1. Truth and Reality: Short Stories Wrap-Up Monday, August 29, 2016

2. Binders!  I will give you a binder, a label for your name that you will put on the spine, and a piece of printer paper and markers to make it your own.  Please organize your binder with the following sections: 1.Bellwork and Exit Tickets 2.Notes 3.Handouts 4.Graded work: Tests, Quizzes, and Writing Assignments 5.Vocabulary

3. Prepare for your in-class essay which will be written Thursday: Both Narayan and Saki use irony or paradox to explain ideas. In an essay, compare and contrast how the authors present the concepts of truth and deception in these stories. Provide evidence from the text to support your understanding. 1.Read the prompt carefully and completely. 2.Identify a few examples of irony or paradox in each story. 3.Draw a conclusion about the message each writer is expressing about truth, deception, and honesty. 4.Take notes on how the use of irony and paradox help each writer express his message. Find quotations from the text that you can include to support your ideas.

4. Exit Ticket 8/29/16:  Get your worked stamped for today. Make sure you place this paper in your binder! You will submit it with your essay on Thursday.

5. Truth and Reality: Short Stories Wrap-Up Tuesday, August 30, 2016

6. Bellwork 8/30/16: Please answer the following questions on your bellwork paper along with your Name, Class Period, and Date.  How do you feel about writing? 1 = I hate it5 = I’m indifferent about it10 = I love to write!  How comfortable are you with writing a thesis statement? 1 = what is a thesis statement? 5 = I know what a thesis is, but I struggle with writing one. 10 = I am quite capable of creating a thesis statement and supporting it.  Can you list the Six Traits of Writing? If so, write them down. If not, can you guess what they are?  Why are the Six Traits important?  What do you need the most help with when it comes to writing?  What can you offer help with?

7. The Thesis Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R0ivCaLtnY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n0f_bR5aoc What is the thesis statement in the essay?  A thesis statement usually appears at the end of the introductory paragraph of a paper and offers a concise summary of the main point or claim of the essay, research paper, etc. The thesis statement is developed, supported, and explained in the course of the paper by means of examples and evidence. Thesis statements help organize and develop arguments, and serve as a signal to readers about the topic of a paper.

8. How do I know if I have written a strong thesis statement?  Do I answer the question presented in the writing prompt?  Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Remember, a thesis statement is an OPINION, not a fact.  Is my thesis statement specific enough?  Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test?  Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering?  Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test?

9. Analyzing Thesis Statements: Whole Class Discussion:  Look at each of the statements on side one of the handout.  What is wrong with each of the statements? Should the statements be scrapped, or can they be revised to make strong statements? Either individually or with a partner, complete the following…  Examine each of the thesis statements on the backside of the handout.  What is the problem with each of the statements?  How can the thesis statements be improved?

10. Exit Ticket 8/30/16:  Please submit your thesis handout before leaving class today. This will be your exit ticket. Make sure that your name, date, and class period are on the handout.

11. Truth and Reality: Short Stories Wrap-Up Wednesday, August 31, 2016

12. Prep for In-Class Essay:  Reread the prompt and draft your thesis statement. Be sure to use the notes you prepared in class on Monday!  Add to these notes today – what points will you make? What quotations will you use to support your points? These notes will be submitted along with your essay tomorrow!  Your essay should contain a strong thesis statement and at least three body paragraphs with evidence to support your opinion. Each body paragraph should have at least one quotation from either of the texts. In all, you will have five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.  Both Narayan and Saki use irony or paradox to explain ideas. In an essay, compare and contrast how the authors present the concepts of truth and deception in these stories. Provide evidence from the text to support your understanding.

13. School Picture Time!  Please stay together as a class and get through the lines as quickly as possible. When we return to class, come straight back. I will take attendance a second time and mark you tardy if you take a field trip on the way back.  Thanks in advance for not wasting class time.

14. Independent Reading Book Assessment Options:  Read through the options. Highlight five or six that interest you. Keep in mind that you can only do each assignment once. Make sure you put this paper in your binder for safe keeping. As you are reading your book, consider which project is most appropriate (and enjoyable) to complete when you finish your book. This assignment will be due on Monday, September 26, 2016. If you submit earlier, you will receive extra credit.

15. SSR  Please read your independent book quietly for the remainder of class time today.

16. Truth and Reality: Short Stories Wrap-Up Thursday, September 1, 2016

17. In-Class Essay:  Your essay should contain a strong thesis statement and at least three body paragraphs with evidence to support your opinion. Each body paragraph should have at least one quotation from either of the texts. In all, you will have five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.  Both Narayan and Saki use irony or paradox to explain ideas. In an essay, compare and contrast how the authors present the concepts of truth and deception in these stories. Provide evidence from the text to support your understanding.  Don’t forget to mention how the authors use irony to present their thoughts about truth and deception!  Good Luck!!

18. Biographies & Autobiographies Friday, September 2, 2016

19. Bellwork 9/2/16:  What is the difference between an autobiography and a biography ?  What is a memoir ?  What would you like me to know about the paper you wrote yesterday? For example, do you think you did well and you feel good about it? Or did you struggle? What makes you feel this way?

20. Silent Reading:  Read Lynne Cox’s Bio on p. 61 and from Swimming to Antarctica pp. 62-74.  Complete vocabulary sheet.  Answer questions #1 and #4 p. 74.