Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winter Break Homework

Allegory Storyboard Project
due Monday, January 7th


As a culmination of our unit on the novel Animal Farm, you are being asked to brainstorm an allegory of your own. After learning about the extended metaphor the connects Manor Farm to the Russian Revolution of the early 20th Century, it is now time for you to design a story with connections to an event or experience that has been shared by everyone in the class.


Here are the requirements for your paper:
  • The actual event must be outlined in a summary that is at least one long paragraph long. Pretend that we don't know anything about this event, even though it should be something relatively well-known in history. Explanation of the details that will be represented by other things in your allegory must be given the appropriate attention. In other words, tell us what really happened. (Ex: Summarize the events at the Battle of the Bulge)
  • Your allegory must be outlined in a summary that is at least one long paragraph long. Your allegory must have at least 5 objects or places that have meaning. These should be clearly articulated in this second section, and should relate to the actual things that were detailed in your first section. (Perhaps the Battle will be “allegorized” by a group of ants that has to invade another anthill. Details might include sticks that represent the soldiers' weapons, or a scrap of cloth that is a flag.)
  • Each and every paragraph should include our 6, marked Dressups. (who/which, strong verb, “ly” word, qual. adj., because, www.asia)
  • Your allegory must have at least 10 major or minor characters, and these characters should be listed in your paper. The list should have two columns. Alongside the characters' names must be the person or idea or concept that he/she represents.
  • In total, the “paper” part should include: the event summary, the allegory, and the list


Here are the requirements for your storyboard:
  • The event “allegorized” should be historical and well-known. It should be something that we could look up in an encyclopedia or a newspaper if we wanted to learn more about it.
  • The storyboard should include a minimum of six different frames, or cells.
  • Each of these cells should represent a pivotal moment in a particular scene from your allegory.
  • The appropriate time should be taken so that it is clear to the viewer what is taking place.
  • Please use white paper and make each cell a minimum of 4”X4”.
  • Artistic liberties can and should be taken, but please use color and make it interesting!

Please note that these are the minimum requirements.
With one week to complete this project, you should feel free to
go deeper with meaning, detail, creativity, and care.
This project is a wonderful chance to “show what you know”,
and to go above and beyond the standard expectations.



To give you a ballpark idea of what I am looking to receive, I imagine that you should spend, from beginning to end, approximately 3-4 hours on the project.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Science and Engineering Workshop

Science and Engineering Workshop at OSU:  
All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls!
You are invited to attend a FREE workshop called “Discovering the Scientist Within”.
This event will be held at Oregon State University on Saturday, February 16, 2013 from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm. The morning includes fun, hands-on activities, and the opportunity to meet successful woman engineers, research scientists, and university professors. Girls will participate in hands-on science workshops at OSU while learning about a variety of careers in science and engineering.
Please register at:
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/cosey/discovering-scientist-within.
Registration is open now and will close on February 11, 2013
.
The first girls to register will have first choice of workshops. Registration is limited to the first 85 girls. More information will be e-mailed after you register.

Friday, December 14, 2012

A note from Ms. Brunning

Winter Break is almost here and I have been working to get students to a common point in their research project for the science fair.  Here is the update::
  • The goal is for all 4-8th grade students to have all assignments up to  #5 completed before Winter Break.
  • In Assignment #5 students fill out online forms using information from assignments 3 and 4.  It can be done from a home computer.  It must be completed before data is collected.
  • Students have reviewed the resources on the science blog at chpcsscience.blogspot.com and at LabWrite
  • The level of work should be to the best of their ability and grade appropriate.  This project is a chance to demonstrate a level 4 on Standard 1A  Scientific Inquiry. 
  • Questions and or concerns may be sent to Ms. Brunning by email at g.brunning@chpcs.org, even during break.
  • Ms. Brunning will be available before, during and after school next week to offer assistance to students.
  • A list of ideas for projects is available on the CHPCS Science blog.
  • Students may submit their assignments by email to Ms. Brunning at g.brunning@chpcs.org

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Turtles: A note from Mr. Currey

Falcon Families:  Second grade is reading A Christmas Carol as one of their Core Knowledge literature selections.  They will be doing a character study of Ebenezer Scrooge and exemplifying the OPPOSITE of his character traits by running a penny drive to adopt a sea turtle nest in Florida.  Between Monday, December 10th and Thursday, December 13, please encourage your children to clean out under car seats, in between couch cushions, and pick pennies up off the sidewalk to help out.  This is low-key and student-created, so please support with just a little spare change.  Thanks,  Mr. Currey.

Pot Luck Wednesday!

Attention, Attention!!

The eighth grade class is interested in having a potluck this coming Wednesday.  Please consider what your student might contribute to the meal.  After a class conversation, we decided upon "a lack of theme" as our theme, and instead will bring in dishes that we enjoy preparing for others.

You are welcome to join us.  The meal will begin at noon.
Thanks for playing!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Better late than never...

I wanted to let you know that Mrs. Ray has begun a unit of Comparative Religious Art Studies with our 8th grade class.  Although we have now concluded our conversations on the major religions that originated on the Indian subcontinent, all knowledge is great knowledge!  Ask your student about Ganesha, the Hindu god that has the head of an elephant.  He is known as the Remover of Obstacles.  (There have been plenty of times recently that I could have used his help!!)

North Clackamas Schools offers presentation on college financial aid



Parents and prospective college students will get information about financial aid opportunities and how to apply at a workshop sponsored by North Clackamas Schools.

The free presentation by a financial aid expert from Marylhurst University will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 10 at Wichita Center, located at 6031 SE King Road in Milwaukie.  Free childcare and Russian interpretation will be provided.

The workshop includes:
* different ways to pay for higher education
* how to apply for financial aid
* how to find and apply for grants and scholarships
* FAFSA strategies

High school students, their parents, as well as current college students are invited.  For more information, call Olga at 503-353-5678, extension 1.