Warm Up – Correct the follow sentence using editing and proofreading marks. The Piaroa tribe in Venezuela has an interesting custom on special occassions, they roast spiders the size of dinner plates.

Agenda MUGS Review Hot Topics Reading Commentary “Texting is not Talking” Model Read Aloud and Analysis Choose 2nd article and complete analysis

Agenda – All work should be completed independently today. Warm Up Complete all commentary readings and chart Complete Comma Splices and Runs-On Packet Organize Notebook Independent Reading

Agenda Warm Up – Poem Response Commentary Quickwrites Texting Myspace Voting Animal cruelty/testing

Warm Up 1/29/10 - Mugshots It should have been obvious when you visited that cleo is the greatest dog in the world not only does she hang out with us but she loves to wrestle when she’s finally tired cleo will take a nap with her head on you lap.

Agenda Warm Up Writing Debate Notebook Checklist/Organization Independent Reading Log

Texting can ruin your communication skills. Claim/Argument – One of your reasons to support your opinion on the issue Support – Specific evidence from life experience or research that supports your claim Commentary – explanation of how your evidence supports your claim. Warrant – Relate your claim and commentary back to your opinion

Texting while driving should be illegal. Claim/Argument – One of your reasons to support your opinion on the issue Support – Specific evidence from life experience or research that supports your claim Commentary – explanation of how your evidence supports your claim. Warrant – Relate your claim and commentary back to your opinion

Testing on animals is necessary. Claim/Argument – One of your reasons to support your opinion on the issue Support – Specific evidence from life experience or research that supports your claim Commentary – explanation of how your evidence supports your claim. Warrant – Relate your claim and commentary back to your opinion

Cheating is always wrong. Claim/Argument – One of your reasons to support your opinion on the issue Support – Specific evidence from life experience or research that supports your claim Commentary – explanation of how your evidence supports your claim. Warrant – Relate your claim and commentary back to your opinion

Teenagers should have myspace pages. Claim/Argument – One of your reasons to support your opinion on the issue Support – Specific evidence from life experience or research that supports your claim Commentary – explanation of how your evidence supports your claim. Warrant – Relate your claim and commentary back to your opinion

Warm Up 2/1/10 Based on the texts that we read last week, make a list of five characteristics of persuasive/commentary writing.

Agenda Warm Up Review persuasive techniques Reread “A Cruel Place” and read like a writer Partner reread and read like a writer

Warm Up 2/2/10 Make a list of four things that really bother you in this world.

Agenda Warm Up Discuss List Develop Commentary Topics 15 minutes independent 15 minutes partner

Focused Freewrite Write two questions for Ms. Posta about your commentary topic. What would you like help with? What are you struggling with?

What is commentary? Opinion Reader to change mind Details Research Vocabulary Surveys Persuade the person’s point of view Get the reader to agree Topic Persuade Facts Interesting Why you want them to change their mind Claim Purpose Voice Sarcasm Nonfiction Trying to make a change Evidence to support Examples Questions with answers Has to make sense Commentary Hook Statistics Good word choice Back up their opinion Words, Phrases, quotes Real facts from personal experience Proof Anecdotes Counter-argument Rebuttal Audience must see your point Good Ideas Comparisons Prove something

Agenda Warm Up – Poem Response Continue to develop topic Conferences with Ms. Posta – have your questions ready! Freewrite/Discovery Draft/Research

Warm Up 2/4/10 List three different types of audience that may be interested in reading your commentary. Explain how your audience will effect your essay.

Agenda Warm Up – Discuss Audience Model Graphic Organizer Complete prewriting/brainstorming process Conferences

DO NOT RECOPY THIS SENTENCE Identify the nouns in the following sentence by circling them. What do you notice about the nouns that the writer uses in this sentence. Although teens today will eventually become the ones who set the standards for spelling and grammar, our elders are calling the shots now, and they tend to look down on spelling and grammatical errors. This could easily affect one’s grades or job opportunities.

Warm Up 2/18/10 Underline the verbs in the following sentence: As he stares at the blank answer page all the problems look blurry and when the results come back the student realizes that he failed. What do you notice about the verbs that the writer chooses to use?

Warm Up 2/22/10 Explain where you are with your commentary essay. Write one concern/question you have about completing this portfolio piece.