New Vocabulary for Upcoming Test (November 7, 2012)

1) Point of View- the vantage point from which a story is told (First person...character in the story uses I to tell his/her view)

2) Author's Purpose-To inform, to persuade, to express feelings or to entertain.

3) Fable-a very brief story written in prose or verse that teaches a moral, a practical lesson on how to succeed in life

4) Fantasy-imaginative writing that carries the reader into an invented world where the laws of nature as we know them do not operate

5) Folktale-a story with no known author, originally passed on from one generation to another by word of mouth

6) Flashback-a scene that breaks the normal time order of the plot to show a past event.

7) Foreshadowing-the use of clues or hints to suggest events that will occur later in the plot

8) Irony-a contrast between what is expected and what really happens

9) Legend-a story, usually based on come historical fact that has been handed down from one generation to the next

10) Mood-the overall emotion created by a work of literature

11) Novel- a long fictional story that is usually more than one hundred book pages in length

12) Oral Tradition-a collection of folktales, songs and poems that have been passed on orally from generation to generation

13) Prose-any writing that is not poetry

14) Short Story-a fictional prose narrative that is about five to twenty book pages

15) Suspense-the anxious curiosity the reader feels about what will happen next in a story

16) Symbol-a person, a place, a thing, or an event that has its own meaning and stands for something beyond itself as well.

17) Tall Tale-an exaggerated, fanciful story that gets "taller and taller" or more and more far-fetched, the more it is told and retold

18) Theme-a truth about life revealed in a work of literature

19) Tone-The attitude a writer takes toward an audience, a subject, or a character

20) Prior Knowledge-prior means 'earlier' or 'previous'. It is what you know about a subject when you're at the starting line---before you read a selection (Recalling experiences you've had, as well as what you've learned about the subject of the text

Figurative Language

Remember you used dogpile.com to find Figurative Language (examples)...

The following words will  be tested on September 26th:

Cliche-a cliche is an expression that has been used so often that it has become trite and sometimes boring. Example: Many hands make light work.

Onomatopoeia-The use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound or the sound made by an object or an action.

Alliteration-the repetition of the same initial letter, sound or a group of sounds in a series of words. (She sells seashells by the seashore.)

Simile-a simile uses the words like or as to compare one object or idea with another to suggest they are alike....busy as a bee is an example

Metaphor-the metaphor states a fact or draws a verbal picture by the use of comparison. "You are what you eat."

Personification-a figure of speech in which human characteristics are given to an animal or an object.

Hyperbole-an exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one would believe the statement is true.
Tall tales are hyperboles. Example: He is so hungry, he ate that whole cornfield for lunch, stalks and all.

Idioms-is peculiar to itself either grammatically  or in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements 'the Monday a week after next Monday'....

New Vocabulary/September 14, 2012 Test!

diplomatic-(adjective)skillful for dealing with people
taunt-(verb)to tease or make fun of
jester-(noun)someone who always jokes and acts playfully
obsolete-(adjective)no longer in use
exaggerate-(verb)to make something seem larger, more important, or more valuable then it actually is
tendency-(noun)a likelihood of behaving in a certain way
persistent-(adjective) 1)not giving up     2)lasting a long time
extricate-(verb)to set free from a difficult or embarrassing situation

frontier-(noun)the farthest reaches of a settlement  (Star Trek)
flaunt-(verb)to display noticeably
terminology-(noun)the special vocabulary used in business, science or art
perennial-(adjective) lasting through the year for many years
comprehend-(verb)to understand
deception-(noun) a trick or lie meant to deceive someone
immobile-(adjective) unable to move
digit-(noun) 1)a numeral 2)a finger or toe

Who Has Seen the Wind? By Christina Georgina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?
     Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
     The wind is passing through.

Who Has Seen the Wind?
     Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
     The wind is passing by.

New Vocabulary for This Week!

1) Rhyme-the repetition of accented vowel sounds and all sounds following them.

2) Alliteration-the repetition of the same or very similar consonant sounds in words that are close together.

3) Meter-a regular pattern of accented or unaccented syllables.

4) Free Verse-poetry that is "free" of a regular meter and rhyme scheme.

5) Simile-a comparison between two unlike things using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles.

6) Metaphor-a comparison between two unlike things in which one thing becomes another thing.

7) Personification-a special kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman or nonliving thing or quality is talked about as if it were human or alive.

8) Tone-the attitude a writer takes toward an audience, a subject, or a character.

9) Imagery-language that appeals to the senses---sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell.

10) Ode-a poem written to honor someone or something of great importance to the speaker.

11) Onomatopoeia-the use of the word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning.

12) Hyperbole-an intentional and obvious exaggeration.

13) Setting-the time and place of a story, a poem or a play.

14) Character-a person or an animal in a story, play or other literary work.

15) Rhythm-a musical quality produced by the repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables.

16) Stanza-in a poem, a group of lines that form a unit.

17) Prose-any writing that is not poetry.

18) Epic-ancient literature (The Illiad and The Odyssey)

19) Form-the shape the words and lines make on the page.

20) Line- a verse of a poem.

21) Mood-the overall emotion created by a work of literature.

Poem Recital on August 15th and Vocabulary Quiz on August 14th

Vocabulary Quiz on August 14th:

1) petty (adj) not important
2) venture (noun) a risky or uncertain undertaking
3) whim (noun) a sudden idea to do something
4) quizzical (adj) expressing doubt or questioning; puzzled
5) moderate (adj) not too much or too little
6) fiasco (noun) a complete failure
7) gritty (adj) feeling like sand
8) contemplate (verb) to think about for a long time


Poem to recite on August 15th!

The Fog
by Carl Sandburg

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
 and then moves on.

Dear Students, 
It is with great pleasure that I welcome to Hancock County Middle School. Our school is a wonderful place that you will enjoy immensely. It is imperative that you strive to complete every assignment with  utmost quality and diligence.

Please bring your planner/agenda, your daily schedule, a sharpened pencil (more than one pencil sharpened would be terrific!), paper, composition notebook and your Reading folder.

I neglected to mention a phenomenal attitude and work ethic. As an educator, I would much rather have a student who works extremely hard and is willing to try his/her hardest every day than one who is 'gifted' but feels that effort is not important and is not demonstrated on a daily basis.

You will do well here at HCMS. I am ecstatic that you are here. This is going to be the best year yet.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Basham

Meet, Greet and Read! The Original and the Follow-up!

Thirty-three students and family member met this summer at the new Hancock County Public Library! We toured the library, played frisbee baseball and shared about extra credit Reading opportunities this summer!

1) The whole purpose of this activity was to travel physically to the library and READ a book!

2) Sixth graders will be reading many editorials and articles from the newspaper (that is graciously donated by Richard and Marjorie Wilson and Domtar) to which they will respond with their opinion through writing.

3) Sixth graders will also recite many poems...the first one is Fog by Carl Sandburg!

Let me say that I am tickled pink about the participation in the initial program this summer and this will continue in the months to come! Keep Reading! We are going to have a tremendous year!

KATNISS/PONYBOY QUESTION/WRITING

**The following question will be worth a test grade for you!

First, you need a thesaurus to find TEN descriptive adjectives that describe the personality of KATNISS or PONYBOY. The first five adjectives will be from the first part of the book and final five adjectives describe PONYBOY and KATNISS at the end of each book.

Purpose of the Writing: How have Katniss or Ponyboy evolved (changed) during the plot of The Hunger Games or The Outsiders?

Paragraph 1:Introductory paragraph with background information about Katniss or Ponyboy. It must include a LEAD-which is an attention grabbing statement, question, exclamation or fact, three supportive sentences that include details but do not spoil the ending of the books and the THESIS STATEMENT-which is the purpose of the writing.

Paragraph 2: Transitioning into whom Katniss or Ponyboy become during the Hunger Games or The Outsiders book...This paragraph must include evidence in the from of a quote (which can be dialogue...talking between two people or a phrase which supports your sentences.

Paragraph 3: Revenge/Fearlessness because of RUE and defending Peeta in the arena or becoming heroic when Ponyboy and Johnny save the kids from a burning church. **Must include quotes or phrases that support ideas presented in the sentences.

Paragraph 4:Rule change/two winners from the same district--why this is important? OR Johnny and Ponyboy having to return and fearing trouble about Bob's death. **Evidence in the form of quotes...

Paragraph 5: Summary/Closing-make sure you tell how Katniss and Ponyboy matured or grew up as a result of their individual choices they made in the events during the story.

Vocabulary Test for March 9, 2012

There are two lists of words...they both are on Edmodo. You are responsible for checking the website and doing the cards. Most importantly, you need to start studying on Monday night and continue to study each night for 30-45 minutes ...not procrastinate ....waiting until Thursday evening....
Mrs. Basham

New Vocabulary for February 28, 2012

Deport (v) to carry or send away from a country; to banish

Export (v) to carry out of a country

Import (v) to carry into the country

Portable (adj) capable of being easily carried

Portage (n) the route over which boats and supplies are carried overland from one lake or river to another

Porter (n) an attendant who carries travelers' luggage for them

Portfolio (n) a case for carrying loose papers

Report (n) a collection of writing that carries information to be shared again with someone new

Support (v) to carry the weight of something

Transport (v) to carry something from one place to another

Vocabulary for February 20-24, 2012

Form-the way a poem looks-its arrangement on the page
Lines- poems use lines in phrases or sentences
Stanzas-Lines that are divided into groups

Sound-poets arrange words to create sounds they want listeners to hear
Rhyme-words that end with the same sounds
Rhythm-a poem's rhythm is sometimes called its beat
Repetition-if the poet chooses to repeat sounds, words, phrases, or whole lines in a poem to create or emphasize a particular feeling

Imagery**-words and phrases that appeal to the five senses

Figurative Language-choosing words or phrases that help readers picture ordinary things in new ways
Simile-a comparison in which the word like or as is used
Metaphor-a comparison that does not contain the word like or as
Personification-when a poet describes an animal or object as if it were human or had human qualities

Theme-a poem's theme is the message about life that it conveys

Extra Credit Poems (February 28 only)

The Pasture
by Robert Frost
I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;
I'll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I shan't be gone long.---You come too.

I'm going out to fetch the little calf
That's standing by the mother. It's so young
It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I shan't be gone long.---You come too.




A Time to Talk
by Robert Frost

When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, "What is it?"
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground.
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.

Additional Words/Figurative Language

Mood
Personification
Imagery
Allusion
Foreshadowing

Do you know these words? Do you recognize these words when given examples of poems and prose?

Word List for February 13, 2012

Bisect(v) - to cut into two pieces

Dissect(v) - to cut apart for the purpose of investigation

Insect(n)-a class of arthropod animals that has three separate

Sections to their bodies: head, thorax, abdomen

Intersection (n) -the point at which two lines or roads meet and cut across each other

Section(n) - a separate part of something

Sectional(n) - a couch that is made up of separate pieces

Sector(n) - a separate part of a society, group, or area

Transect(v) - to cut across something

Trisect(v) - to cut into three separate pieces

Vivisection(n) - surgery on living animals; medical research that involves cutting into living animals to study organs, tissues or diseases

New Vocabulary for January 30-February 3, 2012

Ject-Throw

Dejected (adj) to feel sad; to feel thrown down in spirit

Eject (v) to throw out

Injection (n) a shot; the "throwing" of medicine into the body by a needle

Interjection (n) a word thrown into a sentence or conversation

Jettison (v) to throw goods overboard to lighten the load on a boat or an airplane

Projectile (n) an object thrown into the air with great force

Projector (n) a machine that throws an image onto a wall

Reject (v) to throw something out because it is defective and cannot be used

Subject (v) to throw oneself under someone else's rule

Trajectory (n) the curved path of an object thrown into space

The Road Not Taken/The Hobbit

In Robert Frost's poem,"The Road Not Taken", the traveler comes to a fork in the road. He must make a decision about the path he must take. At the end of the poem, the traveler chooses the road less traveled and that has made all the difference.

In the play, "The Hobbit", Bilbo Baggins, Thorin and the dwarves are reminded repeatedly to stay on the path in Mirkwood Forest. Why would Gandalf warn Bilbo and the dwarves about remaining on the path?

While comparing and contrasting Frost's poem and The Hobbit, look for specific examples of what might happen when characters strayed from the path...

A) Sometimes words are symbols. The word 'path' is a symbol for something else. Describe the path each character chooses and why it defines who 'the traveler' and Bilbo Baggins are.
B) Think of a time when you were faced with a choice or decision to make in your life. Several people may have given you advice about the path you should take. How does the path/decision compare to"The Road Not Taken" and The Hobbit.

Test on Friday, January 13, 2012

The test will be over the words that include (ped) or ones that are foot related and man, man/ hand.....study hard! You can do it!

Word List: Man, Manu=Hand

1) emancipate (v) to set free; to lend a hand in freeing someone; to release from someone's hands
2) manacles (n) handcuffs
3) manager (n) a person who has the upper hand; a person who is in charge of someone or something
4) mandate (n) an order or command placed in one's hands
5) maneuver (v) to handily or skillfully go around something
6) manicure (n) a treatment for the hands and nails
7) manipulate (v) to skillfully operate by hand
8) manual (n) a handbook; a book of directions
9) manufacture (v) to make by hand or by machine; to change raw material into a new product
10) manuscript (n) a handwritten or typed piece of writing, such as a book

Test on January 13, 2012! You have been given advanced notice! Bazinga

Word List.....PED=FOOT

1) biped (n) a creature with two feet
2) centipede (n) a creature with 100 feet
3) impediment (n) something that stands in one's way; an obstacle
4) millipede (n) a creature with 1000 feet
5) pedal (n) a lever that is moved with one's feet
6) peddler (n) a person who goes from door to door on foot
7) pedestrian (n) a person who walks across the street on foot
8) pedicure (n) a foot treatment that could include soaking the feet and polishing the toenails
9) quadruped (n) a four-footed creature
10) tripod (n) a three-footed stand often used to balance a camera