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Friday, February 29, 2008

The Giver VII

Students took the spelling test after a warm-up where we discussed the decision of the Council of Elders to have an "Unscheduled Holiday" in the community.

Everyone was told that there will be a quiz on chapters 15-17 on Monday.

Attention was directed to the book packets. Students were reminded to make sure all sections are completed as they read, including the character map at the back.

Spelling list for next week:

Spelling #18

1. requirement – (n) necessity

2. alphabetical – (adj) arranged in the order of the letters of a language

3. extremely – (adv) to a high degree or extent

4. surprisingly – (adv) in an amazing, sudden, or unexpected manner

5. disappointment – (n) feeling of dissatisfaction when expectations are not met

6. improvement – (n) advancement or growth

7. agreeable – (adj) to one’s liking; pleasing

8. regardless – (adv) in spite of everything

9. emotional – (adj) excitable; easily moved

10. unexpected– (adj) coming without warning; unforeseen

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Giver VI

Classes took a mutlitple choice test on chapters 10-14.

HW: read through chapter 16, complete associated packet activities, come in with a significant thought or question about the story.

Monday, February 25, 2008

The Giver V

Copied the spelling list from the board. Since I'd neglected to post the list previously, students have the opportunity to gather those extra credit points tomorrow for filling in the definitions.

Discussed the letter assignment completed before the break. Students were told that more emphasis is going to be placed on written expression and compliance with accepted writing conventions such as punctuation, capitalization, grammar and usage. Written work, especially work done at home with plenty of time, should be edited and completed to the absolute best of each student's ability.

Students need to be done through chapter 14 by tomorrow, with accompanying work in the packet, as well as review chapters 10, 11, and 12. There will be an exam tomorrow on all these chapters.


Vocabulary #17

1. barricade - (n) something that serves as an obstacle; barrier
2. cooperative - (adj) willingness; compliant
3. exaggerate - (v) to overstate
4. lavatory - (n) bathroom
5. nuisance - (n) annoying; a bother
6. concentrate - (v) focus
7. forecast - (v) to estimate or calculate in advance; predict
8. penalty - (n) punishment
9. performance - (n) presentation in front of an audience
10. vocation - (n) -job

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Giver IV

OM: "I thought there was only us. I thought there was only now."

Students took quiz number three on the book. We discussed the OM and the quiz briefly, and explained the homework (see below).


7. A Letter to a Character--and Back

The Assignment:

You've read enough of this work now to meet some characters and see them in
action. Select the character Jonas, from the novel The Giver and write a letter to that character. Write the letter as yourself, the reader. In your letter, you can ask the character questions, make comments on what the character has done, give advice about what the character should do, or anything else you like.

How to set up your letter:

Paragraph 1 Ask your character questions:
Why did they do the things they did? What were they thinking during different events?

Paragraph 2 Make comments to the character.
Make statements to your character regarding decisions they’ve made. Comment on the decisions they made and whether you agree or disagree.


Paragraph 3 Offer advice to your character.
What would you do in their situation? What would you suggest they do next time?


Finished product is to demonstrate proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and paragraphing.


The letter to Jonas is due tomorrow. The reply to the letter, as Jonas, is due Thursday. If tomorrow is a snow day, both letters are due Thursday. They are to be in standard letter form!

Students have been told that definitions are no longer a requirement, although they are still responsible for knowing them for Friday's quizzes. However, 20 bonus points are still going to awarded on Mondays for having them and 10 points if they are done by Tuesday.

Friday, February 08, 2008

The Giver III

OM:

What is the morning ritual? What is its purpose?

Students had a substitute the past two days while my colleagues and I scored the ELA Assessments. Students should have read through chapter 8 by today. Took book quiz number 2 (they took the first yesterday), discussed some issues raised in the story and then continued reading.

Spelling test will be on Monday. Next list follows:

Spelling #16
Vocabulary



appetite (n) – desire, especially for food

drizzle (v) - rain in fine, mistlike drops

emerald (n) - green jewel

fumble (v) – grasp or grope clumsily

interview (n) - meeting of people, as to confer or ask questions

jewelry (n) - gems, or ornaments with gems

optimistic (adj) - having the tendency to be cheerful about life

plural (adj) - more than one

quaint (adj) - pleasingly odd or old fashioned

sacred (adj) - devoted to a god or God

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

The Giver II

OM:

Why are 'Ceremonies' so important? Give examples from the story.

After a brief discussion about the opening move, spelling list was copied down. Students were reminded about writing meaningful text responses in their book packets. I would like to have up through chapter 4 finished for today, so books and packets will be sent home.

Spelling definitions due on Thursday.