First Day of School!

Don't forget the first day of school is Monday, August 25th. I look forward to seeing everyone!

Welcome Back!

I would like to welcome back all returning students! I look forward to seeing you again.
And, a special welcome to all new students; I look forward to getting to know you!

Student Renaissance Slide Show

Click below for the Renaissance Compilation Powerpoint Slideshow students created as part of the Renaissance Ball Project. http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/REn_2008/student_ppt.ppt

Project Relflection DUE Friday, June 6

http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/FHP2007/ProReflect7.doc

POL Documents: 2nd Semester

POL Panel Questions
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/POL%20Panel%20Questions_sem2.doc

POL Portfolio Scoring Guide
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/POL%20PORTFOLIO%20SCORING%20GUIDE.doc

Rubric:
file://borah/home/cinterlandi/My Documents\My DP\POL2008\Pol stuff\7thgrade_rubric.doc


POL Guidelines:
file://borah/home/cinterlandi/My Documents\My DP\POL2008\POL Portfolio_sem2.doc

Because of Romek #3

1. Describe your reactions to hearing David Faber speak. (3-5 sentences)
2. Describe in 3-5 sentences David's experiences with the Russian Partisans, and explain why you think Romek was so proud of him.
3. Why do you think the Gestapo would spare David's life and return him to the ghetto after torturing his brother to death? (3-5 sentences)

Romek #2

1. 3-5 sentences: What is the significance of David's pet pigeon? (Why does it become important?)
2. 3-5 sentences: Describe the conditions of the Pustkow Vacation Camp. Why do you think the Nazi's use the term "vacation" camp?
3. Write at least 2 questions you would like to ask David Faber on Friday.

Link for Righteous Gentiles

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shtetl/righteous/

1. Read the proclamation at the bottom of the page.
2. Read your assigned portion.
3. Prepare a short (1-2 mins) presentation to share information about the event/people you explored.

DUE Sunday, 5/18: Romek Post #1

Answer questions in complete sentences using numbers.



1. Using your own words, in 3-5 sentences, describe an interesting fact or detail you've learned about the Holocaust, World War II, the Nazi party, or Hitler. Why do you find this important or interesting? This could come from class discussion or from viewing the web sites.



2. a) 2-3 sentences: Describe the family of David Faber.

b) 2-3 sentences: Why do you think David remembers every last detail in the early chapters of the book?



3. What does the rescue of his father show about David's character? Name the qualities you see in him, and give examples from the text to support your conclusions.

Link to released test questions

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/documents/rtqgr7ela.pdf

Mad Lib Instructions

http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/archive%20project%20descriptions/Make%20Your%20Own%20Mad%20Lib%20Book.doc

Exhibition Night Thursday!

We are looking forward to seeing families tomorrow night, 6-8 PM!

Helpful Grammar Terms Websites

Here are a few sites with definitions and interactive exercises to help you with Mad Libs and Grammar Terms:

Grammar Bytes: very student friendly
http://chompchomp.com/terms.htm

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary.html

Independent Reading Groups: April

REMINDERS:

• Include full heading just like all other independent reading assignments.
• DO NOT summarize events. Use your reading response guidelines to help, and remember I am looking for YOUR thoughts and ideas about the book, not a summary of events.
• Use the following format: # 1-2: two (2) responses (3-5 sentences each). #3: one question for your group to consider and give opinions on in their comments. 3 items total; number each one!!!
• Comment on each person in your group by answering/giving an opinion on #3 (REQUIRED) and on another response item if you'd like (NOT req'd)

SCHEDULE: All posts/comments due by 11:59 PM on due date. Each group must break the book into 3 sections. Note you have longer to read the last section, due to Exhibition Night being a busy week!

1. DUE Friday, April 4: Post #1
2. DUE Monday April 7: Comments #1
3. DUE Friday, April 11: Post #2
4. DUE Monday, April 14: Comments #2
5. DUE TUESDAY, April 22: Final Post #3
6. DUE Thursday, April 24: Final Comments #3

Aztec Mural Documents

Project Description:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/AztecMural/The%20Aztec%20Mural%20Project.doc

Helpful Websites List:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/AztecMural/Aztec_art_sites.doc

All Sites Submitted!

Just to let you know, I have officially submitted all the websites into the Thinkquest competition! Now, we are really done :)!!
They will notify me via email with feedback by the end of May.
Have a happy and healthy Spring Break.

Field Trip Information

Students, please return your field trip forms no later than Friday, March 14!

Here is a copy of the Information Sheet and Parent Driver form:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/AztecMural/FIELD_TRIP_INFORMATION.doc

Website Documents

As we near the end of our Moral Courage Website Project, here are some important documents. They can all be found on the Projects Page as well.

Group Website Rubric (adapted from thinkquest.org)
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/MCwebsite%20project/thinkquestrubric.doc

Individual Contributions: Group/Self Evaluation and Rubric: DUE Thurs. March 13
\\borah\home\cinterlandi\My Documents\My DP\MCwebsite project\Ind_contributions_rubric1.doc

Project Reflection: DUE Friday, March 14
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/FHP2007/ProReflect7.doc

Response to Literature Tips

The easiest way to write an organized essay is to follow the four or five paragraph format, just like in our recent persuasive essay project. Always include an introduction with thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion. So, here is a mnemonic device (memory trick!) to help you for RESPONSE TO LITERATURE:

ICTOC: pronounced ick-tock! Use this as your acronym to organize your 4-5 paragraph essay. Here's what this stands for in a response to literature:

I: Introduction. Give a brief intro naming the title of the story, and put your thesis statement at the end. Your thesis statement should be a judgment you have made about the story's characters and theme.
C: Character analysis. Discuss the character(s) in the story--not what the author has TOLD you, but what you can INFER based on the characters words and actions. Focus on how the characters change, grow, or learn a valuable lesson by the end of the story.
T: Theme. Here, you need to figure out what the author's message is in the story. What life lessons can one learn from the story? Use quotes or examples to support your assessment of the theme. Remember most authors will not TELL you the theme; you will have to infer it!
O: Optional/Other. Are there other literary devices used in the story, like imagery, symbolism, or foreshadowing that help readers understand the characters and theme? If not, move on to conclusion; if so, write a paragraph explaining and giving examples.
C: Conclusion. Restate your thesis, and sum up your main statements from each paragraph. Make a connection to your own life or the outside world, or share your opinion on the story.

Reminder: Independent Reading Requirements

Remember that your Blog Posts will be due by Sunday nights for the next few weeks; you may post anytime during the week prior to 11:59 PM Sunday night. No vocabulary required!
Post #1: Feb. 24 (1 hour only)
Post #2: March 2 (2 hours)
Post #3: March 9 (2 hours)

Please remember to use the proper heading and meet all requirements for full credit. You'll find the heading you can copy and paste at the link below, and on the Projects page.
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/blogirguidelines.doc

Here is the list of ideas and questions to help you respond. Try to vary your responses!
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/Reading&blogs/IDEAS%20FOR%20READING%20RESPONSE.doc

Black History Month Reading Titles

If you need ideas for Independent Reading Books (since you must choose one by next Friday!), consider celebrating Black History Month by reading a book by an African American author!
A few of my favorite African American authors of realistic teen fiction are:
Sharon Flake: Skin I'm In and Money Hungry are two great ones! (I have copies in class)
Sharon Draper: Tears of A Tiger, Forged By Fire, Darkness Before Dawn, and Romiette and Julio.
Walter Dean Myers: Too many to list, in a variety of genres! I have many books of his in classroom, among my favorites are: Monster, Handbook for Boys, and Slam

Here is the booklist link:
http://sandi.net/events/blackhistorymonth/readinglist_6-8.pdf

Sites for "Issues" research

NOTE: Handouts and other resources are available on the Projects Page! Rough Drafts due on Tuesday, Feb. 19, start of period. (Please print before class!)

Link to online essay organizer: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/persuasion_map/
(Remember you must print it, and add details from MY outline into Intro, Counterargument, and Conclusion sections on back.)

List of issues with info, pros, and cons
http://www.twinlakes.k12.in.us/info/library/connection/controA.htm

List of issues with info, pros, and cons
http://www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/websites/controversial.htm

Click databases and use "Opposing Viewpoints":
http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/catalog-databases/

A Fun Super Tuesday Quiz

Click the link below to take a quiz that tells you which candidate you most agree with!

http://www.eenvandaag.nl/stemwijzerusa/en/

X-block sign up

https://www.formrouter.net/forms@HTHSD/HTMXblk0708S2.html

Teen Ink Blog Opportunity!

Please read below and visit the link to see if you might be interested. If you already have a separate book review or poetry blog, or just want to start up one, they have many options for people wanting to blog once a week. ***You will need to use a separate blog for this, not your school blog. :) Good Luck! (Extra credit given to participants.)

FROM TEEN INK:
We wanted to let you know about a new Teen Ink Blog web initiative we are about to launch. At this time we are looking for students who are passionate about a particular subject and love to write on a regular basis.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in doing a weekly blog for TeenInk.com, please email john@teenink.com and let us know.
Here are the guidelines:
On our website there will be a link to our blogs. When one goes to that page, there will be a list of the various blogs by subject - such as books, movies, poetry, photography, college, fiction, etc. In short, all the sections of the magazine. There could also be nonfiction blogs on subjects such as dating, fashion, dealing with illness, politics, etc. In short, any subject that you feel passionate about.
We plan to have one primary writer for each blog (you can do more than one subject if you have the time). This will be a very special hand-picked group of teens who are good writers and love to write often. Others will be able to either "post" or "comment" on YOUR blog. However, if you are the main person running the blog for your section, you will be responsible for reviewing the posts and comments and deleting inappropriate entries. Also, we expect that you will do at least one good post or column per week.
We expect that the blog or column will be ABOUT your subject and not just samples of your own fiction or poetry. Of course you can include your work from time to time, but this should be a blog about your thoughts, concerns, ideas, creativity, etc. relating to your area of interest. If you do a blog about movies, music, books, etc., you can include reviews of current and past work.
We ask that you don't request to be the primary blogger unless you plan to do it for at least 4-6 months or longer. Also, you should only consider doing a blog for a subject you really care about and one that you would have no trouble writing about every week. This should definitely be fun and fulfilling, and not a chore or work.
We are really excited about this and look forward to hearing from you soon. I suggest if you are really interested, you email john@teenink.com with 4 - 6 sample blogs on your area of interest. Each blog should be about 300-600 words. When we receive your samples, we will review them and notify you if you have been officially selected as the primary blogger and assign a username and password. Once the site gets set up you will be able to post your own blogs without sending them to us for review.
For now, when you email your blog samples, please put your last name and the blog category in the subject field. For example, it should read: Meyer Blog - Fiction
If you have any suggestions or questions, I would be more than happy to speak with you about your blog and/or the specific topic, so feel free to call any time to discuss at 800-363-1986, weekdays from 9-5 EST. Of course, you can email any time.
Thanks again to you all and I think this is going to be very exciting for you and our millions of website visitors. Yes, we do get over 5 million unique visitors to the site each year and, since this is not a paid position, we hope you will enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your weekly blog will be seen by a wide audience.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
John Meyer, Publisher john@teenink.com

POL REMINDERS

Hello, Pretties in Pink. Here are a few reminders for your POL:

1. Please remember to dress professionally.
2. Please make sure have all materials ready to start your POL by your panel 's start time (see list below). NOTE: You will not have time for any last minute preparations once the panel has started.
3. All students are expected to remain in the classroom during their scheduled panel time. Students may bring water bottles and have them out. You will likely receive one or two short breaks for restroom and snacks, but no eating during POL's.
4. Make sure to bring the following to your POL:

• Your parent/guardian(s)/other supportive adult(s)
• Your POL portfolio in a folder or binder
• Your rubric. It should be ready to be handed to the teacher with your name on it, so don't attach it in the portfolio.
• The Questions Packet. You'll need this in front of you when serving as a panelist.
• All your visual aids. They should be ready to go and brought in the room at the start of the panel. You will be given time to set them up and to log on a laptop if needed.
• PLEASE NOTE: Being unprepared will result in loss of points on your POL. All of the above documents are available on the "Projects Page."

POL Panel Schedules

POL PORTFOLIOS DUE, PRINTED AND IN FOLDER, BY 9:05 FRIDAY MORNING!

AB Student POL Panel Schedule:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/AB_finalpolschedule.doc

CD Student POL Panel Schedule:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/CD_finalpolschedule.doc

Ms. Deanna's POL Schedule
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/Pol%20stuff/Deannaschedule.doc

EMAIL MATH/SCIENCE SECTION TO MS. K!!

Students, please email your math/science section to Ms. K by Thursday afternoon. She wants to check over your content! If you already emailed me, I have forwarded it. Follow the same directions as you would for me. Thank you! Here is her address:
kkomatsubara@hightechhigh.org

Helpful Documents and Links

Here are a few requested and/or helpful docs and links.

Link to learn how to access documents (or group accounts) from home:
http://web.hightechhigh.org/wiki/index.php/My_Documents_Access_From_Personal_Computers

Reading Groups Blank Schedule Form:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/LITERATURE%20CIRCLE%20READING%20SCHEDULE.doc

Website Project Calendar of Due Dates:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/MCwebsite%20project/MC%20WEBSITE%20PROJECT%20CALENDAR.doc

POL Handouts

Here are the links to helpful POL documents:
(can also be found on the "Projects" page)



Calendar of Due Dates:

http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/Pol%20stuff/POLcalendar.doc



POL Portfolio Guidelines:

http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/Pol%20stuff/POL%20Portfolio%20(2).doc

7th Grade Rubric:
http://staff.hightechhigh.org/~cinterlandi/POL2008/Pol%20stuff/7thgrade_rubric.doc


*Look for the POL Panel Group Schedule to be posted by Weds. Jan. 16th for both students and parents!