Good Afternoon 7th and 8th Graders!

As you know, I am out today. You should already know what you need to do in order to earn your grade for the day, but in case you forgot...

• You must have the first draft of your Scary Story complete by the end of class today!
• Remember we are aiming for 2-3 pages (normal size font) or 5-7 paragraphs.
• If you finish early, you can  write something else for extra credit and/or try to come up with something to add to your story that is related to your major (i.e. visual arts majors can illustrate, etc.)
• If many students finish early, you can peer edit with one other person. If not we will do that in class on Friday!

I hope you all had a safe and fun Halloween. I cannot wait to hear all about it!

~Ms. Perez

Scary Story Writing/Agenda

Good afternoon middle school students!

• Please make sure your check list is completed. Need another one? Just ask!
• I will be checking your assignments this Friday for a grade! Make sure you have everything in order.

Scary Story Writing

• We are going to begin brainstorming and planning our first major writing assignment- a scary and/or suspenseful story.
• You will receive a planning page and graphic organizer today.
• Please work on these tasks today, so we can begin writing tomorrow.

If you have any questions, please ask them!

SCARY LINKS

Top 10 Scariest Places on Earth
http://local.msn.com/news/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=254280621

Is the Charlie Brown Gang Bad for Kids?
http://moms.today.com/_news/2012/10/24/14631085-are-charlie-brown-and-the-peanuts-gang-too-mean-for-todays-kids-good-grief?lite

Welcome to Our Blog!

This is a blog for 7th and 8th grade students. Please be aware that not all information/assignments posted will be the same for each grade. YOU MUST READ CAREFULLY!

Agenda for Periods 8 and 9

1. Hand in course criteria sheets if you have them. They are officially due tomorrow :)
2. Please use the first 15-20 minutes of class to finish up your 1st free write from yesterday.
3. PLEASE DO NOT PRINT YOUR WORK. I will come around to computers this week in order to grade your work. Make sure it is saved appropriately.
4. Once your free write is complete, begin the assignment below:

Fear Poems

Introduction: Fear is a part of life. It is part of the range of feelings that humans experience on a daily basis. In our culture, fear has come to be experienced as negative. However, the truth is that fear is a perfectly normal feeling to experience and we would all feel a lot better if we simply allowed ourselves to feel it fully. If we do not we will have somatic symptoms of fear that are much more painful than simply allowing the feeling to be felt.

Top Ten Fears

1. Snakes

2. Speaking in public

3. Heights

4. Being closed in a small space

5. Spiders and insects

6. Needles and getting shots

7. Mice

8. Flying on a plane

9. Crowds

10. Thunder and lightning

Task

• Make a list of your top fears (at least 5!)
• Read some of the fear poems here: http://www.poemhunter.com/poems/fear/ 
• Check out www.phobialist.com (Thanks 7th graders!)
• Feel free to do a google search on fear poems as well.
• Try to write your own poem about one of your top fears.

Source: Fear Poems - Poems about Fears http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/life/fear-poems.asp#ixzz2A8tDJGWK

www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

Extra Credit Opportunity!

Teen Read Week Contest

This year the Teen Read Week will be celebrated nationally October 14-20^th. However, our contest will run the month of October. The rules to enter are as follows:

1.        Pick your favorite book.

2.       Choose significant event in the book to illustrate.

3.       Use Comic Life software (available on the library computers) or illustrate yourself a one page comic strip about that event in the book.

4.       Keep the comic’s images and language “school appropriate” (i.e.: no cursing, excessive violence, etc.). 

5.       No copying existing comics from Graphic Novels – it has to be your OWN work!

6.       Turn in the finished comic to the library WITH YOUR NAME ON THE BACK by Friday, October 26^rd.

7.       All comics will be displayed in the library for 1 week so staff and students can vote on their favorite.

8.       The winner will be announced on Friday, November 2^nd. And YES, there will be a prize for the comic that wins!

Some Ideas on Poetry

vPoetry is one of the oldest forms of writing.

 

vPoetry is a type of literature in which words are selected for their beauty, sound, and power to express feelings.

 

vPoetry uses language in a more expressive way than everyday speech.

 

vOverall, poetry includes a new way of looking at a situation or event in our lives.

 

vBy using words creatively, poetry attempts to create a strong image in the reader’s mind similar to a photograph.

vIt should appeal to our senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, sound) as well as our brains (emotional and intellectual). IMAGERY!

 

Group Tasks!

1.Read at least 5 poems by multiple authors

2.Discuss the topic of poetry in your groups

3.Create a poster that displays the meaning of poetry.

4.Be prepared to share with the large group.