Mrs. Cruz’s BCS Blog

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.

Monday, 11/16

• Due:  “Tell Tale Heart” worksheets and NEW due date for Historical Article (Mrs. Cruz was absent on Friday)
• In Class:  Collect Historical Newspaper Article.  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).  Watch The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street- part 1.   Discuss how the author creates mood and tone in the segment watched.
• Homework:  Bring a piece of white posterboard by Fri., 11/20.

Tuesday, 11/17

• Due:  None.
• In Class:   Start diagramming bellwork.   Review and discuss the science fiction genre on pages 549 – 552.   Review and discuss Science Fiction genre handout.  Watch The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street part 2.  Discuss what elements of science fiction are most prominent. 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 . . . IMPORTANT!!!  I was informed at the end of the day on Thursday that some of the sci-fi short stories are missing pages . . . therefore, you will not be responsible for completing this assignment if your story is missing pages.  You can work on in class tomorrow  Mrs. Cruz

• Due:  “Rain . . . ” ws
• In Class:  1) Read children’s book aloud Where the Wild Things Are.  Check “Rain . . .” ws.  Discuss how this story is fantasy and how it compares and contrasts with science fiction, a close relative.  Think about what the monsters might symbolize and how the producers of the film took such a short children’s story and made it into a full-length feature film.  2) Watch final part of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street – part 3.  Discuss what lessons the story may be trying to extend to its audience.  3) Make small groups of 5.  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.  4)  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. 
• Homework:  Worksheet for science fiction short story – due Fri., 11/20.  Piece of white posterboard – due Fri., 11/20.

Friday, 11/20 . . . IMPORTANT!!!  I was informed at the end of the day on Thursday that some of the sci-fi short stories are missing pages . . . therefore, you will not be responsible for completing this assignment if your story is missing pages.  You can work on in class tomorrow or Monday.  Mrs. Cruz

• To the Birmingham Palladium to see Where the Wild Tings Are
• Due:    Piece of white posterboard.
• In Class:  Activity related to Where the Wild Things Are. 
• Homework:  Science fiction short story worksheet – due Mon. 11/23 or Tues., 11/24

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.