After Fall Break

Welcome back! In 7th grade classes we are reading current events and identifying fact versus opinion statements. In 8th grade classes we are reviewing nonfiction as well as analyzing our daily literacy practices.

In ALL classes we have introduced the fourth speech: memorizing a monologue. Students will choose one monologue from a packet I provide. 8th Grade will present October 22, and 7th Grade will present October 27.

Student-Led Conferences

All 7th and 8th grade students are including various assignments from each of their classes. The two Reading and Rhetoric assignments are listed below.

- Unit Test
- Learning Center Packet

7th and 8th grade started on similar tracks studying the three basic elements of narrative fiction: characters, setting and plot. The Unit Test assesses ALL students' mastery of these elements and their comprehension of three short stories.

Our classwork learning centers are an opportunity to practice skills we learn from the class notes. These may include reading a short passage and participating in discussion. The 7th grade sample of work is the Point of View Learning Centers, and the 8th grade sample is the Nonfiction Learning Centers. Because we spend a majority of our time and energy on learning centers, the point value is significantly higher. 100 Points should reflect the students' ability to stay focused as well as show learning involvement.

7th Grade Table of Contents

Page 23 Unit 2 Notes
Pages 24-27 Point of View Learning Centers #1

Here is a summary of our Point of View notes:

First Person POV --- The storyteller is a character in the story. He or she is in the middle of the action, and therefore least reliable. We can trust this storyteller less than 50% of the time. For example, Stacy in "Ribbons" only tells her side of the story; we don't know for sure what Grandmother or Mom are thinking and feeling.

Third-Person Limited POV --- The storyteller, also known as the narrator, is an observer outside the story's events. This narrator, however, only tells the thoughts and feelings on one or two characters. For example, an observer-narrator tells about the Victor, Michael and Theresa's actions. But this narrator only tells us what Victor thinks and feels, not Michael nor Theresa. We can trust this storyteller more than 50% but less than 75% of the time.

Third-Person Omniscient POV --- Like Third-Person Limited, this narrator is an observer outside the story. In addition, omniscient means "all-knowing," and this narrator reveals what several characters are thinking and feeling. In "All Summer in a Day," we discussed how Margot, William and the other kids are feeling. We can trust this narrator approximately 90% of the time; however, we should not expect this narrator to reveal everything.

8th Grade Binder Table of Contents

Update your table of contents:
Page 23 Unit 2 Notes
Page 24 "The Chunnel"
Pages 25-28 Nonfiction Learning Centers #1

8th Grade NEW Unit

We finished our narrative unit as an introduction to fiction. Now we will examine how to read nonfiction. The notes are below:

1. Set a Purpose: The text will inform, entertain, and/or persuade.
2. Background Knowledge
- We will use KWL Charts.
- Compare what you know to what you are reading.
3. Question the Text
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
4. Evaluate the Text
- Find the main idea and supporting details.
- Can you trust the writer? Is the source reliable?

This first round of learning centers for Unit 2 will include:
1. Speech #3: Practice reading a picture book.
2. Interacting with the Text: a worksheet about a biographiical text
3. Evaluate the Text: a worksheet about the Freedom Rides during the Civil Rights Movement.
4. News articles and interviews: Read Scope magazine and answer the questions.

We will present our favorite childhood picture books beginning Monday September 20.

Test Taking Strategies

To prepare for the unit test, students read a list of strategies to help them before, during and after the test. During our discussion, students highlighted these study tips as important guidelines.

1. Don't study when you are hungry or sleepy.
2. Give yourself study goals, such as what to study three days before the test, two days before the test, and finally the night before the test. (Don't wait until the last day to do all your studying.)
3. If the test is shorter than 20 questions, read all questions before answering the first one. If more than 20, skim through and circle what you think are the hardest questions.
4. Choose the easiest questions to answer first.
5. When reading a question quoting a sentence or phrase, re-read the paragraph to understand the context.
6. Use the process of elimination for multiple choice questions.

Update Binder Table of Contents

Pages 13, 14, 15 Setting Learning Centers (Speech #2 Interior Monologue, "All Summer in a Day," National Geographic photos, plus Bonus Activity)
Page 16 Setting Quiz
Page 17 Plot Notes
Pages 18, 19 Plot Learning Centers ("All Summer in a Day" and "Ribbons")
Page 20 Plot Quiz
Page 21 Unit 1 Study Guide
Page 22 Unit 1 Test

First Unit Test

So far we have studied elements of the narrative: character, setting and plot. The unit test will cover concepts from class notes and learning centers. Stories on the test include "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto, "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury, and "Ribbons" by Laurence Yep. There are 18 questions, a mix of multiple choice and short answer.


What to study:

Class Notes
Learning Center Activities
Unit Quizzes
Unit Study Guide
Review the Stories

All students are welcome to stay for study help 3:35 to 4:15 p. m. If students can come before school, I will sign a morning pass as early as 7:45 a. m. Ask for the pass the day before; otherwise, the before care facilitator will not allow you to come to my classroom.


The 8th grade test will be held Friday September 10, and the 7th grade test will be held Monday September 13.

Binder Organization

Designate a section in either your core class or language arts binder for this class. The first page of the section is the "Table of Contents." We will keep track of our assignments in the order you complete the assignments. Here are the assignments that are graded and should be in your binder so far:

Page 1 "First Day"
Page 2 "Group Skills"
Page 3 "Reading Pretest: Recycle"
Page 4 "Character Notes"
Page 5 "Character Pretest: Infer About People"
Pages 6, 7, 8, 9 "Character L.C.'s" (Introduce a Partner Speech, William Wilson, Ribbons and Seventh Grade)
Page 10 "Character Quiz"
Page 11 "Setting Notes" (Infer About Time and Place worksheet)
Page 12 "Context Clues: The Test"

Let's begin

Our first unit is "Narrative Studies." First we will determine how a writer crafts a character; second part is setting and finally plot. There will be a quiz for each part (character, setting and plot).

In addition to reading text, we will present character interpretations in theatrical presentations. Students will choose a short interior monologue from a book, play, poem, film or song and present it in front of the class. I must approve the monologue before August 19. Here are some suggestions:

Average Girl by Emily Osment (song)
selection from Witness by Karen Hesse (book)
I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes (poem)

You may post a monologue selection for approval. Post the title, text type (book, poem, song, from a movie or play) and the author.

Welcome!

In a "Reading and Rhetoric" course we will interpret traditional text in books, essays and poetry, as well as peer presentations and popular media (films and music). Below are the academic requirements.

Students are expected to read every day for at least 30 minutes; they will record the pages read and a brief summary every week.

Every class meeting students will receive instruction on reading skills, cooperate and participate in small groups for skills practice, and present skills mastered.

Skills mastery includes quizzes, unit tests and presentations.