9th grades journal project.

9th Grade: you will be journaling on a daily basis. Your journal entry should include the following to get maximum points...
1. Excerpt or passages from the book and the page number it is on.
2. Your thoughts and feelings about the passages or chapters you read.
3. Thought provoking questions about the subject matter, revelations about the material and about the situation that Ishmael faces in each chapter.
4. Correct use of grammar and SPELLING!!! No excuses with a spell checker!!!!

An example is that in the end of chapter 4, he and his friends need to steal food. Despite having monies, no one would sell them anything. Do you think that was morally just? When if ever is it ok to steal? Why? What about this story makes you change you mind about stealing?

Some of you may have more questions than thoughts, and that is ok. This is a discovery process. The discovery is about you as much as it is about Ishmael.

I look forward to reading your daily posts. (Monday through Friday except this week, b/c we started on Tuesday) Each entry is worth 5 points, a 25 total each week. Remember Thursday is the field trip and you are still responsible for the entry.

Happy blogging!
Ms. Lines

The count down to summer....

Summer is almost here! Every year keeps getting shorter and shorter.

That is why it is VERY important to get in all your homework turned in on time. Don't wait until the last week of May. If the first few weeks were too stressful, here is a list of possible make-up assignments:

1. Fiction Book report.
2. Various reading comprehension handouts.
3. Geography/Social Studies worksheets.
4. Essay writing assignment: writing prompts.
5. ANY test, quiz, homework assignment can be corrected and turned back in for a possible 100%.

Students: All you need to do is see me before or after school for assignments. This will not take the place of an assignment, rather help you with your final grade. You make take full advantage of the "correct and return" policy. This is your chance to get 100% on any assignment. Remember that the correction sheet needs to be stapled to the front of what ever assignment you want a better score on. ***Tests, quizzes and homework**** ANY!!! Everyone should have an A!!!!!!

Parents: Please email me: (kmlines513@gmail.com or klines@vistasleadership.org ) or call with any questions. Corrections to the test, quizzes and homework assignments should be done weekly. The sooner I get them back, the sooner I can correct and modify the grade.

Ok, now class, we are burnin' daylight! Lets get to it!
Ms. Lines

Midterm Make-up writing prompts

There is an old adage that states, "...ask and you shall receive". You all asked for make up assignments and now *poof* YOU get them!!! ~waves wand over computer~

Practice identifying the following:
1. Subject?
2. Audience?
3. Purpose?
4. Form?

Next, create a web to help organize what your topic and focus will be. After you finish, then do a free write. Once you complete that, then write your first draft. Finally, you will turn in the piece for review from Ms. Lines and I will let you know, if it is ready to be "published" on your blog.

The following are writing prompts that you can use for make up essay questions:
1. Imagine that you have been elected as the President of our country. What kinds of new laws might you make? What would life be like? What political changes would you want to make? Us vocabulary words from unit 1-20.(Valued 20 points)

2. Write a book report on the last book you read. (50point value)

3. Write a story using the following story starter:
"Get out of the way!" said the school principal as the storm moved closer. Use vocabulary
words from all year (unit 1-20). (20 point value)

4. Write a poem: You may choose from the following formats: haiku, rhyming, limerick, "Roses are Red", shape poem, free verse, or ballad. Some suggested objects are: a mirror, rainbow, an itch, a slice of cheese, sunset or sunrise, city sky line, a balloon or a picnic. The poem should have emotion expressed such as: Jealousy, pain, anger, happiness, silly, fear, embarrassment, hope or frustration. (15 point value)

Each student who wants to complete this make up assignment needs to label the hand written page, and submit to Ms. Lines in the folder. They will be marked and returned. If they are ready for publishing, the students will add to blogger at that time.

Students will then leave me a message on my home page to let me know that the last "I" is dotted and "T" is crossed.

Happy make up work time! I am excited to read all of your submissions.
Ms. Lines

Assignments January 11-15

7th & 8th Grade: This week we will be writing Bio poems. Only Teacher approved poems will be posted to the students' blog. Here is an example of a Bio poem I wrote several years ago:

I am from the winds of the North and the Cascade Mountains to the East.

I am from where the crosswinds blow the hint of Pine, Fir, and Tamarack trees. In the Spring you can smell the apple and cherry blossoms, and the sweet smell of wheat fields on a cool spring day. Where the four seasons are welcomed like a new dawn, on a fresh day.

I am from the young love of high school sweethearts that grew into the adults that gave me the strength and wisdom beyond my young years. Who taught me that life is not always fair. They gave me the ability to earn what you want and appreciate what you have.

I am from my Grandparents Southern influence and religious teachings. Saturday mornings at church and afternoons on nature hikes in the woods. Games of Scrabble, aggravation and debates about the world, at our lake retreat. Mornings drinking coffee and playing search a words in bed.I am from wise strong women who raised children and had careers, long before it was popular, women who were not afraid to have some fun and adventures with their children and grandchildren, take kids to Disneyland and snow skiing in the winter.

I am from the warm desert wind that smells of cactus flowers and orange blossoms. I am from a sister that is a mother, a daughter, a sister and herself a wise strong women. She is a teacher for her young children, and an inspiration to me, for my future family.

I am from my Lord and Savior who would not have taught me all that I have come to know, if it didn’t have a purpose. Who has shown me that Miracles and unanswered prayers are open windows, from the closed doors. That life is not always fair, which is why he died so that I could live.

Remember you need permission PRIOR to POSTING. Have a great week and I look forward to reading your rough drafts!

Ms. Lines

Happy New year! Jan. 4-8 Assignment.

Happy New Year!

Dear students,

This term we are, "going back to the drawing board" and re-learning the six traits of writing. The class focus will be on the actual writing process with paper and pencil, IN CLASS.

~Pauses for the students reactions~

Yes, students, I know that many of you are somewhat relieved, while others are "groaning" at the idea. Don't worry, we will be posting only our "finished" final drafts here over the next semester. The writing prompts will still be posted as they are assigned, and copies to those who have a spiral journal, will still be made.

In addition to this writing practice, we will be working with idioms or words and phrases journals. The purpose of our written journals will be for the brainstorming and help constructing rough drafts. Only approved final drafts will be "published" to our blogs.

Have a Happy New Year and enjoy our writing practice!

Ms. Lines

Monday MEME! Assignment Dec. 11-18

OK Kids, here it is a Holiday MEME. What is a ME...ME...? Well in the blog world it is a group of questions that is talking about every ones favorite subject ME! In other words it is all about the "author" writing the post. It is fun to share and get others in on the MEME post. In the blog world, it is one way that authors share about themselves and "tag" other writers to share about them too. Are you all ready? I am tagging the WHOLE school.

Here is what you do. You copy and paste the questions. You then change the responses to be all about you, then post it to your page.

Ready? ~waits and looks around~

HERE we gooooooooooooooo
1. What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas

2.What is your favorite holiday song? HMMM toss up. Santa Baby or Man with the Bag....NO wait. "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". Yes final answer!

3. What is your favorite subject? I bet you all thought I would say Language arts, but you would be very wrong. In school my favorite subject was Science. Chemistry was my best subject. Despite what they might have said about "almost" blowing the school up! ~shakes head~

4. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? OHHHHH, I haven't met a candy or cookie I didn't like, but the no bake cookie is really hard to beat.

5. What is your favorite animal? Fish. I, don't have to feed it everyday and I don't have to worry about a babysitter for it when I travel.

6. Who do you like best, Snow Miser or Heat Miser? Neither. I am a huge fan of Mother Nature. She is a wise lady and keeps the whole bunch of us in line.

7. Gold or silver? Both. Come now, kids, I can't start playing favorites...truth be told though, I prefer Platinum.

8. Presents or gift cards? OHHH I like to see people's faces when they open a gift I picked out special just for them, but I really like that a gift card NEVER goes out of style and it always fits!

9. Santa or Frosty? See I like them both. NO FAVORITES remember? I collect Santa's, so you will see more of a collection of the "old man winter" and Santa's in my house.

10. What is your favorite Holiday memory? For me, I have been blessed with so many. Last year was one of the most memorable. My Grandma and Uncle who live in Spokane, had the hardest time getting here to Phoenix. Spokane set record snow falls on ALL the day that they were scheduled to travel. One of my mothers wishes after she passed on was to be sure that the family would be all together for Christmas. It was the first Christmas without her, so of course it it was the most important that Grandma and my Uncle arrived for the festivities. Christmas Eve arrived and so did they! PHEW! Finally they made it. Christmas 2008 was complete.

Hope you all have a wonderful winter holiday! I can't wait to read all about you and TAG you are all "it".
Ms. Lines

December 7-11th Assignments

The holiday season is here! I can not believe just how fast the year really goes! It is the time of year to reflect on the good and not so good choices in our lives. This is the time of year when people start making goals for their future. I have a goal for each and everyone of you. I want to be there when you are handed your college diploma. We have a brand new year, an opportunity to "wipe the slate clean" and start fresh.

This weeks prompts will be graded on your ability to completely respond to the question, use a good lead, transition words, solid closing, express your voice, sentence fluency, and convection's. There is ZERO reason for spelling errors as there is a spell checker built into the program for you to use. You must also demonstrate your use of our vocabulary from Unit 13, by using 5 (five) words.

Complete TWO (2) of the following: (USE 5 Spelling words in EACH).
1. Write a "how to" expository piece explaining "How to decorate a Christmas Tree".
2. Write a narrative about your favorite holiday memory. Be sure to tell the story, using hyperbole and colorful adjectives.
3. Write about a "Christmas Miracle" you once witnessed. This may be something you heard from another person. Be sure to use the correct narrative (1st person or 3rd).
4. Write a letter to Santa. Be sure to use the following story starter: "You are not going to believe this." Said the elf as he or she stumbled into the toy factory.

Ok Bloggers, have a happy and fun week! Be sure to leave me a message when you are done and ready for me to grade your work.
Ms. Lines