Ms. McKee's Language Arts
Welcome video
Hello, I'm Ms. McKee. I'll be teaching 8th grade language arts this year. This is where you'll see the general weekly assignments posted. They are subject to change so using the daily planner is a good practice.
I graduated from the U of A and received my masters degree from Troy. I enjoy theatre, reading, cooking, Animal Planet and traveling. Yep, I miss traveling.
SCROLL DOWN FOR EACH NEW WEEK.
Weekly Assignments
Welcome Back for the 2022-2023 school year!
NEW THIS YEAR--Each student is required to read one Sunshine State Young Reader Award novel every quarter. This will be an intermediate grade. (book selection and teacher approval 25%, parent signature 25%, book assignment 50%) Please monitor your child's reading and encourage reading.
Ms. McKee’s language arts weekly lesson plans
Week One August 10-13 2022
Learning Target: The student will use listening, viewing, verbal and non-verbal skills to complete a task.
W-F
Getting to know you exercises-- ABC Seatings by names and age
Classroom Rules and Procedures-- overview and copy
Planner and Code of Conduct reviews and test
Safety Drills
Week of August 15th-19th
Learning target: The student will follow a format for writing, use correct grammar and mechanics, review legible handwriting skills, and practice oral speaking skills.
M.-F. Continue getting to know you exercises through ABC Seatings. Complete copying classroom rules and
seating by age.
Copy the Bio-poem format and begin writing poem followed by reading poems aloud.
Thursday--library orientation Check out a SSYRA novel for homework book reading.
Week of August 22nd-26th
UPDATE! Deadline for parent signature for approved novel is Tuesday, August 30th.
Learning target: The student will copy a format, learn elements of plot and practice legible handwriting to draw and label Plot Mountain.
M.-Copy Plot Mountain. Discuss plot. Handwriting (print) lesson and practice
T-F- Alternate reading bio-poems with practicing writing and labeling plot mt. on board and paper. Plot Mountain Test is Friday.
Week of August 29-September 2
Learning target: The student will apply the elements of plot mountain to a work of fiction, analyze the content of the story, and use context clues to understand vocabulary.
M.- Study pp. 27 and 30 in the Collections book.
Read "My Favorite Chaperone" with substitute.
T.- COPY means COPY Crit. Vocab. from story and finish reading it. Story is available online. Google it.
W. Turn in vocab. Discuss some elements of story. Review how to use R.A.C.E. to answer questions. Answer 1-7 p. 28 using RACE.
T. Classes who completed 1-7 will review; others will finish 1-7 and study.
F.- Answer top and bottom of p. 29 Crit. Vocab. Read p. R-53 about context clues. Answer 1-5 giving the reader a context clue.
There are no items in this list
Week of 9/5-9-9
Learning target: The student will apply elements of plot mountain to a personal essay, analyze content, and use context clues to understand vocabulary. Setting and character are more emphasized.
BOOK REPORT DUE 9/30. Students copied directions from board or took a picture of p. 28 in the Collections book. (Do the 4 bullets with 5 plot points)
M.- Holiday
T.- Review for "My Favorite Chaperone" test.
W. "M.F.C." Test Give out giant new textbooks.
T. Picture Day COPY means COPY Critical Vocabulary for personal essay "Bonne Annee" Discuss Haiti situation. Begin reading essay. Read p. 37. ( Central idea, personal essay, chronological order)
F. Continue "Bonne Annee"
Week of 9/12-9/16
Learning target: Students will read a nonfiction essay and determine the central idea, chronological order, irony, and continue determining vocabulary by using context clues.
M. Complete reading "Bonne Anne" and answering 1-7 p. 38. Periods 1-2 and part of 3 are in testing.
T. Complete 1-7. look up the Duvalier's online in class. Morning testing continues.
W.-Th. Testing classes catch up p. 38. Non testing classes complete vocab. p. 39. Test review.
F. Test "Bonne Annee"
BRING BIG NEW BOOKS MONDAY.
week of September 19-23
Learning target: The student will apply plot to a realistic fiction selection, determine the central idea, chronological order, and continue using context clues to determine vocabulary.
M. Read "The Medicine Bag" in the new, big, book.
T.-W.- Annotate (answer) questions in margins. Study the concept vocab. Answer 1-7 p. 23.
Th.-F.- p. 25 1-4 and p. 26 1-4, 1-3
Genre, text elements, and vocab.
WEEK of SEPTEMBER 26-30
Learning target-The student will test on plot, copy and learn notes on prepositions and the prep. song list to understand parts of the sentence, and parts of speech to improve writing.
M. "The Medicine Bag" Review
T. Test
W-TH Copy, Practice singing and writing prep list
F. Write prep list from memory for grade
Update: grade postponed...continue practicing writing and singing prep. list.
Absent? Email me for prep list and I'll attach it to your email.
WEEK OF October 3-6
M. Prepositional phrase practice wksht. 77 1-6, 1-10
T. Prep Test and bonus points offered for singing song
W. Book Fair and silent reading. Select book for 2nd quarter book report.
T. Sharpen Up pp. 41-44, "The Tell Tale Heart" p. 95 Collections bk. and point of view handout
(adaption) Read by teacher
F. Planning Day
IF ABSENT, EMAIL ME FOR WORKSHEETS.
Week of October 10-14
M. Some classes finish listening to TTH adaptation in Sharpen Up and all answer 1-8 pp. 41-44.
In black Collections book, COPY the critical vocab words and info. from the margins. It must be exact. Include: word, pronunciation guide, part of speech and sentence.
T. Take notes on Edgar A. Poe.
Read "The Tell-Tale Heart" short story in Collections book.
Begin answering 1-6 p. 96. Use RACE.
W. Complete 1-6 p. 96
Review Sharpen Up pp. 41-44 1-8
T. Complete p. 97 (all) Use a thesaurus.
Read p. 98. (dashes) Read about context clues p. R53.
F. Review 1-6 and p. 97 for test.
Week of October 17-21
M. Test review for "The Tell-Tale Heart" and Poe notes. Review 1-6 and crit. vocab.
T. Test TT Heart
W. Copy 2nd qtr. book report directions. Deadline for parent signature for novel, Cast and read aloud a short play script of TTTH.
Th. Complete a chronological/sequence order worksheet. Complete a Cloze vocabulary wksht. if time. TTH
Find figurative language in TTH
2nd period cut short...fundraiser assembly
F. Study p. 102 (counter claim, viewpoint, style) Read essay "Scary Tales."
F. Begin to answer 1-7 p. 103. Use RACE.
Week of October 24-28
Learning target= The student will recognize and analyze genre, point of view, viewpoint, theme and foreshadowing in two separate reading selections.
M. Finish 1-7 p. 103. Study p. 117 (theme, foreshadowing).
Subject/verb agreement p. 105 1-5
T. COPY (means copy) Crit. vocab. words exactly from the margins of "The Monkey's Paw" Begin reading TMP.
W. Finish reading story. Discuss ending.
T. Copy transitions list. Complete Crit. vocab exercise p. 119, 1-8. Use transitions.
F. Finish p. 119. Begin answering 1-7 p. 118. Use RACE.
Week of October 31-November 4
Learning target continued from last week
M. Complete vocab. p. 119 1-8 and questions 1-7 p. 118 TMP
Begin review if time
T-W.
. Review ST 1-7 p.103 for test
Review TMP 1-7 p. 118 for test
Review vocab. TMP for test
T. ST/TMP Test (combined)
F. Continue subject verb agreement
Collections p. 104 review
Rd. p. R-49
WC p. 535 Ex. 2 p. 536 3 columns (prep. phrase, simple subject, verb)
Week of November 7-10
Learning target= Students will understand singular/plural nouns and verbs for correct subject verb agreement.
Students will understand compare/contrast strategies and find examples of similarities and differences between two separate genres of the same title.
M--Complete W.C. p. 536 Ex. 2 (subj./verb agreement) 3 columns: prep. phrase, subject, verb
T.-- Assign parts and read the radio play of "The Monkey's Paw" aloud.
W.-T.--Book report due Wednesday. No late work will be accepted. Finish script.
Discuss compare and contrast transitions and literary elements to compare and contrast between the two selections of "The Monkey's Paw. (short story and radio play) Begin 3 T-charts comparing/contrasting 1. format (8 differences, 4 similarities) 2. setting (4 and 4) 3. plot (4 and 4)
F. Holiday
Week of November 14-18
M.--Complete T-charts (3)
T. -- Begin writing paragraph/s to compare and contrast one literary elkement between the short story and radio play. Use transitions.
W-Th.--complete, edit, revise paragraphs
F. --paragraph/s due...Bio poem Tom Turkey
week of 11/28-12/2
M. Begin Pronouns W.C. pp 429-430 Ex. 1 and 2 (gender, case, and number)
T. Continue Pronouns and antecedents
W.- Possessive pronouns
T-F. Begin "A child's Christmas in Wales
(teacher read finding literary terms and figurative language)
Week of 12/5-12/9
M-W.- Continue/finish "A Child's Christmas in Wales" by Dylan Thomas.
W-T.- copying study guide and clues for puzzle
F. Draw T-Chart about presents (3 descriptive USEFUL present and 3 descriptive USELESS present...find 5 examples of vivid verbs from story..create 2 original examples of vivid verbs)
Week of 12/12-16
M & T. Semester exam review
W-F Semester exams, early release Friday only this year
Week of January 4-6
W.- Sharpen up on Poetry pp. 55-63 Listen to Jabberwocky.
T. Code f Conduct
Complete/check Sharpen up (time permitting with COC)
F. COPY poetry terms from handout 1-15
Collections book.
Week of January 9, 2023
Get parent signature for novel approval. Deadline is Friday the 13th! Write on p. 68 in planner.
M. Catch up...Everyone should have copied poetry terms 1-22 and should have gotten a novel for literacy week and the book report.
M. Write an original example of poetry terms 1-15. (omit numbers 1, 5, 12, 13, and 15)
T. Review and study terms for quiz. Read original examples.
W. Matching quiz poetry terms.
Discuss Rotary Essay
T. Revisit grammar. Review prep. phrases, subject verb agreement. W.C. p. 536 Ex 2
Begin W.C. p. 538 Ex. 4 (3 columns--prep. phrase/subject/verb
F. continue subject/verb agreement and prep. phrases. Work on Rotary essay if time.
Matching quiz on poetry terms. read/study new poetry packet.
Week of January 17-20
M. MLK Day
T. Discuss Rotary Essay Contest
Teacher lecture clauses
W.C. pp. 501-502 Ex. 1 Compound/simple sentences.
W.W.C. p. 502 Ex. 2
T. Complex sentences W.C. p. 503-4 Ex. 3
F. Finish W.C. exercises and review.
I'm not using TEAMS. Please review this website. Email me for any needed worksheets or directions, and I'll reply with the info. that you need.
Week of January 23-27
M.- FAST testing 1st and 2nd periods
Sharpen Up pp. 46-54 for 3rd-6th
T.- FAST testing 1st and 2nd periods
Read "The Latehomecomer" 3rd-6th
W.- W.C. p. 512 Ex. 1-2 (simple and compound sentences)
T.- W.C. p. 513 Ex. 3-4 (simple, compound and complex sentences)
F.- Review S, CD, CX sentences or subject/verb agreement.
BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE MONDAY.
Week of January 30- February 3
Learning target= students will recognize and understand different types of poetry and poetic devices used. (compare/contrast)
M.- Poetry packet -- Read and review examples. Listen to "The Raven" audio.
T. - Focus on the limerick. Read the format requirements; listen to examples, and write a limerick meeting all the requirements.
Share with class if time.
W.- Review poetry terms and packet terms for test. Rotary essays are due.
CHANGE...teacher absent
W.C. p. 536 Ex. 1 and p. 546 Ex. 1-2
T. Review poetry terms and catch up limerick and W.C.
F. - matching test on all poetry terms.
Week of Feb. 6-10
M. Read the poem "Chicago". Read bio on Carl Sandburg. (You can Google both if absent.)Answer 1-6 p. 430 Collections bk. Use R.A.C.E. on all questions.
T. Finish "Chicago". Read "Find Work"and answer 1-3 p. 432.
W.- Read "My Mother Enters the Work Force" and answer 1-4 p. 434
Th.- read p. 435 Collections. Answer questions 1-5 (RACE)
F. Review Q & A's and prior papers.
Week of February 13-17
M. Test review of the 3 "work" poems
T. Test Work Poems
W. review subject/verb agreement WC pp 536 and 546 Ex 1, 1-2
Book Fair --check out or recheck novel. Required to have novel in class daily
T. Review simple, compound, complex sentences, clauses and phrases
F. Test S, CD, CX sentences
Week of February 21-24 2023
Begin Essay Writing Unit
T. Green workbook read pp. 11-22
Teacher review of sources, evidence, etc.
Answer questions pp. 12-15. Begin taking notes Pro/Con evidence same pages
W. Finish annotating evidence pp. 12-15. Continue through page 19.
T. Review citing sources. Thoroughly cite the 4 sources given (plus some others)
F. continue with wkbk. Review transitions, quotation marks, and commas if time.
Week of Feb. 27-March 3
M. COPY transitions sheets and Introducing Quotations sheet.
Thoroughly cite the four sources from P.A. wkbk.
T. Cite sources. Read paragraph check sheet. Read model of body paragraph one. Begin writing draft of first body paragraph.
W. Complete body para one. Write body para. two.
T. Write body paragraph three.
F. Revise and edit body paragraphs. See rules of commas, quotation marks, capitalization, writing numbers, etc. in Writer's Choice. (or Google) Final copy of 3 body para.'s due Monday.
Week of March 6-10
M. Turn in 3 body paragraphs.
Copy 5 steps for counter claim paragraph. Begin writing counterclaim. due Wednesday.
T. Practice organizing opposing claim facts/evidence. Complete opposing claim paragraph. (due Wednesday)
W. Teacher lectures on interesting ways to introduce your essay. (the grabber, attention getter) How to write intro. para. Write into. para.
T. How to write concluding paragraph. Write paragraph.
F. Final copy of intro. and concluding paragraphs due. Happy Spring Break!
Week of March 21-24, 2023
Parent night at NHS 3/22, Wednesday. (5:30-7)
NHS visits us 1st period Thursday.
M. teacher planning day--no students
T. Begin expository/informative essay on how earthquakes affect the Earth, the people and property. (Packet is attached if you scroll up.)
T-F Take notes, cite sources, organize two pieces of evidence for each main point with one elaboration for each main point. Write an intro. paragraph with a CCOS and a concluding paragraph with a CCCS. Edit and revise. Due Monday. Typed appreciated but not required.
Week of March 27-31
M-T Copy vocabulary 1-8 and Words to Know 1-5 COPY means COPY. Answer questions and vocab pp. 400-401. Listen/read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and listen to background on R. Kipling.
W-F Find examples of figurative language in the story. Review methods of characterization. Practice writing and finding specific, vivid verbs.
Test Monday
Week of April 3-6
M. Test review for RTT. Test moved until tomorrow.
T. RTT test
W-T Acrostic Poems (Happy Easter or alternate) Must have picture, color, and signature in the bottom right
F. Holiday
Week of April 10-14 (2023)
M. "Casey at the Bat" narrative poem
Answer 1-5 p. 145 (blue book in desk)
T. Listen to audio of poem. Read "The Elephant's Child" silently. Teacher lecture regarding some poets, CATS, and table of contents in small book in desk.
W. Assign parts to read "The Elephant's Child." Read Jabberwocky aloud if time.
T-F.--Volunteer reading acrostic poems.
Begin teleplay "The Monster's are Due on Maple Street." Assign parts and begin reading aloud.
Answer 1-5 p. 369.
Week of April 17-21
M. View Twilight Zone episode of "Monsters......Maple St."
vocab 1-10 p. 371
T. Review teleplay for test. Turn i 1-5 and 1-10. Complete Vocab. Skillbuilder wksht.
W. Test "Monsters..." (postponed until Thursday) Test review/library to check/recheck NOVEL
T. "Monsters..." Test
F. Begin defining 25 words from "The Phoenix" using a dictionary.
Week of 4/24-4/28
M. Complete definitions of Phoenix.
T. Read "The Phoenix." Listen to audio if available and time permits.
W. Answer questions "For Study And Discussion."
T. Begin Test Prep. workbook. Teacher lecture on types of questions.
CHANGE
F. Computer practice test for FAST
Week of May 1-5
M. Continue wkbk. (Reading Banks 1-2)
T. Turn in Test Bank 1 (pp. 1-8)
Finish bank 2 and add bank 3
Teacher notes on question types
W. Turn in Banks 2-3 pp. 9-23.
Advise students where they test next week.
Notes on question types for Bank 4.
Answer Bank 4. Notes on question types.
T. Bank 5 notes and students answer questions.
Week of April 11
M. Sharpen Up pp. 14-23
T. Sharpen Up pp. 46-54
NHS visit re: registration
Parent night NHS 5 pm
W. Sharpen Up pp. 64-73
T. Catch up/review Sharpen Up
F. Good Friday holiday
Week of April 18-22
M. Review Sharpen Up pp. 14-23
(Some classes review pp. 3-13, also.)
Begin Test Prep. Wkbk. (TPW) pp 1-8.
T. TPW pp. 9-23
W. TPW pp. 25-40
T. Review wkbk. pages. Catch up.
F. TPW pp 41-58 Midterm grades available online High school registration menu is due.
Week of April 25-29
M. Finish all TPW pp. 25-40, 41-58
Review pp. 9-23
T. Grammar TPW pp. 123-132
ADD TPW pp. 87-91 Bank 11
W.-F. FSA Practice Reading test (online)
Learn tools; take test; review test
(answer on paper)
You can Google FSA Practice Reading Test (grade 8) from home.
Week of May 2-6
M-W Review TPW for FSA
T-F FSA reading Test A.M. Begin
WWW.annefrank.org in the afternoons
Week of May 9
The schedule is hectic with testing, so the following are the assignments for the whole week:
In the Collections book in the classroom, read the back ground information on pp. 279 and 355; read drama elements on p. 324; read diary elements on p. 366.
The play begins on p. 279. Read Act 1.
Answer 1-4 on p. 324 after reading Act1.
When at home, the play starts on p. 141 in the big blue My Perspectives book.
You may also Google the play and listen to audio readings of the play online.
Week of May 16
M. quick review of Act i The Diary of Anne Frank before the test
T-F Semester exam review
Thursday night---awards ceremony
Friday 4th-5th periods 8th grade celebration
Week of May 23rd
M. semester exams periods 1 and 4 (whole day)
T. exams per. 2 and 5 (whole day)
W. exams per. 3 and 6 dismiss 1:10