Ms. Arceneaux's Tough Critics

Something Silly

2011-06-16T13:53:00.002-05:00

check this out

Idea Jam: Educational Shifts

2011-05-03T12:55:00.004-05:00

Choose at least 2 of the following videos to watch and then answer the discussion questions below. Be sure to proof read your post before you send it! Using Word to type it and spell check it would be helpful and then copy and paste it to post it.

Discussion Questions (you must answer all three):
1 - Which one of these videos do you think was posted most recently and why?

2 - What fact did you find the most amazing and why?

3 - How should these facts should affect education and why? (Think about how information is delivered to you, how you complete your work, the tech used in the classroom, whether or not you work in groups or alone, and whether or not your school lessons include global topics, issues, and opportunities)

Do you know your Greek Gods?

2011-02-22T21:56:00.009-06:00

Follow the link to test your Greek God knowledge.

Values

2011-02-21T07:52:00.006-06:00

We have been talking about values in class this week and comparing them to Ancient Greek values. In class we completed a "Family Values" sheet. Using that sheet, ask an adult in your family (parent or grandparent) about at least 3 of the values on the sheet. Your blog post should answer two questions. First, did your perception of your family's values match theirs? Explain how and why or why not. Secondly, post the value that is most important to you and why (it doesn't necessarily have to be included on the "Family Values" sheet). Also, while you are here, take some time to check out our poetry posts!

What is poetry?

2011-02-03T08:58:00.003-06:00

What do you think makes poetry poetry? Is it the rhyme scheme or the true and raw emotions? Is it the metaphors, imagery, and tone or the deeper meanings? Is it the arrangement of words on the page or the freedom of expression? What is your definition of poetry?

Fourth Hour Poetry Exchange

2011-02-02T14:30:00.005-06:00

Share 2 of your favorite poem you have written during our Poetry Unit this year with your classmates. Be sure to give your poem a title. Also, post some valuable feedback to at least 2 classmates. A simple “I like your poem” is not what I am looking for and you will not receive credit for such shallow feedback. Try to notice and mention elements like metaphors, similes, tone, imagery, rhyme scheme, sound devices, and type of poem. The purpose of this assignment is to expose ourselves to a variety of forms and to notice what makes them unique. The expectations for our blog are posted in the upper right-hand corner of this page if you need reminders.

Third Hour Poetry Exchange

2011-02-02T14:29:00.003-06:00

Share 2 of your favorite poems you have written during our Poetry Unit this year with your classmates. Be sure to give your poem a title. Also, post some valuable feedback to at least 2 classmates. A simple “I like your poem” is not what I am looking for and you will not receive credit for such shallow feedback. Try to notice and mention elements like metaphors, similes, tone, imagery, rhyme scheme, sound devices, and type of poem. The purpose of this assignment is to expose ourselves to a variety of forms and to notice what makes them unique. The expectations for our blog are posted in the upper right-hand corner of this page if you need reminders.

Second Hour Poetry Exchange

2011-02-02T13:07:00.007-06:00

Glogster

2010-12-02T20:27:00.001-06:00

Glogster

2010-10-14T16:12:00.001-05:00

2010-02-04T15:53:00.003-06:00

Fourth hour had the special treat of listening to Xero Skidmore perform some of his original poetry during our Poetry Cafe'. He is a local poet who works with the Big Brother Word Play group. If you visit his site you can listen to some more of his exciting and original poetry! If you want even more information, check out this local magazine article about him. Feel free comment to our blog about what you think about his poetry.

Form Poetry Survey

2010-01-19T08:34:00.003-06:00

Share your favorite form poem that you created using ETTC's website (http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm) with your classmates. Be sure to give your poem a title and to tell us the form that you used. Also take the time to post feedback to a classmate. A simple “I like your poem” is not what I am looking for and you will not receive credit for such shallow feedback. Try to notice and mention elements like figurative language, poetic devices, imagery, word choice, tone, rhythm, form, meter, and rhyme scheme. The purpose of this assignment is to expose ourselves to a variety of forms and to notice what makes them unique. Our rules for poetry slam apply to our online blog as well. If you have forgotten the blog expectations they are posted there for you to review.

Practice your Prepositions

2009-12-14T11:17:00.002-06:00

Read this Article First!
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/594/02/

Choose the Preposition-
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/prepositions.htm
http://a4esl.org/q/h/fb-bd-preposition.html
http://www.quia.com/quiz/126698.html
http://www.eduplace.com/cgi-bin/hme-quiz-start.cgi?Grade=6&Unit=7&Topic=Prepositional+Phrases&x=25&y=9
http://www.slidermath.com/literacy/Subject.shtml
http://www.english-the-easy-way.com/Prepositions/In_On_At_Place_Quiz.htm

Try it in a song!
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/1898.html

Practice Quiz
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/preposition_quiz1.htm

Just for Fun!
http://www.marks-english-school.com/games/b_prepmed.html
http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/prepositions-ws.htm
http://www.pumpkinandcompany.com/PAC/kids-activities-grammar_prep_quiz.htm

Inanimate Alice

2009-12-10T10:43:00.001-06:00

Click this LINK to check out the other episodes of "Inanimate Alice" that we previewed in class! I promise you the episodes only get better as you go. Take some time to post your responses and thoughts about this if you try it out. I'd love your feedback!

The following is a teaser from the website about the series.

'Inanimate Alice' tells the story of Alice, growing up in the early years of the 21st century. Written and directed by writer Kate Pullinger and digital artist Chris Joseph, this series of multimedia, interactive episodes uses a combination of text, sound, images, and games as Alice takes us on a journey through her life from the age of eight through to her twenties. Alice becomes a games animator; not just any animator, but a creator of characters for the most successful games company in the world.

And one character stands out: Brad, Alice's only true friend in life. The ten episodes of 'Inanimate Alice' become increasingly interactive and game-like, reflecting Alice's own developing skills as a game designer and animator. 'Inanimate Alice' is a study of human/computer relations in a world where having friends means never having to meet them.

2009-10-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

What is your favorite fantasy novel and why? Explain what features qualify it as a fantasy.

Be sure to answer this post AND respond to another student’s posting.

Practice Comma Games

2009-09-09T08:40:00.003-05:00

Comma and Colon Games

Save the Comma!
http://www.savethecomma.com/game/

Interactive Comma Worksheets
http://www.chompchomp.com/hotpotatoes/commas01.htm
http://www.chompchomp.com/hotpotatoes/commas02.htm
http://www.chompchomp.com/hotpotatoes/commas03a.htm
http://www.chompchomp.com/hotpotatoes/commas04a.htm

Comma Confusion!
http://www.compasslearningodyssey.com/sample_act/34lang_confusion.html

Comma: Fill-in-the-blank
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/commas_fillin.htm

Add a colon:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/nova/nova5.htm

Which is correct?
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_43.htm#colonexercises

Should you use a semicolon?
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_44.htm#semicex

Colons, Dashes & Parentheses
http://www.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerold/pandg/ex4.shtml

Comas and Semicolons: You chose!
http://www.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerold/pandg/ex3acom.shtml

Colons and Semicolons: You chose!
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/410/grammar/colons1.htm

Symbolism in Touching Spirit Bear

2009-09-08T09:09:00.002-05:00

A symbol in literature is a person, object, or event that represents an idea or a set of ideas. What does the Spirit Bear symbolize? What might the at.oow symbolize?

Remember to post an answer as well as a response to a classmate!

Touching Spirit Bear Literature Circle

2009-09-01T12:55:00.001-05:00

Welcome to all of our new members from Mrs. Segura and Mrs. Williams's classes!

In the first pages of our book, before the story even begins, the author devoted an entire page to the following Japanese Proverb: "Fall seven times, stand up eight."
Based on what you have read so far, makes some predictions about this quote and its relevance to our book using the following questions.

What do you think was the author's purpose in including this quote and deciding to devote an entire page to it?
Do you think this quote will be important to our story? How?
How do you think it might apply to our main character?

What's your learning style?

2009-08-17T08:32:00.005-05:00

In class last week, we all took a Multiple Intelligences Quiz. The results of this quiz indicate a number of things about you as a student including how you learn best and what your natural talents are. Take a few moments to look over your scores and reflect on them. Click this link to take a second quiz to verify your results and learn more about what your scores mean, what you need and love, some predictions about you as a student, and even some ways to use your intelligences in the classroom. When you are finished, answer the following questions in one blog entry and then respond to a classmate in a second entry.

Do you agree with the results of your quizzes? If so, explain why. If not, predict what the results should be and why.

Tell us about a time in school where you were able to use one of your top two intelligences and describe the activity and how you felt about it. Did you score well on that activity?

Think of a way that you can use one of your top three intelligences more during academic activities (projects, group work, homework, note-taking, classwork, reading).

Welcome to Our Class Literary Blog

2009-08-05T13:39:00.000-05:00

On this site we will be posting our literary criticisms both as groups and as individuals. Take a few moments to introduce yourself and write about your reading experience, likes, and dislikes. Answer the questions below in your first post. Once you have posted your own response to the questions, be sure to also read your classmates' posts as well and feel free to comment about their posts too.

What is your favorite book of all time and why?
What is your least favorite book and why?
Is there a particular subject or genre of book that you prefer to read about?
What makes a book a good one or a bad one in your opinion?