Role: You are a reporter for Rolling Stone Magazine. You have been assigned to write an article evaluating performances at the 2013 Grammys. You have been chosen for this assignment because you are excellent at putting your personal opinions aside in order to make a decision based on evidence.
Audience: Your audience includes readers of music magazines. Your readers like a variety of music, and often base their musical purchases on reviews and suggestions from professional critics, like yourself.
Format: You are to write an argument. State your claim. Use evidence from your observations recorded in the chart below to support your claim. Include a counter claim, or reason why someone would disagree with your choice. Use evidence form your chart to support your counter claim.
Topic: Listen to 4 musical groups of your choice. Record your observations and thoughts in the chart below. Based on your observations and evidence, which, of the 4 groups you listened to, gave the best performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards?
*Before you begin, turn a piece of paper into a graphic organizer. Use your whole sheet of paper so you have room to write. (Below is an example of how you might fill out each category.)
Group
|
Costumes
|
Sound
|
Dance/Moves
|
Special Effects
|
FCA#1: Intro has an attention grabber, clear claim and a clear thesis statement. (20 pts.)
FCA#2: Compelling support for reasons (observations, facts or evidence) (60 pts.)
FCA#3: Addresses apposing view pt. and provides a counter claim. (20 pts.)
Click here to begin watching the 2013 Grammy Awards performances. (This site is blocked at Hoyt. Access videos by using the links on the right.)
7.) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - The American Dream
Before You Blog:
1. Watch the short biography clip on Dr. King. As you watch the video, record 2 facts that stuck out to you.
2.)Read the hand out "From a Speech Delivered at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania" June 6, 1961.
Blog Post:
Paragraph #1. Begin with a short description of Dr. King's character (based on the video and pg. 113 of your handout). Be sure to include your 2 interesting facts.
Paragraph #2. In your own words, explain Dr. King's idea of The American Dream (pg. 114-115).
Paragraph #3. In your own words, explain some the obstacles standing in the way of America achieving this dream (pg. 115-116)
Paragraph #4. In your own words, summarize Dr. King's suggestions for making The American Dream a reality (pg. 116)
Paragraph #5. Conclusion- Reflect on what lessons we can learn from Dr. King and describe your vision for what you think should be the next American Dream.
6.) iParenting
Copy and paste the following questions into Blogger. Be sure to use complete sentences to record your responses.
Short Answer Questions:
1. What was the mother's purpose for creating the iPhone contract?
2. Which item of the contract do you feel is the most reasonable? Explain.
3. Which item of the contract do you feel is the most extreme? Explain.
4. Create one additional item you would add to this contract, if you were Gregory's mother. Explain why this addition is important.
5.) Alibi Junior High R.A.F.T.
By Greg Logsted
ROLE: You are Jr. High student Cody Saron, and
adjusting to Jr. High is not as easy as you thought it would be. You have
traveled the world, can speak 5 languages, and have 3 black belts in martial
arts. Unfortunately, you have no idea how to relate to your peers. So far, your
Jr. High experience has been one debacle after another.
AUDIENCE: You are
writing for your fellow 8th grade peers and Miss Lewis. Other
students will be reading your work and we will be using your work in class, so
your writing needs to be clear and make sense.
FORMAT: Reader’s Theater Script. You are to write
a dialogue between yourself (Cody) and your dad.
TOPIC: Your dad, who is working deep undercover
for the C.I.A. and you haven’t seen him since you moved in with your Aunt
Jenny. The only connection you still have to your father is the occasional
one-minute phone call. Pretend your dad is calling you and wants to know all
about your adjustment to Jr. High. Staying true to the events of the book,
write a script for a possible phone conversation that could take place between
you and your dad. Use as many of the words/phrases below as you can.
Check the words/phrases off as you incorporate them into
your script.
Andy
|
girls’ gym uniform
|
Bench Wars
|
Army Ranger
|
Sloppy Joe
|
Armani suit
|
man in a ski mask
|
Spanish
|
Renee Carrington
|
honor student
|
home gym
|
Frankfurter
|
metal box
|
Albert
|
locker
|
flag football
|
broken nose
|
mice
|
Pogo Stick
|
Coach Dinatelli
|
How many key words/phrases did you use correctly?
16-20 = A 14-15
= B 12-13 = C 10-11 = D
Remember: You have exactly 60 seconds to talk with your dad.
Read your script aloud to see if it could realistically take place in one
minute.
4.) Tis the Season to be Thankful: Recently we have read about the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, kids who were shipped across the country on the Orphan Train because they had no one to care for them, and people who have had to use prosthetics in order to overcome great obstacles. In comparison, we all have a lot to be grateful for. Write a reflection describing what you are most thankful for in life right now.
- FCA#1 Describe something you are grateful for and explain what it means to you.
- FCA#2 Describe how it has impacted your life.
- FCA#3 Write in complete spellchecked sentences that make sense.
3.) A Reflection on Bullying: In class you have written a 10% summary about Whitney Kropp, the sophomore who was nominated onto Homecoming Court as part of a cruel joke by her classmates. On our blog are follow up videos of Whitney's experience as well as several other videos dealing with bullying.
- (20 minutes) Watch bullying videos from the "More on Bullying" list on our blog site. In your spiral, fill out a 4-Square chart for each video you watch. (Be sure to title each chart.) Your squares can focus on images, things that were said or actions. You may have to watch the shorter videos more than once to get enough information. You should be able to complete at least 2 charts.
- Write a reflection on bullying.
- FCA#1 Define bullying and give 3 examples
- FCA#2 Your thoughts on why people bully others
- FCA#3 Your thoughts on effective ways to prevent or stop bullying
Remember to follow Hoyt's Common Writing Criteria as you write.
2.) Analyzing similes and metaphors in song lyrics: Before you begin, copy the following directions into your spiral. Complete this assignment in your spiral notebook.
For each song:
a. Listen to each clip and replay as needed.
b. Write the title of the song then list 1-2 similes or metaphors you hear.
c. Pick one simile or metaphor and explain the comparison being made.
d. Explain what one simile or metaphor means to you.
e. Discuss with a partner if/when needed.
Now you are ready to begin. Click on the link "Similes and Metaphors in Pop Music" and follow the directions.
1.) You be the poet: In class we have been analyzing poetry and practicing writing our own original poems. Pick an original poem you have written and share it as your 1st Post. Be sure to proofread your work and check your spelling before you post it for all to read.
