Theme, Continued.

Today's Goal: Learn how to write more specific answers, and do so.

The Plan: 

1. Read
2. Take a quiz
3. Look at some examples of your writing, and discuss ways that you need to work to make it better.
4. Theme activity.

THEME:

We're going to take a closer look at one of the themes from yesterday that relates to The House on Mango Street.

Theme: In the process of growing up, innocence is lost.

CLICK HERE for the chart you need to copy and paste into your English Journal.

Your job is to work to fill out this chart. 

Other things:

1. I expect to see you writing in your English Journal today.
2. You have an independent book to be reading over break! Don't forget about it!

Your Last Lesson on Theme

Today's Goal:  Understand and apply the concept of theme in literature through a collaborative application of multiple themes to multiple forms of media.

The Plan: 

1. Read
2. Play (you'll see)
3. Write

Theme: the last lesson you'll ever need. 

I'll post the slides we use later for your enjoyment.

Homework:

• Read House on Mango Street, pages 56-64
• "Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark"
• "Born Bad"
• "Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water"
• You have a quiz tomorrow on pages 46-64

BOOK LOVE

You know how you're reading an independent reading book every day in class?

By January 8, 2016, you're going to want to be completely finished with at least one of those independent reading "Book Love" books. 

That gives you about 3 more weeks to complete at least one book of your choosing.

GROW: Nouns and Adjectives

Today's Goal: Practice with nouns and adjectives. Read together.

The Plan:

1. Read!
2. Self-Grade your English Journal
3. GROW Notes
4. House on Mango Street reading

Self-Grading Your English Journal:

First, CLICK HERE to take a look at the English Journal Scoring Guide

Second, copy and paste the following two sentences into your English Journal (at the top, as usual), and fill it out:

I believe that I have earned a ____ on my English Journal. I have earned this score because _____

Homework:

• Read pages 53-55
• "The First Job"
• If you scored yourself lower than you'd like to have scored yourself on the rubric, you need to spend some time making up that work. 

Figurative Language Practice

Hello everyone, I apologize that I cannot be with you today. I fully expect that you will be respectful to the adult in the room who is here in my place!

Today's Goal: Identify and analyze Cisneros' use of figurative devices in The House on Mango Street.





The Plan:

1. Read for 10 minutes quietly.
2. Take your House on Mango Street quiz. (NO books. You have 15 minutes.)
3. Work on the figurative language worksheet. You may work with the people around you to have conversations about the work, but ultimately, you have to write down your own words. You also should not be speaking any louder than necessary to quietly talk to the people at your tables. This is due at the end of the period.
4. Catch yourself up on your English Journal Assignments (See chart to the left). If you are missing any, the instructions should be found on the blogpost from that date. I would also recommend asking a peer to help/explain it to you.

Homework:

• Read House on Mango Street pages 46-52, and flag one thematic concept in each vignette
• "Chanclas"
• "Hips"
• MAL Root Handout Due Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 16
• You will have one more HOMS reading quiz before break. It is on Friday, December 18

Vocab Roots and Style

Today's Goal: analyze the stylistic choices of Cisneros and how it affects the way in which we read the story.

The Plan:

1. Read!
2. Introduction to your new vocabulary: roots and the words that contain them.
3. Working with Punctuation (this gets copied and pasted into your English Journal)
4. Read House on Mango Street together

Words to use instead of "said"

Homework:

• Read House on Mango Street, pages 39-45
• "The Family of Little Feet"
• "A Rice Sandwich"
• You have a quiz tomorrow on House on Mango Street pages 28-45 
• You will NOT get to use your book.
• MAL homework due Wednesday, December 16

Introduction to a Two-Chunk Paragraph

Today's Goal: Using everything we have discussed, practiced, and learned so far this year, we will learn the basic structure of a two-chunk paragraph, gather evidence, and write your own.

The Plan:

1. Read!
2. Brainstorm the concept of childhood innocence
3. Take a look at the evidence of simile and metaphor you gathered in "Laughter" (pg 17-18) 
4. Two Chunk Paragraph Introduction
5. Practice writing a two-chunk text analysis paragraph in your English Journal using the "Laughter" vignette. The Topic Sentence you should use is below. The evidence will come from the similes and metaphors you wrote from "Laughter"

Two Chunk Paragraph Organization: (You can copy and paste this and use the labels for organizational purposes).

Topic Sentence: In “Laughter,” Cisneros illuminates Esperanza’s child like innocence when she compares her family’s style of laughter to the laughter of her friends

TCE 1:

Commentary 1A:

Commentary 2B:

TCE 2:

Commentary 2A:

Commentary 2B:

Concluding Sentence:

Homework:

• Read House on Mango Street (pages 31-38) and in each, flag one quote that relates to a thematic concept on your bookmark (a picture of the bookmark is in the sidebar if you need the list)
• "Alicia Who Sees Mice"
• "Darius and the Clouds"
• "And Some More"
• I have a number of you that need to make up the first House on Mango Street quiz. You need to do that by Friday, or it'll become a permanent zero.
• I also have a number of you that have not joined Remind.
  Period 3 Click Here to join (it will let you join by email OR phone)
  Period 4 Click Here to join (it will let you join by email OR phone)

Implicit vs. Explicit meanings

Today's Goal: Discuss implicit vs. explicit messages in texts, and the thematic concept of innocence.

The Plan:

1. Read!
2. Take your Literary Devices Test
3. Read "There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn't Know What To Do" and discuss implicit messages.
4. Return to Marin "Marin"
5. Discuss the thematic concept of innocence
6. Gather evidence of simile and metaphor in "Laughter" (pg 17-18)
7. Two Chunk Paragraph Introduction (probably not time for this, but it's here just in case.)

Gathering Evidence:
You will need to make a table in your English Journal that has two columns. (2x4) One column should be labeled "Examples of simile and metaphor" and the other should be labeled "meaning YOU infer."

In this table, you will find one example of a simile and two examples of metaphor in "Laughter." and discuss the implied meanings that you infer in the second column.

Homework:

• Read
• Complete your classwork in your English Journal. It's not worth getting a zero on.
• I have a number of you that need to make up the first House on Mango Street quiz. You need to do that by Friday, or it'll become a zero.
• I also have a number of you that have not joined Remind.
  Period 3 Click Here to join (it will let you join by email OR phone)
  Period 4 Click Here to join (it will let you join by email OR phone)

White Flight

"...in the meantime they'll move a little farther north from Mango Street, a little farther away every time people like us keep moving in" (Cisneros 13)

Today's Goal: Learn about "White Flight" and how this phenomenon is represented in The House on Mango Street.

The Plan:

1. CLICK HERE for the Mango Street Quiz
2. Seal your Letters to Your Future Selves in envelopes!
3. Explore the Dot Map of the United States by looking at Detroit, Atlanta, and Chicago (and more if you'd like.
4. Read "White Flight Never Ended"
5. Read "Those Who Don't" Together
6. Write in Your English Journal

Questions for your English Journal:

1. Based on the article, what is white flight and when did it originate?

2. After looking at Detroit, Atlanta, and Chicago on the dot map, what do you notice about the demographics of these cities? What observations did you make, and what questions does it leave you with?

3. What connections can you make between what you've observed, and the vignette "Those Who Don't?"

4. Our vehicle for understanding this issue is Esperanza, our protagonist. How do you think this phenomenon impacts Esperanza’s identity?

Homework:

• You have a literary devices quiz tomorrow.
• Finish your classwork in your English Journal
• I have a number of you that need to make up the first House on Mango Street quiz. You need to do that by Friday, or it'll become a zero.
• I also have a number of you that have not joined Remind.
  Period 3 Click Here to join (it will let you join by email OR phone)
  Period 4 Click Here to join (it will let you join by email OR phone)

Diction!

Today's Goal: Recognizing the intended meaning of a word and understanding how connotations can affect the imagery and tone of literature.

The Plan:

1. Read!
2. Learn about diction (if you are absent, you'll need to get the work from me.)
3. Read some of House on Mango Street together

Homework:

• Read House on Mango Street pg. 21-27:
• "Meme Ortiz" 
• "Louie, His Cousin, and His Other Cousin"
• "Marin"
• STICKY NOTES: One for each chapter. Flag a quote that relates to a thematic concept on your House on Mango Street Bookmark
• Quiz tomorrow - House on Mango Street pg. 12-27
• Letter to Future Self - bring it in tomorrow! We'll seal it in an envelope!
• Literary Devices Quiz on Thursday, December 10

Quote Integration Practice

Today's Goal: Identify "quote bombs" and explain why they don't belong in your analysis.

The Plan:

1. Read!
2. Quote Integration Classwork/Discussion
3. Time to work on "My Name" Assignment

Today's Classwork: Copy and paste the following sentences into your English Journal. Highlight them in green if the are examples of appropriate quote integration. Highlight them in red if they are not good examples of quote integration. You will need to use this as reference for the future.

1. Cisneros uses personification to reveal the way Esperanza views herself. In comparing her hair to others in her family, Esperanza explains that her hair is "lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands" (Cisneros 6).

2. Cisneros uses personification to reveal the way Esperanza views herself. In the quote, "And me, my hair is lazy" (Cisneros 6).

3. When Esperanza says, "it's small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you'd think they were holding their breath," she indicates her dissatisfaction with her new house on Mango Street (Cisneros 5).

4.  Cisneros uses metaphors in the vignette "Hairs" to illustrate Esperanza's warm feelings toward her mother. "...is the warm smell of before you bake it" (Cisneros 6).

5. Esperanza feels trapped on Mango Street. She thinks her house is small and run-down. "Bricks are crumbling in places, and the front door is so swollen you have to push hard to get in" (Cisneros 5).

6. Esperanza feels lonely and trapped in her responsibility for her sister before she has made any friends. Until she can have a best friend of her own, Esperanza says she is a "red balloon tied to an anchor" (Cisneros 9). 

Here's how to get 100% on your "Quote Integration Practice" if you don't already have it:

Bring your original practice sheet to me, and show me one PERFECT example of quote integration, including the original topic sentence, context, and a correct citation. It cannot be one of the "good" ones above. This is not something I'm going to spend class time on, though. You need to spend 5 minutes with me at lunch or after school.

Homework:

• Finish your My Name Assignment. It's due TOMORROW! Printed on paper!
• If you're still having trouble, try this website
• Write your "Letter to Your Future Self" and bring it to class on Wednesday, December 9
• You have a quiz on Literary Devices on Thursday, December 10
• Resubmit your Quote Integration Practice. There is no reason not to get 100% on this.

My name; my identity

Today's Goal: Look closely at a small piece of text from House on Mango Street in order to analyze the narrative and figurative devices used to convey an idea

You need two tabs open on your computer because you're going to use all of them today:

1. This blog (always!)
2. Your English Journal (in Google Drive)

The Plan:

1. READ!
2. Check in about yesterday. How'd it go? What worked? What was confusing? What information do I need to know?
3. Close reading of My Name and some practice analysis in your English Journal
4. My Name Assignment Introduction

My Name Narrative:

After rereading the vignette "My Name" together as a class, and doing some analysis of her character, you will write a short narrative that explores your own name. 

CLICK HERE for an example!

CLICK HERE for the rubric!

Homework:

1. Work on your My Name Narrative. It's due on Tuesday, December 8. It should be typed and printed.
2. Write your Letter to Your Future Self (bring it to class on December 9)
3. Continue studying your literary devices. Quiz on December 10.
4. Read your OWN BOOK! (In-class reading will not be enough!)

Quote Integration Practice!

Hello everyone! I apologize that I cannot be with you today. I expect that you will treat the wonderful person that is here in my place with tremendous respect. Thank you for your patience as I attend the training I have to attend. - Ms. Black

Today's Goal: Continue to practice providing context and appropriate transitions for the evidence you use.


The Plan:

1. Read your Book Love books!
2.  Take your first quiz on The House on Mango Street. You will need to use your book for one of the short answer questions, therefore, this quiz is timed. You will have 8 minutes. You can do it. I promise. (If you were absent yesterday, the homework was still on the blog, and the quiz was posted in School Loop. You will need to take the quiz anyway.)
3. Receive your 9th grade Literary Devices Vocabulary. You will have a quiz on these definitions in exactly one week. (December 10)
4. Today's classwork is on paper. It is an extension of what we did in class yesterday. Everything you will need to remember what we did yesterday is on this piece of paper. It is due at the end of the period. I do not mind if you work together, but what you write down needs to be in your own words. 
5. Once you have turned this in, you may work on your homework.

Homework: 

1. Read The House on Mango Street, pages 12-20
2. Flag four more pieces of evidence that relate to a thematic concept on your bookmark (one from each vignette that you read)
3. Study the definitions of the literary devices you received today in whichever manner you deem appropriate for you. (flashcards? Write examples of each? Etc.)
4. Have a wonderful night.

Quote Integration (TCE Practice)

Source: How To Empower Your Mind Through Reading

Today's Goal: After we begin reading The House on Mango Street, we will practice using quotations from the novel to support an argument.

The Plan:

1. Read! Yay!
2. Talk about the the Letter to your Future Self
3. Learn about your English Journals
4. House on Mango Street reading!
5. Quote Integration Activity (which you will write in your English Journal!)

Quote Integration Activity:

You will be given a statement that makes an argument about something that has occurred in the book (This is called a Topic Sentence), and a direct quote from the book (This is called Evidence).

Your job is to take that quote and embed it in a sentence that gives context to the evidence you are using. You will also give it a proper MLA Citation. There is no partial credit for this. You will all learn how to do this beautifully.

Helpful transition words that might be useful.

Homework:

1. Read Vignettes 1-4: "The House on Mango Street;" "Hairs;" "Boys and Girls;" "My Name"
2. For every vignette, place one sticky note on a quotation from the book that relates to at least one of the thematic concepts listed on your bookmark (make sure to label the sticky).
3. You're going to have a quiz tomorrow on those vignettes. (This is your fair warning.)

Orienting Ourselves in History

Oh man we have so many things to do today. We can totally do it. I believe in us.

Today's Goal: Explore a little bit of historical context for our class reading, The House on Mango Street, while simultaneously learning about our Chromebook procedures and a few other tools we'll use this year.

The Plan:

1. Read! When the bell rings, you have a book out.
2. Sign up for Remind. We should have done this yesterday. I forgot.
3. Learn about Chromebook procedures
4. Access a tool called "Go Formative" and practice using it together. (I'll give you the code in class)
5. Start reading The House on Mango Street.

If you are absent, you'll need to visit me one day soon to learn about Go Formative so you may try it out yourself (and complete the assignment.)

Homework:

1. Get your Student Data Form and Syllabus Signatures submitted
2. Check out The House on Mango Street (They have enough copies, I promise!)
3. Make sure you have a book love selection to read in class!