Tee-Hee -- Spelling!

When you're working on revising and editing your essay, double check those words that might have more than one spelling.

This illustration is a button from Pieces of Flair.

Things Due

l Your Book Assessment (Book-of-the-Months) is due May 5/6.

l You should have handed in the packet for chapters 1-3 of Stand Tall.
l You should have handed in two reading logs, or reading logs twice.
l You should have handed in your Vietnam interviews.
l If you haven't, you should finish or revise for 4.5 or above on your MYAccess essay about a hero or heroes.

You will also be handing in your second packet for Stand Tall.

Another Percy Jackson book!

Wow! I didn't know! Another book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is coming out (supposedly the final one). The Last Olympian by Rick Riodan will be release on May 5.

April 27/28, 2009

April 27/28, 2009

Today we begin State Core Testing. Bring a clear bottle of water and come rested and ready to test. It could also be helpful to bring one or more #2 pencils.

Bring a book to read or something quiet to work on in case you finish early.

Be prepared to follow instructions.

Your Wiki Page

Your Wiki Page

-- You may also add links on your page to other pages on the Internet with information on the book. For instance, you could add a link to web page or blog by the author of the book. Here's Joan Bauer's official web page: http://www.joanbauer.com/ I found the web page, copied the URL (address), pasted it here, selected it, clicked on Insert a link to a new page (look to the right here under "Pages") and made sure that "URL" and the address of that page were in the boxes, and clicked "Okay."

If you are using a blog for this assignment, you could also add one or more links on that, following the procedure for adding links there.

Novel: The Hunger Games

Novel: The Hunger Games

I just finished reading The Hunger Games. I had been hearing that it is an amazing book. What I'd heard is right.
See Suzanne Collin's great website at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/
Note that The Hunger Games is recommended for ninth grade and up, while her Gregor the Overlander books are also appropriate for younger readers.

Test Taking Tips

4 A successful test taker eats a well-balanced breakfast on the morning of the test.
4 A successful test taker gets a good night's sleep the night before the test.
4 A successful test taker drinks enough water to keep his or her brain hydrated, and brings a clear bottle of water to the test.
4 A successful test taker does his or her best on the test.
4 A successful test taker is willing to reread the passage upon which questions are based.
4 A successful test taker concentrates on his or her own work and doesn't worry about how others are doing or how far along others may be.
4 A successful test taker attempts to answer every question, and marks and answer for every question.
4 A successful test taker does not rush through the test.
4 A successful test taker will not make any stray marks on the answer sheet or on the test packet.
4 A successful test taker does not get overly stressed about the test, and does know ways to relieve stress during a test.

Wow! Authors!

On April 23, my daughter and I went to an author event at the Barnes and Noble Store at Jordan Landing. Here are our pictures with authors. Can you recognize any of them? There are pictures of my daughter Emily with Shannon Hale, Jessica Day George, and Mette Ivie Harrison. I've with Emily Smith and Sara Zarr, and then with A.E. Cannon. Randall Wright was also there, an author from our own community who has had children at American Fork Junior.

A.E. Cannon (Ann Cannon) -- Some of you have read and loved Charlotte's Rose. I just picked up her newest book, The Loser's Guide to Life and Love, and will be reading it soon.
http://www.aecannon.com

Jessica Day George -- http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/

Shannon Hale -- http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

Mette Ivie Harrison -- http://www.metteivieharrison.com/

Emily Smith -- http://www.emilywingsmith.com/

Randall Wright -- http://us.macmillan.com/author/randallwright

Sara Zarr -- http://www.sarazarr.com/

April 23/24, 2009

April 23/24, 2009

Students handed in their Reading Logs (second time reading logs checked this term).
Those who hadn't last time handed in their Vietnam War Interviews.

Today we went to the computer lab to type an essays about our heroes -- about character traits that positively influence others.

See the post below: April 23/24 Computer Lab -- Heroes Assignment

Students have an unlimited number of times to submit, and may continue to revise until May 20.

To Make Up the District Writing Test

To make up the district writing test, you have these options:
1) Come during CaveTime, having arranged with your second period teacher to miss the first 15 to 30 minutes of that class as needed to complete the test.
2) Come for an hour after school on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday -- immediately after school gets out.
3) Take the test in during our computer lab time this week, and write this week's class essay on MYAccess at home.

State Core Testing is Coming!

State Core Testing is Coming! We will start testing on Monday and Tuesday of next week -- April 27/28.
Bring water to drink. Come to class rested, well fed and hydrated. Bring a book to read in case you finish early.

April 21/22, 2009

April 21/22, 2009

Students handed in their Vietnam War Interviews today. These may still come in next time for full points.

Is Tree's grandpa a hero?

We discussed the essay the students will write in computer lab on Thursday and Friday, April 23/24. See the assignment in the post below: "April 23/24 Computer Lab -- Heroes Assignment"

Students took their test on the Seventh Grade Confusing words. Those who received a score below 19 out of the possible 24 will be retaking the test, so should be studying these. There is a printable list on our class wiki.

We also discussed the upcoming state core tests, and took a practice test.

April 23/24 Computer Lab

April 23/24 Computer Lab -- Heroes Assignment

We'll be in a computer lab again on April 23/24 to write an essay on MYAccess. This will be about heroes. We'll use the MYAccess prompt about "Character Traits." Notice that I have modified the prompt from the way it is presented on MYAccess.

Character Traits

Character traits in fictional or real people may have positive or negative effects on the people around them.

Select a person, real or fictional, who possesses character traits that influence others in a positive way. This is someone who could be considered a hero. You may write about a real person (someone you know or know quite a bit about, or one of the real people from Ice Story, or about one of the fictional characters from the class novels we have read this year. You could use a character from The Giver, Words By Heart, The Outsiders, or Stand Tall. Don't use characters from other novels or other books -- only from the ones we've read as a class.

Write an essay in which you describe this person's character traits and provide examples of how these traits affect other people. If you wish to, you may try writing about the character traits you find in several of these characters or people and how these are the traits of a hero.

--- Use the words "positive influence" and/or "positively influence," and the words "character trait(s)."

Your score will be based on how well you:

develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your controlling idea to the audience.

support your controlling idea with meaningful examples, reasons, and information based upon your research or readings.

organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.

edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.

You will have unlimited opportunities to revise until about May 20th.

Confusing Words

Be prepared for a test on our Seventh Grade Confusing Words. If you did well last time we tested, you might want to review. If you didn't do well, you need to spend some serious time studying!

For the chart, go to cavemanenglish.pbwiki.com and look for the folder and file for Confusing Words.

April 10/20, 2009

Students will read from the novel Stand Tall by Joan Bauer. They will be filling in their packets for this novel. For a copy of the packet, go to http://cavemanenglish.pbwiki.com/

After you open the needed folder, click at the bottom of the navigation box on "Files."

They will also play Confusing Words Sparkle! to review our seventh grade confusing words.

For a chart of the Confusing Words, go to the wiki, and look for the document under Confusing Words.

Handouts

For copies of handouts you miss or lose, go to http://cavemanenglish.pbwiki.com/

After you open the needed folder, click at the bottom of the navigation box on "Files."

Book-of-the-Month Club for Term 4

See the requirements in a post below, or on your class wiki, or pick up a copy in the classroom.

Complex Sentences

Complex Sentences
Watch for information about Subordinating Conjunctions!

For now, see this very helpful site:
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000377.htm

Here's another site about sentence patterns:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/sentencepatterns.html

And this site offers games and activities:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/sentencebasics/whatisasentence/

Compound Sentences

I just found a great explanation of compound sentences. Empire State College has posted this very clear information.
Here's another place to learn about sentence patterns:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/sentencepatterns.html

This site offers games and activities for sentences:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/sentencebasics/whatisasentence/

____________

The conjunctions that are used to join the two independent clauses of a compound sentences are called coordinating conjunctions. This means that the two parts of the sentence are of equal value. Think of our picture (in the PowerPoint) of the two adults walking on the beach.

We can remember the coordinating conjunctions by remembering the phrase FAN BOYS:

F = for
A = and
N = nor

B = but
O = or
Y = nor
S = so

Happy April!

Happy April!

April 8/9, 2009

April 8/9, 2009

We checked reading logs.

Students received a homework assignment to be completed by April 21/22. They will each interview 3 people 40 years of age and over about what they experienced or knew about the Vietnam War. In our current class novel, Stand Tall by Joan Bauer, the main character's grandfather fought in the Vietnam War, and some of his friends from that time are also characters in the book. The interviews do not have to be long or complicated. Students should take clear notes so they can share what they learned on the 21st or 22nd.

Students went to the Computer Lab to type an essay in response to the District GoMYAccess post-test prompt. This is an in-class test, meant to take one class period, so they will not be working on this assignment at home.
Students have one hour (no more) to complete this essay.

To make up this test, you have these options:
1) Come during CaveTime, having arranged with your second period teacher to miss the first 15 to 30 minutes of that class as needed to complete the test.
2) Come for an hour after school on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday -- immediately after school gets out.
3) Take the test in during our computer lab time this week, and write this week's class essay on MYAccess at home.

Book-of-the-Month Club for Term 4 Assessment

Requirements for Book-of-the-Month Club Projects

4Remember that your audience is other students in seventh grade.
4Remember that your purpose is to "sell" them on reading the book.

You will create a project to "sell" the book to other students.
Do your best to find a book that you think would be a great summer read for at least a few other students in your class.
You have several choices for your project:
-- a book review such as you would see in a newspaper or magazine
-- an informative poster advertising the book (12" by 18", portrait orientation, not landscape)
-- an informative brochure advertising the book
-- an informative "ad" (advertisement) such as you would see in a magazine (8 1/2" by 11")
-- a web page dedicated to the book, the subject, and/or the author -- posted on our new class wikki

Required for All
Basic Information:
c title
c author
c genre(Check with the teacher to make sure you have correctly categorized your book.)
c # of pages
c your name
c your period
c the date or term (Term 4, 2009)

About the Book:
c 4 Plot: Give a summary of the plot which does not include spoilers. This means it won't give away the ending or give away other things that the reader shouldn't find out until he or she reads the book -- things that would spoil reading the book.

c 4 Characters: Who are the major characters? List them and give a very brief description for each. You could use a table such as the one I've used on my wiki page for Stand Tall.

c 4 Setting: place and time setting.

c 4 Conflict: Do tell what the major CONFLICT is and whether it is man vs. man, man vs. society, man vs. technology, man vs. nature, man vs. self, or man vs. the unknown. (These could also be stated as character vs. character, character vs. society, character vs. nature, etc. ) Explain how you know it is that type of conflict.

c 4 Theme: Identify and explain one or more major themes in the book.

c 4 Give the book a rating (1 to 5 stars), and tell why you have rated it that way.

Optional:
4Additional information about the author.

General expectations:
c You will carefully edit your work for errors in conventions including spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and correct and clear sentence structure.
c Your work will be neat and attractive.
c Work will be typed or neatly written in ink.
c You will not plagiarize another's work.
c You may use short quotes from other places, but must include writing in your own words to cover the required information About the Book.
c Illustrations will not be done on lined paper.
c Your work will show effort and understanding.

Book Review

-- Your book review could be handed in typed up, or it could be posted on a blog, web site, or wiki page.
-- Your book review should cover all the items listed above as "Required for All." It will emphasize your opinions, and should express your own understanding of the book in a lively way.
-- You may use short quotes from other places, but must include writing in your own words to cover the required information About the Book.

Here is an example of book review by a teenager about a book that Mr. Christensen enjoyed: http://www.teenink.com/Books/article/56543/Peak-by-Roland-Smith/

I just found a site where famous authors will teach you about different sorts of writing. Rodman Philbrick, author of The Mighty, teaches us how to write a book review here:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/bookrev/index.htm

Here is another passage from an example:
Raising Dragons | Bryan Davis | Fantasy, Christian from

Billy Bannister seems like just a normal kid—except for one thing—Billy can breathe fire! Not only that, his dad used to be a dragon! Billy soon meets Bonnie, another kid who has dragon blood: Bonnie has wings and can fly. They become friends and soon discover that their principal is an evil dragon slayer out to destroy the only remaining dragons on the earth.

I LOVED this book! I couldn’t put it down, and I’ve already read the 2nd book, “The Candlestone.” There are four books in this series, “Dragons in Our Midst.” Packed with action, adventure, and Christian nuggets, this series is a perfect summer read—or for anytime!

Review by Nathanael, Hastings Middle School, age 12

Informative Poster
-- Include the information listed above as "Required for All." Your poster should be attractive, neat, and show effort and pride in workmanship. It should be attractively illustrated. -
- -- Illustrations and decorations used should be related to the book. You may not use book covers or other illustrations already created by others for the book.
-- You may use short quotes from other places, but must include writing in your own words to cover the required information About the Book.
-- (Your poster should measure 12" by 18", portrait orientation, not landscape. You will need to cut down a regular poster board to this size.)

Informative Brochure
-- Include the information listed above as "Required for All." Your brochure should be attractive, neat, and show effort and pride in workmanship. It should be attractively illustrated. -- Illustrations and decorations used should be related to the book. You may not use book covers or other illustrations already created by others for the book.
-- You may use short quotes from other places, but must include writing in your own words to cover the required information About the Book.

Magazine Ad
-- Include the information listed above as "Required for All." Your ad should be attractive, neat, and show effort and pride in workmanship.
-- The magazine ad should be the size of a magazine page, or it could be a two-page spread. It should be attractively illustrated. Illustrations and decorations used should be related to the book. You may not use book covers or other illustrations already created by others for the book.
-- You may use short quotes from other places, but must include writing in your own words to cover the required information About the Book.


Web Page or Blog
-- Include the information listed above as "Required for All."
-- Your page or blog should be attractive, neat, and show effort and pride in workmanship. It should be attractively illustrated. Illustrations and decorations used should be related to the book. You may use book covers or other illustrations already created by others for the book.
-- You may use short quotes from other places, but must include writing in your own words to cover the required information About the Book.

April 6/7, 2009

April 6/7, 2009

1. Test prep. practice -- Prefix/Suffix Bingo. You need to know the seventh grade suffixes and prefixes. We will test again on those and on the seventh grade confusing words. See a post in this blog for lists, or see Ms. Dorsey's school web page, or see the class wiki for documents from which you can make copies.

2. Using Possessives! Students filled in notes about using apostrophes to show possession.

3. Stand Tall -- Read and answer questions from the packet. We are reading through chapter 3 today, and some classes may get further. See the wiki for the second part of the packet for Stand Tall.

Next time we will be in the computer lab

Survey for Mr. Christensen

On April 2nd and 3rd all of Ms. Dorsey's English classes will be going to the computer lab. While we are there, we will be filling out a survey for Mr. Christensen.

Here is the link that students need to get to the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Ilq4H3cMClaY09Me_2brbO9Q_3d_3d

Class Wiki's

Here are links to your class wiki's. You will be able to edit only within your own class wiki.
Remember to never write your whole name within the wiki. Use just first name or first name and last initial.

A1 http://cavemana1.pbwiki.com/


A2 http://caveman-a2.pbwiki.com/

http://cavemana4.pbworks.com


B1 http://caveman-b1.pbwiki.com/

B2 http://caveman-b2.pbwiki.com/

B3 http://caveman-b3.pbwiki.com/


For instructions on how to make your own page, see the front page of your class wiki.

For a copy of the handout we used in the computer lab, go to
http://cavemanenglish.pbwiki.com/
Go to the folder named "Student Pages." Open it. Click on the link to files at the bottom of the "Navigator" box. Click on "Wiki Computer Lab 1" to open it. It will upload to your computer and you could read or print it from there.