Fun times on Friday!

Block A: Today we worked on our first set of 2 journal entries. You chose your 2 quotes and started the personal responses to each quote. On Monday - you will meet in your groups once again to complete the discussion log and task of the day, then you will have the chance to get feedback on your personal response for the group discussion.

Blocks B&D: Round one of editing is done! Today, you were responsible for completing the first revision of your essay, you followed the 18 steps found on this overhead to make improvements to your draft. On Monday you will go through the peer editing process. The good copy, 2 rough drafts and the outline are due on Wednesday.

Block C: I'm very pleased with the work that you are doing in your journals so far. I've taken the journals home for the weekend, so you can have some feedback on your entries on Monday.

Thoughts on this Thursday

Block A: Some really great work being done in your groups today - I'm very excited to read your first group logs to see a record or your understanding of the novel so far.  Tomorrow you will be getting the whole class to work on the first 2 journal entries that are due on April 3rd. If you are doing your reading tonight, think about the three themes of our unit: identity, isolation and survival.

Blocks B&D: The rough draft of your essay is due tomorrow for the first round of editing!

Block C: I will give you some time tomorrow to complete your reading response to chapters 4&5 of the novel.

Wednesday Work:

Block A: Finish your reading and sticky notes (4 notes per chapter minimum) for your first lit circle meeting tomorrow. No sticky notes - means no meeting!!!

Blocks B&D: You will get another full class tomorrow to continue working on the rough draft of your essay. Your first draft is due on Friday for the first round of editing.

Block C: Great work on the novel so far! We will continue reading tomorrow - no homework!!!

Tasks for a Terrific Tuesday:

Block A:  Tonight, write a 200 word journal entry of your prediction about what your book is going to be about. What lesson do you expect to learn?

Blocks B&D: If you did not finish your outline, please complete it for homework tonight. In addition, there were a few people who needed to refine their research a little bit - I would like to talk to you about what the additional research you find tomorrow.

Here is the link to the PDF from today about MLA Citation please use this document to help you with your intext citations and your works cited page at the end of your essay.

Block C:  If you did not finish your 3 reading strategies in class today - I will be checking them tomorrow.

Make the Most of this Monday!

Welcome back everyone!!! It was so nice to see all of your lovely faces today - I know we are all tired - but it feels good to get back to work!

Block A:  Today we learned about survival in Antarctica - it sounds cold there. You also gave me your choices for novel study - I've made up your groups and I'll let you know tomorrow which novel you'll be reading.

Blocks B&D: Essay writing continues. Tonight you need to do your research - find sources to back up your arguments that will actually prove your point. Be a good judge of online information - don't just choose the first one. The outline needs to be finished at the end of class tomorrow.

Block C:  Today we started our novel study on Not as Crazy as I Seem. We completed some responses with a journal and practicing our reading strategies.

Spring Break Friday!!!

Well here it is! 2 weeks people!!!

Block A: The good copy of your short story is due when the Monday we get back. Please hand in the storyboard, the rough draft, peer editing sheet, and the double-spaced good copy.

Blocks B&D: Today you chose the topic of your essay and had it approved by me. For Monday the 26th, you need to have your thesis written and the 3 topic sentences for your body paragraphs. We will fill in the rest when you get back. Also start thinking about your book talk assignment - sign up starts on Monday.

Block C: We read "The Monkey's Paw" in class - and you are to complete the questions for homework.

Have a safe 2 weeks - have fun and be careful!

Thoughts for a Thursday:

Block A: Today in class, we examined proper punctuation of dialogue, and how to add variety to our writing by adding more interesting dialogue tags. In addition, we went through the process of self-editing our short stories. Peer editing will take place tomorrow, and the good copy is due on the Monday we get back from spring break.

Blocks B&D: The topic of study today was how to connect our thesis statements to the topic sentences of each body paragraph. We looked at the process on a powerpoint presentation, and then practiced together. For homework there are 3 thesis statements that require you to provide 3 topic sentences for each one - that means 9 topic sentences in total. Here are the three thesis statements:

• Buying organic food products, the ultimate heal-conscious decision, allows consumers to become more aware of commonly used chemicals, to eat naturally, and to promote environmentally friendly farming.
• Dishwashers, although expensive at the outset, save time, are more energy efficient than hand-washing, and help to keep a kitchen clutter-free, making them the best new homebuyer purchase.
• Tim Horton's is the king of coffee shops, not only because it is more affordable than Starbucks, but also because it is Canadian and actively supports community programs.

Block C: Finish up the questions 1-12 for "A&P" We will watch the short film tomorrow - so hold off on question #13.

Friday:

I don't have a creative title for this post - I'm not really sure how to sum up the day...

Here is a look at the homework that is expected of you when we return to regular classes.

Block A:  The rough draft of your short story is due for peer editing on the day that we get back. Please make sure that it is double-spaced for ease of editing.

Blocks B&D: Continue to practice thesis statements, you have the blue sheet of notes, and the white sheet of practice. In addition you were given four sample essays - with the job to read all four and evaluate them according to the rubric provided. We will be discussing all of this when we get back. Here is the powerpoint of the thesis practice from class as a PDF if you need a reminder.

Block C: Finish the questions for the short story "The Pedestrian" due when we get to our regular classes.

Tasks to be done this Thursday:

Block A:  Short story writing continues. You will get one more block to work on your double-spaced rough draft tomorrow. The rough draft is due whenever we get back from the strike. Stay tuned for more info on that!

Blocks B&D: Another evening with no English homework - lucky you!!!

Block C:  The good copy of your Stand by Me essay is due tomorrow.