1. II 4 th 6 weeks, week 4

2. Monday, 1/24  Obj: Professional Vocabulary, The Pre-Writing Process, Book selection  HW: Write a paragraph that uses all 20 of the vocabulary words in context.  Warm-up: What scores would these two OER’s receive for the question, “Why did Mr. Garcia decide to move to California?”  Mr. Garcia left his job for a couple of reasons. First, he said that he didn’t care about it anymore, because “all [he] could think about was Tio Manuel,” who had passed away in 1999. Second, he “always loved to program computers,” which made him happy enough to risk turning in his resignation.  Mr. Garcia moved to California so he could feel like a better person again. He didn’t like his job in Cleveland and felt that California would be a new start, closer to his older brother, who he admired. “At that point, Dan Garcia knew he had a choice—to change, or to remain an infinitely increasing mass that was destined to sink to the bottom of that old Ohio town.”

3. Group Work  ***If you made a Prezi, open it and save the link from Internet Explorer to my shared folder.  View your classmates’ presentations of their words, making a list of the words and definitions (you can also add any images/tips they gave you) in your journal.  These are the words you will use for your homework.  Make a presentation that explains the following to your classmates in a creative, memorable, useful, and possibly weird way:  How do you brainstorm essay ideas?  What do you do if you “don’t have any ideas?”  What is one way you can pre-write (before your rough draft) once you have an idea?  What are some ways you can ensure that you get a good score on your essay?  ***Use the TAKS writing rubrics found at the bottom of the “links” tab of my website.  ***You could use Prezi, PowerPoint, and/or a skit for your presentation. See me for any other ideas you have.  ***If you finish early, view youtube “trailers” for the books I have up on the board.

4. Wednesday, 1/26  Obj: Use TAKS rubric to score your OER’s in groups  HW: Make sure you meet the qualifications for the job to which you will be applying (for class)  Warm-up: Assessment Grade:  On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that uses all 20 professional vocabulary words. For credit, you must underline each vocabulary word you use. Failing to do so when you turn it in will result in you being docked 10 points for being late and having your paper returned to you so you can fix it. (5 points a piece for correct usage, in specific context; up to three grammatical errors allowed, -10 each for up to -30 for each subsequent error)  If you’re not writing this, in your journals, write 8-10 sentences describing what your dream job is and what kind of education you’ll need to get it.

5. Vocab assessment/ Signing up for Literary Circles  Vocab: On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that uses all 20 professional vocabulary words. For credit, you must underline each vocabulary word you use. Failing to do so when you turn it in will result in you being docked 10 points for being late and having your paper returned to you so you can fix it. (5 points a piece for correct usage, in specific context; up to three grammatical errors allowed, -10 each for up to -30 for each subsequent error)  As you finish your warm-up, come to my desk to sign-up for a literary circle. The novel choices are on the board.  Afterwards, please go to nicenet.org and make an account, using your novel key. Please enter an email address when asked, so you can get your password if you forget it. I have no access to your passwords. Username format: #LastFirst, where #=period #  Then, please begin reading your novel quietly.  These books will stay in the classroom

6. Friday, Jan 28  Obj: Persuasive letter  Hw: finish letter  Warm-up: How do you think the state budget cuts will affect this school?

7. Persuasive Letter—Due Tuesday  You will write a professional letter to Rep. Larry Gonzales requesting less budget cuts for schools  You will research the numbers and facts behind the budget cuts and what it means for you, your friends, and this school/district  Follow the instructions at your table  Use a professional letter template from http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/format.pdf http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/format.pdf  General budget shortfall information: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/ Web page for Representative Larry Gonzales http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=52 Source for legislative information http://austin.ynn.com/content/2011_legislature/find_a_bill/228262/find-legislative-information Round Rock's budget page (scroll to the bottom to find a list of suggested budget reductions) http://www.roundrockisd.org/index.aspx?page=3730 http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/ http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=52 http://austin.ynn.com/content/2011_legislature/find_a_bill/228262/find-legislative-information http://www.roundrockisd.org/index.aspx?page=3730