The document contains notes from an 8th grade language arts class on February 13, 2014. It lists assignments due and the day's agenda, which includes independent reading, HR presentations, and working on thesis papers. Examples are given of thesis paper topics that are too general, too limited, or appropriate. Potential thesis topics are also listed on topics like adoption, affirmative action, standardized testing, terrorism, bullying, and juvenile crime.

1. 2­13­14.notebook
February 13, 2014
2/13/14
8th Grade Language Arts
Assignments:
-Library Card (F)
Agenda:
-Parent Signature for thesis paper (F)
1. Independent Reading
-25 Questions (M)
2. HR Presentations
-Reading Response (M)
3. Thesis Paper
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2. 2­13­14.notebook
February 13, 2014
Selecting a topic
Too General: Ants
Still too General: Fire Ants
Still too General: The evolution of fire ants
Just Right: The invasion of fire ants in the U.S.
Too Limited: What to do if you are stung by a fire ant
Too Limited: What a fire ant looks like
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3. 2­13­14.notebook
February 13, 2014
Identify the topics that are neither too general nor too limited
1.
a. The population of the U.S.
b. Information from the latest U.S. census
c. Some problems in collecting accurate information in the latest U.S. census
d. The number of people of Vietnamese origin living in San Francisco,
according to the latest census
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February 13, 2014
Identify the topics that are neither too general nor too limited
2.
a. Symbolism in Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy
Evening" and Mending Wall"
b. Robert Frost's poetry
c. Symbolism contemporary American poetry
d. The origin of the word wall
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5. 2­13­14.notebook
February 13, 2014
Identify the topics that are neither too general nor too limited
3.
a. History of and current requirements for physical education classes
in local schools
b. Overweight Americans
c. Too much TV
d. Health benefits of sports and other forms of exercise
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6. 2­13­14.notebook
February 13, 2014
Identify the topics that are neither too general nor too limited
4.
a. U.S. presidential elections
b. Pros and cons of paid political advertisements
c. How the U.S. presidential candidates are chosen
d. Problems with various types of voting machines
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Adoption
• open/closed
• U.S. adoptions
• International adoptions
Affirmative Action
• Business required to employ a
certain number of minorities?
February 13, 2014
Standardized Test
• basic skills test to graduate
• Test scores used to evaluate teachers
• students transfer to districts that are accredited
Terrorism
• government allowed to detain suspected
terrorists without trial
• gov't allowed to monitor phone calls,
emails, etc to find suspected terrorists
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8. 2­13­14.notebook
Bullying
• students who cyber bully be
suspended from school?
• appropriate response to bullies
• bully responsible when someone
commits suicide?
February 13, 2014
Juvenile Crime/justice system
• children who commit violent crimes-tried
as an adult
Others:
• Should people who download music and movies
illegally be punished?
• Should our country have a universal health care
program?
• Should illegal immigrants be allowed to get a
driver's license?
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February 13, 2014
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