Character Analysis - Final Drafts

Final drafts are due on FRIDAY, 11-9-12.  You must turn in a hard copy.

As you revise, consider the questions on your revision form and make the necessary changes to your paper.  You will be graded based on the organization and content of your paper as well as whether or not you use MLA format.

 You need to submit the following with your final draft, stapled together in this order (top to bottom):

1.    Final draft

2.    Revision sheet

3.    Rough draft

4.    Planning guide

You will receive a Language Arts CLASSWORK grade for the submission of your planning sheet, rough draft, and revision sheet.

You will receive a Language Arts TEST grade for your final draft.

Character analysis essays

Students have been working very hard on character analysis the last couple of weeks.  After writing along with me for an essay on "Rikki tikki tavi" and taking apart a sample essay on "Thank You Ma'am," students are now writing their own essays to analyze Roger's character in Hughes short story.

Students received planning sheets today.  Completed planning sheets are due on Monday, 11-5-12.  This deadline is VERY IMPORTANT, as without a completed planning sheet, students will not be able to begin drafting and will fall behind (and earn zeros) on subsequent assignments.

With our planning sheets on Monday, we will move to drafting and revising.  The final draft will be a test grade in Language Arts, and drafts will be counted as classwork grades.

To access the full text of "Thank You Ma'am," please click here.

Email me at clairehardin@hotmail.com with any questions!

IB Learner Profile...for Rikki tikki!

This week, students are working on a mini-project (meaning it is a classwork grade and not a test grade) for "Rikki tikki tavi."

The Task:  Re-examine the IB learner traits that we went over before reading “Rikki tikki tavi” (review the Power Point below).  Decide on the FOUR TRAITS that you think Rikki exhibits most in the story, and create an IB profile for him (think Facebook profile!) on a half sheet of poster board.

For each trait you choose, you must provide TWO specific examples from the story along with your explanation of how he demonstrates the trait in that part of the story.

For each example from the text, you must cite the author’s last name and the page number in parenthesis.

Include a photo of Rikki (either hand-drawn or printed from an online source) and make your profile colorful (but please, no glitter).

The Rubric: Four IB traits are included on the profile – 25 pts

Two examples from text are included with each trait – 25 pts

Explanations of how each example shows Rikki tikki demonstrating the trait– 25 pts

Profile is neat and colorful – 25 pts

Projects are due on Friday, October 19, 2012

Ib Learner Profile from shinojosa37

Greeting Card Project

Greeting Card Project

DUE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Today, students were assigned a final project on A Wrinkle in Time, our summer reading selection. Students will complete the following book report, in two parts:

Think about the characters and situations in this novel. Imagine that one character is sending a card to another character. What kind of card would that character send and why?

Task: There are TWO parts to this project.

1. Create a card from one character in this novel to another character (50 points)

*Your card must be handmade by YOU. You may create your card on the computer, as long as it is your original work.

*Your card may NOT be created on notebook paper. Use white or colored printer paper, construction paper, cardstock, a piece of cut-out poster board, or anything else you like – as long as it is NOT on notebook paper!!

*You may create any kind of card EXCEPT a birthday card (sympathy, get well, miss you, thinking of you, apology, anniversary, friendship, love, congratulations, etc.)

*Be as creative as you like – use markers, glitter, magazine cutouts, poetry, anything you like!

GREETING CARD RUBRIC

Card displays an understanding of the characters/plot of the novel:30 pts
Followed directions: 10 pts
Neatness/Creativity: 10 pts

2. On a separate sheet of paper, include the following (50 points):

*In one paragraph (6-8 sentences), explain why you created the card you did.

*In another paragraph, explain the importance of this choice and how the novel would be different if the card had actually been sent.

WRITTEN PORTION RUBRIC

Paragraphs meet length standard (6-8 sentences) and address topics: 20 pts
Paragraphs reflect a thorough understanding of characters and plot: 30 pts

THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE ONE 100 POINT PROJECT/TEST GRADE in READING.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome back!!

Welcome back, 7th grade students and parents of Phillips Academy! 

Week one is under our belt, and I can honestly say that this is one of the dearest, sweetest, most pleasant and intelligent groups of 7th graders I have had the pleasure of meeting.  I am so excited to continue to get to know each child as we work and grow together this year.

The first test for my class is on Wednesday, August 29, 2012.  Students are memorizing "Attitude" by Charles Swindoll - a passage that I believe is worth knowing by heart.  In a world where so many things are beyond our control, it is important to remember that the thing that has the greatest impact on our success is 100% within our control.   I try to remind myself of this every day, and I encourage each of my students to do the same.

Students were given this assignment on Tuesday the 21st, and on the 29th they will write the passage from memory for their first test grade. 

Don't wait until the last minute to study!!  I have encouraged students to break it into manageable chunks to memorize a little at a time.  Practice writing it from memory, since that is what you'll do for the test.

 

Writing a novel is not impossible!

Don't miss the two final workshops in Writing a Novel is not Impossible, author Nadria Tucker's amazing series that breaks down the novel-writing process. Added bonus: These workshops will be the first in DISCO's brand new headquarters on the ground floor of Woodrow Hall, in Woodlawn.

 

As always, the workshops are free to attend, but space is limited and registration is required.

 

Landscape and SettingAges 13-18 | Saturday, June 16, 2-3:30 p.m. | Limit 12 students | Woodrow Hall

Sometimes the setting of a novel is just where the action takes place. In other novels, the setting operates more like a separate character. In this workshop, Nadria will guide discussion of all the ways to use landscape and setting in your own novel. 

[Register for Landscape and Setting] 

 

He Said, She Said

Ages 13-18 | Saturday, June 30, 2-3:30 p.m. | Limit 12 students | Woodrow Hall

In the first installment of Writing a Novel is not Impossible, Nadria and the workshop participants talked about drawing rich, believable characters. In this final workshop, we'll come full circle and discuss the importance of rich, believable dialogue between characters. 

[Register for He Said, She Said] 

Happy Summer!

Congratulations to all seventh graders (and their parents!!!) on a great year.  I hope your summer break is restful and a lot of fun.  

See you in August!!

Student summer writing idea:  Snap a photo a day and comment on it any way you like!

Also, a cool perspective on conflict.

"The Monkey's Paw" final paper

For the past week, we have been studying "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs.  Our focus has been on how the author creates suspense in his writing.

Students are now beginning their final papers for the year - this essay will count as a test grade in Language Arts.  Since there will only be two test grades in Language Arts this 9 weeks and tests are weighted at 40%, this paper will make up 20% of the final grade for Language Arts this term.

To access the full text of the story online, click here.

Here is the timeline and rubric for the paper:

Timeline
Thesis Statement due:
Thursday, May 3
Planning Sheet/Outline due:
Friday, May 4
Color-Coded Rough Draft due: Tuesday, May 8
Final Paper due:  Friday, May 11

Rubric/Checklist
You will be graded in three areas for a 100 point TEST GRADE: 
Content (50 points)
*Does your thesis statement contain both a subject and an opinion?
*Do you support your 3 claims with adequate and relevant details from the text (two per claim)?
*Do you provide insightful commentary for each example from the text, and is your commentary relevant to your thesis?
*Is the content of each body paragraph directly related to how the author creates suspense in the story?

Organization (35 points)
*Does the content of your paper follow the structure of your planning sheet?
*Is your introductory paragraph shaped like a funnel (not literally…remember…go from GENERAL to SPECIFIC)?
*Do you have a clear pattern of blue, green, yellow in each body paragraph (claim, evidence, commentary)?  You will not color-code your final paper – highlight on your rough draft only
*Do you begin each of your three body paragraphs with a strong topic sentence that introduces your claim?

Mechanics (15 points)
*Are all of your verbs in the present tense?
*Are your direct quotes from the story in quotation marks?
*Is your paper free of spelling mistakes?
*Have you used complete sentences throughout your paper?
*Have you used appropriate punctuation and capitalization throughout your paper?
*Is your paper typed in Times New Roman, size 12 font (including your title?)
*Is your paper double spaced throughout?

 If you can answer YES to all of these questions, CONGRATULATIONS!!  You’ve earned an A+!!!!

DISCO extra credit opportunity!!

Birmingham's DISCO (Desert Island Supply Company) has two GREAT workshops coming up, and I'd like to invite any and all of my students to attend!!  The workshops are free, but you have to register in advance, as slots are limited (see links below each workshop description).

1. Writing a Novel is not Impossible: ConflictAges 13-18 | Friday, March 30, 4-5:30 p.m. | Limit 12 students | Woodrow Hall

Without conflict, a story cannot move forward. In this workshop, we will discuss the different forms conflict can take and what each can do for your characters and your novel. (Note: This standalone workshop is the second of five in a series about writing a novel.) - Led by Nadria Tucker

Register HERE.


2.  Ekphrasis! Poems about Paintings
Ages 12-15 | Saturday, April 14, 2-3:30 p.m. | Limit 12 students | Woodrow Hall

Ekphrasis is a fancy Greek word for using one type of art form to talk about another type of art form. In this National Poetry Month workshop, we are going to write poems about paintings, photographs, comic strips and other visual arts. – Led by Elizabeth Hughey

Register HERE.

**If you attend either of these workshops, bring me your piece of writing from the workshop, along with a note signed by the instructor stating that you were in attendance for an extra credit classwork grade of 100!!

Spring Break Practice Probe

2012 SPRING BREAK PRACTICE PROBE
7^TH Grade Reading
Due Date:  Monday, March 26, 2012

Instructions for taking the probe:

1.    Go to http://assignments.discoveryeducation.com/

2.    Enter this code:  PZPCQ331460

3.    Enter your first AND last name

4.    Click “Login” to begin the probe

If you have trouble with the pass code, you can go directly to this URL:

http://assignments.discoveryeducation.com/?cdPasscode=PZPCQ331460

**This practice probe is mandatory (it will count as one classwork grade in Reading) and must be completed BEFORE you get to school on Monday, March 26^th.

Enjoy your break!!!

This week

This week, we are continuing on with The Devil's Arithmetic.  Please note the following:  for tomorrow, 2-21-2012, students need to have read through chapter 13 (chapters 12 and 13 are assigned for homework tonight).

We will discuss these two chapters tomorrow and complete a classwork assignment on literary irony to analyze these chapters.  Then, we will read chapter 14 together in class.

Your test on chapters 8-14 will be either Thursday or Friday of this week, depending on when your class goes to Jones Valley Urban Farm with Ms. Curry. 

Thursday test:  Hardin/Green homerooms
Friday test: Edwards/Curry homerooms


We also began Vocabulary for the College Bound Lesson 4 words today, so be reviewing those words, definitions, synonyms & antonyms a little each night.

Here is the Power Point presentation we viewed and took notes on this past Friday.  My homeroom and Ms. Green's homeroom will need to go back and read through this presentation, taking notes on the types of literary irony.  It would not be a bad idea to print the slides and keep them in your binder!!

Authorsstyle

View more presentations from ach819.

Status reports

Status reports for both Reading and Language Arts are being sent home today for my homeroom and Ms. Curry's homeroom only.

Tomorrow (Thursday, 2-2-12) reports will go home for Mr. Edwards and Ms. Green's homerooms.

Remember, these reports are not just for you, but for YOUR PARENTS!!!  Make SURE they receive your report.

Vocabulary for the College Bound

Starting this week, students will study one lesson per week from their worktext, Vocabulary for the College Bound.  Each lesson includes ten new words with four exercises to go along with them.  In addition to completing these exercises (some in class, some for homework), we will complete 2-3 ten minute exercises together during the week to help us learn the words.
New lessons will be introduced on Monday, and tests on the words will be given on Fridays.

Study the words a little each night for best results!! 

You should know the word's definition, part of speech, and how to use it correctly in a sentence (if it's an adjective, don't use it as a noun!) 

All vocabulary grades will count for READING.

Good luck on your first test this Friday!

The Devil's Arithmetic Web Quest

Today in class, you will embark on a journey into a part of history that will expose you to both the best and worst of humanity.  With your clock partners, you will explore different aspects of Jewish culture, the Holocaust, and World War II, as this is the context of The Devil's Arithmetic.  Although you'll work with three different partners during the class period, you are each responsible for completing your own Quest worksheet and submitting your own individual assignment. 

You will need to finish the Quest over the weekend and be ready to submit your completed worksheet on Monday.  It should be clear in your responses that you read the resources and articles you were directed to during the Quest and that you put thought and effort into your responses.

To begin the quest, click this link:


http://www2.fultonschools.org/teacher/ottg/Devil%27s_Arithmetic/Devil%27s_Arithmetic.htm

Your Quest sheet is due on Monday and is worth a CLASSWORK grade in Reading.  Good luck!

An exciting opportunity!!

I have been completely absorbed in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins - I've flown through the first two books in the past week or so and am starting the last book today.  Several students have also read the series, and I'm encouraging everyone to pick these up because they are IMPOSSIBLE to put down and are worth a smacking 15 AR points each!!!!

Scholastic Book Club flyers for January and February are being sent home today with instructions for easy online ordering - purchasing books through Scholastic online is a great way to build personal libraries because the selections are much cheaper than bookstore prices, and with each online order, we earn free books for our classroom library!

Also, an exciting opportunity for budding authors - Scholastic is having a writing contest, and the Grand Prize is a trip to the premiere of the movie The Hunger Games, which comes out on March 23, 2012!!

The story must be a dystopian tale that is originally your own. 

Follow this link for contest details, and visit this site and this Wikipedia entry to read more about what a "dystopian" story is.

The Story of an Hour

This week are taking the district's mock assessment for the new ARMT Plus, which basically combines our old ARMT with the SAT-10. 

The test is quite long and includes a lot of writing, so I've divided it into three sections.  We took the first section (grammar and reading comprehension benchmarks) yesterday, and today we are annotating a non-fiction article and writing an essay to respond to a prompt (If you could change one thing in the world to make it better, what would it be?  Explain with reasons and/or specific examples).

For tomorrow's section, students will read the short story "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and write an essay to address direct and indirect characterization of the main character, Mrs. Mallard.

This is a short story that is typically read and studied in the latter high school years, so it is going to be a challenge to read it AND write an essay on it in one class period. 

It will be extremely helpful for students to visit the link below before tomorrow to familiarize themselves with the story.  The full text is linked from this site, as well as a graphic short story version.

http://www.katechopin.org/the-story-of-an-hour.shtml

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at clairehardin@hotmail.com.