Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Second Annual Poetry Night!

Next week, on Thursday, December 13th, the ELA department will be hosting our Second Annual Poetry Night.  Last year’s event was a tremendous success and we hope to top it this year.

Students and families are invited to come out and watch as third through eighth graders read original and favorite works of poetry.

If your child attends poetry night then he or she will receive extra credit in English class, however even more credit will go to students who read a poem.  Students who read a poem will need to submit their poem for approval by Monday, December 10th.

I thank you in advance for supporting this event and look forward to seeing everyone there!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

November 16th: Early Release and Parent/Teacher Conferences

Next Friday, November 16th, is an early release day for students.  Students will be released at 12:30.  Teachers will be available to meet with parents from 1-4:30 in 15 minute increments.  Parents may sign up for a slot in advanced, or come by when available.  I have a meeting at 3:30 so my last conference will be at 3:15.  If you'd like to book a specific time please email me directly at adiaz@ssttx.org.

I look forward to seeing everyone!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

We're getting in the swing of things!  Right now seventh grade is reading and analyzing myths while eighth grade reads poetry and prose pieces focusing around journeys.
Both grades have impending vocabulary quizzes, additional information can be viewed through the school database.
Tomorrow students will receive a print out of their reading levels according to STAR Reading, the software the school uses to measure reading growth.  This print out will have students' Grade Equivalent (GE) as well as a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).  The GE will read as a a whole number followed by a decimal, such as 9.3.  A student with this GE has a reading level comparable to a ninth grader in the third month of school.  The ZPD is a range of numbers which suggest book levels for students to read with in.  A student with a GE of 9.3 will have a ZPD of 4.7-9.3, this means the books with reading levels between 4.7-9.3 are ideal for this student.
If you have questions about a student reading results please let me know-these test aren't always exact and students can re-test or another assessment can be given.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Back to School!

Holy Cow-summer is over already and we’re in the second week of school!  It seems like May was just yesterday.  Our school year is off to a wonderful start.  Students are coming in ready to learn and on wonderful behavior. 
My seventh grade class, 7B, is a wonderful quick bunch.  I of’ course also adore the eighth grade class.  I’ve had the privilege of teaching them since sixth graders, and though we’ve lost and gained some students they’re still a stellar group of kids.  I’m excited to see them grow and learn, but I’m already dreading saying goodbye to them at the end of the year.

I look forward to a positive and productive year.  Please email me directly (adiaz@ssttx.org) or call me (210-543-111 ext 140) if you have any questions, concerns or comments.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Eighth Grade Spring 2012 Final Review

Know the following terms and be able to identify and define them:

Poetry:
·         Haiku
·         Narrative poem
·         Sonnet
·         Rhyme
·         Internal rhyme
·         Personification
·         Metaphor
·         Simile
·         alliteration
·         hyperbole
·         idiom
·         stanza
·         repetition
·         refrain

Grammar & Writing:
·         verb tense: present, past, perfect (progressive & perfect)
·         participles and participial phrases
·         Know all the steps and purposes of the writing process
Persuasion:
·         Claim
·         Support
·         Counter argument
·         Persuasive techniques
·         Emotional appeal
·         Ethical appeal
·         Rhetorical fallacy
·         Logical fallacy
·         Loaded terms
·         Leading questions
·         Caricatures
·         stereotype
·         cause
·         effect
·         rhetorical question
·         repetition
·         speech
·         factual claims
·         opinions
·         common place assertions

Be familiar with the following works:

“The Weak Shall Inherit the Gym” by Rick Reilly
“The Sanctuary of School” by Lynda Barry
“Educating Sons” speech given by Chief Canasatego
“The First Americans” letter by The Grand Council Fire of American Indians
“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Fredrick Douglass

Fiction:
·         myths
·         folktales
·         setting
·         plot
·         conflict types
·         “The Pearl”-be familiar with plot, character motivation, and symbolism

Media:
·         Know what media is
·         Digital media
·         Assessing formality of media
·         Know how to assess the role of media
Sound & visual techniques

Seventh Grade Spring 2012 Final Review

Fiction
Know the following:
Myths:
·         Know the traits of myths
·         “Orpheus and Eurydice”
·         “Icarus and Deadalus”
·         “Phatheon, Son of Apollo”
Epic Tales:
·         Know traits of epic tales
·         “Beowulf”

Fiction:
·         What is fiction
·         “The Last Dog”
·         “The Three Century Woman”
·         “Charles”
·         Setting
·         Plot sequence
·         Conflicts
·         Character motivation
·         “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street”
·         Dialogue
·         Stage directions
·         Cast of characters
·         “Clara Barton: Battlefield Nurse”

Grammar and writing:
·         They’re, there, their
·         Adverbs
·         How to write an effective summary
·         How to eliminate “to be-verbs”
·         Correct use of apostrophes
·         Proper nouns and titles
·         Steps in the writing process

Persuasion
Know the following terms:
·         Logical fallacy
·         Bandwagon
·         Factual Claim
·         Common place assertion
·         Loaded language
·         Claim
·         Opinion
·         Support
·         Rhetorical fallacy
·         Ad hominem
·         stereotyping
·         Exaggeration
·         Categorical claim
·         Testimonial
·         argument
·         Counter arguments
·         According to Aristotle, what are three fundamental appeals to convince a person?
·         Emotional fallacy
·         Ethical fallacy
·         Policy Speech
·         Kennedy’s speech

Poetry and literary language
Know the definitions and be able to find examples of the following:
·         Idiom
·         Hyperbole
·         Repetition
·         Refrain
·         Personification
·         Simile
·         Metaphor
·         Literal language
·         Figurative language

Friday, March 16, 2012

Monday is Picture Day

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Spring Break and is savoring their last weekend of freedom.  I want to remind students that Monday is picture day and a free dress day with the following rules:

·         Jeans should not have tears, rips, holes, or rhinestones
·         No profane, violent or inappropriate logos, designs, or references
·         No open toe shoes, sandals or high heels
·         No hooded sweat shirts
·         No skirts, dresses or shorts
·         No tank tops or muscle shirts

Students may wear their uniform pants, nice jeans, Polo shirts, or appropriate t-shirts.

I look forward to seeing all of the students in their own clothes on Monday. 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Woman's History Month Extra Credit

Students may create an author study over a female author.  The assignment should be on poster board and include the following: a brief biography of the writer which highlights major events in the author’s life.  Students will also need to create a timeline of the author’s life as well as the country and the world around them.  For example, if your author lived during the civil war, women’s suffrage, or the civil rights movement this should be included in the timeline, as major historical events frequently impact a writer’s work.  Students should also have at least three pictures of the author and events in their life.  This can be photos printed from online or copied from books, or student illustrations.  At least two sources should be used for the biography (Wikipedia is not a valid source).  All sources should be cited (this includes sources for photos).


Here are some recommended authors, however students may choose another female writer as long as she meets the following criteria:
·         She is a writer by profession- not someone who is known for something else and wrote a book.
·         Her work is appropriate for school.
·         Students have not already completed an author study on her this year.
·         She’s a woman

Angela Johnson
Sandra Cisneros
JK Rowling
Suzanne Collins
Louisa May Allcott
Katie DiCamillo
Harper Lee
Lorrianne Hansberry
Louis Lowry
SE Hinton
Julia Alvarez
Mary Shelly
Maria Arbatova
Jane Austen
Leslie Marmon Silko

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Barnes & Noble Book Fair

Congratulations to this year's 2012 Wax Museum Honorees!  These students are invited to compete again at Barnes and Noble for trophies and prizes this Friday on March 2nd.  Please come join us from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and vote again to determine the school wide winners!  All students at the event will receive extra credit in their English class. Just make sure students check in with their English teacher first.  Also, Barnes and Noble will donate a percentage of money from the purchases made with SST book fair vouchers to our school.  Simply use our code #10684116 when checking out at any San Antonio area Barnes and Noble or online from March 2nd-4th!  Last year our event was a huge success, raising over $450 dollars for our English classroom libraries.  Let's make this year's event even better!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

After School Work Day for Facebook Projects

The deadline for students Facebook projects is quickly approaching.  To ensure students receive all the support they need I will have another after school work day this Thursday, February 16th.  Students may drop their projects off in my room before DEAR Time and then come work on them from 3:20-4:10 on Thursday. 

Students who finish early may also turn in their projects any time before February 21st for extra credit. 

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Black History Month Extra Credit

Students may create an author study over one of the writers below.  The assignment should be on poster board and include the following: a brief biography of the writer which highlights major events in the author’s life.  Students will also need to create a timeline of the author’s life as well as the country and the world around them.  For example, if your author lived during the civil war, women’s suffrage, or the civil rights movement this should be included in the timeline, as major historical events frequently impact a writer’s work.  Students should also have at least three pictures of the author and events in their life.  This can be photos printed from online or copied from books, or student illustrations.  At least two sources should be used for the biography (Wikipedia is not a valid source).  All sources should be cited (this includes sources for photos).


Approved Authors (if you are interested in selecting an author not on this list you should get teacher approval):
Lucille Clifton
Maya Angelou
Octavia Butler
Langston Hughes
Lorraine Hansberry
Alice Walker
Sharon G. Flake
Christopher Paul Curtis
Jacqueline Woodson
Angela Johnson
Berry James
Alice Childress
Ruby Dee
Eloise Greenfield
Nikki Grimes
Rosa Guy
Virginia Hamilton
Joyce Hansen
Kristin Hunter
Belinda Hurmence
Lynn Joseph
Julius Lester
Sharon Bell Mathis
Patricia McKissac
Fedrick McKissac
Walter Dean Myers
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Anne Lane Petry
Ethel Footman Smothers
Eleanora E. Tate
Mildred D. Taylor
Joyce Carol Thomas
Mildred Pitts Walter
Brenda Wilkinson
Camille Yarbrough

Friday, January 20, 2012

Facebook Novel Project

This year the ELA Department is excited to host our second annual Wax Museum!  This is an opportunity for students to showcase their passion for reading with an interactive representation of their favorite novel.
Students in fourth through sixth grade will create a backdrop of a scene from a novel of their choice and stand in front of it dressed as their favorite character.  As parents and visitors walk by
Students will give brief explanations of their chosen character, novel, and scene they’ve chosen to represent. 

Seventh and eighth grade students will participate as well, however instead of dressing as their character in front of a back drop students will create a poster of a Facebook page for their protagonist.  Please note students are not being asked to create real Facebook accounts. This project will also be worked on in class and at home.


Facebook novel project deadlines

Tuesday, January 17, 2011:
Students must have chosen book and protagonist.  This should be done over a book the student has read independently, therefore eighth grade students may not choose from “The Outsiders,” or “Al Capone Does My Shirts.”  Seventh grade students may not choose from “Number the Stars,” or “Freak the Mighty.”  Students may not use the same book from last year’s wax museum project.

January 23, 2012:
 Templates (which were given in class and are smaller than actual project) must be completed and turned in for a grade.

January 26, 2012:
After school workday from 3:20-4:10
This is recommended, but not required.

February 23, 2012:
Final project due
Projects will be displayed in a school wide event and will not be accepted late.  If a project is not turned in by this date a zero will be given.

February 24, 2012:
School event
Students will line the hallways to present their projects.  Students in 4-6 grade will display Wax Museum projects.  Top students will be asked to present at Barnes & Nobles and will have the opportunity to win a prize.

TBA:
Barnes and Nobles event



Imagine if the same technology we have today existed in the novel you are reading.  Technology has advanced our communication through social networking websites like Facebook.  With over 500 million users there is a good chance that if Facebook existed in your novel the protagonist would be a user.  What would their profile look like? 
          You will create a Facebook page (on poster board, not a real account) for the protagonist of your novel.  Research Facebook and try to make the page look realistic.

Requirements:
·         Should be on a poster board or something similar in size
·         Information section:
o   Name
o   Age
o   Hometown
o   Relationship Status
o   Family Members
o   Occupation
o   Biography
§  This should be in first person point of view from the protagonist covering their life throughout the novel.
·         Profile Photo
o   Can be drawn or printed if there are photos
·         Interests Section
o   Favorite activities
o   Music
o   quotes
·         Photos Section
o   Draw at least three scenes from the book
·         Friends list
o   Other characters from the book
o   Add yourself too!
·         Wall section
o   Comments from friends on the wall
o   Your protagonist should comment on at least one friend comment
o   This should also show groups (at least four) that the character is a member of
o   Create an upcoming event that your character would attend
·         Status Update
o   This should be status updates your protagonist would make throughout the novel
o   Characters should change their relationship status, check in at frequented locations, and use other Facebook features.
o   There should be at least five updates throughout the wall comments
§  One from character at the exposition of novel
§  One from character at the rising action stage of the novel
§  One from the character during the climax
§  One from character during the falling action
§  One from character during the resolution
*Remember, updates are posted with the most recent at the top of the page.  Make sure your updates and wall comments are in the correct order! *