Today, I handed out the study guide for the final exam for Writer's Workshop and then we practiced proofreading and using correct punctuation (in preparation for the final.)  See me for these exercises.

Today's word is "goldbrick." We then completed worksheets on how to correctly use commas and apostrophes. See me for make-up work. We discussed the final exam: it will consist of word-of-the-day definitions and fill-in-the-blanks; a proofreading test on proper punctuation, word usage, capitalization, and other conventions; and collecting and reflecting on/evaluating written work for the permanent writing portfolio. I also handed back the research essays.

Today's word is "verdant." We watched more research presentations and then completed more comma worksheets.  See me for the worksheets.

On Thursday, the Word of the Day was "fuliginous" and then we heard more presentations.

Today the word was "insidious" and we heard more presentations (and in periods 1 and 3 we worked on comma usage with worksheets.)

On Thursday, May 23, the word of the day was "canker" and then we listened to research essay presentations.

Today, the word was "filial," and we heard more presentations.

On Monday, May 20, the word of the day was "muliebrity." We started the presentations on the food research.

On Tuesday, May 21, the word of the day was "caterwaul." The final draft of the WITS story was due and we shared them in class.

Today's word was "compliance."  We worked on WITS packet #10 (should be labeled #9, though.)  Students started drafting their story in this packet.  Final, typed, double-spaced story is due in class on Tuesday, May 21.

UPCOMING DUE DATE: Final, typed, double-spaced story is due in class on Tuesday, May 21.

Monday's word of the day was "sesquipedalian." Then I reminded students about the presentation  (Prezi + artistic representation) that is due on Monday, May 20. I showed examples of art pieces from other topics and classes to give some ideas about possible artistic representations.  Then we completed 2 worksheets on how to use commas properly.  See me for these worksheets.

On Tuesday, we had WITS writing exercise. See me for make-up work.

On Monday, May 6, the word of the day was "hackneyed." Then I collected the final draft of the research essay, along with the 2nd draft, the 1st draft, the peer-edit sheet, and the 7 text-marked articles. Then I handed out the instructions and calendar for a presentation assignment.  Students will create a "Prezi" presentation in order to teach the rest of the class about their research topic.  Read the assignment instructions for details.  The Presentation is due on Monday, May 20.

On Tuesday May 7, the word of the day was "ethereal."  Then we had WITS session #7.  See me for make-up work.

On Thursday, May 9, we went to the computer lab to work on creating the prezi presentations referred to above.

The word of the day for Tuesday, April 30 was "transmogrify."  We then did a WITS exercise (see me for make up work.)

The word of the day on Thursday, May 2 is "caveat."  Today we did a self-edit / fine-tuning exercise on the research essay.  Students will take their essays home and make changes/corrections and fine-tune them.  The FINAL, final draft of the research essay is now due on MONDAY, MAY 6.  In addition to bringing the final draft, you will hand in the following on Monday:

first edited draft
peer-edit sheets
second (self-edited) draft
7 text-marked articles

Word of the day on Monday: "Persnickety." Today we reviewed the requirements for the research essay that is due on Thursday, May 2.  Then we reviewed the grading rubric for this essay, and we reviewed how to correctly do MLA formatting and Works Cited page.

DUE DATE: THURSDAY, MAY 2: Research essay with Works Cited Page

First draft of research essays were due in class Thursday.  We peer-edited them.  Then we learned MLA format for the Works Cited page and looked at a sample Works Cited page.  The final draft, with a Works Cited page is due on Thursday, May 2.

On Monday, the word of the day was "surreal." Then we read another sample research essay and looked at how to format essays correctly.  Then we watched a powerpoint presentation on correct MLA formatting.

DUE DATE: First draft of the research essay is due Thursday, April 25 in class.  We will be peer-editing in class.

Today in Writer's Workshop, the word of the day was "diaphanous."

Then we looked at a sample outline for a research paper and then we looked at a sample research essay based on that outline.  We discussed the outline and essay.  Then I handed out a model outline and another model outline with a template.  Then I returned students' research that they handed in on Monday and for the last half hour of class, students wrote their own outlines for their research essay.  The first draft of this essay is due on Thursday, April 25.

On Monday, April 15, the Word of the Day was superfluous.  We then brainstormed (wrote) about everything we knew about our research topic and then I collected the 7 text-marked articles.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Word of the Day was ingratiate.  We then had WITS lesson #5.  Students should see me for the make up work.

UPCOMING DUE DATES:

On Thursday, April 18, we will complete an outline for the research essay IN CLASS.  You will be given sample outlines and your articles will be returned to you so that you can write your outline in class.

On Thursday, April 25, the first draft (including citations and works cited page) of your research essay is due. We will peer-edit in class on this day.

Don't forget these due dates:

Monday, April 15: 7 text-marked articles
Thursday, April 18: Essay Outline
Thursday, April 25: First Draft of Essay
Thursday, May 2: Final Draft of Essay

On Thursday, the word of the day was "garrulous."  We had our 2nd WITS session on Thursday.  Students will have to see me for make-up work.

On Tuesday, April 2, the word of the day was "sacrosanct".

We had our first session with WITS (Writers in the Schools program run by Portland Literary Arts).  Students will need to see me for make-up work.

Word of the day today is "behemoth."  We reviewed the calendar of due dates (see the March 22 post) for the research essay and then students created thesis statements and/or research questions to guide their research.

The first major due date is Monday, April 15 when 7 text-marked articles are due.  These are articles that you have printed out IN FULL, and that will most likely end up being used in your paper, and they should be marked up according to these guidelines:

• underline or highlight significant/important ideas or facts
• write notes in the margins about how you might use these underlined pieces or why you think these pieces are important/significant for your argument
• underline or highlight any counterarguments
• write notes in the margins about how you will use these counterarguments and how you will refute them

On Thursday, March 21, the word of the day was "ruminate."  The librarian came to our class and demonstrated how to do research using the OSLIS Database and Multnomah County Library Database ("Academic Search Premier.")  To access OSLIS from home, you need to go to "oslis.org" and then use the username "port" and password "oslis."  I handed out instructions/guidelines for the Persuasive  / Research Essay. We then went to the library and began researching essay topics.



Due dates for this assignment:

Monday, April 1: Thesis Statement
Monday, April 15: 7 text-marked articles
Thursday, April 18: Essay Outline
Thursday, April 25: First Draft of Essay
Thursday, May 2: Final Draft of Essay