The Smallest Dragonboy: Homework

Period 1:
Read and take notes for pages: 541 and 542

Periods 2-4
Read and takes notes for pages 541, 542 and 543

Due tomorrow: Friday, October 24

The Smallest Dragonboy: Homework

All Classes:

Continue reading and taking notes using the method we began this morning. Read to the bottom of page 537. Remember: page 536 was an image and has been removed.

Homework due tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22nd.

Find a copy of the story HERE

Homework: Friday, October 3rd

This homework applies to 1st and 4th period classes only:

Complete the Perseverance/Perspective worksheet that you were given today as an assignment connected to our special guest speaker. Due date: Monday, October 6th.

Find a copy of the assignment here

Homework for quiz

All Classes:

Memorize state of being verbs: groups 3-5. Quiz tomorrow...!

Group 3: do, does, did
Group 4: shall, will, should, would
Group 5: may, might, must, can, could

Homework

All Classes: memorize Groups 1 and 2 of "state of being" verbs:

Group 1: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been

Group 2: has, have, had

Quiz tomorrow...!

Homework: Thursday, August 28

All Classes:

Read the article, "Skills Employers Wish College Grads Had," and explain the main points the author makes in each of the four sections of the article. This can be done on a sheet of notebook paper. Due tomorrow, Friday, August 29.

Find a copy of the article HERE

Famous Quote Homework: Perseverance

Our study of literature for this semester evolves around the theme of perseverance. In doing so, our studies will take place around three essential questions:
1. What is perseverance?
2. How does one persevere? In other words, what qualities might a person need in order to persevere?
3. Does the ability to persevere always ensure a happy ending?

As a way to understand the meaning of perseverance, the students have been assigned the task of finding a quote regarding perseverance, or a quality of perseverance (bravery, tenacity, stamina, endurance, moxie, determination, etc.). They will then create a single document that contains the following:

1. quote: must be from a person (living or deceased), and not from a fictional character, or a line from a song or poem.

2. the student's interpretation of the quote

3. The name of the person who coined the quote

4. The person's date of birth/death (if applicable)

5. A piece of information about the person (this piece of information must come from a reliable online source)

6. The person's picture

The students must also complete a CRAAP worksheet, determining the level of reliability of the online information they have gathered about the person.

Printing: the students can either use their Chrome Books, or home computer. If using their Chrome Book they can either save the document to a flash drive and print it out in the school library, or they can connect their Chrome Book to their home printer and print from there.  SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT DETAILS!!!

Date Assigned: Tuesday, August 26th
Due Date: Friday, August 29th

Find a copy of an example document HERE

Find a copy of the instructions/rubric HERE

Find a copy of the CRAAP worksheet HERE

Homework: Tuesday, August 26

All Classes: See post for Famous Quote homework: due Friday

Periods 2, 3, and 4 Homework: due tomorrow

1.  Answer Question #1 on attached homework assignment using the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.

2. Answer another question that you selected. You MUST complete a CRAAP worksheet for the website that you use to answer the question.

Find a copy of the homework HERE

Find a copy of the CRAAP worksheet HERE

Unit One: Research and Presentations

It used to be that when inquiring minds wanted to know the answer to a burning question, they would take their curiosity to the local library and skim through a selection of books to find the answers. It was a fairly safe bet that those answers printed within those musky pages could be deemed as reliable. Today, all a student has to do is type that burning question into Google or Yahoo and scroll through the hundreds of selections. It's also a fairly safe bet that the site they choose to find their answer is unreliable.

In today's world, where information is just a click away, it's important for students to understand that anyone can build a website and post information on the internet. The savvy researcher can often spot a fake/hoax web site, but many students fail to take the time to move beyond the first three sites that pop up on their screen. Most often those sites include Wikipedia, Answers.Yahoo, or Ask.com

Yes, these sites can offer a starting point for information, but they should never be used for academic research. Our first unit is designed to take students through the steps of finding and using reliable sites, as well as how to paraphrase information to avoid plagiarism. Lastly, the students will practice presenting their information to the class. Presenting in front of peers is often difficult for many students, and they will have several occasions throughout the year to practice and hone their presentation skills.

According to a recently published article in Fox Business, titled, "The Skills Employers Wish College Grads Had," many employers feel that "recent college students and grads don't make eye contact, don't carry themselves well, and don't speak with authority, which can be a little disheartening to the interviewer" (Vasal). These are skills that we want every student to begin to master so that by the time they reach high school, college, and beyond, they will will have the courage and the know-how to present themselves and their work confidently and accurately.

Homework: Monday, August 25

All Classes:

Respond in your writing journal to the following questions (if you did not finish in class today):
1. What is perseverance? Define it in your own words.
2. What qualities does one need in order to persevere?
3. Does the ability to persevere always ensure (guarantee) a happy ending?

Complete the perseverance handout (if you did not finish in class)

Homework for Monday, August 18th

1. Have a parent/guardian sign YA literature permission slip

2. Have a parent read and sign Classroom information slip

3. Complete the Reading/Writing Survey (if you didn't finish during class)

Chrome Book Sign In

User: Graduationyear,LastName.FirstInitialMiddleInitial@perry-stu.com
         Example: 2020smith.jm@perry-stu.com

Password (Date of Birth) mmddyyyy
     Example: 11012001 (November, 01, 2001)

School Supplies

Here's a list of supplies that all students will need for English class. We will set up our binders and notebooks on Tuesday, so please try and have all of your supplies by tomorrow...

      ~3 ring binder: 1 or 2 inch is fine
~2 spiral notebooks: it doesn't matter what color
~1 two-pocket folder: two pockets; it doesn't matter what color
~7 dividers for binder
~Page protectors for binder
~Sharpened pencils
~For future use: lined index cards, highlighters, colored pencils, red pens

Welcome to 7th Grade..!!

Welcome students and parents to another great year at Perry Middle School! I love what I do- sharing my passion for reading and writing, and the teaching of the skills and techniques needed to think critically and creatively about literature and the writing process.

The purpose of this blog is to provide students with a place to go to review the topics covered in class, and to provide parents and guardians with a place to stay informed.

Here you will find information on the topics, concepts, and skills that we are learning in class, copies of homework assignments, as well as study and note-taking tips, and interesting and fun links. I want to encourage students and parents to use this blog regularly, and to post comments or ideas. I do recommend, however, that you talk with me directly regarding any questions or concerns you may have over subject material.

I hope you find this blog helpful, and I look forward to spending a wonderful year with my students!