We are going to be ready to learn and to give it our all! The extra degree…212!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
How to Read Literature Like a Professor
What has all the buzz been about? Reading between the lines…
How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
Answers to 5th Graders’ Questions
Responses from 8th Grade:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13400251/gt-questions
http://animoto.com/play/AYDl0HlA0bfvZGQqX27bOQ
Response from 7th Grade:
http://prezi.com/vkylum1glkfi/welcome-to-gt/
Response from 6th Grade:
http://goanimate.com/user/0HVsnbQq_JHM?utm_source=emailshare&refuser=0HVsnbQq_JHM
8th Grade – Mindmaps
Kids,
The Mindmaps are NOT DUE Monday. Discussion, yes. Mindmaps, no. Spend time prepping for STAAR.
I’m unable to email you from my phone at this time and am not near my laptop.
See you Monday!
The Hunger Games
Do you have a renewed interest in The Hunger Games? Do you plan to see the movie? Post your reviews in the comments box below.
Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/games/index.htm
Scholastic UK: http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/
goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/83-the-hunger-games-quiz
Movie Reviews:
- http://www.suntimes.com/news/roeper/11540818-452/is-hunger-games-a-ripoff-of-japans-battle-royale-does-it-matter.html
- http://blogs.indiewire.com/leonardmaltin/the-hunger-gamesmovie-review
- http://www.npr.org/2012/03/22/148941034/acting-trumps-action-in-a-games-without-horror
Writing Skills Revisited
Here are some tools and reminders.
- General Outline
- Creating Clear and Concise Sentences
- Transition Words and Phrases
- Composition Paper (Lined)
Refer to the sample analysis of the expository essay here. What are the differences between writing a narrative and expository?
- Point of View changes from _________ to ___________.
- Pronoun usage changes from _______ person to _______ person.
- Storytelling vs. Persuading, Informing, etc.
- What other differences do you see when you look at your writing pieces?
If you feel that you will struggle with keeping the two modes of writing separate, then keep this in mind:
- Personal narratives is “all about me.” The events, the feelings, the outcomes all relate to “me.”
- Expository writing is your opportunity to express your attitudes and opinions about topics and trying to get the audience to see the topics the same way you do.
- Steps to transitioning from personal narrative to expository writing:
- Example Topic: Individual player vs. team player
- Think about your experiences related to the topic.
- Did you have negative or positive experiences with each?
- Based on your experiences, do you have a preference? Why?
- What lessons did you learn from these experiences? Were they positive or negative?
- What’s the life lesson based on your experience that you’d like the audience to “see” or understand.
Hooks: The Best First Lines of Novels
Check out these sites to see what opening lines from novels rank as the best:
http://americanbookreview.org/PDF/100_Best_First_Lines.pdf
http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0934311.html
http://www.shmoop.com/news/2010/07/13/best-opening-lines-literature/
NPR: Best Books of 2011
Parents and Students,
If books are on your Christmas list, here’s a link with NPR’s picks for the BEST. BOOKS. 2011.
http://www.npr.org/series/142590674/best-books-of-2011
Survey Results
Ficbonpotentbeanni (fik-bon-poe-tent-bee-ANN-ee) — means make good, power, life years
It looks like various blues and greens are the color choice for tomorrow…like a winter wonderland! Be festive!
Symbol: A triangle with the use of 3 different colors
Veterans’ Day – 11.11.11
To our men and women who have served and continue to serve our country willingly and lovingly and honorably, THANK YOU! This video is such a powerful and somber reminder of what this day is about and what our military families face each day.Peace be with you, Brothers and Sisters.
Thank you to my daddy (Air Force) and brother (Army)!