Friday - 2/27 - Frankenstein Webquest Day One

OBJ - Students will enrich and correct prior knowledge and conceptions about the story Frankenstein through a webquest activity.

CWoD - AMELIORATE

Activities ... Today in class, with a partner or a small group of 3 (no more than 3 though), you will use the websites below to answer the corresponding questions.  The Chromebooks will be used for research - but you will turn in a paper with your (or your group's) responses before you leave.  If you do not turn in the work at the end of the period, you will have to complete it on your time individually ... group work will not be accepted late.

There are 21 questions total in this first part of the quest you are working on today - so it is crucial that you stay on task in order to finish.

Introduction: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is considered the very first science fiction story.  What does that mean and why is science fiction such an important part of our literary experience?
 Why has the Frankenstein monster become a part of our collective understanding?  Why are we so afraid of the monster?
 Before we begin reading the novel, we need to develop our prior knowledge about Mary Shelley and the gothic style she uses.  We need to understand some of the science behind the Frankenstein story. We need to explore the human fascination with death and our own desires to prolong life.
   

Part 1

Mary Shelley is an unusual woman from an unusual family.  Research her life and how the story of Frankenstein came about.    Start with the following links to find information before you search other sites.
http://www.maryshelley.nl/ 
http://www.litgothic.com/Authors/mshelley.html

Books and Writers  
The Literature Network

1. When and where was Mary Shelley born?
2. Where did she grow up (if different than birth place)?
3. What inspired her to write Frankenstein?
4. What else has she written?
5. What was her personal life like? Husband? Friends? Kids? Etc.
6. What challenges did Shelley face in her life that might have influenced her writing.
7. What was unique about her life that might have influenced her work?
8. Where did she live as an adult?
9. When was Frankenstein Published?
10. What did the critics think about Frankenstein when it was first published?
   

Part 2

Use the following site to complete the following questions:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/frankenstein/birth.html

11. Read Dark and Stormy Night. What did you discover about Shelley’s age and personal life?
12. Describe the contest that produced Frankenstein.
13. Read A Writer’s Life. What important information about her age and personal life were revealed here?
14. Read Boundary Crossings and Restored to Life. Do you agree that the death of her husband’s first wife Harriet and of her own baby might have influenced her writing of Frankenstein? How did this seem to unite with the medical science of the time? Explain how and why/or why not.
15. What is Galvanism?

Part 3

Themes of FrankensteinUse the following websites to answer the questions below.
Major Themes in FrankensteinThemes in Frankenstein

16.  The novel Frankenstein incorporates several themes.  List at least 3 themes of the story.
17.  The Frankenstein Story is really three stories, one inside the other.   Discover the basic story line and main characters.   Write a brief (1 paragraph) summary of your findings.

18. What is science fiction?  Frankenstein is the first science fiction story.  What makes it science fiction?  Develop a definition of science fiction and evaluate Frankenstein as a science fiction story.

Suggested sources:
Introduction to Science FictionWhat is Science Fiction?

19. Gothic Literature is a specific form of literature that lends itself to the Frankenstein story.  Use the websites below to create a definition of Gothic Literature: 

Suggested sources:
The Gothic Experience
The Gothic Novel
Frankenstein as Gothic Novel

20. Why is Frankenstein considered a “Gothic” novel?

21. The Prometheus Myth is Mary Shelley’s alternative title for the novel.   Find out what the Prometheus myth is and how it might relate to Frankenstein’s monster.

Suggested sources:
Prometheus
Frankenstein and the Prometheus Myth

THURSDAY ,,, 2/26 ... FINAL DRAFTS ARE DUE TODAY!!!

Objectives - students will edit and revise rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text.  Students will focus on typical problem areas for student research writings and on peer evaluation and feedback on their work.

CWOD - ECCENTRIC

***Last Chance for Rough Draft checks in class - whether I have seen it or not, you must bring your printed rough draft to me for a quick eval during class today. I won't call names and don't want a line at the desk. Meet with me one at a time at your convenience.***

Finish all revising and editing activities from last week thru yesterday. COMPLETE the process of inputting changes and revisions on your electronic copy in preparation and COMPLETE work on your FINAL DRAFT.  Print it and turn it in when finished ... 

MAKE SURE YOUR EDITED/REVISED ROUGH DRAFT IS STAPLED TO THE BACK OF YOUR FINAL DRAFT.

There will be no class time spent on this paper past TODAY. No library passes to go print, etc. 

See Monday's blog for grading rubrics.  Remember, 1st-3rd is looking at the argument paper rubric, 4th is looking at the literary analysis rubric (last 2 pages of the literary analysis packet).  Feel free to print your rubric to look at while you write if you wish.

Wednesday 2/25 - FINAL DRAFTS DUE TOMORROW!

Objectives - students will edit and revise rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text.  Students will focus on typical problem areas for student research writings and on peer evaluation and feedback on their work.

CWOD - PHENOMENA

***Continue Rough draft checks in class - whether I have seen it or not, you must bring your printed rough draft to me for a quick eval during class today. I won't call names and don't want a line at the desk. Meet with me one at a time at your convenience. 

Finish all revising and editing activities from last week thru yesterday. Begin the process of inputting changes and revisions on your electronic copy in preparation for having the final draft completed on time to be turned in on Thursday. 

There will be no class time spent on this paper past Thursday. No library passes to go print, etc. 

See Monday's blog for grading rubrics.  Remember, 1st-3rd is looking at the argument paper rubric, 4th is looking at the literary analysis rubric (last 2 pages of the literary analysis packet).  Feel free to print your rubric to look at while you write if you wish.

Tuesday 2/24

Objectives - students will edit and revise rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text.  Students will focus on typical problem areas for student research writings and on peer evaluation and feedback on their work.

CWOD - FERVENT

Rough draft check in class - whether I have seen it or not, you must bring your printed rough draft to me for a quick eval during class today. I won't call names and don't want a line at the desk. Meet with me one at a time at your convenience. 

Finish all revising and editing activities from last week thru yesterday. Begin the process of inputting changes and revisions on your electronic copy in preparation for having the final draft completed on time to be turned in on Thursday. 

There will be no class time spent on this paper past Thursday. No library passes to go print, etc. 

See yesterday's blog for grading rubrics. 

Monday, Monday ... 2/23

Objectives - students will edit and revise rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text.  Students will focus on typical problem areas for student research writings and on peer evaluation and feedback on their work.

CWoD - KIBOSH


Once you have completed the revision activities and peer review, reread your own paper and note any final revisions you see necessary to make. DOUBLE CHECK ALL IN-TEXT CITATIONS - IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY, YOU MUST HAVE THEM OR YOU ARE GUILTY OF PLAGIARISM. 

Once you are satisfied with your work, open your original rough draft in Google Docs and run a spell check.. Double check any possible errant spelling(s). 

Then begin making changes to the electronic version to create your final draft. ALL PARTS OF THE EDITING AND REVISING PROCESS MUST BE COMPLETED FIRST. 

The completed Final Draft is due on Thursday - printed and in my hand - along with the rough draft showing all revision/editing that was performed as well as the peer review info from Friday (keep in mind that completing that part of the process is a major grade in and of itself).

Be sure to review the grading rubric before and as you work. 


Argument Rubric (1st - 3rd)
***For the "Vocabulary Development" criteria, any of the words we've used as a CWoD is acceptable - as is any other word on this list - 100 Words Incoming College Students Should Know***

Literary Analysis Packet & Rubric (4th)

Friday - Peer Review/Editing

Objectives - students will edit and revise rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text.  Students will focus on typical problem areas for student research writings and on peer evaluation and feedback on their work.

CWoD - CADRE


You should by now have a printed copy of your rough draft from which to work on revising and editing - if you left it with me, it is in the crate on my desk.  Ask the sub for assistance locating it and retrieving it.  KEEP YOUR PAPERS WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE TODAY.

I repeat ... KEEP YOUR PAPERS WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE TODAY.

And since 5 of you were on your phones and not paying attention ... KEEP YOUR PAPERS WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE TODAY.


Today, in class, we are going to focus on peer review of your work - so you will need to find a classmate to partner with if you have a copy of your rough draft.  If you do not have a printed copy, and there's no discussion or excuses here ,,, you either do or you do not, then you need to work quietly and individually on completing your rough draft first and foremost.  You will have to find someone to provide you peer feedback outside of class once you have it printed.

Use the following worksheet as a guide for your peer feedback:

Peer Editing Worksheet 

In the interest of conserving paper, you will provide your feedback on the BACK of the pages of the rough draft you read.  Answer all of the questions to the best of your ability ... but keep your responses brief and to the point.  Provide REAL FEEDBACK and constructive criticism and not a bunch of flowery nonsense like "GOOD JOB" or "THIS WAS GOOD" ... this is about helping your partner improve his/her work ... not about moral support.

Be sure that you put your name at the top of the paper you're evaluating so it is easy to identify who provided the feedback.  Keep responses to a sentence or two unless you MUST say more.  As you read, note problems you see with spelling, grammar, and MLA form.  Help your partner find as many areas for improvement as you possibly can.

If you finish before the end of the period, keep working on your own paper (and get caught up on the parts of the paper we've been working on the past few days)

Reminder - next week we are in the computer lab Monday - Thursday and your Final Drafts are DUE on Thursday, 2/26.

Keep in mind, the FINAL DRAFT is 3 major grades.  The revising and editing (which MUST be handwritten on a copy of the rough draft) is another MAJOR grade.

Thursday ... Capitalization, Commas, and Sentence Variety

Objectives - students will repair and resubmit rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text. Students will submit a works cited page with the hard copy rough draft resubmission.

CWoD - NONPAREIL


Once you have corrected the rough drafting errors we looked at Tuesday - including in-text/parenthetical citations in your work, following MLA format, and creating a Works Cited page (and Works Consulted page - if necessary) ... you should have produced a hard copy of your rough draft.  If not, that is the first order of business today - all of our revising and editing will be done with pen/pencil ON that printed rough draft before we correct it.

The three things we are going to revise today ... CAPITALIZATION, COMMAS, and SENTENCE VARIETY.

Complete the following online quizzes first ...

Capitalization QUIZ

Commas QUIZ

Sentence Types QUIZ

If you need to review these first, use the following links ...

Capitalization Rules Review

Comma Rules Review

Sentence Types Review

 You will need to take a screenshot of your grade on each quiz (On most computers you will hold CTRL and press PRT SC ... this will copy the screen to your clipboard and you can paste it into an email to me ... Richard.Davis@sfisd.org).  You can paste them all into one email - and you should only submit when you are satisfied with your grades.

Afterwards, go back through your rough draft ... underline capitalization mistakes with three lines.  Add in or strike out commas where necessary and circle it to make it more visible.  Finally, read through your paper and make sure that you have variations in your sentences types - it shouldn't be all simple sentences nor should be it all complex, compound, etc.  Sentence variety makes a more readable paper.  Rewrite between lines as necessary.

KEEP IN MIND ... The Major Grades on the Research Paper are as follows:

• RESEARCH
• ROUGH DRAFT
• REVISING AND EDITING (Must be done in pen or pencil on a printed Rough Draft)
• FINAL DRAFT (3 Major Grades - I will provide the syllabus before we work on the final draft next week in class).

MEET IN THE CLASSROOM TOMORROW (FRIDAY)!  KEEP YOUR ROUGH DRAFTS FOR USE IN CLASS TOMORROW AND TO WORK WITH OVER THE WEEKEND!

NEXT WEEK ...

MONDAY - IN LAB A103
TUESDAY - IN LAB A102
WEDNESDAY - IN LAB A103
THURSDAY - IN LAB A103 - FINAL DRAFTS ARE DUE!!!!!

Feb 18 - Repairing Common Mistakes

Objectives - students will repair and resubmit rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text. Students will submit a works cited page with the hard copy rough draft resubmission.

CWoD - SEDULOUS


Once you have corrected the rough drafting errors we looked at yesterday - including in-text/parenthetical citations in your work, following MLA format, and creating a Works Cited page (and Works Consulted page - if necessary) ... you should have produced a hard copy of your rough draft.  If not, that is the first order of business today - all of our revising and editing will be done with pen/pencil ON that printed rough draft before we correct it.

The two things we are going to revise today ...

1) Transitioning all writing to 3rd person

• As we drafted, I said it would be OK in the rough draft to include 1st and 2nd person pronouns (and it was ... in the ROUGH DRAFT) ... but that is the first thing we are going to clean up.  Academic writing centers on YOUR VOICE and KNOWLEDGE - however, since you are the writer and voice, you have no need for "I" or "me."  If you make a statement, it is understood to be what you think already.  Likewise, if you are making a statement, it is assumed that your reader is the audience and "you" is unnecessary as well.
• CIRCLE all 1st person pronouns in your paper and in the spaces between lines (Which is WHY we double space) revise the sentences to omit all elements of 1st person writing.

This website will let you look at some examples that may help supercharge your writing:

Going from 1st Person to 3rd Person in Academic Writing

2) Verb tenses - all verb tenses (unless part of a direct quote) should likely be PRESENT tense

• underline ALL verbs (each sentence in your paper should have at least one, right?) and consider the tense of the verb ... if it is not present tense, revise it so that it is - along with other parts of the sentence that might need to be cleaned up to suit the change.

This website will help a little (maybe)... 

Verb Tenses in Academic Papers

Remember we are on a short period - so work quietly and productively.  Return your printed rough drafts to me, with visible pen/pencil notes and revisions, before you leave.

Feb 17 - Repairing, editing, revising begins...

Objectives - students will repair and resubmit rough drafts according to MLA rules regarding formatting and documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries within the text. Students will submit a works cited page with the hard copy rough draft resubmission.

CWoD - VERVE

Before you leave class today, you must print and turn in a repaired copy of your rough draft. Your repaired copy MUST include in-text/parenthetical documentation of sources whenever they are quoted or paraphrased. Failure to do this is plagiarism and will result in an automatic zero.

MLA Formatting - Citations

Your rough draft should follow the rules of MLA formatting.

MLA Sample Paper

MLA Formatting Guide

You must submit a "Works Cited" page with your rough draft containing the MLA CITATION form for all sources quoted, paraphrased, or summarized in the paper. Any source not cited in the paper must be included on an additional "Works Consulted" page following the same formatting rules as the "Works Cited" page.

MLA Sample Works Cited Page

MLA Works Cited Page Rules

Friday ... the 13th ...

Objectives...

Students will read and analyze Jonathan Swift's satire "A Modest Proposal" - then will interpret the theme of the work and create a letter to a fictional friend making connections between their interpretation and the concept of satire.

Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).  Students will complete the rough draft of their paper and share their work electronically.

CWoD - SARDONIC

Students will finish reading: 

• Background on Swift and on Satire - pp. 620-621
• "A Modest Proposal" - pp, 622-631

You can also find Swift's essay (and other tools you might find valuable) here: 

"A Modest Proposal" - Online text version

"A Modest Proposal" - Brief Explanation

"A Modest Proposal" - A Student's Literary Analysis

Literary Resource Center (Do Your Own Resource Search!)

Students will write a letter in their blog to a friend explaining what satire is - you can use the book's definition, but you'll need to explain in your own words as well.  Then explain what purpose Swift's "A Modest Proposal" serves.  What is the message?  What is Swift hoping to accomplish?  Why is this satire?  Is it successful?

***DO NOT answer the questions in numerical or bullet point form - answer them over the course of your 300-400 word letter as a part of text within***

Letter is due - or must be posted by - 2/13.


Students who have not submitted or shared their RESEARCH PAPER ROUGH DRAFT must complete that assignment first.  That needs to be in my hands ASAP.

2/12 ... Friday Eve ... Wrapping up rough drafts and "A Modest Proposal"

Objectives...

Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).  Students will complete the rough draft of their paper and share their work electronically.

Once finished, students will read and analyze Jonathan Swift's satire "A Modest Proposal" and analyze.

CWoD - EGALITARIAN

Students who have not submitted or shared their research paper ROUGH DRAFT must complete that assignment first.  That needs to be in my hands ASAP.

Once finished, students will read: 

• Background on Swift and on Satire - pp. 620-621
• "A Modest Proposal" - pp, 622-631

Students will write a letter in their blog to a friend explaining what satire is - you can use the book's definition, but you'll need to explain in your own words as well.  Then explain what purpose Swift's "A Modest Proposal" serves.  What is the message?  What is Swift hoping to accomplish?  Why is this satire?  Is it successful?

***DO NOT answer the questions in numerical or bullet point form - answer them over the course of your 300-400 word letter as a part of text within***

Letter is due - or must be posted by - 2/13.

Tuesday 2/10 - Rough Drafts Due (Finally)

Objectives...

Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).  Students will complete the rough draft of their paper and share their work electronically.

CWOD - LOQUACIOUS

All classes should be finishing the rough draft. You may begin sharing finished rough drafts with me through Google Docs (Richard.davis@sfisd.org) as you finish.  If you know you will not meet this deadline, you need to visit with me during class today about it.  Otherwise, I will expect to see your work shared with me today.

When you finish, look at the interactive "quizzes" at the following link under PUNCTUATION AND BASIC MECHANICS (you'll have to scroll down to it).  Work on these as a review.

INTERACTIVE GRAMMAR REVIEWS

Tomorrow - we have a guest speaker.  We will get back to work editing and revising our rough drafts in class on Thursday.

Monday - 2/9... Classroom Rough Draft Work Day

Objectives...

Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).

CWOD - CONDESCENDING 

All classes should be working towards completion of the rough draft. You may begin sharing finished rough drafts with me through Google Docs (Richard.davis@sfisd.org) as you finish. Today was the deadline... However, some of you have talked with me about needing more time so we will extend the deadline one day to 2/10. Please do everything you can to meet this deadline as it is crucial to staying on pace with what we are doing as a class. 

I am out this morning but will be checking my email when possible. Email me if you have issues/questions. 

Friday ... 2/6 ... Library Lab Workday

Today's Objective:
Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).

CWoD - ECLECTIC

Continue working on your rough drafts - visit with me if you have problems or questions.  Monday remains our target date for getting the rough drafts turned in.  If this doesn't seem reasonable for you, and we haven't already discussed it, you need show me what you've accomplished and explain why you'll need additional time.  Be sure you are implementing in-text (or parenthetical) citations for information from your sources you are quoting or paraphrasing.  However, keep in mind that through your research and through building your argument - YOU are an authority on your subject and YOUR voice needs to be the main part of your writing with your research backing you up.

If you need the "cheat sheet" for MLA documentation, use the link below....

MLA Citation Guide

Again, be sure to visit with me if you have questions or issues - I am good at resolving problems, but horrible at reading minds.

ON MONDAY ... 1st period and 4th periods will be able to meet in a library lab.  2nd and 3rd, as of now, are meeting in the classroom.

Thursday - Computer Lab Workday 2/5

Today's Objective:
Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).

CWoD - OBFUSCATE

Like yesterday, be sure to review the information on MLA for and citations within your writing as needed - yesterday's links are below in case you need them again.  The quick guide below should be helpful as you draft:

MLA Citation Guide

Be sure to visit with me if you have questions or issues - I am good at resolving problems, but horrible at reading minds.

Tuesday - Classroom Workday 2/3

Today's Objective:
Students will continue analyzing their research and synthesizing/creating their argument based on factual support for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).

CWoD - HEGEMONY

Like yesterday, be sure to review the information on MLA for and citations within your writing as needed - yesterday's links are below in case you need them again.

Online Writing Center - Documentation Notes - this is helpful on "what" to document

MLA Info from ACC - gives a good general overview MLA Documentation as well as an "animated" slideshow of the most important components: MLA Tutorial Slideshow

MLA Beginners Guide - Slideshow - another good overview - good place to start if you know "nothing" about this

Bedford/St. Martin's Notes on MLA - a better review for students who are familiar with how to use in-text/parenthetical documentation and need a more advanced review

You can also certainly refer back to the webquest we did on January 7th - either your own webquest notes OR the webquest info itself.


Once you have completed the outline and shared it with me electronically, continue working on your rough draft of your paper.  Since we have the guest speaker tomorrow we will extend the due date for the rough draft until Monday February 9th (we will be in the classroom that day).

And ... it's February ... Time to get Rough Drafting

Today's Objective:
Students will continue to gather, analyze, paraphrase, etc. relevant information for their research paper.  (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry).  Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).  Students will finish creating a working outline for their paper and will share the document electronically.  Students will begin the initial/rough draft of their paper.


CWoD - DISPOSSESSED


Your target for today is to review information on using MLA Citations in your writing - you MUST document information from your research in your paper using the correct format or it will be deemed plagiarism.  There's no wiggle room on this and no coming back later and saying "I didn't know" or "I didn't understand."

You can use the following sites for a refresh/review of how to document and what to document - if you have questions though, please make a point of visiting with me about it.  Depending on your individual experience with this process (and on how much you took from the initial webquest), all students may be in different phases of understanding the what, how, and why of this - so use the resources (your teacher included) to make sure you are completely comfortable with this because it is a MUST in your paper.

Online Writing Center - Documentation Notes - this is helpful on "what" to document

MLA Info from ACC - gives a good general overview MLA Documentation as well as an "animated" slideshow of the most important components: MLA Tutorial Slideshow

MLA Beginners Guide - Slideshow - another good overview - good place to start if you know "nothing" about this

Bedford/St. Martin's Notes on MLA - a better review for students who are familiar with how to use in-text/parenthetical documentation and need a more advanced review

You can also certainly refer back to the webquest we did on January 7th - either your own webquest notes OR the webquest info itself.


Once you have completed the review AND you have completed the rouigh draft of your outline and shared the Google Doc with me, turn your attention to the rough draft of the paper itself.  I am still working on reviewing notes and source info - expect that back in your hands tomorrow - but work from your electronic copies today as needed.