Monday​
1st. & 4th

• We started with the Inquiry Process to generate questions for our AOW this week. We generated questions using this QFOCUS.

5th & 7th

• We started off by watching this mock trial of Christopher Columbus. We will be having a debate regarding Christopher Columbus later this week.
• To prepare for our debate, we started doing some research to build our case either for or against Christopher Columbus or the Tianos natives. But first, we watched this video on evaluating sources. 
• We practiced evaluating good sources vs. bad sources using this handout. 
• We then started doing our own research to support our case and used this source analysis document to help us evaluate our sources. 
• Additionally, we used this website evaluation form to decide if websites were reliable or not. 

ALL CLASSES

• For Homework - Video notes due Friday! The video can be found here. Use this note-taking device with the video to turn in on Friday.

Tuesday​
1st & 4th

• We will read and annotate our AOW's for our discussion on Friday. We will also revisit our inquiry questions that we created yesterday to see if we have any additional questions or if we can answer any of these questions. 

5th & 7th

•  We will continue researching Christopher Columbus/Tiano Native's and completing the source analysis form in preparation for our debates on Friday.

ALL CLASSES

• For Homework - Video notes due Friday! The video can be found here. Use this note-taking device with the video to turn in on Friday.
• DEAR! 

Wednesday
1st & 4th

• We will begin the National Anthem Guided Research to prepare for our AOW discussions on Friday.
• We will use this note taking device to organize our research.

5th & 7th

• You will begin creating your argument (either prosecuting or defending) for the upcoming debate on Friday using this argument organizer. 
• Then you will meet with your group and create your team's argument using this debate organizer. 

ALL CLASSES

• For Homework - Video notes due Friday! The video can be found here. Use this note-taking device with the video to turn in on Friday.
• DEAR! 

Thursday​
1st & 4th

• We will be finishing up the guided research from yesterday.

5th & 7th

• Small group debates for the Trial of Christopher Columbus and the Tiano Natives! Audience members will use this debate note taking device to assess and score the debates to determine the winner!

ALL CLASSES

• For Homework - Video notes due tomorrow! The video can be found here. Use this note-taking device with the video to turn in on Friday.
• DEAR! 

Friday
1st & 4th

• AOW discussion using this discussion guide.
• Homework - Complete your AOW Reflection. This rubric will be used to assess your AOW annotations/discussions/reflection. 

5th & 7th

• Large group debates.
• Homework - Complete your Debate Reflection Essay. This rubric will be used to assess your reflection. 

First off, I must apologize as the theme poster link I had below was INCORRECT! My mistake. If you were looking for that and couldn't find it, you can access the correct theme poster directions here!  I hope you enjoyed interviewing a family member this past weekend for your origin stories. I was getting excited hearing some of the things y'all found out about your family history. If you didn't get a chance to conduct this interview, there's still time. Your story isn't due until Wednesday! Alright, now on to what you can expect in ELA this week.

Monday

• We worked on typing up our origin stories in class, using the Native American origin story we studied on Friday as a general guideline. Remember, since a lot of the stuff in our model story is fantasy, you can and should sprinkle some fantastical details into your story as well. This can be particularly useful if you weren't able to uncover certain bits of information (read: you can make it up if you need to). You're getting points for being creative - so feel free to take that creative license and run with it. 
• Origin stories are due via Google Classroom portal on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The hard copy of the interview questions and interview itself should be turned in to my inbox in class on Wednesday.

Tuesday

• We will read the story "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan in order to prepare for a character analysis on Wednesday.
• For homework, finish your origin story!

Wednesday

• After reading "Two Kinds" we will do a character development analysis of the story. 
• For Homework, be sure to turn in your origin story by midnight tonight!
• Just as an update, your first Blog Post for what you are reading outside of class will be done in class on October 7 so start reading something now! Come see me if you need suggestions. 

Thursday

• Using Actively Learn, we will read and analyze "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara. This activity is completely done on the computer. I will get a chance to respond to y'all in real time as you work through the story. It's pretty cool I promise. Bring headphones to class if you'd like (not a requirement).
• Don't forget to READ outside of class.

Friday

• We are going to do a benchmark assessment to see where you are in terms of skills, such as using evidence from the text to support your answer. I've purposely tried to not make this a big deal because I'm trying to see what you know and what you need to work on. There is no way to study for this assessment, so don't freak out! This will count toward your grade (minor assessment - 40%) but don't worry, I promise it will not hurt anyone's average - only help.
• Relax, enjoy your weekend, and do some reading!! Also - check in to PS to make sure you don't have any missing work. Interim reports go home next week!

Please click here to complete the following survey for homework this weekend!

For all classes, please finish annotating the AOW we started today for Homework​! We'll wrap up tomorrow.

Hi y'all and welcome back from what I hope was a wonderful 3-day weekend! Just a few reminders to start us off. First, if you have not yet turned in your cover letter, please do so ASAP! Remember, a late grade is better than a zero. I plan to have those back to you shortly. Also, Friday is an early release day (as if you need reminding). As of now, you will see all of your classes but with an adjusted schedule. I'll have that posted on my board in the front of the room. Also, Thursday is Meet the Teacher night! So, while you get to stay home and do some reading, I'll get an opportunity to meet some of your parents! I'm really looking forward to it! Ok, here is what you can expect from me this week...

Tuesday

• First and fourth periods, I'm sorry I wasn't able to be with you this morning. Here is the video that you watched. I understand there were some technical difficulties, so if you'd like to watch it again, it may be helpful.
• Fifth and seventh periods, you got me live, but if you want a refresher, feel free to take a look.
• Also, here is the slideshow that we used for the notes today if you missed them. 
•  For homework tonight - 20 minutes of DEAR.

Wednesday

• We are going to dive into our first unit, which is themed "Journey's." We'll start off by exploring the theme and what it means.
• We are also going to look looking at the Journeys Olympic athletes had to make in order to get to Rio.
• For homework tonight - 20 minutes of DEAR.

Thursday

• We will do our first AOW! This article is about food deserts in North Carolina. We will spend time discussing the AOW expectations in 8th grade. 
• We will use this discussion guide to help us as well.
• For homework​ please finish annotating the AOW we started in class today.

Friday

• We will finish up our AOW discussions from yesterday and debrief.
• For homework, you should complete the AOW reflection and DEAR. 
• Complete the survey! (link above)