Homework for December 13-17

Monday: No homework.

Tuesday-Thursday: TBA

Homework for December 6-10

Monday: Work on adding quotations to your rough draft.

Tuesday: Work on improving your introduction and conclusion.

Wednesday: Continue working on draft.

Thursday: Final draft due on Monday, December 13. You must also turn in 1) your rough draft, 2) your long paragraph, and 3) your informal outline.

Homework for November 29-December 3

Monday: Complete the informal outline for your upcoming paper. Due tomorrow, Tuesday, November 30.

Tuesday: Turn your outline into a paragraph. Due tomorrow, Wednesday, December 1.

Wednesday: Study for tomorrow's unit test on Of Mice and Men. Also, work on expanded outline for essay, due Monday.


Possible Tasks for the Of Mice and Men Literary Analysis Essay
1. Select a character in Of Mice and Men and explain what his or her experiences reveal about the important themes in the book.
2. Select one of the important themes in Of Mice and Men and explain how the theme is revealed through the experiences of at least three characters in the book.
3. Choose one of the motifs in Of Mice and Men and explain what it reveals about one or more of the themes in the book.
*4. Curley’s wife is never named in the book. In an essay, explain the significance of this omission. Some (but not the only) questions to consider: What does it reveal about Curley’s wife and her status in society? What might it reveal about John Steinbeck and his attitudes?
*5. To what degree does George exercise free will? To what degree is his fate determined by circumstances beyond his control? In an essay, consider the natural and social forces that help defeat George. In addition, consider the choices he makes and the weaknesses within his own character that contribute to his defeat.
*These are more challenging tasks.


Tuesday:

Homework for November 22-24

Monday: No HW. If you'd like to work on the in-class screenplay assignment, here are the questions to help you with your planning:

Who are your George and Lennie? How do they know each other? What is their dream?
What work do they do? Where do they look for work? What happened at their last job?
Who is your screenplay’s Candy? What is his disability? What kind of pet does he have?
Who is your screenplay’s Crooks? Why is he discriminated against by the others?
Who is your screenplay’s Curley? What are his interests?
What is “Curley’s wife” like? What are her dreams?

Tuesday: No HW.

Wednesday: No HW.

Homework for November 15-19

Monday: 191 and 192: Read Chapters 5 & 6 in Of Mice and Men. Then answer questions in packet (including character and plot charts) and write a 4-step summary of EACH chapter (two summaries total). Due Wednesday, November 18.

193 and 194: Read Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Men. Then answer questions in packet (including character and plot charts) and write a 4-step summary of the chapter. Due Thursday, November 19.

Tuesday: See Monday.

Wednesday: TBA

Thursday/Friday: TBA

Homework for November 8-12

Monday: 191 and 192: Read Chapter 3 of Of Mice and Men. Also answer the Chapter 3 questions and create a summary for the chapter using the 4-Step Summary Method. Due Wednesday, November 10.

193 and 194: Read Chapter 2 of Of Mice and Men. Also answer the Chapter 2 questions and create a summary for the chapter using the 4-Step Summary Method. Due Wednesday, November 10.

Wednesday: Read Chapter 4 of Of Mice and Men. Also answer the Chapter 4 questions and create a summary for the chapter using the 4-Step Summary Method. Due Wednesday, November 15.

193 and 194: Read Chapter 3 of Of Mice and Men. Also answer the Chapter 3 questions and create a summary for the chapter using the 4-Step Summary Method. Due Wednesday, November 15.

Helpful Of Mice and Men Links

Click on Of Mice and Men Student Survival Guide for helpful vocabulary, allusions, and idioms.

Click here for an audio download of Of Mice and Men.

Homework for November 1-5

November 1: Independent Reading Book Project due Wednesday, November 3. (This project was assigned in September; please check September homework assignments for a link to the project.)

Also, complete the Of Mice and Men Anticipation Guide and related writing assignment. Due November 3.

November 2: No school for students due to Election Day.

November 3: No homework.

November 4: Read Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men. Also, complete Chapter 1 questions and turn in your 4-Step Summary of Chapter 1 (completed in class). Due Monday, November 8.

Click here for the Of Mice and Men Packet.


Click here for the Of Mice and Men Character Chart.

Click here for the Of Mice and Men Plot Mountain.

Link here to the Of Mice and Men webquest.

Homework for October 25-29

Monday: The final draft of the Literary Analysis Essay is due tomorrow, October 26. In addition, the Evidence Chart, Body Paragraph Outlines, and Rough Draft must be turned in!

Tuesday-Thursday: To be announced.

Homework for October 18-22

Monday: Expand outlines for 3 body paragraphs by adding additional explanations and quotations. Due Tuesday, October 19.

Wednesday: Write an introduction for your essay and turn your outlines into body paragraphs. Draft with introduction and body paragraphs due Thursday, October 21, for 192, 193, and 194; due Friday, October 22, for 191.

Thursday: Catch up on any missing work.

Homework for October 12-15

Tuesday: Bring a copy of the story you have selected to analyze for your Literary Analysis Essay. Due Wednesday, October 13.

Wednesday: Complete the Evidence for Literary Analysis Essay Worksheet if you have not finished it in class. Due Thursday, October 14.

Thursday: Complete a (very) rough draft of the Literary Analysis Essay. Due Monday, October 18. Click here for a copy of the Literary Analysis Essay Rubric.

Homework for October 4-8

TEST THIS WEEK! There is a unit test on the various literary devices we've studied. A list of the relevant terms will be provided in class. Students should not just know definitions. They should also be able to identify the devices in stories or passages and analyze how they are used.

Monday: All classes will finish the "Brownies" Metaphor/Simile Character chart. 193 and 194 need to re-read "Brownies" as well as complete a plot mountain, summary, and two-sentence summary for the story. Quiz tomorrow!


Tuesday: Read Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" as well as complete a plot mountain, summary, and two-sentence summary for the story. Quiz tomorrow!

Study Questions for "The Cask of Amontillado" (optional)
1. Who has the narrator vowed to take revenge on? Why? 2. How does Montresor get his victim to follow him? 3. On the walk the two men discuss Montresor's family motto. How is this foreshadowing the future? What does it foreshadow? 4. How does Montresor take his revenge?


Wednesday: Study for test tomorrow.

Thursday: No homework.

Banned Books Week

This week is Banned Books Week. See (and go on to read) the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books, 2000 and 2009!

Homework for September 27-October 1

Monday through Tuesday: See Thursday's assignment for the previous week.

Wednesday: Complete theme chart for a story for ONE of the following: "Everyday Use," "The Scarlet Ibis," or "The Lottery." Due Thursday for all classes except 191 (due Friday).


Thursday: No homework.

Homework for September 20-24

Monday: Read "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker by Wednesday, September 22. Complete a plot mountain, summary, and two-sentence summary of the story.

Tuesday: No homework.

Wednesday: Complete a Character Analysis Chart by tomorrow.

Thursday: For next week, students will have to read several stories and complete a plot mountain, short summary, and two-sentence summary for EACH of them. The stories and due dates follow below:
191, 192, 193, 194: Read "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst by Monday, September 27.
191, 192, 193, 194: Read "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson by Tuesday, September 28.
191 and 192: Read "Brownies" by ZZ Packer by Wednesday, September 29. [This story is not available online; please get a copy from Ms. Xeni.]

Homework for September 13-17

Monday: 1) Quiz on class rules, rewards, and procedures tomorrow! 2) Parent Letter should be signed and returned by Wednesday, September 15.

Tuesday: Bring in signed Parent Letter tomorrow, Wednesday, September 15. Read "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury by Thursday, September 16.

Wednesday: Read "All Summer in a Day" by tomorrow. [See link to story above.] Also, bring in independent reading book in no later than Monday!

Click here for information about the Independent Reading Project, due November 3. Plan ahead!

Thursday/Friday: No homework over weekend, but bring in independent reading book in no later than Monday!

Homework for September 8

Wednesday: ELA Information Sheet, completed by a parent or guardian, is due Monday, September 13.



Also, the following supplies are required in class by Monday, September 13:
1) One section in a three-ring binder
2) Dividers
3) Loose-leaf paper
4) A two-pocket folder
5) Pencils
6) Pens (black and dark blue only)
7) Assignment pad
8) Book for independent reading

Homework June 14-18

Persuasive Letter Form Link

Homework June 7-11

Because of the shortened week, there will be no homework assigned this week.

Homework for June 1-4

Tuesday: Finish the chapbook project, which is due for ALL classes TOMORROW! A copy of the assignment and rubric follow below.

Link to Chapbook Assignment and Rubric

Wednesday and Thursday: To be announced.

Homework for May 24-28

Monday-Friday: Work on your Chapbook Project, due Wednesday, June 2! Details follow below.

Chapbook Project Link

Monday: Revise at least 1 poem by Tuesday.

Tuesday: Revise 1 more poem by Wednesday.

Wednesday: Revise your last 2 poems by Thursday.

Thursday: Work on project, including the draft of your title page and table of contents.

Homework for May 17-21

Monday: "Lies" Poem due tomorrow.

Tuesday: "Color" Poem due tomorrow.

Wednesday: "I Used to/But Now" poem due tomorrow.

Thursday: "Everything" Poem due Monday.

Homework for May 10-14

Monday: No HW. Make up any missed work. (Missed work is posted in my room and updated each week!)

Tuesday: Comparisons poem worksheet is due Wednesday.

Comparison Poem

Wednesday: No HW.

Thursday: "Sound Poems" poems due Thursday. (Worksheet will be posted shortly.)

Sounds Poem

Friday: No class--6th-grade bowling trip!

Homework for May 3-7

Homework will be light this week because of the upcoming math exam.

Monday: No homework.

Tuesday: No homework.

Wednesday: No homework.

Thursday: "I Wish" poem is due on Monday, May 10, for all classes.

iseempoemworksheet

Homework for April 26-30

Monday and Tuesday: There will be no homework due on these days due to the ELA exam. Just get some sleep!

HOWEVER, there is a poem due on Thursday for Poem in Your Pocket Day, April 29. Please start looking for a poem you really like and would like to share with others!

Wednesday: Bring in a poem for Poem in Your Pocket Day. Due tomorrow!

Thursday: Home Reading Log due next Thursday.

Homework for April 19-23

THE STATE ELA EXAM STARTS MONDAY, APRIL 26! ONLY 5 MORE SCHOOL DAYS TO PREPARE!

Monday: Complete questions 31-33 in the "Sample 2005, Book 3" Packet. The link to the packet is below. Due tomorrow.

Sample Test 2005, Book 3 (Birds and Catfish)

Tuesday: Complete question 34 (the essay) in "Sample 2005, Book 3" Packet. The link is above. Due Wednesday.

Wednesday: To be announced.

Thursday: To be announced.

Homework for April 13-17

Only 10 more school days until the ELA exam!

Link to Book 2 January 14-17, 2008, Listening Packet ("Bat in the Refrigerator")

Link to Listening Passage (in case you were out when we took the notes)

Monday: Skullies (6C) and B-Unit (6B): Complete questions 27 and 29 in your Listening and Reading Packet. Due tomorrow.

Slim Shadies (6A) and Disobeyers (6D): No HW.

Tuesday: Skullies (6C) and B-Unit (6B): Complete question 30 (the essay) in your Listening and Reading Packet. Due tomorrow.

Slim Shadies (6A) and Disobeyers (6D): Same as Skullies/B-Unit homework for Monday.

Wednesday: Skullies (6C) and B-Unit (6B): Homework to be announced.

Slim Shadies (6A) and Disobeyers (6D): Same as Skullies/B-Unit homework for Tuesday.

Thursday: All classes: Complete the "Lydia's Lasso" packet. Due Monday, April 19.

Book 2 Sample Test 2005 Listening Packet ("Lydia's Lasso")

"Lydia's Lasso" passage, in case you weren't in class when I read it

Homework for April 8-10

Wednesday: A "Practice Multiple Choice Packet" will be given out today to all classes. Please read "Penguins Are Funny Birds" in packet and complete all questions if not done in class.

Link to "Practice Multiple Choice Packet"

Also, please complete and turn in Vacation Packets if they were not completed over the break.

Thursday: Please read "Lost!: A Revolutionary Tale" in packet and answer questions if not done in class.

Friday: No HW.

Homework for March 22-26 . . . and the Vacation!

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, I have been unable to post assignments on the blog for the past two weeks. I am trying to remedy the problem. In the meantime, please pick up assignments in class!

Monday: All classes should complete the Alliteration and Onomatopoeia Worksheet. Due Wednesday.

Tuesday: Half day. No homework.

Wednesday: Study for test tomorrow. Complete review worksheet.

Thursday: Vacation Packets will be given out. These are VERY IMPORTANT preparation for the New York State ELA Exam. Due on April 7!

Homework for March 15-19

Monday: Continue Home Reading Log. Due Thursday.

Tuesday: All classes except Skullies: Complete "Willow and Ginkgo" Worksheet. Due tomorrow, March 17.

Willow Ginkgo

Skullies: Complete "My Day" worksheet. Due tomorrow, March 17.

My Day

Wednesday: Complete metaphor worksheet. [I had trouble posting these. They are available in class.] Complete HRL for tomorrow.

Thursday: No HW.

Paul Bunyan Link

Homework for March 8-12

Monday: All classes: Continue HRL. Work on any missing work. (If you need a list of missing assignments or the assignments themselves, please speak to Ms. Xeni!)

Tuesday: All classes: Complete worksheet. (It will be posted shortly.) Due tomorrow, Wednesday, March 10.

Wednesday: All classes: Study for test on myths, fables, folk tales, fairy tales, tall tales, and legends. Personification, first-person point of view, third-person point of view, third-person omniscient point-of-view, and narrator are other concepts that may appear on the test!

Also, HRL is due tomorrow!

Thursday/Friday: Start new HRL!

Here Are Some Cool Myth Cartoons

http://www.abc.net.au/arts/wingedsandals/storytime/

Homework for March 1-5

Monday: Slim Shadies and Skullies: Read "The Three Little Pigs." Also, use today to catch up on any missed work. Due Tuesday.

Pigs Compare Contrast

B-Unit and Disobeyers: Read "The Crane Maiden" and "Aunt Misery." Due Tuesday.

Crane Maiden

Tuesday: Slim Shadies and Skullies: Complete the compare and contrast chart in your packet. Due Wednesday.

B-Unit and Disobeyers: Complete the compare and contrast chart in your packet. Also, complete the multiple-choice questions. Due Wednesday.

Wednesday: All classes: Complete compare and contrast essay in packet. Due Thursday.

Thursday: No homework.

Friday: Field Trip!

Homework for February 22-26

This is a good week to catch up on Home Reading Logs, which many students have not been handing in. If you need a copy, please ask for one in class, or print one out from this web site! (Check under the September homework assignments on this blog for a copy!)

Monday, February 22: Complete Personification Worksheet. Due tomorrow.

personificationws

Tuesday, February 23: Short Responses Fable Worksheet is due tomorrow.

Short Response Fable

Wednesday, February 24: Please complete the Puppet Autobiography. It is due Monday. See below.

Puppet Auto Bio

Thursday: No homework due to shortened day.

Homework for February 8-12

Some classes did not receive the Home Reading Log last week. They will receive the reading log this week and will be responsible only for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on the log.

Monday: Create a Graphic Organizer to prepare for the unit test on Thursday. More information follows below:

Number the Stars Test Preparation [test is on Thursday, February 11]

1. There will be about 10 multiple choice questions on the test and may include questions about

events in the novel

characters and character traits

conflicts (external and internal) in the novel

themes in the novel

symbols

the book’s genre (historical fiction)

2. You will NOT have to write an essay on the test. You WILL need to complete a graphic organizer for the prompt below.

Study the two themes below.

Courage means doing the right thing even though you’re scared to.

Young people can change the world.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Test Preparation [test is on Thursday, February 11]

1. There will be about 10 multiple choice questions on the test and may include questions about

events in the novel

characters and character traits

conflicts (external and internal) in the novel

themes in the novel

symbols

the book’s genres (historical fiction and fable)

2. You will NOT have to write an essay on the test. You WILL need to complete a graphic organizer for the prompt below.

Study the two themes below.

Fences may divide us, but love and friendship unite us.

Good people will do the right thing even during evil times.

Write an essay in which you tell which theme better fits the book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Use details from the story to support your answer.

In your answer, be sure to

· choose one of the two lessons

· explain why this lesson is appropriate to the story

· use details from the story to support your answer

Tuesday and Wednesday: Field trips!

Thursday: Test on Number the Stars or Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Home Reading Logs are due.

Homework for February 1-5

The Home Reading Log is baaaaaaaack!!!! It is due on Thursday, February 4.

Monday: Continue Home Reading Log. Please finish the conflict worksheet, which is available below. (For students reading The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Parts II and III of the worksheet follow in a second document!) Due Tuesday, February 2.

Conflict Sample NTS

bitspconflict

Tuesday: Continue HRL.

We worked on Short Response Questions in class. Here are the worksheets. (The first is for Number the Stars; the second is for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.)

Number the Stars Short Responses

Boy in the Striped Short Responses

Wednesday: Work on essay prompt. Continue HRL. Both due tomorrow, February 4.

Essay Assignment for Number the Stars

Essay Assignment for Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Thursday/Friday: Continue HRL.

Homework for January 25-29

Monday: Continue reading in Number the Stars (all classes except Brainiacs); continue reading in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Brainiacs only). All classes should continue to work on their question packets and vocabulary.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Continue working on packets for Number the Stars or The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Packets due Thursday, January 28.

Thursday/Friday: Home Reading Log is due NEXT Thursday!

Students are reading according to their own personalized schedules. However, ALL students must be finished with their books no later than TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, AND their packets no later than THURSDAY, JANUARY 28!

Homework for January 19-22

Because students are reading their novels and answering questions in their packets, we are NOT keeping track of reading in the Home Reading Logs!

Tuesday through Friday: Continue reading in either Number the Stars (all classes except Brainiacs); continue reading in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Brainiacs only). All classes should continue to complete their question packets and vocabulary.

Students are reading according to their own personalized schedules. However, ALL students must be finished with their books AND packets NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JANUARY 26!

Homework for January 11-15

There is NO Home Reading Log due this week. Students will all read their novels this week and fill out the packets instead! (The packets appear below, one for Number the Stars, the other for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.)

numberthestarspkt

BintheSP Packet

Monday: All classes EXCEPT Brainiacs will read Ch. 5 & 6 in Number the Stars, answer the Ch. 5 & 6 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Tuesday, January 12.

Brainiacs will read Ch. 6 & 7 in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, answer the Ch. 6 & 7 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Tuesday, January 12.

Tuesday: All classes EXCEPT Brainiacs will read Ch. 7 & 8 in Number the Stars, answer the Ch. 7 & 8 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Wednesday, January 13.

Brainiacs will read Ch. 8 & 9 in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, answer the Ch. 8 & 9 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Wednesday, January 13.

Wednesday: All classes EXCEPT Brainiacs will read Ch. 9 & 10 in Number the Stars, answer the Ch. 9 & 10 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Thursday, January 14.

Brainiacs will read Ch. 10 & 11 in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, answer the Ch. 10 & 11 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Thursday, January 14.

Thursday: All classes EXCEPT Brainiacs will read Ch. 11 & 12 in Number the Stars, answer the Ch. 9 & 10 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Tuesday, January 19.

Brainiacs will read Ch. 12, 13, & 14 in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, answer the Ch. 12, 13, & 14 questions, and complete the appropriate vocabulary section on the Context Clue organizer. Due Tuesday, January 19.

Homework for January 4-8

Home Reading Logs for this week are due on Thursday, January. Only the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday boxes need to be filled this week!

Monday: The run-on sentences worksheet, posted below, is due tomorrow, Tuesday, January 5.

Run on 1

Tuesday: Continue Home Reading Log.

Wednesday: Masterminds, Geniuses, and Smarties: Read Ch. 1 & 2 in Number the Stars, answer appropriate questions, and define vocabulary. Due tomorrow, Wednesday, January 7!

Brainiacs: Read Ch. 1 & 2 in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, answer appropriate questions, and define vocabulary. Due tomorrow, Wednesday, January 7!

Thursday/Friday: Masterminds, Geniuses, and Smarties: Read Ch. 3 & 4 in Number the Stars, answer appropriate questions, and define vocabulary. Due Monday, January 11.

Brainiacs: Read Ch. 3, 4, & 5 in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, answer appropriate questions, and define vocabulary. Due Monday, January 11.