September 7, 2011

September 7, 2011
Self-Starter:  Capitalization exercise in the composition book -- tape-in, list, explain.
Capitalization (and review end punctuation)
 Handout -----------------------------------------------------------------

Capitalization #1    September 7, 2011          from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, chapter 2

Tape this into your composition book.  Then create a list of all the words in this passage that are capitalized. For each word, tell why it is capitalized.

Example:     1.  Dally – It is the name of a person and also begins a sentence.

            Dally was waiting for Johnny and me under the street light at the corner of Pickett and Sutton, and since we got there early, we had time to go over to the drugstore in the shopping center and goof around.  We bought Cokes and blew the straws at the waitress, and walked around eying things that were lying out in the open until the manager got wise to us and suggested we leave.  He was too late, though; Dally walked out with two packages of Kools under his jacket.

 ____________________________________ If you were absent, you could do this on another paper sized so you can tape it into your composition book.

 

Which of the four types of sentences are the sentences in the passage from The Outsiders?   Students answered on a small sheet of paper and we held a drawing for four correct answers to receive a small candy.
A4 still needs to do this. 

Receive spelling test back.  A retake will be available in about two weeks.  If you wish to take it, study between now and then, and attend Cave Time on the date(s) specified to take the test.
Spelling retake is available during Cave Time beginning September 15. 

New spelling challenge -- Commonly confused words  confused words chart.doc 
The test on commonly confused words will be given on ____________?
We will be working on learning these in class before we take the test.  




Continue reading The Outsiders, paying attention to plot, character, setting, events, conflict.
Read to end of "jumping."
Watch video.
Read, keeping track of descriptions of characters.  How do they compare with the way they are presented in the movie?

In your composition book, in the middle section "Notes and Quickwrites,"  use the next full two page spread, write the names of each of the narrator's gang of Greasers across the top.  Take notes underneath on description for each of the characters.  If you were absent, you could do this on another paper sized so you can tape it into your composition book.

Ponyboy     SodaPop      Darry/Darrel     Johnny      Steve     Two-Bit     Dallas/Dally


A1 read to page
A2 read to page 9
A3 to page 14
A4 read to page
If you were absent, read chapter 1.

Important Reminders:  You should be reading your book for the Book-of-the-Month Assessment.  The questions that will be used are now posted.  See the tab above for  Book-of-the-Month.  You will write your answers in class on September 23.  

If you were absent for the spelling test, please come to Cave Time to take it.  If you need a retake, listen/watch for the days I will over that in Cave Time.  Study between now and then.

Our First Class Novel: The Outsiders

Important Reminders:
Have you signed up for your book-of-the-month?  Sign-ups are due, and you need to have the book read and bring it with you to class on September 23.   See more about the assignment by clicking on the tab above for Book-of-the-Month.

Please show Ms. Dorsey your composition book if you have it at school and haven't yet received points for it.  

Reminder of  Expectations for Term 1

________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Did you know?

Commonly Confused Words

In the past, this set has been most frequently missed: desert/desert/dessert
I got lost in the desert.
Never desert your post if you are a soldier.
Let's have chocolate pudding for dessert.

February 10/11, 2009

February 10/11, 2009

Don't forget to bring your change for Penny Warz.

Especially -- notice how close we're getting to the due date for the Book-of-the Month Assessment. You're doing this on your own. Carefully study the assignment, and follow directions. Notice the example on the bulletin board near the classroom door.

1. Capitalization/Punctuation exercise (If you are absent, copy this, double-space it, and show how you would punctuate it. -- Or ask for the worksheet -- Follow the directions! Hint: There are two entirely different ways to interpret this letter, and the difference is in the punctuation!)

Punctuation Counts!
Directions: Do your best to correctly punctuate this letter without adding, subtracting or changing any of the words.
Dear John,
I want a man who knows what love is all about you are generous kind thoughtful people who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior you have ruined me for other men I yearn for you I have no feelings whatsoever when we are apart I can be forever happy will you let me be yours Gloria

2. Read chapter 7 and 8 of Words By Heart. Write down questions, observations, unfamiliar words, predictions, and perhaps draw a picture to illustrate.
Examples of questions like those you could ask for your own Book-of-the-Month:
p. 56 What is a sickle?
p. 61 What is a "kangaroo pocket"? (think and search) -- You need to look back at page 56-57.
p. 65 What is a piano roll, a player piano?
p. 68 What is molasses?
p. 69 Were the books mentioned on page 69 real books that people would have been reading in 1910? Cook's Voyages, Mr. Dickens, Mr. Alger, Mrs. Fanny Fern?


3. Begin drafting your personal narrative essay. You need a rough draft for our next class time when we will go into the computer lab to type the essay. See nearby post.