Short Stories Book Review is Due December 11 by 10 p.m. (You must read a BOOK of Short Stories! See second page of instructions for format changes.)


Book Reviews
Annotated Book Log The annotated book log is used to track annual reading. All students are required to read 25 books per year. This log can be saved on the home computer, completed throughout the year and printed at the end of the year when completed. Students may also print out the sheets and write the log by hand. There is an extra page for more ambitious readers. This is due the first week in June.
NYPL ebooks: You need the bar code number from your library card, a pin number (if you don't have one, go to your local library with your library card and they will register one for you) and an email address. You can bring all of these to the school library at lunch time, if you need help accessing ebooks.
New York Public Library Ebooks Ebooks are free; you only need your library card, the pin number they give you when you register the card and an email address. You can read books on almost any device, including Nook, Kindle, PC, Mac, even phones. This is the website: http://ebooks.nypl.org
All Classes: Book Review Instructions and Due Dates
Helpful Websites
Hour of Code

Important Note to My Students: Due to the somewhat casual treatment of deadlines by some of my students, and the inherent difficulties this presents at the end of the marking period, I am reminding everyone that due dates will be strictly adhered to throughout the school year. This will ensure that all grades are correctly calculated and posted for all students, and that all students' successes are properly reflected in report card grades (without undue pressure at the end of marking periods).
	Unit 3 Home Letter Information for parents about what your child is learning in Unit 3.

Pupil Path The school is using Pupil Path, so parents and students need to register to access the information. Please let me know if you are not registered and don't have a registration number.
Use the website below, if you want to discover the reading level of a book you want to read: Lexile.com

Various Worksheets

Ask Questions to Compare and Contrast

Summarizing Key Supporting Details

Support for Writing A Character Profile

Reflective Essay Graphic Organizer

Personal Narrative Graphic Organizer

Harriet Tubman Scavenger Hunt, New Version

Learning About Poetry

Welcome to Ms. McGinn's ELA Class Page!

This is where information will be available to students in my classes. There will often be assignments posted here, and homework (when it is given) can be found on the homework page. Announcements and student work will also be linked from this page.

Parent Welcome Letter for ELA Classes

DOE/Microsoft Collaboration offering free software to NYC students!

NYC DOE students are eligible to download Microsoft Office on home computers, tablets and phones. Create an account and download software:

Microsoft Office

Homework Assignments

Homework

Pearson Online

Students will receive Pearson log-in information (user names and passwords). The at-home textbook will be the etext online, so please let me know if you have a problem.

The Pearson link is:

Pearson Realize

Use the website below, if you want to discover the reading level of a book you want to read:

Lexile.com

Access to School Resources

School Library

See Mrs. Bridgman, our school librarian, to sign up for e-book access.

(I gave out log-in information in class.)

School Website

http://www.is27.org/

Writing a Formal Essay

Creative Writing vs Formal Essay Writing

Formal and Informal Writing

SUNY Geneseo's Writing Guide: Formal and Informal Writing

Teen Tribune

Teen Tribune is a news website for students. One of the things that makes this so interesting is that it is a safe environment for students to interact with other students and share insights and interests. Students are able to read informational texts, post comments (none are posted without my approval), and even take quizzes on articles read. Students have all been given log-in information and may use this website at any time.

Teen Tribune Website

Factmonster Website

(A good site to find quick information.)

Two of my former students, Lily and Teresa, have created a music video in which they are performing an original song. (They are so talented!) Check it out on YouTube!

Lily and Teresa

Maybe there is something to all this writing we make you do...

Health Benefits of Writing

For my student who believes that Shakespeare's works may not have been written by Shakespeare:

Was Shakespeare Shakespeare?

There are some excellent words on this list!

15 Silly Old-Timey Words You Need To Start Using Again

Sure, there are a few people who never get this stuff wrong.

20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes

All Book Lovers Will Understand (and Laugh a Little at Themselves!)

10 Thoughts Book-Lovers Have Already Had Today

Animals

Memorable Animals from Literature

Lethologica: When you say ""It's on the tip of my tongue."

13 Useful Words You Didn't Know Existed

19 Quotes That Will Make You Fall in Love With Books All Over Again

It's Never Too Late to be Thankful!

15 Reasons We're Thankful for Books

10 Words Every Book Lover Should Know

For Book Lovers:

"For a long time, people didn’t love literature. They read with their heads, not their hearts (or at least they thought they did), and they were unnerved by the idea of readers becoming emotionally attached to books and writers."

The History of “Loving” to Read from The New Yorker

It's Never Too Late to be Thankful!

15 Reasons We're Thankful for Books

For Book Lovers:

The History of “Loving” to Read from The New Yorker

10 Words Every Book Lover Should Know

NY Times Book Reviews

Children's Books

Although this is the page for children's books, it is where you will find reviews for pre-teens and teens, as well.

Sunday Book Review

NYPL

YA Book Blogs

The New York Public Library is proud to announce its list of the Best Books for Teens 2014

NYPL Books for Teens

More Great Things from Our Friends at the NYPL!

Using Academic Search Premiere at NYPL.org

A great tool to find information for research papers!

from NYPL:

YA Books for Summer Reading (from 2014)

Interesting Article About How Our Brains May Interpret Metaphors

Your Brain on Metaphors

An Excellent List for Word-lovers (or specifically, lexiphanicists!)

"Big Words Can Come in Small Packages"

Autobiography PowerPoint Template

The autobiographical PowerPoint is illustrative of information used in literary nonfiction. Fill in the information as directed in the template and then save on the flash drive. Be sure to make it interesting and descriptive.

What is a MOOC?

Dr. Martin Luther King

New York State Museum

Recording of a speech made by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorating the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation

Don't be a Snob, Read What You Like!

Excellent Advice about Reading from our 26th President

Teddy Roosevelt's 10 Rules for Reading

Find the Lexile Levels for Books You are Reading

Lexile.com

Celebrate Black History Month: Read a Book!

"Stories you can't find in history books"

Walter Dean Myers

African American Books for Teens

BU African Studies Center:Middle School Literature

20 Female Harlem Renaissance Writers You Should Know

Selma Reading List (from NYPL, categorized by age-level)