September 6, 2021
Sixth Grade English
April 5, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students read independently, practiced for the Forward Exam, listened to the novel The Wave, and took a listening quiz from the read aloud. This week students will continue to practice for the Forward Exam that students will take the following week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students submitted their formal essays on the mood of a short story by Richard Matheson, and they also read nonfiction pieces from ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions from these pieces. Students also read independently and listened to The Wave by Todd Strasser. This week students will take practice tests for the Forward Exam.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students finished pieces for the third edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary art magazine. Students also practice using correct irregular verbs and practiced vocabulary words. This week students will assemble and distribute Paw Prints, continue practicing using irregular verbs, and continue practicing vocabulary words.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students finished pieces for the third edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary art magazine. Students also practice using correct irregular verbs and practiced vocabulary words. This week students will assemble and distribute Paw Prints, continue practicing using irregular verbs, and continue practicing vocabulary words.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, practiced for the Forward Exam, and read a script from The Twilight Zone entitled “Where is Everybody.” This week students will continue to practice for the Forward Exam that students will take the following week.
March 8, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students completed the layout of their news articles for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students used Microsoft Publisher and added photos and captions to their articles. Students also worked in writers’ workshop and continued studying vocabulary in Membean. This week students will do final editing of The Bulldog Bark, assemble and distribute it, continue Membean, practice editing misplaced modifiers, and work on assembling the next edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell's literary arts magazine.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued to work on their formal essays on the works of Richard Matheson. Students selected one of the Matheson short stories we read and analyzed how the mood of the story was demonstrated in diction (word choice), setting, and dialogue. This essay is due Monday, March 8. This week students will continue to work on their essays, and they will also read nonfiction pieces and answer comprehension questions from these pieces.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students completed the layout of their news articles for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students used Microsoft Publisher and added photos and captions to their articles. Students also worked in writers’ workshop and continued studying vocabulary in Membean. This week students will do final editing of The Bulldog Bark, assemble and distribute it, continue Membean, practice editing misplaced modifiers, and work on assembling the next edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell's literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students completed the layout of their news articles for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students used Microsoft Publisher and added photos and captions to their articles. Students also worked in writers’ workshop and continued studying vocabulary in Membean. This week students will do final editing of The Bulldog Bark, assemble and distribute it, continue Membean, practice editing misplaced modifiers, and work on assembling the next edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell's literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students focused on nonfiction pieces from ReadWorks and provided evidence from the various texts they read while answering comprehension questions. Students also read independently and listened to the A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. Students practiced listening skills and answered questions from the novel.
February 22, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students completed a formal debate with the motion “Washington-Caldwell should not require students to complete homework.” They practiced making arguments, refuting arguments, and answering points of information presented by the opposing team, and students gained valuable practice in persuasive writing and public speaking. Students will select another motion next week. Also next week students will work on final drafts of their news articles and hopefully begin the layout process for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth GradeReading
This week students worked on a nonfiction piece in ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions. Students also began work on a formal essay on the works of Richard Matheson. Students selected one of the Matheson short stories we read and will write about the mood of the story as demonstrated in diction (word choice), setting, and dialogue. This essay is due Wednesday, March 3.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students completed a formal debate with the motion “Washington-Caldwell should not require students to complete homework.” They practiced making arguments, refuting arguments, and answering points of information presented by the opposing team, and students gained valuable practice in persuasive writing and public speaking. Students will select another motion next week. Also next week students will work on final drafts of their news articles and hopefully begin the layout process for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students completed a formal debate with the motion “Washington-Caldwell should allow class pets.” They practiced making arguments, refuting arguments, and answering points of information presented by the opposing team, and students gained valuable practice in persuasive writing and public speaking. Students will select another motion next week. Also next week students will work on final drafts of their news articles and hopefully begin the layout process for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read a nonfiction piece from ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions from the piece. Students also read another script written by Rod Serling entitled “The Midnight Sun.” Students selected roles to read and acted the piece with voice inflection, volume and emotion. Next week students will conclude their study of Rod Serling.
January 25, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued to learn about formal debates with the introduction of refutation and the practicing of presenting arguments. Students worked in teams of three to argue for or against having elective classes at Washington-Caldwell. Next week students will continue practicing debates. Also last week, students began working with a vocabulary website called Membean. This site pretests students and introduces them to new vocabulary words in a variety of ways. Students will use this website for fifteen minutes three times a week. Students will continue to practice parts of speech and work in a writers workshop at least two times a week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read the script from The Twilight Zone by Richard Matheson entitled “Nightmare at 20, 000 Feet.” They also watched the television episode from 1959 and the movie version of the short story from 1983. Students discussed the differences between the short story, the script, and the two media versions. Students will continue reading short stories and teleplays by Richard Matheson, and then write an essay of Matheson’s works. Students will have several options to choose from for their essay. Students will also read nonfiction pieces from ReadWorks and answer comprehension questions from these pieces.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued to learn about formal debates with the introduction of refutation and the practicing of presenting arguments. Students worked in teams of three to argue for or against having elective classes at Washington-Caldwell. Next week students will continue practicing debates. Also last week, students began working with a vocabulary website called Membean. This site pretests students and introduces them to new vocabulary words in a variety of ways. Students will use this website for fifteen minutes three times a week. Students will continue to practice parts of speech and work in a writers workshop at least two times a week.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued to learn about formal debates with the introduction of refutation and the practicing of presenting arguments. Students worked in teams of three to argue for or against having elective classes at Washington-Caldwell. Next week students will continue practicing debates. Also last week, students began working with a vocabulary website called Membean. This site pretests students and introduces them to new vocabulary words in a variety of ways. Students will use this website for fifteen minutes three times a week. Students will continue to practice parts of speech and work in a writers workshop at least two times a week.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, read nonfiction pieces in ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions from the pieces. Students also read another script from The Twilight Zone, “The Howling Man.” Next week students will continue to read from Readworks, read more stories by Rod Serling, and read independently.
January 11, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students learned a new warm-up activity: Mr. T’s Scrabble Fun Party, reviewed the next edition of Paw Prints, continued to review parts of speech, and took the Winter MAP test. Next week students will assemble and deliver the January edition of Paw Prints, learn when to use the ellipsis, continue practicing parts of speech, and write in Writers’ Workshop.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read an obituary and biography of American author Richard Matheson and read his short story “Born of Man and Woman.” Students also began construction of their rockets inspired by their reading of October Sky. Next week students will complete construction of their rockets and learn about launching them. Students will also continue to explore the works of Richard Matheson.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students learned a new warm-up activity: Mr. T’s Scrabble Fun Party, reviewed the next edition of Paw Prints, continued to review parts of speech, learned about the ellipsis, and continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will assemble and deliver the January edition of Paw Prints, continue practicing parts of speech, and write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students learned a new warm-up activity: Mr. T’s Scrabble Fun Party, reviewed the next edition of Paw Prints, continued to review parts of speech, and took the Winter MAP test. Next week students will assemble and deliver the January edition of Paw Prints, learn when to use the ellipsis, continue practicing parts of speech, and write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read a short biography of Rod Serling and read two scripts from Serling’s classic television series The Twilight Zone: “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up” and “Nothing in the Dark.” Students also worked on the winter MAP test. Next week students will read short stories that inspired episodes of The Twilight Zone, and then read the teleplays inspired by these short stories. Students will discuss and write about literary elements used in both the short stories and scripts.
January 4, 2021
Eighth Grade English
This week students will review the Latin and Greek affixes introduced before break: on-, bio-, ge-, onym-, log-and -ology. Students will take a quiz on these on Tuesday. Students will begin reviewing how to write a multiple paragraph essay from a prompt, edit the second edition of Paw Prints, and continue to write in Writers’ Workshop.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students will begin reading pieces by Richard Matheson. Matheson was an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Students will read short stories and television screenplays by Matheson, and they will also watch the television episodes and movie adaptations created from Matheson’s ideas.
Seventh Grade English
This week students will review the Latin and Greek affixes introduced before break: on-, bio-, ge-, onym-, log-and -ology. Students will take a quiz on these on Tuesday. Students will begin reviewing how to write a multiple paragraph essay from a prompt, edit the second edition of Paw Prints, and continue to write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade English
This week students will review the Latin and Greek affixes introduced before break: on-, bio-, ge-, onym-, log-and -ology. Students will take a quiz on these on Tuesday. Students will begin reviewing how to write a multiple paragraph essay from a prompt, edit the second edition of Paw Prints, and continue to write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade Reading
This week students will read additional screenplays from the Classic television series The Twilight Zone. Students will discuss plot, setting, and character development in the screenplays. Students will also begin listening to a new read aloud novel entitled The Wave. The Wave is about a group of high school students who get caught up in learning about facism during World War Two.
November 30, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week in the shortened week, students took a quiz on the Latin and Greek affixes from last week. Students also continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will continue editing the news articles for The Bulldog Bark, learn five new affixes, and continue to create pieces for the next issue of Paw Prints.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued working on their formal essays about common themes in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. This week students will continue working on the essay and listening to October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickham. Students will also conference about the progress of their formal essays.
Seventh Grade English
Last week in the shortened week, students took a quiz on the Latin and Greek affixes from last week. Students also continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will continue editing the news articles for The Bulldog Bark, learn five new affixes, and continue to create pieces for the next issue of Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade English
Last week in the shortened week, students took a quiz on the Latin and Greek affixes from last week. Students also continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will continue editing the news articles for The Bulldog Bark, learn five new affixes, and continue to create pieces for the next issue of Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students continued listening to and discussing The Call of the Wild, reading from their own novels, and writing about what they have been reading. This week students will continue writing essay-type questions from The Call of the Wild.
November 16, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students received their copy of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students also continued working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. The written draft is due on Friday, November 20. Students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher after Thanksgiving break. Students also started the first in a series of vocabulary work last week. Each week students will learn five Latin or Greek roots. Last week they started with matr-(mother), patr-(father), anti-(against), ante-(before), and post-(after). Students reviewed over fifty words with these roots. They do not need to memorize the words, they just need to know the meaning of the prefixes. They will have a quiz each Monday.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began working on their formal essays about common themes in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. This week students will continue working on the essay and listening to October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickham. A timeline for the Poe essay can be found on Mr. Thompson’s webpage
2020 Poe Essay Timeline
Monday, November 9
Students introduced to Poe essay and began selecting a theme
Friday, November 13
Students need to know the theme they are going to write about. By the end of class, students should have identified examples from at least three of the texts with those examples highlighted or copied into a document.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday November 16-18
Students will have time in class to begin and continue writing their essays.
By Monday, November 23
Introduction and first two body paragraphs are due
By Friday, December 4
The rest of the essay is due.
During the week of December 7
Mr. Thompson will conference with students to offer final tips before essays are printed and turned in on Friday, December 11.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students received their copy of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students also continued working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. The written draft is due on Friday, November 20. Students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher after Thanksgiving break. Students also started the first in a series of vocabulary work last week. Each week students will learn five Latin or Greek roots. Last week they started with matr-(mother), patr-(father), anti-(against), ante-(before), and post-(after). Students reviewed over fifty words with these roots. They do not need to memorize the words, they just need to know the meaning of the prefixes. They will have a quiz each Monday.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students received their copy of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students also continued working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. The written draft is due on Friday, November 20. Students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher after Thanksgiving break. Students also started the first in a series of vocabulary work last week. Each week students will learn five Latin or Greek roots. Last week they started with matr-(mother), patr-(father), anti-(against), ante-(before), and post-(after). Students reviewed over fifty words with these roots. They do not need to memorize the words, they just need to know the meaning of the prefixes. They will have a quiz each Monday.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students watched The Mighty, continued reading The Call of the Wild , and had more time to read independently. It’s important for students to read independently and discover who they are as readers. Students will journal more about what they are reading and incorporate literary terms into their journaling.
November 9, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students began work on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark; they selected topics and began gathering needed information. Students also continued to work in Writers’ Workshop, creating pieces in both prose and poetry, and within their writing, students practiced writing with semicolons. Next week students will distribute the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and began talking about the formal essay that students will write examining a common theme found in the Poe pieces that we read. Next week students will begin in earnest work on the essay. Students will also continue listening to and discussing October Sky, the Homer Hickam memoir.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students began work on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark; they selected topics and began gathering needed information. Students also continued to work in Writers’ Workshop, creating pieces in both prose and poetry, and within their writing, students practiced writing with semicolons. Next week students will distribute the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began work on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark; they selected topics and began gathering needed information. Students also continued to work in Writers’ Workshop, creating pieces in both prose and poetry, and within their writing, students practiced writing with semicolons. Next week students will distribute the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading The Call of theWild and reading independently. Next week students will finally get to watch The Mighty, the movie version of the book Freak the Mighty. Students will identify similarities and differences between the movie and book in preparation for writing a compare/contrast essay. Students will also continue reading The Call of the Wild and reading independently.
October 19, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued working on pieces for Paw Prints, the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine. Students also have begun hanging these pieces in the main hallway in a mosaic of words as art and have continued entering pieces in the Appelley Poetry contest. Next week students will continue reviewing complex sentences and working on using different types of sentences in prose writing to make their pieces more interesting to the reader.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky, took MAP tests, worked on vocabulary from Edgar Allan Poe, and finished reading “The Black Cat.” This week students will continue with October Sky, analyze and cite evidence from “The Black Cat,” and read Poe’s classic poem “Annabel Lee.”
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued working on pieces for Paw Prints, the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine. Students also have begun hanging these pieces in the main hallway in a mosaic of words as art and have continued entering pieces in the Appelley Poetry contest. Next week students will continue reviewing complex sentences and working on using different types of sentences in prose writing to make their pieces more interesting to the reader.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued working on pieces for Paw Prints, the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine. Students also have begun hanging these pieces in the main hallway in a mosaic of words as art and have continued entering pieces in the Appelley Poetry contest. Next week students will continue reviewing complex sentences and working on using different types of sentences in prose writing to make their pieces more interesting to the reader.
Sixth grade Reading
Last week students continued reading The Call of the Wild, took MAP tests, worked on vocabulary from Jack London, and read independently. This week students will continue reading The Call of the Wild, practice vocabulary, and write pieces that cite evidence.
October 12, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students, having completed the first edition of The Bulldog Bark of the new year, began working on pieces for the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students have been working hard in writres’ workshop to create pieces, editing pieces, and then ultimately publishing them. Next week students will review/learn complex sentences and how to use them, continue writing pieces for Paw Prints, and enter pieces into the Appelley Poetry contest, with parental permission.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky and began the analysis of “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. This week students will continue listening to October Sky, analyzing “The Raven,” and begin reading “The Black Cat” by Poe.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students, having completed the first edition of The Bulldog Bark of the new year, began working on pieces for the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students have been working hard in writres’ workshop to create pieces, editing pieces, and then ultimately publishing them. Next week students will review/learn complex sentences and how to use them, continue writing pieces for Paw Prints, and enter pieces into the Appelley Poetry contest, with parental permission.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students, having completed the first edition of The Bulldog Bark of the new year, began working on pieces for the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students have been working hard in writres’ workshop to create pieces, editing pieces, and then ultimately publishing them. Next week students will review/learn complex sentences and how to use them, continue writing pieces for Paw Prints, and enter pieces into the Appelley Poetry contest, with parental permission.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students began work with figurative language from Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” and this week they will finish this. Students will also begin reading The Call of the Wild and continue analyzing the writing of Jack London.
October 5, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students performed final editing on the October edition of The Bulldog Bark, assembled the newspaper, and helped distribute it. They also wrote couplets with compound sentences and wrote pieces inspired by photographs; students also practiced editing these pieces. Next week students will continue writing pieces for the Washington-Caldwell literary magazine, Paw Prints. Students will also enter pieces in a poetry contest and review punctuating complex sentences.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky and finished the analysis of “The Tell-tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. Students are reading well and are taking notes, looking for themes in Poe’s writing. This week students will continue listening to October Sky and begin reading and analyzing the Poe classic poem “The Raven.”
Seventh Grade English
Last week students performed final editing on the October edition of The Bulldog Bark, assembled the newspaper, and helped distribute it. They also wrote couplets with compound sentences and wrote pieces inspired by photographs; students also practiced editing these pieces. Next week students will continue writing pieces for the Washington-Caldwell literary magazine, Paw Prints. Students will also enter pieces in a poetry contest and review punctuating complex sentences.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students performed final editing on the October edition of The Bulldog Bark, assembled the newspaper, and helped distribute it. They also wrote couplets with compound sentences and wrote pieces inspired by photographs; students also practiced editing these pieces. Next week students will continue writing pieces for the Washington-Caldwell literary magazine, Paw Prints. Students will also enter pieces in a poetry contest and review punctuating complex sentences.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to Freak the Mighty and finished reading “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. Students answered questions while citing evidence from the short story. This week students will finish with Freak the Mighty and read another short story by Jack London entitled “A Thousand Deaths,” his first published piece. Students will then read the novel, The Call of the Wild.
September 14, 2020
Eighth Grade English
This week students gathered information and began drafting their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Next week students will finish writing, begin revising, begin editing, and take photographs to round out their articles. The following week, students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher and begin final editing. Also this week students practiced parts of speech, wrote in their writing journals, and practiced editing.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky by Homer Hickham, Jr. and discussed the setting and plot. Students also read independently. Next week students will continue reading October Sky, reading independently, learn/review literary terms, and write in their reading journals.
Seventh Grade English
This week students gathered information and began drafting their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Next week students will finish writing, begin revising, begin editing, and take photographs to round out their articles. The following week, students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher and begin final editing. Also this week students practiced parts of speech, wrote in their writing journals, and practiced editing.
Sixth Grade English
This week students gathered information and began drafting their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Next week students will finish writing, begin revising, begin editing, and take photographs to round out their articles. The following week, students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher and begin final editing. Also this week students practiced parts of speech, wrote in their writing journals, and practiced editing.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, discussed the plot and characters, and wrote about the novel in their reading journals. Students also learned/reviewed the literary terms protagonist, antagonist, setting, and conflict. Students also read independently and wrote about their novels in their reading journals.
September 7, 2020
Eighth Grade English
It was fun getting to see the eighth grade students this week. Each class we will warm up with something called the Sentence Game. It is essentially a game of hangman with a complete sentence. This game will help teach and reinforce parts of speech, types of sentences, and correct punctuation. Last week students created a writing journal in Google Docs where they will practice writing and display what they have learned. Students also began working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark, the Washington-Caldwell school newspaper. This edition will be distributed by the end of the month. Students have selected topics for their articles and have begun researching. Next week, students will organize their articles and begin drafting.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently with the short week. Next week, students will continue to read, create reading journals, and begin listening to October Sky by Homer Hickham, Jr. October Sky is a memoir of a group of students in the 1950’s who built and launched rockets in the wake of the launch of Sputnik.. Our eighth grade class will also build and launch rockets, much like these young scientists.
Seventh Grade English
It was fun getting to see the seventh grade students this week. Each class we will warm up with something called the Sentence Game. It is essentially a game of hangman with a complete sentence. This game will help teach and reinforce parts of speech, types of sentences, and correct punctuation. Last week students created a writing journal in Google Docs where they will practice writing and display what they have learned. Students also began working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark, the Washington-Caldwell school newspaper. This edition will be distributed by the end of the month. Students have selected topics for their articles and have begun researching. Next week, students will organize their articles and begin drafting.
Sixth Grade English
It was fun getting to know the sixth grade students this week. What a wonderful group! Each class we will warm up with something called the Sentence Game. It is essentially a game of hangman with a complete sentence. This game will help teach and reinforce parts of speech, types of sentences, and correct punctuation. Last week students created a writing journal in Google Docs where they will practice writing and display what they have learned. Students also began working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark, the Washington-Caldwell school newspaper. This edition will be distributed by the end of the month. Students have selected topics for their articles and have begun researching. Next week, students will organize their articles and begin drafting.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently and created a reading journal where they will write journal entries about the books they are reading. Students also started listening to Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students seem to be enjoying this read aloud. Next week students will continue to select books, read independently, and write about these novels. They will also continue listening to the read aloud, and begin learning literary terms.
February 24, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Again students read independently, and they read a Ray Bradbury short story, so they could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, read another script, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on their news articles for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark. They also continued to write their speeches for this year’s speech contest, the theme being : “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also worked in the correct usage of pronouns, practiced parts of speech, and played games with synonyms.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on their news articles for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark. They also continued to write their speeches for this year’s speech contest, the theme being : “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also worked in the correct usage of pronouns, practiced parts of speech, and played games with synonyms.
Sixth Grade Reading
Again students read independently, and they read a Ray Bradbury short story, so they could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
February 17, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students shared their ideas and their organization of their speeches. Students also continued working on writing timed essays by reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read another short story by Bradbury, and will continue to practice writing an essay from a prompt based on that short story. Students will also begin working on a news article for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, read another script, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students shared their ideas and their organization of their speeches. Students also continued working on writing timed essays by reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “The Fog Horn,” also by Bradbury, and will continue to practice writing an essay from a prompt based on that short story. Students will also begin working on a news article for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students shared their ideas and their organization of their speeches. Students also continued working on writing timed essays by reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “The Fog Horn,” also by Bradbury, and will continue to practice writing an essay from a prompt based on that short story. Students will also begin working on a news article for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay, and they also read another script of a classic episode of The Twilight Zone. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, read another script, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
February 10, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also began working on writing timed essays by reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Students also read “All Summer in a Day,” also by Bradbury, and will write an essay from a prompt based on that short story.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, take reading assessments to determine reading levels, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also began working on writing timed essays by reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “All Summer in a Day,” also by Bradbury, and will write an essay from a prompt based on that short story.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also began working on writing timed essays by reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “All Summer in a Day,” also by Bradbury, and will write an essay from a prompt based on that short story.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, take reading assessments to determine reading levels, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
February 3, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students wrote odes in the style of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. These poems are odes to common everyday items like tomatoes or a paperclip. Students published them on Friday; look for them in the next edition of the third edition of Paw Prints. The second edition of Paw Prints will feature the pieces submitted by our twenty-four finals in the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students also wrote limericks, practiced parts of speech, and were introduced to this year’s School Speech Contest theme: “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Next week students will begin planning their speeches and begin outlining their speeches, and they will also continue work on the formal debates.
Eight Grade Reading
Last week students worked on completing MAP testing and read independently. Next week students will continue practicing writing constructed response essays after reading reading several pieces. Students will practice reading the pieces and writing a timed multiparagraph essay from a prompt.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students wrote odes in the style of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. These poems are odes to common everyday items like tomatoes or a paperclip. Students published them on Friday; look for them in the next edition of the third edition of Paw Prints. The second edition of Paw Prints will feature the pieces submitted by our twenty-four finals in the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students also wrote limericks, practiced parts of speech, and were introduced to this year’s School Speech Contest theme: “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Next week students will begin planning their speeches and begin outlining their speeches, and they will also continue work on the formal debates.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students wrote odes in the style of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. These poems are odes to common everyday items like tomatoes or a paperclip. Students published them on Friday; look for them in the next edition of the third edition of Paw Prints. The second edition of Paw Prints will feature the pieces submitted by our twenty-four finals in the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students also wrote limericks, practiced parts of speech, and were introduced to this year’s School Speech Contest theme: “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Next week students will begin planning their speeches and begin outlining their speeches, and they will also continue work on the formal debates.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read another script from the classic television show The Twilight Zone entitled “Nothing in the Dark.” Next week students will continue practicing writing constructed response essays after reading reading several pieces. Students will practice reading the pieces and writing a multiparagraph essay from a prompt.
January 27, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students started work on formal debates. The three resolutions students will be debating are the following:
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students completed the reading of their second short story written by Ray Bradbury, “A Sound of Thunder.” Next week students will continue with a third short story by Bradbury entitled “The Whole Town’s Sleeping,” and students will also read independently, journal about their reading, and answer constructed response questions from the Bradbury pieces.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students started work on formal debates. The three resolutions students will be debating are the following:
Sixth Grade English
Last week students started work on formal debates. The three resolutions students will be debating are the following:
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently. This is the most important activity they can practice. Next week students will read the poetry of Robert Frost, practice answering constructed response questions from the poems, read independently, and journal about their reading.
January 13, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students submitted final entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. The twenty-four finalists will be announced on Monday. Also last week students began work on a book review; these are due Wednesday, January 15. Next week students will also continue learning about formal debates. Students will learn the basics of debating: proposition, opposition, refutation, and rebuttal while debating in teams of three. Washington-Caldwell will be sending one debate team to a debate tournament at UW-Whitewater in April.
Eightb Grade Reading
Last week students began reading “The Veldt,” a short story by Ray Bradbury. Next week students will finish the short story and answer constructed response questions from the short story. Students will read five or six short stories in preparation for a formal essay on Bradbury’s writing. Students will also continue reading independently and journaling about their novels.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students submitted final entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. The twenty-four finalists will be announced on Monday. Also last week students began work on a book review; these are due Wednesday, January 15. Next week students will also continue learning about formal debates. Students will learn the basics of debating: proposition, opposition, refutation, and rebuttal while debating in teams of three. Washington-Caldwell will be sending one debate team to a debate tournament at UW-Whitewater in April.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students submitted final entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. The twenty-four finalists will be announced on Monday. Also last week students began work on a book review; these are due Wednesday, January 15. Next week students will also begin learning about formal debates. Students will learn the basics of debating: proposition, opposition, refutation, and rebuttal while debating in teams of three. Washington-Caldwell will be sending one debate team to a debate tournament at UW-Whitewater in April.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students practiced answering questions from “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, continued to read independently, and journaled about what they have been reading. Next week students will continue answering constructed response questions with “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” Students will also continue reading independently and journaling about their reading.
January 6, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Some students submitted their entries, and the final due date is Monday, January 6. All the entries from third through eighth grade will be judged near the end of next week to select the twenty-four finalists to be sent to the final judging in Elkhorn on January 28. This week students will work in writers workshop to get back to writing every day and students will also begin work on formal debates.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students will begin reading the works of Ray Bradbury beginning with hsi short stories. The first short story students will read is “The Veldt.” Students will also continue working in readers workshop where students select their own novels, read from them, and journal about their reading. Assessment of the Edgar Allan Poe essays will also begin.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Some students submitted their entries, and the final due date is Monday, January 6. All the entries from third through eighth grade will be judged near the end of next week to select the twenty-four finalists to be sent to the final judging in Elkhorn on January 28. This week students will work in writers workshop to get back to writing every day and students will also begin work on formal debates
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Some students submitted their entries, and the final due date is Monday, January 6. All the entries from third through eighth grade will be judged near the end of next week to select the twenty-four finalists to be sent to the final judging in Elkhorn on January 28. This week students will work in writers workshop to get back to writing every day and students will also begin work on formal debates.
Sixth Grade Reading
This week students will practice identifying a common theme in a short story, in this case “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” Students will also continue working in readers workshop where students select their own novels, read from them, and journal about their reading.
December 16, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students made edits to their news articles and layed out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will perform group edits of The Bulldog Bark, assemble the newspaper and distribute it. Also next week students will also distribute the inaugural edition of the literary arts magazine, Paw Prints.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students worked on their Edgar Allan Poe essays and conferenced with me about their progress, and the essays are looking very good. The final copies are due Wednesday when students will print their essays and perform final edits. Students also began listening to The Coalwood Way, another memoir by Homer Hickam, and they identified evidence to answer questions from the text.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students made edits to their news articles and layed out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will perform group edits of The Bulldog Bark, assemble the newspaper and distribute it. Also next week students will also distribute the inaugural edition of the literary arts magazine, Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students made edits to their news articles and layed out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will perform group edits of The Bulldog Bark, assemble the newspaper and distribute it. Also next week students will also distribute the inaugural edition of the literary arts magazine, Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students finished The Wave by Todd Strasser, finished reading the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” and read the script for The Twilight Zone of the same title. Next week students will identify themes in both pieces and begin working on a literary essay.
November 25, 2019
Seventh Grade English
It was an exciting week in class last week. Students began submitting poetry and prose for Paw Prints, the literary arts magazine. Students also began work on their news articles for the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. Their news article is due Thursday, December 5. This second edition of The Bulldog Bark and the premier edition of Paw Prints will be published and distributed before Christmas break.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students finished October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam; they truly enjoyed the memoir and want to learn more from this author. They are going to try the second book by Hickam entitled The Coalwood Way. Students will also begin building their own rockets much like the characters from the memoir. Launch dates will depend on the weather. Students have also begun working on their first formal essay about themes found in works by Edgar Allan Poe. A timeline and checklist for the essay can be found below.
Poe Essay Timeline
Tuesday, November 19
Students introduced to Poe essay and begin selecting a theme
Friday, November 21
Students need to know the theme they are going to write about. By the end of class, students should have identified examples from at least three of the texts with those examples highlighted.
Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25
Students will have time in class to begin and continue writing their essays.
By Friday, December 6
Introduction and first two body paragraphs are due
By Friday, December 13
The rest of the essay is due.
During the week of December 16
Mr. Thompson will conference with students to offer final tips before essays are printed and turned in on Wednesday, December 18
Minimal Outline for the Edgar Allan Poe Essay
I. Introduction (Identification of a Common Theme)
II. Theme found in first Poe piece
III. Theme found in second Poe piece
IV. Theme found in third Poe piece
V. Conclusion
Checklist for the Essay
____ The essay is saved in Google Docs with Can Edit privileges for Mr. T at [email protected]
____ The essay is typed in a readable font of 14 points.
____ The essay is double spaced with indented paragraphs.
____ The essay has an interesting title correctly capitalized with a byline under the title.
____ The essay is written in third person; I have not used first or second person personal pronouns: I, me, we, you, us.
____ The essay does not contain contractions—will not instead of won’t, did not instead of didn’t, etc.
____ The essay contains strong verbs and adjectives—never use “got, lots, tons, cool, stuff, or nice.”
____ The essay is a formal essay. Language and structure needs to be formal.
Introduction
_____ I have an interesting lead.
_____ I have a thesis statement.
_____ I have a sentence or two that outline my body paragraphs.
Body Paragraphs
____ I have a topic sentence to introduce each body paragraph.
____ I have interesting details to support my topic sentence.
____ I have evidence, quotes from the pieces, to support my details.
____ I have transitions within the paragraph.
____ I have a transition to the next body paragraph.
Conclusion
____ I have restated my thesis statement in an interesting way and different from the introduction.
____ I have restated my organization differently from the introduction.
____ I have ended the conclusion with an interesting concluding statement.
Parenthetical Citations
____Parenthetical citations are used after all information that is not common knowledge.
____Works Cited page is used correctly
Punctuation
_____ I have capitalized the titles of articles, poems, speeches, books, TV shows, and movies.
_____ Titles of poems, speeches, and articles, television episodes are written in quotation marks.
_____ Titles of books, movies, plays, television shows are written in italics.
_____ There should be no spaces between the quotation mark and the first word in the quote.
_____ I have included end punctuation inside quotation marks.
_____ I have correctly punctuated compound, complex and compound-complex sentences.
_____ I have used the correct forms of words—there, their, they’re—its,it's.
_____ I have had an adult read my essay and offer feedback.
_____ I have read my essay several times to make it the best work I can produce.
Seventh Grade English
It was an exciting week in class last week. Students began submitting poetry and prose for Paw Prints, the literary arts magazine. Students also began work on their news articles for the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. Their news article is due Thursday, December 5. This second edition of The Bulldog Bark and the premier edition of Paw Prints will be published and distributed before Christmas break.
Sixth Grade English
It was an exciting week in class last week. Students began submitting poetry and prose for Paw Prints, the literary arts magazine. Students also began work on their news articles for the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. Their news article is due Thursday, December 5. This second edition of The Bulldog Bark and the premier edition of Paw Prints will be published and distributed before Christmas break.
Sixth Grade Reading
Again, last week students were literary detectives while listening to The Wave by Todd Strasser. Students were asked a series of questions and they had to find evidence from the text. Students also began reading a short story by Richard Matehson entitled “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” This period before Christmas break, students will finish the short story, read a script from the The Twilight Zone for an episode based on the short story, and write a compare and contrast essay with the two pieces as source material. Students also had time to read independently and will continue to read novels of their choosing.
November 11, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students published and submitted their memoirs along with other pieces of writing. Students also reviewed punctuating dialogue and direct quotations. Next week students will explore more types of poetry, including acrostics, begin working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark, and continue working on the first issue of Paw Print, Washington-Caldwell’s first literary arts magazine.
Eighth Grade Reading
We are coming to the end of Homer Hickam’s memoir October Sky. Students will begin building rockets just like the protagonists in the memoir. Their rockets will be built from scratch except for the motors. Students will also begin a formal essay on the Edgar Allan Poe works we have read. Students will find a common theme in the works and discuss how it is covered in each piece.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students published and submitted their memoirs along with other pieces of writing. Students also reviewed punctuating dialogue and direct quotations. Next week students will explore more types of poetry, including acrostics, begin working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark, and continue working on the first issue of Paw Print, Washington-Caldwell’s first literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students published and submitted their memoirs along with other pieces of writing. Students also reviewed punctuating dialogue and direct quotations. Next week students will explore more types of poetry, including acrostics, begin working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark, and continue working on the first issue of Paw Print, Washington-Caldwell’s first literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students had ample time to read independently; they also continued listening to The Wave by Todd Strasser. With The Wave, students follow along with the text and discuss literary elements and plot points. Next week students will write a book review of one of the books they have read so far this school year, and begin reading a short story by Richard Matehson entitled “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.”
October 28, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students began studying exemplars of student memoirs and identifying their essential elements. Next week students will begin writing their own memoirs. Next week, students will also be introduced to the different categories in forensics: poetry, prose, serious and humorous declamation, four minute original oration, duets, and play acting. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to select a piece from a category to present to the class. Students also continued to write pieces in both poetry and prose and publish them. Out first issue of Paw Prints, the language arts magazine, will be available before Chirtmas. Students will also begin working on the next issue of The Bulldog Bark in November.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished analyzing “The Raven” and began studying vocabulary from Poe’s short story “The Black Cat.” Students will read “The Black Cat” this week and begin analyzing it for common themes. Students also continued listening to and discussing October Sky. As the characters are building rockets in October Sky, students will begin building rockets in class. They will experience some of the same issues that the young rocketeers in the book experienced.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students began studying exemplars of student memoirs and identifying their essential elements. Next week students will begin writing their own memoirs. Students also were introduced to the different categories in forensics: poetry, prose, serious and humorous declamation, four minute original oration, duets, and play acting. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to select a piece from a category to present to the class. Students also continued to write pieces in both poetry and prose and publish them. Out first issue of Paw Prints, the language arts magazine, will be available before Chirtmas. Students will also begin working on the next issue of The Bulldog Bark in November.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began studying exemplars of student memoirs and identifying their essential elements. Next week students will begin writing their own memoirs. Students also were introduced to the different categories in forensics: poetry, prose, serious and humorous declamation, four minute original oration, duets, and play acting. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to select a piece from a category to present to the class. Students also continued to write pieces in both poetry and prose and publish them. Out first issue of Paw Prints, the language arts magazine, will be available before Chirtmas. Students will also begin working on the next issue of The Bulldog Bark in November.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students worked on the RACE strategy for answer literary questions last week. This strategy helps students to cite evidence from a text to thoroughly answer questions, especially on standardized tests. Students practiced citing evidence from two scripts they read from The Twilight Zone. Students also continued listening to The Wave and discussing its social implications and continued to read independently.
October 21, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced identifying and correcting fragments and run-on sentences, wrote and published various types of poems and memoirs, and worked on creating our inaugural edition of the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine, Paw Prints. With publication, students are learning editing and revision techniques. Thank you to Trinity for that wonderful name. Student work will also be hung in the main hallway in the Writing Wall of Fame. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Creativity abounds in our students’ writing.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading “The Raven,” and analyzed its themes. Students also began answering constructed response questions about the four major themes in the poem: madness, love, nature, and the supernatural. Students also learned about a website they can use when learning all types of classic literature. The website has a funny name, but it is filled with helpful information. Shmoop can used by students in middle school through college. Students also continued listening to and discussing October Sky.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced identifying and correcting fragments and run-on sentences, wrote and published various types of poems and memoirs, and worked on creating our inaugural edition of the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine, Paw Prints. With publication, students are learning editing and revision techniques. Thank you to Trinity for that wonderful name. Student work will also be hung in the main hallway in the Writing Wall of Fame. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Creativity abounds in our students’ writing.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced identifying and correcting fragments and run-on sentences, wrote and published various types of poems and memoirs, and worked on creating our inaugural edition of the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine, Paw Prints. With publication, students are learning editing and revision techniques. Thank you to Trinity for that wonderful name. Student work will also be hung in the main hallway in the Writing Wall of Fame. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Creativity abounds in our students’ writing.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students are taught when they are choosing books to read that they should try to find books they love and to abandon books they are not loving. When students began reading “To Build a Fire,” it was obvious that students were not loving it, and not even liking it, so students abandoned the short story and read a script by Rod Serling. Of course, Rod Serling was the creator of The Twilight Zone and the author of many of its best episodes. Students read “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street;” they each took a part and read the script. Everyone enjoyed it. Next week students will answer constructed response questions from the script and learn to cite evidence from the text. Students also began listening to a new read aloud: TheWave. The Wave is about a sociological experiment in a California high school in 1969.
October 14, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week was a busy week for ELA students. Distribution of The Bulldog Bark was completed with the completion of a new edition, the Pocket Bark. This was an idea of the sixth grade with the name being conceived by Lilly. In Writers Workshop, students wrote several different types of poems, including couplets and quatrains. Students also submitted pieces of writing for publication in the new literary arts magazine, Paw Prints, and for various writing competitions.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued with the novel October Sky by Homer Hickam and practiced vocabulary for “The Raven” with vocabularycom. Students began reading “The Raven” and will finish reading it and begin analyzing the classic poem next week. Students should practice the vocabulary as it will make interpretation of the poem easier.
Seventh Grade English
Last week was a busy week for ELA students. Distribution of The Bulldog Bark was completed with the completion of a new edition, the Pocket Bark. This was an idea of the sixth grade with the name being conceived by Lilly. In Writers Workshop, students wrote several different types of poems, including couplets and quatrains. Students also submitted pieces of writing for publication in the new literary arts magazine, Paw Prints, and for various writing competitions.
Sixth Grade English
Last week was a busy week for ELA students. Distribution of The Bulldog Bark was completed with the completion of a new edition, the Pocket Bark. This was an idea of the sixth grade with the name being conceived by Lilly. In Writers Workshop, students wrote several different types of poems, including couplets and quatrains. Students also submitted pieces of writing for publication in the new literary arts magazine, Paw Prints, and for various writing competitions.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students finished listening to Freak the Mighty; it was a sad ending, but a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful novel. Students also began using the website vocabulary.com to learn vocabulary from “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. Some of the vocabulary is difficult and good challenge for students. Students should practice these words, so the short story will be easier to comprehend and there will be a test on the words.
October 7, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students finished up the majority of their MAP testing; completed editing, assembly and distribution of The Bulldog Bark; started creating poems for their first poetry contest of the year; and continued working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students also had time to write poetry and play chess. “Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students another question about “The Tell-tale Heart” and continued listening to and reading October Sky. Next week students will begin reading “The Raven.” The following weeks students will read “The Blak Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “Annabel Lee.” This will culminate in a formal essay centered on a theme found in a number of his writings. Students also had opportunities to read independently
Seventh Grade English
Last week students finished up the majority of their MAP testing; completed editing, assembly and distribution of The Bulldog Bark; started creating poems for their first poetry contest of the year; and continued working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students also had time to write poetry and play chess. “Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
Sixth Grade English
Last week students finished up the majority of their MAP testing; completed editing, assembly and distribution of The Bulldog Bark; started creating poems for their first poetry contest of the year; and continued working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students also had time to play and begin learning how to play chess. “Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick; we will finish the novel next week. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen, and they began reading a biography of Jack London. Next week students will continue their author study of Jack London with his classic short story “To Build a Fire.”
September 30, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Students began in earnest to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology last week. Some very good free verse poems were written after students were introduced to poetry writing strategies. Students also began group editing the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Hopefully this edition will be available at parent-teacher conferences next week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students answered the first of several questions about “The Tell-tale Heart.” Next week students will begin reading “The Raven.” The following weeks students will read “The Blak Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “Annabel Lee.” This will culminate in a formal essay centered on a theme found in a number of his writings. Students also had opportunities to read independently
Seventh Grade English
Students began in earnest to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology last week. Some very good free verse poems were written after students were introduced to poetry writing strategies. Students also began group editing the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Hopefully this edition will be available at parent-teacher conferences next week.
Sixth Grade English
Students began in earnest to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology last week. Some very good free verse poems were written after students were introduced to poetry writing strategies. Students also began group editing the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Hopefully this edition will be available at parent-teacher conferences next week.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick; we are approaching the climax of the story. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen, and they began reading a biography of Jack London. Next week students will continue their author study of Jack London with his classic short story “To Build a Fire.”
September 23, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked a great deal on the layout of their news articles, and began working on publishing pieces for the new literary magazine. Students also reviewed the correct way to punctuate quotes from sources in their news articles and continued to write in Writers Workshop. Next week students will begin working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology and group edit The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued reading and discussing October Sky.Along with October Sky, and continued to work on Poe’s writing. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked a great deal on the layout of their news articles, and began working on publishing pieces for the new literary magazine. Students also reviewed the correct way to punctuate quotes from sources in their news articles and continued to write in Writers Workshop. Next week students will begin working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology and group edit The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked a great deal on the layout of their news articles. They are using Microsoft Publisher for the first time, so the training takes some time, but they will be using Publisher for the rest of their middle school years hear at Washington-Caldwell, so comprehensive training now will pay off. Students also reviewed the correct way to punctuate quotes from sources in their news articles and continued to write in Writers Workshop. Next week students will begin working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology and group edit The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. Next week students will begin their first author study with Jack London
September 16, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued to practice parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and reviewed compound sentences using semicolons. Students also learned how to write sentences introducing a list with a colon, continued to write in writers’ workshop and finished writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. Students then went to the computer lab to begin the layout of the articles using Microsoft Publisher. They will conclude the layout next week and begin group editing of the newspaper. Final polishing and distribution of the paper will take place the following week. Also next week students will be introduced to the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students will have the opportunity to create poetry, prose, cartoons, art pieces and illustrated writing to have a chance to get their work published.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued reading and discussing October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam. Jr. Along with October Sky, students have begun their first author study with Edgar Allan Poe. They read a biography of Poe and listened to a dramatic reading of “The Tell-tale Heart.” Next week students will analyze “The Tell-tale Heart” and begin work on “The Raven.” Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued to practice parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and reviewed compound sentences using semicolons. Students also learned how to write sentences introducing a list with a colon, continued to write in writers’ workshop and finished writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. Students then went to the computer lab to begin the layout of the articles using Microsoft Publisher. They will conclude the layout next week and begin group editing of the newspaper. Final polishing and distribution of the paper will take place the following week. Also next week students will be introduced to the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students will have the opportunity to create poetry, prose, cartoons, art pieces and illustrated writing to have a chance to get their work published.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued to practice parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and reviewed compound sentences using semicolons. Students also learned how to write sentences introducing a list with a colon, continued to write in writers’ workshop and continued writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. Students then went to the computer lab to begin the layout of the articles using Microsoft Publisher. Next week, they will finish writing their articles, conclude the layout, and begin group editing of the newspaper. Final polishing and distribution of the paper will take place the following week. Also next week students will be introduced to the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students will have the opportunity to create poetry, prose, cartoons, art pieces and illustrated writing to have a chance to get their work published.
Sixth GradeReading
Students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
September 9, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and learned about and reviewed compound sentences, using the correct coordinating conjunctions and semicolons Students also continued to write in writers’ workshop and began writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. The final draft for the news article is due on Friday, September 13. The following week students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher, edit the complete newspaper and distribute the completed product to students.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued reading and discussing October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam. Jr. In October Sky, students are reviewing foreshadowing, conflict, and setting, and how they affect the plot. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and learned about and reviewed compound sentences, using the correct coordinating conjunctions and semicolons Students also continued to write in writers’ workshop and began writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. The final draft for the news article is due on Friday, September 13. The following week students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher, edit the complete newspaper and distribute the completed product to students.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and learned about and reviewed compound sentences, using the correct coordinating conjunctions and semicolons Students also continued to write in writers’ workshop and began writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. The final draft for the news article is due on Friday, September 13. The following week students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher, edit the complete newspaper and distribute the completed product to students.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. In Freak the Mighty, students are reviewing foreshadowing, conflict, setting, and how they affect the plot. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
September 2, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students completed beginning of the year activities: icebreakers and team building challenges. Students also began writers’ workshop. Writers’ Workshop will give students an opportunity to write almost every class period about topics they choose. Students also began working on writing articles for the first edition of the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students will begin writing the articles next week with the hopeful publication of the paper the third week of September.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students began the year by listening to October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam, Jr. October Sky is about a group of high school students who became interested in rockets and eventually joined NASA in space exploration. As students continue to read, they will make rockets from scratch, just like the characters in the book. Students also reviewed the procedures for readers’ workshop and began reading independently.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students completed beginning of the year activities: icebreakers and team building challenges. Students also began writers’ workshop. Writers’ Workshop will give students an opportunity to write almost every class period about topics they choose. Students also began working on writing articles for the first edition of the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students will begin writing the articles next week with the hopeful publication of the paper the third week of September.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students completed beginning of the year activities: icebreakers and team building challenges. Students also began writers’ workshop. Writers’ Workshop will give students an opportunity to write almost every class period about topics they choose. Students also began working on writing articles for the first edition of the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students will begin writing the articles next week with the hopeful publication of the paper the third week of September.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students began the year by listening to Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty is about a wonderful friendship between Max and Kevin, two very interesting characters whose friendship grows because of their differences. . Students also reviewed the procedures for readers’ workshop and began reading independently. Next week students will begin to learn how to to analyze the books they are reading and write about this analysis.
May 20, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on identifying parts of speech, proofreading sentences, writing journal entries, and identifying the theme of songs via the lyrics. They also took the vocabulary test for Affixes Group Eleven. Next week students will work on identifying missing and dangling modifiers, coordinating adjectives, the friendly letter format and writing dialogue.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students started reading the script from the movie The Princess Bride from the original novel by William Goldman. Students have been looking at various vocabulary in the dialogue. Next week students will finish reading the script and hopefully watch the movie. Please look for a permission slip in an email concerning this.
Seventh Grade English
Students only had class one day last week due to the track meet and MAP testing. Students continued working on parts of speech, specifically pronouns and writing with various sentence types, and also took the vocabulary test for Affixes Group Eleven. Next week students will work on identifying missing and dangling modifiers, coordinating adjectives, the friendly letter format and writing dialogue.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students started reading the script from the movie The Princess Bride from the original novel by William Goldman. Students have been looking at various vocabulary in the dialogue. Next week students will finish reading the script and hopefully watch the movie. Please look for a permission slip in an email concerning this.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on identifying parts of speech, proofreading sentences, writing journal entries, and identifying the theme of songs via the lyrics. They also took the vocabulary test for Affixes Group Eleven. Next week students will work on identifying missing and dangling modifiers, coordinating adjectives, the friendly letter format and writing dialogue.
April 29, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students took the test on Affixes Group Nine; students also received the words for Affixes Group Ten in Google Classroom. On Monday, they will receive a paper copy of the affixes and vocabulary words. The test for the vocabulary words with Affixes Group Ten will be on Friday, May 3. Also last week, students finalized their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Students will perform final editing next week, and the newspaper will be distributed on Friday, May 3. On Friday, students watched a sample formal debate and began learning how to hold a formal debate. Next week students will learn how to write arguments for a debate, select topics to debate, and begin working on their first formal debates.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began reading Jack London’s most famous short story entitled “To Build a Fire.” Before reading, students completed a vocabulary assignment to learn twenty-five new words. Next week students will again be working as detectives to solve crimes, finish reading “To Build a Fire,” and complete an assignment on the figurative language London used in “To Build a Fire.” Students also worked on practicing literary terms; this test will be on Tuesday, April 30.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the test on Affixes Group Nine; students also received the words for Affixes Group Ten in Google Classroom. On Monday, they will receive a paper copy of the affixes and vocabulary words. The test for the vocabulary words with Affixes Group Ten will be on Friday, May 3. Also last week, students finalized their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Students will perform final editing next week, and the newspaper will be distributed on Friday, May 3. On Friday, students watched a sample formal debate and began learning how to hold a formal debate. Next week students will learn how to write arguments for a debate, select topics to debate, and begin working on their first formal debates.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading short stories by Richard Matheson with “Third From the Sun,” a science fiction story with a twist. The story spawned interesting conversations and predictions of the ending. Once again students watched The Twilight Zone episode based on this short story. Students also worked in detective teams to closely read several passages and solve several crimes. Students also worked on practicing literary terms. This test will be on Tuesday, April 30.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the test on Affixes Group Nine; students will receive the words for Affixes Group Ten on Monday. The test for the vocabulary words with Affixes Group Ten will be on Monday, May 6. Also last week, students finalized their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Students will perform final editing next week, and the newspaper will be distributed on Friday, May 3. On Friday, students watched a sample formal debate and began learning how to hold a formal debate. Next week students will learn how to write arguments for a debate, select topics to debate, and begin working on their first formal debates.
April 8, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced examples from the Forward Exam provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These examples included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and practice writing a longer essay. Also last week students learned about verb moods and when to use them. Students also studied vocabulary words from Affix Group Seven; students then took the test on these vocabulary words on Friday. Students will receive vocabulary words from Affix Group Eight on Monday. This test will be the following Monday, April 15.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students practiced questions from the Forward Exam; these questions included multiple choice questions after reading a passage and writing a literary essay after reading a longer piece. Students also became detectives when reading short mysteries to try and decipher what information was missing or when a witness was lying. On Monday and Tuesday, students will continue working on a literary essay and practicing for the Forward Exam.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced examples from the Forward Exam provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These examples included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and practice writing a longer essay. Students also studied vocabulary words from Affix Group Seven; students then took the test on these vocabulary words on Friday. Students will receive vocabulary words from Affix Group Eight on Monday. This test will be the following Monday, April 15.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students practiced questions from the Forward Exam; these questions included multiple choice questions after reading a passage and writing a literary essay after reading a longer piece. Students also became detectives when reading short mysteries to try and decipher what information was missing or when a witness was lying. Students also read another Twilight Zone script about aliens harvesting humans for food. On Monday and Tuesday, students will continue working on a literary essay and practicing for the Forward Exam.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced examples from the Forward Exam provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These examples included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and practice writing a longer essay. Students also studied vocabulary words from Affix Group Seven; students then took the test on these vocabulary words on Friday. Students will receive vocabulary words from Affix Group Eight on Monday. This test will be the following Monday, April 15.
March 4, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced their speeches, and they will deliver their speeches for a grade the week of March 18. Any practice they can do at home will increase the effectiveness of their speeches. Students also continued work on modifiers, specifically adjectives. Also last week, students began work on the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. This edition will be distributed to students before spring break while the students’ draft of the news article is due Monday, March 11. Students also practiced test questions for the Forward exam. Next week students will continue work with modifiers, continue practicing their speeches, and continue to work on their news articles. On Tuesday, March 5, students will take the vocabulary test on Affixes Group Five. They will receive another group of affixes on Wednesday.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury with “Dark They Were and Golden-eyed.” This short story is set on Mars like his famous work The Martian Chronicles. Next week students will discuss the possibilities of making short movies out of some of the Bradbury short stories they have read.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced their speeches, and they will deliver their speeches for a grade the week of March 18. Any practice they can do at home will increase the effectiveness of their speeches. Students also continued work on modifiers, specifically adjectives. Also last week, students began work on the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. This edition will be distributed to students before spring break while the students’ draft of the news article is due Monday, March 11. Students also practiced test questions for the Forward exam. Next week students will continue work with modifiers, continue practicing their speeches, and continue to work on their news articles. On Tuesday, March 5, students will take the vocabulary test on Affixes Group Five. They will receive another group of affixes on Wednesday.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading A Day No Pigs Would Die. They are reading aloud in class and discussing the chapters after reading. It’s interesting to hear students’ opinions on the writing and their takes on characters and plot. Students also continued reading independently. Please encourage students to read at home whenever possible.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced their speeches, and they will deliver their speeches for a grade the week of March 18. Any practice they can do at home will increase the effectiveness of their speeches. Students also continued work on modifiers, specifically adjectives. Also last week, students began work on the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. This edition will be distributed to students before spring break while the students’ draft of the news article is due Monday, March 11. Students also practiced test questions for the Forward exam. Next week students will continue work with modifiers, continue practicing their speeches, and continue to work on their news articles. On Tuesday, March 5, students will take the vocabulary test on Affixes Group Five. They will receive another group of affixes on Wednesday.
February 11, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students took the test on verbs and continued to work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. The first draft of the speech is due on February 20. They also participated in the eighth grade spelling bee, and our three finalists will compete in the the school spelling bee on Wednesday, February 13. Last week students were also given the next ten affixes to learn. They studied these with Vocabulary.com and will be tested on twenty vocabulary words with these affixes on Tuesday, February 12
Eighth Grade Reading
Another busy week took much of the students’ time during reading. On Monday, students had to finish MAP testing, on Wednesday, students had guidance class, and on Thursday, students completed the National Assessment of Educational Progress testing. This left students time to read “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” independently. Next week, students will reread the short story as a class and answer critical thinking questions from the short story. Students will also read “All Summer in a Day,” another classic from Ray Bradbury and answer questions from that short story.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the test on verbs and continued to work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. The first draft of the speech is due on February 20. They also participated in the sixth grade spelling bee, and our three finalists will compete in the the school spelling bee on Wednesday, February 13. Last week students were also given the next ten affixes to learn. They studied these with Vocabulary.com and will be tested on twenty vocabulary words with these affixes on Tuesday, February 12
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the test on verbs and continued to work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. The first draft of the speech is due on February 20. They also participated in the seventh grade spelling bee, and our three finalists will compete in the the school spelling bee on Wednesday, February 13. Last week students were also given the next ten affixes to learn. They studied these with Vocabulary.com and will be tested on twenty vocabulary words with these affixes on Tuesday, February 12
Seventh Grade English
Last week students finished reading “The Overprotected Kid,” an article from The Atlantic. Next week, students will learn how to organize and begin writing a literary essay from information found in the article. Also last week, students began listening and reading a new novel, A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. The novel has some interesting diction particular to Shaker families in early twentieth century America.
January 28, 2019
Affixes Group Two
1. Agr- Definition: from the land Examples: agriculture, agrarian, agriscience
2. anim- Definition: with a soul Examples: animal, animated, animism
3. bell- Definition: war Examples: belligerent, antebellum
4. bene- Definition: well or good Examples: benevolent, benefactor, beneficial
5. ede- Definition: to go Examples: recede, proceed, antecedent
6. dem- Definition: people Examples: democracy, demographics, demonstrate
7. -graph-, -gram- Definition: write Examples: autograph, telegram, telegraph
8. hemi- Definition: ha;f Examples: hemisphere, hemicycle
9. sub-Definition: under Examples: submarine, submerge, subzero
10. Ling- Definition: language Examples: linguistics, bilingual, multilingual
Eighth Grade English
Students wrapped up their study of verbs last week. Students will begin a study guide for the verbs test next week. The verbs test will be given Tuesday, February 5. Students also received their second list of affixes. This list will be posted at Mr. Thompson’s web page. Students have also been busy studying vocabulary with Vocabulary.com. This website has words with this week’s affixes, and students can study vocabulary and spelling from a huge number of words. The quiz on the affixes will be given on Tuesday, January 29. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The eighth grade preliminary round to determine the three eighth grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. Some students have begun working on their speech for this year’s speech contest; we will begin writing speeches next week in class.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury. They read “The Fog Horn,” a short story about a sea creature looking for companionship. We began reading the story in class, students finished the short story on their own, and took a quiz on the short story conclusion. Because of the snow day and MAP testing, our class time was truncated, but students also had time to read independently.
ory conclusion. Because of the snow day and MAP testing, our class time was truncated, but students also had time to read independently.
Seventh Grade English
Students wrapped up their study of verbs last week. Students began a study guide for the verbs test that will be given Tuesday, February 5. Students also received their second list of affixes. This list will be posted at Mr. Thompson’s web page. Students have also been busy studying vocabulary with Vocabulary.com. This website has words with this week’s affixes, and students can study vocabulary and spelling from a huge number of words. The quiz on the affixes will be given on Tuesday, January 29. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The seventh grade preliminary round to determine the three seventh grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. Some students have begun working on their speech for this year’s speech contest; we will begin writing speeches next week in class.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading an article from The Atlantic entitled “The Overprotected Kid.” The article is about a playground in the United Kingdom that is very different from conventional playgrounds in the United States. The article also challenges traditional conventions about threats that parents assume are true. With the snow day and MAP testing, students missed several classes; they used remaining class time to read independently.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. Students selected a topic, began research, and began writing. Students also wrapped up their study of verbs. Students began a study guide for the verbs test will be given next week Thursday. Students also received their second list of affixes. This list will be posted at Mr. Thompson’s web page. Students have also been busy studying vocabulary with Vocabulary.com. This website has words with this week’s affixes, and students can study vocabulary and spelling from a huge number of words. The quiz on the affixes will be given on Tuesday, January 29. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The sixth grade preliminary round to determine the three seventh grade finalists will be held the week of February 4.
January 21, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued working towards finishing a study of verbs, and they also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and will complete the first quiz on ten affixes on Monday, January 21. Further study of these affixes and other vocabulary can be found at Vocabulary.com. at Affixes Group One. Students are working towards learning as many new words as possible. Vocabulary.com is a fun way to explore new words and review words that may be familiar. It is also a good way to practice spelling. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The eighth grade preliminary round to determine the three eighth grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. The students can also work on the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.”
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury. They read “A Sound of Thunder,” a short story about time travel and how changing the past may have disastrous effects on the future. Ray Bradbury also wrote and produced this short story as an episode for The Ray Bradbury Theatre on HBO in the eighties. Students had an opportunity to watch this episode. It was interesting to see how the author himself translated an iconic short story to the small screen.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued working towards finishing a study of verbs with a review of some often confused verbs: lie/lay, rise/raise, set/sit, and bring/take. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and will complete the first quiz on ten affixes on Monday, January 21. Further study of these affixes and other vocabulary can be found at Vocabulary.com. at Affixes Group One. Students are working towards learning as many new words as possible. Vocabulary.com is a fun way to explore new words and review words that may be familiar. It is also a good way to practice spelling. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The seventh grade preliminary round to determine the three seventh grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. The students can also work on the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.”
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading an article from The Atlantic entitled “The Overprotected Kid.” The article is about a playground in the United Kingdom that is very different from conventional playgrounds in the United States. The article also challenges traditional conventions about threats that parents assume are true. Students also listened to the conclusion of The Wave by Todd Strasser. The Wave is a story of an actual experiment conducted by a history teacher to help students understand how dangerous it can be to blindly follow a leader.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued working towards finishing a study of verbs with a review of some often confused verbs: lie/lay, rise/raise, set/sit, and bring/take. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and completed the first quiz on ten affixes. Further study of these affixes and other vocabulary can be found at Vocabulary.com. Students are working towards learning as many new words as possible. Vocabulary.com is a fun way to explore new words and review words that may be familiar. It is also a good way to practice spelling. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The sixth grade preliminary round to determine the three sixth grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. The students can also work on the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.”
January 14, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students reviewed direct and indirect objects of verbs and transitive and intransitive verbs. Students also learned about subject-verb, linking verbs, and predicate nouns and adjectives. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and received the first ten affixes to study. The affixes we are concentrating on are prefixes and suffixes. There will be a quiz on these affixes next Wednesday. Students need to know the definition of each affix and be able to identify several words that contain each affix. Students were also introduced to the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.” A timeline can be found on Mr. Thompson’s website.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury. They started with “The Veldt,” a short story about how unchecked technology can ruin lives. Students read the short story and answered questions about it. Next week students will read “A Sound of Thunder,” a short story about time travel and how changing the past may have disastrous effects on the future. Students will once again analyze and answer questions about the story.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students reviewed direct and indirect objects of verbs and transitive and intransitive verbs. Students also learned about subject-verb, linking verbs, and predicate nouns and adjectives. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and received the first ten affixes to study. The affixes we are concentrating on are prefixes and suffixes. There will be a quiz on these affixes next Wednesday. Students need to know the definition of each affix and be able to identify several words that contain each affix. Students were also introduced to the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.” A timeline can be found on Mr. Thompson’s website.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students began reading an article from The Atlantic entitled “The Overprotected Kid.” The article is about a playground in the United Kingdom that is very different from conventional playgrounds in the United States. The article also challenges traditional conventions about threats that parents assume are true.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students reviewed direct and indirect objects of verbs and transitive and intransitive verbs. Students also learned about subject-verb agreement, contractions, and contractions in verb phrases. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and received the first ten affixes to study. The affixes we are concentrating on are prefixes and suffixes. There will be a quiz on these affixes next Wednesday. Students need to know the definition of each affix and be able to identify several words that contain each affix. Students were also introduced to the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.” A timeline can be found on Mr. Thompson’s website.
January 2, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked hard on revising and editing the articles in The Bulldog Bark. One fourth of the newspapers were printed when the copy machine ran out of toner. New toner will not be available until after Christmas break, so distribution of The Bulldog Bark will need to wait until the first week of January. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
Eight Grade Reading
Last week students finalized their Poe essays, printed them, and submitted them. They also had time to read independently and they read another Twilight Zone script entitled “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?.” Students volunteered for the various parts and read the script as a team. Please encourage your son or daughter to read over the Christmas break.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked hard on revising and editing the articles in The Bulldog Bark. One fourth of the newspapers were printed when the copy machine ran out of toner. New toner will not be available until after Christmas break, so distribution of The Bulldog Bark will need to wait until the first week of January. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break. .
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students only had three days of classes, and during that time students read independently. Please encourage your son or daughter to read over the Christmas break.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked hard on revising and editing the articles in The Bulldog Bark. One fourth of the newspapers were printed when the copy machine ran out of toner. New toner will not be available until after Christmas break, so distribution of The Bulldog Bark will need to wait until the first week of January. Pieces for the
Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
December 17, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on completing their news articles and worked on the layout of the articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will complete the layouts, edit the articles, assemble the final copies, and distribute the papers. Students also worked on proofreading skills and identifying parts of speech. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break. Students also had time to work on their Poe essays.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students worked on their Poe essays. read independently, and read a Twilight Zone script entitled “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” Students volunteered for different parts and read the script together. This week students will answer questions based on the script using the RACE strategy: R-Restate the question, A-Answer the question, C-Cite evidence, and E-Explain how the citation relates to the question. Also, this week the Poe essays are due on Wednesday. They will be printed in correct MLA style with a correct Works Cited page and submitted.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on completing their news articles and worked on the layout of the articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will complete the layouts, edit the articles, assemble the final copies, and distribute the papers. Students also worked on proofreading skills and identifying parts of speech. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
Seventh Grade Reading
The essay on “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet “ has been postponed. Students need more preparation before writing the full essay. Last week students continued answering questions using the RACE strategy pertaining to the short story. The RACE strategy is comprehensive way to communicate information: R-restate the question, A-answer the question, C-cite evidence from the text, E-explain how the citation answers the question. Learning to use this strategy effectively will help students write formal essays; moreover, it will help them answer questions on tests, especially the Forward exam. Students also had time to read independently and listened to The Wave read aloud. The Wave is a novel about how a classroom learned how a small group of people can try to control a larger group through manipulation.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on completing their news articles and worked on the layout of the articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will complete the layouts, edit the articles, assemble the final copies, and distribute the papers. Students also worked on proofreading skills and identifying parts of speech. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
December 3, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on two essays: their essay on the works of Edgar Allan Poe and a compare and contrast essay on the novel Freak the Mighty and The Mighty, the movie version of the book. The students also continued reviewing compound sentences with three methods to write them: method one with a coordinating conjunction and a comma; method two with a semicolon; and method three with a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Students also began each class with a proofreading exercise and a parts of speech game.This week students will continue studying verbs and the correct usage of complex sentences.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students had opportunities to read independently and work on their two essays. Students also learned and created the correct Works Cited page for their MLA essay on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Students also received the next literary terms to study. This quiz will be on Wednesday, December 5.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took a quiz on the first fifteen most used irregular verbs; they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also continued reviewing compound sentences with three methods to write them: method one with a coordinating conjunction and a comma; method two with a semicolon; and method three with a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Students also selected topics for their next edition of The Bulldog Bark and generated questions to ask an interviewee about their topic. Students also began each class with a proofreading exercise and a parts of speech game. This week students will continue studying verbs and the correct usage of complex sentences.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson. Students also read the script from the Twilight Zone with the same title also written by Matheson and watched the original Twilight Zone episode and the newer version from 1985. Students will analyze the short story and compare it to the the two other versions. Students also had time to read independently and will again receive literary terms to learn on Wednesday, with the quiz the following Wednesday.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took a quiz on the first fifteen most used irregular verbs; they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also continued reviewing compound sentences with three methods to write them: method one with a coordinating conjunction and a comma; method two with a semicolon; and method three with a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Students also selected topics for their next edition of The Bulldog Bark and generated questions to ask an interviewee about their topic. Students also began each class with a proofreading exercise and a parts of speech game. This week students will continue studying verbs and the correct usage of complex sentences.
November 26, 2018
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the helping verbs quiz; these were graded and returned. Students also learned about present participles, past participles, and the principal parts of verbs. Students received the principal parts of thirty-four irregular verbs. These are verbs that are often confused by writers and students need to learn their correct usage. Students will have a quiz on the first fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, November 29, and they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also reviewed compound sentences and learned how to correctly use the semicolon, and also had time to work on pieces for the annual Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students will also soon begin work on the second edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students took a quiz on the elements of a plot line. Students will receive a new set of literary terms next week and the next quiz will be on Wednesday, November 28. Also last week students began reading the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson, and they also had time to read independently. Next week students will watch the movie The Mighty, the movie version of the novel Freak the Mighty; they will watch the movie with a critical eye, so they can compare and contrast the book with the movie.
Eighth Grade English
Last week students took the helping verbs quiz; these were graded and returned. Students also learned about present participles, past participles, and the principal parts of verbs. Students received the principal parts of thirty-four irregular verbs. These are verbs that are often confused by writers and students need to learn their correct usage. Students will have a quiz on the first fifteen irregular verbs on Monday, November 19, and they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Wednesday, December 5. The students also reviewed compound sentences and learned how to correctly use the semicolon, and also had time to work on pieces for the annual Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students will also soon begin work on the second edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began working on their first literary essay of the school year. Students read a total of six pieces by Edgar Allan Poe and developed a list of similarities that Poe used in his storytelling. Each student has selected three of these traits are they will incorporate these traits into an essay. An outline and a checklist for the essay can be found on my website. This essay is a formal essay to be written according to MLA guidelines. The final essay is due December 12. Progress checks will be made on November 28 and December 5. Next week students will watch the movie The Mighty, the movie version of the novel Freak the Mighty; they will watch the movie with a critical eye, so they can compare and contrast the book with the movie.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the helping verbs quiz; these were graded and returned. Students also learned about present participles, past participles, and the principal parts of verbs. Students received the principal parts of thirty-four irregular verbs. These are verbs that are often confused by writers and students need to learn their correct usage. Students will have a quiz on the first fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, November 29, and they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also reviewed compound sentences and learned how to correctly use the semicolon, and also had time to work on pieces for the annual Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students will also soon begin work on the second edition of The Bulldog Bark.
November 12, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students began reviewing and learning about verbs with identifying verbs, learning about helping verbs and verb phrases. There will be a quiz on Tuesday, November 13 where students have to identify the twenty-three helping verbs. Students have a paper copy of the helping verbs and they are also on Google Classroom, which students have begun using last week. Assignments and materials will be disseminated via Google Classroom. Students also continued to work on the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Students also took the fifth quiz on words culled from Poe’s writing. Students will receive the next list of vocabulary words on Monday; the next quiz will be on Thursday, November 15. This week students will analyze the last selection by Poe, his famous poem “Annabel Lee.” Also this week students will be introduced to the first major essay of the school year on the stories and poems they read by Edgar Allan Poe.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students began reviewing and learning about verbs with identifying verbs, learning about helping verbs, and verb phrases. There will be a quiz on Thursday, November 13 where students have to identify the twenty-three helping verbs. Students have a paper copy of the helping verbs and they are also on Google Classroom, which students have begun using last week. For the remainder of the school year, assignments and materials will be disseminated via Google Classroom. Students also continued to work on the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students took another quiz on literary terms with sixteen terms. Students will receive a new set of literary terms and the next quiz will be on Friday, November 16. Also last week students finished reading the two act play from Freak the Mighty and had time to read independently. Next week students will read the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson. Then students will the Twilight Zone script of the same title
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began reviewing and learning about verbs with identifying verbs, learning about helping verbs and verb phrases. There will be a quiz on Tuesday, November 13 where students have to identify the twenty-three helping verbs. Students have a paper copy of the helping verbs and they are also on Google Classroom, which students have begun using last week. Assignments and materials will be disseminated via Google Classroom. Students also continued to work on the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or
writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
November 5, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week, students were introduced to the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students started reading “The Fall of the House of Usher,” another classic by Edgar Allan Poe. They will finish this short story this week. They also took the fourth quiz on words culled from Poe’s writing. Students also received the next list of vocabulary words; this quiz will be on Wednesday, November 7. This week students will read the last selection by Poe, his famous poem “Annabel Lee.” Students will read and analyze this poem by themselves and answer constructed response questions.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the nouns test. Students identified nouns in a sentence, found common and proper nouns, made singular nouns plural, correctly wrote possessive nouns and combined sentences with appositives. Also last week, students were introduced to the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students finished listening to the read aloud of Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, a sequel to Freak the Mighty. Students will take the third quiz on literary terms on Wednesday, November 7 and receive the next five literary terms. Students also continued reading a two act play of Freak the Mighty, also written by Rodman Philbrick. and continued to read independently and write in their reading journals.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the nouns test on Monday, October 29. Students identified nouns in a sentence, found common and proper nouns, made singular nouns plural, correctly wrote possessive nouns and combined sentences with appositives. Also last week, students were introduced to the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
October 29, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students performed reviews for the nouns test. Eight A took their test on Thursday since they had a math test already scheduled for Friday, and Eight B took their test on Friday. Students identified nouns in a sentence, found common and proper nouns, made singular nouns plural, identified compound nouns and collective nouns, wrote possessive nouns correctly and combined sentences with appositives.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students read and analyzed “The Cask of Amontillado,” another classic by Edgar Allan Poe. They also took the third quiz on words culled from Poe’s writing. Students also received a list of twenty plus literary terms. They should study these, as they will be tested on them in the future. Most of these literary terms are review, but additionally students learned about allusions and irony, with examples from Poe’s texts. Along with the literary terms students received the next ten words from Poe’s writing. The quiz on these words will be on Wednesday, October 31. Next week, students will be reading “The Fall of the House of Usher
Seventh Grade English
Last week students performed reviews for the nouns test, which is on Thursday, November 1. Students will need to identify nouns in a sentence, find common and proper nouns, make singular nouns plural, identify compound nouns and collective nouns, correctly write possessive nouns and combine sentences with appositives.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, a sequel to Freak the Mighty. Students will take the second quiz on literary terms on Monday, and receive the next five literary terms. This next quiz will be on Monday, November 5, since there is no school on Friday. This next quiz will have the first ten literary terms and the next five literary terms. Students also began reading a two act play of Freak the Mighty, also written by Rodman Philbrick. and continued to read independently and write in their reading journals.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students performed reviews for the nouns test, which is on Monday, October 29. Students will need to identify nouns in a sentence, find common and proper nouns, make singular nouns plural, correctly write possessive nouns and combine sentences with appositives. Also last week, students learned and practiced answering constructed response questions with questions from topics they are covering in social studies.
October 15, 2018
Eighth Grade English
This week students edited the layout of the first volume of The Bulldog Bark. Students looked at all the articles and found errors in grammar, organization, and layout. This first volume should be made available to the Washington-Caldwell community this week. Also this week, students continued learning and reviewing the correct use of nouns. This week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns next week.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Also this week, students read and began analyzing “The Raven.” This week students will take the second test on vocabulary from “The Raven” and continue reading short stories from Edgar Allan Poe with the “Cask of Amontillado.” This week students will also will be assigned reading from their novels each night for homework.
Seventh Grade English
This week students edited the layout of the first volume of The Bulldog Bark. Students looked at all the articles and found errors in grammar, organization, and layout. This first volume should be made available to the Washington-Caldwell community this week. Also this week, students continued learning and reviewing the correct use of nouns. This week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns next week.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students finished listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students also read another script from the classic TV show Twilight Zone. This script is entitled “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up.” Students each took a character and read their part. After reading and discussing the script, students watched the original episode. This week students will be tested on the first set of literary terms and receive a new set of terms later in the week. This week students will also will be assigned reading from their novels each night for homework.
Sixth Grade English
This week students edited the layout of the first volume of The Bulldog Bark. Students looked at all the articles and found errors in grammar, organization, and layout. This first volume should be made available to the Washington-Caldwell community this week. Also this week, students continued learning and reviewing the correct use of nouns. This week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns next week.
October 8, 2018
Eighth Grade English
This week students started learning how to lay out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. It is a complicated process that the students did well in learning. We are hoping to be published by next week. Students also continued to review and learn about nouns with compound and collective nouns, continued to write in their journals, and continued to practice identifying parts of speech.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot and motivations of the characters. Next week students will begin learning key literary terms. Students will start with five terms next week and be tested on them on Monday, October 15. Each week students will receive an additional five terms.
Seventh Grade English
This week students started learning how to lay out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. It is a complicated process that the students did well in learning. We are hoping to be published by next week. Students also continued to review and learn about nouns with compound and collective nouns, continued to write in their journals, and continued to practice identifying parts of speech.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot and motivations of the characters. Next week students will begin learning key literary terms. Students will start with five terms next week and be tested on them on Monday, October 15. Each week students will receive an additional five terms.
Sixth Grade English
This week students started learning how to lay out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. It is a complicated process that the students did well in learning. We are hoping to be published by next week. Students also continued to review nouns with a fun look at plural noun rules and continued to write in their journals and practice parts of speech.
October 1, 2018Eighth Grade English
Last week students checked their articles for The Bulldog Bark for possible revisions and started to conference with Mr. Thompson to edit their articles. They were unable to begin laying out the articles in Microsoft Publisher due to MAP testing, but that will begin this week.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot. Students learned the RACE method for answering constructed response questions Race stands for R—Restate the question, A—Answer the question, C—Cite textual evidence, E—Explain/Expand. When students were not MAP testing, they answered questions about “The Tell-tale Heart” using the RACE method. Next week, students will begin with another Poe classic: “The Raven.”
Seventh Grade English
Last week students checked their articles for The Bulldog Bark for possible revisions and started to conference with Mr. Thompson to edit their articles. They were unable to begin laying out the articles in Microsoft Publisher due to MAP testing, but that will begin this week. Also last week, students practiced parts of speech with the Sentence Game, began a review of nouns, with common and proper nouns, learned the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, and continued to write in the journals.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot. Students abandoned the short story by Jack London; it proved to be too difficult. With MAP testing this week, students read independently.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students checked their articles for The Bulldog Bark for possible revisions and started to conference with Mr. Thompson to edit their articles. They were unable to begin laying out the articles in Microsoft Publisher due to MAP testing, but that will begin this week. Also last week, students practiced parts of speech with the Sentence Game, began a review of nouns, with common and proper nouns, learned the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, and continued to write in the journals.
September 14, 2018
Eighth Grade English
This week students continued working on The Bulldog Bark. They are gathering information to write their first articles. Students also created writing journals in which they will be writing each week during class. They will be able to write about anything and will be working on writing as much and well as they can. Students also reviewed the correct way to write numbers: when to write them as words and when to write them as numerals.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students listened to the first read aloud of the school year: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty is about the strengths of friendship and how people with differences can persevere and become stronger together. Students also had time to read independently and write about the book they are reading in their Reading Journal. Students learned more about the life of Edgar Allan Poe, practiced the vocabulary of “The Tell-tale Heart,”and will delve into Poe’s literature next week.
Seventh Grade English
This week students continued working on The Bulldog Bark. They are gathering information to write their first articles. Students also created writing journals in which they will be writing each week during class. They will be able to write about anything and will be working on writing as much and well as they can. Students also learned the correct way to write numbers: when to write them as words and when to write them as numerals.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students listened to the first read aloud of the school year: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty is about the strengths of friendship and how people with differences can persevere and become stronger together. Students also had time to read independently and write about the book they are reading in their Reading Journal. Students will delve into the literature of Jack London next week.
Sixth Grade English
This week students continued working on The Bulldog Bark. They are gathering information to write their first articles. Students also created writing journals in which they will be writing each week during class. They will be able to write about anything and will be working on writing as much and well as they can. Students alsolearned the correct way to write numbers: when to write them as words and when to write them as numerals.
April 27, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students concluded their study of pronouns with a test on Friday. Some students received letters from their Jamaican penpals, but it was unfortunate that only a few letters were sent. Hopefully more students will receive more letters, but it is unknown at this point. Students also began preparations for the final edition of The Bulldog Bark.
8B ELA—Students will conclude their study of pronouns with a test on Monday. Some students received letters from their Jamaican penpals, but it was unfortunate that only a few letters were sent. Hopefully more students will receive more letters, but it is unknown at this point. Students also began preparations for the final edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Forward testing concluded this week, and eighth grade students began studying their next great American author‒Jack London. Students read a biography of London and began reading, discussing one of his short stories, “A Thousand Death.” Students are gleaning interesting vocabulary from the short story and answering questions while providing evidence.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students continued their study of Africa. Students learned the second ten locations in Africa and took a quiz on these ten locations plus the first ten locations on Friday. Students will be given ten additional locations each week, and they must know the ten previous locations. So ten locations last week, twenty locations next week, thirty locations the net week until they know the entire continent of Africa. Students learned about Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, and they also received study guide with the next eleven countries.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students concluded their study of pronouns with a test on Friday. Some students received letters from their Jamaican penpals, but it was unfortunate that only a few letters were sent. Hopefully more students will receive more letters, but it is unknown at this point. Students also began preparations for the final edition of The Bulldog Bark.
7B ELA--Students continued their study of pronouns with learning about subject and object pronouns and when to correctly use them in writing. Forward testing concluded this week and occured during our class time.
April 13, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam along with misplaced and dangling modifiers.
8B ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students read independently while they had their graduation pictures on Tuesday. They also practiced for the Forward Exam by reading a nonfiction piece by Jack London and answering questions related to the piece. On Friday, Mrs. Forkner returned to teach another lesson from Junior Achievement. Students looked inward as to what they would like from future jobs. Next week students will begin the Forward Exam and prepare for it on the non-testing days.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam.
7B ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students read articles about the Uyghur people in China and the Kurdish people in the Middle East. We read the articles together, students highlighted information in the articles, and then wrote about the main ideas contained in each article. Students then watched a video on Australia, took notes, and took a quiz on the content. Students also learned about and discussed the chemical weapons attack in Syria and its implications on the rest of the world. On Friday, students learned about Oceania and its regions of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. They then learned about the nations of Fiji and Kiribati. Next week, students will begin their study of Africa.
April 2, 2018Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
8B ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
7B ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
After Spring Break, students will conclude Asia with several readings about major topics affecting Asia. Students then will answer essay questions about these topics. After Asia, students will begin studying Saharan Africa.
March 26, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, took a test on modifiers, and worked on the correct usage of pronouns.
8B ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, took a test on modifiers, and worked on the correct usage of pronouns.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students read independently this week and I conferred with the other half of the class about their Ray Bradbury essays, and on Friday Mrs. Forkner continued the Junior Achievement class. Next week students will print final versions of their essays in the computer lab.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, took a test on modifiers, and worked on the correct usage of pronouns.
7B ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth GradeSocial Studies
Students took a map test on Asia on Wednesday and learned about China, Mongolia, Japan, the Koreas, India, Cambodia, and Laos. Next week and after Spring Break students will continue with Asia. A long-form test on Asia will occur after Spring Break and then onto Africa.
March 16, 2016
8th Grade English
8A ELA--Students began work on pronouns, specifically nominative or subject pronouns. Students also continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
8B ELA--Students began work on pronouns, specifically nominative or subject pronouns and objective pronouns. Among the pronoun usages students learned was that object pronouns are used in prepositional phrases, so it’s “Between you and me,” not “Between you and I.” Students also continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
8th Grade Reading
Students continued to work on their formal essay: students will select one of the short stories we read by Ray Bradbury, establish a theme for the short story and craft an essay with that theme as a claim. The essay is due on Monday, March 12.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--This week students increased their understanding of the adverb, and students continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
7B ELA--This week students increased their understanding of the adverb, and students continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Geography students took the map test on the Middle East and the Caucuses on Tuesday. Students learned about Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern Countries, worked on a map of Central and Eastern Asia, and learned about Afghanistan. Students will receive a study guide map for the rest od Asia next week.
March 5, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students started the layout of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
8B ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students made revisions of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
8th Grade Reading
Students began work on their next formal essay: students will select one of the short stories we read by Ray Bradbury, establish a theme for the short story and craft an essay with that theme as a claim. The short story selection and theme are due on Monday.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students started the layout of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
7B ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students made revisions of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Geography students took the long-form test on Europe on Tuesday, and they have a map test on the Caucuses and the Middle East on Tuesday, March 6. Students have a study guide for this test. Students learned about armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Lebanon. Students will wrap up the Middle East next week and move into the “Stans” part of central Asia.
February 23, 2018
February 16, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Tuesday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
8B ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Tuesday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students received their next set of literary terms. Students need to define the terms, and this is due on Monday. The test will be administered on Tuesday, February 27. Students also had opportunities to read independently and write in their reading journals. On Friday, Mrs. Forkner taught the students their first lesson from Junior Achievement. Over the next six Fridays, students will learn skills that today’s employers value in candidates.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Thursday and Friday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
7B ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Frida, and will have the opportunity to finish it on Monday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students took, and in some cases retook, the test on Eastern European countries. They also completed a worksheet on the capitals of Eastern Europe. On Thursday and Friday, students completed a study guide for the long-form test on Europe. These are the questions on the exam:
3. Why could Europe be described as a continent of peninsulas?
4. What former country controlled most of Eastern Europe until the late 1980s and early 1990s and how did that affect the modernization of Eastern Europe?
5. Explain the importance of the Great European Plain to the agriculture of Europe.
6. What is the least populated part of Europe? Why?
Students have a study guide for the test which will be administered on Tuesday, February 27.
February 9, 2018
Eight Grade English
8A ELA--Students received a study guide for a test on verbs. This test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark
8B ELA--Students received a study guide for a test on verbs. This test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took a test on literary terms; this test will be graded and returned next week. Students also read “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury. Students discussed the short story and analyzed Bradbury’s use of irony. Students will continue to study irony next week and its confusion with coincidence. As always, students were given time to read independently and as always please encourage students to read independently at home.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students started learning about the Baltic countries of Estonia and Latvia and also the Balkan countries of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also completed a study guide map of Eastern Europe. This test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students received a study guide for a test on verbs. This test is scheduled for Thursday, February 15. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
7B ELA--Students concluded their study of verbs and started work the study guide for the verbs test. The study guide will be finished on Monday, and the test will be administered on Friday, February 16. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
January 26, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment
8B ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment. Students also completed their second formal debates.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students worked on their reading MAP test, read independently, and read another short story by Ray Bradbury, “The Foghorn.” Students identified figurative language, setting, point of view and vocabulary words from the short story.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment.
7B ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students worked on a packet about Northern Europe, finished a study guide map of Northern Europe and studied Iceland. The map test on Northern Europe will be on Thursday of next week.
January 12,2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--This week students continued their study of verbs with simple tenses, perfect tenses, progressive tenses, transitive and intransitive verbs, and direct and indirect objects. Also, students began work on their second formal debate. Students will be debating this resolution: “Paper textbooks should be used at Washington-Caldwell, replacing the current iPad textbooks.”
8B ELA--This week students continued their study of verbs with simple tenses, perfect tenses, progressive tenses, transitive and intransitive verbs, and direct and indirect objects. Also, students began work on their second formal debate. Four teams of students will be debating these two resolutions: “Vending machines should be installed in the multipurpose room at Washington-Caldwell” and “The dress code for girls at Washington-Caldwell should be relaxed.”
Eighth Grade Reading
Students answered questions about “A Sound of Thunder” and watched a video presentation of the short story produced by Ray Bradbury. Students watched the video critically to find differences from the short story. Students also began reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping,” another short story by Bradbury. They will conclude this short story next week. As always, please encourage your children to read independently at home. Our goal is thirty minutes a night.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students completed the map test on Mediterranean Europe with a study of Cyprus, even though it is considered part of the Middle East. They also began learning about western Europe including Belgium and Germany.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--This week students continued their study of verbs: simple tenses, perfect tenses, and forms of be, have and do. Students also continued work on their second formal debate. The proposition and opposition teams worked on formulating assertions, evidence and strategy. This second debate will be held on Tuesday, January 16.
7B ELA--This week students published their “Where I’m From” poems in the innovation center. They also selected a topic on which to base their second formal debate. Two teams will be debating this resolution: “The school day should run from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm at Washington-Caldwell.” Students also worked on verbs with identifying verbs and verb phrases.
December 22, 2017
Eighth Grade English
The second edition of The Bulldog Bark was published and distributed this week. Students worked hard making final edits, assembling the newspaper and sharing the latest edition with all the students of Washington-Calwell. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. The final deadline for these pieces is the first Friday in January. Another piece students are working on is a “Where I’m From” poem. Students read an example written by George Ella Lyons. She used sensory details in her poem to describe where she is from in the world, and students are using sensory details in their poems.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students started to read their second short story by Ray Bradbury, “A Sound of Thunder.” Students will finish reading this short story upon their return from break, and they will watch the Bradbury produced television episode to compare and contrast. Students also had an opportunity to read independently. Please help them find time over the holiday break to find time to read. I know it is a busy time, but continued reading will only help them.
Seventh Grade English
The second edition of The Bulldog Bark was published and distributed this week. Students worked hard making final edits, assembling the newspaper and sharing the latest edition with all the students of Washington-Calwell. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. The final deadline for these pieces is the first Friday in January. Another piece students are working on is a “Where I’m From” poem. Students read an example written by George Ella Lyons. She used sensory details in her poem to describe where she is from in the world, and students are using sensory details in their poems.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students took the South America long-form test on Thursday, December 21. We are working on answering questions in complete sentences. The test contained the same questions as the study guide. These will be corrected over Christmas break. Students also began to study Europe; they are beginning with Mediterranean Europe. The geography of Europe will be divided up into three sections: Mediterranean Europe, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe. That is a great deal to cover in the rest of second quarter; we may need to finish in the beginning of the third quarter.
December 8, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students continued their study of South America with Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Easter Island. Students took notes on the countries and completed open notes quizzes on each country. Students also continued to watch CNN10 each day and discussed current events. Students learned about the change of leadership in Zimbabwe and the continuing saga of events in North Korea.
Seventh Grade English
This week students worked on several critical thinking warm-ups that included grouping synonyms and creating a sentence out of specified words and punctuation. Students also finished drafting, revising, editing, and began laying out their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Additionally, students learned about appositives and how they are used to combine sentences. Next week students will receive a study guide for the next test on nouns which will be the following week.
Eighth Grade English
This week students worked on several critical thinking warm-ups that included grouping synonyms and creating a sentence out of specified words and punctuation. Students also finished drafting, revising, editing, and began laying out their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Additionally, students learned about appositives and how they are used to combine sentences. Next week students will receive a study guide for the next test on nouns which will be the following week.
Eighth Grade Reading
The Edgar Allan Poe essays are due Monday. Students had time to complete work on their essays, although some are not finished. Students also began to read about their next author, Ray Bradbury. Bradbury was a prolific writer with over six hundred short stories and several iconic novels to his credit. In eighth grade, students will read some of Bradbury’s short stories, and in high school they will most likely read Fahrenheit 451 or Something Wicked This Way Comes. Through the short stories, students will have a good familiarity with Bradbury in which to continue reading the longer works in high school. Next week Monday, students will print their Poe essays in preparation to submit them for final grading.
November 22, 2017
Eighth Grade English
The final drafts of The Bulldog Bark news articles are due Thursday, November 30. The writing from these articles will be graded from these drafts. Next week students will need to take photographs in preparation to complete the layout their articles on Friday. The layout of the articles will be a separate grade. Also, next week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns; the test will be the following week. Students also continue to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Final collection of these pieces will take place right after Christmas break.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students had a chance to work with their 5K buddies. They helped their young buddies create a Thanksgiving book. Students also continued working on their essays covering a theme from “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Black Cat.” The final copy of the essay is due December 4. Students also had time to read independently; please encourage your son or daughter to read at least thirty minutes each night for homework.
Seventh Grade English
The final drafts of The Bulldog Bark news articles are due Thursday, November 30. The writing from these articles will be graded from these drafts. Next week students will need to take photographs in preparation to complete the layout their articles on Friday. The layout of the articles will be a separate grade. Also, next week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns; the test will be the following week. Students also continue to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Final collection of these pieces will take place right after Christmas break.
Sixth GradeSocial Studies
Students took the map test on South America on Tuesday. They will continue studying the countries of South America next week, and will receive a study guide for the long-form test the following week.
November 10, 2017
November 3, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students performed several Tennis Debates this week. They are different than the formal debates and not a debate about tennis, but they are debates where two teams “serve” arguments to a member of the opposing team, and that member must return the serve with a well-worded refutation. Students were given ten minutes to prepare with their team, and formulate arguments and refutations. It was excellent practice for students to devise reasoning supported by evidence; it also gave students practice creating rebuttal arguments with a limited amount of time. Next week we will work on another debate and conclude our review of nouns. On Friday, third hour ELA did not have class because of High Interest Day, and the sixth hour class spent time in the computer lab publishing poems and six-word memoirs.
Eighth Grade Reading
On Halloween day, students finished reading “The Black Cat.” The climax was perfect for Halloween. If you need a good read, “The Black Cat” and all of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories and poems are available online. Students also had time to read independently. Students missed some class time on Friday because of High Interest Day, and several attorneys presented information on their profession. They had several interesting points to make, but the most important was the need to love reading. The law requires a great deal of reading, and someone who loves to read is at a great advantage. Please encourage your son or daughter to read at home at least thirty minutes each night. If they can develop a love of reading now, it will benefit them the rest of their lives.
7A English—Students performed several Tennis Debates this week. There are different than the formal debates and not a debate about tennis, but it is a debate where two teams “serve” arguments to a member of the opposing team, and that member must return the serve with a well-worded refutation. Students were given ten minutes to prepare with their team, and formulate arguments and refutations. It was excellent practice for students to devise reasoning supported by evidence; it also gave students practice creating rebuttal arguments with a limited amount of time. Next week we will work on another debate and conclude our review of nouns.
7B English--These students only had class three days because of guidance class on Wednesday and High Interest Day on Friday. Students prepared for their first formal debate this week. They finished watching a video of a sample debate and chose the following topic: “Middle school students at Washington-Caldwell need more time for recess.” They were randomly separated into two teams and had to decide what order each member would speak. Next week, they will conclude their research and begin the actual debate.
Social Studies – Sixth Grade
On Thursday, students took the map test on the Caribbean. The long form test on the Caribbean has taken longer to correct than expected, but will be in Power School by Monday. Students began work on a packet of information of the Caribbean and Central America. No new study guides have been sent home yet. There may be an alternate assessment about the nations of the Caribbean next week. This will be in place of a test. After the Caribbean, students will begin a study of South America. Yes, there is a song to help them learn the countries and capitals.
October 27, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students researched, wrote and practiced with their debate teams this week. The sixth hour class performed their debate on Wednesday, and the third hour class debated on Thursday and Friday. The results were outstanding. Students stated their assertions and refutations with confidence and style. They also enjoyed the experience and want to perform more debates. It’s an excellent way to practice writing argumentative pieces as well as practicing public speaking skills. The sixth hour class also had time to practice a Tennis Debate. This is not a debate about tennis, but it is a debate where two teams “serve” arguments to a member of the opposing team, and that member must return the serve with a well-worded refutation. Next week we will work on another debate and conclude our review of nouns.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took the first vocabulary test from “The Raven.” This test was a cloze activity where students needed to fill in blanks from of a paragraph with the ten vocabulary words. Next week students will have to perform a cloze activity for the test and choose five of the words to write their own paragraph. Students also began reading “The Black Cat” by Poe. This is a wonderfully crafted short story with all the elements that Poe is famous for. Next week, students will finish the short story and then begin an essay that will include “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Black Cat.” The bulk of this essay work will be in the second quarter.
Students are required to read thirty minutes each night in the book they have chosen to read independently. Some students are not doing this, and the writing about their independent reading is suffering. If a student is not reading independently, they can not write about it effectively. It is each student’s responsibility to read on their own.
7B English--Students finished writing tritinas, and will publish them next week. They also reviewed the test from last week, learned about countable nouns, and practiced the difference between less and fewer. Ms. Wesolowski has been teaching guidance during our Wednesday class period and will again next week. Also next week students will begin learning the fundamentals of formal debating with the Middle School Debate Program.
7A English--Students reviewed the test from last week, learned about countable nouns, and the difference between less and fewer. They also started learning the fundamentals of formal debate with the Middle School Debate Program. Students watched a sample debate on YouTube, and discussed the particulars of how to perform a formal debate. Students learned about assertions and refutations and how to phrase them to best argue their points. The class will be debating this resolution: “Students at Washington-Caldwell should be required to wear uniforms at school.” Students were randomly placed on the proposition team or the opposition team and chose the order of their speakers. On Friday, they began to research arguments. They will be given time next week to continue planning, writing, and practicing with their teams and will perform the debate on Thursday or Friday depending on their progress.
Social Studies – Sixth Grade
On Thursday, October 26, students took the long-form test on Central America. This will be graded by Monday. The map test on the Caribbean will be on Thursday, November 2. Students have been learning about the larger islands of the Caribbean known as the Greater Antilles, and will practice locating the smaller islands known as the lesser Antilles in class, but they will need to study at home. Students have a study guide for the map test. The long-form test on the Caribbean will be the following Thursday, November 9. A study guide will be sent home by Friday, November 3.
October 20, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students began learning about the Middle School Debate Program. They watched a video of an actual debate and discussed the components that make up a formal debate. Students then discussed possible topics for their debates. The third hour class was separated into four teams and decided on the two following topics: “Middle school students at Washington-Caldwell should be allowed to take their backpacks to each class” and “Middle school students at Washington-Caldwell should be allowed to use their cell phones at lunch, recess and during study hall.” The sixth hour class was separated into two teams who will debate “Middle school students need a longer lunch period and recess.” It was interesting that students all chose topics that affect their lives directly. Students began planning their strategies and researching arguments.
Reading – Thompson
This week students took the third vocabulary test from “The Tell-tale Heart;” students will take a test next week on the first ten words from “The Raven.” Vocabulary tests will be of a different format starting next week. Instead of multiple choice, students will need to write a paragraph using the vocabulary words. This first assessment will have a fill in the blank paragraph with five of the ten words, and students will have to write a separate paragraph with the remaining five words. This will better assess students knowledge use of the vocabulary. Students will, of course, practice this during the week before the test on Thursday, October 26. Students also continued reading analysis of “The Raven,” and had the opportunity to read independently. Please encourage your son or daughter to read at least thirty minutes each night.
English – Seventh Grade
Students began their study of nouns this week along with an emphasis on complex sentences and using semicolons and colons in their writing, Students also journaled extensively and took photos of the new playground construction in anticipation of the next issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Social Studies –Sixth Grade
Students completed the study guide for the essay test on Central America; the test will be on Tuesday, October 24. Students also completed a map of the Caribbean, and began their study of the island nations. The map test for the Caribbean will be on Tuesday, October 31. Students have their own study guide for this map test and a master copy will be handed out on Tuesday.
October 13, 2107
Eighth Grade English
Students spent the week reviewing for our first test on the sentence, different types of sentences, conjunctions, varying use of sentences, and correctly punctuating the different types of sentences. The test was administered on Friday. Students also wrote tritinas this week. A trtina is a three stanza poem utilizing three words used in different types of end rhyme. The difficulty in writing a tritina is to not just repeat the same information in each of the stanzas. Students also concentrated on using interesting verbs and adjectives in the tritinas. While in the computer lab, students printed display copies of their trinitas and other poems they have written this year to display in the hallway.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took a vocabulary test on the second ten words from “The Tell-tale Heart,” and many students performed well. There will be vocabulary tests each Thursday from the writing of Edgar Allan Poe for the next foreseeable weeks. Students also finished reading “The Raven.” This poem has some difficult vocabulary and interesting imagery. Students read and discussed the poem this last week and will analyze and read analysis of the poem next week. The following week, students will read and analyze “The Black Cat,” another of Poe’s classic short stories.
English – Seventh Grade
Students spent the week reviewing for our first test on the sentence, different types of sentences, conjunctions, varying use of sentences, and correctly punctuating the different types of sentences. The test was administered on Friday. Students also wrote tritinas this week. A trtina is a three stanza poem utilizing three words used in different types of end rhyme. The difficulty in writing a tritina is to not just repeat the same information in each of the stanzas. Students also concentrated on using interesting verbs and adjectives in the tritinas. While in the computer lab, students printed display copies of their trinitas and other poems they have written this year to display in the hallway.
Social Studies – Sixth Grade
This week students took the map test on Central America and received a study guide for the main test on Central America. Students worked on the study guide on Friday, and will continue working on it on Tuesday since we don’t have class on Monday. Once the study guide is complete, the test on that material will one week later. The earliest this test will be is on Tuesday, October 24.
September 29, 2017
Eighth Grade English-Language Arts
Students finished editing The Bulldog Bark. It will be delivered to students on Monday afternoon. Students did well with the editing process; it was a lot of work. Students also began writing in a daily journal this week. This journal allows students to practice the punctuation and grammar they learn each day. For example, students have been practicing the use of the semicolon and the correct conventional use of numbers in their entries.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took a quiz on the vocabulary they discovered from Edgar Allan Poe’s biography. Students also read “The Tell-tale Heart,” started reading an analysis of the short story, and had an in depth discussion on elements of the characters. We only had class twice this week because of MAP testing and the PBIS day on Friday. All the eighth grade students led discussions in seven different areas on PBIS day and helped present information to students how to behave in all areas of the school.
Seventh Grade English-Language Arts
Students finished editing The Bulldog Bark. It will be delivered to students on Monday afternoon. Students did well with the editing process; it was a lot of work. Students also began writing in a daily journal this week. This journal allows students to practice the punctuation and grammar they learn each day. For example, students have been practicing the use of the semicolon and the correct conventional use of numbers in their entries.
Sixth GradeSocial Studies
On Wednesday, of last week, students took the exam on Canada. The results of the exam will be posted to the gradebook by Monday afternoon. Students continued to study Central America. There is another catchy video on YouTube if you would like to learn the countries of Central America. We will finish up Central America next week and have a test on Mexico and Central America the following week.
September 22, 2017
Eighth Grade Reading
Students have finished reading a biography of Edgar Allan Poe and will take a quiz on six vocabulary words we found in the biography on Tuesday. On Monday students have MAP testing. Students also received a list of vocabulary words from “The Tell-tale Heart,” and they will be tested on these words in the next several weeks. Students again had an opportunity to read independently as individual reading assessments were completed last week. Also, on Tuesday, students will begining analyzing “The Tell-tale Heart.” On Friday, students were treated to an unusual poem by Edgar Allan Poe entitled “The Flame.” Ask your son or daughter about it.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students have finished reading a biography of Edgar Allan Poe and will take a quiz on six vocabulary words we found in the biography on Tuesday. On Monday students have MAP testing. Students also received a list of vocabulary words from “The Tell-tale Heart,” and they will be tested on these words in the next several weeks. Students again had an opportunity to read independently as individual reading assessments were completed last week. Also, on Tuesday, students will begining analyzing “The Tell-tale Heart.” On Friday, students were treated to an unusual poem by Edgar Allan Poe entitled “The Flame.” Ask your son or daughter about it.
Seventh Grade ELA
Students finished final touches on the body of their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Teaching students the proper layout of the articles is time consuming for this first issue, but students will now know the requirements. Editing the newspaper is also time consuming, but it is an excellent way for students to help each other and learn from each other. Each day we practice parts of speech with an activity called the sentence game. It’s a fun way to practice parts of speech, and it also improves reading as students must correctly predict the proper sequence of words.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students completed a study guide of Canada for the test next week. If students study the study guide and map, they will perform well on test. As always students watched CNN10 and discussed current events from around the world, especially the hurricanes in the Caribbean and the earthquakes in Mexico. Mexico happens to be our next area of study. Students completed a map of Mexico with its significant landforms and investigated its significant geographical aspects. The test on Canada will be next week Wednesday. Please have your son or daughter study
from the study guide.
September 8, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students played some team building games and games that allowed me to get to know them better. We did watch some current events segments on CNN10 and discussed what was going on in the world. We also began studying world geography with North America and Canada. Students watched a video describing the provinces and territories, and began working on a map of Canada.
Seventh Grade ELA
Students played some games this week to allow me to get to know them better. We also played a sentence game to review and learn new parts of speech. Students also began work as journalists for the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students have selected topics, began formulating questions to ask prospective interviewees, and began creating the organization for their article. We are looking at a publication deadline of September 30. We have a lot of work to complete before the newspapers hit the stands.
Eigth Grade Reading
We spent most of our time his week with administrative functions of returning to school. Next week we will truly begin focusing on Reader's Workshop and our study of our first author: Edgar Allan Poe. We will study at least three of Poe’s most famous pieces: “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Black Cat.”
Eighth Grade ELA
Students played some games this week to allow me to get to know them better. We also played a sentence game to review and learn new parts of speech. Students also began work as journalists for the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students have selected topics, began formulating questions to ask prospective interviewees, and began creating the organization for their article. We are looking at a publication deadline of September 30. We have a lot of work to complete before the newspapers hit the stands.
May 8, 2017
Calendar of Upcoming Event
Monday May 8 Seventh Grade Field Trip to YMCA Camp MacLean
Wednesday May 10 Senior Brunch and Spring Concert
Thursday May 11 High School Students Speak to Eighth Graders 9:45 am
Thursday May 11 Graduation photo orders due
Wednesday May 17 Band Concert
Thursday May 18 STEM Night
Friday May 19 Eighth Grade Bake Sale
Tuesday May 23 Mega Math Meet at Madison College
Wednesday May 24 Southern Lakes Anthology Reception at UW-Whitewater
Thursday May 25 Eighth Grade Trip to Helium and Buffalo Wild Wings
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students completed letters to their Jamaican pen pals, completed a map of Australia and surrounding archipelagos, and took an open note quiz on Australia. Students also worked on presentations of African countries. The essay test on Asia has been postponed until Tuesday, May 9.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students read another short story by O. Henry, his most famous, “The Gift of the Magi.” Students also wrote character descriptions of the previous O. Henry short story, “By Courier.” Students also took a test on vocabulary words from “By Courier.” As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
English – Thompson
Students performed the final edits on The Bulldog Bark, and began assembling and delivering the paper. Sixth hour students continued learning the correct usage of pronouns, while the third hour students created more Burma Shave signs.
Reading – Thompson and Hegemann
Students again read books for their book club groups and met on Friday to discuss their novels. Students are doing a wonderful job leading the discussions and truly analyzing their novels. Student also finished the short story “By Courier” by O. Henry. Students also took a test on vocabulary words from “By Courier.” As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
April 7, 2017
Social Studies – Thompson
This week students learned about the differences between the free nation of South Korea and the totalitarian regime of North Korea. Students were pretty shocked about how the citizens of North Korea are treated. Students also learned about communist China and how its government treats its citizens. Students also learned the locations of countries of Indochina. Students will have a quiz on these locations next week Wednesday.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students reviewed timed essay writing in preparation for the Forward Exam. Students read examples provided by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. Students read passages, practiced organizing essays with thesis statements, discussed possible options for writing the essays, and read example essays. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
Eighth Grade English
Students began editing the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, began a comprehensive look at pronouns, more difficult than you might think, and took the ELA sections of the Forward Exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students reviewed timed essay writing in preparation for the Forward Exam. Students read examples provided by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. Students read passages, practiced organizing essays with thesis statements, discussed possible options for writing the essays, and read example essays. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
March 31, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students took a quiz on the capitals of the Stans countries and a map test on the locations of the countries of the western Asia. Students also learned more about China, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. We will continue making our way though Asia next week into Indochina, the Koreas and Japan.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students worked in their book clubs reading Holes, Speak, Ender’s Game and Cut and chose roles in their book clubs. Students then met on Thursday to discuss their book: the vocabulary, settings, and connections. Students also wrote a practice essay for the Forward Exam. They wrote an essay in class about Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain.” This gave them experience planning and executing an essay in a classroom setting. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
Eighth Grade English
Students took a test on Modifiers and finalized their articles for The Bulldog Bark, both a regular news article and a parody article. Students also worked on a practice essay for the Forward Exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students worked in their book clubs reading Holes, The Summoning, Maximum Ride and If I Stay and chose roles in their book clubs. Students then met on Thursday to discuss their book: the vocabulary, settings, and connections. Students also wrote a practice essay for the Forward Exam. They wrote an essay in class about Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain.” This gave them experience planning and executing an essay in a classroom setting. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
March 24, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students are learning about the Stans of Central Asia. They will be taking quizzes on different sections of Asia, so they can continue to learn about this huge continent in smaller bites. Students took their first quiz on the location of the seven Stans countries, and on Tuesday of next week, they will take a quiz on the capitals of these countries. We will continue to move eastward through Asia.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students shared their analysis of “A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman on Monday. They also grouped themselves into literature circles or book clubs based on interest in similar books. Students will be reading Holes, Speak, Ender’s Game and Cut. Students will begin reading in their books clubs next week. Students are still encouraged to read their own books independently. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
Eighth Grade English
Students attended the School Speech contest finals on Wednesday. They also laid out their latest articles for The Bulldog Bark. This issue is set for publication within the next two weeks. Third hour ELA will be taking a test on Modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, on Tuesday, March 28. The sixth hour class needs more time to review adverbs and will be taking their text the following week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued in their book clubs this week. The book club books include, Holes, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, If I Stay and The Summoning. Students also read and analyzed another poem by Carl Sandburg, “Fog” and read and analyzed Walt Whitman’s most famous poem, his great American allegory, “O Captain, My Captain.” As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
March 17, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students delivered their speeches for a grade and to determine the three finalists who will compete next week Wednesday in the Gym. The third hour class helped prepare for the Academic Bowl, and the sixth hour class performed some impromptu speeches. Students also worked on their news article, which is due Monday. Their parody news article%2
Sixth Grade English
April 5, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students read independently, practiced for the Forward Exam, listened to the novel The Wave, and took a listening quiz from the read aloud. This week students will continue to practice for the Forward Exam that students will take the following week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students submitted their formal essays on the mood of a short story by Richard Matheson, and they also read nonfiction pieces from ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions from these pieces. Students also read independently and listened to The Wave by Todd Strasser. This week students will take practice tests for the Forward Exam.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students finished pieces for the third edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary art magazine. Students also practice using correct irregular verbs and practiced vocabulary words. This week students will assemble and distribute Paw Prints, continue practicing using irregular verbs, and continue practicing vocabulary words.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students finished pieces for the third edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary art magazine. Students also practice using correct irregular verbs and practiced vocabulary words. This week students will assemble and distribute Paw Prints, continue practicing using irregular verbs, and continue practicing vocabulary words.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, practiced for the Forward Exam, and read a script from The Twilight Zone entitled “Where is Everybody.” This week students will continue to practice for the Forward Exam that students will take the following week.
March 8, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students completed the layout of their news articles for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students used Microsoft Publisher and added photos and captions to their articles. Students also worked in writers’ workshop and continued studying vocabulary in Membean. This week students will do final editing of The Bulldog Bark, assemble and distribute it, continue Membean, practice editing misplaced modifiers, and work on assembling the next edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell's literary arts magazine.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued to work on their formal essays on the works of Richard Matheson. Students selected one of the Matheson short stories we read and analyzed how the mood of the story was demonstrated in diction (word choice), setting, and dialogue. This essay is due Monday, March 8. This week students will continue to work on their essays, and they will also read nonfiction pieces and answer comprehension questions from these pieces.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students completed the layout of their news articles for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students used Microsoft Publisher and added photos and captions to their articles. Students also worked in writers’ workshop and continued studying vocabulary in Membean. This week students will do final editing of The Bulldog Bark, assemble and distribute it, continue Membean, practice editing misplaced modifiers, and work on assembling the next edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell's literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students completed the layout of their news articles for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students used Microsoft Publisher and added photos and captions to their articles. Students also worked in writers’ workshop and continued studying vocabulary in Membean. This week students will do final editing of The Bulldog Bark, assemble and distribute it, continue Membean, practice editing misplaced modifiers, and work on assembling the next edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell's literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students focused on nonfiction pieces from ReadWorks and provided evidence from the various texts they read while answering comprehension questions. Students also read independently and listened to the A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. Students practiced listening skills and answered questions from the novel.
February 22, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students completed a formal debate with the motion “Washington-Caldwell should not require students to complete homework.” They practiced making arguments, refuting arguments, and answering points of information presented by the opposing team, and students gained valuable practice in persuasive writing and public speaking. Students will select another motion next week. Also next week students will work on final drafts of their news articles and hopefully begin the layout process for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth GradeReading
This week students worked on a nonfiction piece in ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions. Students also began work on a formal essay on the works of Richard Matheson. Students selected one of the Matheson short stories we read and will write about the mood of the story as demonstrated in diction (word choice), setting, and dialogue. This essay is due Wednesday, March 3.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students completed a formal debate with the motion “Washington-Caldwell should not require students to complete homework.” They practiced making arguments, refuting arguments, and answering points of information presented by the opposing team, and students gained valuable practice in persuasive writing and public speaking. Students will select another motion next week. Also next week students will work on final drafts of their news articles and hopefully begin the layout process for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students completed a formal debate with the motion “Washington-Caldwell should allow class pets.” They practiced making arguments, refuting arguments, and answering points of information presented by the opposing team, and students gained valuable practice in persuasive writing and public speaking. Students will select another motion next week. Also next week students will work on final drafts of their news articles and hopefully begin the layout process for the third edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read a nonfiction piece from ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions from the piece. Students also read another script written by Rod Serling entitled “The Midnight Sun.” Students selected roles to read and acted the piece with voice inflection, volume and emotion. Next week students will conclude their study of Rod Serling.
January 25, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued to learn about formal debates with the introduction of refutation and the practicing of presenting arguments. Students worked in teams of three to argue for or against having elective classes at Washington-Caldwell. Next week students will continue practicing debates. Also last week, students began working with a vocabulary website called Membean. This site pretests students and introduces them to new vocabulary words in a variety of ways. Students will use this website for fifteen minutes three times a week. Students will continue to practice parts of speech and work in a writers workshop at least two times a week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read the script from The Twilight Zone by Richard Matheson entitled “Nightmare at 20, 000 Feet.” They also watched the television episode from 1959 and the movie version of the short story from 1983. Students discussed the differences between the short story, the script, and the two media versions. Students will continue reading short stories and teleplays by Richard Matheson, and then write an essay of Matheson’s works. Students will have several options to choose from for their essay. Students will also read nonfiction pieces from ReadWorks and answer comprehension questions from these pieces.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued to learn about formal debates with the introduction of refutation and the practicing of presenting arguments. Students worked in teams of three to argue for or against having elective classes at Washington-Caldwell. Next week students will continue practicing debates. Also last week, students began working with a vocabulary website called Membean. This site pretests students and introduces them to new vocabulary words in a variety of ways. Students will use this website for fifteen minutes three times a week. Students will continue to practice parts of speech and work in a writers workshop at least two times a week.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued to learn about formal debates with the introduction of refutation and the practicing of presenting arguments. Students worked in teams of three to argue for or against having elective classes at Washington-Caldwell. Next week students will continue practicing debates. Also last week, students began working with a vocabulary website called Membean. This site pretests students and introduces them to new vocabulary words in a variety of ways. Students will use this website for fifteen minutes three times a week. Students will continue to practice parts of speech and work in a writers workshop at least two times a week.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, read nonfiction pieces in ReadWorks and answered comprehension questions from the pieces. Students also read another script from The Twilight Zone, “The Howling Man.” Next week students will continue to read from Readworks, read more stories by Rod Serling, and read independently.
January 11, 2021
Eighth Grade English
Last week students learned a new warm-up activity: Mr. T’s Scrabble Fun Party, reviewed the next edition of Paw Prints, continued to review parts of speech, and took the Winter MAP test. Next week students will assemble and deliver the January edition of Paw Prints, learn when to use the ellipsis, continue practicing parts of speech, and write in Writers’ Workshop.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read an obituary and biography of American author Richard Matheson and read his short story “Born of Man and Woman.” Students also began construction of their rockets inspired by their reading of October Sky. Next week students will complete construction of their rockets and learn about launching them. Students will also continue to explore the works of Richard Matheson.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students learned a new warm-up activity: Mr. T’s Scrabble Fun Party, reviewed the next edition of Paw Prints, continued to review parts of speech, learned about the ellipsis, and continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will assemble and deliver the January edition of Paw Prints, continue practicing parts of speech, and write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students learned a new warm-up activity: Mr. T’s Scrabble Fun Party, reviewed the next edition of Paw Prints, continued to review parts of speech, and took the Winter MAP test. Next week students will assemble and deliver the January edition of Paw Prints, learn when to use the ellipsis, continue practicing parts of speech, and write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read a short biography of Rod Serling and read two scripts from Serling’s classic television series The Twilight Zone: “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up” and “Nothing in the Dark.” Students also worked on the winter MAP test. Next week students will read short stories that inspired episodes of The Twilight Zone, and then read the teleplays inspired by these short stories. Students will discuss and write about literary elements used in both the short stories and scripts.
January 4, 2021
Eighth Grade English
This week students will review the Latin and Greek affixes introduced before break: on-, bio-, ge-, onym-, log-and -ology. Students will take a quiz on these on Tuesday. Students will begin reviewing how to write a multiple paragraph essay from a prompt, edit the second edition of Paw Prints, and continue to write in Writers’ Workshop.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students will begin reading pieces by Richard Matheson. Matheson was an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Students will read short stories and television screenplays by Matheson, and they will also watch the television episodes and movie adaptations created from Matheson’s ideas.
Seventh Grade English
This week students will review the Latin and Greek affixes introduced before break: on-, bio-, ge-, onym-, log-and -ology. Students will take a quiz on these on Tuesday. Students will begin reviewing how to write a multiple paragraph essay from a prompt, edit the second edition of Paw Prints, and continue to write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade English
This week students will review the Latin and Greek affixes introduced before break: on-, bio-, ge-, onym-, log-and -ology. Students will take a quiz on these on Tuesday. Students will begin reviewing how to write a multiple paragraph essay from a prompt, edit the second edition of Paw Prints, and continue to write in Writers’ Workshop.
Sixth Grade Reading
This week students will read additional screenplays from the Classic television series The Twilight Zone. Students will discuss plot, setting, and character development in the screenplays. Students will also begin listening to a new read aloud novel entitled The Wave. The Wave is about a group of high school students who get caught up in learning about facism during World War Two.
November 30, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week in the shortened week, students took a quiz on the Latin and Greek affixes from last week. Students also continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will continue editing the news articles for The Bulldog Bark, learn five new affixes, and continue to create pieces for the next issue of Paw Prints.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued working on their formal essays about common themes in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. This week students will continue working on the essay and listening to October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickham. Students will also conference about the progress of their formal essays.
Seventh Grade English
Last week in the shortened week, students took a quiz on the Latin and Greek affixes from last week. Students also continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will continue editing the news articles for The Bulldog Bark, learn five new affixes, and continue to create pieces for the next issue of Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade English
Last week in the shortened week, students took a quiz on the Latin and Greek affixes from last week. Students also continued to write in Writers’ Workshop. Next week students will continue editing the news articles for The Bulldog Bark, learn five new affixes, and continue to create pieces for the next issue of Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students continued listening to and discussing The Call of the Wild, reading from their own novels, and writing about what they have been reading. This week students will continue writing essay-type questions from The Call of the Wild.
November 16, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students received their copy of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students also continued working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. The written draft is due on Friday, November 20. Students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher after Thanksgiving break. Students also started the first in a series of vocabulary work last week. Each week students will learn five Latin or Greek roots. Last week they started with matr-(mother), patr-(father), anti-(against), ante-(before), and post-(after). Students reviewed over fifty words with these roots. They do not need to memorize the words, they just need to know the meaning of the prefixes. They will have a quiz each Monday.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began working on their formal essays about common themes in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. This week students will continue working on the essay and listening to October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickham. A timeline for the Poe essay can be found on Mr. Thompson’s webpage
2020 Poe Essay Timeline
Monday, November 9
Students introduced to Poe essay and began selecting a theme
Friday, November 13
Students need to know the theme they are going to write about. By the end of class, students should have identified examples from at least three of the texts with those examples highlighted or copied into a document.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday November 16-18
Students will have time in class to begin and continue writing their essays.
By Monday, November 23
Introduction and first two body paragraphs are due
By Friday, December 4
The rest of the essay is due.
During the week of December 7
Mr. Thompson will conference with students to offer final tips before essays are printed and turned in on Friday, December 11.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students received their copy of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students also continued working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. The written draft is due on Friday, November 20. Students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher after Thanksgiving break. Students also started the first in a series of vocabulary work last week. Each week students will learn five Latin or Greek roots. Last week they started with matr-(mother), patr-(father), anti-(against), ante-(before), and post-(after). Students reviewed over fifty words with these roots. They do not need to memorize the words, they just need to know the meaning of the prefixes. They will have a quiz each Monday.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students received their copy of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students also continued working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. The written draft is due on Friday, November 20. Students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher after Thanksgiving break. Students also started the first in a series of vocabulary work last week. Each week students will learn five Latin or Greek roots. Last week they started with matr-(mother), patr-(father), anti-(against), ante-(before), and post-(after). Students reviewed over fifty words with these roots. They do not need to memorize the words, they just need to know the meaning of the prefixes. They will have a quiz each Monday.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students watched The Mighty, continued reading The Call of the Wild , and had more time to read independently. It’s important for students to read independently and discover who they are as readers. Students will journal more about what they are reading and incorporate literary terms into their journaling.
November 9, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students began work on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark; they selected topics and began gathering needed information. Students also continued to work in Writers’ Workshop, creating pieces in both prose and poetry, and within their writing, students practiced writing with semicolons. Next week students will distribute the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and began talking about the formal essay that students will write examining a common theme found in the Poe pieces that we read. Next week students will begin in earnest work on the essay. Students will also continue listening to and discussing October Sky, the Homer Hickam memoir.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students began work on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark; they selected topics and began gathering needed information. Students also continued to work in Writers’ Workshop, creating pieces in both prose and poetry, and within their writing, students practiced writing with semicolons. Next week students will distribute the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began work on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark; they selected topics and began gathering needed information. Students also continued to work in Writers’ Workshop, creating pieces in both prose and poetry, and within their writing, students practiced writing with semicolons. Next week students will distribute the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading The Call of theWild and reading independently. Next week students will finally get to watch The Mighty, the movie version of the book Freak the Mighty. Students will identify similarities and differences between the movie and book in preparation for writing a compare/contrast essay. Students will also continue reading The Call of the Wild and reading independently.
October 19, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued working on pieces for Paw Prints, the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine. Students also have begun hanging these pieces in the main hallway in a mosaic of words as art and have continued entering pieces in the Appelley Poetry contest. Next week students will continue reviewing complex sentences and working on using different types of sentences in prose writing to make their pieces more interesting to the reader.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky, took MAP tests, worked on vocabulary from Edgar Allan Poe, and finished reading “The Black Cat.” This week students will continue with October Sky, analyze and cite evidence from “The Black Cat,” and read Poe’s classic poem “Annabel Lee.”
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued working on pieces for Paw Prints, the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine. Students also have begun hanging these pieces in the main hallway in a mosaic of words as art and have continued entering pieces in the Appelley Poetry contest. Next week students will continue reviewing complex sentences and working on using different types of sentences in prose writing to make their pieces more interesting to the reader.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued working on pieces for Paw Prints, the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine. Students also have begun hanging these pieces in the main hallway in a mosaic of words as art and have continued entering pieces in the Appelley Poetry contest. Next week students will continue reviewing complex sentences and working on using different types of sentences in prose writing to make their pieces more interesting to the reader.
Sixth grade Reading
Last week students continued reading The Call of the Wild, took MAP tests, worked on vocabulary from Jack London, and read independently. This week students will continue reading The Call of the Wild, practice vocabulary, and write pieces that cite evidence.
October 12, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students, having completed the first edition of The Bulldog Bark of the new year, began working on pieces for the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students have been working hard in writres’ workshop to create pieces, editing pieces, and then ultimately publishing them. Next week students will review/learn complex sentences and how to use them, continue writing pieces for Paw Prints, and enter pieces into the Appelley Poetry contest, with parental permission.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky and began the analysis of “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. This week students will continue listening to October Sky, analyzing “The Raven,” and begin reading “The Black Cat” by Poe.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students, having completed the first edition of The Bulldog Bark of the new year, began working on pieces for the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students have been working hard in writres’ workshop to create pieces, editing pieces, and then ultimately publishing them. Next week students will review/learn complex sentences and how to use them, continue writing pieces for Paw Prints, and enter pieces into the Appelley Poetry contest, with parental permission.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students, having completed the first edition of The Bulldog Bark of the new year, began working on pieces for the first edition of Paw Prints, Washington-Caldwell’s literary arts magazine. Students have been working hard in writres’ workshop to create pieces, editing pieces, and then ultimately publishing them. Next week students will review/learn complex sentences and how to use them, continue writing pieces for Paw Prints, and enter pieces into the Appelley Poetry contest, with parental permission.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students began work with figurative language from Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” and this week they will finish this. Students will also begin reading The Call of the Wild and continue analyzing the writing of Jack London.
October 5, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students performed final editing on the October edition of The Bulldog Bark, assembled the newspaper, and helped distribute it. They also wrote couplets with compound sentences and wrote pieces inspired by photographs; students also practiced editing these pieces. Next week students will continue writing pieces for the Washington-Caldwell literary magazine, Paw Prints. Students will also enter pieces in a poetry contest and review punctuating complex sentences.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky and finished the analysis of “The Tell-tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. Students are reading well and are taking notes, looking for themes in Poe’s writing. This week students will continue listening to October Sky and begin reading and analyzing the Poe classic poem “The Raven.”
Seventh Grade English
Last week students performed final editing on the October edition of The Bulldog Bark, assembled the newspaper, and helped distribute it. They also wrote couplets with compound sentences and wrote pieces inspired by photographs; students also practiced editing these pieces. Next week students will continue writing pieces for the Washington-Caldwell literary magazine, Paw Prints. Students will also enter pieces in a poetry contest and review punctuating complex sentences.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students performed final editing on the October edition of The Bulldog Bark, assembled the newspaper, and helped distribute it. They also wrote couplets with compound sentences and wrote pieces inspired by photographs; students also practiced editing these pieces. Next week students will continue writing pieces for the Washington-Caldwell literary magazine, Paw Prints. Students will also enter pieces in a poetry contest and review punctuating complex sentences.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to Freak the Mighty and finished reading “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. Students answered questions while citing evidence from the short story. This week students will finish with Freak the Mighty and read another short story by Jack London entitled “A Thousand Deaths,” his first published piece. Students will then read the novel, The Call of the Wild.
September 14, 2020
Eighth Grade English
This week students gathered information and began drafting their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Next week students will finish writing, begin revising, begin editing, and take photographs to round out their articles. The following week, students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher and begin final editing. Also this week students practiced parts of speech, wrote in their writing journals, and practiced editing.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to October Sky by Homer Hickham, Jr. and discussed the setting and plot. Students also read independently. Next week students will continue reading October Sky, reading independently, learn/review literary terms, and write in their reading journals.
Seventh Grade English
This week students gathered information and began drafting their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Next week students will finish writing, begin revising, begin editing, and take photographs to round out their articles. The following week, students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher and begin final editing. Also this week students practiced parts of speech, wrote in their writing journals, and practiced editing.
Sixth Grade English
This week students gathered information and began drafting their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Next week students will finish writing, begin revising, begin editing, and take photographs to round out their articles. The following week, students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher and begin final editing. Also this week students practiced parts of speech, wrote in their writing journals, and practiced editing.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, discussed the plot and characters, and wrote about the novel in their reading journals. Students also learned/reviewed the literary terms protagonist, antagonist, setting, and conflict. Students also read independently and wrote about their novels in their reading journals.
September 7, 2020
Eighth Grade English
It was fun getting to see the eighth grade students this week. Each class we will warm up with something called the Sentence Game. It is essentially a game of hangman with a complete sentence. This game will help teach and reinforce parts of speech, types of sentences, and correct punctuation. Last week students created a writing journal in Google Docs where they will practice writing and display what they have learned. Students also began working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark, the Washington-Caldwell school newspaper. This edition will be distributed by the end of the month. Students have selected topics for their articles and have begun researching. Next week, students will organize their articles and begin drafting.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently with the short week. Next week, students will continue to read, create reading journals, and begin listening to October Sky by Homer Hickham, Jr. October Sky is a memoir of a group of students in the 1950’s who built and launched rockets in the wake of the launch of Sputnik.. Our eighth grade class will also build and launch rockets, much like these young scientists.
Seventh Grade English
It was fun getting to see the seventh grade students this week. Each class we will warm up with something called the Sentence Game. It is essentially a game of hangman with a complete sentence. This game will help teach and reinforce parts of speech, types of sentences, and correct punctuation. Last week students created a writing journal in Google Docs where they will practice writing and display what they have learned. Students also began working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark, the Washington-Caldwell school newspaper. This edition will be distributed by the end of the month. Students have selected topics for their articles and have begun researching. Next week, students will organize their articles and begin drafting.
Sixth Grade English
It was fun getting to know the sixth grade students this week. What a wonderful group! Each class we will warm up with something called the Sentence Game. It is essentially a game of hangman with a complete sentence. This game will help teach and reinforce parts of speech, types of sentences, and correct punctuation. Last week students created a writing journal in Google Docs where they will practice writing and display what they have learned. Students also began working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark, the Washington-Caldwell school newspaper. This edition will be distributed by the end of the month. Students have selected topics for their articles and have begun researching. Next week, students will organize their articles and begin drafting.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently and created a reading journal where they will write journal entries about the books they are reading. Students also started listening to Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students seem to be enjoying this read aloud. Next week students will continue to select books, read independently, and write about these novels. They will also continue listening to the read aloud, and begin learning literary terms.
February 24, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Again students read independently, and they read a Ray Bradbury short story, so they could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, read another script, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on their news articles for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark. They also continued to write their speeches for this year’s speech contest, the theme being : “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also worked in the correct usage of pronouns, practiced parts of speech, and played games with synonyms.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on their news articles for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark. They also continued to write their speeches for this year’s speech contest, the theme being : “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also worked in the correct usage of pronouns, practiced parts of speech, and played games with synonyms.
Sixth Grade Reading
Again students read independently, and they read a Ray Bradbury short story, so they could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
February 17, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students shared their ideas and their organization of their speeches. Students also continued working on writing timed essays by reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read another short story by Bradbury, and will continue to practice writing an essay from a prompt based on that short story. Students will also begin working on a news article for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, read another script, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students shared their ideas and their organization of their speeches. Students also continued working on writing timed essays by reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “The Fog Horn,” also by Bradbury, and will continue to practice writing an essay from a prompt based on that short story. Students will also begin working on a news article for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students shared their ideas and their organization of their speeches. Students also continued working on writing timed essays by reading “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “The Fog Horn,” also by Bradbury, and will continue to practice writing an essay from a prompt based on that short story. Students will also begin working on a news article for the third issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay, and they also read another script of a classic episode of The Twilight Zone. Next week students again will have time to read independently, read another short story, read another script, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
February 10, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also began working on writing timed essays by reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Students also read “All Summer in a Day,” also by Bradbury, and will write an essay from a prompt based on that short story.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, take reading assessments to determine reading levels, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also began working on writing timed essays by reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “All Summer in a Day,” also by Bradbury, and will write an essay from a prompt based on that short story.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on their speeches for this year’s speech contest theme: “What Freedom means to Me.” Students also began working on writing timed essays by reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” by Ray Bradbury, and then planning the essay by writing the introduction. Next week students will read “All Summer in a Day,” also by Bradbury, and will write an essay from a prompt based on that short story.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read the Ray Bradbury short story, so students could practice writing a timed essay. Next week students again will have time to read independently, take reading assessments to determine reading levels, and will confer about their essays to get feedback.
February 3, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students wrote odes in the style of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. These poems are odes to common everyday items like tomatoes or a paperclip. Students published them on Friday; look for them in the next edition of the third edition of Paw Prints. The second edition of Paw Prints will feature the pieces submitted by our twenty-four finals in the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students also wrote limericks, practiced parts of speech, and were introduced to this year’s School Speech Contest theme: “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Next week students will begin planning their speeches and begin outlining their speeches, and they will also continue work on the formal debates.
Eight Grade Reading
Last week students worked on completing MAP testing and read independently. Next week students will continue practicing writing constructed response essays after reading reading several pieces. Students will practice reading the pieces and writing a timed multiparagraph essay from a prompt.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students wrote odes in the style of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. These poems are odes to common everyday items like tomatoes or a paperclip. Students published them on Friday; look for them in the next edition of the third edition of Paw Prints. The second edition of Paw Prints will feature the pieces submitted by our twenty-four finals in the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students also wrote limericks, practiced parts of speech, and were introduced to this year’s School Speech Contest theme: “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Next week students will begin planning their speeches and begin outlining their speeches, and they will also continue work on the formal debates.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students wrote odes in the style of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. These poems are odes to common everyday items like tomatoes or a paperclip. Students published them on Friday; look for them in the next edition of the third edition of Paw Prints. The second edition of Paw Prints will feature the pieces submitted by our twenty-four finals in the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students also wrote limericks, practiced parts of speech, and were introduced to this year’s School Speech Contest theme: “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Next week students will begin planning their speeches and begin outlining their speeches, and they will also continue work on the formal debates.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently, and read another script from the classic television show The Twilight Zone entitled “Nothing in the Dark.” Next week students will continue practicing writing constructed response essays after reading reading several pieces. Students will practice reading the pieces and writing a multiparagraph essay from a prompt.
January 27, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students started work on formal debates. The three resolutions students will be debating are the following:
- Social media does more harm than good.
- The electoral college system for electing a president is obsolete.
- All schools should have armed guards.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students completed the reading of their second short story written by Ray Bradbury, “A Sound of Thunder.” Next week students will continue with a third short story by Bradbury entitled “The Whole Town’s Sleeping,” and students will also read independently, journal about their reading, and answer constructed response questions from the Bradbury pieces.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students started work on formal debates. The three resolutions students will be debating are the following:
- Social media does more harm than good.
- The electoral college system for electing a president is obsolete.
- All schools should have armed guards.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students started work on formal debates. The three resolutions students will be debating are the following:
- Social media does more harm than good.
- The electoral college system for electing a president is obsolete.
- All schools should have armed guards.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students read independently. This is the most important activity they can practice. Next week students will read the poetry of Robert Frost, practice answering constructed response questions from the poems, read independently, and journal about their reading.
January 13, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students submitted final entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. The twenty-four finalists will be announced on Monday. Also last week students began work on a book review; these are due Wednesday, January 15. Next week students will also continue learning about formal debates. Students will learn the basics of debating: proposition, opposition, refutation, and rebuttal while debating in teams of three. Washington-Caldwell will be sending one debate team to a debate tournament at UW-Whitewater in April.
Eightb Grade Reading
Last week students began reading “The Veldt,” a short story by Ray Bradbury. Next week students will finish the short story and answer constructed response questions from the short story. Students will read five or six short stories in preparation for a formal essay on Bradbury’s writing. Students will also continue reading independently and journaling about their novels.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students submitted final entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. The twenty-four finalists will be announced on Monday. Also last week students began work on a book review; these are due Wednesday, January 15. Next week students will also continue learning about formal debates. Students will learn the basics of debating: proposition, opposition, refutation, and rebuttal while debating in teams of three. Washington-Caldwell will be sending one debate team to a debate tournament at UW-Whitewater in April.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students submitted final entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. The twenty-four finalists will be announced on Monday. Also last week students began work on a book review; these are due Wednesday, January 15. Next week students will also begin learning about formal debates. Students will learn the basics of debating: proposition, opposition, refutation, and rebuttal while debating in teams of three. Washington-Caldwell will be sending one debate team to a debate tournament at UW-Whitewater in April.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students practiced answering questions from “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, continued to read independently, and journaled about what they have been reading. Next week students will continue answering constructed response questions with “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” Students will also continue reading independently and journaling about their reading.
January 6, 2020
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Some students submitted their entries, and the final due date is Monday, January 6. All the entries from third through eighth grade will be judged near the end of next week to select the twenty-four finalists to be sent to the final judging in Elkhorn on January 28. This week students will work in writers workshop to get back to writing every day and students will also begin work on formal debates.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students will begin reading the works of Ray Bradbury beginning with hsi short stories. The first short story students will read is “The Veldt.” Students will also continue working in readers workshop where students select their own novels, read from them, and journal about their reading. Assessment of the Edgar Allan Poe essays will also begin.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Some students submitted their entries, and the final due date is Monday, January 6. All the entries from third through eighth grade will be judged near the end of next week to select the twenty-four finalists to be sent to the final judging in Elkhorn on January 28. This week students will work in writers workshop to get back to writing every day and students will also begin work on formal debates
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on entries for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Some students submitted their entries, and the final due date is Monday, January 6. All the entries from third through eighth grade will be judged near the end of next week to select the twenty-four finalists to be sent to the final judging in Elkhorn on January 28. This week students will work in writers workshop to get back to writing every day and students will also begin work on formal debates.
Sixth Grade Reading
This week students will practice identifying a common theme in a short story, in this case “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” Students will also continue working in readers workshop where students select their own novels, read from them, and journal about their reading.
December 16, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students made edits to their news articles and layed out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will perform group edits of The Bulldog Bark, assemble the newspaper and distribute it. Also next week students will also distribute the inaugural edition of the literary arts magazine, Paw Prints.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students worked on their Edgar Allan Poe essays and conferenced with me about their progress, and the essays are looking very good. The final copies are due Wednesday when students will print their essays and perform final edits. Students also began listening to The Coalwood Way, another memoir by Homer Hickam, and they identified evidence to answer questions from the text.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students made edits to their news articles and layed out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will perform group edits of The Bulldog Bark, assemble the newspaper and distribute it. Also next week students will also distribute the inaugural edition of the literary arts magazine, Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students made edits to their news articles and layed out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will perform group edits of The Bulldog Bark, assemble the newspaper and distribute it. Also next week students will also distribute the inaugural edition of the literary arts magazine, Paw Prints.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students finished The Wave by Todd Strasser, finished reading the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” and read the script for The Twilight Zone of the same title. Next week students will identify themes in both pieces and begin working on a literary essay.
November 25, 2019
Seventh Grade English
It was an exciting week in class last week. Students began submitting poetry and prose for Paw Prints, the literary arts magazine. Students also began work on their news articles for the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. Their news article is due Thursday, December 5. This second edition of The Bulldog Bark and the premier edition of Paw Prints will be published and distributed before Christmas break.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students finished October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam; they truly enjoyed the memoir and want to learn more from this author. They are going to try the second book by Hickam entitled The Coalwood Way. Students will also begin building their own rockets much like the characters from the memoir. Launch dates will depend on the weather. Students have also begun working on their first formal essay about themes found in works by Edgar Allan Poe. A timeline and checklist for the essay can be found below.
Poe Essay Timeline
Tuesday, November 19
Students introduced to Poe essay and begin selecting a theme
Friday, November 21
Students need to know the theme they are going to write about. By the end of class, students should have identified examples from at least three of the texts with those examples highlighted.
Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25
Students will have time in class to begin and continue writing their essays.
By Friday, December 6
Introduction and first two body paragraphs are due
By Friday, December 13
The rest of the essay is due.
During the week of December 16
Mr. Thompson will conference with students to offer final tips before essays are printed and turned in on Wednesday, December 18
Minimal Outline for the Edgar Allan Poe Essay
I. Introduction (Identification of a Common Theme)
II. Theme found in first Poe piece
III. Theme found in second Poe piece
IV. Theme found in third Poe piece
V. Conclusion
Checklist for the Essay
____ The essay is saved in Google Docs with Can Edit privileges for Mr. T at [email protected]
____ The essay is typed in a readable font of 14 points.
____ The essay is double spaced with indented paragraphs.
____ The essay has an interesting title correctly capitalized with a byline under the title.
____ The essay is written in third person; I have not used first or second person personal pronouns: I, me, we, you, us.
____ The essay does not contain contractions—will not instead of won’t, did not instead of didn’t, etc.
____ The essay contains strong verbs and adjectives—never use “got, lots, tons, cool, stuff, or nice.”
____ The essay is a formal essay. Language and structure needs to be formal.
Introduction
_____ I have an interesting lead.
_____ I have a thesis statement.
_____ I have a sentence or two that outline my body paragraphs.
Body Paragraphs
____ I have a topic sentence to introduce each body paragraph.
____ I have interesting details to support my topic sentence.
____ I have evidence, quotes from the pieces, to support my details.
____ I have transitions within the paragraph.
____ I have a transition to the next body paragraph.
Conclusion
____ I have restated my thesis statement in an interesting way and different from the introduction.
____ I have restated my organization differently from the introduction.
____ I have ended the conclusion with an interesting concluding statement.
Parenthetical Citations
____Parenthetical citations are used after all information that is not common knowledge.
____Works Cited page is used correctly
Punctuation
_____ I have capitalized the titles of articles, poems, speeches, books, TV shows, and movies.
_____ Titles of poems, speeches, and articles, television episodes are written in quotation marks.
_____ Titles of books, movies, plays, television shows are written in italics.
_____ There should be no spaces between the quotation mark and the first word in the quote.
_____ I have included end punctuation inside quotation marks.
_____ I have correctly punctuated compound, complex and compound-complex sentences.
_____ I have used the correct forms of words—there, their, they’re—its,it's.
_____ I have had an adult read my essay and offer feedback.
_____ I have read my essay several times to make it the best work I can produce.
Seventh Grade English
It was an exciting week in class last week. Students began submitting poetry and prose for Paw Prints, the literary arts magazine. Students also began work on their news articles for the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. Their news article is due Thursday, December 5. This second edition of The Bulldog Bark and the premier edition of Paw Prints will be published and distributed before Christmas break.
Sixth Grade English
It was an exciting week in class last week. Students began submitting poetry and prose for Paw Prints, the literary arts magazine. Students also began work on their news articles for the second issue of The Bulldog Bark. Their news article is due Thursday, December 5. This second edition of The Bulldog Bark and the premier edition of Paw Prints will be published and distributed before Christmas break.
Sixth Grade Reading
Again, last week students were literary detectives while listening to The Wave by Todd Strasser. Students were asked a series of questions and they had to find evidence from the text. Students also began reading a short story by Richard Matehson entitled “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” This period before Christmas break, students will finish the short story, read a script from the The Twilight Zone for an episode based on the short story, and write a compare and contrast essay with the two pieces as source material. Students also had time to read independently and will continue to read novels of their choosing.
November 11, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students published and submitted their memoirs along with other pieces of writing. Students also reviewed punctuating dialogue and direct quotations. Next week students will explore more types of poetry, including acrostics, begin working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark, and continue working on the first issue of Paw Print, Washington-Caldwell’s first literary arts magazine.
Eighth Grade Reading
We are coming to the end of Homer Hickam’s memoir October Sky. Students will begin building rockets just like the protagonists in the memoir. Their rockets will be built from scratch except for the motors. Students will also begin a formal essay on the Edgar Allan Poe works we have read. Students will find a common theme in the works and discuss how it is covered in each piece.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students published and submitted their memoirs along with other pieces of writing. Students also reviewed punctuating dialogue and direct quotations. Next week students will explore more types of poetry, including acrostics, begin working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark, and continue working on the first issue of Paw Print, Washington-Caldwell’s first literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students published and submitted their memoirs along with other pieces of writing. Students also reviewed punctuating dialogue and direct quotations. Next week students will explore more types of poetry, including acrostics, begin working on the second issue of The Bulldog Bark, and continue working on the first issue of Paw Print, Washington-Caldwell’s first literary arts magazine.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students had ample time to read independently; they also continued listening to The Wave by Todd Strasser. With The Wave, students follow along with the text and discuss literary elements and plot points. Next week students will write a book review of one of the books they have read so far this school year, and begin reading a short story by Richard Matehson entitled “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.”
October 28, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students began studying exemplars of student memoirs and identifying their essential elements. Next week students will begin writing their own memoirs. Next week, students will also be introduced to the different categories in forensics: poetry, prose, serious and humorous declamation, four minute original oration, duets, and play acting. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to select a piece from a category to present to the class. Students also continued to write pieces in both poetry and prose and publish them. Out first issue of Paw Prints, the language arts magazine, will be available before Chirtmas. Students will also begin working on the next issue of The Bulldog Bark in November.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished analyzing “The Raven” and began studying vocabulary from Poe’s short story “The Black Cat.” Students will read “The Black Cat” this week and begin analyzing it for common themes. Students also continued listening to and discussing October Sky. As the characters are building rockets in October Sky, students will begin building rockets in class. They will experience some of the same issues that the young rocketeers in the book experienced.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students began studying exemplars of student memoirs and identifying their essential elements. Next week students will begin writing their own memoirs. Students also were introduced to the different categories in forensics: poetry, prose, serious and humorous declamation, four minute original oration, duets, and play acting. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to select a piece from a category to present to the class. Students also continued to write pieces in both poetry and prose and publish them. Out first issue of Paw Prints, the language arts magazine, will be available before Chirtmas. Students will also begin working on the next issue of The Bulldog Bark in November.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began studying exemplars of student memoirs and identifying their essential elements. Next week students will begin writing their own memoirs. Students also were introduced to the different categories in forensics: poetry, prose, serious and humorous declamation, four minute original oration, duets, and play acting. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to select a piece from a category to present to the class. Students also continued to write pieces in both poetry and prose and publish them. Out first issue of Paw Prints, the language arts magazine, will be available before Chirtmas. Students will also begin working on the next issue of The Bulldog Bark in November.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students worked on the RACE strategy for answer literary questions last week. This strategy helps students to cite evidence from a text to thoroughly answer questions, especially on standardized tests. Students practiced citing evidence from two scripts they read from The Twilight Zone. Students also continued listening to The Wave and discussing its social implications and continued to read independently.
October 21, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced identifying and correcting fragments and run-on sentences, wrote and published various types of poems and memoirs, and worked on creating our inaugural edition of the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine, Paw Prints. With publication, students are learning editing and revision techniques. Thank you to Trinity for that wonderful name. Student work will also be hung in the main hallway in the Writing Wall of Fame. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Creativity abounds in our students’ writing.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading “The Raven,” and analyzed its themes. Students also began answering constructed response questions about the four major themes in the poem: madness, love, nature, and the supernatural. Students also learned about a website they can use when learning all types of classic literature. The website has a funny name, but it is filled with helpful information. Shmoop can used by students in middle school through college. Students also continued listening to and discussing October Sky.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced identifying and correcting fragments and run-on sentences, wrote and published various types of poems and memoirs, and worked on creating our inaugural edition of the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine, Paw Prints. With publication, students are learning editing and revision techniques. Thank you to Trinity for that wonderful name. Student work will also be hung in the main hallway in the Writing Wall of Fame. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Creativity abounds in our students’ writing.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced identifying and correcting fragments and run-on sentences, wrote and published various types of poems and memoirs, and worked on creating our inaugural edition of the Washington-Caldwell literary arts magazine, Paw Prints. With publication, students are learning editing and revision techniques. Thank you to Trinity for that wonderful name. Student work will also be hung in the main hallway in the Writing Wall of Fame. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Creativity abounds in our students’ writing.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students are taught when they are choosing books to read that they should try to find books they love and to abandon books they are not loving. When students began reading “To Build a Fire,” it was obvious that students were not loving it, and not even liking it, so students abandoned the short story and read a script by Rod Serling. Of course, Rod Serling was the creator of The Twilight Zone and the author of many of its best episodes. Students read “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street;” they each took a part and read the script. Everyone enjoyed it. Next week students will answer constructed response questions from the script and learn to cite evidence from the text. Students also began listening to a new read aloud: TheWave. The Wave is about a sociological experiment in a California high school in 1969.
October 14, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week was a busy week for ELA students. Distribution of The Bulldog Bark was completed with the completion of a new edition, the Pocket Bark. This was an idea of the sixth grade with the name being conceived by Lilly. In Writers Workshop, students wrote several different types of poems, including couplets and quatrains. Students also submitted pieces of writing for publication in the new literary arts magazine, Paw Prints, and for various writing competitions.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued with the novel October Sky by Homer Hickam and practiced vocabulary for “The Raven” with vocabularycom. Students began reading “The Raven” and will finish reading it and begin analyzing the classic poem next week. Students should practice the vocabulary as it will make interpretation of the poem easier.
Seventh Grade English
Last week was a busy week for ELA students. Distribution of The Bulldog Bark was completed with the completion of a new edition, the Pocket Bark. This was an idea of the sixth grade with the name being conceived by Lilly. In Writers Workshop, students wrote several different types of poems, including couplets and quatrains. Students also submitted pieces of writing for publication in the new literary arts magazine, Paw Prints, and for various writing competitions.
Sixth Grade English
Last week was a busy week for ELA students. Distribution of The Bulldog Bark was completed with the completion of a new edition, the Pocket Bark. This was an idea of the sixth grade with the name being conceived by Lilly. In Writers Workshop, students wrote several different types of poems, including couplets and quatrains. Students also submitted pieces of writing for publication in the new literary arts magazine, Paw Prints, and for various writing competitions.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students finished listening to Freak the Mighty; it was a sad ending, but a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful novel. Students also began using the website vocabulary.com to learn vocabulary from “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. Some of the vocabulary is difficult and good challenge for students. Students should practice these words, so the short story will be easier to comprehend and there will be a test on the words.
October 7, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students finished up the majority of their MAP testing; completed editing, assembly and distribution of The Bulldog Bark; started creating poems for their first poetry contest of the year; and continued working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students also had time to write poetry and play chess. “Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students another question about “The Tell-tale Heart” and continued listening to and reading October Sky. Next week students will begin reading “The Raven.” The following weeks students will read “The Blak Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “Annabel Lee.” This will culminate in a formal essay centered on a theme found in a number of his writings. Students also had opportunities to read independently
Seventh Grade English
Last week students finished up the majority of their MAP testing; completed editing, assembly and distribution of The Bulldog Bark; started creating poems for their first poetry contest of the year; and continued working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students also had time to write poetry and play chess. “Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
Sixth Grade English
Last week students finished up the majority of their MAP testing; completed editing, assembly and distribution of The Bulldog Bark; started creating poems for their first poetry contest of the year; and continued working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students also had time to play and begin learning how to play chess. “Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick; we will finish the novel next week. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen, and they began reading a biography of Jack London. Next week students will continue their author study of Jack London with his classic short story “To Build a Fire.”
September 30, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Students began in earnest to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology last week. Some very good free verse poems were written after students were introduced to poetry writing strategies. Students also began group editing the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Hopefully this edition will be available at parent-teacher conferences next week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students answered the first of several questions about “The Tell-tale Heart.” Next week students will begin reading “The Raven.” The following weeks students will read “The Blak Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “Annabel Lee.” This will culminate in a formal essay centered on a theme found in a number of his writings. Students also had opportunities to read independently
Seventh Grade English
Students began in earnest to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology last week. Some very good free verse poems were written after students were introduced to poetry writing strategies. Students also began group editing the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Hopefully this edition will be available at parent-teacher conferences next week.
Sixth Grade English
Students began in earnest to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology last week. Some very good free verse poems were written after students were introduced to poetry writing strategies. Students also began group editing the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Hopefully this edition will be available at parent-teacher conferences next week.
Sixth Grade Reading
Last week students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick; we are approaching the climax of the story. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen, and they began reading a biography of Jack London. Next week students will continue their author study of Jack London with his classic short story “To Build a Fire.”
September 23, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked a great deal on the layout of their news articles, and began working on publishing pieces for the new literary magazine. Students also reviewed the correct way to punctuate quotes from sources in their news articles and continued to write in Writers Workshop. Next week students will begin working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology and group edit The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued reading and discussing October Sky.Along with October Sky, and continued to work on Poe’s writing. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked a great deal on the layout of their news articles, and began working on publishing pieces for the new literary magazine. Students also reviewed the correct way to punctuate quotes from sources in their news articles and continued to write in Writers Workshop. Next week students will begin working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology and group edit The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked a great deal on the layout of their news articles. They are using Microsoft Publisher for the first time, so the training takes some time, but they will be using Publisher for the rest of their middle school years hear at Washington-Caldwell, so comprehensive training now will pay off. Students also reviewed the correct way to punctuate quotes from sources in their news articles and continued to write in Writers Workshop. Next week students will begin working on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology and group edit The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. Next week students will begin their first author study with Jack London
September 16, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued to practice parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and reviewed compound sentences using semicolons. Students also learned how to write sentences introducing a list with a colon, continued to write in writers’ workshop and finished writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. Students then went to the computer lab to begin the layout of the articles using Microsoft Publisher. They will conclude the layout next week and begin group editing of the newspaper. Final polishing and distribution of the paper will take place the following week. Also next week students will be introduced to the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students will have the opportunity to create poetry, prose, cartoons, art pieces and illustrated writing to have a chance to get their work published.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued reading and discussing October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam. Jr. Along with October Sky, students have begun their first author study with Edgar Allan Poe. They read a biography of Poe and listened to a dramatic reading of “The Tell-tale Heart.” Next week students will analyze “The Tell-tale Heart” and begin work on “The Raven.” Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued to practice parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and reviewed compound sentences using semicolons. Students also learned how to write sentences introducing a list with a colon, continued to write in writers’ workshop and finished writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. Students then went to the computer lab to begin the layout of the articles using Microsoft Publisher. They will conclude the layout next week and begin group editing of the newspaper. Final polishing and distribution of the paper will take place the following week. Also next week students will be introduced to the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students will have the opportunity to create poetry, prose, cartoons, art pieces and illustrated writing to have a chance to get their work published.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued to practice parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and reviewed compound sentences using semicolons. Students also learned how to write sentences introducing a list with a colon, continued to write in writers’ workshop and continued writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. Students then went to the computer lab to begin the layout of the articles using Microsoft Publisher. Next week, they will finish writing their articles, conclude the layout, and begin group editing of the newspaper. Final polishing and distribution of the paper will take place the following week. Also next week students will be introduced to the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students will have the opportunity to create poetry, prose, cartoons, art pieces and illustrated writing to have a chance to get their work published.
Sixth GradeReading
Students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
September 9, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and learned about and reviewed compound sentences, using the correct coordinating conjunctions and semicolons Students also continued to write in writers’ workshop and began writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. The final draft for the news article is due on Friday, September 13. The following week students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher, edit the complete newspaper and distribute the completed product to students.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued reading and discussing October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam. Jr. In October Sky, students are reviewing foreshadowing, conflict, and setting, and how they affect the plot. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and learned about and reviewed compound sentences, using the correct coordinating conjunctions and semicolons Students also continued to write in writers’ workshop and began writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. The final draft for the news article is due on Friday, September 13. The following week students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher, edit the complete newspaper and distribute the completed product to students.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced parts of speech with a sentence game much like hangman and learned about and reviewed compound sentences, using the correct coordinating conjunctions and semicolons Students also continued to write in writers’ workshop and began writing their first article for The Bulldog Bark. The final draft for the news article is due on Friday, September 13. The following week students will layout their articles in Microsoft Publisher, edit the complete newspaper and distribute the completed product to students.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students continued listening to and discussing Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. In Freak the Mighty, students are reviewing foreshadowing, conflict, setting, and how they affect the plot. Students also continued to read from novels they have chosen. It’s vital for students to select books they enjoy and perhaps they may even love. My hope for all my students is that they can see the joy in reading, and they may even find a book or books that change their lives.
September 2, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students completed beginning of the year activities: icebreakers and team building challenges. Students also began writers’ workshop. Writers’ Workshop will give students an opportunity to write almost every class period about topics they choose. Students also began working on writing articles for the first edition of the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students will begin writing the articles next week with the hopeful publication of the paper the third week of September.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students began the year by listening to October Sky, a memoir by Homer Hickam, Jr. October Sky is about a group of high school students who became interested in rockets and eventually joined NASA in space exploration. As students continue to read, they will make rockets from scratch, just like the characters in the book. Students also reviewed the procedures for readers’ workshop and began reading independently.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students completed beginning of the year activities: icebreakers and team building challenges. Students also began writers’ workshop. Writers’ Workshop will give students an opportunity to write almost every class period about topics they choose. Students also began working on writing articles for the first edition of the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students will begin writing the articles next week with the hopeful publication of the paper the third week of September.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students completed beginning of the year activities: icebreakers and team building challenges. Students also began writers’ workshop. Writers’ Workshop will give students an opportunity to write almost every class period about topics they choose. Students also began working on writing articles for the first edition of the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students will begin writing the articles next week with the hopeful publication of the paper the third week of September.
Sixth Grade Reading
Students began the year by listening to Freak the Mighty, a novel by Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty is about a wonderful friendship between Max and Kevin, two very interesting characters whose friendship grows because of their differences. . Students also reviewed the procedures for readers’ workshop and began reading independently. Next week students will begin to learn how to to analyze the books they are reading and write about this analysis.
May 20, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on identifying parts of speech, proofreading sentences, writing journal entries, and identifying the theme of songs via the lyrics. They also took the vocabulary test for Affixes Group Eleven. Next week students will work on identifying missing and dangling modifiers, coordinating adjectives, the friendly letter format and writing dialogue.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students started reading the script from the movie The Princess Bride from the original novel by William Goldman. Students have been looking at various vocabulary in the dialogue. Next week students will finish reading the script and hopefully watch the movie. Please look for a permission slip in an email concerning this.
Seventh Grade English
Students only had class one day last week due to the track meet and MAP testing. Students continued working on parts of speech, specifically pronouns and writing with various sentence types, and also took the vocabulary test for Affixes Group Eleven. Next week students will work on identifying missing and dangling modifiers, coordinating adjectives, the friendly letter format and writing dialogue.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students started reading the script from the movie The Princess Bride from the original novel by William Goldman. Students have been looking at various vocabulary in the dialogue. Next week students will finish reading the script and hopefully watch the movie. Please look for a permission slip in an email concerning this.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on identifying parts of speech, proofreading sentences, writing journal entries, and identifying the theme of songs via the lyrics. They also took the vocabulary test for Affixes Group Eleven. Next week students will work on identifying missing and dangling modifiers, coordinating adjectives, the friendly letter format and writing dialogue.
April 29, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students took the test on Affixes Group Nine; students also received the words for Affixes Group Ten in Google Classroom. On Monday, they will receive a paper copy of the affixes and vocabulary words. The test for the vocabulary words with Affixes Group Ten will be on Friday, May 3. Also last week, students finalized their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Students will perform final editing next week, and the newspaper will be distributed on Friday, May 3. On Friday, students watched a sample formal debate and began learning how to hold a formal debate. Next week students will learn how to write arguments for a debate, select topics to debate, and begin working on their first formal debates.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began reading Jack London’s most famous short story entitled “To Build a Fire.” Before reading, students completed a vocabulary assignment to learn twenty-five new words. Next week students will again be working as detectives to solve crimes, finish reading “To Build a Fire,” and complete an assignment on the figurative language London used in “To Build a Fire.” Students also worked on practicing literary terms; this test will be on Tuesday, April 30.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the test on Affixes Group Nine; students also received the words for Affixes Group Ten in Google Classroom. On Monday, they will receive a paper copy of the affixes and vocabulary words. The test for the vocabulary words with Affixes Group Ten will be on Friday, May 3. Also last week, students finalized their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Students will perform final editing next week, and the newspaper will be distributed on Friday, May 3. On Friday, students watched a sample formal debate and began learning how to hold a formal debate. Next week students will learn how to write arguments for a debate, select topics to debate, and begin working on their first formal debates.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading short stories by Richard Matheson with “Third From the Sun,” a science fiction story with a twist. The story spawned interesting conversations and predictions of the ending. Once again students watched The Twilight Zone episode based on this short story. Students also worked in detective teams to closely read several passages and solve several crimes. Students also worked on practicing literary terms. This test will be on Tuesday, April 30.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the test on Affixes Group Nine; students will receive the words for Affixes Group Ten on Monday. The test for the vocabulary words with Affixes Group Ten will be on Monday, May 6. Also last week, students finalized their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Students will perform final editing next week, and the newspaper will be distributed on Friday, May 3. On Friday, students watched a sample formal debate and began learning how to hold a formal debate. Next week students will learn how to write arguments for a debate, select topics to debate, and begin working on their first formal debates.
April 8, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced examples from the Forward Exam provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These examples included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and practice writing a longer essay. Also last week students learned about verb moods and when to use them. Students also studied vocabulary words from Affix Group Seven; students then took the test on these vocabulary words on Friday. Students will receive vocabulary words from Affix Group Eight on Monday. This test will be the following Monday, April 15.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students practiced questions from the Forward Exam; these questions included multiple choice questions after reading a passage and writing a literary essay after reading a longer piece. Students also became detectives when reading short mysteries to try and decipher what information was missing or when a witness was lying. On Monday and Tuesday, students will continue working on a literary essay and practicing for the Forward Exam.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced examples from the Forward Exam provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These examples included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and practice writing a longer essay. Students also studied vocabulary words from Affix Group Seven; students then took the test on these vocabulary words on Friday. Students will receive vocabulary words from Affix Group Eight on Monday. This test will be the following Monday, April 15.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students practiced questions from the Forward Exam; these questions included multiple choice questions after reading a passage and writing a literary essay after reading a longer piece. Students also became detectives when reading short mysteries to try and decipher what information was missing or when a witness was lying. Students also read another Twilight Zone script about aliens harvesting humans for food. On Monday and Tuesday, students will continue working on a literary essay and practicing for the Forward Exam.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced examples from the Forward Exam provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These examples included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and practice writing a longer essay. Students also studied vocabulary words from Affix Group Seven; students then took the test on these vocabulary words on Friday. Students will receive vocabulary words from Affix Group Eight on Monday. This test will be the following Monday, April 15.
March 4, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students practiced their speeches, and they will deliver their speeches for a grade the week of March 18. Any practice they can do at home will increase the effectiveness of their speeches. Students also continued work on modifiers, specifically adjectives. Also last week, students began work on the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. This edition will be distributed to students before spring break while the students’ draft of the news article is due Monday, March 11. Students also practiced test questions for the Forward exam. Next week students will continue work with modifiers, continue practicing their speeches, and continue to work on their news articles. On Tuesday, March 5, students will take the vocabulary test on Affixes Group Five. They will receive another group of affixes on Wednesday.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury with “Dark They Were and Golden-eyed.” This short story is set on Mars like his famous work The Martian Chronicles. Next week students will discuss the possibilities of making short movies out of some of the Bradbury short stories they have read.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students practiced their speeches, and they will deliver their speeches for a grade the week of March 18. Any practice they can do at home will increase the effectiveness of their speeches. Students also continued work on modifiers, specifically adjectives. Also last week, students began work on the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. This edition will be distributed to students before spring break while the students’ draft of the news article is due Monday, March 11. Students also practiced test questions for the Forward exam. Next week students will continue work with modifiers, continue practicing their speeches, and continue to work on their news articles. On Tuesday, March 5, students will take the vocabulary test on Affixes Group Five. They will receive another group of affixes on Wednesday.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading A Day No Pigs Would Die. They are reading aloud in class and discussing the chapters after reading. It’s interesting to hear students’ opinions on the writing and their takes on characters and plot. Students also continued reading independently. Please encourage students to read at home whenever possible.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students practiced their speeches, and they will deliver their speeches for a grade the week of March 18. Any practice they can do at home will increase the effectiveness of their speeches. Students also continued work on modifiers, specifically adjectives. Also last week, students began work on the third edition of The Bulldog Bark. This edition will be distributed to students before spring break while the students’ draft of the news article is due Monday, March 11. Students also practiced test questions for the Forward exam. Next week students will continue work with modifiers, continue practicing their speeches, and continue to work on their news articles. On Tuesday, March 5, students will take the vocabulary test on Affixes Group Five. They will receive another group of affixes on Wednesday.
February 11, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students took the test on verbs and continued to work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. The first draft of the speech is due on February 20. They also participated in the eighth grade spelling bee, and our three finalists will compete in the the school spelling bee on Wednesday, February 13. Last week students were also given the next ten affixes to learn. They studied these with Vocabulary.com and will be tested on twenty vocabulary words with these affixes on Tuesday, February 12
Eighth Grade Reading
Another busy week took much of the students’ time during reading. On Monday, students had to finish MAP testing, on Wednesday, students had guidance class, and on Thursday, students completed the National Assessment of Educational Progress testing. This left students time to read “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” independently. Next week, students will reread the short story as a class and answer critical thinking questions from the short story. Students will also read “All Summer in a Day,” another classic from Ray Bradbury and answer questions from that short story.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the test on verbs and continued to work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. The first draft of the speech is due on February 20. They also participated in the sixth grade spelling bee, and our three finalists will compete in the the school spelling bee on Wednesday, February 13. Last week students were also given the next ten affixes to learn. They studied these with Vocabulary.com and will be tested on twenty vocabulary words with these affixes on Tuesday, February 12
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the test on verbs and continued to work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. The first draft of the speech is due on February 20. They also participated in the seventh grade spelling bee, and our three finalists will compete in the the school spelling bee on Wednesday, February 13. Last week students were also given the next ten affixes to learn. They studied these with Vocabulary.com and will be tested on twenty vocabulary words with these affixes on Tuesday, February 12
Seventh Grade English
Last week students finished reading “The Overprotected Kid,” an article from The Atlantic. Next week, students will learn how to organize and begin writing a literary essay from information found in the article. Also last week, students began listening and reading a new novel, A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. The novel has some interesting diction particular to Shaker families in early twentieth century America.
January 28, 2019
Affixes Group Two
1. Agr- Definition: from the land Examples: agriculture, agrarian, agriscience
2. anim- Definition: with a soul Examples: animal, animated, animism
3. bell- Definition: war Examples: belligerent, antebellum
4. bene- Definition: well or good Examples: benevolent, benefactor, beneficial
5. ede- Definition: to go Examples: recede, proceed, antecedent
6. dem- Definition: people Examples: democracy, demographics, demonstrate
7. -graph-, -gram- Definition: write Examples: autograph, telegram, telegraph
8. hemi- Definition: ha;f Examples: hemisphere, hemicycle
9. sub-Definition: under Examples: submarine, submerge, subzero
10. Ling- Definition: language Examples: linguistics, bilingual, multilingual
Eighth Grade English
Students wrapped up their study of verbs last week. Students will begin a study guide for the verbs test next week. The verbs test will be given Tuesday, February 5. Students also received their second list of affixes. This list will be posted at Mr. Thompson’s web page. Students have also been busy studying vocabulary with Vocabulary.com. This website has words with this week’s affixes, and students can study vocabulary and spelling from a huge number of words. The quiz on the affixes will be given on Tuesday, January 29. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The eighth grade preliminary round to determine the three eighth grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. Some students have begun working on their speech for this year’s speech contest; we will begin writing speeches next week in class.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury. They read “The Fog Horn,” a short story about a sea creature looking for companionship. We began reading the story in class, students finished the short story on their own, and took a quiz on the short story conclusion. Because of the snow day and MAP testing, our class time was truncated, but students also had time to read independently.
ory conclusion. Because of the snow day and MAP testing, our class time was truncated, but students also had time to read independently.
Seventh Grade English
Students wrapped up their study of verbs last week. Students began a study guide for the verbs test that will be given Tuesday, February 5. Students also received their second list of affixes. This list will be posted at Mr. Thompson’s web page. Students have also been busy studying vocabulary with Vocabulary.com. This website has words with this week’s affixes, and students can study vocabulary and spelling from a huge number of words. The quiz on the affixes will be given on Tuesday, January 29. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The seventh grade preliminary round to determine the three seventh grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. Some students have begun working on their speech for this year’s speech contest; we will begin writing speeches next week in class.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading an article from The Atlantic entitled “The Overprotected Kid.” The article is about a playground in the United Kingdom that is very different from conventional playgrounds in the United States. The article also challenges traditional conventions about threats that parents assume are true. With the snow day and MAP testing, students missed several classes; they used remaining class time to read independently.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began work on their speeches for the School Speech Contest. Students selected a topic, began research, and began writing. Students also wrapped up their study of verbs. Students began a study guide for the verbs test will be given next week Thursday. Students also received their second list of affixes. This list will be posted at Mr. Thompson’s web page. Students have also been busy studying vocabulary with Vocabulary.com. This website has words with this week’s affixes, and students can study vocabulary and spelling from a huge number of words. The quiz on the affixes will be given on Tuesday, January 29. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The sixth grade preliminary round to determine the three seventh grade finalists will be held the week of February 4.
January 21, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students continued working towards finishing a study of verbs, and they also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and will complete the first quiz on ten affixes on Monday, January 21. Further study of these affixes and other vocabulary can be found at Vocabulary.com. at Affixes Group One. Students are working towards learning as many new words as possible. Vocabulary.com is a fun way to explore new words and review words that may be familiar. It is also a good way to practice spelling. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The eighth grade preliminary round to determine the three eighth grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. The students can also work on the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.”
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury. They read “A Sound of Thunder,” a short story about time travel and how changing the past may have disastrous effects on the future. Ray Bradbury also wrote and produced this short story as an episode for The Ray Bradbury Theatre on HBO in the eighties. Students had an opportunity to watch this episode. It was interesting to see how the author himself translated an iconic short story to the small screen.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students continued working towards finishing a study of verbs with a review of some often confused verbs: lie/lay, rise/raise, set/sit, and bring/take. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and will complete the first quiz on ten affixes on Monday, January 21. Further study of these affixes and other vocabulary can be found at Vocabulary.com. at Affixes Group One. Students are working towards learning as many new words as possible. Vocabulary.com is a fun way to explore new words and review words that may be familiar. It is also a good way to practice spelling. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The seventh grade preliminary round to determine the three seventh grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. The students can also work on the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.”
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students continued reading an article from The Atlantic entitled “The Overprotected Kid.” The article is about a playground in the United Kingdom that is very different from conventional playgrounds in the United States. The article also challenges traditional conventions about threats that parents assume are true. Students also listened to the conclusion of The Wave by Todd Strasser. The Wave is a story of an actual experiment conducted by a history teacher to help students understand how dangerous it can be to blindly follow a leader.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students continued working towards finishing a study of verbs with a review of some often confused verbs: lie/lay, rise/raise, set/sit, and bring/take. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and completed the first quiz on ten affixes. Further study of these affixes and other vocabulary can be found at Vocabulary.com. Students are working towards learning as many new words as possible. Vocabulary.com is a fun way to explore new words and review words that may be familiar. It is also a good way to practice spelling. The final round of the Washington-Caldwell spelling bee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13. The sixth grade preliminary round to determine the three sixth grade finalists will be held the week of February 4. The students can also work on the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.”
January 14, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students reviewed direct and indirect objects of verbs and transitive and intransitive verbs. Students also learned about subject-verb, linking verbs, and predicate nouns and adjectives. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and received the first ten affixes to study. The affixes we are concentrating on are prefixes and suffixes. There will be a quiz on these affixes next Wednesday. Students need to know the definition of each affix and be able to identify several words that contain each affix. Students were also introduced to the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.” A timeline can be found on Mr. Thompson’s website.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began reading the short stories of Ray Bradbury. They started with “The Veldt,” a short story about how unchecked technology can ruin lives. Students read the short story and answered questions about it. Next week students will read “A Sound of Thunder,” a short story about time travel and how changing the past may have disastrous effects on the future. Students will once again analyze and answer questions about the story.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students reviewed direct and indirect objects of verbs and transitive and intransitive verbs. Students also learned about subject-verb, linking verbs, and predicate nouns and adjectives. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and received the first ten affixes to study. The affixes we are concentrating on are prefixes and suffixes. There will be a quiz on these affixes next Wednesday. Students need to know the definition of each affix and be able to identify several words that contain each affix. Students were also introduced to the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.” A timeline can be found on Mr. Thompson’s website.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students began reading an article from The Atlantic entitled “The Overprotected Kid.” The article is about a playground in the United Kingdom that is very different from conventional playgrounds in the United States. The article also challenges traditional conventions about threats that parents assume are true.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students reviewed direct and indirect objects of verbs and transitive and intransitive verbs. Students also learned about subject-verb agreement, contractions, and contractions in verb phrases. Students also practiced parts of speech, practiced proofreading, and received the first ten affixes to study. The affixes we are concentrating on are prefixes and suffixes. There will be a quiz on these affixes next Wednesday. Students need to know the definition of each affix and be able to identify several words that contain each affix. Students were also introduced to the 2019 School Speech Contest. This year’s theme is “Challenges Youth Face.” A timeline can be found on Mr. Thompson’s website.
January 2, 2019
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked hard on revising and editing the articles in The Bulldog Bark. One fourth of the newspapers were printed when the copy machine ran out of toner. New toner will not be available until after Christmas break, so distribution of The Bulldog Bark will need to wait until the first week of January. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
Eight Grade Reading
Last week students finalized their Poe essays, printed them, and submitted them. They also had time to read independently and they read another Twilight Zone script entitled “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?.” Students volunteered for the various parts and read the script as a team. Please encourage your son or daughter to read over the Christmas break.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked hard on revising and editing the articles in The Bulldog Bark. One fourth of the newspapers were printed when the copy machine ran out of toner. New toner will not be available until after Christmas break, so distribution of The Bulldog Bark will need to wait until the first week of January. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break. .
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students only had three days of classes, and during that time students read independently. Please encourage your son or daughter to read over the Christmas break.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked hard on revising and editing the articles in The Bulldog Bark. One fourth of the newspapers were printed when the copy machine ran out of toner. New toner will not be available until after Christmas break, so distribution of The Bulldog Bark will need to wait until the first week of January. Pieces for the
Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
December 17, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on completing their news articles and worked on the layout of the articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will complete the layouts, edit the articles, assemble the final copies, and distribute the papers. Students also worked on proofreading skills and identifying parts of speech. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break. Students also had time to work on their Poe essays.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students worked on their Poe essays. read independently, and read a Twilight Zone script entitled “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” Students volunteered for different parts and read the script together. This week students will answer questions based on the script using the RACE strategy: R-Restate the question, A-Answer the question, C-Cite evidence, and E-Explain how the citation relates to the question. Also, this week the Poe essays are due on Wednesday. They will be printed in correct MLA style with a correct Works Cited page and submitted.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students worked on completing their news articles and worked on the layout of the articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will complete the layouts, edit the articles, assemble the final copies, and distribute the papers. Students also worked on proofreading skills and identifying parts of speech. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
Seventh Grade Reading
The essay on “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet “ has been postponed. Students need more preparation before writing the full essay. Last week students continued answering questions using the RACE strategy pertaining to the short story. The RACE strategy is comprehensive way to communicate information: R-restate the question, A-answer the question, C-cite evidence from the text, E-explain how the citation answers the question. Learning to use this strategy effectively will help students write formal essays; moreover, it will help them answer questions on tests, especially the Forward exam. Students also had time to read independently and listened to The Wave read aloud. The Wave is a novel about how a classroom learned how a small group of people can try to control a larger group through manipulation.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students worked on completing their news articles and worked on the layout of the articles in Microsoft Publisher. Next week students will complete the layouts, edit the articles, assemble the final copies, and distribute the papers. Students also worked on proofreading skills and identifying parts of speech. Pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology are due the Friday after Christmas break.
December 3, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students worked on two essays: their essay on the works of Edgar Allan Poe and a compare and contrast essay on the novel Freak the Mighty and The Mighty, the movie version of the book. The students also continued reviewing compound sentences with three methods to write them: method one with a coordinating conjunction and a comma; method two with a semicolon; and method three with a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Students also began each class with a proofreading exercise and a parts of speech game.This week students will continue studying verbs and the correct usage of complex sentences.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students had opportunities to read independently and work on their two essays. Students also learned and created the correct Works Cited page for their MLA essay on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Students also received the next literary terms to study. This quiz will be on Wednesday, December 5.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took a quiz on the first fifteen most used irregular verbs; they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also continued reviewing compound sentences with three methods to write them: method one with a coordinating conjunction and a comma; method two with a semicolon; and method three with a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Students also selected topics for their next edition of The Bulldog Bark and generated questions to ask an interviewee about their topic. Students also began each class with a proofreading exercise and a parts of speech game. This week students will continue studying verbs and the correct usage of complex sentences.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson. Students also read the script from the Twilight Zone with the same title also written by Matheson and watched the original Twilight Zone episode and the newer version from 1985. Students will analyze the short story and compare it to the the two other versions. Students also had time to read independently and will again receive literary terms to learn on Wednesday, with the quiz the following Wednesday.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took a quiz on the first fifteen most used irregular verbs; they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also continued reviewing compound sentences with three methods to write them: method one with a coordinating conjunction and a comma; method two with a semicolon; and method three with a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Students also selected topics for their next edition of The Bulldog Bark and generated questions to ask an interviewee about their topic. Students also began each class with a proofreading exercise and a parts of speech game. This week students will continue studying verbs and the correct usage of complex sentences.
November 26, 2018
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the helping verbs quiz; these were graded and returned. Students also learned about present participles, past participles, and the principal parts of verbs. Students received the principal parts of thirty-four irregular verbs. These are verbs that are often confused by writers and students need to learn their correct usage. Students will have a quiz on the first fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, November 29, and they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also reviewed compound sentences and learned how to correctly use the semicolon, and also had time to work on pieces for the annual Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students will also soon begin work on the second edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students took a quiz on the elements of a plot line. Students will receive a new set of literary terms next week and the next quiz will be on Wednesday, November 28. Also last week students began reading the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson, and they also had time to read independently. Next week students will watch the movie The Mighty, the movie version of the novel Freak the Mighty; they will watch the movie with a critical eye, so they can compare and contrast the book with the movie.
Eighth Grade English
Last week students took the helping verbs quiz; these were graded and returned. Students also learned about present participles, past participles, and the principal parts of verbs. Students received the principal parts of thirty-four irregular verbs. These are verbs that are often confused by writers and students need to learn their correct usage. Students will have a quiz on the first fifteen irregular verbs on Monday, November 19, and they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Wednesday, December 5. The students also reviewed compound sentences and learned how to correctly use the semicolon, and also had time to work on pieces for the annual Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students will also soon begin work on the second edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students began working on their first literary essay of the school year. Students read a total of six pieces by Edgar Allan Poe and developed a list of similarities that Poe used in his storytelling. Each student has selected three of these traits are they will incorporate these traits into an essay. An outline and a checklist for the essay can be found on my website. This essay is a formal essay to be written according to MLA guidelines. The final essay is due December 12. Progress checks will be made on November 28 and December 5. Next week students will watch the movie The Mighty, the movie version of the novel Freak the Mighty; they will watch the movie with a critical eye, so they can compare and contrast the book with the movie.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the helping verbs quiz; these were graded and returned. Students also learned about present participles, past participles, and the principal parts of verbs. Students received the principal parts of thirty-four irregular verbs. These are verbs that are often confused by writers and students need to learn their correct usage. Students will have a quiz on the first fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, November 29, and they will have a quiz on the second fifteen irregular verbs on Thursday, December 6. The students also reviewed compound sentences and learned how to correctly use the semicolon, and also had time to work on pieces for the annual Southern Lakes Anthology writing and art contest. Students will also soon begin work on the second edition of The Bulldog Bark.
November 12, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students began reviewing and learning about verbs with identifying verbs, learning about helping verbs and verb phrases. There will be a quiz on Tuesday, November 13 where students have to identify the twenty-three helping verbs. Students have a paper copy of the helping verbs and they are also on Google Classroom, which students have begun using last week. Assignments and materials will be disseminated via Google Classroom. Students also continued to work on the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Eighth Grade Reading
Last week students finished reading “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Students also took the fifth quiz on words culled from Poe’s writing. Students will receive the next list of vocabulary words on Monday; the next quiz will be on Thursday, November 15. This week students will analyze the last selection by Poe, his famous poem “Annabel Lee.” Also this week students will be introduced to the first major essay of the school year on the stories and poems they read by Edgar Allan Poe.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students began reviewing and learning about verbs with identifying verbs, learning about helping verbs, and verb phrases. There will be a quiz on Thursday, November 13 where students have to identify the twenty-three helping verbs. Students have a paper copy of the helping verbs and they are also on Google Classroom, which students have begun using last week. For the remainder of the school year, assignments and materials will be disseminated via Google Classroom. Students also continued to work on the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Seventh Grade Reading
Last week students took another quiz on literary terms with sixteen terms. Students will receive a new set of literary terms and the next quiz will be on Friday, November 16. Also last week students finished reading the two act play from Freak the Mighty and had time to read independently. Next week students will read the short story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson. Then students will the Twilight Zone script of the same title
Sixth Grade English
Last week students began reviewing and learning about verbs with identifying verbs, learning about helping verbs and verb phrases. There will be a quiz on Tuesday, November 13 where students have to identify the twenty-three helping verbs. Students have a paper copy of the helping verbs and they are also on Google Classroom, which students have begun using last week. Assignments and materials will be disseminated via Google Classroom. Students also continued to work on the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or
writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
November 5, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week, students were introduced to the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students started reading “The Fall of the House of Usher,” another classic by Edgar Allan Poe. They will finish this short story this week. They also took the fourth quiz on words culled from Poe’s writing. Students also received the next list of vocabulary words; this quiz will be on Wednesday, November 7. This week students will read the last selection by Poe, his famous poem “Annabel Lee.” Students will read and analyze this poem by themselves and answer constructed response questions.
Seventh Grade English
Last week students took the nouns test. Students identified nouns in a sentence, found common and proper nouns, made singular nouns plural, correctly wrote possessive nouns and combined sentences with appositives. Also last week, students were introduced to the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students finished listening to the read aloud of Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, a sequel to Freak the Mighty. Students will take the third quiz on literary terms on Wednesday, November 7 and receive the next five literary terms. Students also continued reading a two act play of Freak the Mighty, also written by Rodman Philbrick. and continued to read independently and write in their reading journals.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students took the nouns test on Monday, October 29. Students identified nouns in a sentence, found common and proper nouns, made singular nouns plural, correctly wrote possessive nouns and combined sentences with appositives. Also last week, students were introduced to the 2018-2019 Southern Lakes Anthology topic: Not Always Black and White. Students can create a poem, a piece of prose writing, a drawing, a cartoon, or writing with an illustration. These pieces are due January 4.
October 29, 2018
Eighth Grade English
Last week students performed reviews for the nouns test. Eight A took their test on Thursday since they had a math test already scheduled for Friday, and Eight B took their test on Friday. Students identified nouns in a sentence, found common and proper nouns, made singular nouns plural, identified compound nouns and collective nouns, wrote possessive nouns correctly and combined sentences with appositives.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students read and analyzed “The Cask of Amontillado,” another classic by Edgar Allan Poe. They also took the third quiz on words culled from Poe’s writing. Students also received a list of twenty plus literary terms. They should study these, as they will be tested on them in the future. Most of these literary terms are review, but additionally students learned about allusions and irony, with examples from Poe’s texts. Along with the literary terms students received the next ten words from Poe’s writing. The quiz on these words will be on Wednesday, October 31. Next week, students will be reading “The Fall of the House of Usher
Seventh Grade English
Last week students performed reviews for the nouns test, which is on Thursday, November 1. Students will need to identify nouns in a sentence, find common and proper nouns, make singular nouns plural, identify compound nouns and collective nouns, correctly write possessive nouns and combine sentences with appositives.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, a sequel to Freak the Mighty. Students will take the second quiz on literary terms on Monday, and receive the next five literary terms. This next quiz will be on Monday, November 5, since there is no school on Friday. This next quiz will have the first ten literary terms and the next five literary terms. Students also began reading a two act play of Freak the Mighty, also written by Rodman Philbrick. and continued to read independently and write in their reading journals.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students performed reviews for the nouns test, which is on Monday, October 29. Students will need to identify nouns in a sentence, find common and proper nouns, make singular nouns plural, correctly write possessive nouns and combine sentences with appositives. Also last week, students learned and practiced answering constructed response questions with questions from topics they are covering in social studies.
October 15, 2018
Eighth Grade English
This week students edited the layout of the first volume of The Bulldog Bark. Students looked at all the articles and found errors in grammar, organization, and layout. This first volume should be made available to the Washington-Caldwell community this week. Also this week, students continued learning and reviewing the correct use of nouns. This week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns next week.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Also this week, students read and began analyzing “The Raven.” This week students will take the second test on vocabulary from “The Raven” and continue reading short stories from Edgar Allan Poe with the “Cask of Amontillado.” This week students will also will be assigned reading from their novels each night for homework.
Seventh Grade English
This week students edited the layout of the first volume of The Bulldog Bark. Students looked at all the articles and found errors in grammar, organization, and layout. This first volume should be made available to the Washington-Caldwell community this week. Also this week, students continued learning and reviewing the correct use of nouns. This week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns next week.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students finished listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students also read another script from the classic TV show Twilight Zone. This script is entitled “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up.” Students each took a character and read their part. After reading and discussing the script, students watched the original episode. This week students will be tested on the first set of literary terms and receive a new set of terms later in the week. This week students will also will be assigned reading from their novels each night for homework.
Sixth Grade English
This week students edited the layout of the first volume of The Bulldog Bark. Students looked at all the articles and found errors in grammar, organization, and layout. This first volume should be made available to the Washington-Caldwell community this week. Also this week, students continued learning and reviewing the correct use of nouns. This week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns next week.
October 8, 2018
Eighth Grade English
This week students started learning how to lay out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. It is a complicated process that the students did well in learning. We are hoping to be published by next week. Students also continued to review and learn about nouns with compound and collective nouns, continued to write in their journals, and continued to practice identifying parts of speech.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot and motivations of the characters. Next week students will begin learning key literary terms. Students will start with five terms next week and be tested on them on Monday, October 15. Each week students will receive an additional five terms.
Seventh Grade English
This week students started learning how to lay out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. It is a complicated process that the students did well in learning. We are hoping to be published by next week. Students also continued to review and learn about nouns with compound and collective nouns, continued to write in their journals, and continued to practice identifying parts of speech.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot and motivations of the characters. Next week students will begin learning key literary terms. Students will start with five terms next week and be tested on them on Monday, October 15. Each week students will receive an additional five terms.
Sixth Grade English
This week students started learning how to lay out their articles in Microsoft Publisher. It is a complicated process that the students did well in learning. We are hoping to be published by next week. Students also continued to review nouns with a fun look at plural noun rules and continued to write in their journals and practice parts of speech.
October 1, 2018Eighth Grade English
Last week students checked their articles for The Bulldog Bark for possible revisions and started to conference with Mr. Thompson to edit their articles. They were unable to begin laying out the articles in Microsoft Publisher due to MAP testing, but that will begin this week.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot. Students learned the RACE method for answering constructed response questions Race stands for R—Restate the question, A—Answer the question, C—Cite textual evidence, E—Explain/Expand. When students were not MAP testing, they answered questions about “The Tell-tale Heart” using the RACE method. Next week, students will begin with another Poe classic: “The Raven.”
Seventh Grade English
Last week students checked their articles for The Bulldog Bark for possible revisions and started to conference with Mr. Thompson to edit their articles. They were unable to begin laying out the articles in Microsoft Publisher due to MAP testing, but that will begin this week. Also last week, students practiced parts of speech with the Sentence Game, began a review of nouns, with common and proper nouns, learned the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, and continued to write in the journals.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students continued listening to the read aloud of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Students listened and discussed elements of the plot. Students abandoned the short story by Jack London; it proved to be too difficult. With MAP testing this week, students read independently.
Sixth Grade English
Last week students checked their articles for The Bulldog Bark for possible revisions and started to conference with Mr. Thompson to edit their articles. They were unable to begin laying out the articles in Microsoft Publisher due to MAP testing, but that will begin this week. Also last week, students practiced parts of speech with the Sentence Game, began a review of nouns, with common and proper nouns, learned the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, and continued to write in the journals.
September 14, 2018
Eighth Grade English
This week students continued working on The Bulldog Bark. They are gathering information to write their first articles. Students also created writing journals in which they will be writing each week during class. They will be able to write about anything and will be working on writing as much and well as they can. Students also reviewed the correct way to write numbers: when to write them as words and when to write them as numerals.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students listened to the first read aloud of the school year: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty is about the strengths of friendship and how people with differences can persevere and become stronger together. Students also had time to read independently and write about the book they are reading in their Reading Journal. Students learned more about the life of Edgar Allan Poe, practiced the vocabulary of “The Tell-tale Heart,”and will delve into Poe’s literature next week.
Seventh Grade English
This week students continued working on The Bulldog Bark. They are gathering information to write their first articles. Students also created writing journals in which they will be writing each week during class. They will be able to write about anything and will be working on writing as much and well as they can. Students also learned the correct way to write numbers: when to write them as words and when to write them as numerals.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students listened to the first read aloud of the school year: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty is about the strengths of friendship and how people with differences can persevere and become stronger together. Students also had time to read independently and write about the book they are reading in their Reading Journal. Students will delve into the literature of Jack London next week.
Sixth Grade English
This week students continued working on The Bulldog Bark. They are gathering information to write their first articles. Students also created writing journals in which they will be writing each week during class. They will be able to write about anything and will be working on writing as much and well as they can. Students alsolearned the correct way to write numbers: when to write them as words and when to write them as numerals.
April 27, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students concluded their study of pronouns with a test on Friday. Some students received letters from their Jamaican penpals, but it was unfortunate that only a few letters were sent. Hopefully more students will receive more letters, but it is unknown at this point. Students also began preparations for the final edition of The Bulldog Bark.
8B ELA—Students will conclude their study of pronouns with a test on Monday. Some students received letters from their Jamaican penpals, but it was unfortunate that only a few letters were sent. Hopefully more students will receive more letters, but it is unknown at this point. Students also began preparations for the final edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
Forward testing concluded this week, and eighth grade students began studying their next great American author‒Jack London. Students read a biography of London and began reading, discussing one of his short stories, “A Thousand Death.” Students are gleaning interesting vocabulary from the short story and answering questions while providing evidence.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students continued their study of Africa. Students learned the second ten locations in Africa and took a quiz on these ten locations plus the first ten locations on Friday. Students will be given ten additional locations each week, and they must know the ten previous locations. So ten locations last week, twenty locations next week, thirty locations the net week until they know the entire continent of Africa. Students learned about Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, and they also received study guide with the next eleven countries.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students concluded their study of pronouns with a test on Friday. Some students received letters from their Jamaican penpals, but it was unfortunate that only a few letters were sent. Hopefully more students will receive more letters, but it is unknown at this point. Students also began preparations for the final edition of The Bulldog Bark.
7B ELA--Students continued their study of pronouns with learning about subject and object pronouns and when to correctly use them in writing. Forward testing concluded this week and occured during our class time.
April 13, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam along with misplaced and dangling modifiers.
8B ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students read independently while they had their graduation pictures on Tuesday. They also practiced for the Forward Exam by reading a nonfiction piece by Jack London and answering questions related to the piece. On Friday, Mrs. Forkner returned to teach another lesson from Junior Achievement. Students looked inward as to what they would like from future jobs. Next week students will begin the Forward Exam and prepare for it on the non-testing days.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam.
7B ELA--This week students practiced for the essay portion of the Forward Exam. They read pieces provided by the Department of Public Instruction, figured how to organize the essay, and practiced writing the essay from notes taken during the reading. Students also practiced some sample questions from the Forward exam.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students read articles about the Uyghur people in China and the Kurdish people in the Middle East. We read the articles together, students highlighted information in the articles, and then wrote about the main ideas contained in each article. Students then watched a video on Australia, took notes, and took a quiz on the content. Students also learned about and discussed the chemical weapons attack in Syria and its implications on the rest of the world. On Friday, students learned about Oceania and its regions of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. They then learned about the nations of Fiji and Kiribati. Next week, students will begin their study of Africa.
April 2, 2018Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
8B ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
7B ELA--Before break, students assembled and distributed the latest version of The Bulldog Bark. After Spring Break, students will work on specific preparations for the Forward Exam.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
After Spring Break, students will conclude Asia with several readings about major topics affecting Asia. Students then will answer essay questions about these topics. After Asia, students will begin studying Saharan Africa.
March 26, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, took a test on modifiers, and worked on the correct usage of pronouns.
8B ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, took a test on modifiers, and worked on the correct usage of pronouns.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students read independently this week and I conferred with the other half of the class about their Ray Bradbury essays, and on Friday Mrs. Forkner continued the Junior Achievement class. Next week students will print final versions of their essays in the computer lab.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, took a test on modifiers, and worked on the correct usage of pronouns.
7B ELA--Students performed their speeches for their final grade this week. They also began final edits on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Sixth GradeSocial Studies
Students took a map test on Asia on Wednesday and learned about China, Mongolia, Japan, the Koreas, India, Cambodia, and Laos. Next week and after Spring Break students will continue with Asia. A long-form test on Asia will occur after Spring Break and then onto Africa.
March 16, 2016
8th Grade English
8A ELA--Students began work on pronouns, specifically nominative or subject pronouns. Students also continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
8B ELA--Students began work on pronouns, specifically nominative or subject pronouns and objective pronouns. Among the pronoun usages students learned was that object pronouns are used in prepositional phrases, so it’s “Between you and me,” not “Between you and I.” Students also continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
8th Grade Reading
Students continued to work on their formal essay: students will select one of the short stories we read by Ray Bradbury, establish a theme for the short story and craft an essay with that theme as a claim. The essay is due on Monday, March 12.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--This week students increased their understanding of the adverb, and students continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
7B ELA--This week students increased their understanding of the adverb, and students continued work on their articles for The Bulldog Bark and began practice of the delivery of their speeches. Students will have next week to continue working on the delivery and then the next week, beginning on Monday, March 19, students will perform their speeches for their final grade.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Geography students took the map test on the Middle East and the Caucuses on Tuesday. Students learned about Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern Countries, worked on a map of Central and Eastern Asia, and learned about Afghanistan. Students will receive a study guide map for the rest od Asia next week.
March 5, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students started the layout of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
8B ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students made revisions of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
8th Grade Reading
Students began work on their next formal essay: students will select one of the short stories we read by Ray Bradbury, establish a theme for the short story and craft an essay with that theme as a claim. The short story selection and theme are due on Monday.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students started the layout of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
7B ELA--Students continued work on modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, and this week, and students made revisions of their article for The Bulldog Bark. On Monday, the first draft of students’ speeches are due. They will take next week to revise, edit and begin practice of the delivery of their speeches; the week of March 19 students will deliver their speeches for final grading.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Geography students took the long-form test on Europe on Tuesday, and they have a map test on the Caucuses and the Middle East on Tuesday, March 6. Students have a study guide for this test. Students learned about armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Lebanon. Students will wrap up the Middle East next week and move into the “Stans” part of central Asia.
February 23, 2018
February 16, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Tuesday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
8B ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Tuesday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students received their next set of literary terms. Students need to define the terms, and this is due on Monday. The test will be administered on Tuesday, February 27. Students also had opportunities to read independently and write in their reading journals. On Friday, Mrs. Forkner taught the students their first lesson from Junior Achievement. Over the next six Fridays, students will learn skills that today’s employers value in candidates.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Thursday and Friday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
7B ELA--Students took the comprehensive exam on verbs on Frida, and will have the opportunity to finish it on Monday. Students also began work on their next article for The Bulldog Bark which is due on Tuesday, February 27. Their written draft of their speech is due on Monday, March 5.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students took, and in some cases retook, the test on Eastern European countries. They also completed a worksheet on the capitals of Eastern Europe. On Thursday and Friday, students completed a study guide for the long-form test on Europe. These are the questions on the exam:
- What is the EU and how does it affect people living in Europe?
3. Why could Europe be described as a continent of peninsulas?
4. What former country controlled most of Eastern Europe until the late 1980s and early 1990s and how did that affect the modernization of Eastern Europe?
5. Explain the importance of the Great European Plain to the agriculture of Europe.
6. What is the least populated part of Europe? Why?
Students have a study guide for the test which will be administered on Tuesday, February 27.
February 9, 2018
Eight Grade English
8A ELA--Students received a study guide for a test on verbs. This test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark
8B ELA--Students received a study guide for a test on verbs. This test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took a test on literary terms; this test will be graded and returned next week. Students also read “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury. Students discussed the short story and analyzed Bradbury’s use of irony. Students will continue to study irony next week and its confusion with coincidence. As always, students were given time to read independently and as always please encourage students to read independently at home.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students started learning about the Baltic countries of Estonia and Latvia and also the Balkan countries of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also completed a study guide map of Eastern Europe. This test is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students received a study guide for a test on verbs. This test is scheduled for Thursday, February 15. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
7B ELA--Students concluded their study of verbs and started work the study guide for the verbs test. The study guide will be finished on Monday, and the test will be administered on Friday, February 16. Students should continue working their speech. Next week, progress will be checked on their first draft of the speech. Also, next week students will begin work on the next edition of The Bulldog Bark.
January 26, 2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment
8B ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment. Students also completed their second formal debates.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students worked on their reading MAP test, read independently, and read another short story by Ray Bradbury, “The Foghorn.” Students identified figurative language, setting, point of view and vocabulary words from the short story.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment.
7B ELA--Students continued their study of verbs and were introduced to this year’s School Speech contest theme.: “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” Students were shown a video of an International Toastmasters champion and how his speaking style is something to emulate. Students began researching topics and began thinking how they want to approach this year’s theme. A list of due dates will be handed out next week to give students an idea of how they need to approach this assignment
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students worked on a packet about Northern Europe, finished a study guide map of Northern Europe and studied Iceland. The map test on Northern Europe will be on Thursday of next week.
January 12,2018
Eighth Grade English
8A ELA--This week students continued their study of verbs with simple tenses, perfect tenses, progressive tenses, transitive and intransitive verbs, and direct and indirect objects. Also, students began work on their second formal debate. Students will be debating this resolution: “Paper textbooks should be used at Washington-Caldwell, replacing the current iPad textbooks.”
8B ELA--This week students continued their study of verbs with simple tenses, perfect tenses, progressive tenses, transitive and intransitive verbs, and direct and indirect objects. Also, students began work on their second formal debate. Four teams of students will be debating these two resolutions: “Vending machines should be installed in the multipurpose room at Washington-Caldwell” and “The dress code for girls at Washington-Caldwell should be relaxed.”
Eighth Grade Reading
Students answered questions about “A Sound of Thunder” and watched a video presentation of the short story produced by Ray Bradbury. Students watched the video critically to find differences from the short story. Students also began reading “The Whole Town’s Sleeping,” another short story by Bradbury. They will conclude this short story next week. As always, please encourage your children to read independently at home. Our goal is thirty minutes a night.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students completed the map test on Mediterranean Europe with a study of Cyprus, even though it is considered part of the Middle East. They also began learning about western Europe including Belgium and Germany.
Seventh Grade English
7A ELA--This week students continued their study of verbs: simple tenses, perfect tenses, and forms of be, have and do. Students also continued work on their second formal debate. The proposition and opposition teams worked on formulating assertions, evidence and strategy. This second debate will be held on Tuesday, January 16.
7B ELA--This week students published their “Where I’m From” poems in the innovation center. They also selected a topic on which to base their second formal debate. Two teams will be debating this resolution: “The school day should run from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm at Washington-Caldwell.” Students also worked on verbs with identifying verbs and verb phrases.
December 22, 2017
Eighth Grade English
The second edition of The Bulldog Bark was published and distributed this week. Students worked hard making final edits, assembling the newspaper and sharing the latest edition with all the students of Washington-Calwell. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. The final deadline for these pieces is the first Friday in January. Another piece students are working on is a “Where I’m From” poem. Students read an example written by George Ella Lyons. She used sensory details in her poem to describe where she is from in the world, and students are using sensory details in their poems.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students started to read their second short story by Ray Bradbury, “A Sound of Thunder.” Students will finish reading this short story upon their return from break, and they will watch the Bradbury produced television episode to compare and contrast. Students also had an opportunity to read independently. Please help them find time over the holiday break to find time to read. I know it is a busy time, but continued reading will only help them.
Seventh Grade English
The second edition of The Bulldog Bark was published and distributed this week. Students worked hard making final edits, assembling the newspaper and sharing the latest edition with all the students of Washington-Calwell. Students also worked on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. The final deadline for these pieces is the first Friday in January. Another piece students are working on is a “Where I’m From” poem. Students read an example written by George Ella Lyons. She used sensory details in her poem to describe where she is from in the world, and students are using sensory details in their poems.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students took the South America long-form test on Thursday, December 21. We are working on answering questions in complete sentences. The test contained the same questions as the study guide. These will be corrected over Christmas break. Students also began to study Europe; they are beginning with Mediterranean Europe. The geography of Europe will be divided up into three sections: Mediterranean Europe, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe. That is a great deal to cover in the rest of second quarter; we may need to finish in the beginning of the third quarter.
December 8, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students continued their study of South America with Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Easter Island. Students took notes on the countries and completed open notes quizzes on each country. Students also continued to watch CNN10 each day and discussed current events. Students learned about the change of leadership in Zimbabwe and the continuing saga of events in North Korea.
Seventh Grade English
This week students worked on several critical thinking warm-ups that included grouping synonyms and creating a sentence out of specified words and punctuation. Students also finished drafting, revising, editing, and began laying out their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Additionally, students learned about appositives and how they are used to combine sentences. Next week students will receive a study guide for the next test on nouns which will be the following week.
Eighth Grade English
This week students worked on several critical thinking warm-ups that included grouping synonyms and creating a sentence out of specified words and punctuation. Students also finished drafting, revising, editing, and began laying out their articles for The Bulldog Bark. Additionally, students learned about appositives and how they are used to combine sentences. Next week students will receive a study guide for the next test on nouns which will be the following week.
Eighth Grade Reading
The Edgar Allan Poe essays are due Monday. Students had time to complete work on their essays, although some are not finished. Students also began to read about their next author, Ray Bradbury. Bradbury was a prolific writer with over six hundred short stories and several iconic novels to his credit. In eighth grade, students will read some of Bradbury’s short stories, and in high school they will most likely read Fahrenheit 451 or Something Wicked This Way Comes. Through the short stories, students will have a good familiarity with Bradbury in which to continue reading the longer works in high school. Next week Monday, students will print their Poe essays in preparation to submit them for final grading.
November 22, 2017
Eighth Grade English
The final drafts of The Bulldog Bark news articles are due Thursday, November 30. The writing from these articles will be graded from these drafts. Next week students will need to take photographs in preparation to complete the layout their articles on Friday. The layout of the articles will be a separate grade. Also, next week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns; the test will be the following week. Students also continue to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Final collection of these pieces will take place right after Christmas break.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students had a chance to work with their 5K buddies. They helped their young buddies create a Thanksgiving book. Students also continued working on their essays covering a theme from “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Black Cat.” The final copy of the essay is due December 4. Students also had time to read independently; please encourage your son or daughter to read at least thirty minutes each night for homework.
Seventh Grade English
The final drafts of The Bulldog Bark news articles are due Thursday, November 30. The writing from these articles will be graded from these drafts. Next week students will need to take photographs in preparation to complete the layout their articles on Friday. The layout of the articles will be a separate grade. Also, next week students will receive a study guide for the test on nouns; the test will be the following week. Students also continue to work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology. Final collection of these pieces will take place right after Christmas break.
Sixth GradeSocial Studies
Students took the map test on South America on Tuesday. They will continue studying the countries of South America next week, and will receive a study guide for the long-form test the following week.
November 10, 2017
November 3, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students performed several Tennis Debates this week. They are different than the formal debates and not a debate about tennis, but they are debates where two teams “serve” arguments to a member of the opposing team, and that member must return the serve with a well-worded refutation. Students were given ten minutes to prepare with their team, and formulate arguments and refutations. It was excellent practice for students to devise reasoning supported by evidence; it also gave students practice creating rebuttal arguments with a limited amount of time. Next week we will work on another debate and conclude our review of nouns. On Friday, third hour ELA did not have class because of High Interest Day, and the sixth hour class spent time in the computer lab publishing poems and six-word memoirs.
Eighth Grade Reading
On Halloween day, students finished reading “The Black Cat.” The climax was perfect for Halloween. If you need a good read, “The Black Cat” and all of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories and poems are available online. Students also had time to read independently. Students missed some class time on Friday because of High Interest Day, and several attorneys presented information on their profession. They had several interesting points to make, but the most important was the need to love reading. The law requires a great deal of reading, and someone who loves to read is at a great advantage. Please encourage your son or daughter to read at home at least thirty minutes each night. If they can develop a love of reading now, it will benefit them the rest of their lives.
7A English—Students performed several Tennis Debates this week. There are different than the formal debates and not a debate about tennis, but it is a debate where two teams “serve” arguments to a member of the opposing team, and that member must return the serve with a well-worded refutation. Students were given ten minutes to prepare with their team, and formulate arguments and refutations. It was excellent practice for students to devise reasoning supported by evidence; it also gave students practice creating rebuttal arguments with a limited amount of time. Next week we will work on another debate and conclude our review of nouns.
7B English--These students only had class three days because of guidance class on Wednesday and High Interest Day on Friday. Students prepared for their first formal debate this week. They finished watching a video of a sample debate and chose the following topic: “Middle school students at Washington-Caldwell need more time for recess.” They were randomly separated into two teams and had to decide what order each member would speak. Next week, they will conclude their research and begin the actual debate.
Social Studies – Sixth Grade
On Thursday, students took the map test on the Caribbean. The long form test on the Caribbean has taken longer to correct than expected, but will be in Power School by Monday. Students began work on a packet of information of the Caribbean and Central America. No new study guides have been sent home yet. There may be an alternate assessment about the nations of the Caribbean next week. This will be in place of a test. After the Caribbean, students will begin a study of South America. Yes, there is a song to help them learn the countries and capitals.
October 27, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students researched, wrote and practiced with their debate teams this week. The sixth hour class performed their debate on Wednesday, and the third hour class debated on Thursday and Friday. The results were outstanding. Students stated their assertions and refutations with confidence and style. They also enjoyed the experience and want to perform more debates. It’s an excellent way to practice writing argumentative pieces as well as practicing public speaking skills. The sixth hour class also had time to practice a Tennis Debate. This is not a debate about tennis, but it is a debate where two teams “serve” arguments to a member of the opposing team, and that member must return the serve with a well-worded refutation. Next week we will work on another debate and conclude our review of nouns.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took the first vocabulary test from “The Raven.” This test was a cloze activity where students needed to fill in blanks from of a paragraph with the ten vocabulary words. Next week students will have to perform a cloze activity for the test and choose five of the words to write their own paragraph. Students also began reading “The Black Cat” by Poe. This is a wonderfully crafted short story with all the elements that Poe is famous for. Next week, students will finish the short story and then begin an essay that will include “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Black Cat.” The bulk of this essay work will be in the second quarter.
Students are required to read thirty minutes each night in the book they have chosen to read independently. Some students are not doing this, and the writing about their independent reading is suffering. If a student is not reading independently, they can not write about it effectively. It is each student’s responsibility to read on their own.
7B English--Students finished writing tritinas, and will publish them next week. They also reviewed the test from last week, learned about countable nouns, and practiced the difference between less and fewer. Ms. Wesolowski has been teaching guidance during our Wednesday class period and will again next week. Also next week students will begin learning the fundamentals of formal debating with the Middle School Debate Program.
7A English--Students reviewed the test from last week, learned about countable nouns, and the difference between less and fewer. They also started learning the fundamentals of formal debate with the Middle School Debate Program. Students watched a sample debate on YouTube, and discussed the particulars of how to perform a formal debate. Students learned about assertions and refutations and how to phrase them to best argue their points. The class will be debating this resolution: “Students at Washington-Caldwell should be required to wear uniforms at school.” Students were randomly placed on the proposition team or the opposition team and chose the order of their speakers. On Friday, they began to research arguments. They will be given time next week to continue planning, writing, and practicing with their teams and will perform the debate on Thursday or Friday depending on their progress.
Social Studies – Sixth Grade
On Thursday, October 26, students took the long-form test on Central America. This will be graded by Monday. The map test on the Caribbean will be on Thursday, November 2. Students have been learning about the larger islands of the Caribbean known as the Greater Antilles, and will practice locating the smaller islands known as the lesser Antilles in class, but they will need to study at home. Students have a study guide for the map test. The long-form test on the Caribbean will be the following Thursday, November 9. A study guide will be sent home by Friday, November 3.
October 20, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students began learning about the Middle School Debate Program. They watched a video of an actual debate and discussed the components that make up a formal debate. Students then discussed possible topics for their debates. The third hour class was separated into four teams and decided on the two following topics: “Middle school students at Washington-Caldwell should be allowed to take their backpacks to each class” and “Middle school students at Washington-Caldwell should be allowed to use their cell phones at lunch, recess and during study hall.” The sixth hour class was separated into two teams who will debate “Middle school students need a longer lunch period and recess.” It was interesting that students all chose topics that affect their lives directly. Students began planning their strategies and researching arguments.
Reading – Thompson
This week students took the third vocabulary test from “The Tell-tale Heart;” students will take a test next week on the first ten words from “The Raven.” Vocabulary tests will be of a different format starting next week. Instead of multiple choice, students will need to write a paragraph using the vocabulary words. This first assessment will have a fill in the blank paragraph with five of the ten words, and students will have to write a separate paragraph with the remaining five words. This will better assess students knowledge use of the vocabulary. Students will, of course, practice this during the week before the test on Thursday, October 26. Students also continued reading analysis of “The Raven,” and had the opportunity to read independently. Please encourage your son or daughter to read at least thirty minutes each night.
English – Seventh Grade
Students began their study of nouns this week along with an emphasis on complex sentences and using semicolons and colons in their writing, Students also journaled extensively and took photos of the new playground construction in anticipation of the next issue of The Bulldog Bark.
Social Studies –Sixth Grade
Students completed the study guide for the essay test on Central America; the test will be on Tuesday, October 24. Students also completed a map of the Caribbean, and began their study of the island nations. The map test for the Caribbean will be on Tuesday, October 31. Students have their own study guide for this map test and a master copy will be handed out on Tuesday.
October 13, 2107
Eighth Grade English
Students spent the week reviewing for our first test on the sentence, different types of sentences, conjunctions, varying use of sentences, and correctly punctuating the different types of sentences. The test was administered on Friday. Students also wrote tritinas this week. A trtina is a three stanza poem utilizing three words used in different types of end rhyme. The difficulty in writing a tritina is to not just repeat the same information in each of the stanzas. Students also concentrated on using interesting verbs and adjectives in the tritinas. While in the computer lab, students printed display copies of their trinitas and other poems they have written this year to display in the hallway.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took a vocabulary test on the second ten words from “The Tell-tale Heart,” and many students performed well. There will be vocabulary tests each Thursday from the writing of Edgar Allan Poe for the next foreseeable weeks. Students also finished reading “The Raven.” This poem has some difficult vocabulary and interesting imagery. Students read and discussed the poem this last week and will analyze and read analysis of the poem next week. The following week, students will read and analyze “The Black Cat,” another of Poe’s classic short stories.
English – Seventh Grade
Students spent the week reviewing for our first test on the sentence, different types of sentences, conjunctions, varying use of sentences, and correctly punctuating the different types of sentences. The test was administered on Friday. Students also wrote tritinas this week. A trtina is a three stanza poem utilizing three words used in different types of end rhyme. The difficulty in writing a tritina is to not just repeat the same information in each of the stanzas. Students also concentrated on using interesting verbs and adjectives in the tritinas. While in the computer lab, students printed display copies of their trinitas and other poems they have written this year to display in the hallway.
Social Studies – Sixth Grade
This week students took the map test on Central America and received a study guide for the main test on Central America. Students worked on the study guide on Friday, and will continue working on it on Tuesday since we don’t have class on Monday. Once the study guide is complete, the test on that material will one week later. The earliest this test will be is on Tuesday, October 24.
September 29, 2017
Eighth Grade English-Language Arts
Students finished editing The Bulldog Bark. It will be delivered to students on Monday afternoon. Students did well with the editing process; it was a lot of work. Students also began writing in a daily journal this week. This journal allows students to practice the punctuation and grammar they learn each day. For example, students have been practicing the use of the semicolon and the correct conventional use of numbers in their entries.
Eighth Grade Reading
This week students took a quiz on the vocabulary they discovered from Edgar Allan Poe’s biography. Students also read “The Tell-tale Heart,” started reading an analysis of the short story, and had an in depth discussion on elements of the characters. We only had class twice this week because of MAP testing and the PBIS day on Friday. All the eighth grade students led discussions in seven different areas on PBIS day and helped present information to students how to behave in all areas of the school.
Seventh Grade English-Language Arts
Students finished editing The Bulldog Bark. It will be delivered to students on Monday afternoon. Students did well with the editing process; it was a lot of work. Students also began writing in a daily journal this week. This journal allows students to practice the punctuation and grammar they learn each day. For example, students have been practicing the use of the semicolon and the correct conventional use of numbers in their entries.
Sixth GradeSocial Studies
On Wednesday, of last week, students took the exam on Canada. The results of the exam will be posted to the gradebook by Monday afternoon. Students continued to study Central America. There is another catchy video on YouTube if you would like to learn the countries of Central America. We will finish up Central America next week and have a test on Mexico and Central America the following week.
September 22, 2017
Eighth Grade Reading
Students have finished reading a biography of Edgar Allan Poe and will take a quiz on six vocabulary words we found in the biography on Tuesday. On Monday students have MAP testing. Students also received a list of vocabulary words from “The Tell-tale Heart,” and they will be tested on these words in the next several weeks. Students again had an opportunity to read independently as individual reading assessments were completed last week. Also, on Tuesday, students will begining analyzing “The Tell-tale Heart.” On Friday, students were treated to an unusual poem by Edgar Allan Poe entitled “The Flame.” Ask your son or daughter about it.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students have finished reading a biography of Edgar Allan Poe and will take a quiz on six vocabulary words we found in the biography on Tuesday. On Monday students have MAP testing. Students also received a list of vocabulary words from “The Tell-tale Heart,” and they will be tested on these words in the next several weeks. Students again had an opportunity to read independently as individual reading assessments were completed last week. Also, on Tuesday, students will begining analyzing “The Tell-tale Heart.” On Friday, students were treated to an unusual poem by Edgar Allan Poe entitled “The Flame.” Ask your son or daughter about it.
Seventh Grade ELA
Students finished final touches on the body of their news articles for The Bulldog Bark. Teaching students the proper layout of the articles is time consuming for this first issue, but students will now know the requirements. Editing the newspaper is also time consuming, but it is an excellent way for students to help each other and learn from each other. Each day we practice parts of speech with an activity called the sentence game. It’s a fun way to practice parts of speech, and it also improves reading as students must correctly predict the proper sequence of words.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students completed a study guide of Canada for the test next week. If students study the study guide and map, they will perform well on test. As always students watched CNN10 and discussed current events from around the world, especially the hurricanes in the Caribbean and the earthquakes in Mexico. Mexico happens to be our next area of study. Students completed a map of Mexico with its significant landforms and investigated its significant geographical aspects. The test on Canada will be next week Wednesday. Please have your son or daughter study
from the study guide.
September 8, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students played some team building games and games that allowed me to get to know them better. We did watch some current events segments on CNN10 and discussed what was going on in the world. We also began studying world geography with North America and Canada. Students watched a video describing the provinces and territories, and began working on a map of Canada.
Seventh Grade ELA
Students played some games this week to allow me to get to know them better. We also played a sentence game to review and learn new parts of speech. Students also began work as journalists for the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students have selected topics, began formulating questions to ask prospective interviewees, and began creating the organization for their article. We are looking at a publication deadline of September 30. We have a lot of work to complete before the newspapers hit the stands.
Eigth Grade Reading
We spent most of our time his week with administrative functions of returning to school. Next week we will truly begin focusing on Reader's Workshop and our study of our first author: Edgar Allan Poe. We will study at least three of Poe’s most famous pieces: “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Black Cat.”
Eighth Grade ELA
Students played some games this week to allow me to get to know them better. We also played a sentence game to review and learn new parts of speech. Students also began work as journalists for the school newspaper, The Bulldog Bark. Students have selected topics, began formulating questions to ask prospective interviewees, and began creating the organization for their article. We are looking at a publication deadline of September 30. We have a lot of work to complete before the newspapers hit the stands.
May 8, 2017
Calendar of Upcoming Event
Monday May 8 Seventh Grade Field Trip to YMCA Camp MacLean
Wednesday May 10 Senior Brunch and Spring Concert
Thursday May 11 High School Students Speak to Eighth Graders 9:45 am
Thursday May 11 Graduation photo orders due
Wednesday May 17 Band Concert
Thursday May 18 STEM Night
Friday May 19 Eighth Grade Bake Sale
Tuesday May 23 Mega Math Meet at Madison College
Wednesday May 24 Southern Lakes Anthology Reception at UW-Whitewater
Thursday May 25 Eighth Grade Trip to Helium and Buffalo Wild Wings
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students completed letters to their Jamaican pen pals, completed a map of Australia and surrounding archipelagos, and took an open note quiz on Australia. Students also worked on presentations of African countries. The essay test on Asia has been postponed until Tuesday, May 9.
Seventh Grade Reading
This week students read another short story by O. Henry, his most famous, “The Gift of the Magi.” Students also wrote character descriptions of the previous O. Henry short story, “By Courier.” Students also took a test on vocabulary words from “By Courier.” As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
English – Thompson
Students performed the final edits on The Bulldog Bark, and began assembling and delivering the paper. Sixth hour students continued learning the correct usage of pronouns, while the third hour students created more Burma Shave signs.
Reading – Thompson and Hegemann
Students again read books for their book club groups and met on Friday to discuss their novels. Students are doing a wonderful job leading the discussions and truly analyzing their novels. Student also finished the short story “By Courier” by O. Henry. Students also took a test on vocabulary words from “By Courier.” As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
April 7, 2017
Social Studies – Thompson
This week students learned about the differences between the free nation of South Korea and the totalitarian regime of North Korea. Students were pretty shocked about how the citizens of North Korea are treated. Students also learned about communist China and how its government treats its citizens. Students also learned the locations of countries of Indochina. Students will have a quiz on these locations next week Wednesday.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students reviewed timed essay writing in preparation for the Forward Exam. Students read examples provided by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. Students read passages, practiced organizing essays with thesis statements, discussed possible options for writing the essays, and read example essays. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
Eighth Grade English
Students began editing the next edition of The Bulldog Bark, began a comprehensive look at pronouns, more difficult than you might think, and took the ELA sections of the Forward Exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students reviewed timed essay writing in preparation for the Forward Exam. Students read examples provided by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. Students read passages, practiced organizing essays with thesis statements, discussed possible options for writing the essays, and read example essays. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
March 31, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
This week students took a quiz on the capitals of the Stans countries and a map test on the locations of the countries of the western Asia. Students also learned more about China, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. We will continue making our way though Asia next week into Indochina, the Koreas and Japan.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students worked in their book clubs reading Holes, Speak, Ender’s Game and Cut and chose roles in their book clubs. Students then met on Thursday to discuss their book: the vocabulary, settings, and connections. Students also wrote a practice essay for the Forward Exam. They wrote an essay in class about Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain.” This gave them experience planning and executing an essay in a classroom setting. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
Eighth Grade English
Students took a test on Modifiers and finalized their articles for The Bulldog Bark, both a regular news article and a parody article. Students also worked on a practice essay for the Forward Exam.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students worked in their book clubs reading Holes, The Summoning, Maximum Ride and If I Stay and chose roles in their book clubs. Students then met on Thursday to discuss their book: the vocabulary, settings, and connections. Students also wrote a practice essay for the Forward Exam. They wrote an essay in class about Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain.” This gave them experience planning and executing an essay in a classroom setting. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
March 24, 2017
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students are learning about the Stans of Central Asia. They will be taking quizzes on different sections of Asia, so they can continue to learn about this huge continent in smaller bites. Students took their first quiz on the location of the seven Stans countries, and on Tuesday of next week, they will take a quiz on the capitals of these countries. We will continue to move eastward through Asia.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students shared their analysis of “A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman on Monday. They also grouped themselves into literature circles or book clubs based on interest in similar books. Students will be reading Holes, Speak, Ender’s Game and Cut. Students will begin reading in their books clubs next week. Students are still encouraged to read their own books independently. As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
Eighth Grade English
Students attended the School Speech contest finals on Wednesday. They also laid out their latest articles for The Bulldog Bark. This issue is set for publication within the next two weeks. Third hour ELA will be taking a test on Modifiers, adjectives and adverbs, on Tuesday, March 28. The sixth hour class needs more time to review adverbs and will be taking their text the following week.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continued in their book clubs this week. The book club books include, Holes, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, If I Stay and The Summoning. Students also read and analyzed another poem by Carl Sandburg, “Fog” and read and analyzed Walt Whitman’s most famous poem, his great American allegory, “O Captain, My Captain.” As always, please have your son or daughter find time to read at home.
March 17, 2017
Eighth Grade English
Students delivered their speeches for a grade and to determine the three finalists who will compete next week Wednesday in the Gym. The third hour class helped prepare for the Academic Bowl, and the sixth hour class performed some impromptu speeches. Students also worked on their news article, which is due Monday. Their parody news article%2
January 15, 2016
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students completed two days of testing this week on Western Europe. On Wednesday students were tested on the location of countries, waterways, mountains and other physical features. They also were tested on the capitals of the major countries of Western Europe. On Thursday students completed a multiple choice and short answer test on Western Europe. We have begun studying Eastern Europe which includes the countries of the former Soviet Bloc. It would be helpful if students would start studying the locations of the countries a few at a time. They can start with the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuanian and work their way down through the Balkan countries.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students have continues their analysis of the writing of Ray Bradbury with the reading of two more of his short stories: “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” and “Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed.” Students are looking for commonalities in Bradbury’s wiring including his use of figurative language and his pension for ambiguous endings. Students also wrote a short analysis of point of view. We discussed why an author might choose first person point of view versus third person. Students looked for information online and then blended that with their own opinion to write a short analysis.
Independent reading continues to be an important element in seventh grade reading. Students are truly embracing their search for books they might love, finding genres they enjoy, and wiring about this journey through literature. There is nothing more satisfying then to see students embrace reading. The earlier a student can become an avid reader, the more advantages they will have in school and out. Twenty minutes of independent reading is encouraged each night for homework.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continue to analyze the short stories of Ray Bradbury. So far this year they have read “The Veldt,” “A Sound of Thunder,” “The Fog Horn,” “The Whole Town’s Sleeping and they are finishing “Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed.” This will prove to be a good primer for high school as they may read Fahrenheit 451 or Something Wicked This Way Comes. Students are looking at Bradbury’s writing style to compare the stories we have read so far.
Eighth grade students also continue to read Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. This novel is about a young girl, Willow Chance, who has suffered a terrible loss of both of her parents in a car crash. Students have been reading and discussing this book in small groups and will begin writing about their thoughts on the book next week.
Independent reading continues to be an important element in eighth grade reading. Students are truly embracing their search for books they might love, finding genres they enjoy, and wiring about this journey through literature. There is nothing more satisfying then to see students embrace reading. The earlier a student can become an avid reader, the more advantages they will have in school and out. Twenty minutes of independent reading is encouraged each night for homework.
ELA English Language Arts, Second Hour
Students participated in two debates this past week. Two teams argued the resolution that “Middle school students should be able to use cell phones during school hours.” And two more teams argued this resolution: “The death penalty should be an option in Wisconsin for capital crimes.” Students performed very well in these debates. Debates are an excellent forum for students to prepare arguments and deliver either preposition or opposition speeches. Students must also be able to think on their feet to ask questions that arise during the debate and answer questions from opponents.
Students are also continuing their journey with verbs. This week we reviewed the principle parts of verb: present participle, past tense, and past participle. Students also learned the perfect tenses of verbs. Along with verbs, students edited the third edition of The Bulldog Bark and distributed it to students. Next week students will continue argumentative writing with another essay and with further debates.
ELA Sixth Hour
Students continued their journey with verbs. This week we reviewed the principle parts of verb: present participle, past tense, and past participle. Students learned the principle parts of regular and irregular verbs. Students also learned the perfect tenses of verbs.
Along with verbs, students edited the third edition of The Bulldog Bark and distributed it to students. Next week students will continue argumentative writing with another essay and with further debates.
November 9, 2015
Reading students are currently working on a compare/contrast essay. They are comparing two of American literature's greatest works by Edgar Allan Poe: "The Tell-tale Heart" and "The Raven." Students will select three to five areas to compare and contrast. These might be setting, the protagonist, secondary characters, the plots, the use of language, symbolism, themes, or other areas. Students are expected to write these essays in a formal style.
October 5
The fall blood drive sponsored by the Washington-Caldwell chapter of the National Junior Honor Society was
very successful. Thank you to all of our parents, family members, staff members, and students for helping out the American Red Cross.
September 15, 2015
Middle School Leadership Conference
Four students will be selected to attend the Middle School Leadership Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday, October 15. This conference includes a presentation about leadership from Ardan James, an illusionist with a positive message about leadership. Mr. James will then hold a workshop with the students. Washington-Caldwell will provide lunch. In the afternoon, students will participate in student led leadership activities.
Students who would like to participate in this conference need to write a short essay stating why they think this conference would be a positive experience for them and what leadership opportunities they have attempted in the past.
This opportunity is available to all eighth grade students.
September 1, 2015
Welcome Back
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Students completed two days of testing this week on Western Europe. On Wednesday students were tested on the location of countries, waterways, mountains and other physical features. They also were tested on the capitals of the major countries of Western Europe. On Thursday students completed a multiple choice and short answer test on Western Europe. We have begun studying Eastern Europe which includes the countries of the former Soviet Bloc. It would be helpful if students would start studying the locations of the countries a few at a time. They can start with the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuanian and work their way down through the Balkan countries.
Seventh Grade Reading
Students have continues their analysis of the writing of Ray Bradbury with the reading of two more of his short stories: “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” and “Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed.” Students are looking for commonalities in Bradbury’s wiring including his use of figurative language and his pension for ambiguous endings. Students also wrote a short analysis of point of view. We discussed why an author might choose first person point of view versus third person. Students looked for information online and then blended that with their own opinion to write a short analysis.
Independent reading continues to be an important element in seventh grade reading. Students are truly embracing their search for books they might love, finding genres they enjoy, and wiring about this journey through literature. There is nothing more satisfying then to see students embrace reading. The earlier a student can become an avid reader, the more advantages they will have in school and out. Twenty minutes of independent reading is encouraged each night for homework.
Eighth Grade Reading
Students continue to analyze the short stories of Ray Bradbury. So far this year they have read “The Veldt,” “A Sound of Thunder,” “The Fog Horn,” “The Whole Town’s Sleeping and they are finishing “Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed.” This will prove to be a good primer for high school as they may read Fahrenheit 451 or Something Wicked This Way Comes. Students are looking at Bradbury’s writing style to compare the stories we have read so far.
Eighth grade students also continue to read Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. This novel is about a young girl, Willow Chance, who has suffered a terrible loss of both of her parents in a car crash. Students have been reading and discussing this book in small groups and will begin writing about their thoughts on the book next week.
Independent reading continues to be an important element in eighth grade reading. Students are truly embracing their search for books they might love, finding genres they enjoy, and wiring about this journey through literature. There is nothing more satisfying then to see students embrace reading. The earlier a student can become an avid reader, the more advantages they will have in school and out. Twenty minutes of independent reading is encouraged each night for homework.
ELA English Language Arts, Second Hour
Students participated in two debates this past week. Two teams argued the resolution that “Middle school students should be able to use cell phones during school hours.” And two more teams argued this resolution: “The death penalty should be an option in Wisconsin for capital crimes.” Students performed very well in these debates. Debates are an excellent forum for students to prepare arguments and deliver either preposition or opposition speeches. Students must also be able to think on their feet to ask questions that arise during the debate and answer questions from opponents.
Students are also continuing their journey with verbs. This week we reviewed the principle parts of verb: present participle, past tense, and past participle. Students also learned the perfect tenses of verbs. Along with verbs, students edited the third edition of The Bulldog Bark and distributed it to students. Next week students will continue argumentative writing with another essay and with further debates.
ELA Sixth Hour
Students continued their journey with verbs. This week we reviewed the principle parts of verb: present participle, past tense, and past participle. Students learned the principle parts of regular and irregular verbs. Students also learned the perfect tenses of verbs.
Along with verbs, students edited the third edition of The Bulldog Bark and distributed it to students. Next week students will continue argumentative writing with another essay and with further debates.
November 9, 2015
Reading students are currently working on a compare/contrast essay. They are comparing two of American literature's greatest works by Edgar Allan Poe: "The Tell-tale Heart" and "The Raven." Students will select three to five areas to compare and contrast. These might be setting, the protagonist, secondary characters, the plots, the use of language, symbolism, themes, or other areas. Students are expected to write these essays in a formal style.
October 5
The fall blood drive sponsored by the Washington-Caldwell chapter of the National Junior Honor Society was
very successful. Thank you to all of our parents, family members, staff members, and students for helping out the American Red Cross.
September 15, 2015
Middle School Leadership Conference
Four students will be selected to attend the Middle School Leadership Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday, October 15. This conference includes a presentation about leadership from Ardan James, an illusionist with a positive message about leadership. Mr. James will then hold a workshop with the students. Washington-Caldwell will provide lunch. In the afternoon, students will participate in student led leadership activities.
Students who would like to participate in this conference need to write a short essay stating why they think this conference would be a positive experience for them and what leadership opportunities they have attempted in the past.
This opportunity is available to all eighth grade students.
September 1, 2015
Welcome Back
January 19, 2015
The eighth grade students created an assembly to commemorate the Martin Luther King memorial they created with Dr. Pienkos. Each student spoke at the assembly and wrote their piece.
December 21, 2014
My ELA students produced their third student newspaper so far this year. We are tap to publish six newspapers this school year, which is our goal set earlier this year.
December 2, 2014
Sixth grade argued during their first formal debate today. The proposition and opposition sides argued their points very well. The motion was "The United States should build a wall on the border with Mexico." The students made good assertions and followed the formal Middle School Debate format well.
November 24, 2014
Sixth grade social studies students are working on their first formal debate on immigration issues facing America. Their first arguments will be presented on December 2.
November 5, 2014
Eighth grade journalists are close to publishing their second edition of The Bulldog Bark this school year. Once again they have created an excellent publication with stories about our girls' volleyball team, our school report card, the new school sign and much more.
October 20, 2014
The eighth grade reading students have read some very good novels during their independent reading times this year. Look for their book reviews to appear on a school wall near you. Students have also written compare and contrast essays about two short stories by Edgar Allan Poe: "The Tell-tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado."
October 10, 2014
Our first edition of The Bulldog Bark is on the news stands. The eighth grade writers put together an excellent newspaper. Check it out.
October 3, 2014
This week students in my eighth grade English classes held their first formal debates of the year. Second hour debated this motion: Video games are a positive influnce on children sixteen and under. The fourth hour English class debated the use of cell phones by middle school students. Overall students performed very well. For many of them this was their first experience with formal debates. We are using a format introduced by the Middle School Public Debate Program. Students learned about using assertions, reasoning and evidence. Refutations and rebuttals were introduced. Students will continue learning about note taking during a debate and evidential fallacies.
September 21, 2014
The eighth grade class held its first bake sale of the school year and it was very successful. Thank you parents for sending so many yummy treats. Eighth grade students did a good job taking care of their customers and serving them well.
September 20, 2014
We held our first NJHS meeting of the new school year. We talked about our upcoming blood drive and election of officers. The students who want to run for an office have let me know and we will be holding our election during the school day this week.
September 19, 2014
Work continues to go well on the year's first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students have written at least one article each and have laid it our in Microsoft Publisher. This coming week we will be performing final editing of the individual articles and adding additional pieces where necessary.
Sixth grade argued during their first formal debate today. The proposition and opposition sides argued their points very well. The motion was "The United States should build a wall on the border with Mexico." The students made good assertions and followed the formal Middle School Debate format well.
November 24, 2014
Sixth grade social studies students are working on their first formal debate on immigration issues facing America. Their first arguments will be presented on December 2.
November 5, 2014
Eighth grade journalists are close to publishing their second edition of The Bulldog Bark this school year. Once again they have created an excellent publication with stories about our girls' volleyball team, our school report card, the new school sign and much more.
October 20, 2014
The eighth grade reading students have read some very good novels during their independent reading times this year. Look for their book reviews to appear on a school wall near you. Students have also written compare and contrast essays about two short stories by Edgar Allan Poe: "The Tell-tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado."
October 10, 2014
Our first edition of The Bulldog Bark is on the news stands. The eighth grade writers put together an excellent newspaper. Check it out.
October 3, 2014
This week students in my eighth grade English classes held their first formal debates of the year. Second hour debated this motion: Video games are a positive influnce on children sixteen and under. The fourth hour English class debated the use of cell phones by middle school students. Overall students performed very well. For many of them this was their first experience with formal debates. We are using a format introduced by the Middle School Public Debate Program. Students learned about using assertions, reasoning and evidence. Refutations and rebuttals were introduced. Students will continue learning about note taking during a debate and evidential fallacies.
September 21, 2014
The eighth grade class held its first bake sale of the school year and it was very successful. Thank you parents for sending so many yummy treats. Eighth grade students did a good job taking care of their customers and serving them well.
September 20, 2014
We held our first NJHS meeting of the new school year. We talked about our upcoming blood drive and election of officers. The students who want to run for an office have let me know and we will be holding our election during the school day this week.
September 19, 2014
Work continues to go well on the year's first edition of The Bulldog Bark. Students have written at least one article each and have laid it our in Microsoft Publisher. This coming week we will be performing final editing of the individual articles and adding additional pieces where necessary.
September 12, 2014
Sixth grade social studies students have participated in several team building activities and have worked well together.
September 10, 2014
English classes have been working on the first edition of The Bulldog Bark. We are looking at a publication deadline of September 30. We have many interesting events to report on and students are working hard to get the news out. We are also recording interviews with news makers to prepare our first webcast of Bulldog Network News, our web based video news service.
September 8, 2014
The first few days of school have gone very well. It has been enjoyable working with returning students and welcoming new students to our Washington-Caldwell family.
August 30, 2014
I am looking forward to a great school year. It holds such promise and expectancy.
April 14, 2014
The blood drive sponsored by the National Junior Honor Society was very successful yesterday. The American Red Cross collected 30 units of blood and blood products that will potentially help 90 people.
April 7, 2014
Natalie Deaton and Zoie Kinjerski presented their speeches at the district speech contest in Muskego. Both of these fine students performed very well and Zoie advanced to the state speech contest in Janesville on May 9.
In both reading and English classes students have been working on argumentative writing in preparation for debates. Students have been learning about claims, evidence, warrants, counterclaims, and rebuttals. Students have also been deciding on topics to debate.
In both he seventh and eighth grade reading classes, students have been looking for evidence in a fictitious criminal case. Students had to decide what evidence was available and write warrants to explain the evidence.
Natalie Deaton and Zoie Kinjerski presented their speeches at the district speech contest in Muskego. Both of these fine students performed very well and Zoie advanced to the state speech contest in Janesville on May 9.
In both reading and English classes students have been working on argumentative writing in preparation for debates. Students have been learning about claims, evidence, warrants, counterclaims, and rebuttals. Students have also been deciding on topics to debate.
In both he seventh and eighth grade reading classes, students have been looking for evidence in a fictitious criminal case. Students had to decide what evidence was available and write warrants to explain the evidence.
March 21, 2014
The final three speakers from each grade have been chosen. All students in fifth through eighth grade worked hard on writing and delivering their speeches on this year's topic of "The Importance of Healthy Living." Our finalists for eighth grade are Sky Kitzke, Natalie Deaton and Carson Bragg. The finalists in seventh grade are Olivia Wegner, Hannah Kaspryzk and Maddie Foster. The sixth grade speakers are Jess Strasser, Tabby Tuska, and Jessica Marshall, and the three fifth grade finalists.
March 4, 2014
Our speech contest is in full swing. Speeches have been written and students have begun practicing the delivery of their speeches. Students will give their speech to be graded on Monday, March 17. The top speakers in Ms. Helbling's class and my class will present their speeches on Wednesday, March 19 to determine the three seventh grade finalists. The top eighth grade speakers in Ms. Helbling's class and my classes will present their speeches on Thursday, March 20 to determine the three eighth grade finalists. All finalists in fifth through eighth grade will deliver their speeches in the gym on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 pm. The top three speakers will be determined and the top two speakers will advance to the regional speech contest on April 7.
February 21, 2014
Seventh grade reading students have been reading short stories by Ray Bradbury. So far we have read “The Veldt,” A Sound of Thunder,” “All Summer in a Day,” and “The Foghorn.” Students are getting to know Bradbury through his use of figurative language and his work in the fantasy and science fiction genre. Students have also created websites using the website builder Weebly. On their websites they are creating blogs to write about the books they are reading independently. They are also writing about the stories we are reading together in class and posting book reviews. These websites are password protected, so the general public cannot access them.
The eighth grade reading students are also building Weebly websites with similar content to the seventh grade reading students. The eighth graders have recently been introduced to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his most famous character Sherlock Holmes. We read “The Speckled Band” where Holmes has to use his keen deductive powers to solve the case. Eighth grade reading students have also read “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Written in 1948 this story has an unusual ending and has interesting comment on the customs that cultures develop. Comparisons can be easily be made to The Hunger Games.
Our speech contest is in full swing. Speeches have been written and students have begun practicing the delivery of their speeches. Students will give their speech to be graded on Monday, March 17. The top speakers in Ms. Helbling's class and my class will present their speeches on Wednesday, March 19 to determine the three seventh grade finalists. The top eighth grade speakers in Ms. Helbling's class and my classes will present their speeches on Thursday, March 20 to determine the three eighth grade finalists. All finalists in fifth through eighth grade will deliver their speeches in the gym on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 pm. The top three speakers will be determined and the top two speakers will advance to the regional speech contest on April 7.
February 21, 2014
Seventh grade reading students have been reading short stories by Ray Bradbury. So far we have read “The Veldt,” A Sound of Thunder,” “All Summer in a Day,” and “The Foghorn.” Students are getting to know Bradbury through his use of figurative language and his work in the fantasy and science fiction genre. Students have also created websites using the website builder Weebly. On their websites they are creating blogs to write about the books they are reading independently. They are also writing about the stories we are reading together in class and posting book reviews. These websites are password protected, so the general public cannot access them.
The eighth grade reading students are also building Weebly websites with similar content to the seventh grade reading students. The eighth graders have recently been introduced to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his most famous character Sherlock Holmes. We read “The Speckled Band” where Holmes has to use his keen deductive powers to solve the case. Eighth grade reading students have also read “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Written in 1948 this story has an unusual ending and has interesting comment on the customs that cultures develop. Comparisons can be easily be made to The Hunger Games.
February 4, 2014
Eighth grade reading students have begun reading short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The first short story that we have been reading is called "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." This is many students introduction to the venerable Sherlock Holmes.
Seventh grade reading students have begun an exploration into the writing of Ray Bradbury. We finished "The Veldt" and will continue with "Sound of Thunder." Bradbury, who died in 2012, produced an HBO series called the Ray Bradbury Theater. Students will have a chance to watch these video interpretations of the short stories created by the author himself.
It's speech contest time again and this year's topic is "The Importance of Healthy Living." A timeline will be introduced next week, but generally students will compete in classrooms in early March.
English students also continue to work on Latin and Greek affixes to undertake a greater vocabulary. WE have also worked on irregular verbs, coordinating adjectives, semicolons, colons and general adjective use.
Eighth grade reading students have begun reading short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The first short story that we have been reading is called "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." This is many students introduction to the venerable Sherlock Holmes.
Seventh grade reading students have begun an exploration into the writing of Ray Bradbury. We finished "The Veldt" and will continue with "Sound of Thunder." Bradbury, who died in 2012, produced an HBO series called the Ray Bradbury Theater. Students will have a chance to watch these video interpretations of the short stories created by the author himself.
It's speech contest time again and this year's topic is "The Importance of Healthy Living." A timeline will be introduced next week, but generally students will compete in classrooms in early March.
English students also continue to work on Latin and Greek affixes to undertake a greater vocabulary. WE have also worked on irregular verbs, coordinating adjectives, semicolons, colons and general adjective use.
January 8, 2014
Seventh grade reading students have begun writing a compare and contrast essay based on two short stories by Jack London. They are comparing "To Build a Fire" and "A Thousand Deaths" both written at the turn of the twentieth century. This essay will be due on Wednesday, January 15.
The eighth grade reading class will be writing an informational essay on the short story "The Necklace" written by French shorty story master Guy du Maupassant. Students truly loved the twist ending. The essay will be based on three questions from a list of eight questions available to students.
January 6, 2014
Eighth grade and seventh grade reading students will be creating blogs with Weebly. That's the webpage creator that many teachers here at Washington-Caldwell use to create and update their webpages. Students will be blogging about the books they are reading independently and the short stories, poems and plays we read together. They will post their thoughts about the books they are reading, post book reviews and recommend books.
January 3, 2014
Seventh and eighth grade students have recently written cause and effect essays in English class. Students chose their own topics and three causes or effects of that topic. Topics ranged from the effects of eating too much fast food to the effects of being an avid reader.
Seventh grade reading students have begun writing a compare and contrast essay based on two short stories by Jack London. They are comparing "To Build a Fire" and "A Thousand Deaths" both written at the turn of the twentieth century. This essay will be due on Wednesday, January 15.
The eighth grade reading class will be writing an informational essay on the short story "The Necklace" written by French shorty story master Guy du Maupassant. Students truly loved the twist ending. The essay will be based on three questions from a list of eight questions available to students.
January 6, 2014
Eighth grade and seventh grade reading students will be creating blogs with Weebly. That's the webpage creator that many teachers here at Washington-Caldwell use to create and update their webpages. Students will be blogging about the books they are reading independently and the short stories, poems and plays we read together. They will post their thoughts about the books they are reading, post book reviews and recommend books.
January 3, 2014
Seventh and eighth grade students have recently written cause and effect essays in English class. Students chose their own topics and three causes or effects of that topic. Topics ranged from the effects of eating too much fast food to the effects of being an avid reader.
December 21, 2013
The cast of The Boardinghouse has been chosen.
Harriet---Hannah DeGroot
Tweenie---Rachael Bieringer
Mr. Richards---Mason Laney
Martha Willis---Leah Bieringer
Glaydys Klotz---Carson Bragg
Dirk Shadow---Josh Szeklinski
Ivy---Hunter Schacht
Howard---Tommy Hoffarth
Vicot---Adam Forkner
Dr. Sni-Fell---Adam Osborne
Our actors have many lines to memoirze and a lot of work to do between now and May.
The cast of The Boardinghouse has been chosen.
Harriet---Hannah DeGroot
Tweenie---Rachael Bieringer
Mr. Richards---Mason Laney
Martha Willis---Leah Bieringer
Glaydys Klotz---Carson Bragg
Dirk Shadow---Josh Szeklinski
Ivy---Hunter Schacht
Howard---Tommy Hoffarth
Vicot---Adam Forkner
Dr. Sni-Fell---Adam Osborne
Our actors have many lines to memoirze and a lot of work to do between now and May.
December 15, 2013
Students have been working on December news articles for The Bulldog Bark, a cause/effect essay, and their Southern Lakes Anthology entries. Seventh grade students have been reading the works of Jack London: the short stories "To Build a Fire" and "A Thousand Deaths." The eighth grade students will be reading the poetry of Emily Dickinson.
Students have been working on December news articles for The Bulldog Bark, a cause/effect essay, and their Southern Lakes Anthology entries. Seventh grade students have been reading the works of Jack London: the short stories "To Build a Fire" and "A Thousand Deaths." The eighth grade students will be reading the poetry of Emily Dickinson.
December 8, 2013
The drama students have chosen a play! We read many plays and narrowed it down to two, and this year's production is called The Boardinghouse.
The drama students have chosen a play! We read many plays and narrowed it down to two, and this year's production is called The Boardinghouse.
November 30, 2013
The WKCE testing went well and it has been good to be back to a normal schedule. Students completed our second edition of The Bulldog Bark and it was released the day before Thanksgiving break. The BNN reporters have made strides towards recording their first newscast. They will be using Microsoft Movie Maker to edit their stories. This will also allow them to upload their stories when they are completed. BNN students will create a story board to help them organize the presentation of each news story.
Members of the first hour eighth grade English class will be meeting with the food service director from the Muskego-Norway school district on Thursday, December 5, to discuss the possibility of using washable plastic trays to eliminate the polystyrene trays that are thrown away every day.
All English classes will begin work on cause and effect essays. Students will be selecting topics this week and begin organizing their essays. All students will also continue working on the December issue of The Bulldog Bark and will be writing various poems.
The seventh grade reading class will continue to read and discuss "To Build a Fire" by Jack London in preparation to read The Call of the Wild while the eighth grade readers will continue reading poetry by Emily Dickinson.
The WKCE testing went well and it has been good to be back to a normal schedule. Students completed our second edition of The Bulldog Bark and it was released the day before Thanksgiving break. The BNN reporters have made strides towards recording their first newscast. They will be using Microsoft Movie Maker to edit their stories. This will also allow them to upload their stories when they are completed. BNN students will create a story board to help them organize the presentation of each news story.
Members of the first hour eighth grade English class will be meeting with the food service director from the Muskego-Norway school district on Thursday, December 5, to discuss the possibility of using washable plastic trays to eliminate the polystyrene trays that are thrown away every day.
All English classes will begin work on cause and effect essays. Students will be selecting topics this week and begin organizing their essays. All students will also continue working on the December issue of The Bulldog Bark and will be writing various poems.
The seventh grade reading class will continue to read and discuss "To Build a Fire" by Jack London in preparation to read The Call of the Wild while the eighth grade readers will continue reading poetry by Emily Dickinson.
November 7, 2013
This week eighth grade students will finish the WKCE tests. Seventh grade students will begin a study of Jack London and eighth grade students will begin an analysis of the poetry of Emily Dickinson. In English class students will continue to revise and edit their persuasive essays and will begin work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students can create a poem, a prose story, an illustrated story, a cartoon or a piece of art.
This week eighth grade students will finish the WKCE tests. Seventh grade students will begin a study of Jack London and eighth grade students will begin an analysis of the poetry of Emily Dickinson. In English class students will continue to revise and edit their persuasive essays and will begin work on pieces for the Southern Lakes Anthology contest. Students can create a poem, a prose story, an illustrated story, a cartoon or a piece of art.
October 31, 2013
Students took their tests this week in English class. On Monday we will take our Edgar Allan Poe tests, and next week we have the WKCE tests focusing on reading and math. The following week we have WKCE tests on social studies, science, language arts and writing.
Students took their tests this week in English class. On Monday we will take our Edgar Allan Poe tests, and next week we have the WKCE tests focusing on reading and math. The following week we have WKCE tests on social studies, science, language arts and writing.
October 24, 2013
In English class, students will finish their persuasive essays this week and take a test on sentence fluency, nouns, and paragraph structure. We will also continue editing November news articles. In reading classes, students will work on study guides for tests on Edgar Allan Poe. We will take our tests before the end of the first quarter.
In English class, students will finish their persuasive essays this week and take a test on sentence fluency, nouns, and paragraph structure. We will also continue editing November news articles. In reading classes, students will work on study guides for tests on Edgar Allan Poe. We will take our tests before the end of the first quarter.
October 17, 2013
This week students continued to work on sentence fluency in the six traits model. Students finished their first drafts of news articles for our November edition of The Bulldog Bark. They revised in class and will edit next week. Students in all three sections of my ELA (English Language Arts) classes have begun work on a persuasive/argument essay to persuade the school board to proceed with our project ideas.
Seventh grade reading read the short story "The Tell-tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe and have begun analyzing it. They have also read and analyzed the poem "The Raven." We will next read and analyze "Annabel Lee" and "The Cask of Amontillado," both also by Poe.
Eighth Grade finished the short story "The Masque of the Red Death" By Edgar Allan Poe and will continue to analyze it next week.
This week students continued to work on sentence fluency in the six traits model. Students finished their first drafts of news articles for our November edition of The Bulldog Bark. They revised in class and will edit next week. Students in all three sections of my ELA (English Language Arts) classes have begun work on a persuasive/argument essay to persuade the school board to proceed with our project ideas.
Seventh grade reading read the short story "The Tell-tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe and have begun analyzing it. They have also read and analyzed the poem "The Raven." We will next read and analyze "Annabel Lee" and "The Cask of Amontillado," both also by Poe.
Eighth Grade finished the short story "The Masque of the Red Death" By Edgar Allan Poe and will continue to analyze it next week.
October 11, 2013
This week students worked on sentence fluency. We reviewed simple, compound and complex sentences and their correct punctuation. We started work on our November edition of The Bulldog Bark and started researching our first essay. Our essays will attempt to persuade our school to make some changes. The first hour class is attempting to reduce our lunch waste by converting lunch trays from foam trays to reusable plastic trays. Second hour English is attempting to start a video news organization know as Bulldog Network News. The third hour English class is trying to create an outdoor learning environment. Each class is working out all the details, including securing funding for each project.
This week students worked on sentence fluency. We reviewed simple, compound and complex sentences and their correct punctuation. We started work on our November edition of The Bulldog Bark and started researching our first essay. Our essays will attempt to persuade our school to make some changes. The first hour class is attempting to reduce our lunch waste by converting lunch trays from foam trays to reusable plastic trays. Second hour English is attempting to start a video news organization know as Bulldog Network News. The third hour English class is trying to create an outdoor learning environment. Each class is working out all the details, including securing funding for each project.
October 4, 2013
In my three sections of English classes, we have decided to change the world, or at least our small section of the world.
The first hour class has decided to attempt to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfills from our lunches each day. The second hour seventh grade English class is trying to establish a Bulldog video news program. The third hour eighth grade English class is trying to establish an outdoor classroom.
The students in each of these classrooms will first be working on informational essays to establish the need for each of these projects. We will then be writing letters to individuals and organizations to gain information on costs, sources of funding, and the purchasing of any needed equipment and supplies. Each group has created a goal and objectives and will need to create a timeline to accomplish these goals. Once each group has their project funded and organized, they will make a presentation via a persuasive essay and computer presentation to the school board to attempt to get it approved.
Along with these projects each class will continue to write for The Bulldog Bark, continue to work on grammar lessons and create other writing projects.
In my three sections of English classes, we have decided to change the world, or at least our small section of the world.
The first hour class has decided to attempt to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfills from our lunches each day. The second hour seventh grade English class is trying to establish a Bulldog video news program. The third hour eighth grade English class is trying to establish an outdoor classroom.
The students in each of these classrooms will first be working on informational essays to establish the need for each of these projects. We will then be writing letters to individuals and organizations to gain information on costs, sources of funding, and the purchasing of any needed equipment and supplies. Each group has created a goal and objectives and will need to create a timeline to accomplish these goals. Once each group has their project funded and organized, they will make a presentation via a persuasive essay and computer presentation to the school board to attempt to get it approved.
Along with these projects each class will continue to write for The Bulldog Bark, continue to work on grammar lessons and create other writing projects.
September 28, 2013
In eighth grade reading, I have been reading aloud Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury and Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick to the seventh grade. I introduced the eighth grade to Ray Bradbury as we read some of his short stories like "The Veldt," "The Fog Horn," and "The Sound of Thunder." They loved his twists and turns. I read Freak the Mighty every year to seventh graders because I love the story and I can do all the voices pretty well. The seventh grade students are enjoying the exploits of Max and Kevin, and we are just about at the climax. Ask them what an "ornithopter" is.
In eighth grade reading, I have been reading aloud Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury and Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick to the seventh grade. I introduced the eighth grade to Ray Bradbury as we read some of his short stories like "The Veldt," "The Fog Horn," and "The Sound of Thunder." They loved his twists and turns. I read Freak the Mighty every year to seventh graders because I love the story and I can do all the voices pretty well. The seventh grade students are enjoying the exploits of Max and Kevin, and we are just about at the climax. Ask them what an "ornithopter" is.
September 20, 2013
Students are nearing the end of drafting their first news article for The Bulldog Bark. Students have been focusing on the Ideas trait; they have been adding specific, interesting and accurate details after selecting their topics and narrowing their focus. Along with the Ideas trait, we have started focusing on the Organization trait.Students also have worked on organizing our news stories with interesting leads and transitions between paragraphs. While sharing our articles with the class, students also worked on word choice and conventions. We are working towards an October 1 publication date. This week students will also be writing odes in the style of Pablo Neruda. Neruda wrote poems exulting the virtues of common every day items.
Students are nearing the end of drafting their first news article for The Bulldog Bark. Students have been focusing on the Ideas trait; they have been adding specific, interesting and accurate details after selecting their topics and narrowing their focus. Along with the Ideas trait, we have started focusing on the Organization trait.Students also have worked on organizing our news stories with interesting leads and transitions between paragraphs. While sharing our articles with the class, students also worked on word choice and conventions. We are working towards an October 1 publication date. This week students will also be writing odes in the style of Pablo Neruda. Neruda wrote poems exulting the virtues of common every day items.
September 16, 2013
Students have completed the information gathering work for their first Bulldog Bark article. We talked about organizing their writing into a logical format with an interesting lead. We will continue drafting and working on the organization trait with our writing this week and start to edit and revise on Thursday. We have also started reading the poetry of Pablo Neruda and will be creating odes in the Neruda style. With this poem we will be focusing on word choice.
Students have completed the information gathering work for their first Bulldog Bark article. We talked about organizing their writing into a logical format with an interesting lead. We will continue drafting and working on the organization trait with our writing this week and start to edit and revise on Thursday. We have also started reading the poetry of Pablo Neruda and will be creating odes in the Neruda style. With this poem we will be focusing on word choice.
September 9, 2013
Seventh and eighth grade students are busy working on their first articles for The Bulldog Bark. We have brainstormed ideas and are formulating questions to ask interviewees about our topics. This first issue of The Bulldog Bark will highlight many wonderful activities and additions to Washington-Caldwell this school year.
Seventh and eighth grade students are busy working on their first articles for The Bulldog Bark. We have brainstormed ideas and are formulating questions to ask interviewees about our topics. This first issue of The Bulldog Bark will highlight many wonderful activities and additions to Washington-Caldwell this school year.
September 6, 2013
The eighth grade held class elections today for the following offices: president, vice-president, treasurer, and public relations officer. Ten students ran for the various offices with each candidate giving a short speech to convince voters of their worthiness for office. Here are the results. Carson Bragg is our public relations officer, Jonathan Miskelley is our treasurer, Lucy Woloszyk is our vice-president, and Natalie Deaton is our class president. Congratulations to all the candidates for throwing their hats into the ring and I look forward to working with the new officers and all our students to make this a successful year.
The eighth grade held class elections today for the following offices: president, vice-president, treasurer, and public relations officer. Ten students ran for the various offices with each candidate giving a short speech to convince voters of their worthiness for office. Here are the results. Carson Bragg is our public relations officer, Jonathan Miskelley is our treasurer, Lucy Woloszyk is our vice-president, and Natalie Deaton is our class president. Congratulations to all the candidates for throwing their hats into the ring and I look forward to working with the new officers and all our students to make this a successful year.
September 5, 2013
Yesterday and today my English classes reviewed the Ideas trait. We discussed the four elements of the Ideas trait---1. Finding a topic 2. Focusing the topic 3. Developing the topic and 4. Using details. We did an art activity where students had sixty seconds to look at a piece of art and come up with a title and one sentence to describe it. It was fun to see the varying and interesting ideas. We also started to develop topics for our first edition of The Bulldog Bark. We are emphasizing all the wonderful happenings here at Washington-Caldwell.
Yesterday and today my English classes reviewed the Ideas trait. We discussed the four elements of the Ideas trait---1. Finding a topic 2. Focusing the topic 3. Developing the topic and 4. Using details. We did an art activity where students had sixty seconds to look at a piece of art and come up with a title and one sentence to describe it. It was fun to see the varying and interesting ideas. We also started to develop topics for our first edition of The Bulldog Bark. We are emphasizing all the wonderful happenings here at Washington-Caldwell.
September 4, 2013
Yesterday was a great day. It felt good to be back with such wonderful students. After we reviewed and discussed procedures, policies, and rules students had an opportunity to perform some team building activities. The task pictured below asked the students to work as a team to place a marble in a small bowl located across the classroom using a tray tool with some very exacting rules. The teams were successful using quality communication skills---both talking and listening---and strategized the best way to accomplish their goal.
Yesterday was a great day. It felt good to be back with such wonderful students. After we reviewed and discussed procedures, policies, and rules students had an opportunity to perform some team building activities. The task pictured below asked the students to work as a team to place a marble in a small bowl located across the classroom using a tray tool with some very exacting rules. The teams were successful using quality communication skills---both talking and listening---and strategized the best way to accomplish their goal.
August 29, 2013
Meet and Greet was last night and it was good to see all the students and parents. I am looking forward to next Tuesday and the first day of school.
Meet and Greet was last night and it was good to see all the students and parents. I am looking forward to next Tuesday and the first day of school.
August 25, 2013
I have purchased many new books for our classroom library over the summer---I felt my library needed updating. I found several lists online with the best books for teens and young adults. I used these lists and lists of books my students gave me last year to help me find books. One of these lists is from a survey conducted by National Public Radio. One of my great sources for novels was Goodwill stores throughout the Milwaukee area. I found wonderful novels for 89 cents each!
I have purchased many new books for our classroom library over the summer---I felt my library needed updating. I found several lists online with the best books for teens and young adults. I used these lists and lists of books my students gave me last year to help me find books. One of these lists is from a survey conducted by National Public Radio. One of my great sources for novels was Goodwill stores throughout the Milwaukee area. I found wonderful novels for 89 cents each!