Mrs. Abrams' Virtual Language Arts Class

Class Notes for March 17

Thu, 10 May 2007 11:33:58 -0500

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

Chasing the King

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 08:51:24 -0500

n Chasing the King by Joshua Stein, Jason Skids,(who goes by his last name) Skids, is a great soccer player. Skids has everything going for him. Skids and his friends play for the Bay Side United Soccer Team. Skids thinks his life is great and that everything is going his way; however, his life takes a sudden twist. He has to move to Brazil! Little does Skids know, but the move will turn out to be an adventure of a lifetime. In addition, the move teaches him the lesson of perseverance.
Skids and his friends love to play soccer. When Skids reaches high school, him and his friends make the varsity soccer team. He is thrilled and can not believe that he made the varsity soccer team in his freshman year. Skids thinks he is one of the best soccer players around. However, once he gets to Brazil, he finds out that in comparison to others he is slow and not the great player he thought he was.
When Skids' dad first told him they were moving to Brazil he was so upset. They had to move because of his dad's job. Skids was crushed. He would never see his soccer team, friends, and school again. Skids was so worried about the move. Brazil was so far away and he did not even really know where it was. Also, he did not know how to speak Portuguese.
Skids dad said that it would be a good experience for Skids and that it would be fun. Skids did not see how it could be fun. Skids did not talk to his dad for a week. He was just so angry. Skids father left for Brazil first to look for a house for the family. Skids' dad promised him that they would not move until Skids finished he soccer season. After that though, it was off to Brazil.
Once he arrived in Brazil, Skids missed his home and was depressed. He could not stand having people talk around him and not be able to understand them. The one bright spot was that soccer appeared to be very popular in Brazil, which is called “football” instead of soccer. Skids first chance to make some friends was in a football pickup game. Skids immediately noticed that the Brazilian players were faster than him and had better moves than his. Neverthless, he had a great time playing the game he loved so much. Well, until near the end of the game when a player in a bright yellow jersey blocked his first opportunity to score. Skids was quickly learning he was not the best soccer player around. The goalie in the yellow jersey easily blocked Skids attempt to score. Once again, Skids became depressed.
As time goes by, Skids meets a lot of people and makes many new friends. He plays soccer almost every day and becomes amazing at it. He learns Brazil style tricks and is in the best shape of his life. Skids hopes that he can play soccer for a carrer. The thought makes him so happy. Skids starts to realize that maybe the move to Brazil was a good idea.
His dream eventually comes true and he gets to play for team U.S.A in the World Cup. He is so proud of himself. Life is great for Skids. The move taught Skids not to judge a place before you get to know it. What I will take away from this book is that as long as you keep trying and practicing you will get to your goal.

The Highest Stand

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:23:21 -0500

In the book The Highest Stand, by Tonie Campbell, an Olympian, Dede Savage, is reminiscing on his past. As he entered the Olympic Stadium, he frequently reminded himself of all the wrong choices he has made in his past. His friends forgave him, but that wasn’t enough for Dede. At college, Dede started training with the goal of breaking the college record for track. Eight years later, Dede wins the gold medal for hurdling in the Olympics. As he struggles with trying to keep his popularity, Dede learns that friendship is more meaningful than popularity.
Dede enters the Olympic Stadium for a hurdling competition. While he’s getting ready for the race, he reminisces to the past of how he used to be a nerd, but slowly became popular. The inspirational words of an Olympic athlete made him realize that no one should stand in the way of what you want. These words gave Dede the courage Dede needed to stand up to the bullies. Since Dede stood up to the bullies, he slowly became popular. He decided that popularity meant more to him than his old friends so he befriended them. Rosa, a girl Dede likes, says she’s not happy with the choice he makes. Since then, Dede only thought about how he had hurt his best friends.
When Dede was in high school, he got kicked off the track team since his grades were declining. After that, Dede decides to become a nerd for his old friends. Rosa and his friends accept his apology and Rosa begins to tutor Dede to get him back on track. Eventually, Dede is confident with himself again and he tries out for track and makes it. Without Rosa's knowledge and encouragement, Dede could have never pulled it off.
Apparently, Dede goes to college for track. When he gets there he beats the college track record. Due to Dede’s amazing skills, the Olympic track team tests him and he gets accepted. A tragedy happened and Dede breaks his leg and can’t play in the Olympics until eight years later. Dede pities himself of how he lost a chance to win the Olympics.
Dede comes back when he is 31 years old. Dede pulls his hamstring. Even though he is in an abundance of pain, he perseveres himself to keep running. Dede crosses the finish line at first place. He smiles thinking of his win. Dede’s parents cry with tears of joy. Dede has never had so much pride in his life.
Dede learns that friendship is more profitable than being popular. He learned this lesson from neglecting his friends but realizing that when he was popular no one was really his “Friends.” I learned that perseverance is the key to succeeding in life. Dede won the race only because perseverance was assisting him. Dede never gave up even though he was in pain. While Dede was standing up on the first place podium, he thought to himself, ”Dreams do come true.”

The Kid From Courage

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:22:37 -0500

The Kid from Courage by Ron Berman is an excellent book that keeps you reading. Bryan Berry, the main character, is a likeable person that has a love for tennis, from the small town of Courage, Kansas. He plays but says that he is not yet a tennis player. He enters the annual tennis tournament. Then he works with Henry Johnson, and old tennis pro, they become very close, and even closer when Henry is under the weather. As Bryan struggles with his tennis game, and achieving his dream of becoming a pro, he learns that with the help of old Henry Johnson, and some support of his divorced dad, that his dream can come true.
Every year Courage Kansas hosts an annual tennis tournament, and ever since Bryan met the age limit, he has competed. Charging through the first couple of matches, he was placed into the third round. There was where he met Ted Grover. it was a grueling match among the fifteen year old and the forty year old. Bryan took the first set in a tiebreaker. At 5-4 in the second set and Bryan down with the game score of 30 all, Bryan hit a clean down the line winner, that touched the line but the call from Grover was out. Bryan was furious, and with a couple more horrible calls and a few games later, all going Ted's way, Ted Grover stole victory out form under Bryan's nose.
After the match, Bryan spotted Henry Johnson, and old tennis coach, strolling toward him. To his disbelief, a couple minutes later Bryan and Mr. Johnson were into a deep conversation about the match. Following that day, Bryan was hitting with so much confidence, because Henry was watching, Bryan asked if Henry would guide him in the right direction, as his coach. They became very close, almost like family, they started over from scratch on his tennis game. Bryan told Henry about his problems including his father and him trying to become part of his life. But Bryan's not so sure if he should let him back in because he left once before. Then something very tragic happened.
Poor old Henry came down with the flu. Because Bryan could not be coached by Henry, he had to find a someone else to be his coach. With the nationals coming up, he needed someone with experience, so they called up Mike Scully. Mike and Bryan trained every day. It took Bryan a while to adjust to the feeling and not to be nervous. While Bryan was fight to stay alive in the tournament, Henry was also fighting for his life. Earlier that morning, he had fallen in the bathroom.
Henry was put into the hospital. Bryan came to visit him as much as possible, they talked about the tournament coming up in Kalamazoo. Henry tells him that his problem with his dad is like his second serve, you get another chance and you are only as good as our second serve. One night Bryan went to see Henry and his condition had taken a turn in the wrong direction. He was lying on his death bed and both of them knew it. As Bryan left that night, he knew it would be the last time they saw each other. He reached for the doorknob, ready to leave, and turned back, running to Henry's side, sobbing. They hugged and told each other that they loved one another. That was the last time they saw each other.
Bryan did not want to continue on his path to becoming a pro, but his dad and mom encouraged him to because that would have been what Henry wanted. So he went on with encouragement of his family, step mom and dad included. He lost to the top seed in the finals, but not without a fight. It's a long way from Courage to Kalamazoo, but Bryan Berry made it there known as the Kid from Courage.
Henry teaches Bryan to believe in himself. If you want something bad enough, with a little hard work, you will eventually get there. Bryan now has a totally new outlook on life. In the end, Bryan learns to give people a second chance, because you are only as good as your second serve. I gained a lot from this book, but all in all, I think the most important thing I learned that was if you have a dream, chase it, until you get where you want to be.

Keeper

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:21:58 -0500

Response to Literature #1
Have you ever read a book about someone who is afraid of everything and then decides to go out for the soccer team and is the goalie? Well if you are interested in those kinds of books this is the right book for you. Keeper is the book I am reading and the authors is Holly Goldberg Sloan. Sasha is the main character in this book, she is the girl who is afraid of everything and somehow her best friend Courtney changes that. First, they were in there first real fight which led to a promise. Then on their way home from school Courtney would secretly get Sasha into training. When she went to school one day the promise led to soccer tryouts. After the tryouts they were at the first game she played she was amazing and got to be goalie and went for it totally and then as soon as she new it, it was all over and she had a sad surprise when she got home. An African American girl named Sasha was afraid of everything learns that people may say you can overcome every fear but Sasha learned that you can overcome some but not all.
Hear it goes, a disadvantage, in the beginning The First Real Fight, Sasha called it the Ice Age and before they new it Courtney came and started to talk to Sasha. She said how she would forgive her if she would try out for an athletic team with her once, Sasha agreed. I bet you are wondering how it all started, right? Courtney was trying to make Sasha try out for the swimming team and Sasha would not. That’s how Courtney got the idea for her to promise to tryout for at least one team. This event has changed Sasha’s life now because she has to try out for a team and she doesn’t have a choice anymore because she promised. Members got into the fight/promise which led to a new part to the book, now the reader won’t think this book will be about two opposite girls now they could somehow change and it would be a fun book.
There has to be many different ways that Courtney could get Sasha to actually learn how to play without her knowing it. Oh wait there is she could trick her. It was her best friend that thought of pretending to get scared and make Sasha run home with her. Also Courtney would kick the ball and it would somehow go to Sasha and she would have to be able to kick the ball and that’s how she learned how to kick the ball. Nets, she taught her the rules by pretending it was hockey and it would tell her about offsides and those rules. At the end of the training Courtney asked Sasha if she would try out for soccer and she said yes. Lastly this event has definitely changing the character because in the beginning she could not do anything and wouldn’t and now she can and will. What do you think will happen next, do you think she will try out for the team or is she just saying that?
At the tryouts, will they be a drag, or will she do good. Will Courtney bail on her and not want her to make it, Will she be good? While Courtney was at the store before practice she bought Sasha some cleats for the try outs. In the beginning, Sasha shows up at the tryouts all the girls thinks she weird until the watch her play and she’s not considered a loser on the field. Otto thinks she will make the team and would be a good goalie. Many people, including me thought at this point that she would have made the team but I’m not giving away any secrets because you need to read the book.
Most people would not expect her to actually play on the field in the most important game ever. Real goalie’s knee broke then the back up goalie got sick so that left Sasha and they won because she blocked a ball. Then the next game, the last one of the season is was the most competitive game, she had to be the goalie again and the game was up to her and she was so scared but just jumped right into the ball. Then when she went home something tragic happens. Now Sasha loves the game and would die without it. This book was so much fun to read it had a lot of things that I am interested in and I thought it was a good book. Is that how you thought it would end?
The book Keeper is an awesome book and is written like it could actually happen.
As you can tell this book was about a girl that was afraid of everything and all the sudden her life changes into something better. The life lesson learned from the character was that you need to live freely and not to be afraid just having fun. The lesson learned the book gave me was to never have to many fears it may become bad just have fun with yourself. I have never enjoyed a book like this before I like reading, but this book I loved to read.

Response to Literature #2
In the book Keeper, by Holly Sloan, Sasha Beckdell Lewis is featured as the main character. 8th grade Sasha is a girl trying to figure out who she is in life without a real family. Sasha is afraid of many things such as clowns, cats, knives, forks, car wash places, sprinkler heads, men in beards, blood, and much more. Throughout the book Sasha is always trying to avoid the things she is afraid of. She learns to overcome her fears by the love and encouragement of several people in her life.
Although Sasha does not have a traditional family, she has many people that care for her. The father of Sasha left her mother before she was born. Her mother was tragically killed in a car accident so now Sasha lives with her grandmother, Nammy. Eighty-five year old Nammy spends most of her days sitting around the house watching the weather channel. Courtney Bilsesser is Sashas best friend and has been since kindergarten. Even though Courtney knows about Sasha’s fears, she just jokes and laughs about them. Another important person in Sashas life is her soccer coach, Otto. All of these characters play a big role in helping Sasha face her fears.
During the story Courtney who is a great athlete, tries to get Sasha to try out for many different sports. Do to Sasha’s fears, she is afraid to play a sport because she might get hurt or the germs she might catch from other people. First, Sasha tries out for the basketball team and doesn’t make it. Next, she tries out for the soccer team and actually makes it! Without Courtney making a deal with the coach, Sasha would have never been apart of the team. Surprised by making the team, this causes Sasha to feel both nervous and a little excited about being a part of a team.
Otto, the soccer coach, has to make a difficult decision in choosing what position Sasha will play that will not effect the whole team. He decided to make Sasha the back-up to the back-up goalie. After hearing what her position would be, Sasha became more excited because she might not ever have to play in a real game. Soccer season started out great with their team winning every game. Sadly, the main goalie Madeline, broke her leg during a game so now Shawana, the first back-up goalie had to take Madeline’s place. During a game against the teams biggest rival, Shawana had an asthma attack causing Sasha to become the goalie. Nammy started coming to the soccer games which made Sasha feel good inside because her grandmother was there supporting her. At the end of every game Otto huddled the girls in a circle and told each girl what they contributed to the game. Surprisingly, Otto told Sasha that he was proud of how courageous she was to become the goalie after the other girls had to step down from their position. Nobody had ever called her courageous and it gave her a number of feelings she had never felt before.
Since Otto told Sasha that she was courageous, it made her become more outgoing in a variety of ways. Playing goalie at the next game, Sasha overcame her fear of the ball hitting her by blocking a shot. When she made the save the crowd went wild and she realized she didn’t need to be afraid to be part of the team. Looking up in the stands Sasha realized that Nammy wasn’t there. Finally when the game was over Sasha went home and found Nammy had a heart attack and died. Once Nammy had died Sasha had to find a place to live. Many people offered to let Sasha live with them but Sasha choose to go to boarding school. Overcoming many types of fears allowed Sasha to be successful in soccer throughout high school and college.
Facing, your fears in life is one of the hardest things to do. With the help of others Sasha was able to face her fears. Had it not been for Courtney Sasha might not have had the opportunity to find enough courage to overcome her fears. Hopefully Sasha will have enough courage to face any fears she might have later in life. I believe that having various people who love and support you can give you the courage to face your fears and reach your goals.

Future Stars of America

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:20:36 -0500

“All the Right Reasons”, from the book, Future Stars of America, written by Ron Berman, is my favorite story of the collection because the true story helped me realize how much I love my sports. The main character, Raymond Sarmiento, lives in Los Angeles, California, where he first learned tennis. Someone out of the ordinary comes into Raymond’s life and gave him encouragement. Through his experience, Raymond has traveled sometimes far for competition. Soon Raymond becomes a star of America, for he has worked hard and deserves the title. Raymond Sarmiento is a young tennis player who learned that your dreams can lead you to something you love and enjoy, from the professional tennis player, Andre Agassi.
Throughout his life, Raymond has loved tennis. As a toddler, his parents took him to the neighborhood tennis courts frequently. Watching the ball hit the pavement and the sound of the racket as it hit the yellow ball, was something Raymond enjoyed. His parents eventually bought him his own small racket which he played with all the time, forgetting all his other possessions. When Raymond was six, he had become quite a tennis player, still needing experience. Many tournaments were won by Raymond, against kids who were three to five years older than him. Soon Raymond only played one sport, tennis, all his time taken up by tennis.
One experience in particular, made Raymond love tennis even more. It was at a tennis court, when Andre Agassi had completed a professional tennis match. At the time, Raymond was ten, and was in a local youth tennis organization, in which the professional generously helped with. Agassi had been entertaining the large crowd during his match. Then, when
Raymond’s turn came up to play with him, Agassi made his famous 150 mile per hour serve to the far right corner. Immediately, surprise lit Agassi’s face as a ball bounced back to his feet. Talented Raymond had returned his serve! Showing so much astonishment on his face, the crowd laughed with Andre. After the “fun match”, Agassi gave an encouraging comment to the excited Raymond. “You are better than I was at your age”. Today, twelve year old Raymond lives by this statement, pushing him on to reach his goal of becoming a professional tennis player.
In Raymond’s tennis accomplishments, he has traveled all over the place for matches and tournaments alike, mostly playing against older kids. A common example, Raymond came in second as a ten year old in a twelve and under tennis match. Everywhere he goes for matches, his family goes with him. They even traveled to Africa once, where a huge recognition was headed towards Raymond because he placed third out of twenty-three countries represented. Talent takes Raymond all around the world.

Tennis is his priority because he loves it. He is known by his friends and family to never give up and to work hard. Work barely describes Raymond’s three to four hours of practice each day. Even Raymond’s coach, Blake Ross, says that he is one of the best tennis players his age that he has ever seen. Many sacrifices were made by Raymond, like home schooling and missing social time, so he could play more tennis.
I believe Raymond will become a well-known professional tennis star when he grows up. Raymond most certainly deserves it for sacrificing what average kids do. The beginning of his lifetime journey, has taught him that his dreams can lead him to something he loves and enjoys. This story made me think hard about softball. Would I ever sacrifice the same things that Raymond did? Perhaps so, if a professional softball player told me that I was better than they were at my age. This is why Raymond is a star of America.

Background Info Paragraph

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:28:53 -0500

Uniforms, as some know, are outfits that students are forced to wear at school. They usually have long

sleeved shirts, pants, & ties for boys, and long sleeved shirts & skirts for girls. Most students feel that

uniforms deprive them freedom of expression, and limits their creativity. Public & private schools are

not using uniforms enough. School uniforms are not being used enough unless students are allowed

to make their own uniforms.

Experience Paragraph

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:22:45 -0500

One of my close friends, Paul, goes to a Catholic School that requires uniforms. He hates them, he

tells me, along with his fried Jack and many other students who wear uniforms. Students feel that

uniforms restrain their freedom of expression, as the First Amendment demands. School uniforms are

not being used enough unless students are allowed to create their own uniforms with their school

colors.

Quote Paragraph

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:18:33 -0500

"If the time comes when pupils of state-supported schools can defy orders of school officials to keep

their minds on their schoolwork, it is the beginning of a new, revolutionary era." Says Justice Hugo

Black of the Supreme Court. School uniforms are not being used enough in public or private schools.

Students & adults feel that uniforms silence one's creativity & uniqueness. In fact, school uniforms are

not being used enough unless students are allowed to create their own uniforms using their own

chool colors.

First paragraph (ask a question)

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:49:26 -0500

Why do teens smoke? Is it that they think it's cool? Were they presured into it? or do they do it for no reason at all?
Most teens start smoking because f a social influence. Yes, some think it is cool and that it makes them tough. Yes, some teens are presured into smoking. No, they don't do it for no reason at all. Some teens start because they are curious about it's taste or smell or how it makes them feel. 6.4 million teens die due to a smoking related disease. This will continue unless we make smoking and drugs illegal and stop making them. That is the best idea for stoping teen smoking.

the best non fiction(about an authors purpose)

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:41:16 -0500

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.

Today in Class, March 17, 2006

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:23:47 -0500

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.

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.

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

Oops!

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:22:10 -0500

I just starrted playing on a new team called the Georgia Fire. On my team there are a few of my old friens from the Knockouts. We goof off a whole lot. For instance, One time we had a picture day. While we were waiting we were throwing a football. I acidentaly threw the ball on top of the firetruck that we were posing in front of. The fireman had to go up and get it. I felt so bad! When he threw it down the dalmation got to it. It started chewing it all up. I didn't want to take it from it so i let it keep it. Oops!

Golf

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:21:35 -0500

Golf is so much fun! Even though it seems really easy it is not. First you have to hit a tiny ball. But you have to make sure that your swing is correct or you won't hit it corectly. Second when you are in the fairway you have to make sure you get under the ball or it wont get in the air. when you are in a fairway bunker you have to hit the ball first. But if you are in a bunker close to the green you have to hit sand first. When you are putting you have to make sure that you are lined up then you have to make sure that you don't move the putter when you take your back swing or you will hit the ball off line. That is the basics of golf fun but very hard.

Environmental Impact Statement-2nd Draft 3-13-06

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:24:33 -0500

March 13, 2006-2nd Draft

Environmental Impact Statement
BSA-Requirement # 6, Environmental Science Merit Badge

A hypothetical construction project is to take all of the mud out of Gunner’s Pond, which is a neighborhood, so that fish and other aquatic organisms will be able to live there. The pond is about half a mile in diameter. The community will benefit from this because the pond will look nicer and it will give fish and other organisms a place to live. The only plant life at the pond is weeds. The area has not been disturbed before. The soil in Gunner’s pond would not be in danger of erosion during construction. In fact, the mud is there because of erosion from another new neighborhood.

There is a stream that flows into the pond that cannot be blocked during construction. The pond does not have any fossils or artifacts that are known. There are houses being built on the other side of the pond which is making the mud run down from the houses run down into the pond. When all of the mud is cleared out of the pond the homeowners will put fish in and they can multiply. Also people will be able to go canoeing and row boating.

The project will not cause soil erosion. It will also not destroy any ecosystems, because nothing much can live in it now anyway. The project will not destroy any endangered or threatened spices. Harmful things that cannot be avoided when taking the mud out of the pond are that the machines might tear up the grass when pulling up the mud. An alternative so that the grass would not be destroyed is to tear the grass first and plant new grass after the project is finished.

There should only be environmental gains in the new pond because it will start a new ecosystem. The pond couldn’t be used for anything besides recreation because it is just a small body of water. There is really no ecosystem in the pond right now. The new pond would give the fish a place to live. In addition to taking the mud out of the pond the homeowners could build a nice deck to go fishing off of.

This project will benefit people because it will give the neighbors a place for recreation and it will look much nicer. The pond will be permanently changed if the project goes ahead because we will start a new ecosystem in the pond. This project should go ahead because it will give a home to many animals and make the neighborhood look nicer.