Thursday, September 24, 2009

AGENDA 9/24

Out scoring baseline essays -
Work on GW prewriting exercise
Vocabulary warm-up #1

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

AGENDA 9/23

Grammar Practice: Verbs #3
Review parallel structure and verb tense--and introduce subject-verb agreement.

Analyze sample The Grapes of Wrath intercalary chapter essay in groups - color code and ask questions about the assignment.

HW: Draft of GW paper due on October 1--prewriting activity tomorrow. Continue to learn new vocabulary.

Monday, September 21, 2009

AGENDA 9/21

Trip to textbook room
Begin introducing new vocabulary from The Grapes of Wrath
Bag of Destiny: select intercalary essay chapter
Briefly discuss purposes of intercalary chapters

HW: Reread Ch. 1 and your assigned intercalary chapter of The Grapes of Wrath. Begin to study new vocabulary words.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

AGENDA 9/17

Grammar Practice #2: Parallelism and Verb Tense
Foldable Notes - discuss in groups what makes for good introductions, body paragraphs, conclusions, grammar & vocabulary for essays. Share strategies and tips.

Review SAT Scoring Guide, Practice Baseline Essay Prompt, and sample SAT essays

HW: Summer free choice book essay due on Monday. Baseline essay tomorrow--bring blue or black ink pens, notebook paper, and any resources, handouts, or texts you'd like to use on your essay. Bring ID card and your copy of The Grapes of Wrath on Monday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

AGENDA 9/16

The Grapes of Wrath Reading Quiz
Debrief Monday's seminar and Tuesday's guest speaker presentations
Distribute and explain summer free choice book assignment
Sample #1: Nonfiction (and 2 books); Sample #2: Fiction (1 book)

HW: Summer free choice book assignment due on Monday, September 21. Begin bringing The Grapes of Wrath on Monday.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

AGENDA 9/15

Guest speaker - presentation in the library

HW: Prepare for quiz on The Grapes of Wrath tomorrow

Monday, September 14, 2009

AGENDA 9/14

Materials checks--ongoing all week
Review seminar norms and grading guidelines
Seminar on "Rethinking 'Retarded': Should it Leave the Lexicon?", "Overview of Autism," "Fitting in and Speaking Out: Me and Asperger's Syndrome," and "Schools Fight Families over Autism Service Dogs."

Turn in your 200-400 word response to "Rethinking 'Retarded': Should it Leave the Lexicon?" , stapled to your 1/2 sheet of notes from today's discussion.


HW: None! Guest speaker presentation in the library tomorrow. Reading quiz on The Grapes of Wrath on Wednesday. Seminars will continue on Wednesday. Baseline essay on Friday.

Friday, September 11, 2009

AGENDA 9/11

Grammar Practice #1: Parallelism Errors
According to Purdue's OWL (Online Writing Lab): Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or."

Get more help here:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/623/01/

Discuss Seminar Expectations and Grading

HW: Read "Rethinking 'Retarded': Should it Leave the Lexicon?" and write a 200-400 word response: Should the word "retarded" be treated the same as hate speech and racial slurs? Should it be "bleeped" from music, movies, and TV? Bring this article and yesterday's articles to class with your preparation for Monday's discussion.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

AGENDA 9/10

Seating Chart
Syllabus Q&A
Names Activity #1: Group members stand in a circle. First person introduces self with an accurate, alliterative statement. Second person repeats first person's information, then adds own. This continues around the group.

Sample:
1st person: I'm Sandra and I like to swim.
2nd person: This is Sandra and she likes to swim. I'm Jennifer and I like my toast with jam.
3rd person: This is Sandra and she likes to swim. That's Jennifer and she likes her toast with jam. I'm Paul and I'm playful and persistent.

HW: Read "Overview of Autism," "Fitting in and Speaking Out: Me and Asperger's Syndrome," and "Schools Fight Families over Autism Service Dogs." For each article, highlight one or more significant quotations, write one comment, and one question. Seminar on Monday!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

AGENDA 9/9

Welcome!!!

Please complete the First Day Student Information Form
Introductory powerpoint
Distribute class syllabus (abridged) , parent letter, and classroom rules and procedures
Collect "first feedback"

HW: Review abridged syllabus and generate one or more questions for class tomorrow. Bring your copy of the curious incident of the dog in the night-time if you have one.

Friday, September 4, 2009