DUE DATES—FIRST TRIMESTER/FIELDS
STUDENTS: Any one of these dates/expectations could change due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. SNOWmageddon J!, my absence, our coverage speed… The best way to use my blog (see syllabus) and this due dates packet is to ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD; see what assignments are in the imminent future. If you do not look/plan ahead, you may come to class unprepared. You have much more responsibility this year re: keeping up with assignments. I will not remind you day to day. Put these due dates on your agenda; check you agenda every night by looking ahead at least a week or two…
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The first time you see your block will be the date of the assignment, paper, quiz, test, etc.
In the first week, we will need to do a little bit of “housekeeping” re: my blog, teacher’s policies, Davis policies (dress and academic) teacher’s expectations, intruder drills, fire drills, tornado drills, location of AEDs in case of emergency, etc. As far as academics go, you will have a quiz on A Separate Peace. We will also begin discussion of this classic and do so through various approaches, some teacher-led and some student-led. I think that you will discover some interesting ways to approach and to study/unlock literature this year.
WEEK 1: Remember: You always need to look a week and half to two weeks ahead in this packet; you must always know what lies ahead and be prepared.
M. 8-15 A Day: All BLKS: WELCOME! MF: 8th TEAM mtg??? Chat about summer reading assignments due from ALL students (DO NOT PANIC – YOU HAVE A WEEK!) ;handouts; book distribution; talk about how to best use due dates packet/ agenda; for HW get your syllabus signed for a quiz grade; you need to give me that signed syllabus no later than in class Friday (8-19) for credit. You do not receive a 0 for not returning any parent-teacher communication; you will receive an “X” instead of 100 quiz grade. Just remember, good quiz grades can help an end-of-quarter average.
HW:
T. 8-16 BLKS. 1,3 – Quiz over A Separate Peace ; signed syllabus due; I will make first writing assignment – As is often the case, the honors assignment will differ from the on-level assignment. On-level classes will write either a Personal Museum paper or page of your (Gene’s autobiography)/TBA. Honors will write responses to teacher-generated analogues in some way related to the novel. Honors paper due 8-26; on-level paper due 8-29. Today I will introduce and apply some literary trends. 
HW: due dates on agenda if you did not do so in class today; signed syllabus; work on summer written work for ASP. Tomorrow –or next time your block meets – have prepared 5 questions about ASP; also, have prepared 3 of the most important and/or puzzling quotations that you found in ASP. This is a good way to start discussion of the novel. These should be prepared in New Times Roman/12 font. Use quotation marks and documentation correctly according to MLA that you were taught in the last 2 years at DAMS. If you have forgotten, GOOGLE MLA documentation or see day handouts and find correct example. Note that the 5 quotations do not have to necessarily be actual dialogue. You should be working on Unit 1 in vocabulary book; do each unit over a span of days; in 8th grade I do not check to see that you have done vocabulary work – you should do it because doing so will help you. On each vocabulary test, you must spell the words, use them correctly in sentences with contextual clues, know synonyms and antonyms. I recommend that you use flash cards for your study. You should also at this time -- and throughout every week -- prepare for your roots tests. The first test will be over page 1. You should know each root, its meaning, two words from the right column – and their definitions that reflect the root’s influence. Every roots test is COMPREHENSIVE. Also, any time you have an outside novel or class-assigned novel, you should be working on that as well. 
W. 8-17 BLKS 1,7,6,3 – MF: PAC? Turn in signed syllabus; blocks 7,6 quiz over ASP; MS. Fields, make Personal Museum paper assignment or analogues/page in Gene’s autobiography assignment; give rubrics; Introduction to some important literary trends; see literary trends sheet.
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Th. 8-18 BLKS 7,6 –Turn in signed syllabus; questions and quotes should be available in case I take them up; we will discuss several important ideas about how to read literature, what to look for, literary trends (see sheet), inverted symbols (shirt), optical illusion to show background matters, small example to represent big example (story vs. novel/string), elements of story and elements of novel (diagram), archetype characters/literature, title of the novel, ascension in literature, 3 things that typically happen in a story or novel: someone comes to visit, something hidden is revealed, someone takes a trip (journey); personal museum; Freitag’s/Freytag’s pyramid. 
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F. 8-19 B day; All BLKS – last day to turn in signatures for syllabus; questions and quotes should be available in case I take them up; we will discuss several important ideas about how to read literature, what to look for, literary trends (see sheet), inverted symbols (shirt), small example to represent big example (story vs. novel/string), optical illusion to show background matters,elements of story and elements of novel (diagram), archetype characters/literature, title of the novel, ascension in literature, 3 things that typically happen in a story or novel: someone comes to visit, something hidden is revealed, someone takes a trip (journey); personal museum; Freitag’s/Freytag’s pyramid.
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WEEK 2 : Remember: You always need to look a week and half to two weeks ahead in this packet; you must always know what lies ahead and be prepared. You should be working on Unit 1 in vocabulary book; do each unit over a span of days; in 8th grade I do not check to see that you have done vocabulary work – you should do it because doing so will help you. On each vocabulary test, you must spell the words, use them correctly in sentences with contextual clues, know synonyms and antonyms. I recommend that you use flash cards for your study. You should also at this time -- and throughout every week -- prepare for your roots tests. The first test will be over page 1. You should know each root, its meaning, two words from right column – and their definitions that reflect the root’s influence. Every roots test is COMPREHENSIVE. LOOK AHEAD on your due dates; be sure you are aware of deadlines in the imminent future. Also, anytime you have an outside novel or class-assigned novel, you should be reading.
M. 8-22 –All BLKS – MF: 8th TEAM? Bring in all summer written work; this work was assigned to ALL students, and you were reminded on day 1. Be ready to present your illustrations. Ms. Fields will check to see what was left over from Thursday and Friday of last week and be sure we are all on the same page. As you will see today, student illustrations will be one way that we will bring meaning to summer reading. Some of our discussion will be generated by your work, ideas, questions, etc. There are many approaches we will take to our exploration of literature this year.
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T. 8-23 –BLKS 1,3 –Finish explanation of illustrations; discussing your gleaned quotations and generated questions;
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W. 8-24 – BLKS 1,7,6,3—MF: PAC? Ms. Fields has Back to School Night: urge your parents to come! Finish explanation of illustrations. We continue to go over quotations/questions in our ASP discussion. 
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Th. 8-25 – BLKS 7,6 -- Finish illustrations; continue quotations/questions in our discussion of ASP.
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F. 8-26 –All BLKS –Honors analogs are due; Ms. Fields will double check to see that all drill procedures have by now been discussed: fire, tornado, intruder, etc. ASP discussion; quotations and questions; related Newsweek article: “Letter from a Son”/ and other newspaper articles applied to ASP. 
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WEEK 3: Remember: You always need to look a week and half to two weeks ahead in this packet; you must always know what lies ahead and be prepared. You should be working on Unit 1 in vocabulary book; do each unit over a span of days; in 8th grade I do not check to see that you have done vocabulary work – you should do it because doing so will help you. On each vocabulary test, you must spell the words, use them correctly in sentences with contextual clues, know synonyms and antonyms. I recommend that you use flash cards for your study. You should also at this time -- and throughout every week -- prepare for your roots tests. The first test will be over page 1, second test over pages 1 & 2, etc. You should know each root, its meaning, two words from right column – and their definitions that reflect the root’s influence. Every roots test is COMPREHENSIVE. LOOK AHEAD on your due dates; be sure you are aware of deadlines in the imminent future. Also, anytime you have an outside novel or a class-assigned novel, you should be reading that too. 
HW:
M. 8-29—All BLKS –MF: 8th TEAM? On-level personal museums are due; extemporaneous responses to analogues selected by teacher: you grab it – you gab it! This is a great exercise that requires one to “think on his feet” and articulate/explain an idea related to ASP. FUN! I will hand out first book-of-choice assignment on auto/biography. You will get rubric and writing assignment for this assignment as well. This is due on 10-9. I will give you a “heads-up” note for parents, as one may have to drive you to book store or library. As always, if you bring the signed notification back, you get a 100 as quiz grade. If you do not, you receive “x”, which carries no weight.
HW: Parent notification signed;
T. 8-30—BLKS 1,3 –Faculty meeting; continue extemporaneous responses (Grab and gab); turn in parent notification.
HW: Parent notification signed; pack for a fun 2 days at 8th grade retreat at Coleman!
W. 8-31 --No classes/retreat
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Th. 9-1 —No classes/retreat
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F. 9-2—All BLKS –Mr. Ridalski is substitute for the day; last day to turn in parent signatures; finish extemporaneous responses (Grab and gab) to analogues on Tuesday if we have not; Ms. Fields be sure every block is “on same page” due to irregular week. 
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WEEK 4: From this point on, I will not remind you that you should be looking ahead on due dates to see imminent due dates; nor will I remind you to be working on vocabulary and roots and reading all along. If you do a little each night, you will be able to “keep your head above water” and swim – not drown. I am training you for high school when you will be entirely accountable for yourselves. I love you J 
M. 9-5 – Holiday/Labor Day – Rest for the Weary!:) 
HW:
T. 9-6—BLKS 1,3—MF: Get (auto)biography assignment ready – rubric, note home to parents, etc. Do I need to finish extemporaneous responses (grab and gab) due to my absence last week? Winding up discussion of ASP; what is a “sp”, talk about bullying/ants/character analysis, Genesis story, archetype, ascension, literary trends, names, fake personae (Leper and Gene vs. Finny), motivations, reality; hand out “Story of an Hour”; this should be read at home tonight. Watch for ascension, natural senses awakening, epiphany, determine time/date of story by making inferences, etc. Read this carefully; find the climax/turning point.
HW: Read the story; type 3 questions gleaned from reading; type 3 quotations you are puzzled by or think are important.
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W. 9-7—BLKS 1,7,6,3—MF: PAC? Finish ASP discussion/loose ends; give BLKS 7, 6 “Story of an Hour” to be read tonight unless time in class; discuss “Story of an Hour”; ascension, natural senses awakening, epiphany, determine time/date of story by making inferences; climax/turning point. 
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Th. 9-8—BLKS 7,6—Finish ASP discussion/loose ends; discuss “Story of an Hour”; ascension, natural senses awakening, epiphany, determine time/date of story by making inferences, climax/turning point.
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F. 9-9—All BLKS – 25 minute vocab test 1; tie up any loose ends from week. MF: Hand out (auto)biography assignment and rubric. Give out parent signature sheet; due back, signed for 100 quiz grade by 9-16. You should have finished reading the book by about September 23; your written assignment is due October 6.
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WEEK 5:
M. 9-12—All BLKS – MF: 8th TEAM? 15 minute roots 1 test; any questions re: ASP? Any loose ends re: ASP? Has “Story of an Hour” been well discussed/examined? Ms. Fields prepares rubric for short story (narrative)you will write and copy of “DogGONE Ending…” to read and study short story elements and progression of plot. 
HW: Parent signature sheet.
T. 9-13—BLKS 1,3 – YOUR STORY MATTERS! Hand out “DogGONE Ending” and read aloud if finished with “Story of an Hour”; be sure we have finished good discussion/examination of Freitag’s pyramid and “Story of Hour”, “DogGONE Ending”, etc. elements of short story/novel – difference; see diagram that shows elements.
HW: Rd. “DogGONE Ending” if we did not do so in class. Parent signature sheet.
W. 9-14—BLKS 1,7,6,3— MF: PAC? 20 minute diction 1 test; YOUR STORY MATTERS! Hand out “DogGONE Ending” and re-read aloud if time in class; be sure we have finished good discussion/examination of Freitag’s pyramid and “Story of an Hour” and “DogGONE Ending”; elements of short story/novel – difference; see diagram that shows elements.
HW: Rd. “DogGONE ending” if we did not. Parent signature sheet.
Th. 9-15—BLKS 7,6—cover any part of elements of novel/short story not yet covered in preparation for students’ short story writing assignment; be sure we have finished examining “DogGONE Ending”.
HW: Parent signature sheet.
F. 9-16—All BLKS – Parent signature sheets due; examine short story elements/plot progression; give out rubric/make assignment re: narrative writing. Your short story is due 10-14.
HW:
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WEEK 6:
M. 9-19 –All BLKS – MF: PAC? Grammar house; intro to analogies/contextual reading. Look ahead; you will see that you have major test tomorrow or following day and literary terms test next week. 
HW:
T. 9-20—BLKS 1,3—MF: FACULTY mtg. A Separate Peace test; bring your fast hand
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W. 9-21—BLKS 1,7,6,3—MF: PAC? Grammar, SSWE, analogies, contextual reading;
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Th. 9-22 – BLKS 7,6 – A Separate Peace test; bring your fast hand
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F. 9-23—All BLKS— grammar, SSWE, analogies, contextual reading exercises.
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WEEK 7:
M. 9-26—All BLKS—MF: 8th TEAM? Literary terms test 1 is over first half of the literary terms sheet given on first or second day of class; be able to define each term and/or spot/provide examples of. 
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T. 9-27 BLKS 1,3—Diagramming work, analogies, SSWE, contextual reading; 
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W. 9-28 BLKS 1,7,6,3—MF: PAC? Diagramming work, analogies, contextual reading, SSWE. 
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Th. 9-29 BLKS 7,6 --Grammar, SSWE, contextual reading, analogies, diagramming;
HW: Study for roots 2 test, which is day after Rosh Hashana so you do NOT have to study on holiday!
F. 9-30 -- No classes first half of day due to Continental Congress; at this point, Mr. Frank has not told us what to expect 2nd half of day with 8th grade. At any rate, I will be absent; you will likely have Mr. Radulski if a sub is needed.
HW: Study for roots 2 test so you do not have to study on a religious holiday!!!
WEEK 8:
M. 10-3— Holiday/Rosh Hashanah
HW: No homework if you planned/worked ahead.
T. 10-4—Holiday/Rosh Hashanah
HW: No homework if you planned/worked ahead of time as requested for your roots test tomorrow.
W. 10-5 A Day/ All BLKS—MF: PAC? I had warned/asked you to study earlier than the Rosh Hashanah holidays so you could observe those days… I hope you did so. Roots 2 test; remember that all roots tests are comprehensive; be sure you know the information from roots page 1 as well. If you stay caught up, you will be fine. If you get behind on the roots packet, each test will be more and more difficult to do well on. The ol’ snowball effect is hard to manage.
HW:
Th. 10-6—A day: all BLKS – (Auto)biography essay questions are due; grammar, SSWE, analogies, contextual reading, diagramming, roots…
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F. 10-7—All BLKS – Vocabulary test 2.
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WEEK 9:
M. 10-10—All BLKS –MF: 8th TEAM? Roots 3 test; I will hand out your next class-assigned novel SPEAK. Due dates for reading/quizzes:
Marking Period 1/10--14
Marking Period 2/10-21
Marking Period 3/11-14
Marking Period 4 TBA/next trimester
HW:
T. 10-11—No classes; half day/Erev Yom Kippur; Jewish Film Festival!
HW: None if you planned/worked ahead…
Wed. 10-12 – Holiday/Yom Kippur.
HW: None if you planned/worked ahead…
Th. 10-13 B day/All BLKS-- 10:00 AM arrival to school; we will tie up some loose ends…Bring SPEAK to class…
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F. 10-14—All BLKS-- Narratives due; SPEAK, part 1 due; quiz.
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WEEK 10:
M. 10-17—Holiday/Sukkot
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T. 10-18—BLKS 1,3-- MF: Faculty mtg. Discuss SPEAK
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Wed. 10-19 –BLKS 1,7,6,3-- MF: PAC? Vocab test 1-3; discuss SPEAK;
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Th. 10-20 BLKS 7,6—Discuss SPEAK
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F. 10-21 B day/All BLKS. SPEAK quiz, part 2 – SHORTENED TO ACCOMMODATE FOR TIME.
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WEEK 11:
M. 10-24 Holiday/Simchat Torah
HW:
T. 10-25 BLKS 1,3 –SPEAK, part 2 discussion if we have not finished; grammar, SSWE, contextual reading, analogies…
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W. 10-26 BLKS 1,7,6,3 – MF: PAC? Vocab test 3 BLK 6; SPEAK, part 2 discussion if we have not finished 
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Th. 10-27 BLKS 7,6 – SPEAK, part 2 discussion if we have not finished.
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F. 10-28 All BLKS – Roots 4 test; remember, you are responsible for ALL roots from page 1…MS. Fields will decide on next book of choice assignment and have ready for Monday.
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WEEK 12:
M. 10-31 All BLKS – MF: 8th TEAM? Diction 2 test over entire diction sheet; you need to be able to spell each word correctly and determine which word to use given contextual clues. I will give the next book of choice instructions, a heads-up note for parents that should be signed for quiz grade.
HW: Parent signature due;
T. 11-1 BLKS 1,3 – MF: Faculty mtg. Part 3/SPEAK – quiz and discussion; this is a NO HW night, which you should be able to enjoy if you have looked and planned ahead…
HW: Parent signature;
W. 11-2 BLKS 1,7,6,3 – MF: PAC? Part 3/SPEAK – quiz and discussion BLKS 7,6
HW: Parent signature;
Th. 11-3 BLKS 7,6 –Part 3/ SPEAK discussion
HW: Parent signature
F. 11-4 All BLKS -- Grandparents & Special Friends day – not sure as of this date how that event will impact schedule…TBA; SPEAK discussion/part 3; last day for parent signature.
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WEEK 13:
M. 11-7 All BLKS—MF: 8th TEAM? Vocab 4 test; hand out grammar test 1 study sheet. The test date will be announced today or in a day or two; clearly it will be at beginning of Trimester 2.
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T. 11-8 BLKS 1,3 – grammar, diagramming, SSWE, analogies, contextual reading
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W. 11-9 BLKS 1,7,6,3 – MF: PAC? Literary terms/Test 2; grammar and diagramming;
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Th. 11-10 BLKS 7,6 –grammar and diagramming;
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F. 11-11 All BLKS –Roots 5 test; you have nearly survived trimester 1 – just one more week!!!!!!
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M. 11-14 – All BLKS-- Speak, part 3 due; quiz.
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T. 11-15 – BLKS 1,3-- Discussion of SPEAK, part 3.
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W. 11-16 – BLKS 1,7,6,3-- MF: PAC? Ms. Fields, have all grades finished for trimester 1; discussion of SPEAK, part 3
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TH. 11-17—BLKS 7,6-- discussion of SPEAK, part 3.
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F. 11-18 – All BLKS: Today is last day of trimester 1; let’s see what we have to wrap up…
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IMMINENT DUE DATES IN TRIMESTER 2:
SPK/part 4: ____________________________________________
Grammar test 1 ________________________________________
Vocab 5______________________________________________
Roots 6_______________________________________________
Book of choice _________________________________________
