Aim: How do we analyze Chino's character in Bodega

Dreams?      

Do Now: Journal Prompt #4: The future
What are your dreams for the future? Explain in one well-organized paragraph.

What kind of person do you think Chino is based on what you know about him so far? What are Chino’s dreams? How do they involve other people? How do you connect to Chino? How will Chino’s narration influence your interpretation of the story? There is another round of guided reading questions to complete with Round 2.

Yesterday we discussed Point of View as a literary element and began reading Bodega Dreams. By now you know that the novel is told in First Person Point of View. Chino is the narrator. Today we will discuss Chino's character. Can we believe him as a narrator?

Here are some critical questions to think about today:

What's due

• Best Credo for grade and editing sheets.

• Second Credos (for classwork and homework points).

• Independent reading book 

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Greetings From Spanish Harlem

Aim: How do we analyze our first impressions of some major themes, ideas and characters in Bodega Dreams?      

Do Now: Take the anticipation survey as you listen to the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. It is not necessary to complete the final reflection at this time.
Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

• Analyze which survey questions do you think connect to which characters based on what you know about them so far?

• How and when does the end justify the means?

• When does loyalty come before love?

• How do you think the characters might help develop ideas or themes in the novel?

What's due

• Best Credo for grade and editing sheets.

• Second Credos (for classwork and homework points).

• Independent reading book

·       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Today we begin a new unit titled Responsibilities, Choices, and Consequences, based on the novel Bodega Dreams. The setting is Spanish Harlem. The survey questions concern some major ideas and themes in the novel. We are just measuring your attitudes and beliefs at this point in time. We will save it for the end of the unit to see how your attitudes and beliefs change after reading the novel. To take the survey here, see Pages.

Today you will also meet some characters and think about how these characters might relate to ideas or themes in the novel. If you missed class, see me about getting your character postcard.

Here are some critical questions to think about today:

Today's Agenda
I. Survey!
II. Barometer
III. Postcard Introductions
IV. Final Reflection/Closing

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Plot (Conflict) and Theme in Literature

Aim: How do we analyze plot and theme in literature?       

Journal Prompt #5: "Conflict and Theme"
Describe a major conflict in your life. Then, describe a major theme (idea) of your life. Journal responses should be at least one well-organized paragraph.

Today is Literature Circle. There will be a presentation on Types of Conflict and Theme in Literature. After the mini-lesson, apply what you learned to the main character in your independent reading book. In other words, respond to today's journal prompt once again, only this time as it relates to the main character in your book. This response should be at least two-paragraphs and as always, it should be supported with specific and relevant evidence from the text.

Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini-lesson: Conflict and Theme
III. Writing Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• Final Credos and editing sheets are due. Second credos should be submitted for classwork points.
• Independent reading book

Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.

Aim: How do we share our Credos?       

Journal Prompt #1: "My Credo"
What does your Credo say about you, your point of view, and your thinking? Explain in at least one well-organized paragraph.

Today is Sharing Day. You are invited to read your Credos to the class in a caring, nurturing environment. Everyone who reads their Credo will receive five bonus points. The first person to share receives ten points.

Final Credos must be typed, double-spaced 12 pt. font, and at at least one-page long. Email them to msbecker4@gmail.com.

For inspiration, you can listen to or read a multitude of personal essays at this Web site. 


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Sharing protocols
III. Credo Sharing
IV. Closing

What's due

• Final Credos are due.
• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Aim: How do we evaluate our best Credo?       

Journal Prompt #1: "My best work"
What makes your best work your best work? Explain.

We hope you have had fun writing about your beliefs. We also hope they are not all serious. Some beliefs are beliefs that remind you to stop and have fun. For example, I believe that pretzels and ice cream are a marriage made in heaven.

Today you should be completely focused on your best Credo--editing, revising, polishing it before you submit it for your performance task. Don't forget that you must submit proof that you were edited (peer editing worksheet) along with your Credo or points will be deducted. An editing sheet showing that you edited someone will count toward classwork points. The credo you do not turn in for a grade will also count toward classwork points.

Final Credos must be typed, double-spaced 12 pt. font, and at at least one-page long. Sharing Day is Wednesday.

For inspiration, you can listen to or read a multitude of personal essays at this Web site. 


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Focusing on the best
III. Writing Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• Final Credos are due on Wednesday for Sharing Day.
• Journals are being collected for 1st Marking Period grade.
• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Second of Two Credos

Aim: How do we begin our second Credo?       

Journal Prompt #10: "Second Credo"
Explain something you learned from writing your first credo. How will this change your approach to your second credo?

Today you should begin your second credo. Think about what you learned from writing your first and use that experience to make this one even better. Remember, personal essays are no different from Regents essays in terms of writing. Credos still must be organized and developed. Opinions always must be supported with evidence and/or examples and analysis.

Planning, revising, and editing is always part of the process so continue to work with a peer editor. Use the peer editing worksheet to guide your editing.

You will submit the best of your two Credos for a project grade. Final Credos must be typed, double-spaced 12 pt. font at at least one-page long. Sharing Day is Wednesday.

For inspiration, you can listen to or read a multitude of personal essays at this Web site. 


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Trying new approaches
III. Writing Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• Final Credos are due on Wednesday for Sharing Day.
• Journals are being collected for 1st Marking Period grade.
• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Peer Editing

Aim: How do we plan, revise, and edit our first Credo?       

Journal Prompt #8: "Help!"
Explain something you need help with in writing your first Credo. Topic? Direction? Audience? How to start? Please explain your confusion or challenge as completely as possible.

Someone once said that writing is 90% re-writing. It's never too early to begin the editing process. Today we will pair up with editors to help shepherd our first Credos. Use your editor to help you brainstorm, re-write, develop--whatever you need. See pages for a copy of the peer editing worksheet. When you turn in your Credo for a grade, you must also submit evidence that you have been edited. In other words, the peer editing worksheet.

For inspiration, you can listen to or read a multitude of personal essays at this Web site. 


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Peer Editing
III. Writing Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• First Credo is due by end of day Friday
• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Aim: How do we begin writing our first Credo?       

A credo written on a new bike path I was riding on Tuesday!

Journal Prompt #8: "Yourself"
Do you believe in yourself? Why or why not? Explain in at least one well-organized paragraph.

Today we will begin writing our first Credos. There is a handout with some suggested DRAPE strategies for beginning your Credo. They are just suggestions. You can follow any of them or none of them. The point is to just start writing. You can always go back and polish your intro after you have a better idea on where you are taking your Credo. Things always come into more focus the more you write.

For inspiration, you can listen to or read a multitude of personal essays at this Web site. 


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. How to begin a Credo
III. Writing Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• First Credo is due by end of day Friday
• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)
• Engrade account and message

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Listening to the Credos of Others

Aim: How do we analyze Credos for effectiveness?

Journal Prompt #7: "Forgiveness"
Do you believe in forgiveness? Why or why not?

Today we will evaluate a selection of Credos and personal essays. You can listen to or read a multitude of personal essays at this Web site. If you missed class, you will be able to download the worksheet from Engrade.

As you listen to or read the Credos of others, consider these critical questions:

• What are the values and beliefs the author feels strongly about and why?
• How do you infer the author lives his/her life guided by these values and beliefs?
• How did s/he arrive at this belief?
• Was the belief expressed effectively? Why or why not?

Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. How to evaluate a Credo
III. Listening and Reading Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)
• Engrade account and message

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Aim: How do we analyze the Credo assignment?

Journal Prompt #6: "Core Belief or Value"
Write at least one well-organized paragraph explaining a core belief or value that is important to you and why.

Today we will distribute the first Credo assignment, rubric and worksheet. If you missed class, you will be able to download the documents from Engrade.

As you contemplate the topic of your first of two Credos, consider these critical questions:

• What are the values and beliefs I feel strongly about and why?
• How do I live my life guided by these values and beliefs?
• How did I arrive at my beliefs?
• How do I effectively express/explain/persuade readers about my beliefs?

Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Credos: The Assignment
III. Writing Workshop
IV. Closing

What's due

• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)
• Engrade account and message

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Finding The Words That Guide Our Lives

Aim: How do we identify words/quotes/ideas we live by?

Journal Prompt #4: Select one of the remaining writing prompts on the handout and respond in at least one well-organized paragraph. Don't forget to support your opinion with well-chosen examples or evidence.

We are back online! Did anybody miss us? The last few days in preparation for writing our credos, we've been exploring our beliefs and values with different writing activities. Today, we are having "silent" group conversations. We'll look at a lot of quotations and sayings and then write a short reflection on one that particularly resonates with you. That will start the conversation with the person to the left of you, who will read what you wrote and respond in writing. This conversation can go on and on as long as it is written, not spoken.

If you miss this class or if you have an interest in hearing some personal essays for ideas check out the This I Believe Web site.

Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini lesson: How to Converse Silently
III. Silent Conversation
IV. Closing

What's due

• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem (Overdue)
• Engrade account and message

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Personal Essay Writing

Friday's Publishing Party

Aim: How do we identify and analyze personal essays?

Journal Prompt #1: Select one of the writing prompts on the handout and respond in at least one well-organized paragraph. Don't forget to support your opinion with well-chosen examples or evidence.

What is a Credo? It's a personal essay. What is a personal essay? That is what we will think about today. We have three examples to read: a personal essay, a personal narrative, and a personal memoir. The personal essay often combines elements of both the narrative and the memoir. As we analyzed the essential questions of the Credo unit last week, most students seemed to agree that our personal beliefs and values are shaped in some ways by other people, our communities, and our experiences. So it makes sense that a personal essay often has elements of both the narrative and memoir.

In the interest of efficiency, we will break up into "jigsaw" groups with one essay assigned to each group. There is a graphic organizer to complete (by each student) and a short reflection at the end of class.

If you miss this class or if you have an interest in hearing more personal essays check out the This I Believe Web site.

Students are required to have journals by today.


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini lesson: The Personal Essay
III. Group readings
IV. Group presentations
IV. Closing

What's due

• Independent reading book
• "Where I'm From" poem
• "Where I'm From" self-evaluation
• Engrade account and message

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.


Final drafts of  poems are overdue. This is your first project of the semester so it will count as 33% of your grade so far in this class.

Publishing Day!

Aim: How do we self-evaluate and publish our "Where I'm From" poems?

Do Now: In your journals which you should have by now, write a well-organized paragraph evaluating your poem, supporting your opinion with specific and relevant evidence. Even if you have not turned in your poem, you must respond to this journal prompt.

Note: Each Journal entry must have the date, journal prompt #, and title.

It's Publishing Day! All of your hard work will result in "Where I'm From" books created by you and containing all of the student-created poems.

Students are required to have journals by Monday.


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini lesson: How to publish a book
III. Publishing Party
IV. Closing

What's due

• Editing sheets
• "Where I'm From" poem
• Where I'm From self-evaluation
• Engrade account and message
• Well-organized paragraph worksheets
• Essential questions worksheet (Group work)

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Publishing Day for "Where I'm From" poems is today!!!!!
Final drafts of  poems are overdue. This is your first project of the semester so it will count as 33% of your grade so far in this class.

Charting and Presenting

Aim: How do we evaluate our group paragraphs?

Do Now: Re-assemble into your groups from yesterday. If you were not here, see me for your assignment.

Today the groups will chart and present their well-organized paragraphs on the essential questions of the Credo unit. You might want to organize your paragraphs like this:

M I strongly feel that you should follow your beliefs in life regardless of whether someone is watching what you do. E For example, I believe stealing is wrong under any circumstances. It makes no difference to me if someone takes his or her eyes away from the proverbial cash register. Even if someone were able to guarantee to me that I would never get caught or suffer consequences for stealing, it would not change my mind. A My sense of right and wrong is not influenced by consequences or what people might think of me as a person. The rightness of something has nothing to do with how many people are there to watch it.

L The true mark of an honest person is how you live your life when nobody’s watching.

Students are required to have journals by Monday.


Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini lesson: Charting your paragraphs
III. Group presentations
IV. Closing

What's due

• Editing sheets
• "Where I'm From" poem
• Where I'm From self-evaluation
• Engrade account and message
• Well-organized paragraph worksheets
• Essential questions worksheet (Group work)

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Publishing Day for "Where I'm From" poems is Friday!!!!!
Final drafts of  poems are due. This is your first project of the semester so it will count as 33% of your grade so far in this class.

Some Essential Questions

Aim: How do we analyze the essential questions of the Credo unit at this point in time?

Do Now: In a well-organized paragraph, explain the similarities and differences between values and beliefs.

Today we will explore the essential questions of the Credo unit in groups. There is a worksheet to complete.

Essential Questions

• What are the values and beliefs that guide me in my decision-making? 
• How do my values and beliefs distinguish me from others?
• How did certain people, ideas, events, and experiences shape my belief system?
• How is my belief system aligned with the belief system of my family, my school, and my community?

Don't forget to start bringing in your journals

If you have not yet opened an Engrade account, you should a.s.a.p. You can watch this tutorial to see how to do it after you get your access code from me. Alternatively, give me your email address and I will email you an invitation.

A reminder that you are responsible for grading your "Where I'm From" poem using the rubric that was given to you last week along with the assignment. If you lost this paper, you can get it either below or by clicking on the assignment on Engrade. You will not get credit for this project unless you evaluate your poem using the rubric. Be sure to include supporting comments to your score.

***Editing sheets must be turned in with the final draft in order to receive full credit for the "Where I'm From" project***

"Where I'm From" assignment

Rubric for Where I'm From poem.

Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini lesson: Essential Questions
III. Group discussions/paragraphs
IV. Closing

What's due

• Editing sheets
• "Where I'm From" poem
• Where I'm From self-evaluation
• Engrade account and message
• Well-organized paragraph worksheets
• Essential questions worksheet

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Publishing Day for "Where I'm From" poems is Friday!!!!!
Final drafts of  poems are due. This is your first project of the semester so it will count as 33% of your grade so far in this class.

Welcome to Values and Beliefs in Literature

Aim: How does writing a well-organized paragraph compare to writing an essay?

Do Now: D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read.) If you do not have your independent reading book with you, then quietly get one from the classroom library. After reading concludes, please write a well-organized paragraph summarizing what you read today.

Welcome to the English 4/5's new blog! The theme of this course is Values and Beliefs in Literature.

In order to get started today we will discuss paragraphs and their similarities and differences to essays. There is a handy graphic organizer page to use if you need some assistance. We will write paragraphs in groups and then finally alone.

Before you leave today, apply what you learned about M.E.A.L. and write a well-organized paragraph supporting one of the inspirational posters hanging in the classroom.

If you have not yet opened an Engrade account, you should a.s.a.p. You can watch this tutorial to see how to do it after you get your access code from me. Alternatively, give me your email address and I will email you an invitation.

A reminder that you are responsible for grading your "Where I'm From" poem using the rubric that was given to you last week along with the assignment. If you lost this paper, you can get it either below or by clicking on the assignment on Engrade. You will not get credit for this project unless you evaluate your poem using the rubric. Be sure to include supporting comments to your score.

***Editing sheets must be turned in with the final draft in order to receive full credit for the "Where I'm From" project***

"Where I'm From" assignment

Rubric for Where I'm From poem.

Before Exiting: Apply what you learned about M.E.A.L. and write a well-organized paragraph supporting one of the inspirational posters hanging in the classroom.

Today's Agenda
I. Do Now
II. Mini lesson: M.E.A.L.
III. Presentations (if time)
IV. Exit slip/ Closing

What's due

• Editing sheets
• "Where I'm From" poem
• Where I'm From self-evaluation
• Engrade account and message
• Well-organized paragraph worksheets

Always check Engrade for your up to the minute progress in this class.

Publishing Day for "Where I'm From" poems is Friday!!!!!
Final drafts of  poems are due. This is your first project of the semester so it will count as 33% of your grade so far in this class.