Do Now:
* Take out SSR book
* Read for the next 45 minutes
* After you read, characterize the protagonist 
Class Assignment:
* Review yesterday's major happenings
* Finisn listening to Part 1 of "Flowers" while students follow along
* Stop at certain points in the story to discuss major happenings
* Complete Part 1 study guide in preparation for upcoming quiz
* Discuss questions as a class 
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 10/1
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Check Edmodo for any discussion questions
Additional Information:

Do Now:
* Read this article on the "R word" and its effects
* Feel free to navigate around the website for additional information
* Answer the following questions in response to the article: 1. Do you agree that the word "retard" is offensive?  2. Is the word still used as a derogatory term?  3. Do you think the word will ever stop being used?                                 4. How important is tolerance in our world?
Class Assignment:
* Watch yesterday's reading selection from "Charly"
* Review yesterday's major happenings
* Continue listening to Part 1 of "Flowers" while students follow along
* Stop at certain points in the story to discuss major happenings
* Start study guide questions along the way
* Discuss questions as a class 
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 10/1
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Check Edmodo for any discussion questions
Additional Information:
* R-Word with Scrubs Star

Do Now:
* Open up yesterday's open-ended question
* Would the world benefit from everyone having their intelligence tripled?
* Refer to yesterday pros and cons table
* Take out transitions handout from yesterday
* Read your response and focus on the following:
- Strong topic sentence
- 3 sentence lead-in (connect with your reader)
- Appropriate transition into your opinion
- Select your best point and support it for the remainder of the paragraph
- Avoid the "I" and the questions
- Remember the funnel structure (broad to specific)
Class Assignment:
* Discuss the subconscious and subliminal messages
* Review subplot and parallel episodes
* Review yesterday's major happenings
* Continue listening to Part 1 of "Flowers" while students follow along
* Stop at certain points in the story to discuss major happenings
* Start study guide questions along the way
* Discuss questions as a class 
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 10/1
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Check Edmodo for any discussion questions
Additional Information:
* 25 subliminal brand logos
* Toblerone
* KFC
* Jack in the Box
* Coca-Cola
* Johnny Bravo (a special thanks to Shawn Howell)
* 3 Little Pigs

Do Now:
* On your laptop, answer the following open-ended question:
* Would the world benefit from everyone having their intelligence tripled?
* Keep in mind what we learned about paragraph structure 
(broad to specific - funnel shaped)
* Start with an outline of points you plan to make (pre-writing)
* Strong topic sentence, connect with the reader, then transition into your response and prove your point
Class Assignment:
* Watch the first part of "Charly" to compare to the text (25 minutes)
* Review subplot and parallel episodes
* Review yesterday's major happenings
* Continue listening to Part 1 of "Flowers" while students follow along
* Stop at certain points in the story to discuss major happenings
* Start study guide questions along the way
* Discuss questions as a class 
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 10/1
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Check Edmodo for any discussion questions
Additional Information:

Do Now:
* Read this article on IQ tests 
* Take ONE of the online IQ tests found below (additional information)
* Take into account the article plus the test you take online and consider the following questions: 1. Do you think this is an accurate portrayal of your intelligence?  2. What type of factors are not taken into account?  3. When measuring, do you think it's measuring how much intelligence you actually have or how much you have the capability to acquire?  4. Should schools and colleges require students to get a certain score to be admitted (or allowed into certain classes)? 
Class Assignment:
* Review subplot and parallel episodes
* Introduction to "Flowers for Algernon"
* Start listening to Part 1 of "Flowers" while students follow along
* Stop at certain points in the story to discuss major happenings
* Start study guide questions along the way
* Discuss questions as a class 
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 10/1
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Check Edmodo for any discussion questions
Additional Information:
* IQ Test
* Alternate IQ Test
* Rorschach 1, Rorschach 2, Rorschach 3, Rorschach 4, Rorschach 5

Do Now:
* Take out your SSR Book
* Use the index card to find ONE example of figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, etc.)
Class Assignment:
* SSR Book (45 minutes)
* Discuss the question: "Would you rather be the most popular or the smartest in the 8th grade class?"
* Introduction to "Flowers for Algernon"
* Start listening to Part 1 of "Flowers" while students follow along
* Start study guide questions along the way
* Stop and discuss as a class 
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 9/24
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
Additional Information:

Do Now:
* Look over your study guides for WOW, Priscilla, and Broken Chain
* Prepare for today's quiz
Class Assignment:
* Quiz
* Compound sentence imitation 
* Open-ended response (topic sentence practice)
* Introduction to "Flowers for Algernon"
* Discuss the question: "Would you rather be the most popular or the smartest in the 8th grade class?" - Survey
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 9/24
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
Additional Information:

Do Now:
* Take out laptops 
* Login to Study Island (ex. bjost@wdms/prior password)
* Prepare for Benchmark Test
Class Assignment:
* Study Island Benchmark Test
* Review internal vs. external conflicts
* Compound sentence imitation 
* Finish reading "Broken Chain"
* Answer study guide questions (group work)
* List internal and external conflicts found in "Broken Chain"
* Discuss as class
* Open-ended response (topic sentence practice)
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 9/24
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Check Edmodo for discussion questions
* Study for QUIZ (WOW, Priscilla, and Broken Chain)
Additional Information:

Do Now:
* Read this article on the different types of students in school
* Think about the WDMS school culture.  Do you find it to be conformist? How are quirky types treated? Are you “popular,” or do you aspire to be? Are the “popular” kids generally well-liked? Do you think you’re a “quirky” type who might flourish more after high school? Or are you someone who generally tries to fit in?
* Reflect and respond in paragraph form
Class Assignment:
* Introduction to short stories (plot diagramming practice)
* Introduction to Invitational Grammar (simple and compound)
* Finish class discussion for "Priscilla"
* Review symbolism and allusion
* Class discussion about story and plot diagramming
* Open-ended response (focus on topic sentences and lead-ins)
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 9/17
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Complete "student" and "parent" survey - Due 9/14
Additional Information:

Do Now:
* Read this article on the cost of remembering 9/11
* Reflect and respond in paragraph form
* Do you think 9/11 should continue to be observed?  Should the government spend millions to remember the day?  Is the memory of 9/11 important to all future generations?  Do we do too little (or too much) to recognize 9/11?
Class Assignment:
* Introduction to short stories (plot diagramming practice)
* Finish reading "Priscilla and the Wimps"
* Answer the study guide questions to the short story
* Group work to discuss the study guide questions
* Introduction to symbolism/allusions
* Class discussion about story and plot diagramming
* Open-ended response (focus on topic sentences)
Homework:
* WOTD - Due 9/17
* Read SSR book for 30 minutes
* Complete "student" and "parent" survey - Due 9/14
Additional Information: