10/26/2015 - 10/30/2015

Monday:






LIBRARY DAY!!!! 








TUESDAY: "TELL-TALE HEART" Performance in the Metal Shop Theater!







Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

Do Now: If your LIFE had a THEME SONG, what would it be and why?

Share out: Extra points if you sing it!

Discussion/Lecture: Theme 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qME64SkxM


TAKE NOTES! AVIDERS: TAKE CORNELL NOTES!

Group Work: Work in table groups to identify a theme in one of the FOUR stories we have read so far this year. We will list these together and discuss whether or not this theme applies to both the story and real-life.

Review: Writing Assignment: Independent Reading Project #1

Homework: Bring in independent reading logs and a copy of the book title you will be writing your project on. 



Thursday/Friday 10/29-10/30

Do Now: Independent Reading and Reading Logs!!!



Work Period: Today is a writer's coach day! First we will review the assignment together and go through our work folders.

If, for any reason, you do not have your independent reading book and you are not familiar enough with it to be able to start your draft today, you will use one of our class stories to complete the flash draft. HOWEVER, you are then responsible for completing another flash draft for your independent reading project.

During work period, you are:

1. Working with a writing coach
2. Conferencing with Ms. Mueller
3. Hand drafting your flash draft assignment
4. Searching your independent reading book for evidence

Your flash draft is due on MONDAY so please use the time wisely!!!

De-brief and Shout Outs!!!

10/19/2015 - 10/23/2015

10/19/2015

Do Now: Take a chrome and submit your narrative RIGHT NOW if you haven't done it already. 

Choose your favorite paragraph or page of your narrative and decide how you will share your writing. Choices: You may read it, I can read it for you or you may choose a classmate to read it. You may share your favorite paragraph up to the entire narrative. 

Publishing Celebration: Narratives

Annotation Practice: Read the Tell-Tale Heart in its entirety and annotate at least one entire page using our common symbols. 

Homework: Complete reading and annotating one page of "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Exit: Shout-Outs and Call-Outs

10/20/2015

MISSION FIELD TRIP!!!! 

10/21/2015

Do Now: Is there any justifiable reason to kill another person? Why or why not?

By now, we should all have completed our

reading of "The Tell-Tale Heart." As most people do when they read this story, you may be forming an opinion about the character's motivation (why he did what he did). Some of you may think he is a calculated killer, mentally/insane or that there is a ghost driving him to do what he did. 

Graphic Organizer: Complete the graphic organizer by finding

 evidence to show both sides of the argument, that the killer is 

either insane or a calculated killer. On the bottom of the page, 

identify one theme in the story and write it in a sentence. 

Four Corners Activity: On posters, I have listed the options. Using your text and graphic organizers, write down your strongest evidence on the appropriate poster. 

Share Out and Review

Homework: Complete the "Tell-Tale Heart" Vocabulary study in preparation for tomorrow's socratic seminar. Keep in mind we will be using our graphic organizers and our story for the discussion and that it counts as an exam grade so come prepared. Double points are given for use of vocabulary terms!!! 

Exit: Shout-Outs and Call-Outs

10/22-23/2015

Do Now: Take out your independent reading book and get lost! Leave your vocabulary homework and graphic organizer on the top left-hand corner of your desk for a check! 

Graphic Organizer: Complete the graphic organizer by finding

 evidence to show both sides of the argument, that the killer is 

either insane or a calculated killer. On the bottom of the page, 

identify one theme in the story and write it in a sentence. 

Four Corners Activity: On posters, I have listed the options. Using your text and graphic organizers, write down your strongest evidence on the appropriate poster. 

Share Out and Review

Socratic Prep: Take twenty-five minutes to complete the socratic preparation sheet for the socratic seminar. Remember that appropriately using vocabulary terms results in double points!

We will continue with our whole group socratic. If you didn't get a chance to speak last time, OR if you were absent, be sure to participate today!

Notes to Remember:


You must not stop the discussion. If you want to finish 

talking, ask a question to another group member with 

expression such as, "Do you agree?" or "What is your 

opinion?"

• Remember that a discussion is an analysis where to talk about idea openly and not an argument. 

• You should not address the teacher but rather your group. The teacher is only an observer. 

• You need to use evidence to support your ideas either from the reading, the author's or your own life. 

The phrases below should be used during the seminar to 

express your opinions and keep the discussion going.

Listening:

I see / get your point but...

I see / get what you mean but...

Not hearing:

I missed that, could you repeat it?

I am not sure I understand what you mean by ...

I am afraid I don't follow.

Responding when someone is speaking

Why is that?

Really?

I see.


Agreeing:

I tend to think...

In my experience...

I couldn't agree more.

Disagree:

I am not sure that is true.

I am not sure I agree with you.

I have to say, I disagree with you there.

On the other hand,...

Giving an opinion:

It is my opinion that...

I believe that...

Misc.

There is evidence to suggest that...

More importantly...

It is also true that...

You will be graded on your participation during the 

discussion. You must show that you thoroughly understand 

the text and have analyzed it. You will demonstrate this 

through your opinions expressed during the seminar.

10/13/15 - 10/16/15

10/13/15

Today is a library day! Please remember to sit with your number group and to behave in the library!!!


10/14/15

Do Now: Answer the following questions in your journal in full sentences in four minutes:

1. What has been your greatest challenge while writing your narrative so far? 
2. What has been your greatest success? 

Share Out:


Today, we will be working in our writing groups to start the peer editing process for our narratives. We will have the opportunity to choose our own groups. Please keep in mind that you will be sharing your narrative with these classmates, so please choose a team you feel comfortable with. 

WRITING GROUP PROTOCOL

1. Establish an order for feedback (who will go first, second, etc).

2. Before the work is read, ask the author if s/he would like the group to pay attention to anything in particular; for example: is it confusing?  is there too much descriptive detail or too little?

3. Listen while the piece is read through once.  Don’t stop for questions or comments.  Don’t take notes.  Just listen.

4. Take turns giving positive feedback.  Begin with, “I liked…”

5. Move to questions:  “One thing I was confused about…” or “One thing I wasn’t sure about…”

6. If the author asks for suggestions, allow them.  They should be prefaced with “One thing you might want to consider as you revise is…”

7. The writer may ask to have the piece read again, stopping for questions and comments as you go.


Closing: De-brief of the writing protocol. Shout outs and Call outs!

HOMEWORK: CONTINUE WORKING ON YOUR NARRATIVES!!!!

Thursday/Friday 10/15/15 - 10/16/15

Do Now: 20 minutes independent reading. At the end of independent reading, please fill out your NEW independent reading logs!


Notes Review: Dialogue

Using Dialogue in a Personal Narrative
PUNCTUATING QUOTES Quotes are effective tools for adding flavor to your writing by defining the character or speaker, conveying information in a colorful manner, setting the mood and scene, and breaking up large chunks of narrative. But many writers, both novice and professional, sometimes have difficulty in knowing how and when to use quotes.

The three basic sentence skeletons for punctuating quotes: · "Let's go," he said. · "Let's go," he said, "before it rains." · He said, "Let's go before it rains."

Notice the placement of the opening quote marks and the closing quote marks. Also check the capitalization and the use of the period and comma. All of these examples are correct.
In punctuating quotes, periods and commas always go inside the closing quotes as in the above examples. Colons always go outside the closing quotes. Other punctuation marks, such as the dash, semicolon, question mark or exclamation mark, all go within quotes when they apply ONLY to the quoted material. They go outside the quotes when they apply to the entire sentence.
For quotes within direct quotations, use single quotation marks. For example:
· "I saw the movie 'Twister' last night," she said.
Quotes that are longer than one paragraph don't take closing quotes until the end of the entire quote.
Each new paragraph starts with opening quotes, but does not end with closing quotes. Also remember that long quotes should start with the name of the speaker or source, and that attribution need not be repeated until the speaker has changed.
COMMON PITFALLS IN USING QUOTES


Most readers don't even see the word "said" when reading effective dialogue, and many times "said" is the best choice. Don't try to find an alternate word if "said" will do. WHAT is said is far more important.

If you have written a good exchange of dialogue, the reader will KNOW just how it was said. You needn't be redundant. Many times tags are not necessary and can distract readers from well-written dialogue.

Another common mistake is knowing how to use a dialogue tag. For example: · "You look beautiful tonight," he smiled. · "I sure am tired," he yawned. · "I've have a cold for over a week," he coughed. · "Please get me a glass of water," he hiccuped.
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I find it very hard to smile a quote, yawn a quote, cough a quote, or hiccup a quote. In each of these sentences, the "he" should be "He" and a period should replace each comma before the closing quotes.
Using Dialogue in a Personal Narrative · "You look beautiful tonight." He smiled. · "I sure am tired." He yawned. It is correct to write "You look beautiful tonight," he said with a smile. Many writers of fiction and nonfiction are often guilty of "echoes": quotes that repeat what has previously been stated in the narrative. 

For example: · Johnson has been recovering from a pulled back muscle. · "I pulled a back muscle, but I'm recovering," Johnson said.
Usually echoes are not quite this obvious, but be wary of them.
What you need to remember about writing quotes:

Fiction writers routinely employ dialogue to relay important information. 
This is a fine example of showing rather than telling.

However, caution should be used in writing fiction dialogue, too. If the dialogue does not advance the plot, set the mood or define the characters, the writer should reconsider its value.
No matter what kind of material you are writing, each speaker gets his or her own paragraph. In reporting, make certain the attribution is given at the beginning of the sentence to signal a change of speaker. This technique avoids confusing the reader.

Writer's Workshop: You will be in a writer's workshop for the FINAL DAY of narrative drafting! Please use your time wisely and carefully consider your selection.

Option 1: Working independently on drafting. This can be done on chromes. Consider moving your seat to the most effective work space.

Option 2: Complete writer's protocol with your writing group. 

Option 3: Work with a writing coach to go over your narrative (you will be called individually to do this).

Option 4: Conference with Ms. Mueller about your narrative (digitally by sharing the document with me or in person for one-on-one feedback)

If and when you finish, please carefully review the rubric in your narrative packet. This is what I will use to give you a grade. Go through your narrative and grade yourself. If it anything less than a 4, go back and make changes!!!

Exit: Come up with three goals you need to complete by next week in order to have your narrative in on time!!!

Shout-Outs and Call-Outs!

10/05/2015 - 10/09/2015

10/05/2015

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

TODAY, WE ARE TAKING A STATE-MANDATED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT. PLEASE TAKE OUT A PIECE OF LOOSE LEAF PAPER AND PUT A HEADING ON THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

Together, we will read a passage. I will read the prompt to you and you will have the rest of the period to take the assessment. If you finish early, please take out your independent reading book and read silently. Do NOT disturb your classmates as they have the entire period to take the assessment. You should take your time, do your best and remember to annotate the story!


CLOSING: MAKE SURE YOUR FINAL TOUCHES ARE ON YOUR ASSESSMENT AND TURN IT IN!!!


Tuesday, 10/06/2015









Do Now (20) : Complete the Formative Assessment we started yesterday. When you are finished, please fill out the manilla folder I give you. We will organize all of our notes and graded/returned work. 



Intro: Narrative Assignment

Major Essay Assignment: Narrative

PROMPT:

Write a narrative essay based on your personal experience.   You may use any of the three narrative structures discussed in class, or any combination of the three.  

REQUIREMENTS:

- Your narrative should be typed on a google document that you will access through google classroom.  If you do not have access to a computer, or your typing skills limit your ability to turn in work online, talk to Ms. Mueller for assistance and special instructions.

- Your narrative should be between 500 and 1000 words long (2-4 pages double spaced).  Use a simple font, size 12-14.
- Head your paper the way you have been instructed.  See the board for an example.  
ASSESSMENT:- I will look at how well you build and vary your sentences and how well you use paragraphs to tell a story.  
You don’t need to show off.  Be yourself.   I have a saying: all “3” writing sounds the same, but each “4” essay is different.  Be different, but be interesting.  And don’t forget to check your copy for errors.  Share it with me well before the deadline if you want me to help with that.  I will do that through shared comments.
-The only real rule is to SHOW not TELL your narrative, as we have been practicing in class. Remember the elements of the stories we read. They were descriptive language, sensory details, dialogue, emotion and suspense. Go where your experience takes you.  Write the essay you would like to read.
TRUTH IN MEMOIR:You must honor the truth of the memory, but you may take liberties with details.  For example, if you are eating dinner in the story, and you want to put in something like, “Aunt Judy passed the peas,” you can make up the peas, even if you don’t remember what you ate.  You can’t, however, make up Aunt Judy.
SHARING YOUR WORK
After you finish your story you will share it with other writers that you have chosen to be in a group with.  After that, you may decide to submit the story for publication, rewrite it and submit it later, or put it in your portfolio and forget about it for awhile.  It’s up to you.

Review Expectations and Due Date for Narrative Assignment!
Exit: Shout-Outs and Call-Outs

Wednesday, 10/07/15



WARM-UP: Write down three personal experiences you have gone through that mean something to you. They do not need to be especially dramatic or important, just significant to you. What makes these experiences stand out in your mind?

Read Aloud: As we work on our own narratives, we will continue to analyze story structure. Today's example is an episodic narrative. As we read, include all annotations for better understanding and identify the elements of story structure : exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Please keep these elements in mind when writing your own stories.

Brainstorm: Work quietly to begin drafting and brainstorming ideas for your own narrative. Consider using the story structure to create an outline before free-writing. Some of you may prefer to begin with a free-write. Respect your own process but do not waste time.

Closing: Shout-Outs and Call-Outs

Homework: Continue drafting your own narrative.


Thursday/Friday 10/08/2015 - 10/09/2015

Do Now: Independent Reading!!! Have your logs out on your desk to be collected and leave your homework out for a check.



Warm-Up: What is the difference in each of these? Who is speaking and what is the context?

1. Ms. Mueller said that we have another assignment due. I can't believe how time is flying.
2. Ms. Mueller said, "We have another assignment due." I can't believe how time is flying.
3. Ms. Mueller said, "We have another assignment due. I can't believe how time is flying."

Notes: You may take short hand notes during lecture, but be sure to copy all notes written in bold letters!

Using Dialogue in a Personal Narrative
PUNCTUATING QUOTES Quotes are effective tools for adding flavor to your writing by defining the character or speaker, conveying information in a colorful manner, setting the mood and scene, and breaking up large chunks of narrative. But many writers, both novice and professional, sometimes have difficulty in knowing how and when to use quotes.

Let's look at three basic sentence skeletons for punctuating quotes: · "Let's go," he said. · "Let's go," he said, "before it rains." · He said, "Let's go before it rains."

Notice the placement of the opening quote marks and the closing quote marks. Also check the capitalization and the use of the period and comma. All of these examples are correct.
In punctuating quotes, periods and commas always go inside the closing quotes as in the above examples. Colons always go outside the closing quotes. Other punctuation marks, such as the dash, semicolon, question mark or exclamation mark, all go within quotes when they apply ONLY to the quoted material. They go outside the quotes when they apply to the entire sentence.
For quotes within direct quotations, use single quotation marks. For example:
· "I saw the movie 'Twister' last night," she said.
Quotes that are longer than one paragraph don't take closing quotes until the end of the entire quote.
Each new paragraph starts with opening quotes, but does not end with closing quotes. Also remember that long quotes should start with the name of the speaker or source, and that attribution need not be repeated until the speaker has changed.
COMMON PITFALLS IN USING QUOTES Most readers don't even see the word "said" when reading effective dialogue, and many times "said" is the best choice. Don't try to find an alternate word if "said" will do. WHAT is said is far more important.
If you have written a good exchange of dialogue, the reader will KNOW just how it was said. You needn't be redundant. Many times tags are not necessary and can distract readers from well-written dialogue.
Another common mistake is knowing how to use a dialogue tag. For example: · "You look beautiful tonight," he smiled. · "I sure am tired," he yawned. · "I've have a cold for over a week," he coughed. · "Please get me a glass of water," he hiccuped.
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I find it very hard to smile a quote, yawn a quote, cough a quote, or hiccup a quote. In each of these sentences, the "he" should be "He" and a period should replace each comma before the closing quotes.
Using Dialogue in a Personal Narrative · "You look beautiful tonight." He smiled. · "I sure am tired." He yawned. It is correct to write "You look beautiful tonight," he said with a smile. Many writers of fiction and nonfiction are often guilty of "echoes": quotes that repeat what has previously been stated in the narrative. 

For example: · Johnson has been recovering from a pulled back muscle. · "I pulled a back muscle, but I'm recovering," Johnson said.
Usually echoes are not quite this obvious, but be wary of them.
What you need to remember about writing quotes: Fiction writers routinely employ dialogue to relay important information. 
This is a fine example of showing rather than telling.

However, caution should be used in writing fiction dialogue, too. If the dialogue does not advance the plot, set the mood or define the characters, the writer should reconsider its value.
No matter what kind of material you are writing, each speaker gets his or her own paragraph. In reporting, make certain the attribution is given at the beginning of the sentence to signal a change of speaker. This technique avoids confusing the reader.

PRACTICE: STUDENTS WILL COME UP AND PRACTICE DIALOGUE WRITING ON THE BOARD!!!

Read Aloud: End of "The Dog That Bit People." Pay close attention to the author's use of dialogue.


Writer's Workshop: Drafting!!
You may continue to use the story structure outline OR free-draft your essay. We will share out one paragraph with our groups.

Homework: Continue working on your narrative essay assignments. First draft is due on Wednesday of next week!!!

Closing: Call-Outs and Shout-Outs!!!