Mrs. Cruz’s BCS Blog

Monday, 11/16

• Due:  “Tell Tale Heart” worksheets.
• In Class:  Check “Tell Tale Heart” ws.  Discuss how mood and tone are important to the science fiction genre.  Introduction to Science Fiction unit.  Review the essential question for the unit (handout).  Review and discuss the science fiction genre. on pages 549 – 552.  Watch The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.
• Homework:  Bring a piece of white posterboard by Fri., 11/20.

Tuesday, 11/17

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Read “Rain, Rain, Go Away” pages 555-563.  Read “About the Author” page 564.  Do worksheets for “Rain . . .”
• Homework:  “Rain . . . ” ws – due Wed., 11/18 or Thurs., 11/19

Wednesday, 11/18 or Thursday, 11/19

• Due:  “Rain . . . ” ws
• In Class:  Check “Rain . . .” ws.  Make small groups of 3 – 4.  Pass out and read one of the following short science fiction stories:  Puppet Master; Star Beast; Minister Without Portfolio; Backward Step; Lose Now, Pay Later; Dark They Were, And Golden-Eyed.  Pass out the worksheet for plot line summery, comprehension, vocabulary, and special literary emphasis for each science fiction shoprt story.  Pass out and review Science Fiction Literary and Special Focuses handout.  Pass out and review the plot line handout.  Work on worksheets together with small groups.
• Homework:  Worksheet for science fiction short story – due Fri., 11/20.  Piece of white posterboard – due Fri., 11/20.

Friday, 11/20 . . . To the Birmingham Palladium to see Where the Wild Tings Are

• Due:   WS for science fiction short story.  Piece of white posterboard.
• In Class:  Activity related to Where the Wild Things Are.  Check science fiction short story in class.  Pass out Sci-Fi novel synopsis sheet.  Choose science fiction novel that you will read (Time Machine, The Giver, or Fahrenheit 451).  Students placed into reading groups by novel selection.  You should get either your 1st or 2nd choice.  Pass out Classroom Spelling Bee list.
• Homework:  None

• Homework: 

Monday,  11/9

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Final Glory Field test (The test review is under Classroom Handouts Page).  Work on draft #1 of historical newspaper article.  Remember, a template for the article is in the “S” drive. 
• Homework:  Draft #1 of historical newspaper article – due Tues.,  11/10

Tuesday, 11/10

• Due:  Draft #1 of historical newspaper article
• In Class:  Peer and teacher conferences for draft #1.  Revise.  Begin working on draft #2.
• Homework:  Work on draft #2 (final)

Wednesday, 11/11 or Thursday,  11/12

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Continue to work on, conference and revise historical newspaper draft.
• Homework:  Final copy of historical newspaper article – due Fri., 11/13.

Friday, 11/13

• Due:  Final copy of historical newpaper article
• In Class:  Historical newspaper article – rubric, final copy, outline, drafts, and conference sheets.  Discuss tone and mood in “The Tell-Tale Heart”  pages 624 – 630 as pre-teaching to the science fiction unit which will start on Monday.  
• Homework:  Worksheets for “Tell Tale Heart” – due Mon., 11/16.

Monday, 11/2

• Due:  Journal #9 – assigned journal.
• In Class:  Take Vocabulary Quiz #3.  Introduce Cause and Effect Historical Newspaper Article.  Review examples, rubric, and the outline.  Choose an event from American history to use as the topic in your cause-and-effect historical newspaper article.  Begin researching the topic with your partner.
• Homework:  Two piece of information – each person - (print/hard copies) for your historical event – due Tuesday, 11/3.  Final Glory Field test – Mon., 11/09

Tuesday, 11/3

• Due:  Two piece of information for your historical event – hard copies, books, printouts from the internet.
• In Class:  Review the printouts/hard copies of research for your historical event.  Work on Historical Newspaper article outline to start drafting the cause-and-effect newspaper article.   Go to computer lab.
• Homework:  Historical Newspaper outline – due Wed., 11/4 or Thursday, 11/5.

Wed., 11/4 or Thurs., 11/5

• Due:  Historical Newspaper outline
• In Class:  Peer and teacher conference of Historical Newspaper articles.  Test review given for the Glory Field test.  Cross word puzzle.  Start Draft #1 of Historical Newspaper article. 
• Homework:  Typed draft #1 of Historical Newspaper article – due Mon., 11/9.  Remember, a template for the article is in the “S” drive.  Study for the Glory Field Test for Mon., 11/9.  (The test review is under Classroom Handouts Page). 

Friday,  11/6 . . . Students – No class . . . Teachers’ Records Day

Monday, 10/26

• Due:  New due date today for Journal #6.    Vocabulary quiz #2.  Glory Field reading through page 238.
• In Class:  Take vocabulary quiz #2.  Do community share of  journal #3.  Read in small groups (book clubs).
• Homework:  Journal #7 – personal journal – due Tues., 10/27

Tuesday, 10/27

• Due:  Journal #7.
• In Class:  Check in journal #7.  Share/discuss journal #7 with small group (book club).  Read in small groups (book clubs).
• Homework:  Journal #8 – choice journal – due Wed., 10/28 or Thurs., 10/29.

Wednesday, 10/28 or Thursday, 10/29

• Due:  Journal #8.
• In Class:  Check in journal #8.  Share/discuss journal #8 in small groups (book clubs).  Read individually/silently.
• Homework:  Journal #9 – assigned journal – due Fri., 10/30.

Friday, 10/30

• Due:  Journal #9.
• In Class:  Check in journal #9.  Community Share – whole class sahre – journal #9.  Read your choice:  by self, with partner, or in a small group.
• Homework:  Vocabulary quiz #3 - on Mon., 11/02.  Finish reading the Glory Field novel.  Final Glory Field test – on Mon., 11/09

Class #1 . . . Monday, 10/19 . . . Hours 1 – 6.

MEAP Continues (Tues., 10/20 and Thurs., 10/22)

• Due:  Vocabulary Quiz #1.  Glory Field reading through page 115.
• In Class:  Take vocabulary quiz #1.  Read in small groups (book clubs).
• Homework:  Journal #4 – personal journal – due Class #2

Class #2 . . . Tuesday, 10/20 . . . MEAP and Hours 1 – 3 AND Wednesday, 10/21  Hours 4 – 6 in the a. m.

• Due:  Journal #4
• In Class:  Check in journal #4.  Discuss/share journal #4 with small group (book club).  Read with peer partner.
• Homework:  Journal #5 – choice journal – due class #3.

Class #3 . . . Wednesday, 10/21 p. m. . . . Hours 1 – 3 in the p. m. and Thursday, 10/22  MEAP in the a.m. and Hours 4-5 in the am AND MEAP in the p. m. and Hour #6 in the p. m.

• Due:  Journal #5.
• In Class:  Check in journal #5.  Discuss/share journal #5 with small group (book club).  Read individually/silently.
• Homework:  Journal #6 – assigned journal – due class #4 . . . Fri., 10/23

Class #4 . . . Friday, 10/23

• Due:  Journal #6 – - – due date extended to Mon., 10/26
• In Class:  Check in journal #6.  Community Share – whole class discussion – of journal #6.  Read your choice:  by self, with partner, with small group (book club)
• Homework:  Vocabulary quiz #2 – on Mon., 10/26.  Reading through page 238 – due Mon., 10/26.  Journal #6 – extended to Mon., 10/26

Class #1 . . . Monday, 10/12 . . .  Hours 1 – 6.  

MEAP starts this week (Tues., 10/13 and Thurs., 10/15)

• Due:  None
• In Class:  Finish Inspiration assignments first 15 minutes of class if needed.  Turn in Inspiration assignments.  Pass out Glory Field novels.  Introduce Glory Field unit.  Pass out Book Club packets with Reading Assignment, Journal Questions handout, Plot Line and Glory Field Family Tree.  Do Community Share – whole class discussion – read Meet Walter Dean Myers as a class.  Read background information handouts.  Read in small groups (book clubs).
• Homework:  Journal #1 – personal journal – due class #2

Class #2 . . . Tuesday, 10/13. . . MEAP and Hours 1 – 3   and Wednesday, 10/14 . . . Hours 4, 5, 6 in the a. m.

• Due:  Journal #1
• In Class:  Finish Inspiration asssignments.  Check in journal #1.  Discuss and share journal #1 in small groups (book clubs).  Read with a peer partner.
• Homework:  Journal #2 – choice journal – due class #3.  Inspiration assignment – due Fir., 10/16.

Class #3 starts Wednesday, 10/14. . .  Hours 1, 2, 3 in p.m and Thursday MEAP and Hours 4 – 6.

• Due:  Journal #2
• In Class:  Check in journal #2.  Discuss and share journal #2 in small groups (book clubs).  Read individually/silently.
• Homework:  Journal #3 – assigned journal – due Fri., 10/16 (class #4)

Class #4 . . . . Friday, 10/16

• Due:  Journal #3.  Inspiration Assignment.
• In Class:  Check in journal #3.  Community Share of Inspiration assignments.     Read – your choice:  by self, with partner, or with a small group (book club).
• Homework:  Vocabulary #1 Quiz – on Mon., 10/19.  Reading through page 115 – due Mon., 10/19.

Monday, 10/5

• Due:  Five-paragraph typed essay draft.
• In Class:  Pass out progress reports.  Check in five-paragraph essay draft.  Teacher and peer conference.  Work on final copies of all three essays.
• HW:  Signed progress report – due Wed., 10/7.  New, final typed copies of one, three, and five-paragraph typed essays – due Wed., 10/7 or Thurs., 10/8. 

Tuesday, 10/06

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Work on final copies of one, three, and five-paragraph essays.
• HW:  New, final typed copies of one, three, and five-paragraph typed essays – due Wed., 10/7 or Thurs., 10/8

Wednesday, 10/07 or Thursday, 10/08

• Due:  Signed progress report. 
• In Class:  Check in parent signed progress report.  Start Glory Field novel unit.  Split students into reading groups.  Review handout for ID and “Voices in History” essential questions.  Introduce Building Background Knowledge handout.  Use internet to research period in history. 
• HW:  Finish Building  Background Knowledge (internet research) – due Fri., 10/08

Friday, 10/08

• Due:  1, 3, and 5  paragraph FINAL copies (with all drafts).  Building Background Knowledge (internet research)
• In Class:  Collect final copies of 1, 3, and 5 paragraphs essays.  Check in Building Background Knowledge Assignment.  Introduce Inspiration assignment.  In  groups of 2 – 3, work on this assignment.  Due at end of class.
• HW:  None.

Monday, 9/28/09 . . . In computers labs all this week and next week.

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  1.  Introduce 1, 3, and 5 paragraph writing assignment.  Work on prewriting.  Brainstorm positive charactersitics that Tubman or Lincoln showed in the stories.  May work together with a partner.  2.  Introduce thesis worksheet.   Do graphic organizer.  Conference wth teacher and peers. 
• HW:  None.

Tuesday, 9/29/09

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Once prewriting and thesis are approved, begin outline.  Introduce one paragraph rubric and review How To Write an Essay handout.Work on outline or type one-paragraph essay.  Conference with peers and teachers.
• HW:  One-paragraph essay TYPED draft – due Wed., 9/30 or Thurs., 10/01.  Also, test over “Harriet Tubman” and “Abraham Lincoln” with vocabulary – Wed., 9/30 or Thurs., 10/01.

Wednesday, 9/30 or Thursday, 10/01

• Due:  One-paragrapraph typed essay draft.
• In Class:  Check in one-paragraph essays.  Comprehension test over “Harriet Tubman” and “Abraham Lincoln” with vocabulary.  Peer and teacher conference typed draft copies.  Introduce thre-paragraph rubric.  Work on three-paragraph drafts.
• HW:  Three-paragraph TYPED essay draft – due Fri., 10/02

Friday, 10/02

• Due:  Three-paragraph TYPED essay draft.
• In Class:  Check in three-paragraph essay draft.  Teacher and peer conference.  Introduce five-paragraph essay rubric.  Work on five-paragraph essay draft.
• HW:  Five-paragraph TYPED essay draft – due Mon., 10/05

Monday, 9/21/09

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  A.  Introduction to Cause-and-Effect pattern of organization.  Complete assignment in class.  B.  Fall District Writing Prompt for Grades 7 and 8.     Start reading “Paul Revere – 716 – 720 and 721.  
• HW:  Read or finish reading “Paul Revere”.  Do “Paul Revere” w.s. – due Tues., 9/22.

Tuesday, 9/22/09

• Due:  “Paul Revere” w.s.
• In Class:  A. Check “Paul Revere” w.s.  B. Introduce “Voices in History” theme with focus questions.  C. Read through and discuss “Reading History Through Literature”  713 – 715.    Review characteristics of biographies and autobiographies.   Reference “Nonfiction” pages 101 – 102 for biography and autobiography.  D. Read “Harriet Tubman” pages 757 – 764.  Do Discussion Questions  for “”Harriet Tubman.”  Start “ Harriet Tubman” w.s. in class.
• HW:  “Harriet Tubman” w.s. – due Wed., 9/23 or Thurs., 9/24

Wednesday, 9/24 or Thursday, 9/25 . . . Hours 1 (Schultz) . . . AND 4 – 5 (Cruz). . .  Media Center Orientation.

• Due:  “Harriet Tubman” w.s.
• In Class:  Check “Harriet Tubman” w.s.  Read “Abraham Lincoln” pages 769 – 778.  Do Discussion Questions.  Revisit Essential Question and do think, pair, share activity and then write responses on the large white paper.  Tell students to think about the readings:  “Paul Revere,” “Harriet Tubman,” and “Abraham Lincoln.”  Start “Abraham Lincoln” w.s.
• HW:  “Abraham Lincoln” w.s. – due Fri., 9/25.

Friday, 9/25/09 . . . Hour #3 Media center orientation at 10:40 – 11:00

• Due:  “Abraham Lincoln” w.s.
• In Class:  1.  Check “Harriet Tubman.”  Check “Abraham Lincoln” w.s.    2. Do test review for the short stories ” “Harriet Tubman” and “Abraham Lincoln.”  Know all vocabulary from worksheets – multiple choice.  Comprehension on “HT” and “AL” – short answer.  Brief essay. 
• HW:  No homework, but emember there is a test over “Harriet Tubman” and “Abraham Lincoln” on Wed. 9/30 or Thurs., 10/1.

Monday, 9/14/09

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  A.  Present summer packet la biography organizers at table groups.  Show picture and have tablemates guess who your person is or what they may have done/contributed.  Post pictures and three bullet points of three most interesting facts of your person on the large paper.  B.  Introduce ID Topic and Essential Questions and discuss as a whole class  how these questions relate to your biography person. 
• HW:  None.

Tuesday, 9/15/09

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  A.  Intro. to MEAP Prep.  Assess prior knowledge on test-taking skills.  Review test-taking strategies.  Do Paired Reading (Part 1) from MEAP packet. 
• HW:  None

Wednesday, 9/16/09 and Thursday, 9/17/09

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  A.  Discuss Constructed Response form as topic sentence, strong support – making reference to the passage.  B.  Introduce the idea of the P. A. S. S. Key with reading and writing.  Discuss the writing process and what goes into good writing – the 6 traits.  Do Writing From Knowledge and Experience (Part 3A).  Use House Organizer to summarize response to this section.  Do a think, pair, share for this activity. 
• HW:  None.

Friday, 9/18/09

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  A.  Review Peer Response to Student Writing Samples – Released Item #1.   See sample writing and evaluators’ scores and comments.  Do part 3B – Student Writing Sample – evaluating, revising, and editing. 
• HW:  None