November!

We've gotten through the first half of the second quarter... phew! Four more weeks until winter break and semester grades. If you weren't pleased with your progress report grades, kick it in to high gear for the next few weeks. You cannot make up late work in my class, but if you study for your tests and turn in all of your work for the rest of the quarter, your grade can only improve.

HOMEROOM: Turn in signed progress reports by Tuesday 11/16.

7th Grade Lit. Class, we're nearing the end of London's The Call of the Wild. Be sure you are reading carefully and studying your vocabulary words to do well on our weekly tests. Next week, we will discuss your Call of the Wild projects. We will quiz on chapters 5&6 this Friday. Your vocabulary words are:
repugnance
contagion
salient
superfluous
remonstrance
callowness
feigned
perambulating
adoration
traces

8th Grade Writing: Don't forget, your Friday quiz will be on adjectives/adverbs, use the worksheets from today to study!
Poetry portfolios... Be working on them at home. Remember, 14 total poems are required. You should have one of each of the following styles:
Acrostic
Diamante
Haiku
Cinquain
Who,What,When,Where,Why
Fortunately, Unfortunately
I remember
Limerick
Shape

You will also need to include 5 additional poems in the form of your choice (free verse, narrative, ode are all forms we will discuss and practice in class). Any of the poems we work on in class can be used in the portfolio, which should have a personal theme to it. Give your portfolio a cover page with a personal and appropriate title that goes with your poetry collection. You should also include a table of contents, so your pages will be numbered (We will work on the table of contents next week in class). Your finished portfolio should be something you are proud of, take pride in your work!

A good site for creating diamante, who,what,where,when,why (5W), cinquain, limerick and others. http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm

I'll be adding links to help you with your poetry... stay tuned!

Seventh Grade Literature:

Study for your content quizzes tomorrow! 7th graders had a review in class today for their first "Call of the Wild" quiz, and don't forget about the vocabulary words:

consternation
veranda
primordia
imperiously
toil
hydrophoby
conciliate
courier
treachery
egotistical
calamity
realm


Eighth Grade Writing:
Spelling test tomorrow! Your words:
poetry
alliteration
metaphor
rhyme
rhythm
expression
interpretation
emotion
communicate
sonnet

We will be talking in detail about your poetry book project on Monday.
Be sure you are turning in all homework and in class assignments so I can give you credit for what you do! Progress reports go out Friday, 11/12.

A few more events....
On Tuesday 11/9, from 5:30-7:30 pm  there will be a school-wide fundraiser at Peter Piper Pizza on Broadway (the new HUGE one... haven't been there yet!) Each student will get a free raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes and a class pizza party will be awarded to the class with the most students in attendance. Also, bring friends! Each additional person you bring counts toward your class attendance!

Veterans Day is Thursday 11/11 -- NO SCHOOL! However, Friday 11/12 will be a regular school day, and progress reports will be handed out in 6th period. A nice little break, though!