Sept. 14: The Quacky Days of Pre-AP

Today's Menu:

• Commas Rule...or Comma Rules
• Ducks Galore: from profile to paragraph
• Literary terms to consider using in paragraph

I will not be here on Wednesday/Thursday as I will be serving on a committee for the Arkansas Department of Education.

Due in class on Wednesday/Thursday:

• Your introduction of your duck...
• Study the comma rules...could be a quiz!
• SSR Time...Time Machine or Invisible Man.

September 10: May We Never Forget

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing."
- Abraham Lincoln

WRITER'S NOTEBOOK: To mark the anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001, President Bush proclaimed that September 11 be named Patriot Day. On this day, the proclamation asks that flags be flown at half-mast and that the day be marked by ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and other remembrance services.

President Obama has also declared September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Please go here to learn more that this.

Even though this day marks the anniversary of a huge disaster, it is called Patriot Day. How does this label change our perceptions about the events of September 11, 2001? Think of the various meanings of the word “patriot.” Is it possible to be a patriot and still disagree with certain aspects of the government? What is the best way to voice criticism of the government?

May we also commemorate this day with poetry? Please read the following poems:

We're Still Standing
© Hannah Schoechert

Those twin towers
Standing tall with pride,
Fell with grieving hearts.
Stunned, America cried.

But we're still standing.

Bin Laden tried
To crush our land,
But we stood our ground
With our flag in hand

And we're still standing.

Red for the valor
And the blood that fell.
White for the purity
Our heroes tell.
Blue for the justice
That will be done,
Proving once more
These colors don't run

And we're still standing.

By Hannah Schoechert
A 7th grade student

To The Foolish American

© By Alyssa Marquardt

It kills me to hear you say
That war is just a foolish game
That men and women dare to play
Well I'd like to see you last one day
You obviously don't see the pain
Or the freedom that we Americans gain.
From those brave ones across the sea
The ones that mean so much to me
The ones who give you the right
To stand right there and hold that sign
You'll never see the world as a soldier does.
You'll never see that hate or feel that love.
You worry about work and school
They worry about destructive tools.
They worry about saving and taking lives.
And the freedom of their kids and wives.
We can't appreciate our whole ton.
But they are happy with the last little one.
So before you stand back and point you finger,
Listen to these words I give
And appreciate the life you live.

(Poem accessed at Poetry America.)

Who is the speaker? What is his/her perspective? What are your thoughts on these poem?

Definition of anaphora: Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses. Can you find the anaphora the poet used in the previous poem? Why do authors choose to use such figurative devices?

TODAY'S MENU:

Tech Time: Have you created all your accounts? Completed the form and hit submit?

Grammar Time!

1. Please punctuate this poem.
2. Unscrambling...another sentence!
   

Now let's post to your blog!

• Choose a topic.
• Draft your post.
• Proofread! Then proofread again! Might consider having someone else proofread!
• Run spell check.
• Post to your blog.
• Read your post again...make any necessary revisions...again!

Ready to write your book review? Open up the Book Review Rubric here.

Ducks Galore: Introduce me to you duck! Click here and find the guidelines and handouts for this project.

Homework:

1. Complete your out-of-class read!
2. Finalize and post your first blog post.
   
3. Draft your introduction of your duck.

Sept. 8: Target Tech

Welcome back! I hope you had a restful three-day break!

Writer's Notebook Topic: Think about this sentence..."All writing equals the sum of its sentences." What does this mean? How important are sentences to a piece of writing's meaning? Now write a loooooooooooooooog sentence...keep adding parts.


Grammar Time! Check here for Sentence Unscrambling Exercise.

Please go to Cafe Pre-AP and post a link to your writing metaphor. We will have to do this one at a time...

1. Sign in.
2. Click on "edit."
3. Click on "insert images and files."
4. On the box, link your metaphor.

First, let's complete creating tech accounts. Please scroll down to Sept. 3's post.

Completed creating all your accounts? Submitted your form? Great! Let's move on!


Time to blog!

• Look over your Writer's Notebook topics. Choose one of them on which to create a post.

Ducks Galore!

• Meet your new friend!

Homework:

• Read! Read! Read! Out-of-class read due next week!
• Create a persona for your duck.

Sept. 3: Right on Target!

Today's Agenda...or Menu!

1. Complete the Targit Test.
2. If time allows, create a Penzu, Delicious, and GoodReads account.
3. Fill-in the following form.
4. Post a link to your writing metaphor on Cafe Pre-AP.

HOMEWORK: Read! Read! Read your out-of-class novel.

September 1

Today's Writer's Notebook topic: Please read this post by children's book author Janette Rallison on her blog: "Where Children's Book Author's Work." In your notebook, discuss where you write. Describe this inspiring place and explain why you choose that particular place(s).

Please complete the following form:





In additon to the Mrs. G's Info Page, we also have another site on which you will have rights as a writer (Yes! Another opportunity for you to be published!).

• Once you click on the link in the next bullet, you will will request access to the wiki...I will grant you rights.


• Then please post a link to our Class Wikispace = Cafe ~ Pre-AP English 10.


• This may take some time, as I think only one of you can access the wikispace at at time.


• Directions for posting a link: Click on edit. Then click on the link button. Select URL. Find your file and save. You are now published!
  

While everyone is posting to the wikispace, you may work on this activity until your time arrives to post:

Now let's practice leaving a comment on a blog post!

• Please read this story. The man featured in this story was a little different (in a very good way).


• Please think of someone in your life that is "different in a good way" and feature him/her in a comment below. Thanks!
  

Time to set up your blogs!

1. Refer to the form you created on Friday concerning your blog's title.


2. Click here to open the presentation that will assist in your creating a personal blog!


3. REMINDER: You must have a Google email created to complete this step.

Listen to Your Peers!

Good afternoon!

Today's Student Learner Expectations (yes, that is state department jargon!) are...

1. W.7.10.1: Use figurative language effectively with emphasis on metaphor and symbolism
2. W.4.10.4 Elaborate ideas clearly and accurately through word choice, vivid description, and selected information
3. W.4.10.14 Use available technology for all aspects of the writing process
   

First, let's watch School Tube...watch video and respond in Writer's Notebook about changes you would like to see implemented FOR YOU within our community and school.

Now, the time has arrived to meet Mrs. Brewer and tour the library. You will need a novel in class on Friday for some SSR Time! Ahhh...Silent Sustained Reading has arrived!

Please take a few moments to complete the following questions:

LIBRARY BLOG...You may visit the blog here!

METAPHOR PAPER = Time to listen to your peers!

• Using the print form or the one online, two peers will read and critique your paper. Positive energy needed! Please take your time...your peers will appreciate any input from you, helping insure the best grade for them and a good experience in editing for you.

DUE ON FRIDAY: Final Metaphorical Paper.

Thanks!

Welcome to Our Class Blog!

Welcome to Pre-AP English 10...and the land of high school!

Would you be so kind as to answer a few questions for me? Please click on the links below to take the two surveys:

Student Information ~ Day 1: Click Here to take survey

R U Techie?: Click Here to take survey

Let's go to work! Today's lesson plans can be found by clicking here.

Click here to access Mrs. Gillmore's Information Page to see sample genres.

TO-DO LIST:

1. Draft metaphorica paper.
2. Create gmail account.
3. Select an out-of-class read: Please choose a novel that would support the theme "Who Am I?" In other words, choose a novel in which a character is attempting to come to terms with who he/she/it is.

Let's go to work!