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September 29, 2006
All first drafts were turned in today. I hope to have those returned on Monday with comments and suggestions for draft 2.
We began discussion of participles today, and on Monday we will continue with participial phrases. By Wednesday we hope to cover gerund and infinitive phrases so we can begin working on our Keynote projects.
Enjoy the week end!
Posted by Hartnett at 05:59 PM | Comments (0)
The writing workshop continued today. Most students are well on their way, and some are even close to finished. The decision was made to extend the workshop one more day, and so Monday will our last day of working on the draft in class. The typed first draft will be due on Wednesday, 10/4.
Posted by Hartnett at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2006
Students began work on the first draft of their essay. Pre-writing, thesis statements and body paragraphs were begun today. This will continue tomorrow.
ALL STUDENTS NEED TO RETURN PERFORMING ARTS FIELD TRIP FORMS TOMORROW.
Posted by Hartnett at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2006
Parents and students, I am very excited to announce that our writing unit has been recorded and made into podcasts. These represent 4 lessons that introduced the unit, the pre-writing, thesis statement, body paragraphs, transitions, and so forth. We were not able to include today's lesson on the conclusion because of our deadline. I sincerely hope you find them helpful, especially if you have been absent, missed one of the lessons, or simply feel the need to review. Please click on the podcasts to listen to the lessons. Podcast One: Introduction - Assessment Rubric - Essay Categories - Prewriting rubric Podcast Two: Prewriting - Concrete Details - Commentary - Thesis Statement Podcast Three: Prewriting rubric - Body Paragraph + 11 Sentence Rubric - Commentaries - Concluding Sentences Podcast Four: Body Paragraph - Transition words/phrases - Sample ParagraphPosted by Hartnett at 02:18 PM
Today we learned about the conclusion paragraph and were given the instructions for our persuasive essay. Students are to brainstorm about the prompt and be prepared to begin work in class tomorrow. Make sure to bring your binders and your thinking caps! Thursday and Friday will be used as class time workshops in order to provide students with teacher help if necessary. The first draft is due on Monday.
Below is a copy of the Persuasive
Essay instructions.
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Posted by Hartnett at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
As a review for prepositional phrases, students created prepositional poems. They were given 20 minutes to work with a partner and create an 8 line prepositional poem. They were to choose the topic, give a title, and end it with one word. I thought they were worth sharing!
Tomorrow we train with Mr. Quinn on the use of Keynote for our final projects.
Posted by Hartnett at 01:50 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2006
Students began a grammar unit on phrases (prepositional phrases, appositive phrases, and verbal phrases). In addition, a description and the requirements for a final project were discussed. On Thursday, Mr. Mike Quinn will instruct us on the technology we will use for the project.
Below are copies of today's handouts.
CONTINUE WORKING ON YOUR ESSAY'S FIRST DRAFT.
Posted by Hartnett at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)
We began a grammar unit on phrases. This unit will cover prepositional phrases, appositive phrases, and verbal phrases (participial, gerund, and infinitive phrases). Samples of the handouts given in class can be found below.
Posted by Hartnett at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2006
First draft of your persuasive essay is due this Thursday. Remember to use style builders, transitions, and follow all the requirements listed on your handout. Above all, choose the persuasive format that best suits your topic. Don't forget to review persuasive techniques and types of support listed on your "Persuasive Writing" handout or in your textbook.
Posted by Hartnett at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
After completing our DOL, we reviewed the graphic organizer for the 11 sentence paragraph. Transitions were discussed and a handout listing transitions and their signals was handed out. Students are to complete a sample paragraph using the rubric; they are to insert transitions wherever necessary.
Tomorrow we will cover concluding paragraphs and style builders. We hope to assign the first essay by Wednesday. More details on this tomorrow.
Posted by Hartnett at 06:50 PM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2006
If your topic has been approved, you may begin your prewriting. Remember, use the expanded paragraph rubric for the BP's for this first essay. Students who were asked to narrow their topics or change them, must do so for Monday's class.
We will cover the concluding paragraph on Monday and how to edit the first draft. Transitions and comma usage will also be reviewed.
Posted by Hartnett at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)
Today we covered the body paragraph. Students were introduced to the expanded paragraph rubric. Using this rubric will guarantee that the BP's are 11 sentences long and that they are organized.
By placing the prewriting rubric alongside the BP rubric, students were shown how to transfer the information from one to the other. Commentary sentences were then added to each concrete detail as a means to expand the paragraph.
The concluding sentence wrapped it up. We will be learning to write these as transition sentences in the near future.
Below you will find a copy of the sample rubric we filled out together in class.
Next week we will continue with style builders, transitions, and concluding paragraphs.
No homework
Posted by Hartnett at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2006
We visited the media center today where Mrs. Hendrix presented a lesson to our students about how the media center functions and the different types of genre. It was a lot of fun because students used the promethean "eggs" to answer questions and view the immediate results.
Tomorrow we continue with the writing process. We will be discussing the body paragraphs and introduce students to the graphic organizer they will use for the expanded paragraph.
Review class handouts and notes from this week for tomorrow.
Posted by Hartnett at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)
Instructions and requirements for the persuasive essay were given. Students have until next Tuesday to turn in their first draft. Below is a copy of the handout should you need it.
Posted by Hartnett at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2006
Classes continued grammar review with DOL.
We reviewed the purpose and the parts of the thesis statement. Handouts on the introductory paragraph were distributed and discussion was introduced regarding the two functions of this paragraph. Sample introductory paragraphs were read, and students were asked to identify the thesis statement in each.
Posted by Hartnett at 06:33 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2006
Today we continued work on prewriting and thesis statements. The process continues tomorrow when we will begin discussing the introductory paragraph and ways to begin an essay.
REMINDER: Tomorrow is an early dismissal day and classes will be shorter. Be looking for conference information from your child's third hour teacher.
Posted by Hartnett at 08:00 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2006
Having begun the writing unit, classes reviewed the new writing categories and their components. In addition, the assessment rubric was explained and the weights of each category pointed out.
The "columns" format of prewriting was introduced and we created 2 samples. Students were shown how this format guarantees the writer connects the body paragraphs(BP) to the thesis statement, as it also requires them to give a least 3 concrete details per BP topic.
Tomorrow we plan on working with thesis statement, ways to begin an essay, and finally, commence work on the expanded paragraph rubric.
Please be checking later this week for a podcast of the day's lesson for those of you absent from class.
Posted by Hartnett at 07:42 PM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2006
Homework:
All students, except those in 2nd hour, need to complete workbook pages 49-54 as review.
Progress reports:
These will be given out on Monday. Because of the testing schedule this past week, the additional time has been necessary for grading to be completed.
2nd Hour: Don't forget to get parental permission for the response to the AJC editorial.
Everyone have a terrific weekend!
Posted by Hartnett at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2006
First and 2nd hrs. did not meet today.
Sixth and 7th hrs. presented their editorial cartoons to the class and took a DOL quiz.
Third hour did DOL and began the writing unit. Three handouts were given out and explanation of the new writing domains was presented. These handouts are the beginning of many that will be kept in the writing section of the language arts binder. They will be used throughout the year, and even many of our high school students have returned to tell us they still refer to them! PLEASE make sure you have a binder and the 5 dividers requested at the start of the school year.
Homework is for classes still to turn in cartoons, correct quizzes, and for 2nd hr., your editorial analysis and response to the AJC article are due Thurs. and Friday.
Have a great evening!
Posted by Hartnett at 05:13 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2006
ITBS : Started today and will continue every morning this week.
Classes will meet on the following days:
3rd, 6th, 7th: Mon., Wed., Fri.
3rd,1st, 2nd: Tues., Thurs.
We will begin the writing process this week. This will be the foundation for all of our writing lessons this year. it is very important that students be present to ask questions and take notes.
All final copies of editorial cartoons are due Wed. /Thursday depending on your meeting day.
Posted by Hartnett at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2006
Testing will resume on Monday. The ITBS will take place every morning next week, so attempt to be at school bright eyed and alert!
Eighth grade will be seeing classes every other day for longer periods.
The editorial cartoons are looking terrific. I can't wait to see the final results!
Have a terrific weekend...no homework.
Posted by Hartnett at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2006
Testing continued today. Periods were shortened, though we were able to see all classes.
Students will be creating editorial cartoons in class tomorrow. Notes on characteristics of the cartoons and requirements can be found on yesterday's post.
Review and practice on simple subjects and verbs were directed by students using the promethean board. It was a lot of fun using our new toy!
Posted by Hartnett at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2006
COGAT's began this morning. They will continue tomorrow immediately following homeroom.
Today's schedule had students attending 3rd, 1st, and 2nd hours.
1. We worked on DOL.
2. Students and teachers discussed and took notes on the characteristics of editorial cartoons and analyzed 3 examples of these from the AJC.
3. Students took notes on the requirements for the cartoons they will be creating. These will be worked on in class. Everyone needs to be thinking of a topic having to do with school.
Below you will find a copy of our class notes plus a typed version.
1. It must be school appropriate.
2. No names must be used.
3. The content must be about a school issue.
4. It must be illustarted with color.
5. It must have a clear message.
6. It must be on 8.5" x 11" unlined paper.
Posted by Hartnett at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2006
Persuasion tests were returned and answers reviewed.
Retesting was offered to students who needed to raise their grades. This is not an option that will be offered in the future, as students were informed.
Portfolios were distributed and explained. The new writing domains were presented and will be thoroughly described when we begin the writing process later this week.
Students begin testing tomorrow morning; COGAT's will be given Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
No homework
Posted by Hartnett at 07:12 PM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2006
Students took their test today.
There is no homework for the long weekend. Enjoy!
Posted by Hartnett at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
