Wednesday,+October+6,+2010

==  Bell Ringer == What is //sentence variety//? How do we create sentence variety in our writing?
 * Click here to learn about participial phrases. These can add description, variety, and spice to your writing! Read the "Textbook" page to learn about expressing yourself with participial phrases; then do the ** "Try It Out" ** exercises on a piece of notebook paper to turn in. (Hint: Click on "Try IT Out" at the bottom of the "Textbook" page for participial phrases.)

Mini-Lesson
** Click on the "Story Starters" link. Press the button at the bottom of the page to get one participial phrase you like from the collection...then finish the sentence that follows the phrase so that the WHOLE sentence is interesting. Next, use the sentence you created to begin an amazing story! Or a poem! Or a descriptive paragraph! Write at least 6 sentences/lines. At least three (3) of your sentences should contain a participial phrase. ** ** Share your story with us on the discussion board. Make sure you post in the right class! **

Read Aloud
Read the story, "Ninth Street Bridge" by Bill Cosby?
 * Check out the pattern for writing a poem using phrases. Write a poem about "Ninth Street Bridge" using ** Pattern 3 **. Share it on the discussion board. Be sure to post it in the correct thread!
 * If you need help with the different types of phrases and clauses, look at this link!

Individual Reading Time
During your reading time today, notice your author's sentence variety. Look for a participial phrase! Jot it down on a sticky note and stick it on the sign in the front of the room.

Share
What participial phrases are some of our authors using?

Homework

 * By Friday you should have both of your thINKs and your reviews for Goodreads posted on your blog and linked to the thINK discussion board! These are both test grades!
 * Keep journaling! Remember to notice the writer's techniques, ask and seek answers for layer 2 and layer 3 questions, make connections (text, self, world), judge characters against your own personal standards, agree or disagree with the author, and seek the background information you need to understand your text (time period, author's background, references, etc.). ** Journals will be checked in class on Thursday, October 14th, for B classes and Friday, October 15th, for A classes. **