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Welcome to Ms. Bonstein's 8th grade AC Language Arts!
Check out my blog site, too: http://msbclass.blogspot.com/
You will each be asked to comment on a blog post from time to time!
Course Content: A study of language arts encompasses the areas of reading,
writing, speaking, and listening. The course includes all of these
communicative elements, but the emphasis is on reading and writing,
along with the building of knowledge and analysis of many common root words
for the English language. Grammar, vocabulary, journal writing, spelling,
capitalization, and punctuation will be integrated throughout the
curriculum.
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Classwork (CW) and Homework (HW):
Monday, October 6 - DGP 5A, editorial example, ad handout, persuasive
techniques notes, continue Lit book selections (persuasive reading)
HW: editorial and "ad work" by Thursday, extra credit by 10/10 (extra
Reflections entry), A/R by Wed., Reflections due 10/14 (any category)
Tuesday, October 7 - Journal, analyze Lit. book persuasive pieces and the
McGill editorial, read
HW: A/R by tomorrow, find an editorial and do the "ad work" by Thursday, quiz
Fri. on persuasive techniques, Reflections entry due 10/14 (an extra entry by
Fri. if you want extra credit), Ch. 1 of Memory Book due Monday now (will
have class time Thursday and Friday to work on it!)
Wednesday, October 8 - DGP 5B, continue persuasive reading work, A/R tests as
needed
HW: bring in an editorial from a newspaper or magazine (can obtain online if
desired), ad work, Reflections by 10/14 (10/10 for extra credit - a 2nd
entry), quiz Fri. on persuasive techniques
Thursday, October 9 - Journal, ck. classwork and homework, share editorials,
turn in created ad, review for persuasive techniques quiz, work on first
chapter of Memory Book
HW: study for quiz, Reflections by 10/14 (tomorrow for extra credit - a 2nd
entry)
Friday, October 10 - DGP 5C, persuasive techniques quiz, work oon CH, 1 of
Memory Book
HW: Reflections entry by Tuesday, 10/14 (quiz grade); Roots 4 and Review
(except not the writing part) due Tues., quiz Friday
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Monday, September 29 - CW: DGP 4A, baseline back with writing improvement
checklist, continue writing process, media center
HW: Roots 3 due tomorrow, typed revised and edited draft by tomorrow, final
by Wednesday; blog comment by Friday, A/R by 10/8
Tuesday, September 30 - CW: Journal, finish writing improvement checklist,
peer editing for narrative essays, ck. Roots 3
HW: final due tomorrow with all parts of the writing process, blog by Fri.,
A/R by next Wed.
Wednesday, October 1 - CW: DGP 4B; turn in and, if desired, share narratives!
HW: blog and A/R (see Tues.)
Thursday, October 2 - Journal 12, persuasive techniques pre-test, continue
sharing narratives, Roots 3 review
HW: study for Roots Quiz 3, blog comment by tomorrow, A/R by Wed.,
Reflections due by 10/14 (10/10 for extra one as extra credit!)
Friday, October 3 - DGP 4C, Roots Quiz 3, persuasive reading
HW: Read for A/R, Reflections by 10/14
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Monday, September 22 - No class - Roots quiz is now tomorrow due to testing!
HW: Read for A/R (10/8 deadline) and STUDY for tomorrow's Roots 2 quiz, also
be thinking about story ideas
Tuesday, September 23 - Blog comment assigned, due 10/3; narrative essay
assigned, Roots 2 quiz, portfolio set-up
HW: pre-write and rough for narrative due Thursday, read for A/R - due 10/8
(use your time after testing to read!!), blog comment
Wednesday and Friday - no class - ITBS testing!
Thursday, September 25 - work on essay revisions!
HW: have a revised copy of your story in class with you on Monday!
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Monday, September 15 - CW: Short story discussion, ck. plot and character
analysis sheets, begin study guide
HW: Roots 2 and review due tomorrow; study guide for short story test
Tuesday, September 16 - CW: Journal, ck. Roots and go over Roots list
HW: study for short story test (Fri. - new date!) and Roots quiz (Monday -
also new date!)
Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18 - CW: discuss study guide
and stories, Roots review work
HW: study for short story test Fri., Roots quiz Monday (suggest you create
flashcards)
Friday, September 19 - Short story test, prepare for Roots 2 quiz
HW: Roots quiz Monday on lesson 2 - STUDY!
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*Word processing tips - to set font to 12 pt., use the top toolbar;
to set margins, go to "File -> Page setup -> margins"
to set spacing to double go to "Format -> paragraph -> line spacing"
to do a word count, highlight text you are counting (exclude your title and
your name, date, pd.), then go to tools, word count
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Supplies: Paper, blue or black pens (no gel or aqua color), spiral notebook,
4 dividers with notebook paper in a 3-ring binder, 3 x 5 notecards, tissues,
suggested to have a flash drive, will need to get 2 paperback books later
this year
Sugg. binder divider titles:
1. DGP/Grammar, 2. Roots, 3. Writing,
4. Literature
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Special Notes: See bottom of page for research information, including how to
cite your sources! See the Bonstein Docs page of this website for class
Powerpoints and handouts. Also, do not delete your papers or essays from
whatever word-processing program files you may have!!
Writing: With an emphasis on the writing process, especially the importance
of revision, we will complete many writing projects throughout the year:
baseline, narrative, expository, research, and persuasive, response to
literature (in the form of literary analysis), as well as a poetry unit!
Grammar and convention information is at the end of this webpage. In
addition, many resources are listed to help you practice in these areas!
Reading: A/R Test deadlines are twice each quarter. If you are looking for
a good book to read, please access the following webpage, then you may cross-
check your choice with the A/R list that you may access from the school web
page, go to the media center, or check with me. The classics list on the
site is particularly good (at least most of them would be suitable, but not
all).: http://www.hplibrary.org/teens/booklists/booksforteens.html
Mrs. Bonstein
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GRAMMAR/CONVENTIONS HELP:
"Grammar Girl" podcasts! Go to http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
She also has published an excellent book - Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty
Tips for Better Writing (author Mignon Fogarty)
More punctuation practice:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_overvw.html
Grammar: I recommend that you read and practice at the
following websites, depending on what your need(s) are:
http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml
http://members.cox.net/teachro/
(you choose what you need to work on at both of these sites)
Prepositions - webster.commnet.edu/grammar/prepositions.htm
http://www.readbygrade3.com/prep.html
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/grammar/main/prep.htm
Predicate nominatives -
http://home.att.net/~rguimaraes/Predicate_Nominatives_and_Adjectives.htm
http://yourpage.blazenet.net/bterney/pnpa.htm
Diagramming sentences - Many examples!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/diagrams2/diagrams_frames.htm
http://members.cox.net/teachro/
Also, the Princeton Review book Grammar Smart: A Guide to Perfect Usage is
an excellent resource that I recommend if you are struggling with grammar
concepts.
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Bibliography OR Works Cited information:
How to cite your references (the following is for MLA style; you may be
asked to use APA style for social sciences research in high school or
college):
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html
For electronic sources:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html#Electronic
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