8th Grade English - Classwork Resources
SLE Interactive Presentation Rubric
Use this rubric to guide the creation of your interactive presentation. Don't forget to use the tips and tools below.
Due Dates:
|
|
Interactive Presentation Tips and Tools
Eighth Grade Culminating Project Guidelines (for both the essay and the presentation)
Diego Baza Essay Resources (Week of April 14, 2014)
This Wednesday, you will write an in-class personal narrative essay for the Diego Baza Scholarship. This essay will also be graded as a writing assignment. See rubric. Below are some resources to read on Monday in order to participate in Monday's and Tuesday's discussion activities, which we will use as part of the pre-writing steps. These discussions will help to clarify your ideas, so you can organize them into a THOUGHTFUL, WELL-WRITTEN essay.
The Tidings article (April 23, 1999)
Los Angeles Times article (March 17, 2001)
The Tidings article (March 23, 2001)
Suggestions and graphic organizer for personal narrative
The Tidings article (April 23, 1999)
Los Angeles Times article (March 17, 2001)
The Tidings article (March 23, 2001)
Suggestions and graphic organizer for personal narrative
|
|
"WHERE I'M FROM" Artifact
Create an artifact that goes with your "Where I'm From" poem. This artifact must reflect your identity AS PORTRAYED BY THE POEM. This artifact may be visual, audio, or a combination. Some ideas include but are not limited to the following: a short video like the one we saw at the introduction of this activity, a musical piece that you composed and have recorded, or art work (2D or 3D). Please turn in a sketch with a brief description of your artifact (a paragraph) by Friday, April 11, 2014, so we can collaborate with you to make it the best it can be. These artifacts will be published on your blog along with your poem by Friday, May 2.
CLICK ON PHOTO FOR A LINK TO A MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION.
CLICK ON PHOTO FOR A LINK TO A MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION.
"Where I'm From" Poems
Please upload your "Where I'm From" poems to the assignment submission box below.
DUE WEDNESDAY APRIL 9th, 2014
DUE WEDNESDAY APRIL 9th, 2014
Poetry Writing Prompts
April is National Poetry Month. Here are some writing prompts on which you can start writing poems.
"Where I'm From" Brainstorm for Tuesday, March 25, 2014
This week, you'll begin the process of creating your own poem inspired by "Where I'm From." There are three phases of the process: 1) the brainstorm to get your ideas down, 2) a template to help you choose the BEST ideas from your brainstorm, and 3) the poem itself. Each phase will take about 1-2 days. Below is the brainstorm. Template will be posted on Wednesday afternoon.
Louisa Please Come Home Fishbowl Notes
Upload your notes from our fishbowl discussion on Louisa Please Come Home.
Louisa Please Come Home Interpretive Questions
Upload your evidence and notes to the interpretive questions below:
1) Louisa's family cares about Louisa. Agree or disagree.
2) Does Louisa make the complete transformation to Lois? If yes, when? If not, provide evidence.
3) Why does Louisa run away from home?
4) It was the right decision for Louisa to run away. Agree or Disagree.
1) Louisa's family cares about Louisa. Agree or disagree.
2) Does Louisa make the complete transformation to Lois? If yes, when? If not, provide evidence.
3) Why does Louisa run away from home?
4) It was the right decision for Louisa to run away. Agree or Disagree.
Louisa Please Come Home Decision Making Graphic Organizer
Please upload an image of your "decision-making/consequences" graphic organizer based on the short story, "Louisa, Please Come Home" in the assignment submission box below.
DUE THURSDAY MARCH 13, 2014
DUE THURSDAY MARCH 13, 2014
Louisa Please Come Home
You can download the full text to Louisa Please Come Home by Shirley Jackson, by clicking on the hyperlink on the title. The pdf is also posted below.
HW Reminder for night of Thursday, March 6:
1) Blog post about the week's learning
2) NRI Commonly Confused Words Practice #2. This trimester, I am taking the average of your score after you fix your mistakes with how many you receive correct on your first try. PLEASE read the hints to help you understand what you're missing.
**For those who are late with the first NRI Commonly Confused Words Practice, I just unlocked it, so you can do for late credit (20% off). To transition for high school, late assignments are now 20% off, not 10%.
This week's in-class essay (March 3-6): Compare/Contrast Essay about the American Dream
Welcome to this week's multi-day writing assignment about the American dream. The prompt is below with instructions for what to do on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Don't worry. The teachers will start you off each day and then provide guidance throughout the class period on an individual and small group basis.
Need some graphic organizers?
Interactive Venn diagram
Another type of compare and contrast graphic organizer
Read the TWO PAGE prompt below before starting in-class essay. Use ALL your resources. Submit electronically. Good luck!
Need some graphic organizers?
Interactive Venn diagram
Another type of compare and contrast graphic organizer
Read the TWO PAGE prompt below before starting in-class essay. Use ALL your resources. Submit electronically. Good luck!
Class work for Thursday, February 27--A poem from one of my favorite poets!
Read and annotate Langston Hughes' poem "Let America Be America Again." Mark literary devices, patterns you notice, define vocabulary you don't know, and of course, summarize big stanzas. Be able to summarize what this poem is about in 140 characters or less! Work alone or in pairs!
While annotating, pick a line, lines, or stanza that really speak to you in this poem and jot down why this is so impactful.
Tomorrow in class, we will do a fishbowl for Inaugural Address (you'll need your annotated copy and your answers to the interpretive questions in order to participate) and we'll do a Save the Last Word for Hughes' poem.
HW: The last blog post of the trimester--See prior post for instructions! Hopefully, you've already started!
While annotating, pick a line, lines, or stanza that really speak to you in this poem and jot down why this is so impactful.
Tomorrow in class, we will do a fishbowl for Inaugural Address (you'll need your annotated copy and your answers to the interpretive questions in order to participate) and we'll do a Save the Last Word for Hughes' poem.
HW: The last blog post of the trimester--See prior post for instructions! Hopefully, you've already started!
Blog post due BEFORE Friday, Feb. 28 class
Answer ONE of the questions below according to the blog post guidelines. See below the questions for more information.
1. Are Americans as deeply divided today as in the time of Lincoln?
2. Would Americans go to war today to preserve the Union from
division?
3. What is the proper balance between forgiveness for past wrongs and
necessary reparations in the name of justice?
Provide EVIDENCE in the form of AT LEAST ONE CREDIBLE source in the form of an article or video. Make sure you follow the guidelines for posting. You absolutely MUST have a hyperlink to your credible source in order to get an A (provided you follow the other guidelines.) This assignment takes TIME, so plan accordingly. Suggested timeline:
1. Are Americans as deeply divided today as in the time of Lincoln?
2. Would Americans go to war today to preserve the Union from
division?
3. What is the proper balance between forgiveness for past wrongs and
necessary reparations in the name of justice?
Provide EVIDENCE in the form of AT LEAST ONE CREDIBLE source in the form of an article or video. Make sure you follow the guidelines for posting. You absolutely MUST have a hyperlink to your credible source in order to get an A (provided you follow the other guidelines.) This assignment takes TIME, so plan accordingly. Suggested timeline:
- Wed. afternoon: Start browsing through some articles or watching some videos until you find something related to a question you can answer. Check out NY Times Learning Network, PBS Newshour EXTRA, Time for Kids, tweentribune, Christian Science Monitor (USA News). OR if you are knowledgable about current events and history and would like to conduct your own search, that's fine, too.
- Thurs. in class: Begin your blog post.
- Thurs. at home: Finish your blog post and publish before Friday's class.
- Friday: We comment on at least TWO people's posts.
Interpretive Questions for Lincoln's "Second Inaugural Address": Class work Feb. 25
Each person in the room is responsible for answering all four questions. You MUST provide evidence FROM THE TEXT ONLY. Please submit your answers electronically.
1. Why doesn’t Lincoln feel triumphant regarding the successful course of the war? Why does he avoid calling for vengeance?
2. According to Lincoln, did the North “accept” war because of its wish to preserve the Union, or because of its abhorrence of slavery?
3. Does Lincoln blame the South for causing the war? Why does Lincoln point out that “the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement” of slavery?
4. According to Lincoln, why were people who had so much in
common—even praying to the same God—unable to avoid such
a terrible conflict?
1. Why doesn’t Lincoln feel triumphant regarding the successful course of the war? Why does he avoid calling for vengeance?
2. According to Lincoln, did the North “accept” war because of its wish to preserve the Union, or because of its abhorrence of slavery?
3. Does Lincoln blame the South for causing the war? Why does Lincoln point out that “the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement” of slavery?
4. According to Lincoln, why were people who had so much in
common—even praying to the same God—unable to avoid such
a terrible conflict?
Presentation Tools
Download and use the graphic organizer/table below to help you create an archive of presentation tools or strategies. Ultimately, we will be creating a Wiki page as a resource for you to access various presentation tools.
John Bohannon has a modest proposal as to how we can improve the economy...and your presentations.
presentation_tools_graphic_organizer.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Rhetoric Devices Self-Assessment Survey (SurveyMonkey.com)
As we continue to discuss our essential questions, particularly "what is the purpose of communication?" and "how doe one express one's self?" and "what responsibilities do we have when expressing ourselves?" we have been studying how authors can achieve their purpose through the use of rhetorical devices. You have now had the opportunity to look at various documents from the Civil Rights Movement, particularly how MLK Jr. expressed himself, the purpose of his writings and speeches, and the rhetorical devices he used in some of his most significant and influential letters and speeches (The Lost Speech; Letter from Birmingham Jail; "I Have A Dream" speech).
With that said, we want to know how you feel about your learning and achievement of these concepts, so we'd like for you to participate in a quick online self-assessment survey. Click on the SurveyMonkey link below and please complete the survey honestly The survey instructions are on the survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VN9LJ86 |
Love Letter to JJ
As a class, we thought it would be nice to make a love letter bundle in response to one of the requests. We found this request (scroll down) from a young wife, who was suffering from various illnesses, who would like for her very supportive husband to receive a bundle of love letters.
When writing your love letter consider the following:
To see some samples of love letters, click here.
PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION (no name--just your first initial, and no address).
You may choose to do your letter as a typed version or as a hand-written version. Please include the following address on the top byline:
JJ’s Bundle
c/o Em
2410 College Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
LETTERS DUE WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19th, 2014
Please upload your letter or a picture of your hand-written letter to the assignment submission box, just for our records.
When writing your love letter consider the following:
- What is the purpose of this letter?
- Who is your audience?
- What vocabulary and words of affirmation will help you achieve the purpose of your letter?
- What rhetoric devices (if any) can you incorporate in a love letter?
To see some samples of love letters, click here.
PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION (no name--just your first initial, and no address).
You may choose to do your letter as a typed version or as a hand-written version. Please include the following address on the top byline:
JJ’s Bundle
c/o Em
2410 College Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
LETTERS DUE WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19th, 2014
Please upload your letter or a picture of your hand-written letter to the assignment submission box, just for our records.
Work from the week of February 10, 2014
Letter from Birmingham Jail Assessment-Mini Writing Prompt
|
|
Homework: Multi-media Reading Assignment for Monday, February 3, 2014
|
I created this ThingLink to help you understand more about the lost speech form 1962 because I felt based on your writing that you needed some information.
Hover above the picture and watch the icons pop up. Click on them to learn more about the context of the 1962 lost speech. I provided links to help you understand what led up to the lost speech and what happened directly after the speech. Enjoy! You'll start making one of these on Tuesday! Can't wait! So begin thinking about something worth teaching. Think about who will be your audience! |
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Read "Letter from Birmingham Jail" off the World website.
For those who want the PDF version, here you go.
For those who want the PDF version, here you go.
MLA Formatting Guidelines and Citing In-text
Please refer to this site for formatting your papers. At the high school level, most teachers will use MLA format. The others would use APA format, which are also available on OWL Purdue's website.
You can also use this citation generator, as a tool (NOT as a final version of your citations) to help you correctly format your citations: EasyBib
You can also use this citation generator, as a tool (NOT as a final version of your citations) to help you correctly format your citations: EasyBib
WHAT DO IMAGES HAVE THE POWER TO DO? DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
We have been exploring the power of words and images. The teacher ladies have provided you with words and images, so now it's your turn. Pick an image and write a blog post where you provide information to the reader about the image and reflect upon the impact of this image on the you as the reader. Also consider what the rights and responsibilities in creating and publishing this image might be on other readers? *Remember you are creating a positive digital footprint, so if you have questions about appropriateness, you should probably find something else. Look at the world through a Catholic Christian lens and also think about your responsibility in promoting Catholic values, especially according to Catholic social teaching.
Regarding the photo above, it seems to me as if the Komodo Dragon is the king of his domain as he surveys the land from the edge of the bluff, and yet the village in the background tells me that perhaps there's an issue of man vs. nature. This makes me question how can we live peacefully with nature without destroying habitat or animals? How do we take seriously our roles as "stewards" of God's creation? How do my behaviors impact the environment? I should probably research more about this picture and blog about it. If I were writing a blog post, I would make sure not to forget hyperlinks to help people find out more info!
Here are some galleries to explore, although you are free to find your own. (i.e. search museum online collections) You can search the following by topic. Happy browsing!
National Geographic Photo Gallery
Time Magazine Photo Essays
Getty Editorial Images
National Gallery of Art (This links to photos, but on this page, you can also search other print media.)
POST DUE before class on THURSDAY, JANUARY 30th, 2014 (since it will take time to find an image AND think about it AND write about it).
Regarding the photo above, it seems to me as if the Komodo Dragon is the king of his domain as he surveys the land from the edge of the bluff, and yet the village in the background tells me that perhaps there's an issue of man vs. nature. This makes me question how can we live peacefully with nature without destroying habitat or animals? How do we take seriously our roles as "stewards" of God's creation? How do my behaviors impact the environment? I should probably research more about this picture and blog about it. If I were writing a blog post, I would make sure not to forget hyperlinks to help people find out more info!
Here are some galleries to explore, although you are free to find your own. (i.e. search museum online collections) You can search the following by topic. Happy browsing!
National Geographic Photo Gallery
Time Magazine Photo Essays
Getty Editorial Images
National Gallery of Art (This links to photos, but on this page, you can also search other print media.)
POST DUE before class on THURSDAY, JANUARY 30th, 2014 (since it will take time to find an image AND think about it AND write about it).
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words... and a Thousand Actions
In his Ted Talk, "Photos That Changed the World," Jonathan Klein analyzes the importance of imagery in effecting change in the world. Klein discusses certain iconic images and how their publication influenced action towards certain causes like environmental action, relief of hunger in Sudan, among many others.
Use the graphic organizer to note your ideas about the following texts in relation to these questions: What do words and images have the power to do? What responsibilities to people have when expressing themselves?
Use the graphic organizer to note your ideas about the following texts in relation to these questions: What do words and images have the power to do? What responsibilities to people have when expressing themselves?
Tips on Commenting on Blogs and Open Forums
The following websites give some really great advice about how to effectively, meaningfully and respectfully blog and comment on blogs and open forums. Before you comment on each other's PLP blogs, read through these links and keep in mind those commenting tips and strategies.
Huzzah! Commenting Guidelines
Teen Learning 2.0 Blogging Guidelines
Huzzah! Commenting Guidelines
Teen Learning 2.0 Blogging Guidelines
The following websites give some really great advice about how to effectively, meaningfully and respectfully blog and comment on blogs and open forums. Before you comment on each other's PLP blogs, read through these links and keep in mind those commenting tips and strategies.
Huzzah! Commenting Guidelines
Teen Learning 2.0 Blogging Guidelines
Huzzah! Commenting Guidelines
Teen Learning 2.0 Blogging Guidelines
HSPT Practice (O1/24/2013)
Download the attached document and complete the practice activity.
hsptpractice.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Civil Rights Movement: The Albany, Georgia Campaign
In September 1962, Dr. King made a speech, which you read about this week, to a room full of Republican politicians from around the nation and wealthy donors to the Republican party. Dr. King was invited there by then-New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, who was planning to run against President Kennedy in the 1964 Presidential election. That fall, Rockefeller donated money to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization of ministers that Dr. King was a part of, to be used as bail to free those who had been jailed just a few weeks before during the Albany Campaign. Rockefeller invited Dr. King to NYC to speak at this fundraising dinner to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Why reasons could Gov. Rockefeller have had to invite Dr. King to his dinner? Why would Dr. King agree to attend? Why did he admonish (scold) both the Republicans in that room and the Democrats outside that room? What was the purpose of Dr. King's speech that night?
To help you understand the context of Dr. King's speech, I have posted some links to some light reading and some interesting news footage from the Albany Campaign. Also, many people misunderstand the Civil Rights Movement as if this was something that ONE man (Dr. King) was responsible for. After you read a little and watch the news footage, answer this: Who was responsible for the success of the Civil Rights Movement? Was the Civil Rights Movement a success? How long did the Civil Rights Movement last?
Read information about the Albany Campaign. Watch a short 2 minute clip from PBS's Civil Rights documentary Eyes on the Prize.
Dr. King invited clergymen and women from the North and Midwest to protest in Albany, Georgia. Watch news footage from August 1962.
Read this description of what is happening and then watch the silent news footage by clicking the link at the top of the page.
To help you understand the context of Dr. King's speech, I have posted some links to some light reading and some interesting news footage from the Albany Campaign. Also, many people misunderstand the Civil Rights Movement as if this was something that ONE man (Dr. King) was responsible for. After you read a little and watch the news footage, answer this: Who was responsible for the success of the Civil Rights Movement? Was the Civil Rights Movement a success? How long did the Civil Rights Movement last?
Read information about the Albany Campaign. Watch a short 2 minute clip from PBS's Civil Rights documentary Eyes on the Prize.
Dr. King invited clergymen and women from the North and Midwest to protest in Albany, Georgia. Watch news footage from August 1962.
Read this description of what is happening and then watch the silent news footage by clicking the link at the top of the page.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Lost Speech...Until Now! (Good material for your blog post this week! Relate what you watch to the essential questions!)
Watch the following feature from the January 20, 2014 episode of PBS Newshour about Martin Luther King, Jr.: Rediscovering a Martin Luther King, Jr. speech inspired by a Lincoln proclamation. The transcript is also available below the video for you to follow along or read in place of watching, for those of you who prefer to read the text or want to annotate it while or after you watch the video. Use Cornell notes to record important information. DUE WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, we will look at the actual speech referred to in this clip. On Thursday, we will look at the Emancipation Proclamation and learn more about the context of this historical document.
Rediscovering a Martin Luther King Jr. speech inspired by a Lincoln proclamationRediscovering a Martin Luther King Jr. speech inspired by a Lincoln proclamation
On Wednesday, we will look at the actual speech referred to in this clip. On Thursday, we will look at the Emancipation Proclamation and learn more about the context of this historical document.
Rediscovering a Martin Luther King Jr. speech inspired by a Lincoln proclamationRediscovering a Martin Luther King Jr. speech inspired by a Lincoln proclamation
Weekly Task Sheet January 21-24
Watch and take Cornell notes (without summary)
Angela Duckworth is a former educator who studies what makes students and adults successful. Check out what she has to say. Watch her Ted talk and take Cornell notes. You do NOT need to do a summary.
Andres Schleichler is the man who developed the PISA test, which you read about in the excerpt from Amanda Ripley's The Smartest Kids in the World (and How They Got There). Watch his Ted talk and take Cornell notes. You do NOT need to do a summary.
Read and Annotate Education Articles
Read and annotate "The Mystery" prologue handout (distributed in class).
Read and annotate this article by Allen White, "Why Catholics Should Read Literature"
DUE WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15th, 2014
Read and annotate this article by Allen White, "Why Catholics Should Read Literature"
DUE WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15th, 2014
Weekly Task Sheet Jan. 13-17
About Me (for PLP)
What's the purpose of an "About Me" on a PLP?
Who is the audience? What do they need to know? What do they want to know?
Where will you put the "About Me"?
Look at this sample.
Please submit your PLP URLs to the comment box below. Make sure your website is live and contains your "About Me" section.
URLs must be submitted and live by 8:00am Friday January 10th, 2014
Who is the audience? What do they need to know? What do they want to know?
Where will you put the "About Me"?
Look at this sample.
Please submit your PLP URLs to the comment box below. Make sure your website is live and contains your "About Me" section.
URLs must be submitted and live by 8:00am Friday January 10th, 2014
Read up on prepositions. Quiz this week!
Here are some sites to read about prepositions. Be able to answer the following on a quiz: What is a prepositional phrase? Why are they important to one's writing? Be able to identify a prepositional phrase in a sentence.
What is a prepositional phrase?
Understanding prepositional phrases
Chomp Chomp (list of common one-word and compound prepositions)
Pearson (*pay attention to how to avoid informal prepositions in academic writing)
Do these exercises due Tuesday.
What is a prepositional phrase?
Understanding prepositional phrases
Chomp Chomp (list of common one-word and compound prepositions)
Pearson (*pay attention to how to avoid informal prepositions in academic writing)
Do these exercises due Tuesday.
Weekly Task Sheet January 6-10
Do Now: #4LineFriday
Create 4 lines of rap about you.
Create 4 lines of rap about you.
Class Jesse Tree
Essay due Tuesday (electronic submission)
Ornament due Friday (may be electronically submitted or hard copy)
Make sure you turn these in before Friday if you're not going to be here.
See below for instructions.
Essay due Tuesday (electronic submission)
Ornament due Friday (may be electronically submitted or hard copy)
Make sure you turn these in before Friday if you're not going to be here.
See below for instructions.
example_of_jesse_tree_essay_thesis_statement.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Weekly Task Sheet December 9-18
Sympathetic Backstory for Monster Page
You can submit your backstories in the assignment submission box below.
Author Photo (due on or before Friday, December 6)
Use the templates on this site as a guideline for a professional and super amazing author photo. Find someone you trust to take this photo of you. You may make it black and white, sepia toned, or color. It can be modern or old school. Follow the guideline of the template BUT ALSO feel free to use some creative license. I can't wait to see your photos! BTW, these will be the photo on your home page of the PLP.
Look to the left and check out Roald Dahl, author of The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Use the templates on this site as a guideline for a professional and super amazing author photo. Find someone you trust to take this photo of you. You may make it black and white, sepia toned, or color. It can be modern or old school. Follow the guideline of the template BUT ALSO feel free to use some creative license. I can't wait to see your photos! BTW, these will be the photo on your home page of the PLP.
Look to the left and check out Roald Dahl, author of The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Personal Learning Portfolios (Graphic organizer due Tuesday, December 3. See below for more info on how to do graphic organizer.)
Step 1: Here is a list of articles about PLPs. Read through at least two articles regarding PLPs. Jot down notes in the margins of the graphic organizer about what features make an effective PLP.
Step 2: Here is a list of student samples of PLPs. Go through at least 5 of these and see what elements you notice about the MOST EFFECTIVE PLPs. Jot down notes in the margins of the graphic organizer about what features make an effective PLP.
Step 3: Now, you have two choices on which graphic organizer to you. One side lets you write five features for an effective PLP and the other side has six features of an effective PLP. Now that you've read through articles and scanned through student examples of PLPs AND jotted down notes on effective features of PLPs, you can fill in your chosen graphic organizer with the MOST EFFECTIVE FEATURES of a PLP. This is due Tuesday, December 2 and will be used, along with the teachers' notes on PLPs, to write up the guidelines and rubric together as a class so that teachers AND students have input on what goes in the PLP.
Step 1: Here is a list of articles about PLPs. Read through at least two articles regarding PLPs. Jot down notes in the margins of the graphic organizer about what features make an effective PLP.
Step 2: Here is a list of student samples of PLPs. Go through at least 5 of these and see what elements you notice about the MOST EFFECTIVE PLPs. Jot down notes in the margins of the graphic organizer about what features make an effective PLP.
Step 3: Now, you have two choices on which graphic organizer to you. One side lets you write five features for an effective PLP and the other side has six features of an effective PLP. Now that you've read through articles and scanned through student examples of PLPs AND jotted down notes on effective features of PLPs, you can fill in your chosen graphic organizer with the MOST EFFECTIVE FEATURES of a PLP. This is due Tuesday, December 2 and will be used, along with the teachers' notes on PLPs, to write up the guidelines and rubric together as a class so that teachers AND students have input on what goes in the PLP.
Expository paragraph about Sylvia Plath's "Mushrooms"
So you think you can write an amazing literary analysis paragraph? Oh, good, because I think so, too. Turn it in below! Please upload as a Word or Pages doc if possible so that you just have to make one submission.
Rolling the Dice Story (November 21, 2013)
Random fun? Why, yes! Still, you will demonstrate your narrative skills by turning randomness into pure genius--so make sure you have an amazing exposition that describes the setting and introduces the conflict. Have a climax, and a resolution that makes sense, and if you're really feeling up to it, make it clever!
Open Mind Template (in case you need a new one)
Turn in the hard copy of your Open Mind to Ms. Tharayil or Ms. Gunter.
openmind.docx | |
File Size: | 57 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Trimester 2 Begins Monday, November 18. Everything below this title is from Trimester 1.
TURN IN YOUR TRUTH ESSAY
Welcome to the end of the trimester! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we have. We're closing out our trimester-long unit on truth. You've examined this topic through a variety of readings and activities, and now, it's your chance to tell us what conclusions you've come to about truth.
Please turn in your super wonderful final draft below!
Welcome to the end of the trimester! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we have. We're closing out our trimester-long unit on truth. You've examined this topic through a variety of readings and activities, and now, it's your chance to tell us what conclusions you've come to about truth.
Please turn in your super wonderful final draft below!
End of the Trimester Writing Prompt (Essay due Nov. 15th)
Below are the instructions for the End of the First Trimester Writing Prompt as well as the graphic organizer to use to write down and clarify your thoughts. Graphic organizers of your information are due tomorrow BEFORE class. You will begin writing the essay on Wednesday.
graphicorganizer_endoftrimesteressay.docx | |
File Size: | 54 kb |
File Type: | docx |
WTS November 4-15
A Found "Poe-m" (classwork for 10/31/2013)
In the spirit of Halloween and in the dark, grim spirit of the literature we've been reading by Poe, you will be writing a Found "Poe-m" based on Poe's Work.
What is a found poem you ask?
Well, in essence, a found poem is a poem written using lines and words from already existing written works. Essentially, you are "finding" the lines to your poem in other works of literature and you piece them together in your own unique way to create your own unique piece of work. Found poems are nice because in some ways it eliminates the hard work of trying to write the sentences your self. However, don't be fooled, it is also a challenge to figure out which lines will work best together to help you convey the message you want your poem to send.
For this assignment, you will be writing a Found "Poe-m" based on the three pieces by Poe you've already read: "A Tell Tale Heart," "Annabel Lee" and "The Cask of Amontillado"
Your poem should incorporate lines from all three of those pieces and it should be a horror/halloween poem (I mean it's Poe! It can't be about rainbows, butterflies and unicorns, though who doesn't love that stuff? Oh that's right, Poe doesn't, haha just kidding!)
Use the following resources to help guide the writing of your found poem:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/foundpoem.pdf
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1034/sample.pdf
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5780
http://www.creative-writing-now.com/found-poetry.html
Use the following resources for tips on how to write a good poem:
http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm
http://www.justsimplywrite.com/writingstrategies.php
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/394
What is a found poem you ask?
Well, in essence, a found poem is a poem written using lines and words from already existing written works. Essentially, you are "finding" the lines to your poem in other works of literature and you piece them together in your own unique way to create your own unique piece of work. Found poems are nice because in some ways it eliminates the hard work of trying to write the sentences your self. However, don't be fooled, it is also a challenge to figure out which lines will work best together to help you convey the message you want your poem to send.
For this assignment, you will be writing a Found "Poe-m" based on the three pieces by Poe you've already read: "A Tell Tale Heart," "Annabel Lee" and "The Cask of Amontillado"
Your poem should incorporate lines from all three of those pieces and it should be a horror/halloween poem (I mean it's Poe! It can't be about rainbows, butterflies and unicorns, though who doesn't love that stuff? Oh that's right, Poe doesn't, haha just kidding!)
Use the following resources to help guide the writing of your found poem:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/foundpoem.pdf
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1034/sample.pdf
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5780
http://www.creative-writing-now.com/found-poetry.html
Use the following resources for tips on how to write a good poem:
http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm
http://www.justsimplywrite.com/writingstrategies.php
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/394
Homework for Wednesday, October 30 (Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado")
Choose ONE of the following prompts to respond to and write ONE expository literary analysis paragraph. The paragraph should be AT LEAST 3/4 of a page double-spaced.
a) How does Montresor feel about his vengeful act towards Fortunato? Provide evidence to support your answer. Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
b) When does Fortunato develop an awareness about Montresor's true intentions? Provide evidence to support your answer. Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
c) Poe describes Fortunato as wearing the costume of a jester. What is the significance of this description? Provide evidence to support your answer. Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
d) Poe describes Montresor as wearing "a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire." What is the significance of this description? Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
Submit your literary analysis paragraph below.
a) How does Montresor feel about his vengeful act towards Fortunato? Provide evidence to support your answer. Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
b) When does Fortunato develop an awareness about Montresor's true intentions? Provide evidence to support your answer. Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
c) Poe describes Fortunato as wearing the costume of a jester. What is the significance of this description? Provide evidence to support your answer. Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
d) Poe describes Montresor as wearing "a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire." What is the significance of this description? Use TLQ to incorporate that evidence. Follow MLA format.
Submit your literary analysis paragraph below.
The Cask of Amontillado (short story)
Point of View Presentation
This PowerPoint presentation explains the different types of points-of-view in narration (all writing). It also explains the purpose of each and the stylistic approaches and implications that each type of point of view might serve.
typesofpointofview.pptx | |
File Size: | 521 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Sample annotated poem--
1. Start with the structure of the poem
2. Go stanza by stanza to find DETAILS (sound devices, figurative language, and sensory imagery)
Homework for Thursday, October 24, 2013
Analyze the poem Poe's "Annabel Lee."
Annotate directly on the poem OR take Cornell notes.
Use your knowledge from literature to note important DETAILS.
Annotate directly on the poem OR take Cornell notes.
Use your knowledge from literature to note important DETAILS.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
For each photo below, use a critical eye and examine the photographs. On lined paper, write the details you see. You may use a bulleted list to record your details.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Timed Writing-Literary Analysis Paragraph (Edgar Alan Poe's "Tell Tale Heart") (assigned 10/22/2013)
literary_analysis_paragraph-poe.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
WTS for Oct. 21-Nov. 1
wtsoct21-november1_2013.docx | |
File Size: | 417 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Article for Prompt Oct. 16
WTS October 14-18
8wtsoct14-18.docx | |
File Size: | 254 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Evaluating Information Activity (classwork for 10/14/2013)
You will be working with a partner or partners to assess the reliability of the following websites and the quality of the information they present:
http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/confirmed-theres-water-on-mars
http://www.buzzfeed.com/toyota/the-20-coolest-hybrid-animals-3d8x
http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/sustainability/environment/oil-spills-and-the-environment.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/accomplishments-of-martin-luther-king-jr.html
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v3/n9/full/nclimate1972.html
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0005069.html
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/key_workplace/1137/?utm_source=digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu%2Fkey_workplace%2F1137&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1075-u-s-students-compare.gs
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.html
http://www.people-press.org/2013/09/23/blame-for-both-sides-as-possible-government-shutdown-approaches/
http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/confirmed-theres-water-on-mars
http://www.buzzfeed.com/toyota/the-20-coolest-hybrid-animals-3d8x
http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/sustainability/environment/oil-spills-and-the-environment.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/accomplishments-of-martin-luther-king-jr.html
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v3/n9/full/nclimate1972.html
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0005069.html
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/key_workplace/1137/?utm_source=digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu%2Fkey_workplace%2F1137&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1075-u-s-students-compare.gs
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.html
http://www.people-press.org/2013/09/23/blame-for-both-sides-as-possible-government-shutdown-approaches/
Work for Week of 10/7/13-10/11/13. Open the doc below to find out the homework and classwork for this week (Mon. and Tues. only)
oct72013_final.docx | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Sign up for No Red Ink
No Red Ink is a site where you can access grammar assignments and quizzes. Please sign up with this access code: 78f0f272
Do Now Prompt for 10/03/2013
Writing a Summary: Classwork for 9/30/2013
Read this NY Times piece and Time for Kids piece and take notes using the graphic organizer (Cornell Notes). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you use the questions from the NY Times piece to guide your note-taking. Then, write a summary using the summary sheet.
Weekly Task Sheet: September 30-October 4
wts8sept30-oct4_2013.docx | |
File Size: | 271 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Class Mini-Project: Developing a Writing Resource Page
As a class, we will be building a resource page for narrative writing and informative/expository writing. We will use this, but we will also make it available to 6th and 7th graders. We need two categories for each:
1. Helpful tools for middle school writers
2. Sites where students can read narratives and expository/info pieces
For today (09/26/2013), they have to turn in the following:
1. AT LEAST ONE site to help students understand what a narrative is and how to write a narrative. You need the URL PLUS a brief minimum in-your-own-words 5-10 sentence paragraph explaining what a student will be able to see on this site.
You need to ensure the site is a good one in terms of being user-friendly AND trustworthy. You should spend time researching and only choose the ABSOLUTE BEST SITE YOU CAN FIND.
2. AT LEAST ONE site where students can read narratives. Again, same guidelines of URL and paragraph, user-friendly and trustworthy and the BEST SITE YOU CAN FIND.
You will be submitting this information on a graphic organizer that I will be providing you. You will need to fill out the following information on that graphic organizer:
DUE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27th, 2013
1. Helpful tools for middle school writers
2. Sites where students can read narratives and expository/info pieces
For today (09/26/2013), they have to turn in the following:
1. AT LEAST ONE site to help students understand what a narrative is and how to write a narrative. You need the URL PLUS a brief minimum in-your-own-words 5-10 sentence paragraph explaining what a student will be able to see on this site.
You need to ensure the site is a good one in terms of being user-friendly AND trustworthy. You should spend time researching and only choose the ABSOLUTE BEST SITE YOU CAN FIND.
2. AT LEAST ONE site where students can read narratives. Again, same guidelines of URL and paragraph, user-friendly and trustworthy and the BEST SITE YOU CAN FIND.
You will be submitting this information on a graphic organizer that I will be providing you. You will need to fill out the following information on that graphic organizer:
- In the middle, you put the URL.
- In the top left square, you write the search words that led them there.
- In the top right square, you EXPLAIN why this is the ABSOLUTE BEST SITE for our student resource page.
- In the bottom left square, you EXPLAIN how they know the site's information can be trusted.
- In the bottom right square, you leave blank. That will be for our (teacher) comments.
- In the rectangle on the very bottom of the page, you write your brief paragraph, explaining what could be found on this page, tips for use, navigation tips, etc.
DUE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27th, 2013
Narrative/Expository-What Am I Evidence
You can submit your evidence for the "What Am I" activity for Narrative/Expository writing in the assignment submission form below:
Interactive Sentence Fragment Game
Click here to play.
Clarification for Writing Assignments September 16-20
As of last Friday, you should have turned in the following for the rubric-assessed assignments:
- Informative/explanatory reflection essay about the process of creating your object
- Narrative of old superhero
- Informative/explanatory writing piece (essay or paragraph), which is your choice of ONE of the following Do Nows from the first two weeks of school: What grade will you receive and why OR What is your plan OR Your thoughts about one of the quotes from WTS August 26 OR Description of your object for people during Gallery Walk
- Revised Chuck Norris Introduction (I already started conferencing with people about this one) and this was due Wednesday, September 18
- Revised narrative dialogue between Alice and Dorothy (or two other well-known fictional characters if you didn't know who these two were OR you could continue the Chuck Norris Intro and develop it into a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end OR you could do the Do Now from Tuesday, which is a narrative about standing outside in the hot sun (Use the literary models I give you as models to help you with your own writing)
Weekly Task Sheet: September 16-20
Weekly Task Sheet: September 9-13
wts8september9-13_2013.docx | |
File Size: | 181 kb |
File Type: | docx |
comma_rules_2013.doc | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Narrative Writing Resources
http://www.creative-writing-now.com/story-beginnings.html
This site has helpful tips on writing engaging story beginnings.
http://www.darcypattison.com/revision/opening-lines/
This site has examples of real beginning lines from real novels.
http://pinterest.com/pin/69172544249377654/
This gives you the BASIC structure of a narrative.
http://narrativewriting.webs.com/NarrativeWritingDiamond.
This also gives more information about what to include in a narrative.
Grammar and Mechanics-Commas and Conjunctions
Below is the Prezi shown in class concerning commas, splices and run-on sentences, and conjunctions. USE THIS TO STUDY FOR YOUR GRAMMAR QUIZZES THIS WEEK!
http://prezi.com/1ocsk24k_jfh/edit/?auth_key=ymdeagl&follow=cyg664r7e6f9#0_47252
http://prezi.com/1ocsk24k_jfh/edit/?auth_key=ymdeagl&follow=cyg664r7e6f9#0_47252
grammar_and_mechanics-commas_and_conjunctions.pdf | |
File Size: | 4776 kb |
File Type: |
Weekly Task Sheet for 9/3/2013-9/6/2013
8wts_sept2-5_2013.docx | |
File Size: | 84 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Weekly Task Sheet for August 26th-August 30th, 2013
8wts_aug26-30_2013.docx | |
File Size: | 31 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Do Now Prompts
Do Now (08/21/2013)
What grade do you think you're going to get in this class? Explain why.
Do Now (08/22/2013)
Tumblr Prompt: http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/image/55555246262
"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan" - Eleanor Roosevelt
Don't just wish, make a plan. Include details. Maps and charts help.
Do Now (08/23/2013)
Do Now (08/26/2013)
Respond to the quotes at the very beginning of the Weekly Task Sheet (WTS) for 08/26/2013-08/30/2013 (see below).
Do Now (08/27/2013)
Fill out the pre-conference form for your writing.
Do Now (08/28/2013)
Annotate the excerpt from "The Unholy One."
Do Now (09/03/2013)
What grade do you think you're going to get in this class? Explain why.
Do Now (08/22/2013)
Tumblr Prompt: http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/image/55555246262
"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan" - Eleanor Roosevelt
Don't just wish, make a plan. Include details. Maps and charts help.
Do Now (08/23/2013)
- What would be the theme song to your life and why?
- What profession would you like to enter when you're an adult?
- What super power do you want and why?
- If there was a movie about your life what would it be about?
- Which actor would play you in your movie about your life?
Do Now (08/26/2013)
Respond to the quotes at the very beginning of the Weekly Task Sheet (WTS) for 08/26/2013-08/30/2013 (see below).
Do Now (08/27/2013)
Fill out the pre-conference form for your writing.
Do Now (08/28/2013)
Annotate the excerpt from "The Unholy One."
Do Now (09/03/2013)