Formatting your published entry

Way Back Wednesday.....

It is so fun to be working with Mr. McLouglin this year!!

Here's a picture of us attending a Rick Wormeli conference together back in 2013.

Authors "craft" tension with a purpose

Need help with your entries?

I am checking writers notebook pages pages for the first time tomorrow!!

Here's a helpful graphic organizer... just in case some of you are stuck.



Plus....

SRI Test

This is our first SRI test of the year.

Take your time and do your very best work!!

SRI Test Link

Mystery benefactor

Thank you so much to whoever anonymously donated these titles to our classroom library. We are very grateful that you thought of us while at the book fair.

Sincerely, 

The Indigo Team

Writing reminders!

I will start checking the weekly notebook entries next Friday (9/16)

Open House is tonight!

Attention 8th grade Indigo Parents....
8th grade Open House starts tonight at 6:30pm
We would also like to invite you to visit the Book Fair in the Media Center starting at 5:00pm


In case you are unable to attend.... here is the information that will be shared during Open House:

Click here to view my open house slideshow

Looking forward to a wonderful year!

~Siobhan DeGray

It's Back!!

We will be continuing to use the IXL website to practice grammar and punctuation skills. Students are required to practice for one hour a week (outside class time). This week will only be half an hour (due to the long weekend). 

You are what you read...

What we read shapes who we are as people. Some books teach us lessons about life; others help us deal with tough situations that we might be experiencing, and some books are special because they hold memories of loved ones. The books that significantly impact us become part of our identity, a literary fingerprint. 

Look closely to see the book titles in the ridge details of this "fingerprint"

Welcome back!!!

Congratulations to Section B. They were the Gold medalists
for the group hula hoop event. 

PD with my teacher peeps!!

Indigo teachers get messy for a good cause!

This year, we challenged the Indigo Team to collect as many food items as they could for the Wethersfield Food Pantry. They were motivated by their desire to help others, and a pretty enticing reward for the groups that collected the most food. 

Enjoy!! 

Thanks for an amazing year. We will miss you!!! 

Grade 8 Dance Party!

Have fun at your 8th grade dance celebration tonight my friends!!! You've earned it 

Anyone who would like to attend (but didn't purchase a ticket) can pay $8 at the door as long as you bring your SDMS student ID. 

Writing Reminders

Essay Test

Sometime over your 4-year career as a high school English student, a teacher is going to give you what is called an "essay test." We are going to practice strategies for essay tests using Lord of the Rings as a text.

The Lord of the Rings- The Fellowship of the Ring 

Choose 2 of the following Essay Prompts, and write a 1/1.5 page response for each question.

1. Discuss the evolution of Frodo Baggins as a character.

2. What is the significance of Gollum having been a hobbit prior to acquiring the ring? How can greed and envy "transform" someone?

3. How do you explain Sam's determination to stay with Frodo no matter what?

4. Explain the relationship between Aragorn and Boromir.

5. Why is Aragorn a reluctant hero?

6. Discuss the "Everyman" archetype present in the story.

7. What does the ring symbolize?


Requirements:
-Responses should be typed in Google Docs
-Remember to include and introduction and a conclusion
-Double space your writing
-Use evidence from text to support your answers (you won't have direct quotes, because we are using the film as a text.... but you can still be specific about explaining examples from the movie).
-Don't forget to provide your original analysis (thinking) for each example

Ways to annotate...

Day 4: Visual Element and Reflective Paragraph

The visual element for the Alternative Ending Project is going to be an image or a drawing that represents the overall theme or message you want readers to take away from your piece.

Visual Element Example: (May be a hand-drawn picture OR a collection of 5-6 images from the internet, BUT YOU MUST CITE WHERE YOU GOT THEM FROM IN A WORKS CITED PAGE)

You will also be turning in a reflective paragraph that explains:

• Which text you chose for your alternative ending
• What you identified the author's original voice to be 
• How you continued to use the author's original voice throughout your alternative ending
• Which literary devices/craft moves you used and what they reveal
• Finally, what visual element did you choose and the theme it represents

Reflective Paragraph Example: 

Final Draft of Alternative Ending to "Lamb to the Slaughter" Example:

* As you are revising your final drafts, have the original text out and make sure you are staying true to the author's format and style

Don't forget:
FINAL PROJECTS (including a final draft, visual element, and reflective paragraph) are due on:

Monday, April 25th (A/B/C/D)

Tuesday, April 26th (E)

*****You must print out everything on your own time and bring them to turn in at the beginning of class. No exceptions!!!!!!!!!!

Day 3: Peer Editing and Revising

Peer editing and revising is a great way to improve the overall quality of your work. Having a fresh pair of eyes to look over your writing might find some, you may have a fresh pair of eyes read through and make helpful suggestions to improve the overall quality of your work.

Helpful Hints for Peer Editing and Revising:

• Make sure you read through the piece one time before going through and making any changes
• Don't change the author's words for them, mark suggestions for changes you would add in a different color pen or font
• Look out for spelling and grammar mistakes
• Underline any areas that seem unclear or disorganized
• Jot down any questions you have in the margin
• Ask more than one person to read through your writing

You can also self-assess your work and make revisions on your own.

Helpful Hints for Self Editing and Revising:

• Re-read! Re-read! Re-read!
• Correct any spelling or grammar mistakes
• Make sure that it follows a logical order
• Make sure that main ideas are clear and understandable

Don't forget: When in doubt, ask for help! Grab a friend and begin the peer editing and revising process!

Day 2: Rough Draft

Remember, in your rough drafts you must continue to incorporate the author's original voice and use three (3) literary devices/craft moves in your writing.

Example Rough Draft:

Helpful Hint: Select literary devices/craft moves you see used throughout the original text. That will help you when continuing with the author's original voice in your alternative endings.

Click here for Alternative Ending Project Directions and Requirements

Rough Drafts are due by the beginning of class on:

Wednesday, April 20th (A/B)

Thursday, April 21st (C/D/E)