Markham Middle School Library

Web 2.0 Training Coming!

2009-04-27T21:35:00.001-07:00

Teachers!!! Would you like to learn more about Web 2.0..What is it? Why are kids using it? Why should I use it? Well get ready because there will be a week full of Web 2.0! Explore Social Networking, Photo Sharing, Social Bookmarking and more... The trainings will be held in the library and sack lunches are encouraged. Come and learn..Come and Share!

Markham Gets a new Website

2009-04-27T21:25:00.001-07:00

Markham has a new website. This new site features updates for parents, teachers and students. Aside from the general school information, there are photo albums, and RSS links on each teacher page for so that parents can receive detailed information about classwork and homework assignments. Last but not least, there is an EdTV function that allows the school to post videos that can be accessed via computer or even an ipod. Stay tuned for more from this great website!

iGoogle Presentation for Libraries w/ Speaker's Notes

2009-02-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

I am currently taking 3 courses at SJSU this semester. Two of which with Dr. Loertscher. Our first assignment was to create a presentation that allows for collaboration between Teacher Librarians and Teachers using iGoogle and Blogger.

Pre-Reading Activity

2009-02-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

Students: After you have read the directions for the pre-reading activity, post your answers on the blog. Remember to include your first name (only) and attach a media file that is pertinent to your post. You will receive comments from others in the class. They will grade your post according to the rubric. You will receive a grade 1,2,3,4 with 4 being the highest attainable score. Good Luck posting!

The House on Mango Street Unit Plan

2009-02-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

ITAL INFORMATION

Subject(s):

Reading

Grade/Level:

7-8

Time Required:

Summer Session 4 weeks (20 class sessions) or

Response to Literature Unit 4 weeks (20 class sessions)

Objective(s):

The students will critically read The House on Mango Street, listen to the readings, and demonstrate their reading comprehension by identifying markers (e.g., social, ethical, racial, and the political aspects of the text. Students will also write responses to questions on the book review worksheets and write a short three to five paragraph essay that reflect the reading assignment. The students will bind their essay materials into an autobiographical book. Thus, the student’s self-awareness, cultural perspective, and peer relationship will be broadened.

Summary:

By linking the students lived experiences to the childhood experiences presented in The House on Mango Street. The goal of the lesson is to aid the student’s personal development, broaden the student’s social interactions, and develop the student’s reading, writing, listening, and oral communication skills.

MPLEMENTATION

Learning Activities:

1.	Overview of Summer School Session
	ASSIGNMENTS: Daily calendar: Read at least one short (vignette) story daily. Complete the Guided Reading Worksheets (below). Write a short three paragraph essay related to the reading. (see guided reading worksheets) Format essays into an autobiographical book of human rights issues & cultural experiences. Orally present a story favorite story from their book that addressed a Human Rights issue. Incorporate computer graphics, clip art, and formatting techniques for the finalization of their autobiographical book. *Direct and guide the Internet website search for broadening the student’s scope on Human Rights issues.

2.	Daily Vocabulary Words
	automatically, bazaar, canteen, cockscomb, crumple, cumulus, double-Dutch, floorboard, goblet, holler, inherit, invention, invisible, jingling, landlord, Laundromat, linoleum, marimba, naphtha, nimbus, Rapunzel, scuff, soggy, somersault, temporary, zillion

3.	Daily Discussion Questions
	Students will answer the following questions in their journals each day.

4.	Differentiated Instruction
	Peer and small group (quick 10 min) sharing on reading and writing assignment. Teacher to student guided reading and writing of assignment using guided reading criteria. Strategies include: 1) Dividing a short (vignette) story among a small group of students. 2) Each student reads an assigned portion of the vignette and records brief notes about the reading. 3) Each student in the group orally presents a portion of the reading, until the entire short (vignette) story has been presented to the peer group. 4) Students in the group are asked a series of questions that analyze the reading, and analyze the interaction between characters and subordinate charters in the literary text (e.g. motivations and reactions), deliver oral responses to literature, demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas, and demonstrate awareness of author’s use of the literal figurative meanings of words, etc. 5) Workshop tutoring for 1 through 4 above (conference period) by appointment.

5.	Beyond the Book
	BEYOND THE BOOK QUESTIONS 1. Write a description of your home, using language that tells the reader both how it looks and how you feel about it. Then write a description of the kind of house in which you'd like to live. 2. After rereading the story "My Name," write about your own name. Who gave it to you? What language does it come from? What does your name originally mean? If you were named after someone in your family, tell a story about that person. How well does your name "fit" you? If you were going to rename yourself, what name would you choose and why? 4. Esperanza describes the "Four Skinny Trees" as "four who do not belong here but are here." [74] How does this description reflect her own sense of herself? Where else in the book does Cisneros explore her heroine's feelings of estrangement? Write a description of an object in your neighborhood that reflects your feelings about yourself. 5. Cisneros offers one view of Chicano culture in The House on Mango Street—the view her main character sees from her street in Chicago. How does this view of Chicano culture fit into the larger social fabric of the United States? What ceremonies and values set it apart? What value does it ascribe to women? Drawing on independent research, present a different—or a more detailed—view of this culture. 6. How might The House on Mango Street be different if the narrator were a boy?

6.	Pre-Reading Activity
	Students will respond to each hypothetical scenario in their own words. For example: If I were riding in a stolen cadillac, I would (feel) be afraid that I could get in trouble with the law. They woould probably think I was involved in the theft. So, I would ask the driver to pull over so that I could get out and call my parents for a ride home.

Resources and Unit Handouts:

Technology resources:
PowerPoint, Word
Students Familiarity with Software Tool:
Students will be required to create cover pages and insert clip art to a Word or powerpoint document.
If computers are available, teacher will spend 1 class session preparing art work for book. If computers are not available teacher will allow students to create pictures and art work independently.

Attachments

SSESSMENT & STANDARDS

Standards addressed by unit:

CA- California K-12 Academic Content Standards

• Subject : English Language Arts

• Grade : Grade Seven

• Area : Reading

• Sub-Strand 2.0: Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials)
Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They describe and connect the essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of the text by using their knowledge of text structure, organization, and purpose. The selections in Recommended Readings in Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Eight illustrate the quality and com-plexity of the materials to be read by students. In addition, by grade eight, students read one million words annually on their own, including a good representation of grade-level-appropriate narrative and expository text (e.g., classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, online information). In grade seven, students make substantial progress toward this goal.

• Concept : Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text

Standard 2.4: Identify and trace the development of an author’s argument, point of view, or perspec-tive in text.

• Grade : Grade Eight

• Area : Writing

• Sub-Strand 1.0: Writing Strategies
Students write clear, coherent, and focused essays. The writing exhibits students’ awareness of audience and purpose. Essays contain formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.

• Concept : Organization and Focus

Standard 1.2: Establish coherence within and among paragraphs through effective transitions, parallel structures, and similar writing techniques.

Standards compiled from learning activities:

CA- California K-12 Academic Content Standards

• Subject : English Language Arts

• Grade : Grade Seven

• Area : Writing

• Sub-Strand 1.0: Writing Strategies
Students write clear, coherent, and focused essays. The writing exhibits students’ awareness of the audience and purpose. Essays contain formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.

• Concept : Organization and Focus

Standard 1.1: Create an organizational structure that balances all aspects of the composition and uses effective transitions between sentences to unify important ideas.

Assessment/Rubrics:

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the issues raised in the text, and the essential question, by producing the following:

• Commentary and reflection worksheets

• Autobiographical essays

• An autobiographical book with a focus on Human Rights issues and cultural experiences.

• An oral presentation that shows the student’s understanding of a Human Rights issue that arose in the text and/or from an autobiographical essay (e.g. racism, discrimination, women’s rights, rights of the child, or human rights).

SUGGESTED COMPONENT

Students are encouraged to write reflective essays that not only address Human Rights issues, but also respond directly to the "essential questions," outlined herein and discuss Human Rights issues that arose from reading House on Mango Street.

Attachments

Creative Writing Project

Welcome Back Markham Students!

2009-01-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

Please come into the library and check out all our New Titles.
Also... The laptops are available for school assignments and research projects.
Ms. Jackson

2008-12-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

!!!ATTENTION ALL MARKHAM STUDENTS!!!

school will be let out @ 12:29 on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19,2008 and will resume on MONDAY, JANUARY 12,2009.

The librarian and the library's blog committee would like to wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year!!!!:)

Ms.Jackson(librarian) and the staff from
the blog committee;
Heileen,Jennifer,Noemi
_ Tykia,Kathleen,Sonia,
Jeoffrey,Tatiana and
all the contributors.

YES NOEMII IS BACK!!!!

2008-12-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody ,yes its me Noemi and i am back to keep you up to date with the best of the best!
EVERYONE... start marking your calenders cause in only four more days its finally WINTER BREAK!!!! yeepy.
Of course have fun duing this break but still keep it safe!!!!

Midnight Masquerade

2008-12-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Do you like to dance? Yes? All 8th grade students are invited to attend the Midnight Massquerade on December 12, 2008. You must be in formal clothes and only 8th grade can attend .If you have an 3.8 grade point average you may come for free, if not you must pay 6$ to 7 $ at the student store depending on what day you go.

COME AND HAVE FUN WITH US!!

!!Movie Lunch!!

2008-12-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

We are hosting a movie lunch soon in time for the holidays....So we are going to give tickets to all English teachers.. but since space is limited we are only giving each teacher 4 tickets for their best students.Unfortunately, the movie is just for 8th graders.

The movie will be chosen by the librarian and there will be some snacks and drinks. So you already know that if you want to see the movie with us at lunch on Thursday, December 18th.you will have to be good.Also, if you come you will have to behave yourself and not be too crazy because we will still be in a "learning environment".
!!!!!SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!

Book Review: Nancy Drew ,Real Fake

2008-12-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Real Fake is one of the many books in the series of Nancy Drew
written By Carolyn Keene.

I love this book because its a mystery book and i love
mystery books it keeps you wanting to read when you
pick this book up youwont want to put it down.

Nancy Drew is a detective who loves to solve mysteries. In this
book she is suppose to solve a fake mystery for a tv show called
'Mystery Solved' . The fake mystery she is suppose to solve is
about a missing diamond necklace in France . This fake mystery
leads her to another real mystery .Someone was really trying to
steal the necklace come read this story so you can find out the
clues Nancy used to solve her mysteries and find out who it was...

I like the end of the storybecause she solves two mysteries and she wins so then she gives the money to charity which is great because i believe that everyone should help everyone.

SIX FLAGS

2008-12-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

TO: TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Do you want to go to Six Flags? You can earn free tickets at Markham Middle School library all you have to do is READ!! Students: You have to read a total of six hours and get it signed by a teacher . So come get your reading log from the library; its your ticket to Six Flags.!!!

For more information log on to www.weeklyreader.com/rts
or come see Ms. Jackson at Markham MS library.

No School YAY!!!

2008-11-26T11:41:00.000-08:00

Tommorow is Thanksgiving . There will be no school
starting 11/27-11/28. School will proceed on December 1st.
Make sure you comment to tell us what you did during
Thanksgiving. Make sure you give thanks for the teachers
at Markham Middle school. We hope to see you soon!!

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

NOTE: PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL ALSO BE CLOSED ON 11/27

Turkey Day is Coming!!!

2008-11-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

Game Night

2008-11-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

Every thursday night game night is on in the
Watts Branch Public Library. So lets have fun
come and play with us!! It is open to public
from 4 to 5 pm .

SAT PRACTICE TEST

2008-11-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in taking the PSAT? If you are
interested in taking the SAT practice test come sign
up in Los Angele Public Library Watts Branch. The
test will take place January 3rd for FREE!! Come
sign up before all spots are taken.

Book Review : Tiger Eyes

2008-11-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

The book i have just now finished reading is called tiger eyes it is fiction.

This book is interesting it helps you connect to what the girl is saying it is so interesting once you've start reading it you wont want to put it down.

The problemwas that her dad was shot and died so they go to los alamos to settle down for a while then they finally feel calm and go back to atlantic city.This story helps you understand that if you are going thruogh something you need to face the facts and realize why it happened and try to move on with your life.

The part i liked most about the book was when she went out with her new friends and her friends got drunk so she was mad at them and told them that she had a drinking problem and they disagree and think they can stop when they want at the end they do use her help to stop.

I sort of do and dont like the way the story ended.I did because they finally confront their problem and go back home but i think the end was alittle too simple.I encourage any young adults to read this book it is full of drama and will keep ou reading!

Great Way to get Students to Read

2008-11-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

A new president for our United States-Tatiana

2008-11-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome OBAMA to the US presidency. We really look forward to seeing some changes in the U.S. I am so happy that my dream came true of having an African American president. I would always talk to my mom about having a black president. She would always tell me maybe some day we will have a black president and he will change something things that needed to be changed in the US. And look what happened we got our first African American president when I heard that OBAMA won I was so,so happy I ran outside yelling OBAMA. Now I know dreams really can come true because my dream came true so anybody dreams can come true and I also know that OBAMA's BIG DREAM was to become president one day and his dream finally came TRUE.

Obama Elected as President of these United States!

2008-11-05T13:30:00.001-08:00

A great man was elected to office.

HISTORY FINALLY MADE!!!!! by Noemi

2008-11-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

After this experience and new change to the U.S. we now know that dreams can be reached . No matter what race you are you can now tell all your kids that they to can some day be president of the U.S.A...

The Blog Staff: Meet Sonia

2008-10-30T11:47:00.001-07:00

Hi my name is sonia and im on the blog staff along with 6 other student volunteers. We read and blog about different books and it's really intresting.We have lots of fun reding at our MARKHAM LIBRARY and we enjoy it because the books that are available to us are very cool.I am recently reading a very interesting book it is called "POISON" it's about a girl named Poison.Her mother dies when she is giving birth to Poison's sister and she live's whith her dad and her evil step mom that is only nice to her when her dad is around.I will continue reading my book to find out more on Poison's life...

Back to School Night at Markham by Ms. J

2008-10-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Back To School Night at Markham Middle School and parents turned out in large numbers. I am very excited about the turnout and the patronage of the Book Fair in the library. After eloquent words from our principal about Markham's commitment to student achievemnet, I was inspired and motivated for yet another day of the Markham Partnership. I am confident that our students will achieve new heights under this partnership and excited about transforming the way our students view themselves and the way others perceive our students.

THE BLOG STAFF: MEET TATIANA

2008-10-28T13:12:00.001-07:00

HI MY NAME IS TATIANA I AM IN THE 8TH GRADE I CHOSE THIS BOOK FOR THIS REASON.......
BLUEFORD HIGH BLOOD IS THICKER

I PREDICT THAT THE STORY IS GOING TO BE ABOUT A FAMILY HAVING IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD OR IN THEIR LIFE. I ALSO PREDICT THAT THERE WILL BE FRIENDS INVOLVED WITH THIS PROBLEM.

THERE ARE THREE REASONS WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK ONE REASON IS THAT THIS BOOK LOOKS VERY INTERSTING TO ME, THE SECOND REASON I CHOSE THIS BOOK IS BECAUSE I THINK I WILL REALLY ENJOY IT, THE LAST REASON I CHOSE THIS BOOK BECAUSE THE PICTURES LOOK REALLY INSPIRING.

IF YOU READ THE BACK YOU WILL ALREADY SEE WHAT IT IS ABOUT AND YOU WIIL WANT TO START READING THE BOOK RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON IT MAY HAVE HAD AFFECTED YOUR LIFE BEFORE.

Meet Heileen

2008-10-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

******************************************************************
Hey,what's up my name is Heileen and I am the blog's editor.
I am responsible for the blog's layout and design.

I am currently reading a book named "Secrets of My Hollywood Life".
I got this book becuse it looks very interesting and the book's genre is drama
and I LOVE drama... I also will do a review when im finished reading it so if you come back in a few days you will be able to read my review.

Also if you have any comments at all bad or good i will love to hear from you so please comment!!

I hope you have a cool time on our blog!!

******************************************************************

THE BLOG STAFF MEET KATHLEEN

2008-10-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hi !!!! My name is Kathleen, I'll tell you the real deal with the books here cause I am 13 well almost 1 month to go.I'm in the library comitee with other 4 volunteers but I'm the funy one.The other volunteers are awesome also like Noemi,Jenifer,Sonia,
,Hieleen.Also the librarian we have.Now with the info:so I welcome you to the Markham library and viewing my blog thank you I was almost a loner there anyways. I chose a book calle "Invasion of the Boy Snatchers", I picked this book cause I like people fighting for silly/wierd things.Here is some more info:I like I mean love chocolate and I'm 100% LATINA a shout to my latin world and everyone else.

THE BLOG STAFF :MEET NOEMI

2008-10-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hey!!! Whats up ! My name is Noemi . I am one of 5 eighth
grade volunteers here at Markham Middle School. I
hope you like our blog. Recently I am reading a reallly good book called "The Christopher Killer " I chose this book because just by looking at the tittle page, picture it really intreaged me to read it some more . This book is really astonishing. I especially like the mystery in it. Once you start reading SERIOUSLY you just have to keep it up and read....

Here at Markham the 5 ;Jenniffer,Me, Kathleen,Sonia, Hieleen & Ms.Jackson will always try to keep it real with you guys!!!!

The blog staff: Meet Jennifer

2008-10-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hi!! My name is Jennifer I am an 8th grader at Markham ms.
I would like to welcome you to our blog. I am incharge of
media any type of video, pictures, or music will be posted by me.

The book I chose to read is called "Sealed With A Diss"
written by Lisi Harrison. I hope I will enjoy this book.
I think this book will be about fights between middle or
high school girls.So far i have read about that these girls called the "pretty comitee" won a room in the bottom of the school.

come and read this book with me!!