Assignment 6A (due Nov. 3)

Write a paragraph on a topic of your choice with an introduction, conclusion and supporting details in the middle.

The assignment is to choose how you'll order the details in the middle section.

By TIME? (what happened first, next, etc.)
By SPACE? (describe something top to bottom, left to right, etc.)
By IMPORTANCE? (start with the most important, or build up to the most important)
By the order in the TOPIC SENTENCE or introduction? (For example: "On a rainy day, I like to sleep, eat and read.")

Be sure your concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph and restates the main idea in some way.

Assignment 6B (due Nov. 3)

Fifth and sixth graders:

Your assignment is to write an essay (more than one paragraph) to answer this question:

First paragraph: Do you think Kit (in The Witch of Blackbird Pond) learned a lot from her time with the Puritans in New England? After all, it was a strict environment that didn't encourage her to learn like her grandfather in Barbados had done. What do you think?

Middle paragraph(s): Look back at the book and pick examples (at least 3) to prove your point. (As we discussed, please give examples beyond just new skills she learned. Think about character lessons, for example.)

Plan what order you'll present these examples--in time order? Will you lead up to your most convincing point? Or present the most important one first?

[If you can present these examples simply enough to be short (1-2 sentences per example), they can probably all go in one long paragraph. If you want to go into more detail (3-4 sentences per example), make each one a paragraph. If you have one long example and two short examples, you could put the two short ones together in one paragraph.]

Last paragraph: Conclude by answering this question: Do you think Kit would agree with you?

You don't have to make this paragraph too long, but you do need to say more than just, "And I know Kit would agree with me." Why would she agree or disagree? You might base your opinion on Kit's character or personality, and it might help to include one more example (or a quote from Kit?) from the book.

Be sure your last sentence restates the main idea that you picked for your first paragraph and wraps up the whole essay.

Eighth graders:

Same assignment, basically, only your question is: Did Amos Fortune live a good life? Please read my notes for the 5-6th graders and apply them to Amos Fortune.

You'll also need to add one more paragraph. Your first paragraph should address the question: What is a good life? (See the end of the Sonlight Literature Guide to Amos Fortune for help with this question and the whole assignment.) On what will you base your definition of a good life? On your own opinion or feelings? On a philosophical definition? On the Bible? This is a big question--you may want to ask your parents for help thinking this one through.

Then your second paragraph will answer the question of whether you think Amos Fortune lived a good life, according to the definition or basis you've established in your first paragraph.

Your next paragraphs and final paragraph will follow the same instructions as for the 5-6th graders (only for Amos instead of Kit, of course).

A Couple of How-Tos

How to change the date and time of your post:

(so that you can make it appear with the others for that assignment)

Sign in, so that you can see the pencil at the end of your post. Click it, as if you were going to edit your post. When the window comes up, look at the bottom of the box containing your post for the words "Post and Comment Options." Click it. Change the month or day as needed.

How to comment so that it says, "[Your name] said..." instead of "rightwriters said...":

When you're making your comment, see the options you can choose that say "Rightwriters (your Blogger display name)," "Anonymous" or "Other"? Click "Other" and type in your name. (Don't worry about the next part, "Your Web Page"--just leave it blank.)

Then we'll know it was you that commented!

Assignment 5

Monday and Tuesday--continue editing your posts. (Parents, see below)
If someone gave you a suggestion in their comments, try it out!

Wednesday--Comment! Make at least six NEW comments--one for each class member.
Remember there will be prizes for most helpful editor, etc. (see below) Tell what you like and make polite suggestions for improvement. Does it fulfill the assignment given? (For example, if it's supposed to be organized a certain way--is it? (Parents, this is higher-level thinking--please help your kids with this if you can.

Finish commenting by Wednesday night, so I can judge on Thursday.

Thursday--write an acrostic poem using the letters of your name (first, middle and last), as we discussed in class. Be creative with those capital letters!


WHEN EDITING, WATCH FOR these errors...

Comma Splice: I went to the store, I needed eggs and bread.

Run-On Sentence: I went to the store I needed eggs and bread.

Fragments: While we were waiting for our turn.
Walking down the dusty road.

Wordiness: awkwardly long sentences
extra words like kinda, sorta, really, very
using lots of words to say something you could say more simply

Parallelism:

Parallel verb tense: We eat a lot of ice cream around our house; Moose Tracks was our favorite.

Should be eat and is, or ate and was.)

Parallel constructions:

She wants a hamster and to learn Spanish.

Should be: She wants to get a hamster and to learn Spanish.
OR: She wants a hamster and Spanish lessons.

I like soccer, playing baseball, football and riding horses.

Should be: I like soccer, baseball, football and horseback riding.
OR: I like riding horses and playing soccer, baseball and football