Book Project #3- Understanding Characters: Creating a Voki

1.  Complete the graphic organizer on Understanding Characters and Analyzing Dialogue. 
2.  Click here to create your own Voki
3.  Customize your Character

4.  Copy the embed code and create a post on the blog.  Include both Vokis in the same blog post.  You should also email yourself a copy of the Voki so you have an extra copy.

Lois Lowry and The Giver

We are beginning out unit on Lois Lowry and The Giver.  Today you are going to learn about Lois Lowry.  Using the links below, complete the graphic organizer.

Resources:
Scholastic biography of Lois Lowry
Learning About Lois Lowry
Awards Lois Lowry has received
A video interview with Lois Lowry

iMovie Book Trailer Finishing Touches

So...you finished your iMovie Book Trailer Project.  You've written your reflection and posted your Trailer onto your blog.  Now what?

Today you are going to create a QR code that people can scan with a smart phone, iPod or iPad and watch your movie. Pretty cool, right?  Here's what you need to do:

1.  Find a image of your Book Cover
2.  Copy and Paste in into a WORD DOCUMENT (in formatting remember to wrap text "tight")
3. Add your first name to the document
4.  Go to your iMovie in my You Tube Channel.  Click here to get to my channel.
5.  Copy the URL address of your movie.
6.  Click here to go to the QR Code Generator website
7.  Paste the URL into the box.  Click generate.  A cool QR Code should appear!
8.  Copy your QR code
9.  Paste QR Code on WORD DOCUMENT with Book Cover
10.  Print a color copy of this document

Uploading your Book Trailer to the Blog

Congratulations!  You finished your Book Trailers!  You worked really hard and made some amazing Book Trailers.  I am very proud of all of you.  Today you need to upload the Book Trailers to the blog and write a Reflection on the project that you will post on the blog as well.

Post your Book Trailer to the Blog

Here's what you need to do:

1.  Click here to go to my Barnard School You Tube site. 
2.  Find your Book Trailers under uploads.  Click on the title.
3.  Scroll below your video and click on the share button on the right.
4.  Click on embed
5.  Copy the embed code in the box
6.  Sign into your blog (or the class blog)
7.  Click on new post on top of page
8.  Title your post the name of your book trailer
9.  Click on the HTML tab on the top left
10.  paste (command v) your embed code into the post box
11.  Click publish.  View Blog to be sure it worked!

Write your Reflection:

1.  Click here to view Reflection Questions
2.  Type your Reflection in Google Drive
3.  Pront a copy for Ms. casassa
4.  Post a copy as a comment under your Book Trailer 

Creating a Book Trailer with iMovie

Today you are going to add music to your Book Trailer.

Here are some things you'll need to know how to do:

1.  How to Convert You Tube Videos into a MP3 File--If you want to use a song from You Tube, you need to convert it into a MP3 file by using a Conversion Tool.

Click here to use the Converter Tool

Then, simply copy the URL of the You Tube video into the box, click convert and then download your MP3 File.  It will be in your iTunes library in iMovie.

2.   Click here to learn how to use a Voice Over in iMovie

3.  Click here to learn how to add audio to iMovie

Book Project #2--Create your own Book Trailer

You have 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.

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?

Watch a couple different trailers for Legend.  Think about what's the same in all three and what's different.






A Monster Calls



This Dark Endeavor

Sean Griswold’s Head

 

The Fault in Our Stars
 

The Tell Tale Heart - 1953 narrated by James Mason

Edgar Allan Poe Author Study

You have learned about Edgar Allan Poe, read his famous poem, "The Raven," and started "The Tell Tale Heart."  Today you are going to choose one of his more famous short stories to read.  You may visit this website:  PoeStories website and look at his short stories or choose from one of the three below that I have recommended.  DO NOT READ "The Tell Tale Heart"!!!  We are reading that together tomorrow.

•  "Murders in the Rue Morgue"

•  "Pit and Pendulum"

• "Cask of Amontillado"

After you read the story, complete worksheet about the literary elements. You may click here for a copy.

 Enjoy the stories and Happy Halloween from the inventor of the Horror genre!

Web Search Strategies Lesson

Search Engines

•  Click here for Kid Friendly Search Sites
• Instagrok 
• Google Advanced Search

Some Search Tips

Research Sites

• Click here to check out this Livebinder on Colonial America--Great resources here for research and projects!

• Click here to go straight to page on Colonial America

"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

Before we read Poe's famous poem, "The Raven," watch The Simpson's version in their House of Horrors series.


Click here to read "The Raven" 

Click here for a copy of "The Raven" reading questions and comprehension activities.

Click the image below to read "The Raven"online.  Use the interactive tool to enhance your understanding of the poem.

When you finish, go to PoeStories website and choose one of Poe's short stories to read.  Do not read "The Tell Tale Heart."  I'd recommend "Murders in the Rue Morgue," "Pit and Pendulum," or "Cask of Amontillado."

Introducing... Edgar Allan Poe

EDGAR ALLAN POE

 "Poe is the supreme short story writer of all time."

     ~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"What a strange, though enormously talented writer, that Edgar Poe!"
     ~Fyodor Dostoevsky

"You might call him the Leader of the Cult of the Unusual."
     ~Jules Verne

Today you are going to begin learning about the great American Short Story writer, Edgar Allan Poe. He is best known for his horror stories and his haunting poems.


You can also watch this biography from Scholastic

Use the resources below to complete the Scavenger Hunt.
Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
 
Resources
Poe Museum Student Page
Poe Museum Poe's Life
Knowing Poe
Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe

Hero Project

You have chosen your hero and completed your graphic organizer....now what?
  Remember, you are writing a persuasive letter.  Think about the types of transition words you should use to be convincing!
Grades 5 and 6:   Click here for a review of persuasive transition words.
Grades 7 and 8:   Click here for a list of good persuasive transition words.
Before you begin writing:
Complete this Persuasion Map to make sure you have strong claims and supporting evidence for your hero.  Click on map below to begin your Persuasion Map.

Invite Readers to your Blog

8th graders,
Today please invite all the 5-8 graders to be readers of your blog.  

Here's how....
1.  Log into your barnardschool Google account
2.  Go to your blog
3.  Click design on top right
4.  Click settings on left side
5. Go to permissions,  Click Blog Readers, change to Private-only these readers
6.  Click add readers, and copy and past list below into box
     Click on link to open  Invite Readers Email List

       List of Barnard School Readers

 7.  Click save changes

8.  Check your gmail and accept all invitations to be a reader.  You must do this in order to view your classmates' blogs!

1st Book Project of the Year- Create a Thinglink Book Presentation

Click here for instructions on how to create your Thinglink Book Presentation.

Click here to sign up for Thinglink 

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Click here to read some Background information on Shirley Jackson

Read the New York Times article on "The Lottery"

The Fall of the Hindenburg--video footage

Interested in learning more about the Hindenburg Disaster? 
Check out these websites for more information:
The Hindenburg Disaster
The Hindenburg Story
The Hindenburg Burns in Lakehurst--New York Times Article

Wondering what really caused the Hindenburg to explode?  Click here to watch what the guys at Mythbuster discovered? 

Create a brief presentation using the app Haiku Deck that adds to our understanding of the Hindenburg Disaster.  Be sure to base your presentation on one of the nonfiction articles or the mythbuster video above.

"The Monkey's Paw"

Watch the movie version of "The Monkey's Paw"
THE MONKEY'S PAW from Ricky Lewis Jr on Vimeo.

Even Homer Simpson can't resist the monkey's paw.  Watch this short clip from The Simpsons.

Tech Class- getting started

Today, we will continue to get started with technology in Language Arts.  You will practice logging into a few important sites.  I will give you your password information in class.  Please record your password information on the tech sheet in your binder.

  Jupiter Grades is our online grading system.  Click on icon to go to Jupiter Grades.  Once you are there, try logging in.

Shelfari is our online Bookshelf.  You will record your reading on your virtual bookshelf.  Use the password and username that I gave you.  Click on the icon and start adding your books now!


My Homework Planner is a great organizational school.  Sign up for My Homework planner and receive all you homework assignments in one place!  Click on icon to sign up. 



Create an "ALL ABOUT ME" word collage

1.  Create a web with your name in the center.  Then add words that describe you, your family, hobbies, interests, vacations, places lived, pets, etc.  You should have at least 20 words!
2.  Using either Wordle or Tagxedo, create a word collage using all those collages.(Click on the key phrase to go to the site).
3.  Print two copies of your word collage.  
4.  Save your wordle collage as an image to your desktop.

Grade 7 Unit 1 Fiction and Nonfiction

Use this quizlet set to learn the definitions for terms in Unit 1-Fiction and Nonfiction.  Click here to view the quizlet flashcards.

Grade 8 Unit 2 Short Story

Our first unit of study this year is the Short Story.  You already know a lot of the literary terms we will use when talking about short stories.  Today we are going to review these terms and create short
 "Show Me" videos to explain the new terms to the rest of the class.  Click here to watch my "Show Me" on conflict.

You can click here to view the Short Story definitions.  You will have a quiz on these terms on Friday, so you want to study the,m!  Quizlet is a great resource and you can make flashcards there easily.

Welcome Back!

Stay in Touch!

Writing: End of the year 6 Traits Assessment

Holocaust Final project: Reflection on Genocide

After the Holocaust, the United Nations created laws to prevent such an atrocity from ever happening again.  The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was held in 1948 and declared that genocide was a crime under international law and would be condemned by the civilized world.  Since that time, however, there have been other acts of genocide.  For your final project, you will familiarize yourself with other modern day acts of genocide.  

Assignment:  You will create a brief video educating people about the dangers of genocide, informing them about modern day examples of genocide and calling them to action.  

Consider these questions:
What can we do to prevent further acts of hatred and violence towards a race of people?  Why do these acts continue to happen despite our knowledge and education?  
How can you make a difference?  

Use the resources below to learn about the modern day examples of genocide.

Confront Genocide

Survivors Stories from genocide in Darfur, Bosnia and Rwanda 

Modern Day examples of Genocide

The Rwanda Genocide

PBS Resources on Genocide 

Amnesty International 

Facing History, Facing Ourselves:  Be the Change -Upstanders for Human Rights

Prevent Genocide International

View the you tube videos for an example of what you can do with our final project. 

Watch this You tube video that raises awareness and tries to get people to stop genocide.

A more general You Tube video about the Holocaust and acts of genocide

View former 8th graders' final projects:
Caleb
Cloud
 

Create a Greek God Trading Card

Create a Greek God

 Trading Card

 You will be choosing a Greek god to become an expert on.  You will be creating a Trading Card about your god.  You will find information about your god at the sites listed below.

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 

Here's your job:

Create a Greek God Trading Card 1.  Choose a god to make a trading card. 2. Use the resources listed below to research your god.  You need to be able to answer the questions below. You may take notes  or complete the graphic organizer.  (Click here to access the graphic organizer) ·      Where do you read or see your god?  What myth? ·      Identify the following character traits:  physical and personality ·      What is your god’s most important thoughts?  Feelings? ·      What is your god’s problem or challenge in the myth? ·      What does your god want to happen by the end of the story? ·      Does your god succeed? ·      What memorable thing does your god say? ·      What is one interesting or important action made by your god? ·      How does your god get along with others? ·      Do you like your god?  Why or why not?  ·      Does your god remind you of anyone? 3.  Find image of your god.  Save image to your desktop 4.  Click here to go the Trading Card Creator and begin creating your Greek god Trading card.  Be sure to complete all the sections! 5.  Click Finish editing when you are done.  Then click Finish.  Save your Trading card so you may access it later.  If you need to edit it be sure to save as draft!  6.  When you are done (be sure to proofread/edit), take a screen shot of your trading card to upload onto your blog. 7.  Create a new blog post.  Label it Greek God Trading Card.  Upload your image onto the post.  Publish! 8.  Print out a copy of your trading card to share with class. 9.  Click here to view Greek God Trading Card Rubric