PBH Due 2.4.13

Hello My Fantastic Writers,

Thank you to all who have been working diligently and arduously on your first pre-college level essay!! : )

421 your Argumentative Essay and 3-D'ish cover is due Tuesday, January 29, 2013. Please go to the following website for ways to cite other sources in APA format: http://www.tru.ca/library/pdf/apacitationstyle.pdf

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO USE AT LEAST 5 SAT VOCABULARY WORDS INDICATED IN BOLD PRINT IN THE BODY OF YOUR ESSAY. SOME OF THE WORDS ARE LISTED IN PREVIOUS POSTED BLOGS.

Both classes please bring in the following completed graphic organizer worksheets:

1. Validator.W3.org worksheet - this was supposed to be completed at home since the laptops at school limit your searches due to DOE blocking.
2. Mini sports video clips - these videos were watched in class to gather research for your essays.
3. "What" and "Why" 3 point strategy worksheet - this came before the Hook-3-T lesson for this unit.

We will be embarking on a new unit next week which is called Science Fiction. This genre also includes Fantasy, however, in order to build background knowledge, you will need to do online research for the specifics.

Please do the following keyword searches:

• "science fiction"
• "famous science fiction authors"
• "popular science fiction movies" (http://www.imdb.com/genre/sci_fi) you can use this website if you want or explore others
• and last but not least "the evolution of science fiction". This search is just an historical exploration of sci-fi throughout the decades

After searching and reading, please answer the following questions creating your own KWL chart:

1. What new information did you learn from this research? (list 3 pieces of evidence from your search)
2. What would you like to do and/or learn about sci-fi during this unit? (list 3 examples of your own)

This must be typed, 12 font, Times New Romans, double spaced, however, if you would like to write it, it must be EXTREMELY NEAT AND LEGIBLE!!!

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com or call Dial-A-Teacher for assistance in other subjects @ 212.777.3380.

Miss. N

Update and Reminder of PBH

Hello All,

Please note that the following changes have been made:

• 421 - your essay will be due on Tuesday along with your fancy, creative sports equipment cover for your essay.
• All parts of the essay from introduction to references page must be completed and submitted Tuesday morning.
• We will work on APA citation on Monday, however, you must bring the following: your articles (online, magazine and/or books) and your flashdrive. It is imperative that you bring it so that you can work on it in class and not have it to do at home.
• The transitional words and phrases to use in your essay are on the following website: http://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html 
• On Tuesday, we will do peer editing using a checklist.

Class 401, please do the following:

• All graphic organizers we have used in class must be updated and worked on by you. When I meet with you I should see more writing from where we left off. I will give additional graphic organizers next week.
• Please bring your flashdrive to class and more articles that support and are against your thesis statement.
• Please scroll down to see the PBH that was posted on Tuesday.

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com. Call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380.

Miss. N : )

Project Based Homework Due 1.28.13

Hello All,

421 Please do the following:

• Your final draft of the Argumentative Essay is due on Monday. All parts must be completed. That means that you should have a complete introduction, body paragraphs (three argument paragraphs that support your thesis statement and three counterarguments that oppose your thesis statement and one conclusion). Your counterarguments and should follow the two new strategies I will teach you this week. You will have a total of eight full body paragraphs. The last page will list your references and you will use APA citation within the body of your essay.
• Your final essay must be typed 12 font, Times New Romans, double spaced, pages number including your last name followed by the number and the heading should be block style. You will see a student sample along with graphic organizers in class this week.
• Word Wall Word due on Jan 31st. Please wait until you see the colored papers inside the tray. Make sure you have your word ready as you wait.
• Design a creative cover representing your favorite sport. You should only use the most important piece of equipment for the sport. Therefore, if you choose basketball then I should see a model of basketball, if it is soccer I should see a soccer ball, etc. If you are not sure please see me. This should not be printed or copied and pasted from google. It should represent something more like paper mache, it should have texture and almost 3-D looking. However, it should not be too big or too thick that it cannot be stapled to the bulletin board. Use your hands and be CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE! : )

401 Please do the following:

• Your final essay must be typed 12 font, Times New Romans, double spaced, pages number including your last name followed by the number and the heading should be block style. You will see a student sample along with graphic organizers in class this week.
• You will only have an intro, one body paragraph to support your thesis statement, one body paragraph that opposes your thesis statement and the conclusion.
• Word Wall Word due on Jan 31st. Please wait until you see the colored papers inside the tray. Make sure you have your word ready as you wait.

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com. Call Dial-A-Teacher at 212.777.3380.

Miss. N

PBH Due 1.21.13 and 1.22.13

Hello All,

Please do the following:

Due 1.21.13

1. Reading Log Blog Posts due on online at http://missnatthereadingcafe.blogspot.com. Please note that you must have a Google, AIM, etc. account to post it online. This will be due no later than 7pm Monday night.

If you don't have one, you may email your blog post no later than 7pm Monday night to thereadingcafe@aol.com or please write/type it on paper and hand it the next day.

Due 1.22.13

2. Please hand in a typed nonfiction book review. The outline will be provided by tomorrow or no later than Wednesday. Please see the nonfiction book list on the previous blog posting. It must be typed, 12 font, Times New Roman, double spaced, page numbered using your last name (i.e. Nicholson 1) and college block style heading.

Contact Dial-A-Teacher if you have any questions for other subject areas. Please scroll down to retrieve the phone number.

Reminder

421 Girls - I NEED MY GREEN LEOTARDS BACK ASAP!!! THE FOLLOWING GIRLS NEED TO RETURN IT: ROCHEL, VALENTINA, LISETTE, CHIGOZIE AND LIDHILDA.

You have until Wednesday to bring in the permision slips and $20 for the Aviator Sports Center Trip.

Miss. N

Reminders and FYI

Hello All,

Always scroll down to read the entire blogpost as well as previously posted homework assignments.

Please read the reminders below:

• Trip to Aviator Sports is on 1.17.13. Trip Package includes: ice skating, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer and rock climbing.
• $20 and permission slip are due by 1.14.13
• 421 Girls - I NEED MY GREEN LEOTARDS BACK ASAP!!! THE FOLLOWING GIRLS NEED TO RETURN IT:  ROCHEL, VALENTINA, LISETTE, CHIGOZIE AND LIDHILDA.

FYI - Please check your local library

• Please visit the following websites for a list of nonfiction books.

Video - The 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2012

• http://live.wsj.com/video/the-10-best-non-fiction-books-of-2012/172788B3-89A0-4910-B057-02BF2F7C4F42.html#!172788B3-89A0-4910-B057-02BF2F7C4F42

Middle School Level

• http://www.amazon.com/Garraways-Young-Adult-Nonfiction-Books/lm/R3FD0JLVKGRSUE
• http://www.amazon.com/Middle-High-School-Nonfiction/lm/R2282VN15N850K
• http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/teen-nonfiction

High School Level

• http://www.learningthings.com/non-fiction-books-for-high-school?Cc=NONFICTIONHIGH
• http://www.deafhomeschool.com/study/readinglists/highschoolnonfiction.html
• http://nancykeane.com/rl/9.htm
• http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/books/level.dT?level=NM
• http://library.campbellhall.org/secondary%20pages/Looking%20for%20a%20Good%20Book/nonfiction.htm

College Level

• http://www.ric.edu/whatsnews/details.php?News_ID=1792
• http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/15-best-nonfiction-books-2011

Combo

• http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/best-books-2010-novels-nonfiction-teens-childrens-books/379002022/

Science

• http://oedb.org/library/features/100-all-time-greatest-popular-science-books
• http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/nonfiction-popular-science

Please check for updates to new links for nonfiction books.

Happy Reading! : )

PBH Due 1.14.13

Hello All,

Welcome to Marking Period 3! You are half way towards graduation. Please note that you have many opportunities to go online, whether at the school's computer lab, during Miss. N's Reading Room days (Tue/Wed) assigned to your class, at a library or any other safe way to use the internet in order to complete assignments. BASICALLY, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!

Please do the following:

I. Argumentative Writing PBH Assignment

• Print three articles (each article reflecting each one of the three points stated in your thesis statement) that counterargues (goes against/opposes) your thesis statement. Due 1.14.13
• Introductions must be completed on the worksheet I handed out to the class. Due 1.14.13

II. The Reading Cafe Blogspot Reading Logs

• Post your reading logs online using the steps I will demonstrate in class. Please read a nonfiction book. However, if you are currently reading a fiction text and would rather use this for your logs, that would be ok as well. I provided a list of WDM books in Oct/Nov that I did not have in class but available at the library. Feel free to use this list if you are out of ideas of what to read for the online blogspot reading logs.
• Focus Question is: How is the title an appropriate or inappropriate choice for this book?
• Reading log posting date has been changed to  Monday, January 21, 2013 no later than 7pm. This is the same day your nonfiction book review is due. I will provide the outline to you in class, in addition, I will compose a list of nonfiction books for you to choose from. Please note that you have until 1.21.13 to post, therefore, if you choose to post earlier, you may do so.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com, or call Dial-A-Teacher at 212.777.3380 to assist you in other subject areas M-F 4-7 pm.

Miss. N :)

Project Based Homework Due 1.7.13

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you enjoyed your vacation...or at least tried to. Anyhow, it is back to our usual routines and graduation will be here sooner than you think. We're currently approaching marking period three on the 4th of January and there's a lot to be accomplished within that time.

I. Class 421 please do the following:

• Write a reflection about your experience recycling at the redemption maching, preparing advertisements for the school, collecting and separating acceptable and nonacceptable items, deciphering our fundraising deficiencies and goals, going to Toys R Us, eating, wrapping the gifts and the SCO. I will provide you with an outline tomorrow.
• Just added @ 5:49 p.m. - Please find an additional TWO articles by typing into the search engine: "journal articles about the competitiveness between girls and boys in sports". Select the best, detailed articles for our round table discussion in class next week.

II. Both Classes please do the following:

• Based on today's videos, class and PBH assignments, begin to choose a position. Are you for or against sports programs in high schools or schools in general?
• Think of a thesis statement. What specifically are you trying to support or oppose? For example, my thesis statement may say, "...Sports programs should be allowed in schools because it promotes healthy eating habits." This statement is SPECIFIC, CLEAR and WILL BE THE FOCUS OF MY ENTIRE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY. If I said, "...Sports programs should be allowed in schools because it helps students physically" would have been to broad and general. How does it help students physically would be the next question? However, we want to be VERY CLEAR in our thesis statement the first time. Please don't frustrate your readers by making generalized statements.
• On loose leaf with a proper heading, write a thesis statement in the form of a sentence NOT AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH. That means I should see a clear and specific SENTENCE on loose leaf.
• Then print TWO articles that supports your thesis statement.

III. Posting reading logs on the blogspot.

• The class of 2012 did this and I am introducing it to you, class of 2013. You must read every night for 30 minutes (which most of you are already doing) and post a reading response based on the question posted on the blogspot using the example format below:

                               Your full name: Jane Doe
                                Title of your book: A Child Called "It"
                                Author: Dave Pelzer
                                Week Of: 1.7.13 - 1.14.13
                                Number of pages: pp.18-49
                                Question: Was the title an appropriate choice for this book? Why or why
                                not? Explain your reasoning using two or three details from the book.
                                Reading Response:  Yes, Pelzer was very successful in naming the book, A Child Called "It". It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."  Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare.

• In addition, you must respond to another classmates post on the blogspot. This will be a total of two posts per student.
• This will begin conversations about all sorts of books read by your classmates and SAVE trees too. : )
• Posts are due online every Monday starting January 14, 2013 no later than 7 pm.
• Please note that this does not substitue book reviews but in addition to book reviews. Your next book review, nonfiction, will be due on January 21, 2013.

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com. Call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380.

Miss. N : )