October 3/6, 2008

Sorry this post is so late, but since I was gone from school on Friday, I seem to have forgotten to keep everyone updated.

English 1 -- In this class period, students took a reading check quiz over chapters 7-9 of TKAM. After finishing and discussing the quiz, students read chapter 10 in class. When finished reading, students traded their personal narratives with another classmate in order to participate in a peer response activity called PQP (Praise, Question, Polish). Once the responses were complete, students were given presented with a 5 step systematic revision for their narratives that would put the finishing touchs on the papers, which are due next class period (Tuesday for 2nd block & Wednesday for 7th and 8th blocks). The five steps of revision are:

1. Circle all "be" verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been). Eliminate half of those that are used as the primary verb in the sentence (not used as a helping verb for an action)
2. Draw a wavy line under words that are often repeated. Find synonyms for half.
3. Place brackets [ ] around the first four words of every sentence. Make sure you use a variety of sentence beginnings.
4. Count and label the number of words in each sentence. Make sure you have a good mix of short and long sentences.
5. Mark out and "dead" words (good, rather, quite, nice, sort of, kind of, quite)

Personal narratives should be double spaced, typed in Times New Roman 12 point font, with 1" or 1.25" margins. The title should be centered, but not bolded, underlined, italicized, etc. The heading (also double spaced) should appear in the top left-hand corner and read as follows:

Your Name

Mrs. Krysl

English 1 - block __

7/8 October 2008

English 1 Homework

Finish personal narratives

No reading assignment in TKAM

English 2 -- In this class meeting, students finished reading and answering questions for the story "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker. Next, they read the story "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan, and answered the questions after the story in the book. Once all reading and answering of questions was finished, students began writing the first draft of their personal narratives which are on the topic of a time/situation in which students have learned an important lesson. Since I was gone from school on Friday and not able to discuss the stories with the students, we will discuss and review both stories in the next class meeting. Thanks to all my English 2 students for behaving so wonderfully for the substitute on Friday -- I appreciated it, and you made me proud!

English 2 Homework

rough draft of personal narrative due next class

finish questions for both "Everyday Use" and "Two Kinds"