Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Analysis- Word choice in Of Plymouth Plantation

Good morning,
Over the past few days you have been reading a very challenging text, Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, who came to North America on The Mayflower in 1620.
What strategies did you use for reading a hard text like that?

Of Plymouth Plantation is an example of a PRIMARY SOURCE. Even though it was written down years after the events, the person writing it was actually there and tells about what happened in his own words.

Now that you know what Bradford said, it's time to look more deeply at HOW his said it. His choice of words and tone affect the way his story is perceived.

(This is part of the next standard we are going to be working on: RL 3.3  Analysis: Analyze the ways in which irony, tone, mood, the author's style, and the "sound" of language achieve specific rhetorical or aesthetic purposes or both)

Your task:
  1. Select ONE of the HIGHLIGHTED phrases in the text.
  2. Copy that phrase (and perhaps the whole sentence) into your ENGLISH JOURNAL.
  3. Explain in your own words WHY you think Bradford used the words he did or included that phrase in his writing. What was the effect on his audience? What was he trying to make people think?
And you HAVE HOMEWORK tonight. I'll explain it in class and it will be posted on the homework page later.

Extension: If you finished explaining Bradford's word choices go read this. It was written in 1641.  What does it tell you about Puritan values, justice, and lifestyle?

Monday, September 27, 2010

And then came the Europeans

Good morning,
I'm going to go over this fast because I know you've also seen it in your American History classes, but there are a few points you must know:
  • The Puritans arrived in Massachusetts in the fall of 1620. They meant to arrive in Virgina.
  • They were searching for a place to practice their "pure" form of Christianity.
  • Their leader was William Bradford. The ship, of course, was The Mayflower.
http://www.mbeinstitute.org/America/amerch2.html


Today you will read about the Puritan's first encounter with the Native Americans already settled in Massachusetts. Your task is to make sense of what happened when these two groups first met.
Excerpt from Of Plymouth Plantation
  1. Read the text with a partner.
  2. Stop and talk after each paragraph.
  3. Agree on what happened and write 1-2 sentences in your English Journal.
  4. Read the next paragraph.
Random words because I'm curious.  mesothelioma, treatment, cancer, mortgage, bankruptcy, new car, loan, 
Origins Story Reflection Survey<< Do this if you missed it Monday!


    http://www.welt-atlas.de/map_of_east_coast_usa_7-245


    Friday, September 24, 2010

    "What did she say?"

    Good morning,    

    Your stories are looking great. I'm very impressed with the quality and quantity you've done this week. Today is the last day in class to work on your origins story.  One area of need I see for many of you is in correctly punctuating and formatting your dialog.

    Our Dialog Plan:
    1. I'll show you how to do it.
    2. You can take a practice quiz (on your own or with someone very close to you, no moving today.)
    3. You can edit the dialog in your own story.
    Also make sure you have a title on your story. Center it. Make it larger etc.
    Make sure you have a heading: Name, Date, Period (Left or right side is fine)

    Additional Resources for Dialog: 
    Dialog Punctuation
    How to Use Proper Punctuation When Writing Dialogue
    Punctuating Dialog 


    Thought you might want to know that you had a chance to show mastery of at least EIGHT standards with this project:
    Writing Strategies:
    1.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of discourse (e.g., purpose, speaker, audience, form) when completing narrative, expository, persuasive, or descriptive writing assignments.
    1.2 Use point of view, characterization, style (e.g., use of irony), and related elements for specific rhetorical and aesthetic purposes.
    1.5 Use language in natural, fresh, and vivid ways to establish a specific tone.
    1.9 Revise text to highlight the individual voice, improve sentence variety and style, and enhance subtlety of meaning and tone in ways that are consistent with the purpose, audience, and genre.
    Writing Applications:
    2.1 Write fictional, autobiographical, or biographical narratives:
    a. Narrate a sequence of events and communicate their significance to the audience.
    b. Locate scenes and incidents in specific places.
    c. Describe with concrete sensory details the sights, sounds, and smells of a scene and the specific actions, movements, gestures, and feelings of the characters; use interior monologue to depict the characters’ feelings.
    d. Pace the presentation of actions to accommodate temporal, spatial, and dramatic mood changes.
    e. Make effective use of descriptions of appearance, images, shifting perspectives, and sensory details.
    Writing Conventions:
    1.1 Demonstrate control of grammar, diction, and paragraph and sentence structure and an understanding of English usage.
    1.2 Produce legible work that shows accurate spelling and correct punctuation and capitalization.
    1.3 Reflect appropriate manuscript requirements in writing.

    Wednesday, September 22, 2010

    Great Job!

    Best first day of writing groups EVER!

    Fabulous job everybody!  I was so impressed with the quantity and quality of drafts today.  Sorry for the phone spam last night, but I do think it helped. (Yay, Blackboard Connect!)

    Special mention to Google Docs for adding folder sharing to Docs. With a shared folder for each group, writing groups were able to get started so much faster than last year!

    For the rest of the year when you need to share something with your writing group just add it to your group folder and your writing group members will be able to see it.

    Monday, September 20, 2010

    New Writing Project

    Good afternoon.
     A late in the day post because it's been that kind of day. As you know you have a new writing assignment to write an origins story modeled on the Native American tales we have read. You NEED a complete draft by Wednesday!

    There are a few things you may need to catch up on as well:
    1. Finish reading The World on The Turtle's Back. You should have a summary of this in your English Journal.
    2. You also should have read The Song of The Sky Loom (page 34) and answer the three questions at the bottom of the page. (This was homework. It should be on paper.)
    3. You should have read Fox and Coyote and Whale as well as Coyote and Buffalo.

    Friday, September 17, 2010

    The World on the Turtle's Back

    Good morning,
      This week you got your English Journal all set up. Today we begin to use it.

    We've looked at several examples of Native American writings. Today we are going to tackle a longer piece. It is called The World on the Turtle's Back.

    Your task today is to read through the text with one or two partners. As you read you'll see that the text is marked into segments with horizontal lines. Your group should stop at each of these breaks and write a short 3-4 sentence summary about that segment. You and your partners must have identical summaries. Talk about what you are going to write and help each other with spelling  and punctuation.

    Note: Make sure you put this new work at the TOP of your English Journal. Make sure you include the date.

    Thursday, September 16, 2010

    Just for fourth

    Hello,  You're still a bit ahead of period three because of the assembly and the testing.

    Read this story about Coyote and answer the questions below in your English Journal.
    1. Was this Coyote similar or different from the one in the other stories?
    2. What archetypes do you find in this story?
    3. What did you find in the story that you were expecting or not expecting?

    Then I believe we have several groups who wish to present their dialogs from last week.

    Third Period Thursday

    Hi Third Period,

    If you were here yesterday you know what we did and you probably even remember the mission I gave you for today. The directions are in the post from yesterday, but I'm going to re-post them here.
    If you were not here yesterday because you were testing or absent then find a partner who was here and get them to help you with the steps below.


    Make a new Google Doc
    1. Go to Docs.google.com
    2. Sign in using your g-mail user name and password.
    3. Click the "Create new" button and then pick "document"
    4. This will give you a new blank Google Doc
    5. Put your FULL Name and period at the top.
    You will need to name this document.  
    1. Click in the box that says "untitled document"
    2. Important: Name your doc this way  3xxEnglish Journal  But instead of the xx's put your initials! (The 3 stands for period 3!)
    Share your English Journal with us.
    1. Click the "Share" button in the upper right corner.
    2. In the box that says "Add people" type in my G-mail address. jrobertsplhs@gmail.com
    3. Put a comma and add Ms. Smith also msmithplhs@gmail.com
    4. Make sure it says "can edit" next to both of our names. This lets us add notes to you in your EJ and allows me to write in your grade.
    Important:
    1. Always put your new work ON TOP of the old work. Your most recent EJ entries will be at the top and work you did before will move lower.
    2. Put the date on every entry.
    3. Always keep your EJ neat. Use a consistent format for dates and titles. Use bold headings and color consistently.
    4. Make sure you have all work completed in your English Journal.
    5. Read the English Journal Scoring Guide to see how it will be graded.
    First Questions for your EJ.  Copy and paste (ctrl-c = copy and ctrl-v = paste) these questions into your new EJ and answer them completely. 
    1. Did the characters in the stories turn our to be what you expected based on their archetype? (explain)
    2. How does knowing about archetypes help you as a reader? (explain)
    3. Why do you think authors use archetypes in their writing? (yes, explain)

    Wednesday, September 15, 2010

    Just for fourth period... aren't you lucky.

    Ok, many people are out taking a test which gives you some extra time.

    Top Priority: Did you finish creating and sharing your English Journal yesterday?
    Did you finish this:
    First Questions for your EJ.  Copy and paste (ctrl-c = copy and ctrl-v = paste) these questions into your new EJ and answer them completely. 
    1. Did the characters in the stories turn our to be what you expected based on their archetype? (explain)
    2. How does knowing about archetypes help you as a reader? (explain)
    3. Why do you think authors use archetypes in their writing? (yes, explain)
     If you are up to date on all of that, you have earned some independent reading time. Shut down your computer and get out your book. If you want to borrow a book from our classroom shelves please tell me. I can help you choose and I need to write down what you borrow.

    And now for even more fun...

    Good morning,
       Today's excitement is that all of my students in third and fourth period who are still classified as English Learners are out taking a test. 

      Third period students who are still here, you are going to set up your English Journal (EJ) in your Google Docs account, share it with me, and answer some questions based on the homework you had Monday night.


    Make a new Google Doc
    1. Go to Docs.google.com
    2. Sign in using your g-mail user name and password.
    3. Click the "Create new" button and then pick "document"
    4. This will give you a new blank Google Doc
    5. Put your FULL Name and period at the top.
    You will need to name this document.  
    1. Click in the box that says "untitled document"
    2. Important: Name your doc this way  3xxEnglish Journal  But instead of the xx's put your initials! (The 3 stands for period 3!)
    Share your English Journal with us.
    1. Click the "Share" button in the upper right corner.
    2. In the box that says "Add people" type in my G-mail address. jrobertsplhs@gmail.com
    3. Put a comma and add Ms. Smith also msmithplhs@gmail.com
    4. Make sure it says "can edit" next to both of our names. This lets us add notes to you in your EJ and allows me to write in your grade.
    Important:
    1. Always put your new work ON TOP of the old work. Your most recent EJ entries will be at the top and work you did before will move lower.
    2. Put the date on every entry.
    3. Always keep your EJ neat. Use a consistent format for dates and titles. Use bold headings and color consistently.
    4. Make sure you have all work completed in your English Journal.
    5. Read the English Journal Scoring Guide to see how it will be graded.
    First Questions for your EJ.  Copy and paste (ctrl-c = copy and ctrl-v = paste) these questions into your new EJ and answer them completely. 
    1. Did the characters in the stories turn our to be what you expected based on their archetype? (explain)
    2. How does knowing about archetypes help you as a reader? (explain)
    3. Why do you think authors use archetypes in their writing? (yes, explain)

    Tuesday, September 14, 2010

    One Crazy Day

    Good morning,
       Today is crazy because third period needs to go to a grade level assembly and fourth period has our regular class. That means fourth period gets a bit ahead, making me a little crazy. (Yes, more than usual.)

      Fourth period, you are going to set up your English Journal (EJ) in your Google Docs account, share it with me and answer some questions based on the homework you had last night.


    Make a new Google Doc
    1. Go to Docs.google.com
    2. Sign in using your g-mail user name and password.
    3. Click the "Create new" button and then pick "document"
    4. This will give you a new blank Google Doc
    5. Put your FULL Name and period at the top.
    You will need to name this document.  
    1. Click in the box that says "untitled document"
    2. Important: Name your doc this way  4xxEnglish Journal  But instead of the xx's put your initials! (the 4 stands for period 4)
    Share your English Journal with us.
    1. Click the "Share" button in the upper right corner.
    2. In the box that says "Add people" type in my G-mail address. jrobertsplhs@gmail.com
    3. Put a comma and add Ms. Smith also msmithplhs@gmail.com
    4. Make sure it says "can edit" next to both of our names. This lets us add notes to you in your EJ and allows me to write in your grade.
    Important:
    1. Always put your new work ON TOP of the old work. Your most recent EJ entries will be at the top and work you did before will move lower.
    2. Put the date on every entry.
    3. Always keep your EJ neat. Use a consistent format for dates and titles. Use bold headings and color consistently.
    4. Make sure you have all work completed in your English Journal.
    5. Read the English Journal Scoring Guide to see how it will be graded.
    First Questions for your EJ.  Copy and paste (ctrl-c = copy and ctrl-v = paste) these questions into your new EJ and answer them completely. 
    1. Did the characters in the stories turn our to be what you expected based on their archetype? (explain)
    2. How does knowing about archetypes help you as a reader? (explain)
    3. Why do you think authors use archetypes in their writing? (yes, explain)

    Monday, September 13, 2010

    Let's look at archetypes

    Good morning,
        Today we are going to learn about archetypes. You actually already know a lot about this, but you don't know you know it, so I'm going to show you.
        We are going to read a Native American story called Fox and Coyote and Whale. This story comes from the Pacific Northwest and was written down by Mourning Dove. (If the story has footprints on the right that cover the text try making your browser window smaller.)
        You have a graphic organizer you will use before, during and after our reading. You will use the back side of it for your homework. You will need your textbook at home OR internet access to do your homework. Coyote and Buffalo

    Sunday, September 12, 2010

    Visitors Welcome

    I want to say thank you and welcome to the large number of American and international visitors who have come to this blog this weekend.  I hope you found something useful or interesting. This is a blog I keep for my class, but it also provides me and other teachers with an archive of things I've done with my students. I would encourage you to use a blog for a similar purpose in your own classroom. After three years I have a great searchable archive of lesson plans for inspiration. I also find it often saves me time. Thanks for visiting.
    Jen

    Thursday, September 9, 2010

    Facebook Dialog

    Remember the article we read on Tuesday? It was about the student who got expelled for making a threat on Facebook. Get that out.


    You will work with one or two partners to write a dialog based on that article. Imagine a scene between that student and his parents, or that student and one of his friends. You create the situation.
    Everyone in your group needs an exact copy of the whole dialog. It should be 10-20 sentences.


    At the end of the period we are going to the library for textbook checkout.
    This is the poem, Privacy, that you need for your homework.

    Wednesday, September 8, 2010

    Second Day

    Good morning,
      If you are reading this then you must have done your homework. Good. Did you get it all done? Do you have a G-mail account? Did you complete the Student Data form? Have you read the course syllabus? If you have any of that to still take care of please do that first. (If you don't have a g-mail yet you might not be able to do that from school.)

      Now we have a problem. While some people are busy catching up on what they should have done for homework, you have some extra time with this laptop. (Implicit lesson made explicit: always do your homework. It is often your ticket to your laptop.)

    But really, if you have really done EVERYTHING you needed to do then you get to play with some of the fun sites I'm going to show you.
    Free Rice is a site where you answer questions and each correct answer earns a rice donation to the world food program. You can answer questions about vocabulary, math, languages etc.
    Quizlet is a site where you can make (or find) flashcards for anything you need to learn. I'm sending you to a quizlet about poetry terms, but you can play around on the site for any subject you like.
    Shmoop is a site that gives you background information about anything you might be studying. It's like a giant stack of cliff notes. Take a look at what it says about a certain book you read last year. (Notice the tabs for different parts.)
    What Should I Read Next is a site that will help you pick your next book. Type in the title of the last book you read that you liked and the site will recommend a bunch of books you might also like.
     
    We are going to the library to checkout textbooks on Thursday. Please make sure you have your ID and your schedule. Having your schedule with you really helps the librarians to make sure you have the correct books.

    Saturday, September 4, 2010

    Welcome Back

    Greetings new students,
        Welcome to the first day of school. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. We have a lot to do this week to get us started. Below is a list of some of what we need to accomplish.


    1. You need to write me a letter about yourself, read the syllabus and complete the student data form on the right.
    2. You need to meet a lot of your classmates and get to know them.
    3. You need to get a serious G-mail account based on your name. (Twitter is also helpful. Goodreads will be coming soon.)
    4. I get to teach you about Google Docs. (You'll love it.)
    5. We need to go to the library for textbook checkout. (Once you get your book for this class you can take it home. You'll need it there for some homework readings, but we will use the laptops in class.)
    6. You will get your laptop assigned, learn to treat it with care, and use it for a quick project.
     Last Word Protocol

    If we have time we will be Passing Notes


    Click the word "comments" below to ask me questions. (Your question will be e-mailed to me before it appears on the blog.)

    Thursday, September 2, 2010

    Blog Workshop (For teachers who already have a blog.)

    One of the things people really like to add to their blogs is a traffic feed so you can see who has been visiting your blog and where they come from.  Mine is way down on the right sidebar (keep scrolling). If you look at it you'll see that my blog gets visitors from all over the world.

    To add a traffic feed you'll need to add an HTML gadget to your blog. I'm going to walk you through it.
    Live Traffic Feed