Extra Credit Assignment # 1

Assignment: Read the following preface and article on legendary actress Ruby Dee.  Write a brief response to the article that includes your thoughts about Ms. Dee and what you learned.   (THIS ASSIGNMENT IS OPEN FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF FEBRUARY)

I wrote the following newspaper article for the January 30th 1995 edition of my college newspaper, The Statesman while attending SUNY Stony Brook.  I share it with you because it was one of my first articles that I wrote for the paper and it gave me an opportunity to meet a living-legend, Ruby Dee.  I guarantee you that you have seen her in a movie at some point (she played Denzel Washington's mother in American Gangster), but more importantly, she and her husband (the late Ossie Davis) are two of the great civil rights activists of our time. In fact, her husband delivered the eulogie at Malcolm X's funeral.  Ms. Dee is a local celebrity and continues to live in New Rochelle, NY.  

Ruby Dee, an acclaimed actress, writer, and speaker appeard at Stony Brook's Staller Center for the Arts.  Thursday's special occasion coincided with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday (January 15), and the celebration of Black History Month. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ms. Dee, here are just a few of her milestones: an Emmy for her role in the made for television movie, DecorationDay, an Obie. award for her stage performance in Athol Fugard's "Boesmanand Lena"; received critical acclaim for her performance's in Spike Lee's "Do The RightThing" and "Jungle Fever"; inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in I989, as well as induction into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame.

The topic for Thursday's event was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When Stony Brook President, Dr. -Shirley Strum Kenny addressed the audience, she said to the many young faces in the crowd, "It's you, the young people, who must continue what Dr. King had started." Two Stony Brook seniors, Norvis Huezo and Natasha Payne were recognized as recipients of Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarships for their academic achievements.

The Stony Brook Gospel Choir then set the stage by singing three beautiful songs in honor of Dr. King as a prelude to the star of the evening. And the night did belong to Ruby Dee. Appearing on stage to the thunder of applause, one had the feeling you were in for a special night. Dee speaking in her usual elegant voice gave the audience just one complaint - she spoke for only 40 minutes. She read aloud her witty poems about love, life, and her strongest inspiration of all...God.

She proceeded to speak about Martin Luther King, whom she apparently knew quite well. Ruby spoke about his strength, his uncanny insight, and his love for music, words, and most of all the human race. Her performance ended with the following words of wisdom:  "The past is gone, don't relive it. Our work is here, let's do it. Our world is wrong, let's right it.- The battle's hard, let's fight it. The path is blocked, let's clear it. The future is vast, don't fear it. If fate is asleep, let's wake it. The day is ours, let's take it!"

After her-performance, I had the privilege to speak with Ms. Dee backstage and listened intently as she spoke about Dr. King and what she would ask him if given the opportunity. "I would like him to tell us the way out of the economic dilemma - that not only this country, but the world has, and how can we fit people into the new equations."  Dee also left a message for today's youth saying, "Don't be distracted by the noise and the brutality. Continue the spiritual revolution that must happen before everything else falls into place."

Enough said.

3rd Quarter: Assignment # 2 (8th Graders)

In a descriptive paragraph, please compare you experience this year as an 8th grader at Alexander Hamilton versus your experience last year as a 7th grader.  When talking about teachers (if you choose to do so), do not include names, but rather keep it on general terms.  This assignment is for me to see your growth as a writer as well as an informative opportunity for the 7th graders to learn from your experience.  Please abide by the following guidelines:

• Topic Sentence
• Transition words/phrases
• At least three vocabulary words (please underline)
• Paragraph should be at least 8-10 sentences
• Please proofread and check for grammatical errors and SPELLING before submitting

This assignment must be completed no later than Wednesday, February 2nd at 8pm.  Any submissions AFTER 8pm will not be accepted.  Good luck!!

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3rd Quarter: Assignment # 2 (7th Graders)

Assignment: In a descriptive paragraph, please write about your experience of taking mid-terms for the first time at Alexander Hamilton.  You can include anything ranging from the difficulty of the tests to having to take a later bus to enjoying a week without classes.  The content is up to you...however, please abide by the following guidelines:

• Topic Sentence
• Transition words/phrases
• At least two vocabulary words (please underline)
• Paragraph should be at least 6-8 sentences
• Please proofread and check for grammatical errors and SPELLING before submitting

This assignment must be completed no later than Wednesday, February 2nd at 8pm.  Any submissions AFTER 8pm will not be accepted.  Good luck!!

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3RD QUARTER: ASSIGNMENT # 1

"The Raider Reporter"

Assignment: Read an article from the January 2011 issue of "The Raider Reporter" and write a 6-8 sentence summary.  Please include the following:

• Topic Sentence
• Details from the article
• Transitional Words/Phrases
• Would you recommend this article to a friend? Why or why not?

Students Who Completed the Assignment:

7th Grade                                                          8th Grade

1. Chelsea Garvey                                        1. Alex Guallpa
2. Laura Gonzalez                                         2. Shawn Thomas
3. Gino Gutierrez                                          3. Joshua V
4. Mya Washington                                      4. Lady Ashley
5. Maria Camila Puerta                                5. Lamont Preston
6. Neysha Rivera
7. Vani Nair
8. Justin George
9. Tavon Turner
10. John Ganan
11. Iyanna "Lil Red" Kennedy
12. Jason Buret
13. Vanessa Vilchis
14. Franklin Morocho
15. Neasha Shuler
16. Latrice Muckle
17. Morelia Huaman
18. Heather Rubin
19. Thalia Huaman
20. Bianca Arellano
21. Lauren Villalobos
22. Taylor Harris
23. James Michael Agpalo
24. Emily Santos
25. Sebastian B.
26. Jhoy Saca
27. Dezere Watkins
28. Cristian Barriga
29. Timothy Huynh
30. Josteen Gonzales
31. Adam Vatai
32. Olivia Nembhard
33. Kristine Rupnarain
34. Lisset Fuerte
35. Vishnu Unnithan
36. Samantha Mendez
37. Sebastian H.
38. Kelly Fajardo
39. Miranda Machado
40. Tye Weezy

Lil Wayne needs to identify himself or he/she will NOT be given credit. ALL posts must end with your name and period number...

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Mid-Term Writing Practice

THIS IS FOR BOTH 7TH & 8TH GRADE...

Assignment: Write a 5-7 sentence paragraph describing one of your favorite characters from a book you've read this year either in class or from your independent reading.

• Include a general topic sentence
• Remember to use your T.A.G.  (Title, Author, Genre)
• Use transitional words/phrases (have your worksheet out)
• Be specific and use examples from your story
• Make sure your last sentence gives the reader something to think about

Example:

There are many characters that I've enjoyed reading over the years, but my favorite character is Dallas Winston from S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders.  He is one of my favorite characters because although he isn't the protagonist, he controls the direction of the story...on his terms.  Dallas plays by his own rules and doesn't apologize for his behavior.  In fact, it is rebellious attitude that makes Cherry Vallance secretly start to fall in love with him.  Sadly, he is not able to persevere after his best friend Johnny dies and is ultimately shot down by the local police.  Nonetheless, his spirit lives on with the other characters and their memories of him.  Without Dallas Winston, The Outsiders would have just been another book and not the classic story every many people have come to love!

8th GRADERS: President Ford Pardons Nixon

Assignment: Research why President Ford pardoned former President Nixon in 1974.  When your done, write a short summary and reflection on the events that took place. 

This will help you for tomorrow's quarterly exam.....

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7th GRADERS: Brown vs Board of Education

Assignment: Research the court case of Brown vs Board of Education. Summarize what the case was about and comment on what you think.  Your paragraph should be no longer than 5-7 sentences. 

Remember to write your name and period. 

PS.  By doing this assignment, you'll be helping yourself on our Quarterly Exam...you'll see what I mean tomorrow.

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The Colon: Using it correctly

Use a colon to mean "note what follows"....in other words - when you're writing and would like to list a number of items.

EXAMPLES

1. My favorite sports movies in no particular order:  Hoosiers, Cool Runnings, Bull Durham,  Eight Men Out, and Dodgeball.

2. Three things I am going to do today:  post on our blog, take my son to the doctor, and call my brother for his birthday.

3. Three words you should study for Thursday's 7th Grade quarterly exam: confidante, integrate, and illogical. (Sorry 8th grade, no hints for you today - maybe tomorrow)

Assignment:  Write three sentences on your own (you may use my topics if you like) using the colon.  Good luck and remember to write your name and period. 

Enjoy your 3rd snow day!!

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The Semi-Colon

This is for ALL STUDENTS.

Re-write the following THREE sentences using a semi-colon. 

EXAMPLE: The Jets and Patriots play this afternoon.  The winner of the game plays in the AFC Championship game.

The Jets and Patriots play this afternoon; the winner of the game plays in the AFC Championship game.

1.  We have a three day weekend.  If it snows on Tuesday, we may have a four day weekend.
2.  More students need to post to our blog.  It's the right thing to do.
3. We have a quarterly vocabulary test on Thursday.  It will count as 25% of your vocabulary grade for the 2nd quarter.

Remember to write your name and period I teach you; it helps me keep track!

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

This is for ALL STUDENTS....

Assignment: Explain why it is important we remember civil rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Angela Davis, & Rosa Parks, etc. You do not have to research all of these people (feel free to do so, but we'll do that later) - consider them as an entire group, and be specific about the impact they made as a whole on our country. 

Hint:  Think about what life was like for African-Americans in the United States before the 1960's Civil Rights Movement and where we are now in 2011 (President Obama). 

Be sure to include the following:

• Topic Sentence
• Transition words/phrases
• Paragraph should be at least 8-10 sentences
• Please proofread and check for grammatical errors before submitting

Jan 11th Assignment (Both 7th & 8th Grade)

 Write an 8-10 sentence paragraph on the following assignment:

Assignment:  Think about our school and how we are a combined Junior High and High School. Do you think this is to your advantage or disadvantage as students?  If you think our school has an advantage on other schools... please explain how and why.  If you believe it to be a disadvantage...explain how you might make it better.  Be sure to use specific examples...stay away from making "general" comments.  Be sure to write your name and period at the bottom of your paragraph and PLEASE PROOFREAD your work BEFORE you post it (this will count as 10 points on your scorecard)!!  . 

 Be sure to include the following:

• Topic Sentence
• Transition words/phrases
• Paragraph should be at least 8-10 sentences
• Please proofread and check for grammatical errors before submitting

Enjoy your snow day (fingers crossed).

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Jan 10th Assignment (7th & 8th)- Vocabulary Unit 10

Choose 5 words from Unit 10 and write a personalized definition so that you better understand the words. Here are some examples (using words from another unit)

1. Agenda - a schedule I will follow today
2. Fortitude - something inside of me that tells me never to quit
3. Domicile - my house
4. Recurrent - when something happens again and again
5. Evaluate - when you check to see how someone is doing

7th Grade Assignment: Snow Day

First, I hoped your enjoy your first snow day of the year - nothing quite like a 3 day weekend to start off 2011.  However, I do have a couple of things I want you to do for me over the weekend. 

1. For Monday, (ask permission from your parents/guardians first) bring in any old magazines you have at home.  I'm not looking magazines that you (the students) might have interest in.  You parents would not get the magazines back - so make sure they are done with it or do not want them anymore.  If I can use them for class, I will and if not, I will personally recycle them.  So, try to bring something in on Monday.

2. We need to keep practicing our transition sentences and topic sentences.  So I'm going to give you a few to practice.  Remember, you should write them as two "separate" sentences.


Topic # 1:    Books

Example: 

Although They Cage the Animals at Night is a great book, my all-time favorite book to teach is definitely The Outsiders.
           S. E. Hinton's story about a gang of Greasers growing up in 1960's Oklahoma still connects with students on many levels even today.

Topic # 2:    Music

Example:

Obviously, Bon Jovi is one of my favorite bands, but if I had to pick just one band to listen to for the rest of my life, it would probably be Motley Crue.
        Motley Crue's music has been a part of my life since I was in the 5th grade.

Topic # 3:  Movies

Example:

Keep in mind that Jaws is only one of my top five movies of all time, another film that I love is Midnight Run.
       I could watch Midnight Run over and over because it has some of the funniest lines of all-time in it.


GOOD LUCK WITH THE ASSIGNMENT.  PLEASE PROOF-READ YOUR WORK & BE SURE TO WRITE YOUR NAME AND PERIOD NUMBER WHEN YOU'RE DONE.  OH, THIS ASSIGNMENT IS WORTH 5 POINTS ON YOUR SCORECARD - SO LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW THEY SHOULD LOG IN AND POST....

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Mandatory 8th Grade Assignment

Hope you enjoy your snow day.  The following assignment is NOT an option.  If you do not complete it, you will lose 10 points on your scorecard.  Text your classmates to let them know their is an assignment that they must complete. I'm checking this for both grammar and overall writing style/skills.  

Assignment:  Why do you think some students do not work to their full potential in school? Why do you think they refuse to think about the implications of not trying to better their academic skills - the same skills that could get them into a good college or help them gain a career in an area of interest? Does this seem silly to you or are you sympathetic to their ignorance?

Be sure to include the following:

• Topic Sentence
• Transiton words/phrases
• Paragraph should be at least 8-10 sentences
• Please proofread and check for grammatical errors before submitting

8th Grade: Oxymorons

The following phrases are oxymorons.  Please explain how and why the words contradict themselves. 

Example:  Big Baby - Big is the opposite of baby - which generally refers to something small...obviously this is referring to someone who is "behaving" like a baby.

1. Clearly Confused
2. Controlled Chaos
3. Exact Opposite
4. Growing Small
5. Random Pattern

7th Grade: Poetry

Write a two stanza poem about some aspect of your family.  Please include the following poetic terms:  simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, & onomatopoeia. (PLEASE WRITE YOUR NAME AND PERIOD THAT I TEACH YOU)

Example:   He bounces around the backyard in his boots
                 Like a monkey chasing snowflakes in December
                 He melts my heart with just one lovely laugh 
                 These are the days I'll always remember

                 Sometimes I'll catch myself daydreaming about him growing up
                 Tears skip down my face and I feel my heart break
                 Then "wack" a snowball smacks me in the back of my head
                 And I wake up from my trance and appreciate the smirk on my monkey's face
                 ...as he runs away

Independent Reading: Question # 3

Answer the following questions in paragraph form using the underlined literay terms:

• How does the antagonist in the story challenge the protagonist?
• How does the author use foreshadowing to set up a future scene?
• What is the major theme of your book and how does protagonist change by the end of the story?

Please NO NOT number these, do as I ask and construct a paragraph that is clear and grammatically correct.  PROOFREAD before publishing it and once again, WRITE YOUR NAME AND PERIOD that you have me for English class.  Thank you.  See you Monday...hope you had a great New Year's Eve!

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