On-Level: "Everyday Use" SAR

Yesterday, we completed our "Everyday Use" prewriting, and today, we wrote a SAR as a class. Every class did its own prewriting, and so every class has a unique SAR. Compare what your class did to what other classes came up with.



4th period

This SAR concludes by pointing out an IRONY in the character of Mama. To extend your SAR in a final moment, you should always offer some insight or analysis. Confused about how to do that? You can always talk about theme, character foils, irony, or tie what you've said to a symbol in the piece.

5th period

This SAR concludes by talking about what theme is revealed through our study of Mama's characterization. If I had to do this over, I'm sure I could revise the theme statement into something more sophisticated. (See, making a 3 on a SAR can be a challenge for me, too!)

6th period

This SAR concludes by zooming out and recognizing that Mama's strength is physical and emotional.

7th

This SAR is successful for a number of reasons, but the thing I love about this one is the concluding statement. It recognizes the contrast between her toughness and her warmth. This definitely gets points for recognizing the complexity in Mama's character.

After we finished writing these, we color-coded them so we could see how good short answers (and good analytical writing in general) should alternate between concrete detail (quotes from the story) and commentary.

See, aren't SAR's fun?! They're like small droplets of colorful analysis in a dreary landscape of multiple choice. :D

Pre-AP: Prewriting for Alas, Babylon Randy/Dan Comparison

Today, we discussed similarities between Randy Bragg and Dan Gunn, two characters from Alas, Babylon. Specifically, we brainstormed character traits and major plot points for both characters, then arrived at a point of comparison between the two.

Whenever possible, try to avoid going with surface-level answers. The problem with surface-level answers is that they are difficult to extend simply because they are so obvious and one-dimensional in the first place. Another problem with quick, surface-level answers is that everyone sees them! We want deep, three-dimensional answers that can be extended and discussed. Complex answers - in any subject - show your teachers the depth of your understanding of the material. Depth is good.

Here is what we talked about in each class. Look at what the other class did and compare.

2nd period's prewriting, with a thesis about how they both choose to put the needs of the community above their own.

3rd period's prewriting, with a thesis about how they both had early career failures and that these failures enabled them to help Fort Repose in the aftermath of the attacks.

Tomorrow, we will find text evidence to support these theses. (Side note: The plural form of thesis is theses, not "thesises." Just an FYI.) :D

On-Level: Prewriting for "Everyday Use" SAR

Today, we used "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker to review the reading skill characterization and to review writing short answers, which are approximately 24% of your EOC score.

General SAR Notes:

Notice that all of the terms from the directions (answer, evidence, and explain) have multiple synonyms.
 Don't let this confuse you. They are all correct.

Any successful short answer will have all of these things (in purple). The information to the side (in pink) is a list of synonyms.

The question: How would you describe Mama, the narrator in "Everyday Use"? Explain your answer with evidence from the text. 

Here's a peek at the prewriting the different classes worked on today:

5th period characterized Mama as "tough" and "African American"

4th period characterized Mama as "physically strong"
 and said that she "struggles with being too submissive with her daughter"

6th period characterized Mama as "independent"

7th period said Mama was "independent" and "cares for her kids"

Pre-AP: Concrete detail and Commentary (CD and CM)

Here's the powerpoint we looked at today:

Pre-AP: Items due tomorrow

Some notes and reminders about the things due tomorrow:

• In class, you will turn in a paper copy of your "Who am I?" essay and your 6-word memoir. Your memoir can be on card stock, regular paper (colored or white), poster, etc. I have had some people ask me if they could do more creative things (like make a 3-D memoir), and that's all fine with me. As long as the 6-word memoir is high-quality, you're all good.
• On TurnItIn.com, you will turn in a digital copy of your essay by 4pm.
• I have had some people ask me what specific things I am grading for. When I see a "10" on the rubric, I think that a "10" must be:
• written in a thoughtful, authentic, and engaging voice
• written with elaboration that provides specific details (remember we talked about concrete details [CD] today?), action verbs, and proper nouns 
• written with conventions in mind, which means a careful eye for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

Need the class code to sign up? Click the English I Pre-AP link above. As always, email with questions.

Pre-AP: Assignment sheets

Today in class, you received an essay/6-word memoir that is due on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. Digital copies of these assignment sheets can be found in the shared drive - go to the Pre-AP link in the header, and then click the link for Documents. In this folder, you will find the assignment pages and a document in MLA format to look at.

Just in case you need help finding it: It's also right here.

And: Have you signed up for TurnItIn.com yet?

English II: Welcome!!

Here is the presentation we went through today:





REMEMBER: Directions for Remind, etc. are posted on your class page (link is in the header above). I will use the class page to post somewhat permanent things whereas the blog space (the "posts") will change all the time. Use the search bar (upper right) to search for specific terms.

Pre-AP: Welcome to class!

Here is the presentation from today:

REMEMBER: Sign up for TurnItIn.com tonight! Directions for Remind, etc. are posted on your class page (link is in the header above). I will use the class page to post somewhat permanent things whereas the blog space (the "posts") will change all the time. Use the search bar (upper right) to search for specific terms.

Welcome!

I am working diligently to prepare for the first day of school! Please check back soon for information about class. Thank you! See you soon. -Wise