Grade 8 Language Arts (Period 1) Assignments
- Instructors
- Term
- Fall 2012
- Departments
- Language Arts
- Team 8C
- Location
- D6
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
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Assignment
All "THIS IS ME!" Glogs posted to the correct category on your class blog.
I realize that Glogster was giving some of you headaches with posting pictures; the deadline has been extended so that you can prepare the best glog possible.
Please have your glog posted to your CLASS BLOG by January 1, under the category: "This is Me Glog".
There should be NOTHING posted under Messages or Information as those categories are for myself or the webmasters. Fix it if your essay or glogs are in the wrong category, as you will be graded for correctly posting your glogs and essays.
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$5.00 for Wordly Wise 3000 Online
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Complete your Persuasive Essay Tree Map
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TEENBIZ over BREAK
Merry Christmas! Here is my gift to you; complete on activity with 100%!
No need to print it out if you meet the deadline. I'll find it!
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THIS is ME in 2013! GLOG (It may be our last glog EVER)
Use this glog to express who you are as we begin a new year.
Be sure to include these bits of information about yourself with a picture for each:
1. What's something that you are passionate about? Tell why do you feel this way.
2. Who is your hero and why?
3. Tell about a time when you experienced a turning point in your life and how it changed you.
4. Where do you see yourself 10 years (2023) from now? What will you be doing?
Link a song to represent who you are. Tell why you selected this song and how it connects to you.
There is no sample glog for this as we want everyone to create from scratch.
POST your finished GLOG on your CLASS BLOG by Jan. 1, 2013.
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VOCABULARY on the BLOG! (May be the last time ever!)
Use your assigned word in a perfect sentence on the team blog. The topic is your winter break.
Remember, CUPS will make or break you!
- obtuse
- scrutinize
- congenial
- fjord
- aspire
- martyr
- citadel
- doldrums
- consensus
- blather
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1. SURF Historical Fiction Inquiry GLOG POSTED to your CLASS BLOG
Be sure to include:
- Title
- Author
- Rationale
- Summary
- Conclusion
- Recommendation
- Photographs (2)
- Bibliography using MLA format
Reminders about login/password
Login: First and last name no spaces (example: kathynagaji)
Password: First name initial and full last name, no spaces, no caps (example: knagaji)
2. PERSUASIVE ESSAY posted to CLASS BLOG
(be sure to assign it to the correct category)
3. Read the persuasive essay and glog of the name you picked in class. Leave a comment for the essay and glog created by the person. You may also comment on other essays and glogs, but be sure to leave a comment on the name you picked!
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Vocabulary #7 Re-takes
Check Jupiter Grades for your score
Highest score possible on the retake is a 3 (same test)
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Persuasive Essay - FINAL DRAFT DUE
Typed
Double spaced
Plain, 12 pt. font
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Persuasive Essay - DRAFT 2
Typed
12 pt. plain font
Double spaced
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All LATE WORK, REVISIONS, and TEST RE-TAKES DUE
Re-take:
"The Mysterious Mr. Lincoln" Test
Revision:
Walt Whitman Response
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VOCABULARY LIST #7 TEST
Study the definitions and SAMPLE sentences.
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Persuasive Essay Arguments
- Pro/Con chart
- Facts/Stats
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Read your Historical Fiction novel DAILY (30 minutes)
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Teenbiz - Two articles
- Is That Real?
- A Nation's Songs
Strive for 100% by referring back to the article for each question.
No need to print out if you meet the deadline!
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Historical Fiction Inquiry - Cornell Notes Only
Attach your Cornell Notes to your cover sheet.
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Vocabulary List #7 on the BLOG
1. catapult
2. glutton
3. muster
4. beget
5. alleviate
6. craven
7. mode
8. curtail
9. facilitate
10. paranoia
Use your assigned word in a PERFECT SENTENCE (7 words or more using CUPS) about managing impulsivity.
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SURF Historical Fiction - Inquiry
- Read at least the first 100 pages of your historical fiction book.
- Select a topic from the historical events in the book.
- Write out a rationale cover sheet
Your cover sheet should include the following:
Title of Book: Title
Author:
Protagonist:
Historical Time Period:
Topic of Inquiry:
Rationale:
- How does this event affect the protagonist in the story?
- Why is it of interest to you?
- What questions do you have about this event?
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"The Mysterious Mr. Lincoln"
- Journal
- Vocabulary Worksheet pp. 190-191 (Per. 1-4 due Monday, Per. 6 -Tues.)
- T-chart in Notebook "Strengths" and "Weaknesses"
- Outline the Biography
- Double Bubble ("The Mysterious Mr. Lincoln" and "O Captain, My Captain")
- Study for Test (Vocabulary and Biography)
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TEENBIZ - TWO Free Choice
Try for two 100% activities--do as many as it takes!
PRINT OUT YOUR TEENBIZ PORTFOLIO
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RE-TEST for Poetry Test and Vocabulary Test
Check Jupiter Grades for TEST SCORESDue:
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EXTRA CREDIT: Cherry Blossom Haiku Contest
Original artwork that depicts your haiku based on the theme: "Laulima: Bridging Hands Across Oceans"
See Mrs. Nagaji for Application FORM
Must be postmarked by Friday.
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Assignment
1. Teenbiz Unit
Read the stories and complete the activities. Your top TWO scores will be counted.
2. SURF BOOK
This quarter we will be focusing on HISTORICAL FICTION. Find a book of your choice that is based on a specific time in history.
Need a list of suggested titles?
April Morning by Howard Fast
Black Boy – Richard Wright
The Boys’ War – Jim Murphy
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee – Dee Brown
Johnny Tremain by Ester Forbes
Journal of James Edmond Pease – Jim Murphy
Mine Eyes Have Seen – Ann Rinaldi
Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Red Cap – G. Clifton Wisler
Riddle of Penncroft Farm – Dorothea Jensen
True North by Kathryn Lasky
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman by Ernest J.Gaines
Black Angels by Rita Murphy
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
The Blue Door by Ann Rinaldi
The Bomb by Theodore Taylor
Breaker by N.A. Parez
Color Me Dark by Patricia C. McKissack
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Meyers
Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston
Flight to Freedom by Ana Veciana-Suarez
Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul
The Wave by Todd Strasser
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1. Vocabulary Test on List #6
2. Test on "O Captain, My Captain" and "I Saw Old General at Bay"
Complete the three worksheets to help you study for the test.
See attachment for poems.
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COMMA COLLAGE!
Create a collage of comma usage.
Each collage should have a topic (your choice). All of the sentences will be on that topic.
Each box should include:
A rule for using a comma
A sentence on the topic using the comma following the rule
An illustration of the sentence
To demonstrate proficiency, all of the above need to be met, with all sentences correct.
Exceeds proficiency will have all sentences with commas used correctly PLUS be in COLOR.
RULES for USING COMMAS (WRITE SOURCE 2000):
- Between items in a series
- To keep numbers clear
- In dates and addresses
- To set off dialogue
- To set off interruptions
- To set off interjections
- In direct address
- To enclose information
- Between two independent clauses
- To separate clauses and phrases
- To separate adjectives
- To set off phrases
- To set off appositives
- To set off nonrestrictive phrases and clauses
- SEMICOLON - to join two independent clauses
- SEMICOLON - To separate groups that contain commas
See attachment for rules and examples.
ONE WHOLE CLASS PERIOD and ONE ADDITIONAL WEEK were allotted for this project.
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Revise Grocery Bag Response
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Video Showcase
Be ready to share your video with the class!
SLPC Week: shoot your video and start editing
Next week: polish it up!
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VOCABULARY on the BLOG
Write a perfect sentence about parents on the blog, using the vocabulary word assigned to you. Remember, perfect = CUPS!
LOGIN & PASSWORD: first name initial+last name+8c
Example: knagaji8c
List #6
- myriad
- accolade
- grandiloquent
- caucus
- dromedary
- demonic
- noxious
- proficient
- harangue
- atrophy
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Poetry & Graphic
- Write a haiku or create a concrete poem about a grocery bag.
- Find a digital image to accompany your poem.
- Print both out in a well thought out layout.
See samples shown in class below:
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Assignment
DOUBLE BUBBLE MAP
Compare and contrast:
"The Evolution of a Grocery Bag" and Bag in the Wind
Key Points:
- Text Structure
- Genre
- Author's message
Proficient = 3 bubbles for similarities and differences (both sides)
Exceed = 4+ bubbles for similarities and differences (both sides)
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Assignment
TEENBIZ -TWO FREE CHOICE
- Do as many Teenbiz as you can to score TWO 100% activities.
- Print out your Teenbiz Portfolio
- Highlight the two articles/scores you want on Jupitergrades
NOTE: Articles assigned by other teachers do not count for your free choice!
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STORYBOARD
- How do you visualize the short story you are working on?
- Complete your storyboard after discussing with your ensemble.
- Each person does their own storyboard of the same story.
BE SURE TO READ THE SHORT STORY on THE BLOG!
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Read all nominated stories and be ready to vote next class period. See attached list.
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Teenbiz Articles
Do these with integrity and with brain growth in mind!
- "What's in a Name?"
- "Are Letters Better?"
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ON THE BLOG!
- Read the short stories from your new ensemble.
- Comment on each story with a positive comment and a question.
- Be ready to nominate stories for video production.
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FALL INTER HOMEWORK: Read and comment on three different short stories on the blog.
Be sure to comment on what you liked, connected with, empathized with for the story.
Ask a question about the story.
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FALL INTER HOMEWORK: TEENBIZ - Three 100%s on News Activities!
Dated between September 25 and October 8.
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FALL INTER HOMEWORK: AMAZING STORY Ripped from the Headlines!
- Check your CLASS BLOG for a real story that has it all--great central problem, and best ever surprise ending.
- Read the story.
- Add your comment at the end of the story.
- Share your opinion.
- Tell what is ironic in the story.
- Tell how the RURAL SETTING contributed to the outcome of the incident.
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FALL INTER HOMEWORK: POST your SHORT Story on your CLASS BLOG
1. Single space your story
2. Copy and past it into a NEW POST on your class blog
3. The blog will not allow you to indent paragraphs, so use a blank line between paragraphs
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Short Story - FINAL DRAFT
Double spaced
12 pt. regular font (Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, etc.)
2-4 pages.
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Post your GLOG on your CLASS BLOG.
See directions on the TEAM BLOG.
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ALL LATE WORK and REVISIONS DUE
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Short Story DRAFT TWO printed out.
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Short Story DRAFT ONE Due - printed out
Double spaced
12 pt. regular font (Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, etc.)
2-4 pages.
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SURF Inquiry GLOG!
NOTE: NEW due date (since the website keeps going down, I've moved the due date back to give you sufficient time to complete your glog).
BE SURE to do your BIBLIOGRAPHY correctly:
1. Use Citation Machine. If you only have the URL, it's a 1.
2. Alphabetize by first word
3. Sometimes Citation Machine has periods before the first word. DON'T COPY that; start with the first word.
Take your inquiry and share it with us via GLOGSTER!
Include in your glog:
1. Title of book (underlined or italicized)
2. Author of the book
3, Topic - in the form of a QUESTION
4. Rationale
5. Summary
6. Conclusion
7. Recommendation (NEW!)
8. Graphic related to topic
9. Graphic of book
10. Bibliography of all websites used (information AND images)
Can you add extras?
Yes, the rest is gravy. Have fun!
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Teenbiz! Hooray!
More practice in summarization:
1. A Test to Remember
2. Boeing's Dream
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Complete Storyboard #1 and #2 that was started in class.
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TEENBIZ
Read the articles and do your best on the activities:
1. "There's a Bear!"
2. "Army Families Get Cooking"
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CLASS BLOG
Login to edublogs and check out your class blog.
Leave a comment to share your opinion on the theme and title of the blog.
Be sure to thank your webmaster!
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Login to Glogster to see if your login and password work.
Login: Your first and last name, no spaces, no caps (exceptions made in class)
Password: Your first name INITIAL and full last name (no spaces, no caps) - you can change this to your own password once you get in.
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Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday In Class
For those who went on the field trip, we read the short story, "The Elevator," in class today. Please be sure to read the story so you can be up to speed with the rest of us.We'll also be addressing the reading response:
What does the urban setting contribute to this story?
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SURF Inquiry Using Cornell Notes
- Select a topic from your SURF book that you want to know more about.
- Use Cornell Notes to find out more about the topic.
- Be sure to cite your SOURCE of information on your Cornell notes.
- Write a SUMMARY of the topic as it relates to the book.
- Write a CONCLUSION to address your RATIONALE on the COVER PAGE.
- See the slides from class attached below:
Be sure that you have the following on your Cover Sheet and Cornell Notes:
1. Cover Sheet
- Title of the Book (underlined)
- Author
- Topic
- Rationale
- Conclusion
2. Cornell Notes:
- Topic
- Notes
- Summary
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Teenbiz - One 100% Activity of your choice dated Sept. 4-9, 2012
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SURF Tree Map
Main Branches: Setting, Characters, Conflict (External and Internal)
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Teenbiz - ONE NEWS ARTICLE with 100%, dated from Aug. 29 to Sept. 3, 2012
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Scholastic BOOK ORDERS DUE
Remember, if ordering online, use our class code: GMLQ9
If paying by check, please make checks out to Scholastic Book Clubs
If paying by cash, please bring exact amount
Thank you for supporting our Team English Language Arts Library!
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VOCABULARY List 5 TEST
Study:
- Word definitions
- Example Sentences
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Assignment
Login to the NEW BLOG!
1. Login to the new Team 8C Blog (see link below)
2. Login=First name INITIAL+LAST NAME+8c
Example: Kathy Nagaji = knagaji8c
Exceptions: if you have a hyphenated lastname, all initials are used + 8c
3. Password (same as login)
4. Go to PROFILE to change your PASSWORD (write it down somewhere!)
5. You may change your DISPLAY NAME, but be sure that the new name includes your FIRST or LAST NAME so we can easily identify you.
6. Add a profile picture by going to the menu bar on the left of the screen. Click on YOUR AVATAR, which is right under YOUR PROFILE.
7. Follow the instructions there.
Need help? Ask your ensemble, or come to D6 and get some help!
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Assignment
VOCABULARY on the BLOG!
- harrowing
- laconic
- endure
- aptitude
- giddy
- chronic
- cower
- irascible
- queue
- gossamer
- Use one of your groups' assigned words in a perfect sentence about THE BLUES, and post it on the BLOG in your class' section.
- Be sure to use CUPS (Capitals, Usage of correct grammar, Punctuation, Spelling) PERFECTLY for a bonus point.
- Leave a positive comment or gentle suggestion on one other person's blog entry.
- 10 BONUS POINTS if there is a comment on everyone's blog entry.
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TEENBIZ: Two Free Choice
- Find articles that YOU want to read (use the SEARCH or any articles that Teenbiz sends to your mailbox)
- Read the article, then take the Activity Test
- Print out your PORTFOLIO (see the top menu bar when you are doing Teenbiz and click on PORTFOLIO)
- Highlight the two activity scores you want me to count. NOTE: The activities must be dated between Aug. 20-27, 2012.
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Assignment
SURF Bubble Character Map
You should be reading your SURF book daily for at least 30 minutes.
Describe the protagonist of your SURF book using a bubble map.
BE SURE TO INCLUDE in the CENTER BUBBLE:
- Character's Name
- Title of Book (UNDERLINED or Italicized)
- Author's Name
There should also be references from the book to support your adjective describing the protagonist.
3 = Proficient = 5 high caliber adjectives + frame of reference
4 = Exceed Proficiency = 6+ high caliber adjectives + frame of reference
Assignment should be neatly done by hand or computer
VISUALS always enhance your product!
NEW! See the Character Traits List attached below for some ideas!
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Assignment
Back to BIZness with TEENBIZ!
Thank you for working hard on your placement tests.
Let's start off 2012 with a statement--we already have more than half a dozen people who were high scorers of the day and week!
Two blues related articles will start us off; please do your best on both and strive to score 100% on each:
- Lena Horne: More than Just a Great Singer
- The Mother of Hip Hop Has Died
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TEST
Study:
- Re-read "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" (inferences, point of view, urban setting)
- Vocabulary (Frayers)
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Assignment
Alphabet City Personal Poem
1. Open your eyes to the world outside
2. Take pictures of capital alphabet letters or numbers you see outside in public
3. Pictures should be of objects that are naturally found in cities (may not be contrived or altered)
4. Write a poem about yourself using that letter or number
5. Be sure to include the following to meet proficiency (score of 3; exceeds would include above and beyond):
- The capital letter or number in your picture (photograph or drawn)
- A poem using one kind of figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, alliteration, etc.)
- Include at least two facts about yourself in the poem
- Includes your full name
Have fun with it!
See my sample below; I used Pages (Mac app), but you can do the same with Powerpoint!
NOTE: for numbers, you could find your favorite number and tell why it is so special, using poetry, of course!
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Frayer Models and Similes worksheet
Lost your copy of the worksheet? Print one out below.
JOURNAL: What do you cherish and why?
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Bring in something that you cherish (or a picture of it if it is irreplaceable or expensive). Be ready to share about this object in class.
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1. Notebook Page 5 - Reflections on Learning Style
- How does knowing your learning style help you?
- Others who share the same learning style as me:
2. Bring SURF BOOK
- 150+ pages
- No movie or tv show book
- Something that is NEW to you
JOURNAL: How are you different now that you are an eighth grader?
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Language Arts Syllabus Parent Information Sheet
Please have your parents read through the syllabus, fill in the information sheet, and return to class.
Lost it? See attachment below:
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Assignment
VARK Learning Styles Questionnaire
1. Take the very short VARK Learning Styes Questionnaire. As much as possible, try to select only
one answer per question.
Find out what your preferred learning style is
2. Print out the Helpsheet of your learning preference. You may have more than one learning style, so
read through them and select the one that you think will help you most. Note that there is a "Print
Version" of each learning preference in the upper right corner.
3. Bring the sheet in to class.
4. Bring composition tablet (marble/black & white) and stick glue