Spring Break

Students,

I
 If you did not complete and turn in your Unit 5 Poetry HW assignment (see previous blog entry) prior to Spring Break dismissal, remember the assignment is due the Tuesday/Wednesday we return from the week-long break – April 2/3.

II
Students, if you are completing missing assignments over the Spring Break, remember they are all due Tuesday/Wednesday - April 2/3. Do well.

Enjoy your break and have fun.

Homework assigned the week of 3/18

Your Homework : Unit 5 – Poetry

1) Begin reading pages 576-581

2) Provide a 5-7 sentence summary for each page:  576, 578, and 580

(use the text's examples in your summary if you need to)

3) Complete Close Read questions  for pages 577, 579, 581

4) Then read all on pages 582 & 583

5) Write a 5-7 sentence summary of page 583

6) Complete close read question on page 584

(Willow and Ginkgo)

7) Complete Close read questions on page 598

(The Lesson of the Moth)

..looking forward to reading your work.

Assignment is due Tuesday/Wednesday after we return from Spring Break. You may turn it in sooner.

Students Going on the College Trip - Assignments

Students,
I am excited that you are going on the College trip.  Enjoy, have fun, and absorb the moment.
While you balance the above, don't forget to complete the following assignments.  Their due dates
are FEBRUARY 4/5.

Here are your tasks:

Assignment # 1

Unit 4 - Text Features  and Informational Text

You will Read  pgs 858-870 in the Literature Text Book.

1) Answer all in-margin questions

2) Answer Questions 4-7 on pg 871

3) Write a 5-7 sentence summary of what you have read on pages 858;860;862

Be sure to explain in your summary how the use of Text Features help you comprehend Informational Text.

 

Assignment # 2

 

The essays  below are SAT published essays. They have NOT been edited; they are the original submissions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read and analyze them carefully. Notice Sentence relationship and the author’s use of FRIESS to go 50ft deep. 

 I

Review the score commentary for both the Score 5 and 6. Also, refer to the FCAT Scoring Rubric - see its link under the Links Section.

II

Complete the two-column chart below

·        Identify the different commentary remarks so that you can distinguish the Score 5 and 6

·        Complete the Reflection portion at the bottom of the chart.

 

Chart:

Essay Comparisons
	Score 5	Whereas	Score 6
Cite the Essay Commentary Refer to the bottom portion of each essay. (Your contrasting details may be less or more than 4.)	1. 2. 3. 4.		1. 2. 3. 4
Other Noticings – Refer to the FCAT Writing Rubric.  (Your contrasting details may be less or more than 4.)	1. 2. 3.		1. 2. 3.

Assignment: Are people better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they remain neutral and impartial? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Score of 6

Objectivity by researchers has not, and probably never will be attained. People will always have biases; some will be created by cultural values and others by personal views. The search for objectivity lies in the realm of philosophy along with the search for reality. Even though objectivity can never be reached, people are better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they attempt to set aside their biases.

As I have learned in my Theory of Knowledge class, perception and thought are intimately connected. While the same rays of light may enter two different peoples eyes, what they see may be very different. The brain takes the input from the eyes and processes it to form an image. That image is not the only thing the brain produces; it also provides extra information based on generalizations and bias. This unconscious addition of information changes the observation of an object. By attempting to reduce the addition of extraneous information being added to the observation, by being objective, a true observation of an object can be more closely approximated.

Discoveries, especially in the scientific realm can be doubly affected by a lack of objectivity. Since scientific discoveries are based on observation, all of the problems associated with observation apply as well to discoveries. Additional problems occur in the analysis of data collected by a scientific experiment. In a recent experiment in physics class, almost all of the students in my class analyzed the data incorrectly. However, armed with the knowledge that zero percent error is never possible, we were satisfied with the results. Our personal belief in the validity of the method of analyzation we chose, and lack of objectivity, led to our incorrect discovery in the field of energy. A lack of objectivity can clearly be seen to be a problem in my last student council election as well. The most popular person was chosen for president, not the objectively best candidate. Since then, the president has done nothing for our school. If the people involved had attempted to set aside their biases and pursue the goal of objectivity, it is less likely that errors would have been made.

Bias will always be a part of human life. It can, however, be limited in how much we let it affect us. The less we allow bias to influence, the more objective we are, the less likely we are to come to false opinions, discoveries, and bad decisions.

Commentary: Why this essay received a score of 6

This essay effectively and insightfully develops the main idea (Even though objectivity can never be reached, people are better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they attempt to set aside their biases) with clearly appropriate reasons and examples, demonstrating outstanding critical thinking. Well organized and focused, the essay shows clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas (While the same rays of light may enter two different peoples eyes, what they see may be very different. ... This unconscious addition of information changes the observation of an object). It also consistently displays skillful use of language and meaningful variety in sentence structure (Objectivity by researchers has not, and probably never will be attained. People will always have biases; some will be created by cultural values and others by personal views. The search for objectivity lies in the realm of philosophy ... ). This outstanding essay exhibits clear and consistent mastery and earns a score of 6.

 

Score of 5

Objectivity may be an excellant guiding focus when one is writing journalistically, or when one cares for simple knowledge in general. Yet I believe that it is only when you truly throw your heart into something and are able to see things from a larger perspective than what your head can teach you are you really able to live.

 Objectivity teaches you not to care, not to get involved, and thus enables you to make more discoveries and gain more knowledge. Yet if you cannot see things from points of view other than the academic, what is the point? The film "The Medicine Man," for example. The characters are torn between using the last amount of a cure for cancer on a sick child or analyizing it to learn how to make more. For the good of the world, they should have chosen the latter. They chose instead to save the child and this choice from a scientific standpoint may have been incredibly wrong. But from a moralistic view, it couldn't have been more right. When you decide not to take aside, not to take a stand; you lose your identity as a person and become a stainless steel labratory—cold and empty.

If you throw your heart into something, and believe in it with all you have in you, you may find something you didn't know you were looking for. In the San Juan Islands, there is a place I care deeply about and have for the past ten years. It was the most beautiful piece of property I'd ever seen, grzed & wooded and placed neatly on the edge of a mountain lake. But others didn't see it the same way and made plans to turn my forest into a casino. However, I gathered friends who felt the same and we stayed in the woods for over a week, protesting. The land was saved. I afterwards discovered that there was an old man who lived there, who would not have budged if it killed him. Had I been a mere objective observer, I would have allowed the destruction of a beautiful forest & a peaceful old man. I have a heart, though, and I can take aside. I can protect those things that mean so much.

So tell me, what is the use of objectivity if it turns you into a lifeless robot? There is so much more than that, so have a heart & take it!

Commentary: Why this essay received a score of 5

This focused essay demonstrates strong critical thinking in developing its point of view (When you decide not to take aside, not to take a stand; you lose your identity as a person and become a stainless steel labratory—cold and empty). The essay uses reasoning and appropriate examples from the film The Medicine Man and from the writer's own experience to support the idea that one needs "a larger perspective than what your head can teach you." The essay demonstrates coherence and progression of ideas through its series of distinctions: head vs. heart, science vs. morality, objectivity vs. taking sides, destruction vs. life. The essay also uses language effectively (So tell me, what is the use of objectivity if it turns you into a lifeless robot? There is so much more than that, so have a heart & take it!). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to insightfully explain the limitations of objectivity rather than just announce them. This essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery and receives a score of 5.

Third Quarter Important Due Dates

Students, here is a preview of important dates for the 3^rd quarter.  You will receive a hard copy next week and attain a parent signature as well.

I

Journal Entries

Journal Entries will reflect

January 28-31

February 4-7

Journal Entries Due Date is March 14/15

Your Journal Entries’ Daily Focus for this quarter:

• Monday: Rewrite a figurative phrase or an important statement. Then discus "What is the author” revealing.
• Tuesday: Discuss key words or phrases that reveal the Tone of the section you have summarized.
• Wednesday: Discuss Relevant Details and explain their importance to the text you summarized.
• Thursday: Identify and discuss how transitional signals are used.  Then explain “What is the author revealing.”

 Rubric for Journal Entries: 5-7 sentences for each summary; 3-5 sentences for each FOCUS points. To attain maximum points for each entry you MUST follow this format.

You will receive a Model sample next week.
Student Signature _______________________

II

Books Read

You are required to read 1 book this quarter.

Book Read and Book Form Due Date is March 14/15. 

You will receive a Model sample next week.

Student Signature _______________________

III

FCAT Explorer

Note, if you have not completed your Winter FCAT Explorer assignments, please do so by 1/29/30.  Our next series of stories to complete begins February 4^th. 

Don’t forget you must complete the “Support Your Thinking” sheet. 

*THERE WILL BE NO ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENT FOR HALF CREDIT OFFERED.  PLEASE COMPLETE AS INSTRUCTED OR ELSE YOU WILL RECIVE 0/60.

FCAT Explorer stories along with the “Support Your Thinking “sheet for the Spring is due March 4/5 

Students, Take This Time to Catch Up With Missing Work

OK Students,

I am uploading grades.  If you have assignments that have not been turned in please take this time to catch up, so that you may turn once we return from the break.

When we we turn, we will be discussing

1. Setting, Characters, and Imagery Affect on Mood
2. "The Monkey's Paw"
3. Persuasive Writing.

If you have not completed these assignments, you will not have the foundation and knowledge to discuss in class. So, please get them done.

Now, Here are the tasks assigned before the break:

1) Literature Textbook 310-314 - there were interactive questions designed to help you understand Mood.  refer to your agenda.

2) Essay on : Discuss how Characters, Setting, and Imagery Affect Mood

3) Literature Textbook 359 - Read and complete prediction chart as a "during reading" strategy and the vocabulary exercise.

4) "The Monkey's Paw" - read the entire story and complete the in-margin questions as well as the comprehension questions 1-7 at the end of the story.

5) Essay Smart - Write a Persuasive Response to Prompt #5 - get a score 4. During Winter Break, revise
to attain a score #5

Posting Grades And "The Monkey's Paw"

Hi Students,

Updates:

 1) I have graded all outstanding assignments, except the Winter FCAT Explorer and ESSAY SMART.  Currently, OnCourse system is down for maintenance.  When it becomes available, I will upload grades.

2) There are students who did not complete "The Monkey Paw" in-margin questions and questions 1-7 in the Comprehension Check section. *This was due before we dismissed for the Winter Break. Please have them completed when you return to school, as we will be discussing in class.

See you soon.  Continue to enjoy your break with family and friends.

I can't wait to see you all.  I miss you! :)

Winter Break Assignments & FCAT Rubric & Essay Outline

Well, the Winter Break is here. Yeah! Ugh! ...not sure how you feel, but I am going to miss you all. 

Listen, while you are enjoying this break, don't forget  we need to carve out some time for learning, as it is continual. Don't fret because it's not a lot, just enough to keep your critical reading and writing skills sharp.

Here are your assignments.

FCAT Explorer

1. Complete the next two Themes: Hydro Mania and The World Largest Bicycle. Each theme has three stories.
2. Complete your "support and  realign your thinking" chart.

Essay Smart

1. Complete Prompt #5 under Persuasive.
2. Remember, you must keep revising until you score a 5.
3. Save each revision in Word.
4. Printout each revision and Analytic Feedback so that I may see your growth.
5. Important, be deliberate and strategic about your revisions.  Refer to to FCAT Writing Rubric and the Persuasive Essay Outline as guides. I have copied them below.
6. Show me that you are being analytical about your revisions. Use the color code system we discussed in class.

 The links, FCAT Explorer and Essay Smart, are located to the right of this page.

Assignments are due the first instructional day we return from the break.
Email me if you have questions.

Enjoy your break!!



Persuasive ESSAY FRAMEWORK
Introduction
Engaging beginning (Hook)
Restate important parts of the prompt
Background Knowledge
Transitional sentence
*Position of Argument is Clearly Stated
Thesis Statement (Explicit or Implied)

Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence Statement (Aligned with Thesis point #1)
Support Topic sentence
Elaboration that provides insight: FRIESS + Anecdote & use transitions to connect ides
Closure/transition sentence

Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence Statement (Aligned with Thesis point #2)
Support the Topic sentence
Elaboration that provides insight: FRIESS + Anecdote & use transitions to connect ides
Closure/transition sentence

Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence Statement (Aligned with Thesis point #3)
Support the Topic sentence
Elaboration that provides insight: FRIESS  + Anecdote & use transitions to connect ides
Closure/transition sentence

Conclusion
Transitional Sentence reminding reader of the topic
Restate important facts/details/ and/or Thesis
Provide a Counter ARGUMENT (be Brief) here or in one of your Body Paragraphs
Restate your position
Convince your reader to do something – take action or side with you
Provide a convincing closing/Final PUNCH

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FCAT Writing Rubric — Grade 8 Score Points in Rubric
The rubric further interprets the four major areas of consideration into levels of achievement.
6 Points The writing is focused, purposeful, and reflects insight into the writing situation. The paper conveys a sense of completeness and wholeness with adherence to the main idea, and its organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas. The support is substantial, specific, relevant, concrete, and/or illustrative. The paper demonstrates a commitment to and an involvement with the subject, clarity in presentation of ideas, and may use creative writing strategies appropriate to the purpose of the paper. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language (word choice) with freshness of expression. Sentence structure is varied, and sentences are complete except when fragments are used purposefully. Few, if any, convention errors occur in mechanics, usage, and punctuation.

5 Points The writing focuses on the topic, and its organizational pattern provides for a progression of ideas, although some lapses may occur. The paper conveys a sense of completeness or wholeness. The support is ample. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language, including precision in word choice. There is variation in sentence structure, and, with rare exceptions, sentences are complete except when fragments are used purposefully. The paper generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, and spelling.

4 Points The writing is generally focused on the topic but may include extraneous or loosely related material. An organizational pattern is apparent, although some lapses may occur. The paper exhibits some sense of completeness or wholeness. The support, including word choice, is adequate, although development may be uneven. There is little variation in sentence structure, and most sentences are complete. The paper generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, and spelling.

3 Points The writing is generally focused on the topic but may include extraneous or loosely related material. An organizational pattern has been attempted, but the paper may lack a sense of completeness or wholeness. Some support is included, but development is erratic. Word choice is adequate but may be limited, predictable, or occasionally vague. There is little, if any, variation in sentence structure. Knowledge of the conventions of mechanics and usage is usually demonstrated, and commonly used words are usually spelled correctly.

2 Points The writing is related to the topic but includes extraneous or loosely related material. Little evidence of an organizational pattern may be demonstrated, and the paper may lack a sense of completeness or wholeness. Development of support is inadequate or illogical. Word choice is limited, inappropriate, or vague. There is little, if any, variation in sentence structure, and gross errors in sentence structure may occur. Errors in basic conventions of mechanics and usage may occur, and commonly used words may be misspelled.

1 Point The writing may only minimally address the topic. The paper is a fragmentary or incoherent listing of related ideas or sentences or both. Little, if any, development of support or an organizational pattern or both is apparent. Limited or inappropriate word choice may obscure meaning. Gross errors in sentence structure and usage may impede communication. Frequent and blatant errors may occur in the basic conventions of mechanics and usage, and commonly used words may be misspelled.