Stay tuned for updates re: work that you started before the break (writing prompts handed in, etc.)
Starting last week, you'll see something new added each week to Google Classroom. A/B on first day of the week (Monday, unless it's a holiday) C/D on second day E/F on third day G/H on fourth day Friday (if it isn't a holiday, and if Monday wasn't a holiday) is a FLEX day. Please feel free to email me ANY TIME if you have questions, and submit your assignments via Google Docs in the Google Classroom unless asked to do otherwise. This keeps track of who submitted what, and when - much easier when everything is online. As we move forward, hopefully we can get a bit more creative in some meetings and virtual group chats - I'm learning as you are! For now, I'm enjoying what you're writing and sharing - thanks to those of you who have submitted work, and I'll look forward to seeing your assessments if you're still finishing up. ~Ms. Hlina Share 1 of your "choice" prompts.
Share your persuasive write topic. Hand in your Writing Package: Haiku Prompt Encyclopedia Prompt Fish Tale (4+ paragraphs) Persuasive Write (4 paragraphs) 2 x Choice Writes (from 31 prompts) **If you're not done all of these pieces of writing, finish over the break and hand in as soon as we return. First day back - ENG9A, you'll be doing this! Have a great break! Choose TWO prompts from the handout (of 31 choices). Next block, your Writing Package is due. It must include: - Haiku prompt (road trip with puppies) - Encyclopedia prompt - Fish Tale (4+ paragraph creative story) - Persuasive Writing (4 paragraphs) - 2 x Choice prompts Be ready to share one of your 2 Choice Prompts with the class, as well as your Persuasive Writing topic. Info on the first 3 - linked below (pdf). Choice Prompts handout - linked below (button).
Persuasive Writing is like a debate-on-the-page. It's much more effective if you choose a topic you truly CARE about.
Remember: You are not going to convince everyone to agree with you all the time. The main goal of a piece of persuasive writing is to get the reader to consider your point of view, and maybe re-consider their own point of view on the subject. Example persuasive essay (on overhead, read through and discuss formatting and argument style). Your persuasive mini-essay (4 paragraphs) Intro: State your argument (topic), position on the topic, and reason for that position (why you feel that way about the topic). Add a few details about the topic in general. Body paragraph #1: Some of your arguments with detail, explanation, evidence, support. You don't need to do research for this practice persuasive write, but often would do so for a more formal piece of writing to demonstrate that others agree with your point-of-view on the topic. Body paragraph #2: Mention possible counter-arguments and explain why they're not as good or valid as yours. This demonstrates that you know there are other points of view or positions regarding this topic, you've considered them, and found them lacking in comparision to what you're arguing. (A reader can't argue that you've only looked at a single point of view.) Conclusion: Restate your argument (like restating a 3-point-thesis in an essay). Finish with a strong final statement about your topic and position. Leave your reader thinking about what you had to say, and ideally considering your position after they're done reading. Rough draft due next day (Thursday, March 12th). Find someone else who has finished their rough-draft of the Woman & Fish story from last day.
Read your story to them, and listen to them read their story to you. Response: Title: Woman & Fish Your Name Partner's Name 1. Is their story realistic? Super-creative? 2. Summarize their story in 3-4 sentences. 3. What's something you liked about their "Fish Tale"? Handout: "Mr. Kerel" by Adam Gidwitz (YA author's short story based on Woman & Fish prompt) Read the story (silently, on your own) Response (on same page as above): 1. Who are the characters? 2. What is the man conflict? 3. What did you think of how the story ended? (3-4 sentences) 4. What did you like about this "Fish Tale"? 5. Rate this story out of 5 Stars and tell me why you gave it this rating. FOR NEXT DAY (Monday ENG9E, TUESDAY ENG9A): Persuasive Writing Choose a topic you'd like to write about and a stance on that issue. Persuasive writing is generally about trying to get someone to agree with you on a topic that has 2 or more strongly opinionated sides. It's like a written debate. Think of a topic that you feel strongly about, and some ideas for arguments you could make to convince someone you're right and they should think the same way. (For example, something that is changing that you think should stay the same, or something that isn't changing that you think SHOULD change. Are you FOR or AGAINST that thing? Why?) RETURN YOUR MARROW THIEVES NOVELS, PLEASE!! Creative Writing - Visual Prompt Remember that creative writing (imaginative) uses a lot of the same skills as essay writing: - You still need to chunk into paragraphs. - Beginning, Middle, End. - Use transitions to bridge ideas. - Support your ideas with details (just usually from your imagination, not from a resource/text). Take a look at the provided visual by Sophie Blackall. - Write a multi-paragraph (4+) short story about what you see, or the story you think is behind this image. - Double-space. - Use 3rd person (he/she/they) OR 1st person (I, me, my) Point of View. - Include dialogue, or not. Your choice. - Can be more realistic OR really creative/wacky/out-there (as long as it makes some sense, and readers can follow the story). - Class time to work on (almost an hour); finish for homework if not done in class. - Will check for completion next day - be prepared to share your story with a small group and/or the class. :) See linked PDF with the 2 PRIOR writing prompts (from September) + today's. Please make sure you have these 2 prompts found and completed for the end of the mini-writing-unit (before March Break).
Catch up on CLE assignments.
Parts of Speech BINGO (noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection) We'll start on a mini WRITING unit for the next week and a half, up to March Break, practicing some different forms of writing, and then start SHAKESPEARE (Twelfth Night) when we come back from the break. (Band/choir students will be in Hawaii for competition the week before the break, and I don't want a bunch of students missing the start of Shakespeare.) Last week we worked on 2 CLE 9 Assignments. Please see me if you haven't already got the handouts, and hand them in if you have started them and I haven't seen them, yet.
Wednesday/Thursday: PEER EDITS x 2 (handout - linked below, double-sided, please read carefully if you weren't here for instructions) Edits must be done by TWO different peers (front side and back side); these should be people in the class or in your grade. They should NOT be parents/tutors/teachers - those are considered extra edits, and you're welcome to have those additional "look over it" eyes, if you wish. You MUST have peer edits completed and ready to show me, along with your FULL edited rough draft (all 5 paragraphs) to start your Good Copy on Friday/Monday. Friday/Monday: Good copies typed out IN CLASS (laptops provided; bring your own if you prefer).
Valentine Nouns/Adjectives Exercise (Block E on Friday; Block A did this yesterday).
Introductions and Conclusions: Reminder what to include (check your notes!) and time to work. Rough drafts of ALL FIVE PARAGRAPHS due next class (Wednesday). Writing Tips Use strong, confident language. Avoid "I". ("I think", "I believe", etc.) You should not be using first-person in an essay unless it's a personal narrative (story). This essay is not that. Instead of: I think Frenchie has a lot of important relationships in The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline. Write: Frenchie has a lot of important relationships in The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline. Be specific and stay on topic. Avoid extra explanation or unnecessary words that don't support your points. Instead of: In this book, the character of Frenchie has several strong connections with other characters. Write: Frenchie has several strong connections with ____________, ____________, and ____________. <-- name the actual characters |