Blog Assignment due Tuesday, April 3

This weekend, YOU need to find an article!  It should be an article about music.  It needs to be school-appropriate, and from a trustworthy news source (newspaper, magazine, channelone, etc).  In your comment, include the link to the article, and one discussion question you'd like to ask your classmates about the article.  This means you have to read the article, but you don't have to read anyone else's yet.

Have fun!

Assignment for Monday

Dear Sixth Grade,

I know it will cause you much pain to hear that my blog assignment did not post.  I wrote it from my phone, and I accidentally posted it to my senior blog, instead of this one.

Due to my error, there will be no blog assignment due tomorrow.

Please try to contain your disappointment.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sullivan :)

Q3 Study Guides

1.  Practice your reading comprehension.  Search online for comprehension practice worksheets with articles and questions, or see me for examples.
2.  Know content and vocabulary for all stories in Unit 3, and the first two stories of Unit 4.
3.  Be able to write paragraphs about the theme, A Wrinkle in Time, and different methods of social protest.
4.  Follow all directions on the test.  Go back to the question and check to make sure you have completed all of the requirements.

5.  Know all grammar content from this quarter.  Look in your CLA to see each topic on the test.  Anything from Unit 3 and the first two stories in Unit 4 are on the test.
6.  Study all spelling words.
7.  Know the elements of a business letter and how to compose one.
8.  Be able to write a thesis statement and effective lead for a question given to you.  Be able to label the lead by type.  Know all parts of a thesis statement.

WiT Essay Due Friday, March 9

Follow the information on Character Analysis for thesis/leads/conclusions.


In the novel, A Wrinkle in Time, many characters struggle with being different.  These differences can be both negative and positive.  Discuss what role 'difference' plays in the novel, including specific characters, events, themes, etc.

·       What role does “difference” play in A Wrinkle in Time?  Think about characters, events, plot, themes, etc.

Step 1: Brainstorm

Step 2: Organize

Step 3: Write a thesis

Topic: Difference in A Wrinkle in Time

Opinion: Good or bad? Very important? Or Minor?

Plan: Characters, events/plot, themes, places

This essay will be a reading project grade, worth 50 points, graded on the following rubric:

PSM Writing Rubric	6 Nonexistent	7 Poor	8 Fair	9 Good	10 Excellent
Thesis An arguable statement that addresses the purpose of the essay.	Contains little or no argument.	A weak argument with little or no insight that fails to address the purpose of the essay.	An obvious attempt at an argument with some insight and purpose.	A strong argument with valid insight and a sense of an organizational pattern.	An insightful, arguable, comprehensive statement that contains a specific topic, precise opinion, and plan of development.
Organization Includes introduction, body, and conclusion sections. Includes topic sentences, supporting details, and transition sentences.	The paper contains few or none of the necessary components of organization and does not follow a plan of development.	The paper contains only some of the necessary components of organization or does not follow a clear plan of development.	The paper contains many of the necessary components of organization and attempts to follow a plan of development.	The paper contains most of the necessary components of organization and clearly follows a plan of development.	The paper contains all of the necessary components of organization and clearly follows a thorough plan of development.
Evidence The material employed to defend the thesis.	Contains little or no relevant evidence.	The evidence is not adequately informative or persuasive, includes little development or proof of the thesis, and includes generalizations and repetition.	The evidence is informative and somewhat persuasive, attempts to develop and prove the thesis, and may include generalizations and repetition.	The evidence is informative and persuasive, adequately develops and proves the thesis, and may include minor generalizations and repetition.	The evidence/content is informative and persuasive, thoroughly develops and proves the thesis, and avoids generalizations and repetition.
Analysis and Evaluation The original thoughts and connections to the evidence.	Contains little or no analysis. Does not address counterclaims.	Analysis/evaluation is off topic or disconnected from the evidence. Addresses counterclaims incorrectly.	Analysis/evaluation is present but superficial; does not sufficiently address all parts of the question.  Addresses counterclaims superficially.	Provides some analysis/evaluation, but may not devote equal weight to all parts of the theme or topic. Adequately addresses counterclaims.	Provides an effective, insightful analysis/evaluation that explores all aspects of the theme or topic. Thoroughly addresses counterclaims.
Grammar, Mechanics, and Style Follows proper conventions and appropriate sophistication of language.	Contains excessive errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Exhibits no appropriate use of vocabulary and sentence variety.	Contains 7-9 errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Exhibits minimal appropriate use of vocabulary and sentence variety.	Contains 4-6 errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Exhibits some appropriate use of vocabulary and sentence variety.	Contains 1-3 errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Exhibits use of appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety.	Contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Exhibits skillful use of advanced vocabulary and sentence variety.