Saturday, August 31, 2013

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

1. Sign-up for your Book of the Month! 

Pick up your composition books, please. 


2. iRead:   Individual reading time: Read quietly and individually.  You could find books on the shelves.
 Have you picked your Book-of-the-Month Club book?  
You must have it read by September 19. 
We will type the assignment in class on September 23.

Edmodo:   You will be able to log in with a class code. 

3. iWrite:

Poem: The Railway Children


4. iRead:  The Outsiders  -- characters and setting   
            (iTunes 13:57)
B5, B6  to Chapter 2, page 27
B7 13:57 -  Chapter 2 --  5:25  p. 22 
B8             Chapter 2  --- 9:10 p. 24 "I knew that smile." 


In your composition book, list and describe major characters as we meet them.
(Theme?) (F&O) (6 word)

And just for fun, you could look at

Will Rogers -- as mentioned in The Outsiders


Point of View


From Gail Carson Levine's Writing Magic page 65 +    3rd person omniscient (Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep)   Notice her name in the context of her book!

page 67 - Ben tells us what his parents are apparently thinking.
           Trustworthy vs. untrustworthy?  compare with Ponyboy's reporting of Darry
  Take notes on the types of POV
      Quiz question -- What does POV stand for?
          matching types

Smith and Wilhelm  Fresh Takes on Literary Elements





Friday, August 30, 2013

This Crazy English Language!


We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England .

We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
We find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing,
Grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?
If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them,
What do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
Should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship...
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
While a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
In which your house can burn up as it burns down,
In which you fill in a form by filling it out,
And in which an alarm goes off by going on.

Oh well, we can all shake our heads as we nod in agreement.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A Word for Extra Credit

If you can explain to me what DENOMINALIZATION means and give me an example, you will earn 4 points of extra credit.  

DENOMINALIZATION means creating a verb from a noun. Examples? You can “friend” your aunt. Or “summer” in the Berkshires. “Google” the answer. “Parent” your kids. You can “transition” from accounting to sales. Some are now calling this verbing.  -- from Brian P. Cleary

Expires October 25

California Rim Fire



http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/27/216036318/stunning-video-pilots-view-of-californias-rim-fire?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium

Monday, August 26, 2013

Friday, August 23, 2013

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Announcements at the beginning of class:

  • If you still haven't handed in your disclosure document, and you have it today, please hand it in to the top wire basket for your class. 
  • If you have decided on a book for the Book of the Month Assignment, you will be able to sign up next time we meet.  
Media Center
We will not have reading time today.  
Get ready to go to the Media Center.
Leave your backpack here.
Take your planner.
Be quiet in the halls.
     Walk down the stairs,
          turn right,
               turn left into the media center,
                    find a seat and be ready to be polite and attentive.

Mrs. Jones will introduce using the media center, where to find different sorts of books, and will present some book talks.  You may have time to check out a book.

Computer Lab to take the SRI
After you are done with the media center, you will go to the Computer Writing Lab 211.
Your computer number is the folder number where you keep your composition book.
Receive a handout with instructions for taking the SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory).
SRI Instructions.doc  -- Instructions and FAQ


Take the test seriously, and take the time you need for it, but

if you finish early, you may go to  http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab.htm and play grammar games there: Major Capitals, Comma Chameleon, Noun Explorer, Adjective Adventure, or  Verbs in Space. 



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

1.  If you brought your disclosure document back today,  tear off the document and hand in the signature sheet (with the VIP form filled out) to the top wire basket for your class.

2. Individual reading time: Read quietly and individually.  You could find books on the shelves.
 Have you picked your Book-of-the-Month Club book?  
You must have it read by September 19.
We will type the assignment in class on September 23.
     a.  You may spend part of this time perusing the
      Scholastic Book Clubs. -- flyers and parent letters available
             If you wish, take home the flyers and the parent letter.
             If not, put  the flyers on your desk in the black wire basket on the student desk near the door.
Book Orders are due by September 25.  
However, I'll send in an order as soon as I receive orders worth $20 or more. 

     b.   Sign up for your Book-of-the-Month Club book -- a novel in any genre of fiction.
     c.   Folder/Computer numbers

3.  Join the Book Savers Club   -- Sign the "pledge" and hand it in.  

4.  Checking out books from our classroom library
We'll visit the media center on Thursday, but you don't have to wait until then!

5.  Fact and Opinion Test

6.  The Outsiders  -- characters and setting

In your composition book, list and describe major characters as we meet them.



Thursday, August 22, 2013

Friday, August 23, 2013

1.  Hand in  (to the top wire basket for your class)  your disclosure signatures with the VIP form filled out.   Remember that you are okay to hand it in through the end of the month.
 If you would like to save or print a copy of our disclosure document, go to    7th Eng Disclosure Dorsey 2013-2014.doc 
and click on the "download" tab.
 To learn about the donation form, go to Donations to Our Class

2. Read quietly and individually.  You may read your own book or find a book on the cart at the back of the rom or on the shelves.   (No yearbooks.)


4.  Your Basic-8 Book Assignment is due by Sept. 19.
Read a novel, over 100 pages, at or near your own reading level (or 7th grade or over if yours is higher).  Type up this report: 
         1) Title, Author, Number of Pages
         2)  Setting (place and time) and a list of important characters 
         3)  A brief summary of the book, beginning to end, leaving out spoilers.
          4)  Rate the book and explain why.
          5)   Make a connection to the book. (to self, to world, or to another text) 
typed, handed in on Edmodo
See the assignment sheet and grading sheet for more details. These links may help.

Edmoto Student Sign-Up

Grading for Basic 8 Book #1

                      Books Not Allowed for the Outside Reading Assignment


See the example with your assignment sheet.

1st Book of the Month Assignment for Fall 2013 

You should have your book read by September 19.
We will type up the assignment in class on September 23. 
Here is the assignment: 



( If you brought a composition book, 
make sure your name and period are on the front, and 
put it in the  black crate for your class in the back.)

5. 40 Book Challenge


6. Battle of the Books -- Special Opportunity



7. Pretest -- Coordinate Adjectives





Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Quality Standards for Work

Quality Standards for Work: Inquiry and book projects and final drafts of major assignments will not be accepted or will lose points unless they meet the following criteria:

  1. The product should be neat and legible. 
  2. Use 8 1/2x 11" paper unless otherwise indicated.
  3. The paper should be smooth-edged (no spiro-bits).
  4. Type it, or write using standard blue or black ink.
  5. Use type fonts indicated by the teacher.
  6. Write on only one side of the paper.
  7.  Follow any additional requirements in the assignment. 
  • Any work that you hand in should be legible and neat.  If we can't read it, we can't give you points for it. 
  • If it is messy, wrinkled, or torn, it presents a bad impression of your effort, attitude, and degree of respect for the teacher and class,  and will most likely receive less points.  

  • Do not EVER rip pages from your composition book. You will be using those all year, and they should be kept neat.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Wednesday, August 21, 2013


Welcome to Theater 219!
Before you get to go to the movies, you will do a bit of schoolwork.  

1. Pick up a disclosure document, and donation form. 
          If you would like to save or print a copy of our disclosure document, go to    7th Eng Disclosure Dorsey 2013-2014.doc 
and click on the "download" tab.
 To learn about the donation form, go to Donations to Our Class
2.  Find your assigned seat.
3.  Look through your disclosure document and 
       begin filling out the VIP sheet attached to it. 


 4.  We will watch a scene from the movie 
                     Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  
     5.  Quick Check (Elements of Literature)
6.  We will watch a short clip from the novel The Outsiders 
        by  S. E. Hinton. 
      
      Both of these movies are about "outsiders." 
       And, like you, the narrator of The Outsiders, at the beginning of the book, has just seen a movie with Paul Newman.  


Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy


      
  


     






C. Thomas Howell as Ponyboy Curtis

Discuss:  In the clip from The Outsiders, what are the. . . 

  1. characters
  2. setting 
  3. conflict
  4. protagonist
  5. antagonist 



7. Theme Pretest  -- This is a serious test.  Do your best. 
       Testing Conditions:  

  • Only the testing papers and a writing instrument on your desk.
  • No talking with other students during the testing time
  • When you are done, check your work, then turn it in as directed.
  • Remain quiet (no talking) until all students have finished the test and you have been told the test is over. 


Are you wondering what we're learning and how it relates to the state core? 

Core Standards Addressed 8-21-13

Do you have concerns or questions about The Outsiders? 
And just for fun, you could look at 

Find a list of needed materials here:  

Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year




Teacher materials: 

August 21/22, Tuesday/Wednesday

Monday, August 19, 2013

B3 Lunch

Here's a heads up for Ms. Dorsey's  B3 English 7 class: 

Go to lunch first, then come to class.  

Donations to Our Class

Watch for a form to use to donate to our classroom though Alpine Foundation -- tax deductible.

I'll send home a form, or you could download one from here:
Alpine School District Foundation.docx 
Click the "Download" tab.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Seventh Grade Day

American Fork Junior High  7th  Grade Day
August 19, 2013

A1 8:15 – 8:30

Passing Period 8:30 – 8:35

A2 8:35 – 8:45

Passing Period 8:45 – 8:50

A3 8:50 – 9:00

Assembly 9:00 – 9:35

Passing / Locker Time 9:35 – 9:50

A4 9:50 – 10:00

Passing Period 10:00 – 10:05

B5 10:05 – 10:15

Passing Period 10:15 – 10:20

B6 10:20 – 10:30

Passing Period 10:30 – 10:35

B7 10:35 – 10:45

Lunch 10:45 – 11:15

Passing Period 11:15 – 11:20

B8 11:20 – 11:30


Assembly Agenda
9:05 – 9:35
Welcome (with a Reminder of Auditorium Etiquette)
Movie (Beware!  It's pretty scary!)

Subjects to be covered:
Counselors
Attendance
CAVE Time
Custodians
Dress Code
Tardies
Front Office
Wrap Up (with Rules for Success)

International Apostrophe Day



Friday 16 August is International Apostrophe Day

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/apostrophes-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy-names

http://www.thedrum.com/stuff/2013/08/16/international-apostrophe-day-five-advertising-fails

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/08/happy-international-apostrophe-day.html

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Is your family going to the Shakespeare Festival?

I didn't know about this.  It's a great deal if you're going.

http://www.bard.org/blasts/studentaccess13.jpg

Coordinate Adjectives and The Royal Order of Adjectives


Adjectives!  How do you know when to put a comma between them?  



Cumulative Adjectives just pile up.
It would sound strange to put "and" between them
or to reverse them.
They do not need commas between them.

Coordinate Adjectives are Equal.
You could use "and" between them.
You could reverse them.
Place commas between them.
















    


WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE IMAGE ON THE ABOVE?
A little red Italian sports car?  Or a sports red Italian little car? How about a little sports Italian red car?

What is it about the first option that rings true to the ear while the others do not? It’s a rule of word order we call “The Royal Order of Adjectives.”





 If they are coordinate or equal, add the comma. 
Two quick tricks to check for coordinate commas are
       a. replace the comma with "and," and
       b. reverse the order of the adjectives.
   If those work, you need a comma. 

 If they are in the same column in this chart, they are coordinate or equal.




Remember:
                     What qualifies as an observation?
                     Size comes before  color.
                     Do not put a comma between the last adjective and the noun.
                     Do not put a comma between the noun and the verb.

Which column?
cute
soft
frisky
faded
ragged
blue
huge
rotten
happy
ancient
French
book bag, computer bag, grocery bag

                     

The sleek black seal slipped into the water.
My mother's huge white cat hates me. 
    This one definitely wouldn't work with the tests for coordinate adjectives! 
          My huge mother's white cat.
          My white mother's huge cat. 
          My mother's and huge and white cat. 

The boy's precious ancient red sled was stolen from the back porch. 

short,  fat man 
small white kitten 
Jack is a selfish and cruel master.
an ugly brown sweater 
kindly, gentle, thoughtful 
beautiful blue silk gown 



Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Hey, Parents, Make a Note of this for Next Year.

How to beat the summer slide (summer learning loss):
http://ideas.time.com/2013/07/01/do-kids-really-have-summer-learning-loss/

Our First Class Novel: The Outsiders


I don’t believe there is or ever will be such a thing as the Great American Novel—but I think there are many, and The Outsidersby S.E. Hinton is one of them. This is a novel that tells tough truths about loyalty, class, violence and that explores the transformative power of the written word. When I give it to the children of friends, I know they will feel about it just as I did when I first read it more than forty years ago.
Will Schwalbe


About The Outsiders 

1962 Red Corvair

Paul Newman

The First Young Adult Book
S. E. Hinton wrote The Outsiders in 1967. The author, S.E. Hinton, was sixteen years old. Your parents (or grandparents) might remember that in the sixties (and before) they couldn’t go to the library or bookstore and find “adolescent literature” or literature for young adults. They would see sections of books for children and sections for adults. Some give S.E. Hinton the credit for writing the first of what is now known as the adolescent or YA (young adult) novel. She wrote the kind of book she wanted to read.
Gangs and Cliques and Making People into Outsiders
The Outsiders is loosely based on what S.E. Hinton saw in her own community. The book is centered around a group of teen boys who hang out together – a gang -- but not the type of gang we think of today.
Some parents have concerns when they hear we’re reading a book about “gangs.”
Outsiders is more about social divisions. The major division in the book is between the wealthier, more privileged kids (the Socs – pronounced “sōshs,” and the kids who live on the poorer side of town (the Greasers – because at that time it was “cool” for guys to use a grease-like product on their hair).
Violence in the Book
Yes, there is violence in the book, but it is not graphic violence, and consequences of violence are clearly shown.
Smoking in the Book
Yes, the main character does smoke. He’s from a time and place where a lot of teens smoked. Society didn’t understand as much then about the consequences of smoking, and while a lot of kids made the better choice not to smoke, some chose to. Smoking is not glorified, it is shown as addictive, and students should pick up on at least one very tragic result of smoking shown in the plot.
Drinking in the Book
Some of the characters drink, though the main character and his brothers don’t. Like smoking, in the book drinking has tragic consequences.
Language in the Book
The language in the book hasn’t been a problem here in Utah Valley. The 1983 Francis Ford Coppola movie version starring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, and Emilio Estevez added more words some parents might be uncomfortable with, but it is still an excellent movie.
Why We Read The Outsiders
I choose to read this book with students because
1. it is well written,
2. it’s an amazing example of what young people can accomplish. (The author was sixteen when she wrote it.)
3. it provides an interesting text we can use to learn about character, setting, theme, and other terms students need to understand for the study of literature.
4. most importantly, it gives us the opportunity to talk about issues students are interested in, issues they need to think about to make their own lives and the lives of others better.

Parents, here are some questions you could discuss with your child in connection with The Outsiders: (I highly recommend that, if you can, you read the books your children are reading. This can lead to great discussions with your child, and, besides, adolescent fiction is so enjoyable!)

1) What groups do I belong to?
How many people do you need to belong with?

2) How does a person come to belong?

3) What are good and bad ways to belong?

4) What can I learn about belonging from the texts I read?

5) How do we use language (the way we speak and write) as a way of belonging?

6) How do we include and exclude others from belonging?

7) Have you ever felt like an outsider? Is it okay sometimes to be an outsider? What would be helpful ways to respond when you feel that way?

Topics: cliques, family, friends, caring, emotional control, violence, drinking, smoking, dealing with death and loss of loved ones, social inequity, importance of education, appreciating nature, the things we have in common as human beings, etc.

Originally published 9/1/09

Added 7-10-12:
S.E. Hinton answers a question about belonging/joining:
Q: What were you like as a teenager? Were you a
greaser; a Soc?
A: I was a tomboy. I played football, my close friends
were guys. Fortunately, I was born without the
need-to-belong gene that says you have to be in a
little group to feel secure. I never wanted to be
classified as anything, nor did I ever join anything
for fear of losing my individuality.
http://www.theoutsidersbookandmovie.com/TheBook.html

Setting in The Outsiders:  
"Hinton modeled the book's setting on her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, although she never refers to the city by name. The novel is most likely set in the mid-1960s, the time period during which it was written, although, again, Hinton makes few explicit references to external historical events that might fix the book in time."  -- http://www.enotes.com/outsiders-qn/setting
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1960's 

Literary Gangs


The Outsiders -- an excerpt read by Markus Zusak


Questions answered on GoodReads by S.E. Hinton-- Her answers start with message 305.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1331187-click-here-to-ask-s-e-hinton?order=a&page=1

One of her responses: "I was very involved in the movies The Outsiders, Tex,
and Rumble Fish. I scouted locations, helped with wardrobe, taught Matt to ride for Tex, ran lines
with the actors on Outsiders, sometimes wrote scenes
for Rumble Fish just as we were getting ready to shoot them. I'm very happy with all three."

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast --
http://www.fromthegrapevine.com/health/chocolate-cake-breakfast-new-research-says-it-might-actually-help-you-lose-weight

And here's Bob:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GVugJj7BUs

Slideshow about Outsiders — 

Online Outsiders 

coke commercial



Wednesday, August 7, 2013

My Father's Summers -- Capitalization



    (1) When (2) was nine, my parents borrowed my grandmother's new (3) Ford Mustang because it had air conditioning and because my grandmother insisted, and because there was no way our old (4) Chevy could make the two thousand miles from our house on (5) Mayo Avenue in (6) Houston to (7) Decker, Montana, where my father's old (8) Army buddy owned a sheep ranch.  (9) It was the first day after third grade at (10) Pearl Rucker Elementary School, and (11)I held the bag of peppermints (12)Mrs. Dodge had given me, along with a note: " (13)Thank you for being my star this year."  (14) I didn't like peppermints, but they were from (15) Mrs. Dodge, and (16)I loved (17)Mrs. Dodge.  (18)So my two younger sisters wouldn't get a single one for the whole drive there and back. (19) We drew imaginary boundaries on the vinyl seat and dared each other to cross them.
 -- (20)Kathi Appelt, (21)My Father's Summers (2004)


 (1) When begins a sentence.
(2) I  is the personal pronoun "I" which is always capitalized.
(3) Ford Mustang  is a brand name and a proper noun.
(4) Chevy is another brand name and a proper noun.
(5) Mayo Avenue is the name of a specific place, a proper noun, a street.  
(6) Houston is the name of a specific place, a proper noun, a city. 
(7) Decker, Montanas the name of a specific place, a proper noun, a city. 
(8) Army is the name of a specific branch of the U.S. military, and a proper noun. 

(9) It  is the word that begins the sentence.
(10) Pearl Rucker Elementary School is the name of a specific school -- a proper noun.
(11)I   is the personal pronoun "I" which is always capitalized.
(12)Mrs. Dodge is the name of a specific person, a proper noun.  Capitalize "Mrs." because it is a form of address. 

(13)Thank is the first word in a sentence, which must always be capitalized. 

(14) I  is the personal pronoun "I" which is always capitalized.
(15) Mrs. Dodge  is the name of a specific person, a proper noun.  Capitalize "Mrs." because it is a form of address. 
(16)is the personal pronoun "I" which is always capitalized.
(17)Mrs. Dodge   is the name of a specific person, a proper noun.  Capitalize "Mrs." because it is a form of address. 
 (18)So  is the first word in a sentence, which must always be capitalized. 
(19) We  is the first word in a sentence, which must always be capitalized. 
(20)Kathi Appelt  is the name of a specific person, a proper noun.  

(21)My Father's Summers is the title of a book, a proper noun. 


Kindness and Differences



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Vocabulary for Literature


Important Vocabulary:
Background Knowledge (also known as schema): what you already know -- Before you read a novel or other text, it helps to think about what you already know, and perhaps to find out more about the subject or setting, so that you will understand the book or other text  better.  

Realistic Fiction/ Life Problems Fiction   The Outsiders is a work of realistic fiction because the story it tells could really happen.  Even though the time setting of the book is  fifty years ago,the same sorts of things could happen today.  It deals with problems people have in life such as the death of  family members or friends and   tensions between the rich and the poor.

Setting (in a work of literature):  where and when the story takes place -- The novel The Outsiders is set in Oklahoma (place)  in the 1960s (time). 

Character (in a work of literature):  a "person" in the book.   In realistic fiction, a character could be a human being, or an animal that acts like animals really act.  In fantasy, a character might be a talking animal or a troll or a mermaid or. . . . 


Plot:  
exposition
(inciting incident) 
conflict/problem 
complications
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution 

Also known as 
The Platform   --Once upon a time. . . . , -- Every day. . . . 
The Catalyst   --But one day. .  . 
The Consequences  --Because of that. . . . ,  --Because of that. . . ., 
                                    --Because of that. . . . ,  --Because of that. . . .
The Climax    -- Until finally. . .  
The Resolution   -- Ever since then. . . . ,  And the moral of the story is. . . . 
                                   -- The Story Spine -- see page 121 of Digital Storytelling in the Classroom, Ohler.

Theme:  All good stories have themes. This is the main idea of the story, the discovery about life that we take away from the story. 
What  does this book teach about how life could or should be lived?
--- about what is of value in life?
  Finding theme:  Try this link for information about how to recognize  a theme in literature: More About Theme

Antagonist: 

Protagonist:   

Point of View: