Your major assignment for this unit is to write an argumentative essay that supports your point with evidence. Choose one of the four options described below. To make the research process easier, each topic has 4 articles in its respective article library. You may only use those resources; other articles will be disallowed. Also, you … Continue reading The Argumentative Essay Assignment 2021
Getting Write Score Right
All ELA classes will take the year's first Write Score assessment on October 20. To help you prepare for the test, I've put together this writing guide that contains some strategies to help you do your best. Please take some time to read it before next Tuesday. Some General Advice Take the time to read … Continue reading Getting Write Score Right
Writing Revision Made Easy
Revision is a reinvention of the invented.
Nothing Gets Done Without the Last Minute
I'm sure all of my students are aware by now that last Monday marked the end of digital learning at FSMS. To be perfectly clear, there is no lesson for today, nor will there be one for next Monday. The time is yours to catch up on any missing work. You must have all assignments … Continue reading Nothing Gets Done Without the Last Minute
Don’t Analyze a Poem – SLAM IT!
Analyze a WHAT?! Agonizing over paragraph structure? Finding nothing worth smiling about regarding similies? Worrying that you won't sound like you know what you're talking about? Counting the words and writing line totals in the margins? Don't worry about poetry analysis - SLAM it! SLAM, in this case, isn't like a poetry slam. A poetry … Continue reading Don’t Analyze a Poem – SLAM IT!
What Makes a Poem Good?
As you continue to work on your original poem (see last week's assignment) and prepare to video the presentation, take time to really think about what you want your work to say, how you want it to make your reader feel, and what impressions you want to leave your reader with. Hopefully, you haven't rushed … Continue reading What Makes a Poem Good?
Poetry Slam!
Today's video introduces our next lesson, and I hope you'll become as excited about it as I am about it! Yeah, it's about writing a poem, but I'm going to leave the technical stuff for the lesson video. To get you into the spirit of things, watch Nova Venerable deliver her poem, "Apartment on Austin." … Continue reading Poetry Slam!
RACE and the Constructed Response
I've noticed that a few of my students are having trouble with the constructed response. Since there are more of these questions to come, I decided to post a good, short video that will break the strategy down for you. If you have further questions, feel free to email me or message me on Remind. … Continue reading RACE and the Constructed Response
Trump Savagely Mauls the Language, and What That Means to Students
By studying President Donald Trump's use (and misuse) of the English language, we can gain a deeper understanding of how he thinks. Such study yields valuable information to a voter. Certainly, foreign intelligence agencies and heads of state examine his writings to prepare for their interactions with him. I'm not talking about prepared speeches written … Continue reading Trump Savagely Mauls the Language, and What That Means to Students
To Hard or Too Hard – Which is Correct? – Writing Explained
Are you confused by the to/too/two dilemma? It's an easy mistake to make, as the words sound alike, but its a mistake that can leave a bad and lasting impression on your readers. But take heart! The folks at Writing Explained break it all down for you. — Read on in writingexplained.org/to-hard-or-too-hard
