Laughing, Comparing, Contrasting

We've been discussing Tone in writing using two humorous essays by Bill Cosby and Dave Barry, both found in our literature book (starting on page 496 - see link on side for online book). These are similar in topic and tone, but there are noteworthy differences as well.

In class on January 27th and January 28th we began an essay comparing and contrasting these two humorous essays.

This is the format for the essay, as presented in a Four Square

The essay is to be completed and turned in by next class (1/31 or 2/1) and it will be scored on the following rubric:



Punctuation Dialogue and Problem Words

In an effort to clean up our writing, we are looking at the rules for punctuating dialogue and some of the most frequently misspelled words. In-class "quizlets" will be given to students to assess their progress in these areas.

Punctuation rules are noted in student source books. The "problem" words are as follows:

A lot


Believe

Definitely

Desperate

February

Its

It’s

Library

Necessary

Probably

Their

They’re

There

Until

Your

You’re

Nearing the end

Today (A) 1/13 and tomorrow (B) 1/14 I am putting progress reports with highlights for missing work into your students' hands. I have also totalled the independent reading pages logged.

Anything that is to be counted in this grading period must be submitted by 1/18 (A) or 1/19 (B).

Please assist me in making the final preparations for report cards.

Thank you!

4 kinds of leads

Thursday (A) and Friday (B) we will look at 4 kinds of leads for more enticing essays:

The riddle
"Photoshop"
Figurative Language
The Question

These will be applied to rewrite the lead of our prior District Timed Writings.

Cause/Effect and Character Change

After Reading the story Crush beginning on page 364 in our literature book, we looked at chains of cause and effect and analyzed the way this shaped plot. Then we discussed its effect on character. This assignment was started in class, due 1/13 (A) 1/14 (B)

ASSIGNMENT:
Look over all the important events you have identified and use those events to help you answer the following question.




Which event would you say had the most significant effect on Ernie’s life? Why? Use textual support to defend your answer.



** textual support = quotes and specific details from the story.

The assignment is to be scored on a 12 point rubric.

Don't forget, the online version of the textbook is accessed from the link on the right.

Turn 'Em In

Recently I asked students to finish an essay rewrite at home. I have 67 7th grade students. 33 did not have the assignment on the due date.

Your help in correcting this situation is needed.

Elaboration Stations

In class we are working on improving our writing skills and applying those skills to the timed writings. We have explored seven different methods of elaboration as follows:

In class we tried out each elaboration technique and then we did an activity where we looked at several paragraphs and then teams identified which elaboration strategy the writer has used. Now students are rewriting their timed writing response (#2 or #3) and employing and labeling the elaboration they are using.

These rewrites are due in class Wednesday, January 5th for A day and Thursday, January 6th for B day.