Friday, April 28, 2017

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Roots Final

There will be a final test in reading that covers all of the roots from the year. The students should have received and completed a study guide for the test. The test will be on Tuesday, May 2nd. Here is a link to Quizlet that covers all of the information for the test.

Final Roots Quizlet


Final Roots Quizizz
Game Code:  790933

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Presentations Tips

We will begin presenting on Monday. Remember that 70% of this grade is on your presentation skills, rather than your awesome Google Slides (but your Google Slides should still be AWESOME). This video will give you some quick tips for your presentation. It will discuss some common mistakes and what you can do instead.



You should spend class time today finishing your presentation. If you are going on the band trip tomorrow, you will also need to spend some time practicing your presentation.  Remember, you will need to say "Next Slide" when you want the slide to change.
If you are not going on the band trip tomorrow, you will have time in class tomorrow to practice your presentation and add any final touches.

Presentations begin Monday, 4/24/17.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

I am somebody Works Cited

Today we will need to create the Works Cited page for the "I am somebody" essay. There are many resources online to help you create citations. We will use a Google Chrome extension to help us in this class, so we need to download the extension.

Go to the following link to download the Google Chrome extension "Cite This For Me"
Once you have the extension, it will appear on your tool bar beside the web address. The icon looks like this: Extension

The requirements for the Works Cited page are as follows:
contains at least three credible outside sources
correctly formatted (MLA format, correctly punctuated and capitalized, double-spaced, labeled, alphabetized, and on a page by itself)

Today, you will need to create your Works Cited page to give credit for the research you used. Once you finish that, begin editing your essay. Read through it and make everything perfect. Check for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. 

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Revising for Formal Style

             
The Rules of Formal Writing





  • Complex – Longer sentences are likely to be more prevalent in formal writing. You need to be as thorough as possible with your approach to each topic when you are using a formal style. Each main point needs to be introduced, elaborated and concluded.
  • Objective – State main points confidently and offer full support arguments. A formal writing style shows a limited range of emotions and avoids emotive punctuation such as exclamation points, ellipsis, etc., unless they are being cited from another source.
  • Full Words – No contractions should be used to simplify words (in other words use "It is" rather than "It's").  Abbreviations must be spelt out in full when first used, the only exceptions being when the acronym is better known than the full name (BBC, ITV or NATO for example).
  • Third Person – Formal writing is not a personal writing style.  The formal writer is disconnected from the topic and does not use the first person point of view (I or we) or second person (you).


  • The following pronouns CAN NOT be used in formal style:

      • First Person          I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours
      • Second Person      you, your, yours, (y’all)
     The following pronouns CAN be used in formal style:
      • Third Person he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, they, them, their, theirs, its

    Today, you should work with your partner to completely revise your paper to make sure it is in formal style. You and your partner should read through your paper completely and make revisions according to the requirements above. Remember, formal style will be graded thoroughly when you turn in this essay. 

    Monday, April 3, 2017

    I Am Somebody Project


    -Lily Tomlin

    We will be starting a new project this week called the "I Am Somebody" Project. You will work to support a solution for the problem you wrote your expository book about. This project will be an exercise in considering others and their needs, rather than our own. You will need to consider what cause will support the problem in your expository book, how you can support them, and how you can convince others to do the same.  You will be working with a partner throughout this project. We will complete all requirements in class together over the next few weeks. There will be a research/writing assignment as well as a multi-media presentation. The requirements for both are below:

    Written Essay 

    *Each of the following requirements is worth five points* 

    Introduction
    includes an attention-grabbing hook
    a brief summary of the problem using research from your expository book
    includes a thesis that clearly states the topic and the author’s opinion of the topic
    lists two different logical reasons that support the thesis

    Body Paragraph (each person in a partnership/group is responsible for writing one body paragraph)
    focuses on a single point
    each point is logical and clearly supports the thesis
    includes a clear topic sentence (introducing the point)
    includes at least three supporting detail sentences
    includes at least two outside facts or examples within the supporting details that clearly support each reason
    includes a closing sentence that summarizes and brings the paragraph to a close
    lists reasons (one per paragraph) in the same order as the introduction

    Conclusion 
    restates the thesis
    relists reasons
    gives a clear call to action

    Works Cited 
    contains at least three credible outside sources
    correctly formatted (correctly punctuated and capitalized, double-spaced, labeled, alphabetized, and on a page by itself)

    Vocabulary
    maintains a formal style (not conversational, avoids talking to the reader or about the essay, etc.)
    essay does not use the following: I, you, my, us, we, our, your, mine, yours, ours

    Transitions
    uses transitions appropriately between sentences and paragraphs to clarify the relationships between ideas

    Conventions (10 points)
    contains no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or word usage 


    Multi-Media Presentation 


    This is your chance to show your creativity and “sell” your cause!  Design a multi-media presentation (including images, graphics, music, etc.) that clarifies the information in your speech and compels your audience to take action. The requirements for your presentation are listed below: 

    Multi-media presentation includes an extensive variety (5-8 slides) of images and/or other graphics (charts, graphs, maps, etc.) that clarify the information included in your essay.
    OPTIONAL: Include music/sound that appropriately enhances the effect.
    Multi-media presentation includes persuasive sentences to compel your audience to support your cause (could include facts/statistics, questions, etc.).
    Multi-media presentation includes a credits page citing web addresses for images and other graphics found online.
    Speaker pronounces words clearly.
    Speaker makes eye contact with audience throughout the presentation.
    Speaker projects voice loudly enough to be heard.
    Speaker uses pauses effectively (doesn’t rush).
    Speaker demonstrates understanding of the topic (pronounces words correctly, explains ideas accurately, is able to answer basic questions).
    Speaker appears well-rehearsed (presentation flows smoothly, speaker doesn’t stumble over words or forget parts to presentation, etc.)
    Listener pays close attention to each presentation and does nothing to distract other audience members.