This week (November 23-26) – Select your topic and begin gathering data. In class we will discuss the structure of a five paragraph expository essay. Students will be given time to begin drafting.

Next week (Nov 30-Dec 4) Please come to class with a completed rough draft on Monday (Tuesday for Blue). We will be using Write Source to guide us through the revising and editing steps of the writing process.

Monday December 7 (Tuesday December 8 for Blue) – Final published draft due
Details to follow on on the procedure we will use to turn in the essays.

Society for Creative Anachronism

anachronism

chronic

chronicle

chronological

contemporary

extemporaneous

synchronize

tempo

temporal

temporary

Accelerated Reader is here!  

As we continue in the 2nd quarter, it’s time to look at all the books you’ve read recently, and take an Accelerated Reader quiz for each.   You can only take the quizzes at school, but you can read anytime, anywhere.

2nd Quarter Reading Goal:  25 points

You will receive a reading grade for the 2nd quarter.  The number of points you earn will equal your grade out of 25 points.

Use this link for Accelerated Reader.  Bookmark the link so you have it.

https://hosted175.renlearn.com/1788150

After watching the Brain Pop video on Julius Caesar, complete the activities linked here.  

Julius Caesar Video Activities

Due – Monday/Tuesday 11/16 and 11/17 in class

Take this online self-assessment about your Expository Essay, “Scipio’s Rise to the Top.”

The Latin root -mov- means to move! Take at these words that have to do with movement.

commotion

demotion

immobilize

locomotion

mobile

momentary

momentum

motive

promotion

remote

As of Monday all students should be finished researching the Scipio article and have begun writing the article.  You should plan on finishing the rough draft of the article Tuesday.

Wednesday in class we’ll go over the rubric that will be used to assess your writing.  You will also exchange papers with classmates and peer edit.  This is a valuable step that you don’t want to miss out on.  Here is a simple guide to help you on your way.

Paragraph 1: Introduction – Include a “hook” to make your readers interested in reading on.  Also explain the Who, What, Where, When and How of Scipio.  Tell your readers who he is and why it’s important.

Paragraph 2: Write about ideas from bullet points 1 and 2 on your handout.

Paragraph 3: Write about ideas from bullet points 3 and 4 on your handout.

Paragraph 4: Write about ideas from bullet points 5 and 6 on your handout.

Include at least two quotes in these 3 paragraphs.  You can make these up, but they must fit in with your article

Paragraph 5: Conclusion.  Summarize what you’ve said.  Say it again in another way.  End with a quote or catchy phrase to really impress your audience.

Here is the rubric your work will be assessed with:

Use the facts below to write a newspaper article about Scipio’s rapid rise to the top!

•    First task – make Rome powerful in Spain again
•    Captured Spanish town of New Carthage in 209 BC
•    Defeated Hannibal’s two brothers, who held most of Spain, in 206 BC
•    Appointed Consul in 205 BC
•    Invaded Africa in 203 BC and established control
•    Defeated Hannibal at Zama in 202 BC after Hannibal returned there

Follow this step by step guide to a great article:

1. Decide what your article will be about.
2. Research the topic of your article.
3. Write your article using the template below.
4. Think of a catchy headline for your article.  Make it big and bold. Alliteration can be a good way to make something sound more dramatic.  Ex. “King Cole Catches a Cold!”
5. First paragraph:  In the first few sentences, answer these questions!
   Who? What? When? Where? Why?
6. Grab the reader’s attention by using an opening sentence which is a question or something unexpected!
7. Now, give the details. It is always a good idea to include one or two quotes from people you interviewed. Write in the third person (he, she, it or they). Be objective. Use active verbs so the reader feels things are really happening!  You can make up the dialogue using fictitious characters.
8. Last paragraph: Round off your article. Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase!
9. By-line: At the end, state who wrote the article; ‘By ….’.
10. Decide where appropriate illustrations/pictures will be placed.
11. Proof-read your article and edit where needed.
12. Spell check and grammar check your article!

Your article should capture the excitement of Scipio’s rise to power in the Roman Republic.  He was a hero and filled the Roman people with hope.  Your article should be about 350 words and it must fit on one page.

As you are writing, keep these things in mind. They will help improve the 6 traits…

Your article must include:  A title for your newspaper, the date, a headline, a picture or image with a caption, and a by-line.

Due date:  Thursday 11/12 (red and white), Friday 11/13 (blue)

*You’ll be tea-staining your article in class to give it an antique look.

Use this 6 Traits guide to help you

Don’t forget that this Thurs. and Friday are Student Led Conferences.  The following are the confirmed times:

SLC confirmation times

SLC Confirmation and Etiquette letter

S M A R T Goals

SMART GOALS categories and examples

SLC Letter and Signup 2009

1. How did the ancient Romans live?

2. What influence has the Roman Empire had on our lives?

3. How do civilizations rise and fall from power?

4. What are the qualities of a great leader?