Monday, December 24, 2007

Happy Holidays!


Wishing all my students a safe and fun-filled winter break. Enjoy your time off and I will see you in '08!

This picture is my homebase, who look wonderful, before the ballroom dancing! You all did a great job, and I was so impressed with your dancing - I think you could show me a thing or two!!

Monday, December 17, 2007

The Outsiders - Chapter 10-12 Vocabulary

Chapter 10-12 Vocabulary

stupor
delirious
grasped
acquitted
desperate
bewilderdly
deny
pity
flinching
veered

Period 6 - Journal #4

Finish the following thoughts:

The best thing about being me is?
The worst thing about being me is?

Consider your two completed statements.

How do you think one of the characters from The Outsiders would have completed these statements? Explain why you believe he or she would have completed it as so.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Outsiders Chapter 7 & 8 Vocabulary

Chapter 7 & 8 Vocabulary

mimicking
recurring
aghast
exploits
abruptly
resemblance
debating
aimlessly
ruefully
leery

The Outsiders - Chapter 1-6 Study Guide

The Outsiders - Chapter 1 - 6 Study Guide

Be familiar with the following characters:
Ponyboy
Sodapop
Darry
Johnny
Dally
Two-Bit
Steve
Cherry
Marcia
Socs
Greasers
Know:
the differences between the Greasers/Socs
- why are they separate groups?
Johnny's relationship with:
- his parents
- Dally
You will be given 5 quotes from the book where you will need to e able to describe the significance of each quote.
Understand:
- Darry's life (what we know)
- Soc's - do they have is as good as Ponyboy thinks?
- Cherry/Ponyboy - what they have in common
- Jail - the effects
- the fire
Vocabulary
- 5 words from each section (ch. 1-2, ch. 3-4, ch. 5-6)

Words will be used in a sentence from the book - you explain the definition

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

December 11 - Period 6 - Clique Journal - The Outsiders

Clique - "a narrow or exclusive circle or group of persons held together by common interests, views or purposes."

Responding to this definition, do cliques exist within our school? Do you yourself have an exclusive group of friends? Why do you think you have chosen to associate with those particular people? How does your friendship group influence your life?

Friday, December 7, 2007

Monday, December 10 - Homework

LA 1, 7
Wordskills WB pg's 95-110 due Thursday
Typed rough draft due tomorrow (Tuesday)
Test corrections due tomorrow

LA 4
Wordskills WB pg's 83-98 due Thursday
Typed rough draft due tomorrow (Tuesday)
Test corrections due tomorrow

Reading 3, 8
Chapter 5 & 6 Vocab.

groggy
reluctantly
imploringly
sullenly
eluded
vital
indignant
gorged
conviction
inhalation

Reading 6
Journal Entry
Who are you? What makes you unique? What factors influence who you are?

Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Outsiders Ch 3 & 4

Chapter 3 & 4 Vocabulary

sophisticated
incredulous
nonchalantly
sarcasm
bootlegging
elite
unceasingly
resignedly
premonition
apprehensive
contemptuously
bewildering
winced

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Persuasive Writing Notes - Introduction, Body, Conclusion

Introduction

- "Hook"
- usually the first sentence
- directs the reader to the position you are taking

There are 5 different "hooks" to choose from
1. A powerful statement
2. A quotation
3. A statistic or fact
4. A question
5. An unusual detail or anecdote

- Intro. could also include background info about the ISSUE

- Thesis Statement - usually last sentence

1. Tells the reader the writer's specific position on the topic of the essay
2. This is a clear focus on the topic

Body Paragraphs

1. Topic Sentence/Transition
- usually an opinion/fact that directs the course of the paragraph

2. Each topic sentence could/should state:
-reason
-benefit
-advantage

3. Evidence - Helps develop the topic sentence
- facts
-observations
- other info. to support the writer's position

4. Transitional Words/Phrases
- use between body paragraphs to ensure the flow of the paper

Conclusion

1. Restate your Thesis - don't write it exactly the same as you did in your intro.

2. The main points of each body paragraphs should be summarized (re-word)

3. If you suggest a solution: you must discuss its impact

4. If you give a call to action: suggested steps should be given

5. Exit Sentence - final sentence and most important sentence of entire essay

- prediction
- question
- recommendation
- quotation

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Period 6 - Chapter 1 - journal

Having read chapter 1 of The Outsiders, what is your impression of the setting, including time period and place? What clues helped you come to these conclusions?

Monday, December 3, 2007

The Outsiders - Ch. 1-2 Vocab.

Chapter 1 & 2 Vocabulary

asset
complicated
content
cowlick
incredulous
lone(d)
madras
nonchalantly
quivering
rarely
slouched
sarcasm