The Apostles

homework week of 3/30/09

Middle School Language Arts and History Homework
Week of March 30th, 2009

History
This is a mixture of class work and homework. At the end of the first block class, you will highlight what is for homework.
Packet 2:
• Read “Paul: A Man With a Message” and do the questions (these questions are on the back of last week’s questions).
Packet 1:
• Begin with “The Life of Jesus” on pg. 51, reading and taking notes. Continue reading and taking notes through page 57.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Work on final short story drafts.
2. Take home test on Wordly Wise unit 8 to be assigned.


7th Grade
1. Final short story due---Wednesday, April 1. 2009
Remember to include:
• A decorative cover
• A title page, including title, author, date
• A dedication page
• The entire story
• 2 blank pages at the end for comments
NOTE: Your final short story must be turned in with your rough drafts with my comments and your planning sheet.

2. Wordly Wise unit 9 test on Friday, April 3rd.

8th Grade
1. Another poetry assignment will be given out on Monday and due on Friday, April 3rd.
2 Eighth Grade Project:

8th grade project reminder dates:
Monday, March 30th Detailed outline of first half of your report
Thursday, April 2nd Your introduction is due (NOTE: by now, your report should be at least 4 pages. If your first sections were short, make up the difference with this part, even if it means writing more sections)
April 3 – April 13th Spring Break (if you’ve kept up with due dates and requirements you should have very little work writing to do). Begin work on your visual component.

homework week of 3/23/09

Middle School Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of March 23, 2009

History
• Finish the first article “Jesus the Savior” in the packet Early Christianity (packet 2). Highlight and answer the questions handed out in class.
• Circle the 4 important places in Jesus’ life and write on the map why they are important -- page 50 Christianity (packet 1).
Due first block next week.

Language Arts
6th grade
1. Turn in the final section of your short story on Tuesday, March 24th.
2. Complete Wordly Wise 8---due Thursday, March 26th.
3. W.W. 8 test on Thursday, March 26th.

7th grade
1. Complete Wordly Wise 9 --due Wed., March 25th.
2. Bring Inside Writing on Wed., March 25th.
3. Bring your thumb drives---I’ll work with you individually on short stories in class on Wednesday.
4. Final short stories due on Wed., April 1st. REMEMBER----you need a carefully illustrated front cover, a title page, a dedication page and 2 blank pages in the back for comments.

8th grade
1. Write poems! Three new poems are due by Thursday, March 26th.
2. 8th grade project check-in day this week is Thursday, March 26th. Be sure to have your work diary.
FINAL DUE DATES ARE ON REVERSE

8th grade poetry collections

Eighth Grade Poetry Collection Requirements

Writing
Instead of a short story or a memoir, you will create a book of your poetry.
This will include 15 to 20 poems. It will be completed during the next 2 months both in class and at home.
Step 1
➢ input all of your poems from this year onto your thumb drive and then transfer onto your laptop (or vice versa). If you have some poems from previous years or poems you’ve written at home, be sure to include those.
Step 2
➢ We will review all of the poetry forms you’ve learned in the past 3 years. We’ll also review a glossary of poetic terms.
➢ We’ll talk about some of the glossary entries. We’ve spoken about many of the elements that make poetry great---metaphor, simile, repetition and refrains are some of them. You need to consciously use some of these elements in the poems you write.
➢ Now it’s time to take stock of all of your poems and decide what you want to write next. I will present some more poetry lessons to inspire you.
➢ You may want to check out these websites for inspiration. There are also a number of poetry books and magazines in the classroom.
➢ Poetry Daily (a new poem everyday) www.poems.com/home.htm
➢ American Academy of Poets www.poets.org/index.cfm
Step 3
➢ Choose your poems and present to Elena.

Jerusalem today

JERUSALEM

homework week of 3/16/09

Middle School Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of 3/16/09

History
1. Complete reading and underlining pages 29, 34-49 of your Judaism packet and do the vocabulary and quiz on pages 47, 48 and 49. Due in second block this week. We will have some time to work on it in class as well.


Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Further work on your short story will be assigned on Tuesday in class and due on
Thursday, 3/19/09.

7th Grade
1. Analogy packet pages 6, 9, 10, 12, 15. Due Wednesday, 3/18/09.
2. Complete the rest of the rough draft of your short story. Due on Thursday, 3/19/09. (YES, THURS.).

8th Grade
1. Rough draft of the first 2 sections of your report is due on Thursday, 3/19/09. (YES, THURS.).
2. Keep reading/taking notes as needed for your project.
3. Bring your writing notebook on Thursday and your flash drives to work on your poetry collection. (see reverse for more information)

8th grade project visual component proposal

Name:
Proposal for Visual Component of 8th grade project

1. The visual component will be a display/demonstration/activities that you will present to members of the Synergy community during the week of May 18th (actual date still to be determined)
Since most people won’t have time to read your full report, this will be the main way to present your topic. It is worth 35% of your grade.

Here are some ideas from previous projects to get you thinking:

Topic: Display
Fencing a video of the student fencing, and a display/demonstration of all the fencing equipment

The Mission District a video the student made with interviews of people in the Mission, plus a display with photos


Sweatshops a power point demonstration and a handout of what companies to avoid that use sweatshop labor

Green Building a whole green presentation, including sod, green energy sources, a power point presentation all together as one display

Catapults (Trebuchet) a self-constructed catapult


Name___________________________________________________________________
Proposal (due on Friday, March 13th)









OVER

Supplies needed (note: plan to get these yourself, unless you need help. You will need to ask way ahead of time if you need our assistance. We will have display boards available for purchase if you need one. )

homework week of 3/9/09

Middle School Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of March 9, 2009


History

The Judaism comic is due on Friday, March 13, 2009 for all students in all blocks.
Directions were handed out last week and are posted on the blog:
http://synergyhumanities.blogspot.com

Language Arts

6th/7th grade
The first half of the rough draft of your short story is due on Thursday for 6th grade and Friday for 7th grade. It must be double - spaced and you need to turn in your plot and character planning sheet with the draft.
BE SURE TO BRING YOUR WORK TO ALL LANGUAGE ARTS CLASSES SINCE WE WILL BE WORKING ON THE SHORT STORIES THE WHOLE TIME. DON’T FORGET YOUR TRAVEL DRIVES IF YOU’RE USING THE COMPUTER.

8th grade
1. Write 2 sonnets in your writing notebook by Thursday, March 12.
2. Work 3 hours on your 8th grade project and complete the attached proposal for your visual presentation. The rough draft of the first 2 sections of your report is due on Thursday, March 19th.

Directions for Judaism History Comic Book

Name ________________________ March 3, 2009

Making Your Comic of Jewish History

This assignment is the equivalent of a test on the history of Judaism. Work carefully and thoroughly.

You will be telling the major events of early Jewish history in comic book form event. Each frame or page must be illustrated and have enough caption to tell the important parts of the event. Be creative and make something fun and interesting to read.

For each event be sure you include all the important information:
* who was involved
* when it took place
* where it took place
* what happened

To do a really thorough job, you will need to check your notes and possibly reread some of the reading.

1) The Patriarchs
Abraham, the first Patriarch, is born in the city of Ur.
He makes a covenant with God.
Abraham and his tribe travel to the land of Canaan
God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac
Isaac has a son, Jacob. Jacob, 11 of Jacob’s 12 sons and the son’s of Joseph are all Patriarchs.

To tell this story of Abraham and the Patriarchs, you can reread “Abraham the Patriarch” and the section called “The Patriarchs”.

It should contain at least 5 frames or sections. Include a map of the journey to Canaan.

2) The Exodus --- sometime around 1290 – 1224 BCE
Moses is born in Egypt
He leads his people, the Hebrews out of Egypt where they had been enslaved for 400 years.
Moses goes to Mt Sinai, the story of the Burning Bush.
He returns to Egypt and the Pharaoh refuses to let his people go – the ten plagues
The final plague – killing of the first born – the story of Passover
Wandering in the wilderness and receiving the Ten Commandments
Finally, the Hebrews return to the land of Canaan

Make at least five frames or sections for this story.






3) The Conquest
The Hebrews conquer the inhabitants of Canaan and become the most powerful group in Canaan. – explain the changes that come during this period.

Make as many frames or sections as you need to tell the story.

4) Period of the Judges – 1200 – 1020 BCE
This is the time when the Judges are the leaders of he Israelites.

Make as many frames or sections as you need.

5) United Monarchy
Rule of Saul and the Judge Samuel - the battle with the Philistines –
1020 – 1000 BCE
Rule of David – 1000 – 961 BCE --- many things about David belong in this section. Choose the ones you feel are most important.
Rule of Solomon 961 – 922 BCE --- flowering of Israelite prosperity and culture – building of the temple – more about his reign and personality
Make as many frames or sections as you need to tell the story.


6) Divided Monarchy
Israel splits into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, after Solomon’s death
*Throughout this period, neither Israel nor Judah ever became as strong or wealthy as the united kingdom under Solomon’s reign.

*The two kingdoms interacted with a number of city-states (Phoenician, Philistine,
and Aramaean)

*Sometimes Judah and Israel were allies and sometimes enemies.
*The stories of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Bible from this time are written from the point of view of Judah. Therefore, there is a strong anti-Israel perspective.

*Historical sources other than the Bible show that Israel was the more powerful of the 2 kingdoms (amazing what happens with different points of view, isn’t it?)

*Historically, Judah was smaller than Israel and less important.
*The Northern Kingdom of Israel was prosperous and had a big cultural life.
*The Assyrians captured the Northern Kingdom of Israel and its people were forced into exile in 722-21 B.C.E.

*When Israel fell, Judah became a vassal state of Assyria
*In 587 B.C.E. Judah refused to surrender to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple and Jerusualem.

*This was the beginning of the Exile and the end of independence for ancient Israel.
*The period of the Divided Monarchy is especially important in the history of Judaism because of the prophets who were active in Israel and Judah.

*The prophets’ ideas focused on the parts of God’s Law that talked about right and wrong and ideas of justice.
Make as many frames or sections as you need to tell the story.



7) The Exile

• The Exile is understood as a time of punishment for the nation’s sins
• By 582 B.C.E., Nebuchadnezzar exiled the political, religious and intellectual leaders of Judah as well as many of its population
• The exiles lived in small villages near Babylon
• They saw that Babylon was richer and more powerful than Jerusalem ever was. This caused them to question Yahweh’s power.
Make as many frames or sections as you need to tell the story.
•

Short story rubric

Short Story Rubric and Student Evaluation Form

STEPS TO WRITING
Developed Characters Yes Somewhat No
Developed a Plot Yes Somewhat No
Wrote a rough draft Yes Somewhat No
Kept up with deadlines Yes Somewhat No
Completed a final story Yes Somewhat No

FINAL STORY
Has a clearly organized plot Yes Somewhat No
Uses dialogue effectively and appropriately Yes Somewhat No
Uses active, not passive, writing to develop the story Yes Somewhat No
Rewrites using suggestions made about the rough drafts Yes Somewhat No
Is well proofread for spelling Yes Somewhat No
Uses correct punctuation and capitalization Yes Somewhat No
Is neatly written or word processed Yes Somewhat No
Has a well-designed cover, title page and dedication page Yes Somewhat No

Short Story requirements/dates

SHORT STORY DUE DATES AND REQUIREMENTS 2009

The rubric (the expectations on which your story will be evaluated) is printed on the back of this sheet. Refer to this often.

The steps you will follow are:
• Brainstorming plot, setting and character ideas
• Writing a rough draft
• Writing a final draft, including the cover and other requirements

Your final story should be a minimum of 5 pages in length. If you can do it on the computer, it should be in a common font such as Times, Helvetica, Arial or Geneva (size 12) and be spaced 1.5 spaces.

The final story will include all of the following:
* a beautifully designed cover.
*a title page after the cover with the title, author, and date
*a dedication page
*2 blank passages for comments
*a back cover
OPTIONAL
*illustrations

DUE DATES
6th grade
1. Plot and character work sheet is due Thursday, March 5th.
Be sure to bring all of your work to every language arts class. We will spend most of each class on the short stories.
2. The first half of your story is due this Thursday, March 12th. I will go over as many as possible in class on Thursday and have them all back by Tuesday, March 17th.
3. The second half will be due Thursday, March 19.
4. The final story including cover etc. is due on Thursday, April 2nd.


7th grade
1. Plot and character worksheet is due Friday, March 6th. I will give them back to you with comments by Monday, March 9th.
Be sure to bring all of your work to every language arts class. We will spend most of each class on the short stories.
2. The first half of your story is due Friday, March 13th.
3. The second half is due the next Thursday, March 19th (no class on Friday). I will give them back by Wed., March 25th.
4. The final short story including cover etc. is due on Thursday, April 2nd.

Homework week of 3/3/09

Middle School Language Arts and History Homework
Week of March 3, 2009

History
1. Judaism reading and timeline work will be assigned and due on Monday, March 9th for Blocks II and III and on Friday, March 6th for Block I.
2. Requirements and due dates for the final Judaism project are on the back of this sheet.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Short story work. See attached sheet.

7th Grade
1. Short story work. See attached sheet.
2. Wordly Wise unit 7 and 8 test on Friday, March 6th.

8th Grade
1. Sonnet work is attached. Due on Thursday, March 5th.

2. Topic only rough outline for your 8th grade project-----Due Friday, March 6th.
These are the major subtopics/questions you will present in your report. This will give you a heads-up if you don’t have enough subtopics, or if you need more information on some of them. If you have your original questions, you should refer to them.

Example:
Topic: Dog Agility
I Introduction
II Skills needed for a dog to begin training
III Beginning training
A. Jumping
B. Obstacles
C. Tunnels
IV Second Level of Training
A. Weave Poles
B. Beginning of Course Work
V. First Level of Outside Training
VI. Next Level of Outside Training
VII. To Compete or Not to Compete?
VIII. “Fun Run” Matches
IX. First Competitions
X. Dog Agility Organizations