EDITORIALS: You must act now to get full credit!

Get the full rubric here.It's time to turn in your polished, revised, typed, and persuasive editorial.

Click the image of the rubric to the right to download a  full copy of the rubric.

We've given you feedback to accompany each lesson.  Use our feedback and your notes to revise each piece of your paper.

Use the rubric as a checklist to make sure you have completed each requirement.

Use www.easybib.com to create a list of the sources you use.  We recommend about three outside sources but this varies depending on your topic.  

When you type, make sure you follow these guidleines:

• Black ink on white paper.
• Times New Roman font.
• Size 12.
• Double Spaced (use "ctrl+a" then "ctrl+2") after you type everything.  Do not use the enter button or tab button.
• You may print in the classroom if you bring your work on a jump drive.

If you have an emergency relating to technology, then it would be better than nothing to hand write your paper as neatly as possible since we can see all of the other skills even if it is handwritten.


It will be accepted late for partial credit. 

PEPI Conclusions are due now!

It's time to turn in your conclusions and we've asked you to remember the four types we've taught with this acronym: PEPI.

That stands for...

Prediction: an insight into how the future could be different--better, or worse

Echo: circle back to the lead; if your lead is an anecdote, this could be an alternate version or an “ending” to the story

Pointed question: Ask a question that leaves the reader thinking; should guide them to share your opinion

Instruction to the reader: tells the reader exactly what they can do about the issue; could be a strong, punched statement that gets right to the point—a call to action!

Use the final words of your paper to restate your three reasons and then use one of the strategies above.  

We gave class time for this paragraph and many of you completed it.  If you did not finish, it is due on 11/10 for A day students and 11/14 for B day students.  

The entire editorial is due SOON:  11/17 for A day and 11/18 for B day.  Use your last weekend well!

Homework Alert! You have a body paragraph due.

This week we focused on organizing and elaborating body paragraphs.  You started one body paragraph of your editorial in class, but many of you did not finish. If you took your body paragraph home, you must finish it over the weekend.

It's due Monday (10/31 for A day) and

Tuesday (9/1 for B day).





Use SEEPS to organize your body paragraphs. 

Use a variety of support for the middle (EEP) so your writing

isn't too predictable.



We've provided some of the notes online for you in case you forgot to take your sourcebook home.

Only one body paragraph will be turned in next week.  Be prepared, however, to write 2-3 total body paragraphs for the final draft. 

Now that you have feedback on your introduction paragraph, you can also spend time revising that in preparation for the final draft. 

Use 2-3 types of support to elaborate each body paragraph.
When you use outside sources, you must show us how the
source is valid/reliable.

We will use this rubric to grade your body paragraph.









 

Progress Reports and Thesis Exit Slip

LaVilla progress reports went home on Friday, September 23, and we sent home a detailed language arts report. If you would like to improve your grade, there will be several more grades added in before the end of the quarter.

The next grade is the thesis exit slip we worked on in class. If you didn't finish this assignment, you need to turn it next class period (Friday-A day and Monday-B day).

For this assignment, you need to choose three topics that interest you. Then, on a separate sheet of paper write a thesis statement for each topic.

Remember a thesis statement has three requirements: a claim/opinion, preview of reasons, and parallel structure. Remember to be concise. Do not explain your reasons because that's what you'll do in your body paragraphs. If you are struggling to come up with strong reasons, you should consider the acronym PERSUADE THEM (see below).

You need your textbook.

You've got your first homework assignment!

Take the book home or read it in the online textbook.

Read The Treasure of Lemon Brown by Walter Dean Myers.  Use the Table of Contents to find the story in your textbook.. 

There will be a quiz about PLOT and conflict in this story.  Be sure you can identify each stage of the plot for this story and defend your choices.  Identify the types of conflict that are present in the story.

Tired of lugging home a big textbook? Well, you can access the entire textbook online. You can even listen to audio versions of the selections while you read along. To access the textbook, go to http://www.classzone.com/. Actually, click here to go directly to your book. You'll need this access code: 3767769-50. You'll be asked to create an account and then you can start using the online textbook at home or wherever you have internet access.

Plot Reminder

One Life. Six Words. What's Yours?

We've been writing our six word memoirs in class. You created memoirs that tell us about this life you've led so far.  You'll use the memoir to decorate/cover your writing portfolio.  Here are some of our memoir examples: 

• Mrs. Izzo’s: Fear change, love change, always changing.
• Mrs. Jackson’s:  Attempted normal life, still got surprises.
• Ms. Salzer’s:  Loves quiet and peace; embraces chaos.

You get to perfect your memoir and your folder at home to turn in next class. Here's a reminder of what we're looking for in the folder:

This is the slide we showed in class to remind you how to prepare your folder. 

Supply Time for 8th grade Language Arts

Here's the basics you'll need for 8th grade Language Arts.  

*A folder to carry work and handouts home.  You may choose the type of folder that works for you.  It can be part of a Trapper Keeper or some other system.

 

*Notebook paper and pens for writing. Pencils for testing and for creative projects.

*Printer paper for printing essays.  (You may print in the classroom but in that case, a pack of paper means there's enough to go around.)

 

*A reading book. I will start checking out books from my library in the second week. I'd like to see what you like to read before then if possible. (If you don’t have a  book, please bring your textbook.)

 

*Sticky notes. You will need several stacks of 3x3 (or larger) sticky notes throughout the year. 

Permission Form for Historical Fiction Lit Circles

We can't wait to jump into another round of literature circles. This time, our study will focus on historical fiction. Reading novels from specific historical periods provides an excellent opportunity to study setting, characterization, and plot development while broadening their understanding of social issues and historical events. We will also watch a film that enhances our reading and gives us the chance to meet the state standards in speaking, listening, and viewing. The film we would like to show is Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella), an Italian film that won three Academy awards--best actor, best foreign film, best music (for Nicola Piovani’s original dramatic score). To learn more about the books we are offering and the movie, read the permission form we sent home. Or click here to access a version that you can download and print. The forms are due next week Tuesday, 4/19 (B) and Wednesday, 4/20 (A).

Back to the Roots (More Word Roots)

As we ended the third quarter, we asked you to share what you wanted to learn before going on to high school. Most of the students in eighth grade at LaVilla requested more word roots. You've figured out that knowing the meaning of a root, prefix, or suffix can help you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Plus, it's a lot of fun to figure out new words.

So, even though FCAT is over, this week we will continue our word study with twenty more roots, prefixes, and suffixes. We will have a roots quiz on April 27th and 28th.

If you were in class, use your four column notes to study for the quiz. The four column notes will also be collected as a small grade on that day. We will give one period to work on them. Do not copy them from a friend. You need to go through the process of filling it in yourself; it helps you get the roots into your long-term memory.

If you were absent on April 15th (B day students) or April 18th (A day students), click on the link (picture) below to view and print the notes. There are TWO pages.

Don't be alarmed by the last six spaces. That's where we left room to study some more literary techniques through poetry. (That was another big request before high school). Soon enough, you'll be writing your own poems.