Again, another great class. This group of students brings a lot of positive energy and attitudes to the class. The prompts for our Quick Write today were taken from the National Days Calendar: National Video Game Day, National Day of Encouragement, and National Milkshake Day. As always, if none of those options triggered any productive thinking or writing, students could write about something else. We had good discussions about all three topics.
This week's Words of the Day came from the students and included:
taciturn--adjective-- fr. Latin, taciturnus, tacitis, to be silent -- temperamentally disinclined to talk
outward-- adjective-- fr. Old English, utweard, out-- moving, directed, or turned to the outside or away from the center
and-- conjunction-- fr. German, und, and-- along, together, in addition to
During the Writing portion of today's class I collected the final drafts of their Personal Essays. For all of the essays that they will write they are required to hand in the rough drafts with the final drafts so that I can see the specific changes. Those who didn't do that in class this week can send me a picture or scanned version of their rough drafts with my corrections. A couple of students mentioned that they had thrown away their rough drafts, so I will correct their papers without them. I also reminded them that they SHOULD NOT throw away any work from this class until the end of the semester; they should also save all of their essays until the end of the year.
In Writing 2, as soon as students finish one paper we start another. Their new assignment is a Process Essay. The topics for this essay can be something simple and every day or something complicated and more abstract. For example, they can write about tying their shoes of about the process of becoming more like Jesus.
As we discussed the topics, we also considered thesis statements. I introduced my equation for a thesis statement and a template for thesis statements that include a plan for development.
Equation:
As we discussed the topics, we also considered thesis statements. I introduced my equation for a thesis statement and a template for thesis statements that include a plan for development.
Equation:
Topic/Subject+ Opinion/StandThesis Statement
Template:
(topic/stand) is/are (opinion/stand) because (reason #1) , (reason #2) , and (reason #3) .
We also took time to discuss the elements of an introduction and conclusion. The introduction should include a hook, a thesis statement, and a "road map." The conclusion mirrors the introduction and should restate the thesis, summarize the main points, and leave parting thoughts with the reader.
Our Grammar topic for this week, complete and compound sentences, was tabled due to our longer discussion about the next paper and our literature discussion. When I write the course schedule for the class, I do it in a way that can be flexible. (Most of the students didn't mind having the grammar homework. 
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For our literature discussion, I introduced the final book project for My Antonia. The book project is due at the end of the book, but I want students to have plenty of time to work on it. Some of students were getting excited about some of their ideas; they have permission to do work as a group as long as they divide the work evenly. Students were given a proposal form that they will need to fill out and have you sign. I love these projects because it gives students room to be creative.
Assignments for Next Week
-- Read p. 70 - 94 of My Antonia
-- 3 Reader Responses
-- 5 Vocabulary Words
-- Process Essay Rough Draft
-- Preparation for your book project
Links for This Week
Class Notes
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Mrs. Prichard
