English 9--11/26/2013

Jump Off
--Pick up the "Common Error: Missing comma in a complex sentence/unnecessary comma before a subordinating conjunction" sheet from the front table. Read the front of the sheet quietly, independently, and purposefully, and then complete the back of the sheet as directed.  Good luck!
--Mr. Martin will be around to A.) return your "Comma Splice/Sentence Combining Assessment" from 11/7/2013, B.) check for understanding on the task at hand, and C.) ask a few of you to write your sentences up on the front board.

S. the C.
--During today's class, we will work on:

• demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing. THIS STANDARD WILL BE SELF-ASSESSED IN CLASS TODAY AS PART OF THE GRAMMAR HAMMER MINI-LESSON, INFORMALLY ASSESSED VIA THE CLOSURE PIECE, AND OFFICIALLY ASSESSED NEXT CLASS VIA A QUIZ.

--During today's class, we will continue working on:

• developing and strengthening writing as needed by revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
• writing routinely over extended time frames, including time for reflection and revision.

--As part of today's closure piece, Mr. Martin is assessing your ability to:

• use accurately domain-specific words, sufficient for reading and writing at the college and career readiness level.

--Mr. Martin shares list of students needing to revise for the Cumulative Writing Portfolio--Would anyone like to schedule a meeting for a time slot during Mr. Martin's office hours (posted up on the front board)?

--The due date for submission is Friday, 12/20/2013 (approximately 3.5 weeks from today).

--Reminder: Any writing piece that has already received a score of 80% or higher can be given back to Mr. Martin for submission ASAP.
--agenda/HW
--If you have a blue circle at the top of your returned grammar assessment, that means that you missed #1.  Today's grammar hammer instruction directly relates to #1 where the correct version is a complex sentence with a subordinating conjunction (WUBAIS) between two independent clauses.

Mini-Lesson -- GRAMMAR HAMMER: Missing Comma in a Complex Sentence (before an Independent Clause)/Unnecessary Comma before a Subordinating Conjunction (WUBAIS)

--view 0:00-0:43 and 1:11-3:31 of the following video from TEDEd:

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/comma-story-terisa-folaron

--essential questions for going over today's grammar work with the comma:

• How does the WUBAIS acronym work?
• If complex sentences are formed by combining two complete sentences, what constitutes a complete sentence?
• What is a dependent clause, and how does a dependent clause differ from an independent clause?
• When do writers need a comma when using a WUBAIS word or WUBAIS words to combine two sentences?
• When do writers not need a comma when using a WUBAIS word or WUBAIS words to combine two sentences?

--answer essential questions/work with sample sentences written up on the front board
--Closure

• contextualize today's grammar work with the comma:
• A comma rule that should be mastered at this point is the following: Comma splices are bad! A comma alone is not strong enough to combine two complete sentences!
• Five useful methods exist for fixing comma splices. Using all of these sentence combining methods within your writing creates sentence variety (which improves the "Language Use" aspect of your writing!). 
• One method of combining sentences is adding a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS word) after the comma in order to create a compound sentence.  The comma rules pertaining to FANBOYS words should also be mastered at this point.
• Another method of combining sentences is adding a subordinating conjunction (WUBAIS word) before one of the two independent clauses.  Depending on where the subordinating conjunction is added, a comma either is or is not needed.
• Two common errors exist when it comes to using WUBAIS words. Avoid making these errors by learning the rules (which improves the "Conventions" aspect of your writing!)!
• answer the following essential question/work with paragraph projected up on the front board: How can I RE-READ and revise for WUBAIS errors?

--For HW, prepare for the quiz based on today's grammar work about WUBAIS words, which will take place at the beginning of next class. You will be presented with sentences that are either incorrect or correct as written, and in instances where sentences are written incorrectly, you will need to find and fix the errors.  You will also be asked to create a few of your own complex sentences.

Transition
--resubmit your "Comma Splice/Sentence Combining Assessment"
--pick up your Unit #4 vocabulary quiz
--pick up your "Paragraph Writing--Skills Assessment Rubric" and Cumulative Writing Portfolio from Mr. Martin at the front table

Writing Workshop (cont.) -- "The Lady or the Tiger?" Well-Developed Paragraph Response
Feedback Analysis--Phase Two
--after reading the top half of the sheet aloud, Mr. Martin models use of the rubric with a student sample
--independent work time--during this time, students with specific questions can continue meeting with Mr. Martin as per the order established on the front board
--Transition -- when finished, submit your completed "Paragraph Writing--Skills Assessment Rubric" and your Cumulative Writing Portfolio
Revisions Work Time
--continue paragraph revisions:

• RE-READ and revise for WUBAIS errors
• deftly add in a Unit #4 vocabulary word
• Etc.

Closure -- "On my next writing assignment, I will make sure to..."

• Based on the self-reflection completed over the course of the last three classes, specifically complete the sentence-starter above on a scrap of paper.
• You must properly use at least one Unit #4 vocabulary word somewhere within what you write.
• You must use a WUBAIS word puctuated properly somewhere within what you write.
• WHEN FINISHED, SUBMIT YOUR SCRAP OF PAPER TO MR. MARTIN. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME IS INCLUDED.  ALSO, TURN IN YOUR UNIT #4 VOCABULARY QUIZ.

TIME PERMITTING

Looking Ahead -- Odyssey Unit
--view TEDEd video titled "What Makes a Hero?" for the gist--be ready to share out once we've finished viewing the video:
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-makes-a-hero-matthew-winkler

--share out--create a bulleted list on the front board of items that resonated when viewing for the gist
--briefly preview our next steps

HW

--HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND MEANINGFUL BREAK!
--The due date for submitting a revised "The Lady or the Tiger?" Well-Developed Paragraph Response for the Cumulative Writing Portfolio is Friday, 12/20/2013 (approximately 3.5 weeks from today)--YOU MUST schedule a meeting with Mr. Martin to go over your revisions; simply handing in the revisions is unacceptable as per the protocol. When time permits, meetings can/will occur during class time.

--Mr. Martin will be after school today if you'd like to stay and work on revisions. Be proactive!
--Prepare for the quiz based on today's grammar work about WUBAIS words, which will take place at the beginning of next class. You will be presented with sentences that are either incorrect or correct as written, and in instances where sentences are written incorrectly, you will need to find and fix the errors. You will also be asked to create a few of your own complex sentences.