Monday, October 27, 2008

Election Song

As a the election for a new president draws near, check out this song created by a group of students in Atlanta. It's based on a TI song, but the message is much different.



Here are the lyrics:

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

(McCain supporters)
McCain's the best candidate
With Palin as his running mate
They'll fight for gun rights, pro life,
The conservative right
Our future is bright
Better economy in site
And all the world will feel our military might

(Obama supporters)
But McCain and Bush are real close right
They vote alike and keep it tight
Obama's new, he's younger too
The Middle Class he will help you
He'll bring a change, he's got the brains
McCain and Bush are just the same
You are to blame, Iraq's a shame
Four more years would be insane

Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won't
PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You know McCain won't!
Have enough experience - you know that they don't
STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won't

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA
Stick with McCain and you're going to have some drama
We need it
HE'LL BRING IT
He'll be it
YOU'LL SEE IT
We'll do it
GET TO IT
Let's move it
DO IT!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

I'm talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices
Below $2.00 that would be nice

But to do it right we gotta start today
Finding renewable ways that are here to stay

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN'T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Friday, October 24, 2008

United Nations Day at HW Smith

Check out the video of our United Nation's Day from Channel 9 News.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Reading Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart"

Edgar Allen Poe was one of the first mystery and horror writers. His stories still send a chill down the reader's spine even a hundred and more years after they were written. In honor of Halloween, we will be reading one of Poe's classics, "The Tell-Tale Heart." Here is an animated version of the story for your viewing pleasure.

Review the Elements of Fiction

Powered By ProProfs: Create Flashcards

Students of the Week

Congratulations to those students earning the distinction of Student of the Week for October 20th - October 23rd, 2008:

Period One - Miss Ejubovic
Period Four - Miss Allen
Period Five - Miss Mihigo
Period Six - Miss Green

Monday, October 20, 2008

Fiction Terms

We have been studying the following five elements of fiction:

plot - the sequence of events in a story, it surrounds the conflict or problem

setting - where AND when the story takes place

character - the people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of the story

point of view - who is telling the story

theme - the lesson about life or moral learned from the story

Friday, October 17, 2008

Students of the Week for 10/14-10/17

Congratulations to the this week's Students of the Week:

Period One - Mr. Ajsic
Period Four - Miss Martin
Period Five - Mr. Mitchell
Period Six - Miss Houston

Our Week In Review

This week we have switched gears and began studying fiction, or literature that comes from the author's imagination. As we have continued our studies, we have found that all fiction has five common elements:

- characters
- setting
- plot
- point of view
- theme

We will continue working with fiction throughout the next few weeks reading a variety of stories and even creating our own.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Identifying Elements of Fiction

To help us understand the elements of fiction, we read the children's story, Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type, in class on Friday. Check this book also written by Doreen Cronin called Duck for President. You can listen to the story using the following clip. Can you identify the characters, setting, point of view, plot, and theme?


Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Autobiography Project Due in Just Five Days

All autobiography projects are due on Monday, October 20th by 3 PM. If students need help, I will continue to be available this week during lunch and after school.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Just the Facts: Understanding Literature: The Elements of Fiction Video

Here is the video we will be viewing in class on Thursday. You can preview it before Thursday or review it after we watch it in class to better understand the elements of fiction. As you watch the video, think about how each of the elements relate to your favorite fictional story.

PowerMediaPlus » Understanding Literature: The Elements of Fiction

Beginning to Look at Fiction

As we begin to look at the genre of fiction, click on the link below and view a short video about the genre.

PowerMediaPlus » Exploring Genres

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Topics to Study for Tuesday's Non-fiction Exam


Tuesday's exam will cover the following topics:
* Elements of Non-fiction (definition, examples, purposes of non-fiction writing)
* Vocabulary from "Barrio Boy" and "Message of Hope" (dusk, signal, stamping, clutch, separate, visa, refugee, and immigrant)
* Main events and characters in "Barrio Boy" and "Message of Hope"
Students should use their homework assignment to help guide their review.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Vocabulary Practice

Powered By ProProfs: Create Flashcards
Congratulations to the Students of the Week for October 6th through October 10th!

Period One - Mr. Gary
Period Four - Miss Patterson
Period Five - Miss Earsley
Period Six - Miss Imeri

A Little History About Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I don't know if it's the costumes or the candy, but I just love it. Check out this short video about Halloween's history. Can you figure out why this video would be considered non-fiction?

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

First Major ELA Exam

Next Tuesday, October 14th, will be the first major exam in English Language Arts. The exam will cover all elements of non-fiction as well as the two non-fiction selections we have read, "Barrio Boy" and "Message of Hope." We will be reviewing this material in class on Friday and students will need to complete a review sheet over the long weekend in preparation for the exam.

Friday, October 3, 2008

ACUITY Testing



Beginning Monday, we will be completing Acuity testing. This test is computer-based and assesses each child's reading level in preparation for January's state ELA exam. Student should be well rested so that they can do their very best work on the assessment.

Students of the Week

The following is the list of Students of the Week for 9/29-10/3. Congratulations to these outstanding students.

Miss Dichalya
Miss Matt
Miss Suljic
Mr. Greenfield