12/05 - 12/16/2011

District Midterms - 12/06 - 12/09
This test will be recorded in Gradespeed for the 3rd six weeks. The student's score will be interpreted as it relates to the IB grading system.

English 8 Midterm - 12/13 - 12/14
Students should be diligently studying for the midterm. They have had extensive exposure to the exam material. The students have been afforded every opportunity to be successful such as multiple tutorial sessions after school, a study guide and one-on-one question and answer sessions. Therefore, I expect them to do well!

AR Points
The week of 12/12 will be the last opportunity to take AR test. Students, please make sure you are testing at every opportunity to increase your AR grade. Remember, every point helps!

Of Mice and Men (PreAp)
Multimedia Characterization Projects are due 12/09 by 11:59pm - No Excuses!
Email to kstreams@houstonisd.org or kstreams4@yahoo.com

Assignments in Gradespeed
The assignments that will be assessed and recorded this six weeks are listed in Gradespeed. Students, please check Gradespeed as often as needed for updates.

Tutorial Schedule & Gradespeed Update

Tutorial Schedule

Characterization Project - Tuesday 12/06 - 325p to 515p (PreAp Only)

Midterm Review - Thursday 12/08 - 325p to 430p (PreAp & Academic)

Midterm Review - Monday 12/12 - 325p to 430p (PreAp & Academic)

Gradespeed Update

Gradespeed will be updated by Sunday 12/11. If you are missing an assignment, please check gradespeed.

*Please make sure you are studying the midterm. Retakes for substandard grades will be given after the Winter break and by appointment only.*

11/28 - 12/02/2011

3rd Six Weeks Assignments & Assessments

• Checkpoint - Meaningful Sentences with Phrases
• Characterization - Of Mice and Men
• Ch. 1 - 3 - Of Mice and Men
• Ch. 4 - 6 - Of Mice and Men
• Middle of the Year (District) Assessment
• English Midterm (x2)
• Of Mice and Men - Characterization Multimedia Project
• AR Points

Have you taken an AR test?

Students, please remember an AR grade will be recorded during the 3rd six weeks. Please refer to page 25 in the notebook for AR details.

 

Of Mice and Men - Chart Check

Understanding Figurative; Analysis & Responding to Literature; Vocabulary in Context

(Ch. 4 - 6) - 11/29 & 11/30

 

District Assessment - Wednesday 12/07

Reading Comprehension (2 Passages/30 Questions)

 

English 8 Midterm

A comprehensive semester midterm will be given Tuesday, 12/12 & Wednesday, 12/13 during the student's class period. The students were given a study guide to work through as it will prepare them for the midterm. The students should use their composition notebook to complete the study guide. The midterm will not exceed 40 questions. Tutorials will be designed to cover the concepts on the midterm.

 

*Tutorials - THURSDAY 325pm - 5pm*

 

Of Mice and Men - Characterization Multimedia Project
Students received a detailed instruction sheet. It is located on page 40 of the composition notebook. Below is a brief description of the project's parts.

Part I – Creating a Web

• Create a Character Web for one character.
• Describe the character with six different traits
• You must provide text evidence for each character trait.
• See the list of character traits for examples.  

Part II – Using Character Terms to describe your character

• Is your character dynamic or static? Provide an explanation.
• There is no sentence minimum or maximum. However, your answer must be thorough and display a depth of knowledge. Refer to rubric – Criterion A

Part III – Concrete Object with Abstract Representation

• Select an object that best represents your character.
• Then, explain the abstract idea that is represented by the object. 
•   Example: Object: Heart; Abstract Idea: Love
• Explain how the object and abstract idea represent the character.
• There is no sentence minimum or maximum. However, your answer must be thorough and display a depth of knowledge. Refer to rubric – Criterion A

How do I present my understanding?

• Glogster or PowerPoint
• Email PowerPoint or Glogster to kstreams@houstonisd.org by 11:59pm 12/09/2011
• The subject of the email MUST include your name and class period. Example: Charles Bennett B2

 

11/21 - 22/2011 *Thanksgiving Break*

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck 

Recommended Purchase (Not Required)

Chapter 5 - 11/21 & 11/22

Chapter 5 Chart: Students will explore the following concepts -

• Figurative Language & its Purpose
• Meaning Text (Quote/Context/Commentary)
• Vocabulary (Based on Context Clues)

Locating Phrases & Creating Meaningful Sentences

• Complete handout - due 11/28