Congratulations Editorial Winners

Congratulations to the following students who submitted outstanding editorials on the topic of what makes someone an American. Students' responses were not only organized and well-written, but quite thoughtful, too.

The outstanding editorials were submitted by:
Marian J.
Nick C.
Asmae A.
Blerta I.
Bailey P.
Nermin A.
Zhamir W.
Helena W.
Lloyd S.
Nickoy A.
Donovan S.
Joey S.H.
Alize R.
Arsen B.
Davontae B.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ms. Short wishes all her students and their families a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Expect to Receive Updated Grades

On Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, Ms. Short will distribute updated grades for her 8th grade ELA class. Students are expected to bring these grades home, share them with their families, and have them signed by a parent or guardian. The signed grade report will count as a homework assignment. Parents who do not receive a grade report should contact Ms. Short at kshort@scsd.us.

25-Book Assignment

Over Thanksgiving Break, students can continue work on the second installment of their twenty-five book assignment. Summaries of six more books are due on January 13th, 2010.

"The Medicine Bag" Quiz

Just a reminder that students will be taking a quiz on the short story, "The Medicine Bag," on Monday, November 23rd. The quiz will cover the story, vocabulary from the selection, and literary elements of fiction. Students should use their flashcards to review for the quiz. Important terms to review:

- authentic

- reservation

- stately

- sheepishly

- embrace

- sacred

- antagonist

- protagonist

- setting

- plot

- theme

- conflict

- static character

- dynamic character

The Elements of Fiction Song

Reviewing Elements of Fiction Song

by Ms. Short

Stories are made from many parts,

when they come together it touches your heart.

Characters are the people, animals, and such

a talking dog or a man who’s Dutch.

Dynamic characters always change

while a static character stays the same.

A protagonist is the main one

while the antagonist tries to make his life no fun.

The setting is the where and when

a beach in summer or a lion’s den.

The order of events we call plot

the first, the second, sometimes there’s a lot.

The theme is the lesson we learn

be kind to others or be less stern.

Point of view is how the story’s told

a narrator or a lady who’s old.

Combine these elements and you will see

a complete, effective fiction story.

Reviewing Elements of Literary Fiction

This week students will be reviewing the elements of literary fiction including:
- setting
- dynamic characters
- static characters
- plot
- conflict
- antagonist
- protagonist
- theme

Half Day on November 5th

Don't forget that students will have a half day on Thursday, November 5th, due to parent conferences. If parents/guardians have not signed up for a parent conference yet, be advised that there is still time. Please call the middle school office at (315) 435-4279 to make an appointment.

Underground Railroad/Aboltionist Movement Trading Card Project

Students will be working a project this week where they will research a topic related to the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist Movement. Students will then create a trading card that displays this information.

THE REQUIREMENTS

The trading card should include the following:

Ø The name of your research topic clearly stated on the front of the card

Ø A picture of your research topic on the front of your card

(The picture can be hand drawn or copied from a book or the internet.)

Ø Fifteen specific facts about your research topic on the back of the card written in your own words.

(Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade.)

Ø All facts written in a logical order depending on the topic.

(Go over your text structure notes for ideas!)

Ø A summary paragraph that explains WHY your research topic was important to the Underground Railroad and/or the Abolitionist Movement

Ø A list of resources from where you got your information. You MUST use at least three different resources.

Your project may be typed or hand written.

Students will be graded according to the following rubric:

	20 Distinguished	15 Proficient	10 Needs Improvement	5 Unacceptable
Required Elements	All required elements are included in the project and are thorough, complete, and easily identified.	All required elements are included in the project, but at least one is not thorough and complete.	The majority of the required elements are included in the project, but at least one is missing or incomplete.	Two or more required elements are either missing or incomplete.
Content	All of the information in the project is accurate and complete. The project contains many specific details and examples which are clearly explained and relate to the topic.	The majority of the information in the project is accurate and complete. The project contains specific details and examples which are clearly explained and relate to the topic.	The information in the project is accurate and complete, but many specific details and examples are not explained and/or do not relate to the topic.	Much of the information in the project is inaccurate or incomplete. The project contains few specific details and examples.
Organization	All of the information in the project is organized in a logical manner. The facts listed as well as those in the paragraph are easy to follow.	Most of the information in the project is organized in a logical manner. The facts listed as well as those in the paragraph are easy to follow.	Some of the information in the project is organized in a logical manner, but the details are not easy to follow and could be better organized.	The information in the project is disorganized and difficult to follow.
Use of Resources	At least three different resources have been used to gather information for the project. The resources are clearly cited and ALL parts of the project are free of any plagiarism.	At least three different resources have been used to gather information for the project. ALL parts of the project are free of any plagiarism, but all resources are not clearly stated.	The resources are clearly cited and ALL parts of the project are free of any plagiarism, but fewer than three resources were used.	Either fewer than three resources were used or there is evidence of plagiarism in the project.
Conventions	The project is free of any errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and/or capitalization.	The project contains one to three errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and/or capitalization.	The project contains four to six errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and/or capitalization.	The project contains more than six errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and/or capitalization.