Literature Circles - Your best work.

You've had a number of new learnings and reflections as we have worked through this last round of literature circles. I've been excited to read your responses and to listen to your discussions (they have made Friday nights at Emma's basketball very enjoyable - I'm sure the other parents think I'm a little bit nuts as I sit on the sidelines laughing and nodding at my computer like I was part of your discussions).

I was able to get a good sense of your understanding of what you were reading and I also got to know more about the book and you as well.

Now I'd like you to take one of your responses that you feel was your best work and publish it onto the blog. As you work, you may make edits to your work to improve it and make it even better.

Convincing Argument Success Criteria

Here are our notes from class. Use these to help with your feedback. Remember to include things that they have done well and things that they need to do to improve their work.

My Convincing Argument has....

• contains repetition (gets stuck in the readers head)
• strong first sentence (makes reader consider your POV)
• intro clearly outlines the topic
• body has 3 good points in my argument
• builds on the reader's emotion (discusses consequences)
• contains counter argument evidence but emphasizes the benefit of our argument
• conclusion restating main opinion
• has a call to action - tells your reader that they need to do something

Symbolism ctd

What are some things that symbolize protection? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?



What are some things that symbolize good versus evil? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?


Give an example of what colours symbolize? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?


What are symbols that are used to represent death? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?


What are symbols that are used to represent life? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?


Invented symbols (advertising) - lulu symbol, underarmour, peter pan - eternal childhood


Maps - crossed sabers may show a battlefield, roman numerals for numbers


Names - representing people?


In literature, an author will often use a symbol over and over to create deeper meaning, or use variations of the object to create an overarching mood or feeling.


Our gravestones symbolizing the death of the old words.

Symbols Continued

What are some things that symbolize good versus evil? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?
Try to think deeply on this and give a few examples. Remember that we are trying to see "What lurks below the surface" in our work these days.

Feel free to do some research on these topics on the internet or with other people.

Starwars has many examples of things that symbolize good versus evil. One of the first things we notice is the colour choices (Darth Vader in all black) and Luke is often in white jedi clothes or earthy toned colours. Think about what he wears in Return of the Jedi when he is gone over to the 'dark side' of the force (his outfit is now black leather instead of white cotton).
The innocent Princess Leah is in a long white gown when she is introduced to us, showing her innocence and potentially helplessness.
There are also lots of religious connections/symbols to be seen in

Metaphor Reflection

Here are your questions for reflection from Miss M. They are due to her first thing Tuesday morning.

Which was your favourite metaphor created? Why
How do metaphors help send a message?
What imagery does this metaphor give you?
What are your general opinions on metaphors in poetry?

I think metaphors are important in poetry because...

Poetry Flo

Here's the link to the video from Miss M's lesson today.

From Miss M - Dance Criteria and Poetry

"Grade 8's,
When creating your choreographed dances remember your dance elements (levels, space, and unity). Also, consider the meaning you are trying to portray, song choice, use of technology, and dress!
You'll do great!"

Eastdale’s Best Dance Crew

In groups of 4, your group will choreograph a dance to compete against other groups for the title of Eastdale’s Best Dance Crew. You will perform to your dance to the judges and be scored based on a point system. The winner of Eastdale’s Best Dance Crew will be featured in the first 15 seconds of Eastdale’s Harlem Shake.

Within your dance, consider the movements or choreographed moves we have learned about in class (Ex. Line dancing Cotton Eyed Joe, Zumba, movement cards). Your dance must be 2 minutes long and portray a particular theme. [Remember during our movement lesson we created movement pieces that portrayed an environmental issue].

Consider:

-          Ideas: Celebrity videos/ dances, Zumba, movement cards, line dancing, etc

-          Where the audience is sitting

-          Dance Elements

o        Levels

o        Use of space

o        Time

o        Energy

-          Multimedia

o        Song choice

o        Costumes

-          Technology

o        Background projected backdrop

o        Lighting

Once you have choreographed your dance, you will write a final dance reflection. Your reflection will explain the choices you made in your dance piece. For example, why did you choose your theme? What movements demonstrated your theme? Why did you choose that particular song? What technology and costume choices did you make and why? How well did your group work together?
Your reflection must be 1 page double spaced.

1- 5 Points for:

-          Use of Technology

-          Appropriate song choice

-          Costumes 

-          Performance

-          Unit of movements

-          Use of space

-          Use of Levels

-          Within time range

-          Visibility of Theme

Rubric Assess Reflection and Choreographed Dance

Criteria	S	S	T
Knowledge and Understanding- What I say or do - I used appropriate dance element vocabulary  - I incorporated the requirements of the dance assignment  - I used appropriate choreography to create a dance piece - I used technology to enhance the message being communicated
Thinking- The way I explained - I highlighted the theme and elements in my choreographed dance - I explained my thinking process to why we made certain decisions | (ex. choreography, technology, lighting, costumes, theme, etc)
Communication- The way I reflected and expressed my ideas - I made connections to choreography and theme choices. - I expressed my creative choices using dance elements vocabulary. - I edited my work to ensure there were little to no spelling or grammar mistakes.
Application- How I connect to it - I choreographed a dance piece incorporating elements of dance - I made connections between dance and theme. - I was a polite and respectful audience member.
What was well done
What was missing

The poems we looked at today:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shelf Silverstein
Love is Patient by Corinthians
Where is the Love? by The Black Eyed Peas
Oh Pioneers by Walk Whitman
Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr.Suess


Today, write poetry journal. I want you to write a reflection on how you feel about poetry.
1) Here are some questions to get you started
2) When I read poetry I feel...
3) My favourite poem is...
4) My favourite/least favourite part of poetry is...
5) I think poetry is about ....
6) How does poetry connect to emotions?

What is plagiarism?

Hello Grade 8's


Hope you are all having a good weekend. Here is some information I was telling  you about during our citation lesson. Remember to cite your work in text (Authors Last name, Page number) and at the end like we went over during class.





You can use these websites as resources for when you need to cite any of your work.


MLA Guide on the Purdue OWL website
[ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/ ]http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/


Information about Plagiarism
[ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/02/ ]http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/02/


How To Video about citing and formatting your work using MLA
[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Y31UrG2q4&list=PL4917D9E21FA6EDFF ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Y31UrG2q4&list=PL4917D9E21FA6EDFF

Sentence of the Week - Active Sentences

Turn each of these passive sentences into active ones:

1. The water glasses were filled up by the clumsy waiter.
2. The conversation was stopped by the crying baby.
3. The cat was killed by the mouse.
4. The dog was walked by Bob.
5. The greasy, roasted turducky was stuffed by Sara.
6. The crystal vase was broken by my clumsy older brother.
7. My clothes were thrown on the bed by my little brother.
8. The massive homework was completed by Verda.
9. The donkey was slapped harshly by Amit.
10. The shiny calculator was broken by my crazy sister.

Symbolism - Tuesday

What are some things that symbolize protection? Give an example of the object/action/idea and where you have seen it used. What does it mean to others or to you?

Symbols in our lives...

As we have been reading Divergent, Hunger Games and other picture books, we have come across many examples of symbols. Wikipedia defines symbolism in the following way:

Symbolism is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. A symbol is an object, action, or idea that represents something other than itself, often of a more abstract nature. Symbolism creates quality aspects that make literature like poetry and novels more meaningful.

Given this meaning:
 What are some examples of symbols in your life? What is the object/action/idea and what does it represent to you? Share 3 or 4 examples.

One of my own examples would be my number pinny on my file cabinet from the Peach Bud race. For me this symbolizes accomplishment. I was able to achieve something that I didn't think I would ever do. It makes me feel proud that I was able to do it, and for me it shows that I just need to take a risk and step out and try something new. Unfortunately now, since I haven't been running (or working out as often as I'd like), it is also a symbol of what I've lost since I haven't been working at this. Often I look at it now and think, "Argh! I need to get back into that because I really enjoyed it."

PIGGY

Here is one of your classmates responses to the assignment... What is your response to this?

Everyday, I work hard to rais my family. I am 16 and our family doesn't have much money. I try my best not to mess up...
"Can you pass the ketchup?"
"Sure mom." I answer politely. I mistaknely drop th eketchup onto the floor and a loud squishy noise sounds as it splatters across the floor like someone being shot.
My dad gives me a sharp look, slowly reaches over the dinner table and grabs me by the collar of my shirt. A fear slowly increases throughout my body. Adrenaline strikes as I struggle trying to unleash. He drags me upstairs, as I consistantly hit my back off each step.
I scream, as my screech pierces downstairs surrounding my little brothers ears. I don't exactly live perfect
...

"Beep, beep, beep." I shut off my alarm clock and quickly get out of bed, get dressed and run out the door so I don't get in more trouble. At school, my antagonism kicks in. My teachers seem to think something is happening at home, but if I tell them, who knows. A sort of meaty kid walks by, and I yell, "Piggy!" as others join me.

An unusual descent leads my mind. I wonder, as everyone yessl "Piggy!" becomes more fatal, and less hearable. I stop, I think about where I'm going in life. A dark puls engages with my viens and I tense up. I slowly leave the school, walking to the unknown field to think.
I hear voices...
"Hostile attitude will only get...Think about your life! Don't ruin hi...Stop!" I pass out as darkness overpowers the world.

Today's writing to finish

The character ... reminds me of...

Remember to include details about internal characteristics of the people you are comparing.

Write a life story about one of the bullies in the classroom. Include all of the important events up to the point where they were sitting in their desk chanting, "Piggy!"
(Back-story, why they bully.)

Sentence of the Weeeeeek

Today we looked at how to show posession of something by adding an 's at the end of a person's name.

What was the tricky instance for adding 's to the end of someone's name? How do we solve this problem?

Use the 's we learned about today to write a sentence about each of the following:

my shoes
a cat
your friend
a computer
worms
snow
a beach

You should have 7 sentences in total. Write one final sentence of your choice using your name in it.

Be sure to check back in the comment section for feedback on your work. Feel free to add feedback help for your peers as well. I'll give tokens for that!

Sentence of the Weeeeeeek

1 - Explain how this weeks skill is different than the quotations that we have been learning about in the last three Sentence of the Week work.

2 - Use this week's skill to write 5 sentences telling about something someone said or asked. Use your name in the first and the last sentences.

Here is an example of mine:

Raees said that he could still be Alice from Wonderland even though he was six foot four!

Sentence of the Weeeeeek

Begin with your NAME (so I know who the work is from)!!!!

Add the appropriate punctuation and capitals to the following sentences:

if you are not quiet she warned we will be here all night

where have you been he yelled it is way past your bedtime

i couldn't answer the questions sobbed the little girl i lost my pencil

what time allann asked will the show be over

how long did your homework take questioned spencer i was done in a flash

my favourite flavour is chocolate divulged delvina what is your favourite


Write 3 of your own sentences that demonstrate this week's skill.

Camp Muskoka Tweets

Please remember to include your name in your post and include your name in the 2 feedbacks that you give to your peers.

Who ever heard of Five Word Memoirs???

You created some excellent pieces of writing today that tell your story. The key is that you were able to do it in exactly six words.

Here is the link to the ones we looked at in class. Feel free to post yours to the Smith Magazine site.
Six Word Memoirs

Please include your 6 word memoir as a comment on this post. Remember to do this annonymously and then we can have fun trying to figure out who each one belongs to.

Here's mine...

Working out, back on the wagon!


Here's one for my writing lessons...

I go, you go, it works!

Sentence of the Weeeeeek Notes and Homework

 Remember to submit this homework by friday. You can do it by email, a comment on here or by pen and paper. The sentences for you to work on are the 8 at the end of here.