ELA 101

We have begun our time together with reading the novel Phoenix Rising written by Karen Hesse.  This novel is rich with vivid vocabulary words and figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, etc.).  The story is engaging for students as the main characters are children of a similar age.

Purpose

• Students will understand the parts of a story.
  • Exposition
  • Rising Action
  • Climax
  • Falling Action
  • Resolution
• Character Roles
  • Antagonist
  • Protagonist
• Setting
• Conflict
  • Types
    • Internal
    • External
  • Kinds
    • Man v. Nature
    • Man v. Man
    • Man v. Himself
    • Man v. Society
    • Man v. Circumstances

Assessment

• Students will take various vocabulary and character tests.
• Students will revisit sections of the text during writing instruction so that they may learn directly from Karen Hesse.

The first unit I’m covering in the 8th grade English course is a collection of entries written based on the letters in the words “Middle School.”  This unit is a modified version of one I found on a terrific website where students wrote one entry for each letter of the entire alphabet.  Taking the timeframe into account, this shortened project still offered the same benefits in a more approachable manner.

As a class, students first participated in an activity that highlighted their similarities and differences with their classmates and helped them think of descriptive words.  We then brainstormed possible topics students could use to write about for their various letters.  Students then began writing an entry for each letter that shared something about them during their middle school career. 

Purpose

• Students will write an autobiography using the letters of the word “Middle School.”
• Students will describe significatn life events and interests.
• Students will assess their entries using a checklist.

Formatting

• 1″ margins on all sides
• Title in 24pt font, bold, centered
• Body in 16pt font, left aligned

Due Date

• Friday, December 19th (unless student has a planned absence, then it is due before they leave)
• This project is worth a total of 75 points. 
  • 60 points for the completion and quality of each entry.
  • 10 points for making use of class work time and computer lab time.
  • 5 points for spelling, grammar, mechanics and presentation of project as a whole. 

Other

Students will have had a total of 6 days in the computer lab to work on this writing project.  We have worked on revising skills such as using action verbs, vivid words, and varying how they begin their sentences.  We will likely revisit these skills several times throughout the school year so students continue to see theconnection within their own writing.

While I spent the fall on maternity leave with my new baby girl and busy toddler, I fell into a nice daily routine.  Meals, activities, playdates, snacks, naps, books and favorite shows were all part of our world.  Evenings spent processing photos and publishing blog posts of our latest news were commonplace.  Slowly, that schedule began to shift.

Now, two full weeks after returning to work, we’re settling in.  Earlier bedtimes (for the kids at least), alarm clocks, lockers and hourly bells now dictate our days.  I’ll admit that there are times when I think back on those days and yearn for the simplicity they held.  Yet, I also find fulfillment and excitement in witnessing the growth of my students.  I’m quickly learning that it’s all about balance and when equilibrium is achieved I’m a better teacher, mother, wife, friend – and the list continues.

In these weeks before the holiday break, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know my students and establish the classroom routines that will carry us throughout the remainder of the year.  I’ve been highly impressed by how receptive the students continue to be considering the change they’ve endured this year. 

In upcoming posts you’ll learn a bit more about the projects we’re currently working on in class.  I strongly encourage you, whether you’re a student, parent, friend or relative, to join in the conversation here!  If you see something you enjoy or find helpful, please let me know!  If you stumble across something you dislike, do the same.  The beauty of this medium is that we can all contribute at our convenience and work together ot create a resource for one another.