MP4 - Week 1

    MONDAY 4-20:   VOCABULARY REVIEW DAY   

Reminders:  You will need...

1. Vocabulary 6 Flash Cards and your composition notebook.
2. Your Chapters 8-14 homework.

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Do Now - Review Vocabulary Words

With a partner and using your vocabulary cards for LIST 6, quiz each other until Mr. DeGrandis calls time!

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Learning Targets

I can prepare for a test that assesses my knowledge of 8th grade vocabulary words.

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Mini-Lesson

Review of Stations

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Work Time

Around the Room and Back Again

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Assessment

Quiz a friend on vocabulary List VI using your study cards.

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DUE Tomorrow!

Study for Vocabulary List VI

    TUESDAY   4-21:  TEST ON VOACBULARY LIST VI      

Reminders:  You will need...

A pen or pencil for the Test.

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Do Now - Review

Review the vocabulary words with a partner for four minutes.

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Learning Targets

1. I can recall the spelling and definitions of Vocabulary List VI.
2. I can use these words correctly in grammatically correct sentences.

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Assessment
Take the test!

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DUE Monday 4-27!
Read Chapters 15-25 and complete the corresponding Study Guide Questions (Click this link for a copy of the questions).

    WEDNESDAY 4-22:   TKMB  Reviewing Chapters 8-14    

Reminders:  You will need...

1. Your novel, your composition book, and blue folder.
2. A Secret Envelope from Mr. DeGrandis

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Do Now - Copy

Entry Title:  Vocabulary List 7

1. iota n. - a very small quantity or amount
   
   As far as science is concerned, there is not one iota of evidence to prove that life exists on other planets.
2. temerity adj. - the quality of being unafraid of danger or punishment in a foolish way.
   If you have the temerity to jump off the bridge even after hearing about the risk of instant death, you truly are a fool. 
   

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Learning Targets

I can interpret quotes from the novel TKMB and explain how the quote reflects the personality of one of the characters.

I can review for the test on chapters 8-14!
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Mini-Lesson

1. How to create a Quote Poster
2. Explain the activity.

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Work Time

Create your Quote Poster

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Assessment
Completed Quote Poster

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DUE Monday 4-27!

1. Read Chapters 15-25 and complete the corresponding Study Guide Questions (Click this link for a copy of the questions).

2.   Based on your favorite Quote Poaster, be prepared to explain why you selected the one you did.

    THURSDAY  4-23:   Finish Quote Poster of TKMB     

Reminders:  You may use your...

1. Novel, your HOMEWORK, and blue folder for the test
2. Pen or sharpened pencil

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Do Now - Copy

Entry Title:  Vocabulary List 7

3.  elucidate - v. (elucidated, elucidating, elucidates)  - to make understood, to clarify, to shed light upon something.

• She read everything she could get her hands on that would elucidate and expand upon her study of the human brain. 

4.  expunge - v. (expunged, expunging, expunges) - to strike or blot something out; erase; obliterate.

The judge directed the court stenographer to expunge the last three paragraphs of witness's testimony because she was hysterical. 

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Learning Targets

I can recall events from the novel, identify important themes and show how details from the novel reveal aspects of Atticus' character.

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Mini-Lesson

None

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Work Time

None

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Assessment
Administer the exam.

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DUE Monday 4-27!
Read Chapters 15-25 and complete the corresponding Study Guide Questions (Click this link for a copy of the questions).

   BRING YOUR DIRT DAY BOOK TOMORROW   

    FRIDAY   4-3:  DIRT Day   

• Do Now - Start a DIRT Day Entry
• Entry Title:  DIRT DAY
• Check out the DIRT Day Guidelines for more Information
• 

DUE After Break!

• TKM: Read Chapters 15-25 and complete the SGQs for the Monday you return from Spring Break!  There will be a test on these chapters upon your return and the SGQs will be collected for a grade.

MP3- Week 8

    MONDAY 4-6:   ELA Review: The Test and the Rubrics   

Reminders:  You will need...

1. A NYS ELA Packet & a Rubric Packet
2. Your Blue Folder and Composition Book

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Do Now - Think and Respond

Entry Title:  Discussing the NYS ELA

Turn and Talk: Share your thoughts about the question below with a partner.  Write your final response in your composition book.

QUESTION
Next week  you will be taking the NYS ELA for 8th Grade on Tuesday through Thursday.  What are some of your biggest concerns or questions about the test? 

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Learning Targets

I can prepare for the NYS ELA exam for 8th Grade by the exam format and rubrics used to score the exam.

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Mini-Lesson

1. Meet with your Syracuse appointment. Note:  If you do not have an appointment, find another student who needs partner or join a pair to create a trio.
2. Using the NYS ELA Packet, browse through the first passage (pages 1-15).  You do not have to read the passage at this time.
3. List four things you notice and four things you wonder about the sample test.
4. Be prepared to share your thoughts.
5. Meet with your Albany appointment.
6. Using the Rubric Packet, browse through the 2-point rubric and the 4-point rubric. 
7. List 2 things you notice or wonder for each rubric in your composition notebook.

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Work Time: On Your Own

1. Use the second passage, Brain Birds: Amazing Crows and Ravens.
2. Browse this passage.
3. What are some ways Passage 1 is similar/different from Passage 2?
4. Write your response on a half sheet of loose leaf paper to be turned in at the end oft he period.

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Assessment

Analysis of Passage 2

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DUE Tomorrow!

Browse through Passage 3.  What are some ways this essay is different from the ones we examined in class today?  Be prepared to share your response tomorrow in class. 

    TUESDAY 4-7:   ELA Review: Speed and Pacing   

Reminders:  You will need...

1. A NYS ELA Packet & a Rubric Packet
2. Your Blue Folder and Composition Book

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Do Now - Think and Write

Entry Title:  Discussing the NYS ELA

Add to your entry from yesterday for this activity. No need for a new entry.

QUESTION
Read the essay question on page 41 (you don't have to read the sample response).

Which of the following TREES structures might you use to write your extended response?  Explain your reasoning for the one you pick!

TREES, TREx2Ex2S, or TREx4Ex4S? 

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Learning Targets

I can estimate how long it takes me to read a passage and answer the corresponding questions so I can be sure to finish my test in the time given on the test.

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Start a New Entry:  Pacing Tips

PACING: The amount of time you need to complete a test.

TIPS

• do the easiest problems/questions first.
• go back to the harder ones and doing them in order
• leave a difficult question if it is taking too long.

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Mini-Lesson

Estimated times per question

Figuring Out Your Reading Pace Using Passage 2!

• Set a timer for one minute.

• Begin Reading.

• When timer goes off mark your spot.

• Repeat this process until you finish the passage. 

Use a similar process for pacing your writing.

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Work Time: On Your Own

1. Respond to the Short Response for Passage 2 (page 37).
2. Mr. DeGrandis will set a timer for five minutes.
3. How far did you get?

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Assessment

Fist to five:  I am confident my pacing is on point!

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DUE Tomorrow!

None 

    WEDNESDAY  4-8:   ELA Review: Annotating Your Test   

Reminders:  You will need...

1. A NYS ELA Packet & a Rubric Packet
2. Your Blue Folder and Composition Book
3. A marker to highlight and mark your sample ELA Test.

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Do Now - Copy

Entry Title:  Annotation

Using symbols to mark a text to enhance reading comprehension.

1. Highlight or Underline main ideas or important words and phrases.
2. Write down thoughts that come to you as you read in the margins of the text.

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Learning Targets

I can annotate a text as read it.

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Mini-Lesson

1. Turn and Talk
   What have we been doing all year that is similar to annotating a text?
2. Modeling of how to annotate a text as you read using page one of Passage 2 of your ELA TEST.

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Work Time

1. With a partner...
2. Read the first two paragraphs of page 2 (lines 28-40) to your partner while they annotate the text.
3. Switch.  Now you annotate your text while your partner reads the same section to you.

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Assessment

Annotate the rest of the passage on your own.  

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DUE Tomorrow!

Complete your annotation of Passage 2 for a homework grade. 

    THURSDAY & FRIDAY 4-9,10:   ELA Review: Practice Test   

Reminders:  You will need...

1. Your NYS ELA Packet & Rubric Packet
2. Homework Check: Annotating Passage 2

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Learning Targets

I can use the testing skills I learned this week to complete a sample test of the NYS ELA.

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Mini-Lesson

1. Complete Books 2 & 3 of your sample test.
2. Mr. DeGrandis will monitor the time and keep you informed so you can judge your pacing.
3. You will then work with a partner to score your response using the 2-point and 4-point rubrics.

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Work Time: On Your Own

1. Complete Books 2 & 3 of the sample text.

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Assessment

Peer assessment of your Sample Test based on the 2 and 4 point rubrics.

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None!

  TODAY'S AGENDA  

1. What room are you in for the ELA?
2. Finish your practice exam. You will have 20 minutes to finish.
3. Then... mini lessons on ELA Rubrics and Multiple Choice Questioning Tips
4. Use the rubrics to score the exam of a friend.
5. Report out: Share your grade for the exam