Writing in English:
Generic Essay Map
More Structured Essay Map
Narrative Essay Guidelines
"Great Openings" in Writing
Writing Dialogue
AIS Resources
The Poetry Project
Amy Benjamin's favorite links
"New York Ready Practice" Resources
Writing in Social Studies:
DBQ Essay Map - 2 bullets
DBQ Essay Map - 3 bullets
Writing in Science:
Introduction
Writing a Science Lab
Conclusion
Layers in the Atmosphere
Resources:
Check understanding with formative assessments.
Read in pairs with Paired Response Journals.
Map a story with a plot line diagram.
Get prepared for the ELA.
Learn strategies for taking tests.
Use bookmarks with reading strategies for fiction and non-fiction.
Scholastic Action Resources
Multimedia Links to the iReady Program:
AIS 7 - Lesson 3 -
Handout for Race to the South Pole
Watch a 2 minute Photostory project on the race to the South Pole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozVa4oELIA
Reenactment of a challenge faced by Amundson’s team http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3QHIBDOcwU
10 minute video on Amundson’s journey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW5p7ANwAU4
AIS 7 - Lesson 1 - Handout for vocabulary and short response
Martha Graham's School of Dance 2009 promo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKjFdmIlVMs
A Tribute Martha Graham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXSzZoq78U
Lamentation Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdOGFtTa7A
AIS 6 - Links for Lesson 3
Handout for A Scientist's Search for Bigfoot
Yes, there is a Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization http://www.bfro.net/
We will watch this video summarizing the legend of Bigfoot and explaining what cryptozoology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATxi-dZ5vA&feature=pyv&ad=3901241263&kw=big%20foot
You can watch this on your own and Judge for yourself! Is this Bigfoot sighting real?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8XSQbayXs
Handout for Tales of Chupacabras
Watch the TV news report from Louiville, Kentucky’s WLKY News and complete the graphic organizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdkoXwX0fg
On your own, you can watch two more news report showing “evidence” of the existence of the
Chupacabra:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6vRdy4SO4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtoQGeeTUAg
Lesson 1 - Handout for vocabulary and short response
BBC Documentary on Venus Flytrap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIGVtKdgwo
Venus Flytrap Catches Fly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMvxMGHZzo
Corpse Flower Time Lapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1256P5lU54
December Links:
During this month you will be practicing with some reading comprehension passages with questions to assess your comprehension and vocabulary knowledge. These tasks are designed to help me to deliver the best instruction for my students' needs.
The writing task for this month will be the "Favorite Celebration" essay. You will begin brainstorming for this essay in class on Friday.
November Links:
In class you are writing a "Thanksgiving Letter" to someone special in your life. You will deliver your letter over the Thanksgiving break. The first graded draft is due on Thursday for "B" day and Friday for "A" day.
Next week you will prepare and take home your notebook containing your three Writing Portfolio pieces. You will include a Letter to the Reader and a Positive Feedback Sheet. Please share your portfolio with at least three people. One of them must be a parent or guardian, and the other two may be friends, teachers, siblings, coaches, etc. This is a really enjoyable experience so feel free to have more than three people participate!
October Links:
To celebrate Halloween we are studied "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.
We also viewed some movie clips to study tone and mood in the Disney Version, Part 3 and Part 4.
If you'd like to watch from home, here are Part 1 and Part 2.
6th and 7th graders in AIS are learning strategies for understanding new vocabulary
and reading selections from a variety of genres.
We are having fun with language with some great vocabulary and ELA sites.
September Links:
This month we learned about a role model, Dr. Ben Carson. For enrichment (Reading Rewards) you can research him and reflect upon what you learned in one paragraph. Please try to have a friend or
family member watch the videos and reflect as well!
Dr. Ben Carson Documentary on two teen girls who are conjoined twins
Welcome to our class site. To get any of the handouts from class, go to the Resources page.
English/AIS is a class where all students become stronger readers and writers. June Resources:
This month you will be finishing up the Final Writing Portfolio. Use the checklist to help you and use the guidelines to write the pieces that "pull it all together" - Letter to the Reader, Dedication, and About the Author.
You will also complete the following projects:
1. Creative Writing in Response to Short Films (see April links for films and assessments).
2. Persuasive Essay - Final Draft
3. Contribution to Class Publication - sharing in the "drop" folder: PPT of Portfolio or Word files.
4. Do your best to show growth in the I-Ready program. Remember, you can use this program from home.
Sample Online Writing Portfolio You will be able to see these portfolios online for years to come.
May Resources:
During this month you will be working on your Writing Portfolio. The new pieces that should be completed by the end of May are the Persuasive Essay, Dedication Page, Letter to the Reader, and About the Author. The portfolios are due in June.
April Links: Reminder - The ELA will be on April 15, 16, and 17. Bring 2 sharpened pencils to school. Get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast. Remember to use all the strategies you have learned in AIS and in English.
Do your best! Check your work. Use plenty of textual details (textual evidence) in your writing. Good Luck!!
To prepare, we will complete a practice assessment, and will "enter the text with success" by building background knowledge and vocabulary:
"Legend of the Cedar Tree" pages 1 - 4
"Guardian on the Plateau" pages 5 - 8
"Are Our Nation's Treasures in Danger? and "Underused Parks Work to Create Awareness, Access" pages 9 - 16
"The Song of Wandering Aengus" pages 17 - 20
"The Online Brain" pages 21 - 28
"Kids at Work" and "Rocks in My Pocket" pages 29 - 34
Generic Essay Map
More Structured Essay Map
Narrative Essay Guidelines
"Great Openings" in Writing
Writing Dialogue
AIS Resources
The Poetry Project
Amy Benjamin's favorite links
"New York Ready Practice" Resources
Writing in Social Studies:
DBQ Essay Map - 2 bullets
DBQ Essay Map - 3 bullets
Writing in Science:
Introduction
Writing a Science Lab
Conclusion
Layers in the Atmosphere
Resources:
Check understanding with formative assessments.
Read in pairs with Paired Response Journals.
Map a story with a plot line diagram.
Get prepared for the ELA.
Learn strategies for taking tests.
Use bookmarks with reading strategies for fiction and non-fiction.
Scholastic Action Resources
Multimedia Links to the iReady Program:
AIS 7 - Lesson 3 -
Handout for Race to the South Pole
Watch a 2 minute Photostory project on the race to the South Pole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozVa4oELIA
Reenactment of a challenge faced by Amundson’s team http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3QHIBDOcwU
10 minute video on Amundson’s journey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW5p7ANwAU4
AIS 7 - Lesson 1 - Handout for vocabulary and short response
Martha Graham's School of Dance 2009 promo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKjFdmIlVMs
A Tribute Martha Graham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXSzZoq78U
Lamentation Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdOGFtTa7A
AIS 6 - Links for Lesson 3
Handout for A Scientist's Search for Bigfoot
Yes, there is a Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization http://www.bfro.net/
We will watch this video summarizing the legend of Bigfoot and explaining what cryptozoology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATxi-dZ5vA&feature=pyv&ad=3901241263&kw=big%20foot
You can watch this on your own and Judge for yourself! Is this Bigfoot sighting real?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8XSQbayXs
Handout for Tales of Chupacabras
Watch the TV news report from Louiville, Kentucky’s WLKY News and complete the graphic organizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdkoXwX0fg
On your own, you can watch two more news report showing “evidence” of the existence of the
Chupacabra:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6vRdy4SO4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtoQGeeTUAg
Lesson 1 - Handout for vocabulary and short response
BBC Documentary on Venus Flytrap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIGVtKdgwo
Venus Flytrap Catches Fly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMvxMGHZzo
Corpse Flower Time Lapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1256P5lU54
December Links:
During this month you will be practicing with some reading comprehension passages with questions to assess your comprehension and vocabulary knowledge. These tasks are designed to help me to deliver the best instruction for my students' needs.
The writing task for this month will be the "Favorite Celebration" essay. You will begin brainstorming for this essay in class on Friday.
November Links:
In class you are writing a "Thanksgiving Letter" to someone special in your life. You will deliver your letter over the Thanksgiving break. The first graded draft is due on Thursday for "B" day and Friday for "A" day.
Next week you will prepare and take home your notebook containing your three Writing Portfolio pieces. You will include a Letter to the Reader and a Positive Feedback Sheet. Please share your portfolio with at least three people. One of them must be a parent or guardian, and the other two may be friends, teachers, siblings, coaches, etc. This is a really enjoyable experience so feel free to have more than three people participate!
October Links:
To celebrate Halloween we are studied "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.
We also viewed some movie clips to study tone and mood in the Disney Version, Part 3 and Part 4.
If you'd like to watch from home, here are Part 1 and Part 2.
6th and 7th graders in AIS are learning strategies for understanding new vocabulary
and reading selections from a variety of genres.
We are having fun with language with some great vocabulary and ELA sites.
September Links:
This month we learned about a role model, Dr. Ben Carson. For enrichment (Reading Rewards) you can research him and reflect upon what you learned in one paragraph. Please try to have a friend or
family member watch the videos and reflect as well!
Dr. Ben Carson Documentary on two teen girls who are conjoined twins
Welcome to our class site. To get any of the handouts from class, go to the Resources page.
English/AIS is a class where all students become stronger readers and writers. June Resources:
This month you will be finishing up the Final Writing Portfolio. Use the checklist to help you and use the guidelines to write the pieces that "pull it all together" - Letter to the Reader, Dedication, and About the Author.
You will also complete the following projects:
1. Creative Writing in Response to Short Films (see April links for films and assessments).
2. Persuasive Essay - Final Draft
3. Contribution to Class Publication - sharing in the "drop" folder: PPT of Portfolio or Word files.
4. Do your best to show growth in the I-Ready program. Remember, you can use this program from home.
Sample Online Writing Portfolio You will be able to see these portfolios online for years to come.
May Resources:
During this month you will be working on your Writing Portfolio. The new pieces that should be completed by the end of May are the Persuasive Essay, Dedication Page, Letter to the Reader, and About the Author. The portfolios are due in June.
April Links: Reminder - The ELA will be on April 15, 16, and 17. Bring 2 sharpened pencils to school. Get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast. Remember to use all the strategies you have learned in AIS and in English.
Do your best! Check your work. Use plenty of textual details (textual evidence) in your writing. Good Luck!!
To prepare, we will complete a practice assessment, and will "enter the text with success" by building background knowledge and vocabulary:
"Legend of the Cedar Tree" pages 1 - 4
"Guardian on the Plateau" pages 5 - 8
"Are Our Nation's Treasures in Danger? and "Underused Parks Work to Create Awareness, Access" pages 9 - 16
"The Song of Wandering Aengus" pages 17 - 20
"The Online Brain" pages 21 - 28
"Kids at Work" and "Rocks in My Pocket" pages 29 - 34
March Links -
In 7th Grade English, all students study selected stories by O. Henry. In this class you will explore one story, “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry and will learn about others. To begin, let’s learn/review some interesting facts about the author with an Author Webquest.
It’s important to know about our most famous American authors. They are our heritage!
February Links -
This week we will be putting together our 2nd quarter portfolios. Required pieces are the "Favorite Celebration" essay, and two classwork samples. When you are finished, you may use the www.i-ready.com program
Next week we will begin a unit on O'Henry. For enrichment, watch some of the videos and share what you've learned in our class discussion.
Listen to this 1908 recording of O’Henry speaking to his readers. What is he saying about life and fiction? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGqXk66yE4A
Learn how O’Henry’s life experiences influenced his writing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw320Zj8BBM
Listen to the short story “The Gift of the Magi” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf0gM-fSqqc
Watch the 1949 series O’Henry’s Full House featuring “The Ransom of Red Chief” and “The Gift of the Magi” http://www.youtube.com/watchv=BQ54x0Zu_aU&playnext=1&list=PL2FCB78883B0D936A&feature=results_main
You can also watch “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhs1pHyGOI
Watch the 1949 series O’Henry’s Full House featuring “The Clarion Call” and “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68pI8Jx8pM
Check out this anime version of “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLshC3QsGPU
This short film was created for READ magazine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWFU5-3k7Qc
This is an absolutely beautiful Illuminated Text interpretation of The Last Leaf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zod9NsTKdhc
AIS 7 - Lesson 3 - Handout for Race to the South Pole
Watch a 2 minute Photostory project on the race to the South Pole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozVa4oELIA
Reenactment of a challenge faced by Amundson’s team http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3QHIBDOcwU
10 minute video on Amundson’s journey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW5p7ANwAU4
AIS 7 - Lesson 1 - Handout for Martha Graham: Modern Dance Innovator
Martha Graham's School of Dance 2009 promo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKjFdmIlVMs
A Tribute Martha Graham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXSzZoq78U
Lamentation Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdOGFtTa7A
English/AIS is a class where all students become stronger readers and writers.
There are three main expectations for this class:
1. Try to do your best. Believe in yourself, and you will succeed.
2. Show respect to everyone in the classroom.
3. Try to apply what you learn to succeed in all of your content area classes.
In this class you will begin with a "do now" activity to warm up your reading and thinking skills.
We will often read, discuss, and write about current events from a variety of sources.
Structured lessons will follow the format of the New York Ready Instruction workbook, which will be often be supplemented with additional readings, vocabulary activities, and research practice.
Click on following lesson overviews to discover the purpose and the vocabulary/research focus for each unit:
AIS 6 - Links for Lesson 4: Analyzing Key Ideas in a Text -
This unit focuses on mythical places. To learn more you can search these sites:
Atlantis—True Story or Cautionary Tale?
The Truth Behind Atlantis: Facts
El Dorado
Links for Lesson 3
Handout for A Scientist's Search for Bigfoot
Yes, there is a Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization http://www.bfro.net/
We will watch this video summarizing the legend of Bigfoot and explaining what cryptozoology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATxi-dZ5vA&feature=pyv&ad=3901241263&kw=big%20foot
You can watch this on your own and judge for yourself! Is this Bigfoot sighting real?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8XSQbayXs
Handout for Tales of Chupacabras
Watch the TV news report from Louiville, Kentucky’s WLKY News and complete the graphic organizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdkoXwX0fg
On your own, you can watch two more news report showing “evidence” of the existence of the
Chupacabra:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6vRdy4SO4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtoQGeeTUAg
Lesson 1 - Handout for vocabulary and short response
BBC Documentary on Venus Flytrap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIGVtKdgwo
Venus Flytrap Catches Fly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMvxMGHZzo
Corpse Flower Time Lapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1256P5lU54
Links for September, 2012:
"I Am" Poem Introduction
"I Am" Poem example (from Katie G.)
Overview of AIS Units for the 1st Quarter
AIS Welcome Letter - Sept. 2012
Student/Parent Info Sheet
Warm Up Current Event from NYTimes Science Times - Learning Doesn't Stop When You're Asleep
Unit 1 Lesson Plan
Other Resources for Unit 1
"I Am" Poem introduction
"I Am" Poem example (from Katie G.)
Links for Later in the Year:
Storybooks about Plants
Links for Langston Hughes:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1281012101110964607
http://138.238.41.254/Reference/Webliographies/Langston_Hughes2_files/Langston_Hughes2.htm
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Results/Author/Langston-Hughes/3943#play24890
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CUKyVrhPgM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NFXmlLCmTw&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NFXmlLCmTw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eilT5hkPkg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRTT-ZEqPlU&feature=related
In 7th Grade English, all students study selected stories by O. Henry. In this class you will explore one story, “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry and will learn about others. To begin, let’s learn/review some interesting facts about the author with an Author Webquest.
It’s important to know about our most famous American authors. They are our heritage!
February Links -
This week we will be putting together our 2nd quarter portfolios. Required pieces are the "Favorite Celebration" essay, and two classwork samples. When you are finished, you may use the www.i-ready.com program
Next week we will begin a unit on O'Henry. For enrichment, watch some of the videos and share what you've learned in our class discussion.
Listen to this 1908 recording of O’Henry speaking to his readers. What is he saying about life and fiction? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGqXk66yE4A
Learn how O’Henry’s life experiences influenced his writing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw320Zj8BBM
Listen to the short story “The Gift of the Magi” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf0gM-fSqqc
Watch the 1949 series O’Henry’s Full House featuring “The Ransom of Red Chief” and “The Gift of the Magi” http://www.youtube.com/watchv=BQ54x0Zu_aU&playnext=1&list=PL2FCB78883B0D936A&feature=results_main
You can also watch “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhs1pHyGOI
Watch the 1949 series O’Henry’s Full House featuring “The Clarion Call” and “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68pI8Jx8pM
Check out this anime version of “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLshC3QsGPU
This short film was created for READ magazine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWFU5-3k7Qc
This is an absolutely beautiful Illuminated Text interpretation of The Last Leaf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zod9NsTKdhc
AIS 7 - Lesson 3 - Handout for Race to the South Pole
Watch a 2 minute Photostory project on the race to the South Pole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozVa4oELIA
Reenactment of a challenge faced by Amundson’s team http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3QHIBDOcwU
10 minute video on Amundson’s journey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW5p7ANwAU4
AIS 7 - Lesson 1 - Handout for Martha Graham: Modern Dance Innovator
Martha Graham's School of Dance 2009 promo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKjFdmIlVMs
A Tribute Martha Graham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXSzZoq78U
Lamentation Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdOGFtTa7A
English/AIS is a class where all students become stronger readers and writers.
There are three main expectations for this class:
1. Try to do your best. Believe in yourself, and you will succeed.
2. Show respect to everyone in the classroom.
3. Try to apply what you learn to succeed in all of your content area classes.
In this class you will begin with a "do now" activity to warm up your reading and thinking skills.
We will often read, discuss, and write about current events from a variety of sources.
Structured lessons will follow the format of the New York Ready Instruction workbook, which will be often be supplemented with additional readings, vocabulary activities, and research practice.
Click on following lesson overviews to discover the purpose and the vocabulary/research focus for each unit:
AIS 6 - Links for Lesson 4: Analyzing Key Ideas in a Text -
This unit focuses on mythical places. To learn more you can search these sites:
Atlantis—True Story or Cautionary Tale?
The Truth Behind Atlantis: Facts
El Dorado
Links for Lesson 3
Handout for A Scientist's Search for Bigfoot
Yes, there is a Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization http://www.bfro.net/
We will watch this video summarizing the legend of Bigfoot and explaining what cryptozoology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATxi-dZ5vA&feature=pyv&ad=3901241263&kw=big%20foot
You can watch this on your own and judge for yourself! Is this Bigfoot sighting real?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8XSQbayXs
Handout for Tales of Chupacabras
Watch the TV news report from Louiville, Kentucky’s WLKY News and complete the graphic organizer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdkoXwX0fg
On your own, you can watch two more news report showing “evidence” of the existence of the
Chupacabra:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6vRdy4SO4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtoQGeeTUAg
Lesson 1 - Handout for vocabulary and short response
BBC Documentary on Venus Flytrap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIGVtKdgwo
Venus Flytrap Catches Fly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMvxMGHZzo
Corpse Flower Time Lapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1256P5lU54
Links for September, 2012:
"I Am" Poem Introduction
"I Am" Poem example (from Katie G.)
Overview of AIS Units for the 1st Quarter
AIS Welcome Letter - Sept. 2012
Student/Parent Info Sheet
Warm Up Current Event from NYTimes Science Times - Learning Doesn't Stop When You're Asleep
Unit 1 Lesson Plan
Other Resources for Unit 1
"I Am" Poem introduction
"I Am" Poem example (from Katie G.)
Links for Later in the Year:
Storybooks about Plants
Links for Langston Hughes:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1281012101110964607
http://138.238.41.254/Reference/Webliographies/Langston_Hughes2_files/Langston_Hughes2.htm
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Results/Author/Langston-Hughes/3943#play24890
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CUKyVrhPgM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NFXmlLCmTw&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NFXmlLCmTw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eilT5hkPkg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRTT-ZEqPlU&feature=related
