1. Take your STAR test.  Begin by logging in here.

2. Comment on this blog by answering these questions about We Beat The Streets. MAKE SURE YOU LOG INTO THE BLOG OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR COMMENTS.

1. What has been your favorite part of the book and why?
2. Which character do you like best and why?
3. What do you think is the theme of the book so far?  Explain why

Copper Sun - Culminating Tasks

We've been reading the book Copper Sun.  In support of our culminating task, please post a comment with the following information,  post a comment with the following information:

1. What is one theme of Copper Sun?
2. Explain why you think it is a theme.
3. Explain whether the theme is true in your life. Give some examples to explain why.

Favorite TV Family - And More

Today you will rotate through three assignments. Keep this window open.  You will need to come back here each time.

#1 - Favorite TV Family

• Sign into your mymail account and leave the account open

• click on this link to get started.

#2 - Quizlet 

Use Browser's back button

1.  Study this weeks academic vocabulary words by using these links

      - Link #1 - Study flashcards together

      - Link #2 - Type in the terms together


2.  Study all four sets
     - Link # 3 - Study all flashcards together
     - Link # 4 - Take the Super Challenge test

Book Review with Google Docs

Click HERE for today's assignment.


Period 7 Turn it In Form

Character Chat Room

Today you will chat as characters from our class novel, Copper Sun.  The site we will use to chat is called TodaysMeet.

Directions - Here's a video I made to teach you how to use TodaysMeet.

1. Find your group below and click on the purple link.
2. Type the name of your character in the blue band. 
3. Click "Join"
4. Expand the blue box so you have more room to type
5. Type your first message, which is where you type your name and the character you are chatting as.
6. Click the blue "Say" button.
7. Keep chatting, and click the say button when you are ready to post.
8. Be sure to use standard English, no text message symbols, and correct spelling and punctuation. 
9. Here's that video again I made. Watch it if you get confused.

Group 1 Mr. Derby - Michelle Clay – Emily Polly - Katherine Teenie - Cynthia Group 4 Mr. Derby - Maria Clay- Araceli Polly - Lesly Teenie - Stephanie

Group 2 Mr. Derby1 – Alex Mr. Derby2 - Moises Clay - Armando Polly - Luis Teenie - Brian Group 5 Mr. Derby - Crystal Clay - Amira Polly - Denise Teenie – Emely

Group 3 Mr. Derby - Anthony Clay - Michael Polly 1 – Luis Polly 2 - Bayron Teenie - Rogelio

Homework for "A Man Who Had No Eyes"

Watch each video and post a comment about them. Your comments will not be visible until I approve them. But, I will be able to tell if you posted.

Use This link

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDJ5XzgtaV9oU0t5RkJPU3hFb0VETGc6MA#gid=0

Copper Sun - Let's Begin

Today, we will read the first two chapters of Copper Sun, by Sharon Draper.  Afterward, you and your partner will pick at least two questions below and answer them, using the "add comment" feature.

Write the question number, and turn the question into a statement so the readers know which question you are answering.

1. When people are betrothed, it means they have enter into a formal agreement to marry. But, in more traditional eras, that agreement is often made by the parents, not by the young people themselves.  A) Express your views about two people being betrothed to each otherm b) Analyze the relationship between Amari and Besa

2. How does the culture in the village of Ziavi differ from the culture in your community regarding marriage?

3. Why do you think girls were forbidden to weave fabrics on the loom? What privilges (or chores)  do you know of today, if any, that girls are forbidden to do? How do you feel about this? 

4. What does your family do to welcome guests to your home? 

5. Compare and contrast your community to the village of Ziavi. 

6. Recall the way Besa greeted Amari. How do young men greet young ladies in your community? 

7. How do residents in your community warn one another about strangers in the community? 

8. Besa is very skilled in drum playing. What do you think Besa meant when he said that drums are not just noise, they are a language?

Analyzing Setting

Today we are going to analyze the five parts of setting.

To do this, you must go to our new Class Wiki --> Click here

Analyze Text Elements & Features

Hello students.  Today you will look at three examples of text and analyze their features and elements.  To get started, click on this link - http://minkindocs.blogspot.com/ You will find that sometimes the site doesn't load right, due to LAUSD's firewall.  Just refresh the screen and you should be ok.




When you are done, practice your vocabulary words here:
http://quizlet.com/9637451/test/







.

Two Students Per Computer

Today, you and a partner will work together on one computer.  Here are your tasks, in chronological order.  Use the browser's back button to return to this page

Use Browser's back button

1.  Study this weeks academic vocabulary words by using these links

      - Link #1 - Study flashcards together

      - Link #2 - Type in the terms together


2.  Study all four sets
     - Link # 3 - Study all flashcards together
     - Link # 4 - Take the Super Challenge test

Today you will work independently in the lab.  As soon as you are finished with the first assignment, move on to the next one

Take the STAR reading test by clicking this link.

2. Take the technology survey by clicking this link.


3. Go to Quizlet and practice your expository vocabulary words by clicking this link.

Theme of Party Girl - Second Chance

We've been reading the book Party Girl.  If you have not yet posted a comment, click the comment button here and post a comment with the following information:

1. What is one theme of Party Girl?
2. Explain why you think it is a theme.
3. Explain whether the theme is true in your life. Give some examples to explain why.

Today's Assignment - Thursday, November 17

Today we are going to:

-Finish commenting on the theme of Party Girl (see yesterday's post).

-Revise (then print) personal narratives for:

1. Format for double-space
2. Use capital "I" to refer to yourself, not "i"
3. Elimination of all spelling errors
4. Elimination of confusing pronouns/antecedents (we must always know which "he" and "she' you are talking about.
5. Past tense verbs correctly conjugated and spelled
6. First references of all characters must be clear. 
7. Dialogue correctly punctuated.  Speaker tags must be separated from direct quotations using a comma.  The first word in all dialogue must be capitalized
8. Figurative language in green (three examples)
9. Dialogue in orange (at least seven lines)

 When you think you are done, you will peer edit with someone in class. You will sit next to them, switch computers, and carefully check each other's drafts.  Then you will look at the rubric and make sure you have done everything you need to do to get an A on this assignment.


Whew! After you have done all of this, yes, you may print using one of the computers connected to the printer.

Theme of Party Girl

We've been reading the book Party Girl.  In support of our culminating task, please post a comment with the following information:

What are two themes of Party Girl?  Explain why you think each is a theme.  Then, explain whether the theme is true in your life (or how it relates to your life).  Make sure you write a complete paragraph for each theme.

Personal Narrative Directions

1. Go to mymail.lausd.net and sign in
2. Go to your documents
3. Open a new document
4. Name your document like this:  Last First P7 Narrative  --> ex.  Minkin Melissa P7 Narrative
5. Share your document with me at ms.minkin@gmail.com and edison406@gmail.com.  Before you finish sharing it, UNCHECK the box that asks if you want to send me an email.  

Now you are ready to start work.  

1. Do not change the font, size or color of the type. It's a waste of class time. 
2. Type your name and period at the top of the document using the "align right" button - NOT THE SPACE BAR.  Drop down two spaces by hitting the return key two times.
3. Type a title using the "align center" button. Hit the return key two times.
4. Use the tab key to indent your first paragraph.  Now, use the "align left" button to get everything lining up on the left.
5. Go to the format menu. Change the line spacing to 2.0
6. Start typing.  Finish typing for homework. 

Analyzing Two Citations

You have re-read Party Girl pages 35-39 and pages 55-59.  Please find two citations that you find interesting. Type both in, using correct citation format, and then comment on each one.

Here is an example from Their Eyes Were Watching G d by Zora Neale Hurston:

“A pretty doll-baby lak you is made to sit on de front porch and rock and fan yourself” (Hurston 49). 

I don’t agree with what he’s saying. As if pretty women were just supposed to sit around and fan themselves. And what’s the character saying about ugly women or fat women?  I don’t like the way he is stereotyping women. I don’t like this man.

Classwork and Homework - November 7, 2011

We can learn a lot about a novel's protagonist by analyzing a secondary character. So, we are going to look deeply at Pocho.  Here's what I asked you to do in class:

• Highlight  or underline the word "Pocho" on every page it appears from page 1 - 63.  
• Carefully re-read pages 35-39 and pages 55-59.  Pay attention to everything Dreamer says and does. Annotate the text by putting a positive sign (+) for everything Dreamer does that is positive and a negative sign (-) for every negative thing she says or does.

As a reminder, for homework tonight you will:

• highlight or underline each place the word "Pocho" appears from pages 64-110 (the end of the book).  
•  Carefully re-read pages 64-66 and pages 71-72.  Pay attention to everything Dreamer says and does. Annotate the text by putting a positive sign (+) for everything Dreamer does that is positive and a negative sign (-) for every negative thing she says or does.
• There will be a quiz on the portions of the book you read today and for homework tonight

Kikicho as a Character

In your opinion, what type of literary character is Kikicho?  Support your assertion with at least two textual examples (citations or paraphrases).

Analyze Pocho as a Character

In your opinion, what is Pocho like as a character? Support your opinion with at least two textual examples.

Party Girl, Pages 57-69

In this part of the book, Pocho and Kata drive to a different neighborhood to avenge Ana's death. But what they find out is not what they expected.

Directions:  Re-read the exerpt from Party Girl pages 57-69. Then post a response to these questions below.  You must write in a complete sentence, turning the question into an answer.  Use Academic English and correct spelling and punctuation.  Answer all parts of the question.

1.     (Roster #1-3) Raul didn’t really kill Ana.  Why does Pocho want Raul dead?  How do we know? 

2.     (Roster #4-6) How does Pocho trick Kata into thinking that Raul was the one who killed Ana?  How do we know? 

3.     (Roster #7-9) Kata refuses to shoot Raul from the car while he is on the porch with lots of other people.  Why? What does this tell us about her character traits? 

4.     (Roster #10-12) Kata has the option staying annonymous by shooting Raul from the car. But she decides to walk up to him instead.  Why?  Do you agree with her decision?  Why or why not? 

5.     (Roster #13-15) As the narrator, Kata says,  “[Raul] didn’t look the part.  He looked like a college student in his blue T-shirt and Levi’s.  He wore a singel gold earring, his black hair long and pulled back in a ponytail” (Ewing 60). What does Dreamer mean when she says “He didn’t look the part”?

6.     (Roster #16-18) Why doesn’t Raul want anyone on the porch to hear what he is saying to Kata?  How do you know that? 

7.     (Roster #19-22) How do we know that Raul is telling the truth when he says, “I want to marry [her].  She’s my life”?

What You Know or Have Learned About Cyber Safety

We have been talking about cyber safety.  What are some of the things that you should and should not do to stay safe on the internet, or when you are texting?

Types of Conflict

Look at page 27 of your composition book to review the types of conflict we have studied.  Then, post a comment listing one of the conflicts from pages 25 - 69 of Party Girl. Explain what type of conflict it is and why.

Here's an example:  On page 4, Dreamer tries to get Ana to sneak out, but Ana wants to study for her Algebra test.  Dreamer keeps trying to persuade her.  This causes internal conflict (character vs. self)  for Ana.  She is trying to decide if she should study or sneak out.  She resolves the conflict by sneaking out.

Strong Literary Characters

© Adrian van Leen
^ MasterContributor ^ CC:Attribution-ShareAlike

When we talk about strong literary characters, we are talking not about physical strength.  Instead, we are talking about a literary character who is memorable and unique.  Think about all the characters you have encountered in literature, television and film.  In your opinion, who is the strongest, most original, most unique character? Defend your proposition with support. That support must include at least two examples.  Remember to write in Standard English with correct grammar and spelling.

Hi students.  Thanks for logging in.  I am sorry that this post is late.  I attempted to post it on Friday after class, and I thought I had succeeded, but, it didn't work. I didn't realize my mistake until now, Sunday morning, at 10:00 P.D.T.  So, I will give you until Monday night to post your response.  Remember, you can always email me if you have a problem.

Anyway, please comment on the prompt below, using full sentences, correct spelling and Academic English.

Prompt:  When you have finished your homework, your chores, and any other responsibilities, what do you like to do? How do you relax?

Assignments for Today

Friday, October 7 Assignments

Hi class. Click here for today's assignment.

Sweet Things

What is your favorite dessert and why?  Post a comment below. Make sure you use Standard English and that you are signed in with your own profile.

Favorite Book or Movie

Hello, class. This is the first post on our classroom blog. Sometimes we will have online discussions here about our first class novel, Party Girl, and sometimes we will have discussions to help us get to know each other, like this one. That's why you will see the label "Getting to Know Us" for this post.

So here is the prompt. Please use your best Standard English to reply to it. You must have an assertion and evidence (examples, anecdotes, etc.).

Prompt:  Please tell us your favorite book or movie, and explain why it is your favorite.  Click "comments" below this post to add your comment and read your classmates'.  Extra credit goes to the first person to post an explanation of why the word "classmates'" has the apostrophe after the "s."
 Have fun.


Need help posting comments? Read This

After you finish, please take this survey 


Then, practice your vocabulary using Quizlet.