Of Mice and Men

Please bring OF Mice and Men on Monday!  We need to begin reading it!

Thank you :)  Have a great Thanksgiving!

The Giver

Today we began watching "The Giver"--the end of the year novel we read last year now turned into a movie.  We will continue to watch it Friday and next Monday.

CONTINUE WORKING ON your Precept Project!

Precept Project Work

Today was your last day working in your groups before we go to Thanksgiving Break. Thursday, Friday, and Monday we will watch "The Giver".

Precept Work Day

Today you worked on developing your scene again.

I have changed some due dates:

The final typed script is now due December 15th (a Monday).
Your skit should be ready to be performed or viewed on video January 5th.

Tomorrow we will be using the auditorium space so that groups who are ready can rehearse.

Precept Project Group Work

Today, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be Precept Project Group work days.  However, you will still need to bring in Of Mice and Men for credit TOMORROW!!

Thursday, Friday, and next Tuesday we will be watching "The Giver" the movie of the book that we read at the end of last year.

Your work days should include work in the following areas:

• script writing
• scene direction writing
• rehearsals

I have moved the due date for all performances (live and video) until after Christmas break.  This will give you plenty of time to record and rehearse.  Remember: the script must be memorized!

HOMEWORK:

• Continue working on your part of the Precept Project
• Bring in Of Mice and Men TOMORROW for 5 points!

Precept Project Group Work

Today you continued to work in your group on your Precept Project.  If I have had to ask you to stay in your group, your grade will go down.  Please make sure you are working on the task at hand and NOT visiting with other groups or doing other work.

HOMEWORK:
Get a copy of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.  NEEDED by Tuesday for credit.

To clarify: The characterization sheet is NOT due until we see your performance.

Precept Project

Today you worked in your groups on your precept project.  I gave you some more information.  If you were absent I have a handout to give you.  Please see me when you return.

Wonder questions 298-313 and test information

Today you began by working in your literature circles on the remaining questions and vocabulary for the book.  Following this I prompted you with some things to know for the test.  If you were on the field trip, you may want to look over the following:

• vocab and characters listed on the board earlier in the week (know what students earned which awards)
• August's dog's name
• what happened with the astronaut helmet
• the 4 qualities Mr. Tushman listed that define human beings
• a short response from you for this question: Seeing that we are all a work-in-progress and need to better ourselves, choose one of the qualities Mr. Tushman mentions that is a quality you would like to work on.  Explain why you chose this quality and what you will do to work on it.

Vocabulary:
commencement, verbosity, ruminating

Questions:

1. What was the main point Tushman was making in his speech?
2. What are the 4 qualities Tushman says define us as human beings?
3. Does August have hte traits mentioned? Provide examples showing these 4 traits.
4. List who received awards and what they're for.
5. Does August think others have difficulties greater than his?
6. How ha August grown as a person?
7. Why does August thank his mom?
8. Why does she thank him back?

Wonder questions pgs. 282-297; reading pages 298-313

Today you worked on answering questions and defining vocabulary words for pages 282-297:
Vocabulary
seismic
attribution

Questions

1. What were the 2 big changes that occurred because of the incident in the woods?
2. How has Julian been affected bu the incident?
3. Was August able to handle 5th grade academically?  Socially?
4. What happened to August's astronaut helmet?
5. How did August react to this (answer in #4)?
6. Why do you think Nate felt the helmet was bad for August?
7. What does Jack say he can win an award for?
8. Do you think August will earn an award?  If so, for what?

Then you had a chance to read the rest of the book: pages 298-313 and work in your groups by choosing a precept for your project.

HOMEWORK:

Read the items above.  Make sure you finish vocab, questions, and reading for today!

Wonder questions pages 268-281; reading pages 281-297

Today you took a test over parts 5, 6, & 7.

Then you worked on answering the following questions and defining the following words:

Vocabulary:

• schmuck
• aftermath
• cretinos (Portuguese use freetranslation.com)

Questions:

1. Why does August feel like he is underwater?
2. Find a simile on pages 271 and 272.
3. What would August say are the two most horrific days of his life?
4. Why are kids August doesn't know speaking to him now? (pg 275)
5. Who is the new character we meet in "Home"?
6. Besides playing with the puppy, what is nice about August's day off of school?

After the test I also rolled out the Wonder Precept Illustration assignment.  Your first deadline is Nov. 12/13 to come up with a precept your group would like to illustrate.

HOMEWORK

• Finish the above material
• Read pages 281-297

Wonder questions pages 250-267; reading pages 268-281

Today I gave you a little heads up to the test that you will take tomorrow.  You were also able to copy down the vocab and characters in case you didn't copy them yesterday.

Then you had time to work on today's questions from pages 250-267:

vocabulary

obsession

incantation

rappelled

questions

1. What happened when August tried to sleepover at Christopher's house?
2. Besdies his facial abnormality and Star Wars, what could August be known for?
3. What is Baboo?
4. Why didn't he let his mom put him to bed?  What does this tell us?
5. Find personification on page 256
6. Find hyperbole on page 258 (there are 3 examples!)
7. Has Maya gotten over the plague game?  How can you tell?
8. Why was August happy about the movie choice?
9. What did Henry warn the boys about?  Was he serious?
10. Who helped August get away from the group of bullies?
11. Why do you think he feels like he is underwater?

HOMEWORK:

• Prepare for the test
• Read pages 268-281
• Make sure you finished the vocab and questions above

Wonder pages 235-248 questions; read pages 250-267

Today I collected your work from last week on pages 158-234.  When you are completing questions for the story: organize yourself!  Do not make me guess the pages numbers for the questions!  Please and thank you :)

I also reminded you of our field trip to Meadow Brook on Nov. 24th to see "A Christmas Carol".  We are still in need of drivers and your permission slip and money turned in!  Make sure you do this ASAP!  I also gave out slips to those of you who lost your first one.

Finally I rolled out a project to you that I will give you full details on next week.  This project will be the final project for Wonder: In your literature circle group, you will choose a precept and create a script and skit to illustrate it.  Again, more details to come on this next week.

Your quiz over parts 5-8 will be on THURSDAY of this week.  Today I gave you the vocab and characters to know.  Tomorrow I will verbally prompt you on a few things so you won't be in the dark to the remaining items on the test.

HOMEWORK: Pages 235-248 questions and vocabulary.  Also, make sure you read pages 250-267:

• bungalow
• bittersweet (not the taste of candy!)

1. What lies did Miranda tell while away at camp?
2. Why did Miranda's lies make her popular?
3. Why does Miranda say she and Ella stopped being friends with Via?
4. What is the real reason Miranda stopped being friends with Via?
5. Find the idiom on page 240 ("School")
6. What does Miranda miss the most about Via's friendship?
7. Why does Miranda feel safer in Via's house than her own?
8. Do Miranda's boyfriend and friends seem like true friends? Explain.
9. What lie did Miranda tell Mr. Davenport?
10. Does Miranda truly care about the Pullman family?  How can we tell?
11. What does Via do that shows she is thankful to Miranda?

MASS

We did not meet today due to All-Schools Mass. We will resume tomorrow. I have pushed the test date back. Make sure you come prepared having finished everything that was listed on Friday's blog entry.