Vocabulary Can Be Fun...Honest (SMALL)

OK, so right up front I have to admit something. This assignment has nothing to do with Astronauts, Sloths, or memes. I sneakily used a funny image to get your attention. And now that I have your attention I want to tell you about this assignment.

In this assignment I want you to do two things: 1, read some magazine articles on subjects you like (you'll have to use one of our iPads or download the free app Zite to your own tech); and 2, play a computer game.

HERE'S THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET

Part 1 

Let's start with part 2 - the computer game.

Yes. The computer game is called Vocabulary.com. Yes. It is BARELY fair to call it a game - but I swear it is. I want you to visit the site here - http://www.vocabulary.com/  Try it out. Play it for a while, this isn't hard stuff, you can do it. So do it. The results will come with regular, consistent practice. As for scoring:

Get through Level 4 with 5 or fewer errors = Level 4 (A)
Get through Level 3 with 5 or fewer errors = Level 3 (B)
Get through Level 2 with 3 or fewer errors = Level 2 (C)
Get through Level 2 with 4 or more essays = Level 1 (D, a pass)

Keep working until get at least that far, you can do it.

To prove you have earned it, take a screen shot and send it to me. Questions?                                                                                                                                                 10 marks)

Part 2

Next, and this will take you a little longer, I want you to read some articles, and don't worry - you can feel free to read articles of interest to you. Two (2) articles in fact. You can use Zite on our iPads (or on your mobile device - it's a free app), you can use a paper magazine/newspaper, or any web based publication.

Both of your articles should be a minimum of 3/4 page in length, and I want you to do the following:

1) Read it.
2) Read it again.
3) Complete the Article Summary Sheet (twice).
                                                                                                                                  (10 marks ea)

That's it. You're done. Good work.

                                                                                                                                  (30 marks tot)

Poetry is Beautiful! (SMALL-MEDIUM)

For this assignment you will need an open mind, a computer attached to the internet, and this link. LINK to Poetry is Beautiful Assignment
SO - to be clear, for this assignment, you need to:
          - write 3 poetry responses, one each for 3 different poems (10 marks each)
          - write 3 original poems (no word limit, no content)            (10 marks each)

To see a Sample Poetry Response click this LINK

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
If you'd like to make this 5% assignment worth 10% you need to do a few more things.

First - use this LINK to find the extension activity.
Second - Go to the URL below and enjoy the ppt! It's a little long and some may say boring, but hey - it's the best way to do this right now. Go through the whole thing and try to learn something.
http://www.slideshare.net/Teachkwd/tp-poetic-terms

Murderball (MEDIUM)

For this assignment you'll need the 2005 film Murderball and the following document:
LINK to Murderball Assignment
To see some examples of Film reviews, take a look at these:
LINK to Murderball Film reviews

A Mighty Heart (MEDIUM)

For this assignment you'll need a copy of Michael Winterbottom's 2007 film A Mighty Heart, and the following document:
LINK to the A Mighty Heart Assignment

The Shawshank Redemption (MEDIUM)

For this assignment you'll need a copy of Frank Darabont's 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption. We have the film on the iPads, #s 11-15. Come on in to watch it. It's also readily available from your local library, rental store and even on youtube, so just find it and watch it.

You will also need the following documents:
LINK to The Shawshank Redemption Assignment
LINK to the Opinion Essay Rubric
LINK to the Plot Graph Sheet

Finally, there is a plot graph as part of this assignment - and I want it done well. But I understand that not everyone remembers being taught this - so here is a lesson that can help you understand plot graphs.

A Quick Lesson on Plot Graphs

The Things They Carried (BIG)

For this assignment you'll need access to the book The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
LINK to The Things They Carried Assignment

Once you find the "The Things They Carried" Educreations video you will need to find the Khan Academy video about the Vietnam War. The Khan Academy site is great, but it can be a little difficult to navigate for noobs, so you can also access that video here. And a google search for "Khan Academy Vietnam" works too.
LINK for the Khan Academy Vietnam War lesson