Writing Assessment

Good Morning

NOTE: Please swing by the library when you can and return your copy of The Crucible.

WRITING ASSESSMENT:  Yesterday I told you that I would be giving you an essay to read and that you would be responding to the essay in writing. 

 Please carefully read "The Man in the Water."  Annotate the essay for the rhetorical devices/techniques that you are able to identify.  A rhetorical device is a technique that an author uses to convey to the reader a meaning with the goal of persuading the reader to consider a topic from a different perspective.  Write a paragraph discussing the main idea of the essay and the rhetorical devices that are used to convey that idea.

The following are examples of rhetorical devices: diction, tone, imagery, metaphor, simile, connotation, euphemism, mood, tone, syntax, sentence length, irony, syntax, logos, ethos, pathos. 

HOMEWORK:  Expert Project Research topic. If you are thinking of changing your topic, be ready with your new idea tomorrow. Tomorrow we will begin our work on this year-long project.  We will start by creating a blog.

 

Character Narrative/Analysis

Good Morning!

Please get your netbooks when you arrive to class and quietly read until we are ready to begin.

Character Narrative/Analysis Assignment -- You  have FULLY completed your final draft.  Please take a few minutes to give it a last careful reading, making sure that there are no obvious errors.  Your narrative or essay should have a title. Please also put your name, period, and date in the upper left corner. I would like some of you to share your writing with the class.  This is an EXTRA CREDIT opportunity.  How can you refuse?

HOMEWORK:  We will be spending some time on the expert project assignment.  You have handed in your research question.  If you are inclined to change it, then consider what your new topic will be.  We will begin work on Friday. 

NOTE:  Tomorrow you will be given a writing assessment prompt which asks you to discuss rhetorical devices in an essay that I will give you to read.  This must be accomplished before Friday.  We just haven't had the opportunity to do this at an earlier date.

Character Narrative/Analysis

Good Morning!

Please get your netbook when you arrive and read quietly while the netbook is powering up.  FYI the end of the grading period is Nov 22.  Two book reviews on Goodreads are due by that date.

Character Narrative/Analysis Assignment:  A completed first draft of this writing assignment is due today, but I see that many of you are still writing.  What I want you to do today is have a partner read what you have written so far.  You and your partner will read for writing mistakes and content.  Are the details clearly explained? Is the quoted material introduced smoothly? Make suggestions to your partner.  Spend the rest of the period completing this draft.

HOMEWORK:  Complete the Character Narrative/Analysis final draft.

Character Narrative/Analysis

Good Morning! 

 I hope you had an enjoyable weekend!

Please get your netbook when you arrive to class and read quietly while your netbook is powering up.

Character Narrative/Analysis Assignment:  You have another day in class to complete your first draft of this writing assignment (this was also assigned over the weekend.  Tomorrow you will have another student read your draft and offer suggestions.  The final draft is due Wednesday.  

HOMEWORK:  Character Narrative/Analysis writing assignment

Character Narrative/Analysis

Good Morning!

Please get your netbooks when you arrive to class and read quietly while your netbook is powering up. This grading period will pass swiftly so make swift progress with your reading.  Use the time available to you! 

Character Narrative/Analysis Writing Assignment -- I asked you to be prepared with a draft in progress.  Today you have time in class to work on this assignment.  A fully complete first draft is due Monday and the final draft is due Tuesday.  On Monday you will share your writing with another classmate for feedback.  Name this NEW document Period ___ Character Narrative/Analysis and share this document with me (abaltrushes@gmail.com).  Do this today.

NOTE: If you have not completed the questions to Act IV (they should have been completed), do so today.  I will be checking these over the weekend and will record a grade.  I will not look again to see if they are completed.

HOMEWORK:  First draft fully completed of writing assignment.

Test on THE CRUCIBLE

Good Morning!

Please begin your independent reading at the bell.  I am ready at the bell with my roster to give you participation points . . . or not,  so please be prompt in opening your book.

TEST on The Crucible -- When you have completed the test, please open your copy of The Crucible and make a search for quotes that you will incorporate into your narrative or analysis.  (I don't think we will have much time after the test to open the netbooks). Hopefully, many of you got started on the writing assignment that was assigned yesterday.  Tomorrow will be fully devoted to working on this assignment in class.  Please be prepared with a draft in progress either in Google docs or on paper.  You will be creating a new document and will name it: Period __ Character Narrative/Analysis

HOMEWORK:  Please continue on your draft of the Character Narrative/Analysis assignment.

 

The Crucible, Act IV

Good Morning!

Let's begin with independent reading.  Please begin at the bell.

Before we watch the final act to The Crucible, I would like to first show you the writing assignment that will conclude our study of The Crucible.  You will begin the writing for homework tonight, and after the test tomorrow you will continue to work on this assignment in class.  You will create a new document in Google docs for this assignment and name it as follows: Period ___ Character Narrative/Analysis

Click on the following link for the rubric for this assignment:

Character Narrative or Analysis Assignment

I will also give you a hard copy of this rubric.

HOMEWORK:  Decide what assignment you will do and begin your first draft of the writing assignment.  It will be necessary for you to use the text extensively for details and quotes.  Make sure that you are following the rubric for this assignment.

The Crucible, Act IV

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive and read quietly while your netbook is powering up.  I will be checking your reading today for participation points.  Be sure to have your book open and your netbook facing away from you.

The Crucible, Act IV -- a final test and writing assignment will follow the conclusion of the play.  I have previously asked you to think about a character whom you might write about, and I have been pointing out important lines spoken by different characters. By now you should have a pretty good idea about which character you will select.

HOMEWORK: Review our reading of The Crucible especially the questions on each act.

The Crucible, Act IV

Good Morning!  I hope you had a very enjoyable weekend!

Please get your netbook when you arrive to class.  While your netbook is powering up, please read your independent reading book quietly. 

We will be finishing our reading of The Crucible tomorrow at which time you will be assigned a writing assignment to conclude our study of the play.  The writing assignment will be assigned for homework, but you will be given some class time to complete your writing which will be done in Google docs.  The test on The Crucible will be Wednesday.  It is a multiple choice test (30) with 20 matching quotes to characters.

The Crucible, Act IV -- Before we begin reading, complete questions 1-3.  

HOMEWORK: Spend at least one half hour with your independent reading book.  You also might want to review the reading of The Crucible to prepare for the final test.

The Crucible, Act IV

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbooks when you arrive.  While your netbook is powering up, please have your independent reading book out and read quietly.  I will be checking to see what you have selected for reading.

Please copy to the following in your ENGLISH JOURNAL (response to Act III in the movie and questions to Act IV). Before we resume reading please write a paragraph in response to the movie:

Response to Act III  (Movie Version)

 The Crucible, Act IV 

1.  What is the relationship between the rebellion in Andover and the flight of Abigail and Mercy Lewis?

2.  Why is Rev. Parris upset?

3.  Why is it important for the court to get one of the accused "respectable citizens" (such as John Proctor or Rebecca Nurse) to confess?

4.  Why is Rev. Hale telling the accused to lie? Explain and QUOTE A LINE.

5.  What does the court want Elizabeth Proctor to do and why?

6.   How did Giles Corey die?

7.  Why is Proctor calling himself a fraud?

8.  What responsibility does Elizabeth accept for Proctor's lechery? QUOTE A LINE.

9.  What does Elizabeth advise John to do?

10. After Proctor confesses to witchcraft, what else does Danforth want from Proctor?

11. What has John Proctor achieved at the end of the play?

12.  A line that caught my attention:

13.  A line that caught my attention:

14. A line that caught my attention:

15. A line that caught my attention:

The Crucible, Act III

Good Morning!

Yesterday you completed questions to Act III of The Crucible and a paragraph on one of the characters in The Crucible.  If this work is not complete, please come by at lunch or after school to complete this work or at home.  Remember to check my blog on any day that you might have been absent from class to see what you need to do. This is your responsibility.

Before we continue with Act IV of The Crucible, I would like us to see the movie version of Act III.  Remember to think about one of the characters that you would like to write about.

HOMEWORK:  By tomorrow you will be solid with your independent reading selection.  To fulfill the recommended book requirement, consider checking out one of the books I discussed yesterday.  See Mrs. Cooper in the library. 

The Crucible, Act III

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive.  By Friday of this week ALL of you will have your independent reading chosen.  We begin class with independent reading, and if we are using the netbooks, you are reading while the netbook powers up.  

NOTE: I have informed Mrs. Cooper in the library of what books I would like to have available to you at her front desk to fulfill the recommended book requirement.  Please consider checking one of these books out. 

The Crucible, Act III -- complete questions to Act III.

After you complete the questions (and they should be almost complete if not fully completed), please do the following in your ENGLISH JOURNAL (and place at top):  

Response to a Character in The Crucible

(Write a paragraph about one of the characters in The Crucible.  Describe who they are, what they are like as a person, their role in the play, etc.  Write everything you know about the character).

HOMEWORK:  Independent reading -- make a commitment to your first book for the next six weeks. 

The Crucible, Act III

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive.

NOTE: You are selecting your independent reading for the next six weeks.  Please have your book with you each day. Please return the book that you signed out from this class for the first six weeks and cross your name off the list.

The Crucible, Act III -- Remember that you will be writing a narrative on one of the characters in the play.  As we continue reading, decide what character that will be.  There will also be a test on The Crucible at the conclusion of our reading. Act III questions are to be completed today.

HOMEWORK:  Select your independent reading book for the next six weeks.

 

The Crucible, Act III

Good Morning!  

I hope you had a very enjoyable weekend!

Please get your assigned netbooks when you arrive.  

We have just completed the first six weeks of school which is really unbelievable. Congratulations to those of you who have worked hard.  Let all of us reaffirm our goals to do our very best.  We pass this way only once and the passing is swift!

NOTE: Please return the book that you might have checked out from this class.  I will be checking on that today.  Starting tomorrow you will have your independent reading book for the next six weeks which you will have each day with you.   

The Crucible, Act III  -- When we finish the play, the final assignment will be a narrative piece of writing which asks you to tell the story of one of the characters in The Crucible.  Your story will be written in the first person.  As we finish reading the play, think about what character you would enjoy writing about from a first person perspective, telling the story of what happened to you in Salem in 1692.  

HOMEWORK:  Make your selection for your independent reading for the next six weeks.  It may be your selection or a book from the recommended list.

The Crucible, Act III

Good Morning!

NOTE: If there is something that you want to discuss about your grade, please see me at lunch or after school. 

Please get your assigned  netbook when you arrive.  Open your English journal to Act III questions to The Crucible and respond to questions 1& 2.

We will resume reading Act III today.  Please be attentive to any discussion/explanation of plot details.

NOTE:  You will have posted two book reviews on Goodreads by midnight tonight.  Be sure to share the link to your review page on Goodreads by filling out the form under "Important Links" on this blog.

The Crucible, Act III

Good Morning!

Please get your netbook when you arrive.  Please go to my blog and copy the following questions for Act III into your ENGLISH JOURNAL.  Make sure that you place ACT III questions at the top.

The Crucible, Act III

1.  Why does Giles say that he broke charity with his wife?
2.  In what sense does the Coreys' situation reflect on John and Elizabeth Proctor?
3.  How has Rev. Hale changed?
4.  What does Mary Warren tell Governor Danforth?
5.  Why does Proctor not drop the charges against the court when he hears that his wife is pregnant
      and will be spared for at least a year?
6.  What happens to the ninety-one people who signed the petition in support of the accused?
7.  What is the charge that Giles Corey makes against Putnam?
8.  How does the questioning of Mary Warren differ from the questioning of Abigail?
9.  When Abigail is questioned by Danforth, how does she respond?
10.  Why does John Proctor confess to adultery?
11.  What test is Elizabeth given and how does she fail? 
12.  What causes Mary Warren to crack?
13.  On what dramatic note does Act III end?
14.  What is the best line from Act III?
15.   What is another great line from Act III?


HOMEWORK:  Please make sure that you have posted two book reviews on Goodreads by tomorrow (midnight is the deadline!).  Be sure to fill out the form under "Important Links" for the review link.

The Crucible, Act II

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive.

 I would like us to see just the last few minutes to Act II of The Crucible.  After the movie, please open your English Journal and complete the questions to Act II.  These questions must be completed today.  Ask for help if you are unsure of any question.

NOTE:  When we are finished reading The Crucible, you will be writing a narrative, telling the story of one of the characters in the play from a first person perspective.  As we continue reading the play, think about what character intrigues you the most.

HOMEWORK:  You are working on your two book reviews which will be posted on Goodreads by Friday, Oct 11th (by midnight!).  Be sure to fill out the form for the book review URL's.    PLEASE return the book that you might have checked out from this class and cross your name off the sign out  sheet. NOTE: One of your books MUST be from the recommended book list.

Movie: Act I & II of The Crucible

Good morning!

 Before we continue with Act III of The Crucible, I would like to show  you the movie up to the end of Act II.  NOTE:  At the conclusion of the play, you will be writing a narrative based on a character in the play, so start considering what character intrigues you the most!  This narrative assignment will ask you to tell the character's story from their point of view.

 HOMEWORK:  Two book reviews posted on Goodreads are due by Friday, Oct 11th.  You must share the link to the Goodreads review page where I can find your review.  Fill out the form under "Important Links."  See me at lunch or after school if you need help with this.

The Crucible, Act II

Good Morning!  I hope that you had an enjoyable weekend! 

Please  get your assigned netbook when you arrive to class and read quietly while your netbook is powering up.

1.  NOTE:  Your two book reviews posted on Goodreads are due no later than this Friday, Oct 11th.  Be sure to share your link to both reviews by filling out the form under "Important Links."

2.  The Crucible, Act II -- complete questions in your English Journal after our reading today.  Please select a different text color for your answers.  That helps a great deal!

HOMEWORK:  Work on your book reviews for Goodreads. 

The Crucible, Act II

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive to class and quietly read your independent reading book while your netbooks power up.

Before we resume reading Act II of The Crucible, please copy the following questions into your ENGLISH JOURNAL.  PLEASE put these questions on top of Act I questions so they are the first questions I see when I open your English Journal. Highlight your answers by using a different color text. 

The Crucible, Act II

1.   Describe the relationship of John and Elizabeth Proctor at the beginning of this scene.
2.   Explain the following line:  "The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you." (p. 55) 
3.   What does Elizabeth urge John to tell the authorities?
4.   When Elizabeth learns her name has been called out in court, what does she now
       want John to go and tell Abigail and why does this make John angry?
5.   Why has Rev. Hale come to their house?
6.   As proof of witchcraft, Rev. Hale points out that a number of people have already
      confessed to being witches.  What is Proctor's response to this? 
7.   Who stuck the pin in Abigail's belly and why?
8.   To what does Hale attribute the calamity that has befallen Salem?
9.   Why does this really hit home with Proctor?
10. What does Mary say Abby will do if Proctor goes into court to denounce her?
11. What is Proctor's response to this?
12. Quote a line that caught your attention

HOMEWORK:   Please work on your independent reading.  You will have posted two book reviews on Goodreads by Oct 11th.  You will share the link to the review pages on Goodreads by submitting a form which is under "Important Links" on this blog.

The Crucible, Act II

Good Morning!

*  Book Review URL Form -- Please pay attention as I show you how you will provide a URL link for your two book reviews on Goodreads.  Fill out the form only when you have both URL's to put into the form.

* The Crucible, Act II -- All questions are fully completed on Act I. 

* HOMEWORK:  Please work on your independent reading.  We are getting close to the end of the grading period, and you will have two book reviews on Goodreads by Oct 11th.

The Salem Witch Trials

Good Morning!

Yesterday we finished Act I of The Crucible, and you completed questions on Act I in your English Journal.  Before we go on to Act II, I would like to show you a video on the Salem Witch Trials.  It begins with a history of witchcraft which I think you will find very interesting and informative.  This video provides additional historical context for the events in 1692. *Please record a minimum of 10 points that caught your attention -- to be collected after the video.

HOMEWORK:  Please work on your independent reading.  You will be submitting two book reviews by Oct 11th.  The form for submitting your link to your Goodreads review page is under "Important Links."

NOTE:  It is your responsibility to make up any missed homework due to absences.  I will not accept work that you see you are missing once the assignment is posted in Powerschool Grades.  If you are absent, make sure that you check my blog to see what you missed.   

The Crucible, Act I

Good Morning!

Please get your netbooks when you arrive and quietly read while they are powering up.

We will finish reading Act I today, and you will have the rest of the period to complete the questions on Act I in your ENGLISH JOURNAL.  Be sure to format your work in your journal so it will be easy for me to review.  Select a different color text for your answers.  I have not said anything about that yet, but I think it's a great idea after seeing one student's work that highlighted answers in a different text color. 

HOMEWORK:  Please work on your independent reading with an eye towards completing two book reviews by Oct 11th.  Refer to the sample book reviews under "Important Links."