Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class you took your “auto” vocabulary test and then completed a short reading assignments about comic books.

HW 1, 4, 5: None

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we introduced/discussed/chose groups for the magazine research task you will be doing in class. Then you read chapters 25-27. For those who may not have completed the chapters 22-24 discussion questions, I have included them for you here:

1. How does the Bird’s treatment of Louie begin to affect him? (text evidence)
2. How does the title of our book really begin to come into play during this time? Why? (text evidence)
3. Put yourself in Louie’s place. How would you handle the daily abuse? What plans would you use to protect yourself? (if you mention specific types/forms of abuse please include text evidence).

HW 2, 3: Discussion questions need to be completed by end of class tomorrow

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class you worked on two reading comprehension stories, “Baseball” and “Cyberbullying”. You should have turned in your book report as well.

HW 1, 4, 5: Quiz over “auto” words tomorrow. Here are the words again in case you need them: autobiography, autograph, automatic, autopilot, automotive, automobile, autonomous, autonomy

Blocks 2,3 : Today in class you read chapters 22-24 and worked on three discussion questions about the chapters.

HW 2, 3: None

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class we discussed mood and tone in literary works. Remember, mood = how reader feels when reading a passage, tone = author’s attitude toward the subject. Mood can be determined by setting and words/details authors gives.

HW 1, 4, 5: Vocabulary quiz over “auto” words on Thursday

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we discussed the unquestioning obedience of Japanese soldiers to their superiors (Hiroo Onoda – the last Japanese WWII soldier) and Geneva Conventions about the treatment of prisoners. Then you read chapter 21, and possibly chapter 22, of our book.

HW 2, 3: None

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class we discussed point and view and perspective. Remember, perspective is how an author “sees” a particular topic/issue. Afterwards, you had time in class to work on your book reports or study for Thursday’s quiz over the “auto” words.

HW 1, 4, 5: Book report due 3/30. “auto-” words quiz on Thursday, 3/31

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we introduced the vocabulary words for part 4 of our book. Then you read chapters 18-20.

HW 2, 3: None

ALL Blocks: Today in class we were in the computer lab to work on assignments in Edulastic. If you want to work on any of the review assignments from home, just go to edulastic.com

and sign in using your username and password that I created for you to be in my class. These are good reviews for the types of passages and questions you will see on the Milestone test.

HW 1, 4, 5: book report due 3/30

HW 2, 3: None

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today we were in the computer lab to complete some online standards review lessons as we prepare for the Milestones. We will be in the computer lab again tomorrow.

HW 1, 4, 5: Book reports due 3/30

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we finished our Socratic Seminar discussion. I’m impressed by the depth of thought and preparation you put into your answers and in your discussions with others. Tomorrow we will be in the computer lab.

HW 2, 3: None

We “flipped” our schedule today with the 8th graders, so our 5th graders who will be coming to Durham could come and tour the building.  You went to your connections classes right after home room and then had all your academic classes starting at lunchtime…It was a little strange seeing some of you in the afternoon that I usually see in the morning! Tomorrow we will be back to normal…wait, this is middle school…do we ever do anything that’s normal? 🙂

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class we discussed point of view – 1st, 2nd, 3rd limited, and 3rd omniscient. Then we watched a Flocabulary video about point of view, practiced recognizing the various points of view, and then you worked independently on a handout with passages written in different points of view.

HW 1, 4, 5: Book reports due 3/30. If you didn’t finish the classwork today, it is homework.

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we started our Socratic Seminar to discuss our book, Unbroken, so far. I’m impressed with the effort you have all put into becoming the “experts” on your questions. We had some great discussions today – nice job!

HW 2, 3: None

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class we discussed the root/prefix “auto” which means self. Then you worked on creating flash cards or a graphic organizer for the 8 words and definitions that you will be tested on next week. After you finished your definitions, you should have gotten the handout with the stories “A Letter to Grandmother” and “A Good Student” to read and answer questions. If you did not finish and turn in the stories, you need to finish them for homework.

HW 1, 4, 5: Book report due 3/30. Finish 2 stories on handout if you did not finish in class.

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class you worked on your question for tomorrow’s Socratic seminar. The last half of class was spent meeting with any other students in class who had same question. Remember, you need text evidence to support your answers/opinions tomorrow in the seminar.

HW 2, 3: None

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class we reviewed comparing/contrasting articles about the same event as presented by two different authors. We discussed a journal entry and an excerpt from a nonfiction book, then you worked on excerpts from an autobiography and a biography. If you did not finish in class, this is homework.

HW 1, 4, 5: Finish comparing/contrasting autobiography excerpt and biography excerpt. Book report due 3/30

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we discussed the idea of and rules for a Socratic seminar. You chose a question to research and answer on your own for the discussion. Tomorrow you will have time to work on your question and then meet with anyone else who got the same question to discuss. We will have our Socratic seminar on Wednesday. After you received your question, you were able to read chapters 16-17 to finish part 3 of our book.

HW 2, 3: Socratic seminar Wednesday

Blocks 1, 4, 5: Today in class you worked on two articles to determine word meaning from context clues. Then you compared/contrasted the two articles – one fiction, one nonfiction – with a partner.

HW 1, 4, 5: Book Reports due 3/30

Blocks 2, 3: Today in class we read chapters 14-15 aloud and discussed how mental strength affects a person’s ability to deal with adversity. Good discussion! You all had some interesting insights about why Mac didn’t fare as well as Louie and Phil. Then you were able to start reading chapter 16 silently.

HW 2, 3: None