In Class Essay

Goal: On demand, in class, writing assessment.

Agenda: 
Assessment
Read when you finish your essay.

Our assessment: 
Earlier this week you read a story and yesterday you read a poem. Today you will be writing an essay comparing them. I will give you back the prompt and organizer you worked on yesterday.

You made a copy of the story yesterday. Look for it in your Google Drive. If you can't find it get a new copy here. (It will be a new copy and won't have any of your annotations from yesterday.)

Absent? 
See Mrs. Roberts after spring break to make up this assessment. You'll probably need to do it after school unless another teacher is willing to let you miss a class.

Got a good book? 
Today is a really good day to make sure you have a good book (or two) to read over break.
You can also get the Cloud Library app and connect it to your public library card to read ebooks and audiobooks for free.

Click to view larger image. 

Preparing for in-class writing

SIFT Acronym

Goal: Performance task assessment.

Today and tomorrow you'll be working on our end-of-unit performance task. (That's like a test.)

Thursday: 

• I'll give you the poem you'll be looking at and a graphic organizer. 
• You can use your time in class to annotate the poem. 
• Identify the parts of the SIFT acronym. 
• Pick out pieces of evidence you might want to use in your essay. 
• You'll be comparing the poem to "The Necklace" <<Click for a copy. 
• You can write an outline for your essay on the paperwork I will give you in class. 
• At the end of the period I will collect all the paper I gave you today. 
• I'll give it back to you tomorrow to use to write your essay in class. 
• Please do not bring any other notes or preparation materials to class tomorrow. You'll only be allowed to use the work you do today. 

Reminders: 

Be sure you have a good book to read over break. 

Preparation proceeds success

Goal: Get ready for our test on Friday

Agenda: 
Read
Catch-up list


Today: Catch up and plug any gaps in your preparation.
1. Be sure you have read the story from Friday.
2. Re-read the story from Friday so that it is fresh in your mind and you are ready to write about it on your essay test later this week.
3. Complete the poetry analysis paragraph you started yesterday. it should be in your English Journal doc.
4. Be sure your Poe/Laughton essay is completed and ready for grading. It is due tomorrow.

Thursday: I will give you a poem and a graphic organizer to prepare for your essay on Friday.

Friday: You'll be writing an in class essay test comparing the short story you read on Friday last week with a poem. (If you are going to be absent Friday you can take your test during 6th period Thursday if you are available. People absent Friday have a 0 until you make up your test after spring break.)

Reminders: 
Keep reading. Be sure you have a good book to read over break.

Lets check out some poetry

Goal: Looking at some poetry, entry into analysis.

Agenda:
Read
Looking closely at a poem
SIFT poetry analysis
English Journal Entry

Comparative Analysis for Poetry
Comparative analysis means looking closely at two things and comparing how they work. We did this with some short stories and then compared what an author does with a story to what a director does with a film. Now we will try it with some poetry.

A bit of poetry: 
We are going to look at some techniques for reading poetry this week.

1. Read this poem A Barred Owl by Richard Wilbur. Read it a few times until you are comfortable with the literal meaning of the poem.

3. Let's look at this prezi about poetry analysis together.

4. Use this document to organize your thinking about the poem. You do not need to share it with me.
5. Be sure to complete the paragraph at the end of the doc AND paste it into your English Journal.

Writing Groups for Poe/Laughton Essay

Goal: Writing groups for your Poe/Laughton essays.

Agenda: 
Read
Refresh: What are writing groups?
Poe/Laughton Essay with your group

Getting Started:

• Refresh: What are writing groups?
• What kinds of discussion help writers most?
• Follow the procedures in the chart or on THIS PAGE with your group. 

Essay Rubric: (below)
How does your essay compare to the rubric?
What do you still need to work on?

Reminders: 
Final Draft of your Poe/Laughton Essay is due Thursday. 
Read: You should be on book #9 or #10. Be sure you're working on one of your reading challenges.

Rubric: Comparative Analysis

Criteria	An excellent paper will meet these expectations
Genre, focus, and organization	Introduction includes, novel/film’s title, author/director, an overview of both texts. Thesis statement provides a clear claim and focus. Points are addressed in a logical order. Strong conclusion.
Evidence and interpretation	Develops interpretations that demonstrate a thoughtful, comprehensive grasp of the text/film. Uses through textual and cinematic examples to support the thesis in an academic voice.
Writing conventions	Standard English spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are used appropriately (especially when punctuating dialogue). Transitional words connect evidence.

Friday: Reading progress and a new story to read

Goal: Read a short story and answer the questions about it as you go.

Agenda: 
Read
Reading progress update
Read the short story

1. Reading Progress Update:

• Complete the READING PROGRESS FORM about your current book, which should be #9 or #10. Update the list in your planner too. 

2. New Text: 

• I've shared a new story with you using GoFormative. It's called "Read This on Friday"
• Click "zoom in" to see the text larger. But be sure to click on the blue numbers to answer the questions. 
• If you can't answer a question go back and re-read until you can answer the question. 
• Click HERE to go to the story.  (Period 2 and 3, if you don't see the assignment then see the directions below.)

Period 2 and 3:

You might still need to join our class in GoFormative. Click "sign in with Google" and use the code below. 

Period 2: EVMKHO

Period 3:HAZKDO

Essay Coming Soon:

• Late next week you will be writing an in class essay comparing this story to a poem I will give you in class. If you missed reading the story or need to read it again you should do that.
• DUE MONDAY: A complete draft of your Poe/Laughton Essay. Be ready for writing groups. It's due before school. I'm giving draft grades.

Thursday: Introduction and Conclusion

Goals: Adding introduction and conclusions to your essay. 

Agenda:
Read
Working on your essay

Got a new book? 
Don't forget to check it out>>>
Use the button that says "Click here to borrow a book">>>


Introduction: The first paragraph of your essay needs to have the following things in complete sentences. 

1. The names of the authors and the titles of their work. 
2. A brief summary (one-three sentence) of the gist of each creation, text or film.
3. A thesis statement that explains how the author and director use similar or different techniques to create the irony, moods, and themes in their works.

Conclusion: The conclusion of your essay needs to have the following things in complete sentences. 

1. Restate your claims, hint look at the beginning of each of your body paragraphs. 
2. Restate your thesis statement from the introduction. 

Reminders: 

Keep writing. Draft of your complete essay is due Monday 3/19 (before school) for writing groups. 

Final draft will be due 3/22. 

Making progress on our essay

Goal: The essay continues. Your goal today is the paragraph on theme.

Agenda:
Read
Self-score English Journal
Make progress on your essay.

Essay Check In: 

1. Go to GoFormative.com
2. Sign in with Google.
3. Do the assignment called "Essay Check In"

Period 2: You need the class code EVMKHO
Period 3: You did this yesterday, but if you were absent you need the class code too, use HAZKDO, 

English Journal Self Score:

1. Open your English Journal
2. Review the English Journal Scoring Guide. 
3. Determine how you would score your English Journal. 
4. PASTE this sentence below into the TOP of your English Journal and be sure it is complete. 

March 14, 2018 Self Score:        

I believe I have earned a ______ <<(Your score 1-5) on my English Journal because_______________________ _______________ <<(Your reasons you think you earned that score.) 

Today: 

Lets take a look at the mood and irony paragraphs you have already. 

Write your theme paragraph. 

Absent Monday or Tuesday? 

1. We worked on your review of book #8. That should be in your Book review document, not your EJ. 
2. We worked on adding the irony paragraph to your Poe/Laughton essay. 

Reminders: 
Keep writing. Draft of your complete essay is due Monday 3/19. 
Finish your review of book #8. Those are due today. 
Catch up if you are missing one of your body paragraphs. 

Book reviews and Essay Progress

Monday periods: 2, 4, 6
Tuesday periods 1, 3, 5

Goals: Review of book #8 and essay progress.

Agenda: 
Aaron Price Fellows Presentation
Read
Review of Book #8
Progress on "Cask/Night" essay

Aaron Price Fellows: 
The Aaron Price Fellows Program has extended their application deadline until 3/20. They will be making a short presentation about the program because many students did not get the information earlier. More information HERE.

Review of Book #8: 
Open your Book Reviews 17-18 doc and write your review of book #8.
Follow the four paragraph book review structure.
These are due at the end of the day.

Essay progress:
Last week we worked on the mood paragraph of your essay comparing Poe and Laughton's works.
Today you should make progress on the irony paragraph.
Wednesday we will work on the theme paragraph.
Complete draft due Monday 3/19 (before school starts) for writing groups.

Period 3: 
Go to GoFormative.com
Sign in with Google.
Enter our class code. HAZKDO
Answer the two question on your assignment there.

Reminders: 
Friday is the end of the grading period for the first six weeks.
Select book #9. Remember your reading challenges.

Click the image to see it full screen. 

Read and Respond to The Story Behind The Cask.

Goals: Read and respond to an article about "Cask of Amontillado" then catch up on other work. 

Agenda: 

Read

Read and respond to The Story Behind the Cask

Catch up on other work if needed

The Story Behind The Cask:

It is possible Poe had some inspiration for his famous tale. 

1. Read and respond to the article linked HERE. 
2. Remember to put your response in your English Journal. 

Finished? 

1. Got a new book lately? Check it out HERE. 
2. Check your English Journal. Have you finished your paragraph from 2/28 about "Cask of Amontillado?"
3. Write another body paragraph for your Poe/Laughton Essay. 
4. Read your book. 

Reminders: 

1. Your PARAGRAPH in your English Journal about irony and mood in "Cask..." is due today. 
2. Finish reading book #8 by Monday or Tuesday. We will write the review in class. 
3. make sure your EJ is caught up. We will self-score on 3/14. 
4. Draft of Poe/Laughton essay is due before school on 3/19. Draft grades don't get regrades. Be ready for your writing group. 

Note: Mrs. R is at an English teacher conference today learning (finally) how to be a better English teacher. 

Beginning our Comparative Analysis Writing

Goal: Getting started on our comparative analysis paper.

Agenda:
Comparative Analysis Assignment
Modeled Writing: Mood Paragraph

Comparative Analysis Assignment:

1. I have sent you a new Google Doc called "Essay Poe and Laughton"
2. Find it in your "Shared with me" section in Google Drive. 
3. Read the prompt carefully to yourself and then write one of your body paragraphs. 
4. Mood Paragraph tutorial video. 

Writing Task:Consider the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and the movie The Night of The Hunter (1955) directed by Charles Laughton. What techniques do the author and director use to create the theme and mood?

Write a comparative analysis essay about these two works. Consider how each uses irony, mood, and other literary and cinematic techniques to reveal the theme. 

Collected Evidence: The examples you submitted.

Examples of Theme Mood and Irony in Cask of Amontillado

Examples of Theme Mood and Irony in Night of the Hunter

Click this image to see it larger.

Due Dates: 

• Friday 3/9: We start grading your paragraph about irony and mood in "Cask of Amontillado" from 2/28. It should already be in your English Journal. 
• Monday 3/12 (period 2) or Tuesday 3/13 (periods 1-3-5): We will write our review of book #8 in class. Finish reading it. 
• Wednesday 3/14: You will review and self-score your English Journal. Be sure it reflects all your work. 

Essay Due Dates: (Don't panic.)

• Essay draft due Monday 3/19 for writing groups. You will get a draft grade. Have all your paragraphs done. 
• Final draft due Thursday 3/22. Revise based on the advice of your writing group. 
• We will have an end of unit, in class, essay test on 3/22 as well. We will be preparing for it on Tuesday and Wednesday of that week. 

Visiting the Counselors for Articulation

Goal: Visit the counseling office to check on your course requests.

Agenda:
Visit the counselors
Read while you wait

• Today we will be in the counseling office to review your course selections for next year.
• Bring your book so you can read while you wait your turn.

Back in class?
If we/you make it back to class before the end of the period you should:

1. Finish your paragraph (in EJ) from 2/28, the one about irony and mood in "Cask of Amontillado." It should be done already. Check anyway and finish now if you need to.
2. Look in your Google Drive "shared with me" for your next writing assignment. We talked about this briefly yesterday. Get started. Hint: view the mood paragraph tutorial video linked near the bottom. 
3. Read. You need to finish book #8 by Monday (period 2) or Tuesday, (periods 1-3-5).

Reminders:

Keep reading. 

Check that your English Journal is up to date. (We grade them next week.)

Collecting Evidence from Night of the Hunter

Goal:  Collect evidence for irony, mood, and theme from Night of the Hunter

Agenda: 
Read
Reading progress Update
Collect Evidence

1. Reading Progress Update:

• Complete the READING PROGRESS FORM about your current book, which should be #7 or #8. Update the list in your planner too. 

Film: 
Yesterday we watched the exciting conclusion of Night of the Hunter. Harry Powell did not get away with his crimes as Montresor did. What impact does his arrest have on the theme?

Speaking of theme, remember the quote in the beginning, "Beware of false prophets in sheep's clothing, for really they are ravening wolves." How does that fit with what you know about the film now? (Don't get confused between prophet and profit. They mean different things.)


Collecting Evidence:
Just as you did for "Cask of Amontillado," today you will work with your partner to describe and explain scenes from Night of the Hunter.

• Use this FORM to submit your responses. 
• Use the notes you took while watching the film. 
• Remember that your answers will be shared with all of my classes to support your work when we begin writing our comparative analysis essays. 
• Use complete sentences, please. 

Movie at Lunch:

Remember if you missed part of Night of the Hunter I am re-showing it during advisory and lunch this week, (and next week too if you ask nicely.)

Reminders: 

• The first grading period ends 3/16. Check power school to see if there is anything you can do in any of your classes to bring up your grades. 
• Talking to your teachers helps too. 
• On 3/12  & 3/13 we will submit book reviews and self-score English Journals. 

Viewing Night of the Hunter: Day 3

Remember that scene in the hallway. 

Goals: Review day 2, and continue taking our notes on irony, mood, and theme in the film.

Agenda: 
Read
Review notes from yesterday
Watch part three.

Reminders: 

• I am reshowing part 2 at lunch today. You are welcome to bring your food and watch it again.
• Keep reading at home.
• This grading period ends March 16th.
• We will work on book reviews March 13th.
• (Mrs. R will be at a conference March 15 and 16.)

Viewing Night of the Hunter: Day 2

Goals: Review day 1, and continue taking our notes on irony, mood, and theme in the film.

Agenda: 
Read
Review notes from yesterday
Watch part two.

Reminder: 
I am reshowing part 1 at lunch today. You are welcome to bring your food and watch it again.
Keep reading at home.
Return class choice cards.

Viewing Night of the Hunter: Day 1

Goal: Watch the first 30 minutes of Night of the Hunter while making notes about items related to the theme, mood and irony in the film.

Agenda: 
Read
Note set up
Things to watch for
Film viewing

Notetaking:
How could you organize your notes to look for theme, mood and irony before we begin watching the film?

1. Open your English journal and set up a note taking system for yourself. 
2. As we watch the film make a note of any irony you see. 
3. Look for settings, or shots the reflect various moods in the film. 
4. See if you can spot a reference to the theme near the very beginning. (It is also a religious reference.)

Cinematic techniques to look for: 

• Examples of irony, especially verbal irony
• Religious symbols or references
• Canted angles and dramatic lighting
• High and low angle shots
• Foreshadowing: clues something is coming

Absent? 

Come at lunch tomorrow. I'll be re-showing the first thirty minutes of the film. 

Reminders: 

Review your notes, remind yourself what you saw in the film. 

Read your independent reading book. Aim for 20-30 pages per day. (That's 10-15 in class and 10-15 at home. You can do it.)

Return class choice cards. 

Note: Night of the Hunter is a 1955 film noir classic. It has themes that parallel those of "Cask of Amontillado." Following examples and expectations for the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts, our students are viewing the film to draw comparisons, and write analytically about the techniques of the writer and director. We aren't just watching a movie for fun. :)