Monday, October 20, 2014

Day 43!

If you're not in class, you will probably miss the fact that we are moving over to Google Classroom. So, wave a sad little goodbye to our blogs here, and head on over to classroom.google.com


Friday, October 17, 2014

Day 42!

Happy Friday!!

Today is another work day. Remember, this is scheduled to be your final work day. However, there is a potential work day on the line. If you are making good progress on your project, I will add another day to the schedule!

Also, if you have not already done so, please turn in your outline using the form below!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Day 41!

Happy Thursday!

Today is a book project work day! USE YOUR TIME WISELY!!!!! I have asked Ms. Berry to report back on how you are using your time. If you're not using the class time I give you, I don't want to waste the time. On the opposite end, if you are working to your full ability, there is the possibility of extending our deadline, but it's a team effort. If you see your neighbor getting distracted, give them a nice tap on the shoulder and say, "Hey, I know school is tough and sometimes it's nice to just do whatever you feel, but I'm really working hard here. Mrs. Gulley says if we all use our time wisely we can have more time to work. Don't be that person who loses it for us, bro."  Seriously, say that word for word, and I'm sure they'll get right back on track. Anyway, you've got the whole period to work. If you need the iPad, just ask Ms. Berry!

ON ANOTHER NOTE: I forgot to collect your outlines yesterday. Please take a moment to submit your outline for part of the grade for our essay project. Thank you!


Day 40!

Happy Wednesday! You are now officially on day 40! Congratulations for surviving school for this long!

Today, we are MOVING ON from our essays! Can I get a "whoop whoop"? We'll start working on our Book Projects today! Click <----that link to access information about the requirements. In addition, click this link-----> to access the rubric!

You will have today, tomorrow, and Friday to work on your project, and we will begin presentations on Monday!  Class time should be used productively for reading, editing, filming, etc. We can push presentations up if necessary! This will be your first grade for quarter two, so make sure you are starting off on a good path!

If you decide to create your own project option, please submit your proposal using the form below before the end of class today!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Day 39!

Happy Tuesday!! Can you believe that we have almost been in school for 40 days! Crazy, huh?

Okay, so as promised, I am not here today. But, I will be available via email, so if you have any questions, you can get ahold of me that way.

Today's plan:

  1. You're reading for 10 minutes. You should be getting dangerously close to finishing your books. We will start our projects tomorrow. 
  2. You will use the rest of class to make your final revisions to your essay. Take your group's feedback into consideration. If they didn't understand what you were saying, or made a suggestion, there's a good chance that I will not understand what you are saying either! Your final drafts are due at the end of the day today!!!!! I will lock you out of your editing privileges before school tomorrow; whatever you have in your document is what I will grade! 
  3. Check out the essay requirements again. I have seen lots of essays that are missing quotes and examples from the required sources! 
Okay, that's what I've got for you today. Best of luck with your final revisions. 

Day 38!

Happy Monday! 

We will continue working on our Peer Editing today! Remember to give useful constructive feedback! 

You will have tomorrow to make revisions based on the feedback you have received from your partners, and your final drafts will be due at the end of the day tomorrow! 

Friday, October 10, 2014

Day 37!

Happy Homecoming Friday!!

Today is a peer editing day! I will place you into group. For each person in your group, you will complete a Peer Editing Form based on their essay. Be sure that you are providing constructive feedback. "Yes" and "No" do not help the author make their essay stronger.

Please make a copy of the Peer Editing Form, or print it out to work with.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Day 36!

Happy Thursday!!

Today is your FINAL writing day. For real this time. You should have your rough draft done before you get to class tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Day 35!

Happy Wednesday!!

Today is your final writing day! Your goal is to finish your rough draft today!

If you get to a point where you are citing quotations in your essay, use this website to help guide you. I will also run you through it today too!

Another reminder: PLEASE be sure that you are drafting your essays on the document that I shared with you!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Day 34!

Happy Tuesday! Happy Homecoming Week!

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! Today is a writing day! Your goal is to write 1-1 1/2 pages today in class.

We will start the period by re-formatting our documents so they are essay-ready!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Day 33!

Happy Friday!!!

It's a writing day today!

Your goal today: Complete your outline/ begin writing your rough draft. PLEASE show me your outline before you begin writing!

To change the margins and font on your rough draft: 

1. Click "File"
2. "Page Setup"
3. Change left and right margins from 0.5 to 1


4. Press command+ A and change font to Times New Roman (12 pt)
5. Command + A change to double space

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Day 32!

Happy Thursday!!!

By now, you should have picked a side for your essay, and you should have started making a list of reasons why.

Your goal today:  Create a thesis statement for the essay. Remember it must have the following things: 1. Topic 2. Claim 3. Specific Reasons

Once you have your thesis, you should move on to making your outline. You have three options below. Pick one of these to complete. This should be done before you come to class tomorrow! In addition, this outline must be complete before you move on to writing your essay!

Block Method Google Doc Outline
Point-by-Point Method Google Doc Outline
Compare/Contrast Essay Map Online


If you have been absent, or just need a reference. You can use this PRESENTATION to help you out. Remember, any changes that you make to your essay should be done on the doc that I shared with you!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Day 31!

I'm so confused on what day of the week it is. Yesterday, I almost typed "Happy Wednesday", and today I almost typed "Happy Tuesday". Maybe I need to go home... :)

Lucky for you, I will stay and suck it up!

Today we will finish up talking about the structure of a compare/contrast essay. Then, we will move on to your essay! You will notice that I have updated daily expectations for this essay on the "Upcoming Assignments" calendar on the right hand side of this page ----------->

Be sure that you are keeping up on those daily goals!