Embracing Shakespeare

Your job over the next seven days is to read A Midsummer Nights Dream.  It will and should be a challenge.  Take advantage of your copy and mark your thinking.

See the Link for How to Read Shakespeare


Question 1:

In the opening pages there are many references to the moon. What might Shakespeare be employing this image for?  What might the moon be symbolizing?


Question 2:

Name 3 tricks that Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, has played on humans.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-h_EArio1HGR05jW_J4fhbqi97Lw4f1TNhMs8bMNdJ4/edit?usp=sharing






Embrace and Enjoy!

Reading Ladder: Building Stamina and Volume

For the Love of Books

Book Ladder - Building Stamina and Volume

Semester 2

To grow as a reader one must build both stamina and volume.  Use your  notebook to  help you create a “Reading Ladder” of the books you read this semester.  You may include books that you abandoned on the ladder.  Just as one climbs a ladder and with each rung one moves toward the top difficulty ensures.  

Make a reading ladder ranking books from easier (the bottom of the ladder) to the most challenging.  Be sure to include the author, the genre, and the number of pages for each title.  If you abandoned a book, simply mark A.  Once you have all of the books listed, total the number of pages read this semester.  

Additionally, write a paragraph explaining which book made the greatest impact on you.  Be sure to thoroughly explain your reasoning.  

Make a second list of books you plan to read over the summer.  Total the number of pages you expect to read.  

_____ 15 pts. Made a comprehensive list of books read with author and

genre.

_____  10 pts.      Included page number of each title.

_____ 15 pts.       Totaled the number of pages read over the semester

_____  25 pts.       Number of pages read  indicates both stamina and volume

_____  25 pts.     Included a well-written paragraph with clear explanation of            

                               a book or author that has made an impact on you.

_____ 15 pts. Created a Summer Reads List

_____ 50 pts.     Included a letter to future 9th Grade Teacher

Dear Mr. Schroder or Mrs. Alt,

The purpose of this letter is to give your future insight as to who you are as a learner, reader, and writer.  

    

Fahrenheit 451

Advanced LA F451                                                                                   

Note the Change:  This project is due Tuesday 19.  It is worth 50 points.

What does it say? What does it mean? What does it matter?

As you read Fahrenheit 451 look for allusions. 

What you need to do:

1. What does it say? Discover what the allusion is by looking up the word. Be sure you understand what the definition means, both the denotation of the word and the connotation of the word…this may affect Bradbury’s meaning and usage of the allusion.

2.  What does it mean? Based on what you pulled from the box, complete the research:

·         Direct quote:

Find out who said it and when, where, to whom it was said and in what context.

·         Allusion:

Find out the “backstory.” What is it an allusion to? Explain the who, what, when, where, and context of the original source.

3. Be sure to record the source(s) from which you take your information. You must reference a researched source, even if you think you already know the answer. You are required to provide a citation- not doing so is plagiarism!

4. What does it matter? Put it all together…why has Bradbury included this allusion? What is his purpose? How does using this allusion create greater meaning for the reader? What is Bradbury saying by including this allusion?

5. Presentation: Display the quote/allusion and the information you researched and your ideas about Bradbury’s message. Use some kind of technology to do so…Prezi, Powerpoint, etc. Be sure to include the citation in MLA format.

	0-2 Beginning- unclear information or misinformation; connections are not made	2.5 Growing- clear information, but not complete. Explanation needs more detail.	3.5 Mastery- clear, solid information. Explanation makes sense; few questions remain	4 Exceptional- clear, solid, detailed information. Evidence of deep thinking
Quote/Allusion
Meaning
Message/Bradbury’s purpose
Citation
Presentation

Across Generations: Grandparent Rubric

Across Generations: The Grandparent Biography Rubric

Please find the rubric at the link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uqSPYd0nF4n-2AmmrhnKXOH-J2qDxKgn38phCuqMfSg/edit?usp=sharing


Review it tonight before printing your paper.  Remember all papers need to be printed prior to coming to class.

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451: Homework pages 1-11

1. Describe Montag in your own words; then for each part of your description, provide a quote/pg# from the book to support your interpretation of his character.

2. Describe Clarisse in your own words; then for each part of your description, provide a quote/pg# from the book to support your interpretation of her character.

Due Friday, May 1.

How to Write a Dedication Page

How to Write a Dedication Page in a Book

When writing a dedication page, think about the people who were the most influential when the book was being written.  Dedicating a book to a very special person is certainly a way that you can show your appreciation, and feelings for them.

• A dedication page in a book precedes the main body of the book.
•  On the dedication page, the author names the person for whom the book was written.
• Dedications can be just two words, such as For Mom or several paragraphs.  It can be as short as ""Dedicated to..."" or can be a page long. It depends on what you would like to say.

• It is a permanent gesture, and will be a keepsake that a person can hold for life.
• Your own heart felt words, written by you for an individual or a group if you like, will always be appreciated and cherished.
• If possible, you may want to add a short story that tells why you would like to dedicate a book to that person, and how they inspired you."

Steps:

1.    Make a list of who helped you or inspired you in writing the book. Include close family and friends, editors and fellow writers. Also include historical figures, if applicable. Jot down a few notes about the role each person played.
2.  Decide how many people you want to thank.
3.  Determine the style of dedication you want to write. A dedication can be a short chapter explaining how the idea for the book came about and how various people helped along the way, or it can be as short and simple as "To my ma."

4.  Read some dedications by your favorite authors. Take notes on how they begin their works.

5.  Write a short dedication and a long one. Decide which expresses your feelings better.
6.  Consider adding a quote. A statement that summarizes what you are trying to do with your book can add power to your dedication.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4872305_write-dedication-book.html

M-Step (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress)

What's M-Step?

Students have been assessed using the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) for decades.   These assessments were taken using paper and  pencil and provided limited feedback to students.  The Michigan Department of Education now has a new assessment.  M-Step is an online test which provides faster results.  

The format of the test includes multiple choice, short answer, a class activity to support a performance task.  

Both eighth graders as well as seventh graders will be assessed in English Language Arts and Math.

See schedule below:  

8th grade -          April 15th Computer Adaptive

                           April 21th Classroom Activity

                           April 22nd Performance Task

                           April 23rd Performance Task

7th grade -         May 4th  Computer Adaptive

                          May 5th Classroom Activity

                          May 6th Performance Task

                          May 7th Performance Task