Current Writing Assignments/Projects

Hello parents and students,

The following are the current writing assignments/projects that we are working on in the middle school classes.  These writing assignments are currently in progress, the classes are working through the writing process; therefore, the deadline for the writing assignments will be announced in class, once I feel the students are ready for their final drafts.

6th Grade:

Sixth grade is currently working on a compare-and-contrast essay.  The students were asked to compare-and-contrast two characters that we have read about in the reading book.  The students are comparing and contrasting the characters' successes, failures, personalities, backgrounds, etc.

The writing process that the students are currently working on is:

1. Venn diagram
2. Outline - to organize ideas
3. Elaboration and use of textual evidence 
4. Rough draft
5. Final draft

7th & 8th Grade:

Seventh graders are working on creating a short story narrative.  The 7th grade students were given the writing prompt:

"How are we going to get out of here?"  Tom asked Kate

"I'm not sure," replied Kate, "But we'll have to hurry."

The students have created plot diagrams for their short stories, and created characterization diagrams that depict the main characters' physical attributes, personalities, and background information.  Currently, students are working on depicting the settings for their short stories.  The final short stories will be five pages, typed and double-spaced.

The 8th Grade students were given the writing prompt of using a painting of Edward Hopper on page 85 of their Grammar textbook as inspiration for the short story they create.  They are following the same writing process as the 7th grade class.

Thank you,

Mrs. Moussa

First Essays and Projects of the Semester

Hello parents and students,

The first essays/projects that students are working on for this semester are:

6th Grade: The Athlete Presentation:
-students present a power point presentation of their favorite athlete
-the oral presentation must be accompanied by a power point presentation and prepared note cards
-presentation will include:

Who is the athlete?  What sport do they play?

1. Background/Childhood of athlete
1. Where were they born
2. What was their family like (how many siblings do they have)
3. Where did they grow up
4. How did they become interested in this sport
2. Statistics about the athlete
1. How many medals/awards have they won
2. What medals/awards have they won
3. Records they have set
3. Interesting Facts about your athlete
4. Why did you choose this athlete?  Do you think they are a good role model to others?  Why?

 7th Grade: Lent Essay

Essay Questions:

1.  What does Lent mean to you?  What are you giving up for Lent or what are you going to reflect on?

OR

2.  What are the similarities and differences between what you celebrate and Lent?

 Essay#1:

 I. Intro.

II. Define Lent, who celebrates it, and why?

III. How do you and your family celebrate Lent?   What does it mean to you?

IV. What are you reflecting on during the time of Lent?  What do you hope to change or maintain?

V. Conclude

Essay#2:

I. Intro.

II. Talk about your religious beliefs, and if you celebrate a time of fasting and prayer similar to Lent

III. Define Lent, who celebrates it, and why?

IV. Compare and contrast Lent, and how you fast/pray

V. Conclude

8th Grade: Literature Response

 

-Students choose one of the three types of response to literature to write about their favorite novel or poem.  The three types of responses to literature are:

1. Letter to the author
2. Comparison of works
3. Book review

 -Students need to include:

• Summary of the work
• Discussion of:
• themes, 
• characters, 
• conflict/resolution, 
• settings
• language (dialogue, dialect of characters, figurative language)
• author's writing techniques (point of view, flashbacks, etc.)

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Moussa

Welcoming the new semester!

Hello parents and students,

In language arts, we are beginning the new semester by making sure all of our assignments, folders, notebooks are organized.  Organization is an aspect that many middle school students struggle with.  Many students misplace assignments, notes, and instructions due to lack of organization.  My goal for this semester is to help students create an organizational system that will help them keep track of their learning materials.

Parents, please assist your students by periodically checking their folders and notebooks to make sure that their materials are organized and placed in the correct areas.  Contrary to popular belief, middle school students still need assistance in creating an organized system that aids them in keeping track of their learning materials. 

Folder:
For language arts, students should use one folder (1st side: reading related materials, 2nd side: grammar, writing and vocabulary)
*older worksheets and materials in the back, new assignments in the front of the folder

Notebooks:
3 Notebooks or 1 (2 subject notebook, and 1 notebook)

1. Notebook#1: Reading/Literature, and D.O.L
2. Notebook#2: Grammar & Writing, Vocab, (Spelling - 7th Grade)
3. Notebook#3: Achieve 3000 (must be in its own separate notebook, because I plan on collecting them periodically through out the semester)

*I would really appreciate the cooperation of parents in assisting their students in getting organized this semester.  I believe it will positively effect many students' performance.

I spoke to all of the language arts classes about bringing these notebooks, or arranging their notebooks in this order on Monday (3/10/14.)  They should have these notebooks organized by this Friday (3/14/14) or Monday (3/17/14), by the latest.  The sooner the students organize their materials, the more likely they will be able to keep up with their materials for this semester.

"For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned." 

 ~Benjamin Franklin

Recommended Readings for Free Reading

Here is a list of Newbery Medal winner books to read for free reading time:

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry (1994)
   
2. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (1998)
   
3. Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman (1988)
   
4. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1990) 
   
5. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman (1989) (the book is at its best when read out loud by two people.)
   
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (1963)
   
7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1978)
   
8. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (1977)
   
9. The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg (1997)
   
10. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2010)
    
11. The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (1996)
    
12. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (1986)
    
13. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (2008)
    
14. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (2002)
    
15. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo (2004)
    
16. Sounder by William Armstrong (1970)
    
17. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1979)
    
18. Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata (2005)
    
19. Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt (1983)
    
20. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (1972)
    
21. Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska (1965)
    
22. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg (1968)
    
23. M.C. Higgins, The Great by Virginia Hamilton (1975)
    
24. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck (2001)
    
25. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (1962)
    
26. Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi (2003)
    
27. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (1987)
    
28. Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (1993)
    
29. Holes by Louis Sachar (1999)
    
30. The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois (1948)
    
31. Onion John by Joseph Krumgold (1960)
    
32. Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Gray (1943)
    
33. King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry (1949)
    
34. A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal 1830-32 by Joan Blos
    
35. The White Stag by Kate Seredy (1938)
    
36. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (2000)
    
37. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (1991)
38. Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1984)
    
39. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (1944)
    
40. The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox (1974)
    
41. Gay-Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Mukerji (1928)
    
42. Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry (1941)
    
43. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson (1981)
    
44. The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting (1923)
    
45. The Story of Mankind by Hendrik van Loon (1922)
    
46. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1959)
    
47. Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark (1953)
    
48. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley (1985)
    
49. Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman (1926)
    
50. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2009)
    
51. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (1992)
    
52. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (1973)
    
53. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011)
    
54. I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño (1966)
    
55. Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith (1958)
56. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (1995)
    
57. Smoky, the Cowhorse by Will James (1927)
    
58. Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins (2006)
    
59. The High King by Lloyd Alexander (1969)
    
60. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (1961)
    
61. The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong (1955)
    
62. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Brink (1936)
    
63. Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Foreman Lewis (1933)
    
64. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham (1956)
    
65. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (1950)
66. The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (2007)
67. The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric Philbrook Kelly (1929)
    
68. Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer (1932)
    
69. Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey (1947)
    
70. The Grey King by Susan Cooper (1976)
    
71. Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Joseph Finger (1925)
    
72. A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard (1982)
    
73. Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field (1930)
    
74. It's Like This, Cat by Emily Cheney Neville (1964)
    
75. Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Eggertsen Sorensen (1957)
    
76. Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt (1967) 
    
77. ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold (1954)
    
78. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson (1945)
    
79. Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer (1937)
    
80. The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars (1971)
    
81. Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women by Cornelia Meigs (1934)
    
82. The Matchlock Gun by Walter Dumaux Edmonds (1942)
    
83. Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes (1952)
    
84. The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth (1931)
    
85. Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski (1946)
    
86. Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (1939)
    
87. The Dark Frigate by Charles Hawes (1924)
    
88. Dobry by Monica Shannon (1935)
    
89. Daniel Boone by James Daugherty (1940)
    
90. Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates (1951)

End of Semester Make-ups

Dear parents and students,

This a reminder that this semester ends this Friday, March 7th, 2014.  

Students must make-up any missing assignments, tests and quizzes by this Wednesday, March 5th, 2014.  Students and parents can stay up-to-date on academic progress by regularly checking www.Gradelink.com.

Thank you and have a great day,

Mrs. Moussa