Resources for Unit Three

In language arts, we're moving into SPRINGBOARD's Unit Three: The Challenge to Make a Difference. To begin this unit, we'll be studying a variety of stories, poems and memoirs from the Holocaust. To begin, we'll familiarize ourselves with some of the key terms we'll encounter in our readings and lit circle discussions.

Here are links to resources:
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Website
      Glossary (part of the museum website)
      Resources for Lesson can be found HERE

Link to Connectedness Survey

Click HERE for the link to the Connectedness Survey.

Argumentative Essays

Before spring break, we discussed the process of debating and writing about controversial issues. We learned about claims and counterclaims, logical fallacies, persuasive appeals (logos, ethos, pathos), evaluating sources for reliability, analyzing target audiences, quoting and paraphrasing information from a source. Now students will jump into their own argumentative essays, creating claims, researching those claims, and composing essays based on that research. We'll be using This Packet to guide the process. I look forward to hearing everyone's opinions!

History: Lewis and Clark

In history next week, we'll be working on Lewis and Clark Journals.
Here is a link to the National Geographic website's interactive Lewis and Clark journey.

In Language Arts...

Over the next two weeks in language arts, we'll be writing essays in response to Fahrenheit 451. You can find information about the assignment here, and outlines here and here. Our discussions in class have been great, and I'm looking forward to reading what students have to say about the novel.

In Language Arts...

We've been reading and discussing Fahrenheit 451 in class. What great points students have been making about the society of the novel and our own society! This week, in addition to continuing with our reading and analysis, students will write an expository paragraph exploring two different perspectives in the novel. You can find more information about the assignment HERE, including a sample outline and paragraph from a short story we read earlier in the quarter, "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Also, conferences are right around the quarter, so look for conference forms at home. Mid-quarter is this Friday, February 6th.
And here's one more opportunity for student writers: a statewide poetry contest. Details can be found HERE.
We may not have much snow, and I miss skiing and snow machining; but on the bright side, it's great weather for reading and writing!

Writing Contest!

The University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Dispatch News is holding its annual creative writing contest. They accept fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. They award cash prizes to the winners in each genre. (There's a category for grades 7-9). This is a great chance for students to get their work out into the world! Click HERE for more information.