In writing you are going to learn about The Hero's Journey--steps that most heroes take in stories or movies. Can you name your favorite heroes? As we will watch this video which explains the most important parts of the journey, see if you recognize any of these heroes.
Click here top watch the Ted Talk on the Hero's Journey
Click here to create your own Hero's Journey
Want to learn more about the Hero's Journey? Here's a good place to start.
Three examples of the Hero's Journey
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Grade 7: Introduction to Oral Tradition and Folktales
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.
Complete the worksheet on Folk Heroes (Go to Google Classroom for a copy or click here for a copy of the worksheet)- Use the sites below to find the information.
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
Here are some good resources to learn about American Folk Heroes
"Tall talk, or exaggerated storytelling, began in the 1800s as a way for Americans to come to terms with the vast and inhospitable lands they’d come to inhabit – thick, dark forests filled with bears and panthers; treeless, arid deserts and plains; towering mountains; and uncharted seacoasts. The heroes and heroines of the tales were like the land itself – gigantic, extravagant, restless, and flamboyant. Their exaggerated feats of courage and endurance helped the backwoodsman face the overwhelming task of developing such a land." --American Tall Tales, by Mary Pope Osborne, 1991.
Tall Tale Heroes --Links to information and resources on many American Folk Heroes (see left side of page)
Fact Monster- information on Tall Tale characters
Quizlet- Oral Tradition Flashcards. Study the definitions of important terms you need to know during this unit.
Complete the worksheet on Folk Heroes (Go to Google Classroom for a copy or click here for a copy of the worksheet)- Use the sites below to find the information.
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
Here are some good resources to learn about American Folk Heroes
"Tall talk, or exaggerated storytelling, began in the 1800s as a way for Americans to come to terms with the vast and inhospitable lands they’d come to inhabit – thick, dark forests filled with bears and panthers; treeless, arid deserts and plains; towering mountains; and uncharted seacoasts. The heroes and heroines of the tales were like the land itself – gigantic, extravagant, restless, and flamboyant. Their exaggerated feats of courage and endurance helped the backwoodsman face the overwhelming task of developing such a land." --American Tall Tales, by Mary Pope Osborne, 1991.
Tall Tale Heroes --Links to information and resources on many American Folk Heroes (see left side of page)
Fact Monster- information on Tall Tale characters
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Thursday, March 17, 2016
"The Highway Man" by Alfred Noyes
Click here to listen to the song
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Tech 6-8: Digital Citizenship Lesson
Tech Grades 7-8 Digital Citizenship Lesson
Assignment for February 25th:
1. Finish your "Instafamous" assignment.
2. Go to the Interpretation section and watch the "Power of Likes" video. Answer the questions and complete the activity for that section. Hand in your work at the end of class.
February 11th Assignment:
Your task:
1. Watch the video "Instafamous"
2. Answer one of the questions in the box provided on site. Print your response.
- What was your biggest takeaway from this video?
- What part of this video struck you the most? Why?
- What do you want to know more about? Why?
4. If there is time, choose one of the response in "Time to Innovate" to create. Post your creation on your blog to share.
Tech Grade 6 Digital Citizenship Lesson
Monday, January 18, 2016
Argument Writing- Choosing a topic
Grade 6- You should choose a topic that impacts your everyday life--a rule at school or home that you would like to change, longer recess, more gym, art, or music class, a new ski club location, etc. Remember, the best topic will be one you actually care about and one that you can find facts and evidence to back your claim/position! Topics need to be approved by Ms. Casassa.
Grades 7 and 8- You should choose a significant issue or topic and take a side. Your topic should be one that you can research, gather evidence/facts, and write at least two pages about! There are many sites that you can go to for help choosing a topic. I have also included a list of possible topics. Be sure your topic is middle school appropriate. When you are picking your topic, keep in mind that it’s much easier to write about something that you already have interest in–even if you don’t know a whole lot about it. Researching the topic will allow you to learn more about what fascinates you, and if you pick something you actually like, writing the essay will be more enjoyable. Topics need to be approved by Ms. Casassa.
Once you have chosen a topic, go to Google Classroom to complete Argument Essay Graphic Organizer
Here are some places to start researching possible topics.
Newsela Pro/Con Articles
List of Argument Topics
Pro/Con--THE LEADING SOURCE FOR PROS & CONS OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
Argument Writing Topics
NY Times Learning Blog- Argument Writing Topics
Examples of Strong Thesis Statements for Argument Essays-- this is a good spot to find topic ideas!
Other possible topics:
Is Cheating Getting Worse?
Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers?
Should Reading and Math Be Taught in Gym Class Too?
Should Schools Offer Cash Bonuses for Good Test Scores?
Do Schools Provide Students With Enough Opportunities to Be Creative?
How Important Is Arts Education?
Does Gym Help Students Perform Better in All Their Classes?
Who Should Be Able to See Students’ Records?
Are Children of Illegal Immigrants Entitled to a Public Education?
Is Your School Day Too Short?
Do You Think a Longer School Calendar Is a Good Idea?
Should the Dropout Age Be Raised?
How Should Schools Address Bullying?
Should Schools Put Tracking Devices in Students’ ID Cards?
What Do You Think of Grouping Students by Ability in Schools?
Do We Need a New Way to Teach Math?
Does Class Size Matter?
Should All Children Be Able to Go to Preschool?
Do You Support Affirmative Action?
Is animal testing necessary?
Should consumers buy items from countries that endorse child labor?
Do patients have a right to die via physician-assisted suicide?
Should children’s beauty pageants be banned?
Does freedom of speech give people the right to use hate speech?
Do people who commit heinous crimes deserve the death penalty?
Do children deserve/need an allowance?
Is it okay for parents to monitor teens’ internet use?
Should parents be able to spank their children?
Should parents push their kids into extracurricular activities such as music or sports?
Is a child’s room really theirs, or is it their parents’?
Should single people be able to adopt children as easily as couples?
Should parents pay children for good grades?
Grades 7 and 8- You should choose a significant issue or topic and take a side. Your topic should be one that you can research, gather evidence/facts, and write at least two pages about! There are many sites that you can go to for help choosing a topic. I have also included a list of possible topics. Be sure your topic is middle school appropriate. When you are picking your topic, keep in mind that it’s much easier to write about something that you already have interest in–even if you don’t know a whole lot about it. Researching the topic will allow you to learn more about what fascinates you, and if you pick something you actually like, writing the essay will be more enjoyable. Topics need to be approved by Ms. Casassa.
Once you have chosen a topic, go to Google Classroom to complete Argument Essay Graphic Organizer
Here are some places to start researching possible topics.
Newsela Pro/Con Articles
List of Argument Topics
Pro/Con--THE LEADING SOURCE FOR PROS & CONS OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
Argument Writing Topics
NY Times Learning Blog- Argument Writing Topics
Examples of Strong Thesis Statements for Argument Essays-- this is a good spot to find topic ideas!
Other possible topics:
Is Cheating Getting Worse?
Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers?
Should Reading and Math Be Taught in Gym Class Too?
Should Schools Offer Cash Bonuses for Good Test Scores?
Do Schools Provide Students With Enough Opportunities to Be Creative?
How Important Is Arts Education?
Does Gym Help Students Perform Better in All Their Classes?
Who Should Be Able to See Students’ Records?
Are Children of Illegal Immigrants Entitled to a Public Education?
Is Your School Day Too Short?
Do You Think a Longer School Calendar Is a Good Idea?
Should the Dropout Age Be Raised?
How Should Schools Address Bullying?
Should Schools Put Tracking Devices in Students’ ID Cards?
What Do You Think of Grouping Students by Ability in Schools?
Do We Need a New Way to Teach Math?
Does Class Size Matter?
Should All Children Be Able to Go to Preschool?
Do You Support Affirmative Action?
Is animal testing necessary?
Should consumers buy items from countries that endorse child labor?
Do patients have a right to die via physician-assisted suicide?
Should children’s beauty pageants be banned?
Does freedom of speech give people the right to use hate speech?
Do people who commit heinous crimes deserve the death penalty?
Do children deserve/need an allowance?
Is it okay for parents to monitor teens’ internet use?
Should parents be able to spank their children?
Should parents push their kids into extracurricular activities such as music or sports?
Is a child’s room really theirs, or is it their parents’?
Should single people be able to adopt children as easily as couples?
Should parents pay children for good grades?
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Grades 6-8 Technology: Introducing...The 2016 Presidential Candidates--Create an Infomercial or Brochure
Introducing...The 2016 Presidential Candidates--Create an Infomercial or Brochure
Learn about the election: Click here to read Newsela articles about the candidates and the issues
Assignment:
Part I: Choose one of the candidates running in the NH Primary Election on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Research the candidate and identify his/her position on the following three issues: economy, immigration and health care. Be sure to check at least two sources and that they are credible.
How do you know a site is credible? What is it’s web address? Who is the author? Does there seem to be a bias (is the reporting one sided?).
Cite your sources. Be sure to copy and paste the web address of the sites you use.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM WEB SITES! Put your research in your own words or use direct quotes!
Part II: Create an infomercial or brochure. For your infomercial:Watch a couple political campaigns on YouTube. Choose one of the topics to create a infomercial about. Use images, music and words to get your candidate’s message across. We should know what his/her position is on the issue and what they plan to do to improve the area of concern. Be sure to be accurate and do not sensationalize! An iMovie would work well for this project. If you have other tech ideas check with Ms. Casassa first. For your brochure: use a brochure template on Microsoft word. Include images/visuals, bold captions and headlines and text that shows their platform on one of the issues. The layout and appearance are VERY important. Proofread your work!
Sites to start with:
On The Issues
NY TImes: Who is Running for President?
The Atlantic: The US Presidential Race-A Cheat Sheet
CNN 2016 Election -this site has campaign videos
Presidential Candidates 2016
Fox News 2016 Candidate Watch
Fact Check.org- not sure you believe what th candidates are saying? Go to Fact Check and find out!
I Side With
Copy of Graphic Organizer:
Rubric:
Learn about the election: Click here to read Newsela articles about the candidates and the issues
Assignment:
Part I: Choose one of the candidates running in the NH Primary Election on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Research the candidate and identify his/her position on the following three issues: economy, immigration and health care. Be sure to check at least two sources and that they are credible.
How do you know a site is credible? What is it’s web address? Who is the author? Does there seem to be a bias (is the reporting one sided?).
Cite your sources. Be sure to copy and paste the web address of the sites you use.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM WEB SITES! Put your research in your own words or use direct quotes!
Part II: Create an infomercial or brochure. For your infomercial:Watch a couple political campaigns on YouTube. Choose one of the topics to create a infomercial about. Use images, music and words to get your candidate’s message across. We should know what his/her position is on the issue and what they plan to do to improve the area of concern. Be sure to be accurate and do not sensationalize! An iMovie would work well for this project. If you have other tech ideas check with Ms. Casassa first. For your brochure: use a brochure template on Microsoft word. Include images/visuals, bold captions and headlines and text that shows their platform on one of the issues. The layout and appearance are VERY important. Proofread your work!
Sites to start with:
On The Issues
NY TImes: Who is Running for President?
The Atlantic: The US Presidential Race-A Cheat Sheet
CNN 2016 Election -this site has campaign videos
Presidential Candidates 2016
Fox News 2016 Candidate Watch
Fact Check.org- not sure you believe what th candidates are saying? Go to Fact Check and find out!
I Side With
Copy of Graphic Organizer:
Name of candidate
|
|||
ECONOMY
|
|||
HEALTH CARE
|
|||
IMMIGRATION
|
|||
OTHER
|
Rubric:
Political Primary Infomercial/Brochure
|
||
Requirements
|
Comments
|
Points
|
Research- handed in graphic organizer, clearly explained platform on each issue, cited sources
|
/25
|
|
Demonstrated proficiency with technology- used either iMovie or Microsoft word, can save and insert images, can use features available
|
/20
|
|
Final product clearly presents candidate’s views on one issue- information is accurate, explained thoroughly
|
/30
|
|
Presentation-you clearly present your candidate and issue. Able to answer questions on both from class.
|
/15
|
|
Conventions- error free—no spelling, grammatical or function error!
|
:
|
/10
|
Grade:
|
/100
|
|
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Add to The Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman Thinglink
Show what you know! Add an interesting fact, vidoe, music, link to the images on the Thinglink. Log in to Thinglink:
barnardla@barnardschool.org
barnardla58
Click here to go to the Thinglink
barnardla@barnardschool.org
barnardla58
Click here to go to the Thinglink
 | |
| Thinglink on Underground Railroad |
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Maya Ying Lin and the Vietnam Memorial
Before we begin reading Always to Remember: The Vision of Maya Ying Lin
we are going to learn a little about the Vietnam Memorial and Maya Ying
Lin. Complete the first section of the KWL chart, listing what you
already know about the Vietnam Memorial and Lin--it's okay if you don't know anything. Now, complete the middle column, listing what you want to know
about each. As you look at the images of the Memorial, listen to the
videos and then read the story, complete the third column, what you have learned.
Create your own Playlist on MentorMob!
Thursday, December 10, 2015
A Christmas Carol- create a Go Animate illustrating a important literary element in the play
You have finished reading the play A Christmas Carol and
worked on analyzing the different literary elements. Today you are
going to create a comic strip using Go Animate.
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, illustrates a place where Scrooge changes, or includes part of the theme or the message of the play.
1. Create a brief storyboard of this scene, being sure to write the dialogue.
2. 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
Class code: 0wloAkUAm9rjRrlNrLVpT6g
Click here to view my Go Animate
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, illustrates a place where Scrooge changes, or includes part of the theme or the message of the play.
1. Create a brief storyboard of this scene, being sure to write the dialogue.
2. 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
Class code: 0wloAkUAm9rjRrlNrLVpT6g
Click here to view my Go Animate
Thursday, December 3, 2015
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