Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Persuasive Speech Project



Persuasive Speech
Directions:
1.    Select a position you are passionate about defending.
2.     Participate in and complete the writing process (using the rubric) by completing each of the drafts by the due dates to compose an effective persuasive speech.

3.     Deliver your persuasive speech to your classmates to persuade them to agree with your position by the due date.

Writing Process Due Dates:
The 1st draft is due on December 3, 2012.
The revised 2nd draft is due on December 6, 2012.
The edited final draft is due on December 10, 2012.
The presentation is due on December 12, 2012.
Each Draft Must:
-Be in M.L.A. format.
-Include one introductory paragraph, two or three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph (4 to 5 total paragraphs).
-Each body paragraph must be 5 or more sentences .

Learning Accomplishments:
A
Advanced
B
Proficient
C
Basic
NP
Below Basic
Writing Persuasive Compositions (2.5)
Confidently defends a clear claim/position with true and relevant evidence.
Convincingly speaks to the audience’s concerns and counter-arguments.
Generally defends a clear claim/position with true and relevant evidence.
Speaks to the audience’s concerns and counter-arguments.
Defends a claim/position with little, if any, evidence. May speak to the audience’s concerns and counter-arguments.
Tries to but lacks the ability to defend a claim/position with any evidence.
Even with help, fails to speak to the audience’s concerns.
Organization and Focus
(1.3)
Uses a clear and effective organizational pattern with transitions throughout the entire composition/ speech.
Thesis statement clearly states the position.
Uses a clear and effective organizational pattern with transitions throughout most of the composition/speech.
Thesis statement states the position.

Uses an effective organizational pattern throughout some of the composition/ speech. Limited use of transitions.
Thesis statement may be unclear.
Does not have a clear and effective organizational pattern. Limited or no use of transitions.
Thesis statement is missing.
Sentence Structure
(1.1)

Includes sentence variety throughout the entire composition/ speech.
Includes some sentence variety.
Includes little sentence variety.
Includes no sentence variety, and/ or incomplete or run-on sentence.
Writing Conventions
Contains no or few errors in C.U.P.S. Errors do not get in the way of the reader’s understanding of  the writing.
Contains some errors in C.U.P.S. Errors do not get in the way of the reader’s understanding of  the writing.
Contains many errors in C.U.P.S. These errors may get in the way of the reader’s understanding of the writing.
Contains serious errors in C.U.P.S. These errors get in the way of the reader’s understanding of the writing.
Deliver Persuasive Presentations (2.4)
Uses the Speaker’s Checklist throughout the entire speech. Makes eye-contact with the audience at several points during the speech.
Uses the Speaker’s Checklist throughout most of the speech. Makes eye-contact with the audience at a few points during the speech.
Uses the Speaker’s Checklist throughout more than half of the speech.
Uses the Speaker’s Checklist throughout less than half of the speech.
Formatting (W1.5)
All drafts are in MLA format (double-spaced, heading is left-aligned, title is center-aligned, paragraph is indented)
All drafts are mostly in MLA format (may be missing one part of the format).
All drafts are partly in MLA format (may be missing two or three parts of the format)
Even with help, the  drafts are not in MLA format.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Homework Help for the Egyptian Pyramid Project

Use the following websites to help with your Egyptian Pyramid Project:

"I Am The Mummy, Heb Nefert"

Advice on How To Build a Pyramid

Hieroglyphic Code




 Egyptian Pyramid Project:
Directions:
1.     Find a partner you will be able to work well with. If you would rather work by yourself, you may.

2.     Plan how you will build or draw an Egyptian pyramid. The pyramid must represent (and be the same shape as) the pyramids that were built during Ancient Egyptian times.

3.     Design your Egyptian pyramid to include:
a.      a representation of a sarcophagus with an embalmed mummy
b.     a spell (or special word) written in hieroglyphs to help send the pharaoh to his afterlife.
c.      3 or more features of an Egyptian pyramid (for example: hidden entrances, burial chambers, temple, food, luxury goods to take to the afterlife, etc.)

4.     Label the sarcophagus and the other features with clear and neat labels.
5.     Write a poem that serves to honor the pharaoh buried in the pyramid; use the poem “I Am The Mummy, Heb Nefert” as a model of an excellent poem.

6.     Write an essay with two or more paragraphs that explains:
a.      how you built your pyramid.
b.     the design of your sarcophagus, the spell you included, and the features of your pyramid.

7.   Plan to present your pyramid and read your essay aloud to the class.

Due Date: November 28, 2012 Parent Signature:

Rubric Name:

A
Advanced
B
Proficient
C
Basic
NP
Below Basic
Pyramid (6.2.5)
Model or drawing includes a detailed sarcophagus, spell, and  3 or more labeled features modeled after the pyramids of Ancient Egypt.
Model or drawing includes a detailed sarcophagus, spell, and  2 or more labeled features modeled after the pyramids of Ancient Egypt.
Model or drawing includes a sarcophagus, spell, and  1 or more labeled features modeled after the pyramids of Ancient Egypt. May be missing labels, sarcophagus, or the spell.
Even with individualized help, the model or drawing is not representing a pyramid of Ancient Egypt.
Essay
(6 C 1.0)
Writing is organized. 2 full paragraphs; no errors in C.U.P.S.
Writing is mostly organized; very few errors in C.U.P.S. Less than 2 full paragraphs.
Writing is partially organized; several errors, but none interfere with the reader’s understanding of the explanation.
Even with individualized help, writing is unorganized. Errors interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Presentation
(6 L 1.0)

All parts of the presentation are clear and understandable to the entire audience. The presenter points to parts in the model or drawing to emphasize what he or she is saying.
Most parts of the presentation are clear and understandable to most of the audience.
More than half of the presentation is clear and understandable to most of the audience.
Even with individualized help, the presentation is not clear or understandable to the audience.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Explore Ancient Mesopotamia

Click on the link to do your own research on Ancient Mesopotamia:

http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/menu.html



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Welcome New Sixth Graders!

Blog Expectations: 
When you complete your homework, the class blog is here for you to "surf" internet resources related to what we are learning in class. It is a requirement of this class to find the opportunity to go on the Internet, and access these resources. 

Practice surfing the internet by completing the following scavenger hunt: 

1) On the Arcademics Skill Builders website, find the division game, and play to practice your division. 
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/ 

2) On the BBC website, find the game titled Spelling, and practice your spelling. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/english/spelling_grammar/

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

W.A.R. on Number the Stars

Why does Mrs. Johansen get illegal newspapers? (Brian)

Why didn't the soldiers take Ellen when they had the chance? (Edgar)

Why does Peter deliver illegal newspapers if he could get caught? (Riley)

Chapters 12 and 13
Annemarie, what are you going to do if Mama doesn’t get up? (pg. 85)

 I wonder how Henrik ended up being part of the Resistance? (pg. 86)

 I believe the Rosens will make it safely to Sweden, but I’m still worried about Uncle Henrik and Peter hiding their involvement in the Resistance from the Nazis. (pg. 87)

 Mrs. Johansen, don’t be so hard on yourself. Everyone falls! (pg. 87)

 I wonder what the packet is. Why is it so important to Uncle Henrik, Peter and helping the Nazis escape to Sweden? (pg. 89)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice your English and study for the CST. Play games on the following website:


http://www.marks-english-school.com/games.html

Friday, April 13, 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Transition Words

To add emphasis: for this reason, again, especially, to repeat, truly

To conclude or summarize: finally, lastly, as a result, because, in conclusion, to sum up, all in all

To add information: also, as well, for instance, next, in addition, for example, another, along with, moreover, additionally

To compare: similarly, while, in the same way, like

To contrast: however, although, on the other hand, in contrast

To clarify: that is, for instance, in other words

Monday, January 23, 2012

Not Sure What To Read?

Click on the following link to access kids' favorite books:

FIND ME SOMETHING TO READ!