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 

Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 13 (12/5)

Writing 2 Class Notes–Week 13 (12/5)

Hello All!

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I cannot believe this semester is coming to a close–that means we are starting to wrap things up.

The subject of our final Quick Write this week was:  hair.  As usual, they brainstormed some clever writing topic ideas!

For Grammar, we had our last part of speech presentation:  prepositions.  They did a great job with the teaching!  They organized a fun Kahoot game to practice the concept and rounded it out with a worksheet.  As usual, they have two worksheets from me as homework and they should complete the last evaluation for this group’s presentation.  We are now finished with IVAN CAPP–next week we will do a review before the Fall Grammar Test.

For Writing, the focus today was on sources for our last assignment. We went over some ideas on Victorian inventions last class and, over the break, they were to look for 3-4 suitable sources on the topic of their choosing.The homework was to bring the physical copies of them today. For this class, we will be using MLA style to compose a type of bibliography called “Works Cited” page.

After a slideshow on MLA style 9, students got into table groups and were given a folder with instructions and sources.  They worked together to format the more common sources like books, websites, podcasts, movies, and YouTube videos.  Though students don’t need to memorize the formatting rules, they do need to be familiar with them. It is super important to give credit to the original source–they don’t want to accidentally plagiarize–and the good folks at MLA have helped to standardize how that credit should appear on the page. On the slideshow we looked at a few online places to help them cite any source.

We looked at the checklist for our last composition of the semester.  It is the same process as we just did on Victorian Christmas, but this time, they have chosen the subject (a Victorian invention), the topics, and the sources.  This composition will be three paragraphs instead of two.  We quickly reviewed the process:

1.  Generate a list of possible topics that are common across all 3 of your sources 2.  Choose 3 of those topic ideas 3.  Take the first topic you chose (Topic A) and make one (shorter) source outline from each source--there will be 3 source outlines on that topic--one for each source. 4.  Choose the best of the best from your source outlines and fuse them into one fused outline. Repeat that process two more times (for three paragraphs in total.)  If it helps, use a big piece of paper like we did in class.  I haven't posted the Checklist yet, but it's all 5 Dress-Ups and the #2 sentence opener and the topic-clincher rule.

The outlines are due next week and the compositions are officially due 12/19–the last week of class.  I told them it would be wise to turn it in early.  That way, they can get feedback from me to avoid getting it marked “In process” at the end of the semester.

Blessings on your weekend!

Mrs. G

Homework

Prepositions–1

Prepositions–2

Prepositions Evaluation

Source and fused outlines on a Victorian Invention

–Composition due 12/19

Summarizing Mult. Refs–Victorian Invention

Writing 1 Class Notes -- Week 15 (December 14)

Greetings!

We had a wonderful day today and combined both work and fun on this final day. 

Homework & Grades

Students handed in their final drafts of their Historical Person Composition. I will grade those projects and any other homework that was handed in; my goal is to have final grades out soon.  I mentioned to the class that I will take any homework submitted by December 22 at 11:59 p.m. If there are any questions, please contact me.  Because I have final drafts and projects from both my classes, I know that I won't have the work ready for final grades until after Christmas.  Look for them some time after the New Year.  

The Wrap-Up

As a culminating event, we combined work and fun with a quiz on the Fall Visual Vocabulary in the form of a KAHOOT! game.  I will record their scores and use it as their grade. 

After that, we had a “test” over A Christmas Carol in the form of a game called ZAP!  The class split into teams and had fun answering questions and things got a little competitive!  ZAP! Is not only a question/answer game, but it also allows teams to steal points from each other. The winners received a candy reward.

A Contest

Last, we had the Annual Writing 1 Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest–there were some other choices for coloring and word searches too (as per their request last week.)  Some enjoyed drawing and coloring—for the hotly contested 1st Prize:  a quality Spork!  They sipped hot chocolate, snacked and enjoyed Christmas music as they colored for the rest of the period.

Links for this Week

Ugly Christmas Sweater Template

Victorian Invention composition

Writing 2 Class Notes (on blog)

My prayer is that all of you have a great Christmas that includes lots of love and laughter!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Class Notes–Week 14 (December 12)

ad a wonderful day in class today.  A lot of the hard work of the semester is over, so our "work" today was a little more fun.

Our last Visual Vocabulary words for today were: amalgamate and alienate.  These words will show up on our end of the semester quiz next week–so make sure to review those.  The slides are posted on Google Classroom.

Writing

The Victorian Inventions composition is due next week-although students could turn it in early in order to get more time for revisions.  I checked in on their source/fused outlines and answered a few questions.   

Grammar

I handed out the Parts of Speech Post-Test in class today.  It is identical to the Pretest they took at the beginning of the semester.  It is an “open-book” test and can be finished at home.  The KEY is posted and, just like a regular grammar worksheet, it needs to be corrected before it is handed in.  They will receive a base score when it is completed.

The best way of learning grammar is through lots of reading and writing. Direct instruction of grammar is important and helpful, and combined with literature and writing it can be pretty potent.  Next semester we'll be working on sentence structures.

Literature

First, I reminded the class about the A Christmas Carol vocabulary worksheet that is due next week.  If they have been defining four vocabulary words from each Stave as they have been reading, it should be a simple matter of finishing. It is worth 40 pts, so it is a bigger project.  

Next, we listened to the first ten minutes of Stave 4 of A Christmas Carol. In this Stave, we meet the final ghost.  We had a discussion focused on how these three “spirits of Christmas” nudge Scrooge towards his transformation from miserly penny pincher to magnanimous, kind-hearted soul. In small groups, they compared and contrasted the three ghosts and then worked with a partner to invent a new ghost for Scrooge.  They had fun with this creative assignment and handed in their work at the end of the class.  As homework, they are to finish Stave 4 & 5.

Next Week

Our last week of the semester is next week, December 19.  All work should be handed in by that date.  That said, they will be given until Sunday, December 22 to get any last work in.  They should not wait until then to do their work and hand it in.  Next week we will have our "Classy Classmas Party."  I will bring warm drinks, and students can bring goodies if they like.  We will combine work & play:   During the first part of the class,we will have the A Christmas Carol Final Exam and Visual Vocabulary quiz. The rest of the class time we’ll spend enjoying Christmas games, music and holiday cheer. 

Assignments for Next Week:

Victorian Invention composition

Review Visual Vocabulary words–quiz next week

Grammar Post-Test–open book/notes

CAPP Reviews (GC)

Conjunctions

Adverbs

Pronouns

Prepositions

Read Stave 4 & 5 ACC

ACC Vocabulary

Class Links for this Week:

Class Blog