Final Exam

Good day mates!

It is time to take the final. Here is the link.

Best wishes and have a great summer!

Book Return and Test Practice

In the words of Mrs. Roberts:
"Good morning,

Today we will have textbook returns. At our scheduled time we will all go down to the library to return textbooks. If any of your other teachers have told you that you need to keep a textbook to study for finals you can. You will need to return that book to the textbook window after the final for that class.

If you forgot to bring any textbooks to class today you can return them to the textbook window after school or at lunch another day this week, but not during class time. 

Thursday afternoon will be the last day to use lockers, so please only keep textbooks you need for finals. 

Also today, we need to practice taking an online test. Your final is going to be online, so this is to familiarize you with that process and make sure it works for us. To take the practice test you will need a test code that I will give you.  This code only works on this test and will not work on any other test.

Before the test, you will do a short tutorial about online testing. Go slowly and read the directions. This information may help you do better on the real test.  

Please go to the START PAGE and enter your code when I give it to you. Once you enter your code you may proceed at your own pace."

Sharing Your Knowledge

Hi Everyone. 

In order to help you spread your knowledge, take a moment to read the following and then post a response.

Think about what you have gained in your research. Think about what you have gained in terms of sharing information. Write a paragraph that discusses your new knowledge and what you have learned about spreading information. Then paste your link in your post so that others may visit your work.

Summarizing - Again

OK - so after reading your summaries yesterday, I realized that some of you have serious summer brain drain happening and school is not yet out. We haven't even taken finals!

Today, on your exit slip, write a summary statement for an article your group decides to read in the NY Times.

Your summary should include the title of the article, the author, and the main idea. For example: The article, "Title," by author is about the main idea.

Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Direct Quoting

Today we take a break from our research and creating in order to review some necessary skills.

Read an article from the New York Times in class. At the end of the period, submit a summary of the article, a direct quote from the article, and showcase your ability to paraphrase.

Analyzing Sources

This week you will be analyzing sources and beginning to track the sources you use.

Remember, you can use CiteLighter.

Also, by Thursday, you will submit the following document - printed.

History of Your Topic

As you move forward in the research process, you will need to work on reading and learning about the history of your topic.

Spend some time today, in class, creating a time line.

Research Proposal

After completing your research plan, you will write up your proposal and submit to me at the end of class or at the beginning of  class tomorrow.

If you would like a calendar to view: use this link. You can make a copy of it.

Awesome Research Questions

The following questions are ones that stood out for a variety of reasons:

If a person practices lucid dreaming, could she begin to confuse reality and dream?
How does the game of basketball help me progress into adulthood?
Do cleats affect my performance during a soccer game or practice?
How will learning about the laws of attraction benefit myself and others into becoming successful and truly happy?
How does my experience in dance affect who I am?
How does my culture impact my ability to learn old school and hip-hop forms of dance?
How does music relate to my emotions?
Can I learn to use hypnosis on myself or others?
Can global warming lead to the end of the world?
How can an understanding of kinesthetics improve my athletic performance?
Can dancing everyday keep me happier than usual?
What really attracts teenage girls to boy artists  and what makes them different from the rest?
How would my world be different if phones had not been invented?
Which theory of human creation do I believe in?
As I get older will my ability to lie get better?
Do I benefit from creative subjects, and activities, just as much as I benefit from academic subjects?
How can we help today's generation learn that books, school, and freedom are a privilege we are lucky to have?
How do smells affect my dreams?
How will the music I like make me stronger: mentally and emotionally?
How will learning the importance of forgiveness benefit me and the people around me?
How can I bring public education into 3rd world countries, like India, so that children are able to go to school and receive the proper education needed in order to prosper in the future?
Do dreams reveal anything about my life when I am awake and do specific situations, like age or health, have an effect on my dreams?
How can I use my knowledge of the mind to study for tests?
How can I decrease my stage fright and build my self-confidence while performing spoken word poetry?
How do video games affect the health and IQ of teenagers like me?
Can traumatic events physically harm my brain?
Why are surgeons allowed to deny patients, if they do not expect a successful outcome?

The Research Question

As discussed earlier, in order to conduct research you need a question.

Yesterday, I learned that it is possible to learn how to shave, braid hair, curl hair, make grits, and learn how to dye shirts all by watching YouTube videos. Very cool!

But what all those videos had that you didn't have when you watched them was an answer. You are now going to work on creating a question for which you discover an answer. Eventually, you will also discover a way to share that answer.

For now, I want you to ponder the following: Why does a researcher need a question and how is a good question formed? Take a few moments to make notes in your notebook.

Then, you will work on completing the first few boxes of the research plan.

Intense Brainstorming

The goal today is to make your brain ache - just a little bit.

When choosing a topic to research, you will need to narrow your topic down. Otherwise, you might be writing a book instead of presenting a short research project. Do you really want to write another book? I hope you do, but not today because we only have 4 weeks!

If you missed today, or you want to refresh your brain on how we narrowed our topics, take a look at the class notebook. Be sure to have your 4 questions ready to go for tomorrow.

What is Research?

Today is your day to embark upon a self-learning expedition. But first you must understand what research is.

Research requires knowledge of the scientific method. If you are currently taking a science course, you already know the process. If you have forgotten, here is a great link for you to take a look at.

However, research is more than the scientific method. It is a process of determining, defining, developing, conducting, evaluating, citing, and sharing.

As we move into this process you will begin to brainstorm and refine your topic. During this time you will begin to formulate how you plan to share your ideas.

This weekend, look at your topic list and choose one that excites you. Then, list everything you know about that topic. Be ready to participate in an in-depth brainstorming session on Monday.

TED Talks

For the next few days, while we continue testing, you will be viewing TED Talk videos.

While viewing, you need to do the following:
1. Write the title of the talk
2. Summarize the talk
3. What are 3 take away or standout moments in the talk.
4. Why did you choose this talk?

Looking Backward and Forward

The year is slowly coming to an end. There are a mere six weeks remaining. Soon you will be a sophomore!

For the last six weeks, you will be focusing on an idea you want to share with the world.

By now, you might be asking: How can I share something with the world? What will I share with the world? What? Huh? She really has gone crazy!

In order to begin this process, you will need to look back at the beginning of the year and forward toward the future. Use this form to begin the thinking process.

Finalizing Your Persuasive Letter

Prior to sending your letter, (yes, we are sending them), you will need to make sure you have the following elements completed:

1. Business Letter Format (headings, salutations, signature, etc)
2. Introduction that includes background, claim, and explanation of why the issue is important you.
3. Two body paragraphs: subclaim, example, evidence, explanation/interpretation of the evidence, more evidence, and explanation.
4. At least body paragraph that introduces the opposing opinion, your counterargument, evidence to support your conterargument, and explanation.
5. A concluding statement that restates the claim, summarizes points, and makes a worldly or personal connection.
6. MLA formatted citations and reference page.

Opposing Viewpoints

First, if you have not shared your Google doc with, make sure you do today! Then, work on your body paragraphs and begin to think about a 3rd paragraph that acknowledges the opposing point of view. This paragraph should introduce an opposing point of view, give your counterargument, evidence for your counterargument or an example, and an explanatory sentence or a sentence that connects this new information to the thesis. By the end of today you should have your introduction and 3 body paragraphs. Be sure you take some time to reference the language of persuasion document ( it would be good to make a copy of the document for your very own as you move through high school and college). Have a great weekend and I will see you Monday.

Focusing on Body Paragraphs

Yesterday you focued on writing your introduction and posting it to the blog..

A good introduction for a persuasive letter will include a few things: a brief statement about who you are (helps appeal to ethos), background knowledge on the subject, your claim (be sure to look at the lanaguage of persasion chart for this), and possibly a call to action.

 Today, after listening to speeches, you will create a new Google Document.

 Title the document: NamePLPeriod (MicheleMcConnellPL4). Share the document with me.

 Paste your introduction onto the document and begin working on your first body paragraph.

 Your body paragraph should have the following:
Subclaim
Example
Evidence (if you have used CiteLighter - this part will be easy!)
Explanation/Interpretation
Evidence
More Explanation

 Tomorrow you will write one more body paragraph and then focus on opposing viewpoints. Remember, use the Language of Persuasion document posted under the Persuasion Tab.

Writing Your Letter

Take a look at yesterday's blog post. You will notice that homework was listed. If you did not complete the homework, you have 2 major assignments to complete today.

First, choose one of the letters from yesterday's HW, read it, and then complete this form. 

Finally, after re-reading yesterday's letter and today's letter, think about how you will structure your introduction. A typical introduction (and the easiest to write) is one that includes an brief introduction of yourself to help set credibility (ethos), your claim, and a hint at the call to action. There are other possible ways to begin your letter, how do you plan to do it?

Using the language of persuasion to help you write your claim, and using the letters from yesterday to help you structure your introduction, write your introduction and post it as a comment to this blog post. Be sure your name is attached to the introduction so I can give credit to you.

Analyzing Letters

Any of your teachers could easily give you an outline and tell you one way to organize your letter, but what fun would that be? Your letter would sound and look exactly like your best friend's letter. Oh, and let's not even think about how boring all the letters would be to read.

In order to complete today's assignment, you will need to form a group of 4. Decide who is 1, 2, 3, and 4.

#1 - What is the claim? Is it stated or implied? Where is it located within the text?
#2 - What are the subclaims?
#3 - What evidence is used? Where does the evidence come from?
#4 - Does the author appeal to ethos, pathos, or logos?
All together - How is the text organized?

Here is a link to the letter you will read: Trash Letter

For HOMEWORK:
Preview one of the following letters and be ready to discuss the following when you enter class on Wednesday:
1. What is the claim? Is it stated or implied? Where is it located within the text?
2. What are the subclaims?
3. What evidence is used and where does it come from?
4. Does the author appeal to ethos, pathos, or logos?
5. What can you learn from this letter in order to write your own?

Letter #1
Letter #2
Letter #3

To Whom Will You send Your Letter?

In researching a topic, you were supposed to choose a current, relevant, and local community issue. Now you need to figure out who should receive your letter.

You will need to make note of the following information in your notebook and on an exit slip:
1. Name of the person
2. Name of the business
3. Address of the business
4. Email contact of the person
5. Phone contact of the person/business

Practicing Citing

Now that you know why and how (kind of) to cite sources, its time to practice some more! Read the following article and with a partner or on your own, complete the citation circle form and write a paragraph.

Grading Persuasive Speeches

Welcome back!

Today we begin to grade our peers' speeches. Use this link to grade the speeches you watch today, and for the next two weeks.

Presentation Sign-Ups and Spring Break Extra Credit Voting

Next week you will begin presenting your opinion and persuading your peers to believe the way you do, or to take some action about an issue. You will need to sign up for a presentation date by visiting the following form: sign-ups.

Then, there is a chance for some extra credit over spring break! Yeah! Whoo Hoo! In order to complete the extra credit, I need to get some opinions on what we should read. Click on this form and give a few titles for books we should read.

Opposing Viewpoints and Counterarguments

It is time to think about opposing arguments. You have some opinions and reasons for your opinions. There are others out there who don't believe the same as you. Crazy! For a brief moment today you will think the way your opponents think and then you will counter argue their viewpoints. Use the link below to get your reasons, opposing viewpoints, and counterarguments organized.

Check this link

Finding Facts for Your Opinion

You might need to update Firefox on your computer. If your computer asks you to do that today, do it.

Then, you will need to begin keeping track of your sources for this research. You can do this in one of two ways. Either choose to create a document in Google docs and copy and paste your resources onto that document. Or, you can use cite-lighter.

Then, use the following form to submit your position, reasons for your opinion, and facts that support your opinion. Be sure to keep track of the sources you use.

Learning More About Your Topic

Once you have discovered an issue (a matter of discussion, debate, or dispute) in your community, it is time to read more about your issue.

Today, you should spend some time learning the history of your issue.

• How long has it been an issue? When did you become aware of the issue?
• Who are the people involved in the issue? Are they any "talking heads" (spokespeople) in regards to the issue? What do these people have to say about the issue?
• What are the facts involved in the issue? When did those facts become public knowledge? 

Finally, what is your new found opinion about the issue? What needs to be done about this issue?

As you read, keep the following form open and complete the form as your research and read. Numbers 1, 6, and 7 are required. 

Community Research

Do you need some help researching your community issue? Do you know of any community issues at the moment?

Use this link to help you research: click here.

Claims and Subclaims in "I Have a Dream"

We discussed the definitions of claim and subclaim. For the purposes of this class, we will focus on advocative types of claims.

Then, we found the main claim, subclaims, and examples in "I Have A Dream."

Analyzing Appeals

Today, you will be analyzing the appeals and rhetorical devices used in the speech, "I Have a Dream."

Use the following worksheet to help you begin the process.

Who is Malcolm X?

Today, find 5 facts about Malcolm X. After reading about him, what is your opinion of him? Of his ideas? Of his actions?

Then, read this brief excerpt of his speech and analyze it for persuasive techniques.

Finally, read about MLK Jr. How are Malcolm X and MLK Jr similar and different?

Comparing Ads

After watching the ads and looking at the prints, write a 2 paragraph response:

Which are more persuasive? Print ads or television ads? Why?

Which ad did you find more persuasive? Why?

My (position/view/belief) is that (print/television) ads are more persuasive.  I feel this way because ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________.

The ad I found most persuasive was _________________ because …

Analyzing Advertising

Today, you made a decision to either continue a paper notebook or create a Google Notebook.

Take a look at my notebook, to help you set up your work for the day.

If you missed today, look at my notebook, view the presentation, and then analyze 10 Superbowl commercials on your own.

Do You Want to Get Ahead?

If you are looking to get ahead in class, take moment to find resources and information about the following terms:

Rhetorical Devices

Analogy

Allusion

Rhetorical question

Emotive Language

Parallel structures

Sound patterns: alliteration and assonance

Contrast

Description and Imagery: metaphor, simile, personification

The ‘rule of three’

Repetition

Hyperbole

Anecdote

Testimonial

Bandwagon

Humor

Euphemisms

Innuendo

Fallacies:

Circular argument

Begging the claim

Hasty Generalization

Strawman

Red Herring

Ad Hominem

Slippery Slope

Genetic Fallacy

Either/Or

Guilt by Association

If you want extra credit, create document/presentation/movie with the terms, definitions, and examples.

Showing What You Know

If you happen to miss today, know that all your fellow classmates missed you during the final exam. They cried at the idea of you missing the writing test in which you had to demonstrate your knowledge of comparative analysis.

Peer Editing; Body Paragraphs

Your final essay is due tomorrow.

Make sure you read your partner's body paragraphs for the following:

Step 3: Body Paragraphs
1. Topic Sentence
a. should introduce what the paragraph is about
b. should be related to the thesis statement
2. Examples/Details (more than one per paragraph)
a. should use a signal phrase: for example, for instance
i. look at the language of evidence chart
b. should have internal citations
i. (79)
ii. (Poe, 79).
3. Paraphrase/Explanation
a. the quote should be put into the writer’s own words - an explanation of what it means
b. should use a signal phrase to introduce
4. Analysis
a. how does the quote show the information from the topic sentence?
b. how does the quote relate to the thesis?
5. Transition to next body paragraph

Step 4: Body Paragraphs - Organization/Order
1. are the body paragraphs in the best possible order according the thesis statement?

Peer Reviewing the Intro

Hi everyone. Today's goal is to share your document with a partner. If I were you, I would only give that person commenting rights and not editing rights. The goal today is not to edit and revise your partner's work, rather to comment on her work so that she may make her own revisions.

Today, use the following outline as checklist for your peer review work:
Step 1: Formatting
1. Is the document MLA formatted?

a. Heading, font - Times New Roman, spacing- double, paragraphs indented, no quadruple spacing between paragraphs

Step 2: Introduction
1. Hook or lead in? It is not a question.
2. Background and summary information?
a. Is the short story capitalized and in quotations?
b. Is the title of the movie capitalized and underlined?
c. Is the summary enough? Could it be shortened or combined?
3. Thesis statement?
a. Does it tell what the essay will be about?
b. Does it follow the format given in class?
c. Does it mention irony and mood?
d. Does it mention a third item like symbolism, motif, etc?
e. Does it refer back to a shared theme?
4. Transition?
5. Tone? Is the student writing academic in nature?
a. no abbreviations - do not use don’t, etc.
b. author’s voice
c. no “you” - no 2nd person point of view

Outlining Your Writing

I know, outlines can be a pain; however, they are extremely useful in helping you keep your mind on track.

Now that you have read the student essay, take a moment to compare your annotations to this outline of the essay.

The outline is long, as is the essay. Did you happen to notice that it was longer than 5 paragraphs. Oh my. I didn't know that could be done!

Now it is time for Part II and III of the writing process.



Part II
1. Open a new Google Doc.
2. Rename it as PeriodFirstNameLastNameCA (2MicheleMcConnellCA)
3. Share the document with me (give me editing rights)
4. Create an outline for your essay and revise your thesis statement as needed.

If you need additional support with your outline, click here. This document gives a few examples for how to structure your essay.

Part III
1. Once your outline is complete, begin writing your essay. (Type it on the same document as your outline.)
2. Take note of the transition language you will need for the essay.

Rough draft is due on Tuesday!

Comparative Analysis Example

You have finished reading and viewing. Now it is time to write.

Yesterday, we worked on writing introductions and thesis statements. Today, you will read and analyze a student essay and learn how to form your own essay.

Part I
1. Click on this link and open the student example.
2. On the document, click on File, Make Copy, and save a copy to your English Collection in Google Docs.
3. Follow along with me for the first paragraph, and then move on to annotating and highlighting your own copy. (introduction of topic, organization, details, examples, quotations, explanations, transitions, precise language, formal style, conclusion)
4. When you are done, make a list of all the transitions you found and explain how they are used.
5. Outline the essay. Is this a possible outline you could use for your own essay?

Irony, Theme, Mood in Night of the Hunter

Can you believe it, we will write an essay! I bet you are sooooo excited!

The essay will be a comparative analysis of "Cask" and "Night of the Hunter." In order to help you gather evidence, we will work in teams today and gather evidence from the movie. We will sort the evidence as a class and keep it handy for next week.

With a partner, you will need to click on this link and complete the form.

Day 2 and 3 Viewing of Night of the Hunter

If you have been absent, you might have missed the questions for the viewing guide.

Day 2:
1. Based on yesterday's notes, did your predictions come true? What are your new predictions?
2. What possible themes might fit this movie now that you have seen more? Why?
3. What is the overall mood that is created in the film? How is that mood created?
4. From what point of view is the story in the film told? How does this choice affect the film?

Day 3(Finale):
1. Did your final predictions about the film come true? What aspects of the film helped you make the predictions?
2. Choose one theme for this film. Tell what the theme is and give 3 pieces of evidence from the movie to support that decision. (Paragraph)
3. What is the overall mood that is created in the film? What cinematic techniques helped create the mood? Give at least 3 examples. (Paragraph)
4. If you were the director, what would you have done differently? What would you do the same?
5. How was the verbal and dramatic irony used in the film? Give 3 pieces of evidence and explain. (Paragraph)


Be sure to answer all questions for Day 3. Tomorrow, you will be assigned a number and expected to submit that response for a grade. 

Night of the Hunter Day 1

You have viewed the first 24 minutes of the film. I hope you enjoy the film - even though I stop it every few minutes to point out important symbols, foreshadowing, shots, and angles.

Remember to think about and answer the following questions after day 1:

1. What is the film about?
2. What are some possible themes for this movie, so far?
3. How have your predictions changed?
4. What do you think will happen next?
5. What is the purpose of Mrs. Spoons character in the story?

At the Movies

Every student always wants to watch a movie at school. I have never been able to figure this out since the seats are uncomfortable, there is no popcorn, and people talk during the film. Plus the teacher is always stopping the movie and asking questions. Ugh!

Today, I want to know more about what you think and know about movies. Click on the link and take the questionnaire. Answer all the questions, talk to partners, enjoy. Then, we will get to the reel work!

Primal Fears

No, you are not going to be learning about the German power punk band, rather, with a partner, you will comb through Poe's story, "The Cask of Amontillado," and find at least three primal fears (things that most people are afraid of). How did Poe use setting, imagery, or mood to enhance those fears in the story?

Once you and your partner are done scaring yourselves with how smart you are, click here for the writing form. The form will help you organize your thoughts. Then, after you have written your paragraph, in Google Docs, share it with me at english9teacher@gmail.com

Be sure to include your name, date, and period in the upper left hand corner. I will grade these throughout the day, and you will be able to see the comments and grades by this evening. This means, that it is due at the end of the period!


Oh, do you want extra credit? Then turn this one paragraph into a 4 paragraph essay (introduction paragraph, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion).  Share it with me by 2:30pm. If it is well done, you could earn some great extra credit because you will be proving to me that you can write a response to literature essay!!

X-Tra Credit? What?

I know you are itching to pass English. You want to show off your abilities.

Besides reading a novel and showing up for discussions on a weekly basis for the next month, you can earn some additional credit by completing the following questions. There are two ways to do this.

Option #1:
Open the Google Doc and copy it to your docs. Then answer the questions in a different color directly on the doc. Once you are done, share it with me.  Here is the link: Questions

Option #2:
Open the form and answer the questions. Submit. You are done.

The Scarlet Ibis

Did you forget your book, again?

Well, grab a computer and use this link to read an online version. Feel free to save it to your Google Docs and annotate or highlight information on the computer.

Feeling techno-savvy? Create your double entry journal in Google Docs and copy and paste quotes rather than writing them all down.

DEJ with Questions
DEJ Template

Double Entry Journals

One way to help you chunk text, remember what you read, make connections, and inspire you to delve deeper into a text (in hopes you have a great understanding and feeling about the story) is using a Double Entry Journal.

As discussed in class, you simply split the page in half and create a t-chart. The goal is to search for quotes that show theme, foreshadowing, characterization, symbolism, etc.

For the short story by James Hurst, "The Scarlet Ibis," you might want some extra support. In order to help you, the 9th grade team created questions. Your goal is to then, as you read, find the quotes that answer the question.

Questions:

How is Doodle different?

Why is Doodle’s nickname better than his real name?

What feelings does the narrator have about his brother?

What is the source of the narrator’s pride?

What does the author want the reader to learn about pride?

How do the brothers’ goals differ?

What events happen to change life for the narrator, his brother, and the rest of his family?

How does the arrival ad sudden death of the bird affect different family members?

What will happen to Doodle?

What does the narrator learn about himself? 

SIFTing through Poetry

I know that at the word poetry, many of you froze and said, "Ugh. This is why I hate English." I bet we are going to have to beat a poem to death. But, you were wrong.

The goal is to become a great reader of poetry. Good readers of poetry go through certain steps in their head as they read. Some know what they are doing as they and others, just do it.

What steps do those readers take? They SIFT through poetry.
Symbolism - while some people believe it doesn't exists in writing, some do. Are they any symbols in the poem? Why are they there? What do they represent? Does the title represent anything? What is the bigger meaning of the title?
Images - what images does the poet create?
Figures of speech - what literary devices exist? How do they tie into or create meaning? What images do they create?
Tone and Theme - what is the author's attitude about the subject and why did the poet write the poem?

Try this technique next time you need to read  poem. Let me know if it works for you.