Coulombe's Corner

Over the Weekend…

Mrs. Coulombe — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:32:03 +0000

Homework:

1. Noun Chart- 6 types of names with an illustration for each.

2. Fill in the top half of the Nouns paper with types and examples, abstract noun endings and examples.

3. Read The Giver, chapters 1-3. As you read, find the Vocabulary Words 1-10 only, and list them on a piece of paper. Next to each word, write the words around it that helped you to find the meaning in context, and lastly, write what you think the word means based on these words.

4. Miilion Word Challenge- 5 books- Bingo Card needs to be filled in by Tuesday, A Day, or Wednesday, B Day.

March Comes in Like a Lion…

Mrs. Coulombe — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:56:34 +0000

Having been out with the flu, I’m finally updating my blog. Thanks for your patience with this and updating grades. I hope to get a lot corrected this weekend so thank you in advance for your patience. The research projects are taking time to correct. Grades close next Thursday, and I will be meeting with each student on Monday and Tuesday to check the status of their work and make sure all make up work is in. Just a note on student work- I had 5 papers that were never claimed by anyone- no name or heading on paper. I will be emphasizing that all students need to put a proper heading on their papers, and they need to take pride in their work. I’ve been getting final projects that should be typed or in pen, and homework handed in on ripped or decorated paper. All students should know my requirements by now, so please know that I am holding them accountable.

Homework:

1. Million Word Challenge due next Tuesday ((A Day) and Wednesday (B Day)

2. Complete the language arts Pink sheet- all sections

3. You will need to have The Giver in class on Friday (A) and Monday (B). We start right away so come prepared.

4. Stock up on pens, paper, and be sure you have your homework in your notebook. Too many of you are coming unprepared- no more locker passes.

Last Week of the Month

Mrs. Coulombe — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:09:37 +0000

Persuasive Research projects have been turned in (whew!) and we are on to new units. We will be starting a new Read aloud-Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, and we will be staring a Science Fiction unit- short stories and The Giver by Lois Lowry. (students need to have this novel by next week). Our grammar studies will be ramped up in preparation for the CRCT’s as well as reading strategies and literary terms.

Next week is Read Across America Week. See Ms. Harpin’s blog for more details. Students should take advantage of this time to complete their 5 book requirement for the Million Word Challenge.

Homework:

1. Find 5 facts on author Michael Morpurgo, and 5 additional facts on WWI (something you didn’t know).

2. DGP- Monday and Tuesday’s work

3. Pink Language Arts sheet review- do Monday’s work only

4.Spelling Unforgivables List 2- work due Friday (B Day) or Monday (A Day). (For those students who received below a 95 on the pretest)

5. Lie/lay practice worksheet.

The End of the Week….

Mrs. Coulombe — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:27:46 +0000

Persuasive Research Papers are due on Monday, February 22 (B Day) and Tuesday, February 23 (A Day). Please look at your rubric (given to you in class) and the last Powerpoint on the Blog to check your requirements. I’m looking forward to reading the culmination of your writing and hard work!

Bring The Giver to class beginning next Monday, March 1.

President’s Week

Mrs. Coulombe — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:52:20 +0000

We are in the home stretch for our Persuasive Research papers. This week students will be putting together thier rough draft. Students should have come to school with notes (in their own words) from 4 sources. They worked on this all last week, and if they did not complete it, should have finished all notetaking by today.

Homework:

1. Make a mini-poster of advertising ads that use 5 technigues that we studied. Lable each ad and note which type of persuasion was used. (You will all recieve a paper from me with the instructions on it).

2. Persuasive papers due Feb2 and 3. Requiremenst are as follows:Persuasive_Paper

3. Read for the Million Word Challenge! 5 Books are due my March 5. (Bingo cards must be filled in).

Valentine’s Week

Mrs. Coulombe — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:41:59 +0000

This week we will finishing up our notes, reviewing outling skills, and writing our rough draft for our Persuasive Research paper. It is due Feb 22,23.

Homework:

1. Be sure you have handed in your outline for me to check your thesis and 3 reasons.

2. Now is the time to fill out your Million Word Challenge sheets for your Sci-fi/Fantasy books that you recently completed. Get ahead of the game! Pick out your next book- you will need 4 more before the end of the marking period. I have some great, new books on my bookshelf. Check them out:)

It’s February!

Mrs. Coulombe — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:21:31 +0000

We are in the library all week gathering information for our Persuasive Research papers. Students are choosing a wide variety of topics- it’s exciting to see them energized by their topics.

Homework:

1. Science Fiction/Fantasy Index Card Summaries due Tuesday (A Day) and Wed (B Day).

2. Spelling Unforgivables Test- A Day- Thursday, B Day- Wednesday. Study!

3. All Tree Poems due by end of week- many of you have handed them in already:)

4. If you did not complete the Select-A Quote (A Day only) please do so. Practice Writing Prompts and Select-a Quote

Conference Week Continues…

Mrs. Coulombe — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:34:39 +0000

I ‘ve enjoyed meeting your parents this week. I think they really enjoyed looking through your writing folders and I had a few parents tear up when they read your awesome Where I’m From poems and the letters you wrote to them. We’re staring our persuasive writing projects this week. If you are unsure of a topic, go the the Media Center website, click on Cobb Virtual Library, and scroll down to SIRS Researcher site and Opposing Viewpoints site. Both have excellent topics for a persuasive paper.

Homework:

1. A Day classes- a. Be sure you are set on your research paper topic.

b. Tree poems will not be due until next week. If you need to meet with me during class on Friday, be sure you have a rough draft with you. Rubrics will be given to you on Friday. Your tree must be a metaphor for something, and include an illustration or picture.

2. B Day Classes- a. Choose a persuasive research topic (see above).

b. Work on spelling words

c. Tree poems will be due next week. If you need to meet with me on Monday, be

sure you have your rough draft with you.

3. All classes- Sci-fi/Fantasy Index Card Summaries due next week. A Day- due Feb 2, Tuesday, and B Day due Feb. 3, Wenesday. Be sure to hand in rubric (on goldenrod paper) with your card.

4. All A Day classes- Select A Quote Forms attached. be sure to hand in. I will accept it no later than next Tuesday. Practice Writing Prompts and Select-a Quote

This Week’s Work

Mrs. Coulombe — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:06:10 +0000

Homework:

1. Pick a persuasive writing topic for your research paper. Two things to consider: Can I write an effective thesis statement with this topic? Can I find research (aticles, websites ) to get my supporting details?

2. (A and B DAY)- Tree poem- rough drafts due.

3. Sci-fi/Fantasy Index cards due Feb. 2 (B) and Feb. 3 (A).

Preparing for the Writing Test

Mrs. Coulombe — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:28:54 +0000

On Wednesday all eighth graders will be taking the State Writing Test. I feel confident that YOU ARE READY! You can do it:) Get a good night’s sleep on Tuesday evening and eat breakfast before you come to school. Don’t forget you will need #2 pencils and blue or black pens.

Homework:

1. Prepare for the writing test and a class quiz by studying the following: The outline for an essay ( should be in your mini-lesson section), examples of essay leads (5), and your transitions paper. Look at the Power point for an example of thesis, supporting details and explanations, counter arguments, and conclusion. Three Little Pigs Final 2

2. Read your sci-fi-fantasy book and bring it to class daily. Complete your Select-A-Quote paper.Practice Writing Prompts and Select-a Quote

3. Your Index Card project for this book is due Feb 2- I will be giving you the instructions next class.