Coming Next!

We will read the Vietnam books first: Vietnam:  I Pledge Allegiance and Sharpshooter.

http://www.epicreads.com/authors/chris-lynch/60/

Here is the author:

 Some eighth grade classes absconded with our Star Girl books, so we will have to wait for those.

Monday, November 16, 2015

We read from The Graveyard Book from page 279, top of the page --  Chapter 7, part 2, minute 43 to the end.
http://mousecircus.com/videotour2.aspx?VideoID=8

Students are assigned to write their reactions to The Graveyard Book -- in their composition books --one full page .

If time, read individual choice books. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Students handed in their dialogues and their answers to the questions about Jack Frost -- both from last time.

They read their own books,
and we read from The Graveyard Book to page 279, top of the page --  Chapter 7, part 2, minute 43.
http://mousecircus.com/videotour2.aspx?VideoID=8

Friday, November 6, 2015

Announcements and Reminders:

Targets for Today:

Today’s  Agenda: Individual reading time from your own book. Get together with another student and write a dialogue between a main character from his or her book and a main character from yours.  (or) On your own, write a dialogue between a main character from this book and a main character from another book you are familiar with.  What would they have to say to each other?   Have each character say at least five things in the conversation.  This dialogue should show that you understand these books. Example:  Characters from The Giver and The Outsiders Jonas (from The Giver) says, "Hi, Ponyboy, I'm glad to finally meet you.  We've lived so close together on the bookshelf all these years." Ponyboy (from The Outsiders) responds,  "Yah, but isn't it funny that they put dystopian fiction right next to realistic fiction?   Tell me, what is it really like to live way in the future?" Jonas answers him, "Oh, there are some good things, but it's hard to live in a time and place where they don't let you have any real feelings." Ponyboy:  "That would be hard for me.  We greasers feel everything strongly.  The socs might have an easier time.  They're already cold and aloof." Jonas:  "And only a few people can see color.  I had to leave my community to try to help them have the things they were missing." Ponyboy:  "I'd hate not being able to see the color of sunsets.  And I would have missed Cherry's red hair, too.   I left my community, but it was for a very different reason.   I was helping someone -- Johnny, but I was afraid I'd be blamed for Bob's death, too.   I think both you and I were breaking the law when we left our communities, huh?" Jonas:  "You're right, I would have been killed if I'd been caught.  My little brother (sort of) Gabe would have been killed if I hadn't taken him with me when I left." Ponyboy:  "My brothers weren't really in danger while I was gone -- unless the Socs decided to beat them up -- but they were really worried about me." Jonas: "Sounds like we have things in common.  By the way, I think we're pretty close in age, too.  I'm eleven and twelve in my book." Ponyboy: "And I'm fourteen when all that happens to me.  See you around, Jonas." Jonas: "Yes, good-bye, Ponyboy." Individually read from page 234 through page 256 in The Graveyard Book. Then, write a response to these questions: At what point did you realize who Mr. Frost was? Were you surprised?  (I was when I figured it out!) As you look back, what clues were there along the way? Please DO NOT read further. Wait for us to listen to it together next time.

If You Were Absent:

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Announcements and Reminders:                      There will be a dance this Friday, November 6th.   7th and 8th Grade Dance 2:45 - 4pm. Ms. Dorsey will no longer be doing intervention for Cavetime on Thursdays.  She will instead host the Mock Trial enrichment.                                                 On Friday, Ms. Dorsey will not be here for your class.  Ms. Ward will be taking over, so be on your VERY BEST behavior.  I just might feel like giving you some extra credit if her report about you is positive. Go directly to her classroom --  room 226, right across from the English Writing Lab (Computer Lab), next to Ms. Rees and across from Ms. Ralph.

Targets for Today: I will spend time reading for enjoyment!         Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 10              Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 2     I will listen and read along as our class reads a shared book.                Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 2          Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 10      I can recognize text features and discuss why the author/publisher chose           to use them.

Today’s  Agenda: 1.  Individual Reading --          Write a brief response in your composition book (Reader Response)         How would Ms. Dorsey react if you brought the main character with you to school?  What would she think or say?  2.  Discussion:  How would Ms. Dorsey react if you brought the main character with you to school?  What would she think or say?  3. The Graveyard Book -  How do the illustrations and cover art affect your reading of this book?  Or do they? More of Neil Gaiman reading to us! Let's listen to Neil Gaiman read from his novel The Graveyard  last time:   page 217, chapter seven,  minute 5:58  to  page 234, Chapter 7  minute 35:20 times for chapters Chapter 7 part 1  38 minutes left Chapter 7 part 2   70 minutes Chapter 8             25 minutes

If You Were Absent: See above for what we did.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Announcements and Reminders:       There will be a dance this Friday, November 6th.   7th and 8th Grade Dance 2:45 - 4pm. Ms. Dorsey will no longer be doing intervention for Cavetime on Thursdays.  She will instead host the Mock Trial enrichment.  Tuesdays are request days.   This week anyone may come on Tuesday.

Targets for Today: I will spend time reading for enjoyment!         Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 10              Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 2     I will listen and read along as our class reads a shared book.                Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 2          Utah State Core Reading: Literature Standard 10      I can recognize text features and discuss why the author/publisher chose           to use them.

Today’s  Agenda: 1.  Individual Reading --          Write a brief response in your composition book (Reader Response)      How do the illustrations (or cover art) affect your reading of this book?  Or do they? 2.  Discussion:  How do the illustrations affect your reading of this book?  Or do they? 3. The Graveyard Book -  How do the illustrations and cover art affect your reading of this book?  Or do they? More of Neil Gaiman reading to us! Let's listen to Neil Gaiman read from his novel The Graveyard  last time:   chapter six 29:14, page 190 to page 217, chapter seven,  minute 5:58

If You Were Absent: See above.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Announcements and Reminders:                                                                   You may wear costumes on Friday, but the dress code still applies. Costumes CANNOT include full-face paint, masks, or weapons.

Targets for Today:  I Speaking and Listening Standard 1  Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. 2. I can listen effectively, visualize, and comprehend.

Today’s  Agenda: 1. Individual reading. 2. Written Response:  What is/are your main character(s) afraid of?   3. What are you afraid of?   Phobias 4. Short Story -- You are graded on your ability to be a considerate audience. This is a chapter from the book Dandelion Wine.   30 minutes  "The Ravine" by Ray Bradbury Listen to it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDtak8nu5I ra·vine rəˈvēn/ noun a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides. synonyms: gorge, canyon, gully, couloir;  The 113 steps stairs mentioned in the book Dandeleion Wine at Ray Bradbury Park in Waukegan

If You Were Absent: See above. You can listen to the short story on your own. When you come back to class, come tell me about your reaction to the story.