Cycle 25 - Everybody

Okay, the final month is here. And each class is on their respective "plan" for the remaining 4 cycles. Be sure you're consulting the calendars I created for you often. Sophs, it's quality project all cycle, and "Stuckness" in class; Freshman, bring A Midsummer Night's Dream and get ready to do some performing; Composition, this cycle we write our nature essays.

Cycle 24 - Composition

Public Interest essays are finished. They were a different kind of essay, involving background research, control of writing for more pages, and subtle presentation of big questions and ideas that people care about. Our next essay will slow us down and allow some meditation on the natural world. In addition, we'll read some quintessential naturalist writing.

The Plan:
Day 1 - Evaluations, Muir essay.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Day 2 - Muir essay.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Day 3 - Finish essay if needed, assorted short nature pieces, brainstorm essay.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Day 4 - Computer lab time to draft.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Cycle 24 - Freshman

This cycle marks the end of our work with The Woman Warrior,culminating in an essay/project with a few options.This essay is your chance to display what you've learned about reading critically and writing thoughtfully, and most importantly what you've learned about who you are and your voice. We've also completed stories for 1001 Flat World Project, the first ever in the world! Now we wait for the winners.

The Plan:
Day 1 - Final Woman Warrior discussion, essay/project directions and brainstorm.
HW - Rough draft of essay.

Day 2 - Peer feedback groups for essay.
HW - Work on essay/project.

Day 3 - Computer lab time to work on essay, individual conferences about presentation.
HW - Continue work on essay/project.

Day 4 - Final essay/project work day.
HW - Presentations next class.

Cycle 24 - Sophomores

This cycle marks the end of our work with The Poisonwood Bible,culminating in an essay with a few options.This essay is your chance to display what you've learned about reading critically and writing thoughtfully. This cycle we also begin work on Quality Projects. Be sure you check the calendar handout I gave you in class often for checkpoints,work days, and due dates. The rest of the semester will be mostly self-directed.

The Plan:
Day 1 - Quintessence, project proposals, examples of Quality projects, PB paper assignment.
HW - Rough draft of PB paper. (You should be finished reading).

Day 2 - Peer feedback groups for PB paper.
HW - Work on paper.

Day 3 - Final draft of paper due, discuss, start working on Quality project, plan work day.
HW - Bring materials for work day.

Day 4 - First project work day.
HW - Quality Project, get free choice book.

Cycle 23 - Freshman

This cycle we will be making the final revisions on Flat World stories. The only thing left to do next week is edit them for conventions, which we will do amongst ourselves. Then, our volunteer editors will convene and decide on award-winning stories. We are also finishing The Woman Warrior and will wrap up discussion of the story next week too. Then, get ready to get dramatic with some Shakespeare to finish the semester.

Plan and Homework
Day 1 - Computer lab, working on new draft after sentence fluency feedback.
HW - Story, finish The Woman Warrior if you haven't yet.

Day 2 - Computer lab, working on new draft.
HW - Story. Print 2 copies to bring to class.

Day 3 - Line editing for conventions in story.
HW - Final revision/editing.

Day 4 - Finish story, discuss The Woman Warrior.
HW - Submit final story.

Cycle 23 - Sophomores

This cycle we will come very close to finishing The Poisonwood Bible. Your load will be lightened to give your more time to read. And our attention will shift from literature to Quality Projects. Start thinking about where your essential questions have taken you and what you might want to spend the quarter exploring in your project. Also, review and exercise critical thinking strategies; they will be an important part of your project.

Plan and Homework
Day 1 - "Bel And The Serpent" quiz.
HW - Read "Exodus."

Day 2 - Reading day in class.
HW - Read "Exodus."

Day 3 - Literature circle meeting and class discussion.
HW - Post response to discussion, and keep reading.

Day 4 - Introduction to Quality Project and Quintessence.
HW - Quintessence.

Cycle 23 - Composition

This cycle we're working on Public Interest essays. We've read several model essays that approach public issues in different ways: comedy, satire, point of view shift, and analysis. Your challenge is to much a structure and voice to your topic, and not to write a journalistic piece but keep your essay entertaining, personal, and insightful. And for the rest of the semester, on a week like this when we're working on an essay, you don't need to be posting to your blog. One thing at a time. Instead, this cycle's grade will be based on revisions of Public Interest essay.

Plan and Homework
Day 1 - Computer lab time to work on draft on wikispace.
HW - Print three drafts for elbowing.

Day 2 - 12:30 class, you're still in the computer lab this day and don't need your three drafts until day 3. 10:30 class you will be elbowing today.
HW - Make revisions according to feedback. Bring 3 drafts for elbowing (both classes).

Day 3 - Elbowing
HW - 10:30, final draft due next class. 12:30, elbowing session 2 next class, bring 3 revised drafts.

Day 4 - 10:30 essays due. 12:30, elbowing.
HW - Final drafts. Back to posting for 10:30.

Sentence Fluency For Freshman

Here are the questions to use for feedback on the Flat World Project this week:
1. Highlight the beginnings of sentences. Are there too many "th" words? Suggest different sentence structures.
2. What is your favorite moment based on how the essay sounds? Why? (this works for podcasted stories or for required read-aloud.)
3. Do the pace and style of sentences match the content of the story? Discuss specific examples.
4. Are there repetition of words and/or the same kinds of sentences? Is there a strategic reason or can it be deleted?

Also visit this link for Mr. B's sentence fluency exercise.