| Welcome to Ms. Bonstein's 8th grade AC Language Arts!
Check out my blog site, too: http://msbclass.blogspot.com/
You will each be asked to comment on a blog post from time to time!
Summer Reading for Rising 9th Graders (Wheeler):
See "Bontein Docs" page on teacherweb (2 documents to download and print),
or go to -
http://www.cobbk12.org/~wheeler/academics/summerreading/index.html
Course Content: A study of language arts encompasses the areas of reading,
writing, speaking, and listening. The course includes all of these
communicative elements, but the emphasis is on reading and writing,
along with the building of knowledge and analysis of many common root words
for the English language. Grammar, vocabulary, journal writing, spelling,
capitalization, and punctuation will be integrated throughout the
curriculum.
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Classwork (CW) and Homework (HW):
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*Word processing tips - to set font to 12 pt., use the top toolbar;
to set margins, go to "File -> Page setup -> margins"
to set spacing to double go to "Format -> paragraph -> line spacing"
to do a word count, highlight text you are counting (exclude your title and
your name, date, pd.), then go to tools, word count
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Supplies: Paper, blue or black pens (no gel or aqua color), spiral notebook,
4 dividers with notebook paper in a 3-ring binder, 3 x 5 notecards, tissues
Sugg. binder divider titles:
1. DGP/Grammar, 2. Roots, 3. Writing,
4. Literature
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Special Notes: See bottom of page for research information, including how to
cite your sources! See the Bonstein Docs page of this website for class
Powerpoints and handouts. Also, do not delete your papers or essays from
whatever word-processing program files you may have!!
Writing: With an emphasis on the writing process, especially the importance
of revision, we will complete many writing projects throughout the year:
baseline, narrative, expository, research, and persuasive, response to
literature (in the form of literary analysis), as well as a poetry unit!
Grammar and convention information is at the end of this webpage. In
addition, many resources are listed to help you practice in these areas!
Reading: A/R Test deadlines are twice each quarter. If you are looking for
a good book to read, please access the following webpage, then you may cross-
check your choice with the A/R list that you may access from the school web
page, go to the media center, or check with me. The classics list on the
site is particularly good (at least most of them would be suitable, but not
all).: http://www.hplibrary.org/teens/booklists/booksforteens.html
Mrs. Bonstein
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GRAMMAR/CONVENTIONS HELP:
More punctuation practice:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_overvw.html
Grammar: I recommend that you read and practice at the
following websites, depending on what your need(s) are:
http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml
http://members.cox.net/teachro/
(you choose what you need to work on at both of these sites)
Prepositions - webster.commnet.edu/grammar/prepositions.htm
http://www.readbygrade3.com/prep.html
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/grammar/main/prep.htm
Predicate nominatives -
http://home.att.net/~rguimaraes/Predicate_Nominatives_and_Adjectives.htm
http://yourpage.blazenet.net/bterney/pnpa.htm
Diagramming sentences - Many examples!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/diagrams2/diagrams_frames.htm
http://members.cox.net/teachro/
Also, the Princeton Review book Grammar Smart: A Guide to Perfect Usage is
an excellent resource that I recommend if you are struggling with grammar
concepts.
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Bibliography OR Works Cited information:
How to cite your references (the following is for MLA style; you may be
asked to use APA style for social sciences research in high school or
college):
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html
For electronic sources:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html#Electronic
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