Welcome to class today!

Welcome to class today!  I am happy to see all of you!
Unfortunately, I have almost no voice today, and cannot speak well above a whisper... so, this will be an interesting class period!  In the absence of my voice, we are going to do the following:

1.  Take some time to study vocabulary words, by creating a list of examples of these words "in action" in our readings of the past unit.  This can be done independently or in small groups--20 minutes for this activity.  You will look for examples of each word applied to or found within:
Eudora Welty's "Listening to Words"
Frederick Douglass' "Learning to Read and Write"
Malcolm X's "Learning to Read"
David Brown's "The Importance of Words" and other essays on writing
"Word Power for Babies" from Reader's Digest

2.  Read our final two pieces for this unit:
 "Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie (respond to the two questions at the end with paragraph responses, supported with direct references to Alexie's piece)
"We Can't Teach Students to Love Reading" by Alan Jacobs (respond with your agreement or refusal of at least two of his claims, supporting your ideas with reference to his piece and/or your own experiences in the subject)

For homework, complete the readings above and contemplate memoir project paper 1: what I learned from this memoir.  The planning for this paper should be completed for Thursday and will be checked and reviewed at that time.  Drafting time will be provided for a portion of the class period on Thurs.

Weekend work

This weekend, please work on finishing your memoir book and studying vocabulary words.  To help you study some of the vocabulary words, I have put together this document for you, compiled from segments of different sites that may also be of use to you.  Please use, if you would like, to help clarify word meanings and examples from literature.
Have a good weekend!

The Importance of Words

Read "The Importance of Words" and one other selected essay from the "writing about writing" section of David L. Brown's blog.
1.  While reading, record claims and main ideas that Brown is bringing across to his audience.
2.  At the end of each essay, record what new things you learned about him as a writer from this essay.
3.  At the conclusion of both your readings, write about at least two ideas given in EACH article (4 ideas total) that connected to you personally and/or made you think about the topic on a deeper level.

Next, read "Word Power for Babies" from Reader's Digest 11/2014
1.  While reading, note ideas of strong interest or importance to you.
2.  At the end of reading, write about at least two claims made in this article that further teach us about the significance of language in human development.


Then, dive in and do a "data swim," looking for more info. on these topics.  Explore all the great ways that words, language, and communication have shaped our world!  Create a short keynote with images and words describing what you have learned that is exciting and interesting about the role of language in the world today!

Over Thanksgiving break...

1.  Read in memoir and complete third reader response by Monday, 12/1 (submit via email).
2.  Continue to update quotation log and log of voice/persona development--progress check on Monday, 12/1.
3.  Work on scaffolding plan and rough draft for creative writing piece, due by Wednesday, 12/3.
Use this description sheet to begin scaffolding plan.

For Tuesday, 11/25...

Discuss with your parents how you learned to read. Since they will probably have a stronger recollection of this experience than you do, ask them about how you learned to interpret and read letters and words, what types of questions you asked, what you were most interested in as far as particular books, stories you liked to be told (even if they were not read to you, just told by a family member), or what your favorite reading spots were when you were younger.
This is meant to be a fun activity, not stressful! If you are uncomfortable asking your parents, or if they do not have strong memories of the occasion, try to remember for yourself a time when you read something that made your imagination take flight or just made you feel alive and interested in another world.
Please bring these stories and experiences with you to class tomorrow to share (they need not be written down, just committed to memory well enough to be retold), and, if possible, the book or a few books that you enjoyed reading as a child!

Enjoy memoir reading time!

Enjoy your snow day and extra reading time for your memoir!
Remember, your next reader response is due on Thursday.
See you tomorrow!

Synthesis Prompt Creation for Social Issues

Use this document for help in the creation of a synthesis essay prompt to go along with the social issues topic highlighted in pink on your card from class today.  Please complete your synthesis essay prompt for homework this evening to the best of your ability.  Be sure you at least have your six sources ready to link to your document, even if the prompt is problematic for you.