MR. SENNE

TEAM 7B -- WRITING

 

sennee@wilmette39.org

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, DEC. 18

 

No homework over the break.  Enjoy!  Thanks for a great 2009!

 

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 17

 

No Homework for the rest of the year.  : ) 

 

Please remember to bring an appropriate snack for tomorrow afternoon (no caffeine, no peanuts, no jumbo-sized 4,000 ounce jugs).

 

Also, please add Ms. Sorenson's e-mail address to your e-mail address book.  You can find her at:

sorensom@wilmette39.org

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, DEC. 15

 

Remember a typed rough draft (hard copy) of your movie summary is due tomorrow.  See yesterday's homework for a copy of the prewrite/plan, rubric, and helpful websites.

 

While you are drafting, don't forget to use some of the "Sentence Openers," also posted below.

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, DEC. 14

 

Tonight, please complete your prewrite/plan sheet for your chosen movie summary.  (attached below)

 

Also, one performance standard for this piece of writing is to experiment with "Introductory Elements" to build sentence variety.  Attached, you will find a list of "Sentence Openers" for your reference while your draft.

 

Also, if you need help finding the real names of actors, actresses, or directors for your chosen film, don't foget to check out the handy IMDB.com

 

http://www.imdb.com/

 

MOVIE SUMMARYprewrite.doc

 

sentenceopeners.doc

 

PROJECTDESCRIPTOR:MovieSummary.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, DEC. 11

 

Enjoy the weekend.  You might want to be watch the movie that you plan to summarize if it's one you have not seen within the last two weeks. 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 10

 

Tonight, please complete the Movie Review Worksheet if you did not do so in class.  Also, please read three sample movie summaries from the professional movie critics of your choice about the movie of your choice.  Record your findings on the worksheet.  Of the three summaries, please print out a HARD COPY of your favorite summary and bring it to class tomorrow.

 

ALSO, DOL Quiz tomorrow.

 

For easy access to a collection of movie reviews from professional critics, you might want to visit the link below:

 

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9

 

No homework for tonight, but you will have a DOL quiz on Friday (10 pts).  Enjoy! 

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, DEC. 8

 

A final draft of your Expository Idiom is due tomorrow.  Please make sure you have the following materials ready to assemble and staple. We'll have a game of "TRUTH OR LIE" tomorrow in class.  The top three tricksters will add three extra credit points to their final scores. 

 

     ____  Final Copy

    ____ Peer Revision sheet

    ____ Copy of the original source

    ____ Typed rough draft

    ____ Prewrite/plan sheet

    ____ This Rubric

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, DEC. 7

 

Remember a typed rough draft of your Expository Idiom piece is due tomorrow.  Please make sure you have a "fake" and a "real" origin coupled with the explanation and example.  

 

Also, be sure to print off a copy of what phrasefinder.com or prideunlimited says about your idiom and bring it to class.  We will need a copy of this "primary" research resource for a peer revision activity tomorrow in class.

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, DEC. 4

 

A typed rough draft of your Expository Idiom piece will be due on Tuesday.  You will have workshop time on Monday, but you might want to complete your prewrite/plan over the weekend to make sure you do not have too much work to complete on Monday.

 

PERIOD 1:  Be sure to bring in a hard copy of the research you will need to complete your prewrite/plan and to begin writing.  (Print off a copy of what phrasefinder.com or prideunlimited says about your idiom and bring it to class.)

 

PHRASE FINDER (Idioms explained website)

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/index.html

 

PRIDE UNLIMITED (Idioms explained website)

http://www.pride-unlimited.com/probono/idioms1.html#c

 

A prewrite/plan is attached below for your reference:

 

prewriteplanidiom.doc

 

A project descriptor/rubric is attached below for your reference:

 

rubric.doc

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 3

No homework for tonight.  If you are in period 1, you may cancel the HW assignment we discussed (to much confusion) in class today. 

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2

 

Tonight for homework, please visit the following website that shares the origins of thousands of common idioms.  Your job is to "tour" the site and read several origin stories.  Some are boring, some are inappropriate for school, some are intriguing, some are confusing, and everywhere in between.  Your job is to find FIVE origin stories that are of interest to you.  Simply write the idiom at the bottom of your homework page. 

 

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/index.html

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, DEC. 1

 

Tonight, please complete the Sentence Fluency worksheet that you began in class. 

 

Attached below:

 

sentencefluencychart.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK

 

Aside from your 14 page, single-spaced, 5 point font essay on the history of the semicolon, you have no homework over the break. 

 

Just kidding!  No homework.  Enjoy! 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, NOV. 19

 

Final test is tomorrow.  40 multiple choice questions.  Check out the links, practice test, or review your homework assignments for additional practice in your areas of growth.  You might want to bring a book in case you finish early. 

 

A link to the copy of the practice test is below.  The answer key follows.  

 

PRACTICETEST.doc

 

answerkeyPRACTICE.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18

 

Our final test over this grammar unit will be on FRIDAY of this week.  See homework from the previous nights for a practice test, a preview of the study guide, and links to websites that offer extra practice. 

 

Tonight, please complete the "Passage Analysis" questions on the back side of the study guide. 

 

Final test:  40 multiple choice questions covering our key concepts. 

 

answerkeyPRACTICE.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, NOV. 17

 

Please complete the Intro. Elements worksheet that we started in class.  Also, make sure you have written FIVE sentences that begin with an introductory element. 

 

Our final test over this grammar unit will be on FRIDAY of this week.  See homework from the previous nights for a practice test, a preview of the study guide, and links to websites that offer extra practice. 

 

Final test:  40 multiple choice questions covering our key concepts. 

 

Once you have completed the practice test, you can check your answers using the following answer key.  If you missed a question, review it to see if you can figure out your error. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, NOV. 16

 

Please complete the Compound Sentence Worksheet that we began in class.  Also, make sure you have tried to write FIVE compound sentences of your own in your writer's notebook. 

 

For additional examples of how to write a compound sentence, check out the link below.

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2213951_write-compound-sentences.html

 

Today's worksheet is also attached:

 

wrcompoundsentences.doc 

 

FOR A STUDY GUIDE AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR FRIDAY'S TEST, Click here: (The answer key for the practice test will follow later in the week).

 

PRACTICETEST.doc

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11

 

Please complete the Run-on Worksheet that we began in class.  Enjoy the long weekend. 

 

sentencesrun-on.doc

 

If you'd like extra practice and further explanations on fixing run-on sentences, please check out the link below:

 

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/runons_quiz.htm

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, NOV. 10

 

Please complete the Fragment Worksheet that we began in class. 

 

For extra practice with fragments, check out the following website: http://www.chompchomp.com/frag01/frag01.htm

 

sentencefragments.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, NOV. 9

 

No homework for writing class for tonight. 

 

If you are in Period 1, please DO NOT complete the FRAGMENT worksheet from this morning.  Please save it for us to work on together tomorrow in class. 

 

If you'd like practice questions that review FINDING THE SUBJECT AND VERBS in a sentence, please click the following link:

 

http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/finding_subjects_verbs_1.asp

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, NOV. 6

 

If you did not finish your "SENTENCES" worksheet today in class, please complete it over the weekend.  Otherwise, enjoy the homework-free weekend.

 

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, NOV. 5

 

No homework tonight.  Enjoy.

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4

 

No homework for tonight.  Enjoy.

 

Congratulations to our Scary Story Contest Winners! 

 

Per. 1:  Ellie, Dmitra, Sam

Per. 3: Erin, Laura,

Per. 4: Elise, Kristen, Karina

Per. 6: Lauren, Jayce, Nathan

Per. 9: TBA

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, NOV. 3

 

Please bring all supporting materials for your scary story.  The list is below and on your project descriptor/rubric

 

FINAL COPY (Print out a new one if you did further revision.  If you brought in your final copy today for the contest, your may attach that one tomorrow during class.)

PEER REVISION SHEET

TYPED ROUGH DRAFT

PREWRITE/PLAN SHEET

ORANGE RUBRIC

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, NOV. 2

 

We will voting for our "Ghost with the Most"/Most Suspenseful Story honors tomorrow in class.  Revise/edit your rough draft to incorporate your peer revision feedback and make the best possible piece for tomorrow's contest.

 

Remember:  Three pages.  Three winners per class period.  Three points extra credit.

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, OCT. 29

 

Remember your typed rough draft for your Scary Story is due on Monday for peer revision.  Have a safe and happy Halloween.

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28

 

Remember your typed rough draft is due on MONDAY.  You'll have workshop time tomorrow in class to develop your short and shivery tale even further.

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, OCT. 27

 

As Halloween approaches, so do our Scary Stories.  Tonight, please thoroughly complete the prewrite/plan worksheet from class. 

 

Attached, you will find a copy of the prewrite/plan and project descriptor/rubric.

 

ghostprewriteplanshivery09.doc

 

scaryrubric09.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, OCT. 26

 

Tonight, get your Short and Shivery going by experimenting with one or more of the suspense techniques we are working on in class.  Shoot for a 1/2 page to a page in your writer's notebook or typed hard copy.

 

The attached sheet will clarify instructions for you if you were absent.

 

ghostsuspenseexercise.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 23

 

No homework for over the weekend.  Enjoy.  And sleep well...

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, OCT. 22

 

Tonight, you'll "adapt a scare."  That is, you'll take a lame version of a traditional ghost story and transform it into something better.  The goal is for you to experiment with several of our techniques to build suspense.  Shoot for about a page in your writer's notebook.  You're welcome to type it, but please bring a hard copy to share.

 

The lame stories came from an in-class resource and are not available online.  If you were absent today, please stop by room 128 tomorrow to pick up the worksheet for what you will need for this assignment.

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21

 

Please complete the "Scary Story" Reflection worksheet.

 

ghostSHORT AND SHIVERY reflectionsQUESTIONS.doc

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, OCT. 20

 

We'll have a quick six point DOL quiz tomorrow.  Remember the quiz will cover only the editing portion of the DOL sentences (no vocab.).  The sentences will come from the most recent DOL sheet.  

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, OCT. 19

 

Remember your final draft of your personal narrative is due on TUESDAY, Oct. 20.  Be sure to bring all supporting materials as listed on your project descriptor/rubric.  The list is below for your reference.

 

- Final Draft

- Peer Revision Sheet

- Typed Rough Draft

- Prewrite/plan worksheet

- Rubric/Project Descriptor

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 16

 

Remember, a typed rough draft of your personal narrative is due on MONDAY, Oct. 19 (hard copy ready for peer revision).  Final copy will be due on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, OCT. 14

 

Due to popular demand, we have moved the deadline for the typed rough draft to MONDAY, OCT. 19.  Final draft will be due on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  Please take advantage of the extended deadline to make your piece the best it can be. 

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, OCT. 13 -- THURSDAY OCT. 14

 

A typed rough draft of your personalnarrative is due on Friday of this week (hard copy ready for peer revision).  You will have workshop time in class on Wed. and Thurs.

 

IN CLASS...

Tues:  Mini-lesson-- beginnings/hooks/intros.

minilessonHOOKSnarrative.doc

 

Wed.: Mini-lesson-- endings/the "so what" of a narrative

wrminilessonemotionalsig.doc

 

Thurs.: Mini-lesson-- keeping verb tense consistent

verbtenselesson.doc

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 9

 

This weekend for homework, please complete the "Prewrite/plan" worksheet for your chosen narrative. 

 

If you were absent, you can print out a copy of the project descriptor and prewrite/plan sheet below.

 

Enjoy the long weekend! 

 

narrativeprewrite09.doc

 

narrativerubric09.doc

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, OCT. 8

 

Tonight, please complete the "narrative structures" worksheet that you started in class.  Also, it is to your advantage to have a clear idea of which memory you'd like to focus on for your final narrative piece as we will be working on the prewrite/plan tomorrow in class. 

 

narrative_structures_.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, OCT. 6

 

Tonight, you'll be strolling down memory lane and thinking about THOUGHTS/FEELINGS.  You'll be drafting a 1/2 page to a page journal entry in your writer's notebook that focuses on THOUGHTS/FEELINGS associated with a memory.  Remember that tonight's emphasis is on SHOWING instead of TELLING. 

 

The attached description will help you if you were absent today.

 

showvstellsamplepassage.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, OCT. 5

 

Tonight, you'll be strolling down memory lane and thinking about PLACES.  Please complete the sensory detail web from class and then journal about the sensory details of your chosen place/location/room/memory.  For the journal entry, shoot for about 1/2 to a page in your writer's notebook.  If you type your exercise, please be sure to bring in a hard copy.

 

The attached description will help you if you were absent today.

 

narrativePLACE.doc 

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 2

 

No homework.  Enjoy the weekend!  Go Bears! 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, OCT. 1     

 

For homework tonight, please take a stroll down memory lane and see what you find there.  Tonight's focus:  A memory involving an important person/pet.  This attached half-sheet will walk you through the brainstorming process.

 

familymemberscene.doc 

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30

 

For homework tonight, please select one word pair from the "Often Confused Words" list and complete the attached worksheet (distributed in class).  Your word pair should be words that are new, challenging, and/or confusing to you.

 

wordchoicegoals.doc

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, SEPT. 29

 

Remember your final draft of your dialogue piece is due tomorrow.  Please make sure you have a hard copy to turn in to Mr. Senne.  A peer revision sheet is attached below.

 

dialoguepeerrevison.doc

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEKEND, SEPT. 25

 

Remember your typed rough draft of your "Dialogue Writing Project" is due on Tuesday.  Please make sure you have a typed, printed out "hard copy" of your piece to share during peer revision.

 

Below are directions for accessing your digital locker if you have forgotten how...

 

DIRECTIONS FOR.docx

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23

 

Today, we began our "Dialogue Writing Project."  You will have tomorrow and Friday to work on the piece in class with a typed rough draft due on Tuesday, Sept. 29.  Please see the attached project descriptor if you were absent.

 

dialogue09miniproject.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, SEPT 22

 

Tonight, you will practice writing and editing dialogue.  Different from last night's homework, you will add ACTION and DESCRIPTION to a dialogue scene.  Please convert one of the comic strips into a dialogue scene, complete with DIALOGUE, ACTION, and DESCRIPTION.

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, SEPT. 21

 

Tonight, you will practice writing and editing dialogue.  Using the dialogue you generated with a partner today in class, you will REWRITE the dialogue, adding taglines, puncuation, and paragraph breaks.  A complete homework assignment will have about 10 lines of dialogue (five from each "character/speaker").  You are welcome to write this in your writer's notebook or you may type it and print out a hard copy.

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, SEPT. 18

 

No homework.  Enjoy the weekend.  Go Bears!

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 17

 

Please study your current DOL worksheet and Six Traits of Writing notes to prepare for tomorrow's 18 point quiz. 

 

HOMEWORK FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPT 16

 

Tonight, please read and "grade" the attached sample essay if you did not finish in class. 

 

TheChincident.doc

 

We'll have a quiz Friday over our most recent DOL editing work and the six traits of writing.  Notes from Tuesday's powerpoint are attached.

 

SixTraitPresentation.ppt

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, SEPT. 15

 

No homework for tonight.  Curriculum Night begins tonight at 6:30.  If your mom or dad plans to attend, please be sure to tell them your homeroom teacher's name and homeroom teacher's room number.  They will report there after the group presentation in the auditorium.  See you tomorrow.

 

HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY, SEPT. 14

 

A good round of Publishing Monkey today in class.  I heard a lot of clear images, strong angle sentences, juicy words, and effective hooks overall. 

 

No homework for tonight.  We'll see you tomorrow.

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY, SEPT. 11

 

Be sure to bring in a "hard copy" of your FINAL DRAFT for your Interview a Classmate hook/intro. piece.  Use your red project descriptor to remind you of the expectations for this assignment.  You might want to consult last night's homework posting if you have further questions.

 

Enjoy the weekend and GO BEARS! 

 

 

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 10

 

For tomorrow, please use the purple "how to" formatting tips sheet you received in class to FORMAT your interview a classmate hook. (a copy is attached below) Please bring a typed, formatted "hard copy" of your hook to class tomorrow for peer revision workshop.  

 

FAQ's

 

1. Do I have to type both of my hooks?

 

No.  Only your BEST hook is required to be typed.  However, you are welcome to bring BOTH typed hooks to get feedback from your peers on which one is strongest.

 

2.  Can I just save it on my flashdrive and print it out during class?

 

No.  Everyone needs a hard copy ready for the beginning of class.  If you have technical difficulties, please make arrangements to print out a copy in the LMC before the 8:00 bell.

 

3.  What do you mean by "hard copy?"

 

A hard copy is a paper version of your piece that you could turn in to me.  It is typed, edited, formatted, and ready to share. 

 

wrformattingdirections.doc

 

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, SEPT. 8

 

For Thursday, please draft TWO versions of a hook/introduction for your "interview a classmate" mini-project.  You might explore the "creating an image" or "begin with an interesting quote" techniques discussed in class, or you might explore a technique of your own to draw your readers in. 

 

You may handwrite your TWO hooks in your writer's notebook OR you may type your TWO hooks, save them on your flashdrive, and bring you flashdrive with you on Thursday. 

 

OTHER NOTES:

 

Scantron testing tomorrow.

Picture Day on Thursday

Bring flashdrives to class on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

HOW DO I FORMAT AN ESSAY AT THE JUNIOR HIGH?

 

12 point font

Times, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Palatino

Double-spaced

Heading in the upper right-hand corner that reads

     FIRST NAME LAST NAME

     DATE

     WRITING -- PERIOD _____

     "Catchy essay title in quotation marks"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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