Agenda, December 18

Due Now: Your copy of Mango Street.
Due at the end of class today: Complete Sanctuary Essay.
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can follow MLA format.  
I can use technology to improve my writing.
I can play with words. 

1. Announcements quiz, if necessary 
2. Typing time / Found Poem
3. Mr. Kline Boggles Your Mind
4. To the library!

Agenda, December 17

Due Tomorrow: Be sure to have your copy of Mango Street with you.
Due at the end of class today: Complete Sanctuary Essay.
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can follow MLA format.  
I can use technology to improve my writing. 

1. Announcements quiz, if necessary 
2. Type like the wind!

Agenda, December 16

Late: Complete rough draft of Sanctuary Essay.
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can follow MLA format.  
I can use technology to improve my writing. 
I can use a title to improve my organization. 

1. Announcements quiz, if necessary
2. MLA format
3. Typing Time
4. Titles Exercise

Agenda, December 15

Due Now: Complete rough draft of Sanctuary Essay.
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can make good writing better.
I can read for both plot and style. 
I can make inferences based on evidence. 

1. Sami's question finally answered, slightly more than 5 minutes later
2. Revision Activities
3. Elements of Style - Personification
4. Read Aloud

Agenda, December 12

Due Last Monday: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog 
Due Now: Bring your copy of "The Sanctuary of School," by Lynda Barry  
Due Now: Chapter Expert Handout
Due Monday: Complete rough draft of Sanctuary Essay.
Today's Learning Targets:    
I can read for both plot and style.  I can identify examples of literary devices.
I can make inferences based on evidence.
I can analyze the structure of an essay.

1. Read aloud: pages 39-55
2. Elements of Style
3. Beginning, middle, and end of "Sanctuary"

Agenda, December 11

Due Last Monday: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog 
Due Tomorrow: Bring your copy of "The Sanctuary of School," by Lynda Barry
Due Tomorrow at the beginning of class: Chapter Expert Handout
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can write vivid details.
I can read for both plot and style. 
I can identify examples of literary devices. 

1. Exploding the Moment
2. Read aloud
3. Elements of Style

Agenda, December 9

Due Today Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog 
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can develop an essay through drafting.
I can read for both plot and style. I can work with a group to refine my own thinking. 

1. Drafting Task #3: What have you learned (about yourself or the world) from your sanctuary? How has your sanctuary shaped your personality? Has it made (or is it making) you a better or different person? How so? What does it reveal about your character? Consider the future: is this sanctuary permanent or temporary? How do you know or why do you think so?
2. The House on Mango Street Read Aloud
3. Become a Chapter Expert!

Agenda, December 8

Due Today Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog 

Today's Learning Targets:     
I can develop an essay through drafting.
I can read for both plot and style.
I can work with a group to refine my own thinking. 

1. Who had the best weekend?
2. Drafting Task #2: Help your reader experience your sanctuary. Consider the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). Consider the way you feel. Consider using similes, metaphor, personification, and repetition.
3. The House on Mango Street: Become a chapter expert!

Agenda, December 5

Late: Parent/Guardian Signature on Syllabus    
Due Monday, December 8: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog
Today's Learning Targets:     
 I can show what I know on a quiz.
I can develop an essay through rough drafting.
I can read for both plot and style.

1. Conventions Pre-Assessment
2. Drafting Task #1: Tell me about how you discovered your sanctuary. Consider telling the story of your first visit / experience with your sanctuary.
3. The House on Mango Street: Become a chapter expert!

Agenda, December 4

Late: Parent/Guardian Signature on Syllabus   Due Monday, December 8: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog
Today's Learning Targets:     I can use a brainstorm or web to generate ideas.

1. Brainstorming #1: What's your sanctuary?
2. To the Library!
3. The House on Mango Street Preview

Agenda, December 3

Due Now: Parent/Guardian Signature on Syllabus  
Due Monday, December 8: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog
Today's Learning Targets:    
I can identify an author's claim.
I can work with a group to define an abstract term. I can read for a variety of purposes.
I can use a brainstorm or web to generate ideas.

1. What does Lynda Barry want us to do?
2. Small group discussion #1: What is a sanctuary?
3. Reading with a Purpose: "Sanctuary"
4. Brainstorming #1: Sanctuary
5. To the Library!

Agenda, December 2

Due Tomorrow: Parent/Guardian Signature on Syllabus  
Due Monday, December 8: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog
Today's Learning Targets:  
I can use symbols to capture my personality.
I can read for a variety of purposes.
I can support a claim with evidence.

1. 10 minutes of Name Tag time
2. Reading with a Purpose: "The House"
3. Claims and Evidence
4. "Sanctuary," by Lynda Barry

Agenda, December 1

Due Wednesday: Parent/Guardian Signature on Syllabus
Due Monday, December 8: Post a Friendly Comment to the Blog

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can work with a partner to annotate an important document.
I can use symbols to capture my personality.

1. Freewrite #1: A Winter Memory
2. Partner Reading Assignment
3. Name Tag Assignment

• Fold your name tag like a book cover.
• Write your name large enough for me to see it from across the room.
• Include at least three symbols that represent your personality.
• One of the symbols must be of your favorite place.
• Use color