December 5, 2011 Homework Literature pg 171 #1 and 5 Spelling Unit 8 three times each Descriptive Paragraph Due!! Do Now Literature pg 162 definitions

December 6, 2011 Homework Literature pg 171 #2 and 6 Spelling pg 64 Test Next Tuesday Chapter 4 Last Cover Do Now Grammar pg 129 Review D

Literary Elements Setting: the time and place of the story Point of View: narrator’s relationship to the story Conflict: struggle between opposing forces Plot: sequence of events in a story Theme : the main idea of the work Protagonist : the principal character in a work of fiction Antagonist : the enemy or opponent

December 7, 2011 Homework Spelling pg 66 and 67 Quiz Friday Literature pg 171 #3 and 7 Test is ACTUALLY WEDNESDAY!! Do Now Spelling pg 65

December 9, 2011 Homework Literature pg 171 #4, 8,9, and 10 Test Wednesday! Do Now Spelling Quiz

“Last Cover” by Paul Annixter Genre: Short Story

Setting A rural area somewhere in northern Minnesota. People make a living by farming and hunting.

Point Of View First-person point of view. Stan is the narrator of this story. He is in the story and reveals the action by way of his own thoughts and feelings.

Literary Elements Mood- There is a feeling of warmth, magic and caring as the boys protect Bandit’s secret. Foreshadowing- The father hints that the fox may cause trouble in the future for the farmers because he doesn’t fear humans.

December 12, 2011 Homework Grammar pg #1-40 Test Wednesday! Do Now Journal: Answer personal response question on pg 171

December 12, 2011 TWO sided worksheet! Test Wednesday Journal: Answer personal response question on pg 171

Conflict External: when a character struggles against an outside force Example The father views Bandit as a chicken killer and an egg thief. The boys view Bandit as a loving pet. The fact is Bandit is a wild animal and belongs in the wild.

Internal: Exists within the mind of the character who is torn between opposing feelings Example The mother worries about Colin’s frail condition. The father is disappointed in Colin and thinks he should be more helpful on the farm. The fact is Colin is different and unique. Colin should be accepted the way he is.

Characters Stan - the narrator of the story. He is strong, able-bodied and a good hunter. Colin - a twelve-year-old boy, who is an excellent artist. He is not appreciated by his father because he cannot hunt or work well on the farm. Bandit - the fox raised by the boys

Characters continued Father - a seasoned hunter and farmer who values physical strength and hard work. Mother - worries about Colin due to his small, sickly nature. She encourages his artistic ability.

Theme Trust is an important element in all relationships. Trust between humans (Stan and Colin) and an animal (Bandit, the fox) is possible. People should be valued for their individual gifts. (At the end of the story, Father learns to value Colin as an artist instead of being disappointed in his lack of physical strength and hunting ability.)

Test Break Down Chapter 4 and “Last Cover” Direct Objects Indirect Objects Predicate Nominative Predicate Adjective “Last Cover” Vocabulary Literary Terms

Plot Summary Stan and his brother Colin rescue and raise a baby fox, Bandit. When the fox matures, it leaves the boys. Because Bandit is familiar with humans and their ways, the fox kills chickens belonging to area farmers. Colin often observes the fox in the wild and knows of its special hiding place. The fox hides there when local farmers band together to hunt it down. Colin draws Bandit in his hiding place. The drawing appeals to his father and eases their relationship.