Thursday, April 17th

Thursday

Journal Prompt #3:
Comment, Observe, Ask Questions, Make Prediction, Make Self Connections, Analyze:

• Symbolism
• Figures of Speech (simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, idiom, oxymoron, pun, hyperbole). Hint: Figurative language is to be taken figuratively rather than literally.
• What has surprised or shocked you about the novel and/or the history behind it?
• Describe any "facts" you feel may have been exaggerated for the story's sake.

*Cite from the text to support your response!

Figurative Language Song: Figurative Language
Common Symbols in Literature: http://www.muhsd.k12.ca.us/cms/lib5/CA01001051/Centricity/Domain/520/English%203/Unit%201%20--%20Early%20American%20Lit/ArchetypesandSymbols.pdf

Wednesday, April 16th

Wednesday

Journal #2 - Directions: Comment, Observe, Ask Questions, Make Predictions, Make Self Connections, and Analyze:

• Main Character (How are your similar? How are you different?
• Word Choice and Tone (Does the author write in a serious way? Does the author write in a humorous way?)
  
  *Cite from the text to support your response.Write in complete sentences and pay attention to your spelling and grammar!

Tone

Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the view point of a writer on a particular subject.

Every written piece comprises a central theme or subject matter. The manner in which a writer approaches this theme and subject is called tone. The tone can be formal, informal, serious, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful. It may also be any other existing attitude.

Tone in a piece of literature decides how it should be read by the readers.

Hint: Here are some frequently used words to describe tone and mood: Tone and mood words

Historical Fiction Journal #1

Directions: Comment, Observe, Ask Questions, Make Predictions, Make Self Connections, and/or Analyze the following:

• Setting 
• Mood (the overall feeling in the story)
• What do you already know about the history?

*Cite from the text to support your response.

Setting

Definition: 

In literature, the word ‘setting’ is used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events of the story. It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place. A story can have multiple settings, which helps to provide contrast.

Example: 

In the first installment of the Harry Potter series, a large part of the book takes place at the protagonist, Harry’s, aunt’s and uncle’s place, living in the “muggle” (non-magical) world with the “muggle” folks, and Harry is unaware of his magical capabilities and blood. This setting establishes the background that Harry has a non-magical childhood with other “muggle” people and has no clue about his special powers or his parents and is raised much like, actually worse than, regular people, till his 11th birthday.

Mood

Definition: 

In literature, mood is a literary element that evokes certain feelings in readers throughout words and descriptions. Usually, mood is referred to as the atmosphere of a literary piece, as it creates an emotional situation that surrounds the readers. Mood is developed in a literary piece through various methods. It can be developed through setting, theme, tone, and diction*.

*Diction can be defined as style of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a  writer.

Example: 

Charles Dickens creates a calm and peaceful mood in his novel "Pickwick Papers":

"The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled as it flowed noiselessly on."

The depiction of idyllic scenery imparts a serene and non-violent mood to the readers.

http://literarydevices.net/mood/

Week of April 7th - April 11th

Hello all!

We are wrapping up our biography/autobiography timeline project this week. You will have time to read in class and take notes of significant personal events and world events that shaped the character and influenced the actions of the person in your book.

Make sure to look carefully at your project sheet. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m1ZW4MXtCIjuP_QcM7BjMqgd7DGphU_57sK3ahAJU-o/edit?usp=sharing

You must follow the instructions to create the timeline. Also, remember to answer the questions on the back of the page in short response. Answer one essential question from the front of the page on a separate sheet of paper, 7-10 sentences using evidence from your book.

Staple everything in this order: Project sheet, essential question response, timeline
Submit by the end of the class on Friday, 4/11.  My goal is to have the graded assignment back to you no later than Friday, 4/25.

Connotation/Denotation
We discussed connotation and denotation on Monday. Remember, connotation is the emotional or imaginative association. Here are the notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cX1BDZQ9jOb2uO-OqUvdhQbqAA_S8tlcoRUrVqflTsk/edit?usp=sharing.

Using your notes and your prior knowledge of connotation, read the following poem and answer the questions on a separate piece of paper: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R4NGOBtfzEEy-4ubSgJ5pIKbGLF695mHe46YwOs5Vco/edit?usp=sharing

This is due by Friday. Do your best.

Monday-Friday, 3/24 - 3/28

Due Tuesday:
Vocabulary Cornell Notes for hyper, hypo, inter, macro, micro, and multi.
If you don't have the list of prefixes or the instructions for the Cornell Notes, click this link and open the attachment: Prefix Cornell Notes info

This week we will continue reading our assigned biographies and autobiographies. Through small group work and independent text analysis, we will identify conflict in our books and track what effects conflict produces in our lives. We will also discuss character traits necessary to deal with and overcome conflict. Be ready for a lot of reading and writing.

Wednesday:
Step 1:
Review Temple Grandin resume: http://www.grandin.com/professional.resume.html
After reading the resume, answer the following questions:
After reviewing the whole resume, infer what sort of job Grandin might be applying for if she were presenting you this resume.
What inferences can you make about Temple Grandin based on this resume? 
What are Grandin's mental and physical characteristics?
If you were a hiring organization would you hire Grandin or not? Why?

Homework due Monday, April 7th
Step 2:
Review biography of Temple Grandin: http://www.biography.com/people/temple-grandin-38062
After reading the resume, answer the following questions:
Did any information surprise you about Dr. Grandin? If so, what?
What obstacles has Grandin overcome, and how did she overcome them?

Step 3: 
Watch Grandin's TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/temple_grandin_the_world_needs_all_kinds_of_minds
After watching the TED Talk, answer the following questions:
Explain how Grandin's mind is different or similar to your own.
How might Grandin's way of thinking and perceiving be more advanced or productive than the average mind? How might it be limited?
Why does Grandin relate so well to animals?
What is a concern than Grandin might have for children who also have her condition?
What is some advice Grandin has for those children and parents of those children?
In what way has Grandin revolutionized the cattle slaughter industry?

3/3/14 - 3/7/14

Monday:
Classwork: We will take a brief benchmark assessment. We will grade it ourselves and track what skills we need to focus on improving.
Homework: Read independent reading book for 30 minutes. Parents, please make sure your child is actually doing this. Silent sustained reading will help our students with vocabulary and comprehension. Your child should always be able to tell you the title of the his/her book and details from the book.

Tuesday:
Classwork: Another short day due to inclement weather…
We will purge our binders and clear out all dated items in the Language Arts section. We will begin our rotations.
Rotation #1 - Grammar: Read information about active and passive voice and complete the activity links: active vs. passive. Log in on Noredink.com and complete the assigned grammar activities.

Rotation #2 - (Optional b/c of snow day) Reading Literature and Reading Informational texts: Reader the CDC's Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic graphic novel. When finished explore the CDC website and answer the following questions:
1) Describe the responsibilities of the CDC.
2) Why would such a serious government organization create a zombie graphic novel? What relevance does it have to society?
3) Did Todd have a good emergency plan set up? Use details from the text to support your answer.
4) Describe the interdependence of the characters in the graphic novel. Was teamwork at play? Describe the connectedness and its benefits or detriments.

Homework: Read 30 minutes.

Wednesday:
Part of our curriculum is learning about using transitional phrases, domain-specific language, and verb moods in our writing. In order to make these topics a bit more engaging, I've tied them in with a 3-day zombie unit. See the Zombie project below. I've also given an example of an appropriate response to Task #1. For this task, make sure to highlight your domain-specific vocabulary and underline your transitional phrases.

Need more background knowledge about zombies? Watch these video clips:  What is a Modern Zombie? and How do zombies attack

Don't remember what a transitional phrase is? Click on the following link for a list: transitional phrases/words

Domain specific vocabulary contains words that are relevant to a specific skill set or topic. For example, a layup is a domain specific word that is relevant to the sport of basketball.

Here are the project guidelines: Zombie project
Look at this model for help with Task #1, Wednesday's homework: Model response for zombie task #1

Homework: Complete Task #1 of the zombie project. See guidelines sheet and follow the 3 step process for completing the task.

This week

To Build a Fire video link: TBAF
Your peer edited final draft is due Thursday, 2/27.
Paper template: Comparative essay template

Friday, List #3 group will present their vocabulary to the class. We will have a short grammar rotation.

Homework for the weekend: Read 30 minutes a night (including Friday).