Writing 2 Class Notes (Week 12)--November 17

Today was another full day.  Hard to believe we are already at Thanksgiving break!

Quick Write

Today’s Quick Write was Thanksgiving inspired.  The class read a poem by Billy Collins called “The Gathering–A Thanksgiving Poem” and responded. I also asked them to contribute to a list of Quick Write ideas to be used for the rest of the year.

Words of The Day

Today’s word is also Thanksgiving inspired:

Repast:  (noun)  A meal, or the food eaten or provided at a meal.  Students listed their highlights and lowlights (if any) of their Thanksgiving repast.

Homework Check

A reminder to students:  make sure you correct your grammar worksheets and show on the worksheet or the Google Classroom assignment that you're corrected it.  Also, make sure you turn in assignments that you've done on Google Classroom.  A number of assignments have been finished, but students have forgotten to turn the work in.

Literature Discussion

We started with our My Antonia book project presentations.  We had some motivational posters, an explanation of period fashions, and a Christmas wish list (slideshow) for Jim.  Naomi, Eva and Sarah did great work.  We even had a Writing 2 alum come and sing the song she composed for her My Antonia project last year.   After Thanksgiving, we'll have presentations from Andrew, Nick, Jaedyn, Brooke, Megan, Will, Johnny, Carmela, Grace.  As part of the project, students need to fill out a self-evaluation rubric about what they think of their own work.  (See the link below.)

At the end of the class, we had a chance to read two examples of "Praire Poetry". Students read the poems in groups and then discussed what stood out and how these poems connect to My Antonia.

 

Writing Discussion

Students have been assigned another essay -- a Comparison/Contrast Essay.  The Pre-Write and Rough Draft are due the week after Thanksgiving break.  We did some brainstorming about how to organize a Comparison/Contrast Essay.  In pairs, students were given an introduction and they needed to find the thesis and organize the essay using one of the organizational plans we discussed.  (This in-class assignment was worth extra credit points!)

 

Grammar

For homework, students are to complete a Phrases Review, which is posted as a Google Form on Google Classroom.

Homework Links

Quick Write

Comparison/Contrast RD

Comparison/Contrast Pre-Write 

My Antonia Self-Evaluation Rubric (if you presented)

Phrases Review/Quiz

Links for this Week

About the Comparison/Contrast Essay

Class Summary video (for those absent)

PrairiePoetry

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Class Notes–Nov. 10 (WK 11)

 We had an engaging and quick-paced class once again today.  Students are working well and we are accomplishing so much.  We can all be proud of ourselves.

Quick Write

I asked students to respond to a prompt about the concept and word “solace”.  They were to think about a time they received solace when they went through a difficult time.  What was it?  Today’s writing led to some rich discussion and reflection.

Word of the Day

“Denouement” is the word of the day today–appropriate because we have recently finished our latest novel.  It means the resolution of a plot following its climax; the wrapping up or outcome of any complex series of events–especially in literature/film/theater.  It can also mean the unraveling of understanding the details underlying arguments between friends.  

The etymology is fromLatin=nodus=knot; French=+de=”untying of a knot” (1752). 

Students were asked to “make it stick” in their brains by answering a question about the denouement of the plot of their recent novels.  Was it satisfying?

Writing

The final drafts of the Extended Definition or Classification Essay were due this week, and we're on to the next essay -- a Comparison/Contrast Essay.  For the rest of the essays that they will write for Writing 2, students will write a Pre-Write, Rough Draft, and Final Draft.  I have the Pre-Write "due" next week because I want students to take the week to plan and research for their essays.  However, they don't have to hand in the pre-writes until they hand in the rough drafts, which will be on December 1 (3 weeks from this week.)

 

Grammar

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 participle.  We have considered voice–passive/active.  Today we looked at mood–indicative and subjunctive.   We watched a video and took notes together (Extra credit opportunity!).  Students can finish the notes at home while watch the video for those extra credit points. Subjunctive worksheet is due next week.

 

Literature

Due to circumstances beyond my control, we had to re-take the My Antonia Final Test here in class.  This time on paper.  While it is not my preference to take precious class time to take a test, I do want to ensure students are interacting with the text and have a good handle on the material.  

 

The class was assigned to read the opening paragraphs of Giants on the Earth and an excerpt of The Grapes of Wrath for next week.  They are to answer discussion questions on those readings before class next week.

 

Homework

Ext. Def/Class. Rough Draft (if not done)

Ext. Def/Class. Final Draft (if not done)

First Five Corrections (if not done)

Comparison/Contrast Essay Pre-Write (work on for 11/17; due with RD 12/1)

Giants on the Earth & Writing Assign.

The Grapes of Wrath & Discussion question

Subjunctive Worksheet,  video and Extra Credit Notes

Links for this Week

Quick Write

About the Comparison/Contrast Essay

Enjoy the changing of the season!

Warmly,

Amanda Gonsalves aka Mrs. G

November 3–Week 10

 We had a full class today–but we do every week!

Quick Write

This week, we had a Quick Write on a colorful topic!  After thinking of our favorite color, we watched a brief video on what different colors symbolize.  Then students wrote about what they think of when the color yellow comes to mind..  Do certain colors carry certain meanings for them?

We had a homework check. Grade Reports were sent last week. Here are the points we talked about:

•  If students have missing homework, they can consult the Late Homework policy and hand it in as soon as possible.  Those points really make a difference!  

• Once an essay (Rough Draft/Final)  has been submitted and graded, it is final.  

• In order to receive credit for Grammar worksheets, students MUST use their KEY to correct their own work.  You must SHOW your work in order to receive the points going forward.  So much learning goes on when you correct your own work –it is a valuable part of your self-education in which each student must invest.

• I scheduled student presentations for the My Antonia Project Presentation.  Students have already chosen a topic and present their projects on Nov. 17, Dec. 1, 8.  Students would be working on their projects and be ready to explain them (about 2-3 minutes) to the class.  We discussed the rubric I will be using to grade their work.

 

Words of the Day

We had NO Words of the Day this week as it was a full class and I wanted to leave room for it all.  We’ll get back on the train next week.

Grammar

For today’s grammar discussion, we segued away from the verbal phrases we’ve been learning about and are doing a little detour to discuss active and passive voice.  We talked about the fact that our writing is almost always improved when we use active voice.  It’s more clear, exciting and concise.  However, there are times when we need to use passive voice:  when the force of the actio/actor  is unclear, and when you intentionally choose to be vague.  A good example is when you want to avoid referring to yourself (using I, me, we pronouns) in academic writing.

We talked through a Google Slides presentation on Active/Passive voice, identified how to tell which voice is being used, and wrote sentences using the two voices based on model sentences and a video clip.  Students interacted well with this material and were assigned two worksheets to solidify their understanding.  As a bonus, I gave out Extra Credit points for taking notes on this presentation!

Writing

If students handed in their Extended Definition/Classification Essay Rough Drafts, they were graded and handed back last week.  They should fill out their First 5 Corrections (Mistakes) as they are editing and hand that in next week.  Extended Definition/Classification Final Drafts are due next week as well.

Today, the class took part in their second Writing Circle DIscussion.  They read some sample introductions and broke into groups to discuss the merits and weaknesses of the introductions. I asked them to especially look at the hook, “road map” and if the writer’s opinion was clear.  

They also discussed how confident they felt about different aspects of Grammar.  They took a Grammar Inventory and discussed what areas are strengths and weaknesses.

Literature

We did not have a full discussion of the ending of My Antonia today.  Some members of the class expressed disappointment in the ending and felt there were some loose ends that never got “tied up.”  I’d hope we can delve a little deeper into that next week.  In the meantime, students should take the My Antonia Final Exam (on Google Classroom).  They should also be continuing to work on their Book Projects.

Homework

Active to Passive Voice

Passive to Active Voice

Writing Circle #2 and Grammar Inventory

First 5 Corrections

Ext.Def/Class. Final Draft 

My Antonia Final Exam

Links for the Week

My Antonia Project Presentation Rubric

Quick Write

Colors video