8-31 Class

Today you came in very prepared and ready to complete an editing session.

We discussed good editing strategies before I split you into groups of two to complete the session.

You were all so productive, I am giving you about 15 minutes to meet with one other partner tomorrow. In addition, as an author, you will be asked to identify a few grammatical portions of your draft. In order to do this, you will have to recall material from last year---so be ready to put your thinking caps on!

Homework:
---If you have not turned in the front page of your agenda signed, please do tomorrow!

If you want to get ahead of the game here are a few things that can get you that much closer to turning in your final copy:

• type your draft
• print out a copy of the rubric below
• have a parent/aunt/uncle/grandparent/older sibling read your draft and sign it for proof

8-30 Class

Congratulations! We had perfect attendance today! Keep it up!

The first thing we did was watch Tamara Lowe's inspirational speech about putting God first in our lives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POM4YB5u01g&feature=related . In your journal you wrote about the message you personally took from the video. Again, there are no write or wrong answers. We do these mini-journal entries because you will have to develop a skill that allows you to hear/read a prompt and directly following, you must write an essay on said prompt. Think ACT Practice :)

Next we discussed our first major assignment: the Friendly Letter. Reasons for the assignment: #1: so we are no longer strangers and you can feel more comfortable asking questions and participating in class, #2: understand letter writing and when/why we use informal language, #3 understand the 5 basic parts of a friendly letter, #4 use the 6 traits of writing properly.

After we read my letter and you got to know more about me, we discussed the 6 traits within my letter. Next, I showed you the rubric and how you will be graded on this assignment.

HOMEWORK:
This evening, you are to draft your own friendly letter. Please review the rubric below, especially the IDEAS and CONTENT. Make sure your rough draft at least has the mandatory content and 5 parts of a friendly letter.

Also, review the visual showing the 5 parts of the friendly letter.

Parts of Friendly Letter

Today we discussed the 5 structural parts and informal tone of a friendly letter. Become familiar with this knowledge as you will surely need it to write your own friendly letter and most likely see it on your mid-term.

Friendly Letter Rubric

Friendly Letter Rubric

____ /10 Sentence Fluency: Uses diverse sentence structure correctly

____ /10 Word Choice: Uses advanced vocabulary appropriately

____ /10 Voice: Understands how to use informal language appropriately

____ /10 Conventions: has been edited by 2 others for punctuation and grammar

____ /10 Ideas and Content: Shares information on the following areas in an interesting way:

· An opening to the letter, family, hobbies, education, English class

____ /10 Organization: information is clearly organized; transitions between ideas make the writing flow well

____ /10 Incorporates the 5 parts of a friendly letter and they are clearly labeled

· Heading, greeting, body, closing, signature

Total Point: ______/70

8-27 Class

Today we talked about daily journal entries. While I assigned textbooks you worked on your first entry answering this question:

What do you think is your academic hurdle(s)? What do you think you can do to overcome it/them?

Remember all journal entries must be completed thoughtfully. At any time I may ask to see and grade these entries. BE ORGANIZED and complete in your answers.

Please put your first and last name in your textbook and keep track of it at all times.

I look forward to getting to know you more next week! Come to Monday's class with paper & pen/pencil. You will not need your textbook or a novel.

Have a pleasant weekend!

WELCOME BACK Class of 2015!

Another year has begun! Welcome back! I hope you had a very restful summer vacation. Now it is time to get to work.

Today we discussed the syllabus, class expectations, and necessary supplies for the course.

HOMEWORK:
Please take home the syllabus and read through it with your parents. Remember the importance of signing a document----UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE READING!!! This document is due tomorrow signed by both you and your parents/guardian. If you or your parents still have questions you must still submit a letter signed by both you and your parents/guardian stating that. This is an easy 5 points toward your grade! Don't miss out!