Dan Adam Lloyd…a 21st century scholar

Make sure you have your completed original poetry anthology and be ready to recite your memorized poem Monday, January 23, 2012

Poetry Anthology Project:

*Items to include:

1. Definition of poetry—How does poetry differ from prose? –paragraph or venn
diagram
2. Name Acrostic—sentences that describe you
3. I Am Poem (HO)
4. Poetry Definitions with examples of how word is used (HO)
5. Simile/Metaphor Poem (minimum of 10 lines with at least one example of a simile &
one metaphor)
6. Cinquain (HO)
7. Concrete Poem (HO)
8. Personification (images of personification—your original work, pics/symbols, cuttings
from magazine
9. Bio Report on favorite Georgia poet—one page MLA formated research report, also
include 5 samples of the poet’s work.
10.Haiku—2 samples—2 originals

*Anthology should be typed, colorful, creative, bound, and most importantly, demonstrate your knowledge of poetry.
*This is a PROJECT GRADE (projects count 40% of your grade)

Top Five Reasons Why Students Should Study Poetry
1. Poetry supports the development of the building blocks of literacy as defined in Put Reading First and No Child Left Behind.
2. Poetry supports the development of writing paradigms, such as The Six Traits of Writing, and addresses needs to raise the standards for writing.
3. Poetry is an excellent venue to teach and reinforce discrete grammar and vocabulary skills.
4. Poetry provides a focus for reading and writing, and helps students learn how to be concise.
5. Poetry supports components defined in brain research such as the importance of searching for patterns, and is an acceptable way for students to express emotions and feelings.

A few Reminders…
1. Get yourself a copy of Cold Sassy Tree by Burns (for annotating purposes)
2. Week 2–January 9–Persuasive Essay Prompt: Should schools be in session all year round? Write a persuasive essay in which you try to persuade readers to agree with your position. Use specific reasons & examples where possible. Required: Pre-writing web or jot list, rough draft w/ obvious corrections made, & a final copy–ALL handwritten with a blue/black pen–due Friday, 01/13/2012
GA Writing Assessment is Wednesday, January 18, 2012
3. Poetry Unit begins Monday!

8th grade Writing Assessment = Wednesday, January 18, 2012

First unit of 2nd Semester = Poetry

First novel of 2nd Semester = Cold Sassy Tree by Burns

2nd period Only:
1. Final copies of original Greek Myths due Wednesday–MLA format–two(2) typed pages.
2. Must read Chpt 13 The Trojan War from Edith Hamilton Mythology Tuesday for HW and be prepared for a reading comp. quiz Wednesday.

3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th period:
1. Final copies of original Greek Myths due Wednesday–MLA format–two(2) typed pages.
2. Must read Chpt 13 The Trojan War from Edith Hamilton Mythology Tuesday for HW and be prepared for a reading comp. quiz Thursday.

ALL classess:
Final exam Friday, 12/16/11–skills based–reading comp and grammar/usage–50 multiple choice questions.

-A Separate Peace—John Knowles
-Cold Sassy Tree—Olive Ann Burns
-Lord of the Flies—William Golding
-The House on Mango Street—Sandra Cisneros
-To Kill a Mockingbird—Harper Lee

With only 17 school days left in the first semester, we have much left to do. Today, we began writing our roughdrafts over the tragic hero from the Greek Tragedy Antigone–Antigone or Creon? Students should have their completed roughdrafts tomorrow with final copy due Wednesday, 11/30/11.

Also, students should get their own copy of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology–Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes as soon as possible.

Congratulations are in order for Challenge ELA8 (Lloyd) student Bethany Bell whose essay–”Are You Proud Of Your Country?”–won 2nd place in The Veteran’s of Foreign Wars district essay contest. Bethany will be honored at a VFW banquet and receive a $200.00 cash award. Her essay will now be entered in the state and national competitions where the winner will receive a $10,000 savings bond and an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. We wish Bethany much luck on this next round of judging.

Eighth graders at SMS continue to exceed the standard in writing!

This week we will spend Monday and Wednesday in the Media Center researching Georgia Authors. Each student will be required to gather biographical, educational, and occupational data on his/her specific Georgia author. Keep these essential questions in mind as you gather your research–”What contributions have my author made to Georgia’s literary scene? What sets them apart from other authors? What & why should I know who your Georgia author is?” Students will learn how to research effectively, document sources using MLA format, and how best to incorporate quotations into their writing. Due Friday–11/11/11–will be the Georgia Author’s Bio Report–with the Differentiated product (poster, powerpoint, personal blog, author newspaper or brochure) due Monday, 11/14/11.

It is difficult to believe we are already in our tenth(10) week of school with only eight(8) more school weeks until the 8th grade Writing Assessment. My students’ literary analysis and writing skills continue to grow, and I continue to be impressed with their desire to learn; however, some students are still failing to demonstrate the virtue of responsibility.

Our VFW Patriot’s Pen essay is due tomorrow. One winning essay will be chosen from each of my five(5) classes and mailed to the VFW Patriot’s Pen essay contest. Last year, my winner, Mary Ellen Malone won $1,000!

Students have a second essay due Friday–theme analysis over Fahreneheit 451. See me or a peer for the handout.

I will be at Kennesaw State University all day Thursday (no morning Writing Workshop) celebrating the National Day on Writing, so Ms. Patterson will be your sub. She has a creative writing assignment planned.

Let’s continue to demonstrate our “gifts” of reading, writing, and thinking!

Welcome back from your Fall Break. I trust you are well rested and ready to continue reading, thinking, and writing. By Friday, 10/14, a web/jotlist & a roughdraft over “How I am Proud of my Country” essay is due. By Monday, 10/17, you should have read all of part 3 of Fahrenheit 451 and completed your reading guides. Make sure you are annotating as you read. I continue to be impressed with my students’ literary analysis skills and writing abilities.