Monday February 9, 2009 Agenda HOMEWORK STRIKE SYSTEM IN EFFECT [3]: Composition notebook and pen/mechanical pencil FCAT Writes: T-Minus 24 hours [4 min] Warm up: What do you know and how ready are you for tomorrow? [10 min] PP Notes: Common Traps and Mistakes [1 min] 5-paragraph Essay [13 min] Introduction paragraph [25 min] Body Paragraphs [12 min] Conclusion Paragraph [Last 2 min] Pep-Talk Objective(s): Evaluate (judge) how ready the student is for the Writes by responding to the warm up in under 4 minutes. Apply previous notes about the writing process by writing an introduction paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion in under 45 minutes with a minimum score of a 3.5. Important Dates: 2/10: FCAT Writes! 2/16: NO SCHOOL 2/25: Early Release Day/Film Club meeting 2/27: Film Club Viewing

WARM UP 2/9/2009 [4 min] The FCAT Writes is less than 24 hours away. With this in mind…on a scale of 1 (very low) to 10 (very high), how well prepared do you feel? Explain your answer. Look at the following three terms: Introduction paragraph Body paragraphs Conclusion paragraph Out of these terms, which one are you the most comfortable writing? Why? Now which are you the least comfortable writing? Why? Timer

NO NOTES Today… We will be reviewing over common traps and mistakes to avoid tomorrow. You will be applying all that we have learned about writing in this class on one last practice essay. We will do this in parts, just like last week—you will be given a task and then a time limit—if you wish to share your response with the class for extra credit, you can do so from the safety of your desks. The last two minutes I will give you a pep-talk to calm your frayed nerves! 

NO NOTES Common Mistakes In my opinion, the difference between you passing and not passing—are the little things…

TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Pay CLOSE attention to the prompt

NO NOTES Common Mistakes “In today’s society, technology plays a very important role. Think about one piece of technology that has changed our society. Explain why it has changed our society.”

NO NOTES Common Mistakes “I think that technology changes us for the better. The pieces of technology that I think help us the most are: cell phones, the internet, and refrigerators. Now let me tell you why I think those pieces of technology help us so much.”

NO NOTES Common Mistakes “I think that technology changes us for the better. The pieces of technology that I think help us the most are: cell phones, the internet, and refrigerators. Now let me tell you why I think those pieces of technology help us so much.” See the problem?

NO NOTES Common Mistakes “In today’s society, technology plays a very important role. Think about one piece of technology that has changed our society. Explain why it has changed our society.”

TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Limit word picture to ½ page.

Common Mistakes Case Study: “Bob.” NO NOTES Common Mistakes Case Study: “Bob.” Wrote a 1 ½ pages of a word picture. Know what he scored?

Common Mistakes Case Study: “Bob.” NO NOTES Common Mistakes Case Study: “Bob.” Wrote a 1 ½ pages of a word picture. Know what he scored? 3.5…barely passed. Don’t be like “Bob”—capture their attention with the word picture, but don’t forget to make the body paragraphs and conclusion to the same level!

Common Mistakes Use transitions TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Use transitions First, second, third, in conclusion, for example

NO NOTES TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Grammar is not the most important part, but it still is a part of how it is graded.

Common Mistakes Capitalize Start of sentence Proper names TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Capitalize Start of sentence Proper names Mr. Hampton vs. mr. hampton

TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Long, detailed support is REQUIRED

TAKE NOTES Common Mistakes Stretching the truth is okay, as long as it is believable

NO NOTES Common Mistakes My favorite day ever was when I went to New York City. While there, I saw the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and rode the subway.” Vs. My favorite day ever was when I went to Mars. Mars is great—lots of things to do there in the bubble dome that kept us all alive. We had a great time.

NO NOTES 5-Pargraph Essay This is our last practice session before your test—let’s make the most of it. Remember, follow the instructions on screen. Write your essay in your composition notebook. You may use your notes—realize that there will be no notes used tomorrow. At the end of each allotted time, students are welcomed to share their responses. Any questions?

NO NOTES In 13 minutes… Write an introduction paragraph to the following prompt: There are four seasons throughout the year: winter, spring, summer, and fall.” Which season is your favorite? Why do you enjoy this time of the year? Include details that will help your reader understand why you enjoy this season.”

In 25 minutes… Write 3 body paragraphs to the following prompt: NO NOTES In 25 minutes… Write 3 body paragraphs to the following prompt: There are four seasons throughout the year: winter, spring, summer, and fall.” Which season is your favorite? Why do you enjoy this time of the year? Include details that will help your reader understand why you enjoy this season.”

In 12 minutes… Write a conclusion paragraph to the following prompt: NO NOTES In 12 minutes… Write a conclusion paragraph to the following prompt: There are four seasons throughout the year: winter, spring, summer, and fall.” Which season is your favorite? Why do you enjoy this time of the year? Include details that will help your reader understand why you enjoy this season.”