Monday, November 15 2010 Silent Focus

1. Monday, November 15 2010Silent Focus Listen: Michael Sandel’s Justice class as they discuss ownership of people, specifically babies. Write: Who owns a baby? Should you be able to order a baby to your specifications? Should you be able to sell your eggs or sperm to the highest bidder? In what ways is this different from a slave trade? Is it? Can human life ever be for sale? Explain.

2. Agenda • Word Power Session 11 • Conventions ML # 9- Homonyms • Writing ML #4- Two Common Mistakes in Writing • Reading ML #- • Read aloud/ Study Guide • Closing/ Homework/ E. C.

3. Tuesday, November 16, 2010Silent Focus- Poetry Read: “The Boy Died in My Alley” by Gwendolyn Brooks Write: What is this poem about? What is the tone of the piece? Is there a lesson in this poem? What could it be? Borrow a line and write your own.

4. Agenda • Word Power Session 11 Notes • Conventions Practice • Writing ML #4 • Writing Project- Essay with an Attitude • Closing/ Homework/ E.C.

5. Closing/ Homework • Collect evidence for Essay with an Attitude • Conventions Test- Wednesday • Word Power Test- Thursday • E.C.- Due Monday • Essay with an Attitude- Rough- Friday • - Final- Tuesday

6. Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Extended Silent Focus • Read the Current Events magazine • Answer the Skills Page questions (on separate paper) • Write a summary paragraph on the main story. What’s the main idea? (Use the 5 Ws and/or the Somebody Wanted But So strategy) • Write an opinion paragraph on the Debate Topic • Answer the questions from the back of the magazine. • E.C. Do the crossword • Do your conventions test.

7. Thursday, November 18 • Listen/ Read: The lyrics to Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” • Write: What is this song about? What do you think the theme or lesson could be? Do you like this song? Why or why not? Borrow a line and write your own.

8. Agenda • Word Power Quiz • Writing ML #4 – Part II- 2nd period only • Writing Workshop- Conclusions • Read aloud/ Study Guide • Closing/ Homework/ E.C.

9. Introductions • Anecdotal- Telling a story • Start with Facts • The Blunt Beginning- Can be used in timed test situations • Myth-Blasting- (A commonly held belief, and then opposition to it) • The Question- Has to be a complex one • Start with a Quote • Wake Up Call- A startling fact that will shock your reader

10. Conclusions • End with an image • Summing it Up • Circle Back to the Beginning- (Especially if you use an anecdotal intro) • Possible Solution • Call-to-Action • Any combination of these!

11. Essay With an Attitude • Assignment: Write a persuasive essay which clearly states your opinion on a contemporary issue. Support your opinion using personal experience, anecdotes, statistics, evidence from your everyday life, novels, magazines, TV, movies, etc.

12. Must Have: • Thesis Statement- (This is your point/ opinion that needs to be supported. Ex. The death penalty should be abolished because it causes more harm than good.) • An introduction • A conclusion • A title that helps to intrigue the reader • Evidence to support your thesis- personal experience, anecdotes, statistics/facts, examples from novels, magazines, TV

13. Title

14. Closing/ Homework • Rough Draft- Essay with an Attitude- Tuesday • Final Exams- November 30 and December 1 • Word Power • Conventions