Romano’s Recipe for Reading and Writing

Test Friday!

Monster Study Guide

Part I – Although you have been tested on these already, 10 of these words will be on your end of unit test on Friday. 

Objection

expression of opposition or disapproval

Proposition

statement or assertion

Felony

 serious, often violent, crime

Testimony

 witness’s statement under oath

Suspect

 subject to or deserving of suspicion

Shackle

restraint or impediment

Monster

 inhumanely cruel or wicked person

Allege

 declare, esp. without proof

Prosecutor

 person who institutes legal proceedings against

Chalk

rub, mark, draw, or write with chalk

Merchandise

 goods for sale

Evidence

available facts determining truth or validity

Character

collective qualities that distinguish a person or thing

Fringe

 outer edge or margin

Implicated

 show to be involved in

Indulging

yield freely

Part II – Answer all of the following questions.  I will create 15 multiple choice questions based on these questions already reviewed in class. 

 Identify parts of the exposition – Characters, Setting, Conflict

Characters

Steve Harmon – Protagonist – 16-year-old boy – Has a brother named Jerry

Is in a film club at school – accused of felony murder found not guilty

Sandra Petrocelli – Prosecutor for the State of New York

Kathy O’Brien – Steve’s Defense Attorney – unsure of whether Steve is guilt or not

Asa Briggs – lawyer defending James King

James King – accused of felony murder – found guilty – 23-year-old-man

Richard “Bobo” Evans – admitted involvement in crime that left Alguinaldo Nesbitt dead – found guilty – Accused of felony murder – testified that James King was involved in crime

Osvaldo Cruz – 14-year-old boy, member of the Diablos, accused of felony murder – testified that James King was involved in crime

Lorelle Henry – witness who placed James King at the scene of the crime

Jose Delgado – drugstore clerk who found Mr. Nesbitt

Alguinaldo Nesbitt – owner of drug store – had a gun – victim of felony murder

Setting – Harlem, New York, early 2000

Conflict – Steve Harmon is on trial for felony murder for allegedly being involved in a robbery where Alguinaldo Nesbitt was murdered

Q: Identify the literary technique used on pages 18 and 19. 

A: Flashback

Q: Why do you think the author chose to use this technique?

A: So the reader could learn more about the type of person Steve is.

Q: For what is Steve on trial?

A: Felony murder for his involvement in the death of Alguinaldo Nesbitt

Who – Steve Harmon and James King

What – two men on trial for the death of Alguinaldo Nesbitt

Where – A drugstore in Harlem, New York

When – December 22, 2000

Q: Who is Williams?

A: Good Cop in Good Cop/Bad Cop 

A: Steve is too young to receive the death penalty; the case is pretty good against King, so they don’t need Steve

Q: What is his take on the crime? 

On page 78, Steve questions O’Brien about how she thinks the trial is going?  What is her response?

A: “It could be going better.” 

Q: Is Osvaldo a credible witness? 

A: No, he is a gang member who is only 14.  He has admitted to getting another girl pregnant, he has admitted to slashing the face of someone he didn’t know in order to join the gang, and he is trying to have his sentence reduced. 

Q: What does the reaction Steve has on page 121 suggest about the crime?

A: He stared at the screen, mouth open as if in shock. 

Q: What was the reaction of Steve to the description of Mr. Nesbitt’s cause of death? 

A: Steve catches his breath sharply.

Q: How was his reaction different than King’s?

A: Has head tilted to one side, seemingly without a care. 

What is the difference that Ms. O’Brien points out between Steve saying, “I’m not guilty.” and “I didn’t do it.”

Q: What does Steve say was the reason he was in the drug store at the time of the robbery?

A:   He went to the store to get a pack of mints.

Q: Whose name did Steve write down twice on the list he was asked to make of people he admired?

A: Mr. Sawicki, Steve’s film teacher

Q: How did Petrocelli make Ms. Moore’s testimony seem untrue?

A: She made her admit that King didn’t have a job, but yet he bought her a lamp. Somehow it broke, so there is no evidence that she ever had it. 

Q: To what does Mr. Nipping testify?

A: James King is left handed and therefore could not have been responsible for shooting Alguinaldo Nesbitt. 

Q: Why does O’Brien use the game with the cup?

A: Because legally she can not tell him what to say on the stand. 

Part III – Quotation Recognition – 10 quotes taken from the story and you have to identify who said them. 

O’Brien – “My job is to make sure the law works for you as well as against you, and to make you a human being in the eyes of the jury.”

Steve Harmon – “It was me, I thought as I tried not to throw up, that had wanted to be tough like them.”

Steve Harmon – “Think about all the tomorrow’s of your life.”

Mr. Sawicki – “It is my belief that to make an honest film, one has to be an honest person.”

Petrocelli – “…there are also monsters in our communities – people who are willing to steal and to kill, people who disregard the rights of others.”

Jose Delgado – “That’s my hobby.  I have a black belt in karate.”

 Jerry – “I bet you’d be a cool superhero.  You know who you should be?”

Bobo – “I been arrested for breaking and entering, grand theft auto, and one time for taking a car radio and one time for fighting a guy what died.”

Steve Harmon – “Truth is truth.  It’s what you know to be right.

James King – “I need to get paid, man.  I ain’t got nothing between my butt and the ground but a rag.”

Part IV – Connecting with the text.  Short answer

Homework – Work on Monster Final Project

Today we worked on several things to review for the CRCTs.  It is very important that students go over these things nightly in order to commit them to their long-term memory.  We will have weekly quizzes to determine understanding of the concepts covered in class.  Please study nightly. 

CRCT Review – February 23, 2010

1.  Subject – answers who or what

Predicate – tells what the subject does

 You must have both of these in a sentence to avoid it being a fragment. 

 Run–on sentence – two or more sentences written as though they were a single sentence

To correct you can do one of three things:

• Insert a period at the end of the first thought, and capitalize the first word in the next thought
• Insert a comma (,) and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

FANBOYS  – For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

  Topic Sentence – Tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about.  It is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. 

 Modifier – word or words that describes another word in the sentence

Two kinds:

• Adjective – describes nouns and pronouns

1. A.       answers – What Kind, How Many, Which One

• Adverb – describes verbs, adjectives and other adverbs

1. Answers – How, When, How Much, To What Extent

 Subject Verb Agreement – The subject and verb must agree in number

Agreement means that if the subject is singular(one) then the verb must also be singular.  If the subject is plural (more than one) then the verb must also be plural.

Transition words – Words that help the writer go from one idea to another.

Examples: On the other hand, Finally, In addition, In conclusion, etc.

Today in class we finished reading the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. 

Students will have a test on Friday regarding the novel.  We will review in class tomorrow. 

Homework – Monster project due March 4th

(See below for Choices)

Monster Final Project

Choose one of the following projects to complete for your final assessment for Monster. 

1.  PowerPoint – Create a PowerPoint presentation that entices readers to want to read the novel.  Include at least 10 slides using information from the book. 

 2.  Wanted Posters – Design three posters that include pictures and biographical information about Steve, Bobo, and Evans.

 3.   CD Soundtrack – Compile a CD with at least 10 songs that you can relate to the book. 

Include a few sentences about each song and why you chose to include it on the CD. 

 4.  Alternate Ending – Did you not like the ending to Monster?  Write at least a one-page ending the way you would have liked it to end. 

5.  Judicial System – Create a document that tells about the judicial system in America (poster, brochure, flyer, etc.).

 6. Movie – Create an I-movie about the book. You could reenact a scene from the book, create an advertisement selling the book, or news broadcast describing the crime and the outcome of the trial.   

 7.  Choose your own – Do you have a project in mind that is not on this list?  Run your idea by me to see if it is acceptable. 

Due Date:  Thursday, March 4^th.

10% will be deducted for each day this assignment is turned in late.

This is a project grade – Projects and test count for 40% of the grading period.

.

Vocabulary – was given out last Thursday

•Write 16 sentences using each of your vocabulary words. (Due Today) •

Homework •Make graphic organizers for at least 5 of your words – Choose the ones that are giving you the most difficulty •Test Friday 

 Classwork:

2/1 – Identify parts of the exposition –

•Characters

•Setting

•Conflict

•Identify the literary technique used on pages 18 and 19.  Why do you think the author chose to use this technique? 

What does it tell you about the  main character? 

•We will be reading  through page 45.

Classwork:

Answer the following:

1.Which side presented the stronger case against Steve in their opening arguments?  The Prosecution (Petrocelli) or the Defense (O’Brien) Support your answer with evidence from the text. 

2.    For what is Steve on trial? 

3.   Who are Jose Delgado and Sal Zinzi? 

4.   What do you think is the author’s purpose for including the flashback on pages 42 & 43? 

5.   Based on the opening arguments, answer: who, what, where, and when about the crime for which Steve is on trial.

Use the answer to the above to write a newspaper article about the crime.  Be sure to have a headline.   Due Friday, February 5th. 

Today in class students had a quiz on characterization.  We then completed the reading of an excerpt from Flowers for Algernon.  In class, we had used Charlie, the main character of that story, as an example of how an author uses direct and indirect characterization. 

Homework:

Students were given the opportunity to redo their character dolls.  These are now due on Friday, January 22nd as we will not have class until then because of the 8th grade writing assessment and the MLK Jr. Holiday.  Belwo you will find the requirements for the character doll. 

Using the character wheel you filled out for homework, create a paper doll of the character you chose.  You may use either one of my paper dolls and decorate it or create one on your own.

On the front, make sure that you use the adjectives the author has given you to make the  doll look like the character. (Direct Characterization)

On his or her body, include additional adjectives that do not refer to physical appearance. 

–On the back, copy verbs or quotes that you feel are good examples of indirect characterization.   

 –Be  sure to write the name of the character and the title of the book somewhere on your paper doll. 

Once again, today’s class was spent reviewing for the 8th Grade Writing test which will be administered on Wednesday, January 20, 2010.  Please make sure students bring a pen and a pencil on Wednesday.  Attached you will find a copy of the outline we have been using in class to prepare for the test. 

                              (Each Roman Numeral Stands for a Paragraph)

Read the prompt – Identify the FATP

F – Focus – What do I need to focus on in my writing?

A-     Audience – to whom are you writing? 

T – Topic – what is the topic? What do I need to be writing about?

P – Purpose – To inform/Expository or To persuade/persuasive

Brainstorm – Use a graphic organizer

Develop Thesis Statement – Topic + stand (persuasive) or Topic + focus (expository)

Rough Draft –

I. – Introduction

1. Hook and Thesis Statement – Thesis statement should be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph.  It tells the reader what you will be writing about.  It keeps you focused.

II. – First Supporting Example

1.  Details to explain example and refer back to the thesis.

III. – Second Supporting Example

1.  Details to explain example and refer back to the thesis. 

IV.  – Third Supporting Example

1.  Details to explain example and refer back to the thesis. 

V. – Conclusion

            a.  This should refer back to the thesis, answer the question So What?, and explain why this is important in today’s world. 

Revise – Do you have good transition words to connect your paragraphs?  Are your word choices appropriate?             

Final Draft – Write neatly – Watch your spelling.  If you are unsure of the spelling of a word, is there a different word that you can use? 

Reread your essay – Does it make sense?  Are your ideas clear?  Did you stick to your thesis?

Homework:  Read 20 minutes.  Write a 5 sentence summary about what you read that night. 

Bonus points will be given to all students who use www.essayscorer.com/ph/ga/mcclure to prepare for the writing test.

The 8th grade Writing Assessment will be administered on Wednesday, January 20th.  We have spent a great deal of time in class preparing for this assessment, but any at-home support would be greatly appreciated. 

Students will have a quiz on the following on Thursday: 

Outline for Essay

(Each Roman Numeral Stands for a Paragraph)

Read the prompt – Identify the FATP

F – Focus – What do I need to focus on in my writing?

A-     Audience – to whom are you writing? 

T – Topic – what is the topic? What do I need to be writing about?

P – Purpose – To inform/Expository or To persuade/persuasive

Brainstorm – Use a graphic organizer

Develop Thesis Statement – Topic + stand (persuasive) or Topic + focus (expository)

Rough Draft –

I. – Introduction

1. Hook and Thesis Statement – Thesis statement should be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph.  It tells the reader what you will be writing about.  It keeps you focused.

II. – First Supporting Example

1.  Details to explain example and refer back to the thesis.

III. – Second Supporting Example

1.  Details to explain example and refer back to the thesis. 

IV.  – Third Supporting Example

1.  Details to explain example and refer back to the thesis. 

V. – Conclusion

            a.  This should refer back to the thesis, answer the question So What?, and explain why this is important in today’s world. 

Revise – Do you have good transition words to connect your paragraphs?  Are your word choices appropriate?             

Final Draft – Write neatly – Watch your spelling.  If you are unsure of the spelling of a word, is there a different word that you can use? 

Reread your essay – Does it make sense?  Are your ideas clear?  Did you stick to your thesis?

Homework:  Study for Essay Outline Quiz (Thursday) Read for 20 minutes.  Write a 5 sentence summary of your reading.  All reading summaries will be collected at the end of each week. 

1.Reviewed Vocabulary :

Character – a person or animal who takes part in a narrative

Protagonist – main character; good guy; hero

Antagonist – the person or thing who creates the conflict or problem

Dynamic character – one who changes over the course of a narrative

Static character – one who does not change over the course of a narrative

Round Character – a complex, fully-developed character with many aspects to his or her personality, both strengths and weaknesses

Flat Character – a one-dimensional character who has only one of two personality traits. 

 Possible quiz next class!

2.As a class, read excerpt from “Raymond’s Run” Analyze Squeaky – Direct (Adjectives) and Indirect characterization (Verbs) – Pull out quotes, etc. give evidence

3.On your own:  Read excerpt from “Jim the Boy”.  Answer  questions 1-3 on page 160.

4.  Using the character wheel you filled out for homework, create a paper doll of the character you chose.  You may use either one of my paper dolls and decorate it or create one on your own.

 •    On the front, make sure that you use the adjectives the author has given you to make the  doll look like the character. (Direct Characterization)

On his or her body, include additional adjectives that do not refer to physical appearance.  –

On the back, copy verbs or quotes that you feel are good examples of indirect characterization.   

 –Be  sure to write the name of the character and the title of the book somewhere on your paper doll. 

 If not finished, complete for homework.  This must be turned in by Wednesday, January 13th.  

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a restful and happy break.  To get back into the swing of things, today’s class focused on characterization.  Our warm up consisted of a retelling of the story Cinderella.  Students were asked to identify adjectives and verbs used to describe the antagonists ( the stepmother and stepsisters).  We then discussed how the author uses direct and indirect characterization to describe characters. 

Upon completing this, we started reading “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes.  Although we only read a brief excerpt, students were able to apply what  was learned about direct and indirect characterization to Charlie Gordon, the story’s protagonist. 

Students wrote a Dear Abby letter from Charlie’s point of view as an exit ticket.  Grades can be found on Pinnacle. 

For the remainder of the year I have changed the categories that I will be using in Pinnacle.  I believe this will help with students’ and parents’ confusion regarding the weighting of grades.  From this point forward, grades will fall into the following four categories:

Tests/Projects – 40%

Classwork – 25%

Quizzes – 25%

Homework – 10%

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this. 

Homework

 Using a character from any book you have read and enjoyed, complete the character wheel for Friday’s class. 

Students were given the paperwork for their anchor book projects today in class.  They are to choose one of the two assignments to do.  Although the packets contain graphic organizers, students are not required to use these.  However, they must include all of the necessary information from the rubric in order to be successful.   The class was also given the opportunity to opt out of the Novel Unit Test scheduled for next Wednesday.  If they opt out, that means that their project grade will count twice – one as a project grade in Pinnacle, and one as a Unit test grade in Pinnacle.  With this said, students need to make sure that they do a good job on their project, as it will be the last grade of the second nine weeks. 

Homework:

Final Reader Response Letter Due Monday, 12/14

Novel Unit Test due Wednesday, 12/16 (If they opt to take it.)

Anchor Book Project due Friday, 12/18 – No late projects will be accepted!