Sample Annotated Bibliography

IS 145 Ms. McNulty
Class 751 September 9, 2010

SAMPLE
Annotated Bibliography
Title: Year Zero
Author: Jeff Long
Genre: Thriller/Action/Adventure (fiction)
Number of Pages: 498
Date Finished: September 20, 2009

Summary:
Nathan Lee Swift and his partner, David Ochs, are archeologists who decide to take advantage of an earthquake in Jerusalem which unearths a rare artifact thought to contain evidence of the historical Jesus. Instead of presenting their find to the academic community and offer it to a museum to be studied, they steal the object and sell it to a private collector on the black market. When a secret compartment in the ancient relic is opened, a two-thousand-year-old plague is unleashed and begins to decimate the world’s population.

Nathan Lee begins a personal journey to somehow try to make up for his lack of judgment by trying to find a cure and to save his daughter from being another victim of the disease. He is driven across the United States to Los Alamos where all scientists, leaders, surviving military, and other key people are taking shelter, riding out the spread of the disease. Scientists are frantically working on attempting to clone human genetic material found beneath the crucifixion site known as Golgotha where the relic was original discovered by Swift and Ochs. When the clones are brought back to life and studied, Nathan Lee confronts a clone that might hold the answer to plague and he calls himself Jesus Christ.

Personal Response:
Year Zero is written in the style of Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code. It contains elements of the political thriller as well as a medical thriller with religious/moral undertones thrown in to the mix. In some ways, this novel also reminds me of Jurassic Park written by Michael Crichton where scientists cloned the DNA of dinosaurs. In that novel, Dr. Ian Malcolm and Dr. Alan Grant questioned the validity and morality of reanimating something long dead – basically playing God – for the purpose of study and ultimately profit. Similar themes and concerns are within Year Zero when DNA is cloned and people are created to be used as test subjects.

Although the original premise of the novel was good, I think there is too much going on in the plot and it becomes difficult to follow. I really liked the novel in the beginning and was eager to read on, but the last six chapters were muddled especially in regard to the characters and I found myself continually returning to other parts of the book to clarify specific facts in the book. In my opinion, the closing of the novel seems to lose its focus leading to an unsatisfying conclusion.

Welcome Class 751

Ms. Kelly McNulty English Language Arts Grade 7

As we enter this school year there are certain expectations for both the student and the teacher. I will strive to meet all of your expectations. I pledge to treat all students with respect and manage my classroom in a respectful and professional manner. As students, you have certain responsibilities as well. Below are some of them. Others we will discuss as we go along. Let’s make this a successful and enjoyable year together!

1. CLASS WEB PAGE/BLOG
All assignments and announcements will be listed on our class blog. Blogging and teacher contact is also available through this site. http://mcnultyis145.blogspot.com/

2. SUPPLIES
All supplies are due Monday, September 13, 2010.
Ø DARK BLUE or BLACK ink pens
Ø Sharpened pencils
Ø Post-its
Ø 2 SPIRAL notebooks (any color/style)
Ø Colored pencils, highlighters, or different colored gel pens
Ø Glue stick
Ø Looseleaf (8 ½ x 11)
Ø Binder or folder to bring home notices and carry work in progress
Ø IS 145 Daily Student Planner (this is provided free by the school)

3. CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK POLICY
Ø Written and/or independent reading homework is given every night.
Ø Homework will be checked daily and handed in on looseleaf paper unless otherwise directed by me.
Ø Homework is to be handed in on time. Points will be taken off on your report card for late work.
Ø Absence from my class (illness/in-house/appointment with guidance councilor or dean/special assignment from Academy Director) is not an excuse for not handing in assignments. All students will have 2 days to bring in missing work due to an absence. Any student who is absent for an extended period due to an illness, other arrangements will be made between your parents/guardian and myself.
Ø Work will not be given out in advance if you are leaving New York earlier or returning from a vacation later. You are responsible for obtaining and completing all assignments upon your return.
Ø All homework and classwork is to be completed ONLY IN BLUE/BLACK PEN OR PENCIL. Any assignments done in other colors will not be accepted and will need to be done over. Homework may also be typed unless there are frequent problems with your printer or you are told it must be handwritten.
Ø Any classwork not completed in class becomes homework unless directed by me.
Ø You must have an independent reading book every day. If you do not like the books available in my classroom library, you may ask to permission to visit the school library during your lunch period or visit your local public library (www.queenslibrary.org.). An annotated bibliography or book report chosen from a choiceboard needs to be completed on looseleaf and placed in your portfolio after the completion of each book read by the due date.


4. GRADES
Ø Grades are based on ALL WORK done by the student, which includes: daily classwork/notebooks (40%), homework (10%), and all formal tests, project, quizzes, and presentations (50%).
Ø Extra credit work will be available during vacation periods and upon request. See details in class and on the class web site.
Ø Tests – oral and written may be given at any time. Not all tests are announced.
Ø Progress reports will be sent home between report cards. These must be signed and returned to me.

5. CLASSROOM RULES
Ø Be on time and ready to work. After you are late 3 times during any marking period, you will be given a dean’s referral for all times afterward.
Ø You are expected to have all materials – pens, notebooks, looseleaf, and homework – everyday. If you are frequently missing these items, you will be marked as unprepared which will result in my contacting your parents/guardians. If you continue to be unprepared for class, a dean’s referral will result and/.or will need to attend a morning/afternoon homework detention.
Ø Personal belongings including book bags, knapsacks, handbags, coats, and sweaters are to be stored neatly on the back of your chair, in a book bag, or on the floor. At no time are bags to be on your lap or attached to your back. If a bag is too precious to be put on the floor, then you should choose a canvas or plastic bag that can be cleaned more easily.
Ø Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted in class (except with special permission) and will be confiscated and given to the dean for a parent to pick up if found on your person.
Ø No gum chewing, combing of hair, or applying cosmetics in class.
Ø No eating or drinking is permitted (unless with special permission or with a doctor’s note). Water bottles are permitted as long as they are kept in book bags and the privilege is not misused. Students may not leave class to drink water or refill water bottles during class.
Ø You are to be in FULL UNIFORM everyday (white shirt, tan pants/skirt, shoes, beige/maroon sweater). Your attire should be neat and clean. Not having time to wash your uniform is not an excuse for not wearing it. If you are wearing anything in “uniform colors” that is too tight or revealing or too loose where undergarments are exposed, your name will be given to the dean.
Ø Respect yourself by doing your best at all times. The only classroom room you need to remember is “respect” – respect for yourself and other people. This term covers all other rules. I understand that we won’t always agree with people and may not like everyone, but we have to make an effort to get along with others in the classroom. Talking badly about others, name-calling, fighting, and arguing for the sake of arguing in class is a misuse of class time and is not acceptable. Disciplinary actions will be taken immediately.

6. BATHROOM POLICY
Ø Unless you have a signed note from a doctor, you have two “emergency” bathroom visits per month.
Ø If you misuse/abuse the classroom policy, then your name will be given to the dean and you may not be allowed use of the facilities during this class.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Cut at the line. Sign and return to school by Monday, September 13, 2010)
I understand Ms. McNulty’s classroom procedures and my/my child’s responsibilities in her classroom.
Student’s signature:______________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s signature:______________________________________
Parent cell phone number:___________________________ Parent email: _________________________