Summer+Assignments

**When you finish //The Devil in the White City// proceed to the tab for Unit One for your next assignments.**

Discussion Questions for //The Devil in the White City// should be finished by the end of the month. I decided to leave this first month at 3 to get you started. Several of you have not started yet.

Grades are done for the project. They have been sent to your message box. If you want a copy of YOUR rubric, I will send it via an attachment to your email. Send me an email first to mcarter@augusta.k12.va.us and I'll respond with your rubric.

 Here's the GRADE CONVERSION CHART: (out of 42pts) ||= 1A || ||= 7Bs || ||= 8Cs || ||= 2Ds || ||= 3Fs ||
 * = 38-42=A
 * = 34-37=B
 * = 28-33=C
 * = 22-27=D
 * = 0-21=F

The numbers beside the grade conversion chart shows the spread of grades in our class. Note that a majority of students received Bs and Cs. Many students who earned Cs were only 1 or 2 points from a B! I am VERY pleased with how well you have done on this first project!!!!! I realize that some of you may be disappointed but remember that you are being graded with much higher standards than you have been in the past.

Common problems:
 * MLA format- while I was not picky about it this time (I will be in the future), I did look over your Works Cited for certain characteristics such as alphabetical order, hanging indents, and actual MLA styling vs. APA or something else. I did not take away points for errors in punctuation this time.
 * Journal entries- I needed to see that you included information about the inside of the buildings, their displays. Some of you created a fantastic storyline but lacked the historical details that I needed to see. The bottom line here is that this was above all else a history project. I definitely wanted to see the creativity but you still needed to showcase what you have learned through reading and research about the Fair and it's offerings.
 * Proofreading- Several people need to take the time to proofread and edit their writing. I have seen lots of errors during the past two days. In some cases they were minor and did not detract from the overall project. In others, the errors were so profound that I constantly had to stop and reread sections to figure out what I was reading. Remember that errors can and will disrupt the flow of your writing and prevent the reader from understanding and enjoying your writing. It is an important step in the writing process. None of the books were error free.
 * Dates- Some of you rode the Ferris Wheel prior to it opening- miraculous!
 * Significance of the World's Fair- A majority of you have little more than a basic understanding of it's real significance on America. Fortunately, we will be covering this later this year! Sometimes we have to read between the lines to find the bigger picture, this is the case with the World's Fair.

**Do not worry about going back and making changes to the posts you've already made.**


 * [[file:Directions for log-ins.pdf]]Haven't created your log-ins yet? Directions can be found in this doc.**

Historical Nonfiction:
 * //The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America// by Erik Larson ﻿[[image:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEOT-FoBFJM/TWv4cIfMFRI/AAAAAAAABSg/ZiYeU9nULxY/s1600/devil-in-the-white-city.jpg width="137" height="184" align="right"]] **
 * Find it @ Amazon**


 * Wanted to find out more about the book? Watch this "trailer"!!!!!!**


 * Second Book- __You do NOT have to purchase this book. I have enough copies for the whole class. You will have reading assignments from this book throughout the school year.__ ﻿ **If you would like to make notes or highlight in the book, like a college book, you will need to purchase one of your own. These are readily available.

//A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present// by Howard Zinn This book will offer you a social history through a critical lense. For many students this will be the first time you will be introduced to the variety of ways history can be perceived and understood. Find it @ Amazon
 * Historical Nonfiction: **