WEEK 1

Monday - 8/17 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
A - B - C - D - E - F

• Read Teacher from the Black Lagoon.
• Review: English class hand-out and student info sheet.
• Read poem "The First Day of School."
• Notebook Entry #1 - Part 1: Brainstorm a list of at least ten "what if" statements about things that you imagine could happen on the first day of school. They can be funny or serious. Be creative. Number them from 1 - 10.
• Information about Notebook Entries:
  • Notebook Entries are completed throughout the year. They consist of short writing assignments, brainstorming, outlines, notes, charts, drawings, etc.
  • Each entry is worth ten points. A student can receive 10 points if the notebook entry is complete, 5 points if it's only half way complete, or a zero if less than half is complete or it is not done at all.
  • Most NB's are done in class, although they are also assigned as homework.
  • Notebook Entries are turned in to the teacher after ten have been completed for a total of 100 points in writing.
    HW: Complete info sheet and get parent signature. Finish NB #1, if necessary.

Tuesday - 8/18
F - A - B - C - D - E

• Turn in signed info sheet.
• Continue reviewing classroom rules and expections in the English class hand-out .
• Check-out an Independent Reading Book. Students are expected to have an independent reading book with them at all times.
• Discuss Independent Reading Logs.
• Information about Independent Reading Logs:
  • Students are expected to keep track of the books they reading during the quarter on their Independent Reading Logs.
  • After finishing a book, students write down the book title, author's name, and number of pages into their Indpendent Reading Logs.
  • Each book entered must have a parent signature for the pages to count towards their Independent Reading grade.
  • Students must read 600 pages of grade appropriate books (not magazines, comics, or gaming guides) to receive an A in Independent Reading.
  • Independent Reading is worth 4% of a students final grade each quarter.
• Notebook Entry #1 - Part 2:
  • Select your favorite "what if" statement from NB #1; be sure it's one you can easily draw. Put a star next to it.
  • On the bottom of NB #1, make a quick sketch to go along with your sentence.
  • On the 1/2 sheet of paper you received in class, use colored pencils to illustrate your sentence. Fill your box with color and design.
  • Write your sentence in ink on the lines at the bottom of the sheet.
  • Remember to use a capital letter at the beginning of the sentence and a question mark at the end.
  • On the back --> Write your first and last name, date, and period.
  • Due Friday .

  HW: Learning the Rules WS #1 - due tomorrow.

Wednesday - 8/19
E - F - A - B - C - D

• Correct Learning the Rules WS #1 - Keep for review.
• Read The Sneetches.
• Complete Reading / Writing Interest Survey.
  HW: Do Learning the Rules WS #2 - due tomorrow.

Thursday - 8/20
D - E - F - A - B - C

• Correct Learning the Rules WS #2 - Keep for review.
• Notebook Entry #2 - Most everyone can remember a book that has had an impact on his/her life. Often this book is connected to a pleasurable experience. It could have been the first book you learned to read. It could have been a book that troubled you. An important book doesn't necessarily have to be well-loved.
  
  Think about your history as a reader. Recall a book that sticks out in your mind. Do the following:
  • 1. Divide your paper in half horizontally.

    2. On the bottom half, write the title of your book. Write five to ten sentences explaining why this book is memorable or important to you.

    3. On the top half, draw a picture, symbol, or icon that is associated with the book.

• Do Learning the Rules WS #3. Finish at home, if necessary, using your English class hand-out . All three rules worksheets are due tomorrow.
  HW: "What If?" sentence and illustration - due tomorrow. Learning the Rules worksheets #1 - 3 are due tomorrow.

Friday - 8/21 - Common Planning Day
D - E - F - A - B - C

• Share and turn in "What If?" sentence and illustration.
• Correct Learning the Rules WS #3. Turn in all Rules worksheets #1 - 3.
• Test on Classroom Rules and Procedures.

WEEK 2

Monday - 8/24
C - D - E - F - A - B

• Grammar Safari - Week 1
• Information about Grammar Safari:
  • Grammar Safari is a daily proofreading activity. When students come into class, there are two sentences on the screen that contain errors in grammar or punctuation. The errors are based on a grammar or usage concept being studied in class.
  • Students have seven minutes to complete their agendas and write the two sentences correctly.
  • At the end of that time, I put the two correctly written sentences on the board and students check their papers and correct any errors.
  • We do two sentences a day, four times a week. The papers are collected on the fourth day (usually a Thursday).
  • I correct them for accuracy. Each Grammar Safari paper is worth 20 points.
  • If a student is absent, he/she may copy the sentences from a classmate or come in before or after school to catch up.
• Pass out grammar books.
• Notebook Entry #3 - Divide your paper in half horizontally and do the following:

  A) On the top half, brainstorm a list of your personality characteristics. Describe what kind of a person you are on the inside. What is your personality like? What are your likes and dislikes, etc.? What things are important to you?

  B) On the bottom half, use your notes to write a well-organized paragraph about the "inside you." Be sure to indent the first line and include a topic sentence.

  HW: Grammar Book - Review the capitalization rules handout. Do Exercise Review C, p. 281 - 282. Write the sentences out using correct capitalization.

Tuesday - 8/25
B - C - D - E - F - A

• Grammar Safari
• Correct grammar. Turn in.
• Do 30 Questions Interviews.
  HW: 1) Finish class work, if necessary. 2) Do Notebook Entry #4 - Divide your paper in half horizontally and do the following:

  A) On the top half, brainstorm a list of your physical characteristics. What do you look like? What kind of clothes do you you usually wear? What special features do you have- glasses, braces, freckles, a pierced nose?

  B) On the bottom half, use your notes to write a well-organized paragraph about the "outside you." Describe your physical appearance. Be sure to indent the first line and include a topic sentence.

Wednesday - 8/26
A - B - C - D - E - F

• Grammar Safari
• Review 30 Questions Interviews. Turn in.
• Notebook Entry #5 - Social Skills. 1) Brainstorm a list of social skills that you used to do yesterday's "30 Questions" activity. 2) Write 3 - 5 sentences reflecting on which skills you used the best. 3) Write 3 goals for yourself for the next group activity. What do you want to do better next time?
• Create self-portraits.
  • Draw a picture of yourself using the template and the white paper provided. Draw lightly in pencil.
  • Use color pencils to color in your portrait.
  • Finished drawing is due tomorrow. Don't do any writing on your portrait yet.

  HW: Finish drawing your self-portrait. Finish Notebook Entries # 3 & 4.

Thursday - 8/27
F - A - B - C - D - E

• Grammar Safari
• Notebook Entry #6 - Write a list of fifteen things for each one of these categories: flavors of ice cream, types of cereal, types of musical instruments.
• Assemble self-portraits.

  PART 1:

  • Proofread "Outside Self" paragraph (NB #4).
  • Write paragraph above your portrait using blue or black ink.
  • Write neatly.

  PART 2:

  • Cut the portrait around the outside of the head. Leave about 2" connected at the top of the head.
  • Flip it over and glue around the outside of the head. Don't glue on the head itself.
  • Lay the second sheet of white paper over the glue & smooth it down.
  • Turn portrait over.

  PART 3:

  • Proofread "Inside Self" paragraph (NB #5).
  • Write paragraph underneath your portrait using blue or black ink.
  • Write neatly.
  • On the back write a complete heading.

  HW: Finish Self-Portrait. Due tomorrow.

Friday - 8/28
F - A - B - C - D - E

• Turn in completed self-portrait.
• Partner Interviews.

Email me: karen@mrshatzi.com