Journal Entry  #16
    Where would you like to go that you have never been?  Give reasons/explain why you would like to go there.

Mr. Green will begin checking journals on Tuesday.

Focus Questions:
     Why do people read (when they don't have to)??!??
            for fun, ....to learn, ...because I'm bored, ...it's peaceful

      What do you know about Pakistan or Afghanistan?
         was hiding Osama bin Laden, . . . war, . . . terrorists, . . . terrorism, . . .
          Muslims

Question to ponder~  What if the rules of your church/religion became the rules of the country?

Began reading in our anthology, "From Zoya's Story."

Who is telling the story?

Where is the story taking place?

When is the story happening?

November 23, 2011

Journal Entry  #15
      What's your favorite junk food? 
           Develop at least 1 paragraph about this junk food. 
          Stuck? 
                Try writing about:  why you like this food, where did you first taste
                 it, who introduced you to this food, how old were you when you
                 first tried it, how and where do you get it?

Peer Editing was our main activity today.  We read each others' Thanksgiving writing assignments and gave feedback. 

November 22, 2011

Journal Entry  #14
    What are at least three (3) things you're thankful for and why?            Explain in 1-2 paragraphs.

Can you use today's journal entry to expand your Thanksgiving assignment that is due tomorrow?

Journal Entry-  #10

What are some reactions people have to newcomers?
      Give examples. 
      Explain.
      1-2 paragraphs

ex.  I ws a newcomer once, . . .
       People have different reactions to newcomers. . . .
       I have seen newcomers treated . . .  (describe how you have seen them treated)

Accountable Talk - turn & talk
     example:  Responding to the journal prompt:   It sucks!  Maybe this isn't enough information.  You could ask, "

Journal Entry  #13
   List three (3) things you like/dislike about Thanksgiving and explain why.

Classwork - Outlining
     Today we focused on reading an Informational Text-how to pull information out of a piece of writing.
       "Coming To America," pg 157 in our anthology.
  We want to build on our skill of outlining.  So today we practice "skimming."  Skimming is when you take read or glance through a text quickly.  You are just passing quickly over the surface of the writing.  You do not look for many details when you skim.

While skimming through "Coming to America," we focused on the text features.  Text features are the pieces of text that jump out at us.  They may include:  different text sizes or fonts, bold lettering, different colored text, bullets, headings, subtitles, graphics (pictures, graphs, diagrams), and captions (the words that describe a graphic).

We also had a conversation about why people move to the United States.
Some of the opinions offered were:  to better their lives, make more money, it was hard to surved where they came from, they want freedom to be able to do what they want, to find good jobs, and they want rights.

Teaching Point of Skimming:
                look at the text features
                this helps us to get an idea of how the text is designed and what it                      will contain.

    
Writing Assignment #5  "Thanksgiving"
        Based on your journal entry for today, develop an essay that explains why you like or dislike Thanksgiving.  Remember the 8th grade criteria that we are using:  * 5-7 paragraphs in length 
            * organized with an introduction, body and conclusion

If you wrote a journal entry today, you can use your 3 likes/dislikes as your main ideas for the body.  Be sure to expand what you are saying by using details to create believable images for your readers.

Journal Entry  #12
    Can you be happy without a lot of money?
         Explain.      1-2 paragraphs
Share Out of Journals
     Way to go:
Natalie, Michael, Emmilexie, Juan, Laura, Erik, Aiden, Adreanna, Thomas, Damien, Eddie, Josue, Milton, Muktar, Jordan, & Mr. Green!!

Reading your next chapter of True Believer--share with Mr. Green.

November 17

Journal Entry  #11  ???  Anyone know what it was?  I was not in class!!

Writing Assignment #4
      Ref True Believer
       Criterial:  2-3 paragraphs minimum
                           due tomorrow-Friday, Nov. 18
        Write the next chapter(s) to the novel.
         Who would you select to be the main character(s)  and what would be the story line (plot)?

For example:  In the next chapter of the novel True Believer, Patrick decides . . .

1)  Journal Entry  #9
     If your class could take a field trip anywhere, where would you like to go?
     Explain why your destination would be educational.
     Why would you go there?
      What would you learn there?
       1-2 paragraphs

2)  Share Out/Celebrate Writing Assignments #3
                        Tomorrow, Wed., Nov. 16, is the last day you can present and turn in your this assignment.  We will not be
                         presenting in class tomorrow, but you can meet w/Mr. Green immediately after school and read your essay.

              Share Out Participants for Today!
                             Jordan
                            Muktar 

                      Way to go, writers!

 3)  In Class Reading.
        beginning with               
   
3)  Homework
    Finish Reding the novel
     Reader's Reaction every 3 chapters

Great word that was introduced by a student:  abomination.  Not sure what it is?  Look it up here.

1)  Journal Entry  #8
   Describe the best summer you ever had. 
                                   1-2 paragraph(s)

2)  Share out/Celebrate Writing Assignment #3
                              In order to receive credit for this assignment, it must be turned in no later than Wed., Nov. 16. 

          First brave volunteers to share out were:

                                                      Aiden
                                                     Elfreda
                                                     Laura
                                                    Damien
                                                   Adreanna
                                                    Natalie

           Whoot Whoot!   Nice going, writers!!

                    
3)  Homework:   Finish Reading the novel.
        Reader's Response every 3 chapters
        Due on Wed., Nov. 16

Famous Visitor

Journal Entry #7
    What famous or not-so-famous person would you like to see visit your school?
     What would you show, tell, or want them to do?
     Explain 1-2 paragraphs

Outline/begin  writing Essay #3. 
This essay is due on Monday, Nov., 14, 2011. 
You're focussing on themes from  the novel, True Believer.
     This assignment will count for two (2) test grades.

      If you are looking for some feedback on your writing before you create your final, polished draft, you can send me a copy.  I would be happy to take a look at your essay and send you some feedback.   Look on the right hand side of the page and click on the Contacts and Resources page to find my contact information.  You will need to send it before Sunday if you want feedback you can use when creating your final draft.        Mrs. Bomster

Finish reading the novel.
     Part 4, #62, page 197.

Better Cafeterial Food??

Journal Entry #6
     How could your school cafeteria improve?
      What kinds of healthy foods would you like to see served?
                 Explain and give examples.  1-2 paragraphs

Class  Reading (pages 182194  #58)  Accountable Talk
      What major realization did LaVaughn make in our reading today? 

Reade  Reaction Worksheet


Writing Assignment #3               Due  11/14/2011

1.  Select one of the big ideas in the novel True Believer, then write a 4-6 paragraph essay to explain how this issue impacts you or people you know.

2.  You may use your Reader Response Notes.

3.  Include a title/cover pages.

4.  This assignment counts as two (2) test grades.

Sex & Violence

1)  Journal Entry #5

   Do you think today's movies/tv  programs contain too much sex and/or violence?

               Explain & give an example.
               1-2 paragraphs.

2)  Share Out

3)  Buddy Reading ( beginning at page 173, #54) and Accountable Talk about the text

4)  Reader's Reaction Worksheet.  You should have at least 10 responses recorded on your logs by now.

Remember:  Sharing Out and Reading Aloud in class is part of your Class Participation grade.  

Family Stories

1)  Journal Entry #4
         Every family has stories that are repeated at family gatherings. Write your favorite family story.

2)  Buddy Reading (page 166-194)  and  Accountable Talk

3)   Reader's Reaction Worksheet

People I Admire

1)  Journal Entry #3  - 
               Write a list of  five (5) people you admire, and explain why you admire each of them.

2)  Buddy Read (pages 135-165 and166-194)/Accountable Talk

3)  Reader's Reaction Worksheet


Adult Men in True Believer

Annie's Dad
Myrtle's Dad
Lester
Ricky

First Day of the 2nd Quarter Work!

Today we began creating our 2nd Quarter grades! 

We now have our first two journal entries for this quarter.  Here are the prompts.

#1  Describe the benefits and drawbacks of having your best friend live with you. #2  Choose an event in your life that would make a good basis for a book.  Explain why other people would be interested in reading about your experience.

Remember that one of our goals in journal writing has been to develop at least one paragraph that allows the reader to identify what you are writing about without having to actually read the prompt.  On way acheive this is to begin your writing by restating the main idea of the prompt.

Examples of restating/rewording the prompt in the beginning of your paragraph:

a)     There could be both benefits and drawbacks of living with your best friend.  For example, . . .
  
b)    Living with your best friend could turn out to be a blessing and/or a curse.  On the one hand, the two of you would always be able to . . .

Also introduced today:

       Discussion Topics

• Coming of age issues/concerns
• Sexuality
• Virginity
• Teen Pregnancy
• Family issues/concerns
• Single Parent Family issues
• $$
• Academic Success