CHAT Writing 1 Class Notes--Week 3 (1/30)

 Hello, Dear Students!  

Back with another action-packed and learning packed class!

We started out with a Quick Write on a very out-of-the-box subject:  Yodeling!!  In honor of National Yodel for your Neighbors Day today, we learned a few facts about this art from and then I asked the students to think of as many writing topics on this subject as possible.  We also had some fun trying to “break” our voices into a yodel and listening to some experts.  

This week’s Writing focus centers around a very powerful technique of persuasion used heavily in Animal Farm called propaganda.  After watching a video on how propaganda was used in the novel, I introduced our next writing project.  After learning more about specific common propaganda techniques through an assigned Edpuzzle video and quiz at home (GC), students will scour the internet for an advertisement to analyze.  They will then write up a critique of the ad’s use of propaganda and rhetorical devices.  They will post these critiques on GC where they must then read and comment on a classmate’s post.  The analysis is due February 13 (Week 5.)

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.  In a series of mini-lessons, 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.  I gave them time to get a good, healthy start on their work during class and students should complete and correct their worksheets and hand them in next week.

 

In Literature, we had a 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.”  I asked them to skim the lyrics and notice 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 fabulous juice box prize.  (In true communistic style, they ALL received one! ;)  As homework, they are to read chapters 5 & 6 and complete 3 Study Guide questions.

That’s it!  Keep up the good work, students!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework 

Propaganda techniques EdPuzzle and Quiz

About the Ad Analysis

Ad analysis (due Feb. 13–Week 5)

Read AF Ch. 5 & 6

Ch. 5 & 6 Discussion Questions–bring to class for 4 Square Discussion

Grammar 

Subject-Verb Agreement

Complete Subj-Predicate & Inverted Order

Simple Sentences (Compound Subjects)

Simple Sentences (Compound Predicates

Simple Sentences (Compound Subjects & Compound Predicates)

Links for this week

Yodeling QW

CHAT Writing 1 Class Notes–Week 2 (1/23)

Today, we started our Visual Vocabulary words for Spring.  This is where we work with some ACT/SAT vocabulary words; we learn the definition, the part of speech, and use it in a sentence.  I gave them this semester’s worksheet where the words will be cumulatively compiled.  They turned in the sentences or prompts that they completed to help cement this word in their memories and to “furnish the mind” as writing teacher Andrew Pudewa says. I hope to see some of these words in composition this semester!  The words today were:  bellicose and presume. 

Literature

We had a quick check-in today on Animal Farm.  I asked them to think/pair/share on a few questions.  They had some thought-provoking answers!  After touching on the qualities of a good leader, I shared with them a free resource on the topic of socialism and communism.  It’s a FREE course through Hillsdale College for those students who are interested in learning more about the political background of this novel.  It is excellent!

Writing

Our focus today was largely on a paragraph technique called the TRIAC technique.  The beauty of this model is that the paragraph almost writes itself.  The paragraph uses the topic-clincher rule and the acronym stands for:

Topic

Restriction Make a statement or claim about the topic, which focuses the paragraph.

Illustration Give an example illustrating the statement or claim.

Analysis Explanation of the illustration.

Clincher

Together, we analyzed an example paragraph about pet iguanas.  After that, we practiced with two more paragraphs where students found the function of each sentence in the paragraphs and noticed if there were any signal phrases used.  The next step is to use this model to write a paragraph of their own as homework.  They are to write a TRIAC paragraph on “What qualities make a great leader?”  I hope this style of writing a paragraph will serve them to write purposeful paragraphs for years to come!

Grammar

After that, I introduced this semester’s grammar focus:  Basic Sentence Patterns. I explained that while English depends largely on word order to convey meaning, other languages often rely on inflection (modifications to word forms) to determine relationships between words, making their sentence structures more flexible in comparison. Some students have studied another language, so they were able to illustrate that with examples.

We watched a Youtube Short on the Basic sentence patterns and I handed out two worksheets. 

Students had time to get started on those and are to complete and correct them.  Don’t forget to mark your corrections!  (Please note that we are one week behind on our grammar worksheets.  Hopefully we’ll catch up next week.)

Homework

Read Animal Farm Ch. 3 & 4

Take Home Quiz #1 (GC)

“What Makes a Good Leader?” TRIAC paragraph

Grammar worksheets

What is a Sentence?

Sentence Patterns–N-V

Links for this week

Visual Vocabulary #1

Basic Sentence Patterns

TRIAC Discussion

Hillsdale College Socialism/Marxism course

Writing 1 Class Notes–Week 1 (January 16)

Hello Dear Students,

Even though some may not be that excited to start up again, I told the students that I was very proud of them for all they had been learning this past year.  There’s much to be grateful for!

We started the day out with a Quick Write.  Today’s topic was a bit humorous as they were to imagine that their toaster has gone on strike.  They were to come up with a list of demands from the toaster (Clean my crumb tray!  Stop sticking forks inside!) and optionally, to design a snappy sign with a slogan.

After that, we previewed the Spring Syllabus, Homework Checklist and Late Homework dates.  We highlighted the important due dates and took a brief look at what this semester has in store.  I told them a good strategy is to use the Homework Checklist to help them parcel out their work during the week to avoid having it all pile up at the last minute.

After that, we switched gears to introduce the novella Animal Farm.  After examining the graphic organizer about Equity, students had some time to discuss with each other and with the large group. They had some interesting insights!  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?!!  Our discussion led beautifully into the main slogan of “Animalism” from our novel:  

After guessing what  this slogan could mean, we got some historical background on this novella–which is actually an allegory about Russia.  They watched two short videos on the Russian revolution and communism while they answered questions on a worksheet (which helped them focus on the videos :)   For homework, they will keep thinking about the theme of leadership as they answer the discussion question (on GC) about what character quality makes for a great leader.

Now they were ready to read!  Together,  we listened to the audio version 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.  Lastly, they should read the Introduction to Animal Farm document and take the Quiz on the introduction after they have read it.

Grammar

We had enough on our plate with a new semester and novel to introduce, so we will jump into our first writing and grammar topic with both feet next week.  NO GRAMMAR ASSIGNMENT THIS WEEK!  

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings, 

Mrs. G

Homework

Syllabus

Homework Checklist

Homework & Late Dates

Edpuzzle & Ted Talk (watched in class)

Read Ch. 1 & 2

Animal Farm Vocabulary Worksheet

Ch. 1 & 2 Study Guide Questions

Introduction to Animal Farm document

Introduction to Animal Farm Quiz (GC)

“Top Character Quality–Leader?” Response