Unit 3

Today we started unit three with the warm-up on page 300, the notes on pages 302 and 304, and the close reads on pages 303 and 305. Students should finish the close reads for homework if necessary.

Show, Don't Tell

Today we continued our revision work. After we went over the rubric and due dates, students had some time to work at the end of the period.

Final drafts, typed and in MLA format, are due 11/15.

Brushstrokes

Today we took notes on and practiced ways to vary the sentence structure in the personal narratives. Students should use the techniques we practiced today to revise at least four of the sentences in the rough draft of their narrative.

Reflections

Today we spent the day reviewing the concept of reflection and then students had the whole period to write their final paragraphs and begin revision.

The Body

Today we practiced a bit more dialogue punctuation and I checked off the students' introductory paragraphs. After choosing introductions and examining the structure of the sample essay in the textbook, students had the rest of the period to plan and write their first drafts. These should be complete, except for the reflection paragraph, for tomorrow's class.

How to Begin: 6 Ways!

Today we practiced the proper punctuation for dialogue in the warm-up, and then we spent the rest of the period working on six different ways to begin the personal narrative (below). Students had the remainder of the period to work.
By Monday, they should have the following complete:

• Topic Free-Write
• Topic Brainstorm
• Introductory Paragraph x6

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday, we had a bit of Halloween fun looking at Poe's "The Raven." We read the poem and filled out the chart for question 7 in the textbook on page 147.

Thursday, students spent the period in the Navi Lab working on their 4-year plan.