Saturday, September 14, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Hello students! For those of you who follow me on google plus you will know that I have upgraded to an actual class website! You can click on this link https://sites.google.com/site/mschristensensela/ to find the summer reading assignment and a letter that Mr. Gates sent home detailing first day of school information.
I am so looking forward to seeing your smiling faces on September 9th! Also, make sure to do your summer reading! If you have any questions be sure to email me a mschristensenfda@gmail.com.
Enjoy the last days of summer!
Love,
Ms. Christensen
I am so looking forward to seeing your smiling faces on September 9th! Also, make sure to do your summer reading! If you have any questions be sure to email me a mschristensenfda@gmail.com.
Enjoy the last days of summer!
Love,
Ms. Christensen
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Summer Reading Assignment for school year 2013- Book Money Due June 7th!!!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SUMMER OF 2013: READING LIST AND REQUIREMENTS
Students, your brain is like
a muscle; if you do not use it, you will start to lose it. The summer reading will keep your brain in
shape. You will buy two books, at a discounted price, from the Frederick Douglass
Academy to read DURING THE SUMMER. Each
grade must read two books; while one literary work will be assigned, you will
have a choice between three to four options for the other literary work. You will
be tested on the books at the beginning of the upcoming school year. In addition, you are required to complete all
components of the assignment for your grade level.
ALL WORK IS DUE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2013. THESE
ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE COUNTED TOWARD YOUR FIRST MARKING PERIOD AVERAGE. FAILURE
TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO FOR THE PROJECT WHICH
IN TURN COULD RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
The NYS Common Core curriculum emphasizes studying an
author’s craft. Thus, for the summer,
each grade will be reading two books by the same author, so they can begin to
analyze an author’s writing style.
Please see the attached document to help you decide which book you would
like to read. Then please return the
last document with cash or money order payable to Frederick Douglass
Academy. All money needs to handed in by
JUNE 7th in order to ensure that the books are in by the last day of
school.
What You Will Be Reading
Incoming 7th grader books by Sharon Draper
Required Text: We Beat The Street
Select one of the following:
- The Battle of Jericho
- Fire From the Rock
- Romiett and Julio
Incoming 8th grader books by Gary Soto
Required Text: Baseball in April
Select one of the following:
- Taking Sides
- Living Up the Street
- Buried Onions
- Accidental Love
What To Do After You Are Finished Reading
- PART ONE: Book
Project (see attached document for details)
For each book, you will
complete a book project that displays your understanding of the text. Students must select a different project for each book.
- PART TWO: Analyzing Author’s Craft
After
reading both books, please answer the following questions thoroughly. Write a paragraph for each question.
1) What did you notice about the author’s
writing style? (ex. Did they write descriptively? Poetically? With
suspense? Choppy and abrupt? How did the author decide to tell the story? From
what point of view or order? Etc.). Give an example from each
literary work to support your response. If you are struggling to analyze the writing then look at a specific paragraph or page in a text and
then answer the above questions.
2)
What connections
can be made between the two works?
More specifically, what themes (topics or lessons) do you see in both
works? What can you conclude about the author then?
3)
Which novel did
you prefer? Why? Give specific details from the texts to support your
claim/stance.
4)
What is the author’s point of view or purpose in
writing the texts?
(To persuade, Inform, Entertain) Give an example from each
literary work to support your response.
Please see the attached document to help you decide which book you would like to read. Then please return the last document with cash or money order payable to Frederick Douglass Academy. All money needs to handed in by JUNE 7th in order to ensure that the books are in by the last day of school.
6th grade ELO Revisions- Due June 14th
As many of your know, Mr. Gates and the English teachers have stressed with importance of completing all ELOs this year. In addition:
Principal Gates is requiring all students to receive an 80% mastery grade on ELO 1-8 this year. If a student doesn't receive an 80% or higher they will go to summer school until they complete them.
Therefore, that is what we will be working on this marking period to give students a chance to revise and complete the ELO projects. Once a student recieves a 80% or higher that grade will be put into Jupiter grades again. Students who already received an 80% or higher will not have to do it again, however, their final grade will be put into this marking period again.
Below you will find the essay tasks for ELOs 1-8 for the 6th grade. Students are to complete each essay and receive an 80% or higher of each essay. Tutorials are also being held on Tuesday and Thursday for extra help.
Important deadlines:
ELO 1-3 is due June 28th
ELO 4-8 are due June 14th
**On June 14th every student must have a completed ELO Student portfolio.
6th grade ELOs Essay Prompts:
ELO 1 (Memoir on Courage)
Write a memoir recalling an experience using descriptive details in sequence. Select a particular moment when courage was needed by you or someone you know.
o
Introduction- Engage your audience with a hook. Then orient the reader by describing the
setting and introducing the characters.
o
Paragraph 1 – Describe the first thing that happened.
o
Paragraph 2 – Describe the next thing that happened.
o
Paragraph 3 – Discuss the resolution.
o
Conclusion- Explain what you learned from this event in your life.
ELO 2 (Compare and Contrast Essay)
Compose a compare and
contrast essay analyzing characters ability to cope with a situation using two
short stories with relevant supporting evidence from the texts.
Your essay will adhere to the following
structure:
o
Introductory Paragraph- Introduce both literary works. State your
thesis statement explaining what you would be proving in your essay either:
similarities, differences, or both.
o
Body Paragraph 1 – First Literary Work
Support your thesis with clear reasons and
relevant
evidence,
using the text.
o
Body Paragraph 2-Second Literary Work
Support
your thesis with clear reasons and relevant
evidence,
using the text
o
Conclusion-Provide a concluding statement or summary of your thesis.
ELO 3 (Short Story)
Students will write their own short story.
Your story will include each of following elements:
o
Introduction- Characters and the setting are revealed.
o
Rising Action – Events in the story become complicated and the conflict
of the story is revealed.
o
Climax- The turning point of story when reader’s interest is at its
peak.
o
Falling Action- Events and complications begin to resolve themselves.
o
Conclusion- Final outcome or untangling of events.
ELO 4 (Thematic Essay)
In When
The Moutain Meets The Moon, by Grace Lin explores many themes through the
experiences of the main character, Minli. Using details from the text complete
the following thematic essay in which you answer explores how Minli and/ or her
family members mind set changes over the course of the book.
Introduction paragraph- Introduce the essay by describing the chosen
theme (Fortune and Fate, Hope and Disappointment, and Aspiring for a Better Life) and how Grace Lin wanted the reader to learn a lesson.
Body Paragraph 1and 2- For each paragraph use textual
evidence from the novel to prove your chosen theme.
Conclusion paragraph- Conclude
your essay by explaining what the author (Grace Lin) hoped the reader to learn
through the chosen theme and explain if she is successful or unsuccessful in
this and how it answers the essential questions
ELO 5 (Poetry Essay)
Evaluate a poem from the ELO anthology packet that
depicts change or something that needs to be changed.
Your essay will adhere to the following
structure:
Introduction (Introductory paragraph) - Introduce the poem by summarizing its contents and
stating the change that occurred or the change that is needed. State what the poet’s message (theme) is or what can be learned about the
change or the change that is required.
Body Paragraphs
- Explain the poet’s
message using textual evidence from the poem.
Explain the poetic devices used to help the author convey his/her
message.
Conclusion paragraph-
Restate your thesis (in other words) and what the reader should learn. Explain
the salient points from the poem
that we should apply to our lives.
ELO 6 (Character Essay, Compare and Contrast or Thematic Essay on Watsons' Go To Birmingham)
For
the state test, students will have to be able to write an essay in a limited
time period. Students will have to be
able demonstrate the ability to write various types of essays: Character essay, compare and contrast essay or thematic essay.) Throughout this month students will write
different types of essays using the novel Watson’s
Go to Birmingham. Students will then
select one of their essays to revise and submit for a final grade using the corresponding
rubric.
Your
essay will adhere to the following structure:
ü Introduction paragraph-
Introduce the essay with a hook and clear thesis.
ELO 7 (ELA Exam Prediction Essay)
Based on your performance thus far this school year in ELA, compose an essay predicting your outcome on the NYS ELA exam.
Your essay must:
ü follow one of the following structures: compare/contrast, problem/solution, or persuasive
ü include an introduction with a clear thesis
ü explain why you would earn that score on the state exam using specific statistical evidence and examples (data)
ü explain how you have grown as a reader and/or writer
ü conclude by explaining the purpose of reflection and state a call to action
ü have correct grammar, organization, and spelling
ELO 8 (Feature Article on Bullying Prevention)
Apply the research model and present information that examines bullying.
Your feature article will adhere to the following structure:
Layout: Your article will follow the format of a newspaper article. It will be written in columns and have a title and subheading. It should also be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font.
Sources: You must find at least two sources. Cite all the information even if you wrote it in your own words. Cite your sources by putting the author or publisher in parenthesis after the sentence. Ex. (author or publisher).
Content: 1) You must use at least one literary work read in class.
Additional Features
- Interview and quotations from someone about bullying.
- A photo with a caption.
- A graph that reflects research or survey.
Works Cited Page: Following MLA format
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