Jessica Miller

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Recent Posts

  • Summer Reading
  • Friday, May 8, 2009
  • Thursday, May 7, 2009
  • Wednesday, May 6, 2009
  • Tuesday, May 5, 2009
  • Friday, May 1, 2009
  • Thursday, April 30, 2009
  • Wednesday, April 29, 2009
  • Monday & Tuesday, April 27-28, 2009
  • Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Summer Reading

Get a head start on your summer reading! Everything you need is posted below and can be saved and printed at home or your local library.

Before you read, know what is expected:

Students should read 2-3 books or 300-450 pages over the summer.  Students are able to read fiction or nonfiction.

Will a list of required books be provided?

A list of titles will not be provided.  It is important for adolescents to learn to self-select books based on interest and appropriate level.  Tips on selecting books will be provided.  Lists of recommended titles are provided with CRCT results which are appropriate for the student’s reading level.  A list of popular authors for adolescents will be provided.  Please be aware that these authors may also write adult titles which may not be appropriate for your child.   Public media specialists and associates at book stores are also eager to guide students in their selections.

  • Summer Reading Guidelines
  • Summer Reading Parent Letter
  • Summer Reading Information Sheet for Students
  • Download Sample bookmarks

Will a project or book report be required for each book?

Students are expected to complete the Summer Reading Log.  When they return to school in the fall, they will need to turn that log into their teacher.  Because real readers love to talk about their reading, they will also be assigned a book talk on their favorite book read over the summer.  A book talk is a 3-5 minute talk to their peers to try to motivate them to read the book.  This will provide another opportunity to create a community of literacy by students motivating each other to read.  Students will be assessed using a rubric.

While you read, keep track of your progress:

  • Download Sample Reading Log

After you read, prepare a book talk:

  • Download Booktalk checklist
  • Download Booktalk task
  • Download Sample book talk form
  • Download Sample book talk rubric
What if my child is reluctant to read over the summer?

Encourage your child to select a book that addresses a topic or subject of interest.  Also, you can encourage your child to read by modeling that you are a reader too.

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Warmup: Copy today's listening questions and answer as we read.

  1. What did Pony try to convince himself on the way home from the hospital?
  2. What did Pony decide was the reason Dally couldn't take Johnny's death?
  3. What actions does Ponyboy remember as he sees Dally go down?
  4. Make a prediction for chapter 11

Classwork:

  • Complete chapters 9 & 10
  • Answer today's listening questions and place in reading folder

Homework:

  • Continue working on Outsiders Project. Due May 20th! I'll be looking for you to bring the beginnings of your project to class next week. You should be well on your way to completing one of the projects from the list.

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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Warmup: Write about a time when you were an outsider (1-3 paragraphs).

Classwork:

  • Complete chapter 8, and begin chapter 9
  • Place work in reading folder

Homework:

  • Continue working on Outsiders Project. Due May 20th! I'll be looking for you to bring the beginnings of your project to class next week. You should be well on your way to completing one of the projects from the list.

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Warmup: It's nurses day! Let's celebrate our nurse, Becky Slade! What would the world be like without nurses? Write a letter, poem, or short narrative (1-3 paragraphs) with sensory detail, details about the setting, and figurative language. Make it neat, color or decorate with drawings, and turn it in by the end of class.

Classwork:

  • Listen to chapters 7 & 8
  • Answer today's listening questions by playing Fling the Teacher!

Homework:

  • Study for Outsiders Figurative Language retake and Outsiders Sentences retake
  • Download SENTENCESstudynotes
  • Download FIGURATIVE LANGUAGEstudynotes

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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Warmup: Copy today's listening questions. Answer them as we complete chapters 5 & 6 today.

  1. What examples does Johnny give to show why he thinks Dally is gallant?
  2. How did Dally know about the Church?
  3. What do we learn about Dally when he talks to Johnny about jail?

Classwork:

  • Place your homework from Friday, and your "I'm happiest when.." paragraph in your reading folder.
  • Read chapters 5 & 6
  • Answer today's listening questions (L.Q. 4).

Homework:

  • Begin work on "Outsiders" Final Project. Due May 20th!
  • Also: Study for the retake of the Outsiders Figurative Language Quiz and Outsiders Sentences Review. Retakes will be offered Thursday during connections. Make sure to check the MOS list in the AM.

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Friday, May 1, 2009

Warmup: Answer the following with a thoughtful response (1-3 paragraphs). Give details about the setting, add sensory details, and include a simile or metaphor. PLACE YOUR RESPONSE IN YOUR READING FOLDER.

"I AM HAPPIEST WHEN..."


Classwork:

  • Retake Figurative Language Quiz using examples from "The Outsiders." See quizstar.4teachers.org
  • Complete the 10 questions sentences review using examples from "The Outsiders." See quizstar.4teachers.org
  • If we have time left, we will finish listening to chapter 5

Homework:

  • Choose another essential question and write a thoughtful response (1-3 paragraphs). Due Tuesday.
  • Reminder!!! If you are planning to attend our field trip on Monday to the bowling alley, you MUST WEAR SOCKS! :)
  • Final project for "The Outsiders." DUE MAY 20! Download Outsiders Projects

Essential Questions for "The Outsiders"

  • What makes someone an outsider?
  • Does anything last forever?
  • Which is stronger--family or friendship?
  • Do we have to be content with what we have? Why or why not?

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Warmup: Copy today's listening questions and put your completed homework in your reading folder.

  1. Locate at least three examples from chapter 4 that gives details about the setting. Copy a portion of the chapter (1-2 sentences) and list the page number.
  2. Without reading ahead, make a prediction about what will happen in the next chapter.

Classwork:

  • Read Ch. 4 and begin Ch. 5
  • Update Character Tree
  • Complete today's listening questions
  • Hand out final project for "The Outsiders." DUE MAY 20! Download Outsiders Projects

Homework:

  • A retake of the Figurative Language Quiz will be offerred tomorrow using examples from our readings so far of "The Outsiders"
  • A Quiz (Review) on sentences, including adverb clauses and adjective clauses, will be offered tomorrow using sentences from "The Outsiders"

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Warmup: Copy today's listening questions.

  1. There's a lot of slang in "The Outsiders." Keep an ongoing list of slang and their definitions. A quick search for "slang" and "The Outsiders" will generate a good list for you to start with.
  2. There are many instances of indirect characterization in "The Outsiders." Scan back through chapters 1-2 and copy at least 3 examples of indirect characterization. Explain what they reveal about the character. For example, Pony says, "I felt my ears get hot." This shows that he is embarrassed by Dally's behavior toward Cherry.

 Classwork:

  • Complete reading chapter 2 & 3.
  • Update character tree with new characters and their ages descriptions if available.
  • Answer today's listening questions.

Homework:

  • Using the question you chose last night (see yesterday's agenda under "homework"), write a thoughtful response (1-3 paragraphs) from the opposing viewpoint. At the very least, you should consider some reasons someone might give with an opinion different from yours.

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Monday & Tuesday, April 27-28, 2009

Warmup: Copy the listening questions and the character tree provided for you.

Today's Listening Questions:

  • What reasons does the author give for writing "The Outsiders"
  • Who is our protagonist?
  • what does "greaser" and "soc" mean?
  • Summarize some of the conflicts we've heard about so far.

Character Tree:

The Outsiders
(divided into two gangs)

1. Soc's

  • Cherry

2. Greasers

  • 2-Bit
  • Soda Pop
  • Pony Boy
  • Darry
  • Dallas (Dally)
  • Steve
  • Johnny
  • Sandy

Classwork:

  • Preview first five minutes of "The Outsiders"
  • Listen to author introduction and 1st chapter of "The Outsiders" while reading along.
  • Read back through chapter 1 and find the age and physical description of as many greasers as you can.
  • Complete a response to the listening questions. Keep all work for the novel in your reading folder.

Homework: (4/27)

Permission slip and $ for field trip due tomorrow 4/28.

Complete any missing work by 5/22

Homework: (4/28)

Choose an essential question and write a thoughtful response (about 1-3 paragraphs). Make sure to include a topic sentence and supporting details.

Essential Questions for "The Outsiders"

  • What makes someone an outsider?
  • Does anything last forever?
  • Which is stronger--family or friendship?
  • Do we have to be content with what we have? Why or why not?

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Warmup: Examine the model, answer the questions, then write your own!
 
Model: When you give him the milk, he'll probably ask you for a straw
 
Questions:
1. Is this sentence compound or complex?
2. Where should a comma be inserted?
3. What relationship is being expressed by using "If"
  • sequence
  • providing an example
  • cause & effect
 
Now write your own:
 
When _____________, (adjective clause) , ____________.
 
Example: When the young chef, whose talents no one had recognized, got her hands on the left-overs from yesterday, she created a masterpiece worthy of first prize.
 
Classwork:
 
  • Complete and turn in at least one CRCT Review Activity
  • When all activities are complete, you may create a CREATIVE, FUN, & MEMORABLE teaching activity retlated to one of the CRCT Review Activities.
 
Homework:
Read 30+ minutes and/or complete 3+ lessons on Skills Tutor

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