Monday November 28 2011

What we did today

At the beginning of class Ms Lees did a homework check for the explanatory paragraph outline, and for the explanatory paragraphs.

Today Ms. Lees reminded the class that everyone should be finished their portfolio now since we were given a lot of time already. It is especially important that people should be done their portfolio since Mrs. Lees is beginning to start portfolio conferences with some students. Though since the class was noisy for most of the period, only a few people got through their conferences.

Before Ms Lees began conferencing we went over the class the main points of a persuasive paragraph.

- A persuasive paragraph has to have a point
- The paragraph will always try to persuade or convince the reader to think a certain way.
- A good persuasive paragraph will always have supporting reasons to back up their point.

While Ms Lees was conferencing some of the students, we worked on highlighting the traits and words used in a persuasive paragraph in the example.

We also were supposed to do exercise one on the persuasive paragraph section. (We choose one of the following sentences, and make a persuasive paragraph out of it. If you don't like the topics choose a topic from your heart map. You do not have to do a paragraph outline for this exercise.)

We were also required to do exercise two for persuasive paragraphs as well. In this exercise you have to a paragraph outline before you start writing your paragraph. Again you can choose one of the following topics or choose a topic from you heart map.

A basic paragraph outline should look like this.

Topic sentence (Beginning, should state main point)
Point one : example one, example two
Point two: example one, example two
Concluding sentence (Ending should wrap up paragraph and state main point)

Ms. Lees also gave us a small booklet on Note making methods. There are two ways of note making methods, the first method is the outlining method. You basically write down the main idea, the important details, and maybe the conclusion. In other words it should look like your paragraph outline. The second method is mapping. It is a web where the topic is in the middle and all the points and details all connect to the main topic. Since they are notes you should really only take the important details.

If you managed to finish the persuasive paragraph exercises, you had to practice the two note making methods by reading the paragraph on the booklet and using the methods to take notes.

For the last few minutes in class Ms. Lees handed out a Can spell rule sheet, that show most of the rules in the spelling bee. Then we practiced a little bit for the spelling bee, but only one person actually stood up and spelled out the word.

Why we did it

Ms Lees came around to see if we were finished the explanatory paragraphs and outline so she can get a view over our work habits, and see if we actually did the homework.
Ms Lees reminded us about the portfolios because she expected us to have completed them already, so she can begin conferencing us. We did the conferencing so we can actually discuss why we should get this grade instead of her giving us a grade without knowing why. That way the student can get a say on what they think they deserve.
We went over persuasive paragraphs with the class so that everyone knows where the class should be at, as well as knowing the criteria for a persuasive paragraph.
We also were required to highlight parts of the example persuasive paragraph in the booklet. We were supposed to highlight the topic sentence, the concluding sentence, and what we think are types of phrases you will see in a persuasive paragraph. We did this so that in the future when we look it over we can obviously know that these are the important parts of a persuasive paragraph. We did the two exercises for the persuasive paragraph because it is good practice on writing persuasive paragraphs. The reason we had to go over methods for note making is that in the future when we are taking notes, we won't have to write every single word the teachers says. That way we would know what are the main ideas, and that way we can actually learn. We received the handout for the can spell about the rules because when we do the spelling bee, which is in two weeks, we will do it properly without breaking any rules, and not get disqualified.

Connections and Reflections

The preparation for the portfolio conferences was a lot of work, but in my opinion it is mandatory because as a student we should be able to know and have a word in what grade we deserve.
The ability to write a good persuasive paragraph, is very useful because when you want to convince someone that you are right or why you should get elected for president then you can because you are persuading them that what you think is right. A persuasive paragraph is like a debate because you always want to convince someone. In university or grades where you have to write down what the teacher is saying for like the whole class, you will have to be able to write quick and efficient notes, otherwise you will get sloppy notes, and probably fail since your notes don' t make sense. Going over the rules for the can spell spelling bee, and practicing for it is important because that way you will have some kind of experience for when the actual spelling bee happens. In a sense it is like practicing for an event like a relay race or a quiz show.

Homework

Highlighting example persuasive paragraphs in the paragraph booklet
Persuasive paragraphs exercises one and two.
Note taking method booklet (exercises I and II)
Practice for the Can spell spelling bee
Geography Test on Friday

Tips

Practice for the can spell spelling bee!
Organize your binder.
Bring a ruler, calculator and your supplies for Friday!

Upcoming events

Geography test on Friday December 2nd
Can spell class spelling bee Next Friday December 9th

Jessica will be posting for Tuesday.

I know that my post is really long, but I hope I didn't miss anything.