Advice for Student Writers from author James Howe, author of the Bunnicula series:
What advice would you give a student that wants to be a writer?
Two words: read . . . write. Reading is the best way to learn to write, but the way to get better and better as a writer, is to write, write, write. Write what matters to you, write what makes you laugh, write what makes you cry, write in order to get a reaction from the reader, write because you have to, and write because it is fun for you. -- James Howe
Friday, December 5, 2008
Binder and Composition Book
If you need to catch up on the binder and composition book assignments, here is what we've done so far:
English Binder So Far – Second Term as of 12-9-08
December 8/9 --
Topic or Theme Quiz
Word Sort
Prefix and Suffix Chart with Example Words
December 2/3 –
1. Types of Government
2. Giver Questions, Chapter 5-6
November 15/Dec. 1 –
3. Word Sorts, Exercise 1 and 2
4. Anticipation Guide for The Giver
5. Giver Questions, Chapter 3-4
November 21/24 –
6. Magical study guide
7. Yellow prefixes and suffixes chart
November 19/20
8. Word sort (half-page) for periods B1, B2, B3
Sentence Combining Worksheets:
9. Sentence Combining with Key Words
10. Sentence Combining with a Series of Words or Phrases
11. Sentence Combining with Compound Subjects and Verbs
12. Plot Map for The Smallest Dragon Boy with the back (Literary Elements) filled out.
13. Book-of-the-Month assignment
14. Book-of-the-Month approval
15. Reading Logs for theme that have been returned
16. Rough draft/Assignment for persuasive paper (Freedom or Security) (B-Day classes)
Composition Book Self-Starter Writing Assignments So Far – Second Term
November 5/6, 2008
Responding to Poetry -- Emotions and Ideas
Students responded to the poem "High Flight. " They read the poem, and in their composition books they a) wrote quickly for about two minutes about anything this poem brought to mind for them. b) borrowed one line from the poem and created a poem or continued to write their thoughts, focusing now on that one line.
November 7/10: Students wrote a response to a poem from their literature texts: "The Runaway."
a) Read the poem.
b) Write quickly for about two minutes or so about anything this poem brings to mind for you.
(In your composition book -- We're working from the back still.)
c) Borrow one line from the poem and create a poem or write about it, focusing on this line.
Students should write 1/3 to 1/2 page.
Notes for the poem: A stall is an enclosure within a stable where an animal is kept, and a bin is a container for storing food, especially oats.
November 19/20
Label it: "Perfect Society" (Write ½ page or more.)
If you could live in a perfect society, what would it be like? Who would be in charge? What rules would you add or get rid of? What else would you have or not have in your perfect society?
November 21/24 -- Self-Starter: In your composition book, working from the back, label the page: "Naming."
How did you get your name? Were you names after someone? How do you feel about your name? How important is a name? Are there any names you especially like? Write 1/3 - 1/2 page. (If you were absent, you could write this on lined paper to tape in your composition book.)
December 2/3: Ask for the blue sheet with the poem “Nothing In Heaven Functions As It Ought,” and follow the instructions on that sheet.
December 8/9 -- Read the song lyrics for "Something for Nothing." Write about 1/2 page about the whole song, or any part of it. Label it: "Something for Nothing."
Poems for Self-Starters:
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Vocabulary Helps
surly: unfriendly or hostile
trod: to step or walk on, about, in, or along.
sanctity: holiness, a sacred thing
"The Runaway" by Robert Frost
Once when the snow of the year was beginning to fall,
We stopped by a mountain pasture to say 'Whose colt?'
A little Morgan had one forefoot on the wall,
The other curled at his breast. He dipped his head
And snorted at us. And then he had to bolt.
We heard the miniature thunder where he fled,
And we saw him, or thought we saw him, dim and grey,
Like a shadow against the curtain of falling flakes.
'I think the little fellow's afraid of the snow.
He isn't winter-broken. It isn't play
With the little fellow at all. He's running away.
I doubt if even his mother could tell him, "Sakes,
It's only weather". He'd think she didn't know !
Where is his mother? He can't be out alone.'
And now he comes again with a clatter of stone
And mounts the wall again with whited eyes
And all his tail that isn't hair up straight.
He shudders his coat as if to throw off flies.
'Whoever it is that leaves him out so late,
When other creatures have gone to stall and bin,
Ought to be told to come and take him in.'
"Something For Nothing"
Rush -- Lyrics by Neil Peart
Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away
Waiting for the rainbow's end
To cast its gold your way
Countless ways
You pass the days
Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around
Looking for an answer to
The question you have found
Looking for
An open door
You don't get something for nothing
You don't get freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be
What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song
[ Rush Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
English Binder So Far – Second Term as of 12-9-08
December 8/9 --
Topic or Theme Quiz
Word Sort
Prefix and Suffix Chart with Example Words
December 2/3 –
1. Types of Government
2. Giver Questions, Chapter 5-6
November 15/Dec. 1 –
3. Word Sorts, Exercise 1 and 2
4. Anticipation Guide for The Giver
5. Giver Questions, Chapter 3-4
November 21/24 –
6. Magical study guide
7. Yellow prefixes and suffixes chart
November 19/20
8. Word sort (half-page) for periods B1, B2, B3
Sentence Combining Worksheets:
9. Sentence Combining with Key Words
10. Sentence Combining with a Series of Words or Phrases
11. Sentence Combining with Compound Subjects and Verbs
12. Plot Map for The Smallest Dragon Boy with the back (Literary Elements) filled out.
13. Book-of-the-Month assignment
14. Book-of-the-Month approval
15. Reading Logs for theme that have been returned
16. Rough draft/Assignment for persuasive paper (Freedom or Security) (B-Day classes)
Composition Book Self-Starter Writing Assignments So Far – Second Term
November 5/6, 2008
Responding to Poetry -- Emotions and Ideas
Students responded to the poem "High Flight. " They read the poem, and in their composition books they a) wrote quickly for about two minutes about anything this poem brought to mind for them. b) borrowed one line from the poem and created a poem or continued to write their thoughts, focusing now on that one line.
November 7/10: Students wrote a response to a poem from their literature texts: "The Runaway."
a) Read the poem.
b) Write quickly for about two minutes or so about anything this poem brings to mind for you.
(In your composition book -- We're working from the back still.)
c) Borrow one line from the poem and create a poem or write about it, focusing on this line.
Students should write 1/3 to 1/2 page.
Notes for the poem: A stall is an enclosure within a stable where an animal is kept, and a bin is a container for storing food, especially oats.
November 19/20
Label it: "Perfect Society" (Write ½ page or more.)
If you could live in a perfect society, what would it be like? Who would be in charge? What rules would you add or get rid of? What else would you have or not have in your perfect society?
November 21/24 -- Self-Starter: In your composition book, working from the back, label the page: "Naming."
How did you get your name? Were you names after someone? How do you feel about your name? How important is a name? Are there any names you especially like? Write 1/3 - 1/2 page. (If you were absent, you could write this on lined paper to tape in your composition book.)
December 2/3: Ask for the blue sheet with the poem “Nothing In Heaven Functions As It Ought,” and follow the instructions on that sheet.
December 8/9 -- Read the song lyrics for "Something for Nothing." Write about 1/2 page about the whole song, or any part of it. Label it: "Something for Nothing."
Poems for Self-Starters:
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Vocabulary Helps
surly: unfriendly or hostile
trod: to step or walk on, about, in, or along.
sanctity: holiness, a sacred thing
"The Runaway" by Robert Frost
Once when the snow of the year was beginning to fall,
We stopped by a mountain pasture to say 'Whose colt?'
A little Morgan had one forefoot on the wall,
The other curled at his breast. He dipped his head
And snorted at us. And then he had to bolt.
We heard the miniature thunder where he fled,
And we saw him, or thought we saw him, dim and grey,
Like a shadow against the curtain of falling flakes.
'I think the little fellow's afraid of the snow.
He isn't winter-broken. It isn't play
With the little fellow at all. He's running away.
I doubt if even his mother could tell him, "Sakes,
It's only weather". He'd think she didn't know !
Where is his mother? He can't be out alone.'
And now he comes again with a clatter of stone
And mounts the wall again with whited eyes
And all his tail that isn't hair up straight.
He shudders his coat as if to throw off flies.
'Whoever it is that leaves him out so late,
When other creatures have gone to stall and bin,
Ought to be told to come and take him in.'
"Something For Nothing"
Rush -- Lyrics by Neil Peart
Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away
Waiting for the rainbow's end
To cast its gold your way
Countless ways
You pass the days
Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around
Looking for an answer to
The question you have found
Looking for
An open door
You don't get something for nothing
You don't get freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be
What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song
[ Rush Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Freedom or Security Essay
Freedom or Security Essay
Getting on MyAccess.
1. Click the compass icon in the dock.
2. On our school home page, look in the right column, and click on the second button from the bottom, or type in http://gomyaccess.com/myaccess/do/log.
3. Log in using your user name and password:
Username: firstnameSTUDENT#
Password: 999lastname
4. If your name shows, click on “YES, this information is CORRECT. I would like to CONTINUE.”
5. Above the chart, click on “Assignments.”
6. Go to the assignment topic, “Freedom or Security” and click on “Start.”
7. Begin typing your persuasive essay. Do not type your name or a title.
8. After you have typed, revised, and edited, click on “Submit Writing.”
9. Look over your scores and comments. Come back to the assignment page and click on “Start Revision” for the Freedom or Security” assignment.
Suggestions to score well on MyAccess:
Write 750 to 800 words or more.
Use words and phrases from the prompt in your introduction and conclusion.
Write five or more paragraphs.
Don’t neglect to revise and edit. You may revise as many times as you wish, but there will be a deadline to improve your grade.
To receive full points, get at least a score of 4 overall on your essay.
We have only today to type this in the computer lab, but you may continue to work on this from home.
Use the rough draft you prepared in class.
The Prompt:
Which is more important: freedom or security?
Decide which you feel is more important, freedom or security, create a thesis statement (main idea), and support that statement. Include at least three major reasons why either freedom or security is more important than the other. For each major reason include evidence, examples, quotes, or other supports.
As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:
develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
support your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient details.
address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoints, or counterarguments.
organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.
Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.
Write your essay to fit this format.
Name __________________________________________ Period _____ Date
Preparing a persuasive essay: Use what you already know about writing a persuasive essay. Here is a general outline. Add extra paper to this as needed, or write your rough draft on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Introduction – You may use a “hook” (something that will interest the reader). Include a thesis statement (the main idea of your whole essay). For this essay it will be something like “Freedom is more important than security,” or “Security is more important than freedom.” In this paragraph briefly tell your reader what the three reasons are that _________ is more important than ____________ . Just mention them here. You will explain and support each of these reasons in a paragraph.
2. First body paragraph – Give your first reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that.
Use a transition word or phrase such as “First” or “One reason. . .,” or “To begin with. . .” to begin your paragraph.
3. Second body paragraph – Give your second reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that. Begin with a transition word or phrase such as “Second” or “Another reason. . .,” or “In addition. . . . “
4. Third body paragraph – Give your third reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that.
Begin with a transition word or phrase such as “Finally” or “A third reason. . .,” or “Also. . . ”
5. Write a conclusion that briefly restates your thesis/main idea and briefly summarizes the reasons you’ve given why that is true.
Getting on MyAccess.
1. Click the compass icon in the dock.
2. On our school home page, look in the right column, and click on the second button from the bottom, or type in http://gomyaccess.com/myaccess/do/log.
3. Log in using your user name and password:
Username: firstnameSTUDENT#
Password: 999lastname
4. If your name shows, click on “YES, this information is CORRECT. I would like to CONTINUE.”
5. Above the chart, click on “Assignments.”
6. Go to the assignment topic, “Freedom or Security” and click on “Start.”
7. Begin typing your persuasive essay. Do not type your name or a title.
8. After you have typed, revised, and edited, click on “Submit Writing.”
9. Look over your scores and comments. Come back to the assignment page and click on “Start Revision” for the Freedom or Security” assignment.
Suggestions to score well on MyAccess:
Write 750 to 800 words or more.
Use words and phrases from the prompt in your introduction and conclusion.
Write five or more paragraphs.
Don’t neglect to revise and edit. You may revise as many times as you wish, but there will be a deadline to improve your grade.
To receive full points, get at least a score of 4 overall on your essay.
We have only today to type this in the computer lab, but you may continue to work on this from home.
Use the rough draft you prepared in class.
The Prompt:
Which is more important: freedom or security?
Decide which you feel is more important, freedom or security, create a thesis statement (main idea), and support that statement. Include at least three major reasons why either freedom or security is more important than the other. For each major reason include evidence, examples, quotes, or other supports.
As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:
develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
support your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient details.
address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoints, or counterarguments.
organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.
Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.
Write your essay to fit this format.
Name __________________________________________ Period _____ Date
Preparing a persuasive essay: Use what you already know about writing a persuasive essay. Here is a general outline. Add extra paper to this as needed, or write your rough draft on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Introduction – You may use a “hook” (something that will interest the reader). Include a thesis statement (the main idea of your whole essay). For this essay it will be something like “Freedom is more important than security,” or “Security is more important than freedom.” In this paragraph briefly tell your reader what the three reasons are that _________ is more important than ____________ . Just mention them here. You will explain and support each of these reasons in a paragraph.
2. First body paragraph – Give your first reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that.
Use a transition word or phrase such as “First” or “One reason. . .,” or “To begin with. . .” to begin your paragraph.
3. Second body paragraph – Give your second reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that. Begin with a transition word or phrase such as “Second” or “Another reason. . .,” or “In addition. . . . “
4. Third body paragraph – Give your third reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that.
Begin with a transition word or phrase such as “Finally” or “A third reason. . .,” or “Also. . . ”
5. Write a conclusion that briefly restates your thesis/main idea and briefly summarizes the reasons you’ve given why that is true.
December 4/5, 2008
December 4/5, 2008
Remember that your Book-of-the-Month Club project/assessment is due on December 10/11.
You have a reading log due Thursday or Friday of this week. If you have not turned in all reading logs so far for this term, you should also have a reading log for next week.
Today we wrote a rough draft, then went to the computer lab to type up persuasive essays addressing either "Freedom is more important than security," or "Security is more important than freedom."
These may be revised as many times as you wish up until the end of the term, but I will be entering the grades on PowerSchool soon -- hopefully this weekend. See the post for "Freedom or Security Essay."
Remember that your Book-of-the-Month Club project/assessment is due on December 10/11.
You have a reading log due Thursday or Friday of this week. If you have not turned in all reading logs so far for this term, you should also have a reading log for next week.
Today we wrote a rough draft, then went to the computer lab to type up persuasive essays addressing either "Freedom is more important than security," or "Security is more important than freedom."
These may be revised as many times as you wish up until the end of the term, but I will be entering the grades on PowerSchool soon -- hopefully this weekend. See the post for "Freedom or Security Essay."
Topic or Theme -- Extra Credit Quiz
Topic or Theme -- Extra Credit Quiz Available only through December 2008.
Copy and print this quiz. Then answer the questions and bring it to me for up to 20 points of extra credit. See the post titled "Topic and Theme" from November 13 for some hints.
Identify the following as topic, theme, or neither.
_________________ 1. Greed
_________________ 2. Love is the strongest force in the world.
_________________ 3. Catching Monkeys
_________________ 4. In this book, the main character is a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire.
_________________ 5. Often the best sort of friend is someone who is very different from you.
_________________ 6. Friendship
_________________ 7. Is freedom or security more important?
_________________ 8. Freedom or Security in The Giver
_________________ 9. Forgiveness is good for the one forgiving as well as for the one being forgiven.
_________________ 10. Kendra found out that hard work pays off.
Copy and print this quiz. Then answer the questions and bring it to me for up to 20 points of extra credit. See the post titled "Topic and Theme" from November 13 for some hints.
Identify the following as topic, theme, or neither.
_________________ 1. Greed
_________________ 2. Love is the strongest force in the world.
_________________ 3. Catching Monkeys
_________________ 4. In this book, the main character is a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire.
_________________ 5. Often the best sort of friend is someone who is very different from you.
_________________ 6. Friendship
_________________ 7. Is freedom or security more important?
_________________ 8. Freedom or Security in The Giver
_________________ 9. Forgiveness is good for the one forgiving as well as for the one being forgiven.
_________________ 10. Kendra found out that hard work pays off.
Monday, December 1, 2008
December 2/3, 2008
December 2/3, 2008
Announcements:
Don't forget that your Book-of-the-Month Club project is due next week.
Don't forget to hand in a reading log for this week (including at least two days for last week).
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be this Thursday, December 4.
The PTSA Book Fair is this week. Here is information from the PTSA:
I am excited to let you know about the Buy-One-Get-One-Free Book Fair which is being held next week in the Media Center.
Announcements:
Don't forget that your Book-of-the-Month Club project is due next week.
Don't forget to hand in a reading log for this week (including at least two days for last week).
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be this Thursday, December 4.
The PTSA Book Fair is this week. Here is information from the PTSA:
I am excited to let you know about the Buy-One-Get-One-Free Book Fair which is being held next week in the Media Center.
Because we have done so well at past book fairs, we have qualified to have an extra two cases of books sent with our fair. This means that the book fair will be bigger and better, with an even wider selection of books.
The book fair will be December 2-4, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (Ms. Dorsey is assuming that it will also be open during the Parent-Teacher Conferences.
In Class Today:
1. Theme in a poem: "Nothing in Heaven Functions As It Ought" by X.J. Kennedy
and the suffix "ible/able" which turns words into adjectives, and means "capable of."
Also the suffix "-ion," "-tion" which means "act or state – action or process" and is added to the root which means "performance or execution (to do something)." Usually –ion changes a word to a noun, but in this poem it is functioning as a verb.
2. About forms of government. Which is more important -- freedom or safety?
PowerPoint and chart to fill out
We looked at major types of government: anarchy (not really a government, but an option), democracy, republic, communism, socialism, fascism, and monarchy.
3. The Giver -- Themes
Is one of Lois Lowry's themes in The Giver "Freedom is more important than security"?
Or is it "Security is more important than freedom"?
Other Themes in The Giver: Read chapters 5-6.
Communities can run more smoothly when the individual members are willing to give up their own desires.
4. Preview the book fair.
In Class Today:
1. Theme in a poem: "Nothing in Heaven Functions As It Ought" by X.J. Kennedy
and the suffix "ible/able" which turns words into adjectives, and means "capable of."
Also the suffix "-ion," "-tion" which means "act or state – action or process" and is added to the root which means "performance or execution (to do something)." Usually –ion changes a word to a noun, but in this poem it is functioning as a verb.
2. About forms of government. Which is more important -- freedom or safety?
PowerPoint and chart to fill out
We looked at major types of government: anarchy (not really a government, but an option), democracy, republic, communism, socialism, fascism, and monarchy.
3. The Giver -- Themes
Is one of Lois Lowry's themes in The Giver "Freedom is more important than security"?
Or is it "Security is more important than freedom"?
Other Themes in The Giver: Read chapters 5-6.
Communities can run more smoothly when the individual members are willing to give up their own desires.
4. Preview the book fair.
November 25/ December 1, 2008
November 25/ December 1, 2008
Students should hand in their book approvals.
Reading Logs will be due for November 24/25 along with the first week of December on December 5.
Hand in your sentence-revising packet if you haven't.
Notice that your Book-of-the-Month assignment is due next week (December 10/11).
Self-Starter: Students did a word sort. (If you were absent, ask me for one if there is not one for you in your class absent envelope.)
1. Anticipation Guide for The Giver. Students indicated whether they felt various activities should be controlled by government (society). (If you were absent, ask me for one if there is not one for you in your class absent envelope.)
2. We listened to/read along with chapters 3 and 4 in The Giver. (If you were absent, ask me for the questions for those chapters if there is not a copy for you in your class absent envelope.)
Time for jobs and time for Elders and Law and Justice to meet.
A1 and A2 need to finish chapter 4 and finish filling out the answers to the questions on Chapter 4.
Students should hand in their book approvals.
Reading Logs will be due for November 24/25 along with the first week of December on December 5.
Hand in your sentence-revising packet if you haven't.
Notice that your Book-of-the-Month assignment is due next week (December 10/11).
Self-Starter: Students did a word sort. (If you were absent, ask me for one if there is not one for you in your class absent envelope.)
1. Anticipation Guide for The Giver. Students indicated whether they felt various activities should be controlled by government (society). (If you were absent, ask me for one if there is not one for you in your class absent envelope.)
2. We listened to/read along with chapters 3 and 4 in The Giver. (If you were absent, ask me for the questions for those chapters if there is not a copy for you in your class absent envelope.)
Time for jobs and time for Elders and Law and Justice to meet.
A1 and A2 need to finish chapter 4 and finish filling out the answers to the questions on Chapter 4.
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