Week 2 of 2009-2010

Hi Students and Parents!
Everyone had a great start back to school this year. We have a lot to look forward to this year. I am listing the syllabi for the classes on this week's blog and we'll review these in more detail on Monday. We've looked at our school handbook and procedures. Please let us know if you have any questions about the school policies and procedures. Students will be given a test over material in the handbook on August 19th.
We are looking forward to a great week!
Ms. Holden

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Monday
Warm UP-Tell me about the oldest person you know.
GPS: ELA8W4-ELA8R1
ELA8R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA8W4 The student consistently uses the writing process to develop, revise,
and evaluate writing. The student plans and drafts independently and resourcefully.

EQ: What do I need to know to be a successful reader?
Opening (Mini Lesson): Frayer Model on THEME

Work Session:
FLIPBOOK Graphic Organizer on READING STRATEGIES-ALSO students learn to create ACRONYMS for mneumonics to aid in recalling important information. Students practice notetaking strategies.

Closing (Summarizer): Answer the EQ with a student partner.

Tuesday
Warm UP-Tell me your opinion in at least one paragraph. At what age do you consider a person OLD? Explain your answer.

GPS: ELA8R1; ELA8W4
EQ: What do I need to know to be a successful reader?

Opening (Mini Lesson): Anticipation Guide on Article
Review Syllabus and Grading Procedures

Work Session:
Read aloud in small group practicing Reading Strategies (Predicting, Summarizing, Context Clues, and Vocabulary)

Closing (Summarizer): Writing Activity


Wednesday
Warm UP- Write 10 full sentences. Each sentence has to be at least five words long and cannot begin with "I". Avoid sentences such as "I like" or "My favorite".

GPS:
ELA8W4 The student consistently uses the writing process to develop, revise,
and evaluate writing. The student
a. Plans and drafts independently and resourcefully.
ELA8R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA8C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of
the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application
of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. The student
f. Analyzes the structure of a sentence (basic sentence parts, noun-adjective-adverb
clauses and phrases).

EQ: How are sentences and sentence fragments different?

Opening (Mini Lesson): Begin PreTest in Holt Grammar Book

Work Session: Students work from Grammar Textbook and Handbook-Sentences and Sentence Fragments

Closing (Summarizer): Review with a partner the three criteria of a sentence. Finish this sentence on a TOTD- " A good sentence has the following...."

Thursday
Warm UP-Read the following sentence fragments. Add either a subject or verb to make them complete sentences.

GPS:
ELA8R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA8C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of
the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application
of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. The student
f. Analyzes the structure of a sentence (basic sentence parts, noun-adjective-adverb
clauses and phrases).

EQ:How are sentences and sentence fragments different?
Opening (Mini Lesson):

Work Session:
Students will complete Exercise 1-page 5 in textbook.

Closing (Summarizer): Rapid Review


Friday
Warm UP-To do
GPS:
ELA8R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
EQ: How are sentences and sentence fragments different?
Opening (Mini Lesson): Sentences and Sentence Fragments B Handout
Work Session:Students will complete Oral Practice from the textbook on identifying complete sentences.
Students will have the opportunity to take the STAR reading test on today and visit the library for an AR book. AR books and warmups will be checked on today. Students should take home AR logs for parent signatures.
Closing (Summarizer):
Rapid Review on White boards

ONLINE RESOURCES-ELA:
www.spellingcity.com

NEXT WEEK:
Identifying the parts of a sentence and the parts of speech.

GA STUDIES

Monday
Warm UP-To do
GPS:n/a-Unit One
EQ: What do I need to know to be successful in GA Studies?
EQ: What themes will we cover in Georgia Studies this year?

Mini Lesson):Graphic Organizer -Define THEME
Work Session: Students practice notetaking skills and answering questions (prereading strategies) on the NINE COMMON THEMES of GEORGIA STUDIES

Closing (Summarizer): Answer questions related to THEMES.
HOMEWORK-ANSWER QUESTIONS GIVEN RELATED TO ONE THEME GIVEN.

Tuesday
Warm UP-How are NOVELS and NEWSPAPER ARTICLES alike? different? USE A VENN DIAGRAM FOR your explaination.
GPS: ELA8W4
EQ: How do we recognize THEMES in fiction and informational texts?
Opening (Mini Lesson): REVIEW of THEMES
Work Session: Newspaper SCAVENGER HUNT matching current events to THEMES of GEORGIA STUDIES
Closing (Summarizer): Answer the EQ together in class.

Wednesday
Warm UP-Brainstorm you know about your home state of GEORGIA
GPS:
SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
a. Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain.
c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.
d. Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development.
SS8G2 The student will explain how the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Georgia’s deepwater ports, and the railroads help drive the state’s economy.
a. Explain how the four transportation systems interact to provide domestic and international goods to the people of Georgia.
b. Explain how the four transportation systems interact to provide producers and service providers in Georgia with national and international markets.
c. Explain how the four transportation systems provide jobs for Georgians.

EQ: How do we locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres?
Opening (Mini Lesson): Vocabulary Review-Ch 1
Work Session: Read text aloud-Guided Reading Parts 1 and 2
Closing (Summarizer): TOTD-A new word that I learned today....


Thursday
Warm UP-To do
GPS:SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
EQ: How do we locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres?
Opening (Mini Lesson): List vocabulary on board in ABC order
White board practice on new vocabulary in Ch 1 of text.
Work Session: Continue reading Guided Reading-Answer Reading Comprehension questions.
Closing (Summarizer):

Friday
Warm UP- Write a paragraph telling someone why they would want to visit Georgia.
GPS:SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
EQ: How do we locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres?
Opening (Mini Lesson):
Match vocabulary to their definitions on board from chapter 1.
Work Session: Students will finish Guided Reading Sections 1 and 2 in textbook. Students will discuss reading and complete reading comprehension questions.
Closing (Summarizer):
Summary sentence on post its="The five main physiographic regions of Georgia are ...."

ONLINE RESOURCES-GA STUDIES
RESOURCES:
Chapter 1 - Where in the World is Georgia?

Hyperlinks

neic.usgs.gov/neis/states/georgia/georgia_history.html
The U.S. Geological Survey’s page on earthquakes in Georgia.

www.blueridgemountains.com/blue_ridge_mountains.html
Information on the Blue Ridge Mountains, Fannin County.

www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/statesong.htm
Contains words and music for “Georgia on My Mind.”

www.foxfire.org
Home page for Foxfire, an organization committed to preserving the Southern Appalachian culture.

www.frommers.com/destinations/georgia'sbarrierislands/
Contains information on Georgia’s barrier islands.

www.fs.fed.us/conf/webcam.htm
The web cam atop Brasstown Bald.

www.geography.about.com
The geography page of About.com.

www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Website of the New Georgia Encyclopedia

www.gilmerchamber.com/members/apples.asp
Contains information on Ellijay apples.

www.graphicmaps.com
Provides latitude and longitude information for U.S. and world cities.

www.helenga.org
Home page for the unique north Georgia town of Helen.

www.kidsdomain.com
Contains geography games.

www.mapnation.com
A free Internet mapping service.

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html
Contains a recommended list of disaster supplies.

www.weatherbug.com
Website provides local weather information.

NEXT WEEK- Early Civilizations