallel structure is in your textbook on page 252 "Grammar Practice".

Read "Tell-Tale Heart" in your textbook.  Write down definitions of irony, symbolism, and imagery (in Literary Handbook section of textbook).  Find one example of each device in the story.

Write grammatical, meaningful sentences for vocabulary list # 13.

Read Curious Incident to page 177.

Study for vocabulary test on Wednesday.  Test is on all words from vocabulary lists 10, 11, 12.  Be sure you know compound and complex sentences.

Read to page 140 (to chapter break).  Study for vocabulary test today!

Study for vocabulary test tomorrow.  Finish letter to Ed from Christopher's mother, Judy.

Read through page 124 of Curious Incident.  Complete a Say, Mean, Matter chart for three passages.

Read through page 61 of Curious Incident.

Write two simple sentences, two compound sentences, and two complex sentences for the vocabulary on list # 12.  Be sure and label the sentences.

Read through page 43 of Curious Incident.

Read through page 23 of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

Write complex sentences for vocabulary words on list # 11.

Write a paragraph identifying the recurring theme in "Old Man" and GrandMothers.  Use the short constructed response (SCR) that you completed to guide you through the paragraph.  Be sure and include support (citations) and explanations

Read the poem "Old Man".  Add it to your topic and theme chart, identifying to topics and to possible themes for the poem.

Your Mandala or One Pager on A Long Way Gone is due today.  Be sure to bring your book to class.

Finish reading A Long Way Gone.  Work on your Mandala about a character from ALWG or your One Pager.

1.  Write a poem comparing a force of nature to an animal (as in "Fog").  Extend your metaphor as far as you can.  Use a direct or an implied metaphor.

2.  Which emotion--desire or hate--do you feel is more destructive to individuals and to the world.  Write a paragraph explaining your opinion.

Complete fishbowl evaluation and reflection from Socratic Seminar.

Pick 3 events from the beginning, middle and end of A Long Way Gone and draw them.  Include a reflection/level 3 question with each drawing that may be used in the Socratic Seminar.

Turn in your final draft of the research paper in class and submit a draft to turnitin.com.

Register and upload paragraph on turnitin.com.

Register and submit practice submission to turnitin.com.

Turn in first draft of research paper.  We will complete peer edits in class. 
Read Chapter 17-18 of A Long Way Gone.

Your works cited page for your research report is due today. Remember to use MLA format.

Choose your research topic and.  Begin research and take notes.  Write a thesis statement for your report.  Choose the pattern of organization you will use in your report.  You will bring the following to class on Wednesday:

• Thesis statement
• notes on research
• Pattern of organization

Read through Chapter 15 and write a level 1 question, a level 2 question and a level 3 question, for a total of three questions.

Attached below is the criteria for the research report assignment.  Your first assignment is due today: Thesis statement, research notes, and organizational pattern.  Carefully read the attached assignment criteria and make note of all assignments and due dates.

Choose 5 topics suitable for research report.  Remember, all topics must have something to do with Africa.  Bring your list of five possible topics to class.

Correct your final exams.  Include a written explanation of why the original answer was incorrect.

Read through Chapter 14 of A Long Way Gone.

Study for final!

Read Chapter 13.  Write 1 level 1 question.

Read through Chapter 12.

Begin studying for final.

After re-reading "Emancipation" and "Why is the Sea Blue" in your textbooks, complete short constructed response on text structure.

Re-read "Emancipation" from Lincoln: A Photobiography on page 256 in your textbook.  Then fill out the last page (245) of your summary packet.

Read through Chapter 10.  Complete summary packet.

Write sentences for vocabulary list for the week of 1/24/10.  Each sentence should contain a context clue that indicates a comparison, a contrast, or an example.

Read and summarize chapters 8-9.  Your summaries should be one well-written paragraph for each chapter.

Read through page 43 of A Long Way Gone. Write vocabulary sentences for the list dated 1/17/11.  Be sure each sentences includes context clues to the word's meaning.  Clues should be example clues, comparison clues, or contrast clues.  Your first sentence should begin as follows:  "Far from being disconsolate, the little boy..."  Use the cue words and phrases listed on the green handout.

Write sentences for vocabulary list for the week of 1/10/11.

Bring in facts and classwork to finish Wikipedia entry during the first minutes of class.

Read pagers 1-29 of A Long Way Gone.

Using any sources OTHER THAN WIKIPEDIA, bring in five (5) facts about Sierra Leone.

Write a one paragraph summary (main idea and important details) of "Animal Craftsmen".

Study 8th Grade words on your spelling list.  Spelling Bee in class on Wednesday.

Read "Harriet Tubman" (page 130), "Emancipation" (page 256) and "Animal Craftsmen" (page 614) in your textbook.

Then complete the 4 handouts: 
1.  Comparing & Contrasting "Tubman" & "Emancipation"
2.  Build Vocabulary/Using Ex to Spell the Sound of egz
3. Adverbs/Determining Cause & Effect
4. Evaluating the Author's Presentation/Lit Analysis: Flow Chart

Remember these worksheets are two sided!

Happy Holidays.

Present and turn in your creative memoir project.  You may write a poem, paint a picture, create a musical composition, a sculpture, a mandala or other artistic project. Remember, your creative project relates to the person and/or events you described in your memoir.  ALL PROJECTS are due at the first class meeting this week!

Final draft of your family memoir is due.  Today you will turn in the final draft.  Please attach the purple rubric to the draft.  Along with the final draft, please turn in your questions, interview notes, first draft, and reflection on the peer editing process. 

Your creative project (poem, mandala, painting, video, photo collage, song, musical composition, etc) is due at the first class meeting next week (w/o 12/13).

First draft of family memoir is due at first class meeting this week.

Attached below is a description of the family memoir criteria.

Write first paragraph of family memoir.  Bring it to class along with an outline, web, or other organizational planner.
Vocabulary test in class today!

Turn in corrections to vocabulary sentences for list 5 and 6.  Vocabulary test has been postponed until the 3rd class meeting this week (Thursday or Friday).

Interview your memoir subject, and study your vocabulary lists 4-6.  The reflection on how your interview went is due today.

You will have a vocabulary test this week (3rd class meeting).

Enjoy the holiday.

Write down 15-20 questions to ask your memoir subject during the interview.  Write complex sentences for vocabulary list # 6.

Your homework is to choose the subject of your memoir. Your choice should be at least one generation older than you are. In a thoughtful, expressive, grammatical paragraph, you will write about your choice.  Tell us why you chose this person and what to you want to ask him or her.  You don't need to ask any questions yet, just write down a few things you want to learn about your subject.

Write compound sentences for Vocabulary # 5.  All sentences must be compound, not simple or complex.Read to page 92, the end of the "Second Marking Period".

Read through page 76 of SPEAK.  Write a two paragraph journal entry from the POV of a character other than the main character.  Pretend you are Rachelle, Hairwoman, It, Mr. Freeman, Melinda's mom, or any other character in the book, and write a diary entry from that character's perspective.

Read through page 46 of SPEAK.  Analyze the two passages you selected using the SAY, MEAN, MATTER strategy that we discussed in class.  Using a chart with three columns, write down the passage under heading, "SAY".  Explain it under "MEAN", and explain why it's important under the column labeled "MATTER".

Read through page 30 of Speak.  Choose two important passages from the novel and write them down.

List synonyms and parts of speech for the following words.

inconspicuous
pseudo
vague
wan
simultaneous
degrade
blathers
interim
mayhem

No homework due.

What English skills do you find the most difficult?  Are there any grammar rules that don't make sense.  Do you have trouble writing introductions or punctuating dialogue?  What's your English challenge?  Make a list and bring it to the next class meeting.

Read the last paragraph on page 173 in the story, "Thank You, Ma'am".  Identify each sentence as compound, complex or simple.  Write down the subordinating or coordinating conjunction if the sentence uses one.

Finish appositive worksheet and turn in a thank you letter from Roger to Mrs. Jones.  The letter, in which an older, wiser, Roger reflects on Mrs. Jones's act of kindness, should include an appositive phrase, a compound sentences and a complex sentence.

Finish theme worksheet on "Thank You Ma'am".  Finish worksheet on compound sentences.

Write a grammatical, articulate paragraph stating your definition of kindness.  Include examples of kindness.  You may consider the difference between kindness and courtesy.

Complete worksheet on compound and complex sentences.

Study for vocabulary test on Thursday, 10/14.  Corrected list of words is attached below.

Also due Thursday: Create a sensory language chart.  Find 5 sentences that use sensory language in the story "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings".  Be sure that you have at least one sentence which appeals to each of the five senses.  Copy down the sentence and indicate to which sense it appeals.

Re-read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings".  Complete figurative analysis worksheet and character and setting worksheets.

Write a narrative poem based on your newspaper or magazine article.  You must write a minimum of 5 stanzas.  The rhyme scheme in your stanzas should match the pattern of the first stanza.  Be sure your poem has a story that includes a well developed plot, conflict, setting and characters.  Include at least one example each of metaphor, simile, personification and alliteration.

Write a meaningful, grammatical, compound sentence for each of the words on the list for the week of 10/4.  Circle the coordinating conjunction.

Write a grammatical, meaningful vocabulary sentence for each of the vocabulary words for the Week of 9/27. Vocabulary lists 1-3 are attached.

Write a one sentence paraphrase of each stanza in "The Wreck of the Hesperus", by Longfellow.

Draw/create three cartoons that have a single theme (message about life).  You may draw three different cartoons or one "comic strip" with three images that tell a single story.

Write sentences for the assigned vocabulary words. LIst of words and definitions is attached.

Turn in completed one-pager.  Also write a list of 5 rules for an extra-terrestrial (or other cultural outsider).  Include a reflection on why these rules are essential to success and acceptance in your culture/society.

Select two important passages from THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART TIME INDIAN. Write them down and create or choose visuals to go with the passages.  You will use your visuals and passages to complete a One-Pager.

Create a Venn diagram (an organizer that looks like two overlapping circles) comparing and contrasting any two characters from ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. 

OR... Make a Venn diagram comparing the world of Wellpinit (the reservation) with Reardan (the all-white school).

Welcome back.  I hope you enjoyed your summer!

Please review the vocabulary list from Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.  Choose four words that are new to you and complete a word map for each.  If you have created your own list of new vocabulary, you may use one of your new words.

Please review and sign the class syllabus, and ask your parents to review and sign it. 

Your vocabulary maps and your signed syllabus are due at the 2nd class meeting.