Bird's Weblog

January 24, 2011- January 28, 2011

nikibird — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:18:52 +0000

Homework for the week:

Students that scored below 70% on the classwork from Friday, please correct your work and resubmit on Thursday, January 27, 2011.

All other students, please write two, thoughtful, one page journal entries on two different topics of your choice. Journal entries are due on Thursday, January 27, 2011.

Week of 12/13/10-12/17/10

nikibird — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:05:42 +0000

Students, for this week, you need to do the following:

1. Study for your ELA final on Wednesday.

2. Complete homework choice assignment A or B– due Thursday.

A. Choose 3 strategies and write a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that will be read on the radio advertising a product. Remember, your audience can only hear what you say, so choose your words strategically. Your PSA should be no longer than 45 seconds when read aloud. On a separate sheet of paper, identify the strategies used and your target audience.

B. Create a poster for a product you imagine using at least 3 persuasive strategies. Your poster should illustrate the strategies as in a magazine, not be explicitly stated or identified. On the back of your poster, identify the strategies used and your target audience.

12/10/10 Quiz

nikibird — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:21:01 +0000

The quiz will be over the persuasive strategies studied in class. Click on the link below if you need to review the strategies and their definitions.

9 Propaganda or Persuasive Techniques Modified

Field Trip to the Alliance Theatre

nikibird — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:06:13 +0000

All students attending the field trip to the Alliance Theatre on Friday, December 10, 2010, please remember to bring a dressy change of clothes. You will attend your after-school class and then we will have dinner at 5:30PM. The bus will be leaving at 6:45PM, and we will return to school at 10:00PM. Please email me at: nbird@atlanta.k12.ga.us, send a message on the blog or call the school if you have any questions.

Week of 12/06/10

nikibird — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:01:43 +0000

Homework

12/6/10 Complete counter-argument based on chosen topic in class. Due on Tuesday, 12/7/10.

12/8/10 and 12/09/10 Review persuasive strategies for quiz on Friday. Be prepared to identify and explain strategies in both print and commercial advertisements.

Quiz over persuasive strategies on Friday, December 10, 2010.

Homework for the week of 11/29/10

nikibird — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:27:18 +0000

This week we are analyzing arguments in real world applications. Students will read both a newspaper article and a speech regarding the use of cell phones while driving.

The following homework will be due on Thursday, December 2, 2010.

1. Review both The Mercury news article and the speech by Arnold Schwarzenegger on p. 593-595.

2. Review the definitions of the following terms: oversimplification, false analogy, jumping on the bandwagon and insufficient evidence.

3. Answer the following questions:

A. What is the main proposition in each text?

B. What details does each text include as support?

C. Which text makes more effective use of supporting details? Explain your response.

4. Complete the following pre-writing activities:

A. Make a two column chart with a heading that states the editorial’s proposition. Then, reread the editorial on pages 593-594, and in the left column of the chart, note details and arguments that the author uses for support.

B. Use the right hand column of the chart to note errors in logic or inconsistent reasoning. Also, note details that provide strong support for the editorial’s proposition.

C. Based on your chart, decide if you agree or disagree with the editorial. Then, use the chart to create an outline that you can use as a framework for your letter.

5. Write a persuasive letter responding to the prompt below. Be sure to write in blue or black ink, as this is a final draft you are submitting. Typing is optional, but not required.

Write a letter to the editor to express y0ur agreement or disagreement with the editorial on hands-free cell phone legislation. Point out the strengths or weaknesses in the author’s logic and use of supporting details. If you disagree with the editorial, cite at least one exmple of logical error, bias or inconsistency. If you agree with the author, cite an argument that is well reasoned and logical.

2010 Writing Workshop

nikibird — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:50:31 +0000

This week 8th grade students will participate in the 2nd Annual 8th Grade Writing Workshop on Novermber 22nd and 23rd. ELA teachers will present different strategies and techniques for students to use on the upcoming Writing Test in January. Classes will resume as normal upon return from Thanksgiving Break.

Homework 11/15/10- 11/19/10

nikibird — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:50:23 +0000

Monday 11/15/10

Watch a 30 minute sitcom. During commercial breaks, write down every commercial you see and the product being advertised. Use tally marks to show which commercials were shown more than once. Total the number of commercials seen at the conclusion of the television program.

Alternative Assignment: Acquire a National Geographic from Mrs. Bird. Identify the total number of pages and the total of number of pages with advertisements. Determine the percentage of how many pages have ads in the magazine. Identify any advertisement that takes up more than one page, or any product that is advertised more than once in the magazine.

Tuesday 11/16/10

Review persuasive strategies used by advertisers.

Wednesday 11/17/10

Station 2:

1. Finish answering your questions in the margins.

2. On p. 563 complete the Reading Skill: Fact and Opinion chart. Write the chart on your own sheet of paper. Be sure to include explanations for each answer.

Station 3: Complete your essay.

Thursday 11/18/10

Complete Practice A or Practice B on p. 570 including the corresponding challenge question.

Friday 11/19/10

Write your list of counter-arguments based on the topic chosen in class.

This week.

nikibird — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:33:41 +0000

Students are starting the Persuasive Unit this week and completed a pre-test over persuasive strategies on yesterday, November 16, 2010. The persuasive unit will be completed prior to the holiday break, and when students return in January, a Review Unit will begin.

During this unit, some homework assignments will require students to watch commercials. However, alternative assignments will be assigned that do not require tv for any student that requests it.

Below is a link to the Georgia Performance Standard’s website, which provides an overview on the unit.

https://www.georgiastandards.org/Frameworks/GSO%20Frameworks/8%20Unit%203%20Persuasion%20Writing.pdf

Test over Anne Frank on Friday 11/12/10

nikibird — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:10:38 +0000

Students will have their comprehensive test over Anne Frank this Friday, November 12, 2010.

The following link provides study guide questions that should be reviewed prior to the test.

Good Luck!

Anne Frank Guided Questions