Friday, June 3, 2016
Scope Article: "Thirst"
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Create your own Mini-Page
For your next assignment in Writing, you will choose a subject you are interested in, research the topic and turn it into a newspaper, modeled after the Mini-Page. A good topic for this assignment would be one you are interested in and already know a lot about. It should be a topic that you can write about different aspects or subject areas. For example, if you choose a sport, you will research the sport in general, learn about famous people who have played the sport, the history, etc.
Go to Google Classroom to access the pre-writing graphic organizer
Click here for the Mini Page assignment and Template
Not sure exactly what a Mini Page is. Look at the examples below. Or visit the Mini Page archive.
Our Fragile Butterflies
Rosa Parks
Political Parties
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Grade 8: Night by Elie Weisel
Watch the video of Elie Wiesel's return to Auschwitz with Oprah Winfrey
Grade 7: Reading Beowulf
- Click here to see Beowulf in its original form. Can you read it?
- Resources for the study of Beowulf
- Shmoop-Beowulf
- Beowulf in hypertext
Do you want to know more about the famous epic? Click here to go to an interactive site to read more about Beowulf.
Click here to watch a video why you SHOULD read Beowulf!
Click here for a Glossary of Beowulf
Click here to learn more about topics and different sections of the story.
Click here to view some of the things you can find out about in Beowulf for Beginners. This list will help you know where to look.
Click here to watch a summary of Beowulf
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Book Trailer using iMovie
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:
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
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
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
The Myth of Perseus
Today we are going to watch two versions of Perseus and the Gorgon--
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
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
Read the myth
Want to read another version of the myth? Click here!
And here's another version
Let's Get Ready! Review of the Smarter Balance Test
Tomorrow middle school students will begin their Smarter Balance
Testing. This online format should be familiar to all of you. Today we
will review the Language Arts test and discuss good test taking
strategies.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Oral Tradition: Myths to expllain Natural Phenomenons
Myths are stories that explain a natural
phenomenon. Before humans found scientific explanations for such
things as the moon and the sun and rainbows, they tried to understand
them by telling stories. These tales — which often include
gods and goddesses and other supernatural characters who have the
power to make extraordinary things happen — remain popular
today. We will examine a few of these stories and then you will start to think about writing your own myth.
Lesson taken from http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/mythmachine.htm
Links to Examples of Myths
Myth and Legends Showcase
Examples of Natural Phenomenon Myths
Follow these five steps.
1. Pick out the natural phenomenon you want to write about.
Make it something that really interests you. You might want to think about the way a single rainstorm can cause a flood. Or think about the way a snowstorm can cover the ground like an icy blanket. Consider the way the tide comes in and out each day.
2. Observe carefully.
It helps to know a thing well before trying to make up a story about it. The old myths were created by poets and storytellers who were well-acquainted with nature. Find out as much as you can about the natural phenomenon that you've chosen. Do some research and find out what it is scientifically — and read what other storytellers have said about it.
3. Write down what is actual about the phenomenon.
Keep a record of what you have observed or read. What are the smells, sights, and sounds connected to this natural phenomenon? If you are artistic, you might want to try drawing sketches or painting pictures. Think of yourself as a reporter, not a storyteller.
4. Write down key words from your research.
If you're researching the desert, the words you find could be: sand, rain, gully, wash. Then look in a thesaurus or dictionary to find as many synonyms, phrases, and meanings for your words as you can. For example, under "sand" you might find grain, granule, gravel, shingle, powder, pulverizer. As you are writing those words down, think about the images behind them. It's those images that will help you build your myth. For example, I thought of a pepper grinder when I reached the word pulverizer. Once you've got a picture in your mind, it's time for the big WHAT IF. . . ?
5. Ask yourself, WHAT IF?
Hop onto your image and head off into myth land. This is the point from which you need to start brainstorming! Take a picture in your mind of what an aspect of the world would be like if certain events happened. Then use this "what if" to create a story that explains why the natural phenomenon exists. The story can be as fantastic as you want.
For example, take the pepper grinder from Step 4. What if there was a chef to the gods who lived in a beautiful green countryside but became upset one day because no one ever complimented his cooking? While wandering around, he sat under one of those beautiful green trees and wished (always be careful what you wish for in a myth) that he could somehow make the gods take notice. And suddenly in front of him was a special pepper grinder that said, "Use me, and you will be noticed." And so the chef took the pepper grinder and used it that evening as he was seasoning the gods' stew. But instead of churning out pepper, it ground out sand — more sand than the chef had ever seen! The sand kept pouring out, completely covering the beautiful green countryside. And thus the desert came into existence.
Are you ready to write your myth? Then let's begin!
Pretend you have an audience of the king's court before you. Or that you are in a cave with other cave painters trying to summon the sun or the rain. Or think of yourself as a griot in an African village who is about to explain to your people how the world began. Using your brainstorming observations and ideas, write a story that explains a phenomenon in the natural world that you've experienced or witnessed on TV. You can pick almost anything — a snowstorm, an earthquake, or even a rainy day. Be as creative as you can — let your imagination run wild!
If you need more help, try using the Myth Brainstorming Machine to get your ideas flowing.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/mythmachine.htm
Lesson taken from http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/mythmachine.htm
Links to Examples of Myths
Myth and Legends Showcase
Examples of Natural Phenomenon Myths
Follow these five steps.
1. Pick out the natural phenomenon you want to write about.
Make it something that really interests you. You might want to think about the way a single rainstorm can cause a flood. Or think about the way a snowstorm can cover the ground like an icy blanket. Consider the way the tide comes in and out each day.
2. Observe carefully.
It helps to know a thing well before trying to make up a story about it. The old myths were created by poets and storytellers who were well-acquainted with nature. Find out as much as you can about the natural phenomenon that you've chosen. Do some research and find out what it is scientifically — and read what other storytellers have said about it.
3. Write down what is actual about the phenomenon.
Keep a record of what you have observed or read. What are the smells, sights, and sounds connected to this natural phenomenon? If you are artistic, you might want to try drawing sketches or painting pictures. Think of yourself as a reporter, not a storyteller.
4. Write down key words from your research.
If you're researching the desert, the words you find could be: sand, rain, gully, wash. Then look in a thesaurus or dictionary to find as many synonyms, phrases, and meanings for your words as you can. For example, under "sand" you might find grain, granule, gravel, shingle, powder, pulverizer. As you are writing those words down, think about the images behind them. It's those images that will help you build your myth. For example, I thought of a pepper grinder when I reached the word pulverizer. Once you've got a picture in your mind, it's time for the big WHAT IF. . . ?
5. Ask yourself, WHAT IF?
Hop onto your image and head off into myth land. This is the point from which you need to start brainstorming! Take a picture in your mind of what an aspect of the world would be like if certain events happened. Then use this "what if" to create a story that explains why the natural phenomenon exists. The story can be as fantastic as you want.
For example, take the pepper grinder from Step 4. What if there was a chef to the gods who lived in a beautiful green countryside but became upset one day because no one ever complimented his cooking? While wandering around, he sat under one of those beautiful green trees and wished (always be careful what you wish for in a myth) that he could somehow make the gods take notice. And suddenly in front of him was a special pepper grinder that said, "Use me, and you will be noticed." And so the chef took the pepper grinder and used it that evening as he was seasoning the gods' stew. But instead of churning out pepper, it ground out sand — more sand than the chef had ever seen! The sand kept pouring out, completely covering the beautiful green countryside. And thus the desert came into existence.
Are you ready to write your myth? Then let's begin!
Pretend you have an audience of the king's court before you. Or that you are in a cave with other cave painters trying to summon the sun or the rain. Or think of yourself as a griot in an African village who is about to explain to your people how the world began. Using your brainstorming observations and ideas, write a story that explains a phenomenon in the natural world that you've experienced or witnessed on TV. You can pick almost anything — a snowstorm, an earthquake, or even a rainy day. Be as creative as you can — let your imagination run wild!
If you need more help, try using the Myth Brainstorming Machine to get your ideas flowing.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/mythmachine.htm
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Creating a Timelline for the Holcaust
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8th Grade Tech—Studying the Holocaust
Create a timeline for
one of the following topics:
Hitler’s Rise to Power
Restrictions placed on Jews from 1930-1945
Anne Frank
Concentration Camps
Your timeline needs
to include:
1.
Date
2.
Brief description of event
3.
Image
Sources: Click here to visit my Holocaust Blog. Resources are listed on right side of page.
Create a document with the links to your sources.
Create a document with the links to your sources.
To make your
timeline:
Google Drawing
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Beginning to read Anne Frank
Have you ever had a friend spend the week or weekend over at
your house? How have you felt after that weekend was over? Like you
never wanted to see that person again since they “got on your nerves”
during the weekend? Imagine, like Anne, you had to spend two years of
your life in hiding with seven other people. How would it make you feel? Remember, you would not have any technology. You have to be quiet all day and you can not go outside. Write your response in the comment section of this post. You may read the previous comments and respond to those as well.
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