1st Quarter Reflections

We have reached the end of 1st Quarter...can you believe it?! Now take a moment to reflect on what you have learned so far. Some questions to consider:

What are your personal struggles in ELA? Successes in ELA?
Where are you in your personal Book Challenge? 
How have your blogs been progressing since August? 
What strategies have benefited you? 
What have you learned about the world? 
How has your writing progressed?
What are your goals for ELA for the next three quarters? 

Make sure to include a topic sentence and supporting details that fully support your main idea. This blog must be at least 3 paragraphs. 

The Giver Chapters 1-4

This week's blog is going to focus on The Giver. Your blog will center on the signposts that you have found in your reading from Chapters 1-4.  You will focus on two of the six signposts which include: Contrasts & Contradictions, Aha! Moment, Tough Questions, Words of the Wiser, Again & Again, or Memory Moment. Each signpost will be its own separate paragraph.

Your objective is use the guiding questions on the Notice & Note rainbow sheet to get you thinking more in depth about the different elements of a story, which include, plot, conflict, theme, foreshadowing, and character development.

Ask yourself... What could the answer to my signpost tell me more about plot, conflict, theme, etc.

Parallels between Mawi's experiences and refugees throughout history

Last week we started reading Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom, which starts off by describing Mawi's journey from a refugee camp in Sudan to his relocation in Chicago, Illinois. This week you have picked an article that focuses on some aspect of refugees throughout history, or more specifically the Syrian refugee crisis. 

In your blog you will analyze how Of Beetles and Angels and your AoW make connections or distinctions between individuals, ideas and/or events. You must include at least three paragraphs, two of which will focus on a connection made through individuals, ideas, or events. Your last paragraph will center on the question, 'How does war affect individuals and societies?' Follow the TIQA paragraph format, making sure to include textual evidence from your two sources.

Final Reflection: 9 Questions to really make you THINK

Final Reflection - Please incorporate these nine questions into your final reflective blog for the school year. Keep in mind these questions should be focused on your time in Mrs. Larson's English Language Arts classes.:)

1- What are the three most important things you learned this year?

2- What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?

3- What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?

4- What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?

5- In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements? What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?

6- What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

7- What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?

8- Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?

9- What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

Night

Focus Question: How do Elie's experiences during the Holocaust change him as a person?

Throughout your reading of Night, you have witnessed many significant changes that Wiesel experiences as a result of his time in the concentration camps. I encourage you to delve deeply into his character and focus on important aspects, such as: his personality, morality, beliefs or values.

Your goal is to identify at least two major changes, and 'prove' using textual evidence and interpretation, how Eliezer transforms by the end of his memoir. Please use TIQA as your tool for organization.

Blog minimum: 3 paragraphs
You must include your MLA citation and in-text citations as well.

Berlin Memorial Activity

Based on our Berlin Memorial Activity today in class, take a moment to reflect on what you learned about the Jewish decrees established during the Hitler years.

1- What did you learn?
2- Why do you think this monument was built?
3- What did you notice about the number of laws passed in certain years?
4- Which restrictions do you think you would have the most trouble dealing with and why?

3rd Quarter Reflections

We have reached the end of 3rd Quarter...can you believe it?! Now take a moment to reflect on what you have learned so far. Some questions* to consider:

- Of the books you have read this quarter, which was your favorite? Why?
- *In what area do you think you made your biggest improvements in English Language Arts? 
- What is something you have accomplished this quarter that you are proud of?
- Where are you in your Book Challenge? 
- *What has been the most challenging part of 3rd Quarter for you and what did/can you do to help overcome this?
- How have your blogs been progressing since August? 
- What strategies have benefited you? 
- What have you learned about the world? 
- How have your research skills improved?

Make sure to include a topic sentence and supporting details that fully support your main idea.

*Question must be addressed