"Lost in the Kitchen"

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.

                                                                                                     -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

   

1.  NOTE:  The third and final grading period of this semester begins on Monday.  Please select your new independent reading book by then.  It may be from my list or your own selection.  Again, you will read two books for the six week period.  One is from the list of recommended books and one will be your own selection.  We will resume independent reading at the start of class on Monday.

2.  By the end of today you will have posted two book reviews on GOODREADS and you will have provided a link for me.  (Refer to blog post 11/27)

3.  TODAY:  "Lost in the Kitchen"  Please take a few minutes to complete your annotation of this essay.  The copy that I collect from you will show notes for each paragraph indicating examples of satirical features, e.g. hyperbole, and a main idea expressed in the paragraph.

4.  Another Dave Barry essay -- "The Ugly Truth About Beauty"   Annotate for features of satire, main ideas, and your responses.  I think you will enjoy this essay and, again, I am going to ask partners to share their responses with the class.

Satire

Max Eastman, a theorist of humor has observed, “a culture without satire is a culture without

self-criticism and thus, ultimately, without humanity.” 

1.  NOTE: Be sure to have two book reviews posted on GOODREADS by the end of tomorrow and a link for your reviews provided on the form which you are to complete (blog post 11/27).

2.  SATIRE -- "Lost in the Kitchen"    Read the text quietly and closely on your own. THEN, with a partner, give it a second reading and annotate the text.  Discuss with your partner the satirical elements which may be found in this essay.  I am going to ask partners to share their insights with the class (EXTRA CREDIT).

3.  REMINDER : Article of the Week #11 due tomorrow

Introduction to Satire

A sneer is the weapon of the weak.

    -- James Russell Lowell

1.  NOTE: For homework over the next few days please work on completing your book reviews on goodreads and providing a link to your review as shown yesterday.  

2.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell

3.  Introduction to Satire and first text -- "Lost in the kitchen"

     

 Essential questions:  * Why is it important to look critically at the world around us?

                                * Why is it important to write about the vices and follies in human
                                        society?

                                * Why do authors choose satire?

4.  GEARUP -- the last ten minutes of class

GOODREADS Book Review Link

Irony is jesting behind hidden gravity.

                                                                                           -- John Weiss

1.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell.


2.  Feedback to My Teacher


3.   You will use the following link to fill out a form for your required book reviews.  Click on the link and fill out the form.  The tricky part, then, is to paste the URL from your Goodreads review onto the form.  The link for the form is:    GOODREADS Book Review 


4.  Article of the Week #11 -- due Friday.  For this article, summarize what you see as the most important points to glean from the article.  What details caught your attention.?

5.  Introduction to Satire -- "Lost in the Kitchen."  Annotating for satirical devices

Creating a blog

An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of learning.

                                                                                                              -- Proverb

 1.  NOTE: The 2nd grading period comes to an end this Friday, November 30th.  You will be graded on two book reviews posted on GOODREADS.COM  One of the book reviews will be on a book from my list and the other will be your selected book.

2.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell

3.  EXPERT PROJECT -- We have not discussed this for quite awhile, but this project has not been dismissed from one of our goals this year.    Today you will create a blog where you will record your research on your topic. To create a blog, follow these directions:

                              
1. Go to blogger.com    
 2. gmail

3. new blog   
4. title   (create a title relevant to your topic)

5. address ( ___________.blogspot.com) 

6. template (choose one) 

4.  NOTE:  Tomorrow we will begin a new unit which will take us up to Winter vacation.  We will be learning about SATIRE (Wit and Commentary).

5.  YOUR STORIES:  I would like to take a day this week to have you share your story in a group) 

Narrative Assessment

There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio.

                                                                                                         -- Shakespeare (Hamlet)

1. NOTE: We will skip independent reading today because we should start the NARRATIVE ASSESSMENT TEST right away.  Please get your netbook when you arrive and log on.  Go to Baltrushes.blogspot.com


2.  TEST CODES -- I will be giving you your test code to access the test after you click on this link:    Narrative Test

      The test will start with a practice test that walks you through things like highlighting the text, crossing out wrong answer choices, etc.  When you finish the practice test, you have to use the button on the upper right section to "exit section."

       The test will assess how well you read and understand a play after practicing skills in your reading of The Crucible.

3.  YOUR STORY -- I will collect your hard copy at the end of the period. From what I have been reading here and there, you have done an AWESOME job with this assignment!

4.  Article of the Week #10 is due.  Please turn in ALL your assignments.  Work on completing your book reviews over Thanksgiving.

Narrative Writing

Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

 

 

1. INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell.  Please use this time for reading.  (Turn on your netbook but read).  Remember that you will be posting two book reviews on GOODREADS.COM before the end of the grading period which is November 30th.  

 

2.  NARRATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT -- The goal is to be finished today.  Please share your story with me on Google Docs.  Please also give me a hard copy tomorrow.  Take care of printing your story on your own, either at home or in the library.

 

3.  NOTE:  Narrative writing assessment test tomorrow.  This test will be taken online.  I will be giving each of you a code.  The link to the test will be in my blog tomorrow.

 

4.  NOTE: Article of the Week #10 is due tomorrow.

 

 

Narrative Writing

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all.

                                                                                     -- Emily Dickinson

1. NOTE:  Friday you will be given a multiple choice narrative assessment test.  You will be taking the test online in Data Director.  The link will be in my blog on Friday. 

2.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Please begin at the bell.

3.  NARRATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT -- Your story is due tomorrow.  Please make sure you share it with me on Google Docs.  I also want a hard copy but you will need to print that on your own.  Please do that at home or use the library.  If you need help with that, please see me at lunch.

Narrative writing

A real book is not one that we read, but one that reads us.

                                                                                              -- W.H. Auden

1.  NOTE:  If you have not returned to the library your copy of The Crucible, do so as soon as possible.

2.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell.  

3.  Article of the Week #10 -- Response due Friday.  Select one of the possible writing topics that follow the article.

4.  NARRATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT -- this assignment is due Thursday.  Please share your story with me on Google Docs and also give me a hard copy.  Friday I would like you to share your story in a group.  Please be prepared for this activity.  Questions to consider as you review your writing:

                                          * Do I have a well-developed plot?

                                          * Have I brought my characters to life showing motivation?

                                          * Have I used the show not tell approach in my writing?

                                         

Narrative Writing

Those who work most for the world's advancement are the ones who demand least.

                                                                                                      -- Henry Doherty

 

1.  NOTE:  If you have not returned to the library your copy of The Crucible, please do so ASAP.

2.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Please begin at the bell after you have gotten your netbook.  Read quietly for 10 mintes.

3.  SHOW NOT TELL LESSON -- This is an important ingredient in your narrative writing.  Being descriptive is what makes your story interesting as well as interesting/engaging to write.

4.  Working on your draft -- please work QUIETLY so that each student in this class has a suitable environment to focus.  Final draft is due NOV 15th.

 

5.  Article of the Week #9 is due.  Please get ALL assignments turned in.  I am currently up-to-date with recording assignments on Zangle.  If you have any concerns and need to talk to me at length, please stop by my classroom during lunch.

Narrative Writing

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.

                                                                                            -- Charles Caleb Colton

1.  NOTE: If you have not done so yet, please return your copy of The Crucible to the library.

2.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell after you get your netbook.  Every student in this class deserves this quiet time for reading.  Please respect that.  Talking disrupts students who want to read. 

3.  Book Review rubric -- grading period ends Nov 30th.  You will have posted two book reviews on GOODREADS for this second grading period.

4.  NARRATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT -- Due Thursday, Nov 15th.  You have done some planning for your story in class and for homework.  Today, I would like you to work on the writing of your story.  PLEASE SAVE your story as follows: p.# Narrative Writing.  I will continue to give you time in class for drafting your story but you are also to work on it for homework.  Please respect the time given in class to work on this assignment by working quietly.

Narrative Writing

You never will be the person you can be if pressure, tension, and discipline are taken out of your life.

                                                                                                       -- James G. Bilkey

1.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Please begin at the bell.  

     NOTE:  The end of the second grading period is Nov 30.  You will have posted two book reviews on GOODREADS by that date.  One of the books that you are reading is from my list.  The other is self-selected.  I will continue to remind you of this requirement.

2.  NOTE: Return your copy of The Crucible to the library as soon as possible.

3.  NARRATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT -- We will begin in class with the planning and writing of this narrative assignment.  Please fully cooperate with working quietly on your writing.  The due date is November15th so you need to utilize the time given in class.  The story will be between 4 to 6 double-spaced typed pages.  Work on your writing at home as well.

Narrative Writing

In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.

                                                                                                    -- Norman Cousins

 

 

 

ELECTION DAY!

 

1.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Please begin at the bell.  

 

2.  Article of the Week #9 -- due Friday

 

3.  Narrative Writing Assignment -- This assignment is due Thursday, November 15th.  The length of your story will be 4-6 double-spaced typed pages.  You will be given time each day in class to work on your story but that means the complete cooperation of ALL students.  

4.  Discussion of story ideas that have to do with fear.  By tomorrow you will have made a commitment to a story idea.  Today I will give you a planning outline to begin.

   

    

Narrative Writing Assignment

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.

                                                                                                 -- Abraham Lincoln

1.  INDEPENDENT READING -- I indicated to you Friday that we would be resuming in-class independent reading now that we have finished reading The Crucible.  Please begin at the bell.

2.  Character analysis assignment due today.  I will collect a hard copy from you and you have also shared this assignment on Google Docs.  If there is a reason that you are not ready to turn in a hard copy, discuss this with me after class.  I emphasized on Friday that NO additional time would be given in class on Monday.  (The due date has already been extended).

3.  NARRATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT -- group work to brainstorm ideas for this assignment.  In a group of four create a list of fearful situations, one of which might be used to make into a story.

4.  HOMEWORK -- Begin planning your story. 

The Crucible -- Character Analysis

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him.  An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.    -- Benjamin Franklin

1.  NOTE:  Please have your independent reading book on Monday.  Since we are finished reading The Crucible, I would like to resume giving you some class time for reading.

     NOTE:  Monday we are beginning a narrative writing assignment.  We will brainstorm for story ideas on Monday.

2.  Character Analysis assignment -- please work towards finishing this writing assignment today.   If you have chosen the 100% or 90% option, the length of your response should be approximately two double-spaced pages.  Please double space.  Share your work with me on Google docs and also give me a hard copy.  If it is unreasonable for you to finish today, please complete by Monday -- however, you will not have class time on Monday.  We are starting something new on Monday.

3.  Article of the Week #8 due today.

The Crucible -- Character Analysis

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.

                                                                                         -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

1.  Reminder:  Article of the Week #8 is due tomorrow.

2.  The Crucible --  Today we will work on the final writing assignment.  At the very beginning of class you will get your assigned netbook and quietly begin work on this assignment.  We do not have a lot of time to work on this, so you must be focused.  Please do not have me remind you of the quiet working environment that I expect in class.   I discussed the assignment yesterday, so you should be ready to begin.  I can help you locate lines in the play.  Please work on the assignment at home if you have internet access.  You are using Google Docs for this assignment and you will share it with me using my gmail address: abaltrushes@gmail.com.  I also want a hard copy.  

NOTE:  The assignment is due at the end of class tomorrow.  If you have been attentive to our reading of the play, you should be able to successfully complete the assignment by the end of the period tomorrow -- and enjoy doing so!