Homework Week of April 13, 2015

DUE BY FRIDAY!  

Wordly Wise Lesson 10 is due on Friday, April 17.

How to best break out this assignment:

4/13 MONDAY - Make Flashcards

4/14 TUESDAY - Exercises A and B

4/15 WEDNESDAY - Exercises C and D

4/16 THURSDAY - Exercise E

How to Take a Multiple Choice Test

REVIEW

Here are some videos to help you review some of your skills.  They may be a bit rusty.

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

How to Write a Thesis Statement

What Not to Do in an Introduction

SHMOOP and It's Amazing Resources

Don't know Shmoop?  Well, let me introduce you.  This website is great not only for English, but also for Math and catching up on literature.  Bookmark this on your computer!  You'll thank me later.  Below are some links from the site I think you'll find helpful.

Figuring Out Unknown Words

Phrases, Clauses and Sentences

Better Word Choice

Verb Tenses

Subject-Verb Agreement

Get Ready for Long Comp!

MCAS Long Composition is April 2nd!

Brush up on your writing skills using these resources:

Writing Resources

If you're having trouble with grammar (run-on sentences, fragments, capitalization, and so on), use these sites to help: 

Chomp Chomp

FunBrain

Grammar Ninja

English Skills from Great Britain!

The Stacks by Scholastic

PARENTS:  Here are some resources to help you identify where your child needs the most assistance and guides you through the steps.

Writing Problems in Middle School

Help Middle School Students Improve Writing Skills

How to Write an Objective Summary

Your homework on Tuesday night is to write an Objective Summary of the events of Chapter 6 in Catching Fire.  Here is the information from the PowerPoint I showed you on Tuesday in class.

If this isn't doing it for your, here's a YouTube video that may help:
Objective Summary Video

Definitions

Summary: brief retelling of the main ideasžž
Objective: not influenced by feelings or opinions

žžObjective Summary: the main points of a story without your feelings or interpretation.  

Why?

It gives important information in a short amount of time.

        ›It’s a quick way to pass on information

It shows you have a DEEP understanding of the text.

žIt can help set up an argument or point you’re trying to make

What goes into the summary?

žUse just the facts, man.

     ›Main ideas

     ›Main characters

     ›Setting

     ›Important plot points: Conflict!

What stays out?

Your interpretation of what happened

Your opinions

žYour feelings

A notice to all Parents

To All Parents and Guardians:

Please note that my night back, the night that I am available to all students for extra help, test make-ups, or clarifications, is Monday.  However, I will make myself available any night during the week in order to accommodate all students. Please feel free to contact me through the guidance office if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Mrs. Smith

Revised Statement!

Let me begin by saying, I had all intentions of keeping to the previous schedule.  However, there are times that it becomes abundantly clear that you need to revise and move forward. During Thursday and Friday classes, we will NOT be rewriting.  We will be working on silent, close reading.

UPDATE!  We are currently working on a practice Long Composition test.  Monday was our pre-writing session and Tuesday and Wednesday are dedicated to making our five paragraphs happen on our final draft paper.  This task is all about discipline, time management, and focus.  Please make sure you're putting in the effort in the room to make this a successful exercise.

My night back is Monday, but I'm happy to make myself available to you on any other night.



HOMEWORK: Wordly Wise Lesson 8 A-D are due WEDNESDAY!!