Writing 1 Class Notes -- October 18

Greetings!

This morning we engaged in a lot of discussion, some of which was done in small groups.  We did our best to keep the noise down because the wall separating our room from Mrs. Nelson's math class wasn't properly put together.

For our Quick Write, the students wrote a first person account of themselves as either a 1-year old or a 100-year old.  One student entertained us with a great "old lady" voice.  Our Vocabulary Words study was an exercise in thinking of derivatives of the following Latin words:  delecto (to delight or please), dignitas (importance, honor, prestige), familaris (friend, relative), fugio (to run away).  We encountered an interesting word, "subterfuge," which we decoded using Latin roots.  Sub = under; ter = ground; fuge = runaway.  (subter also means secret)  Subterfuge means "deception by artifice or strategem in order to conceal, escape, or evade."

We've finished reading Animal Farm, and the students were to bring to class specific points of characterization about one of the characters in the book. I set up the students for group discussions so that they could share with one another their insights.  We then discussed the character as a whole class.  These students have been very insightful and have presented some very clear, analytical thoughts.  Next week I'll give them a final exam on the book.

I handed back most of the final copies of their narrative essays.  I'm afraid that a couple were still on my computer and a couple were left at home.  (Our family had to make a quick, unexpected trip to Iowa for a family funeral.  I was a little unorganized with my paperwork.)  This week's writing assignment was pre-writing for their history essays.  The students didn't seem to have any questions about this assignment.  Please have them contact me if they are running into trouble.

Next Week's Assignments:
--  Rough Draft of History Essay
--  Review the plot, characters and themes pertaining to the book in preparation for the test.

It seems like the warm fall weather may be leaving.  Make sure you "bundle up."
Mrs. Prichard