As we spoke about before vacation, I have programmed a class (Maria's Class) on Newsela.com.
If you have not logged into Newsela yet, please do so using the class code V45N7Y to join. There are two assignments that are already listed for you on the same subject (the spy balloon) at different levels. Click the Assignments tab to reach these articles.

Look at each article carefully, and decide which one you would like to try. There are some directions I have posted to explain the differences between the two. Challenge yourself! After reading the article carefully, please take the quiz that Newsela already has programmed for you. Write your answers in your notebook and keep track of your score. In addition, there is a writing prompt listed, as well. If there is time, please try this assignment in your notebooks.

If you finish early, browse through Newsela and find a second interesting article to read. Take the quiz after reading, and again, keep track of how well you do. Good luck!

Directions: Each section will follow what I usually put on the chalkboard for you every day. Follow the notes for each part by writing in your notebooks as noted. 

1. Daily Idiom:
Sami is such a helpful person; she would be by your side at the drop of a hat if she thought you needed something.

Note: Look for context clues that help you figure out the idiom in bold print above. Ask yourself first if what we are saying is positive, and then think about the literal (actual) meaning of dropping a hat. How fast would a hat fall to the ground? Write down what you think the meaning of this idiom must be. 

2. Idiom #2:
We thought we were finished with the project, but when Tomas accidentally left it out in the rain, we realized we were back to square one.

Note: Is what happened in the sentence above positive or negative? Notice the conjunction "but" and how it is used in the sentence. Remember that "but" usually indicates a change of thought or feeling. If someone were to say that "You really deserve a raise, but..." it is likely they are going to give you a reason why you cannot have the raise. Use this type of thinking to figure out the meaning of Idiom #2 and write about it in your notebooks.

3. Grammar Review:
Select the correct word from the parentheses in each sentence below and write it in your notebooks.
a. I think I ate (to, too, two) many pieces of that delicious candy!
b. (Your, You're) doing well on this page today!
c. Simone will be going (to, too, two) the movies this weekend.
d. (Your, You're) car is beautiful; did you just buy it this week?
e. Jen's cousin is now (to, too, two) years old!
f. I tried to get (there, their, they're) on time, but the bus was late today.
g. Juan is looking (for, four) someone to play pickup basketball with at the park.
h. (They're, Their, There) on the way right now--we had better get ready!
i. I (knew, new) I'd seen him before; he had been in my high school class!
j. Have you seen the Simpsons" new puppy? It's (they're, their, there) fifth rescue dog this year!

4. Greek and Latin Roots:

Root:  ben-
Meaning: good, well
Origin: Latin
Examples of words that use this root: benefit, benevolent, benefactor
Sentences: Having a good education will benefit you in everything you do in life.
The benevolent ruler did not enjoy punishing the people he governed.
When Chad decided to create a new software program, he needed a benefactor to give him the money he needed to do it properly.

Note: What is the one thing each of the new words with the ben- root has in common? Can you think of more words that begin with this root and what their meaning could be? If not, can you simply create a new sentence for each of the new words above and write it in your notebook.

​5. Literary Devices:
Today's literary term is the word hyperbole. It is pronounced hy-per-boh-lee. A hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration. We use it in speaking and in writing to show that we feel strongly about something and want to say it is even more than what it seems! 

For instance, if I want to show how hungry I am, I might say: I am so hungry I could eat a horse!

Note: This is another example of figurative language. It means that what we are saying is not really what we mean. I do not really mean I could eat a horse, but I say this so that the person I am speaking to understands how hungry I really am.

Here are more examples:
a. These shoes are killing me.
b. Don's mother always had to tell her something a million times before she followed her directions.
c. I haven't slept in a week!
d. His backpack weighs a ton!

Note: In your notebooks, write down the meaning of each example of hyperbole listed above. Can you think of any more examples? List them in your notebooks, as well! 

6. Creative Writing:
Directions: I will begin a story in the space below by providing you with three or four sentences. Please copy these sentences into your notebooks, and then continue writing the story in any way you please. However, please maintain the point of view, the tone, and the verb tenses I have used. This is called parallel sentence structure, and doing this type of exercise gives us good practice in doing it well!

     A major storm had been predicted. The roads were already icing up, and schools had been closed in many surrounding districts. Jose had just been given a new assignment in driving the latest snow plow, and he was nervous he would make a mistake that could cost him his job.

[Finish this story! Add a couple of sentences to this paragraph, and then add at least one more paragraph! Have fun, and remember it's up to you to make the story mysterious, funny, serious, sad, or whatever mood you would like to convey. Be sure to copy my lines above to give yourself a jump start in the writing process! I look forward to reading your stories when I return!] 

If you are especially happy with what you wrote, feel free to type it on the Writing Page so that I will see it sooner! Don't forget to fill in the form completely so that I can reply! Good luck!
 

Directions: Sometimes different types of writing can fall under more than one category. For instance, an expository essay may also be written as a description. In this exercise, you will pick something to describe and use the following template to plan your writing.

Let's start with an answer to this question: What is your favorite (book, movie, TV show, instrument to play, music to listen to, game to play, sport to play or sport to watch)?

Write your answer in a complete sentence without using personal pronouns such as I or my! 

For example, If I wanted to write about basketball, this could be my opening sentence:
Playing basketball is the ideal sport for producing superior athletes.

Next list three reasons that support your statement.

For example (or reason number one that proves this is true):
Running across the court over and over again involves extreme physical exertion and requires superb conditioning.

Next example (or reason number two that proves this is true):
Jumping and reaching high are important components of the game that involve not only great technique, but also much practice and solid mastery of skills.

Next example (or reason number three that proves this is true):
Playing a competitive game involves the use of logic and an organized thought process...so the brain gets a workout, too!

If you look at the outline we already have above, you will see that each example in bold print can become a paragraph of its own. Each sentence is an important reason WHY basketball produces superior athletes. These important details are the evidence we need to support a statement we have made to begin our essay. 

For today's assignment, I want you to simply create an outline like the one I have provided for you. Think about something that you feel strongly about--a favorite, as listed in the directions above. Create a strong sentence about your favorite pastime or hobby. DO NOT USE THE WORD BECAUSE IN THIS STATEMENT. Every detail sentence I have provided above are the reasons or the "because," and we will want to show the importance of each one later on.

Here is your outline that you will fill in today. Only four solid sentences will be needed, but I want you to think carefully about each sentence before writing it down. This topic should be about something you feel strongly about because you will have a lot to say about the subject! Enjoy!

Opening Statement:

1) A reason why this is true:

2) A second reason why this is true:

3) A third reason why this is true:


That's it! Complete this outline in your notebooks today. Be sure to date your work and maybe even give it a title! We will work on filling in the rest later, as we expand these thoughts into paragraphs of their own. If you finish early and want to write more, please feel free to do so! 

Thank you for the wonderful work you completed on Thursday! We will start today's lessons with a short review of new skills we practiced yesterday.

Directions: Please select the correct answer to each of the following questions. It would be great if you could try this review without consulting yesterday's notes (which I think you can!!). In the future, this type of review will be known as our Ticket Into Class. We will talk about what this means in class today! 

1. The type of personal writing someone may use in their journals or true stories is usually written in
(first-person, second-person, or third-person) point of view. This means the pronouns "I," "me," "my," and "our" could be used. 

2. The type of narration in which the subject may be omitted from a sentence or dialogue OR be written as "You walk into a mysterious hallway and suddenly realize all light switches are NOT working" is known as (first-person, second-person, or third-person) point of view.

3. If you are telling a story as though you are not a character in the story and also as though you are outside the "camera lens" looking in, this is known as (first-person, second-person, or third-person) point of view.

4. True        False         An inn is a cozy place to stay, often a large house that is similar to a hotel, in which you rent a room and are often invited to breakfast or dinner with the host and other guests.

5. True         False          "To" is a positional word, known as a preposition, and can be used in a phrase such as "to the park."

6. True         False           "Too" means a number that is one more than one.

7. True         False            When you read "allowed," you are using your voice to say the words.

8. True        False             It is correct to say "Tom one the game."

9. True        False             An example of homophones that we have not talked about could be "doe" and "dough."

10. True      False           An important component of the homophone is that it involves two or more words that look alike.

11. Decide whether the following sentences contain a simile or a metaphor.

a. Tilly was so nervous before going on stage that she was shaking like a leaf.
b. That child is a lamb--watch how nicely she treats the other children.
c. Shakespeare told us that all the world is a stage!
d. She is as smart as a whip!
e. I ran like a scared rabbit when I heard the footsteps behind me.

12. If I write something on the chalkboard that is ambiguous, should you tell me you don't understand?

13. Do you think that someone who loves aquatic sports would be afraid of the water?

14. Find the prepositions in this sentence:
I am definitely going to the mall during vacation week. (Hint: There are two!)

15. Can you complete the following analogy?
A student is to a class as a finger is to a _____________________. You will soon see the analogy written as:
student : class :: finger : __________________

16. The basketball game was won by the Celtics. This is an example of (passive, active) voice.

17. Expository writing provides facts and information about a topic.  (True      False)

18. Some types of writing can fall under more than one category.     (True      False)

19. The table needed one of (it's, its) legs repaired.

20. (Your, You're) all going to have a great week ahead.

21. DNA is an example of an (initialism, acronym).

22. Radar is an example of an (initialism, acronym).

23.  "This review is a piece of cake" is an example of:
        a. a metaphor  
        b. a simile
        c. an idiom AND a metaphor

A. Idiom of the Day: Time flies when you're having fun!
[Take a moment to write this idiom and its meaning in your notebook.]

B. Homophones (and other confusing words): Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings or spellings. 
[I like to think about the phone part of homophone to help me remember that a homophone deals with sound.

Here are some examples:

1. allowed                 aloud
2. to                           two                           too
3. new                       knew
4. in                           inn
5. one                        won

Take a moment to write down the meaning of each of these words, and then write each one in a complete sentence of its own. Use your notebooks for this assignment. I will start you off with the word allowed.

1. The word allowed is the past form of allow, which means to give someone permission to do something.
Sentence: Because Marc is too young, he is not allowed to go on some of the rides at Canobie Lake Park.

C. Literary Device: Metaphor (more practice!)
A metaphor is a direct comparison between two things that do not seem to be related.

Examples:
​1. Her eyes were diamonds in the night.
2. He is a bear in the morning (before he has his coffee).
3. Her life is a soap opera.
4. That mall was a zoo last Saturday because of all the sales!

[Let's select the two nouns being compared in each example and talk about which qualities the author has decided they share!]

Bonus: Can you think of one more metaphor? Remember not to use like or as in a metaphor; we use those words in similes instead!

D. Simile Review: A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using the words like or as within the description.

Examples:
1. Her face became as white as a ghost when she heard the strange knocking on her back door.
2. Sam ran like a cheetah, and no one could catch him.
3. This paper is as easy as pie; I know I will get everything right!
4. Tomas became so embarassed that his face looked as red as a rose.

Bonus #2: Can you think of one more simile? Are you able to see the difference between metaphors and similes? 

E. Greek and Latin Roots:

Origin              Root                            Definition                                                   Examples 
Latin                ambi-                           both                                                            ambidextrous, ambiguous

Latin                aqua-                          water                                                           aquarium, aquatic

Latin                aud-                            to hear                                                         audience, audition, audible 


True or False:

1. If you are ambidextrous, you can only write with one hand.                                 True                      False
2. An aquatic animal would enjoy splashing around in your swimming pool.         True                      False
3. If you did not understand the directions on a test, it might mean that the
​writing was ambiguous.                                                                                               True                      False
4. The sound of most lawn mowers is not audible.                                                     True                      False
5. The reason for many singing auditions is to hear the quality of someone's
voice.                                                                                                                              True                      False






                                                            
 
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