Jones's Language Arts Class: November 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

For the Week of November 23 - 24

With Thanksgiving this week (YAHOO!!), your week is short but your assignments are long. Get ready!
Monday - In the Literature book, read the story, "For My Sister Molly Who in the Fifties." It begins on page 682. When finished, please take the AR test (#904). Complete and type your thankful letter/poem.
Tuesday - Turn in all late/missing work and staple to the Missing Assignment sheet. Finish all work you did not complete yesterday. Did you finish your Twitterature? GET IT DONE!! Journal Check today!

Monday, November 16, 2009

For the Week of November 16 - 20

If you have not seen the BEST book reviews EVER, please go to jonestwitterature.blogspot.com You have written such informative reviews!!
Monday - Journal Entry #10 - Thanksgiving Things (brainstorming)
Tuesday - Brainstorming and Prewriting your On Demand
Wednesday - Rough Draft and Editing your On Demand
Thursday - Second Editing and Publish your On Demand
Friday - Publish and Typing your On Demand

Monday, November 9, 2009

For the Week of November 9 - 13

Jones Twitterature has officially begun! I am excited to see all of the books that you would recommend to others. If you have not already accepted my invitation to become an author, MAKE SURE you do that today!

Monday - Accept to be an author on the website; Begin your rough draft for your "tweet;"
Tuesday - Continue your rough draft and begin your posted tweet. Third hour students will need to do some of this for homework. We will be attending a Veteran's Day presentation during your hour in my class.
Wednesday - Read page 473 in the literature book. The story is "from Always to Remember: The Vision of Maya Ying Lin." Answer the skills sheets and turn them in. We will also be going to a Veteran's Day field trip.
Thursday - We are reading another American pride story in our literature book. Read "from Sharing in the American Dream" on page 530 then answer the skills sheets. Turn them in when you are finished.
Friday - Heinz 57 Day (catch up day, get it?) - Finish your posted tweet and MAKE SURE your spelling is correct! Work and turn in all assignments that you have not completed. If you are up to date with everything, it is chocolate and AR reading for YOU!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

For the Week Of November 2 - 6

The room is REALLY taking shape, and I cannot thank all of your parents and YOU who have made this room into a tropical paradise!! As we finish up on this mega assignment, we need to think about the Book Fair's theme - Reading in Wonderland. This is based on the March 2010 release of Tim Burton and Disney's version of Alice in Wonderland.

Monday - Grade the Speckled Band skills; Begin thinking about the book fair by watching the movie's trailer; write in Journal #9 your ideas for our book fair (what it will look like, daily themes, etc.)
Tuesday - Write scripts to promote the book fair. You can also change your favorite song lyrics into a book fair promotion.
Wednesday - Read "The Story-Teller" that begins on page 363; Take the AR tests #1027 and 8645. Finish deciding your 2nd 9 week AR goals.
Thursday - Complete "The Story-Teller" skills; Compare/Contrast 2 literary works
Friday - Twitterature AND act out your Reading in Wonderland scripts.

Winter Storm Safety Assignment

The following Red Cross information form the website http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Document/pdf/Preparedness/WinterStorms.pdf is very . . . informative. Unfortunately, there is so much writing and it is BORING! I am sure you can do a better job.

Here is what you need to do:
1. Go the site and read the Red Cross information. Highlight or write down the important items you feel you need for the upcoming weather.
2. Using a sheet of computer paper, create YOUR OWN version of the Red Cross information.
a) Make sure that if you quote from the Red Cross, you need to put it into quotations.
b) Make it colorful and eye catching!
3. Because this is a persuasive article, you will be graded on Convention (spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization), Content (the information), and Structure (what it looks like) just like an On Demand assignment.

Your Country's Celebration!

Essential Question: How does my family celebrate holidays similar to or different than other families in other countries?

Situation: While you have been in 8th grade, you have
1. Found information about the country in which your family originated
2. Read several stories about different cultures
3. Researched, wrote a report, and gave an oral report (if your technology worked) about a country

During the winter months, countries from all over the world celebrate holidays in very different ways. Now is your time to explore other cultures to find out how they celebrate!

Task: Using the technology available at school, you will
1. Research the country of ______________ and find a winter holiday that they celebrate.
2. Create a Reference Sheet showing all internet sites you have used in finding your information. Specific sites must be included, NOT www.google.com
3. Write an On Demand persuasive letter to your parents giving reasons why your family needs to celebrate your country’s holiday in addition to Christmas (or the celebration you experience at home in December).
4. On the date that you draw, present to the class the celebration of your country. More details will be given tomorrow. Be even more creative this time!
Due Dates: Your On Demand and Reference Sheet about the country of ______________ and their celebration of ______________ is due Monday December 14. Your Oral Reports and Presentation is due _____________________.

Begin: Go to http://www.kidinfo.com/geography/the_world.html
to begin your research. Have FUN!!

A Perfect Classroom

Situation: There is an opportunity for this classroom to be completely changed. This includes different furniture, different paint color, and a completely different look. If Mrs. Jones likes your idea, this classroom JUST MIGHT be changed with your recommendations!

Task: In groups of 1 or 2 people:

1. Create a layout or diagram of this room. The only furniture that needs to remain will be explained by Mrs. Jones. You will need to measure the length and width of the room as well as the furniture that needs to remain in the classroom. Do you remember using scale models in Math class? Put your knowledge to the test on graph paper! This section is worth 100 points.

2. Create an itemized list of items that will be needed to construct and decorate this room. This section is worth 100 points.

3. Write a persuasive letter to Mr. White or to Mrs. Jones about the need to have your design of " The Perfect Classroom." In the second paragraph, give expanded details of the classroom's look. Remember, Mrs. Jones will grade this section just like an On Demand. This section is worth 40 points for Content, 40 points for Structure, and 40 points for Covention. Yes! this may be typed!

4. **BONUS**Draw and color an architectural design of this room!! this section is worth 40 points.

Where Does My Family Originate?

Here is a copy of the three pages you received in class. Remember, this is due September 11. Take this seriously, but HAVE FUN!!

Where Does My Family Originate?

Essential Questions: Where does my family originate? Why would they want to leave their country? Why is my family’s origin important to America’s diverse culture? Why is that important to ME?

Background: You have read several stories in Language Arts class about different cultures and customs. You have also asked your relatives which country they used to live. You now have a great idea of your family’s origin!

Task: You will be creating a written and visual information guide on the country in which your family originated.

Here are the requirements for your project:
1. Find out the answers to the Essential Questions!
Where does your family originate?
When approximately did they leave their country?
What reasons did they leave their country?

2. Research the country of your origin!
3. Create a written report about the country during the time period that your family left. (Example: My grandparents left Spain in the 1920’s, so I will research the history of Spain in the 1920’s.)

4. Create a visual display about that country (example: I will create a poster about famous locations, the economic status, and interesting cultural facts about Spain). You can use any time period of this country.

5. Make a list of all references. This includes interviews, websites, books, and family pictures.

Your assignment is due SEPTEMBER 11. We will have a few days in class for research, but you will also need to work on this at home. Take this assignment seriously, but also HAVE FUN!!

Now that you know what to do,
let’s get specific on your assignment!

1. Find out the answers to the Essential Questions! Where does your family originate? When approximately did they leave their country? What reasons did they leave their country? Include all of this information in your written report! If you have a difficult time finding out these answers, give a hypothesis after you have researched your country.

2. Research the country of your origin! Here are a few things to discover while researching:
a. The country’s flag
b. Location in the world
c. Climate & environment
d. Economy
e. Government
f. Language most spoken
g. Interesting cultural facts about the country
h. Historical facts that occurred during the time in which your family moved to America
Can you think of more things to include? Good! Write those down too! Could any of this information you find be reasons as to why they moved to America?

3. Create a written report about the country. Remember, only the interesting facts need to be included in your report. The report should be typed and no more than two pages long. Content, Structure, and conventions will be evaluated for this report.

4. Create a visual display about the country. Because you have done such a great job with your research, you need to display your findings. Here are only a few suggestions. BE CREATIVE on this section!
Poster or Banner
Skit
Scrapbook pages (at least four)
Costume you have made
Create a video clip
PowerPoint presentation (no more than 6 slides)
Food from that country
Ceremonial mask
Create a current flag
Something you have made that represents the uniqueness of your country (example: wooden shoe from Holland or a replica of a Northwestern Native American tribal totem pole)
Write a tourism guide advertisement

Choose only one visual display for now. When you are completely finished and you still have time, do another visual display. Yes, bonus will be given if you choose to do more visuals - J.

5. Make a list of all references. Keep a list of websites you have used, books you have read, or people you have interviewed. If you use pictures, make sure you also keep a record of where they have been found. This section is just as important as your written report and can be typed or printed. Staple this list to your written report.

**Grades will be based on completion of each task and the CONTENT & quality of your work!

Here are sites to begin your quest:
http://www.searchforancestors.com/surnames/origin/
http://www.behindthename.com/
http://genealogy.about.com/lr/name_origins/23992/2/
http://www.onegreatfamily.com/land/free_surname2.htm?PID=12191&GCID=S15567x006&KEYWORD=surname+history&s_kwcid=TC6991surname%20historySb3007036554

Jones's Language Arts Class