Class Notes–Week 14 (December 8)

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.

Quick Write

We had the opportunity to write about a memorable gift you have given or received.

 

Writing

I handed back the rough drafts of their Comparison/Contrast Essays.  I really enjoyed reading these; they've chosen some fascinating topics, and they're becoming better writers.  The final drafts are due next week. 

 

Grammar

The class was assigned a Fall Grammar Test about parts of speech and verbal phrases posted on Google Classroom..  We had some time and played a Phrases Review Matching game to prepare.  They can use their notes to answer the questions at home.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

We had some more presentations today.  Each one of them showed not only that the students had a good grasp on the details of our book, My Antonia, but they also had a strong understanding of the themes and motifs of the book.  We saw a diorama, a travel brochure, a 20 Year Life Plan and some fantastic drawings inspired by the book. Phoebe made a Jeopardy style review game which we will play next week.

 

Also had some time to discuss the themes of “Pioneers!  Oh Pioneers” by Walt Whitman which had been assigned to read last week.  It was interesting to draw some parallels between that famous work and My Antonia.

 

Next Week

Our last week of the semester is next week, December 15.  All work should be handed in by that date.  They should not wait until then to do their work and hand it in.  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 contest, play a Review Game, and other games too. 

 

Assignments for Next Week:

Quick Write (12/9)

Discussion Question–Improved!

Comparison/Contrast Essay Final Draft

Presentation Self Evaluation

Fall Grammar Test

Class Notes–Week 13 (Dec. 1)

 We are really seeing wrapping up our Writing 2 class, and I hope the denouement has been satisfying.  (Did you like that sentence featuring a Word of the Day??!?)

Quick Write

Today’s prompt had to do with courage.  We read a quote by Rosa Parks and had a short discussion about courage and standing up for what’s right–even when it may be unpopular.

Words of the Day

We had no Words of the Day today.  Instead, students were given a few minutes to review the notecards they have accumulated in class–15 so far.  After that, they played a game of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in four teams.  They found some of the clues challenging as they were asked not only about the definitions, but the etymology and correct usage.  This was a great review for the Words of the Day Quiz they were assigned on Google Classroom for this week..

Writing

The Comparison/Contrast Rough Draft and Pre-Writes were due today.  Make sure you get those in with time enough for me to review them.  You’ll want enough time to make your revisions before the end of the semester.  The Finals are due December 15–the last day of class.

Literature

Today we had a full day of My Antonia Book Presentations.  As last week, each had a few minutes to present them and explain how their projects tied in with the novel. These students showed great creativity and we had a wide-ranging collection of presentations.   There were ttwo “Books in Bags'' from Nick and Jaedyn, posters by Carmela, fashion design by Grace, a fun (and hard!) exam written by Keira.  Andrew shared a playlist, Megan presented a diorama of a winter scene, and Brooke shared a nostalgic glimpse at her own life 20 years from now.

Next week we’ll finish up and hear presentations from Rachel, Chase, Ike, Phoebe and Will.

The famous poem “Pioneers!  Oh Pioneers!” by Walt Whitman was assigned.  Students should enjoy the poem and then answer the discussion question.  We will discuss this poem in class next week, so be prepared!

Blessings on your week.

Mrs. G

Homework

Words of the Day Quiz (GC)

Comparison/Contrast Essay Prewrite

Comparison/Contrast  Rough Draft

Read “Pioneers!  Oh Pioneers!”

Discussion Question on “Pioneers!  Oh Pioneers!”

Links for this Week

QuickWrite (12/1)

“Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” Words of the Day Review

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

Writing 2 Class Notes–WEEK 9 (October 27)

It was good to see the students again after our Fall Break.  They came back and were ready to learn!

Quick Write

Students responded to an excerpt about intelligent octopuses (yes, that is a legitimate pluralization of that word!)

Words of the Day

Today’s Words of the Day are seasonal in nature.  Students are continuing to compile these words with definitions, etymology and examples and sketches to “make them stick.”

macabre (adj)–ghastly; having weird, uncanny or exotic features; from Latin “chorea Machabaeorum” or “Dance of the Maccabees” a medieval stylized representation of the slaughter of the Maccabees; French “danse macabre” denoted a figure representing death who enticed people to dance with him until they dropped dead.

confection (n,v)--a sweet preparation of fruit, a preserve, a candy; the process of compounding, preparing, making something; something made up or confected.  Latin “confectionem”--a preparation, a medicament” the making by means of ingredients, act of compounding different substances into one preparation; in late 14C. Also “something prepared or made with sugar or syrup.”

masquerade (n,v)--A costume party at which masks are worn; a masked ball.  A disguise or outward show; a pretense.  From “mask”--1530’s “a cover for the face; a false face from French “masque”; medieval Latin masca “specter, nightmare.”

Homework Check

We did a brief check in on homework.  It can be challenging to have several assignments going at once–part of being a student in this style of classroom–and also as they move ahead academically. We talked about due dates. I hope to send out grade reports after I have graded the Rough Drafts this week which will be helpful.

Literature

There are a lot of characters in My Antonia and it's easy to get them mixed up!  Since we are wrapping up this novel, we did a fun review.   Each group was given a blank “Character Tracker Sheet,” a glue stick and 3 baggies.  Students were  to match the "descriptions", "connections to others" and "important quotations" in the correct category.  They wanted to  make this a competition.  We didn’t quite get it finished but plan to finish and present it next week.

Final Exam on My Antonia will be assigned next week.

Writing

The Classification OR Extended Definition Essay Rough Drafts and Prewrites were due today.  The final is due November 11.

Grammar

Today’s grammar discussion continued our unit on Phrases.  Today it was Participial Phrases.  Using these phrases correctly is key to “leveling up” your writing.  Using a Google Slide presentation and taking notes, we discussed how these phrases are “masquerading” as verbs, but they are really adjectives describing a noun/subject.  The participles end in “ed” or “ing.”  Students had a chance to write a few practice sentences and they were assigned homework.

Homework

Character Tracker Activity

Ext. Def/Classification PreWrite

Ext. Def/Classification Rough Draft

Participial Phrases

Identifying Participial Phrases

Links for This Week

Quick Write (10/27)

 

October 13–Week 8

 Quick Write

Today we had a choice of options revolving around events that happened on October 13 in different years in history–ranging from ancient to modern. We really skipped around!

Words of the Day 

No words of the Day today

Writing

Today we continued discussing our next essay:  either a Classified Essay or an Extended Definition.  We brainstormed topics for both and partnered up to read and discuss some examples.  There are more examples posted on Google Classroom. For our previous papers, we followed a 2-step process (rough draft to final draft).  For the rest of the papers we write this year, we'll follow a 3-step process:  pre-write (which could include a mind map or outline) to a rough draft to a final draft.  We did some brainstorming for both types of essays.  Students can choose which type of essay they would like to write.  The pre-write and rough draft are due on October 27.

Grammar

We’re continuing with a unit on phrases in sentences.  Students have reviewed preposition phrases and we covered gerund phrases last week.  For this week, students will be doing two worksheets dealing with infinitives.  Infinitive phrases combine the word “to” with a verb.  (For example, to sing, to jump, to swim, etc.)  Infinitive phrases can function as nouns, adjectives or adverbs.  These phrases can also have adjectives or direct objects.  One example from the worksheet had an infinitive phrase that was functioning as anou, and in the sentence it was the direct object.  No one said grammar was easy!!  (See posted information/videos for more teaching on infinitive phrases).

Literature

Students went into their small Literature Circles to discuss My Antonia.  I wandered around and heard some of their conversations.  They all seemed to be prepared for their groups.  Students should fill out an evaluation on how prepared they thought their group members were.  We’ll continue with the book and reader responses for the next assignments.  Students should keep

Reading and also working on their final book projects.  They submitted their proposals today.  

Homework

Ext. Def./Classification Pre-Write

Ext. Def./Classification Rough Draft

Examples of Ext. Def/Classification Examples

About Phrases  information)

Infinitives Practice

Infinitives Phrases HW

Literature Circle #2 Evaluation

Links for this Week

Quick Write