Mr. Vanden Bergh

Language Arts Pod 7-3

       I hope his weblog will be a helpful tool for your seventh grader.   Most assignment, presentations, and notes can be downloaded here.  As always, assignments are posted weekly in the classroom.  Students are required to record all assignments for the week (classwork and homework) on Monday.  If your child is absent or failed to copy assignments into his/her agenda for the week, you can view assignments on this blog, or for more specifics, contact me via e-mail at: benjamin.vandenbergh@cobbk12.org

Need some review?  Language Arts Skill Building: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills-7th-langbuilders.htm

Research Launchpad:  Download RESEARCH LAUNCHPAD

Other review or just for fun: Download Review-Justforfun-Launchpad

Word Professor (warning: Highly addictive): http://www.yourdictionary.com/word-games/Word-Professor/Word-Professor-Game.html

Looking for a good book?  Check out some reviews from current students by clicking on the comments button below.  Feel free to add your own book review.  Please use only your first name.

      

Jan. 30-Feb. 3 Language Arts Assignments

           We have finished our grammar study focusing on complements and will be beginning the largest unit of the year this week.  The unit covers research and the ultimate goal is to compose a strong research paper.  The research paper will be focused on a specific person (either current or past) who has had to perservere and has made an impact on society in one way or another.  Prior to beginning the composition of the research paper, we will be covering all of the elements of proper research to gather information.  Here is our tentative schedule: 

MON.  "Can You Believe Everything You Read?" informational text in literature book with response sheet Download Can You Believe1 HW: bring 4x6 notecards - will be used soon

TUE.  Begin Research PPT, guided notes for PPT  HW: none

WED.  Continue Research PPT with guided notes  HW: none

THU.  Format notecards, demonstration of online search for valid information, using www.bibme.org Choose a person from list to research HW: See below

1)  Find a source with valid information about your person            

2)  Create a source card (If you are on Cobb Virtual Library, the citation is at the bottom of the article. If you aren't, you must copy the URL (web address) at the top of the page and paste it on www.bibme.org )

3)  Print out the entire article.  We will compile the notes on the note cards in class tomorrow                                                      

FRI.  Take notes from your print-outs - you must have your source cards and note cards  HW: continue to record information on your notecards.  We will have another day in the computer lab on Monday

Jan. 23-27 Language Arts Assignments

        Last week we covered direct and indirect objects.  This week we continue or study of complements by looking at predicate nominatives (PN) and predicate adjectives (PA).  .  It is critcal that students take advantage of review materials below if they need extra help.

REVIEW OF PNs and PAs:  Download Predicate Nominatives and Adjectives

NOTES on PNs and PAs: Download PN and PA notes

MON.   Notes on Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives Download PN PA Practice  HW: PN/PA Review Sheet  Download PN and PA Review

TUE.   Review PN/PA, Download PN and PA Review2 , Complement Study Guide Download Complement Study Guide1  HW: Complete Study Guide. 

WED.   Sentence in a cup with complements, go over study guide  HW: PN/PA practice w/diagramming Download PN-PA diagram  

THU.  Inductive Learning for Complements, Review Game for tomorrow's test HW: Review Study Guide.  If you are planning on coming to the study session, print out this pass: Download Studysessionpass  - It will be worth your time ; )

FRI.   COMPLEMENTS TEST  HW: none

        

Jan. 17-20 Language Arts Assignments

       During this shortened week we will be accomplishing a number of activities.  Any students that haven't previously shown their "How To" demonstrations and/or videos will be able to do so on Tuesday.  This is strictly optional and can serve as extra credit toward their expository essays.  At the end of the week we will focus on direct and indirect objects.  These are not parts of speech in a sentence, but rather a word or words that have a function in the sentence.  Students having difficulty are welcome to check out some of the resources listed below in this week's schedule.  Here's our schedule:

MON.  No School - MLK Jr. Holiday

TUE.  Complete any extra credit demonstrations videos,  preparations for tomorrow's mock writing test  HW: Review the following to prepare for tomorrow's writing test Download Writing Test Notes 

WED.  Mock writing test,  We will discuss direct objects accompanied by notes which will be provided to each student.    HW: Direct object sheet (below)

Download direct_object_notes.doc

     Download direct_object_homework.doc  

THU.   We will cover indirect objects within a sentence today.  HW: Indirect objects sheet (below)

Download indirect_object_notes.doc

     Download indirect_object_homework.doc

NEED SOME REVIEW?  Try these:

Download Direct Objects Presentation 

Download Indirect Objects Presentation 

FRI.  Journal #16 - "The Heist" Download The Heist Review of Direct and Indirect Objects   HW: none

Jan. 10-13 Language Arts Assignments

        
            Welcome Back!  I hope you have a a relaxing and enjoyable break.  Ready... Set.... Go!  Here is a copy of our 3rd Nine Weeks syllabus Download Syllabus 3rd nine weeks. We will begin our unit on expository writing this week.  Expository writing is, in very simple terms, a means of explaining a topic thoroughly.  The main focus this week will be creating your own "How To" expository paper.  You will receive notes and a packet to guide you this week.  You will be asked to list steps accurately and thoroughly to teach the class how to do/create something.  Here's more information and the week's schedule:

TUE.   Expository Writing Notes Download Expository Writing Notes ,  Mystery Picture Activity,  Choose a "How to..." topic -  Download how_to_list.doc   HW: none 

WED.    Begin plan/draft for your "How to..." topic in class  HW: complete draft/ BRING FLASH DRIVE(*Extra Credit* - bring material needed to demonstrate your "How to".  You may also create a video, powerpoint with pictures or posterboard presentation showing your "How to...")

Download How To Plan-Draft Sheet   

Download how_to_paper_directions.doc 

                    Need some transition words? Download Using Transitions

EXAMPLE OF A "HOW TO..." PAPER  Download How To Example

THU.  COMPUTER LAB - Type "How to..." expository paragraphs.  HW: If necessary, complete "How to" final copy TYPED, (*Extra Credit* - bring material needed to demonstrate your "How to".  You may also create a video, powerpoint with pictures or posterboard presentation showing your "How to...") - YOUR TYPED "HOW TO" EXPOSITORY PIECE IS DUE FRIDAY!

Download How To checklist

FRI.  DUE TODAY : Plan and draft of "How to" along with your typed final copy.  Share your "How To" expository piece and... if you would like, you may demonstrate your "How To" in class or show your video or Powerpoint presentation.    HW: none

December 19-22 Language Arts Assignments

         It's our last week before winter break!  We have finished our noun and pronoun unit and will finish with a little bit of literature.  If you weren't able to take the noun/pronoun test last week because of chorus, you will need to take the test before school and will need to see me about getting a pass.  Thursday will be Dodgen Gives Back day.  On this day, we will be completing an activity for our community and in the afternoon, we will have our holiday party.  Here is our schedule: 

MON: Read "A Christmas Carol", Response Sheet Download Ebenezer Scrooge Characterization HW: none

TUE: Complete "A Christmas Carol", complete response sheet  HW: none

WED: Watch "A Christmas Carol" (new version)  HW: none

THU: DODGEN GIVES BACK DAY!

FRI: No School - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

Dec. 12-16 Language Arts Assignments

        This week we will continue our grammar study with a focus on pronouns.  We will have a test on Friday covering the noun and pronoun notes and information included in the presentations below.    Please take advantage of these Powerpoints and keep up with the assignments below in order to ensure success on your test.  Do not wait until Thursday night to begin studying for Friday's test.  Here's our plan for the week:

 Noun Presentation for Review: Download Noun Notes

Pronoun Presentation for Review: Download PRONOUN notes

MON.   Demonstrative, Interrogative, and Reflexive/Intensive Pronouns HW: Pronoun Packet pgs 59,61,64,65

TUE.    Journal #14 - Open Entry or Complete "Evidence" Journal, Indefinite Pronouns, Pronoun Packet pgs. 67,68,70,71,74,75 Download Nounpronoun study guide  HW: complete study guide if necessary

WED.   "You Name It" Pronoun Activity  HW: complete "You Name It" if necessary, review study guide 

THU.    Review Game for NOUN/PRONOUN Test tomorrow  HW: Review study guide.  If you would like to come to a study session at 8:15 tomorrow morning, please print out the following pass: Download Studysessionpass

FRI.    NOUN/PRONOUN TEST  HW: none

Dec. 5-9 Language Arts Assignments

          We will switch gears again this week and spend some time reviewing grammar terms along with introducing a few new ones.  Our focus this week is on NOUNS.  You will need to be very familiar with the following terms:  common and proper nouns, concrete and abstract nouns, compound nouns and collective nouns.  At the end of the week will begin PRONOUNS.  The presentations below will provide review/support if needed.  Please take advantage of these and keep up with the assignments below in order to ensure success on your test.  A test covering nouns and pronouns and will be given on December 16th.  Here's our plan for the week.

                                 Noun Presentation for Review: Download Noun Notes

Pronoun Presentation for Review: Download PRONOUN notes

MON. Receive guided NOUN Notes Download Noun Notes1 Guided (Use PPT above to complete),  focus on common/proper, concrete/abstract, go over notes. HW: Concrete/Abstract Noun Sheet DownloadConcrete Abstract Noun Worksheet

TUE.  Focus on compound/collective nouns, begin Compound Noun Sheet Download Compound Noun Sheet and Collective Nouns Sheet Download Collective Nouns Sheet HW:  Complete Compound/Collective Noun Sheets

WED.  Noun Notes - Possessive Nouns Sheet, Review Notes   HW: Noun Review Sheet Download Nouns Review Sheet

THU.  Journal - Open Entry, Noun Review Game  HW: none

FRI.   Pronoun Notes Download Pronoun Notes, Personal Pronoun Chart  Download PRONOUN (PERSONAL) CHART Pronouns/Antecedents  HW: Pronoun Packet pgs 47,49,50,52,54,57

Dodgen Gives Back!

Homeroom Students Only:  Read more about how our homeroom is helping to make a difference in the lives of those in our community this season.  Download Dodgen Gives Back

Nov. 28- Dec. 2 Language Arts Assignments

       We completed our persuasive essays and have concluded our study of persuasion and persuasive writing as of last week. We will be reviewing a few items this week including plot analysis and we will also take a quick look at science fiction.  Both stories that we will be reading end with a twist that involves elements of science fiction.  Here's our schedule for the week:

MON.  Read "Rain, Rain, Go Away" by Isaac Azimov  Story online: http://www.kirkwood.k12.mo.us/parent_student/nm/renzali/Rain,%20Rain%20Go%20Away%20Text.pdf             HW: Complete Rain response sheet  Download Rain,rain questions  

TUE.   Begin reading "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street"  HW: none

WED.   Continue "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street"  HW: Complete Monsters response sheet  Download Monsters Response

THU.   "Rain"/"Monsters"  Alphabet Book Activity,  LA Checkpoint (Cobb Co. Requirement)  HW: Complete your letter of the alphabet if necessary

FRI.  "Monsters are Due on Maple Street" episode   HW: none

Nov. 14-18 Language Arts Assignment

        This week ends our sentence unit.  Please review the presentation below along with your study guide.  Our test will be on Wednesday and will require that you completely review your study guide.  We will end the week with a Thanksgiving print advertisement.  This week we will also be having the preliminary round of the Dodgen Spelling Bee.  It is not an assessment that will be entered on Pinnacle.  Here is our tentative schedule for the week:

Sentence Unit Presentation : Download Sentence Unit PPT

MON.  First Round of Spelling Bee (top speller in each class), Complete study guide for Sentence Unit Test  Download Sentence UNIT study guide1 HW: Complete and review study guide

TUE.   Review game for Sentence Unit Test  HW: review study guide

WED.   Sentence Unit Test  HW: none

THU.  Intro to Print Advertisement for Thanksgiving Feast  HW: none

FRI.   Complete partner print advertisement  HW: Have a happy Thanksgiving!