Friday, February 1, 2008

HISTORY CLASS

"Timeline of the American Revolutionary War" (Day 2)

Objectives for Today
  • Learners will be able to use their artisitc skills and knowledge of the Revolutionary War to create a graphic display for the school to see.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will come in and get your timeline project things ready to transport to the library.
  2. We will go to the library where you will have today as your last class time to work on your project, which is due MONDAY!

READING CLASS

"Independent Reading"

Objectives for Today

  • Learners will work quietly on independent reading from the classroom library, implememnting their core reading skills as they read.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will come in and write a two paragraph response to your first half of your 8th grade expereince at Gra-Mar, paying particular attention to your time in Mr. Duncan's class.
  2. You will spend 20 minutes in silent independent reading.
  3. If the independent reading goes well, then the rest of the period will be allowed for free time.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

HISTORY CLASS

"Timeline of the American Revolutionary War" (Day 1)

Objectives for Today
  • Learners will be able to use their artisitc skills and knowledge of the Revolutionary War to create a graphic display for the school to see.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will come in and immediately begin working on your timelien project.
  2. Mr. D. will return papers and the tests from yesterday.

READING CLASS

"Readers Workshop"

Objectives for Today

  • Learners will work independently on their core reading skills.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will begin working on your readers workshop menu items.
  2. Mr. D will work with a group at the table.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

HISTORY CLASS

"The American Revolution" (Chp. 6.3 & 5)

Objectives for Today
  • Learners will display their knowledge and comprehension of the American Revolution as has been discussed in class for the past two school days.
  • (See previous posts for specific objectives.)

Agenda for Today

  1. You will be given 5 minutes to prepare for the test. You may choose to study with one person for this time.
  2. You will take the test over Chapter 6, Sections 3 & 5. The questions are the seven Reading Focus questions from these two sections.

READING CLASS

"Readers Workshop"

Objectives for Today

  • Learners will work independently on their core reading skills.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will write a list of at least five (5) characters (from books, TV, or movies) about whom you know enough to complete a character web.
  2. While Mr. D conducts Readers Workshops for some small groups at the table, students will work independently at their desks on several activities. One activity will be required for all students and the others are choices. Students will complete three choices by Friday.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

HISTORY CLASS

"Winning the War in the South" (Chp. 6.5)

Objectives for Today
  • Explain why Britain decided to start fighting in the South.
  • Discuss how the Americans and the French defeated the British at Yorktown.
  • List the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
  • Describe why Americans won the war.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will write down "These questions will be on the test tomorrow:" and then list the four reading questions from p. 191 (Chp. 6.5)
  2. Mr. Duncan will talk about the information from chapter 6, section 5 and you will take notes.
  3. There will be a test tomorrow!

READING CLASS

"Understanding Characters"

Objectives for Today

  • Understand and recognize characters' traits.
  • Determine characters' motivation and feelings based on clues in the text.
  • Understand characters' relationships.
  • Analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters.
  • Make inferences based on characters' words, actions, and reactions to other characters.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will write another short character sketch of your favorite movie, TV, or book character.
  2. We will finish our character web of Rapunzel from yesterday.
  3. We will do a shared reading exercise with The Dragon (pp. 313-318) that will teach you how to implement this new skill.

PLEASE Schedule a Conference!

Several of you should have received requests for Parent-Teacher Conferences over the past 2 grading periods. However, only a few parents have responded to schedule a conference. Please know that I want to help you help your child succeed in school. If I have requested a conference with you, please call me 262-6685 (ext. 108) and schedule a conference as soon as possible. My planning time and conference time each day is between 2:40 and 4:00. Please take advantage of this invitation and opportunity to help your child make positive strides in his or her education this year.

Monday, January 28, 2008

HISTORY CLASS

"Struggle in the Middle States" (Chp. 6.3)

Objectives for Today
  • List the battles that were fought in New York and New Jersey.
  • Explain how the Battle of Saratoga marked a turning point in the war.
  • Describe the hardships the Continental Army suffered at Valley Forge.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will have your homework (Chp. 6.3 & 5 Guided Reading and Key Terms) out on your desk to be checked.
  2. You will write "Questions on the Next Test for Chp. 6.3" at the top of a sheet of notebook paper. Then you will list the three reading focus questions for Chp 6.3 (p. 181).
  3. Mr. Duncan will return the tests from last week and offer a special "make-up" opportunity.
  4. You will take notes as Mr. D lectures on Chp. 6.3 and shows some cool video clips that go along with the material.

READING CLASS

"Understanding Characters"

Objectives for Today

  • Understand and recognize characters' traits.
  • Determine characters' motivation and feelings based on clues in the text.
  • Understand characters' relationships.
  • Analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters.
  • Make inferences based on characters' words, actions, and reactions to other characters.

Agenda for Today

  1. You will write a short character sketch of your favorite movie, TV, or book character.
  2. Mr. D will return papers from last week.
  3. You will receive a new tip sheet on our new core reading skill: "Understanding Characters".
  4. We will do a shared reading exercise that will teach you how to implement this new skill.