Sixth Grade Classwork and Homework

We are still working on the Odyssey in class. Remember to use Ms Carranza's site!

In class we answered the five questions about the sirens. I checked them off in class, but we will discuss the answers tomorrow. Tonight, you need to finish the readings and answer the last six questions about Helios, Charybdis, and Calypso.

Your illustrated books and Stops worksheet will be collected on Wednesday.

Eighth Grade Work, Monday, March 31

No homework tonight.

In class, we looked at the Battle of Fredericksburg. We'll continue this tomorrow and also discuss the presentation you will be making, using the work you did on your Civil War General paper.

Eighth Grade Civil War Extra Credit!

Enjoy your Spring Break, students!

Many of you asked about the possibility of extra credit over Spring Break. I don't often offer extra credit, but I'm making an exception.

The Civil War has inspired many movies and documentaries; some are excellent, others less so. Many of these films are available on YouTube, Netflix, and at your local public library. For extra credit, choose two films, watch them, and write a critical review. If they are R-rated, you need to include a signed permission slip from your parents.

Your critical review should be at least three paragraphs. One paragraph (at least) should summarize and give a general overview of the movies. Another paragraph should be your discussion of what you learned about the Civil War from the movies, comparing and contrasting one with the other. Finally, a paragraph (at least one) should be your review of the two: what did you like, what did you not like, and why?

Drop the review in your assignment folder with the title, "MOVIE REVIEW-EXTRA CREDIT."

Wikipedia has a partial list of Civil War movies and documentaries on this link.

Sixth Grade Quiz on Zoroastrianism

A reminder that sixth graders will have a short quiz tomorrow on Zoroastrianism. What should they know?

+That it was founded by Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra)
+That the religion is a monotheistic one
+That their one true god is Ahura Mazda, described as The Creator, The Lord of Light, and Source of All That is Good
+That Ahura Mazda is opposed by Angra Mainyu, also called Ahriman—who is the Source of All That is Bad, a Liar, and Destroyer of the Good
+Zoroastrians believe that at the end of time Ahura Mazda will defeat Angra Mainyu once and for all
+To Zoroastrians, fire is a powerful symbol of purity. Water is also a symbol of purity. Both are used in Fire Temples, where Zoroastrians worship.

+The Faravahar (seen above) is a symbol used by both Zoroastrians and Iranians
+The man symbolizes the soul; he is an older man to symbolize wisdom
+In one hand he holds a ring, symbolizing faith; the other points forwards and upwards, symbolizing a life lived in the right directions
+A ring encircles his lower body and stands for the eternality of the soul
+Each wing has three rows of feathers, reminders of 'Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds'
+Below are three rows of feathers, 'Bad Thoughts, Bad Words, and Bad Deeds' that the man must rise above
+Ribbons point in each direction, symbolizing the choice between right and wrong that one always faces

What's a Cover/Title Page?

If you go to this page, you'll see a great example of a cover or title page. You don't need to have the name of the school, but you do need a name for your paper which includes the name of your general. You must also include the due date, the class name (and period), my name, and your name.

Do not include a picture on your cover or title page.

Generals of The Civil War Paper

This Friday, March 21st, you will turn in the written portion of your Civil War Project. To earn a good grade on this paper, you must:

• Include a cover page with:
• title (including name of your general)
• your name
• my name
• class and period
• due date
• A well-written biographical essay (of at least five paragraphs) with introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and concluding paragraph
• Your essay must include biographical information, such as:
• birth date
• birthplace
• personal life (married? children? educated? jobs?)
• date of death
• place of death
• cause of death
• What was their pre-war life like?
• What side did they fight for and why?
• What battles did they fight in, and to what result?
• If they survived, what was their post-war life like?
• What accomplishments make them memorable?
• What makes them interesting?
• Bibliography

 Although this is not a Language Arts class, I expect that you will write a paper with minimal errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. If such errors interrupt the flow of your paper, or are noticeably excessive, your grade will be affected.

Do not merely answer the above questions all in a row and expect a high grade. You need to craft your information into an essay that flows from an introduction through the body and into a conclusion.

Eighth Grade Work on Lead-up to Civil War

Today we discussed the shots fired on Fort Sumter starting the Civil War.  Remember that you need to make a list of the strengths and weakness (or advantages and disadvantages) of both the North (The Union, or USA) and the South (The Confederacy, or CSA) Then you need to choose one item from your list and write a paragraph response on why you think it is the most important factor.

Do this in your composition book, please. I will check for it tomorrow.