Diary of a Middle School ELAR Teacher

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

7th Grade Vocabulary

Hatchet chapters 5-16

Study these flash cards

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

8th - Research Sites

http://library.swtjc.cc.tx.us/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Monday, April 16, 2012

Analogies

NAME:____________________ DATE:___________

An analogy is a type of word problem. To solve the problem, you must find a word(s) that completes the analogy. Sometimes there seems to be nothing that is similar between the two pairs, but there always is. As you do more and more analogies, you discover different relationships that are used. This makes you much better at solving them.

One test that a student takes to enter the Master’s degree program is called Miller’s Aptitude Test. The whole test is solving analogies. Some jobs that you apply for are not looking for college students, but problem solvers for whatever job you are applying for. Test givers know that students who can solve analogies are problem solvers and as for college entrance exams, they are searching for students who have higher vocabulary. There’s always a word within the analogy that is a hard word. If you are ever in one of these situations, take the word apart using your skills of root study. Most long words are made up of several roots. You can guess the correct multiple choice answer by knowing parts of the more difficult words in the analogy.

*An analogy looks like this: A : B :: 1 : 2

*When you say it out loud it sounds like this: “A” is to “B” as “1” is to “2.”

*There are different types of comparisons such as these:

1. Part to Whole: nose : face :: ace : deck of cards

2. Antonyms: night : day :: cold : hot

3. Synonyms: happy : glad :: sliding : skidding

4. Description: sandpaper : rough :: ocean : wet

5. Item to Category: bird : blue jay :: season : winter

6. Rhyme words: nose : hose :: dryer : hire

7. Worker to tool: mechanic : wrench :: programmer : computer

There are many more types of analogies. Sometimes you just have to invent a relationship (type) that solves a certain analogy. For instance, there might be one that just counts the letters in the words. Here’s an example:

nose : take :: apple : happy

*Order matters. You must place the parts of the analogy in the same order on both sides of “::”. For instance, if the analogy relationship is “Whole to Part,” and you place “whole” first on one side then “whole” must be first on the other side.

*Try your hand at these:

1. dark : light :: ________ : fast

2. fork : spoon :: ________ : hoe

3. pencil : writing :: brush : ________

4. apple : fruit :: ________ : tool

5. ________ : oven :: pilot : airplane

*These are harder. Can you solve them? If needed, use your dictionary.

1. war : ________ :: turbulent : placid

2. distinguished : sophisticated :: fortified : ____________

3. George Washington : President :: Monet : ____________

4. second hand : pane :: watch : ________________

(Did you get #4? If the analogy is “Part to Whole, yes, they can have both

“parts” on one side and the “wholes” on the other side.)

5. lemon : yellow :: sky : ____________

*Now it’s your turn. Make up one of each type listed on the lines below.

Part to Whole:_______________________________________

Antonyms:__________________________________________

Synonyms:__________________________________________

Description:__________________________________________

Item to Category:______________________________________

Rhyme Words:_________________________________________

Worker to tool:________________________________________

Now can you think of other relationships? Make up a couple below and name the type of analogy you created.

Type:__________________ Analogy:__________________________________

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

8th - Reasearch Paper Project

Goal:

To write an ANALYTICAL or ARGUMENTATIVE research paper

ANALYTICAL - In an analytical research paper, you do research to become an expert on a topic so that you can restructure and present the parts of the topic from your own perspective.

ARGUMENTATIVE - In direct contrast to the analytical paper, your approach here is to take a stand on an issue and use evidence to back-up your stance, not to explore or flesh out an unresolved topic.

Choices:

Ø Analytical or Argumentative research paper

Ø Any subject matter of interest

Ø Three, four, or five pages [excludes title page, visuals, Works Cited]

Ø Two or three sources

Ø Visuals, diagrams: optional

Must Haves:

Ø Paper: 1 inch margins-Left, Right, Top, Bottom

Ø Font size: 12

Ø Title Page:

Title (middle of page), Name + Date (Lower Right)

Ø Note cards + source cards

Ø Outline

Ø Rough draft

http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/

The above website is offered as a guide to successful research.

1. Select a general topic that interests you in some way.

2. List key words to help you look up information about the topic.

3. Go to an encyclopedia, or other reference source, to get an overview of the topic.

4. Make source cards for whatever sources you will use for information.

5. Using the general overview, begin to focus the topic into something you can cover well.

6. Write a statement of purpose about the focused topic.

7. Brainstorm questions about the focused topic.

8. Group questions under similar headings.

9. Add any new questions you can think of under those headings.

10. Repeat step 2, listing more key words from your newly focused topic and questions.

11. Make a list of possible sources that can answer your questions. Identify the best sources to use.

12. Find the sources in the library, on the computer, etc. Make a source card for each one you use.

13. Begin making note cards. Use your brainstormed questions to guide your note taking.

14. Change your statement of purpose into a draft thesis statement.

15. Make an outline of your headings.

16. Refocus your thesis statement if necessary.

17. Write the body of your paper from your notes.

18. Cite any necessary information with parenthetical citations.

19. Write your introduction and conclusion.

20. Write your Works Cited (it is similar to a bibliography).

21. Create a title page.

22. Evaluate your work.

23. Turn in your paper on time.

8th - Helpful Websites for Reasearch information

Helpful Websites

Sports

Periodicals