8th Grade L.A.- September 15, 2010

1. SRI test and receive progress report to take home.

2. Google Docs - work on your summary paragraph. Comment on several others' paragraphs (4-6?). Your summary paragraph should accurately and concisely summarize the New York Times article on study habits. The information should be specific enough to show a true understanding of the four findings.

When you are ready to turn yours in, copy and paste it onto a Word document (because it prints in a more desirable format):

- double space

- proper heading

- Courier 12 pt. font

Food for thought:

For all our conceits about being the center of the universe, we live in a routine planet of a humdrum star stuck away in an obscure corner ... on an unexceptional galaxy which is one of about 100 billion galaxies. ... That is the fundamental fact of the universe we inhabit, and it is very good for us to understand that. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (1934-1996)

- Write a post on your Edublog that reflects on that quote (agree, disagree, wonder, like, dislike, etc.). Can you add an image and give credit to where you found the image?

Monday, September 13, 2010

After you finish your SRI test (I'll send you home with reports to share with your parents today), please "play" in the following sites.

Complete this survey!

- It's short! The first two questions are mandatory, but you don't have to answer the third if it doesn't apply to you.

New School E-Mail (it looks like your Gmail, but it's not!)

- send an e-mail to a classmate or two through this new e-mail account; remember it's not your personal Gmail account

Google Docs Start Page (it looks similar to the e-mail screen, but it's different!)

- create a new document called "Language Arts Today" in Google Docs; save it

PowerSchool Log-in

- check your grades; what else can you find out here?

Edublogs

- log into your edublog from last year (or create a new edublog if you didn't last year); change the appearance (or play with it) of your blog

Ms. Collopy's 8th Grade Wiki

- Click on this link. I don't have much posted yet, but hope to use the Wiki as a useful resource (in addition to this blog).

Ms. Collopy's 7th Grade Wiki

- Click on this link. I don't have much posted yet, but hope to use the Wiki as a useful resource (in addition to this blog).

A confusing (yet fun?) brain teaser here

- Let me know when you figure it out, because I haven't yet!

Grammar Blast

Play the 7th or 8th grade review games and see how well you score.

Test

7th Grade Homework

Word Wall- 4th Quarter

The Word Wall in Ms. Collopy's room is standing extra credit. In order to earn extra credit, use the following words in meaningful sentences. Meaningful sentences demonstrate a true understanding of the definition and correct usage of the word. Sometimes, it is necessary to write more than one sentence in order to demonstrate this understanding. Each high-quality sentence is worth a possible two points. The maximum amount of extra credit awarded per quarter is 50 points.

Here are the words for the Word Wall:

• pseudonym
• fluctuate
• concurrent
• lucrative
• abound
• finale
• pliable
• indigence
• soluble
• affinity
• docile
• frugal
• desolate
• degenerate
• allegiance
• hoard
• aggregation
• underscore
• dexterity
• divulge
• gregarious
• unquenchable
• covet
• jeopardy
• influx
• sporadic
• affluent
• traverse
• capsize
• municipal

Thursday, April 15

Thursday, April 15

Typed final drafts of your research papers and works cited are due tomorrow!

Today:
Read all directions before getting started.

1. Create a new Word document for your works cited.
2. Change your font to Courier NOW! (it will help you later)
   
3. The words Works Cited should be centered at the top.
4. The entire document should be double spaced. Do not put extra space in between citations.
5. Works Cited Basics: Alphabetize your source cards; type your source cards into your Word document following these directions; type continuously (ONLY hit return in between source cards) and do all of the reverse indent formatting at the end; the auto-format feature will want to eliminate the < > symbols for your internet sites; type it in twice and you will over-ride this auto-format feature!
   
6. Do no format the reverse indent until you have typed in each entry. Complete reverse indent at the end. I will help you individually as this can be a little bit tricky.
7. Do not put a heading on the works cited page.
8. Be conscientious about all capitals, periods, commas, quotation marks, < >, etc.
9. When you are done typing your works cited page, continue typing, improving, and editing your body paragraphs...

- When I read your final draft, will I think you are an expert or just know the basics?
- When I read your final draft, will I think you worked on the writing process and fluency, or just stating information?

Formatting instructions for your final draft of the research paper and works cited:
- Look at the back page of the original packet that I gave you about the project about the heading and title.
- Font- 12 point font.
- Font type- Courier
- Insert page numbers if you know how.
- Double-space the entire document.
- Paragraphs should NOT have labels (for example, do not put the word "introduction" above the introduction).

April 13, 2010

April 13, 2010

Mac Lab Goals:
- Keep on typing your rough draft.

- Type your introduction, 3-4 body paragraphs, and conclusion.

- Use your topic sentence packet in order to write each topic sentence for your body paragraphs.

- Don't worry about most formatting, but by the end of class, do the following:

1. double space
2. type your name and class period at the top of the page
3. PRINT to the Mac Lab printer (MSLABHP4200) right at the end of the period and keep this draft for tomorrow.
4. No one will be allowed to print tomorrow, so even if you have two or three paragraphs, please print at the end of the period!

Monday, April 12- Working on Rough Drafts

Monday, April 12

Working on Rough Drafts

- Step 1- Read this entire blog post.

- Step 2- Open Word; if you have already created a document use that document; save early and often!

- Step 3- Start typing all of your paragraphs! Use your hand-written rough drafts and start typing your body paragraphs.

• Do not worry about any headings, format issues, font, titles, etc.
• We will follow a common format; you can always format your document last.

- Step 4- Use your topic sentence packet to start each body paragraph. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence from the topic sentence packet.

- Step 5- Follow your outline in order to organize what information is in each paragraph.

- Step 6- Use transitions to link ideas and paragraphs together.

- Step 7- If you want to work on typing/body paragraphs at home, you need to transport this document electronically back and forth between school and home. OR- I am more than happy to write passes for homework club for any students this week.

Ways to transport your document:

• - copy and paste in the body of an e-mail; work on it at home, then copy and paste it into Word at home and repeat to get it back to school
• - attach the Word document to an e-mail and work on it at home and school
• - use Google Docs
• - use a flash drive