Stories to hear aloud

8th Graders: Listen to "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry here. Fast forward to time: 15:48. You may also stop at any story to listen to it.

Cut a Snowflake!

BRING ON THE SNOW!
Do your part to help by going to this site and cutting a virtual snowflake out.
If you can, print it and bring it to my room :)



http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/
http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

Orgeon State "Thriller"

Can you write this story?

Use your inferencing skills!

What story is this music video by Death Cab for Cutie telling?

Post it!

Try Wordles

Create a themed picture using the Wordle link on the side bar.


title="Wordle: English notebook cover"> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/1059224/English_notebook_cover"
alt="Wordle: English notebook cover"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">

Tone vs. Mood

What is the difference? Write a short summary of this clip, inform Mrs. Rust, and earn a reward!

Mood Tone

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TEE Time Authors' Contest!

Call for Entries: Maryland Young Writers' Contest

10/12/2009
Baltimore's Child and CityLit Project are now accepting entries for the second annual Maryland Young Writers' Contest. Last year, nearly 400 entries were submitted from around the state in both prose and poetry categories across high school, middle school, and elementary school age groups.

Students in grades 3-12 who attend school or are homeschooled in Maryland are eligible.

Submit prose (short stories or plays) or poetry of up to 1,000 words. All entries must be typed and double-spaced, and include the student's name, grade, and school along with the name of the student's parent, phone number, and e-mail address.

Send to MYWC, Baltimore's Child, 2406 Everton Road, Baltimore, MD 21209.

Deadline December 31, 2009

See Mrs. Deveney or Mrs. Rust for details, or go to this site:

Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast

7th Graders: This is the original radio play heard by millions who thought Martians were invading earth. Our story, "Visitors from Mars" is based upon this.

Fireflis by Owl City

Listen to the lyrics of this song. What do you think the author's message or theme is? Why? Cite words or phrases that helped you come to your conclusion. Post your answer here. Or, respond to another's answer.

Author's TEE Stories - Publish here!

Hi young authors! Publish your stories for others to read here!
- Mrs. Deveney, Mrs. Rust, and Mrs. Swanson are proud of you!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Read a book here. Then comment: What do you think of this book? What did the author do that caught your interest?


http://www.funbrain.com

Get some Extra Credit!

Welcome to a new year for our blog!
Show me you can post a comment, earn 5 points extra credit!

1. Scoll to the side bar under "Links".
2. Click on Frederick News Post on line
3. Read any story of your choice and then summarize it here.

Must Have
8-10 sentences
Captial letters
punctuation

Island of Dr. Moreau author H.G. Welles speaks on the radio

Listen as the author of The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells speaks to Orson Welles, who adapted it to a radio play the night before Halloween, and scared the nation into thinking aliens were invading the USA. (If this is blocked, you may need to watch this from home.)
H.G. Wells also wrote our play, The Island of Dr. Moreau.

Post your thoughts.

All kinds of Reading

Watch this video, and then post your opinion. What do you have to say about reading print vs. media?


http://graphics8.nytimes.com/feedroom/nytc3/shell.html?

Wavin' Flag at the United Nations

Waving Flag (United Nations performance)

http://www.kyte.tv/ch/136574-knaan-tv-press-play/423160-wavin-flag-at-the-unit


So what's your opinion of the song or K'naan?

K'naan-Waving Flag

Last Will and Testiment

Well friends, the year is almost done, and I've loved being your teacher. You've come such a long way since our first class last fall!

Wouldn't it have cool if the previous 6th graders had left behind a message giving you hints about RWW ~ Telling you what you'd like, what to be sure to do, what to watch out for?

Let's make a "Last Will and Testiment" to the new 6th graders.

We, dear, departing 7th graders, leave behind advice or memories to the new 6th grade RWW students....~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Always keep your "cupcake point" teamwork attitude.

2. Figure out early in the year which computer is the fastest.

3. Bring your own good ball to class and beg for trash ball or silent speed ball.

Bonus Points to Boost your Final Grade

Week in Rap 4.3.09 from Week in Rap on Vimeo.

Have fun, good luck, and have a wonderful summer.

The Week in Rap Bonus Points

Well friends, the year is almost done, and I've had a great time getting to know each of you.

... Do you need a way to earn some bonus points to boost your grade? Re-make one of the news story raps you hear in the following link into your own words and rap. Keeping the idea the same, rap it your way.

Have fun, good luck, and have a wonderful summer.


http://vimeo.com/user806127

Final Homework!! Due Thurs. 6/11

Well done to all you guys this year for successfully completing RWW. I want all my students who did their homework when others were not, to know I noticed your efforts, and your grade reflects it as well.

For homework this week I want you to reflect upon this year in RWW. Write me several good sentences asnwering the questions below. Use specific examples, and I will try to reflect your suggestions in next year's RWW classes.

1. What do you think you improved on as a result of RWW?

2. What would you tell Mrs. Rust NOT to change?

3. What would you suggest Mrs. Rust TO change?

4. Make a suggestion regarding homework. Would you do something different than a log? If not, would you change the log? How?

Enjoy your summer!

Homework Due Thursday 5/28 through Fri. 6/5

Here's your homework choice for this week!

Remember, you may always complete a reading log OR this blog for your weekly homework.

Choose a story from the link at the end of this post.

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1808979,00.html


After reading the story, complete a total of 5 sentences that describe something from the reading. BUT! You must begin each sentence with the first 5 letters of the alphabet (below). Remember capitals and good sentences are a must!

1) A
2) B
3) C
4) D
5) E

Can you guess what this is? Guess correctly and win a candy bar.

Contest ends 5/25

Homework due May 21

Homework Due Th. 5/21. I'm making some changes! You have the option of answering the following here, or turning in your News Reading Log. Bring logs to class, or post your h.w. here :)
I'm proud of how well all my students did with the Opolo Ohno lesson! You did a great job recognizing his character traits - rebellelious and courageous.

Earn Bonus Points this week! Answer this question: Do Apolo's character traits remind you of anyone else you know or have seen? Write a 7-8 sentence explanation.
1. Begin with a topic sentence
2. Name of the character (person) Apolo reminds you of
3. Traits both have in common (courageous? rebellious? other?)
4. Explain using examples
5. Proofread
6. 7-8 sentences (minimum)

Apolo Ohno's Official web site ~ Facebook character traits assingment

Well, Friends, we've been studying Apolo's character traits. Use this site to complete your Facebok handout on Apolo. Remember, you may make things up, but they must be based on facts you know from this site or our reading.

*If this link won't open, use the one on the sidebar.

www.apoloantonohno.com/

INSTEAD OF YOUR READING LOG...

From now on you will have a choice of which homework you'd like to do.You may choose either:
1. Reading log
2. Click on the link below, find a "news story" from the time in history and topic you chose, and summarize it in a post here.
Rules ~
-Proofread for capitals, sentence errors, etc.
-Write at least 6-8 sentences (summarizing beginning, middle, and end.)


http://www.headlinehistory.co.uk/swf/main_launcher.htm

Extra Credit Homework Points

Hi Friends!
Want to earn extra credit Homework points this week?

Click on the screen and play this game, but keep track of your answers, because to earn points you must:
1. play 5 of the items
2. Write the first 2 words of the headline, followed by the correct answer you chose.
3. Post your answers by Friday, May 8.

Have fun earning points!

Captain Richard Philips

What if Captain Philips were to visit CMS on his return trip home? What sould you suggest as a "Welcome Home" gesture for him?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Pirates in Somalia

Compare the the Time for Kids April 24 issue article "Dangerous Waters" with this video. Tell me an idea you learned from the article that was not mentioned in this video clip.

HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK OF 4/24-4/30

This week we will not do our reading logs. (Yippee!) Instead, you will complete the Atalanta's Race "$2.00 summary" assignment. You have the choice of posting it here, or writing it out on the handout I give you in class on 4/24. This homework assignment will be collected/due Thursday 4/30.

Students Say the Darndest Things

I'm so proud of my students that are blogging! Here's a reward especially for you! I'll reward you with a piece of candy after you 1) watch this clip 2) answer the following question:
What surprised you most from any of these students' responses?

Time For Kids on line

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids

Homework (Bonus points) due by April 24

Answer this question for 10 extra homework points. (That'll double your h.w. grade!)
Due by Fri. April 24 @ 3:00 p.m.

Skim through the Time for Kids I gave you in class Thursday (4/16). Suppose I asked you to read an article orally with great expression and intonation. Choose a sentence to copy, and explain which word/s you might stress, or where would your pitch go up to make your expression sound great !

The myth of the Minotaur

Watch this video! What do you know about Greek myths?