Quarter 2 Reading Project

Below is a rough guide line for a reading project the class has started today.  We are starting late in this do to technical difficulties I have been encountering since Halloween.  This is why I am not requiring students to align to AR goals this quarter.  Some students will need to read 3 novels, others will read 2 novels, and still others will read 1 novel. Every student has received a packet outlining the criteria for their project.  Below is a outline of what they are required to do.  In addition to reading, they must also be, "interviewed," by an adult.  The types of questions to be asked are listed below.  If the adult feels that the student did not answer any of the questions adequately, they can had back their packet and ask them to study their novel a little more.  If you have questions regarding how many novels your child is required to read for this project please e-mail me and I will let you know. 

Book Conferencing

While conferencing with students, you should strongly feel that they read and thoroughly Understand the book.  They should be able to answer all of these questions completely and with confidence.  If you do not feel the student has a strong sense of the book, then do not sign their book chart.  Recommend to them that they go back and review it, then conference on another day.

Sample Conference Questions

Here are some suggestions for questioning you may use while conferencing with this student:

·         What were the main characters like?

·         Could you tell me a little about what happened in the story?

·         Where did the story take place?

·         What was your favorite part of the story?

·         What else did you like?

·         Tell me about your least favorite part of the story.  Why didn’t you like it?

·         Is the main character somebody you would like to have for a friend?  Why or why not?

If the student is conferencing on a biography or non-fiction book, here are some suggestions that may help you out while conferencing:

·         Tell me three things that you learned from this book.

·         What / who was the book about?

·         Why did you choose to read this?

·         What was your favorite part of the book?

·         Did you have a least favorite part of the book?

Technical Direction Final Project

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Plan	Plan is neat with clear measurements and labeling for all components.	Plan is neat with clear measurements and labeling for most components.	Plan provides clear measurements and labeling for most components.	Plan does not show measurements clearly or is otherwise inadequately labeled.
Construction -Materials	Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better.	Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better.	Appropriate materials were selected.	Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.
Construction - Care Taken	Great care taken in construction process so that the structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately.	Construction was careful and accurate for the most part, but 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.	Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.	Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive product.
Picture	The picture submitted shows the student in the process of making the project.	The picture submitted shows the student but not in the process of making the project.	The picture submitted shows the project but the student.	No picture was submitted.
Materials	4 or more materials were used in the creation of the project.	3 materials were used in the creation of the project.	2 materials were used in the creation of the project.	1 or fewer materials were used in the creation of this project.
Sentence Structure	All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.	Most sentences are well-constructed and there is some varied sentence structure in the essay.	Most sentences are well constructed, but there is  no variation is structure.	Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied.
Grammar and Spelling	Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Capitalization and Punctuation	Author makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read.	Author makes 1-2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read.	Author makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.	Author makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.

Persuasive Essay

Final Due Date:  11-18-11 

Topics (Please choose one to write about and circle it.  If you choose other it must be approved by you teacher) :

1.      Should elementary schools hold dances for students?

2.      Should boys and girls be in separate classes?

3.      Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?

4.      Should everyone under the age of 17 have a 9:00 PM curfew?

5.       Other:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Format Requirements:

·         Rough Draft with editing marks by you and at least two other classmates (one boy and one girl).

o        Due: 11-15-11

·         Final Draft typed on the computer.

o        Arial Font

o        12 point font

o        Double spaced

o        No pictures

o        1 inch margins

o        At least 1 page typed.

Rubric for the Final Draft
CATEGORY	4  Above Standards	3  Meets Standards	2  Approaching  Standards	1  Below Standards	0  Not Present
Focus or Thesis Statement	The thesis statement names the topic of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed.	The thesis statement names the topic of the essay.	The thesis statement outlines some or all of the main points to be discussed but does not name the topic.	The thesis statement does not name the topic AND does not preview what will be discussed.	No thesis statement
Grammar & Spelling	Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes at least 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Capitalization & Punctuation	Author makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read.	Author makes 1-2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read.	Author makes 3 - 4 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read.	Author makes at least 4 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read.	Author makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader\'s attention and interrupt the flow.
Evidence and Examples	All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author\'s position.	Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author\'s position.	At least two of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author\'s position.	At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author\'s position.	Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.
Sentence Structure	All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.	Most sentences are well-constructed and there is some varied sentence structure in the essay.	Most sentences are well constructed, but there is no variation is structure.	Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied.	Shows a lack of understanding on proper sentence structure.
Closing paragraph	The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer\'s position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph.	The conclusion is recognizable. The author\'s position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph.	The author\'s position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning.	The author\'s position is restated within the closing paragraph, but is not clear.	There is no conclusion - the paper just ends