Week of January 29th

This week we will be reading chapter 7-8 of Lord of the Flies.  Students will analyze character actions, locate literary devices, and examine the text as it connects to imperialism.  

Specifically, as part of his examination of human nature, William Golding’s Lord of the Flies can be seen as an analysis of imperialism.  Furthermore, some argue that Golding’s novel confronts those who justify a system that sanctions theft, injustice, ignorance, and violence.  Alternately, some surmise that Golding, as a British citizen and member of the British Royal Navy during WWII, wrote in support of imperialism and its civilizing influence.  In order to understand these perspectives, students will use excerpts from an additional text and a Newsweek article to inquire into this theme.

Students who need additional time to understand the last several chapters will complete an alternative assignment.  

Homework
1.  Read ch. 7-8 of Lord of the Flies
2.  Daily reading - 30 minutes or more
3.  Chapters 7-8 Character Analysis & Imperialism Inquiry OR Lord of the Flies ch. 4-8 summaries (Students will be working on this in class as well.)

Week of January 22nd

We are continuing our survival unit by reading and analyzing chapters 4-6 in Lord of the Flies.  As they read, students will focus on character actions and we will begin to discuss some of the symbolic elements of the novel.

Homework

1.  Read for 30 minutes daily.

2.  Read chapters 4-6 of Lord of the Flies (try to complete this early in the week.)

3.  Vocabulary Homework - due Friday

DHS elective registration

The Campus Portal is open for 8th grade students to register for their DHS electives.  I will be assisting students tomorrow during homeroom with registration; however, students can complete their registration at home.  Please use the following resources to assist with elective registration:

1.  Rising Freshmen Course Requests Worksheet

2.  Campus Portal

3.  Course Request Video Tutorial

Yearbook and PTA Spirit Wear

On behalf of our Yearbook Committee and Club we'd like to invite you to order one of our 50 remaining yearbooks! Please follow this link to complete the order form. As always, if you would like to donate a yearbook for those who might not be able to order one, please feel free to donate. 

Any 8th grade parents that have not yet completed an add are still welcome to do so! Please have that completed as soon as possible! 

On behalf of the RMS PTA, we'd like to remind you that Spirit Wear is still available for order through Ms. Buck on Friday mornings during homeroom, and through the PTA website. Please follow this link to pre-order, or order in person through Ms. Buck.

Week of January 15th

I hope everyone had a reflective Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day yesterday.  This week students are working in literature circles to analyze chapters 2-3 of Lord of the Flies.  On Wednesday, students should continue working on their literature circle task at home.

Homework
1.  Read for 30 minutes daily (reading Lord of the Flies counts towards this time)

2.  Continue working on your independent reading task.  Sign up for a presentation time if you haven't done so already. 

3.  Read Lord of the Flies, chapters 2-3.  Students will have some class time to complete this reading; however, most will need to read at home to make sure they stay on schedule.  

Week of January 8th

I hope everyone enjoyed the "snow" day.  I submitted the grades for this term's progress reports and I want to remind students and parents about the effort grades.  Each student's effort grade reflects on-time completion of summative assessments and classwork.  Students who repeatedly turn in work late or not at all will receive a lower effort grade.  Students who have 2s and 1s should be encouraged to work on their time-management and organizational skills.

Our next IB Unit

We will be reading Lord of the Flies and other historical texts that address the themes connected to survival over the next several weeks.  Students will also work on writing logical responses to research questions.

Homework
1.  Read for 30 minutes daily
2.  Complete the vocabulary homework - due Friday
3.  Read chapter 1 of Lord of the Flies (students will have some time to read in class)
4.  Continue working on the independent reading tasks - students who are ready will begin delivering their presentations starting this week