We had a full class and great discussions yesterday. They've worked hard this semester, and their spring break is well-deserved!
For our Quick Write today, they could choose from three options:
1. The first day of spring was this week and next week is Spring Break. Any plans?2. Yesterday was National Common Courtesy Day. What can they do to increase the levels of politeness and respect in the world around them.3. Yesterday was National French Bread Day. What would they do with a good loaf of French bread?
We had some great comments about lack of respect that we see in the world today. And while the students might not say anything to you, they realized that parents who are intentional and diligent in training towards respect, courtesy, and honor should be thanked because these characteristics are really needed.
Our Words of the Day came from the last page of my book of foreign words and phrases:
zollverein -- German, Zoll, "toll or customs" and verein, "union" -- a tariff applied to a trade agreement
zaftig -- German, zaft, "juice" to Yiddish, zaftik, "plump" -- a pleasantly rounded woman
zither -- Greek cithara -- a stringed instrument having 30 - 40 strings over a shallow horizontal soundboard and played with pick and fingers
zombie -- West African, zumbi -- the undead; a person who appears lifeless
As I promised last week, we had a Quiz today with questions about their assigned short stories for today, "The Pimienta Pancakes" and "Retrieved Reformation." If they had read their stories, the questions were pretty easy. On the other hand, if they had not done the reading, they would not have been able to answer them. I don't do quizzes like this very often -- just often enough to keep them on their toes. When we finished the quiz, we discussed the stories. With each new O. Henry story, students are learning to be on the lookout for something quirky. Our final story is "The Ransom of Red Chief." Some students already know this story, and if they have seen Disney's No Deposit, No Return with Don Knotts they will have an idea of the plot.
The literary analysis essays have been handed in, and we're onto our last "from scratch" essay of the year -- a News Story. We talked at length how these are arranged a little differently than an essay. In essays, the introduction gives clear direction with thesis statement, a "road map," and a hook. The conclusion wraps of the essay with a reiterated thesis statement, a summary, and some parting thoughts. A news story, on the other hand, starts with the primary, most important major details and then fills in other details throughout the article. The conclusion might sum up the details and give final thoughts, but does not have the same importance as it does in an essay. This is in part because journalists know that they have to get the most important information in at the beginning because they don't know if their readers will read through to the end of an article. We also discussed some topic ideas. They can choose a "not real" event to write about. Students often enjoy this assignment because it allows them the opportunity to be a little creative.
For our Grammar work, we did some more work with compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS). We worked on them in class so that they could ask questions. We've gone over this material, but it takes a while for it to fully stick in our heads so that it makes a difference in our writing.
Assignments for April 5
-- News Story Pre-Write
-- Read "The Ransom of Red Chief"
-- Write 3 Discussion Questions for the story
-- 2 Grammar Worksheets
-- FANBOYS
-- Compound Sentences Exercises
Links for This Week
Class Notes
Have a WONDERFUL Spring Break!
Mrs. Prichard
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