Week of November 16-20

Geography

This week the students will be working on Chapter 11 Study Guide about the physical geography of Europe. They will also be filling out and studying a map of Western Europe. The test over chapter 11 will be this Friday the 20th. You can fill out and use either of the chapter reviews listed on the right under the geography handout sections on your test. The map test will be next Tuesday the 24, just before Thanksgiving break.

English

We are continuing to read Of Mice and Men. What a great story! The plan is to have the book finished by next Tuesday before we all leave for Thanksgiving break.

Science

We are nearing the end of another unit in science. The test is next Monday and Tuesday. Complete the review that was handed out on block day. Make sure you have all of your papers, questions, and labs completed. If you are missing anything or need help, be sure to ask Mr. Hess or Mrs. Drake. On Friday, Mr. Hess will hand out the table of contents for this unit.

Week 8 Brain Teasers for English

1. Choose one question for your BT entry:

• Have you ever known a mentally retarded person? Describe the experience you had and how you felt abound the person. Describe how the person looked, moved, talked, etc.
• What do you expect a mentally retarded person to look like? What do you expect him/her to do? What kind of personality traits might the person have? How do you think you would feel if you were talking to a mentally retarded person?

2. What does the word foreshadowing mean? How does an author use foreshadowing to engage the reader?

3. Steinbeck uses foreshadowing in both Chapters 1 & 2. Write a paragraph on some specific examples of foreshadowing. Predict what you think will happen further into the story.

4. Analyze Carlson's reasons for and Candy's reasons again shooting Candy's dog. What is the central message of their conflict?

Week of November 2-6

I hope everyone was safe and able to dig out after the little snow we had last Friday. I know we had a lot of heavy, wet snow at our house. What a mess! Because of the snow day last Friday, we will have a little catching up to do.

Geography

The Chapter 9 test that was scheduled for last Friday will be taken Tuesday. There will be a map test over South America on Wednesday and Thursday, on the block days. Remember you can use your notes and any worksheets for the chapter test, but the map test is closed book and notes.

English

The test over Act III of the Miracle Worker is Monday. Because of the snow day, we will not have a Miracle Worker final! Woo Hoo! If all goes well, we will start reading Of Mice and Men on Tuesday!

The Brain Teasers for this week include:

• Annie's attempt to teach Helen might have ended in failure. Why did it succeed?
• State in a paragraph the theme of "The Miracle Worker". For example, the theme of the play is that _____ can triumph over _____. Use specific examples to support your beginning sentence.
• A review of a play gives the reader a clear idea of what the play is about. Reviews also tell why the reviewer liked or did not like the play. Ultimately, a review should help the reader to answer the question, "Shall I go see this play?" Write your own review of "The Miracle Worker".Make sure your review would be useful to someone who was trying to decide whether or not to see it.
• If you had to work with a seriously handicapped or disabled person, what lesson could you draw from the example of Annie Sullivan?