Synthesis Page All-Star Mentors

Here are some synthesis pages from the past!  Emulate them for your next synthesis page!

Changing the Design of your Blog

Changing the Template
Click on "design" on your blog to get to the set-up page. Click on "theme" on the left hand side. Scroll down to pick a template you like! (Just please make sure it's a template that still shows the dates of your posts!)

Adding Gadgets

Click on “design” at the top right hand corner again.  Click on “layout” on the left hand side.  Click on “add gadget”.  When you find one you want, click on the “+” sign.  Be sure to save changes! As you customize your blogs, feel free to utilize all the tools available to you on blogger. The following are required:  

1. List (REQUIRED):  Please make an online list and call it “Finished Book List.” As you finish a book, add it here.

2. Blogroll: you can create a list of blogs you are reading on the sidebar. Everyone will be responsible for commenting on a handful of other blogs, so this is a great place to put the blogs you plan on keeping up with.  Each time an author posts something new, it automatically moves that blog to the top of your list. You can add in the blogs once I add them to our home base blog, thestarryvoid.blogspot.com. 

3. Labels: Label each post according to your focus (for example, “character change” or “theme”).  You can also label posts according to topic (“friendship” or “sports”) or title (“Hunger Games”).

Additional Guidelines
1. This blog is a part of a school project. Therefore, all content on your blog must be related to your reading and writing life in some way. Please do not use this blog as an online journal.
2. My expectation is that we are a community of readers and writers. I will be monitoring all blogs and trusting that your words that appear online will come from a place of respect for your fellow classmates as well with a tone that is appropriate for school.
3. For my own sanity, do not add any kind of sound gadgets to your blog.  Also, please type in readable colors (no pink or yellow) and fonts (avoid ones that are cursive or all caps, especially). 
Thanks!  Let's get this blogging started!

-Ms. Rear

Curious about how teenagers fit into American society?  Here is a really interesting breakdown of 10 famous Supreme Court cases that ruled on topics concerning teens, both in and out of school!

10 Supreme Court Cases Every Teen Should Know - from the New York Times

More TED talks on Shakespeare!

Two things I love: TED talks and the Bard!  Watch and learn...

Shakespeare is Everywhere

John Bolton: The Power of Imagination - Lessons from Shakespeare

Insults by Shakespeare

What Would Shakespeare Think of Us?

To Lead or Not to Lead: Changing the World with Shakespeare

And a whole bunch more here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shakespeare+ted+talks

Oh, and here's the one we watched in class: Hip-Hop and Shakespeare

All-star Mentor Argument Essays!

Read these to get some inspiration for your next argument essay!

Ivy's essay on street harrassment!

Amara's essay on street harassment!

Izzy's essay on GMO labeling!

Benji's essay on compensating college athletes!


Anna's essay on social media!

Social Action Blog Post

For your next blog post, please answer (about your independent reading book) one of the questions we've collected in class.  Elaborate on your answer, use evidence from your book, and generally meet the requirements of any blog post according to the reading response rubric (posted further down!)

Use the notes from class about each question to help you expand your answer!

The questions are:

1) What really difficult or complex things are happening in the text?
2) Whose perspective is missing?
3) How does the text make you think about justice in the world?
4) When do you find yourself resisting the text?

Argument Essay Resources (PRINT FROM HERE!)

Go to Ms. Warren's post: http://room116ela.blogspot.com/2015/11/argument-essay-resources.html

Print all of the "yes" and "no" articles for your topic by clicking on each link separately (except the one you already have received from me!)

You may also print any "extra" resources that are listed if you want them.

BLOG DUE DATES 2015 - 2016

Reading Response Rubric for ALL FICTION BLOG POSTS

Ways to Plan a Blog Post (COLLABORATIVE LIST FROM 803, 806, and 813)

Ways to Plan a Blog Post

-       - Find the quotes you will use

-       - Brainstorm explanations of quotes

-       - Free-write, pre-rough draft

-       - Lists

-       - Draw your thoughts

-       - Draft parts of the reading response

-       - Planner – chart, graphic organizer, etc.

-       - Web

-       - Plan your topic sentences

-       - Formal outline

-       - Boxes and Bullets

-       - Theme Trail with Quotes

-       - Reread the story again, add more annotations

-       - Plan your “real-life” connection for conclusion

-       - Plan the “skeleton” of your essay (everything but elaboration)