Weekly Agenda 11/26-11/30 (I know, I know... it's late)

Weekly Agenda 11/26-11/30

Monday: Honors: We wrapped up the rhetorical device questions on the King speech.
Standard: We read the "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. King and began answering the rhetorical device questions. We also wrote a reaction paragraph.

You received the Lifeboat Persuasive Essay Project packet.

Tuesday: Honors: We reviewed the answers to the rhetorical device question sheet and marked the text of the speech to highlight rhetorical devices used. 3rd period conducted a Socratic Seminar (good job 3rd period).
Standard: We wrapped up the rhetorical device questions on the King speech.

Wednesday: Honors: We drew a picture to symbolize a rhetorical device from the King speech. You should have labeled the rhetorical device used and written down the actual text your picture is based on.
Standard: We reviewed the answers to the rhetorical device questions and started the picture response.

Thursday: ALL: We will go to the media center to conduct preliminary research for the Lifeboat Project. Your preliminary research pages will be checked on Friday (and I will check to see that the plagiarism pledge and packet have been signed).

We will ALSO go to the media center on Dec. 4 to conduct follow-up research. You MAY research on your own time. Please be sure to check the validity of Internet resources (blogs are good for posting information, but not really a good place to get research information).
Keep in mind the following tips to research accurately:

1. Websites ending in .gov or .edu will most likely have more valid information than a .com or .org.
2. Look for hints of bias toward the subject being discussed on the site. For example, a site called www. summermatters.com is not likely to give fair and balanced information about the benefits of year-round school (don't laugh... it's just an example).
3. Cross check your information with various sites. If you find information on 3-4 different websites... it's likely to be accurate.
4. Wikipedia is a good STARTING place, but it should not be your final (or only) source of information. Double and triple check any information found at Wikipedia with a more reliable source.
5. Be sure to use books.... you know those things with words in them... on paper and such... :p as well as Internet research.
6. If the site looks unprofessional (lots of flashing objects and weird graphic backgrounds), it's probably a "Joe Schmoe" website and you should look for another source of information. Do not use about.com. Ever.
7. Check for a "page last updated" date.
8. FINALLY, http://www.google.com/ is NOT A SOURCE. Ever. It is a search engine, not a source. Don't write down google.com as your source.

Friday: ALL: We will start pre-writing for the lifeboat essays. We will begin by writing practice "leads" on index cards, then you will select the best lead and complete other pre-writing pages in the packet.

Weekly Agenda 11/12-11/16

Weekly Agenda 11/12-11/16

Monday: We will finish writing the literary analysis paragraph/paper. Honors: You will need to have your vocab book. Pages 24-25 are due Friday. Your essay is due TYPED tomorrow. The RAFT is due Friday.

Tuesday: We will present the Night pictures to the class. We will begin our persuasive writing unit. Today we will learn about logical and emotional appeals. We will also take notes on rhetorical devices and discuss.

REMINDER: You should post two comments to posts made by your classmates on our class blog by TODAY.

Wednesday: We will read a background information sheet on Martin Luther King Jr. and complete a 3-2-1 chart. We will review the Lifeboat Persuasive Writing Project, which we will be working on for the next several weeks.

Thursday: We will read the "I Have a Dream" speech and review the rhetorical devices and persuasive techniques King uses to persuade.

Friday: We will finish the King speech activities and discuss. Honors: RAFT due today.

Weekly Agenda 11/5/07- 11/9/07

Weekly Agenda 11/5/07-11/9/07

Monday: We will complete a Write Score writing prompt. Honors: You should finish reading the end of Night.

Tuesday: Honors: We will have our last literature circle discussion on Night. We will complete a non-print response to the story. Standard: We will read pages 81-92 in Night. We will complete a non-print response to the story.

REMINDER: Vocabulary packets are due Wednesday.

Wednesday: Honors: We will complete activities related to the book. Standard: We will read the rest of Night and work on response activities.

Thursday: We work on writing portfolios today and complete any work on Night.

Friday: We will take a test on Night and work on writing portfolios. Your response to the class blog question is due today. You will need to write two response comments to classmates by next Tuesday.