Pre-Class: Monday 8/20

Try to think of as many
synonyms or associations
to the word ‘challenge’ as
you can.
Pre-Class: Tuesday 8/21
Read the passage and answer the questions below.

When I took my little brother Jesse to my friend's party, he greeted
everyone with an enthusiastic, “How’s it going?” and then prattled
happily to anyone who would listen. He wasn’t bashful about helping
himself to snacks and sodas either. He was cheerful and energetic the
whole evening. I wasn’t surprised when he was the most exuberant
charades player. I would have to say my brother Jesse is an extrovert.
1. The word prattled means:
2. The word extrovert means “outgoing.” What would
connote an outgoing person that is out of control?
Pre-Class: Wednesday
8/22

Identify two tone words for the
following situations:
a funeral
graduation day
your best friend’s birthday party
a fight with your parents
you just won the lottery
Pre-Class: Thursday 8/23

What is the theme of the fairy
tale “The Ugly Duckling”
Pre-Class: Friday 8/24

Give two quotes from the poem
“A Man” (pg. 10) that supports the
theme to never give up.
PRE-CLASS: MONDAY
8/27
What is the difference
between paraphrasing and
quoting? Why would you use
either of those techniques?
PRE-CLASS: TUESDAY
8/28
What is a symbol? Give two examples
of symbols.
Example: Statue of Liberty- symbol of
hope and freedom
PRE-CLASS:
WEDNESDAY 8/29
Identify seven prepositions within this paragraph. One
has been marked for you.
The trip through the mountains was an
exhilarating experience. We left just after
dawn in a van loaded with passengers and
luggage, We believed that the trip would
take between six and eight hours, and we
hoped to arrive at our final destination
before dark.
PRE-CLASS:
TUESDAY 9/4
MAPS
PRE-CLASS:
WEDNESDAY 9/5
MAPS
Pre-Class:
Monday 9/3
No School- LABOR DAY
Pre-Class: Thursday
8/30
What does the Greek prefix “arch”
mean? What does the Greek root
“type” mean? Give an example of a
word that uses either the prefix or
root.
Pre-Class: Friday 8/31
What is an allegory?
Pre-Class: Thursday 9/6
What is needed for an
Objective Summary? Why?
Pre-Class: Friday 9/7
What before, during and after
reading strategies can we use to
better understand a difficult
text?
Pre-Class: Monday 9/10
Describe each of the
stages of the hero’s
journey.
Pre-Class: Tuesday 9/11
What are the three main
stages of the archetypal hero’s
journey? Paraphrase them.
Use page 27-29 of your SB
book for help.
Pre-Class: Wednesday 9/12
What types of challenges might
occur in a hero’s journey? Provide
three examples of challenges
faced by heroes that you have read
about or have seen.
Pre-Class: Thursday 9/13
What is the first stage in
the hero’s journey? What
three steps make up this
first stage?
Pre-Class: Friday 9/14
Why was
Odysseus on his
journey?
Explain how the scene with the
Cyclops is an event that illustrates
“The Road of Trials” in the hero’s
journey.
Think about the things that Disney
heroes usually do and or the way that
they usually act in the movies. With
this in mind, what do you think it
means to be a “typical” Disney hero
or heroine.
Rethink the essential question:
“What defines a hero?”
Using the knowledge from what we have
learned thus far, construct a response to
this question.
The word herculean comes from the Greek
word Hercules, whose great strength helped
him gain immortality. Writers use herculean as
an adjective describing a difficult task or
people with great power or strength. With this
in mind, use the word herculean in a sentence.
The word typical means “combining the
essential characteristics of a group.” Knowing
this and utilizing your knowledge of Greek
prefixes, what do you think the word atypical
means? Have we looked at any atypical heroes
thus far in the our unit?

We are going to begin Embedded
Assessment 1. Think back to when we
unpacked the Embedded Assessment at the
beginning of the unit (refer to pages 53-56 in
Springboard) and write a brief description of
what you will be responsible for doing in
Embedded Assessment 1.
 List
10 heroes (ones we have talked about,
and ones you can think of on your own)
PRE-CLASS: MONDAY
9/24
We are going to begin Embedded Assessment
1. Think back to when we unpacked the
Embedded Assessment at the beginning of
the unit (refer to pages 53-56 in Springboard)
and write a brief description of what you will
be responsible for doing in Embedded
Assessment 1.
PRE-CLASS: TUESDAY 9/25
PRE-CLASS: WEDNESDAY 9/26
PRE-CLASS: THURSDAY 9/27
PRE-CLASS: FRIDAY 9/28
Pre-Class: Monday 10/15
Using your book, write the definition of
a double negative (page 59)
Pre-Class: Tuesday 10/16
Look at page 60 to find the Latin prefix
of pre and the root cis, can you think of
any words that use these?
CHAPTER 1
1. At the conclusion of their meal, what ritual does the family
have?
2. What was Lily angry about?
3. What happens to babies who don’t grow at a fast enough
rates?
CHAPTER 2
1. How do parents get a child?
2. What is the name of the baby that Jonas’ dad is taking care of ?
3. What does everyone receive at their “twelve” ceremony?
4. What is a “comfort object?”
CHAPTER 3
1. What is different about Gabe?
2. Why can no one point out or talk about his difference?
3. What is the job of the speaker?
4. What was the object that Jonas threw in the air that
changed?
Chapter 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Why does every child need to do
volunteer hours before their “twelve”
ceremony?
Why does Jonas never talk about his
friend Benjamin’s success during his
volunteer hours?
What is Jonas doing for his volunteer
hours in chapter 4?
Infer where someone goes when they
leave to go to the releasing room.
Chapter 5
1.
2.
3.
What feeling did Jonas have
from his dream?
Why do some feelings have to
be reported?
What does Jonas take for his
stirrings?
Chapter 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
What job does Lily want Jonas to
get?
Where are Jonas and his family
headed at the beginning of
chapter 6?
What is going to happen to Gabe?
How does the community do a
ceremony of loss?”
Chapter 7
1.
2.
3.
What job does Asher get?
What happened when it got
to be Jonas’ turn?
What do you think Jonas was
feeling at that point?
Chapter 8
1.
2.
3.
4.
What job has Jonas been selected for?
Why did the Chief Elder skip Jonas and
then announce his assignment last?
What are 3 qualities Jonas must have to
be able to do this job correctly?
What happens at the ceremony that lets
Jonas think he does have the ability to
“see beyond?”
Chapter 9

1. What feeling does Jonas have right after
receiving his assignment, at the beginning of
chapter 9?
2. How does everyone else feel about Jonas’
assignment?
3. What is one rule/difference about the job
“receiver of memory?”
4. How does Jonas react/feel about the rules?
Chapter 10

1. Why is Jonas so amazed by the books?
2. Why does the current receiver look so old?
3. What is the current receiver going to
transmit to Jonas?
4. What is the first memory that is transmitted
to Jonas?
Chapter 11

1. Explain the transmission of memories
process.
2. What happens once the current receiver
gives Jonas a memory?
3. Why does Jonas’ community not have snow
anymore?
4. Name one more memory Jonas receives this
chapter.
Chapter 12

1. What “changed” about Fiona?
2. What is the “change” Jonas keeps
seeing?
3. Why doesn’t the community see
colors?
4. What memory does Jonas get at t he
end of the chapter?
Chapter 13

1. What does Jonas realize about the society
where everything is the same?
2. Why does Jonas’ community make all the
decisions for people?
3. Jonas sees the color red on the elephant.
Why?
4. Why is being receiver so physically and
mentally hard?
CHAPTER 14
1. How does Jonas get hurt in this chapter?
2. Why can’t Jonas receive medicine for his
pain?
3. Why did the committee decided not to
raise the population?
4. What does Jonas do to sooth Gabe?
CHAPTER 15
1. What memory does Jonas receive in
this chapter?
2. Why was this memory so hard and
difficult for him?
3. Why does the Giver apologize for
giving the memory to Jonas?
CHAPTER 16
1. Why was the birthday party memory so special?
2. Why do you think that Jonas’ society does not
have grandparents?
3. What feeling does Jonas learn that he’s never
really experienced before?
4. What rule did Jonas break on the last page of the
chapter?
CHAPTER 17
1. What did Jonas realize about the
feelings his family had been
experiencing?
2. What game was Asher playing?
CHAPTER 18
1. When does the Giver think about release?
2. What happened to the old receiver?
CHAPTER 19
1. What was Jonas told about all
private ceremonies?
2. Describe the releasing process.
CHAPTER 20
1. What does Jonas say is the worst
part about the memories?
2. What are the Giver and Jonas
planning?
November 19
My best friend and I are similar, but we also have some differences. We
are devoted to our family and friends, we love to study and cook, and we
are reliable. My best friend is not punctual and has never been on time to
anything in her life, but I am prompt and being on time or early is
important in my life.
Where is the BEST place to add supporting detail?
A. At the end of the paragraph
B. After the sentence about differences
C. After the sentence about similarities and after the sentence about
differences
D. After the sentence about similarities
November 20
Read the following sentences:
Carmelo is a great baseball player. Carmelo is our star shortstop. He is also a
great student.
What is the BEST way to combine these sentences into one using
an appositive that is punctuated correctly?
A. Carmelo our star shortstop is a great baseball player and student.
B. Carmelo is a great baseball player, star shortstop, and great student.
C. Carmelo, our star shortstop, is a great baseball player and student.
D. Carmelo is a great baseball player and a star shortstop and a great
student.
November 26
The island's name is Cranberry, one of a group of five, and
well earned, since even my own meadow provides me with
delicious Highland cranberries. With a garden, studio and
woodstove, I shall lack neither pleasure nor occupation,
and books and music will round out the day. A wood lot will
provide firewood and muscle tone, and the garden flowers
and vegetables for my table.
What does the author's use of imagery reveal about the
setting?
It is an unfamiliar place.
It is a busy and loud place.
It is a secluded and peaceful place.
It is a scary place.
November 27
Desmond is reading a book about Griffin, a young
warrior, and he thinks that Griffin is on a hero's journey
because he notices that Griffin must go through a series
of tests and challenges to prove that he is brave and
capable.
Which step from the hero's journey archetype does
this summary of events reflect?
A. The Magic Flight
B. Rescue from Without
C. The Ultimate Boon
D. The Road of Trials
November 28
What is the BEST description of the connection between the events
of a plot and the stage of the hero's journey known as the ultimate
Boon?
A. The Ultimate Boon is similar to the exposition of a story because it
describes the point at which the quest begins.
B. The Ultimate Boon is similar to the resolution of the story because this is the
stage when the hero must learn how to use the wisdom he has gained during
his adventures.
C. The Ultimate Boon is similar to the climax of a story because it describes
the point in the hero's journey in which the quest is achieved.
D. The Ultimate Boon is similar to the rising action of a story because it is the
stage in which the hero suffers challenges and setbacks on his quest.
November 29
What does the expression “Par for the course”
infer?
A. That something is to be expected.
B. That something cannot be undone.
C. That something is sure to cause anger.
D. That something was meant to be hurtful.
November 30
What can the reader conclude at the end of the
story?
A. Lily got an extravagant doll for a gift.
B. Lily feels that getting another doll is monotonous.
C. Lily’s parents love her brother more.
D. Lily’s gift is the worst gift she has ever received.
MAPS Testing
Read the sentences from the passage.
“What’s wrong, Lil?” Papa asked. “Did you see your
pretty doll?”
“I saw it,” she said sulkily.
“What’s wrong?” asked Mama. Silence.
What can the reader infer about Lily’s parents
based upon their reply?
A. They are being stingy.
B. They do not love Lily as much as her brother.
C. They do not realize they are being gender biased.
D. They are being insensitive.
What word BEST describes the tone
used in this passage?
A. Anxious
B. Excited
C. Angry
D. Sad
Read the sentence from the passage.
“Lily’s anger could not have been more
palpable.”
What is the MOST accurate
connotation of “palpable” as used in
this sentence?
A. It was misplaced.
B. It was irrational.
C. It was very difficult to understand.
D. It was so intense it seemed like it could be touched.
December 10
Read the sentence and answer the question that follows.
You may live in a house, but we live in a home.
What is the MOST accurate connotation of “home” as
used in this sentence?
A. a place of residence
B. a place of comfort, security, and or privacy
C. a habitat
D. the social unit formed by a family living together
December 11
She worked all day and all night on the project so as to
produce a piece of impeccable work.
Which word is a synonym for “impeccable” as it is used
in this sentence?
A. flawless
B. deficient
C. inaccurate
D. decent
December 12/12/12
Everyone knew him as an amiable fellow because he
would say hello to everyone he passed.
What does the word amiable mean in context of this
sentence?
A. talented
B. unhappy
C. friendly
D. disagreeable
December 13
Based on the author’s diction, which sentence BEST shows
that the speaker is confident?
A. “Obediently, I did exactly as I was told and exited the room.”
B. “What frustrated him, it seemed, was how extremely softspoken I was…”
C. “I cowered at the thought of having to speak in front of so
many people.”
D. “I stood up, walked to the podium with my head up and
shoulders back, and began my speech in a very poised manner.”
December 14
Jillian is writing a definition essay about what it means to
be a hero. What option BEST describes how to develop
the body paragraphs of her essay? Tell why.
a. Define what a hero is by using body paragraphs that
discuss three heroes from the author’s own life.
b. Define what a hero is by having body paragraphs that talk
about famous heroes from books and movies.
c. Define what a hero is by using body paragraphs of
definition, examples, and negation.
d. Define what a hero is by writing a fictional story about
someone who is heroic.
December 17 –Monday-2 minutes to respond
Maggie is writing a definition essay about heroism. Which
sentence would be the BEST topic sentence for a
paragraph showing the strategy of negation? Discuss
why.
a. A hero is someone who is courageous, even in the face
of danger.
b. Mulan is a hero because she saved all of China from
Huns.
c. A hero is not selfish and does not act heroic because
he/she simply wants to be recognized.
d. Heroes don’t exist.
December 18-2 minutes
Discuss the various
advertising techniques
we highlighted yesterday
without looking at the
text.
December 19
No Pre-Class : inflatables and review day
January 2
You will be given a sheet to
write your answer on.
List the kinds of media you are
exposed to on a daily basis?
January 3-Thursday
What is the purpose of a
citation? See page 110
for help.
January 4-Friday
Who, or what, is a
target audience?
See page 111 for help.
January 7

Discuss what the hook of an essay is.
Why is it so important?
January 8-fill in the blanks….
A good thesis statement will usually include
the following four attributes:
 take on a subject upon which reasonable
people could d______.
 deal with a s_____ that can be adequately
treated given the nature of the assignment
 express o___ main idea
 assert your c________ about a subject

January 9-Wednesday
How
specifically does
media effect what you do?
Think? Say? Act?
January 10-Thursday
Discuss something interesting you found
when completing the charts on pages 115
and129 of your SB text.
 Example: I never realized how much time in
the day I spent on the Internet. Where does
all the time go???

January 11-Friday
Conclusions of an essay/open response/on
demand have been identified as a weak area
among middle school students. Discuss why
you think this is.
 Why is a strong conclusion so important?


Be prepared to turn your PCQs in today!
Monday-January 14 (passage)
Just imagine how many things are touched and shared
at this school! Even if you have soap in your bathroom
and wash your hands, you will most likely come into
contact with something that has been contaminated
by a non-soap using hand washer. Mary Howard had
trouble with her contacts one day, and went to the
bathroom to clean them. The bathroom did not have
soap or paper towels, so Mary had only water to use to
try to clean her hands. She developed an eye infection
and had to see her doctor. He said germs on her hands
could have contributed to the infection.
I don't know why some students vandalize the
bathrooms, but I know we all need to take a stand and
get the soap back in all our bathrooms. We need to
take responsibility for our bathrooms. No one likes
dirty bathrooms, so we need to work together to keep
them clean. We can have bathroom monitors who
check to see who is causing the trouble. They can have
special passes to come to class after the bell rings.
Students who care about being clean need to take a
stand and stop those vandals from encouraging the
spread of disease throughout our school. It is only a
matter of time until we all are affected by some
disease caused by the unsanitary conditions of our
hands.
January 14
Which organizational structure does the
author use in the editorial? Tell why.
A. compare/contrast
B. cause/effect
C. problem/solution
D. problem/effect
Jan. 15th
Drinking While Driving: The Careless Ones
What is the connotation of the word “careless” as
used in the title? Why?
A) you shouldn’t drive under the influence
B) Those drinking while driving are not considering
others they may hurt
C) It is their business, their only hurting
themselves.
Jan 17th-Thursday
Ethos-ethics
Pathos-emotions
Logos-logic
Which type of persuasive appeal is utilized in the
following:
"If you care about your children's success in school,
and in fact if you care about your children's future at
all, you need to buy this.”
Defend your selection!
Jan 18th-Friday
“The government somewhat, I guess, wants
America to stop wasting their money.”
Based on the connotation of the phrase “some
what, I guess” which adjective best describes
the writer’s attitude toward the government’s
efforts? Explain your response.
A) Strong
B) Indecisive
C) Irresponsible
D) Scared
Correct Response B-indecisive
In the context of this sentence, “somewhat, I
guess” has the connotation of indecisiveness.
The writer believes the government are
indecisive on its stand on a controversial
issue.
Incorrect Response A-strong
In the context of this sentence, “somewhat, I
guess” does not suggest a strong or decisive
stand on a controversial issue.
Incorrect Response C-Irresponsible
The connotation of “somewhat, I guess”
does not directly involve responsibility or
irresponsibility, but rather the ability to take
a strong decisive stand on a controversial
issue.
Incorrect Response D-scared
In the context of this sentence, “somewhat,
I guess” does not imply fear.