Thursday, March 21, 2013

Senior English--3/25/2013

Jump Off
--Pick up the sample essay entitled "..." and a highlighter from the front table (BLOCK 1).
--Take out all of your "stations" notes from two classes ago.  Spend the first five minutes of class studying your notes quietly and independently, as an assessment based on the stations will occur today during class (BLOCK 4).

S. the C.  
--The due date for submitting a revised writing piece for the Cumulative Writing Portfolio is March 27th (this Wednesday).
--Reminder: Any writing piece that has already received a score of 80% or higher can be  kept in your portfolio, as mastery has already been demonstrated.  
--agenda/HW
--when writing your essay, make sure to (BLOCK 1):
    • properly format in MLA style
    • include all the essentials of a sound argument (e.g., an introduction that looks to "hook" the reader, a strong thesis statement that clearly states a claim and previews the main topics of the essay, counterargument and refutation paragraph[s] as per the materials from two classes ago, etc.) and avoid fallacies
    • use a variety of grammatically correct signal phrases
    • use a mix of summarized, paraphrased, and directly quoted source material, carefully avoiding plagiarism in the process
    • properly use parenthetical references that match your Works Cited page
    • constantly tie back to your thesis statement via well-reasoned, logical explanations
    • deftly incorporate Sadlier-Oxford Level G vocabulary words (but, of course, don't overdo it!)
    • follow the conventions of standard written English (especially guarding against errors related to the "big three")
    • not make any of the same mistakes you made when writing your Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay--"Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time"--Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw
Writing Workshop -- Arguing for a Position Research Paper--Final Sample Essay (BLOCK 1)
--purposefully read "..."--highlighting/annotating as per list above

"Stations" Activity -- Arguing for a Position Research Paper--Creating/Improving Content (BLOCK 4)
--hold up folder and preview contents of final "station"
--mindfully complete the final "station"
--independent work time--completing the "Want to Know" column--What would you like Mr. Martin to clarify prior to today's assessment?
--Mr. Martin (hopefully) quenches the thirst for knowledge 

Assessment -- Arguing for a Position Research Paper--Skills Assessment (BLOCK 4)
--complete the assessment quietly and independently

Transition -- grab a computer and get logged in for today's work block (BLOCK 1/4) 

Writing Workshop -- Arguing for a Position Research Paper
--brainstorm a list of goals for today's block:
  • work on making Works Cited page
  • use your outline to write your essay, making sure to:
    • properly format in MLA style
    • include all the essentials of a sound argument (e.g., an introduction that looks to "hook" the reader, a strong thesis statement that clearly states a claim and previews the main topics of the essay, counterargument and refutation paragraph[s] as per the materials from last class, etc.) and avoid fallacies
    • use a variety of grammatically correct signal phrases
    • use a mix of summarized, paraphrased, and directly quoted source material, carefully avoiding plagiarism in the process
    • properly use parenthetical references that match your Works Cited page
    • constantly tie back to your thesis statement via well-reasoned, logical explanations
    • deftly incorporate Sadlier-Oxford Level G vocabulary words (but, of course, don't overdo it!)
    • follow the conventions of standard written English (especially guarding against errors related to the "big three")
    • not make any of the same mistakes you made when writing your Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay--"Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time"--Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw
**DURING THE WORK BLOCK, MEETINGS WITH MR. MARTIN WILL OCCUR (ORDER ESTABLISHED VIA DRAWING OF CARDS) FOR TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE ANALYSIS ESSAY REVISIONS AND/OR CHECKING PROGRESS OF THE ARGUING FOR A POSITION RESEARCH PAPER**

Closure -- Assign Yourself HW
--write down, put in your phone, etc. (whatever you do to remember!) what you need to do in order to progress through the research assignment 
--share out (time permitting)

HW
--If you need to revise for the Cumulative Writing Portfolio, think about when you might schedule an appointment with Mr. Martin (the sooner, the better, especially since time is running out!).  See the list of office hours handed out early in the school year for Mr. Martin's availability.  Additionally, we can use class time on Wednesday to conduct meetings.  YOU MUST MEET WITH MR. MARTIN--YOU CANNOT JUST HAND YOUR WORK IN, DROP IT IN HIS MAILBOX, ETC.  The due date for submission is March 27th (this Wednesday).
--Continue progressing through the Arguing for a Position Research Paper assignment as per the homework that you assigned for yourself.  We will most likely not have computer access again between now and the due date.  This assignment, a Cumulative Writing Portfolio piece and the final major writing assignment of your Livonia High School English career, is due on April 11th.  You will receive the scoring rubrics next class.  Make it a point to do your absolute BEST WORK the first time around so that we have less work to do between now and the end of the school year!
--We have HOOKED ON BOOKS next class--make sure to bring something good that you want to read (your Barnes & Noble book[s] if you played your cards right!)!!!