CHAT Writing 1 Class Notes–Week 3 (1/25)

Greetings!

We had a fun, fast-paced class today where we accomplished a lot!

We started out with our Quick Write and students had a choice of prompts to write about:

• What is a favorite childhood memory?

• What is one of the best days of your life?

• What was a highlight of your week?

They shared some interesting stories!

After that, we dove into a Grammar lesson on simple sentences.  Since we haven’t had time in the past few weeks to focus on grammar, we took an extended amount of time to dig in and catch up. The topics were Subject-Verb agreement and Compound Subjects and Compound Predicates.  Using the doc camera and big screen, we worked through several examples where we practiced identifying subjects and predicates and made sure those two were in agreement, and looked at how to vary sentences by inverting that order.  Students should complete and correct their worksheets and hand them in next week.

Next, we switched gears to the Writing portion of our class where we talked about the Urban Legend Rough Drafts.  We briefly discussed the fact that they need four reliable sources and use at least four MLA Style citations and a Works Cited page.  We are building on skills they acquired in the first semester, and there are materials students can access on Google Classroom with information on those skills.  Students had some time to Peer Review a classmate’s essay using the Peer Review sheet.  If they didn’t finish in class, they should have a friend or family member complete it at home.  Once they get feedback from me, they are clear to begin recording their Final Drafts.  

In Literature, we had a short check-in about the Animal Farm.  We are getting momentum in the story now and we reviewed the ballad that was sung in chapter 1–”Beasts of England.”  We discussed how the song was filled with descriptive images, hope for a bright future of what life will be like when they finally get rid of the oppression of man.  After that, we stood up and sang it to the tune of “O My Darling Clementine.”  In true capitalist style, enthusiastic singers received a grammar homework coupon.  (In true communistic style, they ALL received one! ;)  As homework, they are to read chapters 5 & 6 and complete 3 Study Guide questions.

Homework 

Subject-Verb Agreement

Complete Subj-Predicate/Inverted Order

Simple Sentences (Compound Subjects)

Simple Sentences (Compound Predicates)

Urban Legend Rough Draft (if not yet done)

Urban Legend Peer Review

Read Chs. 5 & 6

Ch. 5 & 6 Questions

Links for this Week

MLA Citations Review & Works Cited Review

O My Darlin’ Clementine Karaoke (for “Beasts of England”)

Writing 1 Class Notes–Week 2 (January 18)

 Today’s class absolutely flew by!  I think it must have been because we were having fun?  At least I can speak for myself.  Here’s a recap with some links.

We started our day with a Quick Write as usual.  Students could choose from a list of prompts I had gathered from some of my previous classes:

• What are some of your pet peeves?

• What do you do that really annoys other people?

• What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten?

• What is the best and worst part of your house?

After that, we did a deep dive in the Writing section of our class about our upcoming essay–Urban Legends.  Since they are required to research and have at least four sources of information, we had a mini-lesson on vetting RELIABLE sources of information.  Since our world is so full of “misinformation”, fake news and bias, I want to help students sharpen their critical thinking skills as they assess where information is coming from and whether it should be trusted.  To that end, I introduced the “sniff test”--I  mean the CRAAP test (is that any better?)  We watched a video and took notes on Currency, Relevancy, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose.  As they are choosing resources, they should put each one through this reliability test.  We discussed the fact that on its own Wikipedia is not a reliable source because it lacks authority.  However, it is a valuable site as a source of other linked sources. In other words, Wikipedia is a good place to start their research, and should not be a stand alone resource.

After that, we read aloud the Mentor Text for this essay.  They were given a checklist and then found different pieces like hook, thesis, roadmap sentence, transitions, quotes and so on.  They compared notes with their group and discussed the essay’s effectiveness.  The Rough Drafts are due next week (1/25). Bring a hard copy to class for peer review.

Grammar

As I mentioned, the class time zoomed by and there was just enough time for me to introduce this semester’s grammar focus:  Basic Sentence Patterns.  I handed out two worksheets and students are to complete and correct them.  Don’t forget to mark your corrections!

Literature

This is where we were pinched for time.  I didn’t get to go over this part very much in class, so please read this carefully:  keep reading Animal Farm (ch. 3 & 4) and complete a Quiz on Google Classroom over chapters 1-4.  The assignment “What Makes A Good Leader?” is due next week along with a quick Discussion Question on Google Classroom on a leader’s top character quality.  Finally, students should prepare for a class discussion by reviewing the 4 Square Discussion questions.

Homework

Urban Legend Rough Draft–Bring a hard copy to class for Peer Review!

Sentence Patterns–N-V

What is a Sentence?

Read Ch. 3 & 4 of Animal Farm

Animal Farm Quiz Ch. 1-4

“What Makes a Good Leader?”

Discussion Question;  Top Character Quality

Four Square Discussion Questions

Links for this Week

Basic Sentence Patterns

CRAAP Test

Writing 1 Class Notes–Week 1 (January 11)

 Hello Dear Students,

It was good to be back together again in the new year!  The sun was even shining, which matched the shining faces I saw 🙂

We started the day out with a Quick Write.  They had a choice to either write about National Kiss A Ginger Day (yes, that’s a real day!) and National Tea Day.

After that, we previewed the Spring Syllabus, Homework Checklist and Late Homework dates linked below.  We highlighted the important due dates and took a brief look at what this semester has in store.

The first essay for Writing this year is a persuasive essay about Urban Legends.  I am excited about this topic and writing an essay right along with them!  We discussed what an urban legend is and watched a video about six fairly famous ones.  After that, we talked about their mission:  to explain an urban legend, discuss why so many people believe it’s true and then to convincingly debunk it.  This essay will require researching (they need four reliable sources) and MLA citations and Works Cited page.  As such it is a more involved paper that will involve many skills we have learned so far.  This week, we tackled the Pre-Write (due next week) and discussed the structure of how they might organize their paper.  Next week, we’ll talk about how to vet reliable sources and review MLA citations.

After that, we switched gears to introduce the novella Animal Farm.  After thinking about the three topics of Leadership, Government and Equity students had some time to discuss with each other and with the large group.  They had some interesting insights!  They especially had a lot to share on the topic of equity/equality.  There were some that argued that though we are all created with equal rights, some people have different gifts and therefore, in reality, it is impossible for everyone to be “equal.”  How smart is that!!  And in the current culture we live in, I am really glad to hear this common sense!  I told them that as the novella unfolds, we will see more of these themes.  

After our spirited discussion, we listened to the audio version read aloud for a few minutes.  They should continue reading (Ch. 1 & 2) and answer 3 Study Guide questions.  They also have a Vocabulary Worksheet that they should be filling out as they read–it will be due at the end of the unit.  To shed light on the background of the novella, they are to complete an EdPuzzle video on the Russian Revolution and read the Introduction to Animal Farm.  They should take the Quiz on the introduction after they have read it.

We had enough on our plate with a new essay and novel to introduce, so we will jump into Grammar with both feet next week–no Grammar this week;)

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings, 

Mrs. G

Homework

Syllabus

Homework Checklist

Homework & Late Dates

Urban Legend Slide Show + Video

About Essay 1:  Urban Legends

Urban Legend Pre-Write

“What is Animal Farm” Slideshow

Read Ch. 1 & 2

Animal Farm Vocabulary Worksheet

Ch. 1 & 2 Study Guide Questions

EdPuzzle:  Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution

Introduction to Animal Farm

Introduction to Animal Farm Quiz (GC)

“What Makes A Good Leader?” Response (due Week 3)