Monday 5/23/11

All classes should be keeping up with their reading schedule for their lit circle books. Because block scheduling is irregular, all classes are in slightly different places with the books. This week is a vocab week. Here is the schedule of due dates and quiz dates for all classes:

Vocab Lesson 32 due dates:
Hour 2-Wednesday, May 25
Hour 3-Thursday, May 26
Hour 4-Tuesday, May 24
Hour 5-Wednesday, May 25
Hour 8-Wednesday, May 25

Vocab Quiz 32 dates:
Hour 2-Friday, May 27
Hour 3-Friday, May 27
Hour 4-Friday, May 27
Hour 5-Friday, May 27
Hour 8-Wednesday, May 25

In class today:
Today hours 2, 4, 8 began with time for independent reading. Then students used 5 sentence starters to do some writing about their lit circle books. Here is the list and instructions:

Choose five (5) of the following sentence starters and write a brief reflection for each.

• I noticed…
• I wonder…
• I was reminded of…
• I think…
• I’m surprised that…
• I’d like to know…
• I realized…
• If I were…
• The central issue(s) is/are…
• One consequence of________________ could be…
• If _________________,then…
• I’m not sure…
• Although it seems…

Then write a QUESTION about the book (this should NOT be a one word or YES/NO question…it should lead the group to a deeper discussion).

In hour 2 and 8, students then had a discussion with their group members, recording the answers the group gave to their question. This work got turned in at the end of the discussion. In 4th hour, we will have the discussion during the next class meeting time.

Next we went on to continue our grammar work. We've been working on the difference between adjective and adverb clauses. In hour 2, we are now doing mixed practice distinguishing between the two different types. Hours 4 and 8 are still working to correctly find the clause within the sentence and tell what word in the sentence it is modifying.

Cameras for class

A note for parents on camera use:
Some students have asked about bringing personal cameras for use in class tomorrow. Students are welcome to bring their own cameras, but are not in any way required to do so. We have cameras available that are easy to use and produce high quality images. IF students CHOOSE to bring their own cameras, I will not be responsible in any way for the device. Things do occasionally get stolen at the Junior High, so students must be 100% responsible for the camera at school. Additionally, I do not give them permission to use the cameras at all outside of their class period of Language Arts. Let me know if you have any questions:

Ms. Keasling
keasling.anne@slpschools.org
952-928-6374

Thursday 5/5/11

FREE VERSE!
Now that we have learned the strict rules of sonnet writing, we're throwing it all out the window. Yesterday we read three free verse poems to get us in the mood. Free verse means there are no rules except the ones the poet sets for him or herself. While this may sound like a free for all, it can also make the writing process more challenging because there are no guidelines to help direct the writing. Here's how it will all come together:

During the next few days, students will be working on a Picture Poetry Project (Alliteration intended). Students should already be working on a free verse poem (no rhyme or rhythm). This can be on any topic the student chooses, but the poem MUST include at least three of the following poetic devices:

Metaphor, Simile, Personification, Hyperbole, Alliteration, Assonance, Imagery, Irony, Repetition,Oxymoron, Symbolism, Onomatopoeia, Allusion

Then tomorrow, we'll be using digital cameras to add associated images to the poem. Some of this work will need to be done outside of class. I will offer lab time after school Thursday (Today) 5/5, Friday,5/6 Monday 5/9, and Tuesday 5/10.

The final product is due Friday, May 13th.
For complete instructions on the Poetry Picture Project, click here.

Thursday 5/5/11

SONNETS!
In the weeks since the poetry exam, we've been putting our poetry skills to good use. We did a mini unit on Sonnets in which we explored the rules of sonnet writing, read and analyzed Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, wrote a full class sonnet, had a sonnet competition, and finally, students wrote individual sonnets.

Following the class sonnet writing process, students filled out this sonnet reflection.

Before turning in the individual sonnet, students need to fill out this poetic device explanation.

Check out the sonnets that the classes wrote together! Congrats to Hour 5 for their champion sonnet!

Hour 2











Hour 3












Hour 4











Hour 5












Hour 8