9/30 An especially fun Friday

Today you will read your independent reading book for for 15 minutes. Make sure to fill out the progress update form at the end of our reading time.

Then you will have the option to borrow a game from me, or help me amass my origami crane army. 

Have fun this weekend and be careful! See you all on Monday 😊

9/29 Finding Theme

 EQ: How do I find the theme of a literary text?

Slides

Agenda

Theme Pear Deck

Character and theme

1a. Fake text message assignment

I will give you 5-10 mins in class to finish up and share this assignment from yesterday. Here are the directions again:

Use iFakeTextMessage.com to create a fake text message conversation based on EITHER Connie or Arnold Friend.

Put the image in your English Journal (Copy/paste). The assignment will be judged based on the following criteria:

 

0-Unrelated to the text or minimal effort does not demonstrate understanding of characters and story

2.5-Demonstrates moderate understanding of characters

5-Demonstrates understanding of main character traits of either Connie or Arnold Friend

Theme Pear Deck

Absent? Email me for a copy of the slides.

Tomorrow's HoCo Rally/Carnival Schedule

Period 1                                8:30 - 8:57           (27 minutes)

Period 2                                9:04 - 9:31           (27 Minutes)

Period 3                                9:38 – 10:05       (27 Minutes)

Period 4                                10:12 – 10:39     (27 Minutes)

Rally                                       10:46 – 11:38     (52 Minutes)

Period 5                                11:45 – 12:12     (27 Minutes)

Period 6                                12:19 – 12:46     (27 Minutes)

Carnival/Lunch                  12:46 – 3:15

Reminders

-Bring your reading book this Friday! (tomorrow!) 

9/28 Characterization

EQ: How do authors develop complex characters?

Slides

Agenda

Characters Are Awesome Lesson

Practice with STEAL

1. Period 6- Story Reflection

2. "Characters are Awesome" Slides Exploring how authors develop complex characters in literary texts

STEAL Practice with Connie or Arnold Friend

• Open your English Journal
• Make a STEAL chart about one of the main characters (Connie or Arnold) in the story or copy and paste the one below
• The right side of your chart should have both evidence (quotations) from the story and your explanation. 

Speech
Thoughts
Effect
Actions
Looks

Periods 4 and 5- Fake text message assignment

Use iFakeTextMessage.com to create a fake text message conversation based on EITHER Connie or Arnold Friend.

Put the image in your English Journal (Coy/paste). The assignment will be judged based on the following criteria:

 

0-Unrelated to the text or minimal effort does not demonstrate understanding of characters and story

2.5-Demonstrates moderate understanding of characters

5-Demonstrates understanding of main character traits of either connie or arnold friend

 

9/27 Back to “Where Are You Going…”

EQ: How does “Where Are Going, Where Have You Been?” end ??

Slides

Agenda

Finish the story

Tl     Talk and write about the story

1.  Finishing the story

Today in class we will finish the story “Where Are You Going…?”. As before, continue annotating the following:

• Details that characterize Connie in pink
• Details that characterize Arnold Friend in red
• Points of confusion with question mark ?

2. In the English Journal

Reminders

-Video visual memoirs are due tonight~!

2.

9/26 Visual Memoirs due today

9/26 Visual Memoirs due today

Goals: Last minute visual memoir pointers

Agenda

Reflection/Self-Assessment

Work Time for visual Memoirs

1. Visual Memoir Self-Evaluation

Click here to access the self-evaluation form. 

2. Work Time

If you need help with photo citations, I recorded thisvideo tutorial for you.

Some people also requested help on how to make a screen recording. Below are directions for that. You will need to have your transcript available elsewhere besides your Chromebook such as printed out on your phone.

1.      Make sure your visual memoir slide deck is open in a tab.

2.      In another tab, log in to WeVideo.com

3.      Click on “Classic”

4.      Click “Create New”

5.      Then click “Recording”

6.      Select “Screen”

7.    In the pop up, select Entire Screen.

Click "Allow" for microphone permissions. 

8.      The screen recording with audio recording will begin in 3 seconds after you press start

9.      Switch back to your slide deck, and click “Present” to begin your presentation

10To stop your presentation, press Escape on your keyboard, then 'Stop Recording' on the bottom right side of your screen. 

Reminders

·         Visual Memoirs are due tonight at midnight if doing the basic or in-class presentation options

·         If you are doing the screen recordings, they are due tomorrow, but you won’t have any more time in class to work on them.

9/23 Work Day

 Goals: Work on your visual memoirs

Slides here.

Today is a work day to work on your visual memoir.

Review this rubric as you work on your project. 

Please fill out this form before you leave to let me know your progress and what else you may need from me. 

Reminders

-Basic and class presentation visual memoirs due on Monday

-Video visual memoirs due on Tuesday

9/22 Going/Been

 EQ: What is "Where Are You Going..." about?

Today's slides

Agenda

Tea Party

EJ Reflection

Continue reading

1. Tea Party

Step 1: In a moment we will leave our seats

Step 2: Introduce yourself to another person in the class and read your adjective and explanation.

Step 3: When you are finished, your partner will share their adjective and explanation. 

Step 4: When done, trade cards! 

Step 5: Continue sharing and trading until time is up.

If you were absent yesterday, You will get a blank card. Write down the adjectives that you hear talking to others.

2. Reflection

Make a new entry in your EJ. Title it "Connie Characterization"

Respond to 1 or more of the prompts below about the word clouds:

1. Which words in the word clouds (see word clouds here) are contradictions? What do you make of this?

2. What patterns do you notice?

3. Which words do you think Connie would use to describer herself? Why?

3. Continue reading Going/Been

Annotate for the following:

• Details that characterize Connie in pink
• Details that characterize Arnold Friend in red
• Points of confusion with question mark ?

9/21 Where Are You Going...

EQ: What is the story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" about?

Agenda

Pre-reading activities

Going/Been Reading

• Pre-Reading Activities
• Read the lyrics as I play Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"
• In your English Journal, write what you think the song is about. What does it make you think of?
• Title this entry "Going Been Pre-reading 9/21"
• Reading the text
• As we read the text, use Kami to annotate the following: 
• Details that characterize Connie in pink
• Details that characterize Arnold Friend in red
• Points of confusion with question mark ?
• Tea Party
• On your index card:

• Write your name on the card.

  On the blank side of one card, describe Connie in one adjective.

  On the lined side, explain why you chose that adjective.

  Use events from the text to support your answer.

• Reminders

• Get your Memoir turned in if you have not already.
• How's your book going? READ :) 
• Visual Memoir Project due Monday/Tuesday 9/26 & 9/27

9/20 Working on visual memoirs

EQ: How do I translate my writing into a multimedia project?

Agenda

Reading Reason-Banned Book Week

Image Crediting Minilesson

Working on Your (Visual) Memoirs

• Banned Book Week
• Reading Reason Lesson
• Make a new entry in your EJ. Title it "Reading Reason 9/20"
• Pay attention to the video we watch in class and jot down anything that stands out to you.
• Copy and paste ONE of the prompts into your EJ: 

• Under what circumstances (if any) should a book be removed from a school? A public library? A bookstore?

• What, if anything, can be learned from reading a book that has content which some people find offensive?
• Respond to the prompt, connecting some of the info from the video in your response 

• Image Crediting Minilesson
• Use pictures from http://photosforclass.com, https://unsplash.com/, or personal pictures you or someone you know took. 
• All pictures must have a visible black attribution bar OR be listed on the credits slide of your visual memoir. 
• You may also use Creative Commons licensed images from other sources, but you must provide a link to that source in on the credits slide. (Use correct citation format.)
• Citation format for images is: Creator's Last name, First name. “Title of the digital image.” Title of the website, retrieval date. URL.
• Note: Providing a citation DOES NOT mean you are allowed to use the image. If you are in doubt about image rights ask me.
• Working on your visual memoir

Reminders

• Get your Memoir turned in if you have not already.
• Read!
• Visual Memoir Project due Monday/Tuesday 9/26 & 9/27

9/19 Library visit

Goals: Check out or renew a reading book; learn about some books

Agenda

Library Visit

• Library Visit
• We are visiting the library together in class for part of the class period. 
• You will need your student ID card to check out a book. If you forgot your card, your book will be held for a week.

Reminders

• Get your Memoir turned in if you have not already.
• Read read read to meet your page count target
• Visual Memoir Project due Monday/Tuesday 9/26 & 9/27

 

9/16 Reading Friday

Goals: Read, then do something to improve your performance in this class

Agenda

Reading time

Choose your own adventure

1. Reading Time

• We are reading in class for about 25-30 minutes. 
• Be sure to fill out the reading progress update form
  
• Also check this time-table to make sure you are on track. The page count is starting from 0, with today as "Week 1"

2. Things to be working on

• LATE MEMOIR SUBMISSIONS 🤨

• Continue reading your book

• Visual Memoir Project

• Did you ever finish your AOW? 

Reminders

• Library visit on Monday. Bring your ID cards.
• Visual Memoirs are due Monday Sep 26 (basic and class presentation) and Tuesday Sep 27 (video)

9/15 AoW instruction & visual memoirs

EQ: How do I read an informational article to write an AoW response? 

Agenda

AoW Instruction

Visual Memoirs Project Explained

Visual Memoirs Work Time

1. AoW Instruction

• Open THIS ARTICLE with Kami. Hyperlink the AoW into your EJ. 
• Open your English Journal. 
• If you haven't already: add a new entry at the TOP titled "AoW 9/15"
• Follow along with the active reading lesson
• Write two paragraphs about the article. The first one is a summary. (Use the summary frame below if you need it.) The second paragraph is your opinion. (You can say "I" in the second paragraph.)

2. Visual Memoirs Project Explained

• Option 1: Make slides and a script for your memoir.  (0-85%) 
• Option 2: Turn those slides and script into a video or present it in class. (0-100%)
• You can find more information about this project on Google Classroom.
• Remember for photos you can only use your own pictures (credited) and Photosforclass.com or unsplash.com 

Here are some examples

Video 1

Video 2

Slides

3. Work Time: 

Get started on your visual memoir project.

Reminders

Bring your book tomorrow for reading Friday

Library visit on Monday

9/14 Evaluate your memoir and read an AOW

Agenda

Evaluate your  memoir

Article of the week

1. What's in your memoir:

• Highlighting specific things in your memoir can help you see what you have and what you need. 
• Use THIS DOC of directions to color code your writing. 

2. Self score your memoir: 

Use this MEMOIR SELF SCORE FORM to evaluate your memoir.

3. Article of the "Week"

• Read THIS ARTICLE 
• Open your English Journal. 
• Add a new entry at the TOP with today's date. 
• Write two paragraphs about the article. The first one is a summary. (Use the summary frame below if you need it.) The second paragraph is your opinion. (You can say "I" in the second paragraph.)

Reminders

• AOW is homework if not completed in class
• Bring your books: reading Friday this Friday
• Library day next Monday

9/13 Writing groups

 EQ:  How do I give and receive feedback on my writing?

Agenda

Writing groups

Working on your memoir

1.Writing Groups

• Sharing your writing with a group will help you improve your writing and learn what a reader might think while reading your work. 
• Follow the procedures in the chart or on THIS PAGE with your group. 
• Use THIS DOCUMENT to help you think of feedback to give 
• Remember, share your work as "CAN COMMENT" not edit. 

Absent?

Read your memoir out loud to someone. Hopefully someone who was not there when your event happened. Ask them what questions they have about your story. 

2. Working on your memoir

 If your group finishes early, then you are to work on your memoir.

Some random last things:

• Your memoir should be changed--for the better--from your rough draft
• Here is the memoir rubric that I will use to grade your Final Draft
• Do not turn in a wall of text to me. (see here)
• Remember a to make a new paragraph every time someone speaks, and remember the rules for dialogue. 

Reminders

• Memoir final drafts due 9/14. WEDNESDAY. (If you think you will need more time talk to me about it before Wednesday.)
• If you need more help I am here before school every day. 

9/12 Reflections and writing groups

EQ:  How do I add reflection into my memoir?

Agenda

Writing groups

Reflections

Working on your memoir

1. Reflection: 

• When authors reflect they tell us why the moment mattered. 
• Your memoir needs reflection too. 
• Use one of the docs below to look at some reflections. 
• Write your own version that fits YOUR memoir for two of them. 
• You have two choices. You can look at both and then click File>Make a copy for the one you like. 
• Then, hyperlink it into your journal. The text for the hyperlink should say "Reflection Examples 9/12"

LOTS OF EXAMPLES            FEWER EXAMPLES

 

2. Writing Groups

• Sharing your writing with a group will help you improve your writing and learn what a reader might think while reading your work. 
• Follow the procedures in the chart or on THIS PAGE with your group. 
• Remember, share your work as "CAN COMMENT" not edit. 

Absent?

Read your memoir out loud to someone. Hopefully someone who was not there when your event happened. Ask them what questions they have about your story. 

Homework/Reminders:

• Memoir final drafts due 9/14. WEDNESDAY. (If you think you will need more time talk to me about it before Wednesday.)
• If you need more help I am here before school every day. 

 

9/9 Closings

EQs: How do I add reflection in my memoir?

Agenda

Mini lesson

Working on your memoir

1.Closings: 

• Yesterday you got a copy of a doc with openings and closings. 
• It was the green one, remember? 
• We worked on openings, but we didn't get to closings. 
• Open that doc and start looking at the closings. 
• What do you notice or like about each closing. 
• Copy/Paste two you like and write a version for each that fits YOUR memoir. 

Time to write and reminders: 

• Today is your last day to turn in your rough draft. 
• The final draft of your memoir is due Wednesday. 
• Take a good look at the rubric below. (Click the picture to see it larger.)
• What does your memoir have/do well? 
• What do you still need to work on? 
• Monday and Tuesday you will get peer feedback in writing groups. 
• If you need more help than I can give you in class I am here before school and after school. 

9/8 Openings and closings

EQs: How do I start and end my memoir? 

Agenda
Mini lesson

Working on your memoir

1.Mini Lesson. 

Make a new entry in your EJ, titled "Openings and closings 9/8"

Then, make a copy of this document. 

Hyperlink it into your English Journal. 

• What do you notice or like about each closing? 
• Finish the observations/noticings boxes
• Copy/paste two you like and write a version of each that fits your memoir
• Then, copy and paste your favorite opening and closing you've written into your Memoir Draft Doc

2. Working on your memoir. The final draft of your memoir is due Wednesday 9/14. 

(Note: The final draft of this memoir will be your only assignment in the Performance Tasks category until the next unit. Writing is 25% of your grade.)

9/7 Dialogue challenges

EQs: How do I add dialogue into a narrative?

Agenda

Dialogue challenge #1

Adding dialogue to your own memoir

1. Note for students absent: Because of the internet outage, the activity below was not done. A different activity on paper was done instead. 

 

Dialogue Challenge #1.

Copy and paste the text below into your English Journal.

With your partner discuss how you would correctly format this dialog. You probably need to add some paragraph breaks and punctuation.

Then, make the changes in your EJ.

Well, why were you down at the swimming pool anyway? my mom asked as she pulled the dripping carton of eggs out of the shopping bag. I told you I need to get in shape before the swim team tryouts. Damn half these eggs are broken. But sweetie, you know that kids under 13 aren’t allowed at the pool without an adult. Why didn’t you ask your father or I to go with you. Because you guys are busy and if I wait for you to take me it will get later and the pool will get more crowded with adults who want to swim laps and I just don't like sharing a lane with some hairy dude in a speedo. Honey, the lifeguards know you are under 13 and they will be watching for you. They just aren’t going to let you swim there. I’m sorry, but we need a better solution.

2. Dialogue challenge #2

Add dialogue to your memoir.
You don't need to remember the actual words anyone said.
You can write what you think they said or what you think they probably said.

Also try to avoid using the word "said" over and over. Here are some alternatives. 

Reminder!

BTSN tonight at 6 pm!
 

9/6 Adding description

  EQs: How do I make my draft better by adding description?

Agenda

Description Mini Lesson

Working on your memoirs

1. Exploding a Moment Practice. Go to Google Classroom and find the "Exploding a Moment" assignment. As you read, pay attention to how much time is passing the story and how the author shows the passage of time.  

2. Looking at Your Draft. Divide your draft--as best as you can--into 3 sections: before, during, and after.

If you do not have a completed draft, use this model text for this part of the lesson. Share it with me and hyperlink it into your English Journal. 

3. Writing Time

• Add more details to the middle/during section. Suggested things to add include:

• What you were wondering in that moment

• What you thought was going to happen
• What you worried was going to happen
• Something someone (or you) said in that moment
• Sensory details, about what things smelled like or looked like
• The look on someone's face
• Add a simile or a metaphor, or a lot of adjectives

Use this document for further help.

Reminder

• Back to school night tomorrow! At 6 pm. Tell your folks. 

9/2 First block day of the year

 EQs: What is "Fish Stick Knife Gun" about? How do I take my ideas and turn them into a rough draft?

Agenda

Independent reading

"Fish Stick Knife Gun"

Memoir rough drafts

Hi students,

Sorry I cannot be with you all today, especially on the first block day. Please be on your best REVWAY behavior for Ms. Anderson. Here is what I would like you to work on today:

1. Independent Reading. If you remembered to bring a book you will receive participation points for the day. 

If you forgot a book, you can borrow one from my shelf (please give it back!) or check out an eBook. 

You will read for approximately 25 minutes. After the 25 minutes, please tell me about your book by completing the Reading Progress Update Form. 

2. "Fist Stick Knife Gun". I have another memoir I'd like you to read; it's a good one. Read and answer the questions on the attached doc. Find the assignment on Google Classroom. This is due today. 

3. Memoir Rough Draft. Your rough draft is also due today. Many of you made great progress on Wednesday. Try to get as close to 500 words as you can, and also make sure that your drafts have definitive beginnings, middles, and endings. Turn this in on Google Classroom. 

Remember, the draft is all about getting your ideas down and a basic structure down. Next week I will go through writing lessons to help you make your rough drafts even better. 

If you do not have a draft you will not be able to participate in most of next week's lessons until you do. 

I hope you all have a restful 3-day weekend, and stay cool!