Monday, March 31, 2014

Honors and Standard Chat Schedule

Here is a link to the chat schedule for this week.  You will be expected to be there at the appointed time.  If the conversation takes place without you, there is a strong chance that you will not be able to earn the credit for the eLearning experience.

Let me know immediately if something needs to be changed.

One group in period two (To Build a Fire #1) and one group in period six (Alchemist #2) still need to inform me of their chat times.  I need to know immediately.

Standard 3-31-2014

We worked out our eLearning groups today.  Be sure you all show up to chat at the agreed upon times. Come prepared with your 4-5 questions too. If you were absent it is your responsibility to find out which group you are in as soon as possible.  

I'll return the timed writings tomorrow.  Scores are on HAC right now.

Bit of a disappointment on the parallel structure, figurative language, irony quiz today.  Seems we don't know this material as well as we should.  I'm surprised after all we've gone through.  Back to the drawing board for a little reteaching.

One last fiction push starting tomorrow.

See you soon.

Honors 3-31-2014

We took the poetry quiz today.  It was the final assessment of the third quarter.  Overall, scores are looking pretty good for our first--and possibly only--Canvas quiz.

We scheduled the eLearning chats.  If you were not here today, be sure you contact your group members A.S.A.P.  You will all be expected to be present at the agreed upon time.

The PI writings will be looked at one more time before break.  Have both the poem and the scene in class Wednesday.  I will accept any picture/scene/poem combination this week but the final due date will be April 14.

Whole lotta Pearl tomorrow.

See you soon.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Honors 3-29-2014

You have a link to the novel The Pearl,  and now here is a link to the questions.  You do not have to read the story.  You do not have to answer the questions.  But they are at your disposal should you desire to work on either one.

I'll announce groups for eLearning Monday.  Be sure the short stories are read and the 4-5 questions are written.

There is a poetry quiz coming tomorrow.  Please be ready to do your best.  It will be the final grade of your 3rd quarter.

See you Monday.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Standard 03-28-2014

Some good sites for practice!

http://www.quia.com/rr/343294.html?AP_rand=1498423326 (irony)

http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_harris_phrefguide_1/56/14508/3714243.cw/content/index.html (parallel structure)

http://www.quia.com/rr/304603.html  (figurative language)


This website is blocked at school for some reason but it is a good one for additional irony practice at home.

http://www.slideshare.net/guest08131855/irony-activity  (irony)

Honors 3-28-2014

The link!

http://www.mrlocke.net/EnglishOne/Novel/Pearl/Chapter1.htm

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Standard 3-27-2014

How well do you understand parallel structure?

How quickly can you write or identify figurative language?

How adept are you at spotting the three types of irony?

We will find out soon.  As I mentioned in class today, you will be having an assessment over these three things in the very near future. How ready will you be?

We read "The Gift of Laughter" by Allan Sherman today.  Be sure to bring it to class tomorrow because we will be using it as the source material for our practice chat tomorrow. We want to make sure no one is nervous about using or unsure how to use the Canvas chat program. Any concerns or questions will be addressed tomorrow.

Speaking of the chat, you need to have your story selected by tomorrow.  I'll be asking for the titles in class. You also need to have it read by Monday.  In addition, you need to have 4-5 open-ended discussion questions so you can participate in the chat effectively.

See you soon.

Honors 3-27-2014

I am impressed.  You were split into groups today for the peer editing of the PI and I was quite pleased with what I saw and heard as I moved between groups.  The seriousness in the approach and the insight of the comments was truly inspiring.  You all were focused on the editing and I trust you all left with numerous ways to improve your writing.  Now, I just hope you went home and made those improvements while the conversations were fresh in your memories.

You should be working on those poems now as well.  The poem will share the theme with the scene and the picture but nothing else.

Speaking of poems, we will be having a poetry assessment soon.  Monday is looking pretty good as I type this.  Ask me about it tomorrow.

We will be doing a practice chat tomorrow in lab D to make sure no one is worried or confused about the eLearning coming next week.  To be sure you are prepared for next week's chat, you need to have identified your story to me by tomorrow and have read it and compiled 4-5 open-ended discussion questions by Monday.  You'll learn your groups Monday and sign up for a chat time as well.

See you soon.  

I have found The Pearl!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Standard 3-26-2014

We reached the end of our suspense unit with the culminating in class timed writing assignment.  In 40 minutes you told me what you could about the suspense in "The Hitchhiker".  A strong paper will have offered an intro, a well developed body with several well explained examples, and a conclusion.  How well did you do?

Parallel structure and irony are taking prime spots on our agenda tomorrow.  An assessment is sure to follow soon.

Have you selected your eLearning story yet?  I'll be asking for it tomorrow but it is definitely due by Friday so be ready!  We'll be trying a practice chat on Friday.  I'll give you something to read to be prepared.

See you soon.  

Honors 3-26-2014

Have the PI rough draft in class tomorrow.

Start working on those poems for the PI.

Did you choose your story for the eLearning yet?  That's due Friday.  Over 20% of the honors students have already read the story and completed the vocabulary part of the assignment.  Way to go!

The Pearl.  It may appear that we will not finish the book anytime soon, but in reality we will complete it before spring break next Friday.  Money!

Can money buy happiness?

Can ethical people be corrupted?

Are the rich bound to help those less fortunate?

Is there good in all people?

Remember the EQs.

Our poetry discussion has been completed.  That can only mean that our poetry quiz will be in the coming days.  But when?  Not tomorrow but be prepared.

See you soon.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Standard 03-25-2014

We seemed to pick up the parallel structure pretty quickly today.  Good job.  The irony?  That was a different story.  Better go back and revisit that material.  As I said today, there will be an assessment coming soon over both parallel structure and irony.  Will you be prepared?

Big in class timed writing paper coming tomorrow.  You need to have finished reading "The Hitchhiker" so you can be prepared.  On top of that I would take notes on the suspense you see throughout the text.  That way you won't have to be looking for the material as you write the paper.  Any notes you take today can be used tomorrow for the timed writing.  Here's the prompt again.

We have read about suspense. We have discussed suspense. We have analyzed what we have read for suspense. Now it is time for you to do it on your own. You recently read “The Hitchhiker” play written by Lucille Fletcher. It is packed with suspense. Your task is to write an essay, with an opening and a closing, that explains how Fletcher creates suspense in her story.  Be specific and use examples and quotes fromthe text for your support.    

See you soon.

Honors 03-25-2014

Day one of eLearning is behind us and people have already chosen their stories, read the stories, created their vocab lists, entered them on Quizlet, studied, taken tests, scored 100% and submitted the scores to me!  At this rate, they'll be done by the weekend!  Okay, not by the weekend since the group chat has to take place next week, but at least by early next week.  Keep up the good work.  As soon as I know your stories I can put you in groups and let you know who you will be chatting with next week.

Kino found the pearl!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! He's one excited guy.  Juana is one exited woman. Coyotito is one tired baby!  Hey, how would you feel if you had been stung by a scorpion?  We'll hit the story hard tomorrow.  Can we finish chapter three?  Let's make it a goal!  In the meantime, be thinking about...

the music; it seems to be taking on another life than what it had in chapter one.

Kino; do you think he will change now that he has the pearl?

the difference between appearance and reality

Juana praying to God and the gods, counting on magic and luck; what does she believe in?

PI scenes are due in class typed Thursday.  Yes, it is only a draft but make sure it is a darn good draft.  You don't need to be writing your poem yet--we still have to discuss the ballad/narrative option--but you can be thinking up ideas.  Remember, the poem has nothing to do with the picture nor the scene aside from sharing the theme.

See you soon.


Monday, March 24, 2014

Standard 03-24-2014

Your brand new eLearning experience is in your hands!  Well, actually you have a few of them after today, but the one I'm focused on is language arts.  Be sure to get online today--or sooner!--to check out your reading options.  Here is a link to the packet and the stories.  Select that story soon so you can get the reading, the vocabulary and perhaps the 4-5 open-ended discussion questions completed right away.

Plenty of  perfects and A scores on the vocab quiz today, but we will always take some more.  If you didn't do well, you need to be honest with yourself...How much did you study?

Tomorrow we will look at a new story that you will be drawing from for a timed writing later this week.  I'm thinking Wednesday.  Yes, it has to do with suspense.  What will you be able to demonstrate about your depth of knowledge on suspense?  I can't wait to find out.

See you soon.  

Honors 03-24-2014

Our eLearning experience has begun! Here is a link to the hand-out--and the stories--we spoke about today.  Get online soon and check them out so you have time to select one you like.  Remember, our first due date is this Friday, March 28.  I want you to tell me your story choice by then.

Hopefully your PI scene is taking shape. We will be taking a more in depth look at your drafts on Thursday this week.  Be sure yours is in the best shape possible so that it will be successful.  On top of that, we have the poems to be writing as well.  Here is a link to the poetry information we've been discussing the last few days in case you need a refresher.  You might want this to help you write your poem or to help you prepare for that poetry quiz I hinted at yesterday on the blog.

After a respite of four days, The Pearl will be back in force tomorrow.  Let's see what he discovers while out on the water.

Have a good day.  See you soon.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Standard 3-23-2014

We get to find out what our eLearning activity will be tomorrow.  Get ready to celebrate!

On top of that we are going to have an assessment of our "The Monkey's Paw" vocabulary knowledge.  Hope you have been studying for ten minutes a day.  If so, you are going to do awesome.  If not I wouldn't want to be you!

I promised an examination of your suspense awareness as well.  I find the story, you read it and write about the suspense.  We may not have time for it tomorrow, but Tuesday is looking like a good time for an in-class timed writing, just in time for the end of the quarter Friday!

See you soon.

Honors 3-23-2014

Tomorrow is the day!

The day we finish The Pearl?

No.

The day the Project Imagination paper is due?

No.

The day we find out what our language arts eLearning is all about?

Yes!

I'll lay it all out for you tomorrow and we'll work through any questions or concerns you might have.  Can't wait to share.

You'll also receive back your assessments for the Interview with a Protagonist papers.  We'll talk about those and have a chance to reflect.

Project Imagination is taking shape.  Here is the rubric for a closer examination.  I feel this is a paper we can all do well on...AND...there are no citations!  Remember you choose a picture first.  From this picture you create a theme.  From that theme you write a scene (2 page maximum) that incorporates the picture.  Then you write a poem that shares absolutely nothing with the scene except for the theme.

Speaking of poetry, we've discussed free verse, sonnets, odes, and elegies.  We;ll take a quick look at lyric poems and ballads/narratives (double dip on Tuesday) and then you can start writing your poems as well.  You know what...after spending all this time on poetry, it would be a shame not to have some kind of an assessment on it, don't you think?

See you soon.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Standard 03-21-2014

STUDY THAT VOCABULARY FROM "THE MONKEY'S PAW!"

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Standard 3-20-2014

Study the vocabulary from "The Monkey's Paw".  There will be an assessment next week Monday.

Tomorrow we will take a closer look at how W.W. Jacobs creates suspense.  Be ready to share and discuss.  Realize that all this work with suspense probably means that there will be an assessment coming in the near future. Do you know your suspense?

We might take a look at how a video depiction of "The Monkey's Paw"  handles the ending.  It'll make for an interesting comparison.

See you soon.  

Honors 3-20-2014

Be sure to have your dog draft of your project imagination scene in class tomorrow.  Yes, it should be typed. We'll do a little editing and get a feel for what we need to cover and discuss.

In the back of your mind you should be considering your poem as well.  We've looked at free verse, sonnets and odes so far.  The elegy comes tomorrow.

We'll continue our slow and steady progress with The Pearl.   There is a change-a-comin' for Kino and the clan.  Will it be a positive one?

See you soon.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Standard 03-19-2014

Nice work scoring those 100%s on the Quizlet tests.  I also appreciate everyone who brought in a note saying they did the same.  You are becoming more familiar with the words.  Let's keep working with them through Quizlet or whatever means you deem necessary.  I'm looking at an assessment on Monday.  What do you think?

Be sure to complete your reading of "The Monkey's Paw"  tonight.  Remember to text code only the vocabulary and the things that you think W.W. Jacobs uses to create suspense.  Then be sure to explain how those words and phrases are generating suspense.  What technique is Jacobs using?  That will be your ticket into class tomorrow.  Be sure you are ready for our class work and discussion.

See you soon.


Honors 3-19-2014

Free verse yesterday.  Sonnets today.  You are fast becoming poetry experts.

Quick can you tell me three traits of a sonnet?  Perhaps we'll start class with that question tomorrow.

We'll look at odes and elegies tomorrow.  Not as much to share about those, but I have some fun examples.
"Fun examples, Mr. O'Malley?  Of an elegy?"

"That's right!  Fun examples of odes AND elegies." Can't wait to share.

We also finished reading chapter one of The Pearl.  How about that rage from Kino?  Isn't that doctor something?  Will Coyotito survive the scorpion bite?  Is there that much difference between classes?  Now might be a good time to remind you of our essential questions.

Are rich people bound to help those less fortunate?
Can happiness be bought?
Is there good in all human beings?
Can ethical people be corrupted?

Do you see any of these being developed in the story yet?

We'll spend a bit of time answering our study questions, but we also need to discuss our reading strategy from this point forward.  We'll try to do something that works best for everyone.

See you soon.




Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Standard 3-18-2014

You should be on Quizlet tonight.  Get off the blog and get on Quizlet.  Once you're on the website type in the following in the search space:

Mr. O'Malley's Period Three Language Arts Class

OR

Mr. O'Malley's Period Four Language Arts Class

if you can't get there yourself.  Then study that vocabulary and be sure to print off a perfect test from the website.  If you can't print the test, show Mom or Dad or your guardian that you completed a perfect test and have them write a note that you did it.

More ISTEP practice today.  We'll do more tomorrow with a focus both days on context clues.  You'll have to ID a main idea tomorrow too.

We will start reading and text coding "The Monkey's Paw" tomorrow and I'll ask you to finish it for homework tomorrow night.   It's a good story.  Can't wait to start dissecting it.

See you soon.

Honors 3-18-2014

You should all have a strong understanding of free verse poetry now.  Remember its free structure lack of rhyme and its development of rhythm through parallel structure, alliteration, stanzas and line breaks as well as its tendency to rely on a wide variety of figurative language.  You could write a free verse for your PI poem. Or you could write a sonnet which is what we will take a look at tomorrow.

We'll then do a quick Q & A on the PI (dog draft in class Friday) before jumping back into our reading of The Pearl.  We have had a bit of a halting start to the story, but I think it will benefit us in the long run because you now have a better idea about what I want you to take note of, write down and be aware of.  We will finish chapter one as a class, but then we will need to decide what our next plan of action will be.  Keep reading as a class?  Silent reading?  Small group reads? They are all on the table.  While Kino is clearly the man of the house, Juana is coming across doggedly as well.  She's no push over.  Take note of how she compares to Apolonia.  Be willing to write down your own notes in addition to what we discuss.

See you soon.  

Monday, March 17, 2014

Standard 03-17-2014

Be sure you log onto Quizlet tonight and study that vocabulary.  Once you are on Quizlet you can search for either

Mr. O'Malley's Period Three Language Arts Class

or

Mr. O'Malley's Period Four Language Arts Class

I want you to be familiar with the words before we start reading the story.

We will be looking for suspense, foreshadowing and other things once we start reading 'The Monkey's Paw".

See you soon.

Honors 3-17-2014

Be sure you select your picture and your theme tonight and then bring the picture and theme to class tomorrow to hang on the board.

After that, you can start working on your story.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Standard 03-13-2014

That's a pretty creepy elevator story if you ask me.  It had me nervous the first time I read it.  And why is that?  Because the author, William Sleator, is very adept at creating suspense.  Be it the dark, unstable, confined space of the elevator, the hideously odd characteristics of the fat lady or the painfully slow countdowns he employs, Sleator's writing packs a wallop.  You did a decent job today highlighting the different ways the author created suspense.  We needed another fifteen minutes, but the message came across: you guys are good with suspense.

We won't get to see each other again until Monday, so be sure you do some reading.  Look for suspenseful elements in your book, the television show you watch or the film you rent.  You'll be engaged in more suspenseful reading once you return.  Is the old trinket really a magical talisman or is it just a cute souvenir?

See you soon.  

Honors 03-13-2014

The Pearl!  It's The Pearl!  That's the book we will be reading over the next couple of weeks.  I'm glad we finally got to it.  We'll, kind of.  You did get to hold it today, and we did read the intro, but our actual reading won't start until Monday since that is the next time we will meet as a class.  As you know, we only have a class set.  We will be reading the book in class: some class reading, some small group reading, some silent reading.  We will be able to discuss it with more immediacy that way as well.

Remember that the author John Steinbeck considers it a parable which means that symbolism will be ever-present in the text.  As we read I want you to pay particular attention to the things in the text and what they might symbolize.

It was a day of finallies today as you also finally found out what the creative writing project is all about. Project Imaginat10n!  Pictures!  Scenes!  Poems!  Life is good! Here is the link to the photo options.  Have fun looking at all the photographs.  Talk them over with your parents, siblings, friends.  Find one that speaks to you.  Then come up with at least three themes for the picture.  Copy the picture.  Type out the themes underneath the picture and bring it to class on Monday.  We'll spend some time looking at the photos and themes and giving some pointers and advice on your next move.

So there you have it.  Starting next week we'll be reading The Pearl and writing our Project Imaginat10n pieces.  My skin is already tingling with excitement!

See you soon.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Standard 03-12-2014

I really thought we would have jumped into the story today, but I guess the shortened class period and the suspense discussion  had other plans.  No worries.  We will read "The Elevator" tomorrow and discover how the writer builds suspense.  Based on the title of the story alone, you have already hypothesized several ways he might use some of the techniques we have mentioned in class.  I'll guarantee you one thing; it is suspenseful.

Speaking of suspense, I like how we added foreshadowing, closing the gap, and the unknown to our suspense technique list.  Look for these and the other ones we have discussed as you read the story tomorrow.

See you soon.

Honors 03-12-2014

Did you write down the essential questions for our book study today?

Here they are again.

Are rich people bound to help those less fortunate?

Can happiness be bought?

Is there good in all human beings?

Can ethical people be corrupted?


Tomorrow's the day.  I promise.  We have a full class period.  No ISTEP testing and no 2-hour delays.  You will find out about the book we will be reading and the paper you will be writing.  The book is a type of parable that will ask you to analyze it carefully for symbolism.  The paper is a unique, fun piece that will ask you to be creative.

I promise both will be worth the wait.

See you soon.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Standard 03-11-2014

Another day of ISTEP tomorrow, another homework free evening tonight.  Enjoy!

In class things kept moving forward.  We took a good look at suspense today, the movie version.  Our two clips from Monsters, Inc. and The Bourne Legacy  allowed us to identify a bevy of ways actors and directors create suspense from the standard uses of darkness and music to the less obvious uses of dramatic irony and actual first person perspective.  Good work today.

Tomorrow we will see how writers do the same thing.  Do they also use darkness?  dramatic irony? first person perspective?  Can't wait to find out!

Write well on ISTEP tomorrow! Here are a few reminders as you approach the test.

-read the prompt twice
-highlight the specific expectations
-take the time to do some pre-writing
-have an introduction
-support whatever you write with evidence
-organize logically
-use some fancy words and punctuation (Hello, semi-colon!)
-have a conclusion
-fill all or almost all of the lines
-proofread
-write legibly

See you soon.




Honors 03-11-2014

One more day of ISTEP so no homework tonight. Yeah!

But we are moving forward in class.  We discussed parables as short allegorical stories designed to illustrate or teach some truth or moral lesson.

We also have hit on a few themes or essential questions.

Are rich people bound to help others less fortunate than themselves?

Can happiness be bought?

Is there good in all people?

We are getting closer to our book, but tomorrow we have another essential question to examine.  Then we will look at a poem by the great Carl Sandburg.  In the near future? The book AND a creative writing assignment.  Can't wait to share!

Write well on ISTEP tomorrow.  Here are those writing tips again.

-read the prompt twice
-highlight the specific expectations
-take the time to do some pre-writing
-have an introduction
-support whatever you write with evidence
-organize logically
-use some fancy words and punctuation (Hello, semi-colon!)
-have a conclusion
-fill all or almost all of the lines
-proofread
-write legibly

See you soon.    

Monday, March 10, 2014

Honors and Standard 03-10-2014

Papers and projects have been turned in.

Whew!

ISTEP tomorrow.

Ugh!

No language arts homework tonight.

Yeah!

New material is on the way.

Awesome!

Sleep well tonight.

No problem!

Few final reminders:

-read the prompt twice
-highlight the specific expectations
-take the time to do some pre-writing
-have an introduction
-support whatever you write with evidence
-organize logically
-use some fancy words and punctuation (Hello, semi-colon!)
-have a conclusion
-fill all or almost all of the lines
-proofread
-write legibly

See you soon.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Standard 03-06-2014

Pretty good use of the lab today.  We definitely made some progress but a lot of us still have some considerable work to do.  Put some effort into the project tonight.  do the same Friday and Saturday.  Do not wait until Sunday to wrap this up.  There is a lot riding on this assignment.  Final project is due Monday, March 10.

ISTEP is coming Tuesday.  I'd like to get another writing in tomorrow to practice our response time and our development of a coherent idea.  We'll answer any project questions first but then move into the writing.

We need to read something else again soon, so you can look for something new again Monday.

See you soon.


Honors 03-06-2014

Worked on the Interview with a Protagonist papers today.  Did some editing.  Answered some questions.  I'm feeling pretty good about where you were today.  Couple things to remember:

1) Align your numbered citations/evidence with your protagonist's answers.

2) Have a title

3) Be sure the answers you share go beyond merely restating what was already shared in the text.  Be insightful.  Make inferences.

4) You can submit the papers via hard copy or Google docs.

5) Have a work cited.

Final copy is due Monday, March 10.

We will not have period one tomorrow due to the Battle of the Books.  Period Two might be a bit shorter too.  In period two and period six we will wrap up our "The Bet" discussions and maybe try our hand at a little writing.

Creative writing is coming your way.

Is there good in all human beings?

See you soon.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Standard 03-05-2014

It may not have been the most exciting class today, but I hoped you learned a few things about this project. We looked at the figurative language and characterization components in both classes and saw that most of us have a lot of work to do.

You now have until Monday to complete the work.  Do yourself a favor and be sure to use the extra time effectively.  Do not wait until Sunday night to complete this or you will be in the same situation that you are in now.

You could see from our discussion today that I am holding you to some pretty high standards.  You can reach them.  Use the rubric the way I did today to check to be sure that you are meeting all of the requirements.

We will be in the lab tomorrow.  This might be your final opportunity to ask me questions.  Use the time wisely.

See you soon.

Honors 03-05-2014

Guess we don't know the gospels as well as Mr. Chekhov hoped we would.  Difficult to understand why the lawyer spent a year reading the four books if you don't know what's in them.  No matter what your faith, the stories are important to know for your future understanding of the literature you will be exposed to in high school and college.  Just saying.

While the small group discussions weren't as consistently strong today, our class follow-up conversations made up for it.  Good insight.  (And yes, Luke Norris, you should sign up for the PSAT and/or SAT as soon as possible.)  We'll be wrapping up our discussion of "The Bet" Friday, AND we will have a little writing as well.  I want you thinking about "Ozymandias" and "The Bet".  More later.

Glad to hear the positive reception to the creative writing idea I threw at you yesterday.  Looks like we will add that to the calendar. More info to come on that later.  Because first...

We must take care of our IWAP.  Tomorrow you should have the complete draft typed and in class.  Before we do any reading or editing, I will be checking to make sure we all have the paper. Should be five easy points.  Look over the rubric.  How solid is your paper?

In Lab C tomorrow.  Make it a good day.

Can happiness be bought?

See you soon.

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Standard 03-04-2014

Period three made good use of their time in the lab today. Tomorrow you need to be sure you bring in everything that you have worked on so far.  Print everything off and bring it into class tomorrow.  We will spend time looking at the products you have developed so far.  We will analyze them in small groups and as a class.  We will learn a lot about our preparation tomorrow.  Be sure to work on these tonight so that you can make the most of tomorrow.

See you soon.

Honors 03-04-2014

Tomorrow we will pick up where we left off with our discussion of "The Bet".  We've only scratched the surface so far.  We have a lot of questions/prompts and we won't have a chance to get to them all soooo.... perhaps we will have to do a little writing assignment with whatever prompts are leftover?

"Sounds like a great idea, Mr. O'Malley!" said the energetic student.

I agree.  Just thinking out loud here. Or at least in writing.

Complete drafts of the interviews should be coming in on Thursday.  You will get points based on the level of completion of the assignment.  Better have it all!

What are your thoughts on a creative writing piece? Tell me tomorrow.

See you soon.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Standard 03-03-2014

Some good work in class today but there is plenty of evidence that we have our work cut out for us.  Most of you did a wonderful job completing the book.  Now you need to produce for the project.  Here are a few pointers.

1) Do not let the creative display take precedence over the information.  The creative presentation is important but it takes a back seat to the other information you need to include.

2) Do not copy anything from any other source.  If anyone is found to have plagiarized any information for this project he/she will receive a failing grade.  Yes, it is easy to find out if you plagiarized, so do not do it.

3) Don't offer a summary that is too detailed and lengthy.  But don't offer a summary that is too vague and incomplete.  Identify the top ten to fifteen things that happened in your text and share them in proper sequence.  Only what is important.  Not the details.

4) For the characterization you need to be sure you are offering a couple traits for your protagonist at the beginning of the text along with cited supporting quotes.  You should identify how the protagonist is dynamic. Then you should offer the new trait the protagonist has and offer cited support for it as well.

5) Work on this at home!

We will have one more work day in the lab tomorrow.  Come prepared to get stuff done.

See you soon.

Honors 03-03-2014

Worked well on the interviews in class today but here are a few observations/recommendations.

1) GET BUSY!  Too many of you are lagging behind on the interview work.  You need an introduction, questions, responses, cited support and a conclusion.  Yet many of you did nothing on this assignment over the weekend.  I want a good product but I'm only willing to bend so much.  Strong, complete drafts are expected in class Thursday--five points based on the completion.  After that, the final will come in either Friday or Monday.  I'll let you know later in the week.

2) Be sure you are asking questions that are not merely summaries of the text.  If you can can find the response to the interview question right in the book, then you are asking the wrong question.  You want to look for questions that allow you to flesh out the protagonist.  Fill in the gaps.  Be insightful.  You need to make some inferences.  See what the author implies and then build upon what s/he shares.  DO NOT JUST REPEAT WHAT IS IN THE TEXT.

3) We will all have a work cited for this paper.  For a majority of us it will consist of only one entry.

4) You can submit the paper on Google Docs or as a hard copy.

5) Someone asked me about a two page introduction today.  Uh...no.  The key to the paper is the interview and your ability to understand your protagonist and support your ideas.  The intro can be creative, fun, helpful, explanatory, but it should not be two pages (or even one full page).

Tomorrow I will return the Ozymandias timed writings.  Then we will discuss "The Bet" as I promised last Friday.  Be sure to refamiliarize yourself with the prompts and the text.  Tomorrow's discussion will be assessed.

See you soon.