Category: 8th Grade

Good morning 8th graders,

Today is…

So, wherever you’re feeling behind – reading, writing, singing, social studying, science-ing, math-ing, resting, relaxing, reflecting, speaking, sighing, thanking, drawing, crafting, practicing (anything) – today is your day to get back on track.

Have a great day and let me know if you have any questions!

Good morning 8th graders,

Thank you for your flexibility, positivity, and persistence!

Please review the monologue information closely as there is a change in the due date.

You have two items for your Literature To Do list:

• • • • Monologue performance practice / write-up (10 – 15 minutes)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)

Here we go!

1. Monologue performance practice / write-up (10 – 15 minutes)
   • In making the schedule, I realized half of you would go before Spring break and the other half would fall after Spring break. As a result:
     • • monologue performances start on Tuesday, April 21st (NOT April 6th)
       • write-ups are due on Tuesday, April 21st (NOT April 6th)
   • If you want to turn your write-up in early, I will have the assignment posted on Teams on Monday, April 6th. You can post it any time after that.
     • • NOTE: Only submit the assignment if you have all three pieces:
         • one to two paragraph write-up
         • your annotated monologue
         • completed “Questions to guide your monologue”
   • If you want to perform before Spring break, please send me an email and, depending on time available, we can make arrangements.
2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • Read for 15 – 30 minutes
   • Reflect on your reading by completing today’s entry in your Reading Log.
   • Contact me with questions!

Okay, thank you again for your flexibility and please contact me with any questions!

Good morning 8th graders,

As much as I want to pull some fabulous pranks, I feel like we’re not really in the headspace for April Fool’s Day this year. Don’t worry – we can still have fun, and I will save the pranks until we’re ready to fully enjoy them (…mwahahaHA – ahem!…sorry, I don’t know what happened there).

Okay, for today you have two items for your Literature To Do list:

• • • • Monologue performance practice (10 – 15 minutes)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)

Let’s get started!

1. Monologue performance practice (10 – 15 minutes, little longer if you’re working with a classmate)
   • Your monologue project is due on Monday, April 6th – write-up, annotations, completed worksheet, and your performance.
   • Performances will begin on Monday and I will post the performance schedule tomorrow, April 2nd.
   • Some of you are practicing your performance on Teams tomorrow – if you haven’t already, please let me know if you are interested!
   • 🌟Contact me today if you are feeling behind or unable to make the Monday, April 6th, deadline!🌟 I can adjust deadlines – I just need to know who needs help 😊.
2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • Read for 15 to 30 minutes
   • Reflect on your reading by filling out your entry in the reading log
   • Ask me questions if you have them!

That’s everything for today!

Good morning 8th graders,

You have two items for your Literature To Do list and one item for general information:

• • • • Monologue practice (10 – 15 mintues)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 mintues)
      • Movie Talk sign-ups and schedule (for your information)

Remember, do what you can and give yourself space and time if you need it!

1. Monologue practice (10 -15 minutes)
   • Your performances are scheduled to begin next week, so you should be practicing your performance this week.
   • Seven of you have asked to practice with peers and I will set that up for this Thursday. If you signed up to practice with classmates, look for an email from me today or tomorrow with more details!
   • Please email me if you have questions about this assignment or concerns about your progress. The only way I can help and give you more time is if I know there is a problem!
2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • Remember the direction from yesterday, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or you just need some extra time to yourself, read for 15 minutes!
   • When you finish reading, complete your daily reading log entry.
   • Contact me with any questions about reading logs, evidence, technical issues, what counts as reading, etc.
3. Movie Talk sign-ups and schedules
   • You can find the most up-to-date sig-up sheet here – please contact me as soon as you have chosen your film!
   • Here is the adjusted Distance Learning presentation schedule (based on your responses to the survey) – let me know if you have any questions!

Okay, that’s your work for now. On the optional Social-Emotional To Do list:

• • Take some time to just chill out
  • Spend some time with your pets, if you have them
  • Call a friend / classmate just to say hi
  • Hug your parent / guardian and tell them what you appreciate and why
  • Clean something up around the house without being asked
  • Listen to some music
  • Craft something that brings you joy (a picture, the perfect jump shot, a cake…whatever works for you)

Good morning 8th graders,

I hope you had a restful and relaxing weekend. If not – or if you’re struggling to hold onto that sense of calm – I invite you to chill out on this beach for a couple of minutes (or however long you need) while taking some deep breaths. Remember that you are a loved, supported, and entirely capable individual, who is part of a larger community that can help with whatever you need.

Okay, now that we’ve reminded ourselves that we’re all in this together (I had to do it 😂), let’s take a look at our day. You have two items for your Literature To Do list:

• • • • Monologue practice survey (1-2 minutes)
      • Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)

Let’s get started…

1. Monologue practice survey (1-2 minutes)
   • Some of you have asked for opportunities to practice your monologue with classmates on Teams and I am happy to help!
   • I need to know who wants time to practice on Teams, so please fill out the one-question survey I posted on 8th grade Literature today.
   • Tomorrow morning I will collect the information and post a practice schedule.
   • Let me know if you have questions.
2. Daily Reading (20 – 35 minutes)
   • If your schedule is full or you are feeling overwhelmed – read for 15 minutes and reflect in your Reading Log.
   • If you have extra time and are not overwhelmed – read for 30 minutes and reflect in your Reading Log.
     • Side note: You can read and record your thoughts over the weekend, but it is NOT homework. I put the dates for weekends and Spring Break in the reading log to encourage you to read, but you are not required to fill those dates in. Let me know if you have questions!

That’s everything – have a marvelous Monday and let me know if you have questions!

Happy Friday 8th graders!

You did it – you made it to the end of week 2. Way to go!

Today is a catch-up day. Did you get behind on your reading? Use today to catch up! Slipped your mind to do your science? Use today to catch up! Did you put something/anything else to the side because you needed some extra time during the week? No problem – now is a time to work on that!

Movie Talks: I look forward to seeing movie talks from four of you today and eight of you on Monday.

Final thought (and obvious ploy to insert one more tiny dance party), if you’ve had a tough week – one that made you want to tear up your notebooks and throw them out the window – take some time for you today. Take deep breaths, go on a walk, listen to your favorite music, talk to a friend, make some food, do a craft project, read a book, paint/draw a picture… do something that brings you joy.

And, give your parent/guardian a hug. Whether you see it or not, they’re working incredibly hard to support you, and they need extra love and support.

Have a great weekend and remember to reach out if you need help (or even if you just want to say “Hi”)!

Hi 8th graders,

It’s Thursday, which – based on some cursory research – means the ‘day of thunder’ or ‘Thor’s day‘. To me, that means that every Thursday is full of awesome, cosmic potential. What a great day to do some reading and prep a monologue!

You have two items for your Literature To Do List:

• • • Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
    • Monologue memorization and performance practice (10 – 15 minutes)

Alright, let’s do this!

1. Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes: 25 – 30 minutes reading and 5 minutes reflection)
   • I am attempting to review all reading logs and putting reading points into PowerSchool today – please make sure your logs are up to date and complete.
   • Contact me with any questions!
2. Monologue memorization and performance practice (10 – 15 minutes)
   • Performance schedule: I will share the schedule of performances as soon as everyone has responded to the “Monologue Performance Preference” assignment in Teams – I am missing three students.
   • Memorization and practice:
     • Continue working through your monologue, memorizing it section by section. Challenge yourself to perform without your notes and see how far you get!
     • If you have memorized your monologue, try and practice with an audience and ask for feedback on your performance (sound, movement, etc.).
     • I know this is difficult, but here are some possible ideas:
       • • Ask a (age-appropriate) sibling
         • Perform it as dinner entertainment for your family
         • Use video chatting to have a friend / grandparent / aunt / uncle / cousin / classmate / coach watch your performance (if you use a classmate, you each perform your monologues and give one another feedback!)
         • Hop on Teams and check in with me – we can set up a small group practice if any of you are interested.
         • Record yourself (with your laptop, phone, video recorder, Flip camera, ummm…what else do you have?) and review the footage. This is probably the most effective strategy, even if it feels awkward to watch yourself.
         • Let me know if you come up with other ideas!

Please check in with me if you are feeling overwhelmed by the Literature work – it’s the only way I know there’s a problem and can start to help! I know that all of you are doing the best you can, but sometimes you feel like it still isn’t enough. Remember, as long as you are doing what you can with what you have, that’s all anyone can expect of you.

Our goal in Distance Learning is to continue your education during a difficult time, not cause you mind-melting stress. This is a new way of learning for all of us (teachers included), so it takes time to adjust and find what works best. Thank you for your patience, persistence, and kindness! 

One last note – I miss seeing all of you every day. Teaching online can’t compare to the experience of being in the classroom with all of you – the insights, jokes, mistakes, drawings, surprises, facial expressions, joy, frustration, laughter and more. I am grateful for the time I have had with you, and I look forward to the time we can all be back together.

Have a great Thursday!

 

Hello 8-year-old graders…(uh oh)…Hello 80s graders…(that’s not right either, sorry, Distance Teaching can be tough)…let’s try this…

Good morning 8th graders,

Whew! Welcome to Wednesday – where we will willingly wonder at wild and wacky witterings, whilst wishing we were wandering with one another.

Or, in less alliterative terms: You have three items for your Literature To Do List:

• • • Movie Talk presentation question (1 minute or less)
    • Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
    • Monologue memorization (10 – 15 minutes)

Here we go!

1. Movie Talk presentation question (1 minute or less)
   • I want to give you some flexibility in your schedule (and give you more work time if you need it).
   • Please answer the question I posted on Teams about your presentation date. You have three options:
     1. move it one day early
     2. keep it the same
     3. push it to the following Monday
   • All options are equal in my eyes (you will not get extra credit for going early, nor will you be penalized for going later). I want you to pick the option that works best for you.
   • If you are struggling to finish up your Movie Talk, with everything else you have to manage, contact me directly and we can talk about adjusting your schedule.
2. Daily Reading (30 – 35 minutes)
   • Continue to follow the directions (read for 30 minutes and complete your reading log)
   • A note about completing your daily reading before bed:
     • Go for it! It’s a great way to calm your mind and relax.
     • Please fill out your Reading Log first thing in the morning, instead of at night. Looking at screens before bed messes with your sleep – and that’s not good for anyone.
     • For those of you reading on screens (phones, tablets, etc.), I recommend switching to a paper book or reading sometime other than right before bed.
3. Monologue Memorization (10-15 minutes)
   • Continue to memorize and practice – doing a little bit every day allows your brain to move your monologue from your short term/working memory into your (much more reliable) long term memory. Hooray!
   • Try to perform as much of your monologue as you can without your notes, then start your work wherever you start to forget words, tone, or gestures.
   • Contact me with any questions.

That’s all, folks!

Greetings and salutations 8th graders (and parents / guardians / online learners looking for content),

Today is a great day for learning!…I mean, every day is a great day for learning, but today feels particularly auspicious.

You have two items for your Literature To-Do List and they should look pretty familiar:

1. 1. • Reading Log (35 minutes)
      • Monologue memorization (10 – 15 minutes)

Here we go!

1. Reading Log (35 minutes – 30 minutes reading, 5 minutes reflecting)
   • Read for 30 minutes and use the reflecting time to complete your reading log.
   • Note: Remember to change the type of evidence you use every day.
     • You can reuse the type of evidence every few days, but not the same one day after day after day after day.
     • I love books, but looking at a picture of the page you’re reading is not nearly as interesting as reading your thoughts about the book in a summary, prediction, illustration, character sketch, etc.
     • If you want to take a picture every few days, go for it! You could include a pet, a sibling, a dramatic expression, an interesting locale. You’re creative individuals, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
   • Whatever you choose, have fun with it!
2. Monologue Memorization (10 – 15 minutes)
   • Keep working on memorizing the separate sections of your monologue.
   • Find a quiet space (if this is possible) and pick up where you left off yesterday – if you finished working on section 1, move on to section 2, and so on.
   • There are many different memorization methods, so please let me know if you need some extra help.

That’s everything for today. As always, contact me with questions (or if you have a really good cookie recipe)!

Good morning 8th graders,

Welcome to Week Two! If you haven’t already seen it in your inboxes, check out this Special Report from ENN…

I think the kindness quote at the end is particularly appropriate for right now, so much so that I want to include it in this post:

• • • • “Some days, doing ‘the best we can’ may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn’t perfect on any front – and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else.”
        • • Mr. Fred Rogers

This is not an easy situation for anyone (you, siblings, parents, guardians, teachers…everyone), but the work that you are doing – looking for schoolwork on different platforms, organizing your schedule, following your schedule, attempting to complete your work, helping siblings and friends with questions, figuring out where to turn in your work and then remembering to do it, being patient with yourself and those around you, offering words of support, helping out around the house, distracting yourself and your siblings so your parents can work, practicing mindfulness and calming techniques, and so much more – all of those efforts help. The little things that you do make a difference. Thank you for “doing what [you] can with what [you] have”!

Okay, after that message, now it’s on to today’s work. You have two items for your Literature To Do List:

1. 1. • Daily Reading (35 minutes)
      • Monologue preparation (10 – 15 minutes)

Here we go!

1. Daily reading (35 minutes – 30 for reading and 5 for evidence)
   • Read for 30 minutes, fill out your reading log, and let me know if you need help finding a new book!
2. Monologue preparation (10 – 15 minutes)
   • 🌟Important note🌟: I am moving the due date for the monologue performance and write-up. Here are the new dates:
     • • Optional rough draft for write-up: Thursday, April 2nd, 2020
         • If you want to exchange with a classmate and receive feedback, please have your short write-up complete by this day. This is entirely optional – you do not have to exchange your rough draft.
       • Final write-up due and performances begin: Monday, April 6th, 2020
         • This is the day you submit your:
           • Final write-up
           • Annotated monologue
           • Completed “Questions to guide your monologue”
         • There will be an assignment posting on Teams where you can submit these three items at that time.
   • To help create the performance schedule, I need you to go on the 8th Grade ELA/LIT Team and complete the assignment I have posted.
   • This week, you can work on memorizing your monologue.
     • Break your monologue up into separate emotional beats.
     • Rewrite the separate sections of your monologue on individual index cards (or whatever you have). This will help you remember the tone and body shifts that happen with the different emotional beats.
     • If your monologue is already rewritten, find a quiet space (as best you can), and start practicing!
       • Start by reading your notecards aloud, remembering to use the tone and pacing you worked out in your annotations.
       • As you work, if you want to change something in your performance (tone, body, pacing, etc.), go for it! This is your interpretation and performance.
       • After you have read a section through, repeat it. When you are finished with that, do it again…and again and again and again. Memorizing your monologue requires repetition.

That’s everything for today. Let me know if you have questions!