PBH Due 10.28.13

Hello All,

Please do the following:

Expeditionary Learning - Learning about the Character Ha - Lesson 4 - Due 10.23.13

• Read pages 10–21, from “TiTi Waves Goodbye” through “Two More Papayas,”
• Complete Quick Write 2

Book Review # 2

• You are only responsible for doing only one portion of the essay: the introduction.
• It must include: a hook, three sentences that explain the hook and a clear and concise thesis statement
• Do not do the body paragraphs or a conclusion, you will do those later.
• Until I make the necessary changes, for now, follow the Book Review Calendar I gave you. As stated on the calendar, you must read a biography and it must be a nonfiction book. So choose a favorite or famous person you would like to learn more about. 

The reason I want you to do this is because most of what I have noticed is that the introductions that I have read from the previous book review were not fully developed. In order for you to write college level essays for me later in the year, you must be able to write essays that have a powerful introduction and powerful thesis statement.

This week I will hopefully get through a writing lesson with you on how to write an appropriate and  powerful introduction and thesis statement.

I see that with this year's class, we will have to take it one step at a time. Trust me...YOU CAN DO IT!

Online Blogging

Please follow the same format I showed you and reread the reference sheet on how to blog. This time I would like you to respond only to one person instead of two. Make sure your comments are not about the mistakes in writing, that is not considered a comment but a writing critique. Instead, comment on the character's actions in the book, the author (if you are familiar with the author's books/writing) or your interest in wanting to know more about the book. These suggestions would be considered thoughtful comments. Please post your blogs on this homework assignment post.

Thought Question for blogging: How did this person achieve success in their life? Please cite three examples from the text including page number and explain what each piece of evidence means.

Word Wall

Please select an unfamiliar and difficult word that comes from the biography you are reading. Currently we have 30 words on the word wall and we should have much more than that. I am looking forward to having fun with those words via Jeopardy, card and bingo games. Therefore, ALL of you need to post a word on the word wall. Please remember that our first game is coming from the SAT words I provided. Make sure you STUDY HARD AND GOOD! During the basketball game, you will have to recite the definition out loud and proud! :)

Reminders

Vocabulary Basketball Game this Friday

SAT Quiz - Friday after game on the following words: ecstatic, infanticide, plethora, affable, dapper, affidavit, glutinous, pilfer and incandescent. Study only the definitions for now. The words will be in a word bank box and there will be fill in the blank sentences for the vocabulary words to be used in context.

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

Miss. N

PBH Due 10.21.13

Hello All,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend!

Please pay close attention to the due dates and designated class assignments.

Due 10/17

1.) Reread pp. 4-9 of Inside Out and Back Again
2.) Complete Quick Write on p. 4 in the Expeditionary Learning Workbook

Due 10/18 - Don't do this until we do this lesson
1.) Read pages 10–21, from “TiTi Waves Goodbye” through “Two More Papayas,” and complete Quick Write 2.

Due 10.21.13

Please do the following:

1.) Due to changes in homework and the new curriculum, check either the BlogSpot periodically or the SMART board for you homework.

A.) Class 421 - Research the historical reasons behind the Fall of Saigon by creating a timeline.
Class 421 Only - Copy and past the link in your web browser  http://embed.snagfilms.com/films/title/55_days_the_fall_of_saigon#!
Use the graphic organizer that I provided for you to extract evidence from the documentary.


B.) Class 419 - Write a poem describing and explaining in your opinion, What Is Home.

Reminders

2.) Based on the book reviews I have read, there will be major changes made to the calendar syllabus for the year. I will explain details later! However, the next book review will be due on the 28th. Select one of the quotes below to write newly modified critical analysis essay.

Quote Contributor: Cindy Sanchez, 8-419
Quote: "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." - Colin Powell

Quote Contributor: Sheila Fabian, 8-419
Quote: "Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, because hate in your heart will consume you too." - Will Smith

Quote Contributor: Pricilla Rosa, 8-419
Quote: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius


3.) Study for your SAT Vocabulary Quiz for next Friday 10.25.13.  Study the words so that we can play our first Vocabulary Basketball Tournament. A list of all of the words and meanings from the word wall and your binder will be given to you.

4.) High School Forms due October. See Mrs. Cruz for the exact date!

If you have any questions or need homework help, email thereadingcafe@aol.com or call dial-a-teacher @ 212.777.3380.

Miss. N

PBH Due 10.15.13

Hello All,

Please do the following:

1. Book Review # 2 due 10.28.13. Please make the necessary changes on your At-A-Glance calendar I provided for you.
2. Word Wall # 2 due 10.28.13.  Please make the necessary changes on your At-A-Glance calendar I provided for you.
3. Reading Blog # 2 due 10.28.13.  Please make the necessary changes on your At-A-Glance calendar I provided for you.
4. Study for Vocab Quiz. Quiz will be 10.18.13. Study the words, synonyms and antonyms in the vocab section of your binder.
5. Write on an index card who your homework buddy is for your homeroom.
6. Please note that homework will change to some extent since we have started a new curriculum from the NYC Department of Education. Most likely you will have homework more than once a week.
7. Read pp. 4-9 of Inside Out and Back Again. Do not lose your books, you are mature and responsible to bring it to school and class everyday.

Class 421 - Please bring in cardboard boxes for recycling. Try to collaborate with each other to bring in boxes that are the same size so we will not have any trouble fitting them together. Continue to plan who will create the posters which must be posted in the school halls no later than next week Wednesday. Commercials and mascots must be planned as well if you are using that to promote this fundraising event.

Class 421 - YouTube Videos

Practice Court Room Mock Trial - Opening Statement

Click to view and take note of the way it is presented
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLGRBKW-f-c

Defense Closing Statement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf0ABRnvXg0

If you find any other videos or do your own search that helps to prepare and support your case, please do so.

Please return to the BlogSpot for updates this week.

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

Miss. N

FYI Reminder for PBH Due 10.7.13

FYI Reminder for PBH Due 10.7.13

A.    Book Review
Please follow the template I provided for you in class.

B.     The Reading Café Response Blogging

Select a quote OR question to respond to for the book you read for the book review. Do not use another book.

1.      Top 10 Famous quotes contributor: Brandoth Lopez, 8-419

“I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” – Stephen Covey

2.      Top 10 famous quotes contributor: Fardid Chowdhury, 8-421

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” – Douglas Pagels

3.      Top 10 famous quotes contributor: Camilo Pareja, 8-421

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

OR

1.      What life lessons does the main character learn as a result of the events he/she experienced? Provide three examples from the text.

2.      How does the main character develop or grow as a result of the incidents (events) in the story? Provide three examples from the text.

3.      What themes are prevalent throughout the text? Provide three examples from the text.

In your blog reading response make sure to write the quote or question you are responding to. For example,

Question/Quote: What themes are prevalent throughout the text? Provide three examples from the text.

Reading Response:    In Chazz Palminteri's movie, A Bronx Tale, there are many themes that arise from this one hundred and twenty two minute film. One of the main themes I believe is prevalent is that of trust. Sonny, the protagonist in the movie, develops a trust relationship like none other with Calogero (a.k.a "C") that he does not exhibit with any of this gangsta associates. In the eyes of Sonny, it is either his way or the highway, or at times you are placed "in the bathroom". If you do not meet up with his standards, trust and loyalty, you cannot be a part of his circle. However, "C' wins Sonny over when he does not rat him out during a police line up for the murder of a "bat raged man" in the beginning stages of the plot of the movie.  It was at that moment, that one little nine year old boy, who according to his father, "did a good thing for a very bad man", won the trust of a man of crime. It is also interesting to see how trust plays out in this movie. Calogero falls in love with an African American girl, and Sonny allows "C" to use his car for a date to make a "good impression". As "C" says, "Sonny, you don't let anyone use your car." Although Sonny was not "C's" biological father, he did what any caring father would do for a son after his own heart who is at the age of raging hormones and a love sick heart.

One of the highlights of the movie, "C" asks Sonny in the car, "Don't you trust anyone?" Sonny, bluntly says no. It was at that pivotal moment that "C's" influence affected Sonny.  He realized that it was not all about him. Sonny thought that he lost his trust in "C" and that he turned on him and wanted him killed when he found a bomb under the hood of his car. Through the sobbing and pleas of Calogero, he realized what he was doing. It was at that moment he turned his thinking from selfish to self-less.

By: Miss. Nicholson, 8-421

C. Class 8-421:
If you would like to read "Kitty and Mack: A Love Story" online, please click the following link: http://www.is5nyc.org/res_view_folder.aspx?id=e15efe60-a82f-4ab4-82fd-39bef8409780&userGroupId=546ad056-ebff-4bd1-b468-fa4b30f1002e&userGroupType=C

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com Monday -Friday no later than 7pm. Call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 for assistance in other subject areas.

Revised PBH for the week of 9.23.13 - 10.7.13

Hello,

As mentioned in class, please read the following:

• Top 10 favorite quotes due 9.23.13 (please scroll down to see the format)
• Word Wall due 9.30.13 (Sorry, I'd rather keep it for this day instead of the 7th)
• Crazy Fan Celebrity Dating Characterization Home Video due 9.30.13
• Book Review # 1 is due 10.7.13
• Reading Response Blog due 10.7.13 no later than 7pm

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com M-F no later than 7 pm. Call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 for help in other subject areas M-F 4-7 pm.

Take Care!

Miss. N

PBH Due 9.23.13

Hello All,

For those of you who completed your first project based homework...Congrats! As I said you will notice how your homework is essential for understanding what I do inside the classroom. You will need it to complete most of your assignments.
I hope visiting this website will become a habit for all of you as the weeks and months progress. As mentioned, if you have not given in all of your supplies you may hand them in no later than Wednesday. You must be prepared for my class by having all of your supplies ready.

Please take note that your assignments will vary at times. There will be moments when I give 421 a different assignment from 419 and there will be times when it will be the same.

Assignment # 1 - Student Generated List of Favorite Quotes - Create a list of 10 of your most favorite quotes by famous and/or non famous people. These quotes must be a range of being funny, inspiring, motivational, having a serious tone, cultural, educational, about personalities, philosophical, etc. You can research it online and make note of the website you retrieved your information and the author of the quote (first/last name). For example,
Quote - "...that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong...,"  -- King Solomon
Source -  http://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm.
 You are allowed to write your own original quote but ONLY ONE!

Assignment# 2 - Reading Skill Focus: Characterization

In order to prepare you for our upcoming unit, there are a few reading and writing skills you will have to brush up on. Therefore, for your next assignment please read the following:

Next week we will be discussing the author's use of characterization or character traits in literature. You will create a crazy fan celebrity dating ad home video trying to convince the celebrity of your dreams to choose you over someone else. Your video must include:

1. Creativity - You can use music in the background, create your own persuasive lyrics, write a poem to the person of interest, use sound effects, create a setting, etc.
2. You must identify who the celebrity is that you are interested in (i.e. Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber)
3. Provide a list of reasons why you should be their number one choice
4. Be yourself - you must allow your personality to shine through in order to be convincing and unique.
5. Equipment - you may use your phone, iPad, camcorder, computer camera or any other device that will record your presentation.
6. Time Limitations - your video must be 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 minutes long.
7. Presentation - presentation and professionalism is everything. Please make sure that you check and double check that your home video is saved correctly on your flash drive. Also remember to bring it to school to show the class on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
8. Reminder - If you haven't purchased a flash drive as yet, I suggest you do it rather quickly. All video recordings MUST BE SAVED ON YOUR FLASH DRIVE!

 All presentations are due on Monday! There are absolutely no excuses!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com Monday -Friday no later than 7pm. Do not email me on the weekends! Call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 for assistance in other subject areas.

Take Care!

Miss. Nicholson

Reminders:

1. SAT Vocabulary Quiz 9.27.13
2. Book Review # 1 Due 9.30.13

PBH Due 9.16.13 (other dates too)

Hello All,

Once again, welcome back! For some reason, the BlogSpot did not allow me to post on Monday while at school. However, please take note of the following and make sure to BRING these items in on the highlighted dates:


Due 9.16.13 - Monday

• Welcome back packet from Miss. Nicholson to you and your parents. This packet contains English and Spanish versions of my letter, the queens library card application as well as other documents to be signed and handed in.
• 9/11 Poem about being able to triumph over tragedy. Please make sure that you incorporate literary devices to explain and describe tragedy and triumph as well as use images and/or cut out words that provides a visual explanation of your poem. - Class 421 ONLY!
• Complete your personality poster using images and/or words that describes who you are as a person.
• ALL supplies must be handed in on Monday.
  ·         1 ½  inch hard cover binder / 2 packs of loose leaf/ 1 pack of dividers/ 3 packs of sheet protectors/ 1 pack of hole reinforcement labels for loose leaf/ 1 marble notebook/ 1 expanding file folder
  ·         1 folder with pockets (High School Folder)/ 4GB or 8GB flash drive (mandatory)/ A pack of multi-colored pens/ library card (mandatory)

Due 9.12.13 - Thursday

• old newspapers and/or magazines of images you don't mind cutting out for your personal portrait.
• positive Google images that represent who you are as a person/individual
• Inspiring, hopeful and motivating images about September 11th.

Due 9.13.13 - Friday

• Summer Reading Report
• Emergency Blue Cards
• School papers to be signed by your parents (i.e. giving permission for neighborhood walks, video recording, photographs)
• Bring in old newspapers and/or magazines that you don't mind cutting up.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com Monday -Friday no later than 7pm. Do not email me on the weekends! Call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 for assistance in other subject areas.

Take Care!

Miss. Nicholson