Thank You Most Important Twenty Years... test prep GR8

Here you go... a little video I made to share with you what to focus on with the upcoming test on "Thank You Ma'm", "A Most Important Person", and "After Twenty Years".....

The untold story.... Plot diagram explained.... English

I am trying out yet another IPad app.... here is a video I made using "ShowMe"... by the time I find and figure out how to use the hundreds of tech-helps out there you will have a VERY thorough knowledge of the elements of the short story.... hmm....I see a potential story conflict within the information I just wrote  - can you guess what it is?

Plot Diagram GRADE 8 English

We are a story...

Each day, wherever we go we meet people and as we go through our day we do things which are on and at with until suddenly, something new or different happens, the problem gets fixed and everyone moves on to the next day.

If we  placed each item on the plot map/diagram, we would have the basic outline for a short story! 

Plot

ASSIGNMENT: Take these elements and find a way to place them on the plot diagram. You aren't writing a story but you will need to take the elements and expand upon them in order to get them on the diagram...

FAMILY   VACATION    RESORT     MONEY

Example:

Resort could be part of setting and/or part of the conflict...

Money could be part of the conflict, the inciting moment or the rising action...

You get to decide...  

Grade 8 Paragraph NOVEMBER ... due Monday, November 5th

Here is the pre-write template....

You need to write a paragraph about November...

That is much too broad - think about one main idea to write about.... what would make a good topic sentence? Use your idea generating bubble to get those ideas down...you can number them in the best order after you get your ideas. Ask yourself if each idea stays within your main idea and topic sentence. Make sure your closing sentence ties together those great ideas and double check your sentence structure...

You are ready to write!

Here

Grade 8 Ben Hur Formal Assessment

  

You read the novella, dug deep through our discussions in class, applied knowledge through a media report and now....the finish line is near....

Which, in non-teacher talk means.. we are almost finished Ben Hur and Tuesday, October 30th, you will answer some questions during class.

Take some time to think about these characters and the role each played within the story and you will do very well.

Ben Hur - things to remind yourself and to think about...

 He wanted to train to be a soldier where and more importantly....why?
He was framed and sent to the galleys...this kind of punishment helped him later...
His reputation on the Astroea was...
More than winning sesterii, he wanted...?
What did he see on Messala's face at the start of the race?

Messala

Messala

Messala has a major character flaw....
Two gods mean more to him than friendship....which gods?
What does he want from the race in addition to winning sesterii?
How were the tables turned on Messala....?


Name that Procurator of Judea 

         One changed the lives of one person, a family and all associated....
         One was in charge during a KEY historical event...

Section VI Lives are changed forever....

What does "forever" mean to Widow Hur?
What do many of Jesus' followers think He is there to do?
How does Ben Hur finally understand not just with his head but with his heart, what it means to lead a kingdom... 

And lastly...   Arrius and Simonides  - what role did each play in Judah/Ben Hur's life...

Once friends....now bitter enemies....the race will tell all

Go through the story and think about the questions and comments made in this entry and you will earn a crown of laurels when you write the assessment on Tuesday...

In non-teacher talk, that just means, review and be ready to answer some short answer-style questions based on the story...

DON'T FORGET...LEAVE A COMMENT;   this is where you let me know you have seen the post as well as ask questions or add to what I have shared... where it says "Comment as" be sure to choose anonymous from the list and sign it with your first and last initial only.

SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE:  I have been receiving comments from students looking at this post....good for you..I love to see students showing initiative! I am keeping track of all who make a comment. If you have a question or need something clarified make sure to put that in your comment. These will show up at the bottom in the comment section. I will then do my best to answer you - think about it...homework help without having to leave your house! Yay!! Sources:
http://www.silentfilm.org/assets/images/BenHur_720x500.jpg, classic--movies.blogspot.com, web professional software

boring book report

Each year in literature 7 and 8, I assign a very straightforward book report. When I first show the students what I want to see in it they always have wonderful reactions to it like, "oh, no...not another one", or "why can't we do something fun"....etc. etc. etc. I have thus given it the name " The Boring Book Report".

I remember doing book reports as a young student and thought they were kind of fun. Then again, I was also the child who had at least three books on the go and if I ran out of books I would just re-read what I had. Books transported me to different places and cultures and I liked sharing about them.

This book report is meant to show me a student's writing style and their strenths and weaknesses in comprehending and then transferring that comprehension into writing. I gave a very thorough outline to help them with writing it. Hopefully they won't find it boring but will enjoy sharing each of their stories to me. I love to hear about a good new book after all!

What is your favourite book...

I was the kind of child who always had my nose in a book. If I finished a book and had nothing else to read I would just go back to the first page and read it again. I travelled to different countries, got to be different people, solved important mysteries and even managed to go back in time - all through reading books. It is difficult to pick a "favourite" book, but if pressed, I would have to say that Anne of Green Gables, is the one I remember the best.

I first read it at around 10 years of age and re-read it every five years or so. Each time I get something new and different out of it. I could relate more to Anne's best friend, Diana because of my personality and need to do the right thing, but secretly wished I could be as spunky as Anne. We do however, both share a love of books and how one could get easily lost within its pages. How beautiful  it must have been to have cherry trees blossoming outside of your window and I could understand why Anne would have such a difficult time with the Pye sisters - Josie could be quite snobby at times.

To have been able to wear the big satin ribbons in my hair (as Diana of course because as Anne I would have been stuck with horrible straight hair stuck in braids that would allow rotten boys like Gilbert yank on) and pretty dresses with calico prints seems so girly and sweet. Even though Anne had many of the same issues as we do today, Green Gables and Avonlea was set in a simpler time when one could explore the forest and have picnics in a meadow. Unlike Anne's first teacher, Mr. Philips, who refused to spell her name with an "e" at the end, I always thought that Miss Stacey would have been my favourite teacher - she was exceptionally encouraging while still requiring all of her students to work to the best of their potential.

As an adult I have many books that I have enjoyed and authors that I am drawn to but I think it is Anne that I will always turn to when I need a break from the craziness of technology and our busy society.

And so what is your favourite book? Students in our school have been asked this question and to respond in an essay of approx 250 words (no more). In addition to getting some great ideas for books to recommend for book reports, their essays will be submitted to a contest that the Chronicle Herald is running. They could win a book and a family set of tickets to a Moosehead game. I can't wait to see how they describe and explain why they like the books they do. And what about you? Make sure to share your favourite book with your child - maybe they will pick it up and like it as much as you do!