Juniors Creation Myth Homework

Check out my post on how to write a paragraph for standardized tests at this link. Then, answer the following question using your creation myth chart:

What comparison can you draw between TWO of the creation myths?

Here is my example that you can not duplicate.

R: The Navajo Origin Legend and The Earth on Turtle's Back have many similarities.
A: Both stories create the world from components of Earth.
C: The Navajo Origin Legend includes a ritual with deer skins, corn, feathers, and the wind.
C: The Earth on Turtle's Back creates the world by bringing up the earth through water and the sky woman adding seeds.
E: Both stories use these components of Earth to create their "new" world's to demonstrate our connection to nature nature.

Midterms: MONDAY, March 24

ALL CLASSES:
Your midterm will be given on Monday, March 24. The first half will be a standardized test packet that includes reading passages and comprehension and analysis questions. The second half will be vocabulary practice with twenty words plus literary terms that you will more than likely see on the standardized test that will be your final exam, mandated by the state.

For some standardized test-taking skills practice, check out this blog post!

This midterm should be totally within your grasp and hopefully continue your flying aces in my class!

How to ALWAYS Write a Paragraph

A paragraph has a certain formula that includes key ingredients. If you follow the pattern and include each of the key pieces, your answers on my class work, in any other of your courses, on standardized tests, or even in your research papers will be AWESOME if you follow this winning formula.

In order to be successful, you must “RACE” your "constructed responses" and paragraphs:

R-A-C-E

• Reword the Question (the "R" in "RACE")
• Answer the Question (the "A" in "RACE")
• Cite Quotations as Evidence (the "C" in "RACE")
• Explain the Answer (the "E" in "RACE")

You may repeat the "C" and "E" as many times as necessary for a complete answer/paragraph. You will need to follow this formula on ALL short answer questions in my course and on your final, state-mandated exam.

In your research papers or other works of fully-developed writing, each paragraph will need some form of conclusion. To do this, just add a sentence or two following this direction:

Summarize and consolidate the information you have written into a single analytical** statement to end your paragraph.

**Analysis:

·        NOT a definition or a repetition of information already given. (This is known as a “wonton.”)

·        IS a well-thought conclusion.

·        ANSWERS the question, “Why is all this collected information important?”

For another great step-by-step tutorial with example, please read after the jump!

Free Rice Vocabulary Learning

Please create an account on Free Rice. To learn more about how Free Rice defines themselves, please read after the jump.  http://freerice.com/content-group/mrs-hecks-english-classes

Each quarter, you will receive TWO MAJOR grades for your individual work on Free Rice. You can complete this online at the website or from a mobile app. Please be sure that your work is recorded on your account within the class group, "Mrs. Heck's English Classes." If you are one of the top-five-earning students in your class, you will get BONUS extra credit! :D Join up to start earning points each quarter!

Preparing for MSL Standardized Testing

Next week we will all be taking North Carolina Final Exams that WILL COUNT as 25% of your FINAL average. In order to prepare, we have reviewed various test-taking skills and content in class; however, you can review with these handy websites, games, and English tools! Review to DO YOUR BEST ON THE TEST!

• Practice with the flashcards we reviewed in class!
• Use this Comprehensive List of Lit Terms and Definitions.
• Take this mini-quiz as another "refresher" of literary terms!
• Sift through PowerPoints and "Hint" Pages for how to take standardized tests!
• Check out the Basics of Literary Elements. There are several review games near the bottom of the page.
• Practice with Scholastic Worksheets.
• Or, find your own resources with this Library Reference List that will direct you to books and other resources!

Exam Schedule (Fall 2013 Courses)

Day	8:30-12:30 EXAM PERIOD	“3rd” Period	“4th” Period
Mon	3rd	1st	2nd
Tues	1st	2nd	4th
Wed	2nd	4th	4th
Thur	4th	3rd	2nd
Fri	2nd (Makeup)

ACT Pre-Survey

Today, the class of 2014 will take part in a survey concerning their preparation for the ACT Test in their English IV/ AP Lit/ IB English courses. Below is the link to the ACT survey for students. Students are not required to give their name.

Take the pre-survey for the ACT with this link.

https://docs.google.com/a/ccs.k12.nc.us/forms/d/1TBffoz7o7TErsCZH8PAARV0fbmci95dy_dwpolwuBQU/viewform

English IV Midterm

On Thursday, third period will take a general literary device midterm. These are elements we have looked into through all our units and should be a giant review from all the years of English/Language Arts you have had in school. Be sure you CAN succeed on this midterm--I have tried to make a test you can excel on to help pull up all those poor grades of yours. You can review with these handy websites, games, and English tools! Review to DO YOUR BEST ON THE TEST!

• Practice with the flashcards we reviewed in class!
• Use this Comprehensive List of Lit Terms and Definitions.
• Take this mini-quiz as another "refresher" of literary terms!
• Sift through PowerPoints and "Hint" Pages for how to take standardized tests!
• Check out the Basics of Literary Elements. There are several review games near the bottom of the page.
• Practice with Scholastic Worksheets.
• Or, find your own resources with this Library Reference List that will direct you to books and other resources!