Last Day of School Scavenger Hunt

Follow the directions in this post. You will turn in your Word document at the end of class. This is supposed to be fun, so don't get too bogged down by the details, but please make an attempt to do everything the scavenger hunt asks you to do.

1. Open Microsoft Word. Put your name at the top of the document, then number 1-10 down the left side of the page.

2. Click here.

3. Watch at least four commercials. Tell which commercials you watched, which one was your favorite, and why you liked it for answer #1 in your Word document.

4. Find a picture of the summer toy you'd most like to own. Assume money is not an issue. Copy and paste the picture and an approximate cost of the toy for answer #2 in your Word document.

5. For answer #3 on your Word document, write a top 5 list of your favorite actors and/or musicians. (If you don't have favorites, just choose 5 famous people--we will be using this list for the next several questions).

6. Look up the third person on your list here.

7. Write the person's name, birthday, and one interesting fact your learned for your answer to #4.

8. Find a picture of the second person on your list.

9. Copy and paste your picture into your Word document for answer #5.

10. Find your favorite movie here.

11. Copy and paste a picture from this website for answer #6 in your Word doc.

12. What is your favorite song? Listen to it now. (This is a good place to look)

13. Write your favorite song and the performing artist for answer #7 in your Word document.

14. Time to shop! Find an outfit complete with accessories for a fun summer-time party with your friends.

15. Copy and paste pictures and prices of each item for answer #8 in your Word document.

16. Time to go to a baseball game. Find an internet site devoted to any baseball team or their home stadium.

17. Type the web address and paste one picture from the site for answer #9 in your Word document.

18. How about a summer-time concert? Find a concert you'd like to go this summer. It can be anywhere in the world!

19. Give the date, time, city, venue, and ticket price for answer #10 in your Word document. Also type the name of the person you would like to go to this concert with.

20. Print up your Word document and turn it in as your last day of school activity.

Have a fun summer!

New Web Page

I am now posting on my web page at http://my.uen.org/myuen/217706/Home.

1/12/09

So sorry about the absence. I've been a lazy blogger. I will do better!

We are reading Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. As of today we have read through chapter 2. Today we talked about literary devices authors use to help us understand the deeper meanings of their stories. These are the devices we looked at today:

imagery: painting a picture with words

simile: a comparison between two unlike things using the words like or as

metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things saying one thing is the other

inference: when an author says something indirectly and we guess what was meant based on the clues in the text

irony: a conflict between reality and expectation

foreshadowing: hints of what will happen in the plot of a book, story, movie, etc.

symbolism: an object or idea that has a deeper meaning than its actual self

We used these definitions to figure out which device Mikaelsen is using in each of the following quotes from the book:

1. He was built like a bulldog with lazy eyes. (p. 3)

2. “Hey Champ, try falling on your fists sometime.” (p. 24)

3. Cole was to put his clothes on inside out. (p. 4)

4. Keep things dry, because wet kills. (p. 17)

5. He stared forward with steely patience, like a wolf waiting (p. 4)

6. “I’m not afraid of dying,” Cole boasted.
Edwin smiled slightly. “If death stares you straight in the face, believe me, son, you’ll get scared.” (p. 17)

7. “If I saw a Spirit Bear, I’d kill it,” Cole said. (p. 18)

8. Whatever happened, he could always count on having one more last chance. (p. 6)

9. “At.oow is something you inherit. This blanket has been handed down for many generations in my family. It once belonged to one of our chiefs and is a link to our ancestors. You can’t own at.oow. You are only its caretaker for a time. If you accept this at.oow from me, you must promise to care for it and someday pass it on to someone else you trust.” (p. 19)

10. His anger smoldered like a lit fuse. (p. 22)

11. Some days his dad got so mad, he turned beet red and twitched because he couldn’t lay a finger on Cole with the guards watching. (p. 9)

12. Now the game was over and he was in charge . . . Rage controlled his tight grip on the match. It controlled the defiant flare of his nostrils and the striking of the match against the box. Rage controlled Cole’s hand as he drew back, paused for a split second, and then flipped the lighted match inside the shelter. (p. 24-25)

13. “Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. Remember that.” (p. 18)

Extra credit:

Cole’s name. Explain your answer.

Research Paper Guidelines

Guidelines for Writing Your Research Paper

• All drafts and final paper must be typed, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced.
• Your paper should be made up of an introduction (one paragraph), a body (at least six paragraphs) and a conclusion (one paragraph).
• You must have a thesis statement in which you introduce three sub-topics.
• Include transitions between paragraphs.
• Do not use I, me, we, us, you etc. in your paper.
• You should have at least 1000 words in your final draft.
• Include information from at least three sources (one MUST be a book, only ONE may be an internet site).
• You must have a works cited page (we will talk more about this in class).
• You must have in-text citations from all three sources (we will talk more about this in class).
• Quotations can be no longer than 4 typed lines.
• Do not plagiarize (use your own words, structure, ideas)
• You will turn in your outline, drafts, revisions, works cited pages and anything else we worked on in class along with your final draft. Do not throw any of these things away.
  

Structure
Introduction (3-5 sentences)

• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must be related to your topic. 1-2 sentences
• Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state the main idea of your essay.1 sentence
• Three sub-topics. Choose three points of similarities and differences you will write about. Briefly state these ideas here. 1-3 sentences

Paragraphs 2-3 (5-8 sentences each)

• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your first sub-topic
• Write a paragraph including specific details and examples from the text and your own experience
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraphs 4-5 (5-8 sentences each)

• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your second sub-topic
• Write a paragraph including specific details and examples from the text and your own experience
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraphs 6-7 (5-8 sentences each)

• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your third sub-topic
• Write a paragraph including specific details and examples from the text and your own experience
• Write a transition sentence.

Conclusion (3-5 sentences)

• Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three sub-topics in different words
• Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to your opening hook.

12/15/08

We started our day with spelling words and then reading/glossary time. Find the new list in the right side bar.

We're still working on the research paper. You should have given your draft and an evaluation form to your parents to read over the weekend. I checked evaluation forms today. Use the evaluation to show you what you need to focus on to make your final draft better. Be sure to keep your form so you can attach it to your final draft when you turn it in on Thursday.

Today's task is to print a first draft of the Works Cited page. Remember, you need at least three sources. One must be a book. No more than one website. I will be checking Works Cited pages tomorrow in class. Remember, all these deadline points really add up. Stay on task and complete each assignment by the due date and you'll get a good grade.

12/11/08

We have been working on our first drafts in the computer lab during the last two days. We are working toward completing a 1000-word draft by the end of class tomorrow.

Remember to cite your sources in the text of your paper. Here is a good site to show how to use in-text citations.

Your draft should:

• be typed, doubled-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman font
• include a thesis statement (the main topic of your research paper) and three sub-topics
• be at least 8 paragraphs, including an introduction (1 paragraph) a body (six paragraphs) and a conclusion (1 paragraph)
• be at least 1000 word (click on Tools then Word Count to find the number of words)
• have MLA formatted in-text citations (at least one per paragraph and from at least three different sources)

We will be printing our drafts by the end of class on Friday. I will ask you to have your parents read your draft and fill out an evaluation over the weekend. We'll work on revising and editing on Monday and Tuesday in class. We'll also work on the Works Cited page and the Title Page.

Remember, don't throw away any of the steps we have worked on for this project. We'll turn everything in next week!

12/9/08

Today we talked about the MLA format for citing sources. When you write a research paper, you have to document your sources. That means you have to tell the reader where you got your information. We are using the MLA format for citing sources for this research paper. Today in class, I gave you a chart showing how to follow this format. We also practiced using the MLA format on a worksheet. Get the worksheet and chart from me if you missed classes.

Here is a great website showing how to use MLA format. Use your chart and this website to format your Works Cited page. Remember, you need at least three sources for your research paper. You must use at least one book and no more than one good website.

We also worked on our outlines for our research paper. If you missed today, get an outline form from me.

12/8/08

We are continuing with our research paper. We are spending today in the library doing some book research. Remember, I am requiring you to use at least one book for a source of information for your research paper. We are taking notes of interesting information today. Make sure to write the book and page number next to each note so you can cite your sources in your paper.

We will be writing on outline tomorrow. We will also be talking about MLA format for citing sources. We will talk about the "Works Cited"--what to include and how to format. Remember, if you complete each task I give in class, you should be able to complete your research paper without any homework. Only those who mess around in class get stuck with homework. Be sure to complete each task when it is assigned.

Check the right column for this week's spelling list.

Research Paper Calendar

Research Paper Calendar

From: mrs_cheney,
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Research Paper Calendar

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12/3/08

Today was late start--so we had a short class.

We started with reading and glossaries. Next we talked about the upcoming research paper. We will be doing some preliminary research over the next couple of days. We will each explore three interesting topics to narrow down the to topic of our focus by Friday.

Get a chart from me if you weren't here today.

See this calendar for important due dates for this project. Be sure to click on the screen icon to get the full screen view of the calendar.

12/2/08

Today we read "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh", by Ray Bradbury on page 203 of the red lit. book.

We filled in the compare/contrast chart as we read. The chart was due at the end of class.

12/1/08

We finished the final copy of the compare/contrast essay last Wednesday. Turn it in as soon as you can if you missed class on Wednesday.

Today we started with a new list of spelling words. Check the right side bar for the list. We will have a spelling quiz on Friday.

Today we read "Drumbeats and Bullets" on page 197 of your red literature book. This is a non-fiction account of the drummer boys in the Civil War. We will be comparing this article with a fictional story about drummer boys we will be reading tomorrow. Copy the chart on page 202, read "Drumbeats and Bullets" on page 197, and fill out the first column of your chart.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

11/24/08

Welcome to a new trimester! I'm a bit late getting started with my blog for this tri--I hope you'll forgive me.

Things we have already discussed:

Glossary

During reading time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, you will be required to enter a word you your glossary. A glossary is a collection of vocabulary words and definitions found in the back of technical books. Your glossary will be a collection of words and definitions you find from the books you will read during reading time. I would like you to keep a glossary in the back few pages on your journal. Your glossary should be a chart with these headings: date, word, book page #, definition. As you read, look for words that may be unfamiliar, interesting, fun to say, or just plain curious. When you find a word you'd like to add to your glossary list, record the date, the word, the book and page number where you found your word, and a definition of the word in your own words.

This is not a dictionary activity. I repeat, this is not a dictionary activity. That means, don't use a dictionary to find your definitions. You will find your definitions right there in the book you are reading. Look for context clues (clues in the text of your book), first in the sentence the word is part of, then in the sentences before and after that sentence. Sometimes the context clues come through an entire chapter. I promise there are clues in every book you read to help you understand the words in the book.

Here is an example from Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer. On page 77 it says, "Finally the curiosity I'd suppressed so long got the best of me." The word suppressed might be an unfamiliar or interesting word to you. So let's look at the sentence to see if we can figure out what it means based on how it is used. Clue #1: curiosity. We know what curiosity is. It means an inquisitive state of being. She wants to know something, and she wants to know it bad. Clue #2: got the best of me. We know that means it won the contest, took over, or overcame. Clue #3: finally. We understand that to mean that it was a long time before the curiosity took over. That means she was able to hold back her curiosity for some time. So now we're ready to guess based on our clues. What does suppressed mean? It must mean to hold back. So for your definition, you would write "hold back" or some similar phrase.

It's just that easy.

This is a skill that you will use again and again. If you are able to use context clues properly, it will help you to be a life-long learner. Plus it makes school a whole lot easier.

You will turn your glossary in at mid-term and at final. I expect at least one word for every reading period we have. That means by the time the trimester is over, you should have about 36 words in your glossary. Each entry is worth 3 points. Make sure to keep up with your glossary every time we read so you won't have to make it up at the end.


On Friday, we read "Thanksgiving: A Meal Without Forks and Other Feast Facts" on page 137 in the literature textbook. After reading the essay, we made a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the first Thanksgiving with our modern-day Thanksgiving traditions. This was a pre-writing activity to prepare us for a compare/contrast essay we will be writing today, tomorrow and Wednesday.

Today we started with reading/glossaries. You should have two words in your glossaries after today.

Next we continued with our prewriting activities--this time we wrote an outline. An outline is a like a map that shows us where to go (and what to write) in our drafts. This is what we covered today:

Structure of a five paragraph compare/contrast essay

Introduction (3-5 sentences)
• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must be related to your topic. 1-2 sentences
• Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state the main idea of your essay.1 sentence
• Three sub-topics. Choose three points of similarities and differences you will write about. Briefly state these ideas here. 1-3 sentences

Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your first sub-topic
• Write a paragraph including specific details and examples from the text and your own experience
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraph 3 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your second sub-topic
• Write a paragraph including specific details and examples from the text and your own experience
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraph 4 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your third sub-topic
• Write a paragraph including specific details and examples from the text and your own experience
• Write a transition sentence.

Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
• Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three sub-topics in different words
• Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to your opening hook.

Do not use phrase like:
• I’m writing my essay about . . .
• This assignment is . . .
• My first (second, third) sub-topic is . . .
• My thesis statement is . . .

Outline, Compare/contrast Essay
Directions: Use the outline form below to organize your compare/contrast essay. Choose your topic and three sub-topics to show similarities and differences. Section I is for your introduction. Section II is for the body (one paragraph for each sub-topic). Section III is for your conclusion.

Topic_____________________________________________________
I. Introduction
a. Hook___________________________________________________
b. Thesis statement____________________________________________
c. Sub-topic #1_________________________________________________
d. Sub-topic #2_________________________________________________
e. Sub-topic #3_________________________________________________
II. Body
a. Sub-topic #1_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
b. Sub-topic #2_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
c. Sub-topic #3_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
III. Conclusion
a. Restate thesis (different words)__________________________________
b. Restate sub-topics (different words)_______________________________
c. Clincher (tie it all together)______________________________________

The outline is due tomorrow!

11/17/08

Make sure to turn in your hall passes and late work vouchers for extra credit today. Tomorrow is the last day of the tri!

11/13/08

Today we started a five-paragraph persuasive essay. We talked about structure and we wrote an outline. We watched this PowerPoint presentation.

Structure of a five paragraph persuasive essay

Introduction (3-5 sentences)
• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must be related to your topic. 1-2 sentences
• Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state your position on the issue. 1 sentence
• Three arguments. Choose three arguments you can use to convince your reader of your position. Briefly state these arguments here. 1-3 sentences

Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your first argument
• Write a paragraph about it
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraph 3 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your second argument
• Write a paragraph about it
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your third argument
• Write a paragraph about it
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.

Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
• Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three arguments in different words
• Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to your opening hook.


Outline, Persuasive Essay
Directions: Use the outline form below to organize your persuasive essay. Choose your topic and three arguments to support your opinion. Section I is for your introduction. Section II is for the body (one paragraph for each argument). Section III is for your conclusion.

Topic___________________________________________________________________

I. Introduction
a. Hook_______________________________________________________
b. Thesis statement______________________________________________
c. Argument #1_________________________________________________
d. Argument #2_________________________________________________
e. Argument #3_________________________________________________
II. Body
a. Argument #1_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
b. Argument #2_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
c. Argument #3_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
III. Conclusion
a. Restate thesis (different words)__________________________________
b. Restate arguments (different words)_______________________________
c. Clincher (tie it all together)______________________________________

We will be going to the computer lab tomorrow.