Go Sun Chiefs!

Go Sun Chiefs!

We spend the first quarter reading short stories, the "fictional works that can be read at a single sitting," covering such favorites as are included in our textbook.  We keep Literature Packets (Lit Packs, for short) for each piece we read, studying its characters, plot, theme, setting, and vocabulary.

Entering the second quarter with a shift of gears into short non-fiction works, we explore several which are included in our textbook.

After spending a few days reading, discussing, and enjoying some poetry, we finish up the semester with a short unit on handwriting--calligraphy, if you will--with the second objective being to improve our handwriting as much as possible. I certainly think we accomplish that to some degree. We use both Literature and Composition classes for this unit. (The first objective, of course, is to have FUN learning something that might stick with us the rest of our lives--hey, this is middle school, right?).        :-)

One class period a week will be spent in the library. Students will be required to check out, read, and report on books. A minimum of four reports will be required.  Additional reports may be made for extra credit.

We begin the year reviewing grammar: the 8 Parts of Speech (ask your kids to name you all eight--and tell you what each does!); the 4 Parts of the Sentence and how to diagram them, and lots more.  We'll be learning many other aspects of grammar throughout the year,

At the same time, we will continue concentrating on improving our spelling skills at the rate of twenty words a week.

Somewhere around week five we will add to our study of the above the writing of the rough drafts of 200-word, five-paragraph essays. 

Second quarter, after we have several of these in place, we'll add the revision process.  We'll also cover the greatest nemesis of high school students, recognizing and correcting sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

In the third quarter we'll focus on completing final drafts of several pieces of our work and compiling a portfolio for each student's work.

In the fourth quarter, we'll walk through a unit on opinion, moving from editorials to full-blown debates.

We'll end our middle school years with each student writing a complete term paper related to her/his future career.

In a normal week, we get our new spelling words on Monday and assign the homework then, too, which is due that Wednesday. Those who turn in their homework on time have the privilege of taking a trial test on Wednesday as well (and if they score 100 on the trial test, they're exempt from taking the final unit test Friday!)

Sixth Grade Word Lists http://www.6thgradespellingwordslist.com/6th-grade-spelling-words-list-1.htm Click here to see what unit is being studied this week--or if we're taking the week off!
Unit 01 poetry beautiful thirteen tongue pieces neighborhood thousand through unusual building license remodel grateful enemy instrument perform prefer judged adjusted soldier ---------- preliminary tremendous mediocre perception neutrality	Unit 02 admire canyon lemonade method distance swimming modern comedy husband clumsy magnify cannon decorate strict injury tissue honesty property hundredth dungeon ---------- adequate reconcile insulation reluctant thunderstorm	Unit 03 ceiling receipt deceive neither field achieve belief brief relief apiece leisure protein receiver seize conceited shield niece diesel grief yield ---------- deceitful conceivable retrieval unwieldy grievance	Unit 04 reduce attitude sewer     New York review value     continue humid United States universe costume absolutely assume renew     viewpoint interview preview rescue uniform reunion ---------- newcomer aptitude curlicue ukulele fugitive	Unit 05 answered answering decided deciding included including omitted omitting satisfied satisfying delayed delaying remembered remembering exercised exercising interfered interfering occurred occurring ---------- staggered patrolled dignified staggering patrolling dignifying	Unit 06 R E V I E W	Unit 07 their there     they’re wring ring chili chilly scent sent cent oversees overseas patients patience cereal     serial coarse course counsel council ---------- martial marshal bizarre bazaar discreet discrete	Unit 08 connect command mirror accomplish     according allowance college address     Mississippi recess committee immediate barricade interrupt broccoli collect     afford     possess Tennessee announce ------------- dilemma embarrassment compassionately unnecessarily accompaniment	Unit 09 ascend descend subtle obvious guilty     innocent guardian vague fatigue intrigue condemn solemn science disguise discipline misguided monologue     dialogue doubtfully hymn ------------ reminisce scepter susceptible debtors creditors scenario	Unit 10 it’s let’s that’s we’d don’t there’s coach’s coaches’ man’s     men’s you’re she’d mustn’t o’clock guide’s guides’ director’s directors’ city’s cities’ --------------- millionaire’s millionaires’ roommate’s roommates’ New Year’s Eve	Unit 11	Unit 12 R E V I E W
Unit 13	Unit 14	Unit 15	Unit 16	Unit 17	Unit 18 R E V I E W	Unit 19	Unit 20	Unit 21	Unit 22	Unit 23	Unit 24 R E V I E W
Unit 25	Unit 26	Unit 27	Unit 28	Unit 29	Unit 30 R E V I E W	Unit 31	Unit 32	Unit 33	Unit 34	Unit 35	Unit 36 R E V I E W

Seventh Grade Word Lists Click here to see what unit is being studied this week.
Unit 01	Unit 02	Unit 03	Unit 04	Unit 05	Unit 06 R E V I E W	Unit 07	Unit 08	Unit 09	Unit 10	Unit 11	Unit 12 R E V I E W
Unit 13	Unit 14	Unit 15	Unit 16	Unit 17	Unit 18 R E V I E W	Unit 19	Unit 20	Unit 21	Unit 22	Unit 23	Unit 24 R E V I E W
Unit 25	Unit 26	Unit 27	Unit 28	Unit 29	Unit 30 R E V I E W	Unit 31	Unit 32	Unit 33	Unit 34	Unit 35	Unit 36 R E V I E W

Eighth Grade Word Lists
Unit 01 tremendous doesn't collapse because believe thoroughly through retrieve glimpse weird mediocre perception irrelevant perspective neutral preliminary naive perceive deceitful preferable	Unit 02 embarrassment unnecessary occasionally trespass dismissed challenge forbidden accompany immediately exaggerate possessive aggressive accessory compassionate cancellation commemorate moccasin accumulate dilemma appropriate	Unit 03 adventurous unnatural capture questionable beneficial efficient impression expression emotional negotiate posture punctual cultural congestion sufficient ancient spacious reassure intermission initiation	Unit 04 hydrant hydrogen dehydrated chronic synchronize thermos thermometer diameter speedometer centimeter hydrophobia hydraulic hydroelectric chronicle chronological thermostat thermal geometry barometer symmetry	Unit 05 wives giraffes tariffs grandaunts mementos mosquitoes crises analyses criteria species wharves ghettos pistachios vetoes embargoes sisters-in-law diagnoses stimuli phenomena Sioux	Unit 06 R E V I E W	Unit 07 identify government everything environment probably really semester luckily favorite delicate automatically mortgage temperamental consequences trampoline therapy catastrophe distribute criticism hideous	Unit 08 define definition protect protection stable stability victory victorious politics political congratulate congratulations graduate graduation inspect inspection narrate narrative strategy strategic	Unit 09 transfer different conference construction instructor reconstruct sensational resentment sensitivity consent fertilize preferred referral inference destructive obstruction structural sensibility consensus sensitize	Unit 10 mileage postage passage baggage realism capitalism journalism pleasure moisture pressure storage wreckage vandalism mannerism heroism optimism composure legislature sculpture failure	Unit 11 underground halfway ninety-four granddaughter daydream seventy-two self-esteem well-known life jacket shopping center thunderstorm throughout bookkeeper wheelchair underrated vice-president great-grandmother no one remote control role model	Unit 12 R E V I E W
Unit 13 submarine subtraction subheading transparent translate transcript transmit supermarket supersonic superstition submerge subcommittee subsection subdivision transfusion transaction transportation supernatural supercede superficial	Unit 14 exclaim exclamation detain detention comprehend comprehension intrude intrusion ferocious ferocity sustain sustenance pertain pertinent commit commission recede recession invade invasion	Unit 15 scribble describe manuscript graphic paragraph photography geography revoke vocalize eloquent subscribe postscript inscription biography vocation advocate invoke soliloquy loquacious colloquial	Unit 16 collage college emigrants immigrants hardy hearty envelop envelope magnet magnate liable libel allude elude rational rationale persecute prosecute imply infer	Unit 17 amateur calligraphy batik rodeo snorkel karate banjo jukebox luggage umbrella origami macramé toboggan slalom safari tambourine ukulele encore hammock machete	Unit 18 R E V I E W	Unit 19 matinee sleuth forfeit porcelain limousine guarantee camouflage cantaloupe parliament pageant turquoise nuisance sergeant counterfeit connoisseur silhouette archaeology ricochet liaison aerial	Unit 20 justify jury judicial critical regular regal regional democracy policy metropolis perjury jurisdiction judicious critique hypocrite regiment regime cosmopolitan demographic epidemic	Unit 21 flammable noticeable available collectible divisible edible endurance attendance reference intelligence knowledgeable charitable deductible compatible resemblance vengeance elegance occurrence convenience competence	Unit 22 kind of must’ve all ready already a lot allot every day everyday may be maybe supposed to going to any way anyway a part apart all together altogether any more anymore	Unit 23 aloud allowed assistance assistants suite sweet symbol cymbal overdue overdo aisle isle bizarre bazaar ascent assent canvas canvass colonel kernel	Unit 24 R E V I E W
Unit 25 courageous ridiculous hazardous argument excitement improvement refreshment gentleness sleepiness openness outrageous suspicious miscellaneous acknowledgment judgment engagement arrangement stubbornness cleanliness evenness	Unit 26 corporation incorporate corpse centipede pedestal manicure management manufacture perspiration expire corporal corps pedigree pedometer impede manipulate emancipate respiration conspire spiritual	Unit 27 antisocial antiseptic antibiotic intermediate international interfere promote progress intramural intrastate antifreeze antidote antibody intervene intersection intercept prologue profound proclaim intravenous	Unit 28 hesitate memorable finally investigate usually discipline evidence accuracy article miracle irritate ambulance magnificent extravagant telethon aggravate marathon gullible versatile inevitable	Unit 29 existence regardless refrigerator exercise allergic awkward scientist drowned assembly especially mischievous pastime remembrance presidency disastrous hindrance monstrous motocross grievous tuxedo	Unit 30 R E V I E W	Unit 31 adjourn comparable peculiar beginning alcohol overrated arctic something veterinarian clothes acquaintance extraordinary conscience susceptible respiratory disintegrate sophomore basically liberal renezvous	Unit 32 advertisement convert introvert disposable imposing advent prevention eventually satisfaction artifact extrovert controversy diversion decompose proposal conventional circumvent benefactor faction facilitate	Unit 33 abolish abnormal advantage addition cooperate coexist compete compound community concert abbreviate absorb abduct adjacent adhesive coordination cohesive confession complicate conservation	Unit 34 publish publication prescribe prescription consume conclude consumption conclusion substance substantial suspend suspension persuade persuasive provoke provocative influence influential omit omission	Unit 35 kayak admiral anchor kimono pajamas poncho indigo cafeteria mattress estate catamaran gondola gingham suede sequin khaki bungalow pueblo bureau yacht	Unit 36 R E V I E W

Most of our writing assignments will be Five-Paragraph Essays (5PE). Every assignment will be for one of three drafts: the Rough Draft (RD), the Teacher Edit--aka the Revision Draft (TE), or the Final Draft (FD). Other writing assignments will include friendly and business letters, editorials, debates, and a term paper.

See Draft Rules.

Dear Parents of 8th graders:
    One of the projects we do in American History is on a president of the United States.  Your daughter/son chose the president listed below. This 500-point project has five parts. Grades will be based on the following rubrics. The blanks at the left may be used as checklists. Your student will receive ten XC (extra credit) points for a separate note from you--electronic or handwritten--stating that you have received and read this letter. Thanks for any help you can provide on your end!  (Of course you mustn’t do the work yourself, but please feel free to serve as a consultant!)  :-)

I--Paper: (100 points) Written reports should contain the following information and be in Final Draft Format (www.zianet.com/jmcdgwin/draftrules.htm).  The copy of the paper turned in to me may not be used as notes for the speech.
These four paragraphs are required for a grade of D:
Six paragraphs are required for a C grade: the 4 for a D and any two of these:
Eight are required for a B: the four for a D and any four of the following.
Ten are required for an A: the four for a D and any six of the following.

II--Published Sources: (100 points) This is also called the bibliography, but I wanted a word that started with the letter P to go with the others.  ;-)  This Bibliography must be on a separate sheet of paper with the word “Bibliography” at the top and located as the last page of the paper.

III--Poster (100 points)

IV--Presentation (100 points): Each speech (oral presentation) will be graded on the following ten criteria (maximum of ten points each):

V--Politeness (100 points): Also known as the audience score (but again, I wanted a P word), this grade will be 100 points MINUS points for each infraction of

Student’s Name: ____________________________________________ President: __________________________________________________________

Week	Dates	Assignment	M	T	W	T	F
01	Aug 17-21
02	Aug 24-28
03	Aug 31-Sep 4
04	Sep 7-11		Labor Day No School
05	Sep 14-18
06	Sep 21-25
07	Sep 28-Oct 2
08	Oct 5-9
09	Oct 12-16						End Q 1
10	Oct 19-23						Prof. Dev. No School
11	Oct 26-30						Parent Confs. No School
12	Nov 2-6
13	Nov 9-13				Vets. Day No School
14	Nov 16-20
15	Nov 23-27				Have a great No School	and most thankful No School	Thanksgiving! No School
16	Nov 30-Dec 4
17	Dec 7-11	President Projects due today!
18	Dec 14-18						End Q 2 Half Day School
	Merry	Christmas!	Happy	Hannukkah!	Have a	Wonderful	Winter Break!
19	Jan 4-8		Prof. Dev. No School	Prof. Dev. No School
20	Jan 11-15
21	Jan 18-22		Dr. King Day No School
22	Jan 25-29
23	Feb 1-5
24	Feb 8-12
25	Feb 15-19		Pres. Day No School
26	Feb 22-26
27	Mar 1-5
28	Mar 8-12						End Q 3
29	Mar 15-19
Spg Brk	SPRING	B R  E  A  K	SPRING	BREAK	SPRING	BREAK	Spring Break
30	Mar 29-Apr 2						Spring Holiday No School
31	Apr 5-9
32	Apr 12-16
33	Apr 19-23
34	Apr 26-30
35	May 3-7
36	May 10-14
37	May 17-21
38	May24-28				End Q 4 Half Day School