November 4, 2012

Editing the Final Essay

Revision Checklist

Use the Revision Checklist below to help you edit your essay. Take a printed copy of your essay and apply each question to it to help you with the revision process.


  1. Does the essay have a clear and concise main idea? Is this idea made clear to the reader in a thesis statement early in the essay?  
  2. Does the essay have a specific purpose (such as to inform, entertain, evaluate, or persuade)? Have you made this purpose clear to the reader?  
  3. Does the introduction create interest in the topic and make your audience want to read on?  
  4. Is there a clear plan and sense of organization to the essay? Does each paragraph develop logically from the previous one?
  5. Is each paragraph clearly related to the main idea of the essay? Is there enough information in the essay to support the main idea?  
  6. Are there clear transitions from one paragraph to the next? Have key words and ideas been given proper emphasis in the sentences and paragraphs?  
  7. Are the sentences clear and direct? Can they be understood on the first reading? Are the sentences varied in length and structure? Could any sentences be improved by combining or restructuring them? 
  8. Does the essay have an effective conclusion--one that emphasizes the main idea and provides a sense of completeness?

Copyright Law

Websites For Additional Copyright Information

Copyright Information
·  This website serves as a copyright portal for practical and relevant copyright information.
·  The site was launched in 1995 and specializes in information for all areas of content.

Copyright Office
·  This site was created by the U.S. Copyright Office.
·  The site offers key publications for users to reference including informational circulars and  forms for copyright registration.

Fair Use Standards
·  The Stanford Copyright & Fair Use site was started in 1996.
·  The site is a good reference for users and even offers handouts that teachers can print and use as resources.
Copyright Guidelines
·  The site is useful because it provides smart solutions that simplify the licensing of content.
·  Users can use the site to learn what makes copyright material and how to register copyright content.
 

Writing Resources

Helpful Sites for Writing an Essay

Essay Types This website gives an overview of different essay types and provides writers with a definition of the essay's subject before beginning to write the first draft.


Essay Topics This website provides ideas for essay topics and is a resource for students having a difficult time choosing a subject area.


Essay Outline An essay outline is an essential component when writing an essay. This site will serve as a foundation for organizing a writer’s ideas.


Outline Worksheet
The worksheet provided on this website will provide students with a reference for creating an outline to write an essay.


The Online Writing Lab
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material for students. These services are provided as a free service for students, members of the community, and users worldwide to use to write essays.


APA Style
This site is a reference for the APA Manual style that is often used when writing essays. The site offers tutorials for users wanting to learn how to use and apply the rules and references for using the APA style.


MLA Style
This website defines the MLA Manual style and offers users a historical reference for applying the MLA style for documenting references. This writing format is regarded as more concise than other styles, and this site offers users resources to apply the style.

Constructing an Essay Outline

An essay outline is probably the most important friend you will have while writing your essay. It is the scaffolding of your paper and the skeleton of your ideas. It is the framework by which you will write a killer essay. And frankly, it is difficult to write one without an outline.
When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide. This outline can be printed for your personal use just click here.


Essay Outline Worksheet

When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide.

I. INTRODUCTION:
Thesis:______________________________________________________.


II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1:
Opening Sentence:____________________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.


III. BODY PARAGRAPH II:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.


IV. BODY PARAGRAPH III:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.


V. BODY PARAGRAPH IV:
Transition/Opening Sentence:_________________________________.
Detail 1:____________________________________________________.
Detail 2:____________________________________________________.
Detail 3:____________________________________________________.


VI. CONCLUSION:
Reconfirmed Thesis:_________________________________________.

Crafting a Thesis Statement

Each student should craft a thesis statement before writing the body of the paper. Constructing your thesis statement first will help guide your thinking when making your outline. This will organize your evidence and your essay as you proceed.You should write a strong, declarative sentence that states your position. To help you with this process please review a video about How to Write an A+ Thesis Statement.

Writing Bibliography Cards


Students will be responsible for searching for information about your favorite person. Take notes of facts that you think are important enough to include in the final paper and these sources will be used to create your bibliography cards.

Each student must find at least 5 references to support their research essay. For every reference source used you must fill out an index card with the citation on one side and facts about the source on the other. Be sure to assign a letter beside each source to keep you organized.


Modern Language Association (MLA) Examples



PRINT SOURCES (Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Academic Journals) Book - One Author: Fritz, John. The Video Won't Do: Read the Book. Philadelphia: McGraw Hill, 1998. Print. Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Copyright date. Print.


Book - Two and Three Authors: Sutty, Sandy and Eric Sutty. Living With Two Boys and How to Survive. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004. Print.
Last Name, First Name and First Name Last Name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Copyright date. Print.


Book That Has An Editor: Cochran, Cristina, ed. Life Is a Poem. Brooklyn, NY: Random House, 1999. Print.
Last Name, First Name, ed. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Copyright date. Print.


Magazine Article With One Author: Cohen, Bud. "Announcing Menu Selections With Flair." Bon Appetit. 4 September 2010: 71- 72. Print.
Last Name, First Name. “Name of Article.” Name of Magazine. Date of Publication: page(s).


Newspaper Article: Kuwik, Sarah. "Great Jazz Musicians." The News Journal. 11 May 2008: D8. Print. Last Name, First Name. “Name of Article.” Name of Newspaper. Date of Publication: page(s). Print.


ELECTRONIC SOURCES (World Wide Web and Databases): Find as much essential information as possible (Author, title, publication data, etc.) to identify the source you are citing. If needed, go back to the home site to find the information. Include the date last updated and when you accessed it for websites and databases.


Website: Johns, Lloyd. “Lord Murugan.” Murugan, Hindu God Murugam, Skanda, Hindu War. God. Lotus Sculpture, 2000-2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. Last Name, First Name. “Title of Website.” Name of Home website. Publisher, Date listed (if any). Web. Date accessed.


Online Databases: Check to make sure the MLA citation that is provided on the article is correct. See http://valenciacollege.edu/library/doc_mla_electronic.cfm for specific databases.


Waterman, Stan. "School Discipline." Education Weekly. Aug. 2011: 93-95. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 7 Mar. 2012.
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Name of Source. Date: Page(s). Database Name. Web. Date of access.


Works on Web Cited with Print Publication Data AND Databases without MLA format: Child, L. Maria, ed. The Freedmen’s Book. Boston, 1866. Google Book Search. Web. 15 May 2008.
Follow the print format (use information from above) and Add Title of Website or Database name. Web. Date of access.


Digital File found on Web (PDF, Word Document, etc.): Pitts, Jackie. “The Sanford Way.” The Best Private School Weekly. Winter 2012: 5-7. PDF File.
Follow the print format (use information from above) and Add File Format Name.


Blog: Helmecki, Todd. “Having Fun Teaching History.” Teaching History 101. Sanford School. Web. 2 April 2012.
Last Name, First Name. "Posting Title." Name of Website. Version Number (if any). Sponsor or Publisher. Web. Date of Access.


Online Video (YouTube, etc.): Stocklos, Staci. “Organizing the Best Prom.” YouTube. 12 May 2012. Web. 2 April 2012. Editor, Author, Compiler Name (Last, First). "Posting Title." Name of Website. Version Number (if any). Sponsor or Publisher. Web. Date of Access.

Fall Semester Assignments

Lesson Goals:
  • 6th grade students will be able to gather relevant data through library, field and online research.
  • 6th grade students will practice summarizing, paraphrasing, and outline note taking skills.
  • 6th grade students will define and write a clear thesis.


Research Essay Due Dates
:
  • Week 1: Essay topic due
  • Week 2: Bibliography cards due
  • Week 3: Essay outline due
  • Week 4: Essay first draft due
  • Week 5: Essay due  
      

What I teach....

I teach using the Balanced Literacy approach.  This model includes 5 components that I focus upon to strengthen my 6th grade readers. Balanced literacy is a framework for reading instruction. It involves teaching by reading to students, having students read independently, and reading with students.

Balanced Literacy Component #1 – The Read Aloud
In the read aloud strategy the teacher reads out loud to the classroom. This way the teacher can model the correct strategies and behaviors. It’s important that teachers read with enthusiasm, rhythm, and the proper intonation.

Balanced Literacy Component #2 – Guided Reading
Through guided reading teachers are able to work with students who are on the same level. Students are put into small groups, given their own book, and the teacher works with each student to help develop the skills they need.

Balanced Literacy Component #3 – Shared Reading
During shared reading the students and teacher read together. This is an opportunity for students to discover new words and their meanings.

Balanced Literacy Component #4 -Independent Reading
During independent reading students are allowed to choose the books they want to read. This is important for many reasons — one being that reading becomes a more enjoyable experience. Also, when students realize teachers value reading time, they begin to realize that reading must be an important skill.

Balanced Literacy Component #5 – Word Study
Students work with words through fun and engaging activities.  At the 6th grade level, students focus on root words, suffixes and prefixes, and how to derive meaning of words.

6th Grade Book Reviews

Need some new books to read? Take a look at what other 6th grade students said about books they enjoyed. Come back to this blog for more posts with book reviews.



Emily Windsnap and the Castle In The Mist by Sarah Gibb
Genre:  Fantasy
This is a book about a semi-mermaid named Emily. She lives on Allpoints Island, which is half air, half water. One day she finds a ring, a very special ring.  Neptune finds out and tries to get the ring but it won’t come off her finger.  Then she is whisked away to a place in the middle of the ocean.  Will she figure out how to get back, and what the ring is?

On The Other Side of the Hill by Roger Lea MacBride
Genre:  Fiction
This is a book about a girl named Rose, who is a part of the Little House series.  This book tells a lot about her school life and her friend, Blanche Coday.  It also tells about the improvements that are happening to the farm.  Then it tells about the good times that turn into bad times.  What will happen?

Storm Rescue by Laurie Anderson
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
This is a book about a girl named Sunita, who is a volunteer vet.  She lives and works in Ambler, where the hurricane “Felix” is affecting her.  Even though it is getting pretty harsh, people keep saying, "We'll be fine." One day Sunita's favorite pet gets stuck in her attic while the rest of her house is underwater.  Will Sunita be able to save her?

Time to Fly by Laurie Anderson
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
This is a book about a girl named Zoe.  Zoe works at an animal clinic.  One day, she sees a flock of parrots behind the clinic. Zoe decides to save the parrots.  Meanwhile, her Mom gives her an invitation to live with her.  Will Zoe get it all done?

Teachers Pet by Laurie Anderson
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
 This is a book about a girl named Maggie.  Maggie is a vet volunteer.  Now that summer is over, she is starting middle school. The problem is Maggie is not the greatest student, and school is like misery.  Then in her science class her teacher is blind and has a guide dog.  They are having trouble together.  Will Maggie figure out what to do?

Little Town in the Ozarks by Roger Lea MacBride
Genre:  Fiction
After many hardships on the farm, the Wilder family heads off to start a new life in town.  They decide to live in the house their wealthy dying grandfather bought for their use.  But they don’t like town life.  They have to stay there until they pay off their debts.  Will they be able to go back to the farm soon?

New Dawn on Rocky Ridge by Roger Lea MacBride
Genre:  Fiction
Since times on the farm are not so great, the Wilder family is still living in town.  They have paid off most of their debts.  Now Rose is growing older and will soon graduate school.  She is also falling in love.  What will happen as she keeps growing older?

On the Banks of the Bayou by Roger Lea MacBride
Genre:  Fiction
In this book Rose goes away for a year with her aunt to Louisiana to finish school.  Her aunt lives in a huge house but she is not very wealthy.  While she is there she finds a beau.  She has a very busy life there.  Read this book to find out what happens in the end!

Meet Rebecca by Jacqueline Greene
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
This is a book about a girl Rebecca, who lives during the early 1900's.  Her father owns a shoe store.  One day they find out they have to send tickets to their sick family in Germany.  Rebecca decides to sell her sewing at the shop.  Will they get enough money?

Jimmy's Stars by Mary Rodman
 Genre:  Realistic Fiction
In this book, Ellie's brother Jimmy goes away to battle.  Ellie is heartbroken because she and Jimmy were so close. But, she and Jimmy kept in contact.  Luckily Jimmy is only a doctor.  Then he gets shipped to England.  What will happen to Jimmy?
 

Let's Get Started...

Hello class!
This will be my first blog ever in my attempt to catch up with the rest of the blogging nation.  The main focus of this blog will be to share information and happenings in our 6th grade Language Arts class. By doing this I hope that I can keep everyone "in the know" about what is going on, and share some insight to what my students are learning.
I am also challenging parents and students to interact with this blog as much as possible. Feel free to use this blog to express any comments or ideas you may have about our class assignments.
In the mean time, I hope you enjoy our work, and as always feel free to contact me at anytime as2416@nova.edu.

-Ms. Sermons


Welcome

Hello all!
This is a new school year and our 6th grade blog. I have exciting ideas for this year and hope each student will connect and share during our web 2.0 journey. Please browse this blog and leave a comment to share your thoughts.