Extra Credit Opportunity

       In preparation for our Hybrid Writing Unit, you can earn extra credit by finding a meaningful quotation about friendship and then explaining what it means.  You can find quotations in literature, music, or even television and movies.  You can find collections of quotations on many websites including:

http://www.brainyquote.com

http://www.thinkexist.com

http://www.quotationspage.com

http://www.bartleby.com/quotations

Be sure to copy the quote in your response, explain it clearly, and sign your name to your response.  Please remember that to earn the extra credit, your response must be on the blog not handed in to Mrs. Earl.  If you need assistance, see Mrs. Earl.  

All responses must be submitted by Wednesday, February 6th, at midnight.

Point of View Notes

Reviewing Figurative Language

Student Generated Examples of Alliteration

The AVID students acted awkward while adoring the average new student. - Ivory

My aunt’s ancestors appeared to amuse the acrobats. - Nyazhia

Angry alligator ate children of all ages. - Jacqueline

 Brutal barbarians baked a bear for dinner. - Brandon

Barefoot burglars got attacked by brutal bulldogs. - Antwaun

Brutal bugs were bullied by a bulldog that was barking. - Francisco

My crazy cousin counted crispy candy carefully. - Dararetu

The chemicals created a crazy cow! - Lah Doh

My cantankerous cousin caged the crazy cat. - Trevonne

The dangerous dolphins drastically defended against the dizzy dogs. - Joshua

Duralin the Dwarf declared that dresses were dreary and dangerous. - Daniel B.

The extreme elephants entertained the emperor. - Guru Dev

Eels escape to enjoy an easy, nice life in the ocean. - Patricia

The expert entered and expressed himself. - Osman

Females love fancy flowers from their faithful boyfriends. - Christina

The fat fish finished first. - Shakim

The fast falcons finished first. - Argjend

Phenomenal farmers sell fancy flowers. - Durga

Who is Nikki Giovanni?

We recently read the poem, "My First Memory (of Librarians)," by Nikki Giovanni.    Check out the links below to learn more about this amazing poet!

Alliteration

Review the videos we watched in class to help you better understand alliteration.

Getting to Know Sherman Alexie

Get to know the author of "Superman and Me" a little more!

A Little Fun Practice

Vocabulary Review for Our Hybrid Unit crossword puzzle game » make crossword

Vocabulary Development Notes

A Little More Review

Persuasive Writing hangman game » hangman game

Out of Class Reading Assignments

The second installment of the out of class reading assignment is due this Friday, January 18th.  After reading a book, a student must complete one of the following summary activities:

• Create a collage!
  
  Using pictures and words from magazines and newspapers, students can create a collage that shows the characters, setting, plot, and theme of the book. Students can also create a digital collage at www.glogster.com.
• Rewrite the ending!
  
  
  In at least three full paragraphs, rewrite the ending of the story. For non-fiction texts, students can create a short creative story based in the events of the text.
• Create a diary!
  
  
  Using details from the text, students can become one of the characters and create a diary of at least ten entries that tells the character’s thoughts and feelings throughout the story.
• Redo the book jacket.
  
  
  Design new front and back covers for the book. Draw the images and include a write up about the book on the back cover.
• Create an illustrated timeline.
  
  
  Choose the ten most important events in the text and create an illustrated timeline of pictures and words that explains the main ideas in the book.
•  Interview the main character.
  
  
  Students can pretend that they are a talk show host and that the main character is their guest. Students will write out the interview complete with the questions asked and the answers the main character would likely give.
• Create a cartoon version of the book.
  
  
  Students will identify the most important events in the text and then recreate the story in a cartoon version appropriate for younger children.
  
• Students should think about whether or not they would recommend the book they read to other students.  Students should write a complete review of the book summarizing the main events and explaining whether or not they think other students should read the book.  Students can then share their review by videotaping it or posting it at Share What You’re Reading at http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/swyar.
• Design a movie poster.
  
  
  Students can imagine that their book is being made into a movie. Students will design a movie poster that illustrates and important scene from the book and persuades people to see the movie.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Review the Elements of an Effective Persuasive Essay

Reviewing the Elements of Persuasive Writing crossword puzzle game » make crossword puzzle

Extra Credit Opportunity

Help create a WORDLE for persuasive writing. 

A WORDLE is a cloud of words on a related topic.  You can see one above created for our ELA classes.  Earn ten bonus points by listing ten words related to persuasive writing.  Don't forget to write your name with your response.

All responses must be received (with your name) by Thursday, January 10th at midnight.

Reiewing Our Notes on Persuasive Writing

Out of Class Reading Assignment

Just a reminder that the summary activities for the out of class reading assignment for the second marking period are due on Friday, January 18th.  If students have questions on the assignment or need assistance, they should see Mrs. Earl for a lunch pass.

Persuasive Writing Unit

Seventh grade ELA students began a persuasive writing unit today.  Students will investigate a variety of persuasive writing pieces and then research, write, edit, and publish their own piece of persuasive writing.

Students will have the opportunity to choose one of the following topics to research and then write about:

• Should teens be able to buy violent video games?
• Should students be paid for having good grades?
• Should cell phones be allowed in middle school?

Happy 2013!

Mrs. Earl would like to wish all of her students and their families a happy and healthy 2013!