Testing coming up!

Dear 8th grade families,

Next week we will begin our English/Language Arts (ELA) testing using the Smarter Balanced test (SBAC).  The first test is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that is similar to past OAKS tests only now students will also be typing answers to questions in addition to the more traditional multiple choice questions. 

We will be testing from Monday, April 6th through Thursday, April 9th.  April 10th is the end of the quarter and there is no school that Friday.

The second test is a Performance Task.  I will be teaching a scripted classroom activity on Tuesday, April 14th, and then students will complete a performance task based on that activity on April 15, 16,  and 17.

It is especially important for students to be present in class on Tuesday the 14th because they need to be a part of the classroom activity in order to complete the performance task.  Please get them to bed early starting Sunday, April 5th and try to convince them to eat some breakfast and to actually eat lunch so they have some stamina in the afternoon.  Students are encouraged to bring their own ear buds/headphones for comfort, but we have plenty of extras for those who do not bring their own.

I do not want students to feel anxious regarding this testing. They have done years of OAKS testing and, while this is a different test, I am confidant that they will do just fine.  

Please let me know if you have any questions. -- Leah Hermes

Resources for your literary analysis paper

Resources for your literary analysis paper:

Here is the handout I gave you for using quotations:
http://sharepoint.mvla.net/teachers/AprilO/American%20Literature%20Survey/Documents/Using%20Quotations.pdf

Here is the YouTube Video we watched in class on "Quote Bombs":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONxZeLhJbOg

Here are a few other good videos on how to integrate your quotations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUIztcQsYG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qew6ZauujOk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68vm-y1IzYQ

TKAM Unit test on Friday

This week:  3/9 to 3/13 

Timeline Review is practice for the TKAM unit test.  Finish Wed. night.
Review on Thursday.
Test on Friday 3/13.
Decide on topic for literary analysis by Monday.  Which character or theme will you be analyzing.

Next week -- 3/16 to 3/20

Monday -- write thesis; find supporting evidence and fill out organizer/outline
Tuesday --Writing workshop day. Work on rough draft of paper
Wed. -- No school today.  Come to class Thursday with a solid rough draft of paper (either typed or handwritten).
Thursday -- Writing workshop day. I will meet with individual students to answer questions and provide feedback.
Friday -- Typed rough draft due today before the dance at 1:30.

Assignment requirements:  TKAM Literary Analysis Paper

Novel Project extension ...

Novel Projects can be turned in on Monday for full credit.
Those students who finished on time or early will receive extra-credit.

Unit Test on TKAM will be at the end of the week, not on Tuesday.

Independent Novel Projects, TKAM Unit test, and Grant Forecasting

Important dates for the week of 3/2 to 3/6:

• Independent Novel Projects are due on Thursday, March 5th.
• Grant will come during 6th period for forecasting.
• Field trip to Art Museum on Friday, March 6th.
• TKAM unit test will be Tuesday, March 10th unless we have further disruptions to the schedule in the afternoons.

Homework for the weekend of Feb. 20-22:

Read To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 18, 19, & 20 for class on Monday, February 23rd:

No study questions required, but do a close reading of the chapters and come prepared to discuss these important trial scenes.

Independent novel projects may be turned in from February 23rd to March 5th.  Students are encouraged to look at their personal activity and homework schedules and plan accordingly.

How is it already mid-February?!

Sorry for the delay in blog updates.  I am late, but there was an update that I accidentally left in "edit" mode thinking I had hit "publish,"  so I am even more behind than I realized.

We have finished Part I of To Kill a Mockingbird.  Students have been doing a better and better job with class discussions and looking  back at the text a second  (or even third) time to find support for their answers.  Most of the study questions are used to guide class discussions, but from time to time I do have them write their answers down on paper. Please keep these question sheets to help review for the unit test.

Students had a lot to say about the documentary, The Murder of Emmett Till.  I was so impressed to hear students connect how their viewing of the film was similar to how the public and news media reacted to Mamie's decision to show the world what happened to her son.  Seeing the documentary, just as seeing Emmett's body,  really illustrated the dangers African Americans faced in all areas of their daily life during the Jim Crow South.

I have not been able to link the study question documents for you to download, but there are extra copies in the binder at the front of the classroom.  In the upcoming weeks, I will be incorporating some grammar and conventions lessons as well as our continued work on vocabulary.  We will also be reading and responding to some non-fiction pieces related to the time period or the novel.  All of these skills will help students be more successful on the upcoming Smarter Balanced test in April.  In March we will take a look at the Smarter Balanced practice tests and make sure that all students know the basics of how the test is formatted and what tools (dictionaries, highlighting, note taking, etc...) they will have available to them.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.