Agenda, December 21

Today's learning targets: 

I can help my peers improve their writing.

I can use peer feedback to improve my writing.

I can use technology to improve and present my writing.

 

Your short story is due at the end of class today. Here's what you need to turn in with your final draft, stapled in this order:

• Final Draft
• Rough Draft with Peer Review
• Green Plot Pyramid
• How to Begin
• Word Choice Exercise
• Exploding the Moment

1. When you are done with your essay, go here to make a crossword puzzle using the terms on your pink elements of literature handout.

Agenda, December 20

Due Yesterday: Rough draft of a short story (we'll have lots of writing time in class).

Due Friday: Final draft of your short story, typed (we'll have Thursday and Friday to type in class).

Here's what you need to turn in with your final draft, stapled in this order:

• Final Draft
• Rough Draft with Peer Review
• Green Plot Pyramid
• How to Begin
• Word Choice Exercise
• Exploding the Moment

Today's learning targets: 

I can help my peers improve their writing.

I can use peer feedback to improve my writing.

I can use technology to improve and present my writing.

1. If you didn't do your peer review yesterday, do it before you begin typing: Circle three "bland" words, write 1 - 3 "hits" (things your partner did well), and write one question about your partner's story.
2. Lab Time
3. When you are done with your essay, work on a Found Poem to earn your participation points.

Agenda, December 19

Due Yesterday: Questions on "The Bet" 

Due Now: Rough draft of a short story (we'll have lots of writing time in class).

Due Friday: Final draft of your short story, typed (we'll have Thursday and Friday to type in class).

Quiz make-ups and retakes are today at 2 pm in B105. You'll need to arrange your own transportation.

Today's learning targets: 

I can help my peers improve their writing.

I can use peer feedback to improve my writing.

I can use technology to improve and present my writing.

1. Peer Review: Circle three "bland" words, write 1 - 3 "hits" (things your partner did well), and write one question about your partner's story.
2. Lab Time

Agenda, December 18

Due Now: Questions on "The Bet" 

Due Wednesday: Rough draft of a short story (we'll have lots of writing time in class).

Due Friday: Final draft of your short story, typed (we'll have Thursday and Friday to type in class).

Quiz make-ups and retakes are Wednesday, 12/19, at 2 pm in B105. You'll need to arrange your own transportation.

Today's learning targets: 

I can use a plot pyramid to organize my ideas for a story.

I can write an interesting and inviting opening paragraph.

I can select vivid, precise words.

I can write about events with thorough, accurate details. 

I can practice what good readers do.

1. Word Choice Exercise
2. Drafting Time
3. Exploding the Moment
4. Drafting Time
5. Sentence Fluency Chart
6. Drafting Time
7. "The Two Brothers," by Leo Tolstoy

Agenda, December 17

Due Tomorrow: Questions on "The Bet" (if we don't finish today).

Due Wednesday: Rough draft of a short story (we'll have lots of writing time in class).

Due Friday: Final draft of your short story, typed (we'll have Thursday and Friday to type in class).

Quiz make-ups and retakes are Wednesday, 12/19, at 2 pm in B105. You'll need to arrange your own transportation.

Today's learning targets: 

I can use details and evidence from a story to determine the theme.

I can use a plot pyramid to organize my ideas for a story.

I can write an interesting and inviting opening paragraph.

1. Plot Pyramid Time (10 minutes). If you're done, have me check  it off, and then you can start drafting.
2. Three openings
3. Questions on "The Bet," by Anton Chekov
4. Thematic Statements for "The Bet"

Agenda, December 14

Due Wednesday: Rough draft of a short story (we'll have lots of writing time in class).

Today's learning targets: 

I can show what I know on a quiz.

I can analyze a story that deviates from the basic plot pyramid.
I can practice what good readers do.

I can use a plot pyramid to organize my ideas for a story.

1. Comma Quiz #1
2. When you're done with the quiz, begin working on your story.
3. "The Bet," by Anton Chekov

Agenda, December 13

Coming Friday: Comma Quiz #1 (Know the rule, how to correct mistakes, and how to write sentences that use the serial comma properly. Also, you need to know the parts of the plot pyramid and the five conflicts.)

 

Today's learning targets: 

I can analyze a story that deviates from the basic plot pyramid.
I can practice what good readers do.

I can use the serial comma correctly.

1. Comma Rule #1: Fix it!
2. Freewrite #4: Write about a snow day OR Write about an argument.
3. "The Bet," by Anton Chekov

Agenda, Opening Night of "The Homecoming"

If you missed Friday's quiz, retakes and make-ups are today at 2 pm in B105. You will need to arrange your own transportation.

Today's learning targets: 

I can interpret symbols to help me understand the theme.

I can analyze a story that deviates from the basic plot pyramid.

I can write a thematic statement.

I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.

I can use the serial comma correctly.

1. Comma Rule #1: State the rule
2. "Initiation," by Sylvia Plath
3. What are the symbols? What do they mean?
4. Thematic statement for "Initiation"

Agenda, December 11

If you missed Friday's quiz, retakes and make-ups are Wednesday at 2 pm in B105. You will need to arrange your own transportation.

Due Now: Bring your school planner with the grammar codes.

 

Today's learning targets:

I can define the basic conflicts, symbolism, and character types.

I can analyze a story that deviates from the basic plot pyramid.

I can interpret symbols to help me understand the theme.

I can use the serial comma correctly.

I can use a grammar decoder to correct my own errors.

1. Comma Rule #1: Write your own
2. Quiz corrections
3. The Elements of Literature: Review Plot, Conflict, and Theme
4. The Elements of Literature: Character and Symbolism
5. "Initiation," by Sylvia Plath

Agenda, December 10

If you missed Friday's quiz, retakes and make-ups are Wednesday at 2 pm in B105. You will need to arrange your own transportation.

Due Tomorrow: Bring your school planner with the grammar codes.

 

Today's learning targets:

I can define the basic conflicts, symbolism, and character types.

I can analyze a story that deviates from the basic plot pyramid.

I can interpret symbols to help me understand the theme.

I can use the serial comma correctly.

I can use brainstorming and freewriting to generate ideas for a story.

1. Comma Rule #1
2. The Elements of Literature: Review Plot, Conflict, and Theme
3. The Elements of Literature: Character and Symbolism
4. Freewrite #3: Write about a dare
5. "Initiation," by Sylvia Plath

Agenda, A Day that Will Live in Infamy

Late: Any stray nametag paragraphs? Any stray parent signatures? 

Late: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Today's learning targets:

I can show what I know on a quiz.

I can define the elements of the plot pyramid.

I can define the basic conflicts.

I can use a graphic organizer to apply the elements of literature to a short story. 

I can write a thematic statement. 

I can support my claims with evidence from the text.

1. Quiz #1: Topic sentences and paragraphs
2. The Elements of Literature
3. Finish the plot chart
4. Thematic statements
5. Edit name tag paragraph
6. Freewrite #3 (if time allows)

Agenda, December 6

Due Now: Any stray nametag paragraphs? Any stray parent signatures?
Due Now: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Today's learning targets:

I can use brainstorming and freewriting to generate ideas for a story.

I can define the elements of the plot pyramid.

I can define the basic conflicts.

I can use a graphic organizer to apply the elements of literature to a short story.

1. Brainstorm #2: a time you got in trouble
2. Freewrite #2: a personal or imagined narrative
3. The Elements of Literature
4. "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard
5. Complete a Plot Pyramid

Agenda, December 5

Due Now: Bring your planner to class.
Due Now: Parent Signature on Syllabus

Due Tomorrow: Use the Grammar Decoder to correct the errors in your name tag paragraph.
Due Tomorrow: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

 

Today's learning targets:

I can use the Grammar Decoder to correct conventions errors

I can interpret symbols.

I can write a well developed paragraph.
I can define the elements of the plot pyramid. 

1. What is a topic sentence? What is a paragraph?
2. 10 minutes of writing time
3. Planner Check
4. Grammar Decoder practice
5. The Elements of Literature
6. "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard

Agenda, December 4

Due Tomorrow: Bring your planner to class.
Due Tomorrow: Parent Signature on Syllabus
Due Thursday: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Today's learning targets:

I can use a brainstorm to generate ideas to write about.

I can use freewriting to draft ideas for a story.

I can interpret symbols.

I can write a well developed paragraph.

1. Name tags: 5 minutes to finish
2. The Writing Process: Brainstorming
3. Freewrite #1: At the end of the day ... OR Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse ...
4. Share your name tag: Tell us three interesting things.
5. What is a topic sentence?
6. Write a topic sentence
7. What is a paragraph?
8. Name tag paragraph

Post your friendly comments here!

To post a comment, click on the word "comment" at the bottom of this post.  Then click on "Comment as ..." Select "name/url." Type in your name and click "Continue." Then you can post your comment. Finally, click "Publish." If you don't see the words "Your comment is awaiting moderation," there has been an error and you'll need to repeat the process. Sometimes it takes a lot of repeating. It's a good idea to copy your comment before you click "Publish" so you can simply paste it in again if there's a problem.

If you can't get it to post, feel free to send me an e-mail.

Agenda, December 3

Due Wednesday: Bring your planner to class.
Due Wednesday: Parent Signature on Syllabus
Due Thursday: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you can't post to the blog, send me an e-mail.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can reflect on last trimester's events.

I can use active reading strategies to understand the class rules.

I can use symbolism to capture my personality.

1. Freewrite: Tell me about last trimester. What did you learn? What did you like? What didn't you like? What are your hopes / expectations for this trimester?
2. Read with a pencil: underline key ideas, circle unfamiliar words, write notes and questions in the margins.
3. Read with a partner: Partner A reads one section to Partner B, then partner B summarizes it. Switch roles with each section.
4. Make a Name Tag: Your name needs to be large and easy to read, use symbols to explain your personality, use color