Language Arts for Feb. 24-March 4, 2011/LaBarbera

Language Arts for March 1-March 4, 2011/LaBarbera
1. Final typed draft of Persuasive Composition #2 --graded and recorded in Power School.
The rubric was used for evaluation.

---- We are reviewing skills for ISATs which take place next week. All of the Language Arts classes were fortunate to have Ms. Nelson ( teacher-librarian) introduce several novels for students to pursue. In her presentation she covered Fact vs. Opinion; Making Inferences; Drawing Conclusions; Compare/Contrast, Identifying Similarities and Differences. These are skills that are covered on the ISAT.------
---- Every group is working on an expository writing project in class. The draft will be written , conferred, revised, and approved. Final typed draft is due March 8.
Up and Coming:
As we proceed into ISAT testing week no new homework will be assigned that will be due this week. Students are reading mystery novels and instruction will occur for students to begin their plans for writing mysteries.
Heads up: The research paper project ( Expository#2) begins March 14. Students will need 50-100 note cards, a spiral notebook, a flash drive, access to a computer and printer, and a transparent folder to encase the project without punching holes in the paper. There will be instruction by the teacher-librarian and the Language Arts teacher for narrowing topics, filling out source cards, creating a works consulted page, note taking, outlining, and writing the draft without plagiarism. Due dates will be posted weekly.

If you have questions about assignments, please contact me at school and you will receive a response immediately.
If you have decided you want an in -person conference, or have further questions about your child's school progress, please contact me.
Thank you.

Upcoming Homonyms list:
wail, whale, week, weak, you're , your, sew, so, sow, praise, prays, preys, presence, presents, cite, sight, site, ceiling, sealing, main, mane, maize, maze, groan, grown.
Due the week of March 8-15--Write a sentence using the word in the correct context... Highlight or underline the word in the sentence. You may create a thematic paragraph or use as many as three homonyms within one sentence for a minimum of 12 sentences.

Start this: The topics for the research paper include environmental issues, health, sports medicine, nature/animals, the arts,and/or... specific events /leadership in history. Narrow your topic to a specific issue/area... and write 5 questions you want to answer through research. This will be our focus on March 9 as we are introduced to the research process by Ms. Nelson, the teacher-librarian in our media center.