Language Arts 7

Fri., 5-25-12  Quiz on terms from new unit; examine and discuss graded book reports and copies of exemplary book reports which were written by your classmates

Thu., 5-24-12  Yarber is home grading all your fancy book reports, thanks to grading time sponsored by MHS PTSA. Meanwhile, study terms from new unit for tomorrow's quiz.

Weds., 5-23-12  In-class book report! Your last one of the school year! You must complete it entirely in class -- no help from parents, tutors, or random people on the bus. Homework: study terms in new unit for Friday's quiz and bring all your work from this school year to class tomorrow.  Yes, all of it.  You'll use it to make a packet for your parents to see tomorrow night at Open House.

Tues., 5-22-12  Start new unit on myths, folktales, fables, tall tales, legends, etc.  Read some brief examples. On Friday, you'll have a quiz on these terms.

Mon., 5-21-12  We begin some prep work for our last book report of the year. Make a chart in which you identify and list evidence for exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. All work must be done in class; no portion of the book report may be done at home. Homework: review your novel for Wednesday's in-class book report.

Weds., 5-16-12  "Ji-li: Ages 14 to 30" paper due tomorrow

Tue., 5-15-12  Type your "Ji-li: Ages 14 to 30" paper tonight or tomorrow; it's due Thursday.  Middle School Awards ceremony tonight!  Don't miss it!

Mon., 5-14-12 Take notes on the adventures that your characters encounter in your book report book.

Fri., 5-11-12  Attend and write 3/4 page about tonight's middle school dance, for extra credit.

Thu., 5-10-12  I will introduce three extra-credit opportunities in class today. They are all due next Wednesday.

Mon., 5-7-12  Type your "Page from Ji-Li's Diary" entry, due tomorrow: double-space, 12-point size, Times font, white paper, black ink, 1-inch margins all around

Tue., 5-2 and Fri., 5-4   STAR testing

Mon., 4-30-12  Read and compose 15 highlights for pp. 210-225.

Fri., 4-27-12  Discuss what you think are the most important events of pp.190-210.

Thu., 4-26-12  Discuss "Fitting In" writing tasks; answer three study questions in pairs, then discuss as a class

Weds., 4-25-12  Writing task: "Fitting In"

Tue., 4-24-12  Quiz: pp.165-190 of RED SCARF GIRL; class discussion: events and themes of those pages

Mon., 4-23-12  Reach p.190 of RED SCARF GIRL. Take good notes for tomorrow's quiz.

Fri., 4-20-12  Reach p.165 of RED SCARF GIRL.  Take careful notes.

Thu., 4-19-12  Today in class I'll summarize a huge chunk of RED SCARF GIRL. Take very good notes on what I say! If you are absent today, borrow a friend's notes tomorrow and copy them.

Weds., 4-18-12  Writing task: write on the topic of fear. Fiction or personal narrative; no dream sequences or summaries of scary movies; 1 page minimum, 1.5 page maximum; you must type your paper if you have poor penmanship; due beginning of period on Thursday

Tue., 4-17-12  Quiz in class today, covers yesterday's reading assignment

Mon., 3-26-12  There's a quiz tomorrow!  It'll cover pages 50 - 62 for Period 1, and pages 58 - 70 for Periods 2 - 6.  Study your notes carefully!

Thu., 3-22-12  Write a half-page about how you and Ji-li are alike.  Then, write a half-page about how you and she are different.  Family life?  School life?  Hobbies / activities?  Dreams for the future?  These topics and more can appear in your writing.  It is due Friday, before our big class discussion.

Tue., 3-20-12  Review your notes which cover pages 17-33 of RED SCARF GIRL for tomorrow's quiz.  Masque reports (extra credit) are due today, at beginning of period.

Thu., Fri., Sat., 3-15 through 3-17  Extra-credit opportunity:  attened Masque and submit a 3/4-page report to receive up to fifty (50) extra-credit points. This is the largest point-value chance of the six-week grading period.  See me if you need (completely confidential) financial help for the $15 ticket.

Weds., 3-14-12  In-class book report: science fiction novel; 150 pages minimum; no movie tie-in; no exceptions to these guidelines

Tue., 3-6-12  STAR writing test

Mon., 3-1-12  Examine / discuss examples of high-scoring and low-scoring persuasive essays to prepare for tomorrow's state-sponsored writing exam.

Fri., 3-2-12  Receive your graded official in-class practice essay for the STAR writing test; discuss with me the comments and grade; examine / discuss examples of high-scoring essays

Weds., 2-29-12  Official in-class practice essay for the STAR writing test --  bring plenty of paper and a couple of fresh, reliable pens

Tue., 2-28-12  In class today:  make progress in your science fiction novel for the March 14 book report!

Fri., 2-24-12 and Mon., 2-27-12  Present / give feedback: your persuasive essay

Thu., 2-23-12  Compose a counterargument and conclusion for your persuasive essay.

Weds., 2-22-12  Compose three body paragraphs for your persuasive essay.

Tue., 2-21-12  Compose an introductory paragraph and outline for four remaining paragraphs of your persuasive essay; due tomorrow

Fri. 2-17-12  Quiz in class: the 5-paragraph, persuasive essay format

Thu., 2-16-12  Compose five topics about Malibu or Malibu H. S. for possible persuasive essays.  Study for tomorrow's quiz on the 5-paragraph, persuasive essay format.

Tue., 2-14-12  We begin our conquest of the 5-paragraph persuasive essay format! 

Mon., 2-13-12  Today is Pleasure Reading Day -- bring a book, magazine, or newspaper section to read just for the fun of it before we begin a lengthy and intense unit on essay-writing.

Fri. 2-10-12  Bring a book, magazine, or newspaper section next Monday for Pleasure Reading Day.

Thurs., 2-9-12  Bring a book, magazine, or newspaper section next Monday for Pleasure Reading Day.

Weds., 2-8-12  IN-CLASS BOOK REPORT: bring your book and book report preparation questions

Mon. 2-6-12  Homework: complete the book report preparation questions because you'll have a chance on Tuesday to discuss privately with me your most worrisome questions.

Fri., 2-3-12  Grammar test -- will you be ready?

Week of Jan. 30:  Prep for and take the District Assessment test.

Week of Jan. 16 - 20:  Study my guidelines/advice (above) regarding final exams. Be on time.

Thu., 1-12-12  If you failed to bring a book to class today, then make sure your parents sign your letter tonight, and turn it in to me tomorrow.

Weds., 1-11-12  Find a book for next book report.  Bring it to class tomorrow. See yesterday's entry, and announcement above, for guidelines. If you don't bring a book, you'll write a letter to your parents to let them know that you failed to do so and wasted an entire class period.

Tue., 1-10-12  Find a book for February's book report: novel, free genre, 150 pages minimum, no movie tie-in, no exceptions to these guidelines!  Bring book to class Thursday.

Mon., 1-9-12  Read "Amigo Brothers" in textbook, p. 312. There'll be a quiz tomorrow.

Thu., 1-5-12  Watch a TV show tonight (yes, your teacher just told you to watch TV for homework). Then, map the five stages of the show's plot, using the skier-on-the-mountain model. Make sure that you choose a TV show that has a plot; some reality shows do not. The map is due tomorrow. Be prepared to present your map to the class. 

Weds., 1-4-12  Happy new year! Work hard to make it your best year yet. What's more fun that Winter Break? Final Exams Week! It's coming. See note at top of this web page for a reminder of the concepts you must know for the final exam. Tonight's homework: finish reading "Zebra," pp.195-203. Read pp.184-194 first, if you missed doing so in class earlier today. Possible quiz tomorrow

Tue., 12-13-11  The book report is tomorrow in class!  Bring your book and all notes.  Go to sleep early tonight, and tomorrow morning make sure you eat a low-sugar breakfast featuring whole wheat and protein.  Skip the sugary Starbuck's drinks:  they can make you hyper and then very tired, and you'll fizzle out before finishing your book report.

Also on Tues., 12-13-11:  Mr. Bixler and Ms. Yarber will perform a heavy-duty rocker song (by Deep Purple) with the middle school string orchestra tonight.  Come to the show if you think you're tough enough for some old-fashioned, head-banging, '70s rock.

Fri., 12-9-11  No homework

Thu., 12-8-11  Continue reading your outside book if you need to -- complete it by the Dec. 14 in-class book report.

Weds., 12-7-11  Complete your five book report preparation questions; they're due tomorrow.  Make sure you finish reading your U.S. biography/autobiography in time for the in-class book report on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Tue., 12-6-11  Write 3/4 of a page about time in which you were rescued by someone or something; due tomorrow.  Read "Dirk the Protector," p. 270 in textbook.  Minnow TV video is due next Wednesday, Dec. 14; see whiteboard in classroom for all details. 

Mon., 12-5-11  Work on five book report preparation questions which are due Thursday, 12-8-11.

Thu., 12-1-11  Read "A Noble Experiment," about Jackie Robinson, on p. 802.  Compose 15 highlights for the excerpt. Then, answer questions 1 - 8, except #4, on p. 812.

Tue., 11-29-11  Study notes from MLK video biography for tomorrow's quiz.

Tue., 11-15-11  In-class quiz on Dillard's "An American Childhood"; review story / grade quiz. Homework: p.126 questions 1 - 7 due tomorrow.  Also: bring your U.S. biography / autobiography tomorrow.

Mon, 11-14-11  Read "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard, p. 120. Strong chance of quiz tomorrow!  Homework: write 3/4-page on when you feel most alive. Use 5 senses to convey the setting / events more strongly (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell); due tomorrow

Weds., 11-9-11  Write a dialogue between Jimmy and Annabel in which each character takes at least 20 substantive turns.  Due tomorrow

Tue., 11-8-11  Homework:  Read short story "A Retrieved Reformation," p. 228 and compose 15 highlights.  It is due tomorrow.  There will be a quiz on the story tomorrow, perhaps.

Mon., 11-7-11  Book Report in class today! No homework

Weds., 11-2-11  Read "The Scholarship Jacket," pp. 218-23.   Answer questions 1 - 8, except #4, on p. 224 -- due Thursday.  Strong chance of a quiz Thursday!

Tue., 11-1-11  Complete book report preparation assignments 1 and 2 for submission on Friday, Nov. 4.  The better you perform on these two assignments, the better you'll perform on the Nov. 7 in-class book report.

Mon., 10-31-11  No homework because it is Halloween!

Weds., 10-26-11  Homework:  Make progress in your outside reading book -- the in-class book report is just 11 days away (on Monday, Nov. 7).

Tue., 10-25-11  In-class: writing contest!  Compete for a chocolate bar imported from glamorous, exotic Studio City!  Homework: bring your outside reading (horror) book tomorrow.  You will get some information about the Nov. 7 book report topic, which will help guide your note-taking on your book.

Mon. 10-24-11  Homework: one page typed: a time you ignored someone's warning and suffered as a result

Weds. 10-19-11,  Thur. 10-20-11  Homework:  read your outside (horror) book for the Nov. 7 book report.  Don't proscrastinate! 

Tues., 10-18-11  Read "Titanic," in textbook. Possible quiz tomorrow? Also: look up your grade on Illuminate; if there is an error, you must tell me about it by 2:30pm tomorrow (Weds., 10-19-11).

Mon., 10-17-11  No homeowork -- study for Andino's math test, which is tomorrow!

Fri., 10-14-11 Never homework on Fridays

Thur., 10-13-11  Bring new outside reading book (horror) to class tomorrow for approval and reading time.

Weds., 10-12-11  Review and discuss "Rikki" ... what happens at each stage of the plot?

Tue., 10-11-11  Read p. 82 - end of story, and be ready for possible Wednesday quiz on it. 14 highlights due tomorrow

Mon., 10-10-11  Write half-page on either "a time you were brave" OR "a time you wish you'd been brave."  Read pp. 74-81 and compose 14 highlights for those pages. Due Tue., 10-11-11

Fri., 10-7-11  NO HOMEWORK

Thu., 10-6-11  In class: watch TWILIGHT ZONE  episode, starring a very young William Shatner, and map the stages of its plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution). Finish the map as homework, due tomorrow. Also: bring 20 minutes' worth of pleasure reading to class tomorrow. Book / mag / e-reader are okay.

Weds., 10-5-11  NO HOMEWORK

Tue., 10-4-11  Discuss story in class, along with last night's writing. Then, tell me a story (3/4 page) of a time when you either gave someone a second chance OR when someone gave you a second chance. It is due tomorrow.

Mon., 10-3-11  Yarber is out sick. Read short story "Thank You, Ma'am," by Langston Hughes, p.64. Write a half-page on whether Roger will continue a life of crime OR stop his life of crime.

Fri., 9-30-11  No homework -- stay safe this weekend

Thurs., 9-29-11  No school today

Weds., 9-28-11  No homework tonight -- and no school tomorrow!  Woooooooooot!

Tue., 9-27-11 Imagine that you are Victor on the first day of summer after 7th grade has ended. Tell me about your year.  1.5 pages, tone and content must match story, start with greeting and end with closing DUE TOMORROW. Answer questions 1-8 except 4 and 6, p. 50  DUE TOMORROW

Mon., 9-26-11  No homework

Fri., 9-23-11  In class: discuss "Seventh Grade," p. 30 in textbook.  Possible quiz on the story?  No homework

Thur., 9-22-11  Read short story "Seventh Grade," p. 30 in textbook. Read carefully because there may be a quiz on the story tomorrow!

Weds., 9-21-11  Quick-write: "A First Impression" . . . at least one page long, handwritten neatly on college rule paper (due tomorrow). Write about one of these perspectives: 1) a first impression you formed about someone which turned out to be incorrect;  2)an exceptionally good OR bad impression you made on someone. Tell me the story of this experience.

Tue., 9-20-11  Answer questions 1 - 8, except 5, on p. 58.

Mon., 9-19-11 Read "The Last Dog," p. 44 in textbook, and compose 13 highlights (due tomorrow)

ri., 9-16-11  Quiz: "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street"; no homework

Thur., 9-15-11  View "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street," a TWILIGHT ZONE episode, in class.  For homework, study the teleplay so you can ace tomorrow's quiz.

Weds., 9-14-11  Yarber is absent from classes today but is present for Back-to-School Night this evening.  Parents, give your child's school year a proper start: come meet the teachers.

Fri., 9-9-11  I do not believe in assigning homework on weekends or holidays; go outside and run around for some fresh air!  :-)

Thu., 9-8-11  Summer book reports are due at beginning of period today. I will accept them Friday or Monday for partial credit. Make sure you've typed yours in accordance with the guidelines that were given in class Wednesday (yesterday).  Homework: bring 45 minutes-worth of pleasure reading (book, magazine, graphic novel, newspaper) to class tomorrow.

Weds., 9-7-11  Type your summer book report tonight; it is due tomorrow. Be sure to use the guidelines given in class today. Late papers (turned in on Friday or Monday) receive partial credit.

Tue., 9-6-11  No homework!  Woot!  We'll continue working on summer book reports in class today and tomorrow.  You will type yours tomorrow night, using guidelines that I'll give in class Wednesday.  The reports are due Thursday.