One really good way to improve your writing is to improve your ability to edit your own work. This can be tough since you always know what you went, but try to pretend that you are someone else reading your work. Ask yourself, "Can someone who doesn't know me understand this piece of writing?"
Read the following link: "Six Common Punctuation Errors" carefully. Which of the errors covered is one you are most likely to make?
Now, choose an early post from your blog and copy and paste it into a new post for today called "Developing Self Awareness." Try editing it and be on the lookout for the six common punctuation errors, in addition to any other corrections you can make.
Consider the following list:
Make sure each sentence sarts with a capital letter
Make sure each sentence ends with final punctuation
Make sure each sentence is a complete thought (if it is more than one thought, perhaps it needs to be made into separate sentences)
Make sure you have spell checked the post.
**As a bonus activity, you might try cutting and pasting the text into a word processor and using the "Grammatik" feature--ask me about this. You can also try checking the results of your work by using Premier Tools.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Killing Reading
As always, please cut and paste the following questions into your blog and answer them carefully.
One of the issues that came up on Friday at our meeting was how often school can become responsible for destroying a student's enjoyment of reading. The presenter pointed out that students have a hard time getting excited about reading a book if they know that they are going to have to answer a lot of questions, or prepare chapter summaries once they've finished.
On the other hand, sometimes students like to do something with their reading since it can help them understand their book better. Other students who are excited about what they read, may wish to write in order to show their teacher just how much they learned.
1) Use your own experience to explain why you agree or disagree with these statements.
2) Do you feel reading becomes more and more work the higher you progress in school? Please refer to your own experience to answer this question.
3) Would you enjoy reading "with no strings attached"? In other words, you read what you want but don't have to write a report or assignment once you've finished? Explain.
4) Imagine that you have just finished the best book you ever read. How would you want to share some of your reading experience with your classmates and teacher? (e.g. create a poster about the novel, conference with the teacher, present to a small group of students...)
One of the issues that came up on Friday at our meeting was how often school can become responsible for destroying a student's enjoyment of reading. The presenter pointed out that students have a hard time getting excited about reading a book if they know that they are going to have to answer a lot of questions, or prepare chapter summaries once they've finished.
On the other hand, sometimes students like to do something with their reading since it can help them understand their book better. Other students who are excited about what they read, may wish to write in order to show their teacher just how much they learned.
1) Use your own experience to explain why you agree or disagree with these statements.
2) Do you feel reading becomes more and more work the higher you progress in school? Please refer to your own experience to answer this question.
3) Would you enjoy reading "with no strings attached"? In other words, you read what you want but don't have to write a report or assignment once you've finished? Explain.
4) Imagine that you have just finished the best book you ever read. How would you want to share some of your reading experience with your classmates and teacher? (e.g. create a poster about the novel, conference with the teacher, present to a small group of students...)
Friday, March 26, 2010
1. John said, That's my coat.
John said, "that's my coat."
2. Jack said, I have a coat like yours.
Jack said, " i have a caat like yours."
3. Is the pizza here? asked Hillary.
"Is the pizza here?" asked Hillary.
4. I love extra cheese, said Jamie.
" I love extra cheese", said Jamie.
5. Grandmother asked, Did you plant beans, peppers, and melons in your garden?
Grandmother asked," did you plant beans, peppers, and melons in your garden"?
6. No, I only planted beans and melons, answered Ashley.
No " I only planted beans and melons," ansed Ashley.
7. William exclaimed, I can't believe we're finally here!
William exclaimed, " I can't believe we're finaly here!"
8. This beach, said Dad, is more beautiful than ever.
This beach, said Dad, ' is more beautiful than ever".
9. The lost scouts screamed, How will we ever get out of here?
The lose scouts screamed , " how will we w ever get out of here"?
10. Help! shouted the scoutmaster. We can't find our way out of this cave!
Help! shouted the scoutmaster. " We can't find our way out of this cave"!
John said, "that's my coat."
2. Jack said, I have a coat like yours.
Jack said, " i have a caat like yours."
3. Is the pizza here? asked Hillary.
"Is the pizza here?" asked Hillary.
4. I love extra cheese, said Jamie.
" I love extra cheese", said Jamie.
5. Grandmother asked, Did you plant beans, peppers, and melons in your garden?
Grandmother asked," did you plant beans, peppers, and melons in your garden"?
6. No, I only planted beans and melons, answered Ashley.
No " I only planted beans and melons," ansed Ashley.
7. William exclaimed, I can't believe we're finally here!
William exclaimed, " I can't believe we're finaly here!"
8. This beach, said Dad, is more beautiful than ever.
This beach, said Dad, ' is more beautiful than ever".
9. The lost scouts screamed, How will we ever get out of here?
The lose scouts screamed , " how will we w ever get out of here"?
10. Help! shouted the scoutmaster. We can't find our way out of this cave!
Help! shouted the scoutmaster. " We can't find our way out of this cave"!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Using Quotation Marks Appropriately
If you are still finishing an activity from yesterday, please finish it.
Cut and paste the exercise part of the sheet into a new blog post for today on your blog. You may refer to the rules at the bottom of the sheet in order to figure out where to insert quotation marks.
CLICK HERE to go to a worksheet that offers practice on how to use quotation marks appropriately. Using quotation marks properly helps with both news reports and narrative writing.
Cut and paste the exercise part of the sheet into a new blog post for today on your blog. You may refer to the rules at the bottom of the sheet in order to figure out where to insert quotation marks.
Don't forget to publish when you are done!
Narrative (Fiction)
At least one reading selection on the literacy test will be a narrative. In other words, it will be some sort of story. It is important to know you are reading a story (as opposed to non-fiction) because it changes how you read.
Take a few minutes to read several (3 to 5) of Aesop's Fables. Then answer the following questions on your blog:
1) Which fables did you read?
2) Which one did you enjoy the most? Explain why.
3) Compare the fable, a short narrative, to a news report. What is the same and what is diffferent?
4) How important is the dialogue? Would you rather read description or dialogue? Explain why.
5) Would you be interested in reading more fables? Why or why not?
Take a few minutes to read several (3 to 5) of Aesop's Fables. Then answer the following questions on your blog:
1) Which fables did you read?
2) Which one did you enjoy the most? Explain why.
3) Compare the fable, a short narrative, to a news report. What is the same and what is diffferent?
4) How important is the dialogue? Would you rather read description or dialogue? Explain why.
5) Would you be interested in reading more fables? Why or why not?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
SSR Self Selected Reading.
1. Give the title of your book and name the author. Is your book fiction or non-fiction?
2. What did you read today? How do you feel about what you read today? (fiction) or What did you learn from what you read today? (non-fiction)
3. Explain what you think will happen later in the book.
4. Do you find that your interest in your book is increasing or decreasing? Explain why.
5. Was anything confusing about what you read? Do you have any questions that you would like answered? Your question might be about something specific in your book or it could be about something your book made you think of.
2. What did you read today? How do you feel about what you read today? (fiction) or What did you learn from what you read today? (non-fiction)
3. Explain what you think will happen later in the book.
4. Do you find that your interest in your book is increasing or decreasing? Explain why.
5. Was anything confusing about what you read? Do you have any questions that you would like answered? Your question might be about something specific in your book or it could be about something your book made you think of.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Review Opinion Piece and News Report
The Literacy Test is in about 3 weeks. In order to make sure you are ready to give your best performance look back at the information you have on the news report and the series of paragraphs. You could look on your blog and the course blog. You may specifically wish to look at the Getting Ready guide.
Now you are going to take a turn as teacher. Create two new blog posts in order to write out instructions on how to write the news report and how to write the series of paragraphs. Give each post an appropriate title, e.g. "How to write a news report."
Write out step by step instructions of how to do each type of writing. Include information about how to plan the piece of writing. Also incude a list of "Do's" and "Don'ts." You a writing for a student in grade ten who does not know anything about the literacy test.
As always, don't forget to spellcheck!
Now you are going to take a turn as teacher. Create two new blog posts in order to write out instructions on how to write the news report and how to write the series of paragraphs. Give each post an appropriate title, e.g. "How to write a news report."
Write out step by step instructions of how to do each type of writing. Include information about how to plan the piece of writing. Also incude a list of "Do's" and "Don'ts." You a writing for a student in grade ten who does not know anything about the literacy test.
As always, don't forget to spellcheck!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Lord of the Flies - Response
1. Did you know that "Lord of the Flies" is another name for the devil? The title of the book suggests that the author was interested in evil. Interestingly, all the evil was committed by the children and the "Lord of the Flies" never appears. Describe some of the evil you witnessed in the film. If you did not see the whole movie you can discuss any evil you have heard of in the news.
2. How responsible do you think the children are for what happened? At what age is a person no longer a child and fully responsible for his or her behaviour?
3. What do you believe? Do people behave because they know that it is the right thing to do, or do people behave because they are afraid of consequences?
4. Whose fault was it that Piggy died? Was it simply the boy(s) who rolled the stone on top of him or was it the whole gang?
5. Do you feel that people act differently when they are in a group? What is the difference? Why will people do things as a group that they would never do on their own?
2. How responsible do you think the children are for what happened? At what age is a person no longer a child and fully responsible for his or her behaviour?
3. What do you believe? Do people behave because they know that it is the right thing to do, or do people behave because they are afraid of consequences?
4. Whose fault was it that Piggy died? Was it simply the boy(s) who rolled the stone on top of him or was it the whole gang?
5. Do you feel that people act differently when they are in a group? What is the difference? Why will people do things as a group that they would never do on their own?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The following is a list of people who need to add me so that I may view (and comment) on your blogs.
Katie Borman
Aleesshia Brown
Shawn Jakob
Catherine Lapointe
Destiny Lavellee
Stephanie Neganiwina
Leonard Perkins
Amber Staats
Kristy Teal
James Tinari
Please go to tyffanimartin@gmail.com
This is very important in order for an accurate assessment of the work that you have completed this far.
Katie Borman
Aleesshia Brown
Shawn Jakob
Catherine Lapointe
Destiny Lavellee
Stephanie Neganiwina
Leonard Perkins
Amber Staats
Kristy Teal
James Tinari
Please go to tyffanimartin@gmail.com
This is very important in order for an accurate assessment of the work that you have completed this far.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Lord of the Flies - Bonus Crossword Puzzle
Just for fun and if you have completed all of your work,you can visit the link http://www.argo217.k12.il.us/departs/english/blettiere/LOTF_cross.htm
The link will take you to a Crossword Puzzle you can complete.
I would like you to answer the following three questions as well:
1. Are you able to complete this crossword puzzle without having to read the book?
2. What kind of information do you think has been left out of the movie, why?
3. After watching the movie, would you consider reading "Lord of the Flies". Explain why or why not.
It is very important that I (Mrs. Martin) am asked to join each one of your blogs. I am still missing several invitations, and I feel left out. I would like to be able to read and comment on everyones blog. The people that I am a part of currently have written so many wonderful stories and created some really great pieces. Please feel free to add me (tyffanimartin@blogspot.com) as soon as possible.
Making Full Sentences
Mrs. Martin and I were really pleased with the way everyone applied themselves to the "Writing Conventions" activity. Given that we keep running into incomplete sentences, we thought it would be a good idea to provide you with some extra practice.
Please cut and paste the following list of incomplete sentences into a new post in your blog. You can call it "Making Full Sentences." Turn each incomplete sentence into a full sentence. Some sentences may be fine just as they are. If a sentence does not need to be fixed, just leave it as is. (You could put "Ok, as is" after it). Remember, a sentence is a complete idea. As always, spell check before you post.
1. April's movie Lord of the Flies.
2. A group of boys about 5 to 15 years old.
3. The boys, very excited about not having adults to tell them what to do.
4. At first, trying to create their own civilisation.
5. The conch, a large shell. Passed from boy to boy.
6. allowed to speak when they have the conch.
7. some boys are kind, some are greedy and selfish
8. bullies making fun of piggy even though he is the smartest of all the boys.
9. Some of the boys decide to follow Ralph, some follow Jack.
10. basically Ralph's gang and Jack's gang.
11. Obviously out of control when one boy dies.
12. At first, they boys are sure they will be rescued.
13. several weeks later without a rescue.
14. an incredible amount of violence from a group of very ordinary boys.
15. What might the writer, William Golding, be trying to say about human nature?
Please cut and paste the following list of incomplete sentences into a new post in your blog. You can call it "Making Full Sentences." Turn each incomplete sentence into a full sentence. Some sentences may be fine just as they are. If a sentence does not need to be fixed, just leave it as is. (You could put "Ok, as is" after it). Remember, a sentence is a complete idea. As always, spell check before you post.
1. April's movie Lord of the Flies.
2. A group of boys about 5 to 15 years old.
3. The boys, very excited about not having adults to tell them what to do.
4. At first, trying to create their own civilisation.
5. The conch, a large shell. Passed from boy to boy.
6. allowed to speak when they have the conch.
7. some boys are kind, some are greedy and selfish
8. bullies making fun of piggy even though he is the smartest of all the boys.
9. Some of the boys decide to follow Ralph, some follow Jack.
10. basically Ralph's gang and Jack's gang.
11. Obviously out of control when one boy dies.
12. At first, they boys are sure they will be rescued.
13. several weeks later without a rescue.
14. an incredible amount of violence from a group of very ordinary boys.
15. What might the writer, William Golding, be trying to say about human nature?
Friday, March 5, 2010
Series of Paragraphs
Write a series of paragraphs (at least 3) expressing an opinion on the following topic:
Should boys and girls be required to attend separate high schools?
Use a piece of paper to plan your answer before you write. Your series of paragraphs should be organised the same as our sample series of paragraphs. Your final post should look like the sample essay. Keep in mind that for the series of pargraphs each paragraph should be a minimum of 3 to 4 sentences. The sentences must be together in the same way that they are in this paragraph.
Should boys and girls be required to attend separate high schools?
Use a piece of paper to plan your answer before you write. Your series of paragraphs should be organised the same as our sample series of paragraphs. Your final post should look like the sample essay. Keep in mind that for the series of pargraphs each paragraph should be a minimum of 3 to 4 sentences. The sentences must be together in the same way that they are in this paragraph.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sample Series of Paragraphs
Why Dogs Make Better Pets Than Cats
In my opinion dogs make better pets than cats. Dogs are more likely to protect you than a cat. Dogs are quicker learners than cats. You can take them out to the backyard, throw a ball around, and they will play with you.
Due to a dog's primal instincts they are better protectors. They will consider you to be part of their pack and look out for you. Also dogs are bigger and stronger. They have the ability to fight off an attacker.
Another reason why dogs make better pets is that they can be trained. I once tried to train my cat and dog to fetch my slippers. The cat never got the hang of it but my dog brings me my slippers (and the newspaper every day).
The last reason that dogs make better pets is that they are more fun to play with. Cats can not even play outside without running away. Dogs can do many things including playing frisbee, tag or catch. Sometimes dogs will even suprise you by taking away your mittens and starting a game of catch. My dog even likes to wrestle.
The last reason that dogs make better pets is that they are more fun to play with. Cats can not even play outside without running away. Dogs can do many things including playing frisbee, tag or catch. Sometimes dogs will even suprise you by taking away your mittens and starting a game of catch. My dog even likes to wrestle.
In conclusion, there are many different reasons why dogs make better pets. Cats will never be as fun to play with or portect you as well as dogs can.
Monday, March 1, 2010
My Best News Report-Writing
Task: Write a news report based on the headline and the picture to the right. You will have to make up the facts and information, answering some or all of the questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How?
You must relate your newspaper report to both the headline and the picture.
Purpose and Audience: to report an event for the readers of a newspaper.
Length: 100 to 200 words
Headline: Students Make Important Discovery
My Best News Report-Marking
Before we go any further with the news report, take a few minutes to look at how they are marked. The people who mark the test give you two marks. The first is a mark for your command of writing conventions (spelling, using capital letters properly, punctuation). Click Here to see the actual chart that will be used to mark your handling of writing conventions on the news report. Notice that the best you can score here is 40.
The second mark is what EQAO calls "topic development." This is a mark for the strength of your news report as a whole. Read the scoring guide by clicking here. Notice that the best mark here is a 60. Read the descriptions of a 0 and a 10 to get an idea of what NOT to do. Read the language describing a 50 and a 60 in order to get an idea of what TO do.
Mrs. Martin and I would like you to do one more News Report... but this one we won't finish with until you have scored at least a 30 for writing conventions and a 40 or 50 for topic development.
Click Here to go to My Best News Report-Writing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)