Today we did DOG Step#3. We then analyzed the 2nd draft essay (rec’d a grade of 3 out of 4) on “Under the Rice Moon” a little further and then examined a final draft that got a “4″ – the highest mark and how the improvements were made. Students were to complete the section on the back of the “4″ essay thoroughly and thoughtfully.
HW: Finish any classwrok and bring complete and organized 1st draft tomorrow for Peer-editing.
Today we watched biography of Charles Dickens and answered questions. Students should have questions 1-16 answered by this point in the vidoe. We will finish the last bit tomorrow.
HW: None
Today we did DOG step #2. We read a short story “Under the Rice Moon” and then examined 2 student essays written about it and the message that the author conveys using the bird and the characters. We analyzed these essays using the Literary Analysis Checklist and the Holistic and Analytic feedback chart that the students were given. This was to see how a students essay like the ones they are creating will be graded and how they can be improved. (All the bold words are links to the handouts.) Students were to underline the thesis in each essay, use 2 colors and highlight major and minor support, and give written feedback below.
HW: Finish the above mentioned activity for both essays.
Today we read an excerpt from a book in READ magazine, “How to Fight Monsters.” Then students answered questions of inference and drawing conclusions.
HW: If you finished your questions in class (which I think everyone did), None!
Today we did Step #1 (on the TetherCat side). Students got out their Intro and Conclusion paragraphs, their graphic org plans for the essay, and a copy of “The Dinner Party” and wrote the body paragraphs for the essay. Remember to carefully read the prompt you are responding to. (It’s printed on the Dinner Party G.O. you got and several other places.)
HW: Finish body paragraphs (first draft).
Today we finished reading the short play “Return of the Hero” based on the Odyssey and then took a quiz on it.
HW: None.
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.
