Writing 2

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Writing 2 Class Notes–WEEK 9 (October 29)

It was good to see the students again after our Fall Break. I hope they all had a chance to relax a bit. They came back and were ready to learn!

Quick Write

Today our focus was on the dialogue. We looked at an excerpt of dialogue from Ender’s Game and pulled out some Craft Moves we noticed the writer used. Some of those included indenting when a new speaker speaks, showing rather than telling by using expressive dialogue tags along with having the characters doing something while they are dialoguing. Last, we noticed that sometimes the writer used dialogue tags and sometimes he didn’t. We decided it made the text more “readable”.

After noting those moves in our Craft Moves chart, I gave them a scenario and students had a chance to write some snappy dialogue keeping those craft moves in mind.

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. I sent out grade reports yesterday which is helpful for students to use to keep track of their progress.

Literature

We took a deep dive into discussing our novel, Peace Like A River today using a strategy called “Hexagonal Thinking.” After choosing groups, students received a packet of blank hexagons and others that had quotes and themes from the book. A hexagon has six sides, therefore each term or concept CAN connect to up to six others. Using critical thinking, students decided where the terms best fit in the web of hexagons provided. The goal is to move each hexagon into the position where it BEST fits within the overall web. They could connect any given term to several others, being intentional with the placement.

They recorded three of their most powerful connections on a worksheet and shared their best one at the close of the class.

There were many moving parts–and students found there was no one right answer–as long as they could justify their connection. Some students found this invigorating, and some found it a challenging stretch to make these connections. I think they all exercised some critical thinking and had a good time reviewing what they have read in the novel so far.

Writing

Essay 3 Rough Draft and Prewrite were due today. The homework is to have a friend or family member complete a Peer Review. It is due next week.The final is due November 9.

Grammar

No grammar discussion this week! Next week we will cover Participles.

Homework

Essay 3 Rough Draft

Essay 3 Prewrite

Essay 3 Peer Editing Worksheet

Links for This Week

Quick Write (10/26)

Craft Moves Chart

Friday, October 13, 2023

Writing 2 Class Notes--Week 8 (October 12)

Hi All!

I hope the overcast, autumnal weather is calling you to cozy up with a good book over our break this week. After a very scientific poll, we all admitted to being very ready for Fall Break!

Quick Write

We started out with the Craft Move of exercising our Writer’s Voice.

The scenario: a couple is breaking up in a coffee shop. The assignment is to narrate the moment from the point of view of the barista.

The barista might be gossipy, cynical, or hopelessly romantic.

Do it in the voice of a sportscaster.

They had fun with this one!

Writing

One reason for being SO ready for a break is that students have worked very hard to meet their deadlines–and this week was a big one. I appreciate the effort put forth and am proud of them! This week, Essay 1 & 2 Final Drafts were due along with Endnotes. The Peer Review worksheet and Pre-write for each essay (if they haven’t turned those in earlier) were also due today. I will be grading that work over the break.

As is our practice in Writing class, once we turn in one essay, we begin the next. Essay # 3 is entitled “A Tale of Two ____________”--a compare and contrast essay. Though we did not read the mentor text by Rick Reilly together, it is posted in our Class Work on GC. We did spend some time brainstorming, sharing topic ideas and getting started on our Prewrite. There was some excitement over the topic! The Rough Draft and Prewrite are both due next class (Oct. 28) and we will do a Peer Review in class.

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 worked on 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 a noun, 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 if more reinforcement is needed). If they didn’t turn them in, the corrected worksheets are due next class period.

Literature

This week, the Peace Like A River project was introduced. Students will choose a project from the list to present in a few weeks. Over break, students should post an answer to the question on Google Classroom about their project choice. Once approved, work can begin. Presentations will be 11/30 & 12/7. Keep reading your books and complete the Quiz over chapters 15-17 on Google Classroom.

I hope this is a restful AND productive break for you, dear students!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework

About Essay 3 with Mentor Text

Pre-Write Essay 3

Rough Draft Essay 3

Infinitives Practice–1

Infinities Practice-2

Read Peace Like a River Ch. 15-17

Ch. 15-17 Quiz

Peace Like A River Project

Peace Like A River Project Proposal Question

Friday, October 6, 2023

Writing 2 Class Notes--Week 7 (October 5)

Greetings All!

What a beautiful day! The beautiful autumnal colors are reminding me of God’s goodness towards us–he is SO faithful! Yes–we have a good inheritance in Him (Psalm 16:6).

In that vein, we started today off by reframing any negative thinking we might have by replacing those thoughts with those of gratefulness. I asked students to list three things they are grateful for before looking at some funny pictures I posted. The instructions were to come up with something creative to write in response as their QuickWrite today. Not surprisingly, they generated some inventive writing.

We spent the bulk of our time in class on Grammar today. Since we didn’t get the Misplaced Modifiers lesson last week, we double dipped on grammar today by learning about gerunds. It’s our first lesson in the phrases unit. After some teaching on both concepts, students were given time to work on their worksheets. I have posted some additional teaching videos if more reinforcement is needed. The two worksheets on modifiers and the two worksheets on gerunds are due next week. Make sure to correct them before turning them in!

Switching gears, we discussed the deadlines for Writing. Next week, the Final drafts for Essays 1 & 2 are due. Along with submitting their Final Drafts, students need to submit all of their process pieces: Pre-Write Peer Review & Endnotes for each essay. I handed out one copy of the Endnotes worksheet so we could read it together to make sure expectations are understood. I explained that the Endnotes are an opportunity for them to reflect on their writing and there is real value in this “meta-cognition” exercise. Reflecting on their own writing encourages ownership and helps students think beyond the “product.” That is where the real magic is.

Though we didn’t have time to read aloud today, students are to keep reading Peace Like a River at home (Chs. 13 & 14) and complete a 3 Response Worksheet.

Homework

Misplaced Modifiers 1

Misplaced Modifiers 2

Thursday, September 28, 2023

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

Friday, September 15, 2023

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

Thursday, September 7, 2023

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

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Writing 2 Class Notes--Week 2 (August 31)

Hello All!

I appreciated the students’ hard working attitudes today as they dove into another great day of learning together.

We started out class with a QuickWrite which was about something we all have experienced: mistakes and regrets. We used a mentor sentence and analyzed it for grammar and language and recorded those Craft Moves on a chart they will be compiling throughout the semester. After that, we tried our hands at a five minute QuickWrite. I challenged students to incorporate a complex compound sentence, a metaphor and or vivid verbs! In partners, we shared a word, a phrase or a sentence before turning those in.

After that, we switched gears to Literature and focused on our novel, Peace Like A River. After refreshing each other about the major themes of the novel, we had story time! I read aloud the first few pages so we could get a feel for the characters, setting and conflict. It’s a gripping opening and I think students are excited about reading it. They are to read chapters 1-3 and do three study guide questions.

In the Writing portion of the class, we turned our minds back to thinking about mistakes and regrets. I assigned Essay 1 “My Favorite Mistake”. It’s a reflective piece of writing where students will need to be able to both recall the event that happened, and also reflect on how the mistake impacted their life–positive or negative. They read an example essay and, using highlighters, they marked examples of areas of writing that were either expressing (recalling) and areas that are reflecting on the impact of the event. I handed out the Pre-write and students had a short time to begin their essay. Though I didn’t bring paper copies of the essay description, it is posted on Google Classroom, and it can be accessed there. The Rough Draft template is posted and they should begin their essays this week. Next week we’ll have more time devoted to writing in a Writer’s Workshop, and again in Week 5 for this essay.

In the last few minutes of class, we touched on the topic of why learning grammar is important. We watched a short video from Grammar Girl where she gives us some insight on why the study of grammar is important in our world today. I recommend the students give the Grammar Girl podcast a listen sometime. As an “exit ticket” students got in groups to come up with three reasons grammar is important and three questions they have about grammar. Some groups had a hard time coming up with questions, but we’ll cover more grammar topics in the weeks to come.

Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework

“Who Am I (As A Writer)? from Week 1

About Essay 1 “My Favorite Mistake”

Work on Essay 1 “My Favorite Mistake”

Read Chapter 1-3 Peace Like A River

3 Responses

LInks for This Week:

Craft Moves Identification Chart

Grammar Girl podcast