Mr. Vanden Bergh

Oct. 1-5 Language Arts Assignments

            Last week we created our own protagonist and antagonist to be used in a story.  We then created a plot line that basically outlined the elements of the plot.  This week we will be taking the characters and plot and inserting them into our own children's picture book.  All of the elements of the picture book can be found in the rubric under Monday's assignments.  Students will write their own story with illustrations to go along with the events in the story.  Monday and Tuesday are dedicated to ensuring we have a story that follows rubric guidelines.  After Tuesday students will be on their own at home.  Please be sure to follow the guidelines and rubric provided in class. PICTURE BOOKS ARE DUE FRIDAY.  The culminating activity is PAJAMA DAY!  Students will wear pajamas and slippers (following dress code) to story time in class where each picture book will be shared.  Here's the breakdown:

Mon.    Go over Plot lines created in class Friday.  You will be writing a children's picture book using your created protagonists and antagonist.  This is classwork and is not to be completed at home unless notified.  A rubric will be given in class.  It can also be downloaded below.

Download childrens_picture_book_rubric.htm

Tues.   Continue work on story for children's book.  *PLEASE FOLLOW RUBRIC GUIDELINES* HW: Type your story. *** It is a picture book***  Use approximately 4 sentences per page.

Wed.    COMMAS Workbook pages 149-152.  HW: Continue work on picture book.  Use Rubric to guide your work.

Thurs.   QUOTATION MARKS. Workbook pages 163-166.  HW:  Complete picture book  DUE TOMORROW!  Remember to check rubric and your handwritten checklist on the back of the rubric to ensure you haven't forgotten anything.

Fri.  PAJAMA DAY!  Along with your completed picture book, please turn in the following items in order from top to bottom (stapled) Picture Book Rubric 2) HANDWRITTEN draft of story 3) Plot Line for story 4) Protagonist sheet 5) Antagonist sheet.   Failure to do so will forfeit your participation in PAJAMA DAY.  All work accepted after today's due date will be graded and 10 points will be deducted for each day after the due date.  HW: none

Sept. 24-28 Language Arts Assignments

    Last week we completed our study of characterization.  This week we will begin to discuss the elements of plot.  We will focus on exposition (introduction), rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.   Students will receive more in-depth notes on plot development on Monday.  Literature books are necessary this Wednesday. Here's our schedule for the week:

Mon.     Notes for PLOT,  Hear the story of "Ferdinand the Bull" HW: Bring a childrens' picture book for Tuesday. 

Download plot_notes.doc 

Tues.    Choose one book per group to analyze childrens' book and determine plot (completed in groups) using plot line sheet.  HW: Complete plot line sheet for your groups book if necessary

Download plot_line_sheet.doc

Wed.    Interest grabber video for PLOT, Read "After Twenty Years".  Discuss plot from story. HW: none

Thurs. Plot practice in groups.  Read the introduction to a story (link below) and create our own rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.  HW: complete plot practice story if necessary

Download plot_practice.doc

Fri.      Using the protagonist and antagonist, create a plot line on graphic organizer.  Students will need to have completed their characterization sheets for both their protagonist and antagonist.  HW: none

Download plot_line_sheet.doc

Sept. 24-28 Reading Assignments

    This week in reading we will continue our journey through Middle Earth with the Hobbit and his friends.  We will be finishing work on Lesson #3 in our vocabulary work.  Please be sure to keep up with reading assignments that are not completed in class.  Here's the schedule:

Mon.   Lesson #3 Vocabulary/Spelling Test.  HW: Flashcards for Lesson #4 Vocabulary

Tues. Read Chapter 5 in The Hobbit HW: Complete Chapter 5

Wed.  Complete Chapter 6 The Hobbit and complete a response for Chapters 3-6. HW: none

Thurs.  Read Chapter 7 in The Hobbit  HW: Complete Chapter 7

Fri.   Silent Reading, Books Batted In, Reading Response #5  HW: none

Sept 17-21 Language Arts Assignments

          This week we will be discussing characterization.  This will be done through a number of activities such as literature study and role play.  Important notes on characterization will be given out Monday to be reviewed throughout the week.  We will be giving a test on Friday that will cover both the point of view notes (green sheet) and the characterization notes.  Here's our schedule for the week:

MON.     Receive notes on characterization (attached below), find examples of characterization in the literature book, HW: none

Download characterization_notes.doc

TUES.     Continue notes on characterization, Role-play scenes with direct/indirect characterization,  HW: Rikki Tikki Tavi Characterization Sheet

Download rikki_characterization.doc

WED.     Go over homework, Create our own unique "protagonist" and "antagonist"  HW: Complete Protagonist/Antagonist activity if necessary

Download protagonist_character_design.doc

Download antagonist_character_design.doc

THURS.  Review Game (characterization and point of view)  HW:  Study notes on Point of View and Characterization for test on Friday.  If you want extra practice (not required) on Point of View try this:

Download point_of_view_practice.doc

FRI.      TEST on Point of View and Characterization,  HW: none

Sept. 17-21 Reading Assignments

                                 The adventure begins with our novel, The Hobbit.  We have wandered into "Middle-Earth" and run into unusual characters already.  We will continue reading The Hobbit in class this week.  Anyone who has not completed the assigned reading for the day will need to take the novel home to complete.  We will be taking a break from our vocabulary work for a while to focus on the novel.  Here's the schedule:

MON.       Discuss The Hobbit Ch. #1,  Read Ch. #2  HW: Complete chapter 2 if not finished in class

TUES.   This class period will be dedicated to a Bullying Prevention Lesson for Seventh Grade.  We will also have a brief Q & A on chapters 1-2.   HW:none

Download hobbit_ch.1-2 Quiz.doc

WED.     Discuss Ch #2 "Roast Mutton" and read Ch #3   HW: Complete chapter 3 if not finished in class

THURS.   Discuss Ch #3 "A Short Rest" and read Ch #4  HW: Complete chapter 4 if not finished in class

FRI.        SILENT READING (Must bring your own novel to class), Update for "Books Batted In"

Sept. 10-14 Language Arts Assignments

       We are continuing our study of point of view this week.  We have been composing a newspaper based on the point of view of one of the characters from the story "Rikki Tikki Tavi".  The newspapers are due Wednesday.  Students will receive important notes on point of view this week that will serve as part of a study guide for the next test (Sept 21st).  Here's this week's schedule:

Mon.    Continue work on newspaper.  This is the last day that class time will be provided for the newspaper.  We will read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" (No textbook required).  Students will receive point of view notes which are also available below.  HW: finish any items for newspaper

Download pov_notes

Tues.   Review POV notes and play a POV game in class.  Prepare a newscast in groups to be presented to the class.  HW: none - Newspaper due Wedneday.

Wed.   Newscast presentations.  HW:  Point of view sheet #1

Download point_of_view_1.doc

Thurs.   Go over Point of view sheet #1, Activity:  Point of view situations in groups.  HW: none

Fri.    Free writing #1 - 3 choices for topic (point of view related)  Requirements:  Must be at least three paragraphs, 5 sentences per paragraph, and include five of the six figures of speech that we have covered in class (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, oxymoron) Highlight the figures of speech.  HW: none

Sept. 10-14 Reading Class Assignments

       I'm so sorry I didn't have the reading assignments posted sooner.   Just a few reminders for students: 1) Students must always bring their novels and vocabulary workbooks to class.  2) Please check and sign agenda when students have finished reading a book.  Each book should be listed with the number of pages in each students agenda on pages 14 and 15.  Number of books read is posted in our class on the "Books Batted In" chart.   3)  Deadline for a total of 4 books read (200 pages = 1 book) is Friday, September 14th.  This includes any summer reading and novels read so far this year.  4)  Vocabulary/Spelling tests are usually given every two weeks and will always be on Mondays.  Here's our schedule for this week:

Mon.   Lesson #2 Vocabulary/Spelling test, Begin flash cards for lesson #3 HW: Flashcards for Lesson #3

Tues.  Continue our latest play - "Dracula"  HW: Lesson #3 Workbook A,C

Wed.  Conclusion of "Dracula" and introduction of our novel, "The Hobbit"

Thurs.  Continue "The Hobbit" HW:  Read remaining pages Chapter #1

FRIDAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR A TOTAL OF 4 BOOKS READ! (200 pages=1 book)

Fri.       SILENT READING and update for "Books Batted In"