We read a few picture books in class and hunted for examples of memorable language - figurative language, similes, metaphors, sensory detail, imagery, etc. Then as a group we presented our findings to the class on the smart board.
Our writing topic is to write a paragraph about our favorite place, favorite season, or favorite holiday - a topic that is easy to write about using memorable language, rather than a trip to the science museum or an essay on George Washington (although you could integrate memorable language into those essays as well).
Remember the layers of a paragraph that we talked about in class, and if you need help visualizing, picture the hamburger paragraph template that I showed you. The top bun is the topic sentence/lead and the inside parts of the hamburger are the support, and the bottom bun is the concluding sentence.
October 16, 2008
October 15, 2008
Adding Memorable Details
There are many picture books that use figurative language and details that appeal to the senses to help get their message across. As a class, we're going to take a look at a few of these books and note what examples of figurative language or sensory detail we find in them. Once we've discussed the memorable details used in the picture books, we can work on how to integrate this language into our own writing.
Since we are in the midst of our expository writing unit, I'd like us to choose an information-giving prompt, such as a writing piece about our favorite place or our favorite season. We can model after Patricia MacLachlan’s story "All the Places to Love" for two reasons. In this story, the author uses a great deal of description, but also provides a great example of another skill we can work on - sentence fluency. She places prepositional phrases in a variety of places in sentences (beginning, middle, and end) and varies how she starts her sentences and her sentence length.
I'll demonstrate my technique to use sentence variety and include memorable details while we're in class, and then we'll type our writing piece on Friday, October 17 in computer lab 220.
Since we are in the midst of our expository writing unit, I'd like us to choose an information-giving prompt, such as a writing piece about our favorite place or our favorite season. We can model after Patricia MacLachlan’s story "All the Places to Love" for two reasons. In this story, the author uses a great deal of description, but also provides a great example of another skill we can work on - sentence fluency. She places prepositional phrases in a variety of places in sentences (beginning, middle, and end) and varies how she starts her sentences and her sentence length.
I'll demonstrate my technique to use sentence variety and include memorable details while we're in class, and then we'll type our writing piece on Friday, October 17 in computer lab 220.
May 22, 2008
You Get What You Give
Respect for others should be a prerequisite to being a human being in society. As a teacher, I seem to get disrespected all the time but I still try to give my students respect no matter how they treat me. When a person gives a little respect, he or she should gain a little in return. In the movie Lean on Me, much like in my career, the school is faced with undoing the damage of treating students poorly and learns that a little bit of respect can go a long way.
Not treating students poorly is exactly what that principal of East Side High did to change the climate of the school. Mr. Clarke walked into a challenge - drug dealers running rampant, kids skipping class and smoking in school, graffiti and gang signs plastered on the walls, and failing students who couldn't pass a basic skills test. The problem seemed to be that the bad kids were bringing everybody down and no student was being respected because of that stigma. Clarke said it right when he walked into his first staff meeting and stated, "If you treat them like animals, that's how they'll behave." Because there were cages and gates around certain places of the school, the students didn't care how they treated others. Once the cages were removed, the drug dealers kicked out, and kids were given the respect they deserved, the school began to turn around. With a little bit of discipline and guidance, the kids were even able to raise their scores high enough to pass the basic skills test. The students had pride in the school, respect for their authority and respect for their peers - something that I think should just be natural in a human being.
Unfortunately what I see as a natural human quality isn't always the case - in the movie and in my teaching career. Since I so strongly believe in treating others the way I would want to be treated, I try to give my students a bit of respect. To me that means allowing them to use the restroom when they claim they have to go, giving them choices on assignments, and allowing them to have a few conversations with each other throughout class. I'll even wait to start class for a bit so that I don't interrupt them. I do that, though, believing that if I give them a little bit of respect to say what they want that when the time comes for me to say what I want to say, they'll listen. It doesn't always work that way, but treating my students with respect and the way I would want to be treated will continue to be a rule I live by.
If only everybody would live by the rule of respect, there would be fewer problems in the world. Just like Mr. Clarke said, if a person is treated poorly, they'll act poorly. I like to turn that statement around and treat people well hoping that they will treat me well in return. Regardless, the students at East Side High learned a valuable lesson in respect and I hope my students do, too.
Not treating students poorly is exactly what that principal of East Side High did to change the climate of the school. Mr. Clarke walked into a challenge - drug dealers running rampant, kids skipping class and smoking in school, graffiti and gang signs plastered on the walls, and failing students who couldn't pass a basic skills test. The problem seemed to be that the bad kids were bringing everybody down and no student was being respected because of that stigma. Clarke said it right when he walked into his first staff meeting and stated, "If you treat them like animals, that's how they'll behave." Because there were cages and gates around certain places of the school, the students didn't care how they treated others. Once the cages were removed, the drug dealers kicked out, and kids were given the respect they deserved, the school began to turn around. With a little bit of discipline and guidance, the kids were even able to raise their scores high enough to pass the basic skills test. The students had pride in the school, respect for their authority and respect for their peers - something that I think should just be natural in a human being.
Unfortunately what I see as a natural human quality isn't always the case - in the movie and in my teaching career. Since I so strongly believe in treating others the way I would want to be treated, I try to give my students a bit of respect. To me that means allowing them to use the restroom when they claim they have to go, giving them choices on assignments, and allowing them to have a few conversations with each other throughout class. I'll even wait to start class for a bit so that I don't interrupt them. I do that, though, believing that if I give them a little bit of respect to say what they want that when the time comes for me to say what I want to say, they'll listen. It doesn't always work that way, but treating my students with respect and the way I would want to be treated will continue to be a rule I live by.
If only everybody would live by the rule of respect, there would be fewer problems in the world. Just like Mr. Clarke said, if a person is treated poorly, they'll act poorly. I like to turn that statement around and treat people well hoping that they will treat me well in return. Regardless, the students at East Side High learned a valuable lesson in respect and I hope my students do, too.
May 21, 2008
May 23 - Lean on Me
Watching the film Lean on Me has really encouraged me to question the management style of an administrator. Of course as a teacher I have a different perspective than you as students, but I hope this film raised as many questions and opinions within you as it has within me. I'll be sure to get my response to the film up on here when we finish it.
The film Lean on Me has a few good lines. Some I would like to share include:
"If you treat them like animals, that's how they'll behave."
"If you don't succeed in life...I want you to blame yourself. The responsibility is yours."
"One bad apple spoils the bunch."
Any one of these lines could be developed and analyzed in an essay.
The film Lean on Me has a few good lines. Some I would like to share include:
"If you treat them like animals, that's how they'll behave."
"If you don't succeed in life...I want you to blame yourself. The responsibility is yours."
"One bad apple spoils the bunch."
Any one of these lines could be developed and analyzed in an essay.
May 15, 2008
May 16 - Paragraphs
Students -
Your focus today is paragraphs. Remember what we learned about topic sentences on p. 40. The details included in your paragraph need to support that topic sentence and not stray. Speaking of details, there are a few ways to organize them in a paragraph - order of importance, order of time, order of location (p. 75). There are also three ways to develop a paragraph - facts, examples, anecdotes/stories (p. 50).
On Wednesday at the end of class you were supposed to write 3 different types of paragraphs. If you have those done, great. Just type them, proofread and print them. If you didn't get those done in class, you need to do them now.
Once you are done with your 3 paragraphs from earlier this week, you are to continue your work on the Ruby Bridges - Purposeful Paragraphs on Memorable Teachers assignment. Follow the directions on the handout. Model after my sample. Look at the rubric for how you are going to be graded. Peer review and fill out the salmon-colored half sheet. Take your peer's advice. See p. 79 in the book for tips on revision. When finished, save, then print your essay and give it to the sub. Don't forget everything else we've learned about writing - catching lead, conclusion, memorable details, correct sentence structure, etc. As always, proofread your writing today for grammar and mechanics errors.
I can't wait to read these next week. Hope you have a good weekend - work hard and don't cause trouble :)
Your focus today is paragraphs. Remember what we learned about topic sentences on p. 40. The details included in your paragraph need to support that topic sentence and not stray. Speaking of details, there are a few ways to organize them in a paragraph - order of importance, order of time, order of location (p. 75). There are also three ways to develop a paragraph - facts, examples, anecdotes/stories (p. 50).
On Wednesday at the end of class you were supposed to write 3 different types of paragraphs. If you have those done, great. Just type them, proofread and print them. If you didn't get those done in class, you need to do them now.
Once you are done with your 3 paragraphs from earlier this week, you are to continue your work on the Ruby Bridges - Purposeful Paragraphs on Memorable Teachers assignment. Follow the directions on the handout. Model after my sample. Look at the rubric for how you are going to be graded. Peer review and fill out the salmon-colored half sheet. Take your peer's advice. See p. 79 in the book for tips on revision. When finished, save, then print your essay and give it to the sub. Don't forget everything else we've learned about writing - catching lead, conclusion, memorable details, correct sentence structure, etc. As always, proofread your writing today for grammar and mechanics errors.
I can't wait to read these next week. Hope you have a good weekend - work hard and don't cause trouble :)
May 9, 2008
School Ties - Friday, May 9
Today your job is to analyze the big idea in the film School Ties. What was the writer/producer/director trying to comment on humanity? After you figure out an answer to that question, analyze HOW that was portrayed in the film. Use characters, setting, plot events, conversations and images/symbolism to support the big idea you've chosen. Remember, there can be more than one message taken from a long text (film) that applies to humanity.
While I was viewing the film, I wrote down a few lines that I thought would be important (since I knew the ending and had viewed the whole film, this was easier for me to determine importance). You may want to quote a few of these characters in support of your big idea.
Dad to David - "Do you want this life?" (as they're leaving the plant)
Dad's last words to David - "Make us proud."
Coach to David - "Don't tell people anymore than they need to know."
One of the guys on the football team - "Everybody knows not to go on someone else's turf, right?"
Symbol - removing the star of David necklace before showering.
Dillon to David - "You people are very determined."
Headmaster - "Was it worth it? Breaking a tradition to win a game?" David replied, "Your tradition or mine?" (on the Jewish holiday)
Dillon to David - "If you get what you want, you'll deserve it. If you don't, you'll manage."
Paragraph One: Attention getter/lead that hooks the reader. Mention the film title and basic plot and characters. Thesis for your paper is the big idea of the film. Example: The film School Ties reminds viewers that having honor and respect for a personal belief system is more important than falling into the crowd.
Paragraph Two +: Support your big idea with examples from the film. I would start proving my thesis above by talking about how David was originally told to hide his religion and how that started to cause problems in his life when people found out about it.
Paragraph 3 or final paragraph: Conclusion. Wrap up your major point (to prove the big idea of the film). Briefly retouch what you've talked about, and then leave us with a clincher.
While I was viewing the film, I wrote down a few lines that I thought would be important (since I knew the ending and had viewed the whole film, this was easier for me to determine importance). You may want to quote a few of these characters in support of your big idea.
Dad to David - "Do you want this life?" (as they're leaving the plant)
Dad's last words to David - "Make us proud."
Coach to David - "Don't tell people anymore than they need to know."
One of the guys on the football team - "Everybody knows not to go on someone else's turf, right?"
Symbol - removing the star of David necklace before showering.
Dillon to David - "You people are very determined."
Headmaster - "Was it worth it? Breaking a tradition to win a game?" David replied, "Your tradition or mine?" (on the Jewish holiday)
Dillon to David - "If you get what you want, you'll deserve it. If you don't, you'll manage."
Paragraph One: Attention getter/lead that hooks the reader. Mention the film title and basic plot and characters. Thesis for your paper is the big idea of the film. Example: The film School Ties reminds viewers that having honor and respect for a personal belief system is more important than falling into the crowd.
Paragraph Two +: Support your big idea with examples from the film. I would start proving my thesis above by talking about how David was originally told to hide his religion and how that started to cause problems in his life when people found out about it.
Paragraph 3 or final paragraph: Conclusion. Wrap up your major point (to prove the big idea of the film). Briefly retouch what you've talked about, and then leave us with a clincher.
May 1, 2008
Stressful, But Rewarding
There's nothing more rewarding as a teacher than watching a student finally get something he or she has been struggling with. In my career as an English teacher, I sometimes have successes like that. Although my job can be very rewarding, I also encounter some problems with my chosen profession, such as unmotivated students, having to give and grade tests, and lots of stress.
There are many times when my job is overwhelming. Especially in my first year at Clinton High, I have extra work learning what it is I'm supposed to cover in the curriculum and then creating materials to support that. Since I spend a lot of time planning, it is difficult to keep up on grading. Being required to give tests and grades is something that I don't always love about my job. Sometimes I feel like I am overwhelmed and getting stretched too thin, but it is definitely worth it.
Despite a few minor downfalls, my job as an English teacher is totally worth it because I am doing what I love and feel I excel at. Watching my students learn and succeed is very rewarding and motivating to keep plugging away at what I do. My belief is that there's nothing more important to be learned in school than the foundations of language arts. It's what I have lived and breathed my entire life, and now I can pass that on to my students. A few other benefits of being a teacher include summers off to read and continue learning (and relaxing), excellent insurance and benefits, and respect from peers.
Even though there are a few downfalls of being an English teacher, like all the paperwork and stress to meet curriculum guidelines, it is a very rewarding job. I've found that there's no better job for me. I wouldn't change what I do for the world - it's who I am.
There are many times when my job is overwhelming. Especially in my first year at Clinton High, I have extra work learning what it is I'm supposed to cover in the curriculum and then creating materials to support that. Since I spend a lot of time planning, it is difficult to keep up on grading. Being required to give tests and grades is something that I don't always love about my job. Sometimes I feel like I am overwhelmed and getting stretched too thin, but it is definitely worth it.
Despite a few minor downfalls, my job as an English teacher is totally worth it because I am doing what I love and feel I excel at. Watching my students learn and succeed is very rewarding and motivating to keep plugging away at what I do. My belief is that there's nothing more important to be learned in school than the foundations of language arts. It's what I have lived and breathed my entire life, and now I can pass that on to my students. A few other benefits of being a teacher include summers off to read and continue learning (and relaxing), excellent insurance and benefits, and respect from peers.
Even though there are a few downfalls of being an English teacher, like all the paperwork and stress to meet curriculum guidelines, it is a very rewarding job. I've found that there's no better job for me. I wouldn't change what I do for the world - it's who I am.
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