Message to all classes...

Changes coming for fall...
As your teacher over this year, I have tried to prepare you for life outside the classroom and hopefully given you some life skills and "real world" application as well. One lesson you will need to learn in life is flexibility. We may not always like the changes that are thrown our way, but we learn to deal with them, hopefully gracefully. It is with a heavy heart that I say I will not be teaching most of you next year, but be assured that you are in expert hands. As I understand it I will be teaching 8th grade "regular" classes and welcome the opportunity to grow and learn the new Common Core standards that all ELA will be using this year. You may still use all resources on the sites I've given you. All the summer work you did (hopefully the reading) will not be wasted. Good luck as we approach the new year and continue to grow and learn all we can. You will be better for it and you have made me a better teacher having taught you.
With gratitude,
Ms. M., your "Captain"

Summer Reading: All PC classes!

Attention all PC classes...I will be emailing you instructions as soon as I put you all in a "group" email. For now, here are your basic directions:

Choice 1:  You may choose to read the following from Follett books online: http://masoncreek.dcm.schoolinsites.com/?PageName='Library'
You will need the username (masoncreek) and password (wolves).
6th grade (7th next year): If you choose to read from Follett I would like you to choose Mockingbird, Chains, The Luck of Buttons, or Hunger Games (if you've never read it). If you choose to use Follett instead of bookglutton.com, then you will need to make sure you can still log in to Moodle as your discussions will be posted there.
7th grade (8th grade next year): If you choose to read from Follett, I would like you to choose Mockingbird, Chains, or I highly suggest Ashes (it ties in with your SS curriculum).

Choice 2: Join me on bookglutton.com. You will need an invitation to do this...email or facebook with parent permission. I am testing this out as an online bookclub because it allows you to highlight, post questions, make observations right there on the screen. Once you receive your invite you will set up your own bookclub using your first initial and last name. You will invite me to join by either searching my group:

THE BOOK GODDESS: BOOK CLUB AND YOUNG ADULT NOVELS

or by email: tracymcneill@att.net.  (School related questions/emails only)

Many of the selections on here are higher level/high school reading, but some I think are in range. Take a look at the collection and let me know what you are interested in. I would suggest: Alice in Wonderland (with closer analysis/comparison and historical implications), Hamlet, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Count of Monte Cristo (a strong revenge theme here could be compared to Hamlet as well), War of the Worlds, Gift of the Magi, Little Women, Robinson Crusoe, Fall of the House of Usher (7th- if you had trouble with this in class you may want to choose it so you can help each other out), Time Machine, or How to Tell a Story- Mark Twain.

I don't want you stressing over this...it's only 1 book and many of them have AR tests so you will be one step closer to next year's goals. Talk to other friends in class and maybe pick the same books so you can discuss either on Moodle or on bookglutton.com

Email any questions and let me know if it works: tracymcneill@att.net
*I had to take "Chat" off of Cheetah due to some inappropriate use- you know who you are!*

- Ms. M.

Monday May 21, 2012

STANDARD: ELA7R1; ELA7W1
EQ: What do imagery and other literary devices add to a poem?
Warm-up: Go to http://englishhistory.net/keats/poetry/odeonagrecianurn.html and read the background and poem, "Ode on a Grecian Urn."
Lesson:
Go to http://www.archaeologychannel.org/content/video/ancgreece_300kW.html and watch "Pots Tell a Story." Then go to http://greece.mrdonn.org/vases.html and view other examples of Grecian Urns.
After viewing these, go to http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/menu.html to see other examples.
Now, re-read Keat's poem and answer the following:
1. How did Greek artists tell their stories through art, pottery, or architecture?
2. What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza? (you may use dictionary.com)
3. What images does Keat's use?
4. What metaphors can you find? What is he comparing?
5. What in the poem doesn't make sense?
6. One of the famous lines from the poem is: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty,- that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." What do you think this line means? How could it relate to "real" life?

*When you have finished, shut down your computer and wait for video to begin. Turn in your work to the turn in tray.
Homework: Final is Friday- you will listen to a song, "Persephone," read a poem, read a short myth in your literature book, answer questions about the reading, and write several short journals. There will be no multiple choice- your test from last week counts as that test grade. Also, I will be assigning you some reading material over the break. You will be able to access these as ebooks online or some through bookglutton.com. Please check Cheetah Chat over the summer for more information. You will have writing assignments based on your summer reading when you return in August. We will also be using Moodle over the summer if you are interested in discussing/posting about your reading so make sure you can access it.

Don't "GET" the poem? Try these sources to help you...
http://voices.yahoo.com/an-analysis-ode-grecian-urn-national-poetry-2837397.html
http://www.enotes.com/ode-grecian-urn

Good luck on your final...we will be discussing Persephone, sharing your insight into Keat's poem, and toasting to change. Time allowing you can share your change poems (if you wish). Be looking for invites to our online book club for summer reading and sign the email list in class tomorrow.

Happy reading, writing, and many adventures to you this summer ;) It has been my pleasure (most of the time) being your captain.

-Mishaun ;)

7th grade: Adjective and adverb clauses

7th grade Language Arts
STANDARD: ELA7C1; ELA7R1; ELA7W1
EQ: What is the difference between and adjective/ adverb clause and phrase?

5/15/12    Directions: We've had a LONG break from grammar, but it's back...so...
1. Review the slideshare projects (top right on Cheetah Chat) on adjective and adverb phrases and clauses.
2. Go to http://quizlet.com/1860294/adjective-and-adverb-clauses-flash-cards/ and play the "Scatter" and "Space Race" game for adjective and adverb clauses.
3. Go to http://quizlet.com/44006/adjective-and-adverb-prepositional-phrases-flash-cards/ to review the differences between adjective and adverb phrases.
4. Go to http://www.englishgrammar.org/lessons/ (one of the BEST resources around) and review any grammar you feel you still "don't get."
5. Finish your homework assignment (casting the novel you read as a movie).

SUB PLAN:  5/16/12
EQ: What conventions do I still need to master?
  Final grammar quiz- your paper please. Homework: Journals must be complete by tomorrow, AR tests must be taken, and be prepared to share your "cast" for your movie version of your literature circle book.

5/17/12 Journal 1- "Looks can be deceiving"- Think of a story you have read where looks may have been deceiving. Think of a character who may have been beautiful on the outside, but shallow. Or a character who may not be the most georgeous, but has georgeous character traits- kindness for example. Then, agree or disagree with the following: You can/can't always judge a book by it's cover. (2-3 paragraphs)

5/17/12  Journal 2: Metamorphosis- Last year when you studied Greek mythology you were introduced to many stories, such as Baucis and Philemon, that featured several types of metamorphosis, or changes. You, as a seventh grader, may have undergone many metamorphosis even this year. Write 1/2 page on how you have changed this year. Try to think of changes other than just physical changes.

5/18/12  Toast for Change: Last year you wrote an "I am" poem for our narrative poetry unit. Re-read Journal 2 and reflect on how you have changed this year. Did you meet all your goals? Are there still aspects of your character you want to change? Write your "Toast for Change" on the handout given.

5/19/12 Change Poem: Fill in the blanks on the poem thinking of the ways that you have or would like to change. Please be honest. These will go in your portfolios, but only brave volunteers will share with the class. Due: Thursday

5/18/12  Read "Master Frog" pp. 637-643 in your Literature book. Answer questions #7 and #8 on p. 644 on your own paper.

6th grade MYTHOLOGY

Michael C. Carlos Museum (at Emory):
http://carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/GREECE/home.html

Video clips: Ancient Greece: http://videoclips.mrdonn.org/greekgods.html
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=406BCD33-2C17-41A2-95D8-1519627FB045&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US


Which mythological figure are you? http://thewalters.org/exhibitions/heroes/quiz/

Greek gods/goddesses family tree: http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/familytree.html
gods/goddesses museum: http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/explore/exp_set.html

Mt. Olympus and the 12 Olympians: http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/mountolympus.html

Myths and Legends:
http://reading.pppst.com/myths.html

BEST MYTHOLOGY SITE:   http://www.theoi.com/
http://www.usefulcharts.com/history/greek-gods-chart.html
http://greekmythology.com/
http://www.mythweb.com/index.html
http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/index.html
http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/why/index.html
http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/learning/wrath/WrathGuide.pdf

3rd/5th period:

The Odyssey: http://greece.mrdonn.org/odyssey.html
Trojan Horse: http://greece.mrdonn.org/trojanwar.html
Odyssey game: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/odchoice.htm

Greek interactive timeline: http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/greektimeline.html

Pots Tell the Story (Ancient Grecian art)
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/content/video/ancgreece_300kW.html
http://greece.mrdonn.org/vases.html

Make your own vase: http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/kids/preload.htm

Greek craft ideas: http://www.wartgames.com/crafts/greekgods.html

Online activities:
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210200/ancient_greece/online_activities.htm

WRITING YOUR OWN MYTHS:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/mythmachine.htm



http://greece.mrdonn.org/index.html

Major Greek gods/goddesses
http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/index.html

Greek politics and government:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/government.html

Greek Jeopardy:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/powerpoints-jeopardy.html

Greek Games:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/index.html
http://greece.mrdonn.org/games.html
Symbol game: http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/challenge/cha_set.html

Greek Alphabet:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/alphabet.html

GREEK THEATER:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/theatre.html

More Greek myths:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/myths.html

Greek Museum: http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/menu.html

BBC Greek information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/

Edith Hamilton's mythology:
http://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/story.html#Stories


Aesop's Fables:
http://www.wartgames.com/themes/aesop.html

6th grade MYTHOLOGY

http://www.usefulcharts.com/history/greek-gods-chart.html

7th grade: Literature circles

You may use these links to help you with your books:

The Borrowers:
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article2083.html
http://www.lessonindex.com/The_Borrowers_by_Mary_Norton.html

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making:
http://us.macmillan.com/thegirlwhocircumnavigatedfairylandinashipofherownmaking/CatherynneMValente

The Single Shard:
http://www.bookrags.com/lessonplan/a-single-shard/intro.html
http://www.merrybee.info/ba/single.html

The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian:
http://www.enotes.com/absolutely-true-diary-part-time-indian