Friday, October 28, 2011

Writing 2 Class Notes -- October 25

Greetings!

We began our day with a Quick Write complements of Michael L. The writing prompt he chose was "It's always darkest before the dawn."  Daniel P. selected 5 unusual Mystery Words from my etymological dictionary:  tympanum, unguent, Valhalla, vichy and viscacha.  What a great and diverse language we have!

The students handed in their rough drafts of their extended definitions or classification essays.  I'm enjoying their progress.  The more they write, the better they become.

We spent a good amount of time discussing Gulliver's Travels.  We looked at the section about the "strulbrugs," people who live forever.  Before meeting these people, Gulliver had many assumptions about what it might be like to live for hundreds of years.  Over all that time, one could amass amazing skills, knowledge and finances.  Contrary to his ideas, the struldbrugs were frail, decrepit, and abhorrent.  Attached is a link to an interesting article about an elderly man with a mental illness who thought he was a struldbrug and would never die.

We also discussed the section of the book in which Gulliver meets with historical figures from the past.  We gave thought to the question, "Who from history would you like to meet and what questions would you ask?"

As I explained to the students, the first 2 parts of the book are more light-hearted and enjoyable to read.  The final 2 sections are more serious and more challenging to read.  In these last 2  portions of the book, Swift probes some of the deeper issues of life and makes subtle judgments about the motivations of men.

Assignments for Next Week:
--  Read Part IV, Chapters 1 - 4.
--  Answer 3 of the 5 study questions.  Write/type your answers and hand them in a class time.
--  Write 3 "baseball questions" for this section of the book.

Have a great week!  Enjoy these beautiful fall days.
Mrs. Prichard

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Writing 2 Class Notes -- October 18


Greetings!

This morning we engaged in a lot of discussion.  We did our best to keep the noise down because the wall separating our room from Mrs. Nelson's math class wasn't properly put together.

For our Quick Write, the students wrote a first person account of themselves as either a 1-year old or a 100-year old.  One student entertained us with a great "baby" voice.  Our Vocabulary Words study was an exercise in thinking of derivatives of the following Latin words:  amo (to love), delecto (to delight or please), dignitas (importance, honor, prestige), familaris (friend, relative), fugio (to run away).  We encountered an interesting word, "subterfuge," which we decoded using Latin roots.  Sub = under; ter = ground; fuge = runaway.  (subter also means secret)  Subterfuge means "deception by artifice or strategem in order to conceal, escape, or evade."
I handed back most of the final copies of their Process Essays.  I'm afraid that a couple were still on my computer and a couple were left at home.  (Our family had to make a quick, unexpected trip to Iowa for a family funeral.  I was a little unorganized with my paperwork.)  This week's writing assignment was pre-writing for their Extended Definition or Classification Essays.  We briefly discussed the parameters of each kind of essay.  The students didn't seem to have any questions about this assignment.  Please have them contact me if they are running into trouble.

We have finished reading the second half of the third adventure in Gulliver's Travels.  Gulliver finds himself in a Grand Academy full of "projectors" coming up with all kinds of innovative inventions.  I read aloud through most of chapter 5.  We discussed the proposal to get sunshine from cucumbers, the plan to build houses from the roof downwards, and the blind men making paints.  We did not read the section on reverse manufacturing food. 

Last year in Writing 1 we played a game of "baseball" using questions from the book A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.  We're going to do a similar activity.  The students will come up with the questions that we'll ask.

Next Week's Assignments:
--  Rough Draft of Extended Definition or Classification Essays.
--  Read Part IV, Chapters 1 - 4
--  Write 3 questions for each part/adventure

It seems like the warm fall weather may be leaving.  Make sure you "bundle up."
Mrs. Prichard


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Writing 2 Class Notes -- October 11

Greetings!

Again, I had another enjoyable time with this class.  It's a pleasure teaching students eager to learn.  Our Quick Write was to discuss what person (real, famous, or fictional) with whom they'd like to have lunch.  They could include what they might eat, where they might go, and anything else they might do.

I called our word building activity "Vocabulary Fun."  I listed 5 Latin words and their meanings; from these we discussed derivatives.  [circum (around), dens, dentis (tooth), cogito (to think), diabolus (devil), dominus (master)]  We thought of many words for circum (circumvent, circumnavigate, circumscribe, circumference, circus, circle) and dominus (dominate, domineering, domocile, domino, domestic).

The students handed in their Final Copies of their Process Essays.  A few students were planning to hand in their essays via e-mail.  For our next essay, the students may choose between an Extended Definition or a Classification Essay.  (More on these types of essays later.)  We discussed at length the difference between a report and an essay.  In a report, they restate facts and details they've discovered about a topic.  In an essay, they write a thesis in which they take a position or take a stand.  The rest of the essay contains information that supports the assertions of the thesis.  This assignment will be completed in 3 parts:  pre-writing, rough draft, and final copy.  During the pre-writing stage, the students will brainstorm, organize, and research their topic.  Pre-writing information is due next week; rough drafts are due the following week.

I must apologize again to the class.  I brought the wrong teacher's writing handbook to use in explaining the Extended Definition and the Classification essays.  The book I had with me was more confusing than helpful.  I'll briefly explain the types here and will have more information on the blog.

An extended definition essay is one which expands a concept by giving specific descriptions, examples, analogies, or comparisons.  You might include information that tells what it is and what it isn't.  Think about the difference between an entry in a dictionary and an entry in an encyclopedia. Sometimes a complex subject can be broken into parts.  The end goal of this type of essay is a more complete understanding of the topic.  Possible topics for this type of essay include abstract entities (freedom, love, friendship, family, compassion, courage, etc.) and specific items.  I once read a creative extended definition essay about a pencil and eraser.  On the blog you will find links to some helpful sites, including one that gives topic suggestions.

In writing a classification essay, the student sorts and organizes a topic into useful categories using a single organizing principle. If a student were to write about sports cars, he would define the different types/categories and give examples.  A paper on significant historical events in America might include the categories of wars, economic developments, and social movements with examples for each category.n  In other words, the topic must be broad enough to break into sections that can be further explained.  According to one website, "The aim of classification essay is to categorize a number of items and sort them into few groups in order to be able to investigate the subject further. When writing an essay the students will have to find characteristics of different objects which belong in the same category and write their essays accordingly."  On the blog, you will find another page with more information and links to more helpful sites, including one that gives topic suggestions.

In our reading of Gulliver's Travels, we are half-way through our third adventure.  Gulliver has just left the floating island and is about to visit the Academy where they promote all kinds of innovative projects.  I divided the class into four groups to discuss the following analytical questions:  1) Proverbs 16:18 states that "pride goes before a fall."  How is this illustrated in the book?  2) For Swift, "everything is a matter of proportion and balance, of keeping proper perspective."  Explain the idea of proportions and perspectives.  3) Swift holds up a magnifying mirror to show us our faults.  What faults does Swift point out and how does he do it?  and 4) Ironic juxtaposition is a technique that puts something really important next to something trivial and seemingly gives  them equal weight.  Give examples.  The four groups discussed these questions among themselves and shared their insights with the class.  These were very challenging questions -- ones you would find in a college class -- and I was quite proud of the students for tackling them.

Next Week's Assignments:
--  Read Part III, Chapters 5 - 8 of Gulliver's Travel's
--  Pre-Writing for Extended Definition or Classification essay


Have a great week!  Enjoy the fall colors!
Mrs. Prichard

Classification Essay

In writing a classification essay, the student sorts and organizes a topic into useful categories using a single organizing principle. If a student were to write about sports cars, he would define the different types/categories and give examples.  A paper on significant historical events in America might include the categories of wars, economic developments, and social movements with examples for each category.n  In other words, the topic must be broad enough to break into sections that can be further explained.

Below is a list of helpful sites:
Essay Start Article
50 Writing Topics
Essay Info
essayacademia

Extended Definition Essay

An extended definition essay is one which expands a concept by giving specific descriptions, examples, analogies, or comparisons.  You might include information that tells what it is and what it isn't.  Think about the difference between an entry in a dictionary and an entry in an encyclopedia. Sometimes a complex subject can be broken into parts.  The end goal of this type of essay is a more complete understanding of the topic.  Possible topics for this type of essay include abstract entities (freedom, love, friendship, family, compassion, courage, etc.) and specific items.  I once read a creative extended definition essay about a pencil and eraser.

For more information, go to the following links:
HyperTextBooks
Definition Essay Article
Essay Start website
60 Essay Topics

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rough Draft Notes

As the students write their essays, they find out what grammar they know and what they don't know.  Writing is really a better test of their knowledge than quizzes or exercises.  Most of the students in this class have a good foundation in the basics of grammar.

Below is a list of some of the topics that have come up with these rough drafts:

-  parallel constructions
- sentences that are too long and have too many ideas and clauses
- sentences with "there is/are ...
- using contractions (not good for essays)
- consistent verb tenses, especially when telly about events in the past
- writing out numbers as words
- commas and coordinate adjectives
- hyphens and adjectives
- punctuating prepositional phrases at the beginning of the sentences
- using quotations for setting apart words that are being defined
- using italics for foreign or scientific words
- matching pronouns with their antecedent
- punctuating dialogue
- punctuating names and dates
- language use for essays (avoiding non-standard and colloquial expressions)
- capitalizing names of relatives
- using the right prepositions
- proper use of parentheses and dashes
- using the same word multiple times

Over time, the students will be experts at these more complicated grammar situations.

Writing 2 Class Notes -- October 4

Greetings!

Yesterday's class went well.  We were productive, creative, and thoughtful.  Our Quick Write was to write about the life of a dollar bill in the first person.  I have a Daily Sparks book that gives short writing assignments.  One of the students picked this exercise from the book.  A lot of writing teachers feel it's helpful to get the bad writing out of the system.  Hopefully we did some of that yesterday.  I chose 4 words from the SAT Prep book for our Mystery Words. I don't necessarily believe the students will remember all of the words that we discuss, but they'll have an appreciation for new words and for word roots.

I handed back the rough drafts of the process essays.  We spent a good part of the class time going over common grammar problems found in the papers.  I'll list and discuss some of these on the blog.

I had sent around an e-mail hinting that that I might give a "pop quiz" for our reading of Gulliver's Travels.  The students have done a good job keeping up to date with their reading, but I wanted to check for their comprehension.  It was such a beautiful day that we took our books and the quiz outside.  We answered the questions as a group, and I included more discussion in between the students' answers.

Next week's Assignments:
--  Read Part III, Ch. 1 - 4.  (Read the discussion questions before reading the chapters, student's are not required to write out any answers.)
--  Final copy of Process Essay

Enjoy this beautiful weather!
Mrs. Prichard