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Welcome to Mr. Wondra's Wiki

= = Your one stop shop for all things related to 8th Grade Language Arts Lots of stuff to check out here. But a great place to catch up on what we've been up to in class. For ** ALL ** the details, click on the unit we are working on in the left hand side bar.

In order to get the latest important information, and a history of what we've been up to, be sure to scroll down past the important dates and the calendar for more specific instructions and links to the information you need to understand and complete the assignments.

For a brief overview of today's Language Arts assignment (and the very recent past), just read on.

__** Current Unit: **__ Patterns in Writing

__** Important Dates **__** : **


 * 10/3--Vocabulary Quiz and Binder Spot Check 2 **

10/10/2011 -- Chapter Club due -- 100 pts

=Messages from Mr. Wondra=

//In which he relates important information about what we are doing right now//
10/3 -- Vocabulary quiz and Binder spot check 2. Essay due.

9/30 -- "Something I couldn't see" review and reflection. Finished essay due Monday.

9/28 + 29 (block) Binder Work, "Something I couldn't see activity". When writing, be sure to use the SAINTS pattern.

//9/27 -- Problem Essay is Due.// // Important: ////When revising your essay, look at it through the lens of SAINTS. Revise and Type your Problem Essay.//

//9/26 -- Guidance//

//9/23 -- Peer Review and Personal Reflection on your Problem Essay using the SAINTS pattern. Also--can you add life and energy to your essay through your descriptions? Watch how this guy does it. Because "Reality hits you hard bro."// media type="youtube" key="FaB5u0XyiTk" height="315" width="560"

//9/20 + 9/21 (block) -- Map Testing and Typing "The Problem With, Essay."//

//9/19 -- Work on "The Problem With, Essay"//

//9/18-- Introduce "The Problem With Essay" How does Bill Cosby describe his problem?// media type="youtube" key="XBqY6cJD3CE" height="315" width="420"

//9/16// //Important Essay Reflection, Peer and Self Assessment// //Assignment: Read Dave Barry Columns "The Problem with Pinatas" and "The Problem with Trout Fishing." How does Barry describe this problem? Can you find action words? Does he use the senses? Look for the same pattern you used in the "Important Essay." Can you find a Thesis? Attention getter? Conclusion?//

//9/14 + 15 (block) Revise and Type Important Essay//

9/15/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Finish in class activity--[|Important revision activity]. [|Essay Critique Sheet].
 * Work time on Important Essay
 * Prepare for Binder spot check and Vocabulary Quiz tomorrow.
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Revision makes writing better.

9/14/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * In class [|Important revision activity]. Because revision is important too. [|Essay Critique Sheet].
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Revision makes writing better.

9/13/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Peer review, checklist and edit Topic 1 Mind Map Essay
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Use your mindmap (prewriting) to make intelligent choices about what you will include in your essay.
 * Use the senses to describe what your topic IS
 * Also describe what your topic (or a 1st or 2nd level idea) DOES
 * Use the

9/10/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Topic 1 Mind Map Essay,
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Use your mindmap (prewriting) to make intelligent choices about what you will include in your essay.
 * Use the senses to describe what your topic IS
 * Also describe what your topic (or a 1st or 2nd level idea) DOES
 * Use the [|Important Pattern]

9/9/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Introduced Topic 1 Mind Map Essay,
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **using your senses as well as what something does to describe. For example, consider the following:


 * //"The important thing about rain is that it is wet. It falls out of the sky, and it sounds like rain, and makes things shiny, and it does not taste like anything, and is the color of air. But the important thing about rain is that it is wet."//**

What **senses** does the author use? What does rain **do**?

9/8/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Peer review of your [|Mind Map Topic 1 Peer Assessment]
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

//What does what you are able to do today have to do with what you will be able to do tomorrow?//

media type="youtube" key="ShbC5yVqOdI?version=3" height="390" width="640"

//9/6/2011// //How is good writing like good Wizardry? Mental Telepathy? Hypnosis?//

4/12/2011
In class, we are reading //The Hound of the Baskervilles//, pg 609-654. If you miss class, do this reading.

4/4/2011
We introduce Sherlock Holmes and Watson by reading the first two chapters of A Study in Scarlet. We also examine Holmes's theory on how the brain works and create our own brain attic:


 * //“You see,” he explained, “I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that the little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”//**

3/22-25/2011
Spring Break

3/14/2011
Introduce Mystery Unit and begin reading and analyzing Edgar Allen Poe's, //The Gold Bug//. = = =2/21/2011= Working on Final project choices:

And:

Treasure Island Reader's Theater Project = = 2/14/2011 Today in class we will be working on your last quiz for Treasure Island--Part 6. Hopefully you will finish or be very close to finishing by the end of class. If not, you may put the finishing touches on tomorrow. Tomorrow you will also have a day to work on your Pirate Portfolio. Remember, everything is due on Friday. This includes:
 * All Ship Logs
 * All Vocabulary
 * All Assignments
 * 1) 5 Acrostic poems
 * 2) 1 Jolly Roger
 * 3) 1 Crossword puzzle (30 words) including rough draft and clues
 * 4) 1 Mind Map for the article, //Making Your Mark//
 * 5) 1 Weapons sheet (including a minimum of 20 weapons)
 * 6) 1 Jeopardy (including 7 categories, 7 questions per category, 2 tables-one for questions and one for answers)
 * All Quizzes

The portfolio needs to be organized neatly into these 4 sections and follow the order of the chapters. Lots to do before Friday.

2/4/2011-- Friday
Read Pirate article, "To Capture Prey and Plunder It." Assignment: Weapons sheet--list, define and sketch 20 weapons. Read in class chapter 29 Assignment: Read and do work for Chapter 30,

2/3/2011-- Thursday
Finish quiz for Part 5 Assignment: Read and do work for Chapter 28

2/2/2011-- Wednesday
Shortened day. Advisory + Early release Begin quiz on Part 5

2/1/2011-- Tuesday
Watch movie on Part 5 Spot check on Part 5 Vocabulary and ship logs

1/31/2011-- Monday
Read article, Making Your Mark. Assignment: Create Mindmap for the article

1/26--28/2011--Wednesday--Friday
Read and work for chapters in Part 5

1/25/2011--Tuesday
Quiz for part 4

1/24/2011--Monday
Spelling Bee Crossword Puzzle review Expectations review Movie for parts 3 and 4 Work time

1/21/2011--Friday
Read the article I have put on the shelf by the door—//The Crew of a Pirate Ship//. You may read this individually, or in small groups. We have read several articles like this. As you read, be sure to underline or highlight facts that you can use later. Next take out all of the articles that we have read so far: · Using the information from the articles, create a crossword puzzle with 30 questions. 15 across and 15 down. · Create this by hand—not use the computer. · Start by collecting 30 words and connecting them in a crossword format, then number them, then create the questions.

1/20/2011--Thursday
1. Read chapter 21 aloud. 2. the rest of the period may include the following: · Ship logs · Vocabulary · Acrostic poems · Correcting mistakes on quizzes · Organizing Binder Creating a personal Jolly Roger (flag)

1/19/2011--Wednesday
Read article--Jolly Roger and No Quarter Given Assignment -- Create a personal Jolly Roger

1/18/2011--Tuesday
Work time Read Chapter 19 in class. Assignment--Read 20, ship logs, vocab

1/17/2011--Monday
Off

1/14/2011--Friday
Read 17 in class. Assignment--read 18 do ship logs and vocab

1/13/2011--Thursday
Read 16 in class. Discussed. Assignment--Create a minimum of 5 acrostic poems using character names. Include images to represent each character as well.

1/12/2011--Wednesday
Finish Quiz on Part 3

1/11/2011--Tuesday
Spot check and Quiz on Part 3 Read Chapter 16 for tomorrow.

1/10/2011--Monday
Gallery walk and turn in Chapter Club Read article, "A Most Unwelcome Death" about marrooning Read Chapter 15, do Ship logs + Vocab Be ready for spot check and quiz on Part 3 tomorrow

1/7/2011--Friday
Work time. Oral reading in class article, "Oh To Be a Pirate." Highlight facts to be used later Assignment: Create 1 acrostic poem using a character's name in the story.

1/6/2011--Thursday
Finish taking the quiz. Read Chapters 13 and 14. Do ship logs and vocabulary

1/5/2011--Wednesday
(advisory day) Begin taking the quiz

1/4/2011--Tuesday
Watch the movie for Part 2. Spot check for Part 2.

1/3/2011--Monday
Read Chapters 11+12 This takes us to the end of part 2

12/17/2010--Thursday
Ski Day

12/17/2010--Wednesday
Read and do Ships Logs for Chapters 9 + 10

12/17/2010--Tuesday
Read and do Ships Logs for Chapters 7 + 8

12/17/2010--Monday
Finish Quiz. Read, "From Galleys to Junks" article about pirate ships. Work on Chapter Club

12/17/2010--Friday
Quiz on Part 1. Portfolio Spot check.

12/16/2010--Thursday
Field trip to Festival Theatre--A Christmas Carol

12/15/2010--Wednesday
Read Chapter 5 + 6. Vocabulary and Ships Logs

12/14/2010--Tuesday
Sub day. Read and underline from Pirate Treasure. Work and catch up day.

12/13/2010--Monday
Review chapter 2 Read Chapter 3 in class Assignment: All reading and shiplogs and vocabulary through chapter 4

12/10/2010--Friday
Corrected Vocab Quiz Introduced Treasure Island Portfoio Read Chapter 1 in class Assignment: Read and do all shiplogs and vocabulary through chapter 2

12/9/2010--Thursday
Finished Quiz, Binder Spotcheck Cleaned out binder Introduced and worked on Treasure Island Vocabulary

12/8/2010--Wednesday
Community Service Day Vocabulary Quiz

12/3/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: ** Planning page Finish watching and analyzing presentations

12/2/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: **

Planning Page Create Comic life ad for your product or service. Use dialog, include explanation of features and benefits.

12/1/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: **

Planning page Watch and assess video taped commercials

11/30/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: **

Planning page Presentation prep Presentation performances

11/29/2010--Monday
Planning page Presentation prep

11/23/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: ** Blue sheet reading, "Kids in Training" Planning Page 30-second checklist 30-second presentation prep

11/22/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: ** Public Library field trip Assigned partners for 30-second persuasive commercial presentation

11/19/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: ** Correct Vocab quiz Complete Feature, Benefit and Deep Benefit identfication Present your findings Read and analyze "A letter to his students."

11/18/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** /__Activities__: ** Finish Vocab Quiz Do today's planning page Read "Emily's Five-Paragraph Essay" and "Litter Bugs Me" -- blue hand out Identify and label Statements of Fact, Value and Policy combined with evidence Review Features, Benefits, and Deep Benefits In class activity with a partner, choose something from the room and identify its features, benefits and deep benefits.

11/17/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Vocab quiz Binder Spotcheck Read, "A Sure Way to Make Enemies--and How to Avoid it."

11/16/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Clean out and organize binders Read Sis Boom Bah Humbug and identify statements of Fact, Value, and Policy that contain one of the seven types of evidence on your green sheet.

11/15/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Planning pages are reintroduced. Read persuasive column, identify persuasive statements and evidence in the writing. Hand in 9 statements (assigned last Thursday)

Mr. Wondra introduced "Features, Benefits and Deep Benefits"

11/12/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** : ** EETT/ARRA Technology assessment at www.survey2000.com

11/11/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** If you can't win an argument, and "Yes it is, No it isn't" discussions are futile, what can you do? Introduction and discussion of 3 persuasive statements and 7 types of evidence.

Write 3 statements for each of the types using a different type of evidence (of the 7) for each.

11/10/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** No Class. Testing, Assembly, Advisory

11/9/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Watch and discuss Read chapter 1, //You Can't Win an Argument//, from __How to Win Friends and Influence People__ Watch and discuss Monty Python's //The Argument Clinic// skit__.__

media type="file" key="240Monty Python - Argument Clinic.flv" width="360" height="270"

11/8/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Share Monster Projects Discuss and share recent arguments, disagreements, or examples when you tried to persuade someone to your way of thinking.

11/5/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Monster project work Monster project due.

11/4/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Monster project work.

11/3/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Writing Test Day. Discussion of Writing Test. Assigned Monster project. 1 visual, 1 description, 1 myth.

11/2/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : **

Finish analysis of essays handed out in class on Monday Self analysis of 30 minute timed essay on Monday--using 6 traits and labeling SAINTS, Attention getter, Thesis, Transitions, Reasons. Analysis of additional 2 sample essays provided in class

11/1/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Collect 2 assigned essays Read and find parts of sample persuasive essays given in class Self assessed (using 6 traits and labeling SAINTS, Attention getter, Thesis, Transitions, Reasons) and shared 30 minute timed responses from 10/28 30 minute timed practice essay

10/29/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Reviewed persuasive samples. Agree or Disagree with provided assessment. Scored student timed essays from yesterday Assignment two persuasive prompts for Monday. 50 pts if all original, 45 if on your own paper but using provided transitions, 40 pts if written on the sheet provided.

10/28/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Read and review of provided samples. Label SAINTS paragraphs. Underline attention getter, circle thesis, circle transitions, number reasons. 30 minute prompt response. Individual work. Review and discuss the SAINTS [|Saints circle.doc]

10/27/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Read and critique "Help the School Band" essay. Score partner Alien essays in class. Read and assess using 6 traits rubric.

10/26/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Read Skateboard Yes! Critique and discuss. Label SAINTS paragraphs. Underline attention getter, circle thesis, circle transitions, number reasons. Respond with a partner to the Alien Prompt. Include all SAINTS criteria. Attention getter, thesis, transitions and good reasons. 5 paragraphs. 30 minutes.

10/25/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * First we labeled the following in the respons e essays (Should Students Have Homework?): Each paragraph I N or S (from SAINTS). Then we underlined the attention getter, circled the thesis, circled each transition we could find, and numbered each reason.
 * Then, using the [|6 traits rubric] we scored the original Should Students Have Homework.
 * We reviewed the pre-scoring sheet for this essay and agreed or disagreed with each bullet.
 * Then, with new partners, we tackled the new prompt, persuading aliens to come to earth (or not). Students had 5-10 minutes to do S. and A.

10/22/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Today you have 30 minutes with your partner to craft a response essay to "Should Students Have Homework?" Follow the SAINTS pattern. An intro, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion means you will have 5 paragraphs. Be sure to include a good attention getter, a thesis the important thing in both the intro and conclusion , as well as enough transitions to keep your essay reading smoothly.

10/21/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Read "Should Students Have Homework?" Identify SAINTS model elements in the essay. Identify and score elements of Voice/Purpose, Organization, and Content/Ideas Use SAINTS to craft, with your partner, a rebuttal essay defending an opinion that students should NOT have homework."

10/20/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Work day. Hand in Ways I Am Smart Essay. Hand in Mind Map.

10/19/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** With a partner, read from the book about the "Classification Essay." Compare how the description and process for writing a Classification Essay is similar to using SAINTS to write your Ways I am Smart essay.

Lab time to type and touch up Ways I am Smart essay.

10/18/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Using the SAINTS rubric, we peer assess two other peoples 30 minute writing samples from Friday. Discussion, what are we doing well? What are can we improve upon?

Lab time to type and touch up Ways I am Smart essay

10/15/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Discussion of WKCE and persuasive writing assessments. Read an example from pages 278-279 in the Write Source book.

In class WKCE writing assessment practice. Choose from one of the following persuasive prompts and take 30 minutes to respond. Be sure to follow the SAINTS pattern.


 * Girls and boys often enjoy playing the same sport. Some people believe that girls and boys should be able to play on the same team. What is your opinion on this issue? Write an essay stating your opinion and supporting it with convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.


 * It has been said that television has little real educational value. What is your opinion on this issue? Write an essay stating your opinion and supporting it with convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.


 * The principal of your school is considering conducting random locker searches several times a year without letting students know in advance. What is your position concerning this issue? Write a letter to the principal stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.

10/14/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Remember, if you get stuck when changing ideas, check out page 573 in the book for a break down of great transition words and combinations. We also read a couple of sample essays on pages 76-77 and pages 146. What is similar about the essay that you are writing as compared to the essays we read in class today?

10/13/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Today in class we spent some time peer editing and touching up (the "T" in SAINTS) each others writing. Continue to add and craft your supporting paragraphs. Also, take care to include transitions to smoothly move from one idea (intelligence or example from your life) to another.

__** Important Concepts **__
 * Peer review, looking specifically (and respectfully) for editing and revision opportunities, transitions, and positive things to say about your peer's writing sample so far.

10/12/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Transition and Support. Use a transition to move from your introductory story to a conversation about multiple intelligences and the different ways YOU are smart.

__** Important Concepts **__
 * Today is about moving "transitioning" from "I" to "N" in SAINTS. Take a look at the transition words in the Write Source book (pg 573) for a number of words and word combinations that can help you do this.

10/11/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Continue Multiple Intelligence Discussion. Read story of Dr. Paul Samuelson from The Element, by Ken Robinson Introduction day. Choose from your mind map, an example of a successful time in your life. A time when you "won" and had fun. Don't explain your intelligence in this introductory story. Just tell a story about yourself. Like the one of the last 3 stories that we just read from the Element.

__** Important Concepts **__
 * Today is all about the "I" in SAINTS. Introduction. And I am requiring that you TELL A STORY for your introduction. Story telling is one of the MOST powerful ways to draw someone in to your essay.

10/8/2010--Friday (Rachel's Challenge Day)
__** Assignments **__** : ** Continue Multiple Intelligence Discussion. Read story of Matt Groening from The Element, by Ken Robinson Begin working on mind map for your essay, Ways I Am Smart, which will use examples and stories from your own life to illustrate which of the 9 multiple intelligences are your strongest.

__** Important Concepts **__
 * There are a number of different ways that you can be smart. Which of the 9 intelligences are your strongest? Can you begin to identify examples of things that you are good at and you love to do?

10/7/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Continue Multiple Intelligence Discussion. Read story of Gillian Lynne from The Element, by Ken Robinson Begin working on mind map for your essay, Ways I Am Smart, which will use examples and stories from your own life to illustrate which of the 9 multiple intelligences are your strongest.

__** Important Concepts **__
 * When you learn your intelligences, you begin to learn who you are. When you know that, you can more often be in "your element".

10/6/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : ** Continue Multiple Intelligence Discussion. Finish Multiple Intelligence Survey __** Important Concepts **__
 * There are a number of different ways that you can be smart. Which of the 9 intelligences are your strongest?

10/5/2010--Tuesday (sub today)
__** Assignments **__** : ** MAP testing

10/4/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : ** __** Important Concepts **__
 * Continue Multiple Intelligence Discussion. Add to your notes.
 * Addition of Existentialist Intelligence
 * Begin the blue Multiple Intelligence Survey
 * There are a number of different ways that you can be smart. But we only focus on 2 of these in school. Just because you may not do well in school, doesn't mean that you are not smart.

10/1/2010--Friday
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Multiple Intelligence Discussion: Are these guys "intelligent"? Do they have "smarts"? If so,what kind of "smarts" are they using?media type="file" key="須藤元気（Genki Sudo） 「WORLD ORDER」の_quot;MIND SHIFT_quot;フルver.P.flv" width="360" height="270"
 * [[image:multiple-intelligences.jpg width="402" height="504"]]

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * There are a number of different ways that you can be smart. But we only focus on 2 of these in school. Just because you may not do well in school, doesn't mean that you are not smart.

9/30/2010--Thursday
__** Assignments **__** : ** __** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Finish vocabulary quiz
 * SAINTS Writing Model Reflection--how does the model match up to the writing sample you wrote on Tuesday? Did you use SAINTS? On purpose (intentionally). How about unintentionally? If you did not use it, do you think doing so would have made your writing better?
 * If time allows--Multiple Intelligence survey.
 * SAINTS can help you. But only if you use it.

9/29/2010--Wednesday (Advisory Reward Day)
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Binder spot check and vocabulary quiz

9/28/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Binder work day
 * 30 minute in-class on demand writing sample

9/27/2010--Monday
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Binder work day
 * Guidance day

9/24/2010--Friday (Spirit Day--Homecoming)
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Work and catch up day. Hand in SICSA at the end of the hour.
 * Review SAINTS model

9/23/2010--Thursday (broken window day)
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Worked on steps 3 and 4 of the SICSA (Something I couldn't See Activity)
 * Finished discussing and taking notes on SAINTS writing model

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * SAINTS writing model is a great tool. Does not need to be used as a step by step checklist.

9/22/2010--Wednesday
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Worked on steps 3 and 4 of the SICSA (Something I couldn't See Activity)
 * Discussed and took notes on SAINTS writing model

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * SAINTS is a model that points out things that great writers do anyway. You can use it to remind you what to you need to do to write a great piece.

9/21/2010--Tuesday
__** Assignments **__** : **
 * Corrected Vocab quiz in class
 * Worked on steps 3 and 4 of the SICSA (Something I couldn't See Activity)

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Mind mapping can be used to identify key concepts in other peoples writing
 * Mind mapping is a good note taking tool.

9/20/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Something I couldn't see activity [[file:Something I Couldn’t See Activity.doc]]
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Mind mapping can be used to identify key concepts in other peoples writing

9/17/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * In class sharing of revision activity from 9/15
 * Class work time to complete Important Essay
 * Important Essay Due!!
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Revision makes writing better.

9/16/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Binder spot check and vocabulary quiz today
 * Extra time is used to work on Important Essay
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Revision makes writing better.

9/15/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Finish in class activity--[|Important revision activity]. [|Essay Critique Sheet].
 * Work time on Important Essay
 * Prepare for Binder spot check and Vocabulary Quiz tomorrow.
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Revision makes writing better.

9/14/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * In class [|Important revision activity]. Because revision is important too. [|Essay Critique Sheet].
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary.

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Revision makes writing better.

9/13/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Peer review, checklist and edit Topic 1 Mind Map Essay
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Use your mindmap (prewriting) to make intelligent choices about what you will include in your essay.
 * Use the senses to describe what your topic IS
 * Also describe what your topic (or a 1st or 2nd level idea) DOES
 * Use the

9/10/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Topic 1 Mind Map Essay,
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **
 * Use your mindmap (prewriting) to make intelligent choices about what you will include in your essay.
 * Use the senses to describe what your topic IS
 * Also describe what your topic (or a 1st or 2nd level idea) DOES
 * Use the [|Important Pattern]

9/9/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Introduced Topic 1 Mind Map Essay,
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **using your senses as well as what something does to describe. For example, consider the following:


 * //"The important thing about rain is that it is wet. It falls out of the sky, and it sounds like rain, and makes things shiny, and it does not taste like anything, and is the color of air. But the important thing about rain is that it is wet."//**

What **senses** does the author use? What does rain **do**?

9/8/2010 __** Assignments **__** : **
 * Peer review of your [|Mind Map Topic 1 Peer Assessment]
 * Continue to stay current with Planning Pages, Every Day Edits, and Vocabulary,

__** Important Concepts **__** : **