ADVANCED 8th Grade Lit./L.A.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK FOLLOW-UP WEBSITES
The Arrest and Betrayal (read about the day of the arrest, the deportation, the fate of the residents of the "Secret Annex" and theories about who betrayed them)
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WEEK OF MAY 21ST - MAY 25TH
MONDAY, MAY 21ST
- Students will go to the computer lab to visit some TDOAF follow-up sites (theories regarding who betrayed the family, an interview with Miep Geis, etc. etc.) Links found at top of page.
- We will review the submission guidelines/order for the submission of tomorrow's "Ten Ways..." poem.
- I will introduce the third and final poetry writing we will do this year, the Pantoum. Students will receive a packet on the form and we will read aloud the "Introduction" section and write down the form in an easier labeling pattern than what is in the packet. Students will # each of the model poems in the packet for easy reference.
- Students will turn to page 77 of the pantoum packet and assign the repetition pattern to the 2 poems on that page (as a class, after volunteers read). They should see that out of the 16 lines, only 8 are original; the rest are repeated. We will also label the poems according to what they are "about." This will help students prepare to brainstorm.
- Students will do the same for "For Sherwood Anderson's..." and "They've Forgotten" on pages 79 and 82 (respectively) of the packet. Both of these are "perfect" pantoums. The class will review that all of the poems follow the EXACT repetition scheme. Volunteers will share a general "topic" that the poem could fall under.
- Students will independently read the remaining poems and label the topics.
- I will remind the class that again, the poem can be about ANYTHING. We will look at page 75 of the packet, "Step One" under Pantoum Steps. Students will receive a sample brainstorm sheet filled out by Mrs. Rimel that mimics the directions given and after reviewing it, they will work independently to begin their topic brainstorm.
HOMEWORK: final copies of "Ten Ways..." poems due tomorrow, finish Pantoum topic brainstorm sheet if necessary
TUESDAY, MAY 22ND
- Students will share their "Ten Ways..." poems with the class in a poetry reading circle.
- Students will read another student pantoum model.
- Students will read "Step 2" on page 74. They will then either: a. write ideas for expanded stories/themes/topics in the margins b. look at papers for words/phrases/ideas that connect or would make interesting stories (I will conduct a think-aloud of this)
HOMEWORK: final topic for pantoum due tomorrow
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23RD
- Students will share their final pantoum topics.
- Students will read another student model. They will then receive a skeleton for the first draft of their pantoum. Lines are numbered to remind them of the pattern. They will first write their intention of the poem (I will model), then they will begin to draft.
HOMEWORK: completed written pantoum draft for tomorrow
THURSDAY, MAY 24TH
- Students will receive/review their pantoum rubric.
- We will read aloud "Editing Toward a Second Draft" then students will have time to do some editing.
- They will work with a peer for further revision.
HOMEWORK: final copy of pantoum due tomorrow --- we do not have class, so you MUST come to my room to drop it off in the correct box
FRIDAY, MAY 25TH
- No class due to the 8th Grade Farewell.
WEEK OF MAY 14TH - MAY 18TH
MONDAY, MAY 14TH
***Shortened periods due to production of High School Musical 2***
- Students will use their describing wheels to brainstorm stanza ideas for their "Ten Ways..." poems.
- Students will continue to read TDOAF (finish Act 1)
HOMEWORK: finish "Ten Ways..." describing wheel brainstorm, be prepared to submit Act I discussion questions tomorrow for a grade
TUESDAY, MAY 15TH
- Students will do a "pass around" of their describing wheels. They will pass to the person behind them and he or she will read the wheel and add one or two ideas to the margins. The process will repeat 4-5 times so that students will have additional ideas for drafting.
- I will model a "think aloud" for how to take ideas from describing wheel to poem; I will demonstrate both how to emulate Stevens' style AND how to create original stanzas.
- Students will begin to draft their "Ten Ways..." assignment in class.
- Students will begin to read Act II, scene 1 of TDOAF aloud.
HOMEWORK: Reading #3 and posts due at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16TH
- Students will receive/review the rubric for the "Ten Ways..." poems.
- Students will continue to draft their "Ten Ways..." poems in class.
HOMEWORK: typed draft of "Ten Ways..." poem
THURSDAY, MAY 17TH
- Students will take a test on NBTT. (SURPRISE!)
- Students will participate in WRGs for their "Ten Ways..." poems. (***band students going on the field trip should exchange poems with another band student for editing/revision).
FRIDAY, MAY 18TH
***NO CLASS DUE TO GETTYSBURG FIELD TRIP. ***
WEEK OF MAY 7TH - MAY 11TH
MONDAY, MAY 7TH
- Students will receive their found poems and unit tests back for review and filing.
- Students will receive a discussion questions packet for Act I of TDOAF, we will assign parts for Act I, then we will begin reading the play (hopefully scenes 1 and 2).
- Students will view an image of the FedEx logo and be asked to identify it; then, they will be asked to look closer and see if they notice anything. I will point out the arrow between the E and X and explain that today we will be revisiting the idea of "Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary." Poetry is hiding out there for us!
- Students will receive a copy of Wallace Stevens' poem "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" and I will introduce the concept of the poem. Volunteers will read the poem aloud stanza by stanza (stanzas assigned ahead of time). Definitions of unfamiliar words are on the handout.
- The class will work together to discuss and notate "how" Stevens "sees" the blackbird in stanzas 1 and 2. Students will then move into their assigned groups and do the same for their given stanzas.
HOMEWORK: Reading #1 of NBTT and posts due by 11:59 p.m tonight
TUESDAY, MAY 8TH
- NO CLASS TODAY DUE TO HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ASSEMBLY.
HOMEWORK: Reading #2 and posts due by 11:59 p.m on Thursday, May 10th
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9TH
***Short periods due to in-school chorus concert.***
- We will continue to read aloud from TDOAF.
- Students will revisit their copies of "Thirteen Ways..." as I introduce Edward Picot, who is a writer who published hyperliterature (on the web). He is not an accomplished writer, but he created a visualization of his interpretation of the poem. I will project the animation as we go through stanza by stanza with each group sharing its interpretations after viewing the animation. Afterwards, the discussion will be opened up to others' contributions.
HOMEWORK: Reading #2 and posts due by 11:59 p.m on Thursday, May 10th
THURSDAY, MAY 10TH
- Students will continue to read from TDOAF.
- Students will randomly be selected to fill in the following blank with a topic idea: "Thirteen Ways of Looking at __________________." I will segue into a topic brainstorm by telling students the topic possibilities are endless.
- Students will view a teacher think-aloud for topic generation. I will use the flow chart idea organizer. Then I will show students a model of another person's "list"-type brainstorm.
- Students will independently brainstorm a list of potential topics for their "Ways of Thinking" poem.
HOMEWORK: final topic for poem selected for tomorrow, Reading #2 of NBTT and posts due by 11:59 p.m. tonight
FRIDAY, MAY 11TH
- Students will share their "Ways of Looking..." poem topics.
- I will introduce the next step in the prewriting process by passing out a handout featuring 4 models of "Describing Wheels" which is the organizer students will use to brainstorm stanzas of their poems. The class will examine them and provide additional ideas to add. ***The poem is not to center around characteristics of the topic, but other settings or scenarios in which these topics can be found.***
- Students will meet in small groups to practice filling in a describing wheel for a topic assigned by me. Topics have been chosen based on the topics of model poems that I will reveal later in the lesson.
- Groups will then receive a packet of model poems (featuring a poem written on their assigned topic). They will read the poem aloud, analyzing the "way of thinking" for each stanza and adding it to the describing wheel.
- Students will move back into their seats and independently read the other model poems for inspiration.
- Students will continue to read from TDOAF.
HOMEWORK: Reading #3 and posts due by Monday, May 14th at 11:59 p.m., keep up with Act I discussion questions
WEEK OF APRIL 30TH - MAY4TH
MONDAY, APRIL 30TH
- Students will go to the computer lab to execute their Glogs. While there, I will pass out/review the grading rubric as well as directions for sending.
HOMEWORK: final persuasive Glog due tomorrow
TUESDAY, MAY 1ST
- Students will go to the computer lab to view classmates' Glogs and vote on the most persuasive (other than their own of course!)
- Students will read the children's story "Terrible Things" and answer some follow-up questions. They will define the term "allegory" and discuss the story as an allegory.
- Students will fill in the "K" and "W" parts of a KWL chart for the Holocaust. Share
HOMEWORK: none
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2ND
***Shortened periods due to Club Day schedule.***
- Students will view/discuss a documentary on the Holocaust.
THURSDAY, MAY 3RD
- Students will go to the computer lab to investigate the Frank family and their hiding place.
- We will begin reading The Diary of Anne Frank.
FRIDAY, MAY 4TH
***Early Dismissal schedule - shortened periods***
- We will continue to read The Diary of Anne Frank.
WEEK OF APRIL 23RD - APRIL 27TH
MONDAY, APRIL 23RD
- POETRY MARCH MADNESS CONTINUES!!!
- Students volunteers will share their American Dream statements then submit.
- We will briefly review tomorrow's unit test format.
- I will introduce the Real Life Superhero Project and students will go to the computer lab to visit the site, read about the project's background, and meet some of the heroes.
HOMEWORK: complete brainstorming sheet if necessary, study for unit test
TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH
- POETRY MARCH MADNESS - THE FINALS!!!!!!!!!
- Students will take a unit test on "Standing Up for Yourself and Your Beliefs."
- Students will share their ideas for their "RLSP" persuasive Glog.
HOMEWORK: none
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25TH
- I will show students some of last year's persuasive Glogs for inspiration.
- I will pass out to students
- Computer lab to plan/execute Glog.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26TH
***We will only meet 3rd due to PSSA Science testing.***
- Computer lab to plan/execute Glog.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27TH
We will not have class due to the Bushy Run 5K and other activities for the day.
WEEK OF APRIL 16TH - APRIL 20TH
MONDAY, APRIL 16TH
- POETRY MARCH MADNESS!!!!!
- Student partnerships will receive a packet featuring sample PSSA persuasive writings. They will read each one and decide on a score according to the persuasive rubric and the class will discuss.
- Students will receive a blank persuasive graphic organizer; they will examine the "4" essay and fill in the graphic organizer (in a sort of "reverse plan") according to how the writer composed it. Share.
- We will review typed of persuasive appeals.
- Students will receive a persuasive prompt. They will work independently to apply RAMP to the prompt and fill in the organizer, making sure to use at least 3 of the persuasive techniques discussed. Review.
HOMEWORK: none
TUESDAY, APRIL 17TH
***Only meet 3 due to PSSA testing.***
- POETRY MARCH MADNESS!!!
- We will review the Critical Thinking and Literary Analysis questions on "The Trouble With Television."
- Students will complete a journal entry on The American Dream. Volunteers will share. Students will then view a short video clip featuring some New Yorkers visions/definitions of this dream.
- Students will work in pairs to complete vocabulary sheet 198 on "The American Dream." Review.
- Volunteers will read from "The American Dream" by MLK Jr. (page 172) aloud. Students will then work independently to analyze the persuasive techniques within the speech. Review (if time allows)
HOMEWORK: finish reading "The American Dream" (if necessary) and analyzing persuasive techniques on worksheet
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18TH
***Only meet pd. 3 due to PSSA testing***
- POETRY MARCH MADNESS!!!
- Volunteers will read from "The American Dream" by MLK Jr. (page 172) aloud while they listen to the actual audio of the speech. As they are listening, they will complete a persuasive analysis of it on the worksheet provided.
HOMEWORK: finish filling in persuasive strategies chart for "The American Dream"
THURSDAY, APRIL 19TH
- POETRY MARCH MADNESS!!!
- The class will discuss the persuasive techniques in "The American Dream."
- I will introduce the compare/contrast assignment between "The American Dream" and "from Sharing in the American Dream"; because we can only go to the computer lab during 4th, they will use the remainder of 3rd period to read the selection. We will go to the lab 4th period so students can access the site and complete the activity listed/linked at the top of my website. They will complete this and submit.
- Students will receive a list of short descriptions of personal American Dream statements collected from other kids their age and they will read them/begin to compose their own if time allows. What isn't covered is HW.
HOMEWORK: read student American Dream statements and then compose your own on the patriotic writing paper -- make attractive with coloring/embellishments
FRIDAY, APRIL 20TH
***25 minute periods due to the talent show***
- We will discuss the differences between MLK's speech and Colin Powell's speech based on student comparison charts.
- Students will receive a list of short descriptions of personal American Dream statements collected from other kids their age and they will read them then compose their own on patriotic writing paper -- color!
HOMEWORK: study for unit test on Tuesday, finish American Dream statement
WEEK OF APRIL 9TH - APRIL 13TH
MONDAY, APRIL 9TH
- NO SCHOOL DUE TO SPRING BREAK. ENJOY TIME WITH FAMILY!
TUESDAY, APRIL 10TH
- NO SCHOOL DUE TO SPRING BREAK. ENJOY TIME WITH FAMILY!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11TH
- Poetry March Madness continues!!!
- We will review the scoring of the sample PSSA responses that students evaluated before break.
- Students will go to the computer lab to access an online essay planner via my website. This essay map is set up just like the paper/pencil ones they did last week. Once they access the site, they will receive their prompt and apply R,A, and M of RAMP to the back. They will then have about 15 - 20 minutes to type/print their plan for the actual essay.
- Students will return to the room and have the second half of the block to execute their essay.
HOMEWORK:
THURSDAY, APRIL 12TH
- Poetry March Madness continues!!!
- Students will read "The American Dream" by MLK Jr.
FRIDAY, APRIL 13TH
- No classes due to Career Day at Trafford.
WEEK OF APRIL 2ND - APRIL 6TH
MONDAY, APRIL 2ND
- ROUND 2 OF POETRY MARCH MADNESS BEGINS!!!
- In preparation for the writing PSSAs, I will introduce the concept of RAMP to analyze cold prompts. Students will receive a RAMP note-taking handout and take notes from the ELMO.
- They will work with a partner to analyze the first two PSSA-style prompts. Share.
- Students will work independently on the remaining 2 prompts. Review.
- Students will compose creative journal writing in response to a prompt from The Book of If. Share.
- Students will work in pairs to complete a vocabulary sheet for "Gentleman of Rio en Medio." Review.
- We will begin reading "Gentleman of Rio en Medio."
TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD
- ROUND 2 OF POETRY MARCH MADNESS CONTINUES!!!
- We will review the vocab. for "Gentleman of Rio en Medio" - students will share their original sentences.
- Students will read aloud background information for the short story on page 57.
- The class will read "Gentleman of Rio en Medio" aloud.
- Students will work in pairs on a graded TEXXXI paragraph assignment. Submit.
- We will review parts of RAMP for analyzing essay prompts. Students will then receive a graphic organizer ("Essay Map" to execute the "Plan" portion of RAMP for prompts 2 and their choice of 3 or 4 from yesterday's sheet.
- If time allows, students will share.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH
***Shortened periods due to Club schedule.***
- ROUND 2 OF POETRY MARCH MADNESS CONTINUES!!!
- As a review of "Gentleman of Rio en Medio," students will take a "quiz" on the story; they will view a set of true/false questions and hold up a "true" or "false" paper to show their answer. They will also answer some discussion questions orally - this will lead into a discussion of how Don Anselmo was characterized in the story. Students will share the ideas they wrote in their TEXXXI paragraph yesterday.
- We will make generalizations about "Standing Up For Yourself and Your Beliefs" using the story.
- In preparation for a practice cold writing prompt, students will receive the informative prompt scoring rubric and we will review. They will then form 8 groups; each group will receive a model response. The group will read the response aloud and score it according to the rubric. They will then write a 3-4 sentence justification of the score.
- I will pass out a handout featuring each essay in random order; the WHOLE CLASS will read each one, then the groups assigned to it will share their scoring. I will reveal the real score and the state's justification of the score. Students should mark each score on their copy.
HOMEWORK: NONE! Enjoy your break!
THURSDAY, APRIL 5TH
- NO SCHOOL DUE TO SPRING BREAK. ENJOY TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!
FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH
- NO SCHOOL DUE TO SPRING BREAK. ENJOY TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!
