HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Question: Do I have to do homework over winter break?

Answer #1: Do you have any missing assignments? If yes, then YES...get those done! The end of the quarter is the 15th of January - I need them ASAP!

Answer #2: Are your Prologue and Lead typed? If not, then YES...get those typed!

Answer #3: If you're bored...then yes, go ahead and start typing your story! Get as much done as you can!

12/16/15 Homework

Students must write a LEAD to their story (a beginning) that either begins describing:

• Setting
• Action
• Dialogue

Open a few books in your house - read the beginning. What makes it interesting? Is it funny? Clever? Sarcastic? Frightening? Does it begin describing the surroundings? Is it right in the middle of some action? Does it start with someone talking?

Dystopian Presentation

12/15/15 Homework

DUE: TOMORROW!

You need a couple (or more) paragraphs describing the backstory of your dystopia. 

HOW did it come to be?
WHO was involved in making it that way?
WHAT happened?
WHEN did it happen?
WHERE did it happen? WHERE are they  now? HOW did they get there?
WHY did it happen?

DYSTOPIAN PRESENTATION

Storyboard Grade Increase of 5%-20%

If you received less than an A on your Storyboard, please think about doing the following Extra Credit Assignment to improve NOT JUST YOUR GRADE, but your story as well.

ASSIGNMENT: DUE FRIDAY, 12/18/15

1. 1 Full Page (or more)
2. Choose 5 Comments from Mrs. Albers/Mrs. Wilson, or Student Comments (or a combination) that you can improve upon
3. Write each of those questions on your paper, and respond underneath with WHAT YOU WILL DO TO FIX/IMPROVE that issue.
4. The more detailed you are, the higher percentage of Extra Credit you will receive.

EXAMPLE:

1.  People didn't understand the purpose of my characters. 

I need to detail my characters more. Here is more information that I need to include in my story. I plan to.... (fill in information.)

Joe -smart, handsome, joins the Underground Movement against President Smith by gathering supporters and sneaking into the Capitol Building

Sarah - in love with Joe but the daughter of President Smith; torn between the two sides of the country

President J. Smith - divided the country by race and religion; lives in a bunker beneath the Capitol Building

MOBY MAX AND DEAR LOG

LOG

Homework 12/2/15

Answer the following questions about the SETTING in your story.

• What is the time of day, year, and geographic location
• What do you see, smell, taste, hear?
• Feelings: touch as well as internal feelings related to the scene
• Technology: environmental details within the scene

Homework 11/30/15

Character Organizer - DUE TOMORROW!

Students need to develop their Protagonist (good main character) with the organizer below. The example show is of Arthur, a character in "Paris in the Springtime," a short story we read.

STORYBOARDTHAT Information

Join Storyboard That

Your URL: http://www.storyboardthat.com/classroom/join/afalbers

StoryboardThat Rubric

THANKSGIVING BREAK HOMEWORK

When students come back, I will check to see that they have the following 3 things completed:

1. Government Graphic Organizer (questions to answer are 2 posts below)
2. Plot Peak (what events happen in their story) and boxes below, with Protagonist, etc.
3. 12 Boxes of Storyboard done ON PAPER. If you forgot your paper storyboard, just make your own.

When students return, they will begin their storyboard on Storyboardthat.com.  Students can play around with the program if they wish over Thankgiving break, but do not need to do anything other than their PAPER STORYBOARD for Monday.

HAVE AN AMAZING THANKSGIVING!!!

11/20/15 Homework

DUE TUESDAY!

Students received 2 SHEETS:


Plot Diagram for YOUR STORY

Story Board Boxes to outline YOUR STORY

Complete to the best of your ability by TUESDAY.

11/19/15 Homework

Blocks A and B: Answer the above questions on the graphic organizer you received in class.

Homework 11/18/15

Paris in the Springtime

Read for Tomorrow

11/17/15 Homework

Apocalyptic Flow Chart: DUE TOMORROW!

11/16/15 Homework

DUE: TOMORROW! (Tuesday, 11/17/15)

Students must fill in the flow chart with their societal issue for their short story.

EXAMPLE FROM "THE DECLARATION:"

Homework 11/12/15

DUE: TOMORROW (Friday, 11/13/15)

1 page journal entry on your dystopia; it can be written like a fictional introduction, or simply like, "My story will be...."


What has occurred that has caused the decline of humanity in your story? How did it happen? 
(What happened to society? Was it a disaster? Government over-control? Attempt at fixing diseases? Change in laws? How? Why? When? Who was involved?)

What would it look like? (environment, characters, known landmarks, government, society, rules, etc.)  What would that world look like? People? Places? Stores? Houses? Are people scared? Happy? Controlled? Robots? Landmarks? Society rules?

        

What is the general emotion portrayed by the protagonist in the story (fear, hopelessness, etc.)? How will you convey that emotion? What is your protagonist like? Hopeful? Angry? Scared? Upset? Why? What happened in their life to make them this way?

How would people adapt, or not, to those circumstances? Did people adapt to changes? Is there a rebellion? Is everyone going along with the government? How are people living?  

SECOND SHOT AT EXTRA CREDIT - DUE MONDAY BY 3 PM! (Doesn't apply to those who already did it)

OPPORTUNITY: To drop your lowest HOMEWORK or QUIZ grade (Not Responsibility or Writing/Projects)

HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY: Students must write a short paragraph explaining:

1. WHAT assignment/quiz they scored poorly on
2. WHY they scored poorly/less than desired on the quiz or homework
3. HOW they would have done things DIFFERENTLY for that assignment/quiz if they had another    chance at it
4. HOW they WILL do things differently in the future to avoid another grade like this

Remember:

• Paragraph form
• Grammar - Complete Sentences, capital letters, punctuation, etc. 
• Probably at least 4-5 sentences or longer

Homework 11/4/15

Group Presentation DUE TOMORROW at the end of class!

Rubric

Peer Evaluation

THEME

Many students have had difficult finding a THEME in a story.  Here is an example:

The 3 Little Pigs

Themes that the Author wants us (the readers) to take away from the story:

• People should put effort into their work.
• Taking the easy way out is not the best way to deal with a situation.

WHY are these THEMES?

These are themes because the author of the story shows us the bad things that can happen to us if we take the easy way out of a situation (the Wolf eats the first two lazy pigs), and the author also shows us what can happen when we put effort into our work (the 3rd little pig is safe because he took extra time/effort to build a house to keep out the Wolf.)

What is NOT a THEME?

Killing is wrong.

The author does not want you to focus on killing - that is not the point of the story.

If you're lazy, you deserve to die.

The author is not trying to tell you, the reader, that if you're lazy, you'll die. That happens IN THE STORY - she is not trying to necessarily equate that to real life. COULD it happen? Of course. But it's not the point.  


In THE LOTTERY, the theme was not, "Stoning is good," or "Follow tradition." Those are not things that the author believes - if the author believed in them, they would be described in a positive way, not a negative way. The author clearly  believes that following tradition blindly (without knowing why) is foolish and ignorant.

In HARRISON BERGERON, the theme was not, "People should be equal." That is not something the author believes - if the author believed this, the handicaps would be described in a positive way. The author clearly believes that if society removes all differences, the world would be a boring, terrible place. 

In THE PEDESTRIAN, the theme was not, "Technology is good," or "Government control is good." This is not something the author believes - if the author believed this, the author wouldn't have you feeling bad for Mr. Mead; he would have you thinking the guy's an ignorant nut job.  The author clearly believes that society's obsession with technology could lead to isolation and depression of mankind. 


Themes are NOT TOPICS.

Courage is NOT a THEME. "Mankind must find the courage to do what is right" IS a THEME.

Love is NOT a THEME. "Love can destroy your life if you let it" IS a THEME.

Evil is NOT a THEME. "Evil can infiltrate your life if you allow it" IS a THEME. 

EXTRA CREDIT! DUE MONDAY BY 3 PM!

OPPORTUNITY: To drop your lowest HOMEWORK or QUIZ grade (Not Responsibility or Writing/Projects)

HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY: Students must write a short paragraph explaining:

1. WHAT assignment/quiz they scored poorly on
2. WHY they scored poorly/less than desired on the quiz or homework
3. HOW they would have done things DIFFERENTLY for that assignment/quiz if they had another    chance at it
4. HOW they WILL do things differently in the future to avoid another grade like this

Remember:

• Paragraph form
• Grammar - Complete Sentences, capital letters, punctuation, etc. 
• Probably at least 4-5 sentences or longer

Quizzes on Monday and Tuesday!

Monday: Quiz on THE LOTTERY!



Tuesday: Quiz on THE PEDESTRIAN!




How should I study for these quizzes?

• Read and re-read each of the short stories.  Look for characters, plot conflicts, setting, resolution, etc. 
• Look for symbols: people, places or things that are meant to REPRESENT something else.
• After learning about theme in class, as well as listening to WHY each author may have written what they had written, come up with possible themes for each story.

REMINDER VIDEOS: How to find a theme...
                                       What is a Theme?
                                       What is Symbolism?
                                       More About Symbols...

Examples? 

Symbol: In The Declaration, Anna's journal does NOT represent "a place to write her feelings." That is what a journal IS.  Anna's journal DOES represent HOPE, or FREEDOM, or REBELLION.

Theme: Children are necessary.

A theme from The Declaration is "Children are necessary." This is a theme because Gemma Malley paints a picture of a world without children. Anna is a surplus who has no right to exist in the world in which she lives. In this world without children, there are no new ideas, no new blood, and everyone is complacent.  The characters in the book are listless and dull, and never put any effort into anything, because, in the end, "it didn't really matter."  Without the crazy, funny, innocent, sneaky, emotional outbursts from children, from babies to young adulthood, the world is truly a different place - and not a positive place.  Children are needed to give purpose to adulthood.

 

Thinglink/Author Mini-Presentation

Your group will present their findings from Kurt Vonnegut, Shirley Jackson and Ray Bradbury to the class on Monday. The presentation doesn't need to be any longer than a few minutes. Your job was to find out information about how, where, and when the author lived that might have had an affect on why they wrote the short story they did.

You will get a participation grade based on how well you know your own information. For example, if you read straight off of your presentation and don't seem to have a grasp of what is going on, you probably won't be happy with your grade. But if you did the research, and have a clue as to why your author wrote what they did, you will be just fine.

Protagonist and Antagonist Examples

PROTAGONIST:

ANTAGONIST:

10/15/15 Homework

STUDY FOR "HARRISON BERGERON" QUIZ!



How should I study for this quiz?

• Read and re-read the short story.  Look for characters, plot conflicts, setting, resolution, etc. 
• Look for symbols: people, places or things that are meant to REPRESENT something else.
• These are 3 Themes in Harrison Bergeron. Students will need to choose ONE of these themes and describe WHY they are a theme in the story.

1. Beware Total Equality
2. Beware the Dangers of Government Manipulation
3. Individuality is what makes us human.

Examples? 

Symbol: In The Declaration, Anna's journal does NOT represent "a place to write her feelings." That is what a journal IS.  Anna's journal DOES represent HOPE, or FREEDOM, or REBELLION.

Theme: Children are necessary.

A theme from The Declaration is "Children are necessary." This is a theme because Gemma Malley paints a picture of a world without children.  Without children, there are no new ideas, no new blood, and everyone is complacent.  The characters in the book are listless and dull, and never put any effort into anything, because, in the end, "it didn't really matter."  Without the crazy, funny, innocent, sneaky, emotional outbursts from children, from babies to young adulthood, the world is truly a different place - and not a positive place.  Children are needed to give purpose to adulthood.

 

10/12/15 Homework

Block A and B: 

1.  Read Pages for Book Groups Wednesday!

2.  Turn in late assignments!


Block C and D: 

1. 5 Questions about Setting in Harrison Bergeron: Due Today!

2. Read Pages for Book Groups Tomorrow!

CLASS SURVEYS

BLOCK A

BLOCK B

BLOCK C

BLOCK D

Homework 10/8/15

ALL CLASSES: Declaration Quiz TOMORROW! (Friday, 10/9/15)


BLOCKS A and B: 

Read your pages
Re-read "Harrison Bergeron" and fill in 5 Questions about the Setting
DUE: MONDAY!


BLOCKS C and D:

Read your pages (Book Groups TOMORROW!)
Read or listen (audio here)  to "The Pedestrian," a short story by Ray Bradbury.
Fill in 5 Questions about the Setting for "The Pedestrian."
DUE: MONDAY!

IF YOU DID POORLY ON YOUR FIRST PLOT PEAK...

DUE: Wednesday, 10/7/15

1. Students must fill in a plot peak using the story "The Lottery."   This will be averaged together with their original grade on "Harrison Bergeron." 

Exposition:

Setting: When and Where
Characters: Main Characters
Major Problem: What's the major conflict?

Rising Action:

Conflicts: What conflicts have taken place in the Rising Action? Give as much information as possible.

Climax: Plot Events come together in an exciting or important way.
In The Lottery, the Climax is: the reader's realization that Tessie is going to be stoned to death (beginning with the paragraph: Although the villagers had forgotten...)

Falling Action: What happens between the Climax and Resolution? Give as much information as possible.

Resolution: How does the story resolve? And if it doesn't "resolve," how does it end?

Homework 10/2/15

DUE: MONDAY, October 3rd, 2015

1. Students must fill in a plot peak using the story "Harrison Bergeron." 

Exposition:

Setting: When and Where
Characters: Main Characters
Major Problem: What's the major conflict?

Rising Action:

Conflicts: What conflicts have taken place in the Rising Action? Give as much information as possible.

Climax: Plot Events come together in an exciting or important way.
In Harrison Bergeron, the Climax is: Harrison is shot by Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General.

Falling Action: What happens between the Climax and Resolution? Give as much information as possible.

Resolution: How does the story resolve? And if it doesn't "resolve," how does it end?

2.  Any students who ALREADY MET with Mrs. Albers to re-do their America Means paper should turn this in by Monday.  Students MUST meet with Mrs. Albers before they fix their paper.

THE LOTTERY

Here are your links to the story: THE LOTTERY and the 9 Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

Find examples from the text of The Lottery that fix EACH of the 9 Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction.

QUIZ THURSDAY, 10/1/15

Students will receive a short book blurb, which they will have to apply to a chart of "9 Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction."

Book Group Presentations

Book Group Presentations: MAKE A COPY and fill in the necessary information weekly.

BLOCK A and B

BLOCK C and D

Book Trailers

Book Group Trailers (Choose Trailers that say ALBERS)

Did You Take the Grammar Pre-Test?

Find the link below - please take it by the end of the weekend!

8th Grade Complete Sentences Quiz

Homework 9/16/15

Due: TOMORROW! 

All Blocks:

Students must complete their Google Slide(s) about their 3 Sci-Fiction Turned Sci-Fact items. Each group was given 3 items on the list of 27, and they had to add pictures and explain the item.

Links to the Presentations:

BLOCK A

BLOCK B

BLOCK C

BLOCK D

Homework 9/15/15

DUE: ASAP!

ALL CLASSES: If you haven't taken the book survey or the pre-grammar quiz, please do so at your earliest convenience.

If you've been absent, you will need to see Mrs. Albers about what you missed in The Declaration, and you must create a manila folder for in-class use. The survey and pre-grammar quiz are in the post below.

Block C: Must re-take the grammar quiz (see the post below) because of an error on Mrs. Albers' part.  Please take 20 minutes to complete this and have it ready by Thursday.

SURVEY and QUIZ for Class

8th Grade Book/Movie Survey


8th Grade Complete Sentences Quiz

Rubric Conversion for Comm Arts

RUBRIC FOR PAPER


A 3.5-4.0 = Proficient/Advanced

4.0=100%
3.9=98%
3.8=96%
3.7=94%
3.6=92%
3.5=90%

B 3.0 - 3.4 = Proficient

3.4=89%
3.3=87%
3.2=85%
3.1=83%
3.0=81%

C 2.5 - 2.9 = Needs Improvement/Proficient

2.9=79%
2.8=77%
2.7=75%
2.6=73%
2.5=71%

D 2.0 - 2.4 = Basic/Needs Improvement

2.4=69%
2.3=67%
2.2=65%
2.1=63%
2.0=61%

Moby Max Login Information

Google: Moby Max or Click HERE

Find Your School: School Code wi1594
Login: 20*******
Password: Student's 99 Number (can be found on Skyward)

America Means DUE TOMORROW!

 One copy (PRINTED) for Mrs. Albers

 One copy (PRINTED) for Mr. Sarosiek

 One Rubric for Comm Arts, stapled to America Means for Mrs. Albers

America Means Rubric

"AMERICA MEANS" RUBRIC

Examples of America Means Multiple Paragraphs vs. a Single Paragraph

Using the claim/thesis, "Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL," below are two examples of the type of paragraph(s) students are writing for America Means. (The stats paragraph was taken directly from Aaron Rodgers' wikipedia page as an EXAMPLE.)


Single Paragraph


   A man who throws flawless passes in front of 70,000-plus screaming fans can only be described as great, and that is what Aaron Rodgers is.  Great.  Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the National Football League (NFL)'s Green Bay Packers, is the greatest quarterback in the NFL. This can be proven by his statistics, his charisma, and his leadership. First, Aaron Rodger's statistics help to make him the greatest quarterback in the NFL. Rodgers led the Packers to the Super Bowl in the 2010 season. He was named Super Bowl MVP, and has a great passer rating, as well as an excellent touchdown-to-interception ratio. But it is not only statistics that show Rodger’s greatness; his charisma and natural charm prove it as well.  (1-2 sentences) Lastly, Rodger’s leadership both on and off the field cements his place as the greatest quarterback in the NFL.  (1-2 sentences) Some might think that Rodgers, known for photo-bombing and dating a Hollywood actress, is just a goofball with a little talent, but Packer fans know better. Clearly Aaron Rodgers’ stats, his natural charisma and his team and community leadership prove that Aaron Rodgers is the greatest NFL quarterback.  


Multiple Paragraphs

  The ball is thrown in a perfect spiral, spinning through the air and landing safely in the arms of wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who takes it to the end zone for a touchdown.  Who threw this flawless pass? It's none other than Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the National Football League (NFL)'s Green Bay Packers.  There are many things that make a good quarterback, but fewer that make a great quarterback.  Aaron Rodgers is the greatest quarterback in the NFL. This can be proven by his statistics, his charisma, and his leadership, both on and off the field.  

    First, Aaron Rodger's statistics help to make him the greatest quarterback in the NFL.  Rodgers played college football for California, where he set several career passing records, including lowest single-season and career interception rates. He was selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers. After backing up Brett Favre for the first three years of his NFL career, Rodgers became the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback in 2008 and led them to a victory in Super Bowl XLV after the 2010 NFL season; Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP. He was named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011, as well as being voted league MVP for the 2011 and 2014 NFL seasons. Rodgers has led the NFL three times in touchdown-to-interception ratio (2011, 2012, 2014), twice in passer rating (2011, 2012), touchdown passing percentage (2011, 2012) and lowest passing interception percentage (2009, 2014), and once in yards per attempt (2011). Clearly, these phenomenal statistics prove Aaron Rodgers is the greatest quarterback in the NFL.

   But it is not only statistics that show Rodger’s greatness; his charisma and natural charm prove it as well.  (4-6 sentences)

   Lastly, Rodger’s leadership both on and off the field cements his place as the greatest quarterback in the NFL.  (4-6 sentences)

   Some might think that Rodgers, known for photo-bombing and dating a Hollywood actress, is just a goofball with a little talent, but Packer fans know better.  Rodgers has led his team to the superbowl, led the league in touchdown-to-interception ratios, and inspired injured players and cancer victims alike.  Clearly Aaron Rodgers’ stats, his natural charisma and his leadership in the community and on the team prove that Aaron Rodgers is the greatest NFL quarterback.  

 

Homework 9/8/15

Self-Peer Edit America Means 

Students self-edited their paragraphs today in class. Tomorrow we will peer edit. Students do NOT have to re-print a copy for tomorrow, but they SHOULD be working on it at home.

Homework 9/4/15

DUE: Tuesday, September 8th

America Means Presentation Link

Students must fix their "America Means" Paragraphs to better represent a thesis paragraph, following this format:

Hook
Thesis Claim
List of Reasons (Proofs)
Proof #1
Evidence to Support Proof #1
Proof #2
Evidence to Support Proof #2
Proof #3
Evidence to Support Proof #3
Conclusion (Includes Thesis Claim and List of Reasons or Proofs)

Homework 9/3/15

DUE: TOMORROW, Friday, September 4th!

Students need to write a rough draft of an informative (not creative writing - we'll get to that, I promise!) paragraph, discuss 3 THINGS America means to them.  They must state WHAT 3 things America means to them, and WHY they mean America.

This should be 1-2 paragraphs, showing students' best writing ability.  It may be handwritten or typed - but PLEASE DOUBLE SPACE or SKIP LINES, as we will be editing in class tomorrow.

Must have a PRINTED or HAND-WRITTEN COPY in class tomorrow!

Student Blog Submission

Blog Google Form

How to Make a New Student Blog

Blog Instructions

Welcome to the New School Year!

Happy 1st Day of School to all!

I will be updating this blog as often as I am able; it will be filled with homework, extra credit, and a few fun jokes or quotes on occasion.



DUE: Tuesday, September 8th

Expectations Sheets Signed by Parents AND Students

Comm Arts 2015-2016 Expectations

DUE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd

Students needed to create 6 boxes on a piece of paper/Google Doc/iPad App; in each box, they will include information that will help me get to know them. Examples are:

Family
Sports
Art
Music
Dance
Talents
Likes/Dislikes
Friends
Personality Traits
Movies
Books
Video Games
Food