Tuesday, March 8, 2016

I Am Somebody


-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.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Grammar Test on Socrative

We will take this test online. Make sure you read each question and all of the answer choices carefully. See the directions below:

  • Click on the link below
  • Enter the room number posted on the board
  • Type your name: (last name, first name)
  • Take the test 
  • Once you finish, complete the Quick write that is written below. 
Follow this link to take your grammar test online: Socrative




Once you are finish with the test complete a quick write on the following prompt:

What does it mean to be persuasive? In the past, what have you done to persuade someone of something? Write a summary about a time you tried to be persuasive and it didn't work. 


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Grammar Review

Station 1

At this station, you should consider your grammar goals for which practice quiz to take. You can take as many of the quizzes as you choose, but be sure to start with the topics that you need to practice. These quizzes were not made by Mrs. Oliveira, but they should be good resources to help you practice your skills.

Station 2- Quizizz Review

1. Open Quizizz  in your browser
2. Enter the 5-digit game code 03402, and click "Proceed"
3. Now enter your first name and last initial (Brianna O.) and click "Join Game!"
4. You will get an avatar, and then see a "Start Game" button. Click it to begin!

Station 3- KEY

We started going over the correct answers for Station 3 in class on Thursday, and we finished discussing it on Friday. I am posting the key here for band students that will miss class on Friday due the band field trip. These students should be prepared to take the test on Monday, too. 

Turn It In-Paraphrasing Grade

Today, we will upload your paper to TurnItIn.com again for a paraphrasing grade.

Uploading a paper to Turnitin.com

  1. Go to Turn It In
  2. Enter your log in information (Trussville City Schools email and chromebook password)
  3. After you are logged in, click on our class name
  4.  click the blue "Submit" button
  5. Click on "Cut & Paste" and change it to "Single File Upload"
  6. Add your book title to the submission title
  7. Choose Google Drive
  8. Click "Allow"
  9. Choose the document "Expository Book + Works Cited" and click "select"
  10. Click "upload"
  11. Once the paper has uploaded, click confirm
You will not be able to see your originality report at this time, but it will be posted on iNow and returned with your expository book grade. 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Creative Writing


Today you will work on a creative writing narrative. Students are required to write their story from this picture prompt and tell the story behind this picture. This picture may represent the beginning, middle, or end of your story. It should include characters, a good plot, and avoid "dead" verbs whenever possible. You may be able to use some suspense strategies, too! Your story should have the proper English heading and be titled "Creative Writing-Invisible" with your own creative title underneath.The story should be 1.5-2 pages in length. 

Monday, February 22, 2016

Editing Checklist/Expository Rubric

 The final book is due on Thursday, February 25th. 

We will have a day in the computer lab to print our books on Tuesday, February 23rd. If you are not ready to print on this day, you will need to find another time/place to print on your own.

We are so close to having our books complete!! I can't wait to see everyone's final product!

This is a link to the Expository Book Checklist that we will use in class today. We will use this checklist  to ensure we have every requirement complete. The checklist I gave to you will need to be turned in with your book on the day it's due. If you misplace the checklist given to you in class, you can print it out from this link.

Expository Book Checklist


This is a link to the rubric that will be used to grade your expository book. I will use this rubric to grade your book when it is submitted. We have gone over each aspect of the requirements together in class. If you have a question about anything on the rubric, let me know.

Expository Book Rubric

Friday, February 19, 2016

Table of Contents

Once you have finished your text features, you can make your Table of Contents. Do not just look at what page the information is listed in your Google document, consider how you want your book set up. For a cleaner look, you may want each chapter to begin on the right-sided page. Also, don't forget that each chapter must have a creative title (beyond just naming the topic) at the beginning of the chapter AND in the Table of Contents. 

**The Table of Contents should be the first page after your cover. Remember, to add a new page press Ctrl + Enter at the end of the page you want in front of your new page. See me if you need help with this!

Below is an example of a Table of Contents for this book. You should have a creative title with each chapter. 



Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………….……………1
Chapter 1 (Creative Title) ……………………………………………………...3
Chapter 2 (Creative Title)…… ……………… …………………………..……5
Chapter 3 (Creative Title)………………………………..………………..……7
Chapter 4 (Creative Title)… …………………………… ………………..……9
Chapter 5 (Creative Title)……………………………….. ………….…………11
Glossary……………………………………………………………….………..13


Works Cited.……………………………………………………………………15