The final exam in Writer's Workshop is on Thursday, January 31.  It will consist of a multiple choice test in three parts: Part 1 will be matching "word-of-the-day" definitions to words; Part 2 will be "word-of-the-day" fill in the blank sentences (multiple choice); and Part 3 will be identifying narrative and poetic devices in a set of textual passages (multiple choice.)  Here is the study guide for all three parts of this exam: Study Guide for Writer's Workshop Final Exam Semester 1.

Today, we started working on the Group Persuasive Essay.  The first step is to respond briefly to six prompts that address different topics in education.  The six prompts are here.  After writing in response to these prompts, choose one topic that you would like to do further thinking, research, and writing on.  For each topic, I have a packet of reading for you to use in writing your group essay.  The packets are linked here:
Topic #1 Year-round Schooling
Topic #2: SAT Tests
Topic #3: NCAA Athletes Being Paid
Topic #4 Grammar
Topic #5 Single-sex education
Topic #6 Should Everyone go to College?

As you read and mark/highlight/take notes on your packet, you should complete the worksheet that is linked here: Education Worksheet.

Your completed reading and worksheet is due in class on Tuesday, January, 29.

There are no assignments in Writer's Workshop right now.  Students should be preparing for the Word-of-the-Day exam that will be given during Final Exam period.  You should create flash cards and quiz yourself on the definitions and how to use the words in sentences.  You should also review the poetic and narrative devices that we have learned this semester, as well as the terms ethos, pathos, and logos.

Today we started the following assignment in class and the completed assignment is due at the beginning of class on Thursday, January 17:  Write a 300+ word letter persuading me to not assign over the weekend a 5-page research essay on the topic of School Reform Movements over the last 100 years.

Final letter is due Thursday, Jan 17.

We have been doing activities and exercises on persuasive writing in class this week and we will continue these next week and beyond.  No major writing assignment has been assigned.

Note: part of the final exam for this class will be a vocabulary test on the Word-of-the-Day, so you should begin preparing (flashcards are a great place to start when learning and reviewing vocabulary!)

This week, we started a new unit on Persuasive Writing and we are learning some key concepts related to persuasive writing.  Students who have been absent need to see me about the material.  Currently there are no major writing assignments due in Writer's Workshop.