Book Group Presentations

Please go into this doc in your book groups.  Make a copy and title it your book and block (The Roar Block A).  Add your book members names to the slide (first and last) and make sure to share it with ALL OF YOUR GROUP and me!


Book Group Presentation 

Homework 9/29

Block A/B: You need to have read your section for your book before class tomorrow.

Block C/D: You need to have read your section for your book group by Thursday before class.

9/22 & 9/23

If you were absent on these days, please make sure to see me.  We read a text we will be referring to that you need to see and we went through our book trailers to pick books.

Thanks!

Assessment Take #2

TAKE #2

Class 9/15

Science Fiction Link

Class 9/14

Assessment



Survey

Homework 9/11

Finish your acrostic name poem and post to your blog for Monday.

Example:

SILLY
UPBEAT
S
I
E

Blog Info

Fill in Form

Rubric Conversion Chart

If at any time, if this overwhelms or confuses you please come to see me:).

A 3.5-4.0=Proficient/Advanced

4.0=100%
3.9=98%
3.8=96%
3.7=94%
3.6=92%
3.5=90%

B 3.0-3.4= Proficient

3.4=89%
3.3=87%
3.2=85%
3.1=83%
3.0=81%

C 2.5-2.9= Needs Improvement/Proficient

2.9=79%
2.8=77%
2.7=75%
2.6=73%
2.5=71%

D 2.0-2.4= Basic/Needs Improvement

2.4=69%
2.3=67%
2.2=65%
2.1=63%
2.0=61%

Example student: Joe Smith
6 categories on the rubric
Add them up and it equals 17
Divide17/6=2.83

Final Grade=77%C

Homework 9/9 and Examples

Today in class we will peer edit the America Means paragraph.  Please work hard on the paragraph because it is your first writing assignment (which counts for 35% of your grade).

Your final draft is due at the beginning of class on Thursday!


The following examples show differences between Advanced and Proficient paragraphs.  Remember Proficient is considered at grade level and Advanced is considered high school writing.

Examples of America Means Multiple Paragraphs vs. a Single Paragraph

Using the claim/thesis, "Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL," below are two examples of the type of paragraph(s) students are writing for America Means. (The stats paragraph was taken directly from Aaron Rodgers' wikipedia page as an EXAMPLE.)


Single Paragraph

   A man who throws flawless passes in front of 70,000-plus screaming fans can only be described as great, and that is what Aaron Rodgers is.  Great.  Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the National Football League (NFL)'s Green Bay Packers, is the greatest quarterback in the NFL. This can be proven by his statistics, his charisma, and his leadership. First, Aaron Rodger's statistics help to make him the greatest quarterback in the NFL. Rodgers led the Packers to the Super Bowl in the 2010 season. He was named Super Bowl MVP, and has a great passer rating, as well as an excellent touchdown-to-interception ratio. But it is not only statistics that show Rodger’s greatness; his charisma and natural charm prove it as well.  (1-2 sentences) Lastly, Rodger’s leadership both on and off the field cements his place as the greatest quarterback in the NFL.  (1-2 sentences) Some might think that Rodgers, known for photo-bombing and dating a Hollywood actress, is just a goofball with a little talent, but Packer fans know better. Clearly Aaron Rodgers’ stats, his natural charisma and his team and community leadership prove that Aaron Rodgers is the greatest NFL quarterback.  

Multiple Paragraphs

  The ball is thrown in a perfect spiral, spinning through the air and landing safely in the arms of wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who takes it to the end zone for a touchdown.  Who threw this flawless pass? It's none other than Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the National Football League (NFL)'s Green Bay Packers.  There are many things that make a good quarterback, but fewer that make a great quarterback.  Aaron Rodgers is the greatest quarterback in the NFL. This can be proven by his statistics, his charisma, and his leadership, both on and off the field.  

    First, Aaron Rodger's statistics help to make him the greatest quarterback in the NFL.  Rodgers played college football for California, where he set several career passing records, including lowest single-season and career interception rates. He was selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers. After backing up Brett Favre for the first three years of his NFL career, Rodgers became the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback in 2008 and led them to a victory in Super Bowl XLV after the 2010 NFL season; Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP. He was named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011, as well as being voted league MVP for the 2011 and 2014 NFL seasons. Rodgers has led the NFL three times in touchdown-to-interception ratio (2011, 2012, 2014), twice in passer rating (2011, 2012), touchdown passing percentage (2011, 2012) and lowest passing interception percentage (2009, 2014), and once in yards per attempt (2011). Clearly, these phenomenal statistics prove Aaron Rodgers is the greatest quarterback in the NFL.

   But it is not only statistics that show Rodger’s greatness; his charisma and natural charm prove it as well.  (4-6 sentences)

   Lastly, Rodger’s leadership both on and off the field cements his place as the greatest quarterback in the NFL.  (4-6 sentences)

   Some might think that Rodgers, known for photo-bombing and dating a Hollywood actress, is just a goofball with a little talent, but Packer fans know better.  Rodgers has led his team to the superbowl, led the league in touchdown-to-interception ratios, and inspired injured players and cancer victims alike.  Clearly Aaron Rodgers’ stats, his natural charisma and his leadership in the community and on the team prove that Aaron Rodgers is the greatest NFL quarterback.  

Homework 9/3

Write an informative paragraph on:

-What America Means to you
      -use 3 specific examples and explain why

I am giving you no details about the paragraph so I can see what you know about writing.  We will develop it after you write the initial draft.

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! You are in the Confidence House of 8th grade.  We are looking forward to an excellent school year.

Communication Arts is a fancy name for reading and writing.  You will have a block and the classes will be mixed together.  You will do reading, writing, grammar, speaking, etc to help improve yourself as a student and to be successful in high school.

I will post all of your homework on this blog.  Never hesitate to email with questions:

tayarbro@pulaskischools.org


Assignment #1:

Get your expectations signed by a parent/guardian by Thursday September 3.  This will be your first grade.