11-30 Class

Today we corrected and collected the grammar assginments from the past two days.

Next we did some peer editing.

Homework:
Tonight you must make all of the corrections that were made on your paper. Print out a clean copy of your draft after the corrections are made. Also, make corrections to your Work Cited page and print a new copy of that as well. You need to bring both of these to school with you tomorrow!

Those of you who were unprepared today: have mom or dad or your brother/sister read your paper and sign your rough draft. Please tell them to correct your paper with another color. After they read it, make the corrections and print off a new copy. I would like you to bring the first rough draft with their corrections on it AND the new fresh copy to school tomorrow!

11-29 Class

Today we discussed portions of your paper. You took notes on:

• Conclusions
• the Works Cited Page (see page 29 in your red MLA book)
• MLA Heading (see page 35 in your red MLA book)

We also did a short book assignment. Page 466/467 Part A, answers only. We will correct this grammar assignment along with the one from last night tomorrow in class.

DUE TOMORROW:

• completed rough draft (including the conclusion and MLA heading)
• completed Works Cited page

**Tomorrow's agenda: correct the two grammar assignments (one we did in class yesterday and the one we did today). Next we will spend the rest of the hour peer editing.

DUE MONDAY

• completed rough draft (including the conclusion)
• complete, FINAL DRAFT
• completed Works Cited page

11-28 Class

Today we discussed action and linking verbs. I gave you a very short assignment which you should have finished within the hour.

Tonight you need to make sure your rough draft is complete, although you do not need a conclusion yet. Also, if for some reason, you did not finish the grammar assignment, you must complete:

PAGE 464 & 465 #1-10 answers only. #11-20--I changed the directions. Simply write the italicized word and find two better, more livelier verbs to put in its place (you do not have to write out the sentences).

11-27 Class

Today I went around to make sure you had finished your outline.

Next we discussed how your outline translates into the writing of your paper. Make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence with details to support your claim/topic sentence. To move to the next paragraph, make sure to include an appropriate transition sentence.

Later this week we will work on adding parenthetical citations and writing your conclusion.

Homework:
You must have the rough draft of your introduction and body TYPED by Wednesday. If you want to make sure you are doing it right, get a good start on it this evening and see me at lunch or homeroom on Tuesday for a writing conference.

11-20 Class

Today I came around and checked that your character map was completed. If you did not have this assignment done, your grade dropped drastically. You also made more work for yourself over Thanksgiving Break!

HOMEWORK:
Over Thanksgiving Break you must TYPE your outline for your paper. Use your character map (this will help a GREAT DEAL!)

Remember to look at your notes for the rules of writing an outline and follow all of them.

This will be due when you return on Monday.

11-17 Class

Today we discussed inverted thesis statements.

You took notes on how to compose an inverted thesis statement on the back of your character map sheets.

On Monday, you need to have completed your character map. We will discuss on Monday how your character map will easily translate into an outline.

Remember: if you follow my timeline of homework, finishing everything day by day as we go through it, this paper will NOT be a burden to you. PLEASE KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF THE CLASS. The moment you let a day of homework slip by is when you will start to feel some strain. YOU CAN DO IT :)

11-16 Class

Today I passed back your tests.

Next we discussed our first organizational leg of the character analysis paper. I introduced the Character Map. In class we discussed choosing a main character to write about so you have enough for a 5 paragraph essay. The character must clearly exhibit 3 different character traits.

After you identify the traits, you must look for two scenes for each trait in the novel. You must include the page numbers where this scene takes place.

If you organize yourself well on this sheet, you will already have mapped out a great portion of your paper!

This worksheet is due on Monday!

Tomorrow we will be talking about inverted thesis statements and continue working on your worksheet.

11-15 Class

Today you took your test on personal pronouns.

Next we discussed how we are going to begin the character analysis paper! The Character Map I handed out will be a nice, helpful graphic organizer for you to get you started.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR PRINCESS BRIDE BOOK TO CLASS TOMORROW!

11-14 Class

I hope you were good for the substitute today!

Your review assignment today was:
Page 451 Part A, answers only
Page 452 Part B, answers only
Page 453 Part C, answers only
Page 453 Part D, answers only
Page 454 Part F, follow the directions given
Page 455 Part G, answers only

**This is due on Wednesday. Your test will be Wednesday as well.

11-10 Class

Today we corrected our homework from last night.

Next we discussed antecedents and indefinite pronouns on pages 445 and 448.

Class/homework:
Page 445-446 #1-10 answers only
Page 447 #1-5, answers only
Page 449 #1-10 answers only

11-9 Class

Today we discussed Possessive Pronouns and common problems with pronoun usage.

Class/Homework:
Page 440 & 441 #1-12 answers only
Page 442 #1-12, answers only

We also discussed the similarities between the Princess Bride movie and book. We used a Venn Diagram to sort out our thoughts. You must fill in 5 examples in each of the three spots in the diagram. This is also due tomorrow.

11-7 & 11-8

Yesterday and today we watched the rest of the Princess Bride! Great movie, eh? It is one of my personal favorites! I hope you enjoyed it!

Tomorrow we are going to discuss the similarities and differences and how to compose a Venn Diagram graphic organizer to display them.

We will also discuss some more from our pronouns unit.

Please come prepared with your text book, Princess Bride novel, and paper/pen.

NO HOMEWORK TONIGHT!

Book Orders due this Friday!

11-6 Class

Today you had a chance to read the rest of the novel and complete Chapter 8 questions! You also had a great treat provided by Mrs. Weber! (THANK YOU MRS. WEBER!)

No homework for this evening unless you did not finish the Princess Bride Study Guide. The study guide will be due at the end of the hour tomorrow.

A tentative look at this week and next:
MONDAY--study guide chapter 8
TUES/WED--Princess Bride movie
THUR/FRI--finish pronoun unit

NEXT WEEK--review for pronoun test, take pronoun test, learn about the Business Letter we will write to Goldman

11-1 Class

Today you took a quiz on the pronoun chart on page 432. Next we corrected last night's homework. On last night's homework, you added some work on Object Pronouns from today.

Class/Homework:
page 438 #1-10, answers only and #11-20, answers only
(I will be collecting this along with the homework we checked today, tomorrow.)

I will also be collecting chapters 6 & 7 of the Princess Bride Study Guides at THE END OF CLASS (1/2 hour class) tomorrow. If you are choosing to leave a few questions to finish while watching the movie, that is fine--but make sure you can finish it all!