newsela.com -- Class Code is V45N7Y If you have time, try to create an account using this class code. We will go over these steps in our next class, but it would be great to have a head start!
Today (February 2, 2023) is Groundhog Day! On this day, we find out whether winter will last six more weeks or not! To determine this, there is a very scientific approach that we use...we wait to see if a groundhog can see his shadow!! You can find out more in an article on Newsela! Log into Newsela.com and use the code V45N7Y to become part of Maria's class. This will allow you to see assignments I will create just for you! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Following Are Past Assignments from 2020-2021!
Reminder: Your eight writing assignments are due on October 31! Why not write one or two of them during this long weekend! Be sure to get a pumpkin, as well:)
NEWS FOR THE OCTOBER 16-18 WEEKEND: Three new articles have been programmed for your reading pleasure on Newsela.com (and you may click on either link to reach the Newsela website). One selection is about Stan the Man and his acts of kindness that involve books; one is about voting in outer space; and one describes picking apples during this pandemic. Check out any or all of them if you are looking for something interesting and uplifting to read this weekend! Have fun!
READ
EVERY
DAY !!!
The Importance of Punctuation: We will be learning about the power of punctuation marks -- and we will start with the comma! To get a head start, take a peek at the following website that is taken from Purdue University's wonderful website The Purdue Owl. The link below can be pressed to take you directly to an informational page on commas! https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/commas/extended_rules_for_commas.html
November 11, 2020 is Veterans Day -- Remember there are no classes that night! Instead, thank a veteran you know who did so much for this country! I will remember my own dad, who fought in World War II so that we can have the rights we have today!
Your homework assignment, which is due on Thursday, November 12, is to send me the timeline you created from the Newsela.com article on Native Americans and seeds. You may take a screenshot if this is easier for you, and you can text or email it to me. The rest of your assignment is due by class on Thursday evening. Be sure to complete the five questions I have programmed for you with the Native American piece, and then either send them to me in the Writing section of this website, or hold on to them for Thursday's class. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 and every Thursday evening we have class:) Please have your new personal dictionaries not only set up for Thursday evening's class, but also be sure you have listed at least two new words, complete with definitions you can share with the class. You should also include a sentence you have created, which will show you understand the meaning of each word. A picture or diagram can be added if you feel it will help you to remember a word's meaning. We will be sharing a word or two every Thursday night, so be ready to select your favorites!
Add new words often. Use them in your next essay. Expand your vocabulary!
Wishing the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever to the best class ever!
What are you most thankful for? Take the time to write a letter or poem to those who are most important to you during this holiday season. Both you and your recipient will enjoy the wonderful feeling this will bring:)
December News: We will be continuing our review of all our classroom skills this week (12/9 and 12/10). When you have some extra time, review content from the Blackboard Skills page, as well as notes you have taken during class! You may also use resources found on grammarbook.com to be sure you are on track! Read often, and write reflections about what you read whenever possible! You are all doing very well, and I am so proud of the wonderful work you have put into class during these past few months! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January News: As we prepare for the presidential inauguration on Wednesday, January 20, why not take a moment and look at some beautiful poems written for past presidents as they were sworn into office.
We just may be writing one of our own in class this week (which means, of course, that we will!:))
Here is the link: https://poets.org/inaugural-poems-history If you click on the poem's title while on you are on that page, you will be able to read the entire poem! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ February is Black History Month!
Take a moment to review some of the poems we have read in class each night; usepoetryfoundation.orgto search for more of your favorite poets' work! We have recently enjoyed several pieces written by Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, and there are many more just waiting to be read on this wonderful website!
"Praise Song for the Day" by Elizabeth Alexander is especially poignant and beautiful; why not take a peek and see if you agree! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March (Punctuation) Madness! As we review various forms of punctuation this week, let's begin with the comma, the most difficult one of all:) Please take a few minutes to look at the first set of rules found on Commas: Quick Rules // Purdue Writing Lab, and begin to search for places in your own writing that could use a comma or two! This will come in quite handy during the upcoming editing process for our essays. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 29, 2021 Argument Writing Samples! As we learn about and practice our five-paragraph argument essays, it is important to keep reading as many well-written samples as possible. Here is a web page, which I have saved as a pdf for you: