Eighth Grade Update:
The first quarter in Eighth Grade Language Arts was a tremendous success. Uglies served as a tremendous platform to review literary terms and begin to delve into the nuances of themes. We also reviewed the format of the five-paragraph essay and honed our writing style.
Second quarter will be fantastic. Students will have the opportunity to examine literature at much more sophisticated level with Of Mice and Men. Here we will study the many ways authors weave symbolic intricacies into their works. Students will also be completing Of Mice and Men lunch sack scrapbooks based on selected themes. Through this study we will talk about the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Additionally, we will talk about the idea of friendship and what it means to be a good friend.
Seventh Grade Update:
We were able to accomplish all of our goals in first quarter in Seventh Grade Language Arts. We discussed the importance of remaining true to ourselves with the help of Stargirl; we also introduced ourselves to the important literary terms we will continue to use in junior high, high school, and college. Our first novel project was submitted and how tremendous they were!
Second quarter is looking just as great as the first. We just finished our first experience with the five-paragraph essay; we also practiced stylistic revisions that helped us to better our word choices and weave in great detail. We are currently reading Whirligig and discussing the complexities of a broken narrative. Up ahead we have another novel project due and a research Powerpoint.
Eighth Grade Curriculum
The Voice of the Other
This year’s English literature and writing component will focus on characters and historical figures who have taken the risk to be The Voice of the Other. We will be studying characters and people who took the risk to speak up for others (or themselves) when it was not the most popular thing to do. Each quarter will reflect one component of this theme and the courage it takes to actualize each element. In addition to the structured curriculum, students will independently read a minimum of one selected novel per quarter and complete an accompanying project. |
First Quarter: The Courage to Be Yourself
Reading: Novel: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Short Stories: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber
Writing: Character pop up
- “I am from” poem for self - character
Speaking: Socratic Seminar—goodcharacter.com
Listening: Socratic Seminar
Interdisciplinary Thread: Psychology: Myers Briggs
Second Quarter: The Courage to Be a Good Friend
Reading: Novel: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Fan Club
Writing: Re-Write the ending of The Fan Club
-Novel Case File
Speaking: Socratic Seminar: Anticipatory Set and Debate (Was George a good friend?)
Listening: Socratic Seminar: Anticipatory Set and Debate
Small Groups: 10 features of a good friend—before--- reference after and during.
Viewing: Dust Bowl photos- Dorthea Lange
The Color of Friendship (film about Apartheid)
Interdisciplinary Thread: Social Studies— Dust Bowl
Third Quarter: The Courage to Do What is Right
Reading: Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Cast the first Stone- Jesus/ Mary Magdalene
Writing: 10 Core Beliefs - “This I believe…” NPR
-Research: People who have made a difference in our world - Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, etc.
Speaking: Socratic Seminar
Listening: Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday/ Socratic Seminar
Interdisciplinary Thread: Social Studies—The Great Depression
Fourth Quarter: Courage in the Face of Adversity (?)
Reading: Night by Elie Weisel
Writing: Courage in the feel God has Abandoned You
Letter to Elie’s mother
Speaking: In development
Listening: In development
Viewing: Schindler’s List - Elie Weisel interview with Oprah Winfrey
Interdisciplinary Thread: Social Studies WWII
Summative Projects: As eighth graders and near graduates, students will complete two reflective/ summative projects in eighth grade language arts
-
memoir: Significant Nativity Memory (based on school map)
- Portfolio of Nativity years
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Seventh Grade Curriculum
Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
Chinese Proverb
Seventh grade language arts will explore the theme of a Chinese proverb: Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. Students will explore this theme by reading and writing about characters and people (including themselves) who have learned some of life’s most important lessons. Each quarter will explore a different kind of learning. In addition to the structured curriculum, students will independently read a minimum of one selected novel per quarter and complete an accompanying project.
Quarter One: Learning from Another’s Differences
Reading: Stargirl
- Transcendentalists/ non-conformity: Emerson’s Self- Reliance
Writing: Anatomy of a character
10 core beliefs—published creatively - Stargirl’s 10
Speaking: Socratic Seminar
Listening: Socratic Seminar
Viewing: Socratic Seminar
Quarter Two: Learning from your Mistakes
Reading: Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
Global Warming?
Writing: Researching “famous mistakes” (Coca- Cola, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Silly Putty, etc.)
Speaking: Presenting—famous mistakes
Listening: Same as above
Viewing: Still in development
Interdisciplinary Thread: Art--- making a whirligig
Quarter Three: Learning to Find Faith
Reading: My Forbidden Face
- excerpts from Anne Frank/ Holocaust
- Doubting Thomas
Writing: Survival Kit
Speaking: Survival Kit
Listening: Discussion with Fr. Paul
Viewing: The Mission
Interdisciplinary Thread: Religion
Quarter Four: Learning from Your Heritage
Reading- Graphic Novel: American Born Chinese
Short Memoirs: from text (Amy Tan, Gary Soto, Jerry Spinelli…)
Writing: Multigenre project, creating the biography of a family member who is at least 20 years older than the student.
Speaking: Presenting/ Sharing work at luncheon with families
Listening: Presentations
Viewing: Presentations
Interdisciplinary Thread: World Cultures
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Class Rules & Expectations:
A. Only water may be consumed in class.
B. Tardy= Not in seat at bell.
C. Be prepared with supplies, homework, etc.
D. Want to leave? Have your pass. Use them wisely.
E. Write so your words can be read.
F. Any late assignment will be given the maximum score of 60% .
G.
Cell phones make good money on E-Bay. Absolutely no texting or calls in class.
H. If at anytime you feel overwhelmed or confused about something happening in class or school, ask. You can stay after school or throughout the day.
Proper conduct is expected at all times.
This includes language, behavior, and respect.
Students know what is expected and should act accordingly.
Grading & Homework
Grading is done on a total points system; assignments are weighted only via the number of points allotted. Any late assignment will be given the maximum score of 60%.
Classroom Management
Any student in violation of classroom policies will initially given a warning under most circumstances. If the behavior persists, the student will be issued a 15 minute or 30 minute detention (depending on the severity of the action) for after school the following day. If the behavior still persists, students will be referred to the office for discipline, but will still be required to serve the aforementioned detention.
If the violation is very severe, the student may be referred to the office immediately. If a cell phone is used for texting or calling, it will be immediately turned over to the office without warning.
Conversely, any student “caught” doing wonders academically or socially will be rewarded with one of several options including an extra bathroom pass, homework pass, school or art supplies, etc.
Communication/ Contact Information
Despite youth’s desire for autonomy, independence, and time with peers, the three family involvement processes of parenting, home–school relationships, and responsibility for learning remain important for healthy and positive development throughout the adolescent years.
Often times, as students approach and then enter high school, they are driven to be more independent and often dissuade parents from being involved in their school lives. However, research tells us this should not be the case. Any time you would like to contact me, please do so. This does not have to be out of concern over a particular issue, but can simply be a check in. The best way to do this is via e-mail; however, phone calls to the office will be responded to as quickly as possible. Additionally, please check my website regularly as weekly schedules, assignments and online activities will be posted regularly. I look forward to updating you on your student’s successes in language arts.
Email:msbellman@gmail.com Website: www.msbellman.weebly.com
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