Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - Friday Update

Sixth Grade turned in book reports and had final test on Al Capone Does My Shirts. We will begin a new unit in literature next week, but students may begin reading for the next book report.

Seventh Grade had a vocabulary quiz on unit 10 and went to the library for new books. We will continue reading Brian's Song next week.

Eighth Grade had a great discussion about the conclusion of The House of the Scorpion. Final essays are due on Monday.
The House of the Scorpion – Final Essay Topics

Write a four to five paragraph essay on ONE of the following topics. Use the books in order to be as specific as possible in your examples.

Follow the directions:
1. Write your essay in black or dark blue ink.
2. Double-space your essay.
3. Write on one side of the paper only.
4. If you want to type your paper, double-space it in 12-point font.

What do you feel is the main theme of this book as a whole? Please remember that a theme is the message that the author wants to convey to readers. This theme could relate to several elements, including (but not limited to):
- the effects of scientific experimentation
- the prospect of human cloning
- the treatment of less fortunate groups of people
- the power of the individual
- the effect of excessive greed and power

Write a character sketch of one of the most important characters in the novel. This character does not have to be the protagonist Matt, but you may choose to focus on a minor character or an antagonist. Reveal this person’s main characteristics, how he or she reveals those characteristics, and how this character was important in the action of the book. Examples include:
Celia
Maria
Tam Lin
Tom
MacGregor
Esperanza
Chacho
Fidelito

Write a comparison/contrast essay on Matt and El Patron. Although they are essentially the same person, there are many differences in their characters, actions, and fates. Show specific examples of their similarities and their differences.

Write an essay in which you discuss the importance of the setting in this science fiction novel. What makes the setting believable, or does Nancy Farmer create a completely unimaginable setting? Which specific details about the setting were believable? Focus on the elements that were most memorable.

Discuss the importance of the limited third person point of view from Matt. How did this point of view affect the reader’s feelings about other characters? How did this point of view create suspense for the reader? Was this point of view effective for this type of science fiction novel?

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - February 25, 2009

Sixth Grade - Students are to be finished with Al Capone Does My Shirts by tomorrow; there will be a final reading quiz and a review for the final test, which will be on Friday. Book reports are also due on Friday, but I have instructed any student who is having problems finishing the book report to discuss a postponement with me.
Seventh Grade - We are now finished with When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, both the book and the movie and have written about the differences between the two. We will now begin a brief drama unit on Brian's Song. Students will have a vocabulary quiz on unit 10 on Friday. Book reports are due next Monday.
Eighth Grade - Students are to be finished with House of the Scorpion by tomorrow, at which time we will review for a final test on Friday. Students will also have an assignment on vocabulary units 7 and 8 on Thursday.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts February 19, 2009

All students should be following their reading schedules, which are posted on my website link.

For Friday, February 19, 2009:
Sixth Grade will have an open-book assignment in class on Friday on their latest reading assignment in Al Capone Does My Shirts. Also, book reports are due next Friday.

Seventh Grade will complete and turn in the final drafts of the 2nd composition for the state writing assessment on Friday. I have returned and discussed the rough drafts. Students should also be finished with When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by tomorrow, at which time they will take the AR test and begin essays on Monday.

Eighth Grade will have an open-book assignment on the latest reading in House of the Scorpion. They will also work on vocabulary, and all book reports are due on Friday.

I will be at a workshop on Friday, but I will be back at school on Monday.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - Thursday Update

All students may check my website link for reading schedules and book report dates and forms.
Eighth Grade - In-class writing assignment: Become either an eejit or a clone (like MacGregor's) and write your thoughts and feelings about a typical day. Vocabulary Quiz on unit 9 tomorrow.
Seventh Grade - Discussion of book and essays in class and begin individual research presentations today. Follow your reading schedules.
Sixth Grade - Good class discussion on book today. Continue reading!

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - Tuesday Update

Sixth Grade began presentations on topics pertaining to the setting of the novel Al Capone Does My Shirts. Students should read through chapter 7 for tomorrow.
Seventh Grade had a vocabulary quiz today, and we discussed our reading in When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Students should read through chapter 8 for tomorrow and through chapter 10 for Thursday. We will also begin research for the second state writing assessment tomorrow.
Eighth Grade finished research presentations in class today and did the exercises in vocabulary unit 6. Students need to be through the second section "Middle Age" in House of the Scorpion for tomorrow.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

Saturday was a productive day for all classes!
Eighth grade discussed a worksheet on the first section of House of the Scorpion. Students should be through chapter 8 by Monday.
Seventh grade did some in-class research and presentations. Students should have read through chapter 7 in When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.
Sixth Grade finished research in the library and will present information on Monday. They should also have read through chapter 5 in Al Capone Does My Shirts.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

All students should be reading for book reports. Eighth grade students also need to read chapter 3 in House of the Scorpion for Tuesday. Seventh grade will begin a new novel tomorrow, and sixth grade will finish the drama section by Wednesday.