Tuesday, September 28, 2010

We had a visitor today in class...Rosie!


Dear Juniors,

We completed the following today in class:

1. Journal #3 "Afghan Woman Punished"
                Tell me how this article made you feel and why you experienced those emotions. List five of your total questions that you consider the strongest. Basically, which of your questions, in your opinion, would cause another individual to think about, or even question, events indicated within the article.

2. We then completed another journal entry entitled Journal #4" : Times of Crisis. This entry is different than others as it has three questions to it:
                 1. How do you handle dangerous situations that could cause panic? Do you act or react? Do you consider yourself a calm individual, especially concerning aspects that might cause pandemonium, or would you say that you have a more "stressed" and "anxious" type of character?
                  2. We then read the short story "The Dinner Party."
                  3. Then we answered the next question for the Journal #4.  According to one character      within "The Dinner Party," women have a tendency to over react in times of crisis. Tell me why this belief is ironic, especially regarding events within the story.
                  4. Our guest then "revealed" herself. We then responded to the third part of the journal entry. If you had known that Rosie was in the room, prior to our discussion, would your reaction to entering the room have been any different? Would there have been a "crisis" with you? Explain.

3. I then introduced the short story called "The Open Window" by Saki. Each student was given a handout entitled "Meet the Author" where I gave information concerning Saki. Prior to reading each short story, I will give you information regarding the author.

4. We then discussed the title of the work....."The Open Window," as it is highly symbolic.

5. Finally, we watched a video clip by Madanna entitled "Oh, Father." The music video is highly symbolic.

6. Students completed their final Journal Entry of the day (Journal #5: "Madonna's symbols") As you watch the music video, record all the symbols used and what they represent.

HOMEWORK:
1. Remember that your Five Paragraph Essay revision is due on Friday.
2. I gave each student their "Article of the Week #4" entitled  "One Day your Pants May Power Up Your Ipod." The annotations and notations for this article are up to you, but you must select only one color!  Five  to Eight annotations/notations/page and this is due on Tuesday, October 5th.
3. Please read  "The Open Window" for Friday....Plan on a quiz.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Re-evaluate your Five Paragraph Essays, my young friends!

Dear Juniors,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. I returned your Five Paragraph Essays. We discussed the primary problem with them and that happens to be COMMENTARY. You need more green! Many of you include valid CONCRETE DETAIL, but fail to support your points. I gave each student the following examples. The first paragraph was written by one of you. It has valid points, but the student hasn't included enough support. Notice that the second paragraph has more support, specifically through quotes that corroborate the points.

Paragraph Examples
#1.
            Due to the pain that one feels during post surgery, scientists and doctors use new medicines to help patients through pain relief. However, many drugs fail to provide sufficient relief due to the weakness of the drugs. For example, Stephen Aaron, a middle-aged man from Salt Lake City, Utah, recently required back surgery. He received morphine to help cope with the pain he felt, however, the pain pushed through the medicine to a point where he found it almost unbearable. The drugs couldn't provide the relief he required, and unfortunately legalized marijuana isn't an option in Utah. Very few people react negatively to marijuana Allergic reaction reports seem to come up very seldom and far in between. These reasons help indicate why medical marijuana should become an option in all states.

#2  (with more commentary/support)

            Due to post surgery pain, medical professionals use new medicines to assist patients with pain relief. Unfortunately, many drugs fail to provide sufficient help. For example, Stephen Aaron, a middle-aged man from Salt Lake City, Utah, recently required back surgery. He received morphine to help cope with the strong post surgery discomfort; however, the morphine did not ease his pain. If current pain options cease to alleviate patient pain, then other avenues need consideration. According to one study conducted by the U.S. Society for Neuroscience, “Careful studies show marijuana directly interferes with pain signaling in the nervous system.. This insight may lead to a new class of pain killers. Patients suffering from spinal cord injuries and the ill effects of chemotherapy will find pain relief through the use of marijuana” (Joy, Stanley, and Benson). A second study sponsored by the Healthcare Regularly Agency (HRA) indicated that the 200 individuals used in the study “found the use of marijuana  most effective, particularly  regarding pain relief and improved sleep” (Armenteno). If Mr. Aaron had taken marijuana for his pain,  he would have recovered more quickly and experienced less side effects from the surgery. Unfortunately, the use of medical marijuana  creates a barrier in the state of Utah. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia permit the use of medical marijuana (Seimons). If approved throughout the United States, medical marijuana would decrease pain experienced by those recovering from surgery and other illnesses.

2. Remember that if you use information from another source that you MUST CITE THE SOURCE. I have included citation examples below using the MLA format. Go to www.uve/edu.org and input "MLA FORMAT." Print this off and place it in the "VOCAB./ MECHANICS" section of your notebook.

3. We completed the quiz for "The Chaser."

HOMEWORK:
1. Revise your five paragraph essay for Friday.
2. Article of the Week #3 is due on Wed.


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

What did we do in class today, Crampton?

Hi, Junior English Kids,

If you missed class today, we did the following:

STUDENTS SUBMITTED THEIR EVALUATION OF THE FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY that was given to them on Tuesday.

1. We reviewed Short Story terminology by looking at at short story entitled "The Alchemist." If you were in A4 on Tuesday, we started the story in class, and then finished it today (Thursday). We reviewed "Direct" and "Indirect" characterization, the different types of irony, foreshadowing, the purposes of a short story, and the different conflicts present in the short story genre

2. We watched a "Twilight Zone" movie entitled "The Chaser." I wanted each student to have a visual image of the short story that was used for their quiz.

3. After the film, each student took their short story quiz. Students were asked to use "The Chaser" in correlation with the questions on the quiz.

4. We corrected the quiz in class.

Monday, September 20, 2010

If you missed class on Tuesday, September 21st...SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

Dear Juniors,

The following image relates to your "Article of the Week #3" that was given to you in class today. If you  missed class, please see me in order to obtain a copy.


I think you will more greatly appreciate the freedoms you possess as citizens of the United States of America after you read, annotate and notate the article. Please notate the article using only RED. So, your notations need to appear in the form of questions for this article. The notations for this article are due on Wednesday, September 29th.

2. Each student who submitted a Five Paragraph Essay on Friday received a peer's essay to edit and evaluate. This assignment is due on Thursday, September 23rd.

3. We started our discussion regarding "Short Story" elements. In order to obtain this information, please visit with me or a friend. We also reviewed the short story structure by making cookies; it was so much fun! Plan on a quiz covering the introductory information discussed in class today. You will need to familiarize yourself with irony, foreshadowing, the different types of characterization, the different types of characters, the purposes of short stories, the conflicts associated with short stories, and the short story structure. Good Luck!


Friday, September 17, 2010

If you missed Friday, September 17th...

Dear Juniors,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. We attended the lab in order to type the green triangles for our five paragraph essays. Students in class submitted TWO COPIES of their essay to me. One copy included the green triangle, the other copy was stapled together and then given to me. We will use this copy at a later date.

2. IF YOU MISSED CLASS, YOU NEED TO SUBMIT TWO TYPED COPIES of your FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY on MONDAY!

HOMEWORK:
None, unless you missed class. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers,
Crampton

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

WEDNESDAY, September 15th

Dear Junior English students,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. JOURNAL #2 "In Defense of the Five Paragraph Essay."
                  Kerri Smith, the author of "article of the week #2" praises the "Five Paragraph Essay" format. Why does she say the five paragraph structure is so significant to students? Tell me what you thought of the article regarding ANY points of interest. Now,  my young friends, justify your English teacher's reasoning for actually beginning the year with the Five Paragraph Essay.

2. Everyone submitted their article of the week to me.

3. We worked in our groups to complete our individual parts and then compile the sections for a unite whole. Well done, guys!

4. We then looked at two five paragraph essay written by former students. The Odyssey essay is quite strong. The Alice in Wonderland is not.

HOMEWORK:

1. I believe you are ready to write your own five paragraph paper. We have practiced together, and you have practiced on your own! Please follow the instructions listed below. YOU NEED TO HAVE THE TRIANGLE ready for class on FRIDAY, as we will go to the lab for you to type your essay. I will place some triangles outside the door for those of you that missed class.

Final Five Paragraph Essay
Instructions and Prompts

Instructions:

1. Dear Juniors,
You will have the opportunity to “prove” that you understand how to write a strong five paragraph essay. I am asking that you select from one of the following prompts, triangle your work (in color), return with the triangle and then we will head to the writing lab for you to write your essay. Your triangle and your completed five paragraph essay are due by the end of the period on  _________________________.

2. To assist with your assignment, you may use any practice work we completed together in class. In addition, you may use any homework assignment you completed

PROMPTS:

  1. Does the use of performance enhancing drugs violate the “spirit of sports?” Is there an ethical difference between using performance enhancing drugs and using performing enhancing technologies in nutrition, training, and equipment? What are your views on this subject?

  1. Increasing reports of bullying can be partially attributed to the popularity of violent video games. The 2008 study “Grave Theft Childhood” reported that 60 % of middle aged school boys who played at least one mature-rated game hit or beat up someone, compared to 39% of boys that did not play mature-rated games. Video games often reward players for simulating violence, and thus enhance the learning of violent behaviors. What are your views on this topic?

  1. Should the words “under god” be included in the Pledge of Allegiance? Many individuals believe that school children are being coerced and the Pledge of Allegiance is a violation of church and state. The government should not be asking impressionable school children to affirm their allegiance to God at the same time that they are pledging their allegiance to the country. Indicate your views on this topic?

  1. Should felons be allowed the right to vote? If you are a convicted felon, why do we want people with that type of judgment selecting our representative? Barring felons from voting is one way society sends the message that committing a serious crime has serious consequences. Indicate your views on this topic?

  1. Should marijuana be a medical option? Evidence indicates that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illness as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS, or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. Marijuana is less toxic than many drugs that physicians prescribe every day. Indicate your views on this topic.

  1. Social networking sites entice people to spend more time online and less time interacting face-to-face. The sites offer time wasting activities that supplant more productive activities. Indicate your views on this topic.


Take care, Juniors
Cheers,
Crampton

Dear English Students,

STOP MISSING CLASS, my fine young friends.

If you missed class on Monday, September 13th, we completed the following:

1. We worked in groups to compile and complete a five paragraph essay.
2. Each group member was asked to complete a section of a five paragraph essay.
                   a. One student wrote the Introduction and Body Paragraph #1
                   b. One student wrote Body Paragraph #2 and then will focus on editing the other parts on Wed.
                   c. One student wrote Body Paragraph #3 and the Concluding paragraph
3. Upon your return, I am happy to "guide you" through this process.
4. Each individual part is required in class on Wed., at which time we will work on organizing the parts in to a complete whole.

Cheers, Crampton

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

What did we do in class today, Crampton?

Dear Junior English Students,

"What did we do in class," you ask?
"Well, let me enlighten you!"

1. We completed your first journal entry. From now on you will experience a journal entry each class period.

JOURNAL ENTRY #1 entitled "Boy, 12, faces grown up murder charges"/ Article #1

Please use your annotated article to respond to the following journal prompt.

After reading and annotating the article, identify two points of interest from the article. In addition, indicate two points that you found confusing, and then two points that you found emotional. Tell me about those "colors." Basically, why were you interested, confused, and emotionally connected to the text?  Next, justify your opinion regarding the prosecution of minors as adults. I look forward to your response.

NOTE: We had a great discussion on the article. Well done, juniors!

2. I gave each student a copy of "Article of the Week #2" entitled "In defense of the five paragraph essay." For homework,  please annotate and notate the article with 7-10 annotations/page.

3. We practiced writing introductory and concluding paragraphs. Visit with with me about the structure for these paragraphs.

HOMEWORK:
1. Read "Article of the Week #2" and annotate/notate with 7-10 annotations/page. This assignment is due on Wed. Sept. 15

2. Complete the practice prompts for Introductory and Concluding paragraphs. PLEASE SEE ME IF YOU MISSED CLASS!

If you missed class on Tuesday, September 7th...

Dear Junior English Students,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. I returned your colored practice paragraph and your "Where I stand." assignment.
2. We discussed your homework for the previous class period involving thesis statements. Remember that a THESIS STATEMENT is YOUR OPINION and THREE REASONS.
3. We then reviewed passive vs. active voice.
4. Finally, we selected one of the thesis statements you wrote for homework and then we "triangled" the three body paragraphs together in class.

HOMEWORK:
1. I asked students to write the three body paragraph that we triangled in class. This is due on Thursday!
2. Students were reminded that their annotated (7-10/page) article entitled "Boy, 12, faces grown up murder charges" is due on Thursday.


Please let me know if I can assist you in any way. A few of you are missing class, and this is a concern for me.

Cheers,
Crampton

Thursday, September 2, 2010

If you missed class on Thursday, September 2nd... SHAME on YOU!

Dear Junior English Students,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

I explained your homework assignments to you:
1. I explained the "Article a Week" assignment. You will receive an article a week, usually on a Monday or a Tuesday, but the days may change.You are to annotate the article using particular colors: WHAT DOES ANNOTATE MEAN, Crampton? "ANNOTATE" means to underline text in order to strengthen understanding. "NOTATE" means to record information nex to text in order to strengthen understanding.

So.........Your first annotated article is due on Thursday, September 9th!
  • If you  find a section of text confusing then you would underline it using BROWN.
  • If you are able to make a connection ot your own life then you would underline that section of text using your PURPLE.
  • Another way to annotate is by asking QUESTIONS about the text. RED is the color you will use for this annotation.
  • If you come across a VOCABULARY word that you don't know use YELLOW!
  • If a piece of text touches you emotionally, then BLUE is the color for that annotation.
  • If a piece of writing is poetic to you, then use BLACK!
  • If text gives you a different perspective then GREEN is your annotation color.
  • ORANGE is the color you will use if you come across text that you find interesting.
Your homework is to read this article. and then annotate it with 7-10 annotations/page. In addition, you are to include a notation for each annotation.

2. We also practiced writing THESIS STATEMENTS in class. Remember that a THESIS is your opinion plus three valid reasons. We practiced thesis statements in class.