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Davis School District

November 3-7, 2008: Welcome to Term 2!

Monday, November 3

  • Journal #4: The second term is now underway. What did you learn during the first term that you didn't know when school started? What worked well for you and what are you going to do differently this term? (90+ words)
  • Hall Passes, Reading Contracts, etc.
  • Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #4 (appositives)
  • Word Cells List #3: Vocabulary Activity (due Thursday)

Tuesday, November 4

  • Grammar Punk Review: Check the Hall of Fame to make sure your packet is up to date.
  • Journal #5: Copy this into your journal in your neatest handwriting: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog." Describe your handwriting? Do you think it is a reflection of your abilities or intelligence? Is handwriting important in a world in which keyboards and keypads seem to be the predominant forms of text generation? What good does it do to have legible or very fancy handwriting? Discuss handwriting. (90+)
  • Return Mythology Grid & Research Worksheet (Don't lose 'em!)
  • Begin Research Paper: Essential Questions/Thesis Statements & Areas of Focus (Refer to Mythology Research Worksheet for ideas.)
  • Review of Heroes & Other Significant Characters of Mythology
    (Look for points of comparison with your own research topic!)

Wednesday, November 5

  • Journal #6: Everyone has his/her own ideas about a place called "Heaven". Describe yours. (90+)
  • Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #5
  • Book Walk: Welcome to the Massive Purple Text!

Thursday, November 6: A Day Without Transitions

  • Takin' Care of Old Business...
  • Finish Book Walk
  • Score Word Cells Vocabulary Activity #3 (Quiz tomorrow!)
  • Journal #7: What is a hero? What qualities are heroic? Who is your hero? Why? Discuss and give examples.(90+)
  • Return/Share Character Sketches: Put 'em the Portfolio!
  • Tomorrow we'll begin the Research Paper....

Friday, November 7: Computer Lab

November 10-14, 2008

Monday, November 10

Tuesday, November 11

  • I read to you: Why Mythology?
  • You read to me (one paragraph each): Epic and Myth (Background for The Odyssey, MPT, pp. 639-646)
  • Begin The Odyssey: Homer's Prayer to the Muse
    • How to read epic poetry: To the punctuation, not line-to-line
    • Do you understand it?
    • Summarize each stanza of the introductory invocation.

Wednesday, November 12: Computer Lab

  • Research Paper: Answering the Essential Question
  • Here's a Sample: You are writing something like this.
  • Here's a Template! (It's already in Word, so just download it and begin!)
  • Complete necessary research on your subjects of comparison.
  • Update Works Cited Page: Use Citation Machine!
  • Capitalize Works Cited Entries Correctly!
  • Google is not a source; it's a search engine to find sources!

Thursday, November 13: Computer Lab

  • Finish Draft of Research Paper: Task List
  • Write (type) research paper first draft organzied in the standard format.
  • Intro Paragraph captures attention, retells (briefly) your myth, and states thesis statement (i.e., the answer to your essential question).
  • Body Paragraphs contain clear topic sentences and supporting details and examples to prove your thesis statement.
  • Conclusion Paragraph restates thesis and main points, concludes with a memorable final sentence.
  • Title your paper following this format:
    Topic: Descriptive phrase (not a complete sentence)
    Example: Orpheus: Downfallen Lover
  • If you have time, start adding the parenthetical documentation.
  • Compare your draft to these requirements; make last-minute improvements.
  • Save and print research paper draft.
  • Update Works Cited Page to include all the sources you've used.
    (Alphabetize entries! Use Citation Machine!)
  • Save and print Works Cited Page.
  • Turn them in.

Friday, November 14

  • Quiz: Word Cells List #4
  • Calypso, The Sweet Nymph (pp. 651-654)
  • Journal #9: Listen to the song "Calypso" by Suzanne Vega (lyrics on page 655). What is the tone of the song? Does it help you understand the story? What does it tell you that the song was inspired by a story that is more than 3000 years old? What timeless themes are addressed? (90+ words)
  • The Odyssey: I am Laertes' Son, The Lotus Eaters (pp. 655-659)

November 17-21, 2008

Monday, November 17

  • Journal #10: Read page 715 in The Massive Purple Text. Write suitable descriptive epithets for ten people you know, including yourself.
  • Review Quiz: Last Friday, I read pages 655-659 (MPT) aloud to the class. Using the text as a resource, answer the questions to prove you "get it."
  • The Odyssey: The Cyclops (pp. 660-670)

Tuesday, November 18

Wednesday, November 19: Computer Lab

Thursday, November 20

  • Journal #11: If you were invisible for one day, what would you do? (90+)
  • The Odyssey: Circe the Enchantress, The Land of the Dead, The Sirens, Scylla and Charibdis (pp. 673-683)
  • Odyssey Passage Summaries Worksheet: Choose two of the above sections to analyze.

Friday, November 21: Research Paper due!

November 24-28, 2008

Monday, November 24

  • Grammar Punk: Hall of Fame
  • Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #9
  • Odyssey Passage Summaries Worksheet: The Meeting of Father and Son (pp. 691-694)
  • The Beggar and the Faithful Dog (pp.694-696, on your own!)

    • Tuesday, November 25

    • Journal #12: Write 100 words about the things you are thankful for.
    • Finish The Odyssey: The Test of the Great Bow, Death in the Palace Odysseus and Penelope (pp.698-709)
    • Quiz: The Odyssey Review (open book)

    Wednesday, November 26

    • Thanksgiving Recess: No School

    Thursday, November 27

    • Thanksgiving Recess: No School

    Friday, November 28

    • Thanksgiving Recess: No School

    December 1-5, 2008

    Monday, December 1

    • Journal #13: Would Odysseus be a hero by today's standards? Why or why not?
    • The Day of the Hero: All of today's work is to be completed in your journal under the heading HEROES.
      MPT: 718-725
      Answer (in writing) the Questions on page 724 of the Massive PurpleText.
    • Bring completed Mythology Grid & all mythology notes tomorrow!

    Tuesday, December 2: Mythology Test

    Wednesday, December 3: Last Day for Midterm Extra Credit Reading

    • Review Mythology Tests
    • Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #11
    • Begin The Odyssey Movie & Study Guide

    Thursday, December 4

    Friday, December 5

    December 8-12, 2008

    Monday, December 8

    • Return/Discuss Scored Research Papers
    • Portfolios: Keep Research Papers and Mythology Exam (scantron)
    • The Odyssey Movie & Study Guide

    Tuesday, December 9

    Wednesday, December 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Thursday, December 11

    • Journal #1: Copy (parts of) "Ithaca" into your journal.
    • Grammar Punk: Semicolon Rules #2 & #3
    • Writing Trait #3: Voice (Never Lose!)
    • Voice Lessons: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

    Friday, December 12: Computer Lab

    December 15-19, 2008

    Monday, December 15

    Tuesday, December 16

    Wednesday, December 17: Computer Lab

    • Online Essay Scoring: Baseline Essay
    • Using Word, write an essay on this topic: In an effort to save money, your local school board is considering eliminating elective subjects such as art, band, and auto mechanics. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the school board stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.
    • Save your essay, but don't close it.
    • Login to the Online Textbook.
    • Select "Online Essay Scoring" >>> "Next" >>>"Persuasive">>> Topic #8.
    • Copy your essay from Word and paste it into the box.
    • Select "Get Your Score"
    • Read the evaluations.
    • Log out.
      More to come on persuasive essays....
    • Got Time: Check the Grammar Punk Hall of Fame!
      (We did adjectives on Monday. Yesterday we did adverbs and conjunctions.)

    Thursday, December 18: Holiday Assembly

    Friday, December 19

    • Grammar Punk: Parts of Speech -- Concrete Nouns, Abstract Nouns, Prepositions
      Grammar Rock: "A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing" (Concrete & Abstract)
      "Busy Prepositions"
    • Journal #5: Setting/Voice Sentences (The Last Assignment of the Year!)
      • Roll the bones! (Grammar Punk dice).
      • Select a setting (from the list on the board).
      • Write three (3) sentences that take place in that setting and that fulfill the dice requirements, but write each sentence in a different voice.
        (List of voice options is also on the board.)
      • Annotate the sentences to show that you've actually met the dice requirements, and identify which Grammar Punk-tuation rule you've used.
    • Green T Rap: Christmas Cut (for winning Penny Wars)

    January 5-9, 2009

    Monday, January 5

    • Journal #6: How was your holiday break? What did you do? Are you rested and ready to return to school? Any New Year's resolutions? (100+)
    • Word Cells List #6 (CRT Review List) & Vocabulary Activity (due Thursday)
    • Begin Nothing But the Truth: 1-13

    Tuesday, January 6

      "...students today are not what they used to be. There is no love of literature...Young people don't read at all today -- outside of school requirements. They come to literature reluctantly at best, fighting me every inch of the way. It's not as if they aren't bright. They are. And I like them and their capacity for independence. But the other side of that independence is a lack of caring for anything beyond themselves."
      --Miss Narwin, Nothing But the Truth (p. 8)

      The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.
      --Mark Twain (1835-1910)
    • Journal #7: Copy these quotations into your journal. Is Miss Narwin correct about most of today's teenagers? Why or why not? Are you a typical teen in this respect? Do you see any danger for a culture that doesn't read? Discuss. (100+)
    • Nothing But the Truth: 14-39

    Wednesday, January 7: Book Reports due today!

    • Journal #8: "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Show your work!)
    • What's a Bad Sign?
    • Bad Signs #1: Which Grammar Punk rule does this sign violate? Correct it.
    • Nothing But the Truth: 39-60

    Thursday, January 8

    • Check Vocabulary Activity #6
    • Journal #9: "Honesty is the best policy." Is this always true? Are there times when lying serves a greater good? What is your personal philosophy on lying? Relate an example from your own experience that illustrates this philosophy. (100+)
    • Bad Signs: Which Grammar Punk rule does this sign violate? Correct it.
    • Grammar Punk: Roll the bones and race!
    • Nothing But the Truth: 61-78

    Friday, January 9

    January 12-16, 2009

    Monday, January 12

    • Journal #10: "The Right to Privacy"
      Write a response to Betsy Hart. Maintain appropriate voice, a clear sense of purpose, and effective word choice for this audience. (100+)
    • Bad Signs: Check out this, this, and this. Yikes! (Fix 'em!)
    • Grammar Punk: Update GP Primer
      (All sentences should be filled in by now! Don't lose the packets because you will get to use them on the test during the third term.)
    • Nothing But the Truth: 100-112

    Tuesday, January 13: Extra Credit due today! (Sub. Day)

    • Word Choice Activity: "Get Out!"
    • Nothing But the Truth: 113-120

    Wednesday, January 14: IR Reading Points due today!

    • Journal #1: "Our society is always asking schools to do what is not done at home." --Miss Narwin (p. 90)
      Is this true? Consider the many things schools are expected to do today. Is Miss Narwin correct? Why or why not? Do schools take on too much responsibility? Discuss. (100+)
    • Nothing But the Truth: 121-150

    Thursday, January 15

    Friday, January 16: Last Day of the Semester!

    • Finish Subjective Test: Character Values Chart & Your Verdict
    • Grade Conference with Green T: Turn in hall passes for extra credit!
    • Journal #2: Write a letter to your (future) self as you will be during the last week of this school year. Ask yourself if you accomplished your goals for the last semester of junior high (and name the goals specifically in the process.). Amuse yourself. Congratulate yourself for a job well done. (100+)
    "Did I miss anything?" This is the most annoying question students who have been absent can ask. My usual sarcastic reply is something like this: "Oh, heck no! We knew you were gone, so we just sat around all day and looked at each other. You don't really think I'm going to assign work on a day you're not here, do you?" So, in order to keep everyone (students and their parents) apprised of what exactly is going on each day in class, I am going to put it here. Check back often!

    We have made every reasonable attempt to insure that our web pages are educationally sound and do not contain links to any questionable material or anything that can be deemed in violation of the DSD Acceptable Use Policy. We have also made every effort to insure that our web pages are free of personality, character, or any other small uniqueness that students might enjoy.
    This page is maintained according to the DSD Internet Publishing Guidelines by FFJH Webmasters.
    ©2009 Michael Thompson - All rights reserved.
    *<%^)