ENGLISH 7– and –READING SKILLS

The End of 3rd Quarter Approacheth!

Hope you’ve all earned your 3rd Qtr. A.R. points (10 required) and turned in your Book Report Form and any make-up work! If not, it’s all due by March 19!

So here we are in 3rd quarter, and so far this year we’ve written some narrative stories, some poetry, and other creative pieces of writing. But it’s finally time to do an informational  piece of writing! YES!

Since we are reading Crispin; the Cross of Lead  which takes place during the Middle Ages, your writing assignment is to research (online at home or using books from our library) the Middle Ages, choose 3 topics specific to that era (knighthood, castles, peasant life, feudalism, weaponry, etc.), and write a report on your findings.

Try these websites for some good research information:

www.themiddleages.net/

www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/

www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/

Rough Draft due date:  March 4  (50 pts.) 

Typing Final Draft in Computer Lab:  Mar. 11, 12, & 15.  (100 pts.)  The report reach a 3rd page when typed.

Here is an example of a Middle Ages Report, using the required formatting for this paper. Please take note of: 

*The title and subtitles

*The introductory paragraph and the concluding paragraph

*The 3 separate topics in the body of the paper

*The “illuminated manuscript” initial that begins the paper

Click here–Middle-Ages-Research-Report-example–to view the Middle Ages Report example.

Looking for some 3rd Quarter extra credit ? How about entering a project in the Orion English Fair? You could earn between 25 and 50 points extra credit– WHAT A DEAL!!! Pick up a project-instructions handout in class, or check out the school website for details. Then get your project in by FEBRUARY 11! Not only could you earn some extra credit, but you could also win prizes for your entry! So get those creative juices flowing, and enter a project in the English Fair!!! All entries will be displayed during Parent / Teacher Conferences on Feb. 17.

Hey, everybody! How was your break? Mine was fabulous! I was just wondering if anybody finished reading any books over the break or got any new books as gifts? If so, TELL US ABOUT THEM!

I finished the 2nd book in the Hunger Games series, called Catching Fire. Such a good series! I gave my son the latest book in the Alex Rider series, Crocodile Tears, and I can’t wait for him to finish it so I can read it!  I also got several new books:

Go Big or Go Home  by Will Hobbs  (He’s the author of Far North.)

Every Soul a Star  by Wendy Mass  (She wrote the book A Mango-Shaped Space that I told you about.)

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period  by Gennifer Choldenko  (She wrote Al Capone Does My Shirts.)

The Christopher Killer  by Alane Ferguson

The Help  by Kathryn Stockett

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society  by Mary Ann Shaffer  (Funny title, huh?!)

I’m so excited to curl up with all my new books and get reading!!!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The End of 2nd Quarter approaches!!!

And you know what that means– your A.R. points are DUE!!! That’s right folks! All A.R. points (8 required) are due on January 8, and along with that, ALL make-up work from 2nd Qtr. is also due that day! Don’t forget!!!