Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 6 (September 28)

 Hello All!

I don’t know about the students, but I look forward to our class each week–and this week didn’t disappoint.  They were engaged again today, ready to learn–and the time flew by!

We got to it with a QuickWrite about quirky collections and chocolate milk.  Our class has some interesting collections–including a collection of 1,000 Pokemon cards and a collection of foreign currency.

After that, we spent some time Peer Reviewing Essay #2:  How Does This Work?.  Each student brought their Rough Draft and they filled out a feedback sheet for a classmate.  I took an informal poll and most students have found this peer review time valuable–so we will continue with that practice.  Those sheets will be used as they work on their final drafts and can be turned in when the final is due (10/12) or sooner, if they wish.

After that, we stayed in Writing mode as we read two Mentor Texts that explained a process–one about how to be a friend and one about how to make marinara sauce.  We analyzed the introductions looking for hooks, topic sentences and roadmap sentences.  They had a chance to compare the two different styles and get some inspiration.  Since they need to have two MLA style quotes and 2 references for this essay, we will go over that in greater detail next week. In the meantime, if they need some help with their quotations, reference MLA Sample and the MLA/Works Cited slideshow on Google Classroom.

Next up was our Literature Circles discussion.  I heard some insightful comments as I circulated the room–these students are digging into the reading and were well-prepared for the discussion.  It makes me so happy to hear discussion about the foreshadowing and symbols they are encountering in this book.  Very rich!  Keep reading and do the 3 Response worksheets for chapters 11 & 12.

Because our literature discussion was going so well, it was decided to table our Misplaced Modifiers lesson for next week–so no Grammar worksheets this week!

Have a blessed weekend!

Warmly,

Mrs. G

Homework

Essay 1 Final Draft–due Oct. 12

Essay 2 Final Draft–due Oct. 12

(Work on Essay 2 after your RD is graded by me this week)

Read Chs. 11 & 12 Peace Like A River

3 Response Worksheets

Literature Circles Evaluation

Links for This Week

Sample MLA Format

MLA/Works Cited Slideshow

Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 4 (9/14)

 Greetings Class!

We had a very nice class together today.  We made good progress and also paused for a check-in about the writing portion of the class.

As indicated in an earlier email, the writing schedule has been adjusted and today students recieved an updated class syllabus, homework checklist and updated writing schedule (all located on Google Classroom.)  I think the students will find the new schedule simpler and easier to follow.   

On that note, next week (9/21) they are to bring a hard copy of Essay 1 Rough Draft to class where we will spend time peer reviewing and editing.

The bulk of class time was spent on Grammar.  There was a mini-lesson on verbs, verb tenses, interjections and conjunctions.  Students had time in class to complete, correct, and turn in their worksheets.  They were pleased to not have grammar homework!

For Literature, we had an informal discussion of Peace Like A River.  The consensus is that this book is a page turner!  After pondering a few questions, students got into groups to discuss the climactic and symbols so far.  In the large group, I was impressed to hear their sharp insights.  These students are deep thinkers!  They are to keep reading Peace Like A River and do the take home quiz.  

Have a blessed weekend!

Mrs. G

Homework

Essay 1 Rough Draft

Essay 1 Pre-Write 

Bring a copy of your RD to class!

Grammar

–Action Verbs Review

–Verb Tenses Review

–Interjections Review

–Circling Conjunctions Review

Read Peace Like A River

Take Home Quiz #

Links for this week

Updated writing schedule

Syllabus 

Homework checklist

Writing 2 Class Notes--Week 3 (9/7)

 Greetings Students!

Today was a wild adventure–for me at least!  Trying to fit in instruction AND time to actually write in a writer’s workshop is a challenge!  My hope is that the more we do it, the more efficient we will get.  Some had tech challenges with slow internet connection–I appreciate students rolling with the punches as we may have some trial and error as we figure it out as we go.

We started the day with a QuickWrite.  A short text by Rick Reilly called “I Really, Really, Really Miss Sports” written during the pandemic served as our mentor text.  We observed how the writer used anaphora–repetition of the beginning of sentences for emphasis as well as rhythmic language. After they added those Craft Moves to their charts, students tried their hands at writing about something they “missed.”  As they shared a word, a sentence or a phrase from their writing, I heard some students trying the craft moves we had highlighted together!

We covered a lot of ground in the writing portion of the class.  The first item of business was introducing Essay 2.  This is a process analysis essay where students will research a process, decide on an audience and explain the process step by step.  It will feature a diagram which illustrates the process.  Students will need to research and include MLA citations.   They were given some time to brainstorm and pre-write.  They now have two essays going and should be working on both of them at home.

How we submit writing and conduct writer’s workshops this year is new, so we took some time to discuss these procedures. The slideshow we walked through is posted on Google Classroom along with a video tutorial that takes students step-by-step through the process of pre-writing, conferring, peer review, rough drafting and final drafts.

Because of the time we invested in learning the procedures, we didn’t get to the workshop for Essay 1 or conferences.  Students will need to come to my office hours to confer next week→Tuesdays 12-1 and keep working on both their essays!

For literature, we did a check-in for Peace Like A River.  Some students seemed fuzzy on the main climatic event, so I heartily recommend they get going on their reading.  For homework, they will read chapters 4 & 5 and do 3 Reader Responses.

Last, for the grammar portion, students were given the KEY to all the grammar worksheets for this semester.  I explained that as we work through our grammar–parts of speech and phrases–they will need to correct their own work.  There is alot of learning that happens in that process! The KEY is also posted on Google Classroom–I won’t be handing out another one.  For the most part, I will teach grammar mini-lesson and they will have some in class time to complete their worksheets.  This works well so I can answer any questions they might have while we are all together.  Today, we reviewed nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs.  They have two worksheets.

Whew!  We covered a lot of ground today.  Please reach out if you have any questions!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework

Essay 2 PreWrite

Rough Draft to Final Draft video tutorial

Essay 2 How Does This Work?  Rough Draft

Keep working on Essay 1–My Favorite Mistake

Confer with Mrs. G Monday 12-1 (if you are ready).  

Peer Review (when you are ready)

Essay 1

Essay 2

Read Chapter 4 & 5 PLAR

3 Reader Responses

Nouns and Pronouns Review

Adjectives and Adverbs Review

Links for this week

QuickWrite

About Essay 2–How Does This Work?

Writer’s Workshop Procedures slideshow

Grammar KEYs