7th Grade Language Arts

End of Year Tech Project Thursday, May 19 and Monday, May 23 (computer lab time)

Summer Vacation, Oh My!
- Your job:
Plan a vacation and write a travel "story" for this vacation complete with pictures, itineraries, prices, poems, reviews, meals, and mileage! Your trip must last ten days!


All work should be completed on Google Docs. You must name your document yourlastname.nameofdestination (example ruyle.cabosanlucas). Any of the topics listed in bold must be a topic on your Google Doc. You should keep it organized by using effective spacing, bold, italics, numbers and bullets. As soon as you name your document, share it with acollopy@mssd14.org.

Sources:
- any websites that you use must be cited on a list of websites that you utilized
- create a separate document to store the url's/web addresses as you copy and paste them

Budget- $10,000
* Woot! It seems like a lot of money, but remember, this has to include EVERYTHING and EVERYONE going.

1. Pick a destination (where you're going!)
- Day dream about this a little. Do a few Google searches. Then, write a 5-7 sentences paragraph describing your destination; where is it; why did you choose it; what makes it great?

2. Who is going with you?
- You may travel on your own, or with a whole bunch of folks. The more the merrier OR the more the more expensive? $10,000 is your magic number. You must be on your trip for 8-10 days.

3. Travel plans
- planes, trains, and automobiles!
- Plan a detailed itinerary complete with departure and arrival dates and airline information. Use the following websites to help you find the best deal. Don't forget to include airport parking in your expenses.

www.expedia.com
www.travelocity.com
www.kayak.com
www.priceline.com

- If you want to drive to your destination, that's fine too. However, you must have detailed mileage information; how much gas costs, thus how much gas you'll purchase (round trip); if you'll stay in hotels along the way; and food costs. You'll have to decide what type of car you'll drive and research how many miles it gets to the gallon. Get googling! Remember, the shorter your search criteria, the better (no complete sentences or question in the search bar).

4. Transportation when you're there
- Are you going to rent a car? How much will that cost?
- Are you going to walk? Exhausting.
- Are you going to take a bus? How much do buses, trains, etc. cost? Can you buy a pass?

www.expedia.com
or
Find some car rental companies websites (Hertz, Avis, Dollar, etc.)


5. Where are you going to stay?
- Find your specific hotel information and multiply it by the number of nights you want to stay. Remember to check availability on the websites for your dates.

www.hotels.com
www.expedia.com
www.priceline.com


6. Sightseeing
- What makes this place cool? Interesting? List where you'll go and do cool activities like museums, adventures, tours, etc.
- Google searches should help you with this.

7. Pictures, please!
- Include at least five images from your destination. Copy and paste them onto your document. Write a short one-sentence description under each picture. Don't forget to copy and paste each url/website onto your source list.

8. Meals
- You have to eat! Where? How much will it cost?
- In addition to general meal/budget planning, research at least one restaurant in your destination. Write a short description of that restaurant and why it's unique and you want to visit/eat there. Include a picture if you can find one. I bet you can find a menu too!

9. A Poem!
- Yes, a poem! Write a diamante poem about your destination. It's a poem of contrasts. Here's the format:
Line 1- A noun about your place/destination
Line 2- Two adjectives describing the noun from line 1
Line 3- Three "ing" words relating to line 1
Line 4- Two nouns relating to line 1; then two nouns relating to line 7 (this is your transition line)
Line 5- Three "ing" words relating to line 7
Line 6- Two adjectives describing the noun from line 7
Line 7- A contrasting noun about your place/destination

* We wrote diamanates before spring break (the same day we wrote Limericks).

10. Budget - List of all expenses and totals

Here's where you prove your great planning. List all expenses below. Make sure to include a total! If you know how to insert a chart or a spreadsheet, go for it. If not, a list with an accurate total will suffice.

Are you ready to travel? Get planning! All work for this travel plan is due at the end of class on Monday. We'll share these during our short class on Tuesday!

7th Grade L.A.- Tuesday, May 17

Research Paper

Procedure for Turning Your Research Paper In!

May 17, 2011

1. Finish last improvements/revisions/editing for approximately 45 minutes. Work on both the research paper and the works cited document. It is better if these are two separate documents.

2. Everything should be printed from Word. Saving up here in Mrs. Casey’s lab can be a little tricky, so make sure to put everything into a Google Doc as a final draft (have a copy on Word and a copy on Google docs).

3. Font- 10 pt. Courier (also for the works cited)

4. Double space

5. Proper heading aligned right. Use your formatting palette.

a. Name

b. Date (May 17, 2011)

c. Language Arts

d. Block ____

6. Title of your paper centered below your heading, but above your body paragraph.

7. Insert page numbers. Do not put a page number on the Works Cited.

8. Works Cited: double spaced and reverse indent used correctly. Read Abbi’s blog-post on my blog from last week how to do this in Word! The title Works Cited should be at the top of your page/centered.

9. Do not write anything above each paragraph (Introduction, Body 1, etc.).

10. Do not add extra space in between paragraphs.

11. Indent every paragraph by using the tab button.

12. Before you print, make sure you are not starting any sentences with AND, BUT, OR!

13. Do not include any contractions in your writing- don’t = do not

14. Print your research paper and your works cited document. Please do not print until you are certain that you have formatted everything correctly.

15. When you have printed, re-read your paper and try to fix easy errors that you can with your pen.

a. Do you have commas and periods?

b. If you see sentences that are missing a word/phrase, use a carrot ^ to add in the appropriate word.

16. Go through the entire essay and circle the following verbs:

a. be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being, become, became

17. Underline the thesis statement in your introduction. Draw an arrow out to the margin and label it.

18. Label all topic sentences (in body paragraphs only). Write what type they are from the topic sentence packet. Do not just label them “topic sentence.”

19. Use the rubric to grade yourself. Thoughtfully check the different boxes that apply to your work. Then, give yourself a score based on the different boxes that you check. Don’t just check the proficient box, check the different boxes across scores as they apply to you.

20. When you have finished all self-evaluation, staple your paper together:

a. Rubric on top with your name on it

b. Research paper in the middle

c. Works Cited last

Hooray!

7th Grade LA- Friday, May 13

1. Type like crazy! Save/name is as: yourlastname.researchpaper.2011. Share it with acollopy@mssd14.org

2. Add your introduction to your body paragraphs.

3. Body Paragraphs:
- should have topic sentences from packet
- no personal pronouns (especially YOU!)
- meaningful transitions
- 6-8 sentences
- excellent word choice
- begin with a variety of words and phrases
- avoid the transition "so"

4. Conclusion:
- should summarize essay without being redundant
- look to the future
- use another interesting statistic or fact
- bring everything to logical closure and feel satisfying
- should not state: This is the end of my essay, etc.

5. PRINT & Homework!
- you need to print your draft thus far and ask for help from someone at home this weekend
- ask a family member to help read and review your essay for ideas, sentence fluency, word choice, and overall GREATNESS!
- get a signature from that loved one as validation that this assignment is complete

6. All paragraphs should be written and reviewed for Monday. They should be printed out and ready to improve. The onus is on YOU to finish writing paragraphs and improving them. The majority of time in class on Tuesday before these essays are due is to complete a Works Cited and a self-evaluation! You have all weekend to continue your awesome research papers.

7th Grade L.A.- Wednesday, May 11

1. Work on outlines. The directions for your outline is on the blog post from two days ago. Outlines should be finished and printed by the end of the period today.

2. Half-way through class, we will stop and work on introductions. Wait for instructions.

8th Grade Language Arts- Monday, May 9, 2011

*Link for numerical expression rules!

- Research paper is due today!
- Presentations start tomorrow!
- Budget your time so that you can work on everything.
- Research paper must be turned in following the procedure in this blog post. Papers without a complete rubric and labeling will not be accepted as "on time."
- Whew! Lots to read and do today, so make sure to get through it all and ask questions.

Research Paper

Procedure for Turning Your Research Paper In!

May 9, 2011

1. Finish last improvements/revisions/editing for however long you need. Work on both the research paper and the works cited document. It is better if these are two separate documents.

2. Everything should be printed from Word. Saving up here in Mrs. Casey’s lab can be a little tricky, so make sure to put everything into a Google Doc as a final draft.

3. Font- 12 pt. Courier

4. Double space

5. Proper heading aligned right.

a. Name

b. Date (May 9, 2011)

c. Language Arts

d. Block 3

6. Title of your paper centered below your heading, but above your body paragraph.

7. Insert page numbers. Do not put a page number on the Works Cited.

8. Works Cited: double spaced and reverse indent used correctly. Read Abbi’s blog-post on my blog from last week how to do this in Word!

9. Do not write anything above each paragraph (Introduction, Body 1, etc.).

10. Do not add extra space in between paragraphs.

11. Indent every paragraph by using the tab button.

12. Before you print, make sure you are not starting any sentences with AND, BUT, OR!

13. Do not include any contractions in your writing- don’t = do not

14. Print your research paper and your works cited document.

15. When you have printed, re-read your paper and try to fix easy errors that you can with your pen.

a. Do you have commas and periods?

b. If you see sentences that are missing a word/phrase, use a carrot ^ to add in the appropriate word.

16. Go through the entire essay and circle the following verbs:

a. be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being, become, became

17. Underline the thesis statement in your introduction. Draw an error out to the margin and label it.

18. Label all topic sentences (in body paragraphs only). Write what type they are from the topic sentence packet. Do not just label them “topic sentence.”

19. Use the rubric to grade yourself. Thoughtfully check the different boxes that apply to your work. Then, give yourself a score based on the different boxes that you check. Don’t just check the proficient box, check the different boxes across scores as they apply to you.

20. When you have finished all self-evaluation, staple your paper together:

a. Rubric on top with Works Cited side of the rubric facing up

b. Name on both sides of the rubric

c. Research paper in the middle

d. Works Cited last

21. Getting ready for your presentations:

a. Get pass from Ms. Collopy to miss class.

b. Practice everything- speaking, using visuals, asking questions, etc.

*Do you have at least one chart/graph in your visual?

* Have you planned your grabber?

c. Practice all technology applications- work the glitches out before your presentation.

d. Use the S-Map as your guide as you speak.

e. Get dressed up for your presentation.

f. Practice again! Remember to end your presentation with, "Are there any questions?"

7th Grade L.A. - Monday, May 9, 2011

*No Do Now!

1. Note and source card check tomorrow!
- at least 30 note cards and 5 source cards
- if you are using Google Docs to store your source cards, you MUST print that sheet from Google Docs today while we are in the computer lab; you will not get credit tomorrow if you say that you have them saved on your account!

2. Start to plan your paragraphs by outlining
- Use the following format to start to think about what information will go into which paragraph.
- Here's the format that you'll need to use when you type your outline in Google Docs.
- Save it as a separate document. Make sure to name it something like lastname.outline.researchpaper'


- You should spend an even amount of time researching and working on your outline!


Outline Directions!

This is how your typed outline should look. You must use Roman numerals, letters, and regular numbers. Your outline must show which paragraphs will have personal pronouns.

I. Introduction:

A. Thesis statement- most important sentence in your paper- on your outline write your essential question that your entire paper will answer. I'll teach you how to turn that into a thesis statement.

B. Short description of your topic

C. Major points that will be in the body paragraphs

D. At least one interesting/startling statistic

1. if you need a bullet underneath these letters, use a number

2. if you need a second bullet underneath, use number two and so on and so forth

II. Body Paragraph #1

A. Major idea in this paragraph

B. Other major idea in this paragraph

C. If you have more ideas that fit in this paragraph, keep using letters.

III. Body Paragraph #2

A. Major idea in this paragraph

1. Use numbers to add ideas and facts

2. Here's another example of a number that would show a sub-idea from the "Major idea"

B. Other major idea in this paragraph

1. Use numbers to add ideas and facts

2. Here's another example of a number that would show a sub-idea from the "Major idea"

C. If you have more ideas that fit in this paragraph, keep using letters.

IV. Body Paragraph #3

A. Major idea in this paragraph

B. Other major idea in this paragraph

C. If you have more ideas that fit in this paragraph, keep using letters.

V. Body Paragraph #4 (optional)

A. Major idea in this paragraph

B. Other major idea in this paragraph

C. If you have more ideas that fit in this paragraph, keep using letters.

VI. Conclusion

A. 7th Grade- for today you don't have to list anything that will be in your conclusion. Just write the Roman numeral on your paper and label it as your conclusion.

Hanging Indent in Word (7th and 8th grade)

Go into Word, and click "Tools" along the top bar. Then at the bottom of the list is "Customize Keyboard". Click it. Under "Catagories" scroll down and click "Format". Under "Command" scroll down and click "Hanging Indent". Your screen should look like this.






Towards the bottom of the page there is a "Press new keyboard shortcut:" click in the blank bar for typing next to it. ON YOUR KEYBOARD click Command and "T" at the same time. Then click "Assign" next to it. Your screen should look like this.














Click "OK."
You can now return to your document and type. Use the command. This will reverse indent your entire paragraph. The lines you do not want reverse indented, click in front of the line and click "enter".

8th Grade LA- Thursday, May 5

1. Re-read Tuesday's post if you are un-clear on due dates.

2. Did you sign up for a presentation time yesterday? See me if you didn't.

3. A few tips for your Works Cited:
- separate document at end of your paper
- Works Cited centered at the top of your page
- no additional heading
- entries must be alphabetized by the first word of the entry
- Courier- 12 pt.- double-spaced
- do not write "Source 1", "Source 2", etc.
- must have all correct punctuation and capitalization
- use reverse indent for each entry; see Ms. Collopy if you don't understand this term

4. Writing Style
- use active verbs
- watch for repetitive word choice
- use strong transitions and transition phrases
- use personal pronouns selectively
- read your paper aloud to anyone who will listen; you will hear trends, poor word choice, sentence fragments, and fluency issues

5. Rubric
- see Ms. Collopy- I will share a Google Doc with you!

6. Farewell to Manzanar
- Be sure to have books and study guides with you tomorrow!

8th Grade Language Arts- Tuesday, May 3

Project Timeline, Etc.

As you write:
- use your outline to guide you, but re-arrange the order of paragraphs as necessary!
- strong topic sentences
- active voice verbs (avoid is, am, are, was, were, been, being, be, become, became)
- varied sentence length
- avoid personal pronouns in most paragraphs
- use strong transitions
- organize the order of paragraphs logically
- start sentences in a variety of ways: ing words, phrases, prepositional phrases, etc.


Tuesday, May 3- Work in Mrs. Casey's lab; write papers & work on Works Cited
*You should "warehouse/save" your paper in Google Docs (name the document; put your last name as part of the name!); when you are ready to turn your paper in, copy and paste it into Word, double-spaced, Courier-12 point font, pages numbered, proper heading-right aligned, simple title centered below heading, Works Cited as a separate page, rubric stapled to back)

Wednesday, May 4- Peer review/class review of work and oral presentation rubrics in Ms. Collopy's classroom

Thursday, May 5- Work in Mrs. Casey's lab; write papers and work on Works Cited

Friday, May 6- optional due date for paper and Works Cited with rubric and self-evaluation; feel free to work more over the weekend and turn paper in at end of class period on Monday, May 9

Monday, May 9- FIRM deadline for paper and Works Cited with rubric and self-evaluation; use lab time for presentation work also (especially if you have already turned in your research paper!)
- This is your last night to practice your presentation at home; we will spend part of the class reviewing requirements and the rubric; you will receive your passes (excuse you from class) on Tuesday

Tuesday, May 10- Presentations (complete work on Farewell to Manzanar, then movie in LA)

Wednesday, May 11- Presentations (complete work on Farewell to Manzanar, then movie in LA)

Thursday, May 12- Presentations (movie in LA)

Friday, May 13- Modified schedule for yearbook signing

7th Grade LA- Tuesday, May 3

*Make sure to have a tab with my blog and a tab with Google Docs (school account!) open!

Citation Machine Link

Time Magazine Article Link