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

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)

 

How to import images and videos in iMovie

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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
Maddie	madiee	meaton@barnardschool.org
Leah	lhopkins2014	lhopkins@barnardschool.org
Emma	emckenney	emckenney@barnardschool.org
Jessica	jpolito	jpolito@barnardschool.org
Alex	areynolds2014	areynolds@barnardschool.org
Jordan	jshaw2014	jshaw@barnardschool.org
Connor S.	cskane	cskane@barnardschool.org
Connor W	cwhitley	cwhitley@barnardschool.org
Cloud	cbogart	abogart@barnardschool.org
Angel	akaneb	akaneb@barnardschool.org
Zach	zknight	zknight@barnardschool.org
Ethan	elisi	elisi@barnardschool.org
Brian	blosier	blosier@barnardschool.org
Kyle	kmurray2013	kmurray@barnardschool.org
Tyler	tvrettos	tvrettos@barnardschool.org
Caleb	cwilliams2013	cwilliams@barnards

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"

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

You can listen to the short story, "The Lottery"

 we read in class on Tuesday by clicking here!