Feature Article Prep

Good morning,

We will read at the bell.

This week we have looked at a second example of a feature article and annotated it to see into the author's work more deeply.  Are you prepared to do the same work with regard to your expert project?

• Are you prepared to write an article that includes both narrative and expository?
• Do you know enough specific stories related to your topic?
• Do you know enough about the past, present, and future of your topic? 
• Who can you interview to get some quotes related to your topic that could become part of your article? 
• Have you done enough research on your topic? 
• Will you be able to blend stories and examples about your topic with expository information for the reader?

Expert Project Feature Article Prompt

Time Sequencing in Feature Articles

Good morning,

We will read at the bell.

One of the qualities of a good feature article is that the writer can give the reader a "big picture" of the topic he or she is writing about. Being able to write about the past, present and future of the subject is an important part of this.

Look again at the article you read yesterday. Find and label the places where the article is talking about the past, present and future of passwords. Notice how the author transitions between those sections.  How does he sequence them in the article?

Do you know enough about the past, present, and future of your expert project topic? Write a list of questions you still need to find answers about. Do some research on those tonight.

Reading today with the Say Something Protocol

We will read at the bell.

Today you will read an article called "Kill The Password". You will read with a partner and use the protocol below. We are looking at an example of an expert project here.  (If you are absent start reading the article on your own. The link goes to the online version.)

Getting Newsy With It

Good morning,

Palm Beach Post, July 27, 1969

Testing is over and we have reached the final six week grading period of the year.  By now you should have selected your last recommended book for independent reading, returned your Gatsby book to the library, and begun some more serious research into your expert project.

We will read at the bell.

Yesterday (or Wednesday for period 3) I showed you how to use the Google News Archive.
Today I would like you to use it to find a source related to your topic and blog about it. Use the snipping tool to add an excerpt picture from your news article. Include a caption and a link back to the original article.  Or use Google Scholar to find academic research about your topic.

The Palm Beach Post - Jul 27, 1969

Images added from At Last Man Enters The Moon Age, The Palm Beach Post  July 27, 1969

Using the Google News Archive

Good afternoon,

We read at the bell.

Our lesson today is about how to use the Google News Archive to find information about your topic from a long time ago.

Here is a video about how to do it and you can watch it again at home if you need to.

Becoming Experts

Good morning,

CC Attribution License Tribe Sports

We will read at the bell.

This week we will get back to working on our Expert Projects intensely. This will be our primary focus for the end of the year as you prepare to wrap up your project and present about what you learned. Don't worry there is still time to learn more.

Today I will show you some examples of great expert project notes and a great blog.
The point is not just to find information on your topic, but to be writing about what you found and how that affects your thinking about the subject.

Your post for today on your Expert Project Blog should be about a person of interest related to your research question. This could be a person related to your topic or another expert on the topic.

Grades are posted. Check Zangle. The grade you see there is the grade on your progress report. Progress reports go home on Friday.

Catch up day

Good afternoon,  (Wow I almost never get to say that, but we are meeting after lunch because of our testing schedule.)

We will read at the bell.
I have an important GearUp announcement for you.
You will get to work on
    Your essays (due Tuesday 4/23)
    Your book reviews (due Thursday 4/25)
    Any other work you are missing or need to make up.

Write a Gatsby essay in 12 easy paragraphs...

It's been a busy week and it's only Tuesday.

Yesterday, we watched most of the second half of The Great Gatsby movie.
Today we learned a strategy for planning a complex essay.

Tonight you should be working on the central paragraphs of your essay. Do not worry about introductions yet. Skip to writing about the characters and their moral issues.

Need to see the prompt again? (Yes, you do.)
Note due date changes.  Draft now due THURSDAY 4/18 and Final draft now due TUESDAY 4/23.

BOOK REVIEWS DUE THURSDAY 4/25
Write one about your choice book and one about The Great Gatsby. 

Watching The Great Gatsby

Good morning,

Today we have been watching the first half of The Great Gatsby film. I gave you a sheet to keep track of the immoral actions of the characters as you prepare for your essays. If you prefer I have shared the organizer with you as a Google Doc in your view only folder.  We will finish watching the film Monday.

Gatsby turned out all right in the end...

Good morning,

We will read at the bell.

Yesterday, we finished reading up through chapter 8 of The Great Gatsby, but some of you weren't finished with seven. You should now be finished with both chapters and it's time to take those quizzes. If you are here you take the quiz. (You can also take the quiz if you aren't here.)

Chapter 7 Quiz
Chapter 8 Quiz

When you finish the quizzes find a partner to read Chapter 9 with you.  Stop every few pages and ask yourselves the "teacher" questions I would ask you. Pay attention to what Nick learns from Gatsby's father and also to how people treat Gatsby now.

You must read the article of the week AND write about it in your English Journal BEFORE class begins tomorrow if you want to be able to watch the film.  See the post below this one for more info on that.