8th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Hoelscher

2011-11-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

Weekly Homework: Read a half hour each night. Complete three annotations as a minimum. Focus one annotation on theme, and one on foreshadowing. Annotations will be graded on Thursday. Set a goal of 100 pages a week and see how close you can come to it. As you finish a text, you need to write a paragraph of thematic analysis which explicates the most significant theme in your novel. Monday 9

2011-11-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Quarter Two Students independent reading journals will be evaluated on a weekly basis. The minimum weekly expectation is three quality annotations and four nights of reading for at least a half an hour at home. Due to a significant number of students who struggle to turn work in, I will immediately enter a zero for a student that is present in school but does not submit an

2011-10-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Monday 24 Independent Reading Complete objective Summary #2 Browse library for group novel on deck. Tuesday 25 Essay Test on Theme Wednesday 26 Self-Reflection due at end of class Thursday 27 Independent Reading Pick new group Novel. Friday 28 Quarterly Rec Pre-writing for Fictional Narrative in class.

White Between the Lines

2011-10-18T06:49:00.001-07:00

between the lines Publish your writing! Calling all Middle School Students in Teton County! pARTners is looking for some great writing and artwork to publish in White Between the Lines, the literary and art magazine of Jackson Hole Middle School. Submission Deadline for the Winter Edition Friday, January 13th, 2012 You can submit your writing at any time prior to the January 13th deadline.

2011-10-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Monday 17 Independent Reading Tuesday 18 Shared Read: "Too Far" Wednesday 19 Begin Fictional Narrative Thursday 20 Independent Reading Friday 21 Begin Drafting FN Homework: Read for thirty minutes per night. Record your thinking in Reading Journal. Second Objective Summary is due by Monday, October 24th. IR and SR journals will be re-evaluated before the quarter ends.

October 3rd-October 7th

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Reminders:No school for students on Monday, October 10th.Homework:Read daily for thirty minutes and complete journal work.Typed and revised poem due on Friday.Monday 3rdIndependent Reading and Individual ConferencesIR Journal Entry: "What will I do differently with my next book?"Tuesday 4thShared Read: "Miracle Boy"Close Reading of a text.Answer these questions in your Shared Reading Journal.What

September 26-30

2011-09-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Daily HomeworkHW: Read for thirty minutes from your independent novel. Record thinking or reading minutes.Monday 26Destiny training with Ms. SwiggumGoals:Make a shelf of Books on DeckLearn how to Post a Book ReviewTuesday 27How to write an Objective Summary LessonCreate draft of Objective Summary in Independent JournalWednesday 28MAP TestingThursday 29Independent ReadingPost Your Objective

September 19-23

2011-09-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

19 20 21 22 23 22 Mini-Lesson:Nye Essay on 9/11 Independent Reading Aces: Supported Conference HW: Read for thirty minutes from your independent novel. Record thinking or reading minutes. School PicsNaomiShihabNye visits!Mini Lesson: Noticing!HW: Read for thirty minutes from your independent

2011-09-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

Independent Reading Groups Journal Response:Aces: What frustrates me? Wilds: What is worth talking about? Faces: What do I hope to take from this book? Continue drafting essay.HW: Read for thirty minutes from your independent novel. Record thinking or reading minutes. Mini-Lesson: Editing vs. Revision, what is the difference?Writing Name Essay Due

Week Two

2011-09-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

Labor Day 5 Weekly HW:Read at least 30 minutes per night at home starting Thursday. Record thinking in Journal. 6 Mini-Lesson: Figurative Language Shared Read: My Name Essay using Sticky Note Guide Close: Share good examples of figurative language. 7Mini-Lesson: Connotation Drafting Name Essay HW: Add 7 facts about yourself from your

Quarter Four

2011-04-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

Poetry Assignment: DUE Friday, April, 29th Three Haiku Remember, with haiku, try to create strong, specific images that you have actually seen. SHOW the reader what you saw; don’t tell them. No similes, no metaphors, no rhyming, three lines each. Family Poem Write about strong memory that you have with one of your parents. Maybe it’s about the best memory that

2011-03-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

Last Two Grades of Quarter III:1. Reading PowerPoint, Bookmark or Minutes.2. Writing Contest Entry (see list on next post).Current Homework:1. Read Chapters 1-4 of The Outsiders for Thursday, March 10th.2. Do your best work on PAWS!

Contest Submissions

2011-03-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

Possibilities for Extending Your Audience Beyond the ClassroomYou must submit to one of the following writing contests or see me for an alternate assignment. You need to show me the evidence of your submission in class or make me a copy of your work. You are fully encouraged to revise work you have previously written but there should be clear evidence of improvement since your last draft.1.

Welcome to March!

2011-02-25T13:55:00.000-08:00

Monday 28Independent ReadingSticky note topic: How does this book reflect my mood or what is going on in my life right now? Book FairTuesday 1Independent ReadingSticky note topic: What in my book is funny or ironic?Update Reading ProjectsParent Teacher ConferencesWednesday 2Fishbowl Discussionusing last two sticky notes.Thursday 3PAWS Writing Review SessionParent Teacher ConferencesFriday 4No

Expository Essay

2011-02-18T11:31:00.000-08:00

Don't forget your expository essay is due next week. Hopefully, you selected a topic that is both newsworthy and personally interesting to you! Remember: the narrower topic, the better. Sentence variety—good writing has good rhythm!Short and friendly paragraphs.Use quotes to establish authenticity.Be informative: tell me something I don’t know.Establish order: most

Reminder!

2011-01-31T14:17:00.001-08:00

3rd Quarter HomeworkYour homework is to read your independent novel at least one hundred minutes per week OUTSIDE of school and to complete your 3rd quarter reading project. Check your student e-mail for project details!

2011-01-28T07:05:00.001-08:00

Monday 31Independent Reading TimeTransference:One Sticky due at the end of class focused on theme, setting, characterization or symbol.Tuesday 1Read chapter 6 of the Pearl in small groups looking for theme, setting, characterization or symbol. Highlight concrete detail in text and then transfer best evidence to outline.Wednesday 3Final discussion.Start Essay.Thursday 4Work on Essay.Friday 5Submit

First Week of Quarter Three

2011-01-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

In quarter three you will receive an e-mail from me regarding your independent reading. You will be required to do the assignment mailed to you by the date indicated. Tuesday 18Poem of the Week:Chapter 4 of The PearlWednesday 19Finish chapter 4Independent ReadingThursday 20Chapter 5 of The PearlFriday 21Finish chapter 5.Independent Reading.

2011-01-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Independent Reading Projects are due by Friday, January 14th.Monday 10Chapter II of The PearlIndependent ReadingExit Ticket: How do you see Theme, Setting, Characterization and Symbol in your novel?Tuesday 11Chapter 3 of The PearlWednesday 12Chapter 4 of The PearlThursday 13Assessment #1 The PearlCreate your own literary hypothesis focusing on Theme, Setting, Characterization and Symbol.Friday

2011-01-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011.Quarter II ends on January, 14th. Get all your work in!Monday 3Independent Reading Check and time to read!Anticipation Guide Graphic Organizer: What Money Buys and What Money Can't Buy.Reminder: Independent Reading Project #2 due by January, 14th!This should be about your second novel and could be a character poem, a reading letter or an epilogue. This is worth twenty points and

December 13-22

2010-12-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

All students should have at least one After Reading project completed before Holiday Break. Options are a character poem, letter to me or a classmate or an epilogue.Monday 13Independent ReadingOrShort Story RetakeTuesday 14Create Middle or Climax of Fictional Narrative.Wednesday 15Work on the Rule of "So What?"Ways to include thoughts and feelings and show character change.Thursday 16The

November 29- December 3

2010-11-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

Homework: Read Short Story: La Guera by Gary Soto. Complete Short story review due on Friday, December 3rd.Read Monday 29Shared Read: Too Far(student written short story)What makes this story work?How can I apply the principle of dialogue, action and reflection to my own story?Tuesday 30Review and discussion of Too FarBook Marks and Sticky Note Sort by QualityAssign short storyIndependent Reading

November 8, 2010

2010-11-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

Weekly Homework: Read your independent novel and add sticky notes as you go! Share your reading goal with your parents. I promise they will help motivate you. Complete "after reading project" when you complete your novel; select reading letter, character poem or new fictional ending. Remember, your reading is your homework! Reading should happen every night.Monday Independent ReadingMake

Welcome to Quarter Two

2010-10-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

November Monday 1In serviceNo school for students.Tuesday 2Independent Reading Goal SettingShared Reading: The LandladyWednesday 3EXPLORE Pre-Act TestThursday 4Shared Reading: The Lamb to SlaughterFriday 5Poem of the Week: TBAIn class writing: TBAMonday 8Poem of the Week: TBABook FairTuesday 9 Organize PortfoliosIndependent Reading TimeParent Teacher ConferencesWednesday 10Shared Reading: La

2010-10-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Weekly Homework: Poetry Project #2 1. Write a narrative poem about a something you cannot forget or have imagined to be true like in the poem, “I Can’t Forget You.” Use hyperbole and incredible detail to describe what you have seen that you cannot forget. 2. Write a narrative poem describing a friendship that has drifted away from you or has been changed or lost in a significant way. Try to

2010-10-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Monday 11Columbus DayTuesday 12Media Center for Selection of New Independent NovelGoal: Finding the right book for you!Bring this book to class everyday!Wednesday 13Poem of the Week:Writing Workshop for Final Writing ProjectThursday 14Grammar Lesson: How do apply sentence imitation and sentence combining to my own writing?Writing Workshop for next poem or Final Writing ProjectFriday 15Reading

2010-10-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Weekly Homework: Finish A Step from Heaven and Art Card for Wednesday.Finish Forgotten Fire for Friday and Art Card for Friday.Monday 4thCreate "lost" or "missing" conversation for the characters in your novel.Poem of the week: You don't call.Tuesday 5thSentence Imitation Grammar Activity.Reading Time.Wednesday 6thHeaven Novel and Art Card due.Final Heaven discussion.Fire: Partner Novel

September 22-October 1

2010-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

MondayTwo-chunk Paragraph in classin response to one of the following questions:Describe two situations that forged the steel of Vahan's character so far.How does Apa's treatment of Young Ju contrast his regard for Joon?TuesdayA Step from Heaven Discussion on page 32-117.Come prepared with four double column annotations.WednesdayForgotten Fire Discussion on page 58-113.Come prepared with four

2010-09-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

Monday 13Poem of the week: First love by Carl LinderSharing JerseysWeekly Homework: Reading:Read first 32 pages of A Step from Heaven or the first 58 of Forgotten Fire. Create 9 Hotseat Questions. Heaven needs to be prepared by Monday. Fire needs to be prepared by Tuesday. Writing: Independent Writing Project #1 1. Write a narrative poem about a time you felt a sense of guilt similar to the

2010-09-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

Weekly Homework:1. Name essay with jersey design and color due on Monday, September 13th.2. Start reading your independent book! Remember you need to read two books per quarter.MondayLabor DayTuesdayPoem of the Week: Guilt by Jed ChambersMedia Center for books and passwordsWednesdayActivity 1 Practice 1 : Understanding Sentence Parts Drafting name essayThursdayFigurative Language Practice Quiz on

Welcome 2011

2010-08-27T13:00:00.001-07:00

Week One Homework: 1. Purchase two composition journals, highlighters and pencils for your use. 2. Donate a box of tissue or ten pencils for the classroom.3. Emergency forms due Friday! 3. Parent Inventory due Friday for bonus. Wednesday 31 Welcome!My neighbors and I game. Goal setting activity.Parent Inventory and CEF Thursday 1Poem of the Week: The Little Boy Reading Response #1 Journal

Important Final Dates

2010-05-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Belief Collage due May 23rd.Belief Poems due Tuesday, May 24th.Draft of Belief Essay due on Wednesday, June 1st.Final Belief Essay due on Tuesday, June 7th.Final Exam on June 9th.Final Reading Work for Second Novel due on June 9th.1) Beliefs are something we can make choices towards. 2) Good writing has good rhythm. Read your work out loud to yourself to find words that need clarification or

The Final Act

2010-04-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Directions: Create a two-character scene that shows a character working through a conflict, crisis, or issue. Your main characters needs to fear losing something important to them: a home, a date, or even their confidence. Think about something that “bugs” you and turn it into a scene! Your goal is to move your peers—to make them laugh or smile or to feel surprise or

Read a classic or award winner

2010-04-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

4th Quarter Reading Goal Read a Classic or Award Winner with Partner Find a partner or trio if needed and select “a classic” or prize winner to read. The title does not need to be on this list. The literature circle books and SSR books you have read are likely both compelling and modern; some of these books are older and dustier but very much worth reading. Many of them

Welcome to 4th quarter

2010-04-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Homework: Present a Monologue Select a monologue to memorize and present to the class. I have many available, although you are welcome to find your own speech, soliloquy or monologue to present. Requirements: 1. Present me with a copy of your script. 2. Include physical gestures to enhance meaning. 3. Utilize the techniques of emphasis, pace and inflection to

3rd quarter Reading Requirement

2010-02-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

Required: Select a biography or autobiography from the media center that interests you. You must visit the library on your own time to do this. I would encourage you to use TEAM time for this endeavor. Read the book and be prepared to “become” the person you read about in front of your peers. Costumes or props are required for this presentation. You will also need to

January 18th 2010

2010-01-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

Monday 18Two-chunk paragraph assigned over close reading of page 115-118 due on Thursday.Tuesday 19MAP TestingWednesday 20Read chapters 7 and 8 for today. Add one annotation in theme journal per chapter.Panic poems.Thursday 21Share two-chunk paragraphs.Role plays.Friday 22Present WNB #22 Take a positive social risk and write about it.WINTER CARNIVAL.Monday 25BE FINISHED READING NOVEL BY TODAY.

2010

2010-01-04T08:33:00.000-08:00

Monday 4Introduce PowerPoint Partner Research Presentation.Tuesday 5Research selected topic.Wednesday 6Create PowerPoint.Thursday 7Work day. Finalize PowerPoint. Edit short story.Friday 8Present projects in class.Submit short story.

2009-11-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

Homework: Expository Essay is due on December 11.Your task is to create a short but convincing expository essay about an invention, new discovery or technology that has improved our society. I expect you to spend one hour writing this essay. Please use a thesis statement that introduces the purpose and organization of your essay. Weekly Homework: Read literature circle assignment and complete

2009-10-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Weekly Homework:Finish novel and review by Thursday.Monday 5thMini-lesson: Punctuating DialogueWriting WorkshopTuesday 6thMini-lesson: To Dash or Hyphen?Writing WorkshopWednesday 7thMini-Lesson: The rule of so what?Writing WorkshopThursday 8thPartner Activity: Novel Review and Final Conversation. Friday 9thEssay Test on NovelMonday 12thNo school for StudentsTuesday 13thClass theatre: "What’s The

Week Four

2009-09-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

Writing AssignmentIn the next three weeks you will be creating a narrative essay.A narrative essay is a recollection of an experience that provokes reflection. This writing assignment shows how one experience has shaped or formed your character. A good fictional narrative is focused on a meaningful incident or event. The reader should see, smell taste and feel what happened. A fictional narrative

Outsiders

2009-02-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

Monday 23Introduce PowerPoint Partner Research Presentation.Tuesday 24Research selected topic.Wednesday 25Create PowerPoint.Thursday 26Present Projects.Friday 27Present projects.Monday 2Pass out the Outsiders.Read-Aloud opening pages.HW: Read chapter 1; Character Trait ChartTuesday 3Discuss Main Characters.Parent TeacherConferencesHW: Read chapter 2; Character Trait ChartWednesday 4Hotseat!Parent

January 19th-23rd

2009-01-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

Monday 19Finish cutting and rearranging Belief Poem with Kati.Conference on draft of poem.Tuesday 20Adhering photos to mat. Editing shoebox mementos.Pulling essential words from poem with Molly.Wednesday 21Creating a color palette with Molly.Thursday 22Final typed revision of poem due at the end of the period.Podcasting opportunities with Ms. Riley.Friday 23Belief Game.Quarterly Recognition.

January 12th-16th

2009-01-12T07:28:00.000-08:00

Monday 12MAP Reading TestWeekly Homework: Complete wiki page and hunt by Wednesday, January 21.Tuesday 13Poetry Forms Focus on Drew DellingerWednesday 14Poem writing workshopThursday 15Finish belief poemFriday 16Rearranging and Cutting Poems

May 4th-9th

2008-05-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

4 Great Poems Assignment Directions: Use all the usable material from your writer’s notebook to craft your best four poems. Yesterday, you likely polished one of your list poems and your “In the Room” entry. Today, I want you to look to other writer’s notebook entries for inspiration. For example, you might write a dramatic monologue using the details you recorded about a time

April 28th-May 1st

2008-04-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

Monday 28thMemorization LessonCopy your selected poem into WNB#27View winners of Poetry OutloudRead poem to partner three times in classHomework: Recite poem three times in front of an inanimate object!Tuesday 29thWNB# 28: My Life as ....create your own extended metaphorAnnotate and Discuss Poems about Life: The Journey, Lesson of the Moth, MirrorHomework: Recite poem three times in front of a

April 21st -25th

2008-04-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Work: Finish novel. Compose 2nd and final reading letter to your partner.Welcome Back!Monday 21stPoem Search in Media Center.Assignment: Find a favorite poem, look specifically for poems with meter. I suggest a sonnet, a ballad or a song for this assignment. Memorize. Be prepared to recite by Thursday, May 1st.Daybook pages: Annotate and respond to the poems on Page 170 and 171-172

Explanation of Reading Letters

2008-03-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

Letter number one: Write a three-paragraph letter to your reading partner. Be sure to include: a friendly introduction, a discussion of the characterization and emerging themes, a description of the point in the novel when you felt hooked, and a description of a passage that had particularly strong imagery or action for you. Include at least three questions you have after reading. The point of

End of March

2008-03-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Monday 24th-Thursday 27thPAWS TestingMagnetic Poetry gameAnticipatory Guide to Poetry Unit: What is fun about poetry? What is difficult about poetry? What are you interested in learning about regarding poetry? What was the best line of your magnetic poem?Students should be reading their selected classic/award winner novel during down time of PAWS testing.Friday 28th Final Literature Circle

Enrichment Credit Opportunities

2008-02-29T13:28:00.000-08:00

1. Finish podcast of belief essay or poem and drop in Open Access folder titled Hoelscher-Final Podcasts.2. Submit five poems, narrative essay or short fiction to Young Authors.3. Submit belief essay to NPR. Parent permission required.4. Submit work to JHMS literary magazine--folder in Open Access is titled Short Stories and Literary Magazine-Hoelscher.5. Write a note of thanks to one of the

February 26th-March 7th

2008-02-26T08:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 26th Literature Circle IntroductionWednesday 27th Celebration for Belief Manifesto ProjectThursday 28th Literature Circle Team MeetingFriday 29th Reading Day Role Sheet #1 Due at End of ClassMonday 3rd Literature Circle Meeting #1Tuesday 4th Literature Circle Meeting #1 continued Parent Teacher Conferences

February 19th- February 22nd

2008-02-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

Weekly Homework Question GenerationList of Panel QuestionsGenerate a list of questions that you would like to pose the community panel. What burning questions do have that you want answers for? Remember the theme of the Belief Manifesto project is to uncover personal beliefs. We started this project with the most basic questions: Who are you? What do you want? What are you willing to work for

February 11th-15th

2008-02-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

Weekly Homework: Spend at least one hour improving your essay. Consider the following words from Katie: 1) Beliefs are something we can make choices towards. 2) Good writing has good rhythm. Read your work out loud to yourself to find words that need clarification or rewording. 3) Don’t be afraid to go “in scene.” Use dialogue and specifics when needed. 4) Sentence fragments are generally not

February 4th-8th

2008-02-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Monday 2/4: Poem Revision Poem revisions due on WednesdayTuesday 2/5: Brainstorm Essay IdeasWednesday 2/6: LATE ARRIVAL DAY Spelling Bee!Thursday 2/7: Organizing and Drafting EssayFriday 2/8: First Draft of Essay DueYoung Authors Draft check on Monday, February 11th