Third Cycle English Project
Multimedia Memoir Project
You are going to tell us a story about one small piece of your life. This story should communicate the importance of or reasons for actions and/or consequences. For instance, you might want to tell a story where you learned a valuable lesson.
When you tell this story, you will present it to the class using one of the listed forms below. Because this project will require so much time, your homework for the next few weeks will be to work on your project. You will be required to write about what you did and to have your parent sign saying they know you worked on your project.
Possible project ideas
Poster board with pictures of a particular event. You must have a paragraph caption for each picture. The pictures and photos must work together to tell us the story.
Photographic memoir. You have seen an example of this in class. For this type of memoir, you will tell us about your life by examining that photo and adding details about the time period in which it was taken.
Podcast. Your podcast is a sound file that will play on Windows Media player. You must also turn in a written text of your podcast. Each podcast should last about five minutes.
Power point. Your presentation must include fifteen to twenty slides with at least ten photos and ten paragraphs. The pictures and photos must work together to tell us the story.
Video. Please save to a CD in a format that will play on Windows Media player. Turn in your script with the video.
Projects are due November 30 and December 1st. It will be graded on completion, complexity, all writing traits, and those GUM skills we have already covered as well as those we will cover this six weeks.
Reading- Calendar and Worksheets
As requested by students, I am attaching copies of the worksheets we are completing for the first stave (chapter) of A Christmas Carol. Students will receive these worksheets in class Friday. I am also attaching another copy of the calendar for November and December.
Stave 1 Questions- assigned 11/13, due 11/16-17
The Character in Four Parts- assigned 11/13, due 11/16-17
Plot Diagram- assigned 11/13, due TBA (upon completion of novel)
Force and Motion Quiz
There is a force and motion quiz scheduled for Friday, November 13. This quiz will consist of word problems that the students will need to read, then decide which mathematical formula to use, and then solve. All steps must be shown, the units must be correct and the answer must be boxed. Tutorials will be held this Thursday afternoon for those students who come prepared with questions.
Reading Update- Reading “A Christmas Carol”
Webquest
This week begins with students working on a webquest to learn more about Victorian England, Charles Dickens, and A Christmas Carol. Students are working in groups and they each have a topic for which they are responsible for researching. They will then share their findings with other members of their group. Students can access the webquest at anytime using the Renzulli website.
Reading A Christmas Carol
We will begin reading A Christmas Carol in class Wednesday/Thursday. We will be reading together in class for at least the first part of the book so that students can get used to the language. Students will be responsible for completing certain activities on their own. It is very important that as much as possible we stay on schedule. If students are absent, they should make every effort to keep up with the reading or they will be behind when they come to class. I am giving students a copy of the calendar for November and December and I will attach it here as well.
November/ December Reading Calendar
Field Trip
Students have received copies of the permission slip for the December 17th field trip to see A Christmas Carol at the Alley Theatre. The cost for the field trip is $11 to cover the cost of the student’s ticket. Students should return the permission slip and the fee as soon as possible. If your child is in need of financial assistance, please let me know and we will make arrangements. We want every student to have the chance to enjoy this experience.
This field trip is very close to the holiday break. If you know that your family will be traveling and your child will not be able to attend this field trip, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can make sure that every ticket we have purchased is used!
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Parker!
History fair- due date information
Students received an updated information sheet today in class discussing the due date change. I would like any projects that are completed by Nov. 20th so that I can make sure everything is ok. I will accept projects up through Nov. 30th with no late penalty. Anything after the 30th will not be accepted- the House C history fair is Dec. 1-2 and all projects must be ready for entry. See what the students received here.
Also- History Fair Fun Night! Nov. 11 and 12 from 4-5:30 in the main commons. Students who would like to get extra help/ attention on their project may bring any necessary resources (display boards, laptops, glue, etc) and receive any additional help they may need. Snacks will be provided.
One more thing…. this week we watched the movie “Promises” and had a movie guide that every student will need to turn in by Tuesday. If you missed one or more days this week, I will be showing the movie after school Monday AND Tuesday so you can get your assignment done. Plan on staying if you missed it! Or, if you have Netflix, it’s a movie you can watch instantly on your computer at home. Either way is fine.
Have a great weekend!
Mad Scientist
Students and teachers were given permission to dress in costume for Halloween. At the request of some students, I am posting a picture of the Mad Scientist that visited our class Friday.
Matter and Energy Test
The last tests were graded and returned Friday, October 30. Students should be have their scantron and test booklet. Please look over the test with your child and sign and have him return the scantron.
Students will earn back 1/2 of their missed points by copying the incorrect problems (questions and answer choices) and writing an explanation as to why each answer choice is correct or incorrect.
Reading Update
What are we working on?
We are currently working on improving our dialectical journals. Dialectical journals consist of “evidence” from the text and “commentary” about some particular aspect of the text that we have been studying (character, literary device, imagery, etc). The purpose of this activity is to help students learn to analyze an author’s words. Students may bring their journal home this weekend, so ask them to look at their journals and have them explain dialectical journals to you. Journals will be collected Wednesday/ Thursday, November 4th/5th. This grade will replace the first dialectical journal grade this six weeks as a major grade (the first grade will become a daily grade). I am available Wednesday afternoon if students need assistance.
Literary Device Quiz
Students will have a quiz over literary devices on Monday or Tuesday. They need to be able to identify the definition and write original examples of alliteration, personification, symbols, idioms, and hyperbole. Additionally, they will need to be able to recognize examples of those literary devices as well as the devices we have gone over previously: simile, imagery, metaphor, repetition, and onomatopoeia.
A Christmas Carol
I will be placing the order for our copies of A Christmas Carol and we will begin our introductory activities with the book at the end of next week. Students will also be receiving the permission slip for our December 17th field trip to the Alley Theatre will be sent home next week.
MATH PRE-AP/GT October 29, 2009
Note to parents and students:
Friday: October 30 VOCABULARY CH. 2 TEST
Due to early dismissal 2nd and 4th period will take the test on Tuesday, November 3.
Homework: Puzzle on Voc. words due on Friday, and Integers worksheet due on Monday. 2nd and 4th period both assignments are due on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Fine Arts Update
Courtesy of Mrs. Barnes, the band teacher, the fine arts update is now available for download.
