Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

LANGUAGE ARTS QUICK HITS

* MAP TESTING COMPLETED - students completed their second round of MAP testing using the schools lap tops over the past two days in language arts. Results will help teachers identify strengths and weakness in both language arts and mathematics. This information will help educators better focus and address areas of need for students.
* PERSUASIVE WRITING - We spend the first half of class today reviewing the components of good persuasive writing as well as why it is important, how it is used in everyday life and some of the heated and interesting topics of debate in our society. We read from the text book and discussed the various elements of effective persuasive writing. COMING SOON - we will be starting a more serious persuasive writing paper that requires students to select a topic and defend it with clear, well supported evidence/facts.
* HOMEWORK - Because of the short week our regular schedule is a bit off. As a result we are doing our vocabulary today, but will not take the quiz for this round of vocabulary until next Friday 1/28. Students were given most of the second half of class to complete this work in class with a partner - a majority of students finish this work before they leave class, incomplete work will receive a zero. Week 13 Vocabulary is listed below in this email as well as on my blog.
* HOMEWORK - Reading Response due next Tuesday 1/25 - Students do not have to do Monday's entry. Reading Responses continue to bring down a lot of students language arts grade because they are missing or turned in incomplete or below standard.
* NO SCHOOL MONDAY - There will be no school Monday because a District Institute Day is schedueld.

Hoot Vocabulary – Week 13

boon


emphatic


mason

cadence


garish


mollify

cantankerous


irreverent


denote

deliberate


malady


paragon

novice


vacuous


permeate

efface


serene


rectify

embargo


reproach


reproach




--
Mr. Madel

6.1 Language Arts
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
jmadel@op97.org

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Vocabulary
Week 12
1. Affiliate – to bring into close association or connection, associated with personally or in business
2. Depraved – evil, sinful, debased, reprobate, degenerate; dissolute,
3. Coup – a highly successful stroke, action or plan
4. Bereft – deprived of or lacking something
5. Glut – to supply with more than is needed or than can be handled
6. Indict – to charge with a fault or offense, to charge with a crime by finding of a jury
7. Lithe – easily flexed or bent, athletically slim or graceful
8. Maniacal – affected with or suggestive of madness
9. Manifest – readily or easily perceived by the senses and esp by sight, easily understood
10. Muster – to gather or cause to gather, to call forth or rouse
11. Officiate – to perform a ceremony, function or duty, to act in an official manner
12. Piety – fidelity t o natural obligations (as to parents); dutifulness to religion
13. Plausible – seemingly worth of belief
14. Quip – a clever remark
15. Quittance – something given in return, compensation, or retaliation, discharge from a debt or an obligation
16. Acrimonious – biting or sarcastic in feeling, language or manner, upsetting in purpose
17. beatific– giving or showing great joy or bliss
18. Spite – ill will with a wish to annoy, anger, or frustrate; petty malice
19. Malice – ill will, spite, spitefulness; animosity
20. Tepid – moderately warm, lukewarm, lacking enthusiasm or conviction
21. Conviction – a fixed or firm belief, the act of convicting someone to imprisonment
22. Thriftless – careless, wasteful, unable to handle money or resources
23. Intractable - not easily controlled

Monday, January 10, 2011

Week 12 Vocabulary Words

affiliate
indict
piety
manifest
acrimonious
beatific
bereft
deprave
conviction
tepid
intractable
officiate
lithe
maniacal
thriftless
coup
glut
quip
quittance
muster
malice

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Vocabulary
Week 11
1. arbor – a shelter formed of or covered with vines and branches
2. arbitrator – one chosen to settle differences between two people or parties in a problem, dispute or controversy
3. array – to dress or decorate splendidly, a variety or group
4. banal – lacking originality or freshness, ordinary, not unique
5. banter – good-natured, witty or joking conversation or speaking
6. baroque – marked by the use of complex forms, bold ornamentation, and the juxtaposition of contrasting elements
7. barrage – a vigorous or rapid outpouring of things at once, the heavy concentration of fire or artillery
8. controversy – a clash of opposing views, struggle through expression of opposing views of claims
9. juxtapose – to put side by side
10. dispute – to engage in an argument or a verbal controversy
11. burnish – to make shiny by rubbing, polish
12. expedite– to carry out promptly or immediately
13. fraternize – to mingle with friends, to associate on close terms with members of a hostile group
14. mingle – to bring or combine together
15. contrived – lacking in spontaneous or natural quality, unoriginal
16. palpable – capable of being touched or felt
17. gregarious – liking companionship or being very social; tending to flock together
18. gripe – to complain with grumbling
19. impair – to diminish or lessen in quality, value, excellence or strength
20. indurate – physically or emotionally hardened
21. ineffable – incapable of being expressed in words

Monday, January 3, 2011

January 3, 2011

LANGUAGE ARTS QUICK HITS - 1/3/2011

* Thanks again to all of you who expressed kind words and understanding the week leading up to winter break - they were greatly appreciated. I hope that you and your families all had wonderful and memorable breaks and that the new year is filled with health and happiness.

* Today we started class by finishing the last 15mins of Hoot which we were watching before winter beak.

* HOMEWORK - (DUE: tomorrow 1/4/2011) after the movie, students were given the remaining 20 mins of class to begin (and possibly finish) an in class writing assignment. Students were tasked to write two paragraphs (8-10 sentences minimum) on the most interesting, exciting or memorable moment that happened to them or someone they know over the winter break. Students were specifically asked to use sensory words that would help a reader/listener - see, feel, taste, smell and hear what it was like during the experience being written about. Additionally, students were encouraged to write more than two paragraphs and to also type their work (although this is not necessary.)

* HOMEWORK - (DUE: tomorrow 1/4/2011) - Week 11 Vocabulary, listed below and also listed on my website. Students were given the entire second period to look up these definition in class and use extra time to complete the in class writing assignment. During this time I also called up students individually to review their notebooks, collect Reading Responses and inform them of their current grade.

* HOMEWORK - (DUE: Monday 1/10/2011) - New Reading Responses were passed out and the one handed out before winter break were collected. NOTE: Many students did not turn these in or 'forgot' them at home. As a result I am allowing an extra day to turn in missing Reading Responses. Download a Reading Response here!

* Parent Guardian FYI - the second round of parent teacher conference are about four weeks away! I have reminded students as well so that they can refocus on their work and improve grades before that time.

* Cold Weather - I remind students all the time, but be sure that students are properly dressed and zipped up to deal with the recent cold weather. Students are brought into the building in the winter, but should be dressed properly just in case!

* New Gifts - Again, I have reminded and warned students not to bring expensive gifts or gadgets to school for their protection and safety. If they should bring such things to school, I always recomend that they give them to to a teacher to hold on to for safe keeping during the day. I would encourage you to do remind them as well.


WEEK 11 VOCABULARY

arbor




controversy


contrive

fraternize


juxtapose


barrage

array


dispute


palpable

ineffable


burnish


gripe

mingle


expedite


impair

baroque


banter


indurate

gregarious


arbitrator


banal


Reading Response link: http://www.box.net/shared/4x0lj6aczf

Have a great evening and stay warm!

--
Mr. Madel

6.1 Language Arts
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
jmadel@op97.org

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Vocabulary
Week 9

1. quaint – having an old fashion attractiveness or charm; oddly pleasing
2. rigorous – severe, harsh or difficult
3. stupendous – causing amazement, astounding, marvelous
4. refine – to make pure, remove impurities, improve
5. bodacious – remarkable; outstanding; bold
6. acumen – keen insight, understanding or shrewdness
7. barbaric – uncivilized or primitive
8. antiquated – no longer used; linked to the past
9. squalid – foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy
10. profuse – made or done freely and abundantly; in great amounts
11. exemplary – worthy of imitation; commendable; serving as a model
12. maul – to handle or injure by rough handling or beating
13. vow – a solemn promise, pledge or personal commitment
14. ravage – devastating or destructive action
15. tyrant – an absolute ruler who uses power unjustly or oppressively
16. oppress – to burden or weigh down with unjust/unfair restraints or rules
17. envy – a feeling of discontent with regard to another advantages, success or possessions
18. plagued – any widespread affliction, problem or evil
19. exude – to make apparent by mood or behavior, to be released through pores or incision
20. fatuous – foolish, silly or unbelievable
21. feckless – having no sense of responsibility, incompetent or ineffective

Monday, December 6, 2010

Monday, December 6th 2010

Vocabulary
Week 9

NOTE: Please make sure to write all the words in your notebook so that you do not lose or forget them. Any words you fail to define in class are homework. I will be checking words tomorrow and there will be a quiz on these words at the end of the week.

quaint
antiquated tyrant
rigorous squalid oppress

stupendous profuse envy

refine exemplary plagued

bodacious
maul
exude

acumen
vow fatuous
barbaric
ravage feckless