Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A Change in Plans

Today you had another LRC day to research for your paper.

Tomorrow you will be doing the same. If you think you are finished researching, make sure to bring all of your sources (books and internet) so you can begin reading and highlighting!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Monday March 17th

Today you researched in the LRC. Tomorrow you will do the same.

On Wednesday bring all of the sources you have so far to class. During this day you will have the opportunity to sift through the information and read it. You will have this opportunity because this will allow you to then go back to your focus questions and make sure you have been able to answer them all. If not, you will know what information you still have to look for or make the determination to switch your focus questions.

On the Monday we return to school (March 31st), I will not be here. The guest teacher will take you to the LRC for one final day to research in the lab.

Homework:
Until the research paper is done, your on-going homework will be to keep researching!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Researching Your Topic

Today we went to the LRC (Learning Resource Center) and heard a lecture on how to research from Ms. Myler. She gave us some excellent websites and databases to research our topics.

The sites below may not work at home, but try them anyhow. Some may require a driver's license to verify the user is from Michigan. Ask your parents to enter their information.

WARNING: You may not use Wikipedia or any sites where the audience author's the material. We discussed this in class. You will be graded down if you attempt to use them!

VERY IMPORTANT: READ BELOW

You will have today, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to research in class. The rest of your research must be done on your own! You will be required to have at least 2 HARD COPY sources and 3 internet sources in class TUESDAY, APRIL 1st (HARD COPY is defined by an actual magazine, newspaper or book. On other words, it cannot come from the computer at all! No internet or computer encyclopedias.)

In class you must have your two HARD COPY sources and your 3 internet articles. This means you must check out your books/magazines/etc and have them in class. I am giving you PLENTY of time to visit a library. START THIS WEEKEND if you have to! I will NOT accept "someone else had it checked out, so I don't have it" or "I didn't have time"....etc. NO EXCUSES!

Again, the total of 2 HARD COPY and 3 INTERNET SOURCES

are due on APRIL 1st!

(and this is NOT a joke :)

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Thursday March 13th

Today we corrected our first puntuation assignment from Tuesday night. Next we talked about commas on pages 628-631.

I gave you your class/homework assignment: Page 628 #1-5, #11-20 and Page 631 #1-5, #11-20. For both sections you need to write out the setences.

While you did this, I collected your orange topic card with your 5 focus questions. Tomorrow you will receive this back to begin your research for your paper!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Wednesday March 12th

Today we discussed focus questions for your research paper. You met in groups of two to discuss your topics, finalize a topic and discuss questions you would like to answer with your research.

Homework:
Fill out the orange 3x5 card with your topic and your name on the top line. On the front list your 5 focus questions. On the back, jot down other questions, just in case your 5 don't work out.

I advise you to talk with your mom, dad, grandparents or another adult about your topic. Ask him/her: what would you like to learn from reading my paper?

Your questions should be VERY SPECIFIC and be able to be answered in a page of information.

For example:

Topic: Vietnam War

Good Question: What were some of the causes of the Vietnam War?

Bad Question: When did the Vietnam War begin?

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Tuesday March 11

Today we discussed more about your topics for the research paper.

Please read what I explained in Monday's entry about "good topic choices" and use what I explained today to bring in two solid ideas for tomorrow.

Next we discussed our final unit of grammar: punctuation. Today we explored a little about end marks and periods.

Homework:
Page 622-626---take notes, include something about direct and indirect quotes.
#1-10 answers only
Part B, answers only
Part C--rewrite paragraph
Page 626 #1-15 answers onlyAlso, come to class with two solid research paper topic ideas!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Monday March 10th

Today you took your test over capitalization!

We also discussed research papers briefly. Highlighted in our discussion:

On Wednesday you need to come in with two topic ideas (a first and a second choice). When thinking about a topic, keep this in mind:

Choose a topic you don't know a great deal about
Choose a topic you are interested in
Choose a topic that will lend itself to a 5-7 page research paper (do no pick too narrow of a topic or too broad of a topic)

You may NOT choose the following topics:
**a specific person (they end up sounding too much like biographies)
**a place (they end up sounding too much like a travel brochure)
**a particular sport or sports team
**the Rainforest of any type of Environmental Issue (i.e. Global Warming)
**The Holocaust
**a type of car

Friday, March 7, 2008

Friday March 7th

Today you had an inclass review session. It consisted of Page 615 and 616, Sections A-E, answers only.

This will be graded as a mastery grade on Monday. You will also have your test on Monday as well!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Monday and Tuesday March 3rd and March 4th

Yesterday, March 3rd's homework:
Page 601-602 Part A, answers only
Part C, rewrite paragraph

Page 603-604
Part A answers only
Part B rewrite paragraph

Today, March 4th's homework:
Page 607 #1-20, answers only
Page 609 #1-10 answers only
Part B, rewrite paragraph

This section on capitalization should only take us through this week.
You are slated to have a test on Friday!