Bellwork 2015-2016
Mitchell
ELA 8
Sentence of the week
Bellwork
Copy the
sentence
below the
picture
into the
box next
to Monday
8-10-2015
Tuesday - Grammar Mini Lessons
What do you notice?
“But Finny firmly pressed his advantage. Not because he
wanted to be forgiven for missing the meal – that didn’t
interest him at all.”
-A Separate Peace by John Knowles (1959)
L.8.1.a
COPY THIS
CHART!!!!!
Wednesday – Word Roots
Root, prefix,
suffix
Meaning
Examples
a, ac, ad, af,
ag, al, an, ap,
as, at
to, toward,
aside,
near, in
accompany,
addition to, by adjust,
aggression,
allocate,
annihilate,
affix,
associate,
attend, adverb
Thursday – Model Sentencing
Go back to Monday, and
review the sentence’s
structure. Write your own
sentence that models after
the sentence of the week.
Look for placement and use
of verbs, nouns, and
conjunctions.
Friday – Journal Entry (TURN IN BW
TODAY)
“When given the choice to chose between being right and
being kind, chose kind.” – Wonder
In today’s society, being outspoken is looked upon as
a good thing; but, who likes “know-it-alls?” Do you
agree with the statement above, that it is better to
be kind to others, even if it means that you keep your
opinion to yourself? Is there a line we have to draw,
or is this statement always correct?
Bellwork Week 2
People who
live in glass
houses
ought not
throw
stones…
Unless, of
course,
they like
broken
Participles
verb forms that function as adjectives
Examples:
Smiling, the singer emerged from backstage.
Smiling at her fans, the singer emerged from
backstage.
(present participle phrase)
Amazed, John stared at the beautiful picture.
Amazed at his sister’s artistic talent, John stared at
the beautiful picture.
(past participle phrase)
L.8.1.a
What do you notice?
“Trying not to panic, I pulled my brother into my seat.”
-The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell (1999)
L.8.1.a
COPY THIS
CHART!!!!!
Wednesday – Word Roots
Root, prefix,
suffix
a-, an-
Meaning
Examples
not, without
apolitical,
atheist,
anarchy,
anonymous,
apathy,
aphasia,
anemia
Thursday – Model Sentencing
Go back to Monday, and
review the sentence’s
structure. Write your own
sentence that models after
the sentence of the week.
Look for placement and use
of verbs, nouns, and
conjunctions.
Friday – Journal Entry (TURN IN BW
TODAY)
Your responses to the Friday Journal Entry should be
5-7 sentences. Use the back of your handout should
you need more room.
Journal topic:
 When I think of my best friend, I …
Sentence of the Week August 24,
2015
Infinitives
Definition: formed by adding to with
the base form of a verb.
Examples:
• Josh wants to fly.
• Josh wants to fly in a hot air balloon.
 (infinitive phrase – functioning as a noun)
• This is the best restaurant to eat pizza.
 (infinitive phrase – functioning as adjective)
• Chris exercised to improve his health.
 (infinitive phrase – functioning as adverb)
L.8.1.a
What do you notice?
“I didn’t want to see today’s strained tempers exploding on
Leper.”
-A Separate Peace by John Knowles (1959)
L.8.1.a
WORD ROOT STUDY
Root,
prefix,
suffix
Meaning
Examples
ab, abs
away from, off
absolve, abrupt,
absent
-able, -ible
Adjective:
worth, ability
solvable,
incredible
Thursday – Model Sentencing
Go back to Monday, and
review the sentence’s
structure. Write your own
sentence that models after
the sentence of the week.
Look for placement and use
of verbs, nouns, and
conjunctions.
Friday - Journaling
Prompt:
If I could change one
thing about my life, it
would be…
PUT YOUR BELLWORK SHEET AND ALL OTHER HANDOUTS IN YOUR
SPIRAL NOTEBOOK. DO NOT TURN ANYTHING IN; DO NOT PLACE ANY
HANDOUTS IN THE TRAYS.
Bellwork 8/31/2015
Written Response:
How are verbals important in writing?
Contrast the three examples below. What do
verbals do, and how do they improve our
writing?
Original Sentence from
Novel
Sentence with Verbal
Removed
“But Finny firmly pressed his
advantage. Not because he
wanted to be forgiven for
missing the meal – that didn’t
interest him at all.”
But Finny firmly pressed his
advantage. Not because he
wanted to be forgiven for– that
didn’t interest him at all.
“The ocean, throwing up
foaming sun-sprays across
some nearby rocks, was winter
cold.”
The ocean was winter cold.
“I didn’t want to see today’s
I didn’t want.
acer, acid, bitter, sour,
acri
sharp
acerbic, acidity,
acrid, acrimony
act, ag
active, react,
agent, agitate
do, act, drive
Friday Journal Entry
Remember, for full
credit, this should be at
least 3 sentences!
 The one thing I regret
the most is…
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The same leaves over and over
again!
They fall from giving shade
above
To make one texture of faded
brown
And fit the earth like a leather
glove.
Before the leaves can mount
again
To fill the trees with another
shade,
They must go down past
things coming up.
They must go down into the
dark decayed.
They must be pierced by
flowers and put
Beneath the feet of dancing
flowers.
However it is in some other
world
COPY THIS
CHART!!!!!
Wednesday – Word Roots
Root, prefix,
suffix
a-, an-
Meaning
Examples
not, without
apolitical,
atheist,
anarchy,
anonymous,
apathy,
aphasia,
anemia
Thursday – Model Sentencing
Go back to Monday, and
review the sentence’s
structure. Write your own
sentence that models after
the sentence of the week.
Examples of Hyperbole
"I had to wait in the station
for ten days - an eternity."
From 'Heart of Darkness' by
Joseph Conrad.
- What here is hyperbolic? What
is the effect of this statement
on the reader (what does it
make you think/feel?)
Paul Bunyan's Winter:
“Well now, one winter it was so cold that all the
geese flew backward and all the fish moved
south and even the snow turned blue. Late at
night, it got so frigid that all spoken words froze
solid afore they could be heard. People had to
wait until sunup to find out what folks were
talking
aboutweaves
the night before.”
This example
imagery with
hyperbole to make a
vivid description.
Your Turn –
Create your own
hyperbolic portrayal
of a season.
Friday: Journal
Literary Term of the Week 9-212015
Personification
Definition:
Personification is one of the most commonly
used and recognized literary devices. It
refers to the practice of attaching human
traits and characteristics with inanimate
objects, phenomena and animals.
Example:
“The raging winds”
“The wise owl”
“The warm and comforting fire”
Literary Study
Where is the
personification
in this
example?
What effect
(think/feel)
does this have
on you as the
reader?
“Two Sunflowers Move in the Yellow
Room.”
– William Blake
“ ‘Ah, William, we’re weary of
weather’,
said the sunflowers, shining with
dew.
‘Our traveling habits have tired us.
Can you give us a room with a view?’
”
“Have you got a brook
in your little heart,
Where bashful flowers
blow,
And blushing birds go
down to drink,
And shadows tremble
so?”
- Emily Elizabeth
Journal Entry
Reflect back over what you have
read thus far in the text,
especially the “shocking” events.
Has this book, and these
characters, changed you in any
way? Think about your overall
attitude, beliefs, ideas, or world
viewpoints, and reflect on how any
or all of these have changed as a
result of your readings.
Literary Term of the Week 9-282015
 Antithesis emphasizes a contrast through the use of
parallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses,
this is done in order to draw attention to the central
idea. For example: “Setting foot on the moon may be a
small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.”
 The use of contrasting ideas, “a small step” and “a giant
step”, in the sentence above emphasizes the significance of
one of the biggest landmarks of human history.
Antithesis Examples – How does it
work?
 What about these examples is
antithesis?

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish
together as fools." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

“God sees with equal eye, the fall of a hero and a
sparrow, the destruction of an atom or a solar system.” Alexander Pope.
How does antithesis create
meaning?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was
the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the
epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the
season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the
spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had
everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were
all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the
other way…”
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
-
What is the relationship between antithesis and the
meaning behind this passage?
YOUR TURN!!
Create an original sentence using antithesis!
Friday Journaling
Journal Entry:
What are you thankful
for in life?
Literary Element Week 10/52015
 Genre
 A type or category of literature or film marked by certain shared features or
conventions.
 The three broadest categories of genre
include poetry, drama, and fiction.
• Fiction
• Fantasy
•Other
Nonfiction
• Horror
categories include:
• Action and Adventure
• Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
• Comedy
• Informational
• Narrative
• Argumentation
• Memoir
• Biography/
• Essay
Autobiography
Why is genre important?
Compare and
contrast the following
genres:
What is the difference
between a nonfiction
narrative and a science
fiction narrative?
What type of genre is this?
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and
weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a
tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber
door.
“‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber
door—
Only this and nothing more.’”
Friday Journal
Ten years from now,
you meet up with an
old friend you haven’t
seen in a decade.
Write the conversation
you have:
Literary Focus October 13-16,
2015
What is an allusion?
 An expression designed to
call something to mind
without mentioning it
explicitly; an indirect or
passing reference.
If a text mentions fire and
brimstone, it is using a Biblical
reference to reference hell.
Understanding Allusions
 “I was surprised his nose was not growing like
Pinocchio’s.”
 “When she lost her job, she acted like a Scrooge, and
refused to buy anything that wasn’t necessary.”
 “I thought the software would be useful, but it was a
Trojan Horse.”
Where are the allusions, and how do they help you to
understand the meaning of the passage?
Allusion: Creating meaning in
text
We’ve been studying allusions as
seen in text.
Today, you are to create your own
sentence or short passage that uses
an allusion.
Think back on the examples we’ve
discussed.
Allusions work by using something
well known – like art, literature,
movies, etc. – to create meaning.
Journal for Friday 10/15/2015
Describe one of
your bad habits
and why you
secretly get joy
out of it.
Literary Term for October 19,
2015
Tone is the attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.
 Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the
viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.
What is the tone of this
passage??
“And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I don’t
know why they died, they just died. Something wrong
with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from
the nursery wasn’t the best. We complained about it.
So we’ve got thirty kids there, each kid had his or her
own little tree to plant and we’ve got these thirty dead
trees. All these kids looking at these little brown sticks,
How would you describe the tone in
this text?
“But I feel peaceful. Your success in the ring this morning
was, to a small degree, my success. Your future is assured.
You will live, secure and safe, Wilbur. Nothing can harm you
now. These autumn days will shorten and grow cold. The
leaves will shake loose from the trees and fall. Christmas
will come, and the snows of winter. You will live to enjoy
the beauty of the frozen world, for you mean a great deal
to Zuckerman and he will not harm you, ever. Winter will
pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture
pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will
awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and
sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur—this
lovely world, these precious days…”
How would you describe the tone
below?
“Then that little man in black there,
he says women can't have as much
rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't
a woman! Where did your Christ
come from? Where did your Christ
come from? From God and a
woman! Man had nothing to do with
Him.”
-Sojourner Truth
What is the tone of this text?
“It was very late and everyone had left the cafe
except an old man who sat in the shadow the
leaves of the tree made against the electric light.
In the day time the street was dusty, but at night
the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to
sit late because he was deaf and now at night it
was quiet and he felt the difference.”
- Ernest Hemingway, A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Friday Journaling – 3 sentence
MINIMUM
Describe a trip to an
amusement park, focusing
on the colors, sounds,
smells, and tastes of the
day
Literary Term of the week 10/26
Symbolism is the practice or art of using an object or a
word to represent an abstract idea. An action, person,
place, word, or object can all have a symbolic meaning.
Example:
 Many poets used symbolism to deepen the meaning
of their poems. Here is an excerpt from William
Blake's “Ah Sunflower.” In it, Blake refers to life cycle
and uses sunflowers to represent humankind and
that they desire everlasting life.
“Ah Sunflower, weary of time, Who countest the
steps of the sun; Seeking after that sweet golden
clime Where the traveler’s journey is done;”
Identify and explain the symbols
below:
In the spring, I asked the daisies
If his words were true,
And the clever, clear-eyed daisies
Always knew.
Now the fields are brown and barren,
Bitter autumn blows,
And of all the stupid asters
Not one knows.
Symbolism in Colors:
Black is used to represent death or evil.
White stands for life and purity.
Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger,
or immoral character.
Purple is a royal color.
Yellow stands for violence or decay.
Blue represents peacefulness and calm.
Create your own symbol:
 Without using an example
we’ve already discussed, think
of your own symbol. Explain
what your symbol means.
Friday Journal!
Fix the plot of the worst
movie you’ve ever seen

November 2, 2015 Literary Term: Central Idea
Identify and explain the C.I. of this text; provide textual
evidence in your analysis:
Florida is full of beautiful scenery, but the vegetation is
exceptionally exquisite. Shopping plazas, residential
areas, and highway medians are often elaborately
decorated with grand palm trees and tropical plants. Of
the many types of vegetation found in Florida, one of
the most majestic is the royal palm. Growing to nearly
ninety feet tall, it towers over many shopping centers
and hotels with splendor. Hibiscus plants, with their
picturesque flowers, are a pleasing addition to any
landscape. Adorned with pink, red, or orange flowers,
the hibiscus sets a tropical scene to homes and
businesses alike. Finally, the saw palmetto, though it
has a harsh sounding name, works well as a buffer
between roads and residences.
Read the passages and answer
the questions.
Fire ants are painful and destructive pests. The fire ant earned its name
because of its venom. The insect uses a wasp-like stinger to inject the
venom, which causes a painful burning sensation and leaves tiny, itching
pustules. The ants will swarm over anyone or anything that disturbs their
nests. In addition to causing pain, fire ants damage many crops by eating
the plants and by protecting other insects that damage crops. Fire ants
are attracted to soybeans, eggplant, corn, okra, strawberries, and
potatoes.
1.What is the topic of the
passage?
a. Ant bites
b. Farming
c. Fire ants
d. Pests
2.What does the author want
you to know about the topic?
a. Fire ants have a wasp-like
stinger.
b. Fire ants swarm.
c. Fire ants are pests to
farmers.
d. Fire ants are painful and
pesky.
Bellwork – Central Idea Practice
1.Read and annotate the Kevin
Durant piece.
2.Look for evidence of the central
idea and supporting details.
3.On your bellwork sheet, write
down the central idea and
record at least two supporting
details.
Friday Jour… NOPE! Get out the
article titled “Millennials…”! 
1.What is the meaning of the word
“millennials” as it is directly defined as
in the text?
2.What is the central idea of this article
(hint – there’s one sentence that
state’s this perfectly!)
3.What two quotes/details from the text
support this central idea?
Bellwork: Central Idea
Read sections 1 and 2, then:
Record (that means write
down) what you think the
central idea is along with at
least two supporting details.
Bellwork: Supporting Details
1.Read paragraphs 3-5.
2.Reread your central idea from Monday.
1.Do you still agree with this central idea or
has it changed?
1.If so, write the new central idea with at least one
new piece of evidence.
2.If not, write two additional details that support
your original central idea.
Bellwork: Context Clues
Read Section 6, including the indented
section.
1.What does the word “commandeered”
mean AS IT IS USED in the text? (no
cheating!)
2.What is the main idea of this passage?
How does this support your central idea
statement from previous bellworks?
Bellwork: Response to Reading
1. Read sections 7 & 8.
2. What were some of the issues
surrounding the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina? Use at least one quote from the
text to support your analysis.
Bellwork: See? Think? Wonder?
Bellwork 11-16-2015
Read the first section of the article,
titled “Concussions can be more
than just a headache.”
Then, identify and explain:
1. The author’s purpose for this section.
2. The central idea
Bellwork 11/17/2015
Read Section 2
What is the main idea of this
section? (supports the central
idea of overall text)
Bellwork 11-18-2015
What is the main idea of
section 3?
Identify a word that is
unfamiliar to you – what do
you think it means? Use
context clues!
Bellwork 11-19-2015
1.Read Section 4 (last
subheading)
2.Do you think this section is
another body paragraph, or
is the conclusion? Why/why
not?
Picture Analysis