Journals

6th grade PLEASE WRITE THE PROMPT AT THE TOP OF EACH JOURNAL. If there is part written in yellow, you only need to write that at the top.

Journal 26: May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day. I've only ever seen the following Star Wars Movies: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Write a 220 word persuasive paper convincing me to watch 1 other Star Wars movie. Use evidence. If you've never seen one, your paper should either convince me why I should NOT watch any of them.
Focus here is on persuasive writing. Yes, I will really watch the one with the most persuasive writing.

Journal 25: The Blame Game
Think about when you’ve blamed someone for something you have done, or when someone else has blamed you for something they’ve done.
Write to explain what happened and how you felt in each situation. Type and submit a full 8-sentence paragraph

Journal 24: How’s it going for you at home in terms of school being cancelled? What’s been positive? Negative? What challenges do you foresee if we wind up being out for 2 weeks after Spring Break? 1 paragraph (8 sentence minimum)

Journal 23: Write a 1- paragraph journal in which you re-analyze a piece of art in my room. As you discuss at least 3 different VISUAL ELEMENTS, choose the appropriate vocabulary from the word bank as well as from your notes. Include 2 similies.

Journal #s 21 AND 22
Witness to a Brawl steps 2 and 3

# 20: ART WALK
One piece you really liked and why. One piece you hated and why. Be specific in your reasons.* use “textual” support. ½ page

journal 19 Often times, schools will pass a student along to the next grade, even if they’ve failed for the year for one reason or another.   Think about all the reasons a kid might fail. Write to defend if kids like Max should get passed from seventh grade to eighth or not? WRITE 1 /2 page: Should we keep this system, get rid of it, or alter it? Defend your answer!

include 2 pros (positives) of this system
include 2 cons (problems) with this system.

Journal # 18: Reconsider: Who’s the Hero?
Which character in the novel is most courageous?
Next, re-read your journal #6 response “what is courage?”. Do you still agree with your original ideas? How has this novel altered your view?

Support your answers with details and evidence from the text AND from your thoughts from journal 6. ½ page

Journal # 17 In chpt 21, Grim says, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Discuss specific examples of how this is true in BOTH the novel AND in your life.

journal 16: SECRET SANTA
Choose any 2 characters from FTM. Give each an appropriate Christmas present: Draw a picture of the present, and include a personal handwritten letter (paragraph) to explain why this is such a perfect gift for them. You should obviously cite your reasoning based on actual events from the text or discussions we’ve had about the novel. Total=2 paragrphs

Journal # 15: “POISON”
Kenny Kane tells Max, “They poisoned you against me”.
Who is he talking about? What do you think he meant by that?   How is that similar to poison?   ½ page response.
Try to include some cool transitions.

Journal 14 Gram has arranged for Max to follow Kevin’s school schedule. How does this arrangement benefit both boys? Use evidence from the text to support your response.

Journal 13 Pain is just a state of mind

Kevin says, “You can think your way out of anything, even pain.” Think about this- do you think this is true? In what instances have you been able to think your way out of things like pain, upsetment, stress, etc?

JOURNAL #12 GRAM AND GRIM POV
In Chapter 8, Grim and Gram think that Max has saved Kevin (Freak) and begin to look at Max in a new way. Pretend you are Grim and Gram and you are writing in your diary. Write about your new thoughts about how Max has changed. Use specific references to the novel. ½ page TOTAL.

Dear Diary,
...

Gram

Dear Diary,
...

Grim

Journal 11: Slaying dragons
“…we became Freak the Mighty, slaying dragons and fools and walking high above the world”.

Think back on our discussion about the symbolism of this
figurative language. Then, Write a two-paragraph essay:
1st par- fully explain the figurative language in Max’s statement.
2nd par- apply the quote to your own life: write about a time you
“slayed a dragon” or “walked high above the world”.

journal #10 Opinions
Do our opinions of ourselves affect what others think of us?
Do others' opinions of us affect how we feel about ourselves?
½ page min. SUPPORT YOUR IDEAS with examples!

Journal 9 Dear Freak diary entry
Pick any one of the pictures we brought to class. Write a diary entry from the point of view of the person in your picture. What might be their personal, innermost thoughts, feelings, concerns, hopes, etc? 1/2 page

Journal 8: english r gud
First, try to decipher and rewrite the following 3 sentence passage, using correct spelling and grammar. Then, write a paragraph of your own to explain how this activity can help us understand or relate to Max’s struggles.
Grim comrs insidr and foe once he doesn’t tell me
what a eat hole I’m living in oe how it smrllls like
a lockee eoom brcause I foegot to put my zocks in
the hampee he sits on the rdgr fo the brd and folds
his hands togrthre I nrvre think about how old hr
is brcausr he nrvre actz uld but tonithg hrs all whitr and brnt and his skin is seggy.

Journal # 7: FTM Preview and Predict
Study the illustrations on the books’ covers. Think about how the covers and the title might relate. Use specific support from the covers for your prediction. ½ page.

Journal #6 Courage (complete A and B)
a. “what is courage”?   Finish each sentence:
1. Courage is
2. However, courage can also be
3. Therefore, a great overall definition of courage could be

b. Next, write a full paragraph about a time you witnessed or showed courage, according to your definition.

Journal #5: 9-11
Make an argument for or against Congress making 9/11 a federal holiday. Support your argument with reasons and examples. ½ page.
Not every event can be designated a federal holiday. US federal law has created the following 10 public holidays for government employees. In addition, banks, schools, and many other businesses have off on these days. First, THINK about why the days below “made the cut”: why they are considered important enough to be nation-wide, federal holidays. Then, complete the prompt.

*New Year's Day        *MLKing, Jr. Day       *Washington’s Bday        *Columbus Day
*Memorial Day *Independence Day *Labor Day                *Veterans Day         *Thanksgiving *Christmas

Journal #4: See Things Differently
Think about yesterday’s activities: “How many F’s” and optical illusions.
Give 2 pieces of evidence (explain using details/support) of how something we did yesterday helped you with the concept of “seeing things differently”.
Finally, explain how you might use the concept of “seeing things differently” at Langston this year.
1/2 pg response.

Journal 3 GENIUS!
The novel Fish in a Tree refers to the following quote by Albert Einstein: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
In a ½ page response, respond to Einstein's quote. Address the following:
- explain what you think Einstein meant.
- What is your "genius?"
- On what qualities or abilities do you wish people would judge you?
-Is there something at which you're especially good ?
-What do you wish people would NOT judge you on?

JOURNAL #2: Escape Room Wrapup.
The final clue revealed the quote
“Great minds don’t always think alike”. Write a paragraph to explain how that quote relates to your own life.

journal #1 FROZEN
In Fish in a Tree, the protagonist sometimes has trouble communicating. Let’s try to see things from her place. In a paragraph, try to explain to someone from a rainforest the concept of “frozen”. However, you may not use anything related to the sense of touch.

7th grade PLEASE WRITE THE PROMPT AT THE TOP OF EACH JOURNAL. If there is part written in yellow, you only need to write that at the top.

Journal 21 Chip Off the Ol’ Block
Johnny compares Pony and his brothers to their parents. What similarities do you share with each of your parents? Which one of your parents would you say you are most like? Give specific examples. Use and HIGHLIGHT 2 great adj and 2 great adv. (200 words).

Journal 20 You Know Better Now.In the last few lines of Chapter Two, Ponyboy says:
I really couldn’t see what Socs would have to sweat about—good grades, good cars, good girls, madras and Mustangs and Corvairs—Man, I thought, if I had worries like that I’d consider myself lucky.
I know better now.
Based upon what you already know from reading the novel and from Class Discussions, what do you think this means? What do you think may happen in the novel using this quote in as a clue? Write a 150 word response that includes TEXTUAL SUPPORT. That means you reference SPECIFIC THINGS we read.

Journal 19 : Outsiders Book Cover Prediction. This journal should be a minimum of 300 words. If you don't know how to find your document's word count, go to Teams >Files tab > Class Materials folder > "How do I find Word Count ".

You can find the journal prompt in the Files tab and on my website.

Journal #18 Based on our live Team meeting, write about one survey question about which you feel strongly. Reference at least 1 other person's comments in your 1- paragraph response.

Journal # 17: lottery
Refer to our lottery wordcloud in “other docs” to write a ½ page about the topic “Lottery”. Use the following as your topic sentence. Properly include and circle at least 3 transitions and a semicolon.

The word lottery is a highly connotative word.

Journal 16: the back of Giver chapter 19 handout

Journal 15: How and why does the society shield its citizens from the true meaning of “Release”? What might result from everyone knowing what Release really means?

Journal 14 I Love Hue. (I love hue, too.)
Why has color been eliminated in this society? How has the absence
of color helped this society? How has it harmed it? ½ pg

Journal 13 symbolism=objects or events used to represent larger ideas.
Explain the final paragraph of chpt 16:
What had grown within him? What do the pills symbolize in the novel?

Journal 12
In chpt 13, the Giver says, “They know nothing…they know facts. Everyone is well trained for his job…it’s just that…without the memories it’s all meaningless.”

What do you think he means? What is he suggesting about his own society?

journal 11
It’s been said that “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice”. In the community, the people choose to be protected from making wrong choices so that both they and the rest of the community will feel safe. Discuss the pros and cons of this philosophy for living.

Journal 10: Introducing (your color here)
Think about a memory you would give Jonas in order for him to understand your color. The memory should demonstrate Jonas connects the emotions this color gives off. Write your paragraph in the style of Lowry (1 paragraph). Begin in this way:
The Giver put his hands on Jonas’ back and began to concentrate.

*Create and color a new emoji to represent your color.

Journal 9: construction paper activity
What was its purpose? What did you learn in general?
Talk specifically about your assigned color, based on what your classmates wrote (1 paragraph).

Journal 8 The Giver explains that when they went to Sameness, they “gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others.” Explain the Giver’s statement. Use transitions!

Journal 7:
Jonas suggests that if everyone shared the memories of the past, the burden might be easier to bear. Why do you suppose the people of his community chose to have a Giver as the holder of all memories? ½ page

Journal 6 Chapter 3 Prediction

1. Predict what the significance of the apple will be.
2. Predict what Lowry made (an extended) reference to the new child’s eye’s.
For both, use SUPORT for your opinions.
1+2=TOTAL ½ page long (not both)

Journal #5 Did the Government in “The Pedestrian” do its job, according to your definition? Use support from the story.1/2 page min

Journal # 4: survey response
Weave the following 3 things into your ½ page response

For which survey question did you initially feel most strongly? Explain.
After discussion, on which did you consider changing your mind?
What were 3 great points made?

JOURNAL 3: The Perfect School
Now’s your chance to fix everything! What changes would you make to education, to laws or policies, to teaching, to learning, to the classroom, to how it’s currently run, etc? Write a one page proposal for how to fix education.
**Be sure to explain your reasoning.

Journal #2: Magic Ticket booth. You come upon a magic ticket booth on an abandoned fairgrounds. It spits out a ticket as you approach, which says:THIS TICKET WILL ALLOW THE USER TO BE INVISIBLE, BUT WITH A CATCH: YOU WILL NEVER BE VISIBLE AGAIN.

JOURNAL #1:
CONNECT TODAY’S CLASS TO THE LARGER, BROADER QUESTION: WHY DID WE DO the "F activity" and the optical illusions TODAY? HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO APPLY TODAY’S ACTIVITIES TO THE REST OF THIS YEAR? ½ PG RESPONSE.

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Journals 1-10

8/17/2017

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You should copy the prompt fully in the top margin of your paper. Be sure that your response meets the minimum required length (at least half page UNLESS otherwise noted).

Journals 6th

Journal #1 would you rather always have to say exactly what's on your mind, or never be able to speak again? 4 sentence min

Journal #2 Would you rather be 2' or 9' tall? 4 sentence min

Journal #3
why did we spend so much time on optical illusions? 5 sentences

# 4: --“What is Courage”?
Write 3 well-written sentences that each begin with:
COURAGE IS…
Then, write 1 paragraph to describe the most courageous thing you’ve ever heard or seen (real life or not).

journal #5 Agree or disagree: King Arthur’s Code of Chivalry and values are still around today. Use support from your research as well as personal experiences. ½ page.

journal #6
Freak the Mighty   Chapter 8
In Chapter 8, Grim and Gram think that Max has saved Kevin (Freak) and begin to look at Max in a new way. Pretend you are Grim and Gram and you are writing in your diary. Write about your new thoughts about how Max has changed. Use specific references to the novel. ½ page TOTAL.

Dear Diary,
...

Gram

Dear Diary,
...

Grim

Journal #7 Chpt 9
Kevin says, “Pain is just a state of mind. You can think your way out of anything, even pain.” Think about this- do you think this is true? What is your opinion on this? Have you ever been able to think your way out of things, like pain, upsetment, stress, etc?

journal # 8
Write to defend if kids like Max should get passed from seventh grade to eighth or not? WRITE 1 /2 page: Should we keep this system, get rid of it, or alter it? Defend your answer!
include 2 pros (positives) of this system
include 2 cons (problems) with this system.

Journal # 9: “POISON”
Kenny Kane tells Max, “They poisoned you against me”.
Who is he talking about? What do you think he meant by that?   How is that similar to poison?   ½ page response.

journal 10: Gwen has arranged for Max to follow Kevin’s school schedule. How does this arrangement benefit both boys? Use evidence from the text to support your response.

JOurnal 11 Gram says that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Discuss specific examples of how this applies in the story and in your life.

Journal #12 ART WALK
Discuss one piece you really liked and why. Also, discuss one piece you hated and why. Be specific in your reasons.* Use plenty of actual “textual” support. ½ page

. Journal # 13: JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
Check out the cover of Chasing Vermeer; look critically! What does it “say” to you? What is the mood? What details add to the mood? What’s interesting to you? What’s confusing? Now, scan the other 24 pictures in the novel. BASED SOLELY ON THE 25 PICTURES, write a ½ page journal to predict what the novel will reveal to us.

journal 14: Bad Neighbor!

Journal 15: is it a Vermeer 2 paragraphs

Journal 16 Write only what’s in pink: Journal: When Ms. Hussey gives Calder and Petra the letter assignment, Petra is pumped, while Calder is petrified (see what I did there?). Ultimately, though, it sparks interest and learning. Think back on this year. Write about an assignment you were given for which you were initially pumped or petrified, but which ultimately sparked interest and/or real learning.
1/2 PG.

Journal 17:
Explain both Calder and Petra’s Halloween costumes. How do those reflect each kid’s personality or interests? Explain what Pentomino or piece of art you would be and why. Discuss how this costume would reflect you or your interests.

journal 18 pentomino challenge

Journal 19   Chasing Vermeer, the movie!
1.    If you were in charge of turning this book into a movie, what 3 scenes would be most important?
2.   Usually some things are changed for films: characters' names can be different, scenes are altered, or dialogue is rewritten. What 2 things would you change in Chasing Vermeer? Why?
3.   What 2 scenes would you delete altogether? Why?

Journal 20= your practce TDA (aquarium)

Journals 7th

1. Would you rather always have to say what's on your mind, or never speak again?

journal # 2: no more teachers!
Think about having a system of education where students learn ONLY by computer. What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of such a system would be for middle school students? (1/2 page min).

journal 3
Estimate the amount of “screen time” (entertainment) you have in a typical week: mentally walk yourself through a single day, then multiply by 5. Then do the same for a weekend day to get a 7-day average (in hours).
Prompt: SCREEN TIME: how much is too much? Should limits be put on kids? Adults? What should those be and why?

Journal #4
Write about your best ACADEMIC school experience from 6th grade. ½ page.

JOURNAL 5 What’s Your Prediction      Look at several examples of book covers for The Outsiders. Now write a paragraph predicting what this novel will be about, based on the title and visual. If you have already read this novel, write a brief summary of how the title and visuals applies to the story. REFERENCE SPECIFIC ITEMS.

JOURNAL # 6   kahoot wrap up
Choose two opinionairre questions (see questions here) to discuss in more detail. Include what you took away from our conversations about those.Include and underline at least 2 sentences that follow (D, I) formula. ½ page

JOURNAL #7: “In stereo”
Define the word stereotype. Find one matching pair; read the sheets for each of them. Then, discuss the responses and your own reactions, thinking about how your definition connects to this activity.
Use specific evidence from both the photos and sheets. Finally, explain how this activity might relate to The Outsiders. ½ page

Journal #__8__ 60’s That’s a Wrap: look over your notes to write a half page that incorporates the following 2 items:
1. what was the coolest, most interesting, or most surprising thing you learned?
2. Choose 2 adjectives that best describe the 60’s in general. Use your research/notes to support an explanation of those choices.

Journal 9 Chip Off the Ol’ Block
Johnny compares Pony and his brothers to their parents. What similarities do you share with each of your parents? Which one of your parents would you say you are most like? Give specific examples. Use and underline 2 great adj and 2 great adv. (1/2 pg)

journal # 10 Things Are Rough All Over
How might poverty blind someone to the goodness/beauty in life? How might wealth blind someone? Provide support from the text as well as real life. ½ page

Journal #11 S.E. CRET SANTA (S.E. what I did there?)
Choose 2 characters. Give an appropriate Christmas present: Draw a picture of the present, and include a personal handwritten letter (paragraph) to explain why this is such a perfect gift for them. You should obviously cite your reasoning based on actual events in or discussions we’ve had about the novel.

JOURNAL 12: The Perfect School
Now’s your chance to fix everything! What changes would you make to education, to laws or policies, to teaching, to learning, to the classroom, to how it’s currently run, etc?
Write a one page proposal for how to fix education.
**Be sure to explain your reasoning.

Journal 13 Pre-Giver survey prompt: Think about the 11 questions we’ve been talking about. Weave your response for the following 3 items into your 1-page journal:

Which of these did you initially feel most strongly? Explain.
After discussion, on which did you consider changing your mind?
What were 3 great points made by some other person in the room?

JOURNAL 14 Chapter 3 Prediction
a. Predict what the significance of the apple will be.

b. Predict what Lowry made (an extended) reference to the new child’s eye’s.
For both, use SUPPORT for your opinions.

a + b =TOTAL ½ page long (not both)

journal # 15:
* Using compound and complex sentences, summarize what’s going on so far in The Giver. All of the following 7 words are commonly misused. Use and circle each of them correctly in your entry:
whose   who’s         It’s its      there their they’re

journal # 16:
We’re going to Sameness next week. You can only keep 3 memories from the Past. What 3 will you choose, and why? ½ page.

Journal 17:
If you could permanently get rid of 2 memories, what would they be and why?

Journal 18: inside Jonas' head

Journal 19: chapter add-on
Step 1: reread any section where Jonas receives a memory.
Step 2: Now pretend you are the Giver; give Jonas a memory.
          -Write in 3rd person, as though you are Lowry.
          -Begin and end your passage with Jonas in the Giver’s room.
          -Be very descriptive and vivid in the memory
          -Include dialogue both before and after the memory is transmitted:
                  *The Giver should explain to Jonas WHY he’s giving that memory.
                    *Jonas should explain what he learned/how he feels

Journal 20= your Giver TDA

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