Check list/ Rubric for Informative Essay due 10/2/09

Informative essay Rubric

Content

Basic requirements

o Essay contain 5 paragraphs

o Essay is about 6 grade(rs)

o Font: Times New Romans size 14

o Each paragraph contains at least 7 sentences

o Essay is written in 3rd person (1st person is not used at all)

o Paper and outline are typed

Outline requirements

Outline


o Contains Roman numerals I. – V.

o Roman numeral I = Introduction paragraph

o Attention grabber

o Thesis statement (written correctly)

o Contains A. B. C.

o Roman numeral II= 1st paragraph of body


o Topic sentence (written correctly)


o Contains A. B. C.


o Transition sentence


o Roman numeral III = 2nd paragraph of body


o Topic sentence (written correctly)


o Contains A. B. C.


o Transition sentence


o Roman numeral IV = last paragraph of body


o Topic sentence (written correctly)


o Contains A. B. C


o Roman numeral V. (conclusion paragraph)


o Restated thesis statement


o Contains A. B. C. (same order as the introduction paragraph)

Paper

Paragraph # 1

o Attention grabber (1st sentence)

o Contains a thesis statement (use a ; to avoid writing a run-on sentence)

o Contains sentences that “generally” introduces the topic

o 7-10 sentences



Paragraph # 2

o Topic sentence (use same key words in thesis statement)

o Order of sentences match outline

o Examples and details used to support topic sentence

o 7-10 sentences

o Transition sentence (contains key words from main idea # 1 and main idea # 2)



Paragraph # 3

o Topic sentence (use same key words as in thesis statement)

o Order of sentences match outline

o Examples and details used to support topic sentence

o 7-10 sentences

o Transition sentence (contains key words from main idea # 2 and main idea #3)

Paragraph # 4

o Topic sentence (use same key words as in thesis statement)

o Order of sentences match outline

o Examples and details used to support topic sentence

o 7-10 sentences

Paragraph #5

o Begins with “In conclusion,….”

o Contains a restated thesis statement

o Summarizes the three main topics in chronological order



Mechanics

o Every word spelled correctly

o Correct grammar is used

o Consistent use of tenses (if you use past tense, you must use the past tense throughout the entire paper)

o Correct punctuation

o No run on sentences

o Every sentence makes sense

topic and thesis statement

Topic sentence


What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence summarizes what that paragraph is all about. The topic sentence must include the same vocabulary that is used in the thesis statement.



Transition sentence

What is a transition sentence?

A transition sentence informs the reader that a topic is about to change (in an essay or paper). The topic sentence should include key “transition words”. For example: “In addition…”, “As a result of….” Etc. The transition sentence should first mention the 1st topic and then introduce the next topic.



Example: “ As a result of students becoming more independent, they now desire to have a more active social life.

Thesis statement

Thesis statements




What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the main idea of a paper.



Why include a thesis statement?

An author includes a thesis statement in the introduction of their paper in order to provide the reader with the main idea of their paper.



How do you write a thesis statement for a five paragraph essay?

The first part of the thesis statement should mention the main topic of the essay. The last part of the thesis statement should list the three subtopics.



Example:

Computers are an essential part of everyday life; computers are used at most businesses, schools and places of employment.

Based on this thesis statement the reader should expect to read about:

• In paragraph # 1: The introduction! General information about how computers are used daily.

• Paragraph # 2 : How computers are used in most businesses

• Paragraph # 3: How computers are used in schools

• Paragraph # 4: How computers are used in places of employment.

• Paragraph # 5: The conclusion! Summary of thesis.

Grades from take home test

Last night's take home test was a practice test. It will not be included in their average. Have a wonderful weekend.

Format for outline

Here is the format for the outline we will be using this year.

Topic: _________________________________________________________________


I. Introduction

A.

B.

C.

Thesis statement:



II.



Topic sentence



A.

B.

C.



(closing sentence) Transition sentence





III.



Topic sentence



A.

B.

C.



Closing sentence (transition sentence)



IV.



Topic sentence



A.

B.

C.



Closing sentence



V.



Topic sentence

A.

B.

C.

Restated Thesis statement:

Hispanic American Presentation

Students will present on Friday, September 18, 2009

* Each student is required to list 5 facts (about the person they chose) & 5 accomplishments
* Each student must come to class with a a colored picture (no bigger than 5 x 7) of the person who they researched.

Entire vocabulary list

Q & A from Back to School Night

Dear Parents,
       Thank you for a wonderful back to school night. I've listed some of the questions that were asked.

Q. Will my son/daughter have homework on the weekends?

A. No. Homework will be assigned Monday - Wednesday. However, there will be projects and papers due (however, students will generally have two weeks notice). I encourage students to spend their weekends enjoying  their family.

Q. Will my son/daughter have tests and or quizzes?

A. Yes. Most of the test and quizzes will be taken online (http://www.classmarker.com/) . There will be times when a student will be responsible for taking an online test at home.

Q.  What is the best way to contact you?

A. Email is the fastest way to get in contact with me. My email address ssumner@mastcharter.org

Q. What is  the most effective way to monitor my son/daughter's academic progress?

A. View your son/daughter's grades via Powerschool. Please let me know if you need help obtaining a passcode and user id

Q. How long does the class normally take to read one novel.

A. Normally 1-2 weeks.

Q. What should I do if my son/daughter's grades start to decline?

A. It depends on the reason. If a student's grade are dropping because of missing assignments have them make up the assignments (for reduced credit).  If a students grades are dropping because they are struggling academically, please schedule parent/ teacher conference with me.

Q. What should I do If I have computer problems when assignments are due?

A. Please  contact me as soon as possible and arrangements will be made. These arrangements could include completing the assignments using the school's computers or extended time to complete the assignment.

Q. Will my son/daughter learn grammar?

A. Yes.

Literature and Composition Syllabus

Grading policy

 

• Classwork (tests, quizzes, papers, and projects)

 • Homework (home assignments)

 

• Unexcused late assignments (student was present but did not have assignment the day it was due) will earn an automatic 50% **** exceptions illness or family tragedy *****

  

• Assignments copied from a classmate (or given to be copied by a classmate) will earn a ZERO for all students involved.

  

• Assignments that have been plagiarized will be given an automatic ZERO.

  

Example: Copying and pasting information from the Internet and claiming it as your own work

 

• Students will have only one week to make up assignments (when absent) in order to receive full credit. If assignments are handed in after the two week deadline, they will receive reduced credit.

 

Student responsibilities

  

• Complete all assignments on time and to the best of your ability

 • Comply with the uniform policy (brown shoes, brown belt, khaki pants, navy MaST shirt ….)

 • Comply with school / classroom rules and regulations

 • Check Powerschool and homework hero weekly

  

Parent’s responsibilities

 

• Monitor grades online via Powerschool (If you do not have access to their grades please send a letter to Mr. Brophy requesting a user identification and passcode.

 • Communicate with teacher as needed.

 

Readings List

 

• A Matter of Trust (Bluford Series)

 • Dragon of the Lost Sea

 • Freak the Mighty * (some adult language)

 • Knots in My Yo-yo String

 • Lost and Found (Bluford Series)

 • Pictures of Hollis Woods

 • Scorpions ** (some adult situations)

 • Secrets in the Shadows (Bluford )

 • Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind ** (violence, adult language)

 • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

 • The Giver (violence)

 • The Outsiders *** (some adult situations)

 • Self-selected titles (5 minimum)

 • Acorn People *** (some adult language)

  

Examples of assignments

 

• Online test and quizzes (www.classmarker.com)

 

• 5 paragraph essays

 

• Narrative essay
• Persuasive essay
• Autobiography 
• Biography 
• Business letter writing

 

• Multimedia projects

•  Digital movies (using Window Movie Maker)
• Websites
• Video games

• Research paper

 

• Arts related

• Skits, puppet shows, plays etc.
• Posters
• Songs/ Raps/ Poems / Spoken word