LA Reflection, Blog 11 (The Post and The Herald)

Below, please answer the following questions. Your responses will help us make next year's summer academy even better than this year's.

1. What was your favorite reading activity we did? Why?

2. What was your favorite writing activity we did? Why?

3. Knowing that we, as teachers, are focused on reading and writing and must focus our sessions in those areas, what types of activities should be added or dropped next year?

4. Did you find that doing single day activities rather than long projects was more or less interesting? Why?

Journey Reflection, Blog 10 (THe Post and The Herald

Over the last four weeks you have been serving as a reading and writing intern for The Journey, ISAAC Summer Academy Magazine. As readers and writers you have explored many ideas, issues, and experiences that are typical among the middle school journey.

At the beginning of your journey this summer, we asked you to respond to the following essential questions;

What is a journey?

What can I learn form the journey's of others?

What can other's or I gain from sharing from sharing my own journey?

Now, that we have come to the end of our Summer Academy Journey we'd like you to respond to these question's again.

Take time to reflect on all the experiences you have had this summer at ISAAC Summer Academy 2010. Experiences may include classroom activities such as the stories and articles you read, writing experiments you participated in, afternoon activities, field trips, math projects, etc.

1. Make a list of all the things you've done on your reflection handout.

2.Then, review your list and circle 3 or 4 of your favorite readings, writing assignments, math activities, or afternoon activities.

3. Finally, write about your journey through summer academy, what you have learned from others and what others can learn from what you have gained this summer. Be sure to use specific detail when writing your reflection. (you may use the answer frame on the reflection handout to help write your reflection.

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms, Blog 9 (The Herald)

You read the article Pros and Cons of School Uniforms. The article states both sides of the argument. Now, it’s time for you to decide which side you support.

You have 1 question to answer on the blog today. Be sure to read the question carefully and answer it completely. Use your notes to support your answer.

The Leadership Team at ISAAC has been debating over whether or not to have students where a uniform. Some feel that wearing uniforms will help create a more professional and serious environment. This will help students focus and increase academic performance. Others argue that uniforms will take away from student’s individuality and identity.

How do you feel about uniforms at ISAAC?

After reading the article Pros and Cons of School Uniforms and hearing the pros and cons of uniforms write a letter to any member of the leadership team persuading them to agree with your opinion.

Dr. Johnson, Mrs. Salmon, Mrs. Fioravanti, or Mr. Howes

Called Out, Blog 9 (The Post)

Today you read the article, Called Out on your own. In the article you read about why and how to intervene when friends are engaging in destructive behavior. The article discusses behavior problems, warning signs and strategies that can be used.

You have 3 questions to answer on the blog. 

Be sure to read the question carefully and completely answer the question.

1.What is an intervention? Give two examples.

2.List 3 warning signs that someone needs help.

3.Imagine that you need to get advice or help of an adult to help a friend in trouble.  Use information from the article to write guidelines that you and your classmates can follow.

2.  

Same Time Next Year, Blog 8 (The Herald)

Today you read the short story, Same Time Next Year, on your own. The main character, Marla Nixbok is convinced that she's the best of the best. She is always ahead of her time and is certain that the world revolves around her. Bluford Planet, the new kid, is not intimidated, even though, Marla perceives him as a dweeb. Surprised by his confidence Marla is drawn to Ford in spite he is a dweeb. Marla and Ford can't resist exploring what appears to be a time machine left inside his basement. And before they know it Marla launches herself truly ahead of her time.

You have 2 questions to answer. Be sure to read the question carefully and completely answer the question. Use details from the story to support your ideas.

1. Does [something or someone] in this text remind you of [something or someone] in your own life? Explain and describe.

2. What do you think will happen next? Will Buford tell what happened to Marla? Will he ignore her disappearance? Will he be blamed or will others believe what happened? Will Marla be missed? by friends, parents, etc. Use information from the story to support your answer.

I Can Fight You on Thursday..., Blog 8 (The Post)

Today you read the short story, I can Fight You on Thursday, on your own. In the story Cliff Crumpleton, the school bully has made his rounds and Marshall McPhee is his current victim. Marshall does everything he can to dodge the fight. He even tried to trick Cliff into thinking he had a contagious foot disease. In the end, Cliff shows that brains can certainly dominate even the "badest" bully.

You have 2 question to answer. Be sure to read the question carefully and completely answer the question. Use details from the story to support your ideas.

1. Does [something or someone] in this text remind you os [something or someone] in your own life? Explain and describe.

2.What do you think will happen next, if Cliff realizes that Marshall has outwitted him? Use information from the story to support your answer.

2.

DON'T FORGET TO POST YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR RESPONSE!

Surviving Peer Pressure, Blog 7 (The Herald)

Today you read the article, Surviving Peer Pressure. In the article, you learned about what peer pressure is, why people give in to peer pressure, how to walk away from peer pressure and peer pressure that is positive. You have a few questions to answer. Be sure to completely answer the questions and use information from the text to support your ideas.

 1. Describe two types of peer pressure. Support your answer with specific details.

2. Describe two thing you could do if someone tried to use peer pressure on you to do something that you knew was wrong. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Imagine that you are a member of an anti-peer pressure committee and are expected to give a speech about peer pressure. Based on information from the article what would you want your peers to know about peer pressure? Write your speech now.

The Word on Bullies, Blog 7 (The Post)

Today you read the article The Word on Bullies. In the article you learned about different types of bullies, why kids bully and what you can do about bullies. You have a few questions to answer today. Be sure to read each question carefully. Use details from the text to support your answers.

   1. Give two examples of physical bullying.

      2. Describe two things you could do is someone tried to bully         you. Use examples from the article.

     3. If you were selected to be part of an anti-bullying committee,     what are some ways you would help stop verbal bullying?

A Letter from the Fringe, Blog 6 (The Herald)

Today you read the short story, A Letter from the Fringe by Joan Bauer.  You have one question to answer. Be sure to fully answer the question.

1. If you had been Dana how would you have handled the situation when the school bullies made fun of Sally for eating cookies? Why do you think this would have worked better? Use information from the story to support you answer.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

1. Write a sentence that explains a little about what led up to this situation and tells how the person handled it.

2. Write a sentence that tells whether you would have handled the situation the same way or differently.

3. If you would handle the situation the same way, write a sentence explaining why

OR

If you would handle the situation differently, write one or two sentences explaining why not, and tell what you would do instead.

DON'T FORGET TO PUT YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR POST AND READ OVER YOUR WORK TO EDIT AND REVISE BEFORE POSTING YOUR COMMENT!

The Crush, Blog 6 (The Post)

Today you read the short story, The Crush by Rachel Veil. You have one question to answer on the blog. Be sure to fully answer the question. 

1. Based on the information in this text, what would probably have happened if the main character had not picked Gabriela up and taken her to the nurse? Why do you think this would have happened? Use information from the story to support you answer.

What You Need to Do;

1. Write a topic sentence that tells what would have happened next in the

 story if the events had been changed the way the question says.

2. Write one or two sentences that tell one reason why this would have

 happened based on other events in the story.

3. Write one or two sentences that give a second reason why this would

have happened based on other events in the story.

4. Tell how this change would have affected the outcome of this story.

DON'T FORGET TO PUT YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR COMMENT AND READ

OVER YOUR WORK TO EDIT AND REVISE BEFROE POSTING!

Diabetic Teen, Blog 5 (The Post and The Herald)

Today you read an interview with a teen who has diabetes. In the interview, you learned many things about diabetes. The interviewer asked many questions that provided information about what diabetes exactly is, how to manage living with diabetes, and how the teen feels about diabetes.

You have two questions to answer on the blog in response to the interview. Remember to label the first question with a 1 and the second with a 2. Separate the two responses with two spaces.

Watch out for capital letters, punctuation, and awkward sentences. Be sure to read over your work before posting to make sure that you have fully answered the question and have clearly communicated your ideas.

1. What is the structure of this text? Why do you think the author chose this structure?

What You Need To Do:

1. Write a topic sentence that tells the structure of the text? (narrative, poem, interview, play,

article)

2. Write a sentence explaining why you think the author chose this structure.

3. Find and write a quote that shows this structure.

4. Write a sentence or two that tells what you like or do not like about this structure. (Does

it make the writing more interesting or effective? Why?)

2. Imagine you are giving a talk to your class about diabetes. Using information from the text, write a brief summary paragraph of ideas you would use in your presentation.

What You Need To Do:

1. Write a sentence that names one important idea about this topic.

2. Write a detail about this idea.

3. Write a sentence that names a second important idea about this topic.

4. Write a detail about your second idea.

5. Write a closing sentence to sum up the topic.

Seventh Grade, Blog 4 (The Herald)

You just finished reading and discussing the short story, Seventh Grade by Gary Soto. Now it's time to post your response.

You have two questions to answer. Label your responses 1 and 2 and separate them with two spaces. 

Remember you can use the answer frame below to help construct your response. However, you don't have to you can use your own sentence beginnings and transitions.

Be sure to write in complete sentences, use capital letters and punctuate. Reread your work and have either a peer or teacher review your response before posting to edit and revise.

One last thing, Don't forget to include your name! 

1.  From whose point of view is this text written? Why do you think the author chose this voice? Give examples from the reading to support your answer.

The narrator in this text is ____________________________. I think that the author chose this voice because ____________________________________In the story when _____________________ ___________ __________________________________, he says, _________________________________________________________(use a quote from the story).  This helps me understand that____________________________ _____________________. Another thing that Victor states is __________________ (use quote). This tells me_______________________________________________.   I liked/ didn’t like the way the author used this voice because_______________________ __________________________________________________________________.

2.Does something in this text remind you of something in your life, another story, movie, etc? Explain. 

_____________________________________________________from the text reminds me of __________ _______________________________________________. These are similar because ________________ ___________________. Another way they are similar is ________________________________________ ____________________________One way they are different because ______________________________ ____________________.

 

The Ordinary Son, Blog 4 (The Post)

You just finished reading and discussing the short story, The Ordinary Son. Now it's time to post your response.

You have two questions to answer. Label your responses 1 and 2 and separate them with two spaces. 

Remember you can use the answer frame below to help construct your response. However, you don't have to you can use your own sentence beginnings and transitions.

Be sure to write in complete sentences, use capital letters and punctuate. Reread your work and have either a peer or teacher review your response before posting to edit and revise.

One last thing, Don't forget to include your name! 

1.  From whose point of view is this text written? Why do you think the author chose this voice? Give examples from the reading to support your answer.

The narrator in this text is ____________________________. I think that the author chose this voice because _____________________________________________ In the story when _______________________________ __________________________________, he says, __________________________________ _______ ______________________________(use a quote from the story).  This helps me understand that ________________________________________________ _____________________. Another thing that the Ordinary Son states is _____ _______________________________________________ (use quote). This tells me _______________________________________________________.  I liked/ didn’t like the way the author used this voice because _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________.

2.Does something in this text remind you of something in your life, another story, movie, etc? Explain.

__________________________________________ from the text reminds me of _____________________ __________________. These are similar because______________________________. Another way they are similar is ____________________________ ____________________________One way they are different because _________________________________________.

 

थे

ठेर्दिनर्य्श्रोन,

Identity Crisis, Blog 3

You just read the poem, Identity Crisis.  In the poem, both Peter and the girl had creative ideas.  Write about a crazy or creative idea you or someone you know has had and describe how other people reacted to the idea. Use as many details and descriptive words as possible. Have fun with this!

         DON'T FORGET TO WRITE YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR COMMENT!

What's your Color?, Blog 2

You just finished reading and completing a personality quiz. Do you agree or disagree with the results? Write a short response explaining your opinion about the results of your quiz. You can use the following answer frames to help you begin your response.

1. I strongly agree with the results of the personality quiz. It determined that my color is ____________.  _____________ means that I am ________________________.

It also says that I ________________. I agree with this because _________________.

2. I somewhat agree with the results of the personality quiz. It determined that my color is ____________.  _____________ means that I am ______________________.

It also says that I ____________. I agree with this because ___________________. However, I disagree with this because ________________________.

3. I strongly disagree with the results of the personality quiz. It determined that my color is ____________.  _____________ means that I am _____________________________.

It also says that I _______________________. I think that I am __________________.

 

Journey through the Middle, Blog 1

Welcome summer academy students! Today you will complete your first blog entry by responding to the essential questions we will explore over the next four weeks. Today we briefly discussed our thoughts and ideas about these questions as a class. Now you will reflect back on our discussion and write a response. Use the questions to help guide your response. 

What is a journey?

What can I learn form the journey's of others?

What can other's or I gain from sharing from sharing my own journey?

To begin your response click on the comment link below on the right. You can use the following answer frame to help you organize your response.

A journey can be described as ________________. Someone may take a journey to _____________________________. Or they might_______________________. There are many things that I can learn from others. For example, ________________________. Another thing I can learn________________________________________. By sharing about my own journey others can learn _______________________________________.