Announcements

THIS WEEK IN CLASS...

Please note the Georgia Performance Standards we will be working on this week:
11/16 - 11/20

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

b. Analyzes and uses simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences
correctly, punctuates properly, and avoids fragments and run-ons.
c. Revises sentences by correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.
d. Revises sentences by correcting errors in usage.
f. Analyzes the structure of a sentence (basic sentence parts, noun-
adjective/adverb clauses and phrases).

ELA7LSV1 The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, 
and group verbal interactions. 

ELA7R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and 
informational texts.

ELA8R2 The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it
correctly in reading and writing.

ELA7R3 The student reads aloud, accurately (in the range of 95%), familiar
material in a variety of genres, in a way that makes meaning clear to 
listeners.
  
ELA7RC1 The student reads a minimum of 25 grade-level appropriate books or 
book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) per year from a variety of 
subject disciplines. The student reads both informational and fictional 
texts in a variety of genres and modes of discourse, including technical 
texts related to various subject areas.

WtK Words for the week of 11/9 - 11/13

1.  Adjective clause: a subordinate clause  (has a subject & a verb, but is 
NOT a complete thought) that modifies a noun or a pronoun

2.  Relative pronoun: a word that usually introduces an adjective 
clause :      that    which      who      whom     whose   
 
3.  Adverb clause: a subordinate clause (has a subject & a verb, but is NOT a 
complete thought) that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb 

4.  Subordinating conjunction: a word that usually introduces a subordinate 
clause  **Copy chart on p. 128 in Holt Handbook

5.  Noun clause: a subordinate clause that is used as a noun

6.  Common introductory words for noun clauses: 
	how	 whatever	which	        whom
	that	 when		who	        whomever
	what	 whether	whoever         why

GRAMMAR: We are studying independent and subordinate clauses this week.  
Students are working in groups to complete assignments relating to adjective 
clauses, adverb clauses, and noun clauses.  They must also memorise the list 
of subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.  We will review the 
material on Wednesday, 11/18, and students will take a test over the material 
on Thursday, 11/19.**I HAVE UPLOADED TWO POWERPOINTS WITH INFORMATION ON 
SUBORDINATE CLAUSES AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE ON THE "IMPORTANT DOCUMENT" PAGE.

WRITING: Students will get into groups to develop a "persuasive 
presentation." We will video tape the presentations, and show them to other 
classes. 

SPELLING: Please see the link to the entire list of spelling words for the 
year on my "Important Documents" page.  Students are given the list of words 
on Mondays, and they are tested on the words each Friday in homeroom.  The 
quiz is counted as a language arts grade.  Students who fail the quiz will be 
given daily spelling homework the following week to help them learn the 
following week's words.  Spelling homework is due on Fridays. 

READING: Students have the same AR goal as they did in the first nine weeks. 
Every student knows how many points he /she is required to earn. AR is worth 
10% of students' grades. REMEMBER: Students should be reading their AR books 
on a daily basis!

NOVEL STUDY: Soon, we will begin reading reading the novel, "Speak" 
by Laurie Halse Anderson.  Please be advised that I only have a class set of 
the novels, so students will not be allowed to take the books home with 
them.  If you feel your child would benefit from having a personal copy of 
the book, please feel free to check the public libraries or a book store, 
such as Barnes & Noble, to obtain a copy to keep at home.  (You can also look 
on Ebay or Half.com to find the book at a more reasonable price.) Students 
will have various writing assignments and a culmination project once we 
finish.

REMINDER:  Students should be reading a MINIMUM of 100 minutes per week.  
One of the Georgia Performance Standards dictates that each student should 
read 25 GRADE LEVEL books each year (or a million words!!)

FYI: SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS BRINGING 
PAPER, PENCILS, PENS, AND BOOKS TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY!!!! Thanks.

FYI: If you are not receiving progress reports from me, I most 
likely do not have your email address or have an incorrect email address.  
Please provide me your email and you will begin receiving progress 
reports.  Be sure to include your personal email address when you contact me 
through my website.  The site does not allow me to reply unless you include 
it.  Thanks!