Focus: What do we need to revise in our Macbeth essays?
1. Warming up with your banned books (one week left)
2. Exploring a few strong conclusions and peer editing your conclusions using the official rubric
3. Submitting your Macbeth drafts to www.turnitin.com
4. Using SAS writing reviser to edit for style
HW:
1. Keep checking your draft for feedback from me. If you'd like a second round of feedback, e-mail me over the weekend. It helps if you give me something to focus on.
2. Read your banned book
3. Continue revising your essay based on feedback from your peers and from me.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
All Boys, All Blogged: February 19, 2015
Focus: How can we start our essays in a way that makes the reader want to read on?
1. Warming up: Taming a sample bad introduction into shape
2. Exploring a few excellent introductions
3. Composing your own introductions and editing them using the official rubric
4. Revising your introductions and using SAS writing reviser to help with style and clarity throughout your entire essay
HW:
1. Compose a rough draft of a conclusion paragraph by tomorrow. Your entire rough draft will then be complete!
2. Bring your banned book to class tomorrow for some reading time.
3. In case you need a reminder...
Here is the official essay timeline:
Tuesday, Feb 17: Complete first body paragraph due
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete. Submit it to the "Macbeth Rough Draft" folder in www.turnitin.com by 3:00 pm.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
1. Warming up: Taming a sample bad introduction into shape
2. Exploring a few excellent introductions
3. Composing your own introductions and editing them using the official rubric
4. Revising your introductions and using SAS writing reviser to help with style and clarity throughout your entire essay
HW:
1. Compose a rough draft of a conclusion paragraph by tomorrow. Your entire rough draft will then be complete!
2. Bring your banned book to class tomorrow for some reading time.
3. In case you need a reminder...
Here is the official essay timeline:
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete. Submit it to the "Macbeth Rough Draft" folder in www.turnitin.com by 3:00 pm.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
All Boys, All Blogged: February 18, 2015
Focus: How can we strengthen our body paragraphs?
1. Warming up: Open your essay and compose a quick note to me (Ms. Leclaire) at the top. Give me two specific things you'd like me to focus on as I give you feedback. The more specific, the better.
For example, you could say...
"Hi, Ms. Leclaire! I would be eternally grateful if you could give me feedback on the following two items:
1. Whether or not my sentences of analysis connect back to my thesis
2. If my topic sentences are specific enough
Thanks!"
2. Writing, writing, writing: Remember that the second body paragraph should be complete by the end of class today
3. Taking a quick breather and peer editing using the new yellow sheet (15 minutes); please use this to give feedback on the second body paragraph. Remember that you need to leave specific suggestions for improvement on the yellow sheet or the Google doc.
4. Revising, writing, revising, writing that second body paragraph
HW:
1. Finish revising your body paragraphs; they should look pretty darn good when you walk into class tomorrow.
2. Banned book reading (one and a half weeks left, kids).
3. You should already have this written down, but just in case:
Here is the official essay timeline:
Tuesday, Feb 17: Complete first body paragraph due
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete. Submit it to the "Macbeth Rough Draft" folder in www.turnitin.com by 3:00 pm.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
1. Warming up: Open your essay and compose a quick note to me (Ms. Leclaire) at the top. Give me two specific things you'd like me to focus on as I give you feedback. The more specific, the better.
For example, you could say...
"Hi, Ms. Leclaire! I would be eternally grateful if you could give me feedback on the following two items:
1. Whether or not my sentences of analysis connect back to my thesis
2. If my topic sentences are specific enough
Thanks!"
2. Writing, writing, writing: Remember that the second body paragraph should be complete by the end of class today
3. Taking a quick breather and peer editing using the new yellow sheet (15 minutes); please use this to give feedback on the second body paragraph. Remember that you need to leave specific suggestions for improvement on the yellow sheet or the Google doc.
4. Revising, writing, revising, writing that second body paragraph
HW:
1. Finish revising your body paragraphs; they should look pretty darn good when you walk into class tomorrow.
2. Banned book reading (one and a half weeks left, kids).
3. You should already have this written down, but just in case:
Here is the official essay timeline:
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete. Submit it to the "Macbeth Rough Draft" folder in www.turnitin.com by 3:00 pm.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
All Boys, All Blogged: February 17, 2015
Focus: How do we develop our body paragraphs?
1. Warming up with happy Tuesday thoughts!
2. Peer editing the body paragraphs using the official rubric
3. Revising your 1st body paragraph and trying out SAS Writing Reviser (username: ahswarriors)
4. Composing your 2nd body paragraph
HW:
1. Read your banned book.
2. You need the first half of your second body paragraph composed before you walk into class tomorrow; you will need to finish the entire body paragraph by the end of class. You will be receiving a large Attempt and Completion grade for this.
Here is the official essay timeline:
Tuesday, Feb 17: Complete first body paragraph due
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete. Submit it to the "Macbeth Rough Draft" folder in www.turnitin.com by 3:00 pm.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
1. Warming up with happy Tuesday thoughts!
2. Peer editing the body paragraphs using the official rubric
3. Revising your 1st body paragraph and trying out SAS Writing Reviser (username: ahswarriors)
4. Composing your 2nd body paragraph
HW:
1. Read your banned book.
2. You need the first half of your second body paragraph composed before you walk into class tomorrow; you will need to finish the entire body paragraph by the end of class. You will be receiving a large Attempt and Completion grade for this.
Here is the official essay timeline:
Tuesday, Feb 17: Complete first body paragraph due
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete. Submit it to the "Macbeth Rough Draft" folder in www.turnitin.com by 3:00 pm.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
Friday, February 13, 2015
All Boys, All Blogged: February 13, 2015
Focus: How do we develop our body paragraphs?
1. Warming up with your banned book and checking in with your reading schedule (are you on track to finish your book in the next two weeks?)
2. Peer editing the body paragraphs using the official rubric
3. Revising and finishing your first body paragraph
HW:
1. Read your banned book.
2. Finish revising the first half of your body paragraph; finish writing the second half of your body paragraph.
Here is the official essay timeline:
Tuesday, Feb 17: Complete first body paragraph due
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
3. Have a great long weekend!
1. Warming up with your banned book and checking in with your reading schedule (are you on track to finish your book in the next two weeks?)
2. Peer editing the body paragraphs using the official rubric
3. Revising and finishing your first body paragraph
HW:
1. Read your banned book.
2. Finish revising the first half of your body paragraph; finish writing the second half of your body paragraph.
Here is the official essay timeline:
Tuesday, Feb 17: Complete first body paragraph due
Wednesday, Feb 18: Complete second body paragraph due by the end of class
Thursday, Feb 19: Introduction due by the end of class
Friday: Feb 20: Conclusion due by the beginning of class; entire rough draft should be complete.
Thursday, Feb 26: Final draft due
3. Have a great long weekend!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
All Boys, All Blogged: February 12, 2015
Focus: How can we strengthen our thesis statements and topic sentences?
1. Warming up with some peer inspiration and applying it to your own thesis statements
AC's thesis:
Shakespeare’s Macbeth uses the motif of heart to show that violence is never the answer to solve dilemmas, and only hinders the person’s mental track.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by eliminating extra words:
Shakespeare's Macbeth uses the word "heart" to show that violence never solves dilemmas but instead hinders the human mind.
Your turn: Are there any unnecessary words or phrases you can delete or tighten up?
Ian's thesis:
In Macbeth Shakespeare uses the motif heart to show emotion and a person's true self.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by adding specificity.
In Macbeth Shakespeare uses the motif "heart" to show overpowering emotion and people's underlying greed or goodness.
Your turn: Are there vague/unclear words and phrases where you need to specify?
Mitchell's thesis:
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of eyes to show that what has been seen can never unseen and that there is a choice in what what you see and what you don’t.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by getting rid of the words "you" and "your":
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of eyes to show that what has been seen can never be unseen and there there is a choice in people see and what they don't.
Your turn: Do you use the words "you," "your," "I," "me," or "mine"?
Grant's thesis:
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of night to show that people are controlled by evil, or people create evil.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by establishing the connection between the two ideas and thus adding to the depth of the argument:
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of night to show that when people are controlled by evil, they consequently create evil.
Your turn: Can you strengthen your argument by connecting your two big ideas? Think about cause and effect.
2. Editing each other's thesis statements and topic sentences using the official rubric
3. Developing your first body paragraph (when in doubt, follow the example)
HW:
1. Complete your first body paragraph before class tomorrow (don't worry about the intro paragraph yet).
2. Revise your thesis and topic sentences based on today's editing.
3. Bring your banned book to class tomorrow for reading time; you have about two weeks left to finish your book.
1. Warming up with some peer inspiration and applying it to your own thesis statements
AC's thesis:
Shakespeare’s Macbeth uses the motif of heart to show that violence is never the answer to solve dilemmas, and only hinders the person’s mental track.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by eliminating extra words:
Shakespeare's Macbeth uses the word "heart" to show that violence never solves dilemmas but instead hinders the human mind.
Your turn: Are there any unnecessary words or phrases you can delete or tighten up?
Ian's thesis:
In Macbeth Shakespeare uses the motif heart to show emotion and a person's true self.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by adding specificity.
In Macbeth Shakespeare uses the motif "heart" to show overpowering emotion and people's underlying greed or goodness.
Your turn: Are there vague/unclear words and phrases where you need to specify?
Mitchell's thesis:
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of eyes to show that what has been seen can never unseen and that there is a choice in what what you see and what you don’t.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by getting rid of the words "you" and "your":
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of eyes to show that what has been seen can never be unseen and there there is a choice in people see and what they don't.
Your turn: Do you use the words "you," "your," "I," "me," or "mine"?
Grant's thesis:
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of night to show that people are controlled by evil, or people create evil.
Ms. Leclaire revised it by establishing the connection between the two ideas and thus adding to the depth of the argument:
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of night to show that when people are controlled by evil, they consequently create evil.
Your turn: Can you strengthen your argument by connecting your two big ideas? Think about cause and effect.
2. Editing each other's thesis statements and topic sentences using the official rubric
3. Developing your first body paragraph (when in doubt, follow the example)
HW:
1. Complete your first body paragraph before class tomorrow (don't worry about the intro paragraph yet).
2. Revise your thesis and topic sentences based on today's editing.
3. Bring your banned book to class tomorrow for reading time; you have about two weeks left to finish your book.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
All Boys, All Blogged: February 11, 2015
Focus: What larger themes can we draw from Macbeth?
1. Warming up with the final battle scene, keeping in mind the following:
a. Consider the way in which Polanski stages Macbeth's death; what does it symbolize about the way Macbeth lived his life?
b. What emblem does Macduff bear on his armor? What does it symbolize about Macduff?
c. Who fights dirty, and who fights honorably? What does this reveal about these two characters?
d. Polanski adds a short, final scene to the play. What do you think he's up to?
2. Exploring the essay overview and developing thesis statements
Step 1: Open your word trace, and highlight your three best sentences.
Step 2: Scroll through the class blogs from the last few weeks and find a focus question that interests you. On a new Google doc entitled _________________ 's Macbeth Essay, try to answer the question by using your word. DO THIS FOR TWO DIFFERENT FOCUS QUESTIONS.
For example, let's say the focus question was "What does it mean to lead a noble life?" And let's say that my word is "nature."
I could say, "Leading a noble life means repressing natural instincts driven by greed and embracing the part of human nature that respects the lives of others."
Step 3: Looking over the connections you just made and your three best sentences from your word trace, try to come up with two different ideas your word represents and create a thesis that connects your word to these ideas.
Ex: Again, let's say my word is "nature." Here is a possible thesis:
3. If time allows, starting on your topic sentences
My topic sentence #1: In Macbeth, the characters of Banquo and Macduff reveal that human nature, when driven by respect, is noble and heroic.
My topic sentence #2: Lady Macbeth in Macbeth demonstrates that human nature disintegrates into something monstrous when ruined by greed.
HW:
1. Finish your thesis and topic sentences by tomorrow. Please make sure your Google doc is shared with me.
2. Read your banned book; remember that they must be finished by March 2, which is only about two and a half weeks away.
3. This Friday is the end of 6 weeks; anything you'd like to revise/redo must be turned in by then. IF you're redoing your word trace, make sure you give the yellow rubric back to me.
1. Warming up with the final battle scene, keeping in mind the following:
a. Consider the way in which Polanski stages Macbeth's death; what does it symbolize about the way Macbeth lived his life?
b. What emblem does Macduff bear on his armor? What does it symbolize about Macduff?
c. Who fights dirty, and who fights honorably? What does this reveal about these two characters?
d. Polanski adds a short, final scene to the play. What do you think he's up to?
2. Exploring the essay overview and developing thesis statements
Step 1: Open your word trace, and highlight your three best sentences.
Step 2: Scroll through the class blogs from the last few weeks and find a focus question that interests you. On a new Google doc entitled _________________ 's Macbeth Essay, try to answer the question by using your word. DO THIS FOR TWO DIFFERENT FOCUS QUESTIONS.
For example, let's say the focus question was "What does it mean to lead a noble life?" And let's say that my word is "nature."
I could say, "Leading a noble life means repressing natural instincts driven by greed and embracing the part of human nature that respects the lives of others."
Step 3: Looking over the connections you just made and your three best sentences from your word trace, try to come up with two different ideas your word represents and create a thesis that connects your word to these ideas.
Ex: Again, let's say my word is "nature." Here is a possible thesis:
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the motif of nature reveals both the rewards of respect and the repercussions of greed.
3. If time allows, starting on your topic sentences
My topic sentence #1: In Macbeth, the characters of Banquo and Macduff reveal that human nature, when driven by respect, is noble and heroic.
My topic sentence #2: Lady Macbeth in Macbeth demonstrates that human nature disintegrates into something monstrous when ruined by greed.
HW:
1. Finish your thesis and topic sentences by tomorrow. Please make sure your Google doc is shared with me.
2. Read your banned book; remember that they must be finished by March 2, which is only about two and a half weeks away.
3. This Friday is the end of 6 weeks; anything you'd like to revise/redo must be turned in by then. IF you're redoing your word trace, make sure you give the yellow rubric back to me.
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