Summer Reading Suggestions

Summer is a time for relaxing. I hope that you find time to relax and enjoy yourself this summer. As a reading teacher, I hope that you find to read a good book or two.

I encourage everyone to read over the summer and continue the amazing gains you all made over the summer. In order make the most gains, I suggest reading slightly above your reading level. Find books books at or above your reading level by clicking on the "Find Books You Like" under the Classroom Links heading on my blog. The directions are straightforward and you can find the novels at your local library.

I also suggest that you try some of the suggested authors list on my blog.

In order to really push yourself, send post your reactions to the books you are reading on by clicking on the comments link. Be certain to include your name, the title and the author. Spellcheck your work before submitting.

Try these questions to help get you respond more deeply to your reading:
Thinking about how you read
I was distracted by...
I started to think about...
I got stuck when...
I was confused/focused today because...
One strategy I used to help me read
this better was...
When I got distracted I tried to refocus
myself by...
These word(s) or phrases were
new/interesting to me...I think they
mean...
When reading I should...
When I read today I realized that...
I had a hard time understanding...
I’ll read better next time if I...

Thinking about what you read
Why does the character/author...
Why doesn’t the character/author...
What surprised me most was...
I predict that...
This author’s writing style is...
I noticed that the author uses...
The main character wants/is...
If I could, I’d ask the author/character...
The most interesting event/idea in this
book is...
I realized...
The main conflict/idea in this book is...
I wonder why...
One theme that keeps coming up is...
I found the following quote interesting...
I ____________ this book because...

Elaborating on what you think
I think__________ because...
A good example of _______ is...
This reminded me of ______
because...
This was important because...
One thing that surprised me
was___because I always thought...
The author is saying that...

These questions can be found at the following website:
Tools for Reading, Writing, and Thinking

Celebrations in June

I would like to start by saying that this has been a fantastic year. It is a wonderful feeling to step away from the classroom on such a positive note.

I also want to update everyone on several upcoming events:

June 1

8:30-10:00 The 8th graders will be sharing pieces that they have published over the past year. We will have some light refreshments. Everyone is welcome to attend.

10:00-11:30 The 7th graders will be sharing a regional recipe as the culminating event in our immigration study. Recipes can be favorites that have been passed down through many generations or something more traditional. Please bring a label for the food and a list of all the ingredients. We have some students with food allergies and we want everyone to be as safe as possible.

Traditional Recipes can be found at the Library of Congress: click here

June 2

We will celebrate the graduating 8th grade at beginning at 10:00 on the new basketball court. Students will be honored by each class for their achievements. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

We are going Paperless

Unfortunately, FDNSC does not have anymore money to spend on paper. Because of the economic situation, the state is not giving schools any more funding for paper for the remainder of the year. The students and teachers brainstormed some solutions for to help solve this problem. The solutions are listed below:

Online-Google Docs, Email for written assignments
Donate paper to the school
Complete assignments on loose leaf paper or in notebooks
Bring in your own paper if you have to print
Use scrap paper for printing
Use online activities
Respond to blogs
Be more aware of reusing paper
Don't waste paper
Send emails to stores for donations

Social Studies Make Up Work

If you are missing assignments in Social Studies, you have an opportunity to make up those assignments.

Directions:
Read the cover stories in Current Events issues #24 or #25. Respond to the questions located at the end of the articles. Email your responses to Current Events: edce@weekly reader.com. Be sure that you cc your response to me.

Each article response is worth will be worth 15 point in Social Studies. All responses are due by May 22.

If you have any questions, please send me a comment by clicking on the link below.

7th Grade Reading Assignment

7th Grade Reading Assignments for Esperanza Rising

Directions:

1. Books will handed out on May 11.
2. The page numbers are due on day listed.
3. Students need to have assignments read before class begins.
4. All grades will be based on discussion. You will not have to put in Post-its or take notes.
5. Students will be expected to answer questions posted to my blog.

Reading Assignments
May 11
Pages 1-22
May 12
Pages 23-38
May 14
Pages 39-80
May 15
Pages 81-99
May 18
Pages 100-157
May 19
Pages 158-198
May 21
Pages 199-233
May 25
Pages 234-253

8th Grade Reading Assignment

8th Grade Reading Assignment for The Pigman by Paul Zindel

Directions:

1. Books will handed out on May 11.
2. The chapters need to be read on the day listed.
3. All grades will be based on discussion. You will not have to put in Post-its or take notes.
4. Students will be expected to answer questions posted to my blog.

Reading Assignments
May 11
Chapter 1
May 13
Chapters 2-4
May 14
Chapters 5-6
May 15
Chapters 7-8
May 18
Chapters 9-12
May 19
Chapters 13-15

FYI Dates

Days without Independent Work Time

May 11-15, May 20-21

CEOs Put on Notice

In our study of economics, we noticed a large difference between hourly workers and CEOs. The link below is an article from Fortune magazine about CEO pay.

Read the article and post a question about the article on my blog.

CEOs Put on Notice

Here are some articles to answer your questions:

Stress Tests

Comptroller

I can not find anything about Tier One Supports, if you find something, please post the article to my blog.

Cartoon Analysis

Along with Poetry Appreciation Month, April is National Humor Month. A great outlet for humor are cartoons. Political cartoons can be used to highlight uncomfortable situations in the hopes that awareness will change the issue.



Go to the link below (It's No Laughing Matter) and read the information on About This Actitivity and Cartoon Analysis Guide before proceeding to the Learning Activity.



When you have finished, please send a note to me about the techniques that cartoonists use to highlight problems in society.



http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/political_cartoon/index.html

Civil Rights Study

Dear Parents and Scholars,

We will begin a new study of the Civil Rights in March. After studying the American Civil War and slavery, the obvious question raised is "Why did it take 100 years before African-Americans were given equal rights?" Unfortunately the answer is rooted in hat and bigotry. The unit that the students and I will explore will deal with this and other difficult questions. Although we will deal with difficult topics, I have every faith that the students will find this study interesting, engaging and important.

I have posted the lessons and plans on my blog. Many of the activities will raise questions about all types of prejudice. We will use this unit as a jumping off for action projects. Please take some time to review the link to see what your child/loved one will research in social studies.

Sincerely,
Ted Duncan

High School Registration

The registration process for high school is very important.  Please talk with your child about what your family plans for high school will be.  I have included some links below.  There is also a link to the NC College Foundation under helpful links.  This is an invaluable tool for college planning.

Registration for Asheville High is due to the high school by Feb. 23.  Nancy can assist with notarizing paperwork.  

Please contact me and the high school your child will be attending with any questions.

Thanks,

Ted

Asheville High

Buncombe County High Schools

100 Points Extra Credit

Win a bus for the school with your writing skills. The first draft is due to me by Monday, February 9.

http://americasgreenestschool.com/

Inauguration Sites

Use the following link to learn more about the inauguration of our presidents:

http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/.

You can learn about the day's events, the history of the inauguration, and other interesting facts.