March 31, 2016 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Review cluster maps and drafts of the Comparison/Contrast essay -

• Write your topic and you name on a post-it and "post it" on the board.
• Work with a partner of like interests and share your graphic organizer.
• Share drafts if you have yours - date due extended to Tuesday, April 5, 2016.

Homework: Write and post the draft of your comparison/contrast essay.

2. Add research to your essay. Look at either the graphic organizer or at the draft and locate areas that would be stronger if you added some expert evidence. For example, if you are comparing something as simple as two shoes, durability might be one of your points. Where could you go to find out about the durability of the soles of the shores or of the materials in the "uppers"? (Activity)

3. Work on details - pick a color - any color! The pre-writing is an in-class activity.

• In two minutes, list all the things that are ________________. (Fill in your color.)
• If your color were a person, what sort of person would it be? (Describe-Introduce!)
• What are some of the things your color can do?
• What famous people like/wear/use your color?
• If your color threw a party, how would it be decorated?
• What powers does your color possess?
• Why do people like/hate your color?
• Historically, where has your color appeared?
• How does your color rank in the news?
• Is your color serious or silly or somewhere in between?

Sample essay: "Why So Blue?" by Peggy Payne (handout)

Now, write your own color essay. Finish for homework. Be ready to share on Tuesday. Post in CAVAS.

March 29, 2016 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Make your "Rock" comparison/contrast paper visible.
2. Find a partner.
3. Share your essays - 4 minutes each.
4. Discuss:

• Organizational pattern
• Personal opinions about the "best and worst" rock
• Transitions
• Introductions
• Conclusions

5. Effective use of transitions: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/transitions.htm
Look at:
An Analysis of Coherence - http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/taste/taste2.htm

• Four groups - look at your section of the essay. Determine how the author uses transitions and other writing techniques to "glue" the essay together.

6. Another look at transitions: http://www.smart-words.org/linking-words/transition-words.html Pay attention to the information at the bottom of the page that explains WHERE to use them in writing.

7. Select a topic!  At your table, generate a list of possible topics. (2 minutes!)

• This link offers 40 suggestions. Feel free to use one of those listed. http://grammar.about.com/od/developingessays/a/topicscompcon07.htm
• Here are 50 more! http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/compare.htm
• Also consider selecting a topic of your own.

8. Look  at two additional examples - handouts -
"The Virtues of Growing Older"
"American Space and Chinese Place"

9. Homework:

• Select your topic of two ___________________.
• Create a chart to use as a visual reminder of the information you plan to include in your essay. The visual should be either point-by-point or topic-by-topic. (See the handout from last Thursday.) You may decide instead to use two mind maps/cluster maps.
• Directions for clustering: http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/cluster.html
• Mind Mapping/clustering examples: https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrTcdRlf_pWHTwAnWknnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEyMWZzYzY3BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjE3NDdfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Clustering+Examples&fr=yhs-mozill
• Write the draft of your essay and post in CANVAS by Thursday, March 31.

March 24, 2016 - Thursday

Class Work
Comparison/contrast essay:

• Two ways to organize - handout
• Two rocks . . . go outside and find two rocks. Listen for the instructions and fill in one of the two charts on the handout.
• Examples & Discussion
• http://www.officeinstructor.com/EssayWriting/EssayPDFs/Neat%20vs%20Sloppy.pdf (Neat people vs. Sloppy People)
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm (Shoping in America)

Homework:

Write a brief comparison/contrast paper about your two rocks. Use ONE of the two possible ways to organize your paper. (Point by Point or Topic by Topic)  Make it clear which rock you like the best by your word choices and by your phrases. Be sure to introduce both rocks before jumping into the comparison. In addition, add a few concluding lines.

Reminder: The final draft of your persuasive technology essay is due Tuesday!

March 22, 2014 - Tuesday

Class Work

1.  Peer Editing- two others will read your essay. ach will complete a peer editing sheet:

• You need to make your draft visible on your computer screen or have a paper copy at your desk.
• Sign your name in the "author" spot on the red and on the white peer editing sheets.
• Trade places! Your are now editor. Sign in on one of the two sheets.
• You have 15 minutes to read the essay and complete the peer editing sheet.
• After 15 minutes, you will trade places again. Move to a table far from your home space!
• Sign, read, and respond for 15 minutes.
• Return to your desk. Join in the class discussion.

Learn to write conclusions:

• Handout
•  http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/
• http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/organization/conclusions.html (examples)
• http://www.asdk12.org/MiddleLink/LA/writing/StepUp/Writing_Conclusion.pdf (examples)
• http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions

Homework: Revise your draft. Post the FINAL draft by Thursday, March 24, 2016.

2.

March 10, 2016- Thursday

Class Work & Homework
1. Get ready to write the body of the essay. Here are some tips!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm
Look at "Cry Wolf," the sample essay at the link. We will work on this in class . Find the claim, reasons, and evidence/proof. Use the paper chart to write your notes. We will begin in class. Finish reading the example and filling in the chart for homework.  Due: Tuesday, March 22, 2016
2. Using your notes as a guide, begin with your introduction and write the body of your essay. Refer back to the Technology: Friend or Foe? assignment sheet. The draft is due on Tuesday, March 22.

Happy Spring! We do not meet next week. Enjoy the time with family and friends.

 
 
 

March 8, 2016 - Tuesday

Class Work

(What did you think about the conclusion of "The Veldt?" How real is too real?)

1. Print a paper copy of the introduction to your "Technology: Friend or Foe" essay and join the circle. If you have the copy on your personal laptop, you may bring it to  the circle instead of a paper copy.

• This is a readers' circle. When it is your turn, read your introduction to the class.
• As a listener in the circle, you need to determine the strategy or strategies used in the introduction.
• You also need to share if you would or would not want to read the rest of the essay and explain why or why not. Provide specifics reasons and give suggestions. What made you want to read on? Or, what would the writer need to do to interest you?

2. Get ready to write the body of the essay. Here are some tips!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm

3. Develop your essay with claims, reasons, and evidence. (Refer to the chart on the board and refer to the chart.

Claim: (Claim that your chosen technology is a friend or a foe of modern society.)

Why? (This is the question readers will ask. You, the author will answer.)

Because:

Provide at least three reasons.

Reason:

Reason:

Reason:

Facts and Proof!

(Prove that your reasons are valid.   Find experts to support your point of view and cite your sources.)

1.                        Source:	1.                       Source:	1.                       Source:
2.                     Source:	2.                     Source:	2.                     Source:

 4. Look at "Cry Wolf," the sample essay at the link. We will work on this in class on Thursday. Find the claim, reasons, and evidence/proof. Use the paper chart to write your notes. We will begin in class. Finish reading the example and filling in the chart for homework.  Due: Tuesday, March 15, 2016

5. Continue with your research and fill in your own claim/reasons/evidence chart. Post your chart in CANVAS. Due: Thursday, March 10, 2016.

March 3, 2016 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Write your name and your topic on a post-it and post in the pro or con section of the board.
2. Meet in assigned like-groups to discuss what evidence you found to support your point of view. Share sources.
3. Meet with the opposition to explain your point of view. LISTEN to each other then respond.

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4. Learn how to write effective introductions.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm
http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/intro_conclusions.html
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/

Visual examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl3O6DMsJgI

Homework:
Select a strategy for writing your introduction and write! Post the introduction in CANVAS. This does not mean that you can't change the introduction once you have finished.

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Let's begin "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury. How real is too real in video games?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erkL_IqlupE

Homework:
Finish "The Veldt". Write a one-page response to the following:

Video games are/are not dangerous. Pick a side. Support your thoughts with evidence from the video and from life experiences.