Tuesday, October 7, 2014

GLArts: NewsELA and Vocabulary

Today you will be practicing your reading comprehension and learning about current events simultaneously.  Go to newsela.com, create a student account, and use this code to sign in to my class: TXSZG
You need to complete 5 articles.

I would also like you to check out a website for practicing vocabulary.  This link is to a list I made for our words so far this year:
http://quizlet.com/52701188/8th-grade-glarts-i-flash-cards/
but when you are done with this, try this list to prepare you for college:  http://quizlet.com/46342691/sat-words-1st-set-flash-cards/

Monday, September 22, 2014

SEMINAR: Intelligence Tests


Thursday, September 18, 2014

G.L.Arts: Narrative & Plot: Final Writing Assignment


Compose a story with the following elements  (Due Thurs 9/18):


  1. Create a PLOT DIAGRAM describing the internal and external developments in the main character and his/her setting.
  2. Write a FIRST DRAFT of the story including a minimum of 10 vocabulary words from the list (more than 10 is even better) and 10 linking verbs (see p. 10 of your grammar workbook for review).  
  3. PEER REVEIW: Trade papers (first draft and plot diagram) with a classmate.
    1. Read their story and answer the following questions on a separate paper to be attached to their assignment. Label your comments as “Peer Review” at the top; Story by  ________; Reviewed by _______.
      1. What part of the story was most interesting or engaging?
      2. What did you find confusing or lacking detail?
      3. What aspect of the character or setting would you like to have more description of?
      4. Mark any grammar, spelling, or syntax errors in purple highliter.
    2. Attach the response of the person who reviewed your story to your paper
    3. Read/discuss each other’s  feedback comments
    4. On the same paper they gave you, add a section titled: "Reflections on Peer Feedback." In this section you will describe how you will improve your story in the final draft.
  4. FINAL DRAFT: Make the improvements listed in "Reflections" section of your peer review.
Turn all 4 parts in together, stapled and clearly labeled.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Web-Quest for Info. on Gifted Education

Open a new tab of this blog and go to the "Info for Parents" tab above. Click on the "Hoagies for gifted" link.  Then follow these steps with your group:

  1. Choose one of the Frequently answered questions that you are curious about and summarize the answer in your own words.
  2. Each group will choose one of the following sections to present to class.  You need to describe the kinds of information available in your section and give details about anything you find to be particularly important. Be sure to explore and describe any links as well:
    1. Identification
    2. Testing
    3. Gifted Education and Gifted Programs
    4. Support
  3. Each person in your group come up with a question that they would like to know more about related to Giftedness.
  4. Explore the rest of the website.  Share one interesting page you found.
  5. Email me with your response to these steps at samuelpsullivan@gmail.com (be sure to write the names of everyone in your group).

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Superhero Project: Analyze and Create!



WED 9/3 to THURS 9/4: compare superheroes/villains

  • compare 3 super-villains and 3 superheroes side by side using http://www.superherodb.com/versus/
  • Explain for each hero/villain: What problems are they most suited to solve or cause? Why? 
  • choose a real world problem that is important to your group; 
  • create a super-villain to symbolize, cause, or worsen that problem

    • describe their history (why they turned bad) 
    • describe their statistics and powers 
    • describe their dastardly plan 

  •  design a superhero who is ideal to save the day, include: 

    • their public identity and personal history
    • superpowers 
    • statistics: strengths and weaknesses 
    • How will they overcome the villain and his/her evil plan?
CREATIVE APPLICATION of hero and villain (choose as many as you can realistically do):
    • write the story of your characters
    • write a skit or screenplay
    • draw a promotional poster or comic cover
    • make a comic strip (use paper or Pixton.com)
    • act out a scene, commercial, etc.
    • make a costume
    • diagram technological gadgets used by your characters
    • etc. (if you think of something else, run it by me)
Superhero Project Rubric:
Category
requirements
score
description of villains/heroes
(6 points)
describe and explain specific problems that could be caused/solved by 3 superheroes and 3 supervillains

choose a problem  (2 points)
choose a specific real-world problem of any sort

original supervillain (8 points)
Design an original villain that can cause/symbolize the problem; include personal history, power stats, and evil plan to create the problem.

original superhero (8 points)
Design an original superhero who can overcome the villain and the problems he causes.  Describe public identity, personal history, superpowers, natural strengths and weaknesses,  and how  he/she can overcome the villain’s plan.

Creative EFFORT (10)
use time effectively and efficiently, preparing work and materials outside of class, effective teamwork

QUALITY of Product(s) (10)
end product displays care, talent, and creative vision.  Ideas are implemented in original, artistically-pleasing ways

COMMUNICATION of Characters (10)
the project focuses time and creativity of the group in ways that add to the detail, description, and personality of your hero and villain character

Monday, May 12, 2014

Seminar: Solar Cooker Planning

Here is your chance to choose a design that you think will cook effectively.  See these websites for design ideas:


   Once you choose your design and find detailed plans for building it, you need to describe the following sections:

  1. Supplies, equipment, materials:  make a complete list of materials (mylar reflective material, glue, etc) and equipment (scissors) you need to complete the project.
  2. Reflector Angles:  
    • How are you going to measure and/or adjust the angles of the reflectors on the cooker?
    • How can you aim the cooker most effectively towards the sun?
  3. Trapping Heat:
    • What materials are you going to use to trap heat in your cooker?
    • Are any parts to be insulated?
    • What type of cooking container will you use (and who is bringing it?)
  4. Sustainability
    • Demonstrate your knowledge of sustainability by explaining what is sustainable and not sustainable about solar cookers.
    • Describe the impact solar cookers can have on society, environment, and/or economy.
    • Connect these ideas to at least one permaculture principle per person in your group.

SOLAR COOKER PROJECT RUBRIC

Category
5 points
4 points
1-3 points
Productivity
Self grade:
Grade:
Student used class time very well,  brought supplies from home, and even worked on the project outside of class time.  Asked for help when stuck instead of wasting time.
Only a little class time wasted; supplies acquired and project completed on time.
Project incomplete or does not justify the time allotted. Much time wasted and students had to be prompted to get on task many times.
Craftsmanship
Self grade:
Grade:
Care was given to  follow instructions, make original modifications, and
make a quality product,
some care was taken in design and building.
product shows little attention to detail or is incomplete.
Teamwork
Self grade:

Grade:
All members worked together in a respectful and effective manner.
Conflict or work habit issues arose but were worked out.
Conflict or work habit issues kept the group from being effective.
Food and cooking vessel  selection
Self grade:

Grade:
Food selected from sustainable meal project and appropriate cooking vessel selected.
Food and cooking vessel brought from home.
Missing food and/or cooking vessel
Cooker Effectiveness
Self grade:

Grade:
food cooked effectively.
food cooked with moderate success.
Solar cooker did not work.
Society, Environment,
Economy
(10 points)
Self grade:

Grade:
Demonstrates high level understanding of how issues on the sustainability venn diagram are affected by solar cooking.
Domains of sustainability explained clearly in relation to solar cooking.

Permaculture Principle
(10 points)
Self grade:

Grade:
Demonstrates high level understanding of permaculture principles and how it relates to solar cooking.
At least one Permaculture principle per person is clearly related to Solar cooking.
Principles missing or too vaguely explained.
Overall Sustainability Understanding
Self grade:

Grade:
Student demonstrates extensive knowledge of scientific and practical aspects or solar cookers and their sustainability implications.
Student demonstrates clear understanding of scientific and/or practical aspects or solar cookers and their sustainability implications.
Student fails to demonstrate clear understanding of scientific and/or practical aspects or solar cookers and their sustainability implications.
Total Points
(out of 50)
Total Self grade:
Total Grade:


NAME (put your name in a column below and assess yourself)
The quality and quantity of my work was more than or equal to the others in my group.
The quality and/or quantity of my work was a little less than the others in my group.
The quality and/or quantity of my work was less than the others in my group.
Student 1



Student 2



Student 3



Student 4



Friday, May 2, 2014

Parent Night Preparation

You have two options to prepare for parent night:

1. Polish and improve a project you have already done to be viewed by parents and peers during Gifted Night.  Make sure you have visually appealing elements and demonstrate your brilliance!

OR

2. Continue the Permaculture Principal summary from Wednesday:

  • Choose a permaculture principle to describe and define in your own words.
  • Illustrate the principle with three examples from readings, projects, or activities in class this year.  Be sure to explain in detail how the examples relate to the principle!
  • Include visual elements that add meaning and interest to your principle
  • Explain how the principle applies to your life now and in the future.  Describe in detail!