BREAK WORK!
YALE AND BOWDOIN:
1. Write an essay in which you analyze William Goldman's style in The Princess Bride. How does Goldman develop characters? How does he develop relationships? What is unique about the narrative devices he employs? Be sure to use your writing notes! THIS ESSAY MUST BE E-MAILED TO MS. VITALE NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST.
2. READ the book you have been assigned and given a copy of. Take notes, put post-its, and become an expert on this book. Be especially prepared to discuss the plot, the setting, the characters and their relationships, and the author's style. BE READY FOR AN OPEN NOTE OPEN BOOK TEST ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH.
COLBY
1. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's characters in the beginning, middle, and end of the text. Be sure to make deep internal connections and use your writing notes!
THIS ESSAY MUST BE E-MAILED TO MS. VITALE NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST.
2. READ the book you have been assigned and given a copy of. Take notes, put post-its, and become an expert on this book. Be especially prepared to discuss the plot, the setting, the characters and their relationships, and the author's style. BE READY FOR AN OPEN NOTE OPEN BOOK TEST ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH.
LINK TO PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY: CLICK HERE!
LINK TO SCHOLAR SURVEY: CLICK HERE!
The NewsDECEMBER 29, 2012
Happy break! I hope everyone is enjoying the time off an the holidays if you celebrate! I am in Michigan this week visiting my family and enjoying some peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn. Please be sure to complete your break work and e-mail me if you have any questions! When we return from break we are going to hit the ground running; we have a lot of work to do! So rest up and get ready. See you soon! Peace, Ms. Vitale November 11, 2012 Happy 2nd Marking Quarter! The first quarter has officially and unofficially ended (there was a bit of confusion due to Sandy Week). Grades for ELA will be finalized by Wednesday of this week. The 2nd Quarter is the SHORTEST. This means that every assignment matters. It is important to complete all work to the best of your ability on time! Enjoy your long weekend! Peace, Ms. V THE NEWSOctober 30, 2012
Hurricane Sandy has come and gone, and I hope that everyone is alright and able to enjoy some extra family time. If you're at home and looking for something to work on, please be sure to review all 4 sheets of vocabulary words! There will be an exam very soon. Also, this is a great time to finish reading your books for your group projects! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any specific questions about anything. I miss you all and hope you are safe and happy. I look forward to seeing you soon! Peace, Ms. Vitale October 8, 2012 I hope everyone enjoyed the day off on Monday! Due to the short week we will not have any new vocabulary words, but there will be an exam on Friday on all of the words covered to date (45 for Bowdoin, 60 for Howard and Yale). All words are on the Calendar and Assignments page. We are doing a writing intensive in all classes in order to prepare for our upcoming performance task on November 5th. We will be focusing on comparing and contrasting (or juxtaposing if you prefer) in a 5 paragraph essay format. Since this will be review for everyone, we will focus on improving our tone and voice in formal academic writing. I hope to see everyone at the Breast Cancer Walk this Saturday, the 13th, from 9am-Noon! Peace, Ms. Vitale September 29, 2012 This upcoming week will be our first full week of school! All classes are well into their first class novel at this point, and have some assigned reading to complete at home. Additionally, all classes have their first writing project due this week; Tuesday for Yale and Thursday for Bowdoin and Colby. On Friday, 8th graders will have guest presenters from The Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. Our museum trip will take place on Friday, October 19th. Don't worry, Colby; I'm working on a trip for you too! Scholastic book order forms just came in on Friday; they kept sending me the ones for 3rd graders by mistake but now we have 7th and 8th grade ones! You also can order online! Our class activation code is L67VG. The first order is due by October 28th. Enjoy your weekend and let me know what questions you have! Best, Ms. Vitale September 21, 2012 What a lovely short week it was! Everyone in every class did a nice job working with their groups on investigating informational text features. The picnic this afternoon was superb; everyone seemed to enjoy playing sports, rolling down hills, and devouring pizza. This weekend's homework (and every day's homework) is to read independently. Bowdoin scholars should be reading 245 pages per week and honors scholars should be reading 350 pages per week. Additionally, Yale is working on their timeline part 2 project, due Tuesday. Next week, despite the Wednesday vacation day, we will return to having vocabulary words and a quiz on Friday. Also, I look forward to meeting all of the families of my scholars on Tuesday evening at curriculum night! As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions. Enjoy your weekend! Peace, Ms. Vitale September 16, 2012 I hope everyone is enjoying the 4 day weekend! Creed Project drafts (Bowdoin) and Timeline drafts (Colby and Yale) are due on Wednesday. Be sure to read the directions! If you need another copy, look on the Calendar and Assignments page! Because this upcoming week is only 3 days, we will not have new vocabulary words or a quiz. Instead we will focus on starting our first unit on informational reading and writing. Look for book order forms; they should be coming out this week! Peace, Ms. Vitale September 9, 2012 Happy Week 2! This week is going to be full of assessments, so be sure to make time to study! The summer assignment exams are this week, plus your first vocabulary quiz on Friday and probably a diagnostic reading exam too. This is a lot, but it will help me learn more about where you're at and what you need to be successful. I must say after only 2 days I am SO impressed with the energy you bring to the classroom. Keep it coming! For those of you with a little extra energy, be sure to see the "Wanted" add at the bottom of this page; I need some lunchtime and after school helpers. Peace, Ms. Vitale PS...3 day premier of The Voice this week...is anyone else excited about this? September 6, 2012 Happy first day of school! I am so excited to be your teacher! It is going to be a fantastic year. Be sure to explore this website; check the calendar and assignments tab for your homework and your class tab for other helpful resources! Make sure you show your family this website too and have them complete the parent survey! Feel free to contact me at any time with any questions. Your partner in education, Ms. Vitale PS...A motivational poem to get you started: You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be by: Donna Levine There is inside you All of the potential To be whatever you want to be; All of the energy To do whatever you want to do. Imagine yourself as you would like to be, Doing what you want to do, And each day, take one step Towards your dream. And though at times it may seem too difficult to continue, Hold on to your dream. One morning you will awake to find That you are the person you dreamed of, Doing what you wanted to do, Simply because you had the courage To believe in your potential And to hold on to your dream. |
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONE-MAIL: [email protected]
SCHOOL PHONE: 718-642-4305 CITE YOUR SOURCES: Citation Machine ORDER BOOKS: Scholastic Book Club FIND LEVELED BOOKS: Book Wizard LIBRARY: Brooklyn Public Library GRADEBOOK: Jupiter Grades FIND STATE TEST SCORES: ARIS MAKE A DONATION: Donors Choose GET CHEAP TICKETS: High Five LIBRARY PROCEDURESMs. Vitale's library is OPEN! Pick up a book today and get started reading right away! |
About Ms. Vitale
Ms. Vitale's son, Jack
Ms. Vitale spent the first 24 years of her life in Oxford, MI, a rural suburban community about 45 minutes north of Detroit. She graduated from Oakland University with her Bachelor of Science in Education, Grades K-8. After earning her degree, Ms. Vitale joined Teach for America and moved with her spouse to Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Ms. Vitale has been at FDA VIII since 2008, and loves the energy and dedication the scholars and families bring to the school community. When she's not at FDA, she spends her time reading, writing, cooking, and exploring Brooklyn with her family.
Ms. Vitale is currently studying educational leadership at Bankstreet College and creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College. She will graduate in July of 2013 with her Master of Science in Education.
Ms. Vitale has been at FDA VIII since 2008, and loves the energy and dedication the scholars and families bring to the school community. When she's not at FDA, she spends her time reading, writing, cooking, and exploring Brooklyn with her family.
Ms. Vitale is currently studying educational leadership at Bankstreet College and creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College. She will graduate in July of 2013 with her Master of Science in Education.