1` Monday, September 28, 2015 Corrections: subject verb agreement, numbers Lobsters walks around on 8 legs just as spiders do. Corrections: using the right word, commas to separate phrases and clauses, abbreviations, article adjectives Only an fraction of an inch long at berth lobsters may grow to way as much as 20 lbs.

Article Adjectives (1 of 2) Rule: Adjectives are words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. The articles— a, an, and the — are adjectives. The word ’a’ becomes ’an’ when the next word begins with a vowel - a, e, i, o, u) Use ‘the’ when you want to specify one specific noun Use ‘a’ or ‘an’ when you are not referring to a specific noun. Example: The girl jumped out the window. A cat is stuck in a tree. An igloo is a comfortable place to sleep. 2

Abbreviations (2 of 2) Rule: In mathematical units (in., ft, kg, m, lb), these abbreviations are only used in technical writing. There is a space between the number and the abbreviation. Notice that we do not put an ’s’ after such abbreviations even when plural. Also, do not use a period with such abbreviations except for in. when it might be confused with the preposition in. 3

Today We Will: Bellwork & Rule (x 2) Unit 8 Vocabulary Packet Introduction to Science Fiction – Notes Colonizing Mars – News Clip Introduce Utopia Project – give applicable dates Read “The Naming of Names” Review the Components of an Effective Paragraph

Tuesday, September 29, 2015 Corrections: pronoun antecedent agreement, subject verb agreement, end punctuation, using the right word A baby squirrel is born with it’s eyes closed, and they keep them closed four about a month 5

Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Rule: A pronoun usually refers to something earlier in the text (its antecedent) and must agree in number — singular/plural — with the thing to which it refers. Example: Students must see their counselor before the end of the semester. A student must see his counselor before the end of the semester. 6

Today We Will: Bellwork & Rule Finish reading “The Naming of Names” “The Naming of Names” comprehension questions/study guide (Test tomorrow) Begin Essay #1 – Brainstorm Vocabulary Packet Check tomorrow! (Aren’t short weeks fun? )

Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Corrections: using the right word, comma between independent clauses, double negative Starfish don’t have no legs but they can creep around on alot of little tube feet. Corrections: abbreviations, wordy sentence, using the right word A beaver can swim half a mile and hold it’s breath for 15 min., which is a quarter of an hour. 8

Double Negatives (1 of 2) Rule: Never, no, nobody, none, no one, not, nothing— these are all negative words. Two negative words in the same clause create a double negative. Example: Incorrect He can't convince no one to go with him. Correct He can convince no one to go with him. Correct He can't convince anyone to go with him. 9

Using the right word – a lot (2 of 2) Rule: The word alot does not exist. A lot means a large extent or to a large extent. To allot means to apportion something. Example: I know alot about precious stones. (X) I know a lot about precious stones. ( ) 10

Today We Will: Bellwork & Rule (x 2) The Naming of Names Test Vocabulary Packet Check/Review Essay #1 – fill in handout & begin writing

Thursday, October 1, 2015 Journal #8 – Would you rather jump out of a plane or scuba dive? Why?

Today We Will: Journal #8 (full page) Review Spelling/Vocabulary Turn in Unit 8 Packets Weekly Tests Early Finishers – complete journals or any incomplete assignments