Monday, 10/7
Classwork:
1. Free-write for two minutes to the following prompt: What do humans need to be happy?

2. Answer true or false for each question. Then, provide your reasoning for your opinion of each statement.
a. Having a lot of material things always leads to more happiness.
b. Happiness is genetic. You can't change your level of happiness any more than you can change how tall you are.
c. Happiness is the result of good events that happen to people.

3. Answer based on your own experiences and your observations of the world:
Is our own happiness something we can control or is it out of our hands.

4. Discuss: What ways to people find happiness? Have you noticed any cultural practices?

5. Watch and practice: Laughter yoga

Tuesday, 10/8
Classwork:
1. Word choice activity: In a given amount of time (2 minutes max) come up with as many synonyms for 'happy' as you can. Compare your answer to your teammates' answers and compile one big list. Do the same thing for the antonyms. Boys vs girls challenge

2. View first 16 minutes of Happy, the documentary. Look back at the opinion statements from Monday (see #2 above), and determine if the movie changed your opinion. I would strongly recommend you watch the rest of this movie if you have Netflix. There are some segments further in the movie that show sad things and are a bit difficult to watch, so you should ask your parents before viewing.

Homework: Read 30 minutes from independent reading novel/

Wednesday, 10/9
Classwork:
1. Active/passive voice practice and direct/indirect object practice. Complete both sides of the worksheet. Read the directions and talk to your peers. Ask Ms. Grinnell when you need clarification. These are part of the curriculum so please be sure you can identify them when asked. If absent, look in the blue binder for the worksheet. For extra grammar practice, try the quizzes on this site: Softschools quizzes
Here is a good site that addresses many common grammar errors: Grammar

2. Review all books for dystopian society lit circles. Rate your interest for each book on a scale of 1-10.
Scale: 1=Blah, 5=Hmmm (maybe), 6=Yes!!!
I will try to put you in a lit circle for your choice with the highest rating.

Thursday, 10/10
Classwork:
1. Grammar practice with verbals.
2. Discuss utopia project and receive instructions and group assignments.
3. Receive group assignments for lit circles. Decide with your group your reading schedule. How many pages a day will you read through if you have 20 minutes to read each day in class?

Homework: Read independent reading novel for 30 minutes.

Friday, 10/11
Classwork:
1. Begin reading lit circle books.
2. Review template for utopia project and begin brainstorming with your project group.
3. Review your grammar worksheets for a brief mini-assessment Monday morning on active/passive voice, direct/indirect objects, and verbals.

Homework: Review grammar worksheets. Read for 30 minutes. Brainstorm ideas for utopia project.