GIANTS WIN THE SERIES!

GIANTS WIN THE SERIES!

The Elements of Storytelling/Narrative UPDATED

Plot: The sequence of events that unfolds around a conflict, or struggle between opposing forces.

Characters: The people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story.

Setting: The time and place in which the events occur.

Theme: The message about life or human nature that the writer wishes to convey to the reader.

Point of view is the narrative method used to tell a story. The two basic points of view are first-person and third-person.

Dialogue is written conversation between two or more characters.

Suspense is the excitement that involves readers in a story and motivates them to discover its outcome.

Voice is the distinctive style in which a writer tells a story.

Elements of Plot

Exposition gives background information about characters, conflict, and setting

Rising action is when suspense builds because complications arise that make the conflict more difficult for the main characters to resolve

Climax is the turning point of the action, when the reader’s interest peaks

Falling action or resolution is when the conflict ends and loose ends are tied up

English 7 Semester 1 Overview

1. Literature

A. The Language of Literature: including various short stories, poetry, pieces of short fiction and dramatic selections.

B. Taking Sides

C. Clay Marble

D. Various outside offerings

2. Writing

A. What's in a Name

B. Narrative

B. Response to Literature – Book Review of Clay Marble

3. Vocabulary and Test Preparation

A. The Language of Literature: Test prep. questions after Lit. selections

B. STAR Practice Questions

4. Grammar

A. Parts of Speech

B. Punctuation and mechanics

C. Grammar Workbook Chps. 1-4 with Pre and Post Exams

English 8 Semester 1 Overview

1. Literature

A. The Language of Literature: including various short stories, poetry, pieces of short fiction and dramatic selections.

B. Living Up the Street

C. The Outsiders

D. Various outside offerings

2. Writing

A. “To Be Young, Gifted and _____________”

B. 1 Response to Literature – Book Review of The Outsiders

3. Vocabulary and Test Preparation

A. The Language of Literature: Test prep. questions after Lit. selections

B. STAR Practice Questions

4. Grammar

A. Parts of Speech

B. Punctuation and mechanics

C. Grammar Workbook Chps. 1-4 with Pre and Post Exams

Textbook Check -out

My English classes check out our textbooks on Tuesday, August 17th. Seventh graders will get a large red text titled Language of Literature. Eighth graders get a green version of the same book. These books will go home and stay home for the duration of the year, and they do not need to be returned until the end of the school year. We have class sets in our rooms here at Marsh for daily use. These books are getting old and need a to be treated kindly. Please be careful with them.

How to do a Quickwrite for Mr.Rix

Quickwrites are a informal method of reviewing the old and creating interest in the new.
-Date each entry
-At least 40 words and at least three sentences on the topic provided.
-No need for a new paper unless both sides are full.
-You may adjust the prompt to fit your needs.
-No questions, no talking, no excuses

The Eight Parts of Speech

Pronoun
Replaces a Noun or Pronoun.
Mike dropped his backpack in the mud.

Adverb
Modifies or Describes a Verb or Adjective.
They dined gleefully on the buttered snails.

Preposition
Expresses Relationship Between Words.
The toothpaste cap fell under the toilet.

Interjection
Expresses Strong Emotion
Wow! What a terrible haircut.

Conjunction
Joins Words and Phrases.
I thought I would like you guys but I don’t.

Noun
A Person, Place, Thing or Idea
Gum will result in a referral.

Adjective
Modifies or Describes a Noun or Pronoun
The smelly dog stunk up the house.

Verb
Expresses Action, Condition or State of Being.
I crushed the tiny child’s spirit.

STAR Testing

Here is a note from our assistant principal regarding STAR testing. I will be testing with my second period class.

Hello MJHS families,

Spring is here and so is the California Standardized (STAR) test time! We are planning to test the students on the following days:

Thursday 4/15

Monday 4/19

Tuesday 4/20

Thursday4/22

The students’ schedule on these four days will be slightly different. We will begin school at 9:00. The morning will be testing and they will visit only half of their classes each afternoon. The tests are aligned to the California state standards and cover content that has been taught in the students’ classes. Seventh graders will take two tests over the course of four days (English Language Arts and Math). Eighth graders will take four tests over the four days (English Language Arts, Math, Science, and History). It is imperative that students are on time and attend school all four testing days. Please make sure your student gets plenty of rest. Thank you for supporting us during the testing window. If you have any questions regarding the schedule or testing information, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

Erica Sheridan

Assistant Principal

New Way of Communicating

Welcome to my first attempt at blogging. There are actually three blogs, one for 7th, one for 8th and this one for general information. You can easily navigate between them using the links to the left. Ultimately, I would like this blog to replace the weekly emails, but for now I am going to push ahead with both. I will attempt to make a new post for each new assignment or valuable piece of information. I will also post my weekly agenda here. You can look at these by simply scrolling downward or by clicking the links to the lower left. I am not sure how I will handle the comments on the blog, so, for now, continue to email me. Please let me know as soon as you encounter a problem, and I will be quick to try to resolve it.