Research/Design
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MCAS Titles and Prompts Each of the following excerpt or article titles may be accessed through the Massachusetts Department of Education’s website’s URL address: http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas. Title: “Sci-fi master of 50 years has seen his own fantasies come true” By: John Mark Eberhart/Knight Ridder News Service Prompt: In the article, Bradbury states that “life in the once-futuristic-sounding year of 2000 has its pros and cons.” What pros and cons does he cite? Use relevant and specific information from the article to support your answer.
Title: “The Speech They Only Wish They Could Make” By: Richard A. Katulu/The Boston Globe/Nov. 21, 1999 Prompt: Katula states that a classic eulogy contains two parts: praise for the dead and advice for the living. How does the Gettysburg Address meet Katula’s definition of a classic eulogy? Use relevant and specific evidence from the Gettysburg Address to support your answer.
Title: Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass By: Fredrick Douglass Prompt: Even in he worst of situations, people often find ways to triumph over adversity. a. List the qualities that Frederick Douglass possessed that allowed him to overcome considerable obstacles to success. b. Explain how these qualities helped the author overcome hardships. Use relevant and specific information from the excerpt to support your answer.
Title: “Bob the Dog” By: Merrill Markoe Prompt: In the last sentences of the essay, the author writes, “I miss him a lot. Though reading back over this piece, it’s pretty hard to say why.” Explain why the author would have such conflicting feelings about Bob the dog. Use relevant and specific information from the essay to support your answer. Title: “Bar Codes: reading between the lines” By: Ed Leibowitz Prompt: Based on the excerpt, explain how bar codes have changed the world since they were first introduced 25 years ago. Use relevant and specific information from the excerpt to support your answer.
Title: “The Boys’ Ambition,” from Life on the Mississippi By: Mark Twain Prompt: Twain describes the first boy to go away and work on the river as being both “admired and hated by his comrades.” Explain these opposite reactions to the boy. Use information from the excerpt to support your answer.
Title: Into Thin Air By: Jon Krakauer Prompt: Based on the excerpt, explain how the author communicates a feeling of urgency to the reader. Use relevant and specific information from the excerpt to support your answer.
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Vocabulary Activities Activity #1: Complete definitions, if not already done for you, and create one sentence for each vocabulary word. Write sentences that help the reader understand the vocabulary word. Add detail. Activity #2: Create flash cards for the vocabulary words. Write the word on one side and the definition on the other side. Activity #3: Create a word graph for two of the vocabulary words. A form will be given to you for this activity. (This may be in poster form.) Activity #4: Write synonyms for five of the vocabulary words and use both the vocabulary word and the synonym in a sentence. In addition, write antonyms for three of the vocabulary words and explain why they are opposites. Activity #5: Create a detailed picture for two of the vocabulary words and either explain the pictures or write good sentences that accompany the pictures. Activity #6: Create four categories using one vocabulary word per category. Activity #7: Create categories for as many of the words as you can, grouping the words into those categories. Activity #8: Copy the sentence/s from the text that contains the vocabulary words. Explain the contextual meaning. Does the contextual meaning differ from the dictionary meaning? If yes, explain. |
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Open Response Graphic Organizer Your response should have no less than 7 sentences but also no more than 15. Remember your space is limited.
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Story Organizer This is on one sheet of blank paper using both sides of the paper. First, fold the paper in half; then fold it in half again. Open the paper. It should have four separate sections. Both sides of the paper will be used. Label the paper using the following graphic organizer as a guide. The theme will be discussed and written after the rest of the organizer is completed. Teachers may find the following URL helpful before discussing themes. http://web001.greece.k12.ny.us/academics.cfm?subpage=1220
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