FYI

6th Grade:

Final Exam Assignment

We have been studying different versions of the “Cinderella” story from different cultures.  For your final exam assignment, you are going to take the information you have learned and the stories you have read and apply that information in a fresh way. 

Write your own “Cinderella” story.  You must include the common elements that we have so far seen in the “Cinderella” stories.  In other words, you should have a girl in hard times (be it emotionally or financially) who eventually is rewarded because of her kindness.  Your story should be set in modern times and should take place somewhere you are familiar with, such as school, your neighborhood, your dance class, etc.  Your story may be typed in 12-point, Times New Roman, double-spaced, and should be at least two pages typed (which is about the front and back of a piece of notebook paper, if you write small).

This is due NO LATER than Monday, June 2 (B) and Tuesday, June 3 (A).  You may turn it in early.  If you handwrite the assignment, you should turn in a neat, revised final copy.

Extra Credit Opportunity

30 extra credit points – to be added in where needed

Due no later than Wednesday, June 4

Write a thorough paragraph for each of the following questions:

1.      What was your favorite story or book that we read in ELA this year?  Why?

2.      What was your least favorite story or book that we read in ELA this year?  Why?

3.      Is there anything about ELA this year that you hope to see in ELA next year (the types of assignments, the activities, the organization, etc.)?  Why?

4.      If you could change something (the types of assignments, the activities, the organization, etc.) about this year in ELA, what would it be?  Why?

 

8th Grade:

Extra Credit Opportunity – 8^th Grade

30 extra credit points – to be added in where needed

Due no later than Wednesday, June 4

Write a thorough paragraph for each of the following questions:

1.      What was your favorite story or book that we read in ELA this year?  Why?

2.      What was your least favorite story or book that we read in ELA this year?  Why?

3.      What do you hope English 1 is like?  In other words, did you like how this class was structured and the types of assignments that were given, or would you prefer something different?  What would you prefer?  Remember that English is required for all 4 years of high school.

 

6th Grade:  No homework for the weekend!

8th Grade:  Remember, you have until Tuesday, May 20th to make up any missing assignments.  After that date, I will NOT accept the assignments that were on the printout I gave you.  Please take advantage of this opportunity so that the F's and D's can become A's and B's!

8th Grade:
You need to finish your work for The Hitchhiker, posted below...  Also, if you did not turn in your "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" illustration, please do so next class.

8th grade parents:  Please consider chaperoning the end of the year field trip to Islands of Adventure.  If you are, please contact me as soon as possible and I can forward your information to the trip's organizer.

6th Grade:
Your "Apollo's Tree" and "Arachne" assignments are due soon (Friday for A day students, Monday for B day students).  The assignments are below.  Remember that you may complete a third assignment for 20 points extra credit added in where you need points.

Students should also finish "The Chenoo" paragraph and illustration (B day will receive this on Thursday), if not already.  You were to draw the Chenoo before and after, then write a paragraph explaining what the theme is and how the heart of ice relates to the theme.

“Apollo’s Tree” and “Arachne”

After reading these two myths, you are to choose one activity from column A (25 points) and one activity from column B (25 points) to complete.  You may complete a third activity from either column for 20 points extra credit (to replace missing points in the gradebook).  The extra credit is due at the same time as the assignment.

A	B
Answer questions 1-8 after the story on page 667 in complete sentences that restate the questions, making sure to provide plenty of evidence.	In “Arachne,” Athena and Arachne include designs in their weavings that are intended as messages for each other.  Illustrate how you imagine these designs look, using the descriptions in the myth as your guide.  Ask for a sheet of copy paper to use.
In “Apollo’s Tree,” the god Apollo is overly sure of his powers.  How does his excessive pride end up hurting both him and Daphne?  Support your answer with details and examples from the myth.  You need at least a page on this topic (like a mini-essay).  An effective analysis will give details from the myth that show Apollo’s pride and explain the consequences of his pride.	Create a storyboard for both myths.  A storyboard is sort of like a film strip or comic strip; it would show important events in the story and have a small caption with each one.  I will let you be the judge as to how many parts of the story need to be included in the storyboard.
Write a short “myth” or “fable” that explains a wonder of the natural world (such as how “Arachne” explains why there are spiders and why they weave webs).  You need at least a page, but it may be longer.	Write a song about the events of one of the myths, making sure to incorporate some of the story’s dialogue and imagery into the lyrics.

6th Grade A day - Don't forget to write your introductory paragraphs for the three prompts that you received.  You need to have an engaging beginning, transition to the thesis, and thesis statement for each paragraph.  Remember - you are only writing the introductions to each essay.  The prompts were:

1.      Everyone has an activity he or she enjoys. Think about an activity you enjoy. Now write to explain why you enjoy the activity.

2.      Through the years, new inventions have changed the way we live. Think about one invention that has had an impact on the way you live. Now write to explain how this invention has changed your life.

3.   Most of us like something found in nature. Think about something from nature that you like. Now write to explain why you like that part of nature.

 

8th Grade - You need to finish your illustration for "Macavity: The Mystery Cat."  Make sure it is neat, colorful, and has your assigned lines written on the paper.

6th Grade Parents:

Chaperones are still needed for the World of Nations field trip!!!

Spend a fun day with your child discovering other cultures and enjoying food from around the world!  It is going to be a blast!  Let one of your child's teachers know as soon as possible so that you don't miss out on this opportunity.

Countdown to the FCAT

Students have not had homework from me lately because we have been working on FCAT review and practice assessments.  This week, students need to make sure they have turned in their corrections for the Units 1-4 assessments.  Some students may take the corrections home tonight (or last night) so that they can be completed.  We are primarily working on the corrections in class.

Extra Credit Opportunities

I hope everyone has a wonderful, fun, and safe Spring Break!  You do not have any official homework over the break, but I would like for everyone to read every day.  Setting aside 30 minutes to an hour each day to read can significantly improve your reading skills, simply by the exposure to new vocabulary and concepts.  There is also an extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it.  They are different for sixth and eighth grades.

6th Grade 3^rd Quarter Extra Credit Opportunity

Due Monday, March 24 (A Day) and Tuesday, March 25 (B Day). 

I will NOT accept the assignment after those two dates.

“Beware the Ides of March!”

This is a famous saying from . . . well, I’ll let you figure it out!  For 50 extra credit points (added into your grade where points are needed, not added on top), write a one-page response that explains the following:

1.      The origin of the quote

2.      Who wrote the quote

3.      Who said the quote

4.      Why the quote is famous and/or significant

5.      What the quote means

If you turn in anything that was clearly copied off the Internet, it will be counted as plagiarism and you will not receive credit.  You should use the Internet as a source, but you should put all of the information in your own words and cite where you found the information.

 

8^th Grade Extra Credit Opportunity for the 3^rd Quarter

Due Tuesday, March 25, 2014

I will NOT accept it after that date!

Put those writing skills to good use!  Write an essay persuading me to give you 50 extra points in the gradebook.  You will receive the 50 points (whether I agree or not) as long as you follow all of the rules of an essay (Introduction, thesis, topic sentences, etc.).  You may either type your essay or write it by hand.  If you type it, please make it 12 point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced.  If you handwrite it, please keep it neat!