- commonlit.org (new to this page on April 3, 2023) I know we will all enjoy another resource for sharpening our reading comprehension skills! I have programmed four different stories and articles already, and we will talk about when they will need to be completed in class. The class code is: DGVRRZG
- If you are creating an account for the first time, after typing in the class code, you will be prompted to list your first and last name and to create your own password (and list it twice). Please write down your password in a safe spot in a notebook for next time! The next screen will provide you with a username that Commonlit creates. Please write this down, as well! The following screen will show you work I have prepared for you. I found out there is a glitch on this page, and you may need to tab out of it (for just a moment) to another page, and then tab right back to the assignments page for you to be able to see the Reading Assessment at the top. Many of you started this yesterday, which we can continue to work on today, as well as several articles and a Shirley Jackson short story, "The Lottery." If you have time after completing the assessment, please work on the programmed articles, and we can read/discuss the short story together at a later date. Please remember that if you already have a username and password from yesterday, you can just log back in, and the assessment will be ready for you to continue where you left off! I'm anxious to see your results! Good Luck!
- Classicshorts.com (new to this page on February 17, 2023). We will look at the various short stories available for you to read on this wonderful website. Read one every day during vacation!
- IXL.com (new to this page on February 17, 2023) This website has a lot of great information you can try out without a subscription. Let me know what you think!
In general, any type of word games--especially crossword puzzles-- are invaluable in learning new vocabulary, spelling, definitions, and usage. Try some during the break!!
- grammarbook.com We will look at some parts of speech and try some of their free quizzes for now! During the break, check out some of the grammar rules and try some of the quizzes we looked at in class!
- 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! Now that you have an account, please feel free to read new stories and take quizzes (besides the ones I programmed for you already!).
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!
FUN NEWS!
September 24 is National Punctuation Day! Check out this site for more information!
https://www.nationalpunctuationday.com/
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 !!!
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.
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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!
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.
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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!
Use them in your next essay.
Expand your vocabulary!
 Wishing the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever to the best class ever!
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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!
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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!
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February is Black History Month!
Take a moment to review some of the poems we have read in class each night; use poetryfoundation.org to 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!
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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.
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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:
3 Strong Argumentative Essay Examples, Analyzed.pdf
It includes some wonderful ideas on how to build a solid essay, which we will look over in class. Feel free to check it out any time! Please note: The file above was taken from the website: prepscholar.com
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.
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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:
3 Strong Argumentative Essay Examples, Analyzed.pdf
It includes some wonderful ideas on how to build a solid essay, which we will look over in class. Feel free to check it out any time! Please note: The file above was taken from the website: prepscholar.com