1. Bell Work

2. Bell work: 9/15
Write 2 Truisms for “The Sniper.”

3. 8/24 Letter to my Teacher
Dear Mrs. Whitehead,
Paragraph 1- Tell me about yourself. For example, you may tell me what sports you play, what interests you, what your favorite book is, etc.
Paragraph 2- Tell me about your expectations this year. What do you expect from this class? From me? From high school?
Paragraph 3- Tell me what your goals are after school. What career would you choose? Do you want to go to college?
Paragraph 4- Is there anything you would like me to know? Are you an excellent writer? Do you like reading? If not, what are you really good at? Do you have any concerns about this class?
Sincerely,
Write your name here
For the first 15 minutes of class, please compose a half page letter addressed to me (or another teacher). Please follow the format provided.

4. 8/25 Learning Styles Devices and backpacks in the back of the room.
Due at the beginning of class: Signed Page of Syllabus
You will need: Pencil, Paper, & Pen (Any Color)
Divide you paper into 4 sections like the giant paper on the board to your right: Section A (1-12), Section B (1-12), Section C (1-12), and leave Section D blank.

5. As you read each of the following statements, decide whether each is True (T) or False (F) according to your own preferences.

6. Section A
1. If I need to spell a word correctly, I write it down to see if it "looks" right.
2. I can remember names if I see them written on name tags.
3. I enjoy reading books and looking at the pictures.
4. I would prefer to read the directions or look at the illustrations before beginning a project.
5. To remember what my teacher says in class, it helps me to take notes.
6. I usually write down all of my assignments to help me remember them.
7. A good way for me to practice vocabulary words would be to use flashcards.
8. I like my desk and locker to be organized.
9. I can sit still to watch TV or work on the computer for a long time.
10. I understand things better when I read them than when I listen to them.
11. I like for my folks to make a list of the chores I need to do rather than just tell me.
12. I can picture things easily in my mind.

7. Section B 1. If I hear someone's name, I remember it easily.
2. I prefer to listen to a book on audio tape rather than read it.
3. I can pay attention and remember easily when my teacher reads aloud to us.
4. I use jingles and songs to help me memorize things.
5. If I were lost, I would stop and ask someone for directions rather than look at a map.
6. In reading, I can best remember a story if we have a class discussion about it.
7. I remember songs after hearing them only a couple of times.
8. I often read and study by repeating information aloud to myself.
9. I am distracted by background noise (like pencil tapping) when I am taking a test.
10. I like to study for tests by having someone quiz me aloud.
11. I like to talk and listen.
12. I work math word problems by talking through them aloud.

8. Section C
1. It is hard for me to pay attention when I must sit still for a whole class period.
2. I enjoy sports and being active.
3. I count on my fingers or with other objects when I do math problems.
4. My favorite classes are those where I can move around a lot.
5. I would almost always choose to be outside rather than sit inside and read a book or listen to tapes.
6. I have a hard time staying neat and organized.
7. I am good at skills that require precise movements like walking on a balance beam, serving a volleyball, or playing ping- pong.
8. I prefer to learn a new activity by being shown how to do it rather than reading about it or listening to a tape about it.
9. I would like to act out stories rather than talk about them.
10. I have a good sense of balance and rhythm.
11. I can learn new dance steps or athletic skills after only trying them a few times.
12. I would like to study my multiplication tables by saying them in rhythm while I jumped rope.

9. Count up the number of Ts for each category.
If your highest total is in section A, you are likely a SEEING/ VISUAL learner. You remember best by using your eyes.
If your highest total is in section B, you are likely a HEARING/ AUDITORY learner. You remember best by using your ears.
If your highest total is in section C, you are likely a DOING/ HANDS-ON learner. You need movement or activity while you study to remember best.

10. Learning Styles: 3 Corners
In Section D of your paper, write which learning style best fits you. If you have two equal categories, list them both.
Move around the room to find the “Hints” sheet that matches your Learning Style.
In Section D, identify to strategies that you already use, and explain how you use them.
Then identify two more strategies that you will attempt to implement this year and explain how.

11. 8/26 True Colors Please leave your backpack at the back of the room.
Today you will need your folder, paper, pencil, and devices.
Please pick up a copy of the True Colors survey on the corner of my desk and start working. This will help you learn more about your personality and how you work with others.

12. 8/26 On Sheet of Paper…
This paragraph will go in the back of your folder.
My name is ________ and I am your color here.
I am ____________ and _____________________, but also ______________________. (Feel free to add more descriptors if you feel they apply to you)
When I work with others, I need to remember that I am _____________________.
Also, I am a Learning Style learner; I learn best by _______________, __________________, and ____________________.

13. Bell Work: 9/1
Write down the following notes on a sheet of notebook paper.
Subject: person, place, thing, or idea performing the action in the sentence
Verb: a word that represents an action, an occurrence, or a state of being
Simple Sentence: a complete sentence that contains at least one subject and one verb.
Write 2 simple sentences that contain only one subject and one verb. (for example: I see.)

14. Bell work: 9/2 Write down the following notes:
Direct object: a noun phrase denoting a person or thing that is the recipient of the action of a transitive verb. (Ask “What? Or Whom?)
 Write 2 simple sentences that contain a direct object. (for example: I see a dog.)

15. Bell work: 9/3
Write down the following notes:
 Indirect object: An indirect object is really a prepositional phrase where the preposition to or for is not stated (but is understood). It tells to whom or for whom something is done.
Write 2 simple sentences that contain an indirect object. (for example: Dad gave Will a sandwich.)

16. Bell work: 9/4
Copy the 3 simple sentences below. For each sentence, circle the verb, underline the direct object once, and the indirect object twice.
I gave John the newspaper.
Mrs. Hall gave Mrs. Waller Starbucks everyday.
John poured his dad water.

17. Bell work: 9/8 Write down the following notes:
TRUISM: A truism is something that is true about all people in general.
Ex: I have a friend named Kanye. (That’s not a truism about all people in general.)
Ex: Kids need friends. (That’s a truism; it’s true about all people in general.)

18. 9/10 Backpacks in the back; phones in your backpack.
Please clear your work area of everything but a pencil and your lit notes.
DO NOT WRITE ON THE QUIZ!
The last few questions will require you to bubble in TWO bubbles per line.
If you have questions/when you are finished, raise your hand and I will collect your quiz.
After your quiz, please silently read the story, “The Sniper.”

19. Bell work: 9/14
Create and write down at least two Truisms for this photo.

20. Bell work: 9/16
Write 2 Truisms for “The Sniper.”

21. Bell work: 9/16
Write a paragraph (4-8 sentences) explaining why you think citing your sources is important.

22. Bell work: 9/17 Direct Characterization:
Information the story actually tells us about a character.
Indirect Characterization:
Information the story does not actually tell us about a character. We have to figure it out.

23. Bell work: 9/23 Write down the following notes:
Adjective- a word that modifies (describes) a noun
Add an adjective to the following words:
Example: Desk - wobbly  
Boy -
Girl -
Class -
Dog -
Cat -

24. Bell work: 9/24 Write the following notes:
Adverb- a word that modifies (describes) a verb
Add an adverb to the following verbs:
Run
Sit
Sleep
Think
Laugh

25. Bell work: 9/25
 Add an adjective and an adverb to the following sentences.
The boy ran.
The girl laughed.
The class sat.
The dog slept.
The cat meowed.