January 25

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (You have the ability to freeze time.  When you do, everyone freezes too.  One day you freeze time, but when you look out your window, you see someone walking around.)
• Summary Draft #2 or #3 (if necessary)
• Pyramid Essay (This should have all five paragraphs:  three body paragraphs, each with a topic and concluding sentence, an introductory paragraph, and a concluding paragraph; all your dress-ups and openers; and a lead.)

January 18

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Write about what you saw in the water.)
• Final Draft of Summary (if necessary)
• Pyramid Essay
• Finish outline
• Write 3 body paragraphs with dress-ups, openers, topic and concluding sentences
• Write a concluding paragraph
• Write an introductory paragraph

(Note:  Not everyone will have time to finish this essay this week.  Write for 100 minutes and stop.  Those of you who write more quickly---you know who you are---spend your time revising what you have written.)

January 11

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Write about a black horse, a red truck, and an old man.)
• 2nd or 3rd draft of your summary
• Pyramid essay (Get as far as you can.  Most of you will probably not have time to finish this.)

January 4

Due to the impending storm, there will be no class tomorrow, January 4.  Please use your time this week to work on a second or final draft of your summary (if possible) and/or any late or missing work!

See you all on the 11th!

December 7

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (You accidentally kill the hero and must embark on an adventure to complete his quest.)
• Story Summary Draft #2 (Some of you turned this in already.)
• Add topic and concluding sentences to your turtle paragraphs.  Can't remember what we talked about in class?  Click here for more information about topic and concluding sentences!

November 30

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (It was 10 a.m., and the sun had still not risen.)
• 2nd Draft Summary (Remember your dress-ups and openers)
• Begin Turtle essay (You may not have enough time to finish this assignment if you are working on the second draft of your summary.  Remember your openers and dress-ups!)

Note:  From now on it is likely that different students in the class will have slightly different assignments.  For example, this week some of you still need to complete the second draft of your summary, while others of you turned in your rough draft on the 30th and have not received your edited draft.  If you have to complete your second draft this week do it before beginning your turtle essay.  If you have finished your second draft, begin your turtle essay this week.

November 16

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Thanksgiving was a little different this year....)
• Finish filling in the outline on Turtles we began in class.  (Don't worry if you get stuck.  We will complete an outline together next class.)

I.  Lifecycle

     1.

     2.

     3.

     4.

     (5.)

     (6.)

II.  Food & Eating

     1.

     2.

     3.

     4.

     (5.)

     (6.)

III.  Predators & Conservation

     1.

     2.

     3.

     4.

     (5.)

     (6.)

Review

Here are the steps we're following for completing a single-source essay.

• choose subject (we chose turtles)
• ask questions (we did this in class)
• skim source (you did this in class)
• brainstorm topics (we brainstormed at least 5 topics in class)
• choose topics (we chose 3 in class)
• take notes (you began this process in class but need to finish it before you write)