PBH Due 3.3.14

Hello All,

The following is due:



1. Movie Book Review (I took the liberty of reposting the previous blog info about the movie/book review to this blog)


Movie/Book Review - Due March 3, 2014 (Please note that the focus question was changed)

We are still exploring the refugee experience, and, although we have taken a little break from reading the novel, we have not taken a break analyzing the impact of war within a society. What you will explore and analyze is: what is the importance of family when  war happens to divide it? First you must have a "working definition" of what a family and war is. This must be in the body paragraphs including evidence from both the text and the movie. The movies you can select from below are as follows:
1.) Life Is Beautiful (Highly Recommended) French movie with English subtitles. Mr. Sillman said that the full movie is on YouTube.
2.) The Pianist
3.) The Devil's Arithmetic
4.) The Hiding Place

Check your local library for these movies, YouTube or Netflix! Happy watching and reading!
Please follow the outline below:

Introduction Paragraph:
Hook (thought-provoking question, anecdote, quote, etc.)
Filler (3 sentences) Explain the quote you used without giving away too much information. Please do not start off your explanation with, "this quote means..." or "I think this quote is trying to say..." or any other cheesy and unprofessional sentence starters. Just say what you have to say without having to introduce that you are going to say it.
Thesis/Focus Statement (what you are proving and three supporting examples à one sentence)Body Paragraph # 1 (Focus on the importance of family in both the movie and novel):
Topic Sentence
Quote/Evidence 1 (word for word from movie)
 Explanation of evidence 1
Quote/Evidence 2 (word for word from movie)
Explanation of evidence 2
Quote/Evidence 3 (word for word from movie)
Explanation of evidence 3
Conclusion/Wrap-Up

Body Paragraph # 2 (Focus on the importance of community in both the movie and novel):

Topic Sentence

Quote/Evidence 1 (cite evidence from text with page number)Explanation of evidence 1
Quote/Evidence 2 (cite evidence from text with page number)Explanation of evidence 2
Quote/Evidence 3 (cite evidence from text with page number)Explanation of evidence 3
Conclusion/Wrap-Up 

Conclusion Paragraph:
Restatement of Thesis/Focus Statement
Restatement of Body Paragraph Topic Sentences
Thoughtful statement to leave the reader thinking (Clincher)



2. Word Wall (this must be an unfamiliar word that comes from either the movie you selected, your independent book or the novel)



That's all...for now! : )



Continue to check the BlogSpot for updates!


Updates...


A. If you have not yet done the following, you still have an opportunity to submit the 2.3.14 Word Wall Word and post a reading blog and a response to one person by 7 pm Monday night. Don't miss this opportunity! I AM ONLY ACCEPTING THIS. ABSOLUTELY NO ESSAYS!
B. You still have one last time to submit a rubric for bonus points on Monday.


C. Here is another opportunity to earn bonus points. Go to google images and print one profound scene from the movie you watched that best illustrates the focus question above. Please REMEMBER TO COPY AND PASTE THE SCENE TO MS WORD AND THEN SHRINK THE IMAGE TO APPROXIMATELY 3 X 5 (this is about index card size). YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FULL BONUS POINTS.



If you have any questions, email thereadingcafe@aol.com by 7pm M-F, or call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 M-F between 4-7pm for other subject areas.



Miss. N

PBH 5+ BONUS POINTS!! :) MUST READ!

Hello All,

I hope you enjoyed your vacation thus far!

I wanted to share another opportunity to earn extra points towards your grade.

Please click on the link below or copy/paste into your web browser and print the compare and contrast essay rubric.  Once it is printed at home, the library, STAPLES, OFFICE MAX, KINKOS, UPS or FedEx stores, write your full name, class and date on it and bring it along with your typed written essay to class.
http://www.sequim.k12.wa.us/cms/lib6/WA01000561/centricity/domain/193/cc_rubric.pdf

It must be printed and on top of your desk along with your essay on MONDAY the 24th, in order to receive the 5+ BONUS POINTS!

This will be used for the peer review evaluation in class Monday.

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com.

Take Care!

Miss. N

PBH Due 2.24.14 (and other dates too!)

Hello All,

Please do the following:

1. Compare and Contrast Essay

Those of you who were present on Friday, February 14th received the packet and those of you who were not present, please read below and click the link to read article stories about the refugee experience. Please note that there is a change to the Movie/Book Review date which is no longer the 28th of February but is now March 3rd.

February Break Essay Assignment: Compare/Contrast Essay

         People have been refugees all throughout history and even though each story is unique, they are all universal.  We have been reading the fictional story of Ha and her family during the Vietnam War in the novel Inside Out & Back Again as well as informational texts of other refugees from various conflicts, such as the Bosnian War, from our curriculum workbooks.  Your task is to write a compare/contrast essay in which you discuss the universal refugee experience using the texts provided.  You must use the WWII article in this essay (provided).  If you do not want to use the second provided article by Bashir, go to the link below and choose any of the other refugee stories there: http://www.amnesty.org.au/refugees/archive/C12/.   Be sure to annotate your texts and use strong relevant evidence that will support your thesis and analysis!!  This is due on Monday, 24 February 2014.  Your March Movie/Book Review is due on Monday, March 3  2014. 

Remember!! Your heading must be college block style, last name numbered pages, 12 font, Times New Roman, double space lines within the paragraphs as well as between paragraphs. DO NOT TRIPLE SPACE BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS!

Although this essay is due on Monday, February 24, 2014, the date you must type on this compare/contrast essay must be March 3, 2014.

Lastly, you must come prepared with your essay typed, printed and on top of your desk so that we can do written peer evaluation reviews on Monday the 24th. Check your printers early to make sure ink and paper are available. If not, with your parents permission, go to your local library, Kinkos, Staples, Office Max, UPS or FedEx stores to print your work. PLEASE TRY NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

Your essay must follow the format below:

Introduction Paragraph:

Hook (thought-provoking question, anecdote, quote, etc.)
Filler (3 sentences)Explain the quote you used without giving away too much information. Please do not start off your explanation with, "this quote means..." or "I think this quote is trying to say..." or any other cheesy and unprofessional sentence starters. Just say what you have to say without having to introduce that you are going to say it.Thesis/Focus Statement (what you are proving and three supporting examples à one sentence)

3-4 Body Paragraphs:

Topic Sentence
Quote/Evidence 1
Explanation of evidence 1
Quote/Evidence 2
Explanation of evidence 2
Quote/Evidence 3
Explanation of evidence 3
Conclusion/Wrap-Up

Conclusion Paragraph:

Restatement of Thesis/Focus Statement
Restatement of Body Paragraph Topic Sentences
Thoughtful statement to leave the reader thinking (Clincher)

2. Movie/Book Review - Due March 3, 2014
We are still exploring the refugee experience, and, although we have taken a little break from reading the novel, we have not taken a break analyzing the impact of war within a society. What you will explore and analyze is: what is the importance of holding on to your family and community when war seeks to divide it? First you must have a "working definition" of what is a family and what is a community. This must be in the body paragraphs including evidence from both the text and the movie. The movies you can select from below are as follows:
1.) Life Is Beautiful (Highly Recommended) French movie with English subtitles
2.) The Pianist
3.) The Devil's Arithmetic
4.) The Hiding Place

Check your local library for these movies or Netflix! Happy watching and reading!

Please follow the outline below:

Introduction Paragraph:
Hook (thought-provoking question, anecdote, quote, etc.)
Filler (3 sentences) Explain the quote you used without giving away too much information. Please do not start off your explanation with, "this quote means..." or "I think this quote is trying to say..." or any other cheesy and unprofessional sentence starters. Just say what you have to say without having to introduce that you are going to say it.
Thesis/Focus Statement (what you are proving and three supporting examples à one sentence)

Body Paragraph # 1 (Focus on the importance of family in both the movie and novel):
Topic Sentence
Quote/Evidence 1
Explanation of evidence 1
Quote/Evidence 2
Explanation of evidence 2
Quote/Evidence 3
Explanation of evidence 3
Conclusion/Wrap-Up

Body Paragraph # 2 (Focus on the importance of community in both the movie and novel):

Topic Sentence

Quote/Evidence 1
Explanation of evidence 1
Quote/Evidence 2
Explanation of evidence 2
Quote/Evidence 3
Explanation of evidence 3
Conclusion/Wrap-Up 

Conclusion Paragraph:
Restatement of Thesis/Focus Statement
Restatement of Body Paragraph Topic Sentences
Thoughtful statement to leave the reader thinking (Clincher)

3.)  Pre-College Research Debate Articles - Due 2.25.14
Please note that although I did not specify certain topics in the search engine, you may still find information relating to your topic within the articles you select to read.  However, what I did, was to put together key words/phrases that will filter out articles about supporters of the war. Please note that you are not limited to the key words/phrases I provided. Feel free to modify the keyword search to match your own needs.

Please copy and paste the following as a Google search: "counter argument articles about the Vietnam war" "necessity of the vietnam war" "journal articles about the importance of the vietnam war" "purpose of the vietnam war" "benefits of the vietnam war". Print the best three articles that  could be used against you during the debate.

I will try to add more as time progresses, however, it most likely will remain the same. However, if you find something please share!

Continue to check the BlogSpot for updates!

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com M-F before 7 pm or call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 M-F between 4-7 pm. Please note that this number is not available during holiday or vacation breaks.

Enjoy!

Miss. N

PBH Due 2.10.14 (other dates too!)

Hello,

Please do the following:


I. Pre-College Research Article Debate - The Impact of the Vietnam War


Research THREE articles that counterclaim (go against) your thesis statement.  Basically, if you decided that the war was justifiable (there were good reasons to go to war) then you need to find articles that discuss in depth and detail about how it was not good to go to war. If you choose that the war was not justifiable (there were NO good reasons to go to war) then you need to research articles that discuss in depth and detail about how it was good to go to war.


The point of finding articles that are the opposite of the claim you stated in your thesis statement, is so that you will be ready to argue and prove, intellectually, why the claim your opponent (enemy) states is wrong or in error. Basically, your mind must think like your enemy. You must ask yourself the question, "what would my enemy say against me, to prove me wrong, based on the evidence I have?"


Be prepared! Be 10 steps ahead of your enemy but don't let them know that you know. You know :).


Please note that you may not be able research the articles until I teach you how to craft a thesis statement. That will happen this week prior to the review and the test. Also, please understand that it is ok to change your position (claim), later on, if you find other compelling evidence that has persuaded you to think differently. However, your evidence must be strong, accurate, well-thought out and compelling.


Resources


For additional historical information, please use Smith, Rodler, online video sources, etc.


II. Community Service Points Opportunity


If you missed out on bringing in soup cans last Friday, please bring in Box Tops to help raise money for the school by Friday, February 14, 2014.


Continue to check the BlogSpot for updates!


If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com M-F by 7pm or call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 M-F between 4-7 pm.


Take Care!


Miss. N

PBH Due 2.4.14

Hello All,


Please do the following:


Word Wall Word - Due 2.4.14


This must be an unfamiliar word that came from the movie you have or will watch, your independent reading book or what you read in the novel.


The Reading Café Blogging - Due 2.4.14 by 7pm (Respond to ONE PERSON ONLY!)


Select a quote that relates to the refugee experience that Ha is experiencing at this present moment of what we are reading in class. Connect this quote to the movie you watched for the review. Be able to explain the hardships of fleeing and finding home.


Movie/Book Review - Due 2.4.14 (Please come with it printed and ready to be peer reviewed)


For this book review, you will write a review about a movie that you have watched or will watch. The movie must, however, be connected to Ha's refugee experience. The focus question is: How do the events in this movie compare to the refugee experience that Ha and her family is dealing with?


Introductory Paragraph - The first sentence must begin with a quote that represents the central or universal theme of being a refugee or being away from home or something you cherish/love. The next three sentences should briefly explain the quote without giving out too much information. The last sentence should briefly explain what you are going to prove about the theme you found that is connected to Ha's refugee experience and


Body Paragraph - Must have a focus topic sentence restating the question, three details from the movie (must be the exact words the characters say in the movie) and NO you don't need to cite page numbers for a movie. However, you will need to cite page numbers when you make connections in your explanations about the connections that the movie and Ha share. Lastly, and an explanation after each evidence explaining how the movie connects to Ha's experience.


Conclusion - In two sentences, summarize how both the movie and book share a similar central/universal theme (i.e. fleeing home, finding a home, losing something you cherish or love). In one sentence, explain what you believe the movie director and author are trying to teach you about themes both of these share.


Suggested Movies


The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
http://www.fandango.com/theboyinthestripedpajamas_v405849/plotsummary
I heard that this movie is on Netflix. : )


Catfish in Black Bean Sauce, Chi Moui Lo, 119 minutes
Dwayne and his older sister Mai are adults: Mai is married to Vinh, Dwayne is about to propose to Nina. Twenty‐two years ago, when Mai was 10, she and Dwayne were refugees in Vietnam, adopted by Harold and Dee Williams, African‐Americans from Los Angeles. When Mai locates their birth mother, Thahn, and she arrives in Los Angeles, tensions reach the breaking point.


A Family Crisis: The Elian Gonzales Story, Christopher Leitch, 90 minutes This film is based on the true story of the five‐year‐old Cuban boy who is the sole survivor of a refugee boat that sunk in a storm on its way to the U.S.


War Child (2008) Christian Karim Chrobog, 94 minutes The film documents the story of Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier of Sudan’s civil war. He is now an emerging international hip hop star sharing a message of peace for his war‐torn land and beloved Africa.




YOUR WORK MUST HAVE A COLLEGE BLOCK STYLE HEADING, LAST NAME WITH PAGE NUMBERS, 12 FONT, TIMES NEW ROMAN AND DOUBLE SPACE EACH SENTENCE IN A PARAGRAPH AND DOUBLE SPACE BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRIPLE SPACING BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS, NOT USING THE CORRECT FONT AND NOT DOING OTHER THINGS AS WELL AND HAVE BEEN LOSING POINTS. MAKE SURE YOUR PARENTS SIGN YOUR WORK!


Vocabulary Test - Next Friday, February 7th 2014. On Thursday, February 6th there will be a Vocab Basketball Review Game. You must study the definitions, spelling of the words that you have not been tested on as yet as well as the antonyms.


Words to know: ebullient, pretentious, superfluous, abdicate, expound, perpetuate, astute, renege, nuance, humanitarian, elite, ration, and paucity.


Antonyms: As for now, study all of the them!




ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST, BRING IN ONE CANNED FOOD (I.E. SOUP, BEANS, ETC.)FOR THE FOOTBALL CAN DRIVE. THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE COLLECTION FOR BOTH CLASSES. 419 YOU WILL GIVE YOURS TO SMITH AND 421 TO ME. YOU WILL RECEIVE EXTRA CREDIT COMMUNITY SERVICE POINTS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.




FYI: Next week we will begin collecting and analyzing data for the debate, therefore, please have your articles ready. I know that some of you have already handed in your research articles. However, some have not. You will be left out and a bit confused if you don't have it with you. By now, you should have 4 articles.


If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com M-F by 7pm or call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 M-F between 4-7 pm.



Continue to look for updates on the BlogSpot.




Miss. N

PBH Due 1.27.14 (and other dates too)

Hello All,

I hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Please do the following:

Both Classes:

1. All work that was due on 1.6.14 is due TOMMORROW 1.21.14. This includes: the community service reflection essay (including pictures demonstrating your community service work), SHSAT Extra Credit, and the take home test. Please note that the reflection essay MUST BE TYPED 12 FONT, TIMES NEW ROMAN, DOUBLE SPACED SENTENCES WITHIN THE  PARAGRAPHS, SINGLE SPACE BETWEEN EACH PARAGRAPH, NUMBER THE PAGES WITH YOUR LAST NAME AND SINGLE SPACED COLLEGE BLOCK STYLE HEADING.

2. As for the community service pictures, please note that after reviewing some of the pictures, these pictures should show how you have helped others and physically doing work. These pictures in no way should be poses with your friends making silly faces. This by NO MEANS shows community service work and, it goes without saying, that the pictures I requested during your community service visits SHOULD AND MUST SHOW what you were doing during that time. Thus, some of the pictures that were handed in DOES NOT MEET THAT CRITERIA. If you are aware that you handed in a picture that does not meet this criteria, please reselect another picture for submission.

3. 419 may have to ask either the yearbook representatives for your class or Smith for pictures during your community service in December. Due: 1.22.14.

4. For those students who have not submitted their reflection essays, please make sure that your reflection essay has the January due date, either 1.6.14 or 1.21.14. If you have already submitted your work, you do not have to reprint it. When you look on the bulletin board you will see that your name and date just so happens to be covered with teacher feedback. :)




5. Debate Research - Please note that due to the time I was absent, we have lost a considerable amount of time for preparing for the debate. We will have to resume research mode during this week, however, it will be independent research at home. Please make sure to bring in 3 more additional researched information about your selected topic. Due: 1.27.14. Research Paper due 2.21.14. Debate Showdown 2.28.14.

6. Workbook - Finish your answers to the text-dependent questions if you did not do so in class. Complete a first read of pages 115-134. Take notes (in your journal) using the Structured Notes graphic organizer. Focus on the strongest evidence that reveals how Ha is being turned "inside out", plus vocabulary that helps you understand her challenges and responses. As I said in class, if you were assigned these pages either for classwork or homework, you will not have to do it since you already completed it. However, if you did not, you MUST COMPLETE IT! Due 1.22.14.

Continue to check the BlogSpot for updates!

If you have any questions, please email at thereadingcafe@aol.com by 7pm M-F or call Dial-A-Teacher at 212.777.3380 between 4-7 pm M-F.

Miss. N

PBH Due 1.6.14

Hello All,

Please do the following:

421 - If you have not resubmitted the Mid-Unit test that I am recounting, you must submit it by Monday. There are a number of students who have not and that is why there is no grade on LearnBoost for you.

Both Classes
Meet with your Pre-College Research groups to research additional information. Choose a side: were the Vietnamese and the United States justified in entering into war or not? Please note that although it may be tempting to choose "No" or maybe even "Yes" you must, however, read and reread your articles in depth and do additional information to truly prove your claim. In order to choose correctly and objectively (fact based not opinion based) you must take your own feelings out of it, put it to the side, and really examine all aspects of the war. Please remember that this is post-war.

Novel
We will continue with the novel by starting unit 2. Be prepared by bringing in your novel and workbook.

Book Review Due Dates - TBA

Continue to check the BlogSpot for updates!

Always remember that extra-help is set aside on a specific day for each class. It is posted on the classroom door and has been there since September. I've mentioned it to all of you and some of you need to take advantage of that. For those of you who have been coming regularly, your grades have improved.

If you have any questions, please email me at thereadingcafe@aol.com M-F before 7pm or call Dial-A-Teacher @ 212.777.3380 M-F between 4-7 pm for assistance in other subject areas.

Miss. N