January / February

During the months of January and February, various topics were addressed: Figurative Language:

• Metaphors
• Onomatopoeia
• Simile
• Hyperbole
• Personification
• Alliteration
• Imagery
• Idioms

Figurative Quotes: Students were given various quotes and asked to interpret their meanings.

• "It raining cats and dogs"

- It is raining really hard.

• "Good students burn the midnight oil"

- In order to achieve educational goals, a dedicated students asserts extra energy. Students were assigned to write their own quotes that are familiar in their cultures and share it with the class. Assignment:

• Using specific quotes or figurative language quote, compose a motto / goal for your life.

Comprehension: Poem "Corner" by Ralph Pomeroy Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:

"Corner" by Ralph Pomeroy

Directions: Underline all examples of similes, metaphors and personification and label them.

The cop slumps alertly at his motorcycle, supported by one leg like a leather stork. His glance accuses me of loitering*. I can see his eyes moving like a fish in the green depths of his green goggles. His ease is fake. I can tell. My ease is fake. And he can tell. The fingers armoured by his gloves Splay* and clench, itching to change something. As if he were my enemy or my death, I just stand there watching. I spit out my gum which has gone stale. I knock out my new cigarette -- Which is my bravery. It is all imperceptible*: The way I shift my weight, The way he creaks in the saddle. The traffic is specific though constant. The sun surrounds me, divides the street between us. His crash helmet is whiter in the shade. It is like a bullring as they say it is just before the fighting. I cannot back down. I am there. Everything holds me back. I am in danger of disappearing into the sunny dust, My levis bake and my T-shirt sweats. My cigarette makes my eyes burn. But I don't dare drop it. Who made him my enemy? Prince of coolness. King of fear. Why do I lean here waiting? Why does he lounge there watching? I am becoming sunlight. My hair is on fire. My boots run like tar. I am hung-up by the bright air. Something breaks through all of a sudden. And he blasts off, quick as a craver, Snug in his power; watching me watch.

* loitering (v): moving around or waiting suspiciously in a public place

*splay (v): to spread out, expand, or extend

* imperceptible (adj): Impossible or difficult to see or sense

Analysis Questions for “Corner”

• Copy two lines from the poem that are examples of metaphors.

• Copy two lines from the poem that are examples of similes.

• Copy two lines from the poem that are examples of personification.

• Why do you think the author compares the cop’s eyes to a fish’s eyes?

• Why does he compare his cigarette to “bravery?”

• Why do you think the speaker stays in the heat of the sun rather than moving into the shade?

• How would you answer the speaker’s question, “Who made him my enemy?”

Author's Purpose:

• In your group, peruse the given article. Establish the author's purpose and give a brief synopsis of the article in your response.

Individual Assignment:

• Research and locate an article of your choice. Read carefully, establishing the Author's Purpose. Mount the article on construction paper, explain briefly the main idea, stating how easy it was to figure out the Author's Purpose.

Black History Month:

• On a personal basis, describe what does awareness of Black History mean to you. How aware are you informed, entertain, and/or persuade.

• In your groups, identify an African American or Hispanic inventor whether in science / medicine, entertain, music, civil rights etc. any feat of great importance. Document your findings on construction paper, poster board, chart or any form of display easily seen. Type all information. High grades will be awarded for top presentation, neatness, legibility and accuracy of information.

December

During the month of December, we read, discussed and explored the historical fiction "The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963": This story explored many aspects of a family's journey in the year 1963, at time of great racial segregation. One of these aspects is a church bombing at an African-American church: The students viewed a documentary of the girls who were killed in the sixteenth street bombing, as well as various information on the Civil Rights Era The four girls who were killed in the sixteenth street church bombing: Students were asked to interview an adult as to their recollection of events of that time. Novelties:

1. In the novel, "The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963," describe your favorite character. Explain why he/she is your favorite? Do you think he/she was treated fairly by the author?
2. In your own words, explain, What are the limitations of Kenny being the narrator and the novel being told from a first-person perspective. Is the story's account biased in any way?
3. What is your impression of Rufus?
4. If you were Kenny would you have made friends with Rufus?
5. Would you have apologized to Rufus if you were Kenny?
6. Have you been bullied before? How did you handle it?
7. List 5 things you would do to make them feel confortable?

Write an essay entitled "My First Road Trip". In your answer be sure to include:

• How old you were
• Where you went
• Preparations made for the trip
• A desciption of the journey
• Your arrival
• Your return trip

Notable contents:

• Major and Minor characters
• Irony, Mood, and Tone
• Point-of -view (First, Second, Third Person)
• Illusion
• Symbols

Word of the Day:

Compose original sentences of the wotds, displaying your understanding of each word:

• Transition
• Tsunami
• Retribution
• Extort
• Analyzing
• Demonstration
• Independent
• Application
• Honor
• Determination
• Decorum
• Implication

Additional Assignments:

Character Sketch

• Write a detailed description of all the major characters in "The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963"

November

Oral Presentation Research the Civil Rights Era. 1. What was the Civil Rights Era? 2. Who were the people involved? 3. What roles did they play? 4. What was going on in the world at that time? 5. Have things changed much since then? How? Rubric Word Of The Day

1. Experience 2. Memory 3. Patience 4. Forgiveness 5. Conscience 6. Confront 7. Prejudice 8. Endurance 9. Repercussion

Homework I. II. In your assigned groups, discuss and complete a list of the types of conflicts that a person your age might encounter.Disuss what would be hard about each situation and generate a list of possible solutions. Assignment will be presented in the class.

III. Using the Words of the Day, develop original sentences, demonstrating your understanding of these terms. IV. Post-Thanksgiving Assignment:

Plot- Student Examples

Students were required to compose PLOTS to original stories and present them on construction paper, demonstrating their understanding of the concept - PLOT.

Tracey Cruz

Victor Ramos

Coleen Cobbs

Amber Johnson

Sarai Ramos

October

During the month of October we discussed the Essential ELA Skills:

• Main Idea
• Details
• Context Clues
• Making Inferences
• Making Predictions
• Drawing Conclusions

• Comparing and Contrasting
• Sequencing Events
• Summarizing

Word of the Day:

• Tsunami
• Transitional
• Retribution
• Extort
• Analyzing
• Demonstration
• Independent
• Application
• Honor
• Determination
• Decorum
• Implications

September

In the month of September, we explored the parts and types of a paragraph.

We reviewed three types of paragraphs:

1. Descriptive

2. Narrative

3. Persuasive

We also reviewed Topic Sentences - (Thesis sentence-Honors)

Parts of an essay are :

1. Introduction

2. Body

3. Conclusion

Word of The Day

• Experience
• Memory
• Patience
• Forgiveness
• Respect
• Forgiveness
• Conscience
• Consequence
• Confront
• Prejudice
• Endurance
• Repercussion

Homework:

1. My life 10 years from now

2. My dreams/aspirations for 8th grade

3. My favorite place to be

4. My Community

5. Choose 9 of the W.o.t.d. and formulate original sentences displaying your comprehension of these words.