iLEAP Countdown!

Welcome back!

The iLEAP countdown has begun!

We now officially have only 23 days of English class before the iLEAP. That's 23 days to get our writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary to the level we need it to be to acheive basic, mastery, and advanced on the test. That means we need to use EVERY minute of every class period wisely. This is no time to lay back and act foolish.

I have every confidence that if we continue to work hard, you can all succeed on the ELA section of the test this year. But we need to continue to work hard. Check out the links on the side (especially Louisiana PASS), for helpful practice.

Free tutoring is available after school, and as always, I am available for individual help before school and during lunch by special request. See me to make an appointment.

Let's rock the iLEAP this year!!!!!

Review, Exams, Winter Break Plans

Classes have been most excellent lately, despite the intense flooding outside. I thank everyone who has been working so hard and really making significant progress this year!

Personal narratives are late. They may be turned in, for reduced credit, until Friday. After that, you will receive a "zero." Remember, essay scores count as a test grade.

The interval tests I have graded so far have been AWESOME! All my classes have shown great improvement. The plan is to give your graded work back before winter break, and you will write another, even more improved, final draft of the same essay to turn in when we return in January.

Last but not least: check out www.mscraven7.blogspot.com for super samples of your work!

Personal Narrative: Due Date Next Week!

Next week is a busy one!

We have the interval test (a writing prompt) on Tuesday and Wednesday, and your personal narratives are due Thursday the 10th (A classes) and Friday the 11th (B classes). You will be given 1-4 points on the following criteria:

Sentence Length
Rhythm and Flow
Sentence Structure
Grammar and Spelling
Capitalization and Punctuation
Word Choice
Recognition of Reader (anticipating questions and answering them)
Commitment (making the reader understand why this was important- why should they keep reading?)
Point of view (using 1st person, "I")
Dialogue (conversation, quotes)
= 40 points

You will earn 0-10 points based on the effort you've shown working on your narrative. This includes time management and participating in all steps of the writing process.

This will give you a score out of 50. Double that and it becomes your grade (out of 100).

I am excited to read your stories!

Personal Narratives, Vocabulary

Our next interval test will be the week of December 7th. The writing prompt will be personal narrative. This is especially important to take seriously since the iLEAP and LEAP prompts are usually personal narratives or expository pieces. We will be spending the next few weeks crafting narratives about a time in your life.

For example,

-an embarassing moment
-a bad decision you made
-an adventure you had
-a time you were challenged

Prewriting should already have been completed at this point. We are drafting today and tomorrow. Then we will spend a significant amount of time REVISING our writing to make our essays the best they can be! I am excited to hear your stories!

Also, here are our vocabulary/spelling words for the next couple of weeks:
suscicious
courteous
humorous
courageous
miscellaneous
outrageous
anonymous
mischievous
spontaneous
unanimous

We will be working with these a lot in class, but you are ultimately responsible for making sure you study them enough to be able to participate in the activities in class.

Lastly, please remember that when you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me about work you missed. A few people have not come to make up tests and that is really hurting their grades. Don't let that be you!

Keep up the good work everyone!!!!

PSAs! (Pretty Super Assignment!)

Friday was a great day in most of my classes. Some of you did some OUTSTANDING work on your PSAs. They were very impressive and informative. Here are a couple to check out:


We had a few technical difficulties with a few videos, which we are still working out.

If you did not turn in your PSA yet- it is not too late!!!! For partial credit, you can still present your research this week. (1 letter grade drop for each day late.)

Keep up the good work, and let's get 80% this nine-weeks!

PSA Project

Instead of writing a plain old research paper to demonstrate your awesome data-gathering skills, for this information-resources unit your project will be a public service announcement (PSA). Keep in mind the sample PSAs from class. Your PSA should inform your viewer of a social issue: a problem in our society that merits (deserves) attention. It should be factual, keep your viewer’s attention, and include a call to action. For this project, you may choose to work with a partner or by yourself. Below is the rubric for how your work will be scored: Research/Notes No notes (0) Only one source (2) Quotes and paraphrases from two sources(4) Direct quotes and paraphrases from at least three sources (5) Bibliography in correct form No sources(0) Sources listed, but not in bibliographical form (2) Bibliography attempted (3) Complete bibliography in correct form (5) Length of PSA No PSA to present (0) Less than 1 minute (2) Between 1-2 minutes (4) At least 2 minutes long (4) Overall quality of PSA Poor (0) Mediocre (2) Good (4) Compelling, interesting, includes a call to action (5) Time management & Effort Made little to no attempt (0) Was often off-task during work-time (2) Was usually on task during work-time (4) Used research time wisely, put forth full effort (5) Total ____/25 x 4 = ____/100 You must turn in your notes and bibliography the day that you present your PSA. We will be filming your PSAs in class. For extra credit, you may make a video on your own. See me about scheduling a time after school, before school, or during lunch when you can use the recording equipment. Your PSA is due October 29th (A classes,) or 30th (B classes). Here is an anti-drug PSA from a few years ago: www.psastation.com also has lots of sample PSAs to inspire you.

Production!

Hosheria, Montel, Tajia got to learn a bit about the art of producing. Jake One and Vitamin D helped them lay down a beat at the Community Book Center, with local hip-hop artist Truth Universal.



We talked about starting a club- where Truman students could practice beats and writing songs. Keep that in mind.


Also: as a check to see how many people are checking this blog.... If you are reading this, write "macaroni" on a small piece of paper with your name and period number on it, and put it in the Questions and Ideas Bag. If I see it there by Friday I will give you a prize.


Tajia laid down the percussion beat underneath, Hosheria added some spacey sounds, and Montel is adding that itty-bitty melody as you watch!

Watch out world!