Everist, MaryPat: Homework

2008 Projects and Homework

ALL Twister Team Language Arts and Social Studies classes require a notebook, folder, writing implements, and agenda book to keep track of homework and assignments. In addition, each student should bring the book they are reading to class each day. Please refer to your student's parent letter for class expectations and other team agenda items.

October PROJECTS:

1) TECHNOLOGY/CAREER PRESENTATIONS - What a fun way to mix the exciting world of technology with what you really like to do! Students are investigating their strengths, what they are talented in, what they love to do, and what career they may want to pursue in their future as a productive force in tomorrow's society. Students have been learning to avail of electronic resources for their career research, to outline ideas, assemble key facts, create a powerpoint presentation, and finally, to become more effective communicators by polishing their public speaking skills. Each student is encouraged to have their own flash drive (memory stick) to copy and save the work they do on school computers.

2) WRITING PROJECTS - Twister students are participating in several writing projects. On a monthly basis, both 7th and 8th graders are practicing Florida Writes by responding in essay form to various expository and/or persuasive prompts. In addition, students are contributing to three Community of Caring projects: 1) Letter to soldiers in Iraq; 2) Letters to Santa (Macy's - matching charity donation to Make-A-Wish); and 3) word art positive sayings for two bulletin boards on campus.

3) EXTENDED BOOK REVIEWS (EBR) - Like the assignment title says, these are detailed and thoughtful renderings that portray each student's review of the book they are reading. Specific information regarding the EBR format has been handed out to each student, along with 'tips' on writing a successful review. Our next EBR (#2) is due on Wednesday, December 10th. All students should be reading a book of their choice on a daily basis.

4) HISTORY PROJECT: After studying a US timeline from the 1400s to the present, students were given a specific date connected with its historic event. The related history project included research on the event, a written 3-paragraph paper describing it in their own words, an illustration with title (on display in the classroom), and an oral report. This project is ongoing, however, the written portion was due October 3rd.

5) FCAT EXPLORER: Students can avail of this great learning tool at home and at the library, as well as at school. User names and passwords are known to all (same as SME) and will work on any computer with internet connections; the website is http://www.fcatexplorer.com. Log on now to get a head start on your reading skills and achievement levels.

HOMEWORK: Read your book every day, complete all unfinished classwork, and read the assigned history chapter sections (take notes). Work on all ongoing projects.

2008 PROJECTS: Tech/Career Presentations, Twister Newsletter articles, Extended Book Reports (EBRs), History Project, FCAT Explorer online (8th grade reading), and Newspapers in Education activities.

IN THE FUTURE:
Online Project -
Research various cultures online using the following links:

http://www.tolerance.org/teach/resources/index.jsp
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/class/0,17446,,00.html
http://www.mkgandhi.org/index.htm
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/popular_requests/index.htm
http://www.ellisisland.org/photoalbums/ellis_island_now.asp
http://www.iearn.org.au/fp/
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/socialstud.html

1) Choose 3 web sites for your project.
2) Take notes while you navigate the sites, read about different cultures, listen to the audios, study the timelines and view the illustrations and photos.
3) Write a report outlining cultural similarities and differences (customs, food, language, beliefs and traditions, art, music, religion, etc.).
4) Create a poster using paints, colors, pictures, newspaper clippings, and other media illustrating the ethnicities you studied.
5) Prepare a presentation for the class