Thursday, February 11, 2016

February 11, 2016 - Thursday

Class Work

I. Punctuating Dialogue Review and Individual Practice:
http://beta.calloway.kyschools.us/Schools/Middle%20School/cwalker/Handouts%20and%20Worksheets/dialogue_rules.pdf


II. Persuasive techniques - review

How did you like the ads that were aired during the Super Bowl? Favorites? Why? Dislikes? Why?

III. Let's look at weasel words.










https://ethridgeenglish.wikispaces.com/file/view/Weasel+Words.PDF 
Topics:
1. Help
2. Virtually
3. New and Improved
4. Acts Fast or Works
5 Like Magic
6. Can't be up to the claim...
7. Unfinished words
8. Combining Weasel Words
9. Read the Label or the Brochure
10 Other Tricks of the Trade




















IV. A bit of punctuation . . .

Let's get rid of those pesky run-on sentences. Here's how! http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm

Solution #1: 
 Let's meet the FANBOYS! They are a wonderful group of words designed to connect words and independent clauses (sentences). However, since sentences are usually bigger than words, they must call for help! Also, meet the powerful comma, a multifaceted punctuation mark!

Solution #2: Semicolons alone

Solution #3: Semicolons with conjunctive adverbs/(Snob words), and commas

Solution #4: Write two sentences instead on one on-and-on sentence.

In class, you will be writing sentences that demonstrate your ability to correctly use all four solutions!
Homework
Write a letter to an individual and explain your position on body art. For example, a 14 year old might be thinking about getting a tattoo. Or, an elderly person might be against piercings or "unnatural" hair coloring. Perhaps a place of business has a dress code and you are trying to convince your boss that changes are needed. Convince the individual of your choice that the body art in question is or is not acceptable.

Post in Canvas by Tuesday, February 16, 2016.




Tuesday, February 9, 2016

February 9, 2016 - Tuesday

Class Work

1.Practice punctuating dialogue:
2. Persuasive Techniques
How did you like the ads that were aired during the Super Bowl? Favorites? Why? Dislikes? Why?
3. Find an ad in a magazine. Either work with a partner or alone and study the techniques used to convince you to spend your money on the product. More than one technique might be used in an ad.

Homework: Read this persuasive article by Ann Quindlen. Answer the questions on CANVAS. Due: February
  • http://www.newsweek.com/lets-talk-about-sex-76263
  •   Anna Quindlen, a Newsweek writer discusses another "anti" campaign. Read the article and look for the following:
    1. The thesis/claim(s) Answer, "What's the message or what's the point?"  after reading the entire article. Do you agree or disagree with the position or stance?
    2. Reasons 
    3. Evidence
    4. What argumentative strategies stand out in the piece? Is this a compelling argument?
    5. Are larger points presented? Did the larger points hinder or help to convince you?
    6. Did the article dismiss or ignore other points of view? Why or why not?




 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

February 4, 2016 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Take notes on the last presentation. Submit the paper after completing a quick-write on canvas.

Topic: Body Art: Yes or No?

Time: 10 minutes

2.  Participate in a peer editing activity on your personal body art narrative.
A. Two readers as assigned by CANVAS.
B. Look for the elements of story:
  • Characters
  •  Dialogue
  • Setting
  • Description
  • Plot - What happened first, next, and finally?
C. Write a note to the author that addresses the five bullets. Do you have any questions about the narrative? Do you want to know more about any part of the story? What was your favorite section of the narrative?

3. Learn to punctuate dialogue in a narrative.
4. Homework:  Revise your personal body art story. Add details. Use dialogue. Post the revision in CANVAS by Tuesday.
5. Watch the commercials for the Super Bowl. Select three for this activity. If you are not able to watch, simply watch three commercials at any time from any show. Directions:
  •  Describe the ad and identify the product.
  • Would you purchase the product based on the ad? Why or why not?
  •  Did you like the ad regardless of your decision to purchase the product or not? Explain. (27 pts)
 

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

February 2, 2016 - Tuesday

Class Work

FYI

The following assignment deadline has been extended to Thursday, February 4, 2016.
Personal Body Art Story (Narrative/personal writing)
Now, think of a a personal Body Art story. Share at your table.
  • Identify the characters
  • Explain the before and after of the event
  • Quote people- what was said?
  • Create the setting. Where did the event occur?
  • Explain the reactions of those who saw the result.
  • Be a good story teller!
Tips for writing:
Homework: Write the draft of your personal body art story in two pages. Post your draft in CANVAS. Due: Tuesday, February 2, 2016. (25 pts.)

Today, we will learn all about body art.  You have 15-20 minutes to get with your group to add the finishing touches. Then, "on with the show!"

Guidelines:
1. Each member of the group must present the information related to his or her slides. All speak.
2. Introduce yourselves!
3. Speak up and stand professionally.
5. Look at the audience, not at the computer screen.
6. Use notes or notecards if you wish.
7. Smile!

Audience: You will take notes on the presentations and submit your notes. A rare paper note page will be provided. You do not need to take notes on your group's presentation.

Homework
1. Be sure to post your personal body art story. Follow the instruction. We will have a peer review/sharing segment on Thursday. Your story must be on CANVAS. Pay special attention to the rules for punctuating dialogue in a narrative. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/577/01/

Thursday, January 28, 2016

January 28, 2016 - Thursday

Class Work

Please give me the paper copy of your draft along with the Peer Edited rubric.

1. What information did you discover when you conducted an interview? (Brief table discussion - select one person from your table to share with the class.)
2. Quick tips for effective PowerPoint of Prezi slides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjcO2ExtHso

3. Return to your group.

Be sure your group's presentation contains the following:
 
  • Where did it begin?
  • Why was it done?
  • Did age have anything to do with the "ritual?" Was it a ritual?
  • How was it done? What were the materials/tools that were used?
  • What did it look like and how has it changed over the years? (Consider using a time-line for this.)
  •   
    Prepare a brief presentation for the class. Feel free to use PowerPoint to show pictures or to point out amazing facts! Keep track of your sources. Create a Works Cited page for the group. What sources did you use?
    When finished, post the PowerPoint in CANVAS. Be sure to include all names of the group members on the first slide. Only one group member needs to post. It is your responsibility to make sure that your name is on that first slide.
    The last slide will be a Works Cited slide.
    Share suggestions/slides with your group. Presentations will be given on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.
     
    Guidelines:
    •  three slides per bulleted point in #3 above. 
    • illustrations
    • each person will speak
    • no more than six bullets per slide
    • no more than six words per bullet
    • use large font
    • use contrasting colors between the font and the background
    You have ____________ minutes to organize with your group.

    Homework Posting Instructions:

    1. ONE person from each group will post the entire presentation.
    2. On Canvas, if you are the posting person, simply post the finished presentation.
    3. If you are NOT the posting person, state the name of the group's posting person in your space along with the topic.
    Due: 8:30 am on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.
    Value: 50 points

    4. Personal Body Art Story (Narrative/personal writing)

    Now, think of a a personal Body Art story. Share at your table.
    • Identify the characters
    • Explain the before and after of the event
    • Quote people- what was said?
    • Create the setting. Where did the event occur?
    • Explain the reactions of those who saw the result.
    • Be a good story teller!
    Tips for writing: Homework: Write the draft of your personal body art story in two pages. Post your draft in CANVAS. Due: Tuesday, February 2, 2016. (25 pts.)

    Tuesday, January 26, 2016

    January 26, 2016

    Class Work

    Group Activity:
    1. History of tattoos
    2. History of hair design
    3. History of piercings
    4. History of body modifications
    5. History of clothing/fashion design/shoes/hats
    6. History of make-up.( War paint counts!)
    Join one of the six groups listed above. There should be no more that five in any group. Write your topic and names on the board. (One group/one topic)
    You will conduct a quick Internet search and look for the history and progression of your body art group assignment.
     
    Consider:
         A. Where did it begin?
         B. Why was it done?
         C. Did age have anything to do with the "ritual?" Was it a ritual? Was it just for entertainment or fun?
         D. How was it done? What were the materials/tools that were used?
         E. What did it look in the past and what does it like today?  How has it changed over the years? (Consider using  a time-line for this.)
    • Prepare a brief group presentation for the class. (Feel free to use PowerPoint or Prezi to show pictures or to point out amazing facts!
    • Keep track of your sources. Create a Works Cited page for the group. What sources did you use? Each person will be responsible for three slides or "bubbles". Names must appear on the slides or bubbles. Earn your own credit!
    • When finished, post the PowerPoint or Prezi in CANVAS. Be sure to include all names of the group members on the first slide. Only one group member needs to post the entire show. Each individual will post his or her three slides or bubble.  It is your responsibility to make sure that your name is on that first slide.
    • The last slide will be a Works Cited slide - one slide for the entire group. Keep track of all sources. Start an EasyBib page for the group. Assign a Works Cited care taker! 
    • Homework: Conduct personal research on your assigned Body Art segment. Post your Works Cited page in CANVAS. (Three sources)  It is the research you need to do for your group. You need to find three separate sources that relate to your assigned topic. Read the sources.  Be ready to share the information with your group.
    • The introductory slide and the Works Cited slide are in addition to the three slides created by each individual.
    • Each group will also provide information from the interviews. See below.  This may be done with an additional slides. Or, the information may be shared verbally as part of the presentation.
    • You will have time to work on this on Thursday as well. Bring suggestions/slides for your group. The posting space will not be available until Thursday. Presentations will be given next Tuesday, February 1.
    • Consider working with Google Docs or other format that allows all to post individual work to the final collective whole. 
    Today, your group needs to conduct interviews as well. Find out what others think about your topic.

    Information about conducting interviews:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eOynrI2eTM Tips for Interviewing
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RjxqXAT9Jc Writing Questions


    Individually:
    1. Create five questions to ask. Avoid "yes/no" questions. Avoid leading questions. Do use open-ended questions. Focus on what information will be useful to the group project. 
    2. Each group member will practice with someone in this class.

    3. Ask for permission to use the person's name in your presentation.
    4. Get the correct spelling of the name.
    5. Note the date and location of the interview. If you decide to conduct an interview via text, e-mail, or phone, please note that. (EasyBib gives you those choices.)
    6. Return to the group and share notes.
    7. Post your interview results in CANVAS. (25 points)

    Note: You will conduct an additional interview with someone outside of the classroom.

    Homework:
    1. Conduct research on your assigned topic. Bring the information to class on Thursday to share with your group. Think about how you wish to share your portion of the presentation.
    (Participation grade/I will talk to each group on Thursday to note progress.) Keep track of your sources.

    2. Conduct an interview with someone about Body Art. This is in addition to the interview you conducted in class. Some of your questions should relate directly to your group's topic. However, some of the questions may be about body art in general or about a specific type of body art that is not related to your presentation. Post the questions and answers in CANVAS. (30 points/ 25 for the Q & As and 5 for the Works Cited entry.)

    Thursday, January 21, 2016

    January 21, 2016 - Thursday

    Class Work

    Activity #1
    1. You need a paper copy of your Getting to Know You draft.
    2. We will get to know the EMCC Writing Rubric - rare paper handout.
    3. Write your name at the top of the rubric and note that you are the author.
    4. Pass your essay and the rubric to the person on your left.
    5. Write your name by CONTENT on the rubric. You are the content editor.
    6. Keeping the rubric in mind, read the essay and decide how to score the subject matter, focus, and support categories. On the essay, underline the strongest sentence or sentences and explain why you thought so.
    7. Put * by a word, phrase, sentence, or sentence that needs additional clarification. Ask a question of the author. What else you need to know?

    Pass the essay and the rubric to the left again. Put your name by CLARITY as the editor. Follow steps 6 and 7 above.

    Pass the paper one last time to the person on the left. Write your name by EDITING as the editor. Do not worry about format and citation at this point in time. Do address the mechanics issues. Follow steps 6 and 7. In addition, make corrections and suggestions on the draft.

    Return the essay and rubric to the author. Author, your homework is to revise your essay and post the final copy in the space provided in CANVAS. This is due on Tuesday.

    On Tuesday, you will also submit the paper copy of your draft and the rubric.

    Activity #2

    Learn to use EasyBib - keep track of your research here. www.easybib.com
    • You MUST create an account. You must provide a working e-mail. Your school email is fine. In all my years of using this site, I have NEVER received mail from them. They will not bother you.
    • Create a Word document for a Works Cited page here. Then, copy/paste the page into CANVAS. 
    Let's go through the steps together. Follow ALL steps or your Works Cited document will not be correct. Post the finish Works Cited page in CANVAS. Simply copy/paste.

    Include:
    A. A mock interview (listen for easy instructions)
    B. A book - any book will do for this activity.
    C. A web site - your choice.

    Note: You are free to use another citation "help." This is just one of several that are available. It works, and it is free.

    Activity #3

    Let's talk about body art. How would you define body art? Is body art limited to piercings or tattoos? Perhaps it is a bit more.



    For homework, read
    "History of Tattoos"
    What did you learn that was new or interesting? The article is divided into the following sections:
    1. Primitive Tattoos
    2. Funereal Art
    3. Branding
    4. Clan Markings
    5. Rites of Passage
    6. Love Charms
    7. Physical Health
    8. Good Luck
    9. Celtic Tattoos
    10. Pilgrim Tattoos
    11. Oriental Tattoos
    12. Sailor and Military Tattoos
    13. Electronic Tattoo Machines
    14. Modern Tattoos
    List two new or interesting pieces of information from each section (28 pts.) Post in CANVAS by Tuesday.
    Homework Overview
    1. Review the peer editing comments and revise your draft of Essay #1. Post the revision in CANVAS. (50 points)
    2. Read History of Tattoos (See instructions above.)
    History of Tattoos