Friday, November 13

We have just completed reading novels in the 7th and 8th grade classes. It is important to keep reading, but we are not going to be working on a novel together with the whole class in the next month. Instead, 7th graders are beginning their Independent Novel Project. This means, they will choose a novel (from several choices) and read that independently. There will be about three other students in each class reading the same book. Each student will produce a booklet on their specific novel that will be due before Christmas. In early December, 7th graders will work in small groups to produce a vidoe book "trailer" advertising the novel they read. I am looking forward to this unit, and students really seem to enjoy it. It is important to keep up with the reading and work; much of this is homework that needs to be done throughout the next month! In class, we are going to be working sentence structure and parts of speech.

In 8th grade, students need to begin reading a novel and they will complete a book jacket on this novel which will be due near the end of second quarter. In class, we will be looking as the power of three as it pertains to good writing. We will review grammar and usage as well. Finally, 8th graders will reading and studying short stories in class.

Obviously, second quarter will be busy. One final note for second quarter. It is flu season. Please, try to stay healthy, and if you are absent be sure to make up any work you missed as soon as possible. You are responsible to complete the make-up work in a timely fashion!