8th Grade Gives Back

Tutoring for the upcoming SOL test

Tutoring will occur this Tuesday, May 8th and Thursday, May 10th.  As always, we’ll begin promptly at 3:15 and work until 4:30.  Any student wishing to review test taking strategies while answering reading comprehension questions is encouraged to attend. See you there. :)

8th Grade: Reading SOL will be given on Tuesday, May 15th

7th Grade: Reading SOL will be given on Wednesday, May 16th

7th/8th Grade SOL English study guide

We are striving for AbSOLute Success with scores of 500 or better!

Attention: All Students

The deadline for AR points has been extended until Friday, May 25th. Students may take AR tests in the LMC or make arrangements with me.  However, it is your responsibility to bring the printout to me.  Otherwise, your grade will come from the printout from May 2nd that was given to me by our library media specialist.

D1 B3: May 2nd

I. Literature:  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

A. comprehensive multiple choice test

B. responses to the independent comprehension collected

II. SOL prep: 2011 SOL released test

III. Silent AR Reading–If you haven’t earned all of your points, I will accept them until May 25th! It will be your responsibility to bring me the printout.

Homework:

1. continue to work on essay in MyAccess-be wise with your submissions b/c more won’t be added- DUE by May 4th

2. comprehension packet: Underline/highlight the proof in the passage and label it with the question number that it answers.  This will be due on : May 4th

Did you register for Pre-Ap or AP English next year?

Dear Students,

Congratulations!  You have registered for a Pre-AP or AP English class next year. We hope you are motivated to read all you can, to discuss literature, and to improve your writing skills. In preparation for your Pre-AP or AP class, you have a summer reading assignment. Feel free to contact the English department leader, Ms. Emily Holloway, with any questions you may have over the summer.  She will forward your concerns to the correct grade level teacher.  Her email is eholloway@glnd.k12.va.us. If you are going to use the school’s copy of a book, please pick it up from the high school library before the last day of school.

  • 9th grade Pre-AP: The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Be prepared to discuss and write about the novel.  Copies are available in the GHS library.  You may also purchase your own copy.

Thank you,

Goochland High School English Department


D2 B1: April 23rd

Today’s Agenda:

I.Silent AR Reading

News Program

II.  Literature:

A. silent reading of Chapters 14 and 15 pgs.150-175

B. Independent Comprehension questions

1. Chapters Eleven to Fifteen # 14-24

III.  Students visited the Book Fair and had the opportunity to look around.  We’ll visit again on  Thursday.

Homework:

AR Reading–deadline is , Tuesday, May 1st

reading comprehension packet: due on April 25th.

English 8: week of April 23rd

FYI: After-school tutoring will occur Tuesday and Thursday of this week.  Please be aware that I will be attending a required meeting for teachers administering the SOL test on Tuesday after school.  Therefore, my students are asked to wait for me in the computer lab and I’ll pick them up once the meeting is over.

There are only 16 school days until the Reading SOL tests will be given. Some students are using their test taking strategies and continue to be successful with their comprehension packets.  Others, however are not. Please encourage your child to do so as our weekly practice gives each student an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the test and the types of questions that will be asked.

Let’s strive for AbSOLute Success this week as we focus on the following:

Literature:

Students will continue reading S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.  Students will read chapters 3-5 this week.   They will also hone their comprehension skills by answering critical thinking questions orally and in written form.  Quizzes will be given periodically.

Poetry:

As I mentioned in last week’s post, students will continue to review poetic devices through various in class activities.  Students will also begin their poetry anthology projects this week.  They will be presented in class on Monday, April 30th. (If you’d prefer an online copy be sent to you, please email me.)

SOL and reading comprehension:

To further prepare for the upcoming SOL test in May, students will continue to strengthen their comprehension skills by completing daily class activities as well as  reinforcement for  homework.  In addition, students are expected to read at least 10 pages each night.  Not only does frequent reading strengthen comprehension skills but it’s the only way to accumulate the AR points for the marking period.  AR points will be due on May 1st.  Points earned after May 1st will not be accepted.

English 8: week of April 16th

FYI: There will be no after-school tutoring this Tuesday due to a scheduled faculty meeting.  Tutoring will resume Thursday after-school beginning at 3:30.

There are only 21 school days until the Reading SOL tests will be given. Let’s strive for AbSOLute Success this week as we focus on the following:

Literature:

Students will begin reading S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.  Students should expect to work together as they engage in group discussions about the content of what they read.  They will also hone their comprehension skills by answering critical thinking questions orally and in written form.  Quizzes will be given periodically.

Poetry:

As we move through our unit on poetry, students will complete a personalized poetry portfolio.    Students will create a portfolio of poems clustered around a theme, and create an analysis and commentary about several of the poems.  A rubric and additional details will be given at a later date.

SOL and reading comprehension:

To further prepare for the upcoming SOL test in May, students will continue to strengthen their comprehension skills by completing daily class activities as well as  reinforcement for  homework.  In addition, students are expected to read at least 10 pages each night.  Not only does frequent reading strengthen comprehension skills but it’s the only way to accumulate the AR points for the marking period.

D1 B3: April 3rd

I. Focused Lesson: Point of View (first person, limited third person, and omniscient )

II. In-class novel: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

A. Literature Circle:

1. reading of chapter 7

2. As a group, discuss the accident with the swing and Pavel’s help. Because of this incident, what does he learn about:

a. Pavel and his former life?

b. His mother and her attitude towards Pavel?

c. His father and his attitude towards Pavel?

d. Can you identify why this minor incident might be significant for Bruno’s understanding of adults and their behavior?

e. Do these pages provide any clues that might help you predict what might happen next?

3. reading of chapter 8 and 9

4. Comprehension questions:

- Chapters Six to Ten # 6-17

III.  The Short Life of Anne Frank (background knowledge prior to research essay)

Homework:

SOL comprehension packet is due on Thursday

Tutoring for Reading Comprehension

Who: any 7th or 8th grade student taught by me

What: tutoring to strengthen reading comprehension skills

When: Tuesday and Thursday after-school from 3:30-4:30 until the SOL test is given

Where: in our English classroom

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