Marc’s Buzz Word

Class work:  We discussed the rubric for our new project which is the Adjective and Adverb Flower Project.  Afterwards, as an interest grabber for the story In Search of Our Mother’s Garden by Alice Walker, we watched an excerpt of the Oscar winning film The Color Purple which is an adaption of her Nobel Peace Prize winning novel.  In Search of Our Mother’s Garden is a non-fiction narrative where Alice discusses how all her life she attempted to search for something to admire in her mother.  When all along it was right under her nose.  Just like in The Color Purple, it causes us to consider that strength, grace, resilience, and character often come from places and experiences that are ordinary.  It is up to us to look deeper for what is extraordinary. I want every student to look at a female figure involved in raising them and consider something ordinary that if analyzed closely could be considered extraordinary.  Even if it is only in their eyes.  Next week we will discuss and write about all this.  Both literary works of Alice Walker are keeping in the same theme of Nature that we have been focused on since after spring break.

Homework: The students must complete this weekend 5 index cards which summarize information from web resources about their topics, and 2 index cards which simply have one quote each.  This is a total of 7 index cards to be turned in on Monday.  We have been working on these cards all week and the students should be well aware on how to complete each card. 

Summary Card- Has information gained from a web source written in their own words.  They must also write on the card the web address, web source, and the date.

Ex: http:www.cnn.com/t/app/darfur/ietgp

      CNN.com

     4/20/07

Direct Quote Card- Has the quote word for word in quotations, The person who said it, web address, web source, and the date. ( Documentation same as top example)

Please ask your student to see their cards.  Talk to them about their topic.  Are they doing a compare and contrast research report, or problem-solution essay?  They have notes on all this information.  Are they collecting reliable and valid information?  I hope this helps if you have any questions please contact me.

In conclusion, I would just like to say that I am very proud of all the students for this week.  They really gave their best.  I am so proud to be you teacher guys and gals!!!  A special thank you to Mrs. Squire who provided snacks for the whole team, including the teachers all week.  Your kindness carried us through the week.