1. Welcome back
2. Review the next three weeks. Two primary areas we'll be doing are reading and studying the novel Speak and preparing for final exam. Prepare to spend at least HALF of each long block class on quiet, in-class writing.
3. Opening Activity: In a group create a Top Ten list: the top 10 unwritten rules for new students to RSS (e.g for new grade 8's). Criteria: refrain from criticism of teachers or other students, write legibly, and, most importantly, be clever, humorous, and innovative. Top 10 lists were handed in / presented to classmates.
4. Students began reading the novel Speak quietly in class.
5. Students were asked to read to p. 14 for homework.
We discussed the word "ostracize" and mentioned that it would be one of the themes of the novel.
