Mr. Vanden Bergh

Oct. 29-Nov. 2 Language Arts Assignments

      We are right in the middle of a persuasive writing unit this week.  We have covered some of the elements of a persuasive essay.  Students have chosen a controversial issue to work on with a partner this week.  Research of topic and creation of a power point will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  Students will be using Cobb Virtual Library for research.  Resources are available below.  Here's this week's schedule:

Mon.   Review, prepare information for this week's research and power point creation HW: Bring any information regarding your topic.  Be sure to cite your sources.  This can be done at home either by citing using the search engines in Cobb Virtual Library or through www.citationmachine.net

Tues.  COMPUTER LAB - Persuasive Power Point Research Time HW: none

Wed.   COMPUTER LAB - Composing partner persuasive power points.  Layout/Format of the presentation can be downloaded below.  HW: none HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Download persuasive_ppt_outline.ppt

Thurs. COMPUTER LAB - Continue composing PPT HW: none  ****If you haven't completed your PPT by the end of class today, you must write yourself a pass to the Media Center (signed by Ms. Klodnicki) for Friday at 8:15.

Fri.      Partners present persuasive power points. HW: none

Oct. 29-Nov. 2 Reading Assignments

      This week we will be continuing our journey through the wild with Mr. Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.  Be sure to follow along in class as we read.  You will need your novel and vocabulary book all week.  Please come prepared.  Here's the schedule:

MON.    Lesson #5 Vocabulary/Spelling Test

TUES.    Bullying Prevention Lesson.

WED.     Read The Hobbit Ch #5 "Riddles in the Dark"

THURS. Read The Hobbit Ch #6 "Out of the Frying Pan into the Pan"

FRI.       Silent Reading/ Books Batted In

Persuasive Writing Notes (PPT)

        This power point will review elements of persuasive writing that we've discussed in class.  It is a parallel resource used along with the persuasive notes handout given in class.  The dangers of fast food is the topic chosen as an example throughout.

Download persuasive_writing_notes.ppt

Oct 22-26 Language Arts Assignments

      We have completed the first quarter of the school year already!  The focus of the upcoming weeks will be persuasive writing.  We will study this topic through debate, discussion, power point presentations, and will end the unit with a persuasive writing piece.  Students must be sure to get started on the right foot this week.  The notes they receive on Tuesday will help with the majority of the lessons we will cover. 

Mon.     Introduction to Persuasion and Persuasive writing.  Debate on a controversial issue  HW: none

Tues.    Notes on Persuasive Writing      Download persuasive_notes   HW: Study Notes

Wed.    Ms. Tinsley, our guidance counselor will be visiting us to discuss study habits.                   HW: Study Notes

Thurs.  Notes on Persuasive Writing continued HW: Study for Friday's Quiz

Fri.      Review Game for quiz,  Quiz on Persuasive notes  HW: ***optional***  Find information on-line or in current magazine or newspaper articles that is related to your topic.

**A number of students mentioned that they would like to see the list of controversial issues that will be researched next week.  Each student will choose a partner who has the same interest in topics.  The link below shows some of the options.

Download persuasive_topics.doc

Oct. 22-26 Reading 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 and on the student drive at school    3)  Vocabulary/Spelling tests are usually given every two weeks and will always be on Mondays.  4) Fridays are dedicated to silent reading and students must bring their own novel (along with The Hobbit) to class.  Here's our schedule for this week:

Mon.     Read The Hobbit Ch #2 "Roast Mutton"  BOOK FAIR visit.   HW: complete ch#2

Tues.   Read The Hobbit Ch #3, HW: Lesson #5 Keyword Activity Sheet

Wed.    Read The Hobbit Ch #4, Response for Ch#1-4 HW: none

Thurs.  Lesson #5 Vocabulary Skits HW: study L #5 vocabulary

Fri.      Silent Reading, Books Batted In  HW: study for Monday's Lesson 5 Vocabulary/Spelling Test

Oct. 15-19 Language Arts Assignments

     This week we will continue to work on our part of speech and punctuation board games.  We had very creative ideas for these games and we're anxious to start playing.  Board games must be completed by Tuesday.  We will also discuss some of the characteristics of fairy tales.  Students will need textbooks on Wednesday and Friday.  Here's an overview:

Mon.     Complete board games and practice using your own board games. HW: Last chance to make changes/improvements to your board game - DUE TOMORROW!

Tues.    Play board games from other groups : )   Peer review of games

Wed.    Define fairy tales.  Read "The Third Wish" in literature book  HW: Characterization sheet (You will need your literature book) 

Download the_third_wish_characterization

Thurs.  Read the original "Cinderella".  Complete a compare and contrast sheet for "The Third Wish" and "Cinderella".

Fri.      Create an alternate ending for "The Third Wish" in groups (to be performed in skit format)

Oct. 8-12 READING Assignments

         This week will will bring the Hobbit's adventure to a close.  We will also conclude our last vocabulary lesson for this nine week period.  Please be sure to keep up with reading assignments this week as some reading assignments will not be read in class, but must be completed at home.  Here's our schedule:

Mon.     Lesson #4 Vocabulary/Spelling Test .  HW: Read Ch #12 in The Hobbit

Tues.    Discuss Ch #12 in The Hobbit, Read Ch #13 in class. HW: Read Ch#14

Wed.     Discuss Ch #14 in The Hobbit and read Ch #15 in class.  HW: Read Ch #16

Thurs.   Discuss Ch #16 in the Hobbit and read Ch #17 in class.  HW: Read Ch #18

Fri.       Read Chapter #19 and take test on The Hobbit  HW: none

Oct. 8-12 Language Arts Assignments

          We have just completed our children's picture book and enjoyed "story time" on Friday.  This week we will focus on parts of speech and punctuation in literature and our writing.  We will begin with a pretest to determine where our strengths and greatest needs are.  Monday and Tuesday night students will need their workbooks to get additional practice with some of the punctuation items that can be troublesome.  Thursday we will begin creating our own punctuation and parts of speech board games to be played next week.  This activity will be done in groups of three to four and the rules and rubric can be found below.  Here's the plan:

Mon.      "Sentence in a Cup" Review Game HW: none 

Tues.    Punctuation Pretest  HW: Workbook pages 165-168

Wed.     8th COMPUTER LAB (focus on parts of speech and punctuation) HW: Workbook pages 159-162

Thurs.    Receive rubric and rules for creating a board game in groups. Work on game format/design.  HW: Bring any necessary materials to create board game for tomorrow.

Download board_game_rules_punctuationpos.doc

Download board_game_rubric.doc

Fri.        Work on board game in groups: create spaces, game pieces, and questions  HW: Work on game board or questions to be used.  DUE TUESDAY!

Oct 1-5 READING Assignments

         We are half way through our journey with The Hobbit and will continue this week.  We will also be completing activities to prepare for next Monday's Lesson #4 Vocabulary Test.  Please be sure to keep up with assigned reading for The Hobbit during the week and continue to study your Lesson #4 flash cards.  Here's the schedule:

Mon.  Read Chapter 8 "Flies and Spiders" in The Hobbit

Tues.  Lesson #4 Word boxes HW: Complete word boxes. Due Wednesday

Wed.  Collect Word boxes, Read Chapter #9 "Barrels Out of Bond" in The Hobbit

Thurs. Read Chapter #10 "A Warm Welcome" in the Hobbit

Fri.     SILENT READING (If you haven't finished reading up to the end of Chapter #9 in The Hobbit, complete this first)  BOOKS BATTED IN (You need a total of 1,200 pages read by Oct. 10th) HW: Study for Lesson #4 Vocab/Spelling Test on Monday!