12-19-08: Twelfth Night Movie

Today we watched the movie version of Twelfth Night. Hope you all had a good laugh!

Remember!!! Over the break you have one assignment: The Family Folklore Collection. This will be really fun--especially if you make it so. Choose to have fun with it, and it will be! Spend time with The Fam. Get to know them better. Remember. Preserve Memories! This assignment will be due on Wednesday, January 6th.

Have a great break! Be safe. Don't do anything you shouldn't do! Have fun!

12-18-08: Twelfth Night Test (B Days)

Today we took the Twelfth Night test.

If you missed class, you will have until January 8th to make up the exam, before or after school.

For Friday:
1. ALL WORK MUST BE TURNED IN!!!! I will not accept any work after the break!

Remember!!! Over the break you have one assignment: The Family Folklore Collection. This will be really fun--especially if you make it so. Choose to have fun with it, and it will be! Spend time with The Fam. Get to know them better. Remember. Preserve Memories! This assignment will be due on Wednesday, January 7th.

12-17-08: Twelfth Night Test (A Days)

Today we talked through your assignment over Christmas Break: A Family Folklore Collection. This will be really fun--especially if you make it so. Choose to have fun with it, and it will be! Spend time with The Fam. Get to know them better. Remember. Preserve Memories! This assignment will be due on January 6th! (The Tuesday we come back from break.)

Then we took the Twelfth Night test.

If you missed class, you will have until January 8th to make up the exam, before or after school.

For Friday:
1. ALL WORK MUST BE TURNED IN!!!! I will not accept any work after the break!

12-16-08: Twelfth Night Test Review (B Days)

Today we turned in Punctual Pieces: (11/25, 12/2, and 12/4)

Then we compiled our Personality Files in the following order:
1. Cover
2. 3 Journal Entries
3. 3 Facebook Pages
4. Soundtrack
5. Rubric
6. Vocabulary Sheet

We shared them with a few people in the class and turned them in.

We talked through your assignment over Christmas Break: A Family Folklore Collection. This will be really fun--especially if you make it so. Choose to have fun with it, and it will be! Spend time with The Fam. Get to know them better. Remember. Preserve Memories! This assignment will be due on January 6th! (The Tuesday we come back from break.)

Next we reviewed for the Twelfth Night test next class. The review sheet will help you with the test, so use it to help you!

For Thursday:
1. Get ready for the Twelfth Night Test!
2. Prepare your note card to use on the test.

12-15-08: Twelfth Night Test Review (A Days)

Today we turned in Punctual Pieces: (11/24, 12/1, and 12/3)

Then we compiled our Personality Files in the following order:
1. Cover
2. 3 Journal Entries
3. 3 Facebook Pages
4. Soundtrack
5. Rubric
6. Vocabulary Sheet

We shared them with a few people in the class and turned them in.

Next we reviewed for the Twelfth Night test next class. The review sheet will help you with the test, so use it to help you!

For Wednesday:
1. Get ready for the Twelfth Night Test!
2. Prepare your note card to use on the test.

12-12-08: Twelfth Night Act 5 (B Days)

For our punctual piece we filled out the last Facebook Page for our Personality Files.

I gave you a Christmas Gift.

Then we read Act 5! Everything resolved itself and everyone lived happily ever after--except Malvolio...

If you are still having a difficult time understanding the play, please read a summary online.

Finally we finished up vocabulary and reviewed the Personality File assignment that is due on MONDAY!
Remember you need the following:
1. 3 Journal Entires (and insert a quote from the play),
2. 3 Facebook Pages,
3. 10 songs (list the title, artist, and then explain in 2-3 sentences how the song relates to the character),
4. a decorative cover,
5. and you must use 3 vocab words correctly and underline them, and
6. 3 sentnences that use a connecting word (and, for, so, but, nor, yet, so, or) with the comma and put ** by the 3 sentences.
7. Vocabulary Sheet

For Tuesday:
1. Get your Personality File completed!
2. Get me all late or missing work--remember I won't accept late work after December 19th!

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:
UVU is currently performing Twelfth Night. I wish we could go as a class, but by the time the university sent out the information, it was too late to schedule a bus for a field trip; However, I will offer you 50 points extra credit to go and see the play.

To get your 50 points, you must bring in your ticket stub!

It runs December 4th - December 12th
Each night the play begins at 7:30 PM
In the Black Box Theatre

Tickets are $6 with your student id card!

For more information: http://uvu.edu/theatre

12-11-08: Twelfth Night Act 5 (A Days)

For our punctual piece we filled out the last Facebook Page for our Personality Files.

I gave you a Christmas Gift.

Then we read Act 5! Everything resolved itself and everyone lived happily ever after--except Malvolio...

If you are still having a difficult time understanding the play, please read a summary online.

Finally we finished up vocabulary and reviewed the Personality File assignment that is due on MONDAY!
Remember you need the following:
1. 3 Journal Entires (and insert a quote from the play),
2. 3 Facebook Pages,
3. 10 songs (list the title, artist, and then explain in 2-3 sentences how the song relates to the character),
4. a decorative cover,
5. and you must use 3 vocab words correctly and underline them, and
6. 3 sentnences that use a connecting word (and, for, so, but, nor, yet, so, or) with the comma and put ** by the 3 sentences.
7. Vocabulary Sheet

For Monday:
1. Get your Personality File completed!
2. Get me all late or missing work--remember I won't accept late work after December 19th!

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:
UVU is currently performing Twelfth Night. I wish we could go as a class, but by the time the university sent out the information, it was too late to schedule a bus for a field trip; However, I will offer you 50 points extra credit to go and see the play.

To get your 50 points, you must bring in your ticket stub!

It runs December 4th - December 12th
Each night the play begins at 7:30 PM
In the Black Box Theatre

Tickets are $6 with your student id card!

For more information: http://uvu.edu/theatre

12-10-08: Twelfth Night Act 4 (B Days)

For our punctual piece we filled out one of the Facebook Pages for our Personality Files.

Then I checked to see that you completed your 6 songs and 1 Journal entry. If you didn't get caught up!

If you're in B2 we will finish reading Act 3, 4, and 5 on Friday! So work on your personality files because you will have less class time to work on them! Sorry.

Finally we finished reading Act 3 and we also read Act 4. Things are starting to get even more complicated. If you are still confused, read summaries online to supplement what we do in class.

Remember to brainstorm 6 songs for your Character Soundtrack and write one Journal Entry for your Character for Tuesday. I will not collect them, but I will be checking them off to see that you have them. This shouldn't take too long. 30 minute max! While you are listening to your iPod, think about how the songs your listening to could possibly be applied to your character.

Have a great weekend! Call or email, if you have any questions.

For Friday:
1. Get caught up in your reading of the play if you have missed class. We have read through Act 4.
2. Brainstorm 2 more songs for your character's soundtrack
3. Write 1 more journal entry for your character: remember to include a quote that the character said!

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:
UVU is currently performing Twelfth Night. I wish we could go as a class, but by the time the university sent out the information, it was too late to schedule a bus for a field trip; However, I will offer you 50 points extra credit to go and see the play.

To get your 50 points, you must bring in your ticket stub!

It runs December 4th - December 12th
Each night the play begins at 7:30 PM
In the Black Box Theatre

Tickets are $6 with your student id card!

For more information: http://uvu.edu/theatre

12-9-08: Twelfth Night Act 3 & 4 (A Days)

For our punctual piece we filled out one of the Facebook Pages for our Personality Files.

Then I checked to see that you completed your 6 songs and 1 Journal entry. If you didn't get caught up!

Finally we finished reading Act 3 and we also read Act 4. Things are starting to get even more complicated. If you are still confused, read summaries online to supplement what we do in class.

Remember to brainstorm 6 songs for your Character Soundtrack and write one Journal Entry for your Character for Tuesday. I will not collect them, but I will be checking them off to see that you have them. This shouldn't take too long. 30 minute max! While you are listening to your iPod, think about how the songs your listening to could possibly be applied to your character.

Have a great weekend! Call or email, if you have any questions.

For Thursday:
1. Get caught up in your reading of the play if you have missed class. We have read through Act 4.
2. Brainstorm 2 more songs for your character's soundtrack
3. Write 1 more journal entry for your character: remember to include a quote that the character said!

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:
UVU is currently performing Twelfth Night. I wish we could go as a class, but by the time the university sent out the information, it was too late to schedule a bus for a field trip; However, I will offer you 50 points extra credit to go and see the play.

To get your 50 points, you must bring in your ticket stub!

It runs December 4th - December 12th
Each night the play begins at 7:30 PM
In the Black Box Theatre

Tickets are $6 with your student id card!

For more information: http://uvu.edu/theatre

12-8-08: Twelfth Night Act 3 (B Days)

Today Writer's Notebook #7 was due!

For our punctual piece we filled out one of the Facebook Pages for our Personality Files.

Then we did research presentations.

Finally we began reading Act 3. We will finish Act 3 on Tuesday.

Remember to brainstorm 6 songs for your Character Soundtrack and write one Journal Entry for your Character for Tuesday. I will not collect them, but I will be checking them off to see that you have them. This shouldn't take too long. 30 minute max! While you are listening to your iPod, think about how the songs your listening to could possibly be applied to your character.

Have a great weekend! Call or email, if you have any questions.

For Wednesday:
1. Get caught up in your reading of the play if you have missed class. We have read through Act 3 Scene 4.
2. Brainstorm 6 songs for your character's soundtrack
3. Write 1 journal entry for your character

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:
UVU is currently performing Twelfth Night. I wish we could go as a class, but by the time the university sent out the information, it was too late to schedule a bus for a field trip; However, I will offer you 50 points extra credit to go and see the play.

To get your 50 points, you must bring in your ticket stub!

It runs December 4th - December 12th
Each night the play begins at 7:30 PM
In the Black Box Theatre

Tickets are $6 with your student id card!

For more information: http://uvu.edu/theatre

12-5-08: Twelfth Night Act 3

Today Writer's Notebook #7 was due!

For our punctual piece we filled out one of the Facebook Pages for our Personality Files.

Then we did research presentations.

Finally we began reading Act 3. We will finish Act 3 on Tuesday.

Remember to brainstorm 6 songs for your Character Soundtrack and write one Journal Entry for your Character for Tuesday. I will not collect them, but I will be checking them off to see that you have them. This shouldn't take too long. 30 minute max! While you are listening to your iPod, think about how the songs your listening to could possibly be applied to your character.

Have a great weekend! Call or email, if you have any questions.

For Tuesday:
1. Get caught up in your reading of the play if you have missed class. We have read through Act 3 Scene 4.
2. Brainstorm 6 songs for your character's soundtrack
3. Write 1 journal entry for your character

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:
UVU is currently performing Twelfth Night. I wish we could go as a class, but by the time the university sent out the information, it was too late to schedule a bus for a field trip; However, I will offer you 50 points extra credit to go and see the play.

To get your 50 points, you must bring in your ticket stub!

It runs December 4th - December 12th
Each night the play begins at 7:30 PM
In the Black Box Theatre

Tickets are $6 with your student id card!

For more information: http://uvu.edu/theatre

12-4-08: Book Reports (B Days)

Today we turned in our Book Reports (8 Postcards!)

We started out today with our punctual piece. For this PP you were asked to examine 5 sentences. If the sentence was correct, you wrote correct. If it was incorrect, you re-wrote the sentence to correct it.

1. He shall think that the letters come from my niece and that she's in love with him.
2. She's a beagle true bred and one that adores me.
3. I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness.
4. He will come to her in yellow stockings, and 'tis a color she abhors.
5. I will smile and I will do everything that thou wilt have me.

After our punctual piece we shared some of our postcards with the class.

B2 and B4 finished reading Act 2 (B3 had already finished reading it!)

Finally, we discussed the assignment we will be doing with Twelfth Night: A Personality File for one of the characters. Please look through the assignment sheet and the examples.

And last but not least we did vocabulary.

12-3-08: Book Reports

Today we turned in our Book Reports (8 Postcards!)

We started out today with our punctual piece. For this PP you were asked to examine 5 sentences. If the sentence was correct, you wrote correct. If it was incorrect, you re-wrote the sentence to correct it.

1. He shall think that the letters come from my niece and that she's in love with him.
2. She's a beagle true bred and one that adores me.
3. I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness.
4. He will come to her in yellow stockings, and 'tis a color she abhors.
5. I will smile and I will do everything that thou wilt have me.

After our punctual piece we shared some of our postcards with the class.

A1 and A2 finished reading Act 2 (A3 had already finished reading it!)

Finally, we discussed the assignment we will be doing with Twelfth Night: A Personality File for one of the characters. Please look through the assignment sheet and the examples.

And last but not least we did vocabulary.

12-2-08: Twelfth Night Act 2 (B Days)

Writer's Notebook #6 was due today!

Today we started off with our punctual piece. We combined sentences using connecting words (like for, and, nor, but, or, so, yet). These words are also called conjunctions.

1. -I like cheese.
- I like you too.
-and

2. -We wanted to go to the beach.
-It was too windy and stormy.
-but

3. -My brother turned 18 last week.
-We all went out to dinner.
-so

Notice the words "too" and "to." Remember "too" means also or a quantity of something (too much, too cold, etc.). An easy way to remember which one to use is say the sentence out loud--use the "too" vs. "ta" test.

Then several class members presented their research presentations.

Finally we read Twelfth Night Act 2!

After reading Act 2 we discussed the assignment we will be doing with Twelfth Night: A Personality File for one of the characters. Please look through the assignment sheet and the examples.

For Thursday:
1. BOOK REPORT IS DUE! 8 Postcards!!

12-1-08: Twelfth Night Act 2 (A Days)

Writer's Notebook #6 was due today!

Today we started off with our punctual piece. We combined sentences using connecting words (like for, and, nor, but, or, so, yet). These words are also called conjunctions.

1. -I like cheese.
- I like you too.
-and

2. -We wanted to go to the beach.
-It was too windy and stormy.
-but

3. -My brother turned 18 last week.
-We all went out to dinner.
-so

Notice the words "too" and "to." Remember "too" means also or a quantity of something (too much, too cold, etc.). An easy way to remember which one to use is say the sentence out loud--use the "too" vs. "ta" test.

Then several class members presented their research presentations.

Finally we read Twelfth Night Act 2!

For Wednesday:
1. BOOK REPORT IS DUE! 8 Postcards!!

11-25-08: Twelfth Night Act 1 (B Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece in which we tried to discover the pattern based on example and non-example sentences. Then we wrote a sentence imitating the examples:
Examples:
1. It had been a long day at the clinic, but there were no inpatients.
2. He made no secret of this, yet people did not believe him.
3. The husband went out to smoke in the first interval, and she was left alone in her seat.

Non Examples:
1. the homicide detectives checked for blood spatters and tissue flecks.
2. The cake was not only moist but also delicious.
3. It's sweet and sour.

We turned in Writer's Notebook #5. If you are behind in your Writer's Notebooks, use the break to get caught up!

Then we went to the library to check out Twelfth Night.
Finally, we started reading Act 1. We are almost done with it, but we will finish up on Monday, December 1st!

For Tuesday, December 2nd:
1. Writer's Notebook #6
2. Get caught up on all missing/late assignments.
3. If you weren't in class today, read Twelfth Night Act 1 and answer the following questions. They are linked to the website.

11/24/08: Twelfth Night Act 1 (A Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece in which we tried to discover the pattern based on example and non-example sentences. Then we wrote a sentence imitating the examples:
Examples:
1. It had been a long day at the clinic, but there were no inpatients.
2. He made no secret of this, yet people did not believe him.
3. The husband went out to smoke in the first interval, and she was left alone in her seat.

Non Examples:
1. the homicide detectives checked for blood spatters and tissue flecks.
2. The cake was not only moist but also delicious.
3. It's sweet and sour.

We turned in Writer's Notebook #5. If you are behind in your Writer's Notebooks, use the break to get caught up!

Then we went to the library to check out Twelfth Night.
Finally, we started reading Act 1. We are almost done with it, but we will finish up on Monday, December 1st!

For Monday, December 1st:
1. Writer's Notebook #6
2. Get caught up on all missing/late assignments.
3. If you weren't in class today, read Twelfth Night Act 1 and answer the following questions. They are linked to the website.

11-21-08: Twelfth Night Preview (B Days)

Today we started class with our punctual piece. We returned to the KWL chart we created a couple PPs ago and filled in the "L" or What did you Learn column.

Then we turned in our Punctual Pieces: 11/10, 11/12, 11/14, 11/18 (the group member rating sheet if you didn't turn it in last time), and 11/20.

We also turned in our Research Reading Charts and our Research Summary. We wrote one test question for our final test at the bottom of our summaries.

Because it was Thursday we had independent reading time. Remember your book report is due in less than two weeks! So, get reading.

After reading time, I showed you my example book report. Hopefully this assignment is now completely clear. If it's not, please come see me so I can clarify it.

Then we started previewing Twelfth Night. We watched some clips about the play, talked through the characters and how they connect with each other, and then we talked through one of the assignments you will be doing with the play.

Because we will be reading the play aloud as a class, each person in the class signed up for at least two parts in the play: one large and one small. See the assignment sheet for further details.

To Do For Tuesday:
1. Writer's Notebook #5 is due!
2. If you missed class, be sure to turn in your Research Reading Charts & your Research Summary. Remember to write a test question and its answer at the bottom of your summary.
3. Also, if you missed class, be sure to sign up for two parts in Twelfth Night!

11-20-08: Twelfth Night Preview (A Days)

Today we started class with our punctual piece. We returned to the KWL chart we created a couple PPs ago and filled in the "L" or What did you Learn column.

Then we turned in our Punctual Pieces: 11/10, 11/12, 11/14, 11/18 (the group member rating sheet if you didn't turn it in last time), and 11/20.

We also turned in our Research Reading Charts and our Research Summary. We wrote one test question for our final test at the bottom of our summaries.

Because it was Thursday we had independent reading time. Remember your book report is due in less than two weeks! So, get reading.

After reading time, I showed you my example book report. Hopefully this assignment is now completely clear. If it's not, please come see me so I can clarify it.

Then we started previewing Twelfth Night. We watched some clips about the play, talked through the characters and how they connect with each other, and then we talked through one of the assignments you will be doing with the play.

Because we will be reading the play aloud as a class, each person in the class signed up for at least two parts in the play: one large and one small. See the assignment sheet for further details.

To Do For Monday:
1. Writer's Notebook #5 is due!
2. If you missed class, be sure to turn in your Research Reading Charts & your Research Summary. Remember to write a test question and its answer at the bottom of your summary.
3. Also, if you missed class, be sure to sign up for two parts in Twelfth Night!

11-19-08: Research Reading & MLA (B Days)

Today our punctual piece was to fill out a group member rating form for your group members for the Marketing Campaign project. If you weren't here, make sure you do that!

After our punctual piece we talked about the research reading strategy. This strategy is so effective because it helps you organize your research and saves you time when you write your summary or in the future when you write a paper.

You need to select two of your four articles and fill out the research reading charts for those two articles. You will write the citation in MLA format, then take notes on what you read (be sure to use quotations if you use the author's exact words), then compare what you have read with other sources, ideas, etc., and finally write down two additional sources that are cited in the article you read.

MLA. Why do we have to use MLA? Well, MLA is like the suit you wear to a job interview. Without it you end up like the guy in the Tide Stainstick commercial who is in a job interview with a stain on his shirt, and instead of listening to him, all the interviewer can focus on is the stain talking... So moral of the story is using MLA makes you look credible as a writer it says "you should believe everything I've written becasue look, I know my stuff!"

To cite a website use the following examples:

Last name, first name. "Title of Article." Title of Website. Date Updated. Date Accessed. .

Gray, Tarry A. "Influence." Shakespeare Life and Times. 3 March 2008. 18 November 2008. <http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/life.htm>


"Shakespeare's Biography." Shakespeare Resource Center. 2 August 2008. 18 November 2008. <http://www.bardweb.net/man.html>

For Friday:
1. Remember your outside reading book!
2. Complete the research reading charts for your four articles.
3. Write up one 100-150 word summary, summarizing all of your research.
4. Sign up for a time to present your research to the class in a 2-3 minute presentation.

11-18-08: Research Reading & MLA Format

Today our punctual piece was to fill out a group member rating form for your group members for the Marketing Campaign project. If you weren't here, make sure you do that!

After our punctual piece we talked about the research reading strategy. This strategy is so effective because it helps you organize your research and saves you time when you write your summary or in the future when you write a paper.

You need to select two of your four articles and fill out the research reading charts for those two articles. You will write the citation in MLA format, then take notes on what you read (be sure to use quotations if you use the author's exact words), then compare what you have read with other sources, ideas, etc., and finally write down two additional sources that are cited in the article you read.

MLA. Why do we have to use MLA? Well, MLA is like the suit you wear to a job interview. Without it you end up like the guy in the Tide Stainstick commercial who is in a job interview with a stain on his shirt, and instead of listening to him, all the interviewer can focus on is the stain talking... So moral of the story is using MLA makes you look credible as a writer it says "you should believe everything I've written becasue look, I know my stuff!"

To cite a website use the following examples:

Last name, first name. "Title of Article." Title of Website. Date Updated. Date Accessed. .

Gray, Tarry A. "Influence." Shakespeare Life and Times. 3 March 2008. 18 November 2008. <http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/life.htm>


"Shakespeare's Biography." Shakespeare Resource Center. 2 August 2008. 18 November 2008. <http://www.bardweb.net/man.html>

For Thursday:
1. Remember your outside reading book!
2. Complete the research reading charts for your four articles.
3. Write up one 100-150 word summary, summarizing all of your research.
4. Sign up for a time to present your research to the class in a 2-3 minute presentation.

11-17-08: Shakespeare Research

For the punctual piece you completed a KWL chart for your specific research topic. In the K column you wrote down what you already know or what you have heard. In the W column you wrote down what you want to learn. We will complete the L column next time so you can write down what you have learned.

Next we talked about finding valid sources. Remember wikipedia is a great place to find resources, but it cannot be used as a cited source because anyone can add things to wikipedia--so it may not be accurate. Also remember that generally .edu, .gov, and .org sites are more valid than .com sites, but not always. (www.martinlutherking.org) So be the information makes sense!

Finally we went to the library and began searching for four articles for our topic. We will be completing the Shakespeare Research Assignment in class next time, so be sure you bring your 4 printed articles to class with you!!

For Wednesday:
1. Complete Writer's Notebook #4
2. Bring 4 articles pertaining to your Shakespeare topic with you to class

11-14-08: Shakespeare Research

For the punctual piece you completed a KWL chart for your specific research topic. In the K column you wrote down what you already know or what you have heard. In the W column you wrote down what you want to learn. We will complete the L column next time so you can write down what you have learned.

Next we talked about finding valid sources. Remember wikipedia is a great place to find resources, but it cannot be used as a cited source because anyone can add things to wikipedia--so it may not be accurate. Also remember that generally .edu, .gov, and .org sites are more valid than .com sites, but not always. (www.martinlutherking.org) So be the information makes sense!

Finally we went to the library and began searching for four articles for our topic. We will be completing the Shakespeare Research Assignment in class next time, so be sure you bring your 4 printed articles to class with you!!

For Tuesday:
1. Complete Writer's Notebook #4
2. Bring 4 articles pertaining to your Shakespeare topic with you to class

11-13-08: Marketing Campaigns & Shakespearean Insults (B Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece. You wrote four sentences. You used the following words to start one of the four sentences:
1. As
2. Because
3. While
4. In

Notice how you need a comma after the clause that begins with one of these words!

Then we hung up our Marketing Campaigns and walked through them as if we were at an art gallery. One of the VPs came by and judged them, and some of you got prizes for your excellent work and creativity.

Finally we began talking about Shakespeare. I am so excited! We dueled with our Shakespearean insults, and sadly the swords were broken, but we continued to duel anyway.

Then to prepare for our research day in the library, you signed up for a research topic pertaining to Shakespeare and/or his time period and we practiced a reading strategy called skeleton or previewing.

In this strategy you quickly glance through a text looking at specific text features: titles, headings, bold words, italicized words, the first sentence of each paragraph. You do this to try and find the main point of the article and to determine if the article will be relevant to your topic. If it's not relevant, you didn't waste time reading it in depth. If it is relevant, then you know you'll want to read it in depth to research your topic!

For Monday:
1. Remember to bring your outside reading book.
2. Writer's Notebook #3 is due!

11-12-08: Gallery Walk & Shakespeare

Today we started off with our punctual piece. You wrote four sentences. You used the following words to start one of the four sentences:
1. As
2. Because
3. While
4. In

Notice how you need a comma after the clause that begins with one of these words!

Then we hung up our Marketing Campaigns and walked through them as if we were at an art gallery. One of the VPs came by and judged them, and some of you got prizes for your excellent work and creativity.

Finally we began talking about Shakespeare. I am so excited! We dueled with our Shakespearean insults, and sadly the swords were broken, but we continued to duel anyway.

Then to prepare for our research day in the library, you signed up for a research topic pertaining to Shakespeare and/or his time period and we practiced a reading strategy called skeleton or previewing.

In this strategy you quickly glance through a text looking at specific text features: titles, headings, bold words, italicized words, the first sentence of each paragraph. You do this to try and find the main point of the article and to determine if the article will be relevant to your topic. If it's not relevant, you didn't waste time reading it in depth. If it is relevant, then you know you'll want to read it in depth to research your topic!

For Friday:
1. Remember to bring your outside reading book.
2. Writer's Notebook #3 is due!

11-11-08: Marketing Campaign Completion (B Days)

Today we started off our punctual piece with practicing rearranging sentences by moving the introductory clause from the end of the sentence to the beginning of the sentence.

1. There have been no Alaskan oil spills since George W. Bush was elected president.
2. I decided to live for love in memory of him and out of respect for mankind.
3. We stood in the shade of the supply room tent along with the rest while the first sergeant and the supply sergeant filled out forms.

Then you had the rest of the period to execute your marketing campaign. You finished the planning sheet and started creating the product. It is due in its entirety next time at the beginning of class.
-The Five Panels:
1. Title
2. Magazine Ad or Billboard
3. Slogan or Jingle
4 &5. Written Explanation

-Folktale Theme Graphic Organizer (yellow sheet with 5 boxes)

-Investigation Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you explained the characteristics of magazine ads and billboards)

-Inquiry Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you surveyed 3 people about your folktales)

-Vocabulary Sheet (white sheet with the root ad- in the middle and eight words around it)

-Marketing Campaign Planning Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you map out your marketing campaign)

-Peer Review Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you review the written portion of your marketing campaign)

For Thursday:
1. Get your marketing campaign done! Remember Absolutely NO late assignments!

11-10-08: Marketing Campaign Completion (A Days)

Today we started off our punctual piece with practicing rearranging sentences by moving the introductory clause from the end of the sentence to the beginning of the sentence.

1. There have been no Alaskan oil spills since George W. Bush was elected president.
2. I decided to live for love in memory of him and out of respect for mankind.
3. We stood in the shade of the supply room tent along with the rest while the first sergeant and the supply sergeant filled out forms.

Then you had the rest of the period to execute your marketing campaign. You finished the planning sheet and started creating the product. It is due in its entirety next time at the beginning of class.
-The Five Panels:
1. Title
2. Magazine Ad or Billboard
3. Slogan or Jingle
4 &5. Written Explanation

-Folktale Theme Graphic Organizer (yellow sheet with 5 boxes)

-Investigation Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you explained the characteristics of magazine ads and billboards)

-Inquiry Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you surveyed 3 people about your folktales)

-Vocabulary Sheet (white sheet with the root ad- in the middle and eight words around it)

-Marketing Campaign Planning Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you map out your marketing campaign)

-Peer Review Sheet (butterscotch sheet on which you review the written portion of your marketing campaign)

For Wednesday:
1. Get your marketing campaign done! Remember Absolutely NO late assignments!

11-7-08: Marketing Campaign Planning (B Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece. In our punctual piece you determined if sentences were punctuated correctly. If they weren't, you added a comma where it needed to be!

1. The dawn was breaking when they got to the house.
2. When she lifts her foot to take a step, she no longer trusts the ground.
3. After that Thanksgiving Pop gradually sank as if he had a slow leak.
4. As if to take another reading of the girl's face I looked again into her eyes on my way out the door.
5. I was working on the roof when I heard someone shouting.

After that we finished looking at the characteristics of magazine ads and billboards.

Then you finished reading your folktales and turned in your reading responses.

Next we used a great vocabulary strategy in which you learn words in word groups to help you remember them.

If you finished with that, you started planning your marketing campaign. Remember next class is the last day in class you will have to work on it!

For Tuesday:
1. If you missed class, be sure to complete the Vocabulary Strategy!
2. Remember to complete the Inquiry Sheet, to prepare for better planning and implementation of your marketing campaign.

11-6-08: Finish Folktales & Plan Marketing Campaign (A Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece. In our punctual piece you determined if sentences were punctuated correctly. If they weren't, you added a comma where it needed to be!

1. The dawn was breaking when they got to the house.
2. When she lifts her foot to take a step, she no longer trusts the ground.
3. After that Thanksgiving Pop gradually sank as if he had a slow leak.
4. As if to take another reading of the girl's face I looked again into her eyes on my way out the door.
5. I was working on the roof when I heard someone shouting.

After that we finished looking at the characteristics of magazine ads and billboards.

Then you finished reading your folktales and turned in your reading responses.

Next we used a great vocabulary strategy in which you learn words in word groups to help you remember them.

If you finished with that, you started planning your marketing campaign. Remember next class is the last day in class you will have to work on it!

For Monday:
1. If you missed class, be sure to finish reading the folktales and all of the other things we did in class today--especially the Vocabulary Strategy!
2. Remember to complete the Inquiry Sheet, to prepare for better planning and implementation of your marketing campaign.

11-5-08: Lit. Circles & Magazine Ads/Billboards (B Days)

Today we started out with our punctual piece in which we practiced creating sentences with an introductory clause followed by a comma and then another clause.

You made three sentences:
1. -he commenced to cut down the tree
-as they refused to comply with his order

2. -having said this
-he died

3. -the man who had been taken from the devil's face asked the chief to put him back again
-after some time had elapsed

Then we continued reading our folktales in our lit. circles. Many of you finished! Good Job! Most of you only have one more left. You will have time next class to finish reading and then get cranking on your marketing campaign.

In order to help prepare you to complete your marketing campaign, we looked at magazine ads and billboards. We examined the characteristics of a few examples as a class, and then in your groups you were given others to examine. Pay careful attention to the audience and the specific information the ads convey. This will help you in creating a billboard or magazine ad for your campaign.

For Friday:
1. If you missed class, get your reading done for all of the folktales!
2. Bring your book, it's independent reading day.
3. Writer's Notebook #2 is Due!
4. Bring all your punctual pieces, because we will turn those in as well.
5. Remember to complete the INQUIRY SHEET and survey people about the folktales.
6. If you are going to the volleyball game, have fun! But remember your Writer's Notebook #2 and Punctual Pieces will be due on Tuesday!

11-4-08: Folktales & Mag. Ads/Billboards (A Days)

Today we started out with our punctual piece in which we practiced creating sentences with an introductory clause followed by a comma and then another clause.

You made three sentences:
1. -he commenced to cut down the tree
-as they refused to comply with his order

2. -having said this
-he died

3. -the man who had been taken from the devil's face asked the chief to put him back again
-after some time had elapsed

Then we continued reading our folktales in our lit. circles. Many of you finished! Good Job! Most of you only have one more left. You will have time next class to finish reading and then get cranking on your marketing campaign.

In order to help prepare you to complete your marketing campaign, we looked at magazine ads and billboards. We examined the characteristics of a few examples as a class, and then in your groups you were given others to examine. Pay careful attention to the audience and the specific information the ads convey. This will help you in creating a billboard or magazine ad for your campaign.

For Thursday:
1. If you missed class, get your reading done through the yellow folktale!
2. Bring your book, it's independent reading day.
3. Writer's Notebook #2 is Due!
4. Bring all your punctual pieces, because we will turn those in as well.

11-3-08: Folktales & Marketing Campaign (B Days)

Today we started off with our Punctual Piece. For the PP we combined several sentence parts to make complete sentences. The sentence parts were:

1. -the sultan stopped to talk to him
- curious to know how he fared

2. -the mother and father of the infants returned
-not long after

We each made two sentences from each set (so four total).

Then we started working on our Marketing Campaign Assignment. This assignment is going to be awesome. I'm so excited to let you loose and see what you can do!

In your team, you will be marketing the four folktales that you will read together as a group. So in order to make sure that you understand the folktales inside and out you are going to read the folktales in a cool and fun way: In a Literature Circle.

Today we read the first two folktales (the Green and Blue ones). You completed your reading role for each of the two folktales and then as a team discussed the green folktale.

For Wednesday:
1. If you missed class, please read through the Marketing Campaign and Literature Circle assignments. You have a group waiting for you. Remember that if you miss class there are some points you may not make up due to the nature of this assignment. So get here!

10-31-08: Folktales and Marketing (A Days)

Happy Halloween!

Today we started off with our Punctual Piece. For the PP we combined several sentence parts to make complete sentences. The sentence parts were:

1. -the sultan stopped to talk to him
- curious to know how he fared

2. -the mother and father of the infants returned
-not long after

We each made two sentences from each set (so four total).

Then we started working on our Marketing Campaign Assignment. This assignment is going to be awesome. I'm so excited to let you loose and see what you can do!

In your team, you will be marketing the four folktales that you will read together as a group. So in order to make sure that you understand the folktales inside and out you are going to read the folktales in a cool and fun way: In a Literature Circle.

Today we read the first two folktales (the Green and Blue ones). You completed your reading role for each of the two folktales and then as a team discussed the green folktale.

For Tuesday:
1. Remember to bring your outside reading book to class! Because of the assembly, we switched in class reading day to Tuesday. So you will have two in class reading days next week.
2. If you missed class, please read through the Marketing Campaign and Literature Circle assignments. You have a group waiting for you. Remember that if you miss class there are some points you may not make up due to the nature of this assignment. So get here!

10-30-08: Urban Legends (B Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece in which we tried to discover the pattern or the commonality that 3 sentences have in common. Then you wrote three more sentences modeled after the examples.

The examples:
In September 1938, a young man who was expecting a letter was waiting on the porch.

As they drive, the fiancee begins to cry and talk about their separation.

Later, the man's letter arrives.

Next we talked about the characteristics of Urban Legends. How ULs are from a friend of a friend of a friend, etc. ULs are scary because they could potentially be true; they happen to our friends of friends--or real people; and they generally involve real-life everyday scenarios.

But remember, not all ULs are scary or creepy. Some can be heartwarming, hopeful, inspiring, but it doesn't mean it's true....Just like those emails that are being sent out right now that say you have inherited a large sum of money from your long lost aunt or uncle in Africa. Yeah, not scary, but also not true.

While we read the ULs we practiced picking out the theme and reading them with a certain perspective. This is/was in preparation for your new assignment in class on Friday when we begin reading Folktales in Literature Circles, where each person will read each folktale with a different role.

Hope you liked the Urban Legends--perfect for Halloween. Now go spread 'em! ;) We all know the truth.

For Monday:
1. Remember to bring you book because we'll have time in class to read--and you get points for having it here!
2. Writer's Notebook #1 is DUE! If you have questions, please come talk to me BEFORE Friday!

10-29-08: Urban Legends (A Days)

Today we started off with our punctual piece in which we tried to discover the pattern or the commonality that 3 sentences have in common. Then you wrote three more sentences modeled after the examples.

The examples:
In September 1938, a young man who was expecting a letter was waiting on the porch.

As they drive, the fiancee begins to cry and talk about their separation.

Later, the man's letter arrives.

Next we talked about the characteristics of Urban Legends. How ULs are from a friend of a friend of a friend, etc. ULs are scary because they could potentially be true; they happen to our friends of friends--or real people; and they generally involve real-life everyday scenarios.

But remember, not all ULs are scary or creepy. Some can be heartwarming, hopeful, inspiring, but it doesn't mean it's true....Just like those emails that are being sent out right now that say you have inherited a large sum of money from your long lost aunt or uncle in Africa. Yeah, not scary, but also not true.

While we read the ULs we practiced picking out the theme and reading them with a certain perspective. This is/was in preparation for your new assignment in class on Friday when we begin reading Folktales in Literature Circles, where each person will read each folktale with a different role.

Hope you liked the Urban Legends--perfect for Halloween. Now go spread 'em! ;) We all know the truth.

For Friday:
1. Remember to bring you book because we'll have time in class to read--and you get points for having it here!
2. Writer's Notebook #1 is DUE! If you have questions, please come talk to me BEFORE Friday!

10-28-08: Introduction to Term 2 (B Days)

Today we discarded all of our old handouts/assignments from 1st Term. Except for 5! So be sure to keep these 5.
1. Disclosure Document (Yellow)
2. Umbrella of Success (White)
3. World Literature Reading List (Green)
4. Genre Characteristic Sheet for Fantasy, Sci Fi., and Romance (Green)
5. Reading Like a Writer (Yellow)

After getting rid of everything, we talked through our Term Calendar.

Then we talked about our Outside Reading Assignment for the term.

Next we talked about our Writer's Notebook Assignment for the term. With our writing assignment we practiced Reading Like a Writer with Sandra Cisneros's "My Name." We used a great strategy called "Says/Does." First we looked at what the piece said. Then we looked at what it did--by asking ourselves how the author creates the meaning.

For Thursday:
1. Get your book for your outside reading assignment and bring it to class! That is worth 20 points!
2. Complete the Reading Like a Writer Chart we started in class for Cisneros's piece.

10-27-08: Introduction to Term 2 (A Days)

Today we discarded all of our old handouts/assignments from 1st Term. Except for 5! So be sure to keep these 5.
1. Disclosure Document (Yellow)
2. Umbrella of Success (White)
3. World Literature Reading List (Green)
4. Genre Characteristic Sheet for Fantasy, Sci Fi., and Romance (Green)
5. Reading Like a Writer (Yellow)

After getting rid of everything, we talked through our Term Calendar.

Then we talked about our Outside Reading Assignment for the term.

Next we talked about our Writer's Notebook Assignment for the term. With our writing assignment we practiced Reading Like a Writer with Sandra Cisneros's "My Name." We used a great strategy called "Says/Does." First we looked at what the piece said. Then we looked at what it did--by asking ourselves how the author creates the meaning.

For Wednesday:
1. Get your book for your outside reading assignment and bring it to class! That is worth 20 points!
2. Complete the Reading Like a Writer Chart we started in class for Cisneros's piece.

10-23-08/10-24-08: Hero Story Share (A & B Days)

Today we reflected on the term and thought about what we can do better next term for our punctual piece.

Then we shared our Hero Stories Speed Dating style. I think it was fun, and I think you liked it too. We'll try and do this again.

No Homework this weekend! Get ready for next term.

10-22-08: SSR #2 Book Share (B Days)

Today we wrote about our favorite literary genre for our punctual piece and why it's our favorite.

Then we shared our book reports and I talked with you individually about your grade.

For Friday:
1. If you were absent, get me your book report for Thursday!!! You must have it to receive credit for it.
2. Hero Story is DUE:
Please have it ready to hand in. You must have all parts in the following order:
1. PP: Top 10 Accomplishments
2. PP: Paragraph about one of your accomplishments
3. Graphic Organizer
4. Peer Review Sheet filled out for your story
5. Draft of your story that was peer reviewed
6. Final Copy of Story: typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font
7. Grading Rubric (on the back of the assignment sheet)

10-21-08: SSR #2 Book Share (A Days)

Today we wrote about our favorite literary genre for our punctual piece and why it's our favorite.

Then we shared our book reports and I talked with you individually about your grade.

For Thursday:
1. If you were absent, get me your book report for Thursday!!! You must have it to receive credit for it.
2. Hero Story is DUE:
Please have it ready to hand in. You must have all parts in the following order:
1. PP: Top 10 Accomplishments
2. PP: Paragraph about one of your accomplishments
3. Graphic Organizer
4. Peer Review Sheet filled out for your story
5. Draft of your story that was peer reviewed
6. Final Copy of Story: typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font
7. Grading Rubric (on the back of the assignment sheet)

10-15-08: Writing Day (B Days)

Today is such a good day!

For our punctual piece we completed the 2nd column in the Anticipation Guide we completed when we first started reading Siddhartha.

Then we spent the rest of the time typing our drafts or working on other make-up assignments in the writing lab. Thank you for working hard!

For Wednesday (Oct. 22):
1. SSR #2 Book Report!!! Don't forget because you can't make it up!
2. Have a great break!!!

10-14-08: Writing Day (A Days)

Today we wrote about the following: Siddhartha learned that when he became content with himself, his choices and actions, and the world he was able to live up to his full potential and find true happiness. How can you live up to your full potential and find true happiness? (This was our punctual piece)

You had the rest of the day to work on assignments: Type your draft in the Library, Read for your book report, peer review, finish your Hero's Journey and Connection charts, or do any missing/late assignments.

Remember I will not accept any missing or late assignments after October 15th! So get those to me!

For Wednesday, October 15:
1. Turn in Any missing/late assignments!

For Tuesday, Oct. 21:
1. Book Report #2 SSR! Make sure you have this done, remember no make-up!

10-13-08: Work Day (B Days)

Today we wrote about the following: Siddhartha learned that when he became content with himself, his choices and actions, and the world he was able to live up to his full potential and find true happiness. How can you live up to your full potential and find true happiness? (This was our punctual piece)

You had the rest of the day to work on assignments: Read for your book report, peer review, finish your Hero's Journey and Connection charts, or do any missing/late assignments.

Remember I will not accept any missing or late assignments after October 15th! So get those to me!

For Wednesday:
1. Turn in Any missing/late assignments!
2. You must come prepared to work, or you will lose points: bring your draft to type in the computer lab, bring your book to read, bring other assignments to work on!!

10-10-08: Siddhartha Ch. 12; Peer Review (A Days)

Today we started class by writing about 3 things we have learned about Buddhist/Hindu culture, life, or ourselves from reading Siddhartha.

We also turned in our Writer's Journals, so get those to me if you weren't in class!!

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 12--the last chapter. Yay! Aren't you glad to be done? Things are wrapping up this term.

Finally we used the rest of the class period to peer review each others' drafts, using the peer review process we practiced last class with my paper.

For Tuesday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 12, if you weren't in class.
2. Peer Review will be tricky for those of you who weren't in class. You will need to find a classmate who also was not in class to switch papers with. I will help you with this if you come and talk to me!
3. Start preparing your Hero's Journey chart and Connections chart. You should be finishing those up and getting them ready to turn in--we will be handing those in on Monday!
4. Bring your outside reading book!!!

10-9-08: Siddhartha Ch. 12; Peer Review (B Days)

Today we started class by writing about 3 things we have learned about Buddhist/Hindu culture, life, or ourselves from reading Siddhartha.

We also turned in our Writer's Journals, so get those to me if you weren't in class!!

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 12--the last chapter. Yay! Aren't you glad to be done? Things are wrapping up this term.

Finally we used the rest of the class period to peer review each others' drafts, using the peer review process we practiced last class with my paper.

For Monday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 12, if you weren't in class.
2. Peer Review will be tricky for those of you who weren't in class. You will need to find a classmate who also was not in class to switch papers with. I will help you with this if you come and talk to me!
3. Start preparing your Hero's Journey chart and Connections chart. You should be finishing those up and getting them ready to turn in--we will be handing those in on Monday!
4. Get your outside reading book #2!

10-8-08: Siddhartha Ch. 10-11; Peer Review Intro. (A Days)

Today we reflected on using the Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer to write our stories. Did this strategy help you organize your ideas? Did it help you develop or expand your ideas? If so, why? If not, why not? (This was our punctual piece).

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 10 and Chapter 11. We are almost done! Can you believe it??
We read in groups and continued to fill in our Hero's Journey Charts for Victory and Achievement and our Connection Charts.

Finally we looked at my Hero's Story DRAFT! (Emphasis on draft, because it is far from being ready to turn in!). As we looked at my draft we practiced the peer review process that you will practice next time when you peer review each others' drafts.

So, for Friday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 10 and Chapter 11, if you weren't in class and work on your Hero's Journey Chart.
2. Bring your 27 writer's journal entries! Make sure 5 of them are the Reading Like a Writer kind (if you need examples, see my Writer's Journal Blog: Scribbles & Specks
3. Make sure you have your Hero's Journey Story Graphic Organizer and Draft of your Hero's Story IN CLASS! Remember you get points for just having these items in class! Get those easy points.

10-7-08: Siddhartha Ch. 10-11; Peer Review Intro. (B Days)

Today we reflected on using the Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer to write our stories. Did this strategy help you organize your ideas? Did it help you develop or expand your ideas? If so, why? If not, why not? (This was our punctual piece).

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 10 and Chapter 11. We are almost done! Can you believe it??
We read in groups and continued to fill in our Hero's Journey Charts for Victory and Achievement and our Connection Charts.

Finally we looked at my Hero's Story DRAFT! (Emphasis on draft, because it is far from being ready to turn in!). As we looked at my draft we practiced the peer review process that you will practice next time when you peer review each others' drafts.

So, for Thursday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 10 and Chapter 11, if you weren't in class and work on your Hero's Journey Chart.
2. Bring your 27 writer's journal entries! Make sure 5 of them are the Reading Like a Writer kind (if you need examples, see my Writer's Journal Blog: Scribbles & Specks
3. Make sure you have your Hero's Journey Story Graphic Organizer and Draft of your Hero's Story IN CLASS! Remember you get points for just having these items in class! Get those easy points.

10-6-08: Siddhartha Ch. 9 (A Days)

Today we read Siddhartha Ch. 9. Continued to work on our Connections Charts and Hero's Journey Charts.

Then the rest of the period was yours to work on drafting your Hero's Tale. Hopefully the graphic organizer you used helped you to lay out all of the major events of your story.

For Wednesday:
1. Read Siddhartha Ch. 9 if you weren't in class.
2. Make sure you have a draft of your Hero's Tale Assignment IN CLASS! This is worth 20 points!
3. Bring your second outside reading book with you to class!
4. Keep up your Writer's Journal.

10-3-08: Siddhartha Ch. 9 (B Days)

I missed all of you today. I hope you were able to get a lot accomplished!

Today we read Siddhartha Ch. 9. Continued to work on our Connections Charts and Hero's Journey Charts.

Then the rest of the period was yours to work on drafting your Hero's Tale. Hopefully the graphic organizer you used helped you to lay out all of the major events of your story.

For Tuesday:
1. Read Siddhartha Ch. 9 if you weren't in class.
2. Make sure you have a draft of your Hero's Tale Assignment IN CLASS! This is worth 20 points!
3. Bring your second outside reading book with you to class!
4. Keep up your Writer's Journal.

10-2-08: Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration; Siddhartha Ch. 8 (A Days)

Today we had two final great group presentations: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. We turned in our Group Presentation Note page too!

Next we read Siddhartha Ch. 8 and continued to work on our Hero's Journey Chart and Connections Chart.

Finally, we talked about the last assignment of the term--at least that you don't know about yet! Yay! This assignment will be for you to write a story about your life that follows the Hero's Journey. Write about an event that you accomplished in which you went through the Hero's Journey. I realize that not every stage will match up perfectly. But remember this is a story--every detail doesn't have to be completely accurate. Be creative and fill in the details, just base the story around something you have accomplished!

For Monday:
1. If you missed class, read Siddhartha Ch. 8
2. Complete the Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer for YOU and your story. We will be drafting your story in class, so make sure you get this done!
3. Get your 2nd Book and read, read, read!
4. Write in your Writer's Journal.

10-1-08: Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration; Siddhartha Ch. 8 (B Days)

White Rabbit!

Today we had two final great group presentations: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. We turned in our Group Presentation Note page too!

Next we read Siddhartha Ch. 8 and continued to work on our Hero's Journey Chart and Connections Chart.

Finally, we talked about the last assignment of the term--at least that you don't know about yet! Yay! This assignment will be for you to write a story about your life that follows the Hero's Journey. Write about an event that you accomplished in which you went through the Hero's Journey. I realize that not every stage will match up perfectly. But remember this is a story--every detail doesn't have to be completely accurate. Be creative and fill in the details, just base the story around something you have accomplished!

For Friday:
1. If you missed class, read Siddhartha Ch. 8
2. Complete the Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer for YOU and your story. We will be drafting your story in class, so make sure you get this done!
3. Get your 2nd Book and read, read, read!
4. Write in your Writer's Journal.

9-30-08: Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort; Siddhartha Ch. 7 (A Days)

Today we had some great presentations on the next three steps in the eightfold path: Right Action, Right Livelihood, and Right Effort. Way to go to all those who presented today!

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 7 in class. This chapter focused on the Temptation portion of the Hero's Journey Chart. The chapter was loaded with great examples.

For Thursday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 7 if you weren't in class!
2. Group Presentations: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration
3. Remember to get your outside reading book #2
4. Remember to write in your writer's journal

9-29-08: Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort; Siddhartha Ch. 7 (B Days)

Today we had some great presentations on the next three steps in the eightfold path: Right Action, Right Livelihood, and Right Effort. Way to go to all those who presented today!

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 7 in class. This chapter focused on the Temptation portion of the Hero's Journey Chart. The chapter was loaded with great examples.

For Wednesday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 7 if you weren't in class!
2. Group Presentations: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration
3. Remember to get your outside reading book #2
4. Remember to write in your writer's journal

9-26-08: Right View, Right Intentions, Right Speech (A Days)

Today our punctual piece was to write about a time when you learned something on your own. What did you learn? How did you learn it?

Then we had three group presentations on the first three steps of the Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intentions, and Right Speech. All of them were excellent. Way to go!

Either before or after group presentations we had a few minutes of catch up time. I hope you have used this time wisely.

Then for the last few minutes of class we went to the library to get a book for the next book report. Make sure you get your book and bring it with you to class for next Wednesday!

For Tuesday:
1. Group Presentations: Right Action, Right Livelihood, and Right Effort.
2. Get your book and start reading!
3. Remember to write in your writer's journal!

9-25-08: Right View, Right Intentions, Right Speech (B Days)

Today our punctual piece was to write about a time when you learned something on your own. What did you learn? How did you learn it?

Then we had three group presentations on the first three steps of the Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intentions, and Right Speech. All of them were excellent. Way to go!

Either before or after group presentations we had a few minutes of catch up time. I hope you have used this time wisely.

Then for the last few minutes of class we went to the library to get a book for the next book report. Make sure you get your book and bring it with you to class for next Wednesday!

For Tuesday:
1. Group Presentations: Right Action, Right Livelihood, and Right Effort.
2. Get your book and start reading!
3. Remember to write in your writer's journal!

9-24-08: SSR Book Report #1 (A Days)

Today we wrote our punctual piece about whether or not we liked the book we read for our outside reading assignment.

Next we divided up into groups of three to share our Symbolic Story Representation (SSR) for our first outside reading book this term. If you did not do this, you have until Friday to make it up. You must come see me during lunch or after school on Thursday or Friday to make it up. Thursday during lunch I will be in Room 113. Friday during lunch I will be in Room 112. And Thursday and Friday after school I will be in Room 112. Make sure you make this up! It is worth 250 points, so get it done, please!

After that the rest of class time was given to you to work on your group presentations, Hero's Journey Chart, Connections Chart, Writer's Journal, or any other missing/late assignments.

If you were not here, you will need to set up a time to do your SSR with me!

For Friday:
1. Group Presentations: Right View, Right Intentions, and Right Speech be ready to go at the beginning of class.
2. Get your 2nd book and start reading.
3. Remember to write in your writer's journal.

9-23-08: SSR #1 (B Days)

Today we wrote our punctual piece about whether or not we liked the book we read for our outside reading assignment.

Next we divided up into groups of three to share our Symbolic Story Representation (SSR) for our first outside reading book this term. If you did not do this, you have until Friday to make it up. You must come see me during lunch or after school on Thursday or Friday to make it up. Thursday during lunch I will be in Room 113. Friday during lunch I will be in Room 112. And Thursday and Friday after school I will be in Room 112. Make sure you make this up! It is worth 250 points, so get it done, please!

After that the rest of class time was given to you to work on your group presentations, Hero's Journey Chart, Connections Chart, Writer's Journal, or any other missing/late assignments.

If you were not here, you will need to set up a time to do your SSR with me!

For Thursday:
1. Group Presentations: Right View, Right Intentions, and Right Speech be ready to go at the beginning of class.
2. Get your 2nd book and start reading.
3. Remember to write in your writer's journal.

9-22-08: Siddhartha Ch. 5 & 6 (A Days)

Today our punctual piece was to make a list of your Top 10 most noteworthy accomplishments. What are you proud to say you have done?

Next we read Siddhartha Chapter 5 & Chapter 6. We did this as a group. In pairs we read two pages and prepared to summarize the pages we read and find one connection in those two pages. Then we all went around and shared the summary with the class to see how the two chapters fit together. We did lots of work on the connections charts as we wrote down each other's connections.

The rest of class was given to you to work on your group presentations. By now all responsibilities should be divied out and you should have the Group Planning Sheet portion of the assignment completed.

For Wednesday:
1. If you missed class, read Siddhartha Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
2. Prepare for your SSR (Symbolic Story Representation)--the 1st Book Report: we will do these in class on Tuesday.
3. Continue writing in your writer's journal. Remember you can do up to 5 extra entries for 10 points extra credit per entry (that's 50 points total!)

9-19-08: Siddhartha Ch. 5 & 6 (B Days)

Today our punctual piece was to make a list of your Top 10 most noteworthy accomplishments. What are you proud to say you have done?

Next we read Siddhartha Chapter 5 & Chapter 6. We did this as a group. In pairs we read two pages and prepared to summarize the pages we read and find one connection in those two pages. Then we all went around and shared the summary with the class to see how the two chapters fit together. We did lots of work on the connections charts as we wrote down each other's connections.

The rest of class was given to you to work on your group presentations. By now all responsibilities should be divied out and you should have the Group Planning Sheet portion of the assignment completed.

For Tuesday:
1. If you missed class, read Siddhartha Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
2. Prepare for your SSR (Symbolic Story Representation)--the 1st Book Report: we will do these in class on Tuesday.
3. Continue writing in your writer's journal. Remember you can do up to 5 extra entries for 10 points extra credit per entry (that's 50 points total!)

9-18-08: Siddhartha Ch. 4 (A Days)

Today our punctual piece was making a connection between our lives and Siddhartha's. In Chapter 3 Siddhartha left on his own path, what has been a time when you have travelled your own path?

Then we read Chapter 4 in Siddhartha. It was really short. We made connections to his loneliness on our Connection Charts (Siddhartha Reading Log), and we filled in the Symbolic Death/Rebirth section of the Hero's Journey Chart.

The rest of the time was given to you. You worked on your group presentations. And if you finished that you continued working on your Hero's Journey Chart, Connections Chart, preparing for your SSR (Book Report), Read your book, or wrote in your writer's journal, or worked on late/make-up assignments.

For Monday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 4 (if you missed class)
2. Make sure you have your Group Presentation Reading Assignment read!!!
3. Outside Reading
4. Writer's Journal
5. Make sure you have your Punctual Pieces:

9-17-08: Siddhartha Ch. 4 (B Days)

Today our punctual piece was making a connection between our lives and Siddhartha's. In Chapter 3 Siddhartha left on his own path, what has been a time when you have travelled your own path?

Then we read Chapter 4 in Siddhartha. It was really short. We made connections to his loneliness on our Connection Charts (Siddhartha Reading Log), and we filled in the Symbolic Death/Rebirth section of the Hero's Journey Chart.

The rest of the time was given to you. You worked on your group presentations. And if you finished that you continued working on your Hero's Journey Chart, Connections Chart, preparing for your SSR (Book Report), Read your book, or wrote in your writer's journal, or worked on late/make-up assignments.

For Friday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 4 (if you missed class)
2. Make sure you have your Group Presentation Reading Assignment read!!!
3. Outside Reading
4. Writer's Journal

9-16-08: Siddhartha Ch. 3 (A Days)

Today our punctual piece was a follow-up on the Umbrella goals you set--or should have set at the beginning of the year. How are your umbrella goals going? Are you improving? If so, why? If not, why not?

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 3 and filled out the "Help to the Rescue" and the "Symbolic Death and Rebirth" Sections of your Hero's Journey Chart.

Next we talked through the Group presentation assignment and the Rubric You will have the next two class periods to plan with your group and prepare to present. Each member of your group is responsible for reading the chapter connected to your group topic. In addition to reading and helping your group brainstorm ideas you will have one group responsibility: summary writer, copier/material gatherer, lead presenter. I modeled the presentation with a presentation on The Four Noble Truths. You can look at my group planning sheet and my handout as an example.

For Thursday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 3 if you missed class.
2. Read your group presentation reading assignment (come see me to get this, I can't post it online!)
3. Remember to be reading your outside reading book!
4. Remember your writer's notebook!

9-15-08: Siddhartha Ch. 3 (B Days)

Today our punctual piece was a follow-up on the Umbrella goals you set--or should have set at the beginning of the year. How are your umbrella goals going? Are you improving? If so, why? If not, why not?

Then we read Siddhartha Chapter 3 and filled out the "Help to the Rescue" and the "Symbolic Death and Rebirth" Sections of your Hero's Journey Chart.

Next we talked through the Group presentation assignment and the Rubric You will have the next two class periods to plan with your group and prepare to present. Each member of your group is responsible for reading the chapter connected to your group topic. In addition to reading and helping your group brainstorm ideas you will have one group responsibility: summary writer, copier/material gatherer, lead presenter. I modeled the presentation with a presentation on The Four Noble Truths. You can look at my group planning sheet and my handout as an example.

For Wednesday:
1. Read Siddhartha Chapter 3 if you missed class.
2. Read your group presentation reading assignment (come see me to get this, I can't post it online!)
3. Remember to be reading your outside reading book!
4. Remember your writer's notebook!

9-12-08: Siddhartha Ch. 2 (A Days)

Today our puntual piece was on our top hero: who is your top hero and why?

We handed in the Verb Practice Assignment, and then I modeled the Symbolic Story Representation (SSR) for how you will complete your book reports for this term. You will be doing two SSRs. And the one for your first book is due September 23rd! So make sure you're reading. Follow the SSR Planning guide, and come and talk to me so I can help you (this is essential if you were not in class!!)

Next you had time to work on your Hero's Journey Chart. For chapter 1 we went through "Crossing the Threshold." Think of the chart as if you are a laywer and presenting a case. Your case is that Siddhartha is a Hero. In order to prove that you need evidence that Siddhartha has expereinced each stage of the Hero's Journey. This evidence should be a direct quotation from the text. But the evidence isn't enough on it's own. You must explain why the evidence (quotation) is good evidence--this is the commentary section of the chart.

We also started a reading log with Siddhartha. Like with the SSR, we are practicing a reading strategy called "making connections." This strategy will help you remember and comprehend what you read! (And that's what a large majority of you wanted to improve on in your reading). So, throughout Siddhartha, you are required to practice this strategy by finding ten (10) text-to-self connections, seven (7) text-to-world connections, and three (3) text-to-text connections.

Finally we read Chapter 2 in Siddhartha.

So, for Tuesday:
1. Read, Read, Read your outside reading book
2. Write, Write, Wirte in your writer's journal
3. Read Siddhartha Chapter 2
4. Make sure you are keeping up on your Hero's Journey Chart
5. Work on your Siddhartha Reading Log!

9-11-08: Siddhartha Ch. 2 (B Days)

Today our puntual piece was on our top hero: who is your top hero and why?

We handed in the Verb Practice Assignment, and then I modeled the Symbolic Story Representation (SSR) for how you will complete your book reports for this term. You will be doing two SSRs. And the one for your first book is due September 23rd! So make sure you're reading. Follow the SSR Planning guide, and come and talk to me so I can help you (this is essential if you were not in class!!)

Next you had time to work on your Hero's Journey Chart. For chapter 1 we went through "Crossing the Threshold." Think of the chart as if you are a laywer and presenting a case. Your case is that Siddhartha is a Hero. In order to prove that you need evidence that Siddhartha has expereinced each stage of the Hero's Journey. This evidence should be a direct quotation from the text. But the evidence isn't enough on it's own. You must explain why the evidence (quotation) is good evidence--this is the commentary section of the chart.

We also started a reading log with Siddhartha. Like with the SSR, we are practicing a reading strategy called "making connections." This strategy will help you remember and comprehend what you read! (And that's what a large majority of you wanted to improve on in your reading). So, throughout Siddhartha, you are required to practice this strategy by finding ten (10) text-to-self connections, seven (7) text-to-world connections, and three (3) text-to-text connections.

Finally we read Chapter 2 in Siddhartha.

So, for Monday:
1. Read, Read, Read your outside reading book
2. Write, Write, Wirte in your writer's journal
3. Read Siddhartha Chapter 2
4. Make sure you are keeping up on your Hero's Journey Chart
5. Work on your Siddhartha Reading Log!

9-10-08: Siddhartha Ch. 1 (A Days)

Today our punctual piece was to complete the Siddhartha Anticipation Guide. Then we reviewd Hinduism and Buddhism just a bit--and added to our knowledge as well. We talked about how Eastern philosophy reveres three groups of people: 1. Those who are older than you (parents, grandparents, etc.); 2. Teachers (both spiritual and secular); and 3. Kings and Buddha (religious dieties).

We also talked about the caste system. You are born into your caste and you really can't escape it. There are five different castes: 1. Brahmins--priests; 2. Kasatriyas--warriors; 3. Vaisyas--merchants; 4. Sudras--farmers; and 5. Untouchables--outcasts. While we read chapter 1, you were all randomly assigned a different caste and were required to sit in a designated location in the classroom while we read Chapter 1. While we read we also discussed most of the vocabulary words from your vocab. chart. We talked about their roots as well and thought of other words that have similar roots so that when we see the same root in the future we can have a better idea of what the word will mean.

While we were reading we continued to talk about the Hero's Journey. In Chapter 1 we were introduced to Siddhartha. We found a quotation in the text that showed he had a normal birth and childhood and then explained our quotation choice on our Hero's Journey Chart.

Finally we talked about how when books are translated, translators translate passages and words differently. I read another translation of one paragraph from Chapter 1. We compared it to our class's text to look at how using vivid verbs helps spice up our writing. Many of you want to improve your writing by making your writing come to life--one important way to do this (also important becasue you will need to do this on your final assignment) is to use descriptive verbs. To practice you were given a verb assignment.

So...If you missed class or Things you need to do for Friday!:
1. Complete the Anticipation Guide
2. Read Siddhartha Chapter 1.
3. Complete the vocab chart for Chapter 1.
4. Complete the Hero's Journey chart for "Birth"
5. Complete the Verbs Practice