Pigman Final Test and Book Reports

Well, we have finished our class novel, The Pigman! It has a sad ending but many important life lessons. :) 

During class time this week, we have been working on our 2nd quarter book reports.  Students have also had 72 minutes of uninterrupted time in the computer lab to type their reports.  Many have used their time well and are finished!  Yay!  Others will need to finish their reports over the weekend, as the DUE dates for book reports are: Monday, December 6 (A-day) and Tuesday, December 7 (B-day).  Please note, due dates have been posted around my classroom for the past week, so this shouldn't be new information for students.

I have strongly encouraged students to check out a book from the library or come borrow one from my classroom during homeroom.  As they have had ample opportunities to read and use the novel, I will not have much sympathy for any late book reports and will strictly adhere to the English Departments' late work policy: 10% off the total score for each calendar day the report is late.

We will also be taking the final test for the novel on Monday and Tuesday.  As long as students were actively reading and thoroughly answering all the questions in their yellow packets, they should be fine.  I will also allow students to use the book while testing; apparently my benevolence knows no bounds! 

Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have.  I am grateful to teach such sweet, capable, and intelligent students!!  Happy Holiday season!  :)

2nd Quarter Book Report Information

Name: _______________________________________ Period: _______________

Characterization: The creation and realistic portrayal of characters in fiction.

For your 2^nd quarter book report, you will need to thoroughly—in complete sentences—answer the following questions about each main character from The Pigman: John Conlan, Lorraine Jensen, and Angelo Pignati.                

Answer each question in first person perspective (“I am 15 years old.  My family is…” etc.)  Use as many specific details from the book as possible. 

Extra credit opportunity:  You may answer each of these questions for a main character from an outside reading book that you’ve read this quarter.  Staple this to your three other questionnaires for extra points.   

 

Main Character Questionnaire:

1.    What is your full name?

2.    How old are you?

3.    What is your family situation/background?

4.    Where do you live?

5.    What do you like to do?

6.    What’s unique about you?

7.    What do you care about?

8.    What do you fear?

9.    What are your dreams?

10. Who are the most important people in your life?

11. What are the important things in your life?

12. Describe the problem you faced in the book.

13. How has dealing with the problem changed you?

14. How do you view the world, and yourself, differently now?

Spelling Words and Class Novel

Hello, hello!  Our 2nd quarter is underway, and getting busy already!  I was especially proud of the Block 1 POST-test scores; lots of progress!  Currently, we are beginning to cover the core curriculum for Block 2 as well as beginning our class novel, The Pigman. 

• The final spelling test from our "Frequently Misspelled Words" list will be Thursday, October 28 for A-day students and Friday, October 29 for B-day students.  Here are the words:  foreign, exercise, equipment, embarrass, desperate, accidentally, absence, different, definitely, conscience, committed, cemetery, calendar, business, broccoli, believe, apparent
• All the reading for The Pigman (by Paul Zindel) will take place in class.  Any student who is absent will need to check out a copy of the book from our school library to get caught up.  (As there are only 10 copies in the library, purchasing your own copy is encouraged and rewarded!) Every 1-2 chapters we will be answering comprehension questions and recording vocabulary definitions.  It is up to each student to stay caught up with the reading and questions!!
• All compare/contrast essays (done on utahwrite.com) should already be handed in to class drawers.  Dixie College students in a "teaching writing composition" class will be reading our essays and offering suggestions.  I will be delivering the essays after school on Tuesday, October 26... any missing essays will lose BIG points!

Once again, I'm proud of hard-working, dedicated students!  I'm also looking forward to parent/teacher conferences in November.  Thank you!

End of 1st Quarter...Already!

Dear Parents/Guardians & Students,

I can't believe the year is already 1/4 over!  I am very pleased with all the work my students have put in so far--  from essays to book reports to analyzing short stories and famous speeches--there is a lot of critical thinking happening!  Here is a run-down of end of the quarter grading procedures and what to expect from 2nd quarter:

1. I have graded four (4) classes' book reports so far, and have been quite impressed!  The only other score included on this quarter's grade will be the Block 1 POST-test.  I have set the baseline score for 86%, so it will be possible for some students to earn extra credit.
2. My goal is to have all grades into powerschool by Friday, October 15, but it may take a bit longer than that. :)  Teachers are required to have final scores and grades submitted by Monday night, so please don't be surprised if your student's grade changes from now until then.  If you have concerns or questions, please know that I am happy to address them, but it would be best to wait until after Monday.  Please note that late work will be the last thing I correct and enter in.
3. About one week into 2nd quarter we will be starting a class novel, The Pigman by Paul Zindel.  I have a classroom set, so we will do all our reading in class.  However, if a student is absent, they will have to make up that reading on their own.  I have five copies of the book for check-out, but it would be helpful to have your own copy.  (I even give extra credit for anyone who donates their copies to me when we're done...)  Both amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com have the book for sale, with used copies as low as $2.00.

Once again, thank you for all you do in support of our students. They are smart, sweet, funny, and compassionate kids and I'm lucky to be their teacher!

Midterm Exceptions...

Hello Parents, Guardians, and Students!

As we already know, 1st quarter mid-terms are almost here!  Many students recently noticed a sharp drop in their language arts grade-- due mostly to a 20 point assignment where they were to revise their utahwrite.com essay.  (They were to have done this anytime between Aug. 25 and Sept. 10.)  We have had some time in the computer lab during class, but many students will need some time outside of class to give this assignment their best effort.

I believe this assignment is important enough that I will extend the mid-term deadline until Tuesday, September 21.  Once a student hits "submit", their essay is sent directly to me so I can check and compare it to their first drafts.  Students can also leave me a comment or question on utahwrite.com if they have any specific concerns.

Thank you for all your support and hard work!  We've had a productive quarter so far!  :)

New Spelling Words & Book Report Rubric

Hello, hello!  I hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend.  Our quarter is really moving along, mid-terms are next Friday, Sept. 17!!!  

**Important note: No late work from the beginning of the year up to mid-term will be accepted after the 17th.  This includes retakes of Spelling Test #1! 

1. We're on to column #2 of our "Frequently Misspelled Words" list.  The test will be Tuesday, 9/14 (A-day) and Wednesday, 9/15 (B-day).  Here are the words: fulfill, finally, favorite, government, guarantee, height, ignorance, independent, jewelry, license, losing, maintenance, miniature, mischievous, misspell, neighbor, niece.

2. Many students have checked off their intended book report books with me.  Yay!  Many have not, however.  Please choose a book and get reading!  For all those who are finished, or close to it, here is a link to the book report rubric.  Students will make a Book/DVD jacket and will include cover art, a well-written summary, three character descriptions, and their own review of the book. 

3.  I am also asking that each student revisit their "Fall Benchmark Persuasive Essay" on utahwrite.com and revise for IDEAS & CONTENT.  They can resubmit up to three times on their original essay, and even more times if they go back to the 'practice' tab, pull down the 'topics' menu, and choose the same prompt again.  We've worked in class on creating specific details and including convincing, inter-connected ideas.  

Thank you for all your support!  We're having a great year so far!

Back to School Goodness!

Welcome, welcome!  The 2010-11 school year is now well underway.  I am so excited to have such enthusiastic, bright students!  Here are a few items everyone should know about:

1.  Spelling test #1 is coming up!  (Thurs. 8/26 and Fri. 8/27) We are working off a list of "50 Frequently Misspelled Words." Students will be tested on the first column of words on their list, which include: weird, vacuum, until, tomorrow, separate, success, scissors, rhythm, rhyme, restaurant, recommend, probably, possession, occurrence, occasionally, and necessary.

     2.   There will be a book report for each quarter.  The requirements for 1st quarter's book are:

•  The book must be 150 pages in length...and not a picture book!
•  The book cannot have been made into a movie.
• You must have started the book within the last month.
• You need to show the book to Mrs. Lee and get it approved by her.      

1. Students now have access to a writing program called utahwrite.com.  I have attached a link to my blog.  I encourage students (and parents too!) to log on wherever they have an internet connection and explore the site.  There are tutorials, example essays, and essay prompts galore.  Students just completed an in-class persuasive essay that will count as their fall benchmark.  They can revise and resubmit their essay up to three times to try for a higher score.  Go for it!!!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach, guide and cheer onmy 8th graders this year.  Thank you all!

-Mrs. Lee