Archive for November, 2006
Monday, November 27th, 2006
Homework?
1. Keep working on those brochures and book calendars. They’re due Monday!
2. Fruits and Veggies for the Food Drive. I, myself, bought 10 more cans today.
3. Letter about Literature Assignment: Due December 6.
Tuesday Notes:
Today we learned about the awesome appositive. The appositive, a useful phrase, can be quite helpful to writers. We also talked about the Letter About Literature assignment. Which book are you considering writing about? I would choose From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, by Julius Lester, or Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, by Anne Tyler.
Monday Notes:
We visited the book fair today. In first period, we talked about 2 people who were nominated for prizes recently. What did you think of the prizes that we talked about?
In second period, we read about James Frey’s memoir controversy. What’s your perspective about what a memoir should be?
In third period, we talked about a “shaming law” in Tennessee, where language was used to teach people a lesson. Lots of interesting opinions about that editorial.
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Monday, November 20th, 2006
Homework?
Keep working on your 20/20 calendar and your book brochures. Description of what needs to be on your brochure is listed on the back of your calendar. Both are due December 4.
Everyone should share a hunger fact during the month of December. Have you found yours?
Food Drive begins next week. For the first week, we’ll bring in canned fruits and canned veggies. I’m going to bring in 10 items each week. Anyone want to join me in setting a weekly goal???
Tuesday Notes
We had a fantastic hunger banquet today in the gym. Thanks to the girl scouts for organizing this. It was fantastic. I was one of the people eating bread and water on the floor. It always surprised me to see only 9 people eating a full breakfast. We talked more about the banquet, had DEAR and worked on the etymology of the word “euphemism.” What did you think of the hunger banquet today???
Monday Notes:
After some fascinating work on different types of sentences, we read about the Hunger Banquet today. What was your opinion of the article? What do you think of the Hunger Banquet activity? I’m looking forward to our Hunger Banquet tomorrow. I’ll have my camera! Thanks to the Girl Scouts for organizing this event and helping us learn more about the problem of hunger in our world!!!
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Monday, November 13th, 2006
Homework:
- IRL Calendar and book brochures due 12/4/06.
- Rough drafts of zines, plays, and stories due Monday!
- Writer’s Notebook page due tomorrow.
- Info about the Hoosier Hills Food Bank sent home today. Everyone should share one fact about hunger or about the food bank with our class in December.
Wednesday notes: Today was a fun and busy day. For me, anyway. First period is cruising on their zines. The plays are coming along in second period. And third period worked on partner responses about the Against All Odds power point presentation. We all learned what EUPHEMISMS are this week. Can you share one??? I’m off to Nashville for the National Council of Teachers of English conference. See you Monday!
Monday notes: In first period we talked about Alfie Kohn’s article called “Risks of Rewards.” In second period, we read another play, this one was an adaptation of a Nancy Farmer book. In third period, we learned about one of the first social justice movements in England and we listed ways writing was used to advance a cause. A productive day, I’d say. How are your drafts coming along?
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Saturday, November 11th, 2006
We are moving toward our second rough drafts of zines, plays, and social stories. On Monday, we’ll go over some due dates. Please make sure you’re revising your pieces as I’ve suggested. I’m glad many of you have come to talk to me about my revision suggestions. If you have any questions or problems with revision suggestions, let’s have an editor/writer chat! Remember what some famous writer always says, “Books aren’t written, they’re rewritten.” I’ll try to find the author of that quote asap.
If you are in first period or third period and want to put a play in for the Mini-Play festival, the due date is December 11. Second period is working on these, but I’ll be happy to look over a play for you if anyone else is interested in submitting. Guidelines here at Bloomington Playwright’s Project site.
We’re publishing books for the Night Commuters in the Books of Hope elective. You may want to read more about this project here or talk to the kids in the Books of Hope elective to learn more about the kids in Uganda who are Night Commuters.
How did you like your elective????
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Monday, November 6th, 2006
Homework?
A new IRL calendar went home MONDAY. It’s called 20/20. You also were given a description of the Book Circle project. Both are due on December 4.
Friday notes: We started electives today. What’d you get???
Thursday notes: We finally got back to our read aloud books today. I made some suggestions for book circle brochure books. Have you selected one yet? First period learned more about some smaller book prizes. Second period began reading a play together. Third period began working on Time For Kids, but we certainly didn’t get far. Where does the time go? I guess we just have a DELUGE of work to do in language arts.
Wednesday notes: I had an appt. in Indianapolis today, so I hope your day went well. See you all tomorrow!
Monday notes: First and second periods worked on writing about Time For Kids. We’re a wee bit rusty on the cursive. Third period worked with Professor Lewison, analyzing and comparing advertisements. Today felt very busy, and I liked that.
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