Friday, December 19, 2014

Holiday Break News

To all my students:

The break is from December 20 - January 4th.
First day back is January 5th!

Over the break you can make-up Reading Plus sessions if you missed any weeks this nine weeks.  If you are up to date on your sessions then you do not have to complete Reading Plus over the break.
Please take advantage of this opportunity because when we return from the break the nine weeks ends on January 15th.

Please be safe and enjoy time with your friends and family.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Research Paper -- Body Paragraphs

1. INSERT A TOPIC SENTENCE:
The main idea of your paragraph. When creating a topic sentence, ask yourself what’s going on in your paragraph. Why you chose to include the information you have? Why is the paragraph important in the context of your argument or thesis statement? What point are you trying to make?

2. EXPLAIN YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE:
Does your topic sentence require further explanation? If so, add another 1-2 sentences
explaining your topic sentence here.

3. INTRODUCE YOUR EVIDENCE:
Most academic papers require students to integrate evidence (often quotes, but it can
also include statistics, figures, common sense examples, etc.) to support the claim(s)
made in the paragraph and/or the paper as a whole. When including evidence, make
sure it is integrated smoothly into the text of the paper. Readers should be able to
move from your words to your evidence without feeling a logical or mechanical jolt.

4. INSERT YOUR EVIDENCE:
Insert/drop-in your supporting evidence (often quotes but again, evidence can also be in
the form of personal examples, facts, statistics, etc.).

5. UNPACK YOUR EVIDENCE:
Explain what the quote means and why it’s important to your argument. The author
should agree with how you sum up the quotation—this will help you establish credibility,
by demonstrating that you do know what the author is saying even if you don’t agree.
Often 1-2 sentences tops (unless you evidence is particularly long or complicated that
is).

6. EXPLAIN YOUR EVIDENCE:
No matter how good your evidence is, it won’t help your argument much if your reader doesn't know why it’s important. Ask yourself: how does this evidence prove the point
you are trying to make in this paragraph and/or your paper as a whole? Can be opinion
based and is often at least 1-3 sentences.

7. INSERT A CONCLUDING SENTENCE:
End your paragraph with a concluding sentence or sentences that reasserts how your paragraph contributes to the development of your argument as a whole. 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Holiday Song Project

With the holiday break right around the corner here is a chance to boost your grade:

1. You will select a holiday song.
2. You will present the following information on a Powerpoint--
A. The history of the song (make sure to include who wrote it, when it was first recorded, who first sang it, how many times it has been remade)
B. What is the meaning of the song? Find the deeper meaning not just the literal meaning.
3. Your Powerpoint must include the lyrics of the song and include images associated with the song.

Remember to have fun, but do a good job!

It is due December 16th (Periods 2,4,6) and December 17th (Periods 1,3,5) 
Worth 10 points x 2