From LIT Text p.10

Under “WRITING” – Choose TWO out of the 3 options.
1) Product Warning – Draw a mirror with a warning sign placed in the corner (consider the story’s lesson).
2) Advertisement – Write an advertisement trying to sell the Skibas’ cat OR dog.
3) Newspaper Article – follow directions from p.10

Under “SPEAKING AND LISTENING” – Choose ONE out of the 2 options.
1) Lecture - You’re a village teacher who has heard about the Skibas’ problems. Using the Skiba household as an example, deliver a lecture to your class on the dangers of vanity (+ 1-page write-up).
2) Humorous Retelling – The peddler in Singer’s tale had a funny story to tell his next customers. Retell the story as the peddler might have told it, adding humorous details (+ 1-page write-up).

DUE MONDAY, NOV. 16!!

“The Cat…Dog…” PRESENTATION RUBRIC

Some of you had questions about the plot chart/diagram for The Outsiders, so I am providing a worksheet that you can use to fill in the story components. Just click on the link below:

Plot Diagram WORKSHEET (hint: it’s better if you print it in LANDSCAPE format)

You can write directly onto the sheet or you can create your own, as long as you include information on each of the following:

1. EXPOSITION
2. RISING ACTION
3. CLIMAX
4. FALLING ACTION
5. RESOLUTION

You also have the option of making a plot outline, which you all learned how to do in Mr. Ortega’s class last year.

*NOTE: Don’t forget about your character notes as well! Remember, you’re giving descriptions of 4 main characters and 3 minor characters (physical traits and personality traits)

You will see here that I’ve included a Powerpoint slide show of the Elements of a Plot Diagram to guide you.

You do NOT have to do a plot chart and character notes for the other novels you are reading – only for The Outsiders. You just need to keep a record of the other novels you are reading on the SUMMER READING LOG and have your parents sign off for each book (minimum 3 total).  If you need suggestions for books to read, please see the “Junior High Recommended Reading List” below.

You can find all the details for your Summer work if you click on the following links.

Outsiders Summer Reading – LETTER w/GUIDELINES

Summer Reading Log

Junior High Recommended Reading List

Please email me at mdyogisjs@yahoo.com if you have any other questions.

Happy Reading!

Blessings,
Mrs. Dyogi

(100 points)

7^TH Gr. Literature (50) / English (30) / Spelling (20)

DUE: Friday, June 5, 2009

Click here: SAMPLE ALPHABIOGRAPHY ENTRY

Use the assigned letters to create an entry about:

• an experience you have had

• something you really like

• something very important to you

The assigned letters are:

• • A is for…..

  • C is for….

  • G is for…..

  • I is for…..

  • L is for….

  • M is for….

  • P is for…..

  • S is for…..

  • W is for….

  • Y is for….

Each entry will follow the following format.

1. List the title at the top of the page. (for example: “S is for…..”)

2. Write a one-page narrative essay about your chosen topic.

3. Include a Life Lesson at the bottom of the entry that helps readers get the “moral” or lesson you want to leave with them after reading your entry.

4. Include an illustration of the topic, using pictures or symbols (clip art is acceptable).

PROJECT FORMAT:

• Typed, using size 12 font

• Title page that includes – 1) The Project title, 2) Your name, 3) Grade, 4) Due date.

• You must have a TABLE OF CONTENTS that lists each topic by title and page.

• All responses must be in complete sentences, giving detailed description related to YOU!
  

To print these guidelines, please click on this link:

Alphabiography Project Guidelines

You are to choose a novel (150 pgs+) based in a particular ethnic culture (i.e., Native American, African, Japanese, Jewish, etc.).  The book needs to be approved by Mrs. Dyogi before you begin your summary.

There are TWO parts to the Book Report…

1. Book Summary (30 LIT pts / 25 ENG pts / 20 SPELL pts)
2. Cultural presentation (25 LIT pts / 20 ENG pts)

Please download the guidelines here:

Book Summary Guidelines – Cultural Context

DEADLINES

• May 8 – get book approval from Mrs. Dyogi
• May 15 – LAST DAY to change novels
• May 29 – Book Summaries DUE
• June 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Cultural Presentations

Dear 7th graders,

I’m sure you’re all looking forward to next week’s Poetry Cafe! Please make sure you review the schedule and double-check what you signed up to bring. You can also go over the reminders, guidelines, and rubric to prepare yourself for your presentation.

Remember, just relax and have fun with it!

Blessings,
Mrs. Dyogi

Poetry Cafe Schedule 2009
Poetry Cafe 2009 Reminders
7th Grade Poetry Cafe Rubric

We are now focusing on the use of figurative language in our poetry to bring emotion and feeling to our writing. Please refer to the poems “Aunt Leaf” on p.790-791 (similes), “Fog” on p.792, and “Life” on p.793 (both extended metaphors).

Here are the guidelines for our next poem “Family Metaphor” (See samples on last 2 slides of Powerpoint):
*Write an extended metaphor for your family.
*Choose an object or a unit to compare your family to.
*Include and describe each member of your family (can include pets) with a metaphor and supporting details
*Type and illustrate!

DUE TUESDAY, JAN. 27th!

The first poem we wrote – the “Me” poem – was inspired by Walt Whitman’s excerpt from “A Song of Myself”, Emily Dickinson’s “I’m Nobody”, and Walter de la Mare’s “Me”.  This poem describes the author without saying his/her name and was written with at least three stanzas with no specific rhyme pattern.

The poem we are currently writing is the “Virtue” poem.  This poem was inspired by Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “The Courage That My Mother Had”.  The requirements are as follows:

• Title: “The (VIRTUE) That My (RELATIVE) Has/Had”
• 3 stanzas, 4 lines each, with an abab rhyme pattern
• Must include at least ONE SYMBOL that represents the quality/virtue of your adult relative
• Due FRIDAY, JAN. 23rd!

7th graders,

If you are interested in seeing some sample Poetry Cafe presentations, please see me during recess/lunch!

Happy writing! =)

WEDNESDAY, DEC.3

1. Sebastian
2. Regina
3. Darrin
4. Chiweta
5. Christiana
6. Alexis
7. Jacob L.
8. Sammy
9. Mekai
10. Ariana
11. Danyelle
12. Norey
13. BJ
14. Rebecca
15. Rachel
16. Tony
17. Ali
18. Ijeoma

THURSDAY, DEC.4

1. Trent
2. Karina
3. Byron
4. Yasmin
5. Victoria
6. Tianah
7. Andrew
8. Serena
9. Angela
10. Courtney
11. Lindsey
12. Austin
13. Steven
14. Brandon
15. Vanessa
16. Blair
17. Jacob M.
18. Gabriel

2. What has each girl in “Suzy and Leah” learned from her experience with the other?

3. What does Leah mean when she says, “There is barbed wire still between us and the world”?