Great Grammar Gambit....commas and vocabulary...we will wait until next week for the finale.  Writing metaphors, personification, similes...because we still aren't sure.  Looking at the personal essay....how to begin?  Introduction writing.

Comma rule #4 here we come!!  Today is a double class.  We will be reading the story "Penny in the Dust" that we didn't get to yesterday.  We will be working on reading strategies.  We will also look at symbolism and review our terms: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery and foreshadowing.  In your notes you will explain the symbolism of the Penny and the Dust.  You will also create a characterization chart for the father and for the son.

We will take the brainstorming on yesterday's topic and start to organize it into an outline.  We will discuss how to choose the most effective details and that you can rearrange details and discussions several times.  

We will work with day 2 of the grammar gambit and vocabulary.  We will then Brainstorm ideas about the topic "The Trouble with parents....The trouble with kids...".  Essay outlining.  We will read the short story: "Penny In the Dust" by Earnest Buckler.  Take the quiz to review your terms.  

We might have a special presentation this day but if not.  We will work with day 2 of the grammar gambit and vocabulary.  We will then Brainstorm ideas about the topic "The Trouble with parents....The trouble with kids...".  Essay outlining.  We will read the short story: "Penny In the Dust" by Earnest Buckler.  Take the quiz to review your terms.  

Grammar Gambit - The wonderful comma.  New Vocabulary. Presentation of your Short Story Visuals and discussion.  Puzzle activity - putting together the personal essay.  

The Great Grammar Finale (week two).  Presentations of the posters for the short story "Just Lather, that's all".  Instruction - writing format - what makes a paragraph..If all goes well....we'll watch a little of the hockey semi finals...but only if you're working hard!!

The Great Grammar Gambit - Fragment and Run-on sentences combined.  Vocabulary review (final day as the grand finale is tomorrow).  Finish up our posters for images from "Just Lather, that's all".  Words for this story:  Dilemma, imagery.

Valentine's Day...the day of love...POETRY!!  So we will be looking at Ms. Collison's favorite love poem "First Person Demonstrative" - Looking for the speaker - discussion.  Great Grammar Gambit - Run-on Sentences Continued.  Vocabulary work.  Take out the notes from "Just Lather, that's all" and complete.  Discuss the two characters and who we respect more and why.  Introduction and work on the visual assignment for "Just Lather, That's All" in the assignments section.

Grammar Gambit - Day two of run-on sentences and vocabulary work.  The great debate - capital punishment.  Read the short story "Just Lather, That's All" together as a class.

Reading Diagnostic day!!  If there is time we will do day two of our sentence gambit and/or work on vocabulary