Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A Christmas Carol Thinglink

Today you are going to create a Thinglink on Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol. Choose two of the topics on the picture to write about You may need to research the topic if your choose Charles Dickens or Dickens' London. Then write a couple sentences about your topic. If you finish creating both links, you can add an image, video or website to your icon. Remember to check spelling and punctuation. These links will be read by other people: your peers, parents, and other people interested in the topic.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

The Twilight Zone: The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

7th graders-- Today we begin a new play, The Monsters are Due on Maple Street. This is a screenplay, a play that was written for television. It was written as an episode for a show called The Twilight Zone. Ask your parents about it--many of them will remember watching it. We will watch a clip today of the opening scene of every Twilight Zone show. Rod Sterling, the writer and narrator of The Twilight Zone began every show the same way. His opening introductions are a good example of a lead that really pulls you in and makes you want to know more! Click here to watch the epilogue of The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Characters Development in A Christmas Carol

You have finished reading the play A Christmas Carol and worked on analyzing the different literary elements.  Today you are going to create a Voki and a comic strip using Go Animate.

For the Voki-  Choose a character the play.  Write a brief paragraph introducing the character,  speaking in the character's voice, using words they might use.  Be sure to show us what the character is like by what he/she says.  If the character is dynamic and has changed, create 2 Vokis--one that shows his behavior before and another that shows his behavior after the transformation.

Click here to go to Voki--You can create an account on Voki.  be sure to write all your account information on your tech sheet.  When you finish your Voki, create a new post and embed the Voki there. 

Go Animate--Then, choose a scene that you feel is very important to the play--it represents the turning point, shows an important character's personality, includes part of the theme or the message of the play.  Create a brief storyboard of this scene, being sure to write the dialogue.  Then go to Go Animate and create this scene there.

Click here to go to Go Animate--Again, you can create an account with Go Animate.  Be sure to write down your account information!.  When you finish your cartoon, embed it in your blog as a new post

Monday, December 3, 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Harriet Tubman: Guide to Freedom

We are going to read Harriet Tubman: Guide to Freedom a story that describes the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman's role in helping free the slaves in the south in the 1800s.  Before we read the story in our textbook, you are going to learn a little about The Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman by watching a video, completing a web quest and completing an interactive journey on The Underground Railroad yourself.

Watch Underground Railroad on PBS. See more from History Detectives.

Click here to watch a video about Harriet Tubman 





Your assignment is to complete the web quest on Harriet Tubman. Follow the directions on the sheet and learn more about Harriet Tubman. You may write your answers on the back of the paper.

Click here to go to interactive Underground Railroad site

Monday, November 19, 2012

iMovie Tutorials

You will be working on your Book Trailer in class.  The final Book Trailer is due on Wednesday, November 28th. Click here to view the Book Trailer requirements.  

Use these video tutorials to help you learn the ins and outs of iMovie. 
iMovie Video Tutorials 
 (click title of video to open video up in another tab and make bigger)

iMovie in Under 5 Minutes (5 minutes video going over basic tools in iMovie)



iMovie Tutorial:  Beginners and Basics (this is a little longer basic overview)

 


Friday, November 16, 2012

Your next Book Project: Create a Digital Book Trailer

You just finished your independent reading book, now you are going to create a Book Trailer based on the book.  A Book Trailer is a lot like a movie trailer--a short clip that pulls you into the book and makes you want to read it.  The music, pictures and captions all spark the viewer's interest.  Book Trailers are short--they either create the mood, sum up the theme or the main problem of the book.  Today we're going to watch some Book trailers and discus how they were made and why they work.  Click here to visit The Rundlett Library website to view more Isinglass Book Trailers. 


Things to consider as you view the Book Trailers: 
Do they speak or are only words used?
How did they use music?
Did they use still pictures or actors?
How did they use writing to grab your attention?
How much information did they give the viewer?
How did they create interest?

A Monster Calls



Bystander

  This Dark Endeavor

Sean Griswold’s Head

Brain Jack

Stuck on Earth

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Creating a Survey Using Google Forms

Today we are going to make surveys using Google Forms.  Think about some topic that interest you that you'd like to learn your classmates' views on.  We will create a survey together and then you'll have a chance to create your own.  Once you've decided on a topic, follow the directions below.  After you have posted your survey on your blog, take of some of your friends surveys.  You are required to answer your 3:00, 7:00 and 11:00 partner's surveys.  I can't wait to see what you create.  Remember choose a good topic that you can ask interesting, school appropriate questions about. 

Click here for the instructions:  Tech Class:  Creating a Survey Using Google Forms

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The Orphan Train

"The Orphan Train"

“It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.” —Johann Schiller

We are going to read a nonfiction article about the Orphan Train which deals with an often-overlooked episode in American history, when many of our nation’s neediest city children were “placed out” west with new families. The orphan-train program was controversial, and while some kids went on to lead good lives in rural America, others weren’t so lucky. But in spite of their shortcomings, the orphan trains paved the way for today’s foster-care system.
This story has been paired with the moving story of one orphan train rider named Lee Nailling with a profile of a young African girl named Michaela who was adopted in Sierra Leone.

Click here to read "The Orphan Train"

After you finish reading "The Orphan Train"click here to take the comprehension quiz.  You may use the story to answer the questions.  Print out a copy of your quiz and hand it in to Ms. Casassa

After you finish reading "The Orphan Train" and the profile of Michaela, and have taken the quiz complete this Compare/Contrast graphic organizer. (Click here to open the graphic organizer)

This segment from CNN features clips from a 2008 interview with one of the last surviving orphan-train riders.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Frankenstein--What Could Go Wrong?

Debate:
You read the play Frankenstein and discussed some of the ethical issues around the creation of the monster.  We are now going to read the article “Should We Bring Back the Woolly Mammoth?”  and consider the positive and negative potential consequences of cloning the woolly mammoth.  Complete the chart on page 21 when you finish reading the article.  Be sure to support your opinions with facts from the article.

Research:  Working in groups, you will do additional research on cloning.

Group 1:
1. National Human Genome Research Institute: Cloning Read all the sections through “What are the potential drawbacks to animal cloning?”

Group 2:
2. Genetic Science Learning Center: Cloning
Read sections “What Is Cloning?” “Click and Clone,” “Why Clone?” and “What Are the Risks of Cloning?”

Group 3:
3. CNN: “Research progress: Pig cloning for organs” and Daily Mail: “Heart of genetically modified pig ‘successfully transplanted into monkey’, South Korea scientists claim”


As you research, consider the following:
1. What does the source explain about how cloning works?
2. What benefits of cloning does the article present?
3. What drawbacks of cloning does the article present?
4. Based on what you read, what is one recommendation you would make to a scientist who is interested in cloning?

 Each group will present their findings to the class.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

You are learning about Frankenstein in Art class.  We are going to learn about the time Mary Shelley lived and read a play version of her novel Frankenstein in Language Arts class. 

Click here for a copy of the play version of Frankenstein

After reading the play, complete these questions on Frankenstein. You may print a copy out and hand write the answers or type them online and then print them.

Now you can take this online quiz to see how well you understood the story.  Click here to take the quiz.  Please email the results to me at scasassa@barnardschool.org

 Click here to read the article "Should We Bring back the Wooly Mammoth?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay about Literature

Click here to learn more about writing a Compare/Contrast Essay
When you finish your compare/contrast graphic organizer, you can use this interactive planning map or a paper copy that Ms. Casassa has on the cart to organize your ideas.

Click here to use the compare and contrast map

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Revising Your Personal Narrative Using Lino-It

Click on your name below to go to your own Lino-It account and a canvas to put your story on.  You may read your classmates and post a sticky note with suggestions of places to show more detail and exploding moments.
Rules:
1.  Sign your name on the sticky
2.  Provide specific response to the story on your sticky
3.  Be kind and respectful

You shouldn't need to sign in, but if you do sign in using your barnardschool.org email address.  Your username is listed below.  Click on your name to get to your Lino-It page
Student Name
Username
Log-in
madiee
meaton@barnardschool.org
lhopkins2014
lhopkins@barnardschool.org
emckenney
emckenney@barnardschool.org
jpolito
jpolito@barnardschool.org
areynolds2014
areynolds@barnardschool.org
jshaw2014
jshaw@barnardschool.org
cskane
cskane@barnardschool.org
cwhitley
cwhitley@barnardschool.org
cbogart
abogart@barnardschool.org
akaneb
akaneb@barnardschool.org
zknight
zknight@barnardschool.org
elisi
elisi@barnardschool.org
blosier
blosier@barnardschool.org
kmurray2013
kmurray@barnardschool.org
tvrettos
tvrettos@barnardschool.org
cwilliams2013
cwilliams@barnards

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

My Class Bunny--draft 1

     Today we are going to work on my first draft of my personal narrative.  I have posted the draft on a site called Lino--as we read my draft you can write me a sticky notes showing me a place that I can add more details or explode the moment in my writing.  I want you to focus on the Trait of Ideas in my draft.
     How to use lino it--an on-line sticky note--it's easy!  Click on a sticky note on the right side of the screen.  Put your name in the tag box.  Then type your suggestion to me.  I want you to be specific.  Find a line that you think I can add more details.  Find a place where you want to know more.  Please look at my writing and ask a lot of questions.  I really need some help revising this piece!After you finish typing your suggestion, click post.  Your post it note will appear in the center of the screen. 
Put your mouse over the post it note and move it to the side.
Click here to go to my draft of "The Class Bunny"


Thursday, September 27, 2012

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

You can listen to the short story, "The Lottery"
 we read in class on Tuesday by clicking here!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Creating a Heart Map Wordle

Yesterday you made a Heart Map filled with the important people, places, memories and things in your life.  Today you are going to use that map to create a Wordle that represents what's important to you and who you are.  Your Wordle should contain at least 20 words.  You can play around with the layout.  Click here to create a Wordle.

Some tips:

1.  How do I make one word bigger than another?

The size of a word in the visualization is proportional to the number of times the word appears in the input text. So, for example, if you type
apple banana banana grape grape grape
into the create page's text field, you'll see that banana's font size is twice apple's, and grape's font size is 3/2 that of banana's.

2.  Can I keep some words together? Can I visualize two-word phrases?

Yes! You can use either the Unicode "non-breaking space" character or the tilde character ~ between words that go together. The tilde will be converted to a space when drawing the words, and the words will be treated as a single word.
Done with your Wordle?  Print out 2 copies:  one for your binder and one for me.  Then, post your Wordle onto your blog page.  Click here for directions.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Monkey's Paw

You are going to create a plot diagram for "The Monkey's Paw" using Inspiration  Fill in each part of the plot diagram.  Be sure to answer the questions in each box.  Save and print a copy of your plot diagram when you are done.   Click on this link to get to the model.

The Fall of the Hindenburg--video footage

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

What is a Blog?

You will be creating a blog this year, but what is a blog anyway?  Watch this BrainPOP video to learn more about blogs.

Brain Pop Blogs

This In Plain English video offers a good overview of Blogs as well.  Click here to watch!

You can watch this tutorial on how to create a blog for more information.

Digital Etiquette

Today we are going to discuss Digital Etiquette--how we act when we are line.  It is important when you are on the internet and blogging to understand and follow the rules of digital etiquette.  We're going to watch a BrainPOP video to learn more about Digital Etiquette

Brain Pop--Digital Etiquette

Take the quiz! You may take the review quiz first.  When you think you really know your stuff, take the graded quiz.    Click here to go to the BrainPOP quiz on Digital Etiquette.  Please email me the results of your quiz at scasassa@barnardschool.org

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Welcome to LA Tech!

     Welcome to Tech Class!  You will have Tech class throughout the year.  Sometimes we will use a writing period for tech, other times, when we are working on a Tech project, we may reserve the lab for several days in a row.  You will be using technology a lot in Language Arts class as a way to communicate with other people , record your reading, share your work and show what you know. 
     Today 7th graders will begin to design their own blogs and 8th graders will decide what they want their blogs to look like this year.  We will learn how to sign in and work on choosing a template--or design--for the blogs.  The 8th graders are pros at this and will have a 7th grade buddy to help during tech class this year.  Here is a list of your tech buddies.  You will be sitting near them in the computer lab and this person should be the first person you go to for help. 

Tech Buddies
Cloud-Leah
   Angel-Jordan
    Zach-Maddie
         Brian-Connor S
     Ethan-Jessica
          Kyle-Connor W
    Tyler-Emma
   Caleb-Alex

     You will also be getting a Tech password handout.  It is your responsibility to keep track of your log in information and passwords.  Please keep this paper in the Tech section of your binders and record any user names and passwords that you have.  It can be very frustrating if you can't log into a site or your blog!
     I am looking forward to an exciting year of Language Arts and technology!  Remember to be respectful and responsible online. Happy Blogging!
Ms. Casassa
 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to 7/8 Language Arts!  I hope you all had a relaxing summer with lots of time for reading.  I am looking forward to reading and writing with you this year.  I am excited that we will have a Writing class this year in addition to Reading every day.  I am also excited to be teaching five days a week!  Today we will review class expectations and look ahead at the routines for the upcoming year.  You have a Family letter (click here to view) to review with you parents.  The letter needs to be signed and returned by next Tuesday, September 4th.
     This blog will be a great place to see what is happening in 7/8 Language Arts.  I encourage you and your family to check in regularly.  Your class homework page will have your homework posted nightly by 4:30.  Once your own student blogs are up and running, be sure to visit them from home as well.  I look forward to a wonderful year of reading and writing!  Ms. Casassa
    
Be prepared!  Be sure to bring the following items to LA class:
·      A positive attitude
·      LA Binder
·      Reader/Writers Notebook
·      Writing Folder
·      Textbook
·      Vocabulary Workbook
·      Independent Reading Book
·      Writing utensil (pencil, black or blue pen, highlighter)
·      Completed homework

Weekly Homework Requirements:  The list below outlines the basic homework that you can expect each week. You will have a Book Project due approximately once a month.  You will also have writing assignments that will require work at home during the term.
Weekly Homework Schedule
Expect homework of some sort M-Th nights. 
Monday night:  
·      Vocabulary:  new lesson assigned, due Friday.
Wednesday night:
·      Complete Reader Response Letter.  The topic of the letter will be assigned on Thursdays and be due the following Thursday.  You have a week to work on it. 
Friday:  Vocabulary test (every other week)

Throughout the week: 
·      3 R/W Notebook entries—write for at least 20 minutes and fill at least a whole page with quality writing!
·      Read 100 minutes of your independent reading book each week (5x a week for 20 minutes).
***Homework is posted on our classroom blog by 4:30 that day.         

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Mythology

Mythology is another type of oral storytelling.  You will be learning about the Greek gods and some of the earliest myths in this unit.

Perseus and the Gorgon   

Read the myth
Want to read another version of the myth?  Click here! 
And here's another version

Watch the video

Medusa-Clash of the Titans (compare the original and the remake)

Watch this video on Perseus and the Gorgon


Watch Storyteller-Greek Myths - Perseus and the Gorgon in Educational | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

You will be choosing a Greek god to become an expert on.  You will be creating a "fakebook" page for your god.  I've started one on Hestia that you can see below.  Be sure to save your work and the link you will get so you can go back and add information as you learn more about your god.

Greek Mythology Resources:
Greek Mythology
Mythweb
Theoi Greek Mythology
Family Tree of the Greek Gods 
Encyclopedia Mythica 
Greek God videos 
Greek God games and actitivies

Click here to view assignment requirements and rubric

Click here to view my Fakebook for Hestia 

When you save your Fakebook page, please copy and past the URL link to this google document so I can access all the Fakebook projects.  Thanks!


View Fullscreen | Create your own

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Introduction to Tall Tales

We are beginning a new unit!  We will be studying Oral Traditions and storytelling, starting with the study of American Tall Tales and Folklore.  Today you will learn about some of the New Hampshire folklore and some legendary heroes in American Folk history.  Complete the questions on the handout and enjoy learning about some bigger than life heroes!

 Quizlet-  Oral Tradition Flashcards.  Study the definitions of important terms you need to know during this unit.

Sites you will be visiting today:

American Folklore-  Use this site to find tall tales from different parts of the country
Tall Tales -the basics  A lot of good links to different tall tales
American Tall Tales-  good site with some videos to watch
Animated Tall Tales- a fun, interactive site to learn more about tall tales
Myths, Folklore and Fairy Tales- Read different myths and legends from around the world
Aesop's Fables- online collection of Aesop Fables
Beowulf-  want to learn more about Beowulf.  Check out this site!
 
7th Grade Tech Class:  Understanding Tall Tales
In Tech Class today (5/22/12) you will be creating a poster introducing your Tall Tale hero (You can make the poster using a word document).  You will use this poster during your oral presentation.  You only have one class to complete this assignment!
Your poster must include: 
  •   Picture of Hero 
  •  Name of hero
  • Brief summary of his feats/accomplishments—these can be bulleted 
  •   A quote from the story that shows what he is like and is an example of hyperbole.  If you can’t find one, you may write one yourself.
Your poster should fill the entire page (81/2 x 11).  Your hero’s name should be large and bold.  Be creative in your presentation.
You need to print out two color copies for class.  Post your poster onto your blog by the end of tech class.

Finished researching?  Are you an expert of at least one Folk Hero?  Yes!  Now you try to write a Tall Tale.  Use this Graphic Organizer to get started.  When you finish.  practice reading it and then record your tall tale on the ipad.  Upload the finished version onto your blog!

The Diary of Anne Frank--Exploring the Secret Annex

Today you will begin to explore the secret annex and learn about its inhabitants.  Visit the secret annex and answer the questions on the handout.  Please take your time, explore the different sections, watch the videos and read the descriptions.  There are so many interesting things in this site to do and learn about.  Click here to download the worksheet.

Click here to go to The Secret Annex Online

When you finish...
The United States Holocaust Museum

Go to the site above.  Choose a topic that you want to learn more about.  Research the topic:  look at the photographs, read witnesses' account.

Complete the Graphic organizer (click here for a copy)

Then write a summary of the events and why the event you chose is important for us to remember to help us understand the Holocaust.  Create a power point presentation explaining the event using photos, text, and if possible, brief video clips.

Post your Power Point onto your blog.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

7th Grade Poetry Tea Party



In  7th Grade Language Arts today, we had a Poetry Tea Party.  Dressed in our finest attire, we gathered in the conference room to read some of the funniest and silliest poems we could find.  Afterwards we enjoyed beverages in teacups and snacks.  Click the student's name below to watch them read their poem.  You can even listen to Miss Gagne read a favorite from Shel Silverstein.

Angel                         Kyle
Zachary                     Tyler
Cloud                         Ethan
 Brian                          Caleb