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!