Reading Assignment #8

Comment on this post the following:

1)  An idea from the discussion that you agreed with.  
2)  An idea from the discussion that you had not thought about or considered prior to the discussion
3) A Question that came up for you during the discussion  
4) Your big "takeaway" (what you think we all basically think/said OR what you think at the end of the discussion versus the beginning) from today's discussion.  Basically, what you individually learned from the disucussion.

Reply to at least two classmates comments, on either blog.  

Due Wednesday January 15

Reading Assignment #7

Start a discussion based on a point of interest from the reading assignment.  Two people per group may start discussions, the rest need to participate.  This means that there should be 1 comment with the discussion start, and then unlimited replies on that comment.  This is the "discussion".  NOTE that you will have to continually refresh your blog page as people add replies.  

Due Friday, January 10th

Reading Assignment #6

Choose an allusion from the book to focus on.  Include the following in your comment on this post: 

1)  Your definition of allusion

2)  The section from the book that includes the allusion (shorten using … if the passage is more than four lines of text)

3)  The allusion bolded in your quote

4)  Two facts about the person, event, book, artist, etc. that the allusion refers to (you will have to look these up) and that also relate to what is happening in the book.

     Example: Pablo Picasso’s art is said to have been crafted with “a sense of vigor, and his own distinct style” no matter what was popular with other artists.

5)  Your explanation of why it makes sense that the author would allude to this reference, based on what is going on in the book.

6)   A correctly formatted MLA citation for the source(s) you used to find your facts on the allusion

Due Wednesday, January 8^th

Reading Assignment #5

Melinda updates us on her “report card” at the end of every term.  Look back at her first term report (p. 46) her second term report (p. 92) and now her third term report (p. 137). 

PART I:  Comment on this post.  How have her report cards changed?  What “grades” have gone down/up/stayed the same and why?  Why do you think she gives herself “grades” in Social Life, Lunch, and Clothes?  Do you think she’s honest about the grades she gives herself?

Due Weds. Jan. 8, 10pts

PART II:  Turn in to the box.  Make your own “REPORT CARD” like Melinda.  You can use actually classes you have, or classes you wish your had, or parts of school life that are not included in academics (like Melinda’s Social Life, Lunch, Clothes).  You do not have to list your actual grades, but rather the grades you feel you have or that the classes themselves deserve.  Keep in mind these grades apply to general subject areas, not specific teacher’s classes at the school.  At the bottom of your report card, provide some analysis about what this report says about you.  What is your highest grade and why?  Lowest?  Why did you choose the extra parts of school life to include in your report card? 

Due Weds. Jan. 8, 10pts

Reading Assignment #4

Courtney-Misti-Emily:  Choose an quote from “SECOND MARKING PERIOD” or “THIRD MARKING PERIOD.”  Comment on this post with the quote, page number and ask a question about it. 

Kalie-Sam-Abby:  Reply to the question with your thoughts; use another quote in your response if you like. 

I extended this through the last reading assignment and also simplified the task since it was posted late :)

Part II Vocabulary and Definitions

1.      Bigoted: intolerant of any other beliefs or opinions

2.      Imbeciles: a group of stupid or silly people

3.      Vespiary: a nest of social wasps

4.      Delinquency: wrongful; illegal; failure to fulfill a duty or obligation

5.      Tenacious: persistent; stubborn; vicious; not easily pulled apart

6.      Coaxes: to persuade by pleading or flattery

7.      Leper: a person who is rejected; an outcast

8.      Maladjusted: poorly adjusted in one’s social circumstances

9.      Vague: not clear or definite; hazy

Reading Assignment #3

In an interview, Laurie Halse Anderson shares some of the her traits that Melinda's character is based on.  Read her response below.  Then comment on this post with any similarities you see between yourself and Melinda.  Cite at least one specific quote from the book that supports that aspect of Melinda's character. 

Due Tuesday Dec. 17