Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 5 (2/12)

 Greetings!

We made it through today and I am sensing we are all in need of a break! There’s good news: we are headed for a warm-up, the sun is shining and no classes next week! Woohoo!

Quick Write

Since Valentine’s Day is this weekend, our Quick Write today was topical. First, there was a short teaching about quality adjectives and we banned some “boring” adjectives. The words bad and good are now banned from essays. We will add periodically to this list. We talked about a much easier way to use interesting adjectives without banning every boring one.

 Today’s writing was to come up with as many quality adjectives as they could about a loved one, a friend or a Valentine. Early finishers were challenged them to come up with as many “Gen Z” messages for conversation hearts as possible.  (6-7 anyone?!?) After the timer went off, we took a minute to try folding an origami heart–the perfect container for the missive they just wrote! 

Literature

On to the Literature portion of our class.  We reviewed the three Russian stories and compared and contrasted them. Students listed the “simple” character, the “authority figure” character and the main conflict of each one.  Once again, I was impressed with some of their insights and their ability to think critically.  It was also very clear there were some students who hadn’t read the stories.🫣 You never know when a pop quiz might happen–so they should make sure to do their readings each week!

They need to read 4 more stories for next class  and do the Short Story Responses.  Read all four; answer one side for one of the stories; the other side for a different story.

Writing

The Mystery/Detective stories were due last week. I have graded, coded and handed them back. They were SO enjoyable to read–and I think students enjoyed writing them. The next steps are to work on the Final Edits. We do this so that the rule can be internalized and hopefully avoid making that same mistake in the future. Together, we worked through an example as a refresher for what is required for Final Edits. First, we used the Grammar Codes sheet to interpret the codes. Then we numbered the codes chronologically on a lined piece of binder paper. After that, students NEATLY copied the first sentence of the rule that was violated and under that they made the fix.  In some cases that means a simple correction and in other cases that means writing or rearranging a sentence or two. The Final Edits are due next class.

After that, I introduced the next essay:  The Persuasive Essay. Students already tasted this style of essay when they wrote their Urban Legends essay last semester. We are taking another run at a purely persuasive essay. We discussed the format of this type of writing:  it’s a bit delicate because in a persuasive essay, you will have readers who do not agree with your take. BUT–you want them to keep reading until the end because your aim is to persuade them to see things your way. We analyzed an example of this style of writing by reading a humorous example comparing styles of eggs–fried vs. boiled vs scrambled. I gave the class a chance to brainstorm some more ideas. The KWO is due next class.

Grammar

At the end of class, I handed out the worksheets.  The topic is about the commas that follow introductory elements.  These elements can include interjections, personal addresses, prepositional phrases, and dependent clauses.  They have two worksheets to  practice this.  This is a mistake that is very common in student writing–so we could all use some practice! I wasn’t able to do any teaching on this, but the concept is laid out in the directions.  If you have any questions, just reach out.  Remember to correct your own work!

Have a great break!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework for this week

Read British Short Stories:

Dickens (45)

Kipling (101)

Wilde (189)

Munro (140)

Short Story Responses

Mystery/Detective Story FInal Edits

About The Persuasive Essay

Essay  KWO

Commas After Introductory Phrases

Introductory Commas

Links for this week

How to Fold an Origami Heart

Writing 2 Class Blog

CHAT Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 4 (2/5)

 Hello All,

We’ve hit a “warming trend” to break up the cold snap. Who knew 26 degrees would practically be tropical?

Our Visual Vocabulary words today were clemency and munificent.  We took a few minutes to discuss the words. They wrote some sentences (and drew pictures!) to help cement these words into their brains.  I always look forward to reading these sophisticated words in their writing!

Writing

Though we are wrapping up our Sherlock Holmes unit, the mystery writing continues as their Essays were due today. I will get them graded and coded as soon as I can and hand them back ASAP. Enjoy the week off from doing writing assignments!

Literature

With regret, we are finished with our Sherlock Holmes unit.  We used our Characterization of Sherlock worksheets that were due today to help them make a chart listing the hero's positive and negative traits.  They then got in small groups and had a mini-debate on whether they think Sherlock was actually a hero or not. They have a Sherlock Final Exam that focuses on that topic. It was a great display of critical thinking and public speaking.  I was impressed with their efforts!

After that,  I passed out the new books which are a collection of short stories.  We’re starting out reading three famous Russian short stories. Students were introduced to Pushkin, Chekhov and Tolstoy through watching short slideshows. They are to read three for next week and answer the Short Story Questions. Respond to two of the stories:  the first story on side 1; second story on side two.

For Grammar, we have two worksheets on independent and subordinate clauses again.  This time, they will identify those clauses and write sentences that contain both.  There is a brief teaching video posted on Google Classroom in case anyone needs support learning these concepts.

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework

Sherlock Holmes Final Exam

Read Short Stories: Pushkin (162), Tolstoy (169), Chekhov (26)

Short Story Worksheets

Identifying Ind/Sub Clauses

Writing Ind/Sub Clause

Writing 2 Class Blog

CHAT Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 2 (1/22)

 Today, we started our Visual Vocabulary words for Spring.  This is where we work with some ACT/SAT vocabulary words; we learn the definition, the part of speech, and use it in a sentence.  I gave them this semester’s worksheet where the words will be cumulatively compiled.  They turned in the sentences or prompts that they completed to help cement this word in their memories and to “furnish the mind” as writing teacher Andrew Pudewa says. I hope to see some of these words in composition this semester!  The words today were:  cajole and iconoclast

Writing

I have been looking forward to today’s lesson–an “inventive” (creative) writing assignment.  I handed out a series of three pictures.  Although the pictures suggest a story, they are fairly minimal.  I told the students that their job is to describe the events depicted in each picture.  Simply report.  

After that, they are to think about the pictures.  I asked them “how do you think?”  After pondering a few minutes, we concluded that in order to think, one must ask questions!  This is something we have been practicing in our Quick Writes last semester:  who, what, (what are they thinking/doing/saying/feeling) when, where, why, how?  And then a level deeper:  what happened before the picture?  After?  Outside the picture?  What may have happened before or after?  In this way, students begin to access their thinking and imagination.  The great news is that ANYONE can do this!!

After taking notes on the process, we make a Key Word Outline for the first two pictures together.  They wrote their own outline for the third picture and then compared it with a table mate.  Their homework is to finish this KWO and post it for next week.  They are welcome to make any changes to their story.  Four points per picture (plus the topic and clincher is plenty.  Changes will happen organically as they begin to write.)  I gave an option to use a different set of pictures if they’d rather.  The second set has only two pictures, so they will need to “fill in the blank” for the missing picture.  The three paragraph composition will be assigned next week (due Feb. 6).  We are working those creative writing muscles for writing an original mystery story of their own. There are examples of student written mysteries posted on the Writing 2 Class blog.

Literature

We switched gears to discuss the first two stories from our Sherlock Holmes study.  We discussed the more memorable moments from the stories and then we watched a few minutes of the BBC version of “The Red-Headed League” featuring Jeremy Brett. We discussed whether or not this actor was a good match for Conan Doyle’s Sherlock.  For next week, they are to read two of the most famous stories “Adventures of the Speckled Band” and “The Engineer’s Thumb” and answer four questions.  

Grammar

They have been assigned three worksheets on coordinating conjunctions and some finer points of where the comma belongs.  They are to complete and correct those worksheets for next week.

Homework

Mystery Story KWO

“...Speckled Band” & “The Engineer’s Thumb” PDF and audio stories & Four Questions

Grammar Worksheets

Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions

Is It a Compound Sentence?

Writing Compound Sentences

Links for this Week

Visual Vocabulary #1

About Writing from Pictures

Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 1 (January 15)

 Hello Dear Students,

It was good to be back together again in the new year!  Even though some may not be that excited to start up again, I am proud of them for all they had been learning this past year.  There’s much to be grateful for!

We started the day out with a Quick Write.  Today’s topic was a choice between:

JANUARY 15–NATIONAL BAGEL DAY

JANUARY 15–NATIONAL HAT DAY or

JANUARY 17–NATIONAL CLASSY DAY

After that, we previewed the Spring Syllabus, Homework Checklist and Late Homework dates.  We highlighted the important due dates and took a brief look at what this semester has in store.  I told them a good strategy is to use the Homework Checklist to help them parcel out their work during the week to avoid having it all pile up at the last minute. Students should plan to work on this class at least 30 minutes per day.

For Literature, we kicked off the class by introducing our new book:  The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Stories by Arthur Conon Doyle.  Some students had seen a TV show or movie based on the stories–and some had read a few stories themselves.  After handing out the book, we had a discussion on what images come to mind when you think of “Sherlock Holmes” and what elements make a good detective story.  

Some students were surprised to hear that Sherlock Holmes never actually said, “Elementary, my dear Watson.”  He merely said “Elementary!”  We watched two short videos on Sherlock and the fact that this character is so enduring that he is a palimpsest–he’s been reinterpreted so much over which makes him an enduring and timeless character.   I hope students will thrill at meeting this calculating and intense sleuth themselves.  

We read a few pages of the first story aloud and they are to finish reading “Scandal in Bohemia” & “The Red-Headed League” this week and answer 4 questions from the Study Guide.  As they encounter new words, they are assigned to define three words per story on a Vocabulary Sheet.

Lastly, for Grammar, I introduced the comma unit we will be studying this year. We discussed coordinating conjunctions–FANBOYS and compound sentences. They got started on the three worksheets they will need to complete this week.  Don’t forget to correct your work and mark it!  KEYS are posted in GC.

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings, 

Mrs. G

Homework for This Week

Sherlock Holmes & Arthur Conan Doyle videos (in class)

Read Ch. “Scandal in Bohemia” & “Red-Headed League” 

Study Guide Questions

Sherlock Holmes Weekly Vocabulary sheet

FANBOYS

Compound Sentences and Commas

Sentence Structures:  Simple and Compound Sentences

Class Material this week

Comma Reference Sheets

Syllabus

Homework Checklist

Homework & Late Dates

Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 14 (December 11)

 We had a wonderful day in class today.  A lot of the hard work of the semester is over, so our "work" today was a little more fun.

Our Visual Vocabulary words for today were:  laggard and efface.These words will show up on our end of the semester quiz next week–so make sure to review those.  The slides are posted on Google Classroom.

Writing

The Urban Legends Essay was due last week and I handed the graded/coded essays back. The Final Edits are due next week. If you haven’t turned it in yet, I encourage you to hurry. You will need to budget enough time to complete the Final Edits by the end of the semester. 

Grammar

The class was assigned a Fall Grammar Test about parts of speech and verbal phrases. I sent home a paper copy of the test to be taken at home.  They can use their notes to answer the questions at home. Just like with the worksheets, students must correct their own work and SHOW those corrections in order to receive full credit.

The best way of learning grammar is through lots of reading and writing. Direct instruction of grammar is important and helpful, and combined with literature and writing it can be pretty potent.  Next semester we'll be working on commas!

Literature

The rest of class was used for presenting our Peace Like A River projects.  Each one of them showed not only that the students had a good grasp on the details of our novel, but they also had a strong understanding of the themes and motifs of the book.  All around it was a fantastic day.

Next Week

Our last week of the semester is next week, December 19.  All work should be handed in by that date.  They should not wait until then to do their work and hand it in.  I will not accept any work submitted after midnight on Sunday, December 21st.

Next week we will have our "Class-mas Party."  I will bring warm drinks, and students can bring goodies if they like. (Please label if there are allergens.)  

We will have a ZAP! Game based on what we have learned this semester, a quiz on our Visual Vocabulary.  After that we will have some time to enjoy some Christmas cheer.

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Assignments for Next Week:

Review Visual Vocabulary words

Fall Grammar Test–open book/notes

Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 13 (December 4)

 Hello All!

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I cannot believe this semester is coming to a close–that means we are starting to wrap things up.

Quick Write

Today we discussed the last sentence opener of the semester: the Subject-Verb opener aka the [1]. These are the very ordinary, run-of-the-mill sentence patterns that are our default to use. This is the reason we call it the [1] AND why it is taught last. We naturally use this in our writing and my job as a writing teacher is to help students branch out and use all those other wonderful sentence patterns for variations and interest. Nonetheless, it is useful to call attention to this useful pattern and use it sparingly.

After that, we were ready to write about some special Christmas traditions your family does. The topic choices were:

December 4–NATIONAL SANTA’S LIST DAY

December 6–NATIONAL ST. NICOLAUS DAY 

December 8–NATIONAL TIME TRAVELLER DAY

Writing

Urban Legend Essays were due today.  I answered a few questions and we reviewed how to make your own Style list to make sure all the style points are included in each paragraph. I hope to get the essays back ASAP so that students can perform the Final Edits and turn them in by the last day of class.

Speaking of final edits, the Process Essay Final Edits were also due today. As a reminder, that is where students use the Grammar and Content Codes to isolate and fix the errors that are coded on their essays. Those must be handwritten, stapled to the paper essay and rubric I handed back to them. This is a requirement for all students. As an option, if a student wishes to improve their grade for this essay, they may edit and polish using the codes and Resubmit their paper for a regrade. CAUTION: Thinking of resubmitting? Great! Just know that every code I mark needs attention. A resubmission that fixes only two out of ten errors is like washing one sock—it doesn’t really help anyone, and it wastes my time. Aim high and revise them all.

Literature

There is a one-week extension on the Magical Realism One-Pager assignment. Since I saw that the syllabus states it is due next week–extra credit to those who finished it today.

We spent the rest of our Literature time today listening to the students present their Peace Like A River Podcasts. I know some of them were nervous to play these for the class, and I am proud of each one for putting themselves and their work out there. I find that students really rise to the occasion when there is a real, live audience. Today, we heard Brecken, Liam and Wesley present their awesome projects while students colored and enjoyed a cup of popcorn. Next week, the rest of the class will present their projects. By the way, meeting deadlines is such an important academic skill. To that end, if you are late to post your podcast, points will be deducted. The podcasters we heard from today earned extra credit for putting themselves out there. Since I had to cut Wesley’s short, I posted it below if you’d like to finish it!

Grammar

“If I were a rich man!”  This week’s grammar discussion centered on Indicative and Subjunctive moods of verbs.  We have been examining different aspects of verbs–phrases (prepositional, gerunds, infinitives and participial).  We have considered voice–passive/active.  Today we looked at mood–indicative and subjunctive.  Now we know that  the subjunctive mood is mainly used to express a wish and sometimes for a demand.  We listened to the last 3 minutes of a  podcast by Grammar Girl on the subject.  The subjunctive worksheet is due next week.

Blessings on your weekend!

Mrs. G

Homework

Writing catch-up–if needed

PLAR Podcast Presentations–get ready for next week

Subjunctive Homework Worksheet

Links for this Week

Quick Write #6

Grammar Codes

Content Codes for Expository Essays

Podcast Presentation Schedule

Grammar Girl Podcast–Subjunctive Mood

Wesley’s Podcast