Research

We are in the library the rest of the week. Research projects are due May 16th and are to be presented in class. Research topics and project options are post on the chalkboard in my classroom.

Creative Commons is an excellent source for images, music, video, etc that may help you in designing your projects. This website offers a list of sites that use creative commons: http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Content_Directories - Please visit and don't forget to give credit where credit is due.

The Wiki

We will be answering Peck questions on the Wiki for the rest of the school year. You will use your library book, or other approved novel, to complete the journal entries and comments for the wiki. During the 5th six weeks, we will complete two journal entries and four comments.

SAT Vocabulary for 5th Six Weeks

The Myriad Operations Vocabulary quizzes have been passed back. If you'd like to raise your score for that quiz, you must write a creative story using all the words you missed correctly. The length of the story will depend on the number of words you missed. If you missed between 3 and 6 words, write a two page story. If you missed between 7 and 11, write three pages. If you missed 12 or more, then write four pages. Stories must be creative! Due: 3/23 (1st, 3rd) or 3/24 (2nd, 4th).

New Words!!

FLUX

wax
wane
fluctuate
flux
aberration
albino
aghast
diminish
augment
static
steadfast
dynamic
espy
illusory
precarious
fickle
capricious
lull
mercurial
protean
malleable
gape
rectify
recalibrate
amend
redress
vicissitudes
undulate
bide
antechamber
variance
pittance
suffice
Zeitgeist
mutability
entity
surreptitious
physiognomy
misogyny
monogamy
polygamy
uniform
unilateral
unique
remiss
relish
savor
vacillate
invariable
immutable
dutiful

Vocab Quiz April 12th!! Study Study Study!!!!

A Separate Peace Extra Credit

Students were given a handout discussing extra credit for this six-weeks. The assignment is due 2/15/11. There is an opportunity to earn 10 extra points if technology is incorporated into the assignment. Below is an example of what I mean.




This is an excerpt from chapter 7 of A Separate Peace. You can make a similar video at www.xtranormal.com.

Additionally, students may use www.animoto.com to create a digital scrapbook or yearbook. I have obtained permission for 50 students accounts. If you'd like to use a student account, see me or email me and I'll give you the code. This is on a first come, first served basis. If I run out of student account and you'd still like to use Animoto, you may still do so, but the website will only let you make 30 second videos, so keep that in mind.

LOTF Pick Your Project Make Up

If you are unhappy with your Pick Your Project grade, you have the opportunity to complete the following assignment on www.turnitin.com.  Use the chart below to decide how much you have to write. For each question, you must write at least 400 - 600 words in MLA format. This assignment is due: December 20, 2010 on www.turnitin.com.

If your original grade is:                       Minimum number of 

                                                                  questions 

                                                              you must answer

80-89                                                               1

70-79                                                               2

60-69                                                               1

50-59                                                               2

40-49                                                               3

30-39                                                               4

20-29                                                               5

1-19                                                                 6 

The questions (Choose whichever combination you like): 

• Choose one character from the novel and explain why you feel he is the most important member of the society. What personality traits does he have that are necessary for survival? How well does he fit into the group as a whole? Why do you think that is the case? 
• Although the boys make rules to create order, violence soon takes over and destroys them. Some characters suffer from obvious acts of physical aggression while others suffer mental trauma. Choose two characters and examine the effect of violence on them. How do they react to it? Why? What are the causes? 
• The author uses many symbols throughout the novel. Choose two or three, explain what they represent, and provide an evaluation of their usefulness in the story. Did the author choose the best ones possible? Would another symbol have been better? Why?
• Trace one theme, such as good vs. evil, civilization, human nature, or anarchy, throughout the novel and discuss what the author is attempting to tell the reader. Use supporting evidence and analysis.
• How is the island a microcosm of the world at large? Consider both the physical aspects of the land itself and the mental/emotional aspects of the land itself and the mental/emotional aspects of its young inhabitants. Evaluate whether or not the author created a successful picture, meaning is it complete or is it lacking certain important characteristics?
• The author of Lord of the Flies says the book shows how good societies depend on having good people. Agree or disagree with him using examples from the novel and from life.

Finals

Finals are in full swing. Dates and times for your finals are posted in my room. Come check the bulletin board. Final exam reviews have been handed out, but if you have misplaced yours a copy can be found to the left of this post. Final exam reviews will be due on exam day for 10 extra points on your final. For Pre-AP, the final will include a timed writing and several multiple choice questions. I am available to stay after school Tuesday (12/14/10) of this week. If anyone has makeups or needs tutorials.

LOTF Ch. 1 - 6 and Ch. 7 - 12 Make up

The make ups for both LOTF quizzes can be found on www.turnitin.com. The Ch. 1 - 6 quiz make up is due December 3, 2010. The Ch. 7 - 12 make up is due December 10, 2010. Please take advantage of these opportunities to bring up your scores.