Cascio's 11th Grade ELA Class “The expert at anything was once a beginner.” ― Helen Hayes
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Sunday, August 27, 2017
"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Prezi introduction to "Flowers for Algernon"

Infer
Justify
Criteria
Logic
Motive
Academic Vocabulary
AnalyzeInfer
Justify
Criteria
Logic
Motive
Content Vocabulary
Deceive
Deterioration
Intellectual
Introspective
Naivete
Refute
Conventions: Adjectives and Adverbs
An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun or a pronounce.
What kind? Which one? How many? How much?
An adverb is a word that modifies or describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Adverbs often end in -ly and answer questions such as in what way? where? when? and to what extent?
Friday, August 18, 2017
"The Tell-Tale Heart" Edgar Allan Poe
Character Analysis Direction Sheet
Directions:
Follow the directions below.
Get the graphic organizers from your teacher.
Use the book and your reading log to help you.
1. PART 1 – ANALYZE THE CHARACTER
Graphic Organizer 1 (front) – Complete the chart with BASIC INFORMATION to determine how the narrator feels about himself and how you feel about him. Use the information from your Reading Log questions and chart (unreliable/reliable narrator) to help you fill out this chart.
Graphic Organizer 2 (back) - What kind of person is the narrator? Reread the story looking for details that reveal the nature of this strange man. Use these details to complete the chart. You must have at least 2 items in each row/section of the chart. Look for examples of both direct and indirect characterization. For the “WORDS - What He Says” section, you must write down his exact words (put quotations around them) and the pg. # and line #.
2. PART 2 – DESCRIBE THE CHARACTER
Next, complete the bubble map. Use these details from your graphic organizers to name at least 4 OF YOUR OWN adjectives describing justifiable character traits of the narrator. You are describing the narrator AS YOU SEE HIM. You should be able to justify your adjectives based on the information in your graphic organizers. Fill this information in the bubble map (see pg. 2). Do not use dead words or slang words. Use higher level, eighth-grade vocabulary.
3. PART 3 – SANE OR MAD?
Complete the graphic organizer (on the back of the bubble map) determining whether you think the narrator is sane or mad. Use text-based evidence to look at both sides. This evidence will help support your opinion. Do not use dead words or slang words. Use higher level, eighth-grade vocabulary. WORDS - What he says ACTIONS - What he does CONFLICTS - What his conflicts are MOTIVATIONS - What his motivations are for his actions
4. PART 4 – WRITE ABOUT THE CHARACTER
Finally, reread all of this data you have collected. Use this information to write an informative profile paragraph as if you are a psychiatrist or criminal profiler putting together a profile of the murderer’s personality to turn in to the police. This piece of writing must be formal. Make sure your details are clear and factual, not opinionated. You must be objective.
REQUIREMENTS
- Include the information from your graphic organizers (steps 1 and 2 on the direction sheet).
- Point of View – write as if you are a psychiatrist or criminal profiler
- The writing must be FORMAL and OBJECTIVE, using clear, factual evidence (information from the story which was included in your graphic organizers)
- you must include academic vocabulary (at least 2 words) ACADEMIC VOCABULARY WORDS: infer, justify, analyze, criteria, logic, motive
- you must include vocabulary words from the story (2 words this time)
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Six Traits of Writing

Narrative Writing
Narrative: Definition
Narrative
writing coveys an experience, either real or imaginary and uses time as its
deep structure. Narrative writing can be
informative, persuasive, or entertaining.
What are the characteristics of the
narrative text type?
Narrative
writing uses time as its deep structure. This writing conveys experience – real
or imagined. Genres that exemplify narrative writing include the autobiography,
the memoir, and fictional stories. The purpose of a narrative may be to
entertain, instruct, inform, or entertain.
Stop Here!
Informational/Explanatory:
Definition
Informational/ explanatory writing conveys information
accurately. The writer’s purpose is to
increase the reader’s knowledge, to help the reader better understand a
procedure or process, or to increase the reader’s comprehension of a
concept. Information writing begins with
the assumption of truthfulness and answers questions of why or how. Writers draw information from what they already
know and from primary and secondary sources.
They must select and incorporate relevant examples, facts, and details.
What are
the characteristics of the informative/explanatory text type?
Informative/explanatory writing conveys information accurately.
Writings that exemplify this text type include summaries and instructions. The
purpose of informative/explanatory writing is to increase knowledge, explain a
procedure, or explore a concept in depth.
Argument: Definition
An argument is a
reasoned, logical way of demonstrating the writer’s position, belief, or
conclusion. The writer makes a claim and
then defends that claim with information from credible sources. Students must clarify relationships between
the claim and the evidence and address counter claims. Argument takes the form of opinion in the
elementary grades and evolves into argument in the middle and high school
grades.
What are the characteristics of the
argument text type?
Argument is an
especially important text type since it requires the writer to provide
reasoned, logical proof for a claim or assertion. The purpose of argument is to
change the reader’s thinking, move the reader to action, or convince the reader
to accept the writer’s explanation of a problem or concept. The complexities of
this type of logical reasoning exceed the cognitive ability of most elementary
students. Therefore, as a precursor to argument, elementary students are taught
to express opinions that are well supported by facts and evidence.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Informational Text
Down Syndrome
US NATIONAL ONLINE MEDICINE
Directions: Read the article titled "Down Syndrome" from Kids Health website and complete an objective summary in the comment section below.
1. Post Anonymously
2. At the bottom of you objective summary, type your initials and period for easy identification.
Friday, July 7, 2017
Welcome Class of 2022
This year, students will focus on comprehension and
analytical reading skills through the study of a variety of authors and genres.
Students will learn how successful readers think and visualize when they read,
interact with, and examine text. In
writing, students will focus on writing arguments, writing
informative/explanatory, writing narratives and using research to build and
present knowledge. Students will engage in a range of collaborative discussions
on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, and they will demonstrate command of the
conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Book List:
The House on Mango
Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Outsiders by S.E. HInton
We Beat the Streets by Sharon Draper
The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
The Outsiders by S.E. HInton
We Beat the Streets by Sharon Draper
The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Supplies:
Ø
#2 pencils
Ø
Five Star Notebook, 8 1/2in. x 11 in
Ø
2 packs of index cards (3x5)
Ø
3 Boxes of Tissue
Ø
Clorox Wipes
Monday, May 22, 2017
Class of 2021
The end of the year is here! This year has flown by like no other, and I am so proud of each of you. As you move out of middle school and on to high school, I want to wish all of you the best. Have a great summer and "stay gold!" Love you!
“Nothing Stay Forever"
"Nature’s first green is gold,
"Her hardest hue to hold.
"Her early leaf’s a flower;
"But only so an hour.
"Then leaf subsides to leaf.
"So Eden sank to grief,
"So dawn goes down today.
"Nothing gold can stay.
-- Robert Frost”
― S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders
"Nature’s first green is gold,
"Her hardest hue to hold.
"Her early leaf’s a flower;
"But only so an hour.
"Then leaf subsides to leaf.
"So Eden sank to grief,
"So dawn goes down today.
"Nothing gold can stay.
-- Robert Frost”
― S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders
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