IF YOU LOVE TO WRITE, JOIN US!

We celebrated the Christmas holiday at Mary G.’s house. Great snacks, great marathon session of Paige’s Name Game–what more could we want??

Soon we will have to get down to the publishing business, publishing Escape 2008.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, January 12, 2009.  If you have questions, leave them here or talk to Mrs. K. in room 141. 

If you would like to join us, just bring a piece of original writing and an open mind.  Hope to see you there. 

English 10A and 10B Students,

I enjoyed watching you and talking to you as you made your independent book choices.  Some of you have already changed your minds and made a switch.  Now that you’ve settled on a book and have read a number of pages, I’m wondering how the reading is going—your reactions, insights, questions, opinions. What are you thinking?      

Before the end of the trimester, you’re required to post twice here—once during the first half of your book and once near or at the end.   Guidelines for posting? Identify the book’s title, your hour, and your first name with last initial only. Fill the comment box and always, always proofread before sending.  

Honors 9 & 10 Students, you’ve reached your new Seminar Blog Spot.Most of you have begun reading and annotating your seminar selections. Now you’re ready to post.

As you read, share your insights and observations related to the book or to the performance. Feel free to ask questions and to react to each other. Post often, but whatever you choose to share, have fun with your conversation.

Check regularly to see who is reacting to your ideas. Remember, I might also be commenting and questioning your posts.

Length? Minimum, fill the posting box. Should you proofread??  Of course.  Remember, first name and last initial only.

Look for your book below and begin.P.S.  If you need another copy of the seminar rubric or the performance handout, click on the following links: 

• finalseminar%2520presentation%2520rubric%2d1-12.pdf 
• literary-simulation.pdf  

 Post here for The Shack.

Post here for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. 

Post here for A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. 

Hello, Creative Writers!

Can we really enhance our creativity?  My reading convinces me that all of us could be more creative if we would do three ordinary things: eat healthfully, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.  Of course, as we’ve read in class, there are other strategies worth trying.  

Keith Sawyer, Ph.D., associate professor of education and psychology at Washington University, has written a book on the subject, Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation.  According to Sawyer, “Collaboration is key.”  Hey, you’re already collaborating as members of writers’ response groups—writing teams.  To read more about Sawyer’s research, click on “Time Interview” in the Creativity category to your right. 

By now you should be well into your creativity commitment strategies(creativity-commitment.pdf). Post here to describe your progress and to interact with each other. How is the effort going?  Are you enjoying the strategies?  Any benefits so far?

Use your first name and last initial only and fill the comment box. 

November 24, 2008

1. Handout on the front table: Syllabus, book project options, book project rubric. 
2. Introduction venn diagram in partners.
3. Syllabus. Read syllabus tonight for a quiz tomorrow. Signed syllabus due tomorrow:  eng10syll08-2.pdf .
4. Write a letter to Mrs. K: letter-to-mrs.pdf. Hand in finished letter by Wednesday, Nov. 26.
5. Trimester assignment. One independent book project: independent-book-project-options.pdf , book-project-rubric.pdf . Have your independent book by Monday, Dec. 1.
6. Be sure to bring silent reading materials tomorrow.

November 25, 2008

1. Syllabus quiz.
2. Word association: What do you associate with the word POWER.
3. Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N_EqRk3hcI&feature=related. How many of the 122 people do you recognize? What types of power do you see represented? Who should be added? What conclusions can we draw about power from our reactions to this list?
4. Quotations assignment. power-quotations.pdf  Read and annotate this collection of quotations. Which quotation drew your strongest reaction? Tomorrow be prepared to write in response to one of the quotations.
5. Silent reading.
6. Homework:    (a)  Quotations assignment—annotations (circle unfamiliar words and write brief reactions to quotations) by tomorrow. (b)  Letter to teacher by tomorrow. (c)  Bring all necessary materials to class on Monday.

November 26, 2008

1. Handed in letters to teacher.
2. Handout:  “Parts of Speech–Condensed” pts-of-speech-sheet-1.pdf . 
3. Intro: Vocabulary Collection. Added segue as the first word and took it through the six required steps. Used ”Parts of Speech–Condensed” as reference.
4. Added three words from “Power” handout to the collection and completed the requirements.
5. Homework: On Monday bring necessary materials and “Power” handout.

December 1, 2008

1. Handouts: “Class Portfolio Rubric,” see Eng. 10A & B tab above; “Journal Rubric”  journal-rubric-name.pdf . Stapled or taped rubric into journal. 
2. Notes: Class portfolio requirements  class-portfolio-requirements.pdf .
3. Organized class portfolios according to requirements. Filed all handouts and assignments.
4. Took notes in journal: analytical-paragraph.pdf . Example cartoon-paragraph.pdf .
5. Wrote ten-minute journal entry. Question: With which quotation from the “Power” handout do you most strongly agree or disagree? Instructions: Take a position and explain. Be sure to support and explain your ideas.
6. Share and respond.
7. Bring class materials and silent reading material tomorrow.

December 2, 2008

1. Pick up a book checkout form from the table and a textbook from the counter.
2. Fill out the book form and initial the grade spreadsheet.
3. Journal entry: Power map. Who exercises power over you? Over whom do you have power?
4. Discussion: Define abuse of power.
5. Begin reading “The Balek Scales,” page 211. Write one prediction log entry in your journal. 
6. Homework—read to the red mark on page 216.  Add 5 vocab. words from the story to your collection and another reading log entry in your journal.
7. Silent reading. 

December 3, 2008

Handout: “Literary and Writing Terms.”  term-sheet.pdf

1. Book Blog assignment. See English 10A category on Mrs. K.’s Blog.
2. “The Balek Scales” quiz. Partners. 12 points.
3. Correct quiz and discuss story.
4. Read ending of “The Balek Scales.”
5. Journal (5 minutes): In your opinion, what is the worst example of abuse of power (injustice) in the story? How so? Be sure to back your opinion with examples and to explain your examples.

December 4, 2008

1. Share journal entries from yesterday. 
2. Discussion:  Other than the Baleks cheating the townspeople, what examples of abuse of power can you find in “The Balek Scales”?
3. Add terms, definitions, and examples to the “Lit. and Writing Terms” sheet: protagonist, antagonist, analysis, interpretation, and symbolism. 
4. Symbolism activity: Choose and draw a symbol that represents you. Do not include your name. Give your symbol to Mrs. K.  After Mrs. K. gives you a random symbol created by an anonymous classmate, analyze and interpret the symbol. Write a brief (4-5 sentences) interpretation on the symbol sheet. Keep it positive. Sign your interpretation.  How accurate is the interpretation of your symbol?
5. “The Balek Scales” symbolism assignment: Identify and draw 3 important symbols, write a brief interpretation of each, support each interpretation with a quotation from the story. Share and hand in tomorrow.
6. Silent reading tomorrow. Bring materials.  

December 5, 2008

2^nd Hour

4^th & 6th

1. Today is the last day of the assignment reprieve: signed syllabus, syllabus quiz, letter, and materials.
2. 5 minutes to finish “Balek” symbol assignment.
3. Each partnership presents 1 symbol. Hand in assignment. If you worked with a partner, make sure both names are on the assignment.
4. Intro to next reading assignment: Could you survive in the wilderness or after a natural disaster? Computer lab.
5. Could you survive? Go to Mrs. K.’s Blog, “Fiction” category, “Could you survive?” link.  Read the background material on the site and answer the questions. See directions on the handout: survival-could-you.pdf .
6. Again on Mrs. K.’s Blog, take Sergeant Safari’s Survival Quiz. Hand in.
7. Silent reading. “Balek” make-up quiz will be given during this time.
8. Homework: Monday, organized portfolio = 10 points.

December 8, 2008

2nd Hour

1. Name challenge.
2. Intro to next reading assignment. Journal: Could you survive alone in the wilderness or after a natural disaster? 
3. Computer lab. Could you survive? Go to Mrs. K.’s Blog, “Fiction” category, “Could you survive?” link.  Read the background material on the site and answer the questions. See directions on the handout: survival-could-you.pdf .
4. Again on Mrs. K.’s Blog, take Sergeant Safari’s Survival Quiz. Record on assignment sheet. Hand in.
5. Survival II journal: Consider the entry you wrote at the beginning of the class period and your score on Sergeant Safari’s Survival Quiz. If you and all the members of this class were stranded together on a deserted tropical island, what would be your chances for survival? Who would lead? Who would hunt? Who would cook? What problems do you foresee? What would happen?
6. Share.

 4th & 6th Hours

1. Survival II journal entry: Consider last Friday’s entry and your score on Sergeant Safari’s Survival Quiz. If you and all the members of this class were stranded together on a deserted tropical island, what would be your chances for survival? Who would lead? Who would hunt? Who would cook? What problems do you foresee? What would happen?
2. Share.
3.  Anticipatory Guide–partners (10 minutes, agree/disagree /explain.). anticipation-lord-of-the-flies.pdf
4. Share / discuss. Hand in.
5. Book check out, Lord of the Flies.
6. Brief discussion, examples of British slang. british-english-in.pdf
7. Log assignment + vocabulary assignment, handout coming tomorrow.
8. Begin reading. Be through chapter 1 by tomorrow. 

December 9, 2008

 2^nd Hour

1. Pick up handout: Anticipation Guide anticipation-lord-of-the-flies.pdf.
2. Film clip: Cast Away.
3. Journal: Write as the main character. How do his thinking and feelings change throughout the clip? Discussion. Compare adult reactions to children’s reactions.
4. Anticipation guide. Complete and put away until tomorrow.
5. British English–discuss slang.
6. Begin reading aloud. Be through chapter 1 by tomorrow.
7. Silent reading. 

4^th and 6^th Hours

1. Handouts: Lord of the Flies Assignments lord-of-the-flies-journals.pdf. Bookmark lord-of-the-flies4th-6th-bookmark.pdf.

2. Film clip: Cast Away.

3. Journal: Write as the main character of the clip. How do his thinking and feelings change throughout the clip? Discussion. Compare adult reactions to children’s reactions.

4. Quiz—Chap 1.

5. Discuss Active Reading Assignments for Lord of the Flies.

6. Write Chapter 1 entry.

7. Silent reading.

8. For Thursday, read through page 47 of L of F, complete reading log entry and vocab. for Chap. 2.

9. Journals due Wednesday (4^th hour) and Monday (6^th hour).

December 10, 2008

1. Pick up handouts from Mrs. K.: “Active Verbs,” “Linking & Helping Verbs,” “Sentence Types.”
2. Journal: Noun & verb listing competition.
3. Notes on PowerPoint, “Anatomy of a Sentence.”
4. Using notes and handouts, complete practice exercise, “Sentence Types.” Discuss your answers with a partner. Hand in.
5. 4th hour journals due today.  2nd hour due Friday.  6th hour due Monday.

December 11, 2008

1. Lord of the Flies–Chap. 2 quiz + discussion.
2. Quick review from yesterday. In your journal, write a sentence, label its type, circle the subject, and underline the predicate. Sample examples.
3. Continue Sentence Workshop. Notes in journal: Sentence Structure (with edible visual aids).
4. Partner practice: “Wrong Bank.”
5. Homework: Read Lord of the Flies through page 75 by tomorrow + log entry and vocab. collection. 

6. 2nd hour: Journals due Friday, Dec. 12.  6th hour: Monday, Dec. 15. 

December 12, 2008

2nd Hour 

1. Journal: Sentence Search–Find one example of a simple sentence, one of a compound sentence, and one of a complex sentence in Lord of the Flies.  Copy them into your journal.
2. Quiz: Chapter 2.
3. Silent reading.
4. Hand in journals today.

 4th & 6th Hours

1. Journal: Sentence Search–Find one example of a simple sentence, one of a compound sentence, and one of a complex sentence in Lord of the Flies. Copy them into your journal.
2. Chaps. 3 & 4 quiz  + discussion.
3. Silent reading: You may read your own book or Lord of the Flies. You may also use this time to add to your vocabulary collection or to write L of F log entries.

December 15, 2008

 2^nd Hour 

1. Pick up handouts and file them in Writing and Grammar: “Compound Sentences” (Ask Mrs. K.) and “Conjunctions” (Click English 10A tab above).
2. Sentence Workshop: notes + practice (see “Compound Sentences” handout).
3. Chapters 3 & 4 quiz: Lord of the Flies + discussion.
4. Write log entries, work on vocab., or read. Mrs. K. will be coming around to check on portfolios today.

December 15, 2008

 4^th & 6th Hours 

1. Pick up handouts and file them in Writing and Grammar: “Compound Sentences” (Ask Mrs. K.) and “Conjunctions” (Click English 10A tab above).
2. Sentence Workshop: notes + practice (see “Compound Sentences” handout).
3. Chapters 5 & 6 quiz: Lord of the Flies + discussion.
4. Write log entries, work on vocab., or read. Mrs. K. will be coming around to check on portfolios today.

December 16, 2008

 2^{nd Hour} 

1. Watch compound sentences video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ53RkNPWrg: In your journal, record anything you learn from the video that you do not already know about compound sentences.
2. Practice exercise:  i-was-really-hungry-during-third-hour.pdf
3. Silent reading.
4. Quiz over today’s reading: Chapters 5 & 6.

4^th & 6^th 

1. Pick up handout:In place of a quiz, you and a partner will do a mapping activity today—50 points. mapping-lord-of-the-flies.pdf   
2. Hand in maps.

December 17, 2008

2nd Hour 

1. In your journal, copy the compound sentence and label the subjects and the verbs:  (1) My brother Tom will be coming to the family Christmas party but won’t be able to stay long.  (2) My brother Tom will be coming to the family Christmas party, but he won’t be able to stay long.
2. Visual quiz: Chaps. 1 – 7.December 17, 2008 

4th & 6th Hours

1. Add to maps.
2. Present maps.
3. Gallery walk.
4. Journal: Based on excerpts from Chapter 8, what is Simon’s condition? Explain what is really happening in the final scene of Chapter 8.
5. Symbolism chart.           
   

   December 18, 2008

   2nd Hour

   1. Quick quiz: compound sentences.
   2. Add to maps.
   3. Present maps.  Gallery walk.
   4. Journal: Based on excerpts from Chapter 8, what is Simon’s condition? Explain what is really happening in the final scene of Chapter  8.

   4th & 6th Hours

   1. Quick quiz: compound sentences.
   2. Add allegory to term sheet. Definition:  a symbolic narrative—a story in which objects, places, and people symbolize something else.
   3. Brainstorm master list of symbols.
   4. Symbol assignment.
   5. Read: Final 2 chapters.  Quiz over chapters 9 – 12 tomorrow. We will be reading the final pages aloud tomorrow.

January 5, 2009

 2nd

1. Review upcoming deadlines: Character log due Wed. and vocabulary collection + test due Fri. 
2. Review Lord of the Flies reading to date.
3. Intro allegory/symbolism.
4. Assignment: symbolism chart / partners.
5. Share. Hand in.
6. Finish novel for tomorrow.

4^th & 6^th

1. Coordinate deadlines for Lord of the Flies: Character log—due Wed., Jan. 7; symbol chart—due Thur., Jan. 8; vocabulary collection + test—Fri., Jan. 9.
2. Read Lord of the Flies ending aloud. Discuss.
3. Jeopardy—teams. Review novel, symbols, and literary terms in teams. Handout: “More Lit. Terms.”
4. Work on log, symbols, or vocabulary.

January 6, 20092^nd Hour 1.  Facts: Lord of the Flies: Open journals to yesterday’s entry.2.  Final Chapter: Read aloud.3.  Add to yesterday’s journal entry.4.  Jeopardy: Review game with two teams.5.  Silent reading.4^th & 6th Hours 1.  Pick up handouts.2.  Journal: 20 years later. T-chart.3.  Introduce writing assignment.4.  Writing Process review.5.  Silent reading.

November 24, 2008

1. Handout on the front table: Syllabus, book project options, book project rubric. 
2. Introduction venn diagram in partners.
3. Syllabus. Read syllabus tonight for a quiz tomorrow. Signed syllabus due tomorrow:  eng10syll08-2.pdf .
4. Write a letter to Mrs. K: letter-to-mrs.pdf. Hand in finished letter by Wednesday, Nov. 26.
5. Trimester assignment. One independent book project: independent-book-project-options.pdf , book-project-rubric.pdf . Have your independent book by Monday, Dec. 1.
6. Be sure to bring silent reading materials tomorrow.

November 25, 2008

1. Hand in signed syllabus form.
2. Syllabus quiz.
3. Theme introduction: Word association—VOICE. What are different meanings of the word voice?
4. Learning Styles survey—computer lab.  You will find this survey, “Learning Styles,”  in Mrs. K.’s blog in the Creativity category.
5. Quotations assignment  finding-voice.pdf . Read and annotate. Be prepared to write on one of the quotations tomorrow.
6. Silent reading.
7. Homework: (a)  Quotations assignment—annotations (circle unfamiliar words and write brief reactions to quotations) by tomorrow. (b)  Letter to teacher by tomorrow. (c)  Bring all necessary materials to class on Monday.

November 26, 2008

1. Handed in letters to teacher.
2. Handout:  “Parts of Speech–Condensed” pts-of-speech-sheet-1.pdf .
3. Intro: Vocabulary Collection. Added segue as the first word and took it through the six required steps. Used “Parts of Speech–Condensed” handout as reference.
4. Added three words from “Power” handout to the collection and complete the requirements.
5. Homework: On Monday bring necessary materials and “Power” handout.

December 1, 2008

1. Handouts: “Class Portfolio Rubric,” see Eng. 10A & B tab above; “Journal Rubric”  journal-rubric-name.pdf .  Staple or tape rubric into journal. 
2. Notes: Class portfolio requirements  class-portfolio-requirements.pdf .
3. Organize class portfolio according to requirements. File all handouts and assignments.
4. Continue theme discussion, incorporating “Finding Voice” handout and “Learning Styles” print-out.
5. Write paragraph explaining your dominant personality/character traits. Question: Identify at least 5 personality/character traits from lists, “Character Adjectives I” and “Character Traits II.” See Creativity category to your right.
6. Cut and paste paragraph into Wordle. See Creativity category to your right.
7. Bring Wordle to class tomorrow.
8. Bring class materials and silent reading material tomorrow.

December 2, 2008

1. Pick up a book checkout form from the table and a textbook from the counter.
2. Fill out the book form and initial the grade spreadsheet.
3. Continue work on Finding Voice theme. Complete personality and character trait paragraph and transfer it to Wordle.
4. Using your Wordle, design a personal voice self-portrait. See rubric: voice-self.pdf . Due Monday, December 8.
5. Silent reading.   

December 3, 2008

1.  Handout: “Literary and Writing Terms.”  term-sheet.pdf
2. Book Blog assignment. See English 10A category on Mrs. K.’s Blog.
3. Prereading activity: T-chart—positive and negative influences. Discussion.
4. Begin reading “Two Kinds,” page 18.
5. Homework: Read to page 26. Write 2 reading log entries. Add 5 words to your vocab. collection.

 December 4, 2008

1. Partner quiz over last night’s reading assignment, through page 26 of “Two Kinds.”
2. Correct quiz and discuss story. 
3. Read ending “Two Kinds.” Discuss importance of two’s–two kinds of daughters, two piano pieces. 
4. Quickwrite: Assume the identity of Jing Mei or of her mother and write a personal letter. Criteria: 
5. We will share quickwrites in small groups tomorrow. 
6. Work on vocabulary collection.
7.  Bring silent reading materials tomorrow.  

December 5, 2008

1. Today is the last day of the assignment reprieve: signed syllabus, syllabus quiz, letter, and materials.
2. 5 minutes to finish “Two Kinds” letter assignment.
3. Letter share in small groups–mother group and daughter group–and then with class.
4. Hand in letter.
5. Work on vocabulary.
6. Silent reading.
7. Don’t forget that your Voice Self-Portrait is due Monday.
8. Tuesday organized portfolio = 10 points.

December 8, 2008

1. Informal presentations of personal voice self-portraits. 
2. Gallery walk with stickers.
3. Journal entry (5 minutes)—Go to your entry from Dec. 3., negative and positive influences. In twenty years, who will you say had a lasting impression on you? Explain. 
4. Share.
5. Add the following terms to your Lit. and Writing Terms chart:  essay–a brief composition on a single subject, usually the personal views of the writer; thesis–a statement of the focus of the essay, the plan; anecdote–brief stories used as examples to illustrate or support a writers ideas. 
6. Prereading—page 83. Read “Historical Background.”
7. Circuit read selection, “The Teacher Who Changed My Live” by Nicholas Gage.
8. Add 3 vocab. words from the selection to your collection. 

December 9, 2008 

1. Class portfolios must be organized by today.    
2. Present remaining personal voice self-portraits.
3. Introduce cause and effect: Miss Hurd web. What did Miss Hurd do for Nicholas Gage? How was he affected by what she did for him?   
4. Start film: Eleni.  Film log required: T-chart. Left column—summary; right column—Eleni’s influence on Nichola. 

December 10, 2008

1. Question / answer for Eleni.
2. Continue film log, summaries & influences.
3. Continue film Eleni.

December 11, 2008

1. Questions + log discussion.
2. Finish Eleni.
3. Write last log entry.
4. Discussion: How is Nicholas Gage affected by his mother’s actions?
5. Hand in journals today.

December 12, 2008

1. Handouts: (1)  book-cover-rubric.pdf, (2) influence-letter-sir.pdf, (3) kennedy-publishingrubric.pdf. 
2. Influence chapter intro.
3. Silent reading.

December 15, 2008

1. Essay form: notes. Ask Mrs. K. for handout.
2. Examples from former students. Listen for anecdotes.
3. Announce writing teams: bonding activity. Come up with a name for your team and at least two things your teammates have in common.
4. Examine an outline of Nicholas Gage’s essay “The Teacher Who Changed My Life” nicholas-gage-outline.pdf.
5. Work on a plan for your essay, due tomorrow at the beginning of the hour.

December 16, 2008

1. Finish influence chapter plan and have it okayed by Mrs. B.
2. Notes: Drafting.
3. Draft. Rough drafts are due Thursday at the beginning of the hour.
4. Silent reading.

December 17, 2008 

1. Draft! 
2. Rough drafts are due tomorrow at the beginning of the hour for writing team response.

January 5, 2009 

1. Finish team response.
2. Revise Influence Chapter according to team feedback and personal preference.
3. Bring a hard copy to class tomorrow for final proofreading.

January 6, 2009

 1.  Pick up handouts & cover paper.2.  Intro: Pronoun Problems.3.  PowerPoint.4.  Exercise.5.  Proofreading + correction6.  Silent reading.