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.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

Sixth Grade - Check my website for the new book report requirements.

Seventh Grade - We had a great discussion on poetry in class today. Students should read "The Only Girl in the World for Me" and finish vocabulary exercises (if they did not finish in class).

Eighth Grade - We had a great discussion on "Flowers for Algernon" in class today, as well as a final assignment. Check my website for the new book requirements.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

This short day and short week, classes are playing "catch-up" on assignments before we begin new projects.
Sixth Grade will present book report presentations from last week, and we will spend time in class going over last week's exams.
Seventh Grade will also finish book report presentations and go over exams.
Eighth Grade will go over exams and read "Flowers for Algernon."
There will be little to no homework this week. We will get to new units in literature next week, as well as begin learning labs on Thursdays for students who need help in class and with test-taking strategies.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

Reminder to sixth and seventh grade students:
Sixth grade will begin book reports in class next Thursday.
Seventh grade will begin book reports in class next Wednesday.
The exam schedule for next week is:
Tuesday 8:00 – 10:00
Seventh Grade Math Exam
Sixth Grade ELA Exam
Eighth Grade Social Studies Exam

Wednesday 8:00 – 10:00
Seventh Grade ELA Exam
Sixth Grade Science Exam
Eighth Grade Math Exam

Thursday 8:00 – 10:00
Seventh Grade Science Exam
Sixth Grade Social Studies Exam
Eighth Grade ELA Exam

Friday 8:00 – 10:00
Seventh Grade Social Studies Exam
Sixth Grade Math Exam
Eighth Grade Science Exam
Get plenty of rest this weekend!

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

Congratulations to our students eligible to attend the third merit party of the year:
Caroline Christy
Kalyn Billingsley
Greg Palmer
Lindsay Wagner
Becca Johnson
Cristell Ruiz
Roy Pioquinto
Tyler Owens
Spencer Huggins
Parker Sims
Felipe Ruiz
Skyler Wagner
Austin Baty
Ellie Cate Beavers
Olivia Dendy
Candi Dills
Emily Dorsey
Craig Forster
Emily Gabbard
Brianna Marshall
Javier Montalvo
Paige Moss
Tyler Munger
Jessie Palmer
Rebekah Parks
Emily Shuler
Rachael Smith
Cali Smolarsky
Jordon Speed
Ryan Vinson
Brittney Webb
Brett Wilson
Valarie Billingsley
Allie Bolt
Grace Brassard
Preston Chastain
Ann Marie Crowe
Andrew Figel
Elizabeth Houston
McKinley Moseley
April Moss
Philip Murphy
Kirstyn Owen
Ivy Satterwhite
Desiray Schmitt
Jessica Tilson
Kassie Vinson
Josh Wolfrey
These students have worked diligently and shown great citizenship this grading period.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

REMINDER FOR EIGHTH GRADE:
You have in-class book reports tomorrow!
Seventh grade has a vocabulary quiz and a reading quiz tomorrow.
Sixth grade has an open-book assignment on "The Case of the Speckled Band" tomorrow in class.
I will post next week's exam schedule tomorrow.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - Monday

Since I have mandatory test training on Thursday afternoon, my learning lab will be on Tuesday afternoon this week.
Sixth Grade - We are beginning a new unit on drama today. The only homework students have is to read for book reports.
Seventh Grade - We are beginning a new unit (Living in the Heart) today by going over literary terms pertaining to poetry. Students should read for book reports.
Eighth Grade - We read a story, "The Ninny" by Anton Chekhov, from the textbook last Friday, and we are reading the dramatization of the same story, "The Governess" by Neil Simon, in class today. Students should read "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes for tomorrow. In-class book reports are on Friday.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - Friday Update

Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a great holiday.
We spent this short day catching up with grading and discussing book reports and tentative plans for the remainder of this grading period. Reminders of in-class book reports --
Eighth Grade Friday January 9th
Seventh Grade Wednesday January 14th
Sixth Grade Friday January 16th
Have a nice weekend!

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

All students should read over the holiday break, but there is no written homework.
Progress reports go home today as well!

Congratulations!

The middle school faculty wishes to congratulate the following students:
Becca Johnson for being elected Junior Beta Club President,
Kalyn Billingsley for being elected Junior Beta Club Vice-President,
and the following students for being eligible to become members of Junior Beta Club by earning a 93 (or higher) average for the first two grading periods:
Ellie Cate Beavers
Emily Gabbard
Jessie Palmer
Emily Shuler
Emily Dorsey
Paige Moss
Ryan Vinson
Caroline Christy
Cheyenne Fleszar
Corbin Hawkins
Greg Palmer
Cristell Ruiz
Lindsay Wagner
Mrs. Lane will send home more information next week concerning dues, requirements, services, and induction service scheduled for February.
Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

All classes are working in class on Coach books and test-taking skills. Students have no homework over the weekend except to finish book reports.
Eighth Grade book reports are due Monday.
Seventh Grade book reports are due Wednesday.
Sixth Grade book reports are due next Friday.
See you all at the Christmas Ball tonight in the cafeteria from 6:00-9:00!

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

Sixth Grade - We are finishing up Literaure Unit 1 out of the textbook, and we will have a unit test on Thursday. There is no homework for this class except to work on book reports, which are due Friday, December 19th.

Seventh Grade - We are finishing up the Mythology Unit out of the textbook, and we will have a unit test on Thursday. Students will have no homework except to work on book reports, which are due Wednesday

Eighth Grade - We have finished Call of the Wild, and students need to write 4 paragraphs on the following topics -

What is the effect of having a limited third person point of view in this novel? What is the effect of reading the story the eyes of a dog? How do you think that the novel would be different from the viewpoint of one of the humans in the story?

Discuss at least two major symbols Jack London used in this novel. What do each represent, and why are they effective in the novel?

Describe the two most interesting transitions in Buck’s life, and explain what makes them your favorites.

Comment on your reaction to the novel as a whole. Did you like it or not? Which specific parts did you like or dislike? What stands out the most in your mind?
Students need to turn these in Thursday at the beginning of class. We are watching the movie in class. Students have no homework except to work on book reports, which are due Monday, December 15th.

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts - Friday Update

Sixth Grade - Read "The Stone" in literature books for next Tuesday. Read for book reports.
Seventh Grade - Read "The Labors of Hercules" for next Tuesday. Read for book reports.
Eighth Grade - Finish Call of the Wild for Monday.

Middle School Toy Drive

We are holding a Toy Drive to benefit the Masonic Home for Children Please send in your new, unwrapped, (or very gently used!) toy by Dec. 18th. If you bring in a toy before the 12th you will receive $1.00 off the price of admission to the Holiday Ball. Also - the homeroom with the most donations will win a "brownie party!" Please bring all donations to Ms. Taliaferros room.

The Holiday Ball

The Middle School SGA is sponsoring a "Holiday Ball". The dance is semi-formal and will be held on the 12th of December. It's from 6:00 - 9:00 in the Highlands Cafeteria. The price of admission is $3.00 but if you bring a toy for our Toy Drive you will be able to get in for $2.00!

Mrs. Lane - English Language Arts

Be sure to check my website link for book report dates and projects!
Sixth Grade - Finish reading "President Cleveland, Where Are You?" for homework.
Seventh Grade - Read "The Flight of Icaraus" for homework.
Eighth Grade - Finish reading chapter 5 in Call of the Wild for homework.