9/25/09 Homework

Hey all you Smarties!

This week we continued to work on Word-A-Palooza vocabulary cards. We surveyed some video clips to give us a visual insight into the Reconstruction after the Civil War, and we continued to read in schooled.

On Thursday we took two tests: vocabulary (the six words from the student reading selections- "A Retrieved Reformation" and "Raymond's Run") and Periods 2 and 6 took the Pearson selection test. Period 3 will be taking the test on Monday (there were technical difficulties on Thursday).

The main standard that was not mastered by many of the students on this test was identifying and sequencing the plot of a story. With that in mind...

Here is the homework for this week:

Timeline of the plot of Schooled by Gordon Korman: Students create a timeline using words and pictures (they have notes) that correctly sequences the basic situation, setting, characters; complications, effects of complications; climax; falling actions; resolution of the story.

Essay:

Students use their timeline to write a standard 5 paragraph essay that discusses the plot of the book. This is a 30 point essay. Here is how I will be scoring it:

10 points: Structure; Do you know what is supposed to go where in a standard format essay? Look under 8th grade materials for a power point that will help.

10 points: Content; is your essay focused clearly? Does it discuss three elements of the plot? Do you have evidence as well as your own opinion? Does the background in the first paragraph help the reader to understand what you are talking about in the essay? Is the thesis statement focused on what you are talking about in the essay? Do your topic sentences help to guide the reader through your essay?

10 points: Academic vocabulary; have you correctly used the appropriate academic and formal vocabulary when discussing the plot of the book? Do you know what the formal and academic vocabulary is that refers to Identification and analysis of elements of plot?

So, work on this as the week progresses, come in and see me after school if you want to check anything, get my opinion, or get extra help. :)

History:

We will be taking a test on the Reconstruction on TUESDAY!

Cheers!

Mrs. Anderson