Reminder as you write your essay

Every body paragraph should looks something like this:

Topic Sentence (NEVER a quote) - should be your point

Support #1

Detail #1

Detail #2 or example or quote

Support #2

Detail #1

Detail #2 or example or quote

Support #3

Detail #1

Detail #2 or example or quote

Conclusion sentence or transition sentence

Notes from CMPL Guest Speakers on March 1

To begin:

Go to cmpl.org.  If you have a login/library card number, click on “My Account” and log in.  This will give you access to everything on the library site.  If you don’t have a login, you can still use many of the library services, including most research databases.

To do research:

Click on “Research.”  Under “Advanced Research Databases,” use the drop-down to choose the database you want to search based on the topic you are searching.  Once you pick a database, remember to search using KEYWORDS, not sentences - you will get a better result that way.

“MeL” (Michigan eLibrary) and “ERIC” are good for scholarly sources like academic journals.  “InfoTrac Student Edition” and “Britannica School - High” are good for magazines and newspapers, as well as academic journals.  There are many, many databases to choose from, but they should all give you good, reputable, scholarly sources that you can use for your research and Senior Project essay.

Once you open an article from any of the CMPL databases, you will find a toolbar on the right side of the page to help you.  Tools include citations, the ability to print or download articles, and the ability to highlight text and save notes about your highlighted sections.

If you need to pick a topic (also helpful for researching):

On the Research tab, use the drop-down and pick “Opposing Viewpoints.”  Once there, click on “Browse Issues.”  This brings you to a list of possible topics.  Clicking on any of these will bring you to a dedicated page of information, sources, and links about that topic.  

OR

On the Research tab, use the drop-down and pick “InfoTrac Student Edition.”  Once there, click on “Topic Finder.”  This brings you to a search box that then gives you a chart (wheel or tiles) of increasingly narrowed topics related to the broad topic you search for.  Clicking on any of these will bring up a list of articles that could work for your research.

Senior Project 2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: it's Senior Project Time!  

The project is broken down into a few main components: Annotated Bibliography, Research Essay, Digital Presentation and Presentation Board, In-Class Presentation, and Presentation Fair.  All due dates and work days are listed on the assignment calendar already, to help you as you work.  Remember that I take due dates and deadlines very seriously, so it is important that you keep track of what is due when and plan accordingly.

On the right side of the page is a set of Senior Project links, including: 

• a detailed overview of the ENTIRE project
• the letter that was sent home about the Senior Project
• a checklist/due date list with everything you are expected to do, with point values for all assignments
• the late work cover sheet that is required to be included with anything turned in after due dates
• folders of information and handouts specific to the Annotated Bibliography, Research Essay, and Presentations

Many of the materials included here will be given out in class, but you are responsible for making sure you have everything you need, so these links and folders are to help you as you work.  If you plan on using any of the templates provided here as a basis for your work, you will need to make a copy before you can make any edits.

Once you create your Annotated Bibliography, Outline, Research Essay, and Digital Presentation, you will share each of these with me for points.  Before you do, you will need to name your documents using the following format: Last name First Name Item.  So, my annotated bibliography would be called "Shier Miss Annotated Bibliography."  My essay would be "Shier Miss Research Essay."  My presentation would be "Shier Miss Media Presentation."  Points will be lost for misnamed files.

I know this seems like a lot of work, and it is, but I'll be working with you every step of the way, and I have absolute faith that you can do this.  Good luck and DON’T PANIC!!!

Gatsby Vocabulary Assignment - DUE February 23*

By now you've noticed that F. Scott Fitzgerald likes to use big words in his writing.  Your assignment is to use the Gatsby Vocabulary List by Chapter to complete the Gatsby Vocabulary Worksheets.  

You have two choices when it comes to turning in this assignment:
1 - Print the vocabulary worksheets found above, and complete the work on paper.  This option is due no later than 2:35 PM on Friday, February 23.

2 - Complete your answers in a digital format, either via email or by typing your answers onto a shared Google Doc.  If you choose this option, points will only be awarded if it is clearly indicated which chapters your set of answers belongs to (there are six sets of ten questions, so just numbering answers 1-10 will not work).  *If you know how to type your answers directly onto a copy of the pdf, that is also acceptable (but you will then need to show me how you did it.)  This option is due no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, February 23.  

Note #1 - Do not use an online dictionary for this assignment.  The Vocabulary List provides definitions that Fitzgerald would have known for the words nearly 100 years ago, which are not necessarily the same as the modern definition of the words.  

Note #2 - If you do not turn in a paper version of the assignment by end of day on February 23, it will be assumed that you will be turning in a digital version before midnight, and late penalties will accrue accordingly.

Starting "The Great Gatsby," by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Our final novel this year is "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  This is a short one, only nine chapters, but it's a great story.  And yes, we will watch the movie adaptation after we finish.  I would not recommend watching it beforehand, though - it's a good adaptation, but not close enough to help you on any of the assignments we'll be doing in conjunction with the reading.

We will primarily be reading in class, but you should use the information from the list of links on the right to help you if you miss or need to catch up.  This should be your first stop with any questions.

As we read, you will be working on two long-term assignments: one deals with F. Scott Fitzgerald's extensive use of symbolism in the novel, and one deals with the advanced vocabulary that appears in the novel.  We will discuss both in class, but information about these two can be found in the "Gatsby Handouts and Worksheets" folder at right.  Be aware that you will have very limited class time to work on these, so manage your time wisely.  UPDATE: There is a list of color assignments in the Handouts folder, in case you forgot what you were given.

Also available is an ebook of the novel, a set of links to the audio book version, and a pair of videos that walk you through the story, the setting, and the themes of the novel ("LCC: Gatsby Part 1" and "LCC: Gatsby Part 2").   We will talk about most of this in class, but you may want to watch these videos for yourself, especially if you are confused by anything we read in the novel.

Lastly, be aware that we will be wrapping up "The Great Gatsby" differently.  For the other novels we read, you wrote an essay or completed a project about what we read, but for this one, you will be taking a quiz based on the reading.  Be prepared - the quiz is scheduled for February 22.

"Brave New World" Final Project

Even though we haven't quite finished the novel, now is a good time to start thinking about which of the ten project options you would like to work on.  The complete list of options, as well as the rubrics I will be using for grading, are in the "BNW Handouts and Assignments" folder on the right side of the page.  

You will need to make a decision and report your project choice to me by the end of class on Wednesday, January 10.  There will be class time available for working on this project, but you may need to do some out-of-class work in order to finish on time.

Your completed project and accompanying Works Cited page are due by 2:45 on Friday, January 19, regardless of whether you have chosen to do a written (and printed) essay or some form of digital project.  Late work will not be accepted after 2:45 on Tuesday, January 23.

Good luck!

Important Senior Video News

From Mrs. G:

Pictures for the Senior Video are due by Friday, January 5.  You need to turn in a current/recent picture and a baby picture.  

Pictures can be turned in to Mrs. G, or emailed to clintondaleseniorvideo@gmail.com

Baby pictures will NOT be accepted after the deadline.

See Mrs. G with questions.