Follow the link to read all information about our author, Walter Dean Myers.



Walter Dean Myers History and Video


Then, read the first FIVE summaries of his book Monster that chronicles the experiences of a youngster who made a few decisions that placed him in a situation that has the potential to end his life.

The summaries are at this link: Summary of Chapters 1-5


Having done both, you are expected to respond to the following post using an extended paragraph (8-10 sentences). In your post, you must address the question:

Steve situation is a product (a result) of his current environment. In responding, consider the research you have done on Walter Dean Myers' life and works and consider the family, and social backgrounds for Steve Harmon.

To complete your post for assessment, you MUST also respond, build on, or reject the arguments made by another student through his/her original post.

As usual, please write your FIRST Name and Beginning letter of your last name for identification and assessment.

9th Grade Cohort for December 8th, 2014

9th Grade Cohort members:


Please click on the padlet link below and respond to the following question. You may choose to identify yourself as the author or you may submit anonymously. 

Whichever mode you choose, please edit it carefully for any errors that may hinder clarity and comprehension.


Here is the link:

Padlet for 9th grade Cohort Discussion and Planning

2nd Period Techniques in Literature

In preparation for your discussion of techniques used in writing and in preparation for successfully completing your writing on the Common Core piece "The Fundamental Principle of a Republic" use the links below to research key concepts relating to techniques in writing.

As you research, take copious notes that you can use for your blogging, for your group's discussion, as well as information you can draw on as you prepare your three paragraph textual analysis response.

Task for Blogging: Having concluded your research, write a short paragraph response in which you make a claim as to which technique is MOST readily used by Shaw in her writing. Provide at least one example from the piece as to where this was used and explain how effectively Shaw uses this technique in her writing.

The links are below. You are expected to research at least two links before you begin to blog. Every student must also read and notes on the link entitled "Mandatory Article on Text Analysis."

Write your first name and last INITIAL at the end of the blog BEFORE you post it. Unnamed blogs would not be regarded for further comments and assessment!


Structure and Parallel Structure

Video on Structure

Rhetorical Question in Language and Literature

Differences between a Metaphor and an Analogy

Analyzing Devices of Metaphors, Similes, Analogies etc

Syntax and Diction

Theme Analysis

Mandatory Article on Text Analysis

Summer Blog 2: Building Short Stories: Elements for an Effective Short Story

Visit the following links below to read, discuss and take notes on the Elements of an Effective Short Story.  YOU MUST VISIT AT LEAST TWO SITES FIRST! Since this is our new genre of study for Creative Writing, you are to respond to the following blog after you have gathered yours notes and discussed at your group tables.

Elements for an Effective short story

http://www.aaronshep.com/youngauthor/elements.html


http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpm/ellsa/ellsa_elements.html


http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~karchung/Short_story.pdf


http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2012/12/10/tips-for-effective-storytelling-at-work/


http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/short.html



Which element of the Short Story writing do you consider to be the MOST important for ANY Short Story?


Why do you consider this element most important? Give details based on your own experiences as well as using any of the facts you found while you were researching.'


Remember to include your name for identification of your posting BEFORE you post your blog. Any "No Name" blog would not be acknowledged for assessment!

Happy blogging!

Mathematics workshop on Annotation

Sample Math problems to indicate how students might approach annotation Sample Geometry Problems




Other sample problems from different Math areas/genres


Other areas in Math





 PARCC (Partnership for Assessment on Readiness for College and Careers)

PARCC Sample Task (The Popcorn Question)

Sample practice sheet for Literacy in Math
Math sheet that outlines Literacy approach for ELLs and ITTs

Copy of Lit Circle Spreadsheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LgoWzue5xZRjk_kJzAKUyt1F3cbUKKjSvxo_FfrnuTA/edit#gid=0

Follow the instructions to complete using YOUR role and your research

Edmodo Account and Body Paragraphs for Narratives

Please follow the site and link below to set up your Edmodo account for submitting your Body paragraphs for peer evaluation.

Edmodo Account Set Up

You would be required to first set up a student account at www.edmodo.com

Having set up this account, use the code tnbq76 to join our group.

This is where you will submit many of your creative writing pieces and view some of your grades as a back-up to your Pupilpath account.

Please see Ms. Joseph for additional support to complete this process.

Literature Circle Period 2

Please click on this Google Doc Spreadsheet to document your interactions with your groups and the discussions you have made. Please do not write in any other circle, but your OWN.

Edit your work before you share for whole class discussion.


Google Doc Spreadsheet

Creative Writing Period 1: Audio Version of Cisneros' "A House on Mango Street" and Narrative Writing

A House on Mango Street-Audio Version


After the reading and the class discussion, please follow the guidelines below for writing your posts and commenting on your classmates' postings:

Guidelines for completing your Blogs:

You may use the same text chosen when they were exposed to Cisneros text or a new idea that is generated from your group or class discussion. You will follow the following steps for the posting of your blogs:

1. What idea from “The House of Mango Street” I would like to include in my narrative. You must directly site the idea using direct speech or you  may paraphrase it using in-text citation.
2. How does this idea relate to what I want to say? You must use 2-3 original sentences to say how the text applies to the idea that you want to build for your own narrative.

You must write your name at the bottom of the post and then send the post.

To complete your blog session, you must find one other posting from someone in the class (preferably someone who is NOT in your group).

1. You must read this person’s POST in its entirety and THEN make a 1-2 sentence comment on the person’s post where you either ask a question of the person for further clarity or you give the person another angle or idea that they may consider to improve or strengthen their original idea

Be respectful. Be considerate. Use Standard American English at ALL times!

When you are finished blogging, return to your tables for completion of the Summary EXIT Ticket or a Posting for the class’s Parking Lot.

See the rubric for posting comments to guide the successful completion of this activity.

Google Form on "Elements and Techniques of Fiction." Please click on the link and complete then submit

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1REXOE72paexMRidOmQpJDAX3mI_9J9ALTKgnNXtJD-A/viewform

Period 2: Discussion Questions for the "Elements of Fiction" Google Form

Small Group Activity:Accountable Talk Session

-Products 2-4 of your discussion must be recorded on your CEI Work documents provided for share out 

• What are some of the highlights of the data? 

• What claim does the data of the survey reveal about the specific focus on the Element of Fiction assigned to your group?

• How might this claim be proven using the results of the data? Evidence

• As a team, what interpretations/decisions might you take to address (teach, re-teach, strengthen the shortcomings of this element of Fiction? Think about what you might do to successfully teach the concept in your groups to your classmates.Be Specific!