Homework 11/25

Hello Meyer Levin students and parents,

On Monday the students will be taking a 'Test Vocabulary Quiz'  it is a redo in order to increase their understanding of these important vocabulary words.

Due on Monday is Part I of Writing Assignment 3

Mr. Schoenfelder

ELA 8th Grade - Writing Assignment 3 – 814/835

Part I of III Parts - Due Monday November 25th, 2013 

Draft

On a piece of lined paper, write down the plot elements that we learned in class with the following headings (double spaced):

• Title - of the movie you watched
• When and Where - you saw it 
• Part I - Watch a movie, any movie from start to finish.  
• Introduction - include: characters, setting, and the main characters problem
• Inciting Incident - what happened that changed the story?
• Rising Action - list at least 2 events or conflicts that occurred 
• Climax - turning point of the story that solves or answers the characters problem
• Falling Action - what is the result of the climax
• Resolution  - what happens to the main character

check out this online presentation if you need more information:

http://www.slideshare.net/amyd22/elements-of-a-plot-diagram

email me any questions:

meyerlevinela@gmail.com

this assignment will be posted on the class blog

http://www.meyerlevinela.blogspot.com/

Grading criteria - this part of the assignment is worth 20 points

2 points for each of the 8 sections 

2 points for the work being handed in on time 

2 points for general neatness and grammar

 This diagram is the most important piece of information that you will need.

All the best,

Mr. Schoenfelder

please email me with any questions!

Hello 814 and 835 to the ELA blog

Hi class,

I set this blog up to communicate with you and your parents when school is not in session.  The assignment handed out today will be added to this site shortly.

Global Warming

Global warming is a problem because the rising temperatures in the world are melting the polar ice caps and creating volatile weather patterns.  Melting polar ice caps are creating higher water levels, this causes flooding to occur more readily.  Volatile weather patterns are dangerous because areas that are not used to storms such New York  are receiving more hurricanes.

I believe that we should implement a zero tolerance on green house gases.  Firstly, we have the technology to have power without using fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a limited resource that will run out.  Secondly, we need the air to be cleaner so all of the animals and plants on this earth can be healthy.  Air pollution is causing children to get asthma at an alarming rate and our plants are not getting a chance to rejuvenate.  Finally, there is a lot of pollution free power sources available.  We have to be dependent on hydro, wind and solar energy. They are given to us from the Earth and do not destroy the Earth.

Global warming is a world problem that has to have drastic and serious measures taken.  The polar ice caps are necessary for our water levels to remain the same and we have to do everything possible to control our weather patterns.  I feel zero tolerance on green house gases is the best solution.  We need a more sustainable future.  If we do not do anything now, our children will suffer because of our actions.

Bags, bags and more plastic bags

Have you ever had a plastic bag blowout of your car window and wonder what happened to it?
Have you ever wondered why groceries have to be double bagged?
Have you ever bought plastic bags and then had those bags put into another plastic bag?

In class we will watch clips of this video, but please watch this full 17 minute video and leave your comments below and bring questions to class.

This is Wangari Maathai's organization's website - Greenbelt Movement.

... ahhh.... the magic...

VIdeo moving forward

We are now finally getting ready to start making our class video.  What I want you to do for this week is to find pictures and newspaper articles pertaining to the topic that we have chosen (it will be chosen tomorrow in class).

Please have a look at this link and make a few comments about the history of human rights.

Starting Research

Okay everyone, this post is a list of things that you will need for your research.
the main site for us to refer back to the topics and issues is on the Speak Truth to Power website and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Homepage of the organization with an public service video. This ink is a good for watching documentary films one in particular is on climate change.

The issues we are researching are:
1. Bullying
2. Child Labor
3. Children's Rights
4. Combating Poverty
5. Domestic Violence
6. Environment
7. Forced Labor
8. Free Expression and Religion
9. Genocide
10 . Health Care and Potable Water
11. Labor Rights
12. Non-Violent Activism
13. Police Brutality
14. Political Freedom
15. Political Participation
16. Reconciliation
17. Slavery and Trafficking

A link to student films that you should browse to see what others your age have done - http://www.tribecafilminstitute.org/youth/schools/tribeca_teaches/projects/

Last Post of the Marking Period

So much has happened in the past two weeks. In historical sense there are two events that will definitely be remembered in history - Hurricane Sandy and Obama's re-election.  Both of which I am truly emotionally involved in.  I understand if you do not see the importance or relevance of these events in your own lives because that is the nature of growing up.

For this week please list two historical events that have happened in your lives.  For extra credit add links or pictures.


....ah the magic.....