It's Elementary!

• Make sure DRAFT LETTERS are done.  Posted below essay.
• Finish watching Episode 1 of "Sherlock" and complete the accompanying worksheet.
• Introduction to Vocabulary Project:
• Who are you willing to work with?
• Which prompt are you interested in?
• Watch a demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl44b5LZ7sY&noredirect=1

Essays due in google

1. Color Code your essay (yes, ALL of it!)

• Thesis underlined
• Key words from prompt that are repeated in thesis, bold
• Topic sentences (in body paragraphs only), purple
• Try a reinforcement sentence? Green.
• Information (in body paragraphs only), italics
• Analysis (in body paragraphs only), red
• Repeated language from prompt in concluding sentences (body paragraphs), bold 
• Transitions, orange--CLICK for examples

2.  Make sure it's in Googledocs, name folder.  If you cut and paste from Pages, you lose the color :(

3. DRAFT LETTER.  Please include at the bottom of your essay.

Overview: It’s never a good feeling to get a paper back only to be criticized for something you already know isn’t going well, or worse, for something that you thought was pretty great. Your draft letter will give you the opportunity to tell your reader(s) what you think about your piece before it’s evaluated. As a teacher, it’s easier for me to help you improve when I know what you think about a particular assignment!  Please use reasons and examples to support your judgements.

Task: Write a letter addressed to your reader that reflects on several aspects of your writing. Here are some reflection questions to consider examining in your letter:

• What is your favorite part of this particular piece and why?
• Are there any weaknesses you see in this piece? Tell me about them.
• What techniques did you try which differed from your regular process?
• How does this piece compare to other pieces you have written?
• What difficulties did you encounter when creating this piece and why?
• What really worked in this piece? Why did it seem to work well?
• What’s one thing you would like to do to improve this piece, if only you knew how to do it?
• What do you think is the one thing a reader is most likely to take away from your piece?

You are free to respond to as many or as few of these as you wish. The goal is to think about your writing process and also evaluate what worked well and what didn’t.

Length: 250-350 words (ideally)

Format: Follow letter conventions (date, greeting, body, closing, and signature)

Scavenger Hunt! Revision Day #2!

Tasks in class:

• Underline thesis
• Bold key words from thesis that connect to the prompt.
• Make topic sentences purple
• Know who to change the font colors
• Do you know how to add notes?

Rules for scavenger hunt:

• Please walk to your destinations, quietly
• The focus is on achieving each task
• 6 stops, then back to room
• Don't go out of order! Hard to get back on track.

Essays are due next class, all polished up, in GoogleDocs!

Bring in evidence of writing center visit.

Revision Day #1 (Curious Incident Expository Essay)

1. TRIAC---> handy, handout
2. Blog post #3:
• While I am checking in on your individual rough drafts, please read the article on editing your own work.  CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE.
• Post on your personal blog the following 3-2-1 response:
• 3 things that stood out to you about editing a paper
• 2 Initial steps you will take to edit your own paper.
• 1 thought on peer editing (for or against? explain).  This is your own opinion and not related to the article.
3. Contribute to "Passage Bank" if you have not already.
4. Make a writing center appointment!  I would like everyone to visit once during this process.  You can go today, Tues, Wed, Thurs during your studyhall (and Friday  if you are 6/7W).  
• They will give you a sheet of paper confirming your visit :) Please keep and turn in with your essay.  This a screen shot of next week's appointments.
5. Edit your own paper using the process outlined in the article you read.

Final Essay due date: 

17th (3/4M & 6/7M) and 20th (6/7W)

Outlines due; Blog post #2

1. Blog post #2:
• While I am checking in on your individual outlines, please read the article on creating a strong thesis statement.  CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE.
• Post on your personal blog the following 3-2-1 response:
• 3 things that you already knew about writing papers/a thesis.
• 2 things you learned
• 1 question you still have
2. When you are done with your blog, please contribute to the "Passage Bank" on googledocs. All you have to do is type one of the passages you found to be helpful (look to any of your HW assignments) onto the group document and include the page number.  You DO NOT need to include why it was helpful.
3. Make a writing center appointment!  I would like everyone to visit once during this process.  You can go today, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th.  
4. Done with #1, #2, & #3? Work on your FIRST DRAFT due next class! 

Blog Post #1 & Outlining Final Essay

1. Homework check 158-end and Sheldon Cooper article/Blog post #1 (approx. 20 mins)

• FIRST: Read one of the articles below about Sheldon Cooper and autism.  Then...
• Article 1: http://www.autismdailynewscast.com/the-big-bang-controversy-is-sheldon-autistic/441/guest/
• Article 2: http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2014/08/13/why-our-autism-community-loves-sheldon-cooper
• Article 3: http://www.komonews.com/news/health/Local-experts-weigh-the-impact-of-autistic-characters-on-television-225363292.html
• SECOND: Write your first blog post...on your blog!...and respond to the following:
• Summarize what the article said 
• Add  your own opinion on the wether or not Sheldon appears to have autism (essentially, agree or disagree with the article). Use specific examples for support.
• Explain the steps one would take to be evaluated for autism.
• Use ONE of our vocabulary words somewhere in your write up.

2. What do you already know about Expository Essays??? FILL OUT THIS FORM.

3. Going beyond the 5 Paragraph Essay Keynote.

4. Pick an outline; complete some sort of outline for homework. Printed out & given in class.  Click here for digital copies.

• Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
• Basic Essay Outline (bullet points)
• Other (your choice)

Autism Worksheet & Big Bang Theory

1. Autism Article: Overview 
2. Fill out worksheet....Could Sheldon have autism? based on the related article/
1. Christopher Boone (Curious Incident)
2. Temple Grandin
3. Watch Big Bang Theory episode 
1. Add to your third column
4. Reading Time: Get to END by next class