Friday, May 22, 2009

ELA Final Exam is on Tue. 5/26

Name _________________
ELA / Period # __________
5/20-22/09

ELA Final Exam Study Guide
Note: The ELA final exam will be administered on Tuesday, 5/26.

Short Story: Re-read “Jeremiah’s Song” on pages 38-46 in the Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes textbook.

1. Before reading: Flip through the story and analyze the illustrations. Based on the pictures what do you think this story is going to be about? Or what do you remember about this story from the pictures?

2. While reading: read pg. 37, “Using Context to Determine Meaning.” While you are reading “Jeremiah’s Song” document at least five words in the chart below that you are not familiar with. Cite the context clues you used in order to determine meaning.

Word Clue Meaning
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

3. After reading: The narrator, Ellie, and Macon each behave differently toward Grandpa. Who do you think behaves most appropriately? Explain.

4. What is the theme of Macon’s song at the end of the story?

Define the following words:
5. diagnosis:
6. disinfect:
7. historical essay:
8. biography:
9. autobiography:
10. a letter:
11. persuasive essay:
12. informational essay:
13. narrative essay:
14. informational text:


Fiction: Re-read “Dragon, Dragon” on pages 432-444.

15. Before you read: read page 433, “Plot”. Write a summary in the space provided.

16. While you read: In “Dragon, Dragon,” most characters agree that the kingdom would be better off without the dragon. There are many references to things the dragon has done and is about to do, and many descriptions of his reactions to other characters. However, there is no description of what the dragon looks like. In the space below take notes based on the description of the dragon.

17. Use this space to draw your interpretation of the dragon.











18. What quality leads the youngest son to accept his father’s advice?

19. What might their fate say about people who refuse to consider the advice of others?

20. What did the cobbler seem to know all along about his sons and about the dragon?

21. What is the difference between listening to advice and letting others do your thinking for you?

Define the following terms:
22. plagued:
23. ravaged:
24. tyrant:
25. reflecting:
26. craned:
27. plot:
28. conflict:
29. setting:
30. theme:
31. What are the overall themes of the story, “Dragon, Dragon”?

Fiction: Re-read “Eleven” on pages 465-468.

32. Before reading: How would you describe the girl in the painting?
33. Why do you think the painter chose to place the girl in such a large space?
34. Define characterization:
35. While reading complete the following chart: On the chart below identify some of the key details of characterization for each character.

Character Words the character Thoughts the character Actions (movement)
used to portray had that demonstrates -Things the character
her personality her personality did to show her
personality
_________________________________________________________________
Rachel


Mrs. Price


Felice Garcia



36. After reading: How does Rachel feel about her birthday in the beginning of the story?
37. After the sweater incident how does Rachel feel about celebrating her birthday? Explain why?

Poetry: Re-read “The Sidewalk Racer” on page 719, “Cynthia in the Snow” on page 729, and “April Rain Song” on page 742, and “Abuelito Who” on pages 300-301.

38. Complete the following chart by providing the definition and provide an example of each poetic device from one of the poems listed above. Note: you must cite the poem you found each poetic device in.

Poetic Device Definition Example

Rhyme


Onomatopoeia


Alliteration


Simile


Metaphor



Personification



Repetition


Define the following terms using pages IN8 & IN9:
39. narrative poem:
40. lyric poem:
41. limerick:
42. haiku:
43. concrete poem:
44. tone:
45. figurative language:
46. Read the first subheading, “Free Verse,” on the top of page 299. Describe the unique characteristics that are utilized in free verse poems.
47. Read the bottom of page 299, “Drawing Inferences” and describe the purpose and benefits of drawing inferences.
48. After reading “Abuelito Who” complete the following chart.
Detail from the Poem Your Inference:

Abuelito who throws coins like rain,”---------



“who tells me in Spanish you are my diamond,”---



“is hiding underneath the bed,”------------------



“who loves him who,”----------------------------



49. Drama: Re-read “Grandpa and the Statue.”

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

April's Announcements

Attention: If you have borrowed a book from my personal library please return it as soon as possible. Also, if you have done your spring cleaning and have noticed that you have books that you have no use for I would gladly take donations to add to my classroom library. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

GIFTED: Read Monday, July 13 in Monster and complete assignment #5. Enjoy! PS We will discuss #4 on Friday.

World of Nations Field Trip: Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. You might consider using sunblock, wearing a hat for protection, and/or wearing sunglasses. =)

Week of 4/20-4/24

Monday 4/20: Phantom Toll Booth Act I QUIZ

Tuesday 4/21: Phantom Toll Booth Act II--Understanding Theme, pgs. 637-646. Homework: Re-read pgs. 637-646, log entry, and complete Box 2- Mon. & Tues.

Wednesday 4/22: Phantom Toll Booth Act II--A Look at Imagery, pgs. 647-651. Homework: Re-read pgs. 647-651, log entry, and complete Wednesdays portion of Box 2 and start Box 3.

Thursday 4/23: Phantom Toll Booth Act II--, pgs. 652-656. Homework: Re-read pgs. 652-656, log entry, complete Thursdays portion of Box 2, complete Box 3, and start Box 1. Time will be given in class and we will discuss all portions of each box daily.

Friday 4/24: Phantom Toll Booth Act II, pgs. 657-660. Homework: Re-read pgs. 657-660, complete Fridays portion of Box 2, and complete Box 1 & 4. Study for Act II QUIZ. The quiz will be on Monday 4/27. Lastly, make sure all portions of all four boxes are completed.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Week of 4/13-4/17

Drama: The Phantom Toll Booth

Monday 4/13: Act I pgs. 613-618. Understanding casts and sets. Homework: Re-read pgs. 613-618 and log entry. Start the four square assignment focusing on box #2 and box #4.

Tuesday 4/14: Act I pgs. 619-622. Understanding stage directions and dialogue. Homework: Re-read pgs. 619-622. Start Box #1 and complete Tuesday's portion for box #2 & #4.

Wednesday 4/15: Act I pgs. 623-626. Continuing to understand setting, dialogue, and character's actions. Homework: Re-read pgs. 623-626 and log entry. Finish Box 1 and complete Wednesday's portion of box #2 & #4.

Thursday 4/16: Act I pgs. 627-630. Understanding puns. Homework: Re-read pgs. 627-630 and log entry. Complete box #3 and Thursday's portion of box #2 & #4.

GIFTED: Bring everything you will need for the living museum tomorrow.

Friday 4/17: Act I pgs. 631-633. Understanding problem & climax. Homework: Re-read pgs. 631-633. Homework: Re-read Act I over the weekend and log entry each day. Finish all items in boxes #1-4 and study for Act I QUIZ.

Week of 4/6 - 4/9

Quarter 4: Drama

Monday 4/6: Intro. to the elements of drama. Read and outline pgs. IN6-IN7 and pgs. 610-611.

Tuesday 4/7: Introduction to a Playbill project. Reviewed the rubric and read "The Princess Swan"

Wednesday 4/8: Worked on playbill (period 2 took theirs home since we will not be in class on Thurs. do to the school wide assembly).

Thursday 4/9: Put the finishing touches on our playbills. Shared out and discussed character development.

Friday 4/10: No School

Reminder GIFTED group: the Living Museum is scheduled for Friday the 17th. Please have your costumes and props ready. =)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Chaperones Needed! =)

I am planning a field trip for Thursday, March 26, to St. Augustine's World Golf Village IMAX Theatre. I am currently looking for 7-10 adults that would be available and willing to ride the bus with us and view "Wild Ocean." After the movie we will eat lunch in the courtyard and return to school. We will leave the school between 9:15 & 9:30 am and return to school at approximately 1:30 pm. Thank you in advance for your support. Please call me at 346-5650 x157 or email me at sargenta@duvalschools.org if you can assist us.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Week of 3/2-3/6

Monday 3/2: Paraphrasing and Personification-Digging Deeper. pg. 742 "April Rain Song."
Homework: Study Guide pg. 743 & 744 ALL parts and study for poetry test #3 (pgs. 138-144 & pgs. 738-744) Identifying the speaker, paraphrasing, and figurative language.

Tuesday 3/3: School Wide Progress Report Day & Poetry Test #3
Homework: Log on to FCAT Explorer for at least 30 minutes

Wednesday 3/4: Writer's Workshop-It's your turn! =) Using the types of figurative language we have focused on(pg. 739). Students will pre-write and draft their own poem. The topic is up to you as long as it is rated "E." Bring your poem with you tomorrow so we can edit and revise.
Homework: Log on to FCAT Explorer for at least 30 minutes

Thursday 3/5: Peer editing of poems. FCAT Score Analysis Summaries with a goal setting worksheet.
Homework: Log on to FCAT Explorer for at least 30 minutes

Friday 3/6: The Mac's visit. FCAT Explorer in class.
Homework: Log on to FCAT Explorer each day for 30 minutes.