End of Marking Period; All Work Due Today!

Please turn in all missing work for 3rd period if you want it to count!

Turn in major writing projects:

• Monster character sketch assignment
• Independent book critique assignment
• Collaborative film script assignment

HOMEWORK: None.

Film Script: Monster

Please work on your film script project.


If you finish your film script, please begin working on your independent book critique.


Your film script draft and your book critique draft are due Thursday, April 14.


HOMEWORK: Complete your independent reading book.

Character Sketch Assignment: Day 4; Independent Book Project

Please turn in any homework you are missing.

Please take the next 20 minutes to continue working on your character sketch assignment.

At 1:00, please go to the library to pick up a book to read. You may choose fiction, plays, poetry/short story collections, biography, or non-fiction.

You WILL be asked to decide on your book choice today. Make your selection carefully, and complete the information sheet and turn it in today as participation credit.

HOMEWORK: Please begin reading your independent book. You should complete this task the week we return from Spring Break (April 4-8).

Character Sketch Assignment: Day 2

Please note that you have homework due Thursday:

Read and complete the 11 discussion questions on pages 283-288. All answers to these questions should be written out in complete sentences and thoughtfully answer the question.

Otherwise, please continue to work on your character sketch. See previous post (or your handout) for specific details.

Character Sketch Assignment: Day 1

After completing the book, please move to the 3rd floor lab (339) to work on your character sketch for the book. See instructions on the handout or here on the blog.

Character Sketch: Monster

A character sketch is a careful and detailed examination of a character in a novel, film, play or story. A character sketch examines the characterization of a particular character. Your task is to use your notes from class to write a 3-5 page (double-spaced) analysis of the protagonist Steve Harmon in the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers.

Your character sketch should have the following:

Introduction: In 5-10 complete sentences summarize the plot of the book Monster. You will need to be specific enough to gain full credit. Remember that sentences have a main noun (SUBJECT) and a verb (PREDICATE).

Body, paragraph: Using your notes, in 5-10 sentences describe Steve Harmon's character as presented by the author. Examine and explain Steve's actions and personality or physical traits. Use textual evidence (specific examples from the book) to support your answer.

Body, paragraph: Using your notes, in 5-10 sentences examine and explain Steve's thoughts and feelings about his situation in the book. Use textual evidence to support your answer.

Body, paragraph: Using your notes, in 5-10 sentences examine and explain Steve's strengths and weaknesses. Use textual evidence (specific examples from the book) to support your answer.

Body, paragraph: Using your notes, in 5-10 sentences examine and explain how Steve changed from the beginning of the book to the end. Explain why he changed.

Conclusion: Connect Steve's story to your own beliefs or experiences. What connections can you draw between Steve and you (or Steve and someone you know)? Be specific and use your notes to help you answer this important question. Finally, what might you have learned about yourself from reading this book and examining Steve Harmon's character?

Rubric:
A/A+: Excellent! Length of character sketch essay is between 4-5 or more pages, double spaced in 12 point font. There are about 50 or more correctly written complete sentences. Sentences are complete and punctuated correctly with only a few minor errors. Student uses good and specific examples from the text to support his or her answer. Quotes and examples from the text include accurate page numbers. Student uses his/her time effectively in the lab to complete the assignment on time. Character sketch is thorough, exact, and detailed.

B/B+: Good! Length of character sketch essay is between 3-5 pages, double spaced in 12 point font. There are over 30 correctly written complete sentences. Sentences are mostly complete and punctuated correctly, but with some errors. Student uses good examples from the text to support his/her answer. Quotes and examples from the text include page numbers. Student uses his/her time in the lab to complete the assignment on time. Character sketch is good, and well done for grade level.

C/C+: Okay. Length of character sketch essay is between 3-4 pages, double spaced in 12 point font. There are at least 25 sentences, but sentences might have some grammar or mechanical errors (spelling problems, tense shifts, incorrect words or usage of grammar, etc.) Some examples are used to support the student's answer, but these are not as accurate or effective as scores of B/A above. Student mostly uses his/her time in the lab to complete assignment on time, but may need reminding to stay on task, or the work is good or excellent quality, but late. Character sketch is adequate.

D/D+: Below grade level. The tasks set forth in okay, good, or excellent scores (see above) were not met. The character sketch is too short or undeveloped, lacking evidence from the text, or uses vague examples from the book. Grammar and writing is below grade level. Student makes many grammar or sentence errors. It may be clear that the student did not read, understand, or pay attention during the reading of the book. Student is disruptive during class. Student does not complete his/her work or the character sketch is turned in more than a class period late after the deadline.

F: Did not turn in or complete assignment by deadline.

HOMEWORK: None.

Resources for Independent Reading

http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/cms/lib02/NJ01001933/Centricity/Domain/798/Graphic%20Organizers.pdf

Characterization in Monster

Please turn in your homework for participation credit (turn in to the in-box!)


As we listen to Monster, please read along (eyes should scan the page). At various points in the reading, we'll stop to write notes about characterization.

 

Characters in novels, plays, stories, etc. are developed through CHARACTERIZATION.

 

CHARACTERIZATION: is what a character:

• Says (dialogue)
• Says about another character (dialogue)
• Does (actions)
• Thinks or feels

As you read along, please pay attention to:

1. What STEVE HARMON says about himself.
2. What other characters say about STEVE HARMON
3. What STEVE HARMON does (his actions)
4. What STEVE HARMON thinks or feels

Since this is a written from Steve's POINT OF VIEW (POV) as a "notebook" and a film script, you will likely find this information:

• When Steve talks
• When others talk to Steve
• In the stage directions (his actions) or in the notebook section of the book (his thoughts/feelings)

HOMEWORK: None.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

PROTAGONIST (main character): Steve Harmon
POINT OF VIEW (POV): 1st person, from Steve Harmon's POV.
NARRATIVE STYLE: Film script

On-line Grammar Quizzes

When we write there are four different basic types of sentences:

1. Declarative: a sentence that makes a statement. These ALWAYS end in periods.
2. Interrogative: to interrogate means to question. Interrogative sentences ask a question. These ALWAYS end in question marks. (?)
3. Exclamatory: To exclaim means to say or shout something. Exclamatory sentences are sentences that indicate surprise, excitement, or passion. These types of sentences USUALLY end in exclamation points! but they could also end in periods.
4. Imperative: If something is imperative it is important for you to do (a command!) A sentence that makes a request, command, or order, like "Sit down!" or "Be quiet!" are imperative sentences. These usually end in exclamation points or periods just like the exclamatory sentence. Don't get them confused! (another example of an imperative sentence...)

Please use your time in the lab to do the following:

1. Go online to this website: Grammar Blast

2. Complete the grammar quizzes for SEVENTH (7) grade at this website. When you finish a quiz game, you will receive a score. Print this page out, put your name on it, and turn it in for credit. When you are done, you will have completed 10 Quizzes.

Complete the homework handouts for Friday (Simple/Complete subjects/predicates, Adverbs & Prepositions). Turn in your homework when you finish it. Please note that it is due FRIDAY, although I'll take it whenever you finish it (often in class). All work must be in before the end of the marking period for credit.

Adjectives; The Witches

Common adjectives MODIFY nouns and pronouns.

Proper adjectives are CAPITALIZED.

Compound adjectives are make up of (comprised) of two or more words (often with a hyphen).

Adjectives

The Witches: Chapter 3-4

Pronouns (Schoolhouse Rock)

Please turn to page 24. We'll continue reading The Witches by Roald Dahl.

As you read along with us, please notice how the author uses proper and common nouns, personal pronouns, and be able to name the main characters in the story. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?

HOMEWORK: None. Turn in any missing worksheets for NOUNS or PRONOUNS.

The Witches; Pronouns

The Witches!

Please turn to page 9 (bottom of the page, last paragraph). Let's continue reading. Ms. Springer will randomly call on people to read aloud after we (your teachers) read chapter one. When you are called please read at least 1 paragraph out loud for the class. This is practice reading out loud and is required.

Pronouns!

• Pronouns replace nouns.
• An antecedent is the NOUN (person, place, thing, idea) that the pronoun is replacing!
• Personal pronouns refer to NOUNS and usually replace the subject or direct object of a sentence.
• The SUBJECT of a sentence is the NOUN that the sentence is about.
• Personal pronouns come in three different types:
• first person (I, me, my, our, ours, us, we)
• second person (you, yours)
• third person (he, she, it, her, him, their, theirs, they)

Pronouns (Schoolhouse Rock)
Pronoun Song (English Learning Upgrade)
Pronouns (Grammaropolis)

Let's read the directions for your homework together.

HOMEWORK: Please complete the 15 questions (circle the appropriate personal pronoun) in each sentence. Turn in your completed homework Thursday.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Let's get back to reading by picking up Roald Dahl's novel: The Witches. We will be reading this book in class together. 

Reading!

• Take a moment to look at the cover of this book. Let's make some predictions:
• What kind of book will this be?
• What characters are we likely to encounter?
• What sort of plot events are likely to occur in the book?
• Why do we think these things to be true?
• What do you know about "witches"? Let's ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE of our subject.

HOMEWORK: Complete any blank or missing assignments from your folder. 

Nouns (Continued)

Noun Song

Please watch and participate in this Prezi review of the Kinds of Nouns!

Questions?

Please complete the worksheets on nouns with a single partner. Turn in your papers by the end of class today. I will be coming around to assist you.

The Magic Finger; Nouns

Today we will continue reading along with the audio book for The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl.

When we are done with the book, together, let's identify:

Characters:

• protagonist
• antagonist
• minor characters

Setting: In what locations does the story take place?

Important objects in the story: what items are mentioned in the story?

What is the message or theme of the story? (what does the author want us to learn about life from this story?)


NOUNS:

Nouns are the first of 8 parts of speech. Nouns are the name of PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS, CONDITIONS or IDEAS.

Nouns come in two tenses: singular and plural.

• Nouns can be common (beginning with lowercase letters)
• Nouns can be proper (beginning with UPPERcase letters)
• Nouns can be concrete (able to be touched, tastes, smelled, seen, or heard)
• Nouns can be abstract (not able to be touched, tasted, smelled, seen or heard)
• Nouns can be collective (names a group of people or things)
• Nouns can be compound (two or more words that make up the noun)

Take a look at this video! Nouns.

Together with a partner complete a list of common, proper, concrete, abstract and collective nouns. Please turn this list in at the end of class (the purple sheet).

TIPS: All characters in a story or novel are NOUNS. All settings in a story or novel are also NOUNS.
You should be able to identify the nouns in a sentence.

• If you're having trouble, remember to try to name the person, place, or thing in a sentence. 
• Nouns are always the SUBJECT of a sentence.

HOMEWORK: Please complete the NOUN worksheet for Monday, September 21!

Quiz on The Twits; The Magic Finger; Nouns

Today, please take 2 minutes to look over your class notes/activity from the previous class and prepare yourself for a short quiz on the book: The Twits by Roald Dahl.

You will have 10 minutes to complete the quiz. If you finish early, please use the back page of your test to brainstorm an idea for your own story inspired by the works of Roald Dahl. Would you write about characters that are gross and horrible like the twits? Or would you tell a story about a heroic animal like Muggle-Wump? Jot down some ideas while you're waiting for the rest of the class to finish.

After our quiz we will read the book "The Magic Finger" by Roald Dahl. This book should be a little easier than The Twits. The lexile for The Magic Finger is about 600-650. This is mainly due to the length of the book--Roald Dahl's writing hasn't changed drastically.

In any case, please read along (your eyes should be scanning the page as you listen to the text being read aloud). As you read notice the words you don't know and underline or highlight them in your text. At the end of class, please put your handouts in your folder along with your course criteria sheet and notes from The Twits.

HOMEWORK: please complete the noun handout. Keep this paper and turn in on Tuesday for homework credit.

Welcome! Introduction to ELA Ramp Up 7 & The Twits

Welcome, Class of 2021!

ELA 7: Ramp Up is additional instruction supplementing your academic classes, primarily through helping you improve your reading, writing, and literacy (vocabulary/grammar, etc.) skills.

Each day you will be expected to read texts as a whole class, independently, or in small reading groups (book groups). Additionally we will engage in a plethora of literacy techniques that will improve your academic skills.

Let's start by reviewing the expectations of the class. Then we'll shift to reading our first book together as a class. Please follow instructions as necessary.

The opening pages of The Twits. Please read along by scanning the page as you listen to the reading.

HOMEWORK: At the bottom of each post, I will indicate what HOMEWORK you have. In general, the more we do in class, the less homework we will have. So, technically, you determine how much homework you and your classmates get.

Our first homework assignment is to complete the book The Twits by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Information about the book can be found here and at the links.

Please complete reading the book for next class. Next class we will analyze and study the book a bit more carefully and a lot of the following information will be used.

Who is Roald Dahl?
Resources for the book: The Twits
The Twits: Lexile: 750
The Twits: Publishing date: 1980

Some Grammar Help

Grammar Help

Chasing Vermeer: Group & Silent Reading

We are moving into reading the text out loud to each other, helping each other comprehend the text, and then practicing silent reading this week.

Our goal: we want to complete the book within 2 weeks!

In order to do this, we will be reading at home as well as in class. As we work through the various strategies of reading, take notes and summarize each chapter. 

Picasso & Quiz on Characterization