June 5, 2013

Hey Ho! The Roll of Thunder essay and test are behind you now......all that's left is your "I Pledge" project. Yeah!
Remember, all the information about it can be found from the May 28th blog post.
DUE JUNE 13th!

May 30, 2013

For Friday: Finish chapter 9

Friday's class will be brought to you by the letter "R"
I will be:
Returning your tests, chapter 5 responses and your essays if you need to ....
Revise your Cassie growing up essay or you may....
Read either Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry or your NON-FICTION I Pledge book. RoTHMC is due Tuesday!!!!

Remember all you tree huggers, May 28th has all I Pledge information. For those of you don't love trees (tee hee), you have the papers I handed out that explain the expectations for the I Pledge projects. DUE JUNE 13th.

May 29, 2013

For Thursday: Finish chapter 8. No journal :)

Don't forget to look at May 28th's blog for all the I Pledge information.

May 28, 2013 contains I PLEDGE INFORMATION

For Wednesday: Finish chapter 7 and write a response to the following question:

There is a lot of talk about the land in chapter 7. What is an adjective to describe Ma and Pa Logan in regards to their land? Explain why you chose this word. Your response should be an 8-10 sentence paragraph.

***********Information about "I Pledge" due June 13th***************

TASK:

Choose one of your Non-Fiction” I Pledge”books and prepare a product of multiple intelligence to share at our Spring Exhibition. This project has three goals:

1.      Persuade other students to become interested in the book enough to read it.

2.      Prove that you have deep knowledge of your book. 

3.      Prepare and present a polished product (or series of products) that looks and/or sounds professional.

 

 

2 COMPONENTS REQUIRED:

 

1.) Written Component

You need to write a letter to your fellow 7^th grade peers recommending your book. The letter should start, “Dear fellow peers, “ and it should include:

¬     A summary of the book (title, main characters and an overview of the plot)

¬     Evidence from the book supporting your opinion (could be you like the writing style, the sense of action, the information you learned, etc.)

 

 

 

2.) Artistic Component

Choose ONE from the list below. Your artistic component should have a short sentence or two explanation (i.e. “In my book, Boy, a memoir by Roald Dahl, it describes the different places he lives and travels to with his family. My collage represents I how imagined those places (England, Italy, Scotland, his boarding school and his childhood home). I also included how I imagined his closest friends and family to look.) We also encourage you to create your own artistic representation for your book. Just check in with Mr. Hurley or Ms. Schwenkmeyer before you start.

 

                                   

-          Print advertisement

-          Animated movie

-          Art gallery (clay, paint, etc.)

-          Collage

-          Comic strip

-          Puzzle collection (word search, crossword)

-          Demonstration

-          Detailed illustration

-          Video review

-          Editorial essay

-          Photo essay

-          Game

-          Author Interview (pre-recorded audio or video)

-          Character Interview (pre-recorded audio or video)

-          Letter to the editor

-          Diary entries

-          Newspaper story

-          Pamphlet

-          Picture book for children

-          Poetry collection

-          Political cartoon

-          Rap (pre-recorded performance)

-          Role play activity

-          Slide show

-          Book soundtrack

-          Skit (pre-recorded performance)

-          Timeline

 

 

TIPS:

             Here are some web tools to help make cool tech-based presentations:

J     Video creation: www.//kerpoof.com

J     Cartoon creation: www.//creaza.com

J     Virtual advertisement poster: www. glogster.edu

J     Audio podcast: http://audacity.com

J     Web-based Posters: Prezi.com

 

Save all work to a memory stick or upload to YouTube.

Make sure your work is accessible on school laptops.

Feel free to bring in your own technology.

Proofread ALL written work! No MUG errors.

 

When you think you are finished creating, ask yourself:

J     “Does this product teach students enough information about my book?”

J     “Does my product persuade students to read my book?”

J     “Does my Exhibition presentation prove that I am expert on my book?”

 

 

Remember to Dress to Impress!

Dress to impress! Look like you are applying for a job or to a private school. Look professional.

May 16, 2013

Due Monday: Essay
Bring to my room before you head out on trips!!

In chapter six, after a long day in Strawberry, Ma tells Cassie that it is time to go to bed. She says to Cassie, “I think you’ve done enough growing up for one day.”

 

 

In a 4-6 paragraph essay, explain how Cassie has been forced to grow up since you first “met” her.

May 15, 2013

For Thursday:
Finish  the essay sheet handed out in class. Come prepared by having situations listed when Cassie was forced to grow up; include quotes that support your answer and complete the outline.
Remember, tomorrow you will be writing the essay in class and conferencing with me to then type it for Friday.

May 14, 2013

For Wednesday: Finish chapter 6

***Focus on

• Uncle Hammer's character
• the changes in Cassie
• the "race talk" between Ma and Cassie.

 I expect you to come in with any significant quotes from the chapter for an activity we will do in class tomorrow.

May 10, 2013

For Monday: Finish reading ch. 5 and type a response of at least 10 sentences.
Ideas for a response:

• summarize
• talk about a character
• answer one of the pre-reading questions
• make a prediction
• emotionally respond-maybe something made you mad, sad, happy, etc....

Happy weekend to you all!!

May 6, 2013

MCAS week!
Due Thursday: ch. 4 You have plenty of time in school to read :)
Pre-reading questions:

• Is T.J. a true friend?
• Cassie and Big Ma by the pond. What does Cassie learn?
• Why does Ma take the kids to see the Berrys?

Quiz on Thursday
It will cover chapters 1-3, a few questions on chapter 4 and the history you learned about Jim Crow South.

May 3, 2013

For Monday: Finish reading and margin noting chapter 3. Let's hope it's good weather soon, so we can really enjoy reading outside and not be shivering!

Wednesday there will be quiz on what you have read so far as well as the history you learned last week (the timeline in your journal).

May 2, 2013

For those of you who were in the fishbowl today-good job today. For the first time trying it, I thought you handled it well.

For Thursday: finish your illustration and description. Pay attention to the details Mildred Taylor includes so that your scene will also be detailed.

Friday is a reading day, so remember your books. :)

May 1, 2013

For Thursday: Read chapter 2.
Here are the PRE-reading questions for ch. 2. These questions should help guide your comprehension of the chapter. (Remember: you need a purpose when you read).When you finish reading, please answer the 2 questions in complete sentences in your journal.

1. What are 2 changes in the Logan's life?
2. Why do these changes come about?

If you finished this in class, please go back and look at the details of a scene of your choice, and draw that scene and include all the details Mildred Taylor uses to describe it.

April 30, 2013

Great job to all of you for an interesting and mature conversation in class today as we attempted to make some modern day connections to our reading of Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. I encourage you to read more about the prom in Georgia and please, bring in any articles you find!

For Wednesday: Finish reading chapter 1. You are expected to come in and be able to write 5-10 major events that happened in the chapter and list the people you "met."

April 23, 2012

Due Wednesday: Wisdom Books. Yes, you can print images from the web if you are not feeling super about your art abilities. You can also use real photos from your life.

Remember to bring your compare/contrast sheet so you can write a good in-class write. Knock me out with your concluding sentences!

See you Thursday!!

April 22, 2013

For Tuesday: Finish both sides of the compare/contrast sheet for Tuesdays With Morrie
For Wednesday: Wisdom books due. See below for criteria if you can't find the sheet I handed out explaining the requirements.

Below is the direction sheet for the Wisdom Books.

In Mitch Albom’s book Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie reminds readers about life lessons we ought to remember but have somehow forgotten.

 

Your wisdom booklet will be due Wednesday, April 24^th. This is the first Wednesday after vacation. You will have ample time to work on it before vacation, and 2 nights after vacation.

 

TASK:

Create a pocket-sized “wisdom booklet” featuring 10 examples of Morrie’s wisdom as well as 10 examples of wisdom from inspirational people in your own world. Your wisdom booklet should be at least 20 pages.

 

 

J     Your booklet should be pocket-sized.

 

J     The creatively-designed cover and all pages should be made of durable material (consider scrapbooking materials, index cards, other cardstock… not just computer or construction paper!)

 

J     The booklet should be appropriately bound (metal rings, yarn, ribbon, fabric, etc.).

 

J     All text should be typewritten or carefully written with a high-quality art pen.

 

J     Wisdom from Morrie should appear in quotation marks with correct page numbers identified. Be sure to explain the meaning and value of each Morrie quotation.

 

J     Wisdom from folks in your own world should appear in quotation marks. Be sure to identify the original speaker and explain the meaning and value of each quotation.

 

J     Include illustrations, design, symbols to enhance the meaning of the text on each page.

 

J     Dedicate your booklet to someone special.

 

 

SCORING CRITERIA:

 

__ Booklet includes 10 wisdom quotations from Morrie with page numbers.

__ The meaning of each quotation from Morrie is thoroughly explained in student’s best language.

__ Booklet includes 10 wisdom quotations from folks in student’s real world and clearly identifies them.

__ The meaning of each quotation from folks in student’s real world is thoroughly explained in student’s best language.

__ Illustrations are appropriate, creative, and enhance the meaning of each quotation.

__ Booklet is pocket-sized, bound, durable enough to survive many years of use, and appealing to bookstore shoppers.

__ All text is carefully proofread. No MUG errors appear.

 

 

* Many students produce professional-looking booklets packed with high-quality writing and give the books to parents for Mother’s and Father’s day. J

April 11, 2013

Certainly a bummer that the Walk For Hunger is postponed. Plan on having part of the class to work on your wisdom book, so bring your supplies.
See you tomorrow!

April 10, 2013

For Thursday: You will have the period to work on your wisdom books, so make sure you bring all your supplies (TWM book, paper, special pen, glue, etc.)
Final books due on Wednesday, April 24th.

A Haiku about spring:
Spring Return
Alive springs the earth
Blooming and budding return
Color and scents sweet

Thought you could you a little dose of spring since the weather is not predicted to be terribly spring like the next few days.

April 8, 2013

Start working on your wisdom books tonight. I would suggest doing a 1/2 hour of work-find aphorisms by Morrie, collect ones from your own life or collect all your materials tonight so that you are ready to begin.

****F period-read to page 150!!****

Take pride in this project. It would make a lovely gift for someone meaningful in your life.

April 3, 2013

Due Thursday:
Vocabulary for chapters titled: "The Fifth Tuesday-We Talk About Family" and "The Sixth Tuesday-We Talk About Emotions"
This is the end of vocabulary!!

Journal entry- Books become more meaningful and interesting when you can make connections with what you are reading to your own life. Write about any connections you have made to this book. Does it remind you of something in your own life? Does it remind of you another book you have read or a movie you have seen? Did you once have  a conversation with someone that connects with some part of this book? Did you have any similar experiences with people in the book? Write a  thoughtful response that explains your connection (about a 1/2 page).

****Please remember I will be collecting your journals on Friday.****

April 2, 2013

Due Wednesday:

• Vocabulary for chapters titled : "The Professor" and "The Fourth Tuesdays-We Talk About Death"
• One Journal question: Older people have wisdom that young  people don't have because they have more life experience. That being said, if you were to sit down and hang out with an older person that you know, perhaps your grandmother or grandfather, what would you want to talk about? What stories from his/her life would you want to hear? What advice might you seek from them?  

April 1, 2013

Well, I am embarrassed to admit that Haley and Amanda got me today on their switching places trick! It wasn't until Amanda came in and I said to her, "Wait, did you and Haley wear the same sweatshirt today?" Dah!! You got me, girls!
Due Tuesday:
1. Vocabulary for the chapters titled:
"The First Tuesday-We Talk About the World"
"The Second Tuesday- We Talk about Feeling Sorry for Yourself"
"The Third Thursday- We Talk About Regrets"
**note that we have skipped a few chapters

2. Answer the following journal questions thoughtfully and thoroughly (for those of you who like more concrete guidelines, shoot for about 1/2 page each):

a. Morrie talks about the tension of opposites, like the pull of  a rubber band. "Life is series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you do the other. You take things for granted when you know you shouldn't. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't."

Write about a tension of opposites you have in your life. Maybe it is something with your friends, family or maybe it is a push/pull you feel as a student.

 

b. What change do you sense is coming in Mitch? Why?

 

c. Morrie told Mitch that, "The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it."

 

Write about something in your culture (school, American culture in general, your family culture, your friend culture) that does not make you feel good about yourself. Why doesn't it make you feel good? Did you chose not to "buy it" and do your own thing or did you go along with the culture?

d. One of Morrie's aphorisms is, "Accept the past as past, with denying or discarding it." What does this mean?
Creat 2 aphorisms that reflect what you believe and how you want to live your life. After each one, explain why it is important to remember.


March 28, 2013

Due Monday:

• Vocabulary for "Audiovisual"
• at least 1/2 page in journal writing about Morrie and what you think of him so far. Use evidence to support your opinion.
• 15-20 facts about your assigned topic

**Remember, it is Easter weekend, so use your time wisely tonight (Thursday) and in PA Friday.

D.A.R.E. in pod on Friday during LA.

March 27, 2013

Due Thursday: vocabulary for the chapter "The Student"
Due Friday: 15-20 facts on your research topic. It's okay to stay general. I just want the class to have a general sense of your topic for background information. All the topics assigned will be mentioned in the book.

March 26, 2013

Hey! We are back! MCAS are behind you, and I am sure you all did great! I'm excited to start reading books and continuing to work on writing. Remember, learning to write well was not just for MCAS-writing well is a life long skill!

Homework due Tuesday:

• Finish decorating your Tuesdays with Morrie journal.
• Define and part of speech for the first 13 vocabulary words from chapters "The Curriculum" and "The Syllabus"

March 15, 2013

No Homework this weekend!
Thank you to those who remembered to bring their books in to class. Please bring them Monday. Have a happy weekend!

March 13, 2013

For Thursday: If you scored below a 3, you need to revise your Lost in Yonkers response. Remember-it needs to be able to stand alone!
If you do not need to revise, please find a photo (magazine, newspaper, personal photo, etc.) and do a paragraph practicing "show don't tell" techniques (dialogue, movement, physical description). Bring in the photo please.

For Friday: Bring in your book for MCAS week!! Remember it will live at the school so there is no chance of forgetting it next week.

March 12, 2013

By Friday:
You need to get your non-fiction "I pledge" book here to school  in preparation of next week's testing time. Remember that you cannot read on your Kindle, iphone or any other electronic device during MCAS, so you must get your hands on a book!

The next "I Pledge" fair in the pod will be a showcase of non-fiction. If you have completed all your non-fiction books on your list,you may read a fiction book. But from my quick survey in classes, it seems many of you still need to read your non-fiction books. Now is the time!!

Remember droodles? Can you come up with a caption for this droodle?

March 11, 2013

Due Tuesday:
Read Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon and write your response about Louie's character.
Remember to follow the "formula" to help you write a strong response.
1. T.A.G.S.
2. Claim
3. Response Technique
4. Evidence

March 7, 2013

No homework due Friday. Please read your books!!