Agenda, September 14

Today's learning targets:

I can paraphrase a dictionary definition so that it makes sense.

I can define the elements of the plot pyramid.

I can define the basic conflicts.

I can define theme.

I can support my opinion using evidence from the text.

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

1. The Elements of Literature (including theme)
2. "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard Plot Pyramid
3.  Vocab Task 2: Define each of the vocabulary words using your own words.
4. A Narrative Song

Agenda, September 14

Due Now: Complete Task 1 on Vocab list

 

Today's learning targets:

I can paraphrase a dictionary definition so that it makes sense.

I can define the elements of the plot pyramid.

I can define the basic conflicts.

I can define theme.

I can support my opinion using evidence from the text.

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

1. Vocab Task 2: Define each of the vocabulary words using your own words.
2. The Elements of Literature
3. "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard
4. Complete a Plot Pyramid

Agenda, September 13

Due Now: Use the Grammar Decoder to correct the errors in your name tag paragraph.
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.

Due Tomorrow: Complete Task 1 on Vocab list

 

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, September 12

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 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. Planner Check
2. Grammar Decoder practice
3. Vocab Assignment 1: Copy the definitions of all 20 words directly from Dictionary.com
4. The Elements of Literature
5. "An American Childhood" by Annie Dillard

Agenda, September 11

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
5. What is a paragraph?
6. Write a topic sentence
7. Name tag paragraph

Agenda, September 10

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.

1. Three Things I Know are True
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

The FINAL Agenda

Finish your rough draft first. I can score your rough draft.
Your final draft goes on the State Writing Assessment paper.
Write as clearly and neatly as you can.
Use your best spelling, grammar, and conventions.
You MAY Microsoft Word to spell check. 
You MAY use the dictionary to confirm the meaning of a word.
You MAY use a thesaurus.
You MAY listen to music, so long as you are the only one who can hear it, your mp3 player is on the desk, and you don't touch it while anyone is still testing.
You MAY NOT text or play games, even after you have finished.
Yearbook signing festivities will commence AFTER EVERYONE is done. We may have people writing up until the last minute. They deserve a quiet writing space. Thanks in advance.

Agenda, June 5

1. Ten minutes: Gather as much evidence about Who's to Blame? as you can from your classmates. You need to cover the whole play, so if all your evidence is from the last two acts, dig deeper.
2. Three introductions, two bodies, and one conclusion.
3. Let the finals begin! Get an empty seat between every body.

• This is an "essential skills" work sample. No help from your teacher, your classmates, or the internet. 
• No talking.
• You MAY listen to music under the following conditions: you're the only one who can hear it, your mp3 player is on the corner of your desk, and you don't touch your mp3 player during the test.
• Texting during this final will nullify your score and result in a zero. 

Agenda, June 4

1. Review Act III
2. Finish R & J on video
3. Who's to blame?

Agenda, June 1

Due Now: The Book Thief test. We'll return our books to the library after the test.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can work with a group to collect facts about a character.

I can analyze the traits of a character in a novel.

I can share my discoveries with my classmates.

1. 15 minutes: make sure everyone has all the necessary info; prepare your part of the presentation
2. Book Thief Test: Written portion
3. Book Thief Test: Presentations. What happens to your character in the novel? How does your character change physically? What is your character's personality like? What can we learn from your character?
4. Romeo and Juliet - Finish Act III