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Thursday, December 25, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Grammar Test
Use this link to do your grammar test: Comparatives and Superlatives
Thank you for all your effort and hard work this first semester. The expectation is that you will read at least 3 books over the break! Optional but encouraged MEMBEAN sessions!!!
As the old refrain goes, "you ain't seen nothing yet!"
and so much more....
Happy Holidays...
192 minutes:
Most total time learning over the last month by Jack Weidner
As the old refrain goes, "you ain't seen nothing yet!"
- Coming in the 2nd Semester:
- Notice and Note Reading Strategies
- Transmediation Reading Responses
- Inspiring Poetry
- Social Issues Book Clubs
- Realistic Fiction Writing
and so much more....
Happy Holidays...
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Finishing Off
Optional Work
Extra Comparative and Superlative Practice
Harder Questions - These are VERY similar to tomorrow's test
Coming Next Semester: Genius Hour - What is your passion?
Monday, December 15, 2014
Work Cited
Use the steps below to cite your sources
Your essays should be 'almost' finished for tomorrow's class. You will get approx. 15mins to read for editing errors.
Reminder for Thursday
These links are useful for practice for your comparatives and superlatives test
+
Do you still know the difference between opening and delayed adjectives?
Do you still know the different types of subjects and predicates?
Can you spot parallel structure in a sentence?
Friday, December 12, 2014
The Final Week
Sophie's Survey: Please help Sophie with her research
There are many assessments next week. You have just 4 more days of academic classes. EXPECT to work HARD in all of those 4 days. Friday will be more relaxing.
Mon: End of Class - Research Essay + Genius Hour Projects Reflection
Tues: Sharing of Genius Hour Projects and Research Essays (I will begin grading this work then)
Wed: Last Membean Test
Thur: Superlatives and Comparatives Test (Look at last week's blog for practice)
Tips:
Make sure your Reading Book chart in up to date on my classroom wall on Monday. I will begin looking at total # of books read for the semester then
You will also be receiving an assessment grade on 'minutes of Membean practiced -v- the class average' e.g. In one class, the least minutes practiced was a student with 259mins -v- the most a student with 543mins for the semester. If you think your minutes practised - v - the class average is low - what can you do about this before next FRIDAY?
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
OUTLINING Essays
Please complete these student surveys for your classmates research projects
Popularity
H/W: All Classes
You must spend 20mins working on your outline tonight. Use this link: Research Based Essay Outline - You do not have to finish the outline, but you should make a start.
Popularity
H/W: All Classes
You must spend 20mins working on your outline tonight. Use this link: Research Based Essay Outline - You do not have to finish the outline, but you should make a start.
Remember: Due date for this paper is end of class FRIDAY!
RECAP - Does your claim read like this one?
Coming Next Week:
End of Year Membean Assessment - Next Wed (50 Questions- This test is cumulative and will count triple)
End of Year Grammar Assessment - Next Thur (This will count double) - There will be some questions on parallel structure, opening and delayed adjectives and adverbs, and subjects and predicates.
These links are useful for practice for your comparatives and superlatives test
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Comparatives
H/W - All Class
Play this game Millionaire Game - Take a screen shot to prove you have finished it!
Girls - Please fill in this survey for Olivia's and Laila's research project: Beauty Standards
Please fill in this for Joaquin's Research
Research Project - The majority of note-taking should be finished before tomorrow. You will only have 20 minutes of class time to work on note. Make sure you have done most of your note taking before then.
REMINDER - Your research piece will be almost finished for Friday (end of class)- You will have Monday's class to edit and turn in.
Lesson Recap:
Play this game Millionaire Game - Take a screen shot to prove you have finished it!
Girls - Please fill in this survey for Olivia's and Laila's research project: Beauty Standards
Please fill in this for Joaquin's Research
Research Project - The majority of note-taking should be finished before tomorrow. You will only have 20 minutes of class time to work on note. Make sure you have done most of your note taking before then.
REMINDER - Your research piece will be almost finished for Friday (end of class)- You will have Monday's class to edit and turn in.
Lesson Recap:
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Research Tutorials
H/W - All Classes
You must collect detailed notes from one of your resources. Use Cornell or Visual Note-taking (Due:Tue) - These notes WILL be inspected and assessed!!! - You are accountable to your PARTNER - If you do not do the work, partnerships will be split up!
Link to collect sources: My List of Sources
SAS MS Database: Passwords
Use these tutorials to navigate the two simplest (catch the superlative!) databases for your research
Opposing Viewpoints in Context
You must collect detailed notes from one of your resources. Use Cornell or Visual Note-taking (Due:Tue) - These notes WILL be inspected and assessed!!! - You are accountable to your PARTNER - If you do not do the work, partnerships will be split up!
Link to collect sources: My List of Sources
SAS MS Database: Passwords
Use these tutorials to navigate the two simplest (catch the superlative!) databases for your research
Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Global Issues in Context Video Tutorial
These sites are the easiest to navigate and find quality content!
From Homebase: Pay it Forward - Can you do three random acts if kindness unconditionally?
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Due Dates
Please take this due date in mind as you plan for the last two weeks of school
Monday 8th Dec: Final Membean assessment for semester: 40 questions. Think about reviewing your quizlet file.
Friday 12th Dec: 2nd round of research paper - (students away at Telunas will be able to submit their paper on Tuesday 16
th)
Students who are missing work or need to resubmit for higher grades (e.g. Memoir, research based essay etc) Last date for submission is Friday 12th Dec. Report cards are calculated in the last week of school, so I cannot accept old assignments after this date.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Assessing Credibility of Sources
Superlatives to a Degree
Use these resources for today's lesson:
SAS Library Databases (see Discovery, Global Issues in Context, Opposing Viewpoints in Context)
Use these resources for today's lesson:
Independent Practice
During your silent reading time today, please do some preliminary research by reading about topics that interest you. While reading, generate a list of genuine questions. These questions can later be developed into your research question.
Topic Research Guide
Topic Research Guide
SAS Library Databases (see Discovery, Global Issues in Context, Opposing Viewpoints in Context)
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Research Essay: 2nd Time Around
Look at this mentor example of a very strong RR
Reminder: All your assessment rubrics are linked on the blog in the left column. Today's RR will be assessed by the RR rubric. - Claims and Evidence
Research Based Essay
H/W - All Classes
You must come to class with a topic on Monday and a Research Question for your pair
Use this resource to find topics: Middle School Database Research Topics
Firday's class we will spend looking at how to spot credible sources and examine some of the resources in the school's research databases
Homebase Reflection: Finding Your Inner Peace
Reminder: All your assessment rubrics are linked on the blog in the left column. Today's RR will be assessed by the RR rubric. - Claims and Evidence
Research Based Essay
- The 2nd round of research based essays starts Monday. (yeepee!)
- You will have exactly 5 hours of class time + any H/W you decide to put into your paper.
- Due date for the papers are end of class: Friday 12th
- You will be able to work with a partner
- If you score better on this paper, your grade for your previous paper will change to a formative grade.
- This is the last writing grade for your report card
H/W - All Classes
You must come to class with a topic on Monday and a Research Question for your pair
Use this resource to find topics: Middle School Database Research Topics
Firday's class we will spend looking at how to spot credible sources and examine some of the resources in the school's research databases
Homebase Reflection: Finding Your Inner Peace
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Reading Response
Go to socrative.com and type in your claim
Room #
Room #
MrBuxtonM324
Recap from yesterday
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Close Reading: Word Choice
Group 1 A Mother World
Group 3 Hand Washing
Group 4 Anxiety DisordersH/W ALL CLASSES- Tomorrow, you will be writing your NF reading response: WORD CHOICE You are welcome to bring in a source of your own. OR - you can choose from these options below.
All you need to do is check out these sources. Decide which one you would like to use.
Weight Watchers
Getting Started with Gmail
Johnson and Johnson Commercial
Cell Phones
College Education
By the end of tomorrow's class, you will turn in your RR. Will yours look like this?
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Superlatives and NonFiction RR
Welcome Back
New Grammar Unit: Superlatives and Comparatives (please add this link to your 7th grade RLA slides)
FOR MONDAY - Bring an idea of something that you this is the best thing in the world
e.g. Starbucks coffee or the Maldives or your mom's lasagne (Do not worry if you do not see this until class time. It shouldn't take you too long to come up with something in class)
New Grammar Unit: Comparatives and Superlatives
Non-Fiction Reading Responses
H/W
Optional - Come to class with an article, song, or commercial that you would like to use for your SUMMATIVE nonfiction reading response. (If you do not bring one, you will just use the source your teacher gives you) - DUE Wednesday
READ
All Essays are graded. Check powerschool to see your feedback. Please excuse any typos as it was difficult typing in the small box. See me for questions. Rubrics are in powerschool and also on the blog.
New Grammar Unit: Superlatives and Comparatives (please add this link to your 7th grade RLA slides)
FOR MONDAY - Bring an idea of something that you this is the best thing in the world
e.g. Starbucks coffee or the Maldives or your mom's lasagne (Do not worry if you do not see this until class time. It shouldn't take you too long to come up with something in class)
New Grammar Unit: Comparatives and Superlatives
Non-Fiction Reading Responses
H/W
Optional - Come to class with an article, song, or commercial that you would like to use for your SUMMATIVE nonfiction reading response. (If you do not bring one, you will just use the source your teacher gives you) - DUE Wednesday
READ
All Essays are graded. Check powerschool to see your feedback. Please excuse any typos as it was difficult typing in the small box. See me for questions. Rubrics are in powerschool and also on the blog.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Turkey Day
End of Unit: Parallel Structure Test
What does an straight 'As' Research argument look like? - Check these pieces for reference
Nikhil Joaquin, Michal Sajid, Carissa Mansi Maeve (listen to her journalist voice in the piece) Talia
Sara (taking pride in presenting her final draft)
Are you 'truly' willing to step outside your comfort zone?
Thanksgiving Dinner Family Toast - Become a legend in your family by toasting your family just after the main course is ended. Be sincere and give real examples, situations, and elaborations to support your comments using your persuasive strategies. Your family will be amazed and very proud. Use your PIPES to deliver a powerful speech. Maybe use some of your persuasive craft moves to amaze your audience. Your parents will be 'totally' in awe! -
When thinking about how much we all have to be thankful for, keep Addie in your thoughts. The teachers received this update from Addie's dad recently. I have been given permission to share this with you. There is something so powerful about Addie's actions that show what true character is all about. I think Addie can teach us all something about what it truly means to be thankful.
If you can, send Addie an email on this Thanksgiving.
"The true test of character isn't how you are on our best days but how you act on your worst."
Happy Thanksgiving!
What does an straight 'As' Research argument look like? - Check these pieces for reference
Nikhil Joaquin, Michal Sajid, Carissa Mansi Maeve (listen to her journalist voice in the piece) Talia
Sara (taking pride in presenting her final draft)
Are you 'truly' willing to step outside your comfort zone?
Thanksgiving Dinner Family Toast - Become a legend in your family by toasting your family just after the main course is ended. Be sincere and give real examples, situations, and elaborations to support your comments using your persuasive strategies. Your family will be amazed and very proud. Use your PIPES to deliver a powerful speech. Maybe use some of your persuasive craft moves to amaze your audience. Your parents will be 'totally' in awe! -
When thinking about how much we all have to be thankful for, keep Addie in your thoughts. The teachers received this update from Addie's dad recently. I have been given permission to share this with you. There is something so powerful about Addie's actions that show what true character is all about. I think Addie can teach us all something about what it truly means to be thankful.
This week is an interesting one for our family. It's a time to give thanks when it is easy to find things to complain about. SAS and this community have replaced my tears with a collective attitude of gratitude. In the past few weeks our family has received countless blessings. The fundraising was an incredible success and I'm so very grateful, but I'm even more grateful for the happiness the support has brought to Addison. The pictures from "Team Addie Tuesday" were simply amazing and inspired Addison. She was discharged last week to spend some time at home before her third round of chemo was scheduled to begin. Although she was restricted on where she could go, she loved being out of the hospital. She told me that so many people were doing so much for her that she wanted to do something for others. She spent a couple evenings visiting the homes of people in need. She told me of a wonderful visit with a mother recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She told me of an emotional visit with a woman whose sister passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. She told me of visits to children. She said that it felt so good to support others in their time of need just as SAS has been supporting us. You have taught a vital life lesson to a 12 year old and her parents. This new life lesson reminds me to stop my "pursuit of happiness", and just be happy.
Addie is doing well. She continues to have more good days than bad. Our cup is half full. As mentioned, she was discharged early last week. She was scheduled to begin round three on Nov 20th. Unfortunately, with no immune system, she contracted something and after two ER visits she was re-admitted. Things are back under control and they will be testing her early this week with the hope of beginning round three just before Thanksgiving Day. Her attitude remains positive. She misses her friends, brothers, teachers, dance, and normal 12 year old life, but she is aware of the blessings she is receiving. She is no longer "scared" of the effects of the chemo. Each treatment is the same so she is able to prepare in advance for the bad days that come on schedule. We are returning to Salt Lake City to spend the Holiday break as a family. Holden's first item on his Christmas list is a "Healthy Addie" and we are optimistic that Santa will deliver. Thank you again for your continued support. We appreciate the love, support, actions, thoughts, and prayers in our behalf. We hope to someday return the blessing to others.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and our SAS family,
Cade and the boys
If you can, send Addie an email on this Thanksgiving.
"The true test of character isn't how you are on our best days but how you act on your worst."
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 24, 2014
Parallel Structure Test
Pre Assessment - Go to socrative.com (student) type in mrBuxtonm324
Use these links to practice
Faulty Parallelism
Parallel Structure
(further practice links in last week's posts)
Grammar Test Tomorrow
Your final draft must be dropped in the RLA 'drop' folder before class Tuesday.
Your final piece should have the following
Use these links to practice
Faulty Parallelism
Parallel Structure
(further practice links in last week's posts)
Grammar Test Tomorrow
Your final draft must be dropped in the RLA 'drop' folder before class Tuesday.
Your final piece should have the following
- All your ethos highlighted in BLUE (quotes/principles of authority)
- Every time you state your claim highlighted in RED
- Membean words highlighted in purple
For Reference: What does a high quality 'counterargument' look like? Can you see the depth interpretation in this piece be Talia?
Friday, November 21, 2014
Conclusions
Steps to write a support and conclusion
Monday - you will get between 30-45mins to do any finishing touches to this summative piece. Look at the list below. What do you need to work on to make sure you are finished by this date?
Parallel Structure Test will be next Tuesday. Below are some optional links for your to practice the types of questions asked in the test. We will also spend some time in Monday's class working on these links.
- Practicing Parallel Structure
- http://www.quia.com/rr/853565.html
- http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/parallelism2_quiz.htm
- Test Practice: http://www.quia.com/quiz/3511543.html?AP_rand=1091480708
- http://www.towson.edu/ows/moduleparallel.htm - Self Teaching Unit
Important: There will be a few questions on the test on subjects and predicates and opening and delayed adjectives.
If you know the difference between a simple, complete, compound and complete compound subjects, you will be fine. Do you know the different types of predicates?
Can you spot an opening or delayed adjective in a sentence?
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Counter Arguments
H/W
Your counter argument needs to be completed and placed in the files below for grading. (Due: Fri)
Your counter argument needs to be completed and placed in the files below for grading. (Due: Fri)
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Ethos Pathos Logos
Make a copy of this file and put the link into you Digital notebook
Reminders:
Make sure your introductions text is added to these files BEFORE Thursday's class
Background watching: Look how your mind is constantly being manipulated in the media with ethos, pathos, and logos.
Reminders:
Make sure your introductions text is added to these files BEFORE Thursday's class
Warning - Your work will be put through a plagiarism checker before grading similar to this one. Because you are using quote - authenticity will never be exactly 100% - You should look to have 80% + authenticity Authenticity Checker
Reminder: My Reading Classes - Minimum of 25 mins of Membean at home by Fri (weekly total should be approx. 40mins)
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Intros and Conclusions
Grammar Recap
H/W Grammar
You have a song that contains 8 lines (at least 4 most be correlative conjunctions)
H/W Writing
Your introductions will be graded on Thursday. They must be finished by then. They will be graded by this criteria
H/W Grammar
You have a song that contains 8 lines (at least 4 most be correlative conjunctions)
H/W Writing
Your introductions will be graded on Thursday. They must be finished by then. They will be graded by this criteria
- Hook that is not too long
- Hook connects to claim
- Counterargument is clear and effectively integrated
- Claim is clear and arguable
- At least two different supporting ideas mentioned
- Word choice effective without too many pronouns
- Transition word/phrase used if appropriate
- You did something different/unique (optional)
Drop your introductions in here BEFORE Thursday's class
Monday, November 17, 2014
Essay Checklist
Recap: After today's session in the library - you will have a list of books to read between now and through the holiday. The list should be almost finished by middle of January!
H/W 1) READ 20-30mins
2) See below
By the end of class Wednesday - you will have done all your corrections to your research based paper:
H/W - All classes. Look at your own writing so far. Based on the suggestions below - Prioritize! - Name two or three writing goals for tomorrow's and Wednesday's class. You JUST need to come to class with TWO goals to work on. Write these goals at the top of your research based essay in blue
H/W 1) READ 20-30mins
2) See below
By the end of class Wednesday - you will have done all your corrections to your research based paper:
H/W - All classes. Look at your own writing so far. Based on the suggestions below - Prioritize! - Name two or three writing goals for tomorrow's and Wednesday's class. You JUST need to come to class with TWO goals to work on. Write these goals at the top of your research based essay in blue
- Can you name the type of opening used to begin your essay? If not - this is a goal
- Does you thesis hint at your counter argument + mention your supporting ideas?
- Have you written a claim/thesis that is specific and nuanced?
- Do you mention your thesis/claim at the start (normally) of each supporting paragraph?
- Command F - Find the 'you' in your piece. Do you need to work on being specific?
- How many principles of authority do you have? Do you need to add more?
- Do you need to add transitional phrases?
- Do you have a sophisticated counterargument that accepts then rejects the alternative viewpoint?
- Do you have a conclusion that restates your best evidence, prognosticates, and calls to action?
- How many quotes? Do you need to add more?
- Can you name at least 6 persuasive craft moves you have used?
- How many different reasons to support your claim do you have?
- Can you find at least 2 warrants in your writing?
- Can you find large chunks of text that show where you interpreted your quotes?
- Have you mentioned (paraphrased your claim) at the start of each supporting paragraph
- Do you have an effective title that contains a pune.g. To Meat or not to Meat Nice to Meat You or Meat the Devil
Based on the list above - come to class tomorrow with TWO possible goals to work on
Below are some slides that show examples of the targets in red.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Summative: Research Based Essay
Research Essay Planning Steps File
By the END of class Friday: (no H/W unless you want to get started early on this - you should have plenty of time to finish this in class)
You must turn drop your a doc. with your Research Based Essay into the file below
C/D Research Based Essay 1
G/H Research Based Essay 1
Make sure you have SHARED the file with me and given me editing rights. Grades will be instantly 1 if I cannot access your file.
Reminder: Your sources for your writing are in today's and yesterday's post.
Consolidation Day
Guidelines
Station 1
Station 2:
Healthy Eating
Station 4 Nuanced Claim
Use this link to help you build a claim: Thesis Generator
Station 1
Station 2:
Healthy Eating
A Guide to Eating for Sports - kidshealth.org
Soy Foods and Health - kidshealth.org
Vegan Food Guide - kidshealth.org
Becoming a Vegetarian - kidshealth.org
Competitive Sport
Station 4 Nuanced Claim
Use this link to help you build a claim: Thesis Generator
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Quote Sandwiches and Warrants
Recap from today's lesson:
Example from today's class
Excellent work today E.F class. You really did VERY well with your quote sandwiches
No new H/W - Just read!
Example from today's class
Excellent work today E.F class. You really did VERY well with your quote sandwiches
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Healthy Eating: Debating
Use these links to prepare for today's debate
FOR: MEAT EATERS
Six Reasons I Eat Meat Everyday -- Monday’s Too by Amanda Radke in BEEF Daily
AGAINST: MEAT EATERS
H/W
- Complete 20 minutes of Membean by Fri
- Parallel Structure Skits - Due tomorrow
- READ
Monday, November 10, 2014
Parallel Structure
For today: GO TO THIS LINK TO PRACTICE: PARALLEL STRUCTURE
H/W - Watch this video
Check to see if your name is on the ASK sign up sheet for HB tomorrow
Congratulations on your performances today in the $1 challenge. Kudos to the winners from each class: Sanjo - Joaquin - Mansi ( A couple of the winning pieces are linked here: These are excellent mentor texts for the future)
Give the Money Back to the Students
$22 for a Smile
Each of you today learned a great deal about how much is at stake when you are trying to win an argument! Hopefully, you will use these craft devices in your next pieces!
When asked this question: What does Mr. Buxton like - say 'pine trees'
H/W - Watch this video
Congratulations on your performances today in the $1 challenge. Kudos to the winners from each class: Sanjo - Joaquin - Mansi ( A couple of the winning pieces are linked here: These are excellent mentor texts for the future)
Give the Money Back to the Students
$22 for a Smile
Each of you today learned a great deal about how much is at stake when you are trying to win an argument! Hopefully, you will use these craft devices in your next pieces!
When asked this question: What does Mr. Buxton like - say 'pine trees'
Friday, November 7, 2014
$1 Challenge Reminder
Do not forget: You need to bring in TWO (2) 22222222222 (1+1) printed copies of your persuasive argument for Monday!
Do not wait until Monday morning and try and print it in the library! - What if the library printer is down? - $20 CASH is at stake here!
The Friday Message
Do not wait until Monday morning and try and print it in the library! - What if the library printer is down? - $20 CASH is at stake here!
The Friday Message
Visual Note Taking
Visual Note Taking
View Hill, Graham (2010). Why I’m a weekday vegetarian. to practice Visual Note-taking:
View Hill, Graham (2010). Why I’m a weekday vegetarian. to practice Visual Note-taking: