On writing, worksheet: "Adding style to your sentences."

Began reading poem a day, today, The Blue Bowl by Jane Kenyon, found on the Poetry 180 website. React. Write.

Writer’s notebook check today. 10 entries. 10 points.

Returned novel project grades and Writer’s Notebooks assignments.

Anyone else want to read?

HW: Thurs: Bring forms to school to meet with Analy guidance counselors.

Fri: DEJ Civil War novel #3; Three-quarters through the book.

The Yamauchi students came to school with us today. We greeted them warmly, practicing vocabulary in English and (with their gracious help) in Japanese. Each of us introduced ourselves with a greeting in Japanese.
Then we watched a little bit of an animation DVD. Creativity abounds. Some of the filmmakers were from Japan, so that was a nice touch.

HW: 3 DEJ for Civil War book due Friday. Be three-quarters through your book.

QW: Write what you thought about yesterday's Analy presentation. At least three thoughtful questions or comments. Discuss.

Trade/grade Wednesday's vocabulary 1-6 test.

Practiced some Japanese for our Yamauchi visitors who are shadowing here at Twin Hills on Monday.

Analy counselor Joseph Heil came to each English class today to explain the program, what 9th graders can expect, how to choose courses and electives. He showed a DVD of Analy kids talking about the change from middle school to high school. Next week, he and other counselors will return to Twin Hills to discuss with each one of you individually what you want to do at Analy next year.

I encourage you to show your parents the information he handed out, and discuss your choices. Check out the Analy website for other questions that may not have been answered today.


HW: Friday, 2nd DEJ for Civil War novel due. Be halfway through your book.

Took a moment to study for Vocabulary 1-6 test. Then took the test.
We did not have time to trade and grade. Will do on Thursday.

Returned vocabulary work and first round of DEJs for Civil War novel.
Looked over models of well done DEJs.
Finally, finally, finally reviewed punctuation packet #3. Yippee.

Began worksheet on improving writing -- sentences every which way. No more See Spot Run!
Try your own online. Fun way to practice.

As an example, courtesy of The Owl at Purdue Writing Lab, vary the rhythm by alternating short and long sentences.

"Several sentences of the same length can make for bland writing. To enliven paragraphs, write sentences of different lengths. This will also allow for effective emphasis.

Example: The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn't find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. They were very disappointed when they left Anchorage empty-handed.

Revision: The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art, such as soapstone carvings and wall hangings. Anchorage stores had many soapstone items available. Still, they were disappointed to learn that wall hangings, which they had especially wanted, were difficult to find. Sadly, they left empty-handed."

Fixing short sentences by sentence combining, courtesy of Prof. Siegel, Mt. Mary College. "Sentence combining is just what it sounds like. Often, a series of short sentences can be combined into a longer, more effective sentence."
For example, consider the following paragraph (this is taken from Writing with a Purpose by Joseph Trimmer):
Last weekend I saw a science fiction film. Three friends went with me. The film focused on the experiments of a mad doctor. He altered his patients' lives by manipulating their dreams.

In the sample paragraph above the short sentences, all having the same noun-verb-object pattern, create a choppy effect. Here are the sentences "combined" into one, more economical sentence:

Last weekend three friends and I saw a science fiction film in which a mad doctor altered his patients' lives by manipulating their dreams.

HW: Weds. Vocabulary quiz, lessons 1-6.
Thurs: Analy guidance counselors visit to get ready for course choices for next year.
Fri: Second double-entry journal due. Three more DEJs. Half of the book should be read.

Fourth quarter begins, your last quarter at Twin Hills. Spring is here.

Catching up.

Last week we took vocabulary #6 quiz. And completed two more practice STAR tests. Handed in the first DEJ of Civil War novel on Friday.

On Monday, corrected STAR tests.
Two teams competed mightily in flyswatter (wordswatter?) vocabulary review, all 72 words from vocabulary lessons 1-6.

Coming up this week:

Weds. Vocabulary quiz, lessons 1-6.
Thurs: Analy guidance counselors visit to get ready for course choices for next year.
Fri: Second double-entry journal due. Half of the book should be read.

Most everyone read their work from Writer's Notebooks. We heard some amazing pieces, some that surprised the writers and your classmates. In a good way. Terrific thinking and mining for the good stuff! Congratulations.


HW: Vocabulary #6 quiz and work, Thursday.
FRI: First check in. Civil War, three DEJs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! "Experience is the name everyone gives to their own mistakes."-- Oscar Wilde.
We listened to "When Irish Eyes are Smiling." Then, wrote in notebooks and responded to that song or to one of the following Irish proverbs:

• Every dog is brave on their own doorstep.
• A good beginning is half the work.
• Two shorten the road
• Better good manners than good looks.
• If you don't know the way, walk slowly.
• Proverbs cannot be contradicted.
• God is good, but never dance in a small boat.

We discussed a New York Times music review of an article on the Irish Tenors.
With partners, we did a Web search on Irish literature. Turned in at end of period for points. Erin Go Bragh!

HW:
Weds. Writer's Notebook assignment due. Typed. BOP.

Vocabulary #6. Exercises due Thursday, same day as quiz.

Reviewed STAR practice test.
Heard from one peer's incredible notebook entry.
Wrote from prompts, or your own. Notebook check.


Questions on first Civil War novel check? Due Friday: read first quarter of your book and hand in 3 DEJs on historical elements you have found and have questions about. (See assignment sheet for details. )

Time to work on: Punctuation packet #3; Writer's Notebook assignment; vocabulary #6; Civil War check-in.

HW this week:
Weds. 3/18: Writer's Notebook assignment due. Typed.

Thurs 3/19: Vocabulary #6 work due and be prepared for quiz.

Fri. 3/20: Civil War novel check-in #1. Should have read one-fourth of your book. Three DEJs due.

Friday the 13th (of March)

Vocabulary #5 quiz. Trade and grade and hand in.

QW: Listen to music and write. 5 minutes.

Writer's Notebook Assignment. Handout. 25 points. Due: Weds., March 18

Friday-the-13th fun facts from www.LiveScience.com:

1. Fear of Friday the 13th - one of the most popular myths in science - is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

2. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.

3. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

4. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. "It was bad luck," Twain later told the friend. "They only had food for 12." Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

We did a STAR practice test today. And had lots of fun doing it. Okay, it made me happy. Results tomorrow.

HW: Friday: Vocabulary #5 worksheets. Along with quiz.

QW: Writing from art, Day 2, inspired by Milton Avery's Seated Girl With Dog. Some nice responses.

Civil War book choices made. First quarter of your book should be read by next week, March 20, along with 3 DEJs on historical elements due.


HW: Friday: Vocabulary #5 worksheets. Along with quiz.

QW: Art transparency. “Morning Light” Think about what morning light means to you. Look at the painting. Be inspired. Write for 10 minutes.

Compare/contrast Nin and Herriot essays. Handed in questions, pg. 658.

Looked over books in room to choose Civil War. Library, too.

HW: Weds: Choice of Civil War book & fill out form. Due BOP.

Work returned, including graded speeches. Great work everybody.
Handed out new ID numbers for posted grades. Get yours if you were absent.

Discussed Civil War Novel Assignment. Handouts. Choice of book due Weds., and how you decided on that book. Can look over classroom books on Tuesday.

Vocabulary #5 worksheets. Due Friday, along with quiz.

Read "Debbie," pg. 652 in literature textbook. Answers questions on pg. 658. Due Tuesday. Be ready to discuss questions on pg. 659.

On Friday, we finished speeches. Grades returned on Monday.

We went over punctuation packet #2. Period 4 to do on Monday.

Began discussion on and handed in HW questions on Anais Nin essay on forest fire. Questions on p. 651 in literature textbook.

Speeches, Day 4

For Friday:
Period 2: Becca, Cassidy, John
Period 4: Matt, Rene, Caitie F., Jacob, Jesus, Ryan, Miles
Period 5: Amanda, Maria, Shannin

Worked on punctuation handout, #2: commas with independent clauses, introductory phrases, non-restrictive clauses and dialogue.

Narrative essays. Read "Forest Fire," in literature book, pgs. 646-651. Answer questions on pg. 651.

HW: Fri: Finish reading "Forest Fire" and answer questions on pg. 651.

Speeches, day3, and what a day it was.

Among the topics: the right to be free of parental oversight, the pros of soccer, why skateboarding is not a crime, choosing vegetarian or carnivore, and making the world a better place.

For Thurs:
Period 2: Nia, Tanner, Jasmine, Kiana, Angela
Period 4: Jose, Yesenia, Martin, Joe
Period 5: Ry, Stephen, Jonah, Joe

For Fri:
Period 2: Becca, Cassidy, John
Period 4: Matt, Rene, Caitie F., Jacob, Jesus, Ryan, Miles
Period 5: Amanda, Maria, Shannin

Speeches day two completed. Beautifully! Some mighty cool props and some persuasive presentations! Next up:

For Weds:
Period 2: Kyra, Ricky, Marlen, Sierra, Angela, Khiana
Period 4: Sam F., Tristan, Emily, Kyndall, Max
Period 5: Vicki, Colette, Kirsha, Gina

For Thurs:
Period 2: Nia, Tanner, Jasmine, Kiana, John
Period 4: Jose, Yesenia, Martin, Miles, Joe
Period 5: Ry, Stephen, Jonah, Joe

For Fri:
Period 2: Becca, Cassidy, John (?)
Period 4: Matt, Rene, Caitie F., Jacob, Jesus, Ryan
Period 5: Amanda, Maria, Shannin, Alyssa

We got going on persuasive speeches. Thanks to all the volunteers willing to put themselves out there.
For Tuesday:
2nd period: Travis, Ricky, Mariana, Kyra, Luke, Jordan
4th period: Sean, Cris, Devyn, Heather, Joe, Sam L.
5th period: Parker, Avalon, Kaya, Dylan, Bryce, Eric, Will