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Sunday, February 26, 2012

6A Wit Chapters 9-10, Due March 2

Great job last week, but we need to put in more effort, especially on the proofreading!  Some of you still need to check your comments.  Let's try for no errors this week, and I will give you 10 points!

Answer at least 2 of the following questions:

1.  Meg thought that everything was going to be all right once she found her father, but it wasn’t. Why not?  What would you do if you were Meg?
2. What  is " IT," and what does " IT" do on Camazotz?
3.  Why was Meg so disappointed in her father?  Do you agree with her feelings and actions towards him?  Why or why not?

6B WiT Chapters 9-10, Due March 2

Great job last week, but we need to put in more effort, especially on the proofreading!  Some of you still need to check your comments.  Let's try for no errors this week, and I will give you 10 points!


Answer at least 2 of the following questions:

1.  Meg thought that everything was going to be all right once she found her father, but it wasn’t. Why not?  What would you do if you were Meg?
2. What  is " IT," and what does " IT" do on Camazotz?

3.  Why was Meg so disappointed in her father?  Do you agree with her feelings and actions towards him?  Why or why not?

Friday, February 24, 2012

LRC Independent Reading Book Assignment

LRC Independent Reading Book Assignment
NOTES DUE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
FINISHED NOTES DUE MONDAY, MARCH 5
3 PARAGRAPHS DUE MONDAY, MARCH 5

Project grade: 75 points

Objective: By applying our reading strategies, you will read and report on your independent reading book to create a book binder for Mrs. Sullivan’s classroom.

Task: You will keep notes as you read your book.  Once your book is completed, you will write a three paragraph analysis.

Requirements

  1. Select your independent reading book.
  2. You will keep notes on each chapter of your book in your Reading notebook.  You many do this in the form of a strategy chart, character squares, timelines, or you may create your own style of note taking.  Your notes will be checked for a grade.  (15 points)
  3. You will type a report of your book.  It will be three paragraphs long, with each paragraph between 6-7 complete sentences.  Here are the requirements for each paragraph:

1st paragraph: This is your summary of the book. Describe the setting, characters, basic plot points, etc.  You will also need to identify the genre of the book and the author. 

2nd paragraph:  This is your analysis section.  In this paragraph, you must include one quote analysis from the book in which you write the quote, paraphrase it, and then explain why this quote is important to the book- what does it reveal?  You will identify conflicts within the book, both internal and external, and how these conflicts affect characters or the plot.  You will identify the theme of the book, and evaluate why this theme is important.  If your book is a biography or a collection of poetry, select your favorite part of the book or poem and analyze it.  What inferences can you make?

3rd paragraph:  Evaluate the text.  What do you like and dislike about this book?  What recommendations could you make for someone who is considering reading this book?  What connections can you personally make to this story? 

  1. This assignment must be typed and formatted according to PSM requirements.

  1. Your paragraphs will be graded according to the following rubric, which you will turn in along with your paper, stapled to the back of it.  Each paragraph is worth a possible 20 points.

Grading:  ____/ 15 notes
               ____/ 60 paper- 20 pts per paragraph: 15 pts content, 5 pts language mechanics


Notes: - your notes do not have to be in complete sentences, but they should be NEAT

Author’s name
Title
Genre – fiction: sci-fi, fantasy, realistic fiction, romance, humor, historical fiction
non-fiction: biography, autobiography, informative (how-to, historical)
Characters – include main characters only in summary, but you can take notes on any characters as they pop up in the book
Setting – where and when the book takes place
Main plot ideas – this is what happens in the book. 

Quotes – write down any quotes that really stand out to you.  Quotes are DIRECT SENTENCES FROM THE BOOK.  They do not necessarily have to be dialogue between people.    
Conflicts – write down any internal or external conflicts
Theme – identify the theme and any details, situations, conversations that reflect the theme

Essay Writing - Tips for character analysis, Due Monday, Feb 27

Essay Writing
Thesis statement = 1 sentence that contains:
·      Specific topic
·      Precise Opinion
·      Plan of development
for more information or examples discussed in class.
Ex:  In the story, “Sweeping Pittsburgh Clean,” Elizabeth Cochrane is an impulsive, unintelligent character, which is demonstrated by her actions, her responses to others, and her set of beliefs.

Introductory paragraph  - should contain
·      Effective lead – 4-5 sentences
·      Thesis statement
And possibly,
·      Transition to next paragraph

Effective leads – can contain
·      A question – do not just write, how would you feel? Or what if? Or has this ever happened to you?
o  Examples:   How you would survive if you found yourself alone in the wilderness? How would you defend yourself against predators? What would you eat? Where would you find water?
o  What’s increasing faster than the price of gasoline? Apparently, the cost of prisons.
·      Quote from a famous person or famous piece of writing
·      Sensory details – to place the reader in the situation
·      Anecdote – short story/memory
for more information or examples given in class.

In your lead/intro, DO NOT:
·      Introduce yourself – hi, my name is…
·      Use first person – I believe, in my opinion, I think,
·      Announce your plans – in this paper, I am going to talk about…, this essay will be about…
·      Use a dictionary definition
·      Start a sentence with yes or no

Imagine standing in a factory for 14 hours without a bathroom break.  You’re tired, hungry, and aching all over.  When you finally can’t take it anymore, you sneak off for a drink of water.  And then, in the words of Donald Trump, “YOU’RE FIRED!”  This very scenario happened to Elizabeth Cochrane in the story, “Sweeping Pittsburgh Clean.”  Elizabeth proves to be a character who is __(opinion about topic)___ through her __idea 1__, __idea 2___, and ___idea 3___.

Body paragraphs:       
Each body paragraph should center around the ideas in your thesis. 
·      Body paragraph 1 is about idea 1
·      Body paragraph 2 is about idea 2
·      Body paragraph 3 is about idea 3. 
·      Use details from whatever you’ve read to support your ideas and prove your opinion is correct.
·      Use transition statements at the end of each paragraph.
·      Use sophisticated language!  Vary your sentences.  When you proofread, if you notice the same word over and over, find a synonym!

Effective conclusions
·      Restate your thesis
·      Return to your effective lead 
o  End the anecdotal story
o  Reanalyze the quote or use a new quote
o  Add more sensory details
o  Answer your question or ask a new question
·      Sum up with a clincher statement
for more information or examples given in class.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

6A WiT Chapters 7-8, Due February 24

Please respond to the following questions.  You must answer one question, and then come back later and comment on or question another student's response.  So this week, you should have TWO POSTS!

PROOFREAD!  Comments with more than 2 errors in grammar or spelling WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.  Nor will they count as completing the assignment.  
Make an effort!

1.  What does Meg think has happened to Charles Wallace? What do you think has happened to him? 

2.  How do they make sure that no one suffers on Camazotz?  What do you think about this practice? 

3.  What do you think "IT" is?

6B WiT Chapters 7-8, Due February 24

Please respond to the following questions.  You must answer one question, and then come back later and comment on or question another student's response.  So this week, you should have TWO POSTS!

PROOFREAD!  Comments with more than 2 errors in grammar or spelling WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.  Nor will they count as completing the assignment.  
Make an effort!

1.  What does Meg think has happened to Charles Wallace? What do you think has happened to him? 

2.  How do they make sure that no one suffers on Camazotz?  What do you think about this practice? 

3.  What do you think "IT" is?

Saturday, February 11, 2012

6A WiT Chapters 5-6, Due February 17

Thank you for your participation.  Please don't forget to respond to another student, or ask a new question.  Also, PROOFREAD!  There are too many errors in your answers!  

1.  What is the black thing?  How is it connected to Meg's father?
2. What are Meg’s faults? How can her faults help her with her mission?
3. What is it like on Camazotz? How would you like living in a place like this?

6B WiT Chapters 5-6, Due February 17

Thank you for your participation.  Please don't forget to respond to another student, or ask a new question.  Also, PROOFREAD!  There are too many errors in your answers!  


1.  What is the black thing?  How is it connected to Meg's father?
2. What are Meg’s faults? How can her faults help her with her mission?
3. What is it like on Camazotz? How would you like living in a place like this?

Sunday, February 5, 2012

6A WiT Chapters 3-4, Due February 10

Great job last week!  I'm so proud of your efforts.
Please answer at least 1 question.  Use complete sentences, and PROOFREAD!  Posts with more than 2 errors will not be posted.  At some point, come back and re-read the comments.  Respond to your classmates, ask a question, make a connection, etc.

  1. What do you think Calvin means when he says, "Isn’t this wonderful?   I feel as though I were just being born. I’m not alone anymore!"
  2. Why does Mrs. Who use so many quotes instead of using her own words? What can you infer about a person who speaks in quotes? Try to think of a pro and a con.
  3. What did Mrs. Whatsit show them when they reached the summit of the mountain? How did it make each kid feel?  How do you think it would make you feel?

6B WiT Chapters 3-4, Due February 10

Great job last week!  I'm so proud of your efforts.
Please answer at least 1 question.  Use complete sentences, and PROOFREAD!  Posts with more than 2 errors will not be posted.  At some point, come back and re-read the comments.  Respond to your classmates, ask a question, make a connection, etc.

  1. What do you think Calvin means when he says, "Isn’t this wonderful?   I feel as though I were just being born. I’m not alone anymore!"
  2. Why does Mrs. Who use so many quotes instead of using her own words? What can you infer about a person who speaks in quotes? Try to think of a pro and a con.
  3. What did Mrs. Whatsit show them when they reached the summit of the mountain? How did it make each kid feel?  How do you think it would make you feel?