Journal Prompts for 2008-2009

September            What makes you laugh? Give a specific example of an event that happened that made you laugh, or discuss a movie or book that made you laugh.

 

October            What is your most indispensable possession?  Why? 

 

 

November            What things are better than going to school? Why? Discuss the three things in detail and make me feel like I was with you, enjoying them, too.

 

December             If you could only take three people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why?  Make a connection to a book you have read or a movie you have seen.

 

January            What is the best gift you have ever given to another person?   Think of a gift someone has given in a book you have read or movie you have seen.  Describe how your gift and the gift from the book or movie are similar and different.

 

February            Who is your best friend?  What makes your best friend your best friend?  Think of a book you have read or a movie you have seen that includes best friends.   What is similar about your friendships?  What is different?

 

March            What talents do you have? Do you like having these talents?   Can you think of a book you have read or a movie you have seen where someone has a similar talent?  How about someone who does not like his or her talent, but finds it helpful in the end?   Describe in detail.

 

April            What three words describe you right now? Be very detailed in your answers and try to think of three distinct words.   Use a dictionary or thesaurus to enhance your writing.

 

May             If you could do eighth grade all over again, what would you do differently?

 

 

June            What would you like me to remember about you when you graduate?

Help with Studying?

For many of the quizzes and tests you will have in language arts this year, there are helpful activities available to use as study guides.   Look at the links in the left column of my web page for study help.

Persuasion Rules and More in Room 36

We've been studying the ways to win arguments for the past several weeks in language arts.   Talking about persuasive techniques like bandwagon, anecdotes, statistics, rhetorical questions and more has (hopefully) increased our ability to argue persuasively. 

We've also been talking about extending the answers to  open-ended questions in an attempt to write more detailed answers.

Right now, we are looking at Introductions and how to make them great by using good leads and riveting issue statements.

One class is reading The Pigman by Paul Zindel.   Others will begin To Kill a Mockingbird after the December holiday.

It's Alphabiography time again....

Eighth graders are working on their alpha autobiographies now.  This a great writing assignment that allows me to get to know my students even better.   Basically, students are creating a ten page packet of one-page essays about themselves.   They began by brainstorming events of their lives and things that make them who they are.  When they are done brainstorming, they will select ten events, and assign a letter of the alphabet.  (For example:  S=soccer)  Students will work on this project during class time and can use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Imovie or some other (approved) media.

For students who are uncomfortable sharing information about themselves, there is also the choice to complete an alphabiography about a hero, or other person.   

Please email me at jlindsay@ashfordct.org with questions.

Gradefix.com

If you have any concerns about organizing yourself this year, consider gradefix.   I don't know much about it, but it seems like it might be a good source for some.   

www.gradefix.com

Nice to meet you!

Last night was open house, and I really enjoyed meeting so many families.  It is always fun to get to talk with people and share what we will do over the course of the next few months.   My eighth graders enjoyed having their families guess the entries on the "Who am I?" board, and I was delighted to see lots of Ashford grads return to say "hello!"

Please keep in touch over the year, and let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

Nice to meet you!

Welcome back!

A new year has begun here at Ashford and I am very excited!   I have a great group of students this year-- full of energy and excitement.  (Some even laugh at my silly jokes!)  We have been using technology in our classroom through a grammar webquest.   My Master's classes are not starting for a few weeks, which has given me a nice, and much needed, break.  

One change that I have made this year involves the journal prompts.  Students will now be submitting them via email-- a great way to save paper and incorporate technology.   I'd like to do more with email and discussion boards-- we'll see I can put that into place.

I'm looking forward to lots of learning and fun times in room 36!