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Class Update — 2020-21
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Category Archives: 8th Grade Seminar
8th Grade Seminar Update — Final One
Our final week of 8th Grade Seminar is upon us. You all are amazing. I’ve so appreciated getting to know each and every one of you — and I’m really going to miss you! When this era is over (and it will end eventually), don’t be a stranger — come back and visit. I am always available by email and I’m happy to help with book recommendations and whatnot long after the school year ends.
A few details for the final week of class.
1) The Closure Padlet is live. There will be other items added (slideshow, etc.) so keep it handy. If you haven’t had a chance to watch your peers’ goodbyes, do so.
2) Encouraged (but not required) — rent To Kill A Mockingbird movie. We watched the first 40 minutes back in March. Try to finish it if you can.
3) Required — 8th Grade Seminar Final. Your final assignment is a choice. You may choose any ONE of the following….
A) Join me at NOON on Monday, May 11th for a read-aloud of Malcolm Gladwell’s analysis of TKAM. This will be followed by a very short discussion.
OR
B) Write an abbreviated literary analysis and share it with me.
OR
C) Write an email to me comparing and contrasting the movie of TKAM with the Book. What’s the same? What’s different?
4) Final Class Party — See details below.
That’s it! May 14th at 9am is the last day to turn in assignments. No work will be accepted after that time.
Y’all are amazing. I really think that even though this is really hard in the short-term, this is going to make you all even more amazing adults.
Sending you and your family the very best, -JF
Ps. Schedule FYI…
TUESDAY 5/5
THURSDAY 5/7
Noon — 8th Grade Seminar Optional Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 31 (The Final Chapter!)
MONDAY 5/11 at NOON — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Malcolm Gladwell’s Analysis and discussion.
TUESDAY 5/12
10:00-10:20 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 1: Google Meet Link. FINAL CLASS PARTY. Bring something for “show and tell” — can be a pet, can be ice cream, can be a new dance move, can be all of the above.
10:30-10:50 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 2: Google Meet Link. FINAL CLASS PARTY. Bring something for “show and tell” — can be a pet, can be ice cream, can be a new dance move, can be all of the above.
THURSDAY 5/14 @ 9am: Last chance to turn in any work. If you did not come to Monday’s Read-Aloud, your literary analysis or compare/contrast email is due at this time. No work will be accepted after this time.
ALL SUMMER: Read 30 minutes a day. I’m always available for book recommendations.
8th Grade Seminar Update — Weeks of 4/27 and 5/4
The big focus this week will be 8th grade goodbyes. We’ll also be writing thank-yous and finishing TKAM on Thursday, May 7th. Here’s the complete schedule, including due dates in fushsia.
Again, I have no official office hours, but I’m basically available nearly anytime for kids. Always happy to hop onto a google meet meeting to talk about TKAM or about life or about high school or whatever… just email me.
Thank you!!! -JF
8th Grade Seminar Update — weeks of 4/13 and 4/20
Hi 8th Graders and Families!
The schedule will look very similar week-to-week. I’m trying to keep the routine consistent for everyone. We’ll finally be getting to the Trial in TKAM and learning about the Scottsboro Boys as well.
A few notes:
1) There WILL be class on Monday, April 20th. Ms. Daerr will send an email with more details.
2) I have no official office hours, but I’m basically available nearly anytime for kids. Always happy to hop onto a google meet meeting to talk about TKAM or about life or about high school or whatever… just email me.
3) Again, all guided read-alouds are optional, but encouraged.
4) Here is the schedule for the next couple of weeks fyi…
TUESDAY 4/21
10:30-10:50 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 2: Google Meet Link
THURSDAY 4/23
9am — HOMEWORK (Home Learning Survey #4 Due) — This assignment will be available on Google Classroom on 4/20.
Thank you for all your support! -Josh Feiger
Ps. If students want an OPTIONAL extension, here is a TKAM Character Map project they are welcome to complete.
8th Grade Seminar Update — Week of 4/6
Here’s the plan for next week. Again, all guided read-alouds are optional, but encouraged. I hope they have been helpful so far!
MONDAY 4/6 — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 13
TUESDAY — I’ll be teaching about the connection between eugenics and TKAM during class.
10:00-10:20 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 1: Google Meet Link.
10:30-10:50 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 2: Google Meet Link
Noon — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 14
WEDNESDAY at NOON — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 15
THURSDAY
9am — HOMEWORK (Home Learning Survey #2 Due)
Noon — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 16
FRIDAY — We do not meet, but I am always available for extra help if needed — just email. Always happy to hop onto a google meet meeting as well.
I miss you!!! Best, -JF
8th Grade Seminar — Quick Update 4/1/20
Hi Excellent Eighth Graders,
Just a quick update…. tomorrow (Thursday), we’ll be reading/annotating chapter 12 at noon. As it is our first significant introduction to the African-American community in Maycomb, I would like you to either handwrite or copy this chart digitally prior to tomorrow’s reading. We’ll be completing the chart during our read aloud. If you aren’t able to join us, no worries — you will want to do this independently as you read though.
| Character | Actions/Words –
Specific Evidence |
Significance (What do these characters express about African American Society in this story?) |
| Lula | ||
| Reverend Sykes | ||
| Zeebo |
You all are awesome. I so appreciate all of you.
Best, -JF
Ps. If you haven’t turned in home learning survey #1 yet, it is due tomorrow. (Most of you have already)
Pps. Friendly reminder that we’ll continue read-aloud (chapter 13 — my least favorite one!) on Monday at noon. There will not be any noon reading sessions on Fridays.
8th Grade Seminar Update — Week of 3/30
Hi Excellent Eighth Graders.
So away we go with online learning…! Yay!
The following sentence is one I never expected to write. One of the BEST things about To Kill A Mockingbird is that it has absolutely nothing to do with viruses. We are about a third of the way through the book, and there is nothing like 1930s Alabama to help us take our minds away from current news.
I realize that many students may not have access to their books, so I was able to create a Google Document with To Kill A Mockingbird text. (You won’t be able to access this without a BVSD account.) Students without books are encouraged to make a copy of this document and use it for annotations.
Here are the Google Meet links for each of the classes. These will NOT change. Our first meet will be primarily just to check-in and for problem solving. Students are welcome to read/annotate independently or join us for the 8th Grade Seminar daily read aloud. The read-aloud is OPTIONAL, but encouraged. We’ll be reading and annotating a chapter each day. Here’s the schedule for the week.
MONDAY 3/30 — Class does not meet.
TUESDAY
- 10:00-10:20 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 1: Google Meet Link
- 10:30-10:50 — 8th Grade Seminar Block 2: Google Meet Link
- Noon — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. We’ll be reading and annotating chapter 10 together. All read alouds are optional, but encouraged.
THURSDAY
- 9am — HOMEWORK (Survey) due
- Noon — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 12.
FRIDAY — We do not meet, but I am available for extra help if needed.
MONDAY, 3/6 at NOON — 8th Grade Seminar Daily Read-Aloud: Google Meet Link. Chapter 13
DUE DATES:
- Survey due by Thursday at 9am (Can be filled out anytime)
- Students should be through the end of chapter 13 before class on April 7th.
Thank you so much for your support as we figure all this out. I miss you all!
Best, -Josh Feiger
Ps. If you have NOT used Google Meet before, you may wish to connect with a peer and give it a try before classes start. It’s really simple to access through the “9-dot” menu in the top right area of any Google Screen.
8th Grade Seminar Update — 3/20
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to reach out and tell you that I miss you all! We are planning for home learning commencing March 30th. This will be an adventure for all of us! Schedule is still being sorted out, but I’m excited to reconnect with you all.
We are still working out details of what class looks like — but here are initial 8th Grade Seminar thoughts:
Tuesday 10-10:20: Block 1 — Just to connect as community and answer questions.
Tuesday 10:30-10:50: Block 2 — Just to connect as a community and answer questions
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at Noon: I will be conducting a “guided” read-aloud through Google Meets. Each day, we’ll be reading ONE chapter of To Kill A Mockingbird. This will start with chapter 10 on Tuesday, March 31st. Attendance is encouraged for the read-aloud, but optional. If you wish to read/annotate on your own, that’s fine.
Outside of class: Other projects and assignments TBA.
I know that many of you do NOT have copies of TKAM. If you have your book, great. If not, I have copies of the book in Google Docs for our class only. I will share a link for this on Google Classroom on or before March 30th.
In the meantime, please keep reading at least 30 minutes a day. Find a way to carve that reading (or audiobook) into your daily routine. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just to say hello.
Happy (almost) Spring Break!
Best, -JF
8th Grade Seminar Update — 3/12
Dear Excellent Eighth Graders,
Please note that all LA assignments (including any TKAM work) are suspended until after school resumes. Do not stress. Do keep reading (or listening) 30 minutes a day with your choice novel — I’m always available for book recommendations.
Most importantly, be with your family. Stay safe. Get outside, don’t read too much news, and take care of yourself.
Thank you for all your hard work. Best, -JF
Ps. No time like the present to sharpen your Scrabble game!
8th Grade Seminar Update — March
Here’s what’s happening in 8th Grade Seminar:
There’s a myriad of ways to read TKAM. Some students may read it independently. Others may join us for “read-aloud” during class. I also have audio links here. This is a super challenging text (especially at the beginning) and I encourage all students to listen to the audio and track as they track the book. I have audio links available here (and on Google Classroom).
In class, we are continuing to practice those strategies that “good” readers do to better understand and delve into text. We’ll continue to annotate, learning about “Atticus-isms,” determining what makes an important passage in a book, performing skits, cementing our understanding of figurative language, and continuing our conversations about To Kill A Mockingbird. Here’s a link to our book group menus to give you a taste of what this looks like in class.
Upcoming Dates Of Note:
- Every night: Read 30 minutes. Students should not be reading ahead in TKAM, so they will likely need a book on the side to meet the CHOICE reading requirement. I’ll be recommending books in class (and students are always welcome to email me) — but here’s also a padlet of book recommendations.
- Tuesday: Chapters 3 and 4 in TKAM with annotations. (We’ll be reading chapter 3 together in class on Monday). Skit performances on Wednesday.
- Wednesday: Book Group Menu #2 Due
- Monday, March 9th: Chapters 5-8 of To Kill A Mockingbird with annotations. “Surprise” reading-check quiz on that day.
- Tuesday, March 10th: Book Group Menu #3 Due
- Wednesday, March 11th: “Speed dating” with books. Students will have the opportunity to “date” some books and will need to identify a choice novel outside of TKAM to read over Spring break.
- Monday, March 16th: Chapters 9-11 w/annotations due.
- Tuesday, March 17th: “Reverse” Book Menus due.
- Thursday, March 19th, Friday, March 20th, Monday, March 30th: No class — Voyagers Field Trip, Athletic Day, CMAS
- Tuesday, March 31st: Chapters 12-14 w/annotations
Thank you so much for the opportunity to teach your student! -JF
Ps. Unofficial Endorsement: In my official capacity of a parent (and not employee of BVSD), wanted to let you know that if your 8th grader is still figuring out plans for the summer, Boulder Youth Corps and Boulder Junior Rangers are amazing programs. A number of former CHOICE students have really enjoyed this opportunity. Students learn responsibility, work as part of a team, and also earn good $. (Starting salary is $12/hour!)