Students passed in Descriptive Dictionary assignments
Silent Reading (Ind novels)
Writing Activity Using Metaphors as Character Description
Write 3 well-developed paragraphs creating an extended metaphor based 1 of the following categories:
$ If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?
$ If you were a flower, what kind of flower would you be?
$ If you were a landscape, what kind of landscape would you be?
$ If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?
$ If you were a song, what song would it be?
Rough draft is due: Monday, March 1
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Word of the Day Assignment criteria
Word of the Day
We will start each class with the Aword of the day@. I will provide the words & definitions for the first week. I will then assign each student the responsibility of presenting their own word on a specific day. All students are responsible for learning the correct spelling and meaning of the words; short quizzes will be given periodically to test your knowledge.
To complete this assignment you will need to:
Find an interesting word that is new to you (it can be a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb).
Copy the word, its definition, and a sentence correctly using the word, into your notebook (be sure to include any specifics about the word that may be interesting, ie: its origin, what part of speech it is, etc. ).
Provide me with a copy of the word, definition, and sentence.
Present your word, definition, sentence, and creative representation to the class.
**For bonus marks:
Create a dance, skit, song, video, drawing, gadget, piece of art, recipe, sculpture, poem, or any other creative representation to accompany your word. Your representation must be significant to your chosen word, and should show both thought and creativity.
We will start each class with the Aword of the day@. I will provide the words & definitions for the first week. I will then assign each student the responsibility of presenting their own word on a specific day. All students are responsible for learning the correct spelling and meaning of the words; short quizzes will be given periodically to test your knowledge.
To complete this assignment you will need to:
Find an interesting word that is new to you (it can be a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb).
Copy the word, its definition, and a sentence correctly using the word, into your notebook (be sure to include any specifics about the word that may be interesting, ie: its origin, what part of speech it is, etc. ).
Provide me with a copy of the word, definition, and sentence.
Present your word, definition, sentence, and creative representation to the class.
**For bonus marks:
Create a dance, skit, song, video, drawing, gadget, piece of art, recipe, sculpture, poem, or any other creative representation to accompany your word. Your representation must be significant to your chosen word, and should show both thought and creativity.
Thursday Feb. 25, 2010
Writing Folder Response (Descriptive Writing Prompts)
Passed back "Senses" poems
Passed out Descriptive Dictionary rubrics (due tomorrow)
Assigned "Word of the Day" assignment (assigned students to a day to present)
Corrected Similes overhead exercise together
Did an exercise on metaphors (as a class)
Block D: corrected Grammar Sheet -- Review One
Block C: Passed out Grammar sheet -- Review One (worked on it)
Passed back "Senses" poems
Passed out Descriptive Dictionary rubrics (due tomorrow)
Assigned "Word of the Day" assignment (assigned students to a day to present)
Corrected Similes overhead exercise together
Did an exercise on metaphors (as a class)
Block D: corrected Grammar Sheet -- Review One
Block C: Passed out Grammar sheet -- Review One (worked on it)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wed. Feb.24, 2010
Silent Reading 20 min.
Reading Response #3 (in Writing Folders)
Finished copying Personal Pronouns notes (Class D Block)
Worked on Types of Nouns sheet (LCD -- Class C Block)
Passed out Parts of Speech grammar sheet (C&D)
Please finish grammar sheets for homework.
Descriptive Dictionary due FRIDAY!!!!!
Reading Response #3 (in Writing Folders)
Finished copying Personal Pronouns notes (Class D Block)
Worked on Types of Nouns sheet (LCD -- Class C Block)
Passed out Parts of Speech grammar sheet (C&D)
Please finish grammar sheets for homework.
Descriptive Dictionary due FRIDAY!!!!!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tue, Feb. 23
Blocks C & D :
Worked on Descriptive Dictionary and/or Alphabetical Autobiography for the first 20 minutes of class.
Reviewed "Types of Nouns" notes on overhead
Class completed Nouns Worksheet from the LCD
Passed out grammar sheet on the Parts of Sheet
Copied "Pronouns Notes" from overhead
Descriptive Dictionary is now due on Friday!
Worked on Descriptive Dictionary and/or Alphabetical Autobiography for the first 20 minutes of class.
Reviewed "Types of Nouns" notes on overhead
Class completed Nouns Worksheet from the LCD
Passed out grammar sheet on the Parts of Sheet
Copied "Pronouns Notes" from overhead
Descriptive Dictionary is now due on Friday!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, Feb. 22
Blocks C & D:
Silent Reading 20 min
Did homework check for 78 topics for A.A
Reviewed expectations for upcoming assignment "Descriptive Dictionary"
Corrected Personification worksheet
Worked on two overheads relating to figurative language: Similes -- Metaphors
Homework: You should be working on your Alphabetical Autobiography (due day before March Break) and Descriptive Dictionary (due: Thursday).
Silent Reading 20 min
Did homework check for 78 topics for A.A
Reviewed expectations for upcoming assignment "Descriptive Dictionary"
Corrected Personification worksheet
Worked on two overheads relating to figurative language: Similes -- Metaphors
Homework: You should be working on your Alphabetical Autobiography (due day before March Break) and Descriptive Dictionary (due: Thursday).
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, Feb. 18
Blocks C & D:
Corrected Grammar Parts of Speech sheets aloud
Mad Libs Activity
Passed out Personification worksheet (homework)
Worked on Alphabetical Autobiography (78 topics are due tomorrow!!)
Corrected Grammar Parts of Speech sheets aloud
Mad Libs Activity
Passed out Personification worksheet (homework)
Worked on Alphabetical Autobiography (78 topics are due tomorrow!!)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Class Senses Poems
Block D:
The dusty chalkboard, a caged zebra held hostage unwillingly by a class of hungry learners.
The superstitious students pausing momentarily to watch the clicking clock strike 11:12am.
Obnoxious talking like an epic episode of Judge Judy, filled with boisterous banter and deadly debate.
Loud gum chewing, the crack of each bubble, a gunshot throughout the classroom.
Fresh pencil shavings, taunting the cranky custodian to get out his wooden broom.
Poisonous perfume, infecting the air like a deadly virus.
The dirty, dry air, grasping violently at my throat like a crazed criminal.
The bitter cold; the class a lone igloo on a desolate northern beach.
The smooth paper between my fat fingers, calling me to tell it a secret.
I am as welcome as a newborn puppy to its mother.
Block C:
Shiny, silver screen like a blank canvas waiting patiently to be painted.
Skyline of people’s heads, a distraction from the story waiting anxiously to be told.
Pesty people talking; rudely ruining the cinematic adventure.
Rumbling sound effects, shaking my seat like an earthquake.
Mouth-watering butter, tempting my taste buds to take another bite.
Sweaty people; the theatre is a zoo of different species competing for the prime seat.
Tangy Skittles; a rainbow explosion in my mouth.
Salty popcorn, the kernels jump playfully on my tongue.
Gooey gum on my seat, a restraining order from the other movie-goers.
Someone’s stinky feet on the back of my confining chair; aggravating acupuncture to the soul.
I am as content as a child with a new toy.
The dusty chalkboard, a caged zebra held hostage unwillingly by a class of hungry learners.
The superstitious students pausing momentarily to watch the clicking clock strike 11:12am.
Obnoxious talking like an epic episode of Judge Judy, filled with boisterous banter and deadly debate.
Loud gum chewing, the crack of each bubble, a gunshot throughout the classroom.
Fresh pencil shavings, taunting the cranky custodian to get out his wooden broom.
Poisonous perfume, infecting the air like a deadly virus.
The dirty, dry air, grasping violently at my throat like a crazed criminal.
The bitter cold; the class a lone igloo on a desolate northern beach.
The smooth paper between my fat fingers, calling me to tell it a secret.
I am as welcome as a newborn puppy to its mother.
Block C:
Shiny, silver screen like a blank canvas waiting patiently to be painted.
Skyline of people’s heads, a distraction from the story waiting anxiously to be told.
Pesty people talking; rudely ruining the cinematic adventure.
Rumbling sound effects, shaking my seat like an earthquake.
Mouth-watering butter, tempting my taste buds to take another bite.
Sweaty people; the theatre is a zoo of different species competing for the prime seat.
Tangy Skittles; a rainbow explosion in my mouth.
Salty popcorn, the kernels jump playfully on my tongue.
Gooey gum on my seat, a restraining order from the other movie-goers.
Someone’s stinky feet on the back of my confining chair; aggravating acupuncture to the soul.
I am as content as a child with a new toy.
Alphabetical Autobiography
Alphabetical Autobiography
Task:
You will write a 26-page alphabetical autobiography, in the format of an elementary school alphabet book. For example, AA is for Alberton. I was born in Alberton in 1989 and...@
You must write vivid descriptions of events, places, and people of importance in your life.
Each page of your book must contain the following:
$ The letter displayed prominently.
$ A paragraph describing what the letter represents (a word beginning with that letter), and its significance to you.
$ Pictures, images, or decorations to attract the reader=s attention.
Your book should be very visually appealing. Reinforcing your pages with construction paper or other materials works well. You can also use a scrapbook as the base of your book; be sure to decorate the front cover appropriately. You must bind your book; be creative B yarn, brass tacks, and ribbon are some good options.
To get things started, please brainstorm 78 possible topics B 3 for each letter of the alphabet. A list of the 78 possible topics is to be passed in to me by Friday.
Task:
You will write a 26-page alphabetical autobiography, in the format of an elementary school alphabet book. For example, AA is for Alberton. I was born in Alberton in 1989 and...@
You must write vivid descriptions of events, places, and people of importance in your life.
Each page of your book must contain the following:
$ The letter displayed prominently.
$ A paragraph describing what the letter represents (a word beginning with that letter), and its significance to you.
$ Pictures, images, or decorations to attract the reader=s attention.
Your book should be very visually appealing. Reinforcing your pages with construction paper or other materials works well. You can also use a scrapbook as the base of your book; be sure to decorate the front cover appropriately. You must bind your book; be creative B yarn, brass tacks, and ribbon are some good options.
To get things started, please brainstorm 78 possible topics B 3 for each letter of the alphabet. A list of the 78 possible topics is to be passed in to me by Friday.
Tuesday, Feb. 16
Blocks C& D:
Reading 20 minutes
Did a Senses Poem as a class
Assigned project "Alphabetical Autobiography" due the day before the March Break.
78 topics (3 for each letter) are due this Friday!
Reading 20 minutes
Did a Senses Poem as a class
Assigned project "Alphabetical Autobiography" due the day before the March Break.
78 topics (3 for each letter) are due this Friday!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday, Feb. 12, 2010
Blocks C & D:
Silent Reading (Ind novels) 20 minutes
Copied "Figurative Language" notes from overhead
Reviewed notes
Went over Senses poem assignment
Put up example of Senses poem on the overhead
Senses poem is due Wednesday, Feb. 17th
See other side of Senses poem criteria sheet for rubric which you will be marked with. Important: You will lose one mark off your assignment if you do not include the rubric with your final draft.
Silent Reading (Ind novels) 20 minutes
Copied "Figurative Language" notes from overhead
Reviewed notes
Went over Senses poem assignment
Put up example of Senses poem on the overhead
Senses poem is due Wednesday, Feb. 17th
See other side of Senses poem criteria sheet for rubric which you will be marked with. Important: You will lose one mark off your assignment if you do not include the rubric with your final draft.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, Feb.11, 2010
Review of elements of descriptive writing
Blocks C& D:
Descriptive Writing Activity: Sense of Sight
Reviewed the importance of using specific words to qualify or describe a color.
Broke into groups to brainstorm different shades of each of the assigned 9 colors (each color had its own bristol board). Exchanged after 3 minutes until each group had an opportunity to think of specific shades for each color.
Group with most shades will win a "candy" prize on Monday:)
Block D: Assigned "Senses Poem" -- passed out criteria sheet and rubric. (due next Wednesday)
Block C: Will assign "Senses Poem" tomorrow!
Homework: Be sure to have your grammar sheets completed for tomorrow.
Blocks C& D:
Descriptive Writing Activity: Sense of Sight
Reviewed the importance of using specific words to qualify or describe a color.
Broke into groups to brainstorm different shades of each of the assigned 9 colors (each color had its own bristol board). Exchanged after 3 minutes until each group had an opportunity to think of specific shades for each color.
Group with most shades will win a "candy" prize on Monday:)
Block D: Assigned "Senses Poem" -- passed out criteria sheet and rubric. (due next Wednesday)
Block C: Will assign "Senses Poem" tomorrow!
Homework: Be sure to have your grammar sheets completed for tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wed, Feb. 10
Blocks C&D:
Silent Reading -- 20 minutes
Notes on Description (see below)
Homework: Finish descriptive paragraph and grammar sheets from Monday!
Sense of Sight Activity
Shoe
Leaf
Bread
Sidewalk
These are all things that you might see everyday.
Please choose one of the above objects .
Close your eyes.
Visualize a specific picture in your minds.
Now write several sentences, using the sense of sight to create a picture which will be seen by the reader.
Example: A gold bar of DIAL, oval and cracked. The letters look like an old tombstone and inscription. It has fallen from the sink and rests in the cobwebs and sand behind the waste basket.
Please use original detail . For example, the description of the bar of soap is so particular that it could have existed only in that exact moment in that very place.
Notes: (cut and paste and print!)
Descriptive Writing
When writing descriptively, an important rule of thumb is Ashow, don=t tell@.
Writing that tells merely summarizes an event or impression, whereas writing that shows actually paints a picture of that impression or event in the reader's mind. Writing that shows makes the experience come alive, and makes it real for the reader.
Writing that Ashows@:
uses the active rather than the passive voice
lets the character=s words, appearance, and actions speak for themselves
is economical (uses specific nouns and verbs rather than relying on modifiers)
includes reactions (thoughts and feelings) of the people involved wherever possible.
includes dialogue rather than summarized talk
includes details of time and place
makes use of comparisons and contrasts
is filled with figurative language
Examples:
Writing that tells: Sara was a bit of a dreamer, but she had a certain something that drew my attention right away. When I first saw her, she was sweeping.
Writing that shows: The first time I saw Sara she was holding a large broom, sweeping, her body twisting around the object as if she were dancing with it.
How to Write a Description
When writing an informative description, use clear, specific sensory details. To identify the details to include, you might ask yourself these questions about your subject.
What is its size? Shape? Weight?
What color is it?
Of what material is it made?
What is its texture?
For what is it used?
How is it made?
How does it taste? Smell?
What does it sound like if it is hit?
When writing imaginative description:
$ use figurative language and imaginative comparisons to evoke an image in the reader=s mind and create an emotional response.
$ concentrate on creating an overall mood or atmosphere and choose images that will contribute to it.
$ Organize your description to help your reader navigate through it.
Use chronological order when the sequence in which things happened is most important (e.g. when you are describing an even or process).
Use spatial order when the position of things is most important (e.g. when you are describing a place).
Use order of importance when a certain aspect deserves the most attention (e.g., when you are describing a series of steps, but one step has to occur or the others won=t matter).
Silent Reading -- 20 minutes
Notes on Description (see below)
Homework: Finish descriptive paragraph and grammar sheets from Monday!
Sense of Sight Activity
Shoe
Leaf
Bread
Sidewalk
These are all things that you might see everyday.
Please choose one of the above objects .
Close your eyes.
Visualize a specific picture in your minds.
Now write several sentences, using the sense of sight to create a picture which will be seen by the reader.
Example: A gold bar of DIAL, oval and cracked. The letters look like an old tombstone and inscription. It has fallen from the sink and rests in the cobwebs and sand behind the waste basket.
Please use original detail . For example, the description of the bar of soap is so particular that it could have existed only in that exact moment in that very place.
Notes: (cut and paste and print!)
Descriptive Writing
When writing descriptively, an important rule of thumb is Ashow, don=t tell@.
Writing that tells merely summarizes an event or impression, whereas writing that shows actually paints a picture of that impression or event in the reader's mind. Writing that shows makes the experience come alive, and makes it real for the reader.
Writing that Ashows@:
uses the active rather than the passive voice
lets the character=s words, appearance, and actions speak for themselves
is economical (uses specific nouns and verbs rather than relying on modifiers)
includes reactions (thoughts and feelings) of the people involved wherever possible.
includes dialogue rather than summarized talk
includes details of time and place
makes use of comparisons and contrasts
is filled with figurative language
Examples:
Writing that tells: Sara was a bit of a dreamer, but she had a certain something that drew my attention right away. When I first saw her, she was sweeping.
Writing that shows: The first time I saw Sara she was holding a large broom, sweeping, her body twisting around the object as if she were dancing with it.
How to Write a Description
When writing an informative description, use clear, specific sensory details. To identify the details to include, you might ask yourself these questions about your subject.
What is its size? Shape? Weight?
What color is it?
Of what material is it made?
What is its texture?
For what is it used?
How is it made?
How does it taste? Smell?
What does it sound like if it is hit?
When writing imaginative description:
$ use figurative language and imaginative comparisons to evoke an image in the reader=s mind and create an emotional response.
$ concentrate on creating an overall mood or atmosphere and choose images that will contribute to it.
$ Organize your description to help your reader navigate through it.
Use chronological order when the sequence in which things happened is most important (e.g. when you are describing an even or process).
Use spatial order when the position of things is most important (e.g. when you are describing a place).
Use order of importance when a certain aspect deserves the most attention (e.g., when you are describing a series of steps, but one step has to occur or the others won=t matter).
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, Feb.8
Blocks D & C:
Silent Reading (Independent novel)
Notes on Parts of Speech (reviewed on overhead -- did not copy)
Passed out 2 double-sided grammar sheets to be completed for homework.
Silent Reading (Independent novel)
Notes on Parts of Speech (reviewed on overhead -- did not copy)
Passed out 2 double-sided grammar sheets to be completed for homework.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Friday, Feb. 5
Silent Reading 20 minutes
Went over Reading Response criteria
Passed out Writing Logs (to be kept in writing portfolios)
Copied notes on the different genres of writing (went over notes)
Went over Reading Response criteria
Passed out Writing Logs (to be kept in writing portfolios)
Copied notes on the different genres of writing (went over notes)
Thursday, Feb.4
C & D Blocks:
Went to library to select independant novels (read novels and completed our first Reading Response)
Passed out Reading Response criteria sheets (to be put in writing portfolios)
Went to library to select independant novels (read novels and completed our first Reading Response)
Passed out Reading Response criteria sheets (to be put in writing portfolios)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wed. Feb. 3, 2010
Block C&D:
Passed out student info. sheets
Passed out course syllabus (reviewed with class)
Course Expectations
Adjective Name game
Passed out student info. sheets
Passed out course syllabus (reviewed with class)
Course Expectations
Adjective Name game
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