Tuesday, September 30

Today we will mark the answers from the short story "Outside Edges". This will involve group discussion. You will then need to read the short story "The Lottery" (a handout). This must be completed for tomorrow.

Monday, September 29

Today, you will work on understanding the short story "Outside Edges", which you read last week and did a fishbone on. There are questions, which I have attached here, which you are to answer fully (complete sentences with the question flipped into a statement). This assignment will be added to the fishbone you did on Friday, resulting in a combined mark of 60. You may work on it in pairs.

Friday, September 26

Today you will read the story "Outside Edges" in Viewpoints 12 (pages 49 - 59). You will then create a fishbone diagram to contain the elements of the story (I have printed out an example fishbone for you all and it is in your portfolio. Create yours following this example. This is due today.

Thursday September 25

Today, we will review the booklet I gave you yesterday on Short Stories. We will expand upon some of the information in there (you will add this in) and discuss some of the information that is unfamiliar.

Wednesday, September 24

We sart a new unit today (Short Story). We will discuss the exam from yesterday (which went well for a first exam) and then move on to discuss what goes into a short story. I have a pretty comprehensive handout for you on it as well (called "Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories but Were too Afraid to Ask")

Tuesday, September 23

You are writing your Essay Unit Multiple Choice, comprehension exam today. This is the first one and is often the most challenging. Studying your terminology is the best way to prepare at this point. Once you are reading and answering questions, it is important to read actively and then eliminate the "wrong" answers before choosing the best... keep in mind that transfer to scantron should be the LAST thing you do. It ensures less mistakes on that key and also make you aware if you've skipped any questions. If you are not able to finish the exam in the time given, you can stay in fourth block as that class is also writing a unit exam.

Friday, September 19

Today, we are going to work some more on the law and order approach to writing, coming up with concrete opening statements on both sides.
One student will present their groups, and then the other will.... after this, we will discuss how successful they were in creating an attention getting, insightful, position.
We will then look at the role of evidence and closings.
The students have a MC on Tuesday for this unit. It is reading comprehension. They need to study their terminology.

Thursday, September 17

Today, we are going to discuss essay building by using a "law and order" approach. This is a class group activity.

Wednesday, Sept17

We will finish examining the essay "The Death of the Moth" breaking into groups to defend our answers. We will then approach it as a class discussion. For the rest of the class, we will work on terminology to help prepare you for your exam on September 23.

Tuesday, September 16

Today we started actively reading the essay "The Death of a Moth". If you were not here, it is in your portfolio. You had to highlight, paraphrase and define unknown words. Those who finished early also had to locate metaphors and similes. I handed out the questions that they are to attempt on their own... and have placed those in the files as well.

Mon, Sept. 15

Today, we will discuss your answers to "If you Drop a Stone". We will then try this activity again with the essay "The Death of the Moth"

Friday, Sept 12

Today, we are going to examine the essay "If you Drop a stone." This will involve group work. All changes to your essay (I had to rewrite the intro) are to be handed in today.

Thursday, September 11

We will continue working on the essay "If you drop a stone..." This will be an individual and group activity.

Tuesday, September 10

Today is your first novel reading day. Have it....
I am going to give you about 15 minutes to edit your essay intro so that it includes an effective attention getter.
We are then going to examine the essay "If You Drop A Stone" and answer the corresponding questions.

Tuesday, Sept 9

This is your first journal day
Today, we are going to look at how to write an attention-getter as many of you had trouble with this on your essays. You are also going to redo your introduction so that you have one.

Monday, September 8

You are doing your first in-class essay today. It is NOT meant to stress you out, just see where you are at in terms of understanding and basic structure. I plan to flip through these fairly fast and give you feedback as a class. This is a personal essay.

Thursday, September 4

You will be given an Essay Unit glossary and are expected to highlight the
terms you know
We will discuss the list of approved novels for novel study
You are to have an approved novel by Wednesday, September 10
You will be given the essay “Coda” to read and then answer the questions
Students are to read it and, as pairs, answer the attached
Questions.

Wednesday, September 3

Today we discussed what items belong in an essay as well as types of essays. The notes were brief and are contained below: The purpose of this class was to: Identify types of essays, understand and agree on the basic format, and understand what a thesis is (and arguable opinion) as well as main points and evidence.

In order to write an essay, one must have a TOPIC and a position/opinion about that topic.. and it MUST BE ARGUABLE (law and order approach)

Purpose of essays:
1. To Teach (about something) Expository
2. To Defend (about an issue)
3. To Pass a test!!!! (often critical analytical)
4. To communicate on an informal level
(conversational)
5. To analyze (often critical analytical)

Layout of an essay

Introductory paragraph
Includes
Thesis: is an opinion that is arguable
Three main points of opinion that you are
going to try to prove with evidence/facts

Body paragraph one
One main point of the argument
Three pieces of evidence to support it
The pieces connected to main idea!!!!!

Body paragraph two
Second point of the argument
Three pieces of evidence to support it
The pieces connected to main idea!!!!!

Body paragraph three
Third point of the argument
Three pieces of evidence to support it
The pieces connected to main idea!!!!!

Conclusion
Includes
Summary of all three points and thesis
A tie-in to your best evidence