Figurative Language and Description -- Examples

Examples from literature:
These descriptions are from Gary Soto’s A Summer Life, from the story “The Taps.” Soto’s writing provides examples of using description and imagery in a short story.
“A passenger train the color of spoons rushed by.”
“The asphalt was a soft, blackish river on which cars traveled, windows down, the passengers soaked in sweat.”
“A man the color of a sparrow walked near the tracks.”

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors

Chart for Examples and Non-Examples of Simile and Metaphor

Reading a Graph

What is a Helping (Auxiliary) Verb?

Helping verbs are verb forms that help other verbs show exact meaning.  



For instance,  "I eat the cake"  may not be as precise as "I am eating the cake," or "I have   been eating the cake,"  or  "I have eaten the cake."  

Notice how each of those sentences has a different meaning. 

"I am eating the cake,"  says that I am eating it right now. 
"I have been eating the cake," implies that the process has been going on for awhile, but it might not be going on right at the moment. 
"I have eaten the cake," tells a little different story. 
Then  again, you could say, "I will eat the cake,"  or "I may eat the cake," or "I must eat the cake," and so on. 

Notice that "I eating," just doesn't work!  An "-ing" verb when alone (without a helping verb) can not act as the verb that makes a sentence a sentence.  



Sing-Along:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F2JWKY63K0

List Of Helping Verbs
am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been 
have, has, had
shall, will
do, does, did
may, must, might
can, could, would, should 
from this source

Helpful explanation:
http://www.k12reader.com/helping-verbs/

January 3/4, 2013 -- Thursday/Friday

Important Reminders and Announcements:

Welcome back!  I hope you had a wonderful vacation!

1.  Expect a practice test and a final test on your prefixes and suffixes.  Use your magical study guide to prepare, or just study this chart: 

Prefixes and Suffixes Chart 2011   -- This is a file to download.

Both Prefix/Suffix Tests will be given next week.

Know the word parts, meanings, and at least one example for each. 

2.  There will be more instruction on writing a complete paragraph, with emphasis on comparing and contrasting, and you will take a final test on that. 
Paragraph Test will be next week.  

3. Your Basic 8, Book 4 project is due on the 7th (This coming Monday:A-Day) and 8th (Tuesday B-Day).  Have it ready to hand in.   

Here is your assignment: 

Fantasy-Sci Fi BOM Assignment 2012-12.doc

4. Make sure you've completed and handed in any late or revised assignments by January 7th, which is the last day to hand in late or revised work for Term 2.  
5. If you still haven't presented your Basic 8, Book 3 assignment (symbolic story representation), arrange to stay after school today or tomorrow. 

iRead:  Individual Reading and Fill Out Your Reading Log

iWrite:  A Highlight of Christmas Vacation  -- January 3/4, 2013 

1. Write for 5 minutes about one thing you did during Christmas vacation – one you could write about for five minutes with plenty of details. 

Write legibly.   

Write on every-other line. 
Genre: Probably Narrative or Descriptive or Both

2.  You will pass your composition book back one in your column for the person behind you to write comments and questions. 
  
(Your comments could be about something you have in common, or your reaction to that experience, or . . . .  You could ask questions about parts you don't understand, or about what you are left wondering.)  -- Put your name next to your comment.

Then it will be passed again, and perhaps again. 

3. You will get your composition book back, have a couple of minutes to  revise and edit (add to, clarify, correct) your writing, then 

4.  You will then meet with one of your "appointments"  for three minutes – 1 for each of you to share, and one to discuss. 

Did you improve your writing?  

iLearn: 

1. Learning to Use Rubrics
Rubric for Whining!?!   whining_guide.pdf

2.  Rubric for your paragraph test  
7 Grade Semester 1 Writing Rubric Student Revised.doc

      Genre:  Compare/Contrast.  
             Your test will ask you to Contrast (show differences). 

3.  Reminder of What's Needed for a Paragraph:

Paragraphs -- Let's Make Sure You Understand

1. Paragraph -- A Highlight of My Christmas Vacation

iWrite Right:  Next time we will have a practice test on our prefixes and suffixes.  However, if you do well enough on it (18/20), you will not need to take the "final" test.  

Cleaning -- Thank You, A1!!!

 iClean  -- A1 and others as needed 
Cleaning Up:  Clear off your desks so they can be cleaned. 

• alphabetize laminated test sheets (five students)  -- Carlos, Rachel, Carson, Kassie, Angie
• clean up crates (five students)   -- Hesston, Ashleigh, Molly, Kieran, Juana
• A1  Take out folders 1-7
• A3  Take out folders 8-14
• A4   Take out folders 15-21
• B7   Take out folders  22-28
• B8   Take out folders  29-35
• These folders can be used to replace missing or torn ones.

• clean desks (two students for each column x five = 10) -- Brian, Micah, Jenna, Rey, Sydnee, Aaron, Morgan, 
• recycle, take it down to the recycle bin (four students)  -- Tate,  Weston, Mitchell, Julian, jaeden, 
• straighten up books and dust book shelves (six students) --  David, Camrey, Kyra, Siomara, Jeremy, Sierra
• take down lost and found (two students) --  Benson, Scott
• return library books (two students)  -- Abigail, Adeline

Where needed:  Braden, Garret 

Total:  34

Public Service Announcements

Vertical Videos:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt9zSfinwFA&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Hero Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxs_jGN7Pg