Homework:
Most classes have a worsheet to do. We check them together in class. I hope they take time to practice what we are doing in class.
Sections 1,2,6,7 received grade slips that need to be signed.
Today:
Vocab quiz on unit 3. I have to use Scantrons, so it will take a day or two to get the scores in the computer.
We discussed subject compliments and finding subjects and verbs in sentences with unusual order.
(I cannot post the notes or worksheets because my laptop is being repaired.) Boo Hoo! :(
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 28, 2009
Homework:
Flashcards sections 3,6,7
Sections 7,1,2 had a worksheet to complete
Today:
My computer broke. My screen does not work. This is why I did not post yesterday.
We reviewed vocabulary and continued to study sentence structure.
Flashcards sections 3,6,7
Sections 7,1,2 had a worksheet to complete
Today:
My computer broke. My screen does not work. This is why I did not post yesterday.
We reviewed vocabulary and continued to study sentence structure.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
Homework:
All- Finish unit 3
Section 1,6,7 page 7,10 worksheet
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed Completing the Sentence
Reviewed subject/predicate worksheet
Lessons 3 and 4
Buzzword and Extra:
October 27, 2009
paternal (adjective) \puh-TER-nul\
What does it mean?
1 : fatherly
2 : related through the father
How do you use it?
Uncle Vern, my wacky paternal uncle, often tells me stories about the mischief he and my dad got into as little boys.
Are you a word wiz?
"Paternal" has its beginnings in the Latin word "pater," which means "father." Which of the words below do you think is also from "pater"?
A. parent
B. patent
C. patient
D. patriot
Even though your pater may be a patently patient parent, the word "patriot" is the only one in our list that is related to "pater." English speakers actually learned "patriot" from a French word that meant "someone from one's own country." That French word descended from the Latin "patria," meaning "lineage," and "patria" came from "pater." We only listed one "pater" descendant, but that root has given English many other words, including "patron" (which refers to a customer in a store) and "expatriate" (a synonym of the verb "exile").
Which answer best completes the word?
The dessert was delicious, but the main course was taste_____.
I regained conscious_____ soon after the surgery was complete, and my teeth didn’t hurt a bit.
You can tell by the way that Mr. Walters always wears a suit and tie that he is a respect_____ fellow.
Grammar Lessons:
Lesson 3: Simple Predicates, or Verbs (page 10)
The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or words in the complete predicate.
Prairie pioneers lived in sod houses.
Few trees grew in the prairie grasslands.
A verb is a word used to express an action, a condition, or a state of being.
Linking verbs- am, is, are, was, were, appears, seems, feels, and others
He is the president.
He was happy to be alive.
Pioneers made sod bricks.
Practice and Apply
1. My great-grandparents lived in a sod house, or soddy, on the great Kansas prairie.
2. They traveled west from their home in Tennessee.
3. The men used nearly and acre of sod for the house.
4. The home had only two windows and one door.
5. My family built their soddy in the side of a hill.
6. Sometimes the cows ate through the roof of the house.
7. Once, a cow fell through the roof into the house.
8. Heavy rains at times soaked through the sod.
9. The dirt floor turned into a giant mud puddle.
10. Still, sod houses protected my family from the harsh winters.
Lesson 4: Verb Phrases (page 12)
A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.
A “smart house” may cook your food for you.
Main verb and Helping Verbs
A main verb can stand by itself as the simple predicate.
Computer networks run smart houses.
The network is the brain of the house. (linking verb)
Common helping verbs
Forms of be- am, is, are, was were, be, been (sometimes a linking verb)
Forms of do- do, does, did
Forms of have- has, have, had
Others- may, might, can, should, could, would, shall, will
Practice and Apply
1. The first “smart house” was developed in the early 1980s.
2. Its appliances could communicate with each other.
3. Suppose you were running the vacuum cleaner.
4. The noise might keep you from hearing the phone.
5. In that situation, the house would stop the vacuum cleaner automatically.
6. Those with disabilities may benefit the most from a smart house.
7. The house will perform some of the tasks beyond their capability.
8. For example, meals could be brought to a person’s bed.
9. The food will have been prepared by a smart kitchen.
10. Surely, you can imagine other uses for a smart house.
All- Finish unit 3
Section 1,6,7 page 7,10 worksheet
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed Completing the Sentence
Reviewed subject/predicate worksheet
Lessons 3 and 4
Buzzword and Extra:
October 27, 2009
paternal (adjective) \puh-TER-nul\
What does it mean?
1 : fatherly
2 : related through the father
How do you use it?
Uncle Vern, my wacky paternal uncle, often tells me stories about the mischief he and my dad got into as little boys.
Are you a word wiz?
"Paternal" has its beginnings in the Latin word "pater," which means "father." Which of the words below do you think is also from "pater"?
A. parent
B. patent
C. patient
D. patriot
Even though your pater may be a patently patient parent, the word "patriot" is the only one in our list that is related to "pater." English speakers actually learned "patriot" from a French word that meant "someone from one's own country." That French word descended from the Latin "patria," meaning "lineage," and "patria" came from "pater." We only listed one "pater" descendant, but that root has given English many other words, including "patron" (which refers to a customer in a store) and "expatriate" (a synonym of the verb "exile").
Which answer best completes the word?
The dessert was delicious, but the main course was taste_____.
I regained conscious_____ soon after the surgery was complete, and my teeth didn’t hurt a bit.
You can tell by the way that Mr. Walters always wears a suit and tie that he is a respect_____ fellow.
Grammar Lessons:
Lesson 3: Simple Predicates, or Verbs (page 10)
The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or words in the complete predicate.
Prairie pioneers lived in sod houses.
Few trees grew in the prairie grasslands.
A verb is a word used to express an action, a condition, or a state of being.
Linking verbs- am, is, are, was, were, appears, seems, feels, and others
He is the president.
He was happy to be alive.
Pioneers made sod bricks.
Practice and Apply
1. My great-grandparents lived in a sod house, or soddy, on the great Kansas prairie.
2. They traveled west from their home in Tennessee.
3. The men used nearly and acre of sod for the house.
4. The home had only two windows and one door.
5. My family built their soddy in the side of a hill.
6. Sometimes the cows ate through the roof of the house.
7. Once, a cow fell through the roof into the house.
8. Heavy rains at times soaked through the sod.
9. The dirt floor turned into a giant mud puddle.
10. Still, sod houses protected my family from the harsh winters.
Lesson 4: Verb Phrases (page 12)
A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.
A “smart house” may cook your food for you.
Main verb and Helping Verbs
A main verb can stand by itself as the simple predicate.
Computer networks run smart houses.
The network is the brain of the house. (linking verb)
Common helping verbs
Forms of be- am, is, are, was were, be, been (sometimes a linking verb)
Forms of do- do, does, did
Forms of have- has, have, had
Others- may, might, can, should, could, would, shall, will
Practice and Apply
1. The first “smart house” was developed in the early 1980s.
2. Its appliances could communicate with each other.
3. Suppose you were running the vacuum cleaner.
4. The noise might keep you from hearing the phone.
5. In that situation, the house would stop the vacuum cleaner automatically.
6. Those with disabilities may benefit the most from a smart house.
7. The house will perform some of the tasks beyond their capability.
8. For example, meals could be brought to a person’s bed.
9. The food will have been prepared by a smart kitchen.
10. Surely, you can imagine other uses for a smart house.
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 26, 2009
Homework:
Completing the Sentence unit 3
Pages 1 and 2 of a worksheet I handed out. Find the simple subject and simple predicate as well.
Today:
Daily Drill
Review the schedule for the week
Sentence structure, lessons 1 and 2
Daily Drill:
Monday, October 26, 2009 (T4)
1. She (don’t, doesn’t, never, always) have any coins in her pocket.
2. The old tyred dog wantz to lay down by the warm fire.
3. Are we supposed to read across the plains or mountain trek in our history books tonight
4. What two words make up “you’d?”
5. Use this homophone pair in one sentence: forth, fourth.
Notes for sentence structure:
Notes for Chapter 1: The Sentence and its parts
Lesson 1
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
Every complete sentence has two basic parts:
A subject and a predicate
Complete subject- all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about.
Some architects bring nature indoors
(Who or what does something?)
Complete Predicate- verb and all the words that complete the verb’s meaning.
Some architects bring nature indoors
(What does the subject do?)
Professional Model: (find simple subject and simple verb)
This dreamer from the prairie states didn’t copy other people’s designs.
Answers page 7
1. Frank Lloyd Wright designed an unusual home in the Pennsylvania woods.
2. The owners called the house Fallingwater.
3. Sections of the house jut over a waterfall.
4. Its stone walls blend in with the natural surroundings.
5. More than 130,000 people visit the site each year.
6. Tourists can see a very different house near Spring Green, Wisconsin.
7. The architect Alex Jordan built House on the Rock on a column of sandstone.
8. Its many rooms contain unique furnishings.
9. An automated band plays music all day for the tourists.
10. This odd house attracts half a million visitors a year.
Lesson 2: Simple Subjects (Underline blue once, green, twice.)
The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject.
Descriptive words are not part of the simple subject.
An expectant seal builds a shelter in a snowdrift.
The cozy shelter hides her newborn pup.
When a proper noun is used as a subject, all parts of the name make up the simple subject.
Robert Peary explored the North Pole.
Practice and Apply
Write down the simple subject and simple predicate
1. Many animals need shelter from cold and predators.
2. Lodges on islands often give beavers the best protection.
3. These homes are built up from the bottom of the pond.
4. Strong saplings are anchored into the mud.
5. The sturdy rodents then pile debris into a mound.
6. Branches buried in the mud are food for the winter.
7. The whole family lives together in the snug burrow.
8. Their warm bodies keep the temperature comfortable.
9. Predators can claw at the frozen lodge.
10. The crafty beavers stay safe and warm inside.
Completing the Sentence unit 3
Pages 1 and 2 of a worksheet I handed out. Find the simple subject and simple predicate as well.
Today:
Daily Drill
Review the schedule for the week
Sentence structure, lessons 1 and 2
Daily Drill:
Monday, October 26, 2009 (T4)
1. She (don’t, doesn’t, never, always) have any coins in her pocket.
2. The old tyred dog wantz to lay down by the warm fire.
3. Are we supposed to read across the plains or mountain trek in our history books tonight
4. What two words make up “you’d?”
5. Use this homophone pair in one sentence: forth, fourth.
Notes for sentence structure:
Notes for Chapter 1: The Sentence and its parts
Lesson 1
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
Every complete sentence has two basic parts:
A subject and a predicate
Complete subject- all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about.
Some architects bring nature indoors
(Who or what does something?)
Complete Predicate- verb and all the words that complete the verb’s meaning.
Some architects bring nature indoors
(What does the subject do?)
Professional Model: (find simple subject and simple verb)
This dreamer from the prairie states didn’t copy other people’s designs.
Answers page 7
1. Frank Lloyd Wright designed an unusual home in the Pennsylvania woods.
2. The owners called the house Fallingwater.
3. Sections of the house jut over a waterfall.
4. Its stone walls blend in with the natural surroundings.
5. More than 130,000 people visit the site each year.
6. Tourists can see a very different house near Spring Green, Wisconsin.
7. The architect Alex Jordan built House on the Rock on a column of sandstone.
8. Its many rooms contain unique furnishings.
9. An automated band plays music all day for the tourists.
10. This odd house attracts half a million visitors a year.
Lesson 2: Simple Subjects (Underline blue once, green, twice.)
The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject.
Descriptive words are not part of the simple subject.
An expectant seal builds a shelter in a snowdrift.
The cozy shelter hides her newborn pup.
When a proper noun is used as a subject, all parts of the name make up the simple subject.
Robert Peary explored the North Pole.
Practice and Apply
Write down the simple subject and simple predicate
1. Many animals need shelter from cold and predators.
2. Lodges on islands often give beavers the best protection.
3. These homes are built up from the bottom of the pond.
4. Strong saplings are anchored into the mud.
5. The sturdy rodents then pile debris into a mound.
6. Branches buried in the mud are food for the winter.
7. The whole family lives together in the snug burrow.
8. Their warm bodies keep the temperature comfortable.
9. Predators can claw at the frozen lodge.
10. The crafty beavers stay safe and warm inside.
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23, 2009
Homework: None
Grades are up to date for sections 1 and 2
Sections 3,6,7 should be updated by Wednesday with the 200 point essay scores. Those sections' grades do have the scores for the recordings.
Today:
I did not have my computer! Ahhhhh!
I had to do old-school teaching. We did a worksheet on frequently confused words. I will post the notes Monday. I forgot the power cord. :(
On Monday, we start grammar. Yeah?
Grades are up to date for sections 1 and 2
Sections 3,6,7 should be updated by Wednesday with the 200 point essay scores. Those sections' grades do have the scores for the recordings.
Today:
I did not have my computer! Ahhhhh!
I had to do old-school teaching. We did a worksheet on frequently confused words. I will post the notes Monday. I forgot the power cord. :(
On Monday, we start grammar. Yeah?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 22, 2009
Homework: None
Today:
We checked the Choosing using the responders
Daily Drill
Finished recording the essays.
* I will have the recording grades entered by the weekend.
* I will post the recordings by Monday, if not sooner. I will post a link on this blog and send an e-mail.
Notes
Monday, October 22, 2009 (M4)
Notes- Frequently Confused Words
altar- (noun) a table for a religious ceremony
alter- (verb) to change
brake- (noun) a device to stop a machine
break- (verb) to fracture, to shatter
(noun) a rest from something, a split
1. On april 2 garandma avery will celebrate her hundred birthday.
2. I studyed an interesting artical kayaking in alaska in the national geographic world magazine
3. The past tense of grow is _
4. One fact about Canada is_
5. The antonyms for pursue is _
Today:
We checked the Choosing using the responders
Daily Drill
Finished recording the essays.
* I will have the recording grades entered by the weekend.
* I will post the recordings by Monday, if not sooner. I will post a link on this blog and send an e-mail.
Notes
Monday, October 22, 2009 (M4)
Notes- Frequently Confused Words
altar- (noun) a table for a religious ceremony
alter- (verb) to change
brake- (noun) a device to stop a machine
break- (verb) to fracture, to shatter
(noun) a rest from something, a split
1. On april 2 garandma avery will celebrate her hundred birthday.
2. I studyed an interesting artical kayaking in alaska in the national geographic world magazine
3. The past tense of grow is _
4. One fact about Canada is_
5. The antonyms for pursue is _
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 21, 2009
Homework:
Choosing the Right Word unit 3
Be sure to highlight the context clues.
Today:
I checked and reviewed the pictionaries and synonyms.
Most classes are finishing up the recordings. I will post them by Monday.
We will finish the week with little activities. Then we will start a big grammar unit next week.
I graded section 1 essays. They are online now. I hope to have the rest of the essays graded by the end of next week, if not sooner.
Choosing the Right Word unit 3
Be sure to highlight the context clues.
Today:
I checked and reviewed the pictionaries and synonyms.
Most classes are finishing up the recordings. I will post them by Monday.
We will finish the week with little activities. Then we will start a big grammar unit next week.
I graded section 1 essays. They are online now. I hope to have the rest of the essays graded by the end of next week, if not sooner.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October 20, 2009
FYI: On Tuesdays I have Yearbook Club, so I might post this late.
Homework:
Pictionaries 1-20 are due tomorrow and synonyms unit 3
Today:
Buzzword
Listen to words 11-20 Unit 3
Continued to record
October 20, 2009
animate (adjective)\AN-uh-mut\
What does it mean?
1 : having life : alive
2 : animated, lively
How do you use it?
In Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein, the narrator of the story, Dr. Frankenstein, works feverishly to create an animate being and then is terrified by what he's done.
Are you a word wiz?
"Animate" traces back to the Latin word "anima." What do you think "anima" means?
A. distance
B. birth, beginning
C. movement
D. breath, soul
Breathe a sigh of relief: "anima" means "breath" or "soul." Between "anima" (which also gave us the word "animal") and today's word "animate," though, is another Latin word: the verb "animare," meaning "to give life to." "Animare" gave us two words "animate." One is the adjective that is today's Buzzword. The other is the verb "animate" (the last syllable is pronounced to rhyme with "late"), which means "to give life to," and "to give spirit and vigor to," and "to make as an animated cartoon." When a cartoon is drawn and filmed in such a way that lifelike movement is produced, we say that it is "animated."
Which answer best completes the word?
The traffic was diverted because of a hazard_ous____ chemical spill.
When the new girl joined the team, the other students heart__ily___ welcomed her.
Homework:
Pictionaries 1-20 are due tomorrow and synonyms unit 3
Today:
Buzzword
Listen to words 11-20 Unit 3
Continued to record
October 20, 2009
animate (adjective)\AN-uh-mut\
What does it mean?
1 : having life : alive
2 : animated, lively
How do you use it?
In Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein, the narrator of the story, Dr. Frankenstein, works feverishly to create an animate being and then is terrified by what he's done.
Are you a word wiz?
"Animate" traces back to the Latin word "anima." What do you think "anima" means?
A. distance
B. birth, beginning
C. movement
D. breath, soul
Breathe a sigh of relief: "anima" means "breath" or "soul." Between "anima" (which also gave us the word "animal") and today's word "animate," though, is another Latin word: the verb "animare," meaning "to give life to." "Animare" gave us two words "animate." One is the adjective that is today's Buzzword. The other is the verb "animate" (the last syllable is pronounced to rhyme with "late"), which means "to give life to," and "to give spirit and vigor to," and "to make as an animated cartoon." When a cartoon is drawn and filmed in such a way that lifelike movement is produced, we say that it is "animated."
Which answer best completes the word?
The traffic was diverted because of a hazard_ous____ chemical spill.
When the new girl joined the team, the other students heart__ily___ welcomed her.
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19, 2009
Picture: This is the drawing I had the students make to explain the purpose of the handshake and thesis.
Homework:
Pictionaries 1-10 Unit 3
Practice for the reading in class.
Today:
Reviewed the calendar for the week.
Listened to and discussed words 1-10 unit 3.
Began recording the narratives. I will post them when we are done.
*** I updated the grades today. FYI, the grade on the essay will be big.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 15, 2009
Homework:
The good draft of the essay is due Friday!
Be sure to practice reading out loud as we discussed in class today.
Today:
We had fun! I took the poem "Smart" by Shel Silverstein and gave stanzas to the students. I discussed how an "A" reading would be clear, but it would also add to the enjoyment of hearing the poem. I demonstrated an A reading. Then they gave it a shot.
If you go to my main page, you can listen to the recordings yourself. As I told the kids, most of the readings will be B's or C's. It will be the student who goes the extra mile to perform his/her piece that will get an A for the recording of the narrative essay in the coming days. (Those recordings will be posted in the near future.) The recording will be a 50 point grade for public speaking practice.
The good draft of the essay is due Friday!
Be sure to practice reading out loud as we discussed in class today.
Today:
We had fun! I took the poem "Smart" by Shel Silverstein and gave stanzas to the students. I discussed how an "A" reading would be clear, but it would also add to the enjoyment of hearing the poem. I demonstrated an A reading. Then they gave it a shot.
If you go to my main page, you can listen to the recordings yourself. As I told the kids, most of the readings will be B's or C's. It will be the student who goes the extra mile to perform his/her piece that will get an A for the recording of the narrative essay in the coming days. (Those recordings will be posted in the near future.) The recording will be a 50 point grade for public speaking practice.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009
Homework:
Good draft of essay is due Friday
We begin recording Friday
Today:
Daily Buzzword
Peer editing of essays
Everything we did in class is below.
October 14, 2009
laureate (noun) \LOR-ee-ut\
What does it mean?
: a person honored for achievement in an art or science; especially : poet laureate
How do you use it?
In 2008, the Library of Congress announced the appointment of California native Kay Ryan as the sixteenth poet laureate of the United States.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these do you think gave us the word "laureate"?
A. a style of poetry
B. a family of plants
C. a famous university
D. an aristocratic title
Which answer best completes the word?
After three people quit the play, the director needed to ___re__assign the roles.
The scientist threw away a tainted sample because it was ___ir__redeemable.
Peer Editing
Today
1.In a pair, read both essays. Help the person choose which essay would be most interesting to listen to.
2.Create a revision plan.
3.Help the person with grammar editing.
Requirements for the essay:
•Intro paragraph with handshake and thesis from sheet
•Multiple paragraphs
•Conclusion paragraph
•Your narrative must tell a story that has a point, that relates a lesson.
•Your writing must be vivid.
•Use sensory details- see, hear, smell, feel, taste.
•Include dialogue to bring people to life.
•You paper must sound thoughtful, reflecting on your experience.
•I really like size 12 font Times New Roman, single spaced, normal margins, no spaces between paragraphs
Good draft of essay is due Friday
We begin recording Friday
Today:
Daily Buzzword
Peer editing of essays
Everything we did in class is below.
October 14, 2009
laureate (noun) \LOR-ee-ut\
What does it mean?
: a person honored for achievement in an art or science; especially : poet laureate
How do you use it?
In 2008, the Library of Congress announced the appointment of California native Kay Ryan as the sixteenth poet laureate of the United States.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these do you think gave us the word "laureate"?
A. a style of poetry
B. a family of plants
C. a famous university
D. an aristocratic title
Which answer best completes the word?
After three people quit the play, the director needed to ___re__assign the roles.
The scientist threw away a tainted sample because it was ___ir__redeemable.
Peer Editing
Today
1.In a pair, read both essays. Help the person choose which essay would be most interesting to listen to.
2.Create a revision plan.
3.Help the person with grammar editing.
Requirements for the essay:
•Intro paragraph with handshake and thesis from sheet
•Multiple paragraphs
•Conclusion paragraph
•Your narrative must tell a story that has a point, that relates a lesson.
•Your writing must be vivid.
•Use sensory details- see, hear, smell, feel, taste.
•Include dialogue to bring people to life.
•You paper must sound thoughtful, reflecting on your experience.
•I really like size 12 font Times New Roman, single spaced, normal margins, no spaces between paragraphs
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October 13, 2009
Homework:
None really. I have not handed back the good-rough drafts yet. I will do that tomorrow.
Today:
Quiz unit 2. The results will be on the HAC soon.
We discussed how I will score the essays. They will be worth 200 points, which is a big class grade. They need to have great grammar. If you have time, I would ask that you look over their papers and HELP them to understand what THEY need to fix. :)
As of now, I have spent a lot of time showing the students what I expect from a good narrative. It is time for them to step up.
These are the four handshakes the students should choose from.
Question- A question provokes thought and helps the reader become involved in your subject matter. Your job in the paper is to provide the answer to this question.
Do you believe that all dogs go to heaven? Do dogs have souls like people? The night my dog was hit by a car in front of my house, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him. When I buried my dog, I learned an important lesson about death.
Quote- Your quote should tie into your subject matter and come from a recognized authority in the field. (Try this site for quotes.) Using a quote will give your writing believability and help convince your reader to read on.
Joseph Addison, an American writer, once mused, “Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men; but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.” The night my dog got hit by a car, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him, and I am glad he did. That night, my dying dog taught me some wisdom I would never forget.
Amazing fact or statistic- Either one of these hooks is intended to disquiet the reader with its bluntness or frankness.
Every year 10,000 family pets are hit on the road in front of their houses. While not all accidents can be prevented, people should be more careful, for both the safety of their pet and for the safety of motorists. The night my dog got hit by a car, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him, and I am glad he did.
In the middle- Your handshake puts the reader right in the middle of the action. It’s like you suck them from their world into yours.
We were all standing around the animal in the middle of the road. The sun was going down, as were our hopes for our family’s pet surviving the night. We knew we had to do something, but we were afraid that anything we would do would put the poor thing in even more pain. The night my dog got hit by a car, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him, and I am glad he did.
None really. I have not handed back the good-rough drafts yet. I will do that tomorrow.
Today:
Quiz unit 2. The results will be on the HAC soon.
We discussed how I will score the essays. They will be worth 200 points, which is a big class grade. They need to have great grammar. If you have time, I would ask that you look over their papers and HELP them to understand what THEY need to fix. :)
As of now, I have spent a lot of time showing the students what I expect from a good narrative. It is time for them to step up.
These are the four handshakes the students should choose from.
Handshake leads the reader into the paper.
Thesis explains the focus of the paper.
Question- A question provokes thought and helps the reader become involved in your subject matter. Your job in the paper is to provide the answer to this question.
Do you believe that all dogs go to heaven? Do dogs have souls like people? The night my dog was hit by a car in front of my house, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him. When I buried my dog, I learned an important lesson about death.
Quote- Your quote should tie into your subject matter and come from a recognized authority in the field. (Try this site for quotes.) Using a quote will give your writing believability and help convince your reader to read on.
Joseph Addison, an American writer, once mused, “Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men; but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.” The night my dog got hit by a car, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him, and I am glad he did. That night, my dying dog taught me some wisdom I would never forget.
Amazing fact or statistic- Either one of these hooks is intended to disquiet the reader with its bluntness or frankness.
Every year 10,000 family pets are hit on the road in front of their houses. While not all accidents can be prevented, people should be more careful, for both the safety of their pet and for the safety of motorists. The night my dog got hit by a car, I wanted to hide in my room in cry. I wanted to run away from the pain. Instead, my dad told me to help him, and I am glad he did.
In the middle- Your handshake puts the reader right in the middle of the action. It’s like you suck them from their world into yours.
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 12, 2009
I was out on Thursday when we were supposed to have a quiz. I have a stress fracture in my big toe. I decided to give the students until tomorrow to take the quiz instead of springing it on them today.
Homework:
Study for the Unit 2 Quiz
Today:
No Daily Drill
We reviewed the schedule for the week. See the calendar.
We diagrammed reading an essay as diving off a high diving board. The reader on the diving board is nervous about reading the paper. The longer the paper, the higher the board! The handshake gets the reader out the board, and the thesis gets the reader to jump. If the introduction paragraph is good, the reader will want to jump.
The reader jumps into the paper and reads. Then he comes out and looks back at the board. I discussed how the conclusion should reflect the introduction. If the reader gets out of the body of the paper and does not see a diving board, he will be confused!
Here are three ideas for handshakes that we discussed in class. These are taken from a handout called "The Effective Introduction: Using Hooks"which I use in class.
Question- A question provokes thought and helps the reader become involved in your subject matter. Your job in the paper is to provide the answer to this question.
Quote- Your quote should tie into your subject matter and come from a recognized authority in the field. (Try this site for quotes.) Using a quote will give your writing believability and help convince your reader to read on.
Amazing fact or statistic- Either one of these hooks is intended to disquiet the reader with its bluntness or frankness.
Here is a lame example:
Handshake: Being in the middle, doesn’t it sound great? You are neither too young nor too old. In middle school, age makes such a difference.
Thesis: Now I am in the middle, and I think I am going to like it.
Homework:
Study for the Unit 2 Quiz
Today:
No Daily Drill
We reviewed the schedule for the week. See the calendar.
We diagrammed reading an essay as diving off a high diving board. The reader on the diving board is nervous about reading the paper. The longer the paper, the higher the board! The handshake gets the reader out the board, and the thesis gets the reader to jump. If the introduction paragraph is good, the reader will want to jump.
The reader jumps into the paper and reads. Then he comes out and looks back at the board. I discussed how the conclusion should reflect the introduction. If the reader gets out of the body of the paper and does not see a diving board, he will be confused!
Here are three ideas for handshakes that we discussed in class. These are taken from a handout called "The Effective Introduction: Using Hooks"which I use in class.
Question- A question provokes thought and helps the reader become involved in your subject matter. Your job in the paper is to provide the answer to this question.
Quote- Your quote should tie into your subject matter and come from a recognized authority in the field. (Try this site for quotes.) Using a quote will give your writing believability and help convince your reader to read on.
Amazing fact or statistic- Either one of these hooks is intended to disquiet the reader with its bluntness or frankness.
Here is a lame example:
Handshake: Being in the middle, doesn’t it sound great? You are neither too young nor too old. In middle school, age makes such a difference.
Thesis: Now I am in the middle, and I think I am going to like it.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
October 7, 2009
Homework:
Study for Unit 2 quiz
Sections 3,6,7 have flashcards to make for the Unit 2 Quiz
Today:
Daily Drill
Reviewed frequently confused words
Took a practice test to see how they are doing using the responders
Practiced reading into the microphone.
Notes
affect- (verb) to influence, to produce an effect
Your behavior affects the whole class!
effect- (noun) the result of an action
We can see the effects of global warming
all right- everything is right or satisfactory
(alright is non-standard)
This soda is all right, I guess.
We did all right at the game yesterday.
1. Our minister rev Murphy has worked in churches in australia guatemala and malaysia.
2. There mother ask them to go to blacks market for her.
3. Cause and Effect: (The campers had to be rescued after they wandered off the trail and became lost.)
________ caused _______.
4. Phenomena is (singular or plural)
5. The past tense of teach is _
Exercise on responder (notebook pop quiz)
1. Everyone likes to give (advice, advise).
2. The (affect, effect) of the victory was startling.
3. Why did you (accept, except) Carla from the class rules?
4. The scientists were (all ready, already) to watch the launch of the rocket.
5. The coach (advices, advises) us to stick to the training rules.
6. Her weeks of practice finally (affected, effected) her game.
7. Most of the rebels were offered a pardon and (accepted, excepted) it.
8. Juan has (all ready, already) learned how to water-ski.
9. Do you think my work is (all right, alright)?
10. Whose (advice, advise) are you going to take?
11. The director called us (all together, altogether) for the rehearsal.
12. Your story is (all together, altogether) too late for this issue.
13. (It’s, Its) the same story over and over.
14. Mother asked, “(Who’s, Whose) mess is this on the floor?”
15. The children must have lost (they’re, their, there) minds!
Study for Unit 2 quiz
Sections 3,6,7 have flashcards to make for the Unit 2 Quiz
Today:
Daily Drill
Reviewed frequently confused words
Took a practice test to see how they are doing using the responders
Practiced reading into the microphone.
Notes
affect- (verb) to influence, to produce an effect
Your behavior affects the whole class!
effect- (noun) the result of an action
We can see the effects of global warming
all right- everything is right or satisfactory
(alright is non-standard)
This soda is all right, I guess.
We did all right at the game yesterday.
1. Our minister rev Murphy has worked in churches in australia guatemala and malaysia.
2. There mother ask them to go to blacks market for her.
3. Cause and Effect: (The campers had to be rescued after they wandered off the trail and became lost.)
________ caused _______.
4. Phenomena is (singular or plural)
5. The past tense of teach is _
Exercise on responder (notebook pop quiz)
1. Everyone likes to give (advice, advise).
2. The (affect, effect) of the victory was startling.
3. Why did you (accept, except) Carla from the class rules?
4. The scientists were (all ready, already) to watch the launch of the rocket.
5. The coach (advices, advises) us to stick to the training rules.
6. Her weeks of practice finally (affected, effected) her game.
7. Most of the rebels were offered a pardon and (accepted, excepted) it.
8. Juan has (all ready, already) learned how to water-ski.
9. Do you think my work is (all right, alright)?
10. Whose (advice, advise) are you going to take?
11. The director called us (all together, altogether) for the rehearsal.
12. Your story is (all together, altogether) too late for this issue.
13. (It’s, Its) the same story over and over.
14. Mother asked, “(Who’s, Whose) mess is this on the floor?”
15. The children must have lost (they’re, their, there) minds!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
October 7, 2009
Homework:
Finish Unit 2 vocabulary
The good draft of the Thank You, M'am essay is due Wednesday.
Get grade slip signed and return
Today:
Daily Buzzword and extra credit questions.
Reviewed the Completing the Sentence
Handed out grade slips (must be signed and returned)
Work time for last minute questions on the essays
Daily Buzzword and extra credit questions:
October 06, 2009
verbatim (adverb or adjective) \ver-BAY-tim\
What does it mean?
: in the same words : word for word
How do you use it?
Each student in Russell's class was assigned to memorize a poem and then recite it verbatim to the class.
Are you a word wiz?
"Verbatim" developed from the much older Latin word "verbum." "Verbum" is also an ancestor of other words such as "verb" and "verbal." Based on the modern words that come from it, what do you think "verbum" originally meant?
A. alphabet
B. copy
C. word
D. repeat
Take our word for it: "verbum" means "word." That Latin root is the ancestor of many modern terms, including "verbatim," "verb," "verbal," "proverb," and "verbose" (that means "wordy"). The Latin root is even related to the parent terms that gave us the word "word" itself. "Verbatim" first began to be used as a word in English in the fifteen century.
Extra Credit Questions (prefixes)
They were arguing unnecessarily about issues that were _____consequential.
The photograph shows a black silhouette _____imposed over a white sky.
Finish Unit 2 vocabulary
The good draft of the Thank You, M'am essay is due Wednesday.
Get grade slip signed and return
Today:
Daily Buzzword and extra credit questions.
Reviewed the Completing the Sentence
Handed out grade slips (must be signed and returned)
Work time for last minute questions on the essays
Daily Buzzword and extra credit questions:
October 06, 2009
verbatim (adverb or adjective) \ver-BAY-tim\
What does it mean?
: in the same words : word for word
How do you use it?
Each student in Russell's class was assigned to memorize a poem and then recite it verbatim to the class.
Are you a word wiz?
"Verbatim" developed from the much older Latin word "verbum." "Verbum" is also an ancestor of other words such as "verb" and "verbal." Based on the modern words that come from it, what do you think "verbum" originally meant?
A. alphabet
B. copy
C. word
D. repeat
Take our word for it: "verbum" means "word." That Latin root is the ancestor of many modern terms, including "verbatim," "verb," "verbal," "proverb," and "verbose" (that means "wordy"). The Latin root is even related to the parent terms that gave us the word "word" itself. "Verbatim" first began to be used as a word in English in the fifteen century.
Extra Credit Questions (prefixes)
They were arguing unnecessarily about issues that were _____consequential.
The photograph shows a black silhouette _____imposed over a white sky.
Monday, October 05, 2009
October 5, 2009
Homework:
Completing the Sentence Unit 2
Essay is due Wednesday
Today:
Reviewed the weekly calendar
Reviewed the vocabulary words and practiced spelling
Reviewed the requirements for the essay.
I had a work time so I could help students with anything they might have questions on.
I have suggested an outline:
I have been telling the students to first think about a lesson they have learned, like responsibility. Then think of when they learned it or it really sank in. For example, I learned about responsibility from many people, but I learned it most clearly from Coach Jim.
Introduction
Discuss how we learn things from people, and I learned something from Coach Jim.
Background
Tell how others have tried. Tell how Coach Jim told things. Tell how parents have told things trying to teach responsibility. I was not responsible. I wanted to be what people were helping me to become.
The Event
But there was this one time when I learned responsibility clearly.
Include sensory details.
Tell the story clearly.
Include dialogue.
Include thoughts
Conclusion
This was the time when I learned responsibility. Now I know.
Completing the Sentence Unit 2
Essay is due Wednesday
Today:
Reviewed the weekly calendar
Reviewed the vocabulary words and practiced spelling
Reviewed the requirements for the essay.
I had a work time so I could help students with anything they might have questions on.
I have suggested an outline:
I have been telling the students to first think about a lesson they have learned, like responsibility. Then think of when they learned it or it really sank in. For example, I learned about responsibility from many people, but I learned it most clearly from Coach Jim.
Introduction
Discuss how we learn things from people, and I learned something from Coach Jim.
Background
Tell how others have tried. Tell how Coach Jim told things. Tell how parents have told things trying to teach responsibility. I was not responsible. I wanted to be what people were helping me to become.
The Event
But there was this one time when I learned responsibility clearly.
Include sensory details.
Tell the story clearly.
Include dialogue.
Include thoughts
Conclusion
This was the time when I learned responsibility. Now I know.
Friday, October 02, 2009
October 2, 2009
Homework: Essay due Wednesday
Today:
Checked the Choosing the Right Word using the responders
Reviewed the Choosing
Read two pieces of writing. Here is one story. We read the middle part. We did not have the beginning or the very end. We stopped when the man caught them. Then I had the students write an ending. Where our version ended, the story did not end, nor was there a lesson that the writer was trying to convey. We had to create a logical conclusion. It was a nice little writing exercise for the brain.
Today:
Checked the Choosing the Right Word using the responders
Reviewed the Choosing
Read two pieces of writing. Here is one story. We read the middle part. We did not have the beginning or the very end. We stopped when the man caught them. Then I had the students write an ending. Where our version ended, the story did not end, nor was there a lesson that the writer was trying to convey. We had to create a logical conclusion. It was a nice little writing exercise for the brain.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
October 1, 2009
Homework:
Choosing the Right Word Unit 2
Essay due Next Wednesday
Today:
Daily Drill (see below)
Reviewed synonyms
Did pictionaries on board
Discussed possible outline for the essay
Thursday, October 1, 2009 (T3)
Frequently confused words:
accept- (verb) to receive with consent
I will accept the award tonight.
except- (prep.) with the exclusion of; but
Everyone will be there except Mark.
1. Arrival and departure are (synonyms, antonyms)
2. Abandon and discontinue are (synonyms, antonyms)
3. Look out below he called that rock is falling
4. Mother and her polish friend brigitta slovik went to a chinese resterant for lunch
5. Which word does not belong in the group?
granite, quartz, feldspar, gasoline, amber
Choosing the Right Word Unit 2
Essay due Next Wednesday
Today:
Daily Drill (see below)
Reviewed synonyms
Did pictionaries on board
Discussed possible outline for the essay
Thursday, October 1, 2009 (T3)
Frequently confused words:
accept- (verb) to receive with consent
I will accept the award tonight.
except- (prep.) with the exclusion of; but
Everyone will be there except Mark.
1. Arrival and departure are (synonyms, antonyms)
2. Abandon and discontinue are (synonyms, antonyms)
3. Look out below he called that rock is falling
4. Mother and her polish friend brigitta slovik went to a chinese resterant for lunch
5. Which word does not belong in the group?
granite, quartz, feldspar, gasoline, amber
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
