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
Some of you wanted the link to the song "Pull Your Pants Up" Here it is:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15534306
Vocabulary- Test on Friday 11-20-09
Oblige- to do something because of a promise or contract
Outlandish- Strange, weird, crazy, unusual
Calamity- Serious trouble; an event resulting in great loss or misfortune
Lament- To express sadness and regret about
Decanter- A bottle with a stopper; for serving wine or water
Robust- Full of strength and health; sturdy, powerfully built
Mesmerize- To affect deeply; almost put in a trance
Solemn- very serious, formal or ceremonious
Seine- A net used to catch fish near the surface of the water
Frivolous- Not serious; not important, silly.
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 12-4-2009
Potsherds- Fragments of broken pottery, usually found in a archaeological dig.
Artifacts- Things made by humans
Conch- A tropical mullusk found in the ocean
Archaeologist- a scientist who studies past peoples and cultures
Terraces- Raised banks of earth that are flat on top and have sloping sides.
Equinox- The 2 times each year (spring and fall) when the length of day and night are equal.
Decend- To come from a certain source.
Nobles- People of high rank
Litter- a couch attached to long poles and used to carry a person
Ensure- To make certain
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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