Welcome to 8th grade English language arts for the
2017-2018 school year. . .
FirInt
This website was designed with you in mind. It's a way for you to check upcoming due dates, link and print any directions, rubrics, writing samples, worksheets or other important documents. As you grow more comfortable with your writing, it is also a place for you to publish any stories, essays or other writings you wish to share.
Needed for the beginning of the school year: a 1" binder, one subject notebook, composition book, lined paper, tabs for the binder (5), pens and pencils. All of these materials need to be brought to school by Monday, August 21st.
Mrs. Diehl's Back to School letter
Mr. Wittrock's Back to School letter
Historical Fiction/Classics Reading List
Academic Thinking Questions (for writing in your journal)
Week at a Glance--1st Quarter
Wednesday, August 16-Friday, August 18
Wednesday--Welcome back! Students will find out more about Mrs. Diehl or Mr. Wittrock and work in stations on various activities: Locker organization (and combo practice), annotation of a letter, composition of a letter, speaking protocol, and a group activity. Much of the hour will be spent learning and practicing protocols for behavior in the classroom.
Homework: Students will need to finish their class assignments by Friday.
Thursday: Students will need to bring their colored pencils and markers to class. After writing to two prompts, students will work on their t-shirts and assignments handed out on Wednesday.
Homework: T-shirts, if not finished in class, are due tomorrow, Friday, August 18th.
Friday: Students need to bring all materials to class on Monday. These include:
1" binder
loose paper
a composition book
a one-subject spiral notebook
dividers (5 needed)
a pen or pencil
After a short literary language pre-test, students will spend the hour finishing this week's assignments. T-shirts, "If" poem annotation and "All About Me Gazette" are due today.
Homework: Enjoy the weekend!
Monday, August 21-Friday, August 25
Monday--Warm-up: Modeled text. All materials are due today and students will put together their literary binders and growth folders.
Tuesday--Warm-up: Sharing of modeled text. Students will learn about the workshop model and create goals for writing in the first quarter.
Wednesday--Warm-up: Modeled text. Students will go to library for orientation and to check out books. In Wittrock's class, students will complete a reading inventory. In Diehl's class, students will workshop.
Thursday: DEAR (Drop Everything and Read--for 10 minutes). In Diehl's class, students will complete a reading inventory and create reading goals. In Wittrock's class, students will workshop.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Short video analysis. Students will read a short story "Those Three Wishes" and review the elements of plot structure. If this is not finished in class, it is due by Tuesday, August 29.
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on writing goals, and finish "Those Three Wishes" if you did not finish in class.
Monday, August 28--Friday, September 1
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up: Cartoon analysis. Introduction of Evidence-Based Reading Response journals. The first journal is due on Tuesday, September 12. Reading goal sheet due today in Diehl's class.
Tuesday--DEAR. Workshop--students should work on the rough draft of their first Author's Choice piece. First draft is due on Thursday at the end of the hour. "Those Three Wishes" response due.
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Vocabulary List #1: Figurative Language. Students will have option to create a study sheet for the test on Wednesday, September 13 on figurative language list. Introduction to Fahrenheit 451.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop. First drafts of Author's Choice is due today at the end of the hour.
Friday: No School for students
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on first draft of Author's Choice, study for figurative language test on September 13 and work on your Evidence-Based Reading Response journal.
Monday, September 4--Friday, September 8
Monday--No School
Tuesday--No School
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Figurative Language. Read, discuss and analyze Fahrenheit 451.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop. Peer conferencing.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Figurative Language. Students will read, discuss and analyze Fahrenheit 451.
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on revised draft of Author's Choice, study for figurative language test on September 13 and work on your Evidence-Based Reading Response journal (due Tuesday, September 13.)
Monday, September 11--Friday, September 15
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up: Figurative Language. Students will begin work on Poem of the Week: "Do Not Go Gentle into that Goodnight" by Dylan Thomas (due on Friday) and read and discuss Fahrenheit 451. Introduction to 1st Quarter presentations. All students will sign up for a presentation day and are expected to be prepared to present on their day. See rubric.
Tuesday--DEAR. Workshop--students should work on revised draft of first Author's Choice piece. Revised drafts are due by Tuesday, September 19. Evidence-based reading journals are due today.
Wednesday--DEAR. Students will take Vocabulary test #1 (over Figurative Language terms) and their first reading journal assessment. One-pager study sheet for test is due today.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop--students should work on revised draft of first Author's Choice piece. Revised drafts are due by Tuesday, September 19. First presentations begin.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Vocabulary List #2 (plot structure and irony). Students will be given a One-Pager study sheet--this is due on Wednesday, September 27 right before the test. Students will read and discuss Fahrenheit 451. PoW: "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night" is due today.
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on revised draft of Author's Choice (due September 19), study for figurative language test on September 13 and work on your Evidence-Based Reading Response journal (due September 12), work on PoW: "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night" (due September 15).
Monday, September 18--Friday, September 22
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up:Irony. Read and annotate "The Sniper." This will be the text used on the test next Wednesday over plot and irony and is due with the test. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Tuesday--DEAR. Workshop--students should work on revised draft of first Author's Choice piece. Revised drafts are due by by the end of the hour today. Lit Lunch for Call of the Wild.
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Irony. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop--students should be working on final copies of Author's Choice and drafting their second Author's Choice piece. Lit Lunch for Fever 1793.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Irony. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on revised draft of Author's Choice (due September 19); study for plot/irony test on Wednesday, September 27; work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, September 26: Topic-Protagonist; annotate and read "The Sniper" due on Wednesday, September 27.
Monday, September 25--Friday, September 29
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up:Irony/plot structure review. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Tuesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Adding background info to a lit analysis paragraph. Workshop--students should work on final copies of first Author's Choice piece or draft/revise second Author's Choice piece. Evidence-based reading journals are due today. Lit Lunch in Diehl's for Call of the Wild.
Wednesday--NO DEAR. Test over "The Sniper" and plot and irony. Second reading assessment on protagonist (students will use the Evidence-based reading journals they turned in yesterday.) Annotations of "The Sniper" are due today.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop--students should be working on final copies of Author's Choice and drafting or revising their second Author's Choice piece.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Dialogue rules. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on final draft of Author's Choice (due October 5); study for plot/irony test on Wednesday, September 27; work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, September 26): Topic-Protagonist; annotate and read "The Sniper" due on Wednesday, September 27.
Monday, October 2--Friday, October 6
Monday--NO DEAR; Finish discussion of flashback. Introduction to Big Six research and Colonial Character sketch in the library (both cores). Students will find the resources for this assignment on the RMS Character Sketch site in Google Sites (through their d51gapps account). Reminder that the next Evidence-Based Reading Journal is due Tuesday, October 17th. Topic: main conflict.
Tuesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch expectations. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch. Revised copies of character sketches are due this Friday at the end of the day. Final copies are due Tuesday, October 10th.
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch as needed. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch.
Thursday: DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch as needed. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch. First Author's Choice final copies are due today.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch as needed. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch. Revised copies of Colonial Character Sketch are due today.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on final draft of Author's Choice (due October 5); work on Colonial Character Sketch (revised copies due Friday, Oct. 8 and final copies due Tuesday, Oct. 10); work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, October 17): Topic- main conflict; all other final copies of Author's Choice are due by Wednesday, October 11.
Monday, October 9--Friday, October 13
Monday--NO DEAR; New Vocabulary List given (Vocab List #3--test will be on Wednesday, October 18th). Workshop on final copies of character sketch (due tomorrow). Vocab One Pager study sheet is due on Wednesday, October 18th.
Tuesday--Workshop on Character Sketch (due today).
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Figurative Language. Read, discuss and analyze Fahrenheit 451. All final copies of Author's Choice pieces are due today.
Thursday: Core 8-2 (Diehl's core) gone to Camp Cedaredge today. Workshop for Core 8-1 (Wittrock's Core)
Friday: Fahrenheit 451; Warm-up: Figurative language review. In Core 8-2, begin 1st quarter reflections.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on Colonial Character Sketch (revised copies due Friday, Oct. 8 and final copies due Tuesday, Oct. 10); work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, October 17): Topic- main conflict; all other final copies of Author's Choice are due by Wednesday, October 11; work on One Pager study sheet and study for Vocab test 3 on Wednesday, October 18.
This website was designed with you in mind. It's a way for you to check upcoming due dates, link and print any directions, rubrics, writing samples, worksheets or other important documents. As you grow more comfortable with your writing, it is also a place for you to publish any stories, essays or other writings you wish to share.
Needed for the beginning of the school year: a 1" binder, one subject notebook, composition book, lined paper, tabs for the binder (5), pens and pencils. All of these materials need to be brought to school by Monday, August 21st.
Mrs. Diehl's Back to School letter
Mr. Wittrock's Back to School letter
Historical Fiction/Classics Reading List
Academic Thinking Questions (for writing in your journal)
Week at a Glance--1st Quarter
Wednesday, August 16-Friday, August 18
Wednesday--Welcome back! Students will find out more about Mrs. Diehl or Mr. Wittrock and work in stations on various activities: Locker organization (and combo practice), annotation of a letter, composition of a letter, speaking protocol, and a group activity. Much of the hour will be spent learning and practicing protocols for behavior in the classroom.
Homework: Students will need to finish their class assignments by Friday.
Thursday: Students will need to bring their colored pencils and markers to class. After writing to two prompts, students will work on their t-shirts and assignments handed out on Wednesday.
Homework: T-shirts, if not finished in class, are due tomorrow, Friday, August 18th.
Friday: Students need to bring all materials to class on Monday. These include:
1" binder
loose paper
a composition book
a one-subject spiral notebook
dividers (5 needed)
a pen or pencil
After a short literary language pre-test, students will spend the hour finishing this week's assignments. T-shirts, "If" poem annotation and "All About Me Gazette" are due today.
Homework: Enjoy the weekend!
Monday, August 21-Friday, August 25
Monday--Warm-up: Modeled text. All materials are due today and students will put together their literary binders and growth folders.
Tuesday--Warm-up: Sharing of modeled text. Students will learn about the workshop model and create goals for writing in the first quarter.
Wednesday--Warm-up: Modeled text. Students will go to library for orientation and to check out books. In Wittrock's class, students will complete a reading inventory. In Diehl's class, students will workshop.
Thursday: DEAR (Drop Everything and Read--for 10 minutes). In Diehl's class, students will complete a reading inventory and create reading goals. In Wittrock's class, students will workshop.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Short video analysis. Students will read a short story "Those Three Wishes" and review the elements of plot structure. If this is not finished in class, it is due by Tuesday, August 29.
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on writing goals, and finish "Those Three Wishes" if you did not finish in class.
Monday, August 28--Friday, September 1
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up: Cartoon analysis. Introduction of Evidence-Based Reading Response journals. The first journal is due on Tuesday, September 12. Reading goal sheet due today in Diehl's class.
Tuesday--DEAR. Workshop--students should work on the rough draft of their first Author's Choice piece. First draft is due on Thursday at the end of the hour. "Those Three Wishes" response due.
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Vocabulary List #1: Figurative Language. Students will have option to create a study sheet for the test on Wednesday, September 13 on figurative language list. Introduction to Fahrenheit 451.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop. First drafts of Author's Choice is due today at the end of the hour.
Friday: No School for students
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on first draft of Author's Choice, study for figurative language test on September 13 and work on your Evidence-Based Reading Response journal.
Monday, September 4--Friday, September 8
Monday--No School
Tuesday--No School
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Figurative Language. Read, discuss and analyze Fahrenheit 451.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop. Peer conferencing.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Figurative Language. Students will read, discuss and analyze Fahrenheit 451.
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on revised draft of Author's Choice, study for figurative language test on September 13 and work on your Evidence-Based Reading Response journal (due Tuesday, September 13.)
Monday, September 11--Friday, September 15
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up: Figurative Language. Students will begin work on Poem of the Week: "Do Not Go Gentle into that Goodnight" by Dylan Thomas (due on Friday) and read and discuss Fahrenheit 451. Introduction to 1st Quarter presentations. All students will sign up for a presentation day and are expected to be prepared to present on their day. See rubric.
Tuesday--DEAR. Workshop--students should work on revised draft of first Author's Choice piece. Revised drafts are due by Tuesday, September 19. Evidence-based reading journals are due today.
Wednesday--DEAR. Students will take Vocabulary test #1 (over Figurative Language terms) and their first reading journal assessment. One-pager study sheet for test is due today.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop--students should work on revised draft of first Author's Choice piece. Revised drafts are due by Tuesday, September 19. First presentations begin.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Vocabulary List #2 (plot structure and irony). Students will be given a One-Pager study sheet--this is due on Wednesday, September 27 right before the test. Students will read and discuss Fahrenheit 451. PoW: "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night" is due today.
Homework: Read from independent novel, work on revised draft of Author's Choice (due September 19), study for figurative language test on September 13 and work on your Evidence-Based Reading Response journal (due September 12), work on PoW: "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night" (due September 15).
Monday, September 18--Friday, September 22
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up:Irony. Read and annotate "The Sniper." This will be the text used on the test next Wednesday over plot and irony and is due with the test. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Tuesday--DEAR. Workshop--students should work on revised draft of first Author's Choice piece. Revised drafts are due by by the end of the hour today. Lit Lunch for Call of the Wild.
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Irony. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop--students should be working on final copies of Author's Choice and drafting their second Author's Choice piece. Lit Lunch for Fever 1793.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Irony. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on revised draft of Author's Choice (due September 19); study for plot/irony test on Wednesday, September 27; work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, September 26: Topic-Protagonist; annotate and read "The Sniper" due on Wednesday, September 27.
Monday, September 25--Friday, September 29
Monday--DEAR & Warm-up:Irony/plot structure review. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Tuesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Adding background info to a lit analysis paragraph. Workshop--students should work on final copies of first Author's Choice piece or draft/revise second Author's Choice piece. Evidence-based reading journals are due today. Lit Lunch in Diehl's for Call of the Wild.
Wednesday--NO DEAR. Test over "The Sniper" and plot and irony. Second reading assessment on protagonist (students will use the Evidence-based reading journals they turned in yesterday.) Annotations of "The Sniper" are due today.
Thursday: DEAR. Workshop--students should be working on final copies of Author's Choice and drafting or revising their second Author's Choice piece.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Dialogue rules. Read, analyze and discuss Fahrenheit 451.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on final draft of Author's Choice (due October 5); study for plot/irony test on Wednesday, September 27; work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, September 26): Topic-Protagonist; annotate and read "The Sniper" due on Wednesday, September 27.
Monday, October 2--Friday, October 6
Monday--NO DEAR; Finish discussion of flashback. Introduction to Big Six research and Colonial Character sketch in the library (both cores). Students will find the resources for this assignment on the RMS Character Sketch site in Google Sites (through their d51gapps account). Reminder that the next Evidence-Based Reading Journal is due Tuesday, October 17th. Topic: main conflict.
Tuesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch expectations. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch. Revised copies of character sketches are due this Friday at the end of the day. Final copies are due Tuesday, October 10th.
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch as needed. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch.
Thursday: DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch as needed. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch. First Author's Choice final copies are due today.
Friday: DEAR. Warm-up: Mini-lesson on Colonial Character Sketch as needed. Workshop on Author's Choice and/or character sketch. Revised copies of Colonial Character Sketch are due today.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on final draft of Author's Choice (due October 5); work on Colonial Character Sketch (revised copies due Friday, Oct. 8 and final copies due Tuesday, Oct. 10); work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, October 17): Topic- main conflict; all other final copies of Author's Choice are due by Wednesday, October 11.
Monday, October 9--Friday, October 13
Monday--NO DEAR; New Vocabulary List given (Vocab List #3--test will be on Wednesday, October 18th). Workshop on final copies of character sketch (due tomorrow). Vocab One Pager study sheet is due on Wednesday, October 18th.
Tuesday--Workshop on Character Sketch (due today).
Wednesday--DEAR. Warm-up: Figurative Language. Read, discuss and analyze Fahrenheit 451. All final copies of Author's Choice pieces are due today.
Thursday: Core 8-2 (Diehl's core) gone to Camp Cedaredge today. Workshop for Core 8-1 (Wittrock's Core)
Friday: Fahrenheit 451; Warm-up: Figurative language review. In Core 8-2, begin 1st quarter reflections.
Homework: Read from independent novel; work on Colonial Character Sketch (revised copies due Friday, Oct. 8 and final copies due Tuesday, Oct. 10); work on Evidence Based Reading Journal (due Tuesday, October 17): Topic- main conflict; all other final copies of Author's Choice are due by Wednesday, October 11; work on One Pager study sheet and study for Vocab test 3 on Wednesday, October 18.