Character Trait (Week 28)

You have started reading Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry and have alreayd learned a ton about many characters! Pick one character - choose a character trait and which method of characterization you used to decide he/she had that character. Be sure to explain why!

Example:
TJ Avery is dishonest in Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry when he has his brother whipped for something he did. He went to the Wallace Store, but lies to his Mom, saying his brother went instead. This shows he is dishonest through his actions of not taking responsibility for what he did.

Prejudice vs. Discrimination (Wk 27)

Monday in class we discussed prejudice and discrimination. Remember, prejudice is the thought, whild discrimination is the action. Please write a paragraph giving an example of prejudice and discrimination. It does not have to be about race - any discrimintory act will work. It does not have to be an example from your own life, but if you can think of one, feel free to include that (names removed)!

When I was walking around downtown Portland, there was a homeless person holding a sign that said "Anything helps" asking for money. A person walked by and said, "You are just going to use the money for drugs or alcohol. Why would I give you anything?" The prejudice thought was that all homeless people are alcoholics or drug addicts; the discrimintory action was yelling at the homeless person. The man could have ignored him, but chose to discriminate by yelling at him on a crowded street.

Quarter 3 Reflection (Wk 26)

Can you believe we're one quarter away from finishing the school year?! WOW! Find your blog post from the end of secibe quarter (scroll all the way to the bottom and click on "Older Posts" to find the blog titled "End of First Second Reflection). Find your post and reflect on what you did well with this goal and areas you need to continue to improve. Write about what has gone well and areas you'd still like to focus on. What did you learn about yourself? Is there anything that you will do differently next quarter?

Middle Ages Defense (Wk 25)

During the Middle Ages, there was a great need to keep people safe from the Vikings and other attacking barbarians. You created castles in class that show different ways to defend a castle and are evaluating your peers' castles for the ability to withstand a siege.

What defense system do you think was the most effective?

This must be an actual defense system that existed at that time...not something you made up or happened later in history :)

Crispin and the Middle Ages (Week 24)

One of the reasons we teachers chose Crispin is that we love how it ties in with our study of the Middle Ages. now that you finished with the novel and we are in the thick of our SS studies, please write at least three ways you see an accurate history in Crispin. Be sure to explain your thinking. In other words prove that this is a historical fiction novel.

Clauses (Week 23)

Please write a short paragraph (3+ sentences) about a topic of your choice that includes:

• Sentences with independent and dependent clauses.
• At least one sentence with a FANBOYS.
• Commas placed correctly!

Agree or Disagree (Wk 22)

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? No matter how you answer, please tell us WHY! This response should be 3+ sentences in length.

Freedom is a state of mind.

You can respectfully respond to another students if you'd like!

Crispin's Character Traits (Wk 21)

By Wednesday, you will have read half of Crispin: the Cross of Lead. What is one character trait you believe Crispin has? Please write a CD/CM paragraph to answer this question:

• Topic Sentence: write a TADA sentence answering the question: What is one character trait you believe Crispin has?
• CD: Text excerpt from the book showing this trait (don't forget lead-in and citation).
• CMs: Explain how that text excerpt shows Crispin's charcter trait (2 sentences only!).
• Conclusion: Is this character trait helpful or harmful to Crispin? Why? (1-2 sentences)

*A few reminders about CD/CM paragraphs:

• Since Crispin:the Cross of Lead is a novel, the title is in italics!
• These are written in THIRD person - so no first (I, me, my, etc.) or second (you, your, etc.) person!
• CD/CM Paragraphs do not contain contractions (ex: won't -> will not).

Insie Mecca (Wk 20)

Last Thursday and Friday, we followed three people as they went on their hajj. What left the biggest impression on you from the documentary? Your answer should be 3-5 sentences.

Absent? Write about one more thing that you have learned about Islam that has impressed you!

Commas, Commas, Commas (Wk 19)

This week, take what you know about commas and the warm ups we've been doing and apply it! Write a paragraph with at least 5 sentences about a school appropriate topic of your choosing. In that paragraph use three different comma rules - see the Tool Box Section of your LA Spiral if you need help remembering!

This would be an excellent place to practice using the rules that were not marked as "Exceeding" on your Comma Formative Assessment!

Islam (Wk 18)

Islam is a new topic for many of you. In teacher talk, an "ah ha" moment is when someone learns something new or makes a connection in their brain (go dendrites!). What has your biggest ah ha moment been this week druing our study of Islam?

When I first started teaching about Islam, my biggest ah ha moment was learning how Muslims live their faith each day. It takes a great commitmetn to stop what you are doing, five times each day, and be intentional about prayer. Also, the idea of  fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is hard. I had a friend growing up that would fast and I never understood why he didn't eat lunch during this time. To live as a Muslim, meaning to follow the Five Pillars of Faith each day, takes great commitment and I admire those that do!

Remember to pay attention to commas this week!!

Quarter 2 Reflection (Wk 17)

As first quarter comes to a close, reflect back on the last 9 weeks. What has gone well? What did you learn about yourself? Is there anything that you will do differently next quarter? What strategies have you applied or want to try (for organization, homework completion, test preparation, etc.)? Think about all your classes, not just LA/SS!

Remember to use proper capitalization and punctuation!

Can you believe we're half way through the school year?! WOW! Find your blog post from the end of first quarter (scroll all the way to the bottom and click on "Older Posts" to find the blog titled "End of First Quarter Reflection (Wk 8)). Find your post and reflect on what you did well with this goal and areas you need to continue to improve. Write about what has gone well and areas you'd still like to focus on. What did you learn about yourself? Is there anything that you will do differently next quarter?

Catch Up Week (Week 16)

To earn credit for the blog this week, you must go back to check the last three weeks blogs. For each date you will need to tell me who posted a comment right before you. If you were first to post a comment, you can write, "I posted first!" See the example below for how you should post your comment for this week. If you are missing a comment, please complete it before this one! That way you have someone that you posted after. Remember: Friday is the cutoff for late work, so anything not finished becomes a ZERO!

Resloutions: I posted after Sarah M.
The Byzantines: I posted first!
CDCM Paragraphs:  I posted after Griffin C.

New Year's Traditions: Resolutions! (Week 15)

New Year's Resolutions are not something new. This tradition too relates back to ancient times - the Babylonians! While we may resolve to be healthier or nicer to our parents, the Babylonians most popular resolution? To return borrowed farm equiptment!

Clearly, making resolutions have been ehre a long time and I don't think this tradition is going anywhere. Why do you think people make New Year Resolutions year after year.

Please write a minimum of 4 sentences explaining your thinking!

Feel free to share any resolutions you made if you want to, but it's not required. I've resolved to run a half marathon with my sisters and floss more regularly!

The Byzantines (Wk 14)

The Byzantine Empire was the part of the Roman Empire that flourished and survivied for many more years! Why do you think the Byzantines were able to continue to exist and grow?

Please answer this question in a short paragraph!
*Please wait until Tuesday to answer this - we'll talk about  this in class on Tuesday!

CDCM Paragraphs (Week 13)

How are your CDCM Paragraphs going? You really hit them hard this week with the Fall of Rome Essay. Please think about the following questions and then write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining your thoughts on CDCM.

• EVERYONE: please write one sentence stating your understanding of a CDCM paragraph--what it is OR how you would use it.

Then use these questions as jumping off points to create the rest of your paragraph:

• What is easy for you to understand about CDCM paragraphs?
• What is confusing or difficult about CDCM paragraphs?
• Is there a specific part of a CDCM paragraph that you would like me to explain more indepth?
• Do you feel you have enough "tools" to go forward with these or do you need more support?

Traditions (Wk 12)

During this season, many families bring about time honored traditions.  Please explain two or three traditions or beliefs you and your family share (in complete sentences!) Try to avoid saying that you celebrate a specific holiday. Traditions would be a way that you celebrate something - anything really!

Here are three family traditions of mine!
A family tradition is the You are Special Today Plate. My parents have a plate that is red and says "You are Special Today" around the edge. When there is something special that has happened for one of my sisters or myself, we get to eat off that plate. Each year, we would use it for our birthday dinner, but then also if we won a special award, at graduations, and times when my parents wanted to recognize one of us. I know it's just a plate, but it definitely makes me smile still when they bring it out!

On my Mom's side of the family, we are Irish. Every year, the Leprechauns would come to our house the night before St. Patrick's Day and cause havoc! They would leave small green footprints all over our counters, mess up things on the table and even turn our milk green! This was something fun that my Mom did each year to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

The last tradition was the celebration of grades. My parents wanted us to work hard, and the end grade didn't matter as long as we had tried our hardest. To celebrate when report cards came, we would go to Ferdinand's Ice Creamery at WSU. We could get as many scoops as we wanted! It was a fun way to celebrate a job well done and finishing another term at school. They even took me out for ice cream to celebrate during college and graduate school :)

Multiple Intelligences (Wk 11)

How do you show your Mutliple Intelligences (MI)? Rememeber, these are to be celebrated - so celerbrate yourself!

One way that I show my strongest MI of logical/mathematical is that I love to make "To Do" Lists. Somehow it's very satisfying to write something down and mark it off the list. For example, I had a Thanksgiving To Do List that started the Sunday before Thanksgiving and stretched through the holiday so that I was able to get everything done. To Do Lists help me stay organized and I can work through my tasks step by step.

Caesar vs. Augustus Caesar (Week 10)

Tuesday in class you learned about two different Roman Rulers:  Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar. If you need a refresher, find the PPT titled "After the Punic Wars" posted on Edline! Write a CD/CM Paragraph answering this question:

 

Who was a better leader, Julius Caesar or Augustus Caesar?

Please write a CD/CM Paragraph to answer the question (see the prompts for what to put for each sentence):

• Topic Sentence [1 sentence]:  Answer the prompt (this will NOT be a TADA sentence - instead a sentence that answers it)
• CD [1 sentence]:  Pick one fact (it will not be a direct excerpt) and cite Mrs. Blancher (no page number either on this one).
• CMs [2 sentences]:  Explain how the CD shows he is a great leader.
• Conclusion [1-2 sentences]:  Answer this question - why was he a great leader?

Bullying...Charlie experienced it...you probably have too... (Wk 9)

Being bullied. We have seen it, experienced it, and may have been a bully to someone. Bullying is when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power, either in terms of physical strength or social standing.

 

Describe a time when you saw or experienced a form of bullying. Be sure to address these questions in your description of the incident:

• What happened?
• How did you feel?
• What did you do? OR What did you wish you had done?
• What advice would you give someone based on your experience?

 

 This response should be a paragraph in length!