English 9--4/28/2017 & 5/1/2017

Jump Off (20-30 mins.)
--Please pick up a copy of each of the following assessments from the front table: 

• "Unit #6 Quiz" (vocabulary)
• "Divergent Unit--CHAPTER FOUR-CHAPTER SIX--Did You Read? Quiz"

Back at your assigned seat, complete each of the assessments quietly and independently.  Good luck! :)
*AS YOU WORK, I WILL COME AROUND AND HAND BACK YOUR THESIS STATEMENTS WRITTEN ON INDEX CARDS AT THE END OF LAST CLASS BLOCK.*

--When you finish each assessment, place your document facedown on the floor next to your desk.  Once you have finished both assessments, choose from the following "to-do" list:

• read the next section of Divergent (Be aware, though, that if time permits, I will begin reading this section aloud at the end of the class block!)
• engage in free reading
• continue progressing through the essay-writing process

--Please SEE ME before leaving class today:

• Betsy M.

S. the C. (12-15 mins.)
--trade and grade--scored assessments returned to test-takers for self-reflection purposes--scored assessments collected
--Reminder: It is important for you to stay caught up with regard to all of your coursework.  It is in your best interest to check the blog and SchoolTool often.  Additionally, if you have an "INC" for a Marking Period, following up with me ASAP would be wise!
--agenda/HW

Transition (2-3 mins.)
--Please pick up the "Sample Thesis Statement and 'So What?!'" document from the front table.
--Please take out each of the following documents: 

• "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet End-of-Unit Essay" (assignment sheet)
• "End-of-Unit Essay--Procedures List #1"
• "End-of-Unit Essay--Procedures List #2"

Also, take out anything else that you need to move forward in the writing process (e.g., the Parsons text, additional notes, etc.).

Writing Workshop -- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet End-of-Unit Essay (25-35 mins.)

--Reminder: THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE WRITING PROCESS, I WILL MODEL WITH THE FOLLOWING ESSAY QUESTION:

• WHO IS A BETTER FRIEND TO ROMEO, BENVOLIO OR MERCUTIO?  SO WHAT?!*

--rationale behind "Sample Thesis Statement and 'So What?!'" document
--oral reading of "Sample Thesis Statement and 'So What?!'" document
--Q & A/three "so what?!"s shared by student volunteers
--Transition--pick up a copy of the "End-of-Unit Essay--Procedures List #3" document from the front table
--purposeful oral reading of part one of Step 8
--modeling/Q & A
--quiet and independent work time--thesis statement improvement (part one of Step 8)
--purposeful oral reading of part two of Step 8
--modeling/Q & A
--quiet and independent work time--beginning to outline (part two of Step 8)
--purposeful oral reading of Step 9
--modeling/Q & A
--Transition--pick up a copy of the "A Paragraph's a Paragraph's a Paragraph!" document from the front table
--quiet and independent work time

HW Time -- Veronica Roth's Divergent CHAPTER SEVEN & CHAPTER EIGHT: Oral "Gist" Reading (time permitting)

Before You Leave
--pick up additional paragraph outlining templates from the front bookshelf
--pick up "Writing Introductions" document from the front bookshelf

HW (Class Preparation)
--"Gist" read up to the end of CHAPTER EIGHT of Divergent (pg. 90).  This might include completing one or both of the following tasks: 

• asking yourself the "Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How" questions every five pages and jotting down related notes on lined paper
• jotting down notes on Post-its related to important characters, plot events, contrasts and contradictions, etc. and sticking the Post-its to the corresponding pages in the book

--Though you are not required to do anything other than read the next 30 pages of Divergent--you do not need to take notes--, a six-question "Did You Read?" assessment similar to today's will occur at the beginning of class next time (Tuesday, 5/2 [ACE] or Wednesday, 5/3 [BDF]).  If you have completed a successful "gist" reading, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)
--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class  if time permits you to do so.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
HW (Class Preparation/Writing)
--Continue progressing through your essay-writing process in whatever manner you see fit.

• You should definitely finish outlining your first body paragraph, and in order to continue moving forward, you should strongly consider...
• outlining all of your body paragraphs  
• beginning to think about writing your introduction.  How will you "hook" your reader?

The final version of your essay (your absolute best effort) is still tentatively due at the beginning of class on Thursday, 5/4 (ACE) or Friday, 5/5 (BDF).

On the backburner:

• continuing to address board items for the essay
• analyzing results of self-assessment
• zeroing in on Divergent reading purposes