On the first day of Christmas Vacation, my mother gave to me ----
a coupon for a broom to clean my room!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
'Twas the Night Before Christmas" Mad Libs, part 2
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the (noun),
not a creature was stirring, not even a/an (noun).
The (plural noun) were tucked, all snug
in their (plural noun),
while visions of (adjective) plums danced in their
heads.
Then up on the (noun) there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my (noun) to see what was the matter.
It was St. Nicholas with his little (adjective) belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of (plural
noun).
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the (plural noun), then turned with a
jerk.
And laying his (noun) aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the (noun) he rose.
I heard him exclaim as he (past tense verb) out of
sight,
“(adjective) Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Word of the Day -- Final Test
A.
Match the words from the Words of the Day list
with its synonyms.
Forsooth Hysteria
Frenzy Unchangeable
Prevail Overcome
Blatherskite Wise
Immutable Truly
Sapient Chatterbox
B.
Circle the correct answer to complete the
sentence
1.
A soldier wearing a morion is protecting
a. his foot.
b. his elbow.
c. his thigh.
d. his head.
2.
The biddable maiden was known to be
a. a great auctioneer.
b. short and sassy.
c. docile and obedient.
d. always hungry.
3.
The aged abbot was employed by
a. a church.
b. a bakery.
c. a nanny.
d. a school.
4.
The
gaudiest dress was
a. excessively showy.
b. elegant.
c. boring.
d. plain and simple
5.
The
pesky brother liked to tease and _____________ his big sister.
a. snuggle with
b. nettle
c. sing to
d. comfort
6.
The
people heard ________ coming from the calliope.
a. a bark
b. laughter
c. music
d. birds
7.
The
angry King _______ his enemies.
a. kissed
b. tickled
c. smote
d. decorated
8.
The
offensive and disgusting dump was
a. meditative.
b. charitable.
c. benevolent.
d. noisome.
C.
Fill in the blank with the
missing words of the sentence.
1.
An expression of regret or sorrow is “ _______________.”
2.
A
person’s name that is peculiarly appropriate to an occupation or quality is an _____________________.
3.
A
thin piece of bread or toast spread with cheese is a ____________________ .
4.
A
knight might wear a ________________________ to protect himself.
5.
Hank
was not a magician but a __________________ mortal.
lackaday canape hauberk
aptronym mere
D.
True or False
________ 1. Dancers
must have a lot of rheumatism to be successful.
________ 2. A
person who has more than enough to eat and drink is living in privations.
________ 3. A
public affair or issue is considered res
publica.
________ 4. A
camarilla is a group of clowns.
________ 5. A
restaurateur owns a car rental agency.
E.
Match the words with their word origins.
Immutable Latin, gaudere, to rejoice
Gaudiest Greek, kallos “beauty” and opos “voice”
Canape Latin,
praevelere, to have greater power
Calliope Old English, biddan, to beg or ask
Sapient Latin,
sapiens, wise
Prevail Latin, immutabale, unchanging
Biddable Latin, canapeum, mosquito net
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 14 (December 10)
Greetings!
We had a wonderful class this, especially considering part of the class time was spent taking a test.
Before taking the test, the students did a Quick Write. December 10, 1896 was the day that Alfred Nobel died. He became the benefactor for the awards for the various Nobel Prizes. I asked the students to write about their favorite scientific advancements or inventions.
Following our Quick Write, we went right away to the Parts of Speech test. The first page of the test was identical to the pre-test they took before the student presentations. They worked hard and finished fairly quickly.
When they finished their tests, we discussed the rough drafts of the Comparison/Contrast Essays. Often when I hand back rough drafts I go over common errors that were made by the students. Many of these errors were comma related. I gave them the rubrics that I will use to evaluate the Final Drafts of the essays. When they finish their final drafts for next week, they are to evaluate their own essays using these.
Next week the students will take the Words of the Day test next week. Attached is the list for them to use to review. As I told them in class, the test will be a mix of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and matching questions. If they go over the words and are familiar with them they will do well. They don't need to feel that they should have them perfectly memorized.
Finally, I traditionally use the last week of class for a party, following the Words of the Day test, of course. I have some Christmas writing activities for us to do.
Assignments for Next Week:
-- Final Draft of Comparison/Contrast Essay
-- Rubric/ Self Evaluation for essay
-- Review Words of the Day
Links for this Week:
Have a great week!
See y'all on Thursday!
Mrs. Prichard
Words of the Day List
Week 1
apatronym -- a person's
name that is peculiarly appropriate to his/her occupation or character traits.
Week 2
forsooth -- fr. Ole English, sooth,
truth -- truly, verily (a comment or response)
morion -- fr. Old French & Spanish morro, round --
an open helmet from 16th/17th century
nettle -- fr.Old English, netele, stinging
plant -- to irritate or provoke
Week 3
Blatherskite -- fr. mid-17th century English -- a person
who talks at great length without making much sense
Biddable -- fr. Old English; biddan, to beg
or ask -- meekly ready to accept and follow instructions; docile and
obedient
Lackaday-- fr.late 17th century expression, "a
lack a day" -- an expression of regret, sorrow, dismay
Week 4
frenzy -- fr. Middle English -- a state or period of
uncontrollable excitement or behavior
hauberks -- fr. Middle English/Old
French/Frankish -- a long defensive shirt extending to the knees
smote -- fr. Middle English/ Old English -- to
strike or hit with hands or a weapon
Week 5
prophylactic-- fr. Greek -- adj.
describing something used to protect from disease
immutable—fr. Latin, immutabile (unchanging)
-- unchanging, unchangeable over time
profane-- fr. profanus (outside the
temple) -- characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles
or things; irreligious.
Week 6
abbott -- fr. Middle English -- a man who is the
superior in a church
rheumatism-- fr. Latin, fr. Greek -- any disorder of the
extremities, especially back and legs
mere -- fr. Middle English -- to be nothing more,
nor better than.
Week 7
prevail --fr. Latin, praevelere, to have
greater power -- to prove more powerful than opposing forces; to be victorious
privations -- fr. Latin, privat, deprived;
fr.M.E. -- a state in which things that are essential for human well-being
such as food and warmth are scarce or lacking
Week 8 -- No Words
Week 9
noisome -- fr. Middle English noy (a variant of annoy) -- offensive or
disgusting, as an odor
gaudiest -- fr. Latin, gaudere, "to rejoice" --
brilliant or excessively showy
sapient -- fr. Latin, sapiens, "wise" --
having or showing great wisdom
Week 10
res publica -- Latin, res, "thing,"
and publica, "of the public" -- a public affair, of or
belonging to the state or commonwealth
res non verba -- Latin, res,
"thing," non, "not," verba,
"words" -- deeds, not words
restaurateur -- French restaurater fr.
Latin restaurator, "restorer" -- the owner or manager or
a restaurant
Week 11 -- No Words
Week 12 -- No words
Week 13
calliope-- fr. Greek,
combining kallos "beauty"
and opos "voice"
-- a steam-powered pipe organ
camarilla--fr, Spanish, camarilla, "a small room" -- a
clique, a group of scheming advisors
canape -- fr. Latin,
canapeum, "mosquito net;" fr. French, canape "a sofa" -- a
thin piece of bread or toast or a cracker spread with cheese
Essay Rubric for Writing 2
Criterion
|
Beginning (0 - 2)
|
Developing (3 - 5)
|
Competent (6 - 8)
|
Advanced (9 - 10)
|
Focus: Thesis, Introduction, Conclusion
|
Specific
topic is unclear and no statement of an opinion or a stand.
No
introduction.
No
conclusion.
|
Thesis
statement expresses the topic but not an opinion or a stand.
Weak
introduction that states the topic but is missing a clear thesis. The focus
of the paper is unclear.
Conclusion
does not fully summarize the main points nor restates the thesis statement.
|
Thesis
statement includes the topic and expresses a stand or opinion.
Introduction
states topic and thesis and gives direction to the paper.
Conclusion
reiterates main points and restates the thesis statement.
|
Clearly-stated,
thoughtful & compelling thesis statement.
Strong
introduction with a thesis statement that grabs attention and directs the
course of the essay.
Strong
conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the thesis
statement. Satisfactorily wraps up the
essay.
|
Content
|
No
major points to support the thesis are included.
Few
details have been used.
Ideas
are disconnected.
|
Some
of the major points are covered.
Some
specific details are included. Lacks sufficient material to fully support
thesis.
|
All
major points are covered.
Appropriate
details are included with each point.
|
All
major points are thoroughly and insightfully discussed.
All
points are fully supported with strong details.
|
Organization
|
Ideas
are arranged randomly. There may be no
division of paragraphs.
|
Like
ideas are grouped together, and paragraphs are present, but ideas within may
not be organized logically.
Transitions
may be lacking.
|
An
apparent progression of ideas that allows the reader to move through the text
without confusion.
Sentences
with paragraphs are organized and flow smoothly
|
Expresses
a clear, logical sequence of ideas within paragraphs and throughout the
paper.
Sentences
within paragraphs flow smoothly with good use of transitions.
|
Mechanics
|
Frequent
errors, seriously impairs flow & meaning of paper
|
Errors
noticeable, and occasionally detract from flow or meaning of paper
|
Some
errors, which are minor in nature and don’t detract from overall meaning of
paper
|
Essentially
faultless; errors may result from risk-taking and do not detract from meaning
of paper.
|
Total Score – 40 possible
points
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 8 (October 22)
Greetings!
Here's the briefest Class Notes you'll probably ever get from me. I've been in a grading frenzy this week with papers from all of my students in all of my classes at both schools. Over 80 papers have needed my attention!
Assignments for THIS week:
Extended Definition or Classification Essay Rough Draft
Read Ch. 37 - 41 of A Connecticut Yankee
Answer 3 Study Guide Questions and do 5 Vocabulary Words
Verbs Presentation -- Corey, Faith, Abby
Friday, December 4, 2015
Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 13 (December 3)
Greetings!
As always, our class time was productive and enjoyable!
Our Quick Write this week was more on the thought-provoking side than the light-hearted side. December 1 marks the day when Mrs. Rosa Parks, and African-American, got on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama and refused to give up her seat for a white man. This provoked a lengthy boycott of the city buses, which eventually caused some segregation laws to be changed. I gave the students 3 options for writing: 1) What is something that they would consider boycotting; 2) What is something they would protest; or 3) What is on their Christmas list.
Our Words of the Day:
calliope-- fr. Greek, combining kallos "beauty" and opos "voice" -- a steam-powered pipe organ
camarilla--fr, Spanish, camarilla, "a small room" -- a clique, a group of scheming advisors
canape -- fr. Latin, canapeum, "mosquito net;" fr. French, canape "a sofa" -- a thin piece of bread or toast or a cracker spread with cheese
This is the last of our Words of the Day for this semester. The Words of the Day Test will be on Week 15 (December 17).
A large portion of the class was spent reviewing the 8 Parts of Speech. The students did a good job with their projects and in presenting to the class. Next week is the Post-Test. I've put on the blog and attached with this e-mail a Study Guide and Practice Worksheets. I projected the worksheet on the whiteboard and had students work as a class to review.
A reminder: Writing 2 is a year long class, but you must register for each semester. The registration for the Spring Semester is now open.
Assignments for Next Week:
-- Review the Parts of Speech
Links for this Week:
Class Notes
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Prichard
Parts of Speech Review Worksheets
NAME:
___________________________________________
Interjections Practice
Underline the
interjections in the following sentences:
1.
Aww, look at the cute
kitten.
2.
I missed the bus. Oh
well.
3.
Oops! She dropped that
expensive dish.
4.
Whoa, you need to slow down.
5.
No, there is no homework tonight.
Verbs Practice
Underline the
verbs in the following sentences.
1.
Our work has become harder this year.
2.
Elizabeth looked everywhere for her homework.
3.
This plant looks dead.
4.
Mrs. Jones called the doctor.
5.
Her son is sick.
Fill in a verb
for each of the following sentences:
1.
Jane __________________ the cake yesterday.
2.
My muscles __________________ after gardening.
3.
The police man
_____________________ the speeding driver.
4.
The little boy ___________________ in the river.
5.
Northfield __________________ my home.
Adjectives Practice
Underline the
verbs in the following sentences.
1.
My ancient grandfather wrote an insightful book about his
long time as a cattle rancher.
2.
The woman’s new wool coat sold for fifty dollars at the
neighborhood discount store.
3.
The tangy red ketchup on the grilled hamburger dripped on the
clean picnic table cloth.
4.
This smelly garbage in my uncle’s car is gross and
disgusting.
5.
My amazing essay was read by some appreciative students.
Fill in adjectives
for each of the blanks in the sentences below.
1.
My _____________________ book is both ______________ and
___________________.
2.
The _________________, ____________________ kitten slept on
the _______________ blanket.
3.
The ___________________________ weather ruined my
________________________ trip.
4.
My __________________________ sailboat on the
_______________________ lake was
_________________.
5.
The __________________________ student in the
_______________________ class studied for the
_______________________
test.
Conjunctions Practice
Circle the coordinating conjunctions in the
sentences below.
1.
I bought four books, for I love to read.
2.
I have many bookshelves, and I love to fill them with new and
used books.
3.
My sister doesn’t read many books, nor does she own as many
as I do.
4.
I offered to give her some books, but she didn’t want any.
5.
I will give my extra books to the library, or I might donate
them to the school.
Circle the subordinating conjunctions in the
following sentences.
1.
Because we bought too many books, our bookshelves are full.
2.
I will give some to you if you ask nicely.
3.
Whenever I get rid of books, I usually feel a little sad.
4.
My house will be cleaner after I get rid of these 20 boxes of
books.
5.
Although I try to stay away from book stores, I can’t help
it.
Adverbs Practice
Underline the adverbs in the following
sentences.
1.
The
horse raced speedily around the very crowded racecourse.
2.
The man
next to her coughed annoyingly all through the performance today.
3.
Katherine
accidentally deleted her files.
4.
We
silently watched the amazingly beautiful sunset.
5.
We will
all take that infuriatingly difficult test tomorrow.
Fill in adjectives for each of the blanks in
the sentences below.
1.
The boy
ran ______________________________
2.
Jackson ______________________________ finished his homework.
3.
I ______________________________ drove to the store.
4.
Corey
______________________________ handed in
his essay.
5.
The
team ______________________________ played the game.
Prepositions Practice
Put the prepositional phrases in parentheses
and underline the prepositions in the following sentences.
1.
The book
of pictures on the shelves is my favorite.
2.
Before lunch
I had a meeting of student writers.
3.
The man
in the yard threw the ball over the fence.
4.
I ate
the cookie with chocolate chips.
5.
She was
humming during the lecture about physics.
Fill in prepositions for each of the blanks
in the sentences below.
1.
The
muffin _____________ the table is mine.
2.
I put
the box ___________________ the chair.
3.
The
horse ran ___________________________
the road.
4.
My
papers fell ____________________ my
desk.
5.
She sat
______________________ the fireplace.
Pronouns Practice
Underline the pronouns in the following
sentences.
1.
Sally,
your mother needs you to call her.
2.
Steve
brought his own lunch because he is allergic to most foods.
3.
I have
strong opinions, but my sister doesn’t agree with them.
4.
The
amazing performance brought the crowd to its feet.
5.
You can
tell her because she will keep it a secret.
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