Monday, November 15 2010Silent Focus

Listen: Michael Sandel’s Justice class as they discuss ownership of people, specifically babies.

Write: Who owns a baby? Should you be able to order a baby to your specifications? Should you be able to sell your eggs or sperm to the highest bidder? In what ways is this different from a slave trade? Is it? Can human life ever be for sale? Explain.

Agenda

• Word Power Session 11• Conventions ML # 9- Homonyms• Writing ML #4- Two Common Mistakes in

Writing• Reading ML #- • Read aloud/ Study Guide• Closing/ Homework/ E. C.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010Silent Focus- Poetry

Read: “The Boy Died in My Alley” by Gwendolyn Brooks

Write: What is this poem about? What is the tone of the piece? Is there a lesson in this poem?

What could it be? Borrow a line and write your own.

Agenda

• Word Power Session 11 Notes• Conventions Practice• Writing ML #4• Writing Project- Essay with an Attitude• Closing/ Homework/ E.C.

Closing/ Homework

• Collect evidence for Essay with an Attitude• Conventions Test- Wednesday• Word Power Test- Thursday• E.C.- Due Monday• Essay with an Attitude- Rough- Friday• - Final- Tuesday

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Extended Silent Focus

• Read the Current Events magazine• Answer the Skills Page questions (on separate paper)• Write a summary paragraph on the main story.

What’s the main idea? (Use the 5 Ws and/or the Somebody Wanted But So strategy)

• Write an opinion paragraph on the Debate Topic• Answer the questions from the back of the magazine.• E.C. Do the crossword• Do your conventions test.

Thursday, November 18

• Listen/ Read: The lyrics to Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child”

• Write: What is this song about? What do you think the theme or lesson could be? Do you like this song? Why or why not? Borrow a line and write your own.

Agenda

• Word Power Quiz• Writing ML #4 – Part II- 2nd period only• Writing Workshop- Conclusions• Read aloud/ Study Guide• Closing/ Homework/ E.C.

Introductions

1. Anecdotal- Telling a story2. Start with Facts3. The Blunt Beginning- Can be used in timed test situations4. Myth-Blasting- (A commonly held belief, and then

opposition to it)5. The Question- Has to be a complex one6. Start with a Quote7. Wake Up Call- A startling fact that will shock your reader

Conclusions

• End with an image• Summing it Up• Circle Back to the Beginning- (Especially if

you use an anecdotal intro)• Possible Solution• Call-to-Action• Any combination of these!

Essay With an Attitude

• Assignment: Write a persuasive essay which clearly states your opinion on a contemporary issue. Support your opinion using personal experience, anecdotes, statistics, evidence from your everyday life, novels, magazines, TV, movies, etc.

Must Have:

• Thesis Statement- (This is your point/ opinion that needs to be supported. Ex. The death penalty should be abolished because it causes more harm than good.)

• An introduction• A conclusion• A title that helps to intrigue the reader• Evidence to support your thesis- personal

experience, anecdotes, statistics/facts, examples from novels, magazines, TV

Title

Closing/ Homework• Rough Draft- Essay with an Attitude-

Tuesday• Final Exams- November 30 and

December 1– Word Power– Conventions