"The Diary of Anne Frank"

     On Monday, March 17th, we are starting the Unit over Anne Frank and the Holocaust.  For the next 3 weeks (approx.) I will be following the lesson plans from the link listed below, for the most part.  I will occassionally, though, encorporate some other additional info I've found on the Internet as well, and I will make those additions/changes a few days prior, letting the students know in advance.  I allow myself the freedom to do this bc sometimes, after evaluating the material being covered with the students ability to grasp the concepts being taught, I determine what, if any, adjustments to the Unit lesson plans need to occur.

	Kris Gore  Lesson Plans	Date=March 17-April 10, 2014
	8th English	Common Core
Monday	Begin the Unit over “The Diary of Anne Frank—the play” found in students Literature book p.   Follow the lesson plans on the link http://www.ncsu.edu/project/middletech/spotlight/ laurieint/franklesson/lessonplans.html for the next 3 weeks.	W.8.1-10 RL.8.1-10 SL.8.1-6 L.8.1-6
Tuesday	Follow the lesson plans on the link http://www.ncsu.edu/project/middletech/spotlight/ laurieint/franklesson/lessonplans.html for the next 3 weeks.	W.8.1-10 RL.8.1-10 SL.8.1-6 L.8.1-6
Wednesday	Follow the lesson plans on the link http://www.ncsu.edu/project/middletech/spotlight/ laurieint/franklesson/lessonplans.html for the next 3 weeks.	W.8.1-10 RL.8.1-10 SL.8.1-6 L.8.1-6
Thursday	No School
Friday	No School

 

 

Writing Test Over

Two weeks ago, my 8th grade students took the state mandated writing test. Mrs. Harrel administered the test and she said the students worked very diligently and put forth great effort during their alloted time. I am so happy to hear her say that!! I know, since Christmas Break, I have pushed them very hard with their writing skills. And for the most part, every day they responded and worked hard trying to encorporate the skills I was teaching. So, as a result, I'm rewarding the class and giving them a break. Last week we watched the movie "Miracle." This week we are watching "Hoosiers." Both great motivating sports movies about overcoming difficult odds and working hard to accomplish your dream. Next week though, it's back to the grindstone, as we begin my unit on "The Diary of Anne Frank." I do this to help Mrs. Holcomb prepare the students for their Reading test, coming up in April.

Writing Test Wednesday, Feb. 26th!!!!

Writing Test is this week--Feb. 26th--Wednesday!!!  I feel confident that the kids are prepared.  I hope it is an argumentative essay.  Here's the shake-down of this week.

Monday	Journal—Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?   Go over last yr’s papers and the rubric set from 4 yrs ago and show and discuss what makes a 4 paper in each of the separate categories
Tuesday	Journal—How do you think you will perform on the writing test tomo?  Explain.   Do the Review worksheet.  Hand-in at end of hr.  If finished before, read a library book.
Wednesday	Take the state mandated Writing Test.   Can start watching the movie, “Miracle,” if they finish with test and have my class.
Thursday	Watch the movie “Miracle.”
Friday	Watch the movie “Miracle.”

8 Days and Counting Before our Writing Test!!!

Next Wednesday, Feb. 26 is our state writing test for the 8th grade.  We are working hard this last week finishing up our bottled water vs. tap water argumentative essays.  The following is what we will be doing the rest of this week:

Monday	Journal—Are girls too mean to each other?  More so than boys?   Continue working on water argumentative essay.  Pro #2 and Con and Conclusion Paragraphs due at end of hr.
Tuesday	Journal—Is homework harmful or helpful?   Revise Essay by adding 3 similes/metaphors and changing @ least 5 words.   Partner up--Have students use the argumentative rubric to assess a score for their partner’s paper.  Must do 2 diff. people’s essays.
Wednesday	Journal—What age is appropriate for dating?   Go over last yr’s papers and and the rubric set from 4 yrs ago and show and discuss what makes a 4 paper in each of the separate categories.
Thursday	Journal—Is competition a good thing?   Take Vocab. Quiz #23—pick them up.  I will grade.   Continue with rubrics and set papers showing students how to score advanced and satisfactory.
Friday	No School—Proff. Dev. Day

Trying to Catch Up from Missed Snow Days.......

We missed a few days last week due to weather.  Then I was sick one day, and then gone to the doctor another day.  Man!!  I feel like we are behind the eight ball so to speak.  lol  :)
Here's what is planned for this week:

Monday	Journal—How do you feel about all of this cold, snowy weather?     Figure out what worksheets are finished and grade them.   Partner up--Have students use the argumentative rubric to assess a score for their partner’s paper.
Tuesday	Journal—Should 8th graders be allowed to take driver’s ed if they are aged 14?   Continue working on the rubric and assessment of partners essay and finish assessing score.  Due end of hr.
Wednesday	Journal—What age is appropriate for dating?   Begin bottled water vs. tap water argumentative essay.  Rafts and 3 stair step due at end of hr.
Thursday	Journal—Does boredom lead to trouble?   Continue working on water argumentative essay.  Intro paragraph and 1st Pro paragraph due at end of hr.
Friday	Take Vocab. Quiz #22—pick them up.  I will grade.   Continue working on water argumentative essay.  Pro #2 and Con and Conclusion Paragraphs due at end of hr.

Still Arguing......

We are still learning how to write an argumentative essay so we are still arguing, so to speak.  Here are the lesson plan assignments for next week.  Friday we are taking a slight break from writing by doing some worksheets b/c I may not be at school, weather permitting, and worksheets are easier for the sub. 

Monday	Journal—Should the government have a say in our diet? .  Finish up argumentative rough draft essays.  Read and discuss the example essay in the test booklet, paying attention to pre-writing ideas.  Then partner up--Have students use the argumentative rubric to assess a score for their partner’s paper.
Tuesday	Journal—Should 8th graders be allowed to take driver’s ed if they are aged 14?   Continue working on the rubric and assessment of partners essay and finish assessing score.  Due end of hr.
Wednesday	Journal— Should companies market to children?   Begin bottled water vs. tap water argumentative essay.  Rafts and 3 stair step due at end of hr.
Thursday	Journal—Should girls ask out boys?   Continue working on water argumentative essay.  Intro paragraph and 1st Pro paragraph due at end of hr.
Friday	Take Vocab. Quiz #22—pick them up.  I will grade.   Work on the worksheet #20 &#21 Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions.  Due at end of hr.

Argue like a Lawyer!!

Continuing on with teaching the 8th grade how to write an argumentative essay.  Hoping they will have the skills to "argue like a lawyer!" as my grandpa used to say.  Here are the assignments and plans for next week Jan. 27-31:

Monday	Journal—Students will write down their opinion about how to handle the cheating scandal with grading or not, etc.  No names will be signed.  They will turn in to me, I will read them to myself, tear them up, and then make a decision.    Discuss the RAFTS over the Olympic info texts from practice test booklet.  Discuss possible pros & cons.  Then have various students go to the board and show an example of a 3 stair step.
Tuesday	Journal—Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?     Work on 3 Stair step--due at end of hr.
Wednesday	Journal—Are test scores a good indication of a school’s competency?   Write a 5 paragraph rough draft over the Olympic info text from practice test booklet.  Write in test booklet.  Due at end of hr.  Must have at least the intro paragraph, as well as pro #1 and pro #2.
Thursday	Journal—Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?   Finish up argumentative rough draft essays.  Partner up.  Have students then use the argumentative rubric created for kids to assess a score for their partner’s paper.
Friday	Journal—Should companies market to children?   Continue with rubric and assessment.  Due at the end of hr.