Ms. Scott's Spot for School Whatnot

Today we did step 5 of the DOG and spent a little time talking about the parts of a sentence diagram.  Then we passed back some graded work and organized our binders.  Students were given no new assignments today, but a chance to “catch-up” on this week’s work and were asked to make sure they had completed the following:  ~Read the entire Directions sheet about the DP essay, ~Have a complete, organized and well thought out plan for the essay (G.O. including major and minor support), ~Well-crafted thesis statement and introductory paragraph, and ~ Conclusion paragraph.  All these need to be organized and ready to go on Monday, no excuses.

HW: None.  (But make absolutely sure you have fully and thoughtfully completed Monday-Thursday’s work.)

Today we read an article about Odysseus and the Trojan War that gave us some background info before we began reading the short play “Return of the Hero” based on the Odyssey. 

HW: None.  We will finish reading the play on Monday and have a short quiz.

Today we did step 4 on the DOG.  We then got out all the worksheets/materials from yesterday and spent sime time talking about and analyzing Conclusion Paragraphs. (other side of yesterday’s sheet – link in 11/04/09) After completing an activity on improving a conclusion, students were able to start their own concluding paragraphs for the Dinner Party essay.

HW: Finish Conclusion.

Today we passed back some graded work and then read an exciting story, “Rage on the River Zambezi,” about a hippo attack!  Students took a very short quiz about the conflict and inferences afteward.

HW: None

Today we did DOG step #3.  Then student got out the folowing handouts/wksheets: Dinner Party Essay Directions with graphic org (from last Wed.), Thesis Statement wksht from yesterday, copy of the Dinner Party story, and the highlighted copy of the Lorax model essay.  We then Analyzed Introductions and completed the actvity on the front of the worksheet.  Then students applied the intro tips and began writing their own intros for the Dinner Party essay. Remember that you should have completed your plan before you write your intro.

HW: Finish writing intro for DP essay.

Today we  took the test on Three Skeleton Key and then made sure everyone was caught up on work and had had a chance to turn it in.

HW: None

Today we did DOG step 2 and spent a good amount of time working on it and then explaining it.  Then we did an activity focusing on writing a good (or even great) thesis statement.  We had some discussion and analysis of this and then students were to get out their grapic organizer plans for their Dinner Party essay and examine the thesis statement they wrote last week.   Using the new info, students are to improve their thesis statements and write it on the new, clean graphic org on the back of the thesis activity. 

HW: Students are to improve their thesis statement and write it on the new, clean graphic org on the bacl of the thesis activity.  Then look at what you have for your plan so far and sk yourself, “Does this plan (intro, support, conclusion) go with (support) you new and improved thesis?”

Today we did a vocab review activity (worksheet) and also a review of the story and what we have learned about lighthouses and other other aspects of the story.  Students were told to bring their LA book home to study for the test.

HW: STUDY for the Three Skeleton Key Test tomottow! Grammar (lie/lay, sit/set, rise/raise) and Vocab WILL be on the test!

Today we did Step#1 of the new DOG (”doctor” side). Then we got out our worksheet from Friday (see link on 10/30/09) and finished deconstructing the Lorax essay. Then we looked  briefly at the handout that shows us how we put the “Plan and the Paper” together. 

HW: Students were to draw arrows from the various parts of the plan (thesis, major support #1, minor support, etc.) to where the info is used in the finished paper.  Use bolded link above for a copy of the worksheet.

Today we did a lesson on troublesome and misused verbs – lie/lay, sit/set, rise/raise.   We discussed and gave examples, looked at a chart and then did two activities with choosing the right word.  Then we made corrections on our papers.

HW: Bring LA book tomorrow for review for test.  Three Sleketon Key test on Wed!

Today we had a “tricky” sentence on the back of our DOG. Students were to apply “step #2″ to it and then diagram it. Anyone who was able to get it right got a “treat.”  Then we looked at a copy of the Lorax model essay highlighted for major and minor support.  We then began to pull the essay apart and put it into the graphic organizer on the back.  We got through the intro/Attack the Prompt, major and minor support #1 in most classes.  Students who did not were asked to finish the minor support #1 and fill in major support #2.

HW: See above, finishing classwork. P.S. Rollover and click italized words to download handouts.

Today we finished reading our creepy story, “Three Skeleton Key.”   We also spent a little time discussing it and then looked at some ‘troublesome verbs’ on pg 77 of the Lang Arts book.

HW: None – bring LA book on Monday.

Today we did step #5 of the DOG.  Then students turned in the “polished and perfected” essays (see 10/27/09) and put the other one in their work folders.  We then read a model essay based on Suess’s “The Lorax” and examined it for a thesis statement and major and minor support.  Studnets were to underline the thesis statment and highlight the major support in one color and minor in another.  Transition sentences were to be underlined.  Lorax Essay

HW: Finish classwork – highlighting and underlining. 

Today we did two fun activities learning about Morse Code and Rats.  Each article had some accompanying questions, most of which were done in class.

HW: Finish questions on articles and bring them back tomorrow.

Today the students had a sub since I was on the Ropes Course.  First they completed DOG step #3 and 4 and checked corrections as a class.  then studnets recieved a sheet about the essay they will be writing about the story, “The Dinner Party.”   Students read and reviewed the info and then worked on completing Steps 1-3 as listed on the sheet, using the back of the sheet to complete step 3.

HW: Finish steps 1-3 if not done in class.  Also, please remember your “polished and perfected” typed copy of the response of your choice (R-T-T or Song) is due tomorrow!  You can email it to me if you cannot print it at home!  scotts2@fultonschools.org For more info see 10/27/09.