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Let's dispell any misinformation you may have received. There is ALWAYS
some type of homework. It may be reading, studying for a test or quiz,
working on a writing draft, or written work. But the phrase, "I don't have
any homework" is seldom accurate.
West Wilson Middle School Homework Policy
A parent may request work after a student has been absent two days--this
includes leaving early on the first day absent. A parent must request
missed work by 9:00 on the third day if they want to pick it up that day.
They will be able to pick up the work between 2:30 and 3:00. Parents
calling after 9:00 will have to wait until the next day, between 2:30 and
3:00. Using this teacher web is an excellent source as well as contacting
another student in the missed classes.
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Homework Hotline--298-6636
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Vocabulary Workshop Assignments, unit 4-6 review
Follow the directions in the workbook for each exercise.
“A” Day--Levels C
Pages 72-77 due Monday, December 7
Pages 78-80 due Wednesday, December 9
(Definitions of the eight words on page 79 are also due; complete this
assignment before you attempt pages 79 and 80.)
Page 81-83 due Friday, December 11
“B” Day—Levels C and D
Pages 72-77 due Tuesday, December 8
Pages 78-80 due Thursday, December 10
(Definitions of the eight words on page 79 are also due—level C only;
complete this assignment before you attempt pages 79 and 80.)
Page 81-83 due Friday, December 11
Directions for the definitions, page 79—use one sheet of notebook paper;
title the page “Vocabulary Definitions, page 79.” Using a dictionary, look
up each of the eight words, and write the first and second (if there is one)
definitions of each. Number the words, and skip lines between definitions.
******************************************************Monday, December 14 and
DGP-none until after Christmas break.
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The schedule for exams is as follows.
A day—Wednesday, December 16th
B day—Thursday, December 17th
Makeup exams will be given for both A and B days on Friday, December 18th.
Here’s how your test is organized. There are 100 multiple choice and
true/false items. Number 1-25 are questions about the writing process and the
five paragraph essay. Use your blue handouts—Writing Overview, The Five
Paragraph Essay Organization of an On-Demand Essay, and Tennessee Writing
Assessment Rubric to study. If you have lost these handouts, then you should
study chapters 2 and 13 in your Writing and Grammar text.
Items 26-100 are a review of units 4-6 in the vocabulary workbook. You
should use your vocabulary workbook and study units 4, 5, and 6. On the
reverse side of this handout is a word list. Use it as you deem necessary.
Some students have used the word list as a study guide and have written brief
definitions, synonyms, and antonyms. I even saw one student who wrote each
of the aforementioned in different colors of pen to aid in recall.
Level C—extra credit flash cards are due the day of the exam. Ideally you
create these to study for the exam and then turn them in for the extra
credit. If you want the 20 extra credit test points, you should follow the
directions on the pink handout to the letter. No credit is issued for
incomplete or abridged definitions or partial units. All instructions are
followed and student work is neat, legible, and complete. Please note—extra
credit equals extra effort.
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BIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT
This writing project has two primary parts—the fact sheet and the biography
both based on your interview.
1. Interview someone over the age of fifty. Ask questions to obtain the
information on the fact sheet. Then ask the interview questions on the
paragraph outline. This assignment should be completed with the aid of a
relative, a grandparent if possible. Ask your parent(s) to suggest someone.
You should NEVER interview strangers or conduct this interview over the
internet. If you interview a family member, ask permission to tape the
interview. This could become very dear to you in the future.
2. Ask “Why?” to get elaborated responses from your subject. Don’t
rush this interview, and be sensitive. You will learn more than you ever
imagined.
3. Write the interview in essay form. You must turn in the notes, the
down draft, and an up draft of the fact sheet and the essay as well as a
final draft of each. All parts must be in a two pocket, three prong folder.
The prewriting and the down draft are to be in the front pocket, and your
final draft, which consists of the final drafts of the title page, fact
sheet, and the essay are to be placed in the prongs. The up drafts are
placed in the back pocket. The drafts are daily grades, and the essay is two
major test grades. If you attempt to turn in a working draft, it will be
returned to you. One draft is considered a working draft. Be sure to check
the following:
a. The title page should have a title and some artwork,
along with your name and class period.
b. Word variety—every paragraph should begin with a
different word, and every sentence within the
paragraph should begin with a different word. You should have simple,
compound, and complex
sentences.
c. Write your essay in third person. This is a biography.
Do not use first person pronouns such as “I,” “me,” “my,” or “we” until the
final paragraph.
d. Remember, after you introduce the subject of your interview,
refer to him or her by name NOT by family relationship.
e. Carefully check your final draft against your copy of
the Guidelines for Final Drafts. A copy can be accessed from
my website.
f. Your paper will need a hook (a strong thesis statement) and a
clincher.
Allow for technical difficulties. If you wait until the last minute,
everything that can go wrong WILL! Do NOT email your paper or bring it to
me on a disk. Papers are always hand-delivered in hard copy. Handwritten
papers are certainly acceptable IF you follow the guidelines for handwritten
papers.
Finally, DO NOT TURN IN FAMILY HEIRLOOMS. Do not give me anything valuable,
other than your project of course.
Your interview should be conducted between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.
Due date for the completed written project is January 15th 2010.
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Paragraph Outline/Interview Questions
For
Biography Project
Paragraph One: Thesis statement and the name of the person interviewed, date
and place of birth, family background, childhood information, and the
differences between his or her childhood and the life of today’s child are in
this first paragraph.
Paragraph Two: Describe how his or her childhood was similar to that of
today’s youngster. Give concrete examples and explanations telling how
things (society, family life, recreation, etc.) are different or similar.
Paragraph Three: Educational background beginning with
elementary school—Specific memories of favorite teachers, subjects, events,
or other happenings go in this paragraph. Ask about their likes and
dislikes. Was he or she a good student? Did he or she receive any awards or
recognition? Did he or she ever get into trouble?
Paragraph Four: Work experience—military service and jobs he or she has
held. If there are several, just write about the ones he or she feel are
most important. If the individual had only one job for many years, get some
details about that experience such as the position they held, job performed,
and any other details.
Paragraph Five: Marriage and family information go in this
paragraph. How did your subject meet his or her spouse? What made him or
her fall in love or marry the person? What have been the blessings or
disappointments?
Paragraph Six: Any major changes that have occurred during his or her
lifetime are discussed in this paragraph. This should include political
changes, inventions, technology, etc., that had the greatest impact on his or
her life. Ask how these changes affected him or her.
Paragraph Seven: What is he or she doing now? This should include work,
hobbies, past times, etc.
Paragraph Eight: Ask your subject, “If you could change anything(s) in your
life, what would you change?”
Paragraph Nine: Ask your subject, “What advice would you give to me?”
Paragraph Ten: This paragraph should contain your conclusions—what did you
learn? How has conducting this interview affected you personally and your
relationship with your subject ?
In order to avoid short or one word answers (ones that won’t help you write
your paper) ask your subject to elaborate. Use phrases such as “Tell me
how . . . In what way . . . Explain what you mean when you say . . .” Be Dr.
Phil.
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Writing--#12 in the Writer's Notebook--Writing a School Story
Everyone has a favorite teacher or a teacher that is anything but your
favorite. Think about your teachers and your school experiences. Write
about something that has happened at school. It could be a good/bad
experience with a teacher, or some other type of experience. As long as the
experience is school-related, you may write about it. If you are writing
about a teacher in a less than positive way, make up a name. This year’s
teachers are off limits!
Writer's Notebook--Page 13—A Fashion Story
After reading the selection from Lois Lowry, think about a time when you had
to wear something you did NOT want to wear. This could be something your
parents, grandparents, or some other individual directed you to wear for a
particular purpose (for school, church, a holiday, or a costume, etc.) Your
writing may address a hairstyle or glasses. Think Ralphie in his pink bunny
pajamas in the movie A Christmas Story. Before you begin writing, think about
this for a moment or two. Remember, everyone can write; everyone will write.
Minimum length—3/4 of a page.
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Reading Check Deadlines
1st---Friday, November 13
2nd---Dec. 1, 2009
3rd---December 17, 2009
Students who want to read a more challenging book must contract with me
BEFORE they read that book. I will give them their deadline at that time.
See FAQ regarding a more challenging book.
Students who choose to write book reports as a form of reading assessment
must obtain the book report packet from me, and I must document their intent
to do so. Book reports are only valid for single reading checks and are due
by the reading check deadline as established for students. Books must also
be shown to the teacher when the book report is submitted.
**Please see the pink student handout for full details.
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