AGENDA 9/28

Grammar Warm-up: Verbs, verbs, verbs!
(subject-verb agreement errors, verb tense errors, parallelism errors)

Debrief yesterday's class with the substitute & reminder to keep floors free of trash

Introductory Activity: The Outcast, continued
Viewing Guide for film clip from The Breakfast Club

Continue working on persuasive letters

HW: Draft of complete persuasive letter due MONDAY, 10/1
Continue to study vocabulary words
Bring independent reading book to class on Monday
Bring ID card or schedule to class on Monday--we'll be going to the textbook room to pick up Catcher in the Rye

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pust will be at the Santa Monica Public Library, main branch (6th & Santa Monica Blvd.) on SUNDAY, 9/30 from 1pm-5pm in the cafe patio area if you would like help with your persuasive letter or other assignments.

AGENDA 9/27

Vocabulary Warm-up: Persuasion Unit
REMINDER: Vocabulary quiz NEXT Friday, 10/5, over
all 35 vocabulary words (from current unit and previous unit)

Introductory activity: Talking about "Outcasts"
Student responses to outcast cluster map

Continue working on persuasive letters

HW: Draft of complete persuasive letter due MONDAY, 10/1
Continue to study vocabulary words
Bring independent reading book to class on Monday
Bring ID card or schedule to class on Monday--we'll be going to the textbook room

AGENDA 9/26

Review components of the persuasive letter: handout
Begin drafting persuasive letters--one paragraph due tomorrow.

HW: Draft one paragraph of your persuasive letter. Finish the brainstorming sheet if you haven't already.

REMINDER: Independent reading books needed by Monday; 5 points extra credit if you bring your book in by Friday. Please choose a book from the independent reading book list; all of these books are available in the school and/or public library.

AGENDA 9/25

REMINDER: Back-to-School Night Tonight!

Grammar Warm-up: Subject-Verb Agreement Review
Introduce persuasive letter project by reading sample
Tomorrow: Begin prewriting or drafting persuasive letters--class will meet in the computer lab, T110.

HW: Complete persuasive topic sheet distributed in class yesterday if you haven't already
Continue to study vocabulary

AGENDA 9/24

Vocabulary Warm-up: Persuasion Vocab
Develop one persuasive issue: generate reasons and/or counterarguments
Introduce independent reading book list

HW: Select an independent reading book from the list and bring it to class by next Monday, 10/1. If you bring your book to class before Monday, you will receive 5 extra credit points. Continue to study vocabulary words. Complete persuasive issue handout given in class today if you did not finish.

AGENDA 9/21

Grammar Warm-Up: Subject-Verb Agreement
Finish reading article
Group activity: generate reasons or questions on the
poster paper for each of the persuasive essay topics

HW: Create vocabulary flashcards for any 5 of the new
vocabulary words (index cards were provided)
On a separate piece of paper, select two persuasive topics--
these can be topics we examined in class or other issues
that you believe need to be addressed or changed. Then,
for each topic, list either 5 questions related to the topic that
you want to know more about, or 5 reasons that you think the
way you do about the topic (or any combination of reasons
and/or questions). You should have a total of 10 reasons/questions
listed, over the two topics. Contact me if you have questions.

AGENDA 9/20

Warm-up: Brainstorming the pros and cons of abolishing
compulsory school attendance laws
Share and discuss responses
Introduce new vocabulary words for persuasion unit
Answer key: definitions for new vocabulary words
Begin reading "So That Nobody Has to Go to School if They Don't Want to" by Roger Sipher

HW: Begin studying vocabulary. Remember that vocabulary is
cumulative, so review the previous words in addition to
studying the new words.