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!

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.

Friendly E-mail, Due Friday, 1/27

Today you are responsible for publishing your friendly e-mail to Mrs. Lowe.  Please read all instructions before you begin.

1.  Sign in to your PSM e-mail account.
2.  Type your friendly e-mail.  You can first type in Microsoft Word, but the actual e-mail should be in the body of the message.  Do not send it as an attachment.  If you type in MS Word, copy and paste the letter into the e-mail message.
3.  Proofread your letter!  You should have no typos or grammatical mistakes.  You should have a greeting,  a paragraph of events or details you want to share, a paragraph of a few questions, and a closing.  Type your name at the end.  Follow the guidelines on friendly letters.  Remember to be formal, since you are writing to an adult.  No negative comments are permitted.
3. Type both my e-mail address and Mrs. Lowe's.  sullivanj and granholmm  You should not need to type the entire address if you are using your PSM account.  The full e-mail addresses are sullivanj@psmnow.com and granholmm@psmnow.com  Separate each address with a semicolon ;
4. Proofread each address.
5. Send your e-mail.  You should be finished by the end of the class period.  Otherwise, it will be considered late.

This is a project grade, worth 25 points.
5 points - friendly letter guidelines (heading, body, closing)
5 points - content (interesting, positive, questions, etc.)
5 points - appropriate vocabulary and sophistication of sentences
5 points - language mechanics
5 points - e-mailed correctly

If you finish early, you can go to the following link on channel one.  Any of the articles/games/videos/quizzes can be read/played/watched/taken.  Respond to one or more of them in the comments section.

http://www.channelone.com/news/black_history/

Please e-mail me with any questions.  sullivanj@psmnow.com

Exam Study Guides Q2

Reading Quarter 2 Exam Study Guide

This serves as an outline of all material included in the Quarter 2 Exam.  Identify your “problem areas,” and spend extra time on these.  Use your Unit 2 Assessment books to study details, as well as returned homework and notes in Writer’s Notebooks.

The exam will include content from stories, as well as comprehension strategies and skills.  All stories from Unit 2 will be covered on the exam. 

1. Apply various reading strategies to read a selection and answer comprehension questions.  Monitoring and adjusting reading speed is especially important in order to ensure you finish the test.

2. Know the main ideas and supporting details of all stories covered in Unit 2.

3. Be able to determine if a statement about a story is true or false. 

4. Know the definitions of all vocabulary words.  Be able to use each word in the correct context.

5. Know all comprehension strategies.  These include Monitoring and Clarifying, Predicting, Summarizing, Asking Questions, Visualizing, and Monitoring and Adjusting Reading Speed.  Be able to apply strategies to examples in stories.

6. Know all comprehension skills.  These include Author’s Purpose, Cause and Effect, Sequencing, Main Idea and Supporting Details, Compare and Contrast, Making Inferences, and Drawing Conclusions.  Be able to apply skills to examples in stories.

7. Be able to apply strategies and skills to your personal reading and life experiences.  Be able to assess the significance of strategies and skills.

8. Be able to identify traits that contributed to Queen Hatshepsut’s reign, and explain how these traits affected her decisions. Evaluate her abilities as a ruler.

9. Be able to compare and contrast civilizations.

10. Explain events that helped the experts decipher the Rosetta Stone, identifying the cause and effect of each event.  How might the outcome be different if these events hadn’t happened? 

11. The cities of Kashgar and Herat were two stops on the
    Silk Route
    that had very different ways of life.  Be able to visualize each city, and draw a representation that demonstrates the differences between the two. 

Language Arts Quarter 2 Exam Study Guide

This serves as an outline of all material included in the Quarter 2 Exam.  Identify your “problem areas,” and spend extra time on these.

1.      Be able to proofread and correct sentences for

a.      Grammar errors

b.      Wordiness

c.      Spelling errors

d.      Sentence combination

2.      Know the correct tenses of verbs and be able to identify examples of each.

3.      Know and identify adjectives and what adjectives modify.

4.      Know and identify adverbs and what adverbs modify.

5.      Know and identify prepositions and their objects.

6.      Know all spelling patterns and spelling words.  Be able to identify misspelled words, correctly spelled words, and be able to spell words from an oral spelling test.

7.      Write a sentence with a linking verb and predicate noun. 

8.      Write a sentence with an adjective. 

9.      Write a sentence with an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, adverb.

10. Write a sentence with a prepositional phrase. 

11. Write a sentence with dialogue.

12. Know how to write a thesis statement – know the three parts of a thesis statement.

13. Know the different types of effective leads.  Be able to write an effective lead.

14. Know what is in a concluding paragraph.  Be able to write an effective conclusion.

15. Know the different types of clinchers.  Be able to write a conclusion with a clincher.   

Weekly Article, Due Monday, 9/26/11

Read the following article.  Answer the question below, using details from the article to support your opinion.  Proofread your work for spelling and grammatical errors.

http://politics.channelone.com/ap/Obama-lets-states-opt-out-of-federal-school-rules-53887521-fm

Based on the article, should the burden of "fixing" our nation's education system lie with the state government, or federal government?  Use details from the article to support your opinion.

Weekly Article, Due Friday, 9/16

Read the following article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-high-school-to-college-0831-20110831,0,3381218.story

What advice would you give to students who are preparing for college?  How can these students ensure that they are prepared for college?

Amaroq Review ?s

“Amaroq the Wolf” Review Questions

1.   Why is Miyax afraid?  What is she most afraid of?  Why?

2.  What does Miyax want from the black wolf?

3.  How does the black wolf treat Miyax at first?  Why does he act this way?

4.  What does Miyax want from the wolves?  How does she know they can help her?

5.  Who is Daniel?  How is he relevant to the story?

6.  Why can’t Miyax use the stars as her guide?

7.  Where is Miyax going?  Be specific. 

8.  According to old Eskimo hunters, what does it mean to be wealthy?  Do you agree or disagree?  Explain.

9.  What does Miyax use to imitate the movements of the wolves’ ears?

10.                   Why does Miyax need to learn to speak Amaraoq’s language?

11.                   Describe how Miyax learns to communicate with the wolves.

12.                   Do you think Miyax will now get help and food from the wolves?  Why or why not?

13.                   Vocabulary

a.   Ambrosia

b.  Conserve

c.   Cosmos

d.  Dispelled

e.   Semaphore

Grade 6 Article Due Friday, 9/9/11

Please read the article by following the link.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-longer-school-day-0903-20110902,0,1194505.story

Answer this discussion question:

Do you think a longer school day is a good idea for public schools?  Explain.

Grade 6 Review Sheets Q4

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a1tz--NWR_nTpgRJEcymCEt0AdrCxmsbJeWpCbrJsRE/edit?hl=en&authkey=CKOmm4wJ

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ggLXPHd38KqqJi5aW0FoSk2cuP1a-pZb-mPB5kIxJI0/edit?hl=en&authkey=CM-u2IYI

Grade 6 The Most Beautiful Roof in the World ?s

You don't need review questions for Alejandro's Gift b/c that story was easy!

Have a great day, be nice to your moms and grandmas and aunts!

1.  What prize did Meg win as a child?  For what?
2.  Why was Meg so interested in Harriet Tubman?
3.  Why did Meg mark every leaf on several branches with a number?  What did she do with these marked tree leaves later?
4.  What did Meg conclude about the newer leaves on the plants?
5.  How do epiphytic plants begin life on the canopy?
6.  How do ant gardens help the trees?
7.  Why do leafcutter ants carry smaller ants along with them?
8.  How are the macaws described when flying from tree to tree?
9.  Explain the quote, "Science is the machinery that runs the Earth."
10.  Vocab words - canopy, parabola, synchronize, foraging, metabolic

Spring Break Independent Reading Project, Part 2, Due Wednesday, 5-4-11

Now that you have posted about your own book, read your classmates' comments.

In one paragraph, answer the following questions:

Which book would you most like to read, and why?

How do your classmates' comments affect your interest in or feelings about a book?

Spring Break Independent Reading Project

Please post a comment about the book you read over spring break.

Paragraph 1 - This is your summary of the book. Describe the setting, characters, basic plot points, etc.  You will also need to indentify the genre of the book and the author.  

Paragraph 2 - 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?  

Be sure to proofread your comments. It is a good idea to type it in MS Word or another word processing program, then copy and paste it here. Feel free to comment on other people's books, as well, but comment separately from your book comment.

This is a project grade, worth 40 points.

Blog Article, Grade 6, Due TUESDAY, 3-19-11

Please use the link below.  You know the username and password.  Let me know if it is not working, and I will e-mail you the full text.  Please select the link entitled, "Prosecuting Cyberbullies."

http://email.psm.k12.il.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.fofweb.com/Demo

After reading, answer ONE of the following questions:

1) Do you think cyberbullies should be prosecuted? Why or why not?
2) Do you think schools should be able to punish students for what they say or do at home on the Internet? Explain your answer.
3) If you were a prosecutor in a cyberbullying case in which the bullied victim committed suicide, what charges would you press against the cyberbully, if any? Explain your position.
4) What do you think social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace should do about cyberbullying?
5) Have you ever been cyberbullied? How does it feel? Do you notice cyberbullying at your school?

Blog Article Questions, due Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Please follow the directions given in class to read the following link:

http://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1500270

If that link doesn't work, try this one:

http://www.fofweb.com/Demo

Same login/username as given in class.  Go to the right, issues/controversies, and then select the link on nuclear power.

After reading, answer ONE of the following.  Clearly label and restate the question.  Use correct language mechanics.  Clearly answer the question, and use details from the article to support your answer.

1) Is it irresponsible of the U.S. government to support nuclear power which produces dangerous nuclear waste, instead of sustainable technologies, like solar power and wind energy? Why or why not?
2) Is nuclear energy the best option for America's energy needs, or is it merely the most convenient option? Explain your answer.
3) Of all the reasons in support of nuclear power, which one do you find the most compelling, and why?
4) Of all the arguments made against nuclear power, which one do you think is the strongest, and why?

WiT Chapters 11-12 Discussion Questions, Due April 1

Great job on your comments!  This week, please be sure to PROOFREAD, and use specific details!  Also, don't keep answering the same questions.  Let's make this last week of WiT really interesting!

1. In Chapter 10, Mr. Murry told Meg, " We were sent here for something. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Now, Aunt Beast tells Meg, "We are called according to His purpose..." What do you think they mean by purpose?
2. What is Calvin’s gift from Mrs. Whatsit? How did this gift help him to know what the Three Mrs. W’s really are?
3. Explain the title of the last chapter.
4. Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?  BE SPECIFIC and GO IN-DEPTH!

Outline for 5-Paragraph Persuasive Essay

Here is the document for the outline format. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WumLmtORCHLAPJYeUK2KF-EIyeEq82eURSjjXe2zNmA/edit?hl=en&authkey=CPShgYoI

You can also go to http://www.actstudent.org/writing/index.html to view sample essays and get more tips.

Your outline and draft are due Monday.

E-mail me with any questions!

WiT Chapters 9-10 Discussion Questions, Due March 25

Great job last week, 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!


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?

WiT Discussion Questions, Chapters 7 and 8 - DUE MARCH 18

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.

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?

Grade 6 Review Sheets

Reading

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-Y1ZtP7rAO61ZtmpbEREUuTF1T0-2q9sUTG3QzBqJL0/edit?hl=en&authkey=CLqOuIcI

Language Arts

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qk6ZWgSzVkoQzFV8-9FsGzClv6zV2FLTyl28vFF1n1k/edit?hl=en&authkey=CM-w2M0J

Social Protest through Music

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kMP18EDoJPZ8RYkOqThfIzBzt6ZsjIKcfy0w7l7ssE4/edit?hl=en&authkey=CP7M268B