6-6-07

Tomorrow is your English Exam! Don't forget to study everything from the review sheet that I gave you. Also, read yesterday's entry about your essay! The essay is a part of your final exam and MUST be here (no exceptions) the moment you step into class on Thursday!

Have a great night, get some good sleep, and I will see you tomorrow!

Last Week and your Work for the Final

Last week we watched "The Chronicles of Narnia"--what a great movie! I could definitely relate to many of the characters in the novel. Could you?

Your task for the FINAL EXAM:
Write a 1 - 1 1/2 page essay on ONE of the following questions. You chose a question today in class and had 30 minutes to draft about it.

1. In the beginning, Lucy's brother and sister don't believe she visited Narnia. Have you ever told the truth and no one believed you? Describe the situation and how you felt.
   
2. Lucy felt betrayed when Edmund does not back her up abou their trip to Narnia. He tells Peter and Susan that he didn't go when he in fact did. Has anyone ever betrayed you? Describe the situation. How did you respond? How did you feel?
   
3. Atfter the witch promises Edmund power as ruler, he begins dreaming abou tthe things he'd do and the law he will make. If you were king/queen, what THOUGHTFUL laws would you put into place AND why? Make sure your answer is realistic!
   
4. The 4 Pevensie children have a close relationship, even though they've struggled. How well do you get along with your siblings? Describe, with specific details, your relationship.
   
5. When the children become kings/queens, their new names have descriptions attached: Peter the Magnificant, Susan the Gentle, Edmund the Just and Lucy the Valiant. What would your name be and why do you feel you have earned that name? Give specific examples/reasons for choosing your new name.

The day of the exam, when you walk through the door I expect you to have in your hand:

• a one to one 1/2 page DOUBLE SPACED, TYPED essay (size and font issues the same as they have been all year)
• essay must be an ORGANIZED, THOUGHTFUL response
• spelling and grammar counts!
• proper MLA heading on your paper
• DO NOT include the question in addition to your essay on your paper. Embed the question in your response.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE YOUR PARENTS BRING IT TO YOU BECAUSE YOU FORGOT IT! If your printer does not work, you must bring it on disk so I can print it! If your computer does not work, you must make other arrangements before or after school tomorrow to get it typed, type it at the library or at a friend's house, etc. NO EXCUSES!

5/23 Class and 5/24 Class

Yesterday you read a selection from "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou.

Today (5/24) we will take a look at the answers to the questions you had on this selection as well as the MLK, Jr. selection.

We will also discuss the short essay portion of your final exam. This will entail watching "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" next week. Much like "The Neverending Story" essay, if you are absent for part of the movie, you will still be able to answer the short essay question as it will pertain to you and your life.

No homework this evening except to make your lunch tonight and break in your running shoes for Field Day tomorrow!

5-21 and 5-22 Class

Yesterday (5/21) we read a primary source, a speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr. We discussed the significance of a primary source and also strategies in reading one. We also discussed and reviewed tactics of good speech writing.

Today (5/22) we reviewed the article you read last week "The Other China" and focused in on the questions that were asked and why you may or may not have understood the types of questions the author wanted answered. We discussed again inferences.

Homework: finish the questions that go along with the MLK speech article and have them ready for tomorrow!

5-16 Class

Today you had about 15 minutes to finish the work packet on The Power of Words that we began yesterday. We corrected it as a class.

Next we took at a non-fiction selection called "The Other China". We only had time to read this in class. This will be due at the end of class tomorrow. Please take this into consideration when you think about HOMEWORK for this class tonight. Tomorrow for class I am going to give you a day of rest and the promised "Ice Cream Treat Day". During class I plan on showing "A Close Shave" from my Wallace and Gromit Collection. If you feel you can work under these conditions (watching a quiet movie and eating some ice cream) then perhaps you do not need to finish this worksheet tonight. However, if you know this will hinder your work efforts too much, please finish the questions as homework tonight.

5-15 Class

Today we shared some of the fun sentences from yesterday's creative writing exercise.

Next we explored 3 Liners and created impromptu poems.

Finally I handed out an article called "The Power of Words" and we read this as a class. This article will be due on Friday, 5/18.

Homework:
Make sure the Final Package is complete, perfected, and ready to hand in tomorrow!

5-15 Class

Today we took a bit of a breather from the structured research paper. We explored some creative writing options--taking a look at metaphorical quotes and how combine nouns and verbs to create new/interesting/original images.

Homework:
The Final Package is due on Thursday! Keep working on editing at home. Make sure you have it perfected for Thursday! If you are going to be absent on Thursday, I expect that you will make arrangements to hand it in early!

Again, if you do not know what the is included in the Final Package, see me at Homeroom or Lunch time!