Mrs. Cruz’s BCS Blog

Monday, 2/8

• Due:  “Insights” novel assignment – M, T, or W/Th this week.
• In Class: Check in “Insights” novel assignment.    In small groups, research Homeless in MetroDetroit area.  Report information back to large group.  Read “Homeless” on page 101 in green language arts textbooks.  Discuss.
• Homework:   ”Insights” novel assignment – M, T, or W/Th this week.

Tuesday, 2/9

• Due:  “Insights” novel assignment – M, T, or W/Th this week.
• In Class:   Check in “Insights” novel assignment. In small groups, research the Hispanic population in MetroDetroit area.  Define Hispanic cultures.  Report information back to large group.  Read short story “The Force of Luck.”  Discuss.
• Homework:   ”Insights” novel assignment – M, T, or W/Th this week.

Wednesday, 2/10 or Thursday, 2/11

• Due:  “Insights” novel assignment – M, T, or W/Th this week.
• In Class:  Check in “Insights” novel assignment. In small groups, research Native Americans in MetroDetroit area.  Report information back to large group.  Discuss elements of the Native American story telling genre.  Listen to examples.  Do Native American story telling activity.   In small groups, prepare own stories to present using the Native American story telling format as a guide.
• Homework:  None.

Friday, 2/12 . . . Midwinter break starts at the end of the day.  See you on Feb. 22.

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Finish and present Native American storytelling  projects. 
• 7/8 Grade-Level Activity:  Native American Speaker.
• Homework:  None.

Monday, 2/1

• Due:  “Ransom of Red Chief” ws.
• In Class:  Check “Ransom of Red Chief” ws in class.  Introduction to realistic fiction novel The Pigman.    Discuss The Pigman novel mini-unit.  In-Class Activity:  Discuss background/prior knowledge on the 1960s.  Read in class.
• Homework:  None.

Tuesday, 2/2

• Due:  None.
• In Class:    “Insights” short stories test review.  In-Class Activity:  Connect to your reading.  Discuss the attitudes that teenagers have towards adults, especially senior citizens.  Read The Pigman.
• Homework:  “Insights” short story test – Fri., 2/5.

Wednesday, 2/3 or Thursday, 2/4

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  In-Class Activity:  Foreshadowing.  Explore foreshadowing in The Pigman.  Read.
• Homework:  “Insights” short stories test – Fri., 2/5.

Friday, 2/5

• Due:  None.
• In Class:   ”Insights” short story test.  In-Class Activity:  Themes in Literature.  Discuss how the following themes are shown in The Pigman:  the power of love, self-discovery, among generations.  Finish reading.  Start “Insights” novel (The Pigman) assignment related to theme.
• Homework:  “Insights” novel (The Pigman) assignment – due M, T, or W/Th next week.

Monday, 1/25

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Need language arts textbook today.  Read about Realistic Fiction, pages 17 – 21.  Introduce essential questions for the new unit (“Insights”).  Discuss.  Start short story reading for the unit.  Read and discuss “Raymond’s Run.”  Start worksheets for “Raymond’s Run.”
• Homework:  “Raymond’s Run” worksheets – due Tues., 1/26.

Tuesday, 1/26

• Due:  “Raymond’s Run” ws.
• In Class:  Check “Raymond’s Run” ws in class.  Read and discuss “Stop the Sun” pages 49 – 54.  Do worksheets for “Stop the Sun.”
• Homework:  Worksheets for “Stop the Sun” – Due Wed., 1/17 or Thurs., 1/28.

Wednesday, 1/27 or Thursday, 1/28

• Due:  Worksheets for “Stop the Sun.”
• In Class:  Mid -Year LA Assessment for 8th and 7th graders.  Check ws for “Stop the Sun.”  Read “Mother in Manville.” 
• Homework:  “Mother in Mannville” ws – due Fri., 1/29. 

Friday, 1/29

• Due  “Mother in Mannville” ws
• In Class:  Check “Mother in Mannville” ws.  Read “Ransom of Red Chief” pages 70 – 79.  Do worksheets for “Ransom of Red Chief.”
• Homework:  Worksheets for “Ransom of Red Chief” – due Mon., 2/1

Monday, 1/18 . . . No school students . . . MLK Day

Tuesday, 1/19

• Due:  IF teacher conferenced last class, final literary analysis paper with all drafts and prewriting.
• In Class:  Test review for Elements of a Novel test.  IF teacher conferenced last class, check in final literary analysis paper.  Continue teacher conference of literary analysis papers.  Start watching Zathura (sci-fi movie).
• Homework:  Sci-fi lit. analysis paper if not already turned in – due next class.

Wednesday, 1/20 or Thursday, 1/21

• Due:  IF teacher conferenced last class,  final literary analysis paper. 
• In Class:  IF teacher conferenced last class, check in final literary analysis paper.  Continue teacher conference of literary analysis papers. Finish watching Zathura.  Study for the Elements of the Novel test.
• Homework:  Elements of the Novel test – Fri., 1/22.  Sci-fi lit. analysis paper if not already truned in – due next class.

Friday, 1/22

• Due:  IF teacher conferenced last class,  final literary analysis paper.
• In Class:  Elements of the Novel test.  IF teacher conferenced last class, check in final literary analysis paper.  Continue teacher conference of literary analysis papers. 
• Homework:  Sci-fi lit. analysis paper if not already truned in – due next class.

Monday, 1/11

• Due:  Character and Setting typed drafts
• In Class:  Check in character and setting drafts.  Class conference drafts.    Take out Elements of the Novel packet.  Review plot structure and point of view questions for the literary analysis paper.  Work on typed drafts of plot structure and point of view.
• Homework:  Plot structure and point of view typed drafts – due Tues., 1/12.

Tuesday, 1/12

• Due:  Plot structure and point of view typed drafts.
• In Class:  Check in plot structure and point of view typed drafts.   Class conference drafts.    Take out Elements of the Novel packet.  Review theme questions and conclusion for the literary analysis paper. Work on typed drafts of theme and conclusion.
• Homework:  Typed drafts of theme and conclusion – due Wed., 1/13 or Thurs., 1/14.

Wednesday, 1/13 or Thursday, 1/14

• Due:  Typed drafts of theme and conclusion
• In Class:  Check in theme and and conclusion typed drafts.   Class conference drafts.    Work on a revised draft for ALL sections, making one comprhennsive paper out of all sections drafted and conferenced to this point:  introduction, genre, character, setting, plot structure, point of view, theme, and conclusion.  Do Elements of the Novel test review.  (Elements of the Novel test Fri., 1/22)
• Homework:  Complete revised, clean copy of the draft of the literary analysis paper – due Fri., 1/15.

Friday, 1/15

• Due:  Complete revised, clean copy of the draft of the literary analysis paper. 
• In Class:  Check in complete revised, clean copy of the draft of the literary analysis paper.  Pass out conference sheet.  Do a teacher conference,  self conference and two peer conferences of your literary analysis science fiction paper draft using the science fiction literary analysis conference sheet.   Your paper is due next class IF you get a teacher conference today.  I will conference ALL next week.  Your FINAL paper will be due the class following the tescher conference.
• Homework:  Final copy of the science fiction literary analysis paper (along with all drafts and prewriting) – due Tues., 1/19 (No class on Mon., 1/18 – MLK Day).

Welcome back, 7/8 students!

Monday, 1/4

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Work day.  Book conference with teacher for the remainder of the book.  Work with group to complete science fiction notes.  Catch up and finish all work related to your science fiction novel.
• Homework:  All journal and vocabulary related to your science fiction novel – due Tues., 1/5.

Tuesday, 1/5

• Due:   All journal and vocabulary related to your science fiction novel
• In Class:  Choose a sci-fi journal to revise for idea development, organization, sentence fluency, and word choice.  Have a peer conference and then compose a new, improved copy.  Turn in your sci-fi packet with vocabulary and notecards.  Attach all journals, including the revised on, to the packet and turn that in to be placed in your portfolio.
• Homework:  None.

Wednesday, 1/6 or Thursday 1/7

• Due:  None.
• In Class:  Review what a thesis statement is and the different forms(depending on the genre and your purpose for writing) that the thesis statement can take.  Introduce the literary analysis essay for science fiction novel.  Pass out and review PASS key and rubric.   Pass out the Summary/Introduction with Thesis handout/assignment.  This is a model for how you can complete the introduction of your paper.  Discuss how to write the genre section for the literary analysis paper.  Reference the Elements of the Novel packet genre questions to help write the genre section of the paper.  Be sure to identify the genre as “science fiction” even thought this is not an option in the packet.  Discuss the novel in terms of the elements of science fiction characteristics as previously discussed in class.  (We’ll review them today).  Work on draft of introduction and genre for your literary analysis paper.  Each section of the paper will be 1 – 2 paragraphs BUT you will need to answer all questions from the packet, using details from the novel to backup/support your paragraph answers.
• Homework:  Typed draft of introduction and genre for your literary analysis paper – due Friday., 1/8.

Friday, 1/8 . .  School spelling bee.

• Due:  Typed draft of introduction and genre for your literary analysis paper.
• In Class:  Check in and class conference the introduction and genre section for the literary analysis paper.   Take out Elements of the Novel packet.  Review and discuss the character and setting sections for the literary analysis paper.  Use the questions for character and setting in the Elements of the Novel packet to help write these sections of the paper.  Work on draft of introduction and genre for your literary analysis paper.
• Homework:  Typed drafts of the character and setting sections of the literary analysis paper – due Monday, 1/11.

Monday, 12/14

• Due:  Journal #2 and Note Card #1
• In Class: Discuss element of the novel Point of View.  Discuss/share journal #2 as a whole class.  Get into literature circle groups.  Discuss Note Card assignment #1.   Check in journal #2 and Note Card assignment #1. 
• Homework:  Vocabulary #2 – due Tues., 12/15

Tuesday, 12/15

• Due:  Vocabulary #2
• In Class:  Tacher conference for background information and understanding.  Take notes.  Check in vocabulary #2.  Teacher conference for background information.
• Homework:  Journal #3  – due Wed., 12/16 or Thurs., 12/17

Wednesday, 12/16 or Thursday, 12/17

• Due:  Journal #3
• In Class:  Discuss element of the novel Theme and Genre.  Get into literature circle groups and discuss/share journal #3.  Check in journal #3.  Teacher conferences with groups for additional background information and comprehension check.
• Homework:  Note Card #2 – due Tues., 1/5

Friday, 12/18

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Read – Work individually.
• Homework:  Finish reading novel over break.    Have a GREAT winter break!!  See you in January 2010!!

Monday, 12/07

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Reveal science fiction novel groups.  Pass out science fiction novels and the Elements of the Novel packet.  Review novel unit overview packet (with due dates and assignments).  Review and disucss element of the novel Character.  Get into literature circle groups.
• Homework:  Vocabulary assignment #1 – due Tues., 12/08

Tuesday, 12/08

• Due:  Vocabulary assignment #1.
• In Class:  Check/check in vocabulary assignment #1.  Discuss element of the novel Setting.  Get into literature circle groups.  Teacher conferences with  novel groups for background information and comprehension check.
• Homework:  Journal #1 – due Wed., 129 or Thurs., 12/10.

Wednesday, 12/09 or Thursday, 12/10

• Due:  Journal #1
• In Class:  Discuss element of the novel Plot Structure.  Get into literature circle groups and discuss/share journal #1.  Check in journal #1. 
• Homework:  Journal #2 and Note Card assignment #1 (see packet for requirements) – due Mon., 12/14.

Friday, 12/11

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Teacher conferences with  novel groups for background information and comprehension check.  Work and read day . . . individual reading and working.
• Homework:  Journal #2 and Notecard #1 and first 1/2 of the novel read.  Ssee novel packet for exact page # to read to – all due Mon., 12/14.

Monday, 11/30 . . . Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break.

• Due:  Large piece of white poster board if not already brought in.
• In Class:  Finish thumbnail sketches.
• Homework:  Classroom Spelling Bee – Fri., 12/04

Tuesday, 12/01

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Review the rubric.  Review final project samples.  Work on science fiction story board.  You may conference with your short story groups. 
• Homework:  Classroom Spelling Bee – Friday, 12/04

Wednesday, 12/02 or Thursday, 12/03

• Due:  Nothing.
• In Class:  Work on science fiction story boards.  If not finished by the end of class, take home for homework.
• Homework:  Sci-fi story boards – due Fri., 12/04.  Classroom spelling bee - Friday, 12/04 

Friday, 12/04

• Due:  Sci-fi story boards.
• In Class:   Classroom Spelling Bee.  Share science fiction story boards.  Work on portfolio reflections for major assignments and tests already returned.
• Homework:  None.

Monday, 11/23 . . . Eighth Graders to Groves 12 pm - 2 pm . . . Hours 1 – 4 meet today.  (Eighth graders bring a sack lunch today)

• Due:  Science fiction short story worksheet.
• In Class:  Pass out classroom spelling bee list. Review worksheet for each story with your group.  Mrs. Cruz will conference with each group.  Introduce Sci – Fi story board. project.  Show sample projects.  Pass out theme handout.  Start work on sci-fi story board by first completing the thumbnail sketch.  Refer to the plot line that you completed on the worksheet for your story.
• Homework:  Classroom Spelling Bee – Fri., 12/4.  No homework  . . . Enjoy your Thanksgiving break.

Tuesday, 11/24 . . . Eighth Graders to Seaholm 11:30 am - 2:30 pm . . . Hours 5 and 6.  (Eighth graders bring a sack lunch today)

• Due:  Science fiction short story worksheet.
• In Class:  Pass out classroom spelling bee list.  Review worksheet for each story with your group.  Mrs. Cruz will conference with each group.  Introduce Sci – Fi story board. project.  Show sample projects.  Pass out theme handout.  Start work on sci-fi story board by first completing the thumbnail sketch.  Refer to the plot line that you completed on the worksheet for your story.
• Homework:  Classroom Spelling Bee – Fri., 12/4.  No homework  . . . Enjoy your Thanksgiving break.

Wednesday,  11/25 or Thursday,  11/26 . . . No school.  Thanksgiving Recess.

Friday, 11/27 . . . No school.  Thanksgiving Recess.