Southwest received another A grade for 2009. We are one of only 2 non-magnet middle schools in the county to so!
Welcome to my 8th grade reading class. This Website is where both students and parent can keep up with what is going on in reading class. Each week I will update this website with what we are doing for the week. Every week we will have a vocabulary test. I will post the vocabulary words on this page as well as go over them in class on Monday. If you miss class on Monday, visit this page and get your vocabulary. The vocabulary tests are generally on Friday. I will also include additional updates on special projects that we are working on.
As you look at this page you will see a sidebar with links to an online dictionary as well as other resources that can help you in the class. Later in the year we will work on a research paper. I have included links on ways to properly do and document the research. If you have any questions, you can always reach me by email and unless something unusual is happening, I will reply within 24 hours.
My email is: james.gallman@polk-fl.net
Starting on Monday, 11-2-09 we will begin reading "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in class. This book is an American classic and I look forward to intruducing it to my students. In order to make things easier when a student is out or if they would like to review what we did in class I am posting this link to the novel. The student can download each chapter with the PDF and they can also listen as they read along with the MP3. We will be covering chapters 1-8 in our first week.
http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/title/h/hf.html
Vocabulary- Test on Thursday 11-6-09
Delirium- A temporary state of mental confusion
Commence- to begin or start
Carcass- the body of a dead human or animal
Roust- To wake someone
Palavering- Chattering idly; talking
Muddled- Mixed up or jumbled
Ornery- Mean spirited, disagreeable in disposition
Victuals- A stock or supply of foods
Skiff- a flatbottom open boat propelled by oars.
Parcel- To divide into parts
We also reading Huckleberry Finn in class this week. We will have a test on it Friday on Chapters 8-16
Vocabulary for the week ending 11-13-09
Wigwam- A small shelter made of bark, mats, or skins laid over a dome shaped frame.
Abreast- Alongside each other, often facing in the same direction
Humble- Marked by modesty; not arrogant or proud.
Ghastly- Dreadful, appalling, gruesome, grisly.
Plunder- Goods or money obtained illegally.
Rapscallion- A rascal, sneaky; likes to cause trouble.
Calico- Course cloth made with a bright print.
Stern- The rear part of a ship.
Blubbering- To weep loudly like a child.
Berth- A build in bed on a ship.
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I am always looking for new ideas for topics/lesson to teach . If you are a former student and really enjoyed a particular lesson please let me know. If you are a new student or parent please let me know your requests. email me at james.gallman@polk-fl.net with any ideas you have.
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Do you wonder how you can make a difference in the world? Do you want to do something that is greater than yourself? Check out this link to see how you can do it.
http://www.mycommitment.org/
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Help me find a book for the class to read. Check out the link below for a list of books we can possibly read. Let me know what you want to read and maybe I will select it.
http://www.polk-fl.net/staff/resources/documents/mediaresources/AppReadListBookMS0809.pdf
Doing research for projects? Check out this site and you will find it to be much easier to save and document it. http://www.zotero.org/
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Want to know where a word comes from? Check out the online etymology dictionary at:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=optimism&searchmode=none
Parents, please make sure that your child brings something to read to class everyday. It can be a book, magazine, or newspaper.
Do you have a hard time finding a new book? Try this website. All you have to do is type in a book that you have liked in the past and it will recommend a new book that is similiar!
http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com
Notice that on the sidebar there is a link to dictionary.com to look up any words. If you have any questions you can email me at james.gallman@polk-fl.net.
If you do not have Microsoft word you can visit this site and get a free word processor that works with Microsoft word. It also includes a free version of something similiar to powerpoint and a free version similiar to excel.
FREE Free free!
http://www.openoffice.org/
man versus nature, etc
man versus nature, etc
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