June 16-20
Graduation Essay: follow the link (pink letters) and read about how to organize a great eight grade graduation graduation essay. Be sure to read ALL of the directions.
June 9-13
You have made a very important discovery–one that will make you famous throughout the world.
Write a story in which you tell about your discovery and how you made it. Be sure to include
details about the setting and any characters in the story, and be sure that your story has a
beginning, a middle, and an end.
June 2-6
Write a composition in which you explain how to make something. You might write about a food
item, a handcrafted item, or anything else that you know how to make. Be sure to clearly explain
each step in the process so that a reader could make the item the way you do.
May 27-30
Think of a favorite object that you own. In a descriptive essay, use sensory details—words that
tell how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds—to clearly describe this favorite
object so that a classmate could picture it.
May 19-22
Suppose Congress wants to make a new national holiday honoring an important person or event.
Choose a person or event you would like to honor. Write an essay to convince members of
Congress to accept your choice.
May 12-16
- Pretend you woke up one day and there were no rules. People could suddenly do whatever they wanted! Explain what the world would be like. Use your imagination! Format your essay so that you have an Intro and 4 body paragraphs.
May 5-9
Choose your own topic week!!.
Please write about any topic you have NOT written about this year. Make sure that your choice is school appropriate. Your essay may only be non fiction writing. If you are having trouble coming up with a topic, google some ideas.
April 28-May 2
Thomas Edison, the renowned inventor, is famous for having said,
“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent
perspiration.” Do you agree with this definition of genius? Why or
why not?
April 14-16
A wealthy donor plans to build a new facility that will benefit young people in your area.
It could be a swimming pool, a theater, a skateboard park, an art school, or any other facility that
would provide young people with constructive ways to spend their time. The donor is not sure
what kind of facility would be most useful. Write a letter to the donor in which you identify the
type of facility you would like to have built, and persuade her that it is the best choice. Be sure to support your opinion with convincing reasons and evidence.
April 7-11
Write an essay describing your school. Be as descriptive as possible. Use your words to paint an accurate picture in the minds of the reader. Be sure to address what it looks like, feels, like, sounds like, and smells like! (See below for essay structure ideas)
Sample Structure #1
Paragraph 1: Intro where you writing about and why is it significant to you Paragraph 2: What Nolan LOOKS like and why Paragraph 3: What Nolan SOUNDS like and why Paragraph 4 What Nolan FEELS like and why Paragraph 5: What Nolan SMELLS like and why **Make sure the last few sentences of the essay wrap up the topic |
Sample Structure #2
Paragraph 1: Intro where you writing about and why is it significant to you Paragraph 2: Describe one location at Nolan with all 4 senses (Exterior) Paragraph 3: Describe one location at Nolan with all 4 senses (Hallways) Paragraph 4 Describe one location at Nolan with all 4 senses (Classroom) Paragraph 5: Describe one location at Nolan with all 4 senses (Cafe) **Make sure the last few sentences of the essay wrap up the topic |
March 31-April 4
Some people go right on to college after high school; others take a
year or more off to work or travel. Which do you think is the
better choice? State your position and support it with specific
reasons and examples.
March 24-28 (Extended Time)
This week you will be writing a 4 paragraph book review based on the novel you chose last week. Please follow the directions under the ELA tab and on your book review outline as to what needs to be in each of the four paragraphs.You can also click on the "Book Review Template" link below for detailed information regarding paragraph formations.
Book Review Template
March 10-14
Choose one of the following topics for you essay this week.
1.
Compare how a social studies textbook and historical fiction are
similar yet different. Explain which medium you would want to
choose in order to learn more about a historical period.
2.
Discuss the themes of two fairy tales that you know. Tell how these
themes benefit young children.
1.
Compare how a social studies textbook and historical fiction are
similar yet different. Explain which medium you would want to
choose in order to learn more about a historical period.
2.
Discuss the themes of two fairy tales that you know. Tell how these
themes benefit young children.
March 3-7
Explain the items you would want to place in a time capsule.
You should have an into and 4 body paragraphs (speaking to the 4 different items you chose to put in your capsule)
Definition:
You should have an into and 4 body paragraphs (speaking to the 4 different items you chose to put in your capsule)
Definition:
- a container storing a selection of objects chosen as being typical of the present time, buried for discovery in the future.
February 24-28
Many people immigrate to the United States because they believe
that it is better than their native country. In fact, many people
believe that the United States is the best country in the world. Do
you agree? Why or why not?
that it is better than their native country. In fact, many people
believe that the United States is the best country in the world. Do
you agree? Why or why not?
February 18-21
What would improve your hometown? Write an essay convincing
town officials to make a change that would improve your
neighborhood.
January 27-13
If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live
forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your answer.
forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your answer.
January 21-24
Many junior high and high schools around the country now
require students to spend a certain number of hours each term
doing volunteer work or community service. Some people believe
this is an excellent idea that promotes good citizenship and
cultivates compassion. Others feel that forced volunteerism is not
volunteerism at all. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your position.
require students to spend a certain number of hours each term
doing volunteer work or community service. Some people believe
this is an excellent idea that promotes good citizenship and
cultivates compassion. Others feel that forced volunteerism is not
volunteerism at all. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your position.