Author Study

Hi Everyone! 

Below are some links to help you with your author study project. 

Good luck!!

http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/%7edkbrown/authors.html

http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/authors.asp#l

http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/School-Bell/Language-Arts/Authors

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/askauthor/

http://www.edupaperback.org/top100.cfm?page=2

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/askauthor/AuthorLinks.html

Midterm Review

Here are a few links to help you prepare for your LAL Midterm.  If you have any questions about any of the exercises, be sure to write them down and bring them to class so we can go over it.  GOOD LUCK!

http://www.aliscot.com/bigdog/

http://palc.sd40.bc.ca/palc/Quiz/gramquiz.htm

“The Giver” - WEBQUEST

Give it up for The Giver!!!

The following links have been provided to help you with your utopia project for The Giver. 

The first site can help you clarify the true meaning of “utopia”.  It provides a definition & some famous quotes about the subject. 

The other 3 links are websites of actual utopian communities that exist today.  Spend some time looking at how they have set up their community.  Though you need to come up with your own ideas for your community, you are welcome to use these communities as inspiration.

Remember - Your final project is due Friday, February 6th. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

http://www.euro.net/mark-space/glosUtopia.html 
This site is helpful in defining UTOPIA 

http://www.ic.org/acorn/ 
A community located in Virginia.

http://www.findhorn.org/ 
A community located in Scotland.

http://eastwind.org/ 
A community located in Missouri.

Job Assignments - Good idea or not?

In the society described in The Giver, by Lois Lowry, jobs are assigned to members of the community at the age of 12.  They begin training right away.  Although each job is carefully selected, you have no say in this assignment and it cannot be changed.  

Take some time to think about this idea and discuss it with your family & friends.  There would be no need to stress about choosing a career path and no worries about trying to find or keep a job.  Remember, money is not an issue in this society.

What do you think about this aspect of the community? 

What do you think your assignment would be?

Do Aliens Exist?

Below are some websites you can use to conduct your investigation. While taking notes, be sure to write down the website so you know where the information came from. Good Luck!

http://aliens.monstrous.com/

http://netowne.com/ufos/important/

http://www.firstscience.com/home/articles/mysteries/life-off-earth-do-aliens-exist-page-1-1_1350.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1114_031114_setisearch.html

http://users.rio.com/foster/aliens/couldexist.html

“Boy: Tales of Childhood” by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was the author of this story as well as other favorites like Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James & the Giant Peach.  He spent his life writing amazing stories about kids in worlds full of imagination, wonder, and nonsense.  Dahl once said, “A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men”.  What do you think he meant by this?  Explain your answer.

“Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez

This week we are reading the personal essay “Names/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez.  In the autobiographical essay, Julia talks about the different nicknames she was given when she was going to school in America. At first she wasn’t happy about her new classmates not pronouncing her name properly. Later, with some guidance from her mom, she learned to accept the nicknames.

When I was growing up, I always wanted a nickname but never really had one.  Some people would call me “Claire Bear” and some just called me by my last name but I never really had a true nickname.  Have you ever been given a nickname? Did you like it or not? If you have never been given a nickname, do you wish you had one?

“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto

In the story, Victor sets a goal for the school year.  “Teresa is going to be my girl this year, he promised himself as he left the gym full of students in their new fall clothes” (p.21).  Although he encounters some obstacles at first, he makes some progress towards the end of the day and it looks like Victor is going to achieve his goal.

Tell me about a time you achieved a goal that you set for yourself.  What was it?  Were there any obstacles that you had to overcome?  How did it feel to be successful?

Welcome to a brand new school year!

I love the beginning of the year.  No, not because I love to torture young people by giving homework.  It’s because it’s a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to get it right this year.  Each September I think about what I can do differently this year to make me a better teacher.  As a student, what can you do differently to help you succeed and do your very best in 7th grade?

Thanks for visiting JordaSpace!

This blog has been created exclusively for Mrs. Jorda’s 7-2 LAL students & their parents.  From time to time there will be postings for you to read and respond to.  Be sure to check this page regularly because you will need to respond to my postings to earn points toward your grade.  Happy blogging!! ~ Mrs. Jorda

<<Disclaimer: This webpage is an individual teacher webpage and is not the official website of Jonas Salk Middle School or the Old Bridge Township Public Schools.>>