English Language Arts 2009-2010
Tues. March 15
Grade 6
Students have now completed their Olympic Power Point Research Projects. They presented their research on the Smartboard. We are currently working on a process piece as a practice for CRT's. The Gr. 6 Students will be completing the Process Writing component of the CRT from Mar.23-26.
Grade 8
Students have now completed their Research Papers. They are currently engaged in Literature Circles. Each night students must read a chapter and complete a role. Please ensure that your child completes their role for homework. There is a place for parent's signature on the first page of your child's folder. The next day students present their work to the group. The 5 different roles are as follows.
1) Summarizer
2) Connector
3) Read Aloud Master
4) Characterist
5) Illustrator
Grade 9
Student have now completed their Research Papers. They are currently reading and analyzing the play Romeo and Juliet. Comprehension questions must be completed at the end of each Scene. Questions not finished in class must be completed for homework.
Wed. Feb. 17
Grade 6
Students are currently working on Olympic Research Projects.
Grade 8
Students are currently working on the play Twelve Angry Men.
Grade 9
Students are currently working on the play Romeo and Juliet.
Wednesday Jan.27
Grade 8& Grade 9
Final Draft of Research Paper is due on Mon. Feb.1
Tuesday Jan.19
Grade 6
Students have started a Research Unit on the Olympics. We will be working with Ms. Chafe in the LRC. Today students chose their country and will begin to take jot notes tomorrow. The final product will be a Power Point Presentation. All work will be completed in class.
Grade 8 & Grade 9
Students are continuing with Research Papers and are now completing jot notes. Rough drafts are due on Friday Jan.22. We will be proofreading and editing rough drafts on Friday. Final drafts are due on Thursday Jan.28
Wednesday Jan.6
Grade 6
Holes Test was given back today. Please sign and return to school as soon as possible. Spelling Unit #6 was distributed yesterday. Students worked on Spelling exercises in class for 20 mins. Test is on Fri. Jan.15. Please ensure exercises are completed by this date.
We will begin a Research Unit next week.
Grade 8
The Outsiders test was given back today. We began Research papers this week. The majority of the research, jot notes, rough drafts, proofreading and editing will be completed in class.
Grade 9
We began Research papers this week. The majority of the research, jot notes, rough drafts, proofreading and editing will be completed in class.
Friday Dec.10
Grade 6
There will be a test on the novel Holes on Tues. Dec.15. Students must review questions this week in preparation for the test. Also, students must complete the 2 questions given in class today. They did not have enough time to complete these ques. in class today.
1) Describe Camp Green Lake. Give specific examples and use as many details as possible.
2) Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces. Describe the different problems and obstacles that Stanley Yelnats must overcome in this novel. Give specific examples and as many details as possible.
Grade 8
There will be a test on the novel The Outsiders on Tues. Dec.15. Students must review questions this week in preparation for the test. Also, students must finish 3 questions given in class today. They did not have enough time to finish these ques. in class.
1) Define conflict and discuss the main conflict in the novel The Outsiders. Be sure to classify the conflict, tell who is involved, tell why the conflict exists and how the conflict is resolved. Remember to use quotes from the novel to support your answer.
2) Define theme. Identify and discuss a major theme form the novel The Outsiders. Be sure to give quotes form the novel to support your answer.
3) Define point of view and discuss the point of view from which this novel is told. Why did Ponyboy write from his perspective and what advantage does the reader gain from this?
Grade 9
There will be a content quiz on the novel After the War on Tues. Dec.15. Students must review questions and vocab. this week in preparation for the test. Also, students will be writing an in-class essay on the novel After the War on Wed. Dec.16. On Monday a handout of the 7 essay topics was given. Students must be prepared for the essay with an outline of the essay, all supports and quotes with page numbers wrote up ahead of time. Review handouts on Literary Essay Format, Character Types, After the War Summary and Reference page and numbers to locate quotes and supports and evidence.
Essay Questions:
1) Identify one main theme Carol Matas has introduced in her novel. How has the theme been developed? Be sure to make specific reference to the novel.
2) Discuss the types of conflict presented in the novel After the War. Were these conflicts resolved? If so, discuss the resolutions.
3) Discuss the reasons why Ruth let her emotions "sleep" for a major part of the novel. Explain her "awakening" by discussing how it helps develop a theme for the novel.
4) Write a detailed character sketch of Ruth.
5) Imagery is an integral part of Carol Matas' novel. Discuss through the use of examples how Matas' powerful imagery presents a shocking overview of the Jewish experiences during the war. (refer to flashback episodes)
6) Read the final paragraphs on pages 134-135. Explain how you think the author is making a statement about life.
7) Review how Ruth has learned to deal with the obstacles she had to face throughout the novel. Explain how you think the author is making a comment how people deal with life's joys and sorrows. What can we learn from Ruth?
Monday Dec. 7
Grade 6
There will be a test on the novel Holes on Tues. Dec.15. Students must review questions this week in preparation for the test. We will be reviewing for the test all this week.
Grace 8
There will be a test on the novel The Outsiders on Tues. Dec.15. Students must review questions this week in preparation for the test. We will be reviewing for the test all this week.
Grade 9
There will be a test on the novel After the War on Wed. Dec.16. Students must review questions this week in preparation for the test. We will be reviewing for the test all this week.
Thurs. Nov. 26
Grade 6
Study Unit 5 Spelling Words and Exercises. Spelling Test will be given on Fri. Dec.4. Complete Questions up to Ch.28 in the novel Holes.
Grade 8
Complete the Questions up to Ch.7 in the novel The Outsiders
Grade 9
Complete the Questions up to Ch.7 in the novel After the War
Thursday Nov.12
Grade 6
Make sure Section 1 Vocab. and 10 Questions on the novel Holes are complete. Spelling test on Monday Nov.16 because Mr. Scott had a test scheduled for Friday.
Grade 8
Complete Section 1 Vocab. and Ques. on the novel The Outsiders.
Grade 9
Complete Ch.1 and Ch.2 Ques. on the novel After the War.
Friday Nov. 6
ALL CLASSES
No Written Homework over the Weekend!! Students should read every night in independent novels or in depth novel studies. I assign work not completed in class as homework. If it is not here on the webpage then yes your child doesn't have homework in Language Arts.
Wednesday Nov.4
Grade 6
Short Story test was given back today. Please sign the test and return as soon as possible. Continue to work on Spelling Words and Exercises. Today was Writer's Wednesday. Students write in their Writer's Notebook every Wednesday.
Grade 8
Continue to work on The Outsiders questions and vocab. Short Story Test was given back yesterday. Please sign the test and return as soon as possible. Today was Writer's Wednesday. Students write in their Writer's Notebook every Wednesday.
Grade 9
Today was Writer's Wednesday. Students write in their Writer's Notebook every Wednesday.
Tuesday Nov.3
Grade 6
Unit 4 Spelling Words and Exercises were distributed yesterday. Spelling Test is on Fri. Nov.13.
Complete the first 10 Vocab. from the novel Holes. Students were given 30 mins. to work on these in class today. Yes, some students did finish their work in class.
Grade 8
Complete the first 10 Vocab. from the novel The Outsiders. Students were given approx. 20 mins. to work on this in class.
Grade 9
We are still researching information and facts on the Holocaust. Students must complete the 20 Facts Sheet on the Holocaust.
Thursday Oct. 29
Grade 6
Spelling Test tomorrow Fri. Oct.30. Please complete the exercises for Unit 3.
Monday Oct.26
Grade 6
Spelling Unit 3 Test on Friday Oct.30. Spelling Tests will now be every second Friday. This will give the students plenty of time to study their words and complete the exercises.
We started a study of the novel Holes today. Questions and Vocab. will be distributed tomorrow.
Grade 8
We started a study of the novel The Outsiders today. Questions and Vocab. will be distributed tomorrow.
Grade 9
We finished testing today. We will begin a novel study on After the War tomorrow.
Thursday Oct. 22
Grade 6
Spelling Unit 2- Study words and complete exercises. The test will be on Friday Oct.30
Grade 8
Friday, Oct.16
Grade 6
Unseen Short Story Test on Thurs. Oct.22. Study Literary Terms: character, plot, setting, conflict and short.These terms will be reviewed in class next week in preparation for the test.
Grade 8
Part A:
Short Story Unit Test on Thurs. Oct.22. Study 10 Literary Terms and review all stories studied in class. A Study Guide was distributed in class on Tues.
Terms to review: refer to Gr. 8 Literary Terms Sheet
1. conflict 6. plot
2. lead character 7. foreshadowing
3. setting 8. stereotype
4. climax 9. suspense
5. theme 10.point of view
Stories studied in class
"The Mountain Legend"
"The Dinner Party"
"My Brother's Christmas Story"
"Priscilla and the Wimps"
" The Mona Lisa"
Part B:
Unseen Short Story Test on Fri. Oct.23. Study 10 Literary Terms and review DDSC sheets.
This handout outlines how to give a well constructed response to questions by using the paragraph format.
D- Read Directions carefully
D- Give Definitions to all literary terms (topic sentence)
S- Give Support, evidence, and quotes from the text to strengthen your answer (supporting sentences)
C- Give a Closing Sentence to conclude your answer (concluding sentence)
Also review the notes on 'How to use quotes as support" and "Studying for Unseen Selection Tests."
Grade 9
Part A:
Short Story Unit Test on Thurs. Oct.22. Study 15 Literary Terms and review all stories studied in class. A Study Guide was distributed in class on Tues.
Terms to review :refer to Gr.9 Literary Terms Sheet
1. lead character
2 dynamic character
3. narrator
4. climax
5. suspense
6. stereotype
7. irony
8. conflict
9. plot
10. setting
11. theme
12.foreshadowing
13. point of view
14. flashback
15. mood
Stories studied in class
" Lamb to the Slaughter"
"Gore"
"Long, Long After School"
"How to Tell Renata"
"Golden Girl"
Part B:
Unseen Short Story Test on Fri. Oct.23. Study 15 Literary Terms and review DDSC sheets.
This handout outlines how to give a well constructed response to questions by using the paragraph format..
D- Read Directions carefully
D- Give Definitions to all literary terms (topic sentence)
S- Give Support, evidence, and quotes from the text to strengthen your answer (supporting sentences)
C- Give a Closing Sentence to conclude your answer (concluding sentence)
Also review the notes on 'How to use quotes as support" and "Studying for Unseen Selection Tests."
Thursday, October 15
I was having technical difficulties over the last few days. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Grade 6
Spelling Test on Unit 2 tomorrow. This test was cancelled last Friday due to Terry Fox Walk and Healthy Commotion Activities. Please ensure that all exercises are complete. Unseen Short Story Test on Thurs. Oct.22
Grade 8
Finish vocab. and 5 questions from the story "Priscilla and the Wimps"
Short Story Unit Test on Thurs. Oct. 22
Unseen Short Story Test on Fri.Oct.23
Study Guide was given in class on Tues.
Grade 9
Finish vocab. and Ques. on "How to Tell Renata"
Short Story Unit Test on Thurs. Oct.22
Unseen Short Story Test On Fri. Oct.23
Study Guide was given in class on Tues.
Monday, October 5
Grade 6
Students were given Spelling Unit 2. Study the first 7 words tonight and the next 7 words Tuesday night. Continue to work on the spelling exercises for Friday.
Friday, October 2
Grade 6
Complete #7-10 on Spelling Sheet. This will be corrected in class on Monday. Students had 20 mins. to work on these exercises in class.
Grade 8
All vocab and questions from the story "My Brother's Christmas Story" must be completed for Mon. Oct.5.
Grade 9
All vocab. and 4 questions from the story "Long, Long After School" must be completed for Mon. Oct.5.
Wednesday, September 30
Grade 6
Students in Grade 6 had the DARE Program today during Lang. Arts therefore we will visit the library tomorrow to sign out books. Please study the last six words tonight and complete exercises 7&8 tonight.
Grade 8
Finish vocab #6-11 and 4 questions from the story "My Brother's Christmas Story." Students had 30 mins. to work on this in class.
Grade 9
Complete 11 vocab from the story "Long, Long After School"
Tuesday,September 29
Grade 6
Students must study next 8 words from Unit 1 Spelling. Complete exercises 5&6 on Spelling sheet. Quiz on Friday. We will be going to the Library tomorrow to sign out books.
Grade 8
Complete # 1-5 vocab from the story " My Brother's Christmas Story "
Monday,September 28
Grade 6
Students were given Unit 1 in Spelling. Test is this Friday Oct.2. Complete #1-4 exercises tonight. All exercises will be due on Friday. Study first 8 words.
Grade 8
Students must complete 10 vocab. and 3 ques. from the story "A Dinner Party."
Please ensue that students have a book for SSR (Sustained Silent Reading). We signed out books from the Library today!
Grade 9
Students must complete 15 vocab. and 3 ques. from the story "Gore"
Please ensue that students have a book for SSR (Sustained Silent Reading). We signed out books from the Library on Thursday!
September 25
Welcome all students and parents/guardians
Supplies your child needs: A binder, one package of tab dividers, exercise books and loose leaf paper. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at anytime sheridawalsh@esdnl.ca
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