Mrs. Abrams' Virtual Language Arts Class

Materials:
A. CONCEPT MAP
B. "BEST NONFICTION INTRODUCTORY LEVEL" BOOK

1.Students were to get out their concept maps to begin the day. Remember the topic you chose in the middle in called the controlling idea. The controlling idea should lead your whole persuasive paper.

2. Next students were to get out their "Best Nonfiction" book that was lying on their desk. They were to turn to pages 17-19 and should be able to answer the following questions:
A. Why do authours change their writing strategies?
B. Describe the five forms of organization.
C. How does the author support her/his opinon?
D. How does the author conclude the writing?
If you would like a picture of the series of these books, please click to the right http://www.glencoe.com/gln/jamestown/reading_fiction/images/bestSeries.jpg

Activity 3: Students were to add more sub-headings to each. They got 5 minutes to complete it.

Activity 4: Then, Mrs.Abrams told us to get out their worksheet for the "night writes" of the week. Remember to circle which ever type of organization you want to choose.

For your night write, you should write what your opinion is and what the facts are that support your opinion. You should highlight your details, you should have at least 6. All of your details should be facts. You should have at least 2 details for each sub-heading.

If you would like to go to the beginning, please click to the right http://mabryonline.org

Posted by Mrs. Abrams at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Authors change their writing strategy depending upon the purpose of the writing. They change also change it so the reader can understand the contnt more easily. Also they are trying to stress particular ideas and to clarify important processes.

Five forms of organisation are chronilogical order which is according to time order, spatial order, the order of objects in phsical space, order of importance, presenting facts and examples, cause-and-effect order which is used to explain historic events and scientific findings. There also is priblem solution order that amkes nonfiction writing more intresting.

The author supports their opinion by including their judgments and views and the opinions of others to make their point.

Posted by at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Materials:
A. CONCEPT MAP
B. "BEST NONFICTION INTRODUCTORY LEVEL" BOOK

1.Students were to get out their concept maps to begin the day. Remeber the topic you chose in the middle in called the controlling idea. The controlling idea should lead your whole persuasive paper.

2. Next students were to get out their "Best Nonfiction" book that was lying on their desk. They were to turn to pages 17-19 and should be able to answer the following questions:
A. Why do authours change their writing strategies?
B. Describe the five forms of organization.
C. How does the author support her/his opinon?
D. How does the author conclude the writing?
If you would like a picture of the series of these books, please click to the right http://www.glencoe.com/gln/jamestown/reading_fiction/images/bestSeries.jpg

Activity 3: Students were to add more sub-headings to each. They got 5 minutes to complete it.

Activity 4: Then, Mrs.Abrmas told us to get out their worksheet for the "night writes" of the week. Remeber to circle which ever type of organization you want to choose.

For your night write, you should write what your opinion is and what the facts are that support your opinion. You should highlight your details, you should have at least 6. All of your details should be facts. You should have at least 2 details for each sub-heading.

If you would like to go to the beginning, please click to the right http://mabryonline.org

Posted by at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

IDEAS
1.What will I do to make sure that i choose a strong report for my oral presentation?
The issues affect us, story board, visual aids chart, and rewritten first paragraph.

2.What will I do to make sure that I choose my graphics to help communicate my ideas clearly?
pictures that fit my topic and keyword sentences and grab the readers attention.

3.What did I do to make sure that each slide fits the audience and the purpose of the report?
they pertain to the topic and grabs and holds the audiences attention

ORGANIZATION
1.What will I do to make sure that I introduced my topic clearly in the beginning?
the key points that are apparent

2.What will I do to make sure that I included the main points in the middle part?
summurize the concluding and middle paragraphs

3.What will I do to make sure that I ended with a summary or wrap-up thought?
I will put my thesis stament and tell what we can do to help

VOICE
1.What will i do to make sure that I used an interesting formal voice?
I won't us pronouns like ya'll

2.What will i do to make sure that I choose my voice fits my audience and my topic?
I will try to put it into simpiler turms and make it more interesting

WORD AND MULTIMEDIA CHOICES
1.Avoid repeating what has already been said

2.What will I do to make sure I choose the best pictures and sounds for my ideas?
make sure the pictures and sounds match the key words

3.What will I do to maintain eye contact?
put cool graphics and cool sounds into my slide

PRESENTATION FLUENCY
1.What will I do to make sure my report flows smoothly from slide to slide?
have the last sentence of the slide match the first sentence of the next slide

2.What are at least 4 transitions used?
ALso, Usually, In Adition, Plus

CONVENTIONS
1.What did I do to make my report free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors?
I use spelling and grammar check

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENTATION
1.What will I do to grab my listener's attention?
say interesting facts and put interesting pictures in

2.Opening question?
Have you ever been snorkleing or scuba diving and seen beautiful coral?

3.Suprising fact?
coral helps cause global warming

Posted by at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

School Uniforms
School uniforms are a sizzling topic in today’s age. There is evidence of failure and of success. Before the district of one county should look into this, they must examine the facts, because there are so many of them. When the district of a county decides to do this it is probably because of five reasons: school discipline, inappropriate learning environment, low test scores and academics, safety, and poor behavior. The effects of one test can be the total opposite of another. So, it truly does depend on the type of school and the student’s willingness to learn. Although school uniforms have a positive effect on assault and battery and on academics, they are expensive and do violate the First Amendment.

The Causes for School Uniforms
School Uniforms have been a serious problem for Americans. The teachers of many schools in America have decided to give students uniforms to help their school environment. For, in many cases, the environment of schools has been altered in an negative way, by gang related clothes. So, teachers tried coming up with an alternative to gangs by creating the school uniform. Some good things have resulted from the creation of school uniforms. Students now have boundaries, which was never available in the old classroom. Another good cause is that it is now an environment where students can spot other people who don't belong. This makes the school much safer to teachers and students alike. Last, the student discipline, and academics need to be improved. “This just might be a good answer to an unsuitable environment for the students trying to learn,” said Bill Clinton.

School Uniforms and their appearance
School Uniforms can vary dramatically, from casual to dress. So, the uniform can be almost like a dress code, but with very strict rules. The dressy school uniforms for boys and girls can be: black bottoms, white tops, and red jackets, black/blue pants, skirts, shorts, and a white shirt. Some casual clothing for girls and boys could be: knit shirts, jumpers, khakis and a white shirt. But, does being forced to wear any type of clothing that a student doesn't want to wear break the law?

The law and the research
Many school districts believe that a reasonable dress code or school uniform should be over looked even though the First Amendment allows freedom of speech. There have been many cases where the court has over ruled the First Amendment for important measures, but in other cases the students have one without a reasonable doubt. It only depends on the court's perspective of the law and how it should be handled. Next, while studying the effects on school uniforms, many people have seen results; but they must look into where the study was, and who was involved. On a particular study with two high schools in the St. Tammany Parish school district in California, there was a huge success. The study was taken using 1,300 students with uniforms and 1,500 without. The students with school uniforms had much better academic achievement, and of course, a better learning environment. But, at the same time, a national study in 1988 showed almost no success in academic and assault and battery. So, the effects can be unpredictable.

The effects of school uniforms
In millions of studies across the nation, the effects of school uniforms show. The most common effects are: better behavior, higher academics, curbing gangs, polarizing brand clothing, increased student self-esteem, a better community, higher test scores, reduced substance abuse and behavioral problems, attendance, and discipline. There are some negative effects of higher importance. Many districts have lost money and respect on a national note. In thousands of tests, academics actually got worse, as did: attendance, drug abuse, and behavior able problems.

On a final note, school uniforms do decrease violence and add a sense of community. Although school uniforms have a positive effect on assault and battery, and on academics; school uniforms are expensive and do violate the First Amendment. There is truly no answer to this problem in today’s world, as it can vary from school to school, or person to person. This subject is very bias, and can only be looked at using facts to see a true result. The bottom line is that the uniforms are too much of a risk for a county, and in most minds, have a very small effect on the student's learning. So, the school uniforms should be looked at as a last opportunity to have succeeding and high academic achieving students.

Posted by at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Introductory
There are more than 2,000 species of coral reefs. But all of them have one problem; coral is in danger of humans. Many species of coral are very sensitive and many things cause them to die (bleach). Reef destruction affects us in the larger world and has solutions to stop coral destruction. The corals’ inhabitants are also in danger from over fishing. Coral is living like you and me (it's made of polyps), so it should be treated like you would want to be treated!

Coral
There are two types of coral: hard coral and soft coral. Hard coral, stony coral, builds reefs and can look like antlers, fingers, brains, domes, and branches. Soft coral can't build reefs and looks like trees, bushes, flowers, nets, or fans. Coral forms 3 known ways: fringing, barrier, and atolls. Fringing reefs are along shorelines. Barrier reefs are separated from shore by water, known as a lagoon. Atolls are rings of shore away from land with a lagoon in the middle. Reefs help shores from being hit by crashing waves. They also have to live in an ocean around the temperature of 73-77 degrees F. They need to be in the fight temperature so the zooxanthellae don't leave the polyps.

Polyps
Polyps do not have neither a brain nor a backbone and live in large colonies. In the large colonies they pass food and messages to one another. When they attach together they are usually on top of dead polyps. Inside polyps are zooxanthellae, which have to live in a specific temperature other wise they leave the polyps and the polyps die. Usually, polyps’ predators are nocturnal like the polyps themselves. The crown-of-thorns starfish is their predator because the starfish devours the polyps and only leaves coral skeletons. Also, the polyps take in calcium carbonate and turn it into a protective limestone cup that the polyps pull into when they feel threatened.

Inhabitants
There are many different species living in coral. Thousands hunt and graze the ocean. With that many fish and hunters they all have to defend their spot in the coral. Those fish include these and many more: yellow tuna, mackerel, and groupers (do not forget there are many more than those three). The inhabitants are usually bright and have good eyesight if diurnal. The fish’s predators are then easier to spot (good eyesight). Some of those predators include snakes and turtles. All colors are changed at night to blend in better. Crepuscular hunters are avoided at all cost. Squid and other bioluminescent fish flash to attract prey. The reason why they glow is because of a flash or glow is created in the fish or squids body.

Causes
Many things done to the environment, like pollution, cause coral destruction. Coral is very sensitive to anything really. Storms, crashing waves, greenhouse effect, water pollution, boat oil leaks, cans, gas leaks, bags of garbage, plastic bottles, fishing nets, chemicals, sewage, dynamite, over fishing, those are just a few causes of damage. The lists go on and on and have just as many effects too. One major cause is over fishing and how the fishermen take the fish. Some drop bombs to stun the fish; some swim down and chase a fish to its home and shoot cyanide into the hole, then they use a crowbar to pry open the coral. Or the fishers may leave the fish homeless by coral mining.

Effects
With all the causes there just about as many effects of coral destruction. Corals bleach when the zooxanthellae leave the polyps. Warmer oceans are also caused by coral destruction. Upset balance of fish is caused when people take too many of one species like in Indonesia groupers are becoming extinct from over fishing. Cyanide kills 90% of the fish and coral cyanide comes in contact with. Coral destruction also affects us in the larger world by keeping the carbon levels down; when there’s no coral the carbon levels raise, mainly in the oceans.

Solution
How can we help save the coral? In Indonesia they banned swimming, passing of small canoes and outrigger boats. Indonesians’ also banned fishing unless with spears or small fishing nets. Indonesia has 24 hr. reef patrol and 'fish aggression devices'. In addition, Indonesians’ started breeding groupers and sea bass. Some coral sanctuaries are made in Indonesia too. Institutions that study dead coral, by cutting the coral open; many believe the more known about coral, the easier to help save it.

Ending Paragraph
Coral is a living thing and needs to be treated that way. It deserves to live and not to be bombed or ripped open with crowbars. Coral has 2 types and forms 3 different ways to form and has thousands of species. Inside coral are polyps, which make coral, living. Polyps are nocturnal like their predator. Coral has many different causes to become bleached. Bleached in other words means dead. Effects like global warming, warmer oceans and many more are caused by coral destruction. Solutions are simple, if we only pay attention to its needs and help protect it. Coral has many bright and colorful inhabitants. Coral takes thousands and millions of years to build and to be created just to be destroyed in two minutes. We should take action to help save the coral.

"Palmyra Island, with its pristine coral reefs and central Pacific location, is a virtual treasure chest of science that has never been fully explored. Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography value Palmyra for its unique, exciting opportunities for scientific research, including a current project that monitors global climate change using Palmyra corals."
-Charles Kennel, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

1. Kalman, Bobbie and Walker, Niki. Life in the Coral Reef. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 1997.

2. Moreau, Ron.” Saving the Coral Reefs". Newsweek International.Friday 12, November 2001.2 pages.eLibrary.Friday 13, January 2006.http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/libweb/elib/do/dovument?set=searchandgroupid=1andrequested=lib

3. Ocean World. Coral Reef Destruction and Conservation. 2004. Tuesday 17, January 2006. http;//oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral5.html>

4. unknown."coral".2004. WorldBook online.Coral. Tuesday 17, January 2006.

Posted by at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1.CAUSE
2.predators
2.human carelessness
2.storms
2.crashing waves
2.wiped out by starfish
2.greenhouse effect
2.touching, kicking, standing on coral
2.boater drop anchor
2.water pollution
2.boat oil leak
2.gas leak
2.cans
2.bags of garbage
2.plastic bottles
2.fishing nets
2.chemicals
2.sewage
2.taking fish
2,over-fishing
2.dynamite
2.poison
2.shoot poison
2.bleach
2.drive fish out
2.illegal fish taking
2.global warming
2.greenhouse effect
2.high temp.
2.coral mining
2.industial pollutio
2.toxic agriculture runoff
2.potassium cyanide
2.use of crowbar open reef
2.targeting groupers
2.overfishing
2.polution
2.divers catch fish
2.blow up reefs
2.destroy reef
2.cyanide

1.EFFECTS
2.bleaching
2.warm oceans
2.upset balance of fish
2.die within weeks
2.dynamite stuns fish
2.destoys homes
2.stuns fish
2.kills coral
2.unconsious fish
2.groups become extinct in phillipines
2.sick, die
2.coral bleaching
2.algae inside die
2.algae leave coral
2.warm water grows bad algae
2.blocks out sun
2.zooxanthellae can't photosynthisize
2.fish can't eat algae because dead/gone
2.stunned fish-easier catch
2.survivers leaft homeless
2.stuns fish, kills coral
2.poison kills 90% fish
2.high carbon levels in ocean

1.CORAL REEFS
2.group, colony
2.rocky coral parts=hard polyps
2.only grow if water food
2.650 build reefs
2.2,500 kinds
2.takes thousands of yrs to build reef
2.slows global warming
2.poisons for medicine
2.sanctuaries
2.fringing reefs-along shorelines
2.barrier reefs- separated from shore by water (lagoon)
2.atolls- ring of coral
2.lagoon in center
2.far away from land
2.needs sunlight
2.temp. 73-77 degrees
2.hard coral no fresh water
2.oldest ecosystem
2.food and shelter
2.thousands of creatures
2.species has own niche
2.symbiotic relationships
2.give each other food
2.cleaning station
2.hard stony- build coral
2.antlers, fingers, or brains
2.soft-can’t build reef
2.trees, bushes, flowers, nets, or fans
2.oldest ecosystem
2.food and shelter
2.thousands of creatures
2.slows global warming
2.poisons for medicine
2.sanctuaries
2.higher biodiversity in Indonesia than in great barrier reef
2.surrounde 17,500 islands (indonesia)
2.stretch 3,500 km from sumatra to Iran Jaya
2.suppervast ecosystem
2.1/25 of indonesia's fish species
cover 51,000 km2
2.10% destroyed and 5% in good condition
2.destroyed environment
2.Indonesia hold 450 diff species
2.15% of world total
2.deer antlers
2.tree branches
2.feathers
2.domes
2.biological ecosystem
2.provide benifits to people
2. the larger world
2.protect coasts strong currents/waves
2.barrier between ocean and shore
2.protein and home
2.fish left homeless
2.control carbon levels
2.shaped by limestone formations
2.framework of skeletons
2.moslty marine animals
2.contain remains limestone producing oraganisms
2.algae, shellfish, sand
2.complex

1 POLYPS
2.no brain
2.no backbone
2.live together
2.growa then divides into 2 (budding)
2.tenticles get food
2.hundreds of polyps in colony
2.zooxanthellae- tiny plants inside
2.help build reef
2.polyps die
turn carbon to limestone shell
2.tenticles bring in food
2.all stomach inside
2lpulls into limestone cup in danger
2.grows on dead ones
2.connected
2.pass food and messages
2.young float till find hard surface
2.crown-of-thorns starfish predator
2.devours ares of coral
2.leave coral skeletons
2.takes in calcium carbonate
2.turns it into limestone
2.limestone forms protective cup
zooxanthellae leave when to warm
2/nocturnal preators
2.nocturnal
2.bleach when lose zooxanthellae

1SOLUTION
2.more know better care
2.prevented destructive fishing
2.organized marine protection campaign
2.coral to marine sanctuary
2.convince government to treat coral with care
2.study the reefs
2.cut open dead ones to study
2.stop quarrying coral for foundation house
2.banned fishing
2.banned swimming
2.banned passage of canoes & outrigger boats
2.fishing only with spears
2.fishing with net and spears
2.24 hr reef patrol
2.3 "fish aggretion devices"
2.breeding groupers
2.breeding sea bass

1INHABITANTS
2.bright if diurnal
2.good eyesight
2.spot prey or enimies easier
2.change colors at night
2.stay away crepuscular hunters
2.nocturnal at night
2.thousands hunt and graze ocean
2.escape from enimies
2.defend spot
2.create glow in body
2.flash to attrack prey
2.diurnal
2.turtles and snakes
2.biolumenescent fish at night
2.yellow tuna
2.makeral
2.groupers

Posted by at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)