HW from 5/24/12

Hello, my dear creative writers!  I am so sorry our last classes together were tainted with absence for a deathbed vigil and the cloud of sadness that accompanied it.  I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend, and that you're prepared for a restful, rejuvenating, productive summer school session.

Here is how the plan will work:

+ I will be grading your final stories over the next few days.

+ I will receive the optional final essay from you via email anytime before the weekend.

+ I will tabulate your final grades over the weekend.  I will send you an email with your grade in it, and I will mail your report card to your home.

Your summer and life assignments are as follows:


 * Read a book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  

* Write in your second-person journal and your thankfulness log daily.  Look for specific things to be grateful for!

* Review your memory work daily, using an organized review system to keep all memorized verses and poems cycling through for regular review.  Add new verses and poems regularly.  
Your "base":
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)
+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class
+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"
+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"
+ the new verses and poems you are working on memorizing.

* Remember the little chart--which is now empty (see below)--at the bottom of our homework blog, and open each day with Bible meditation and prayer!


OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):
Your turn now, every day! ;)

ESSAYS:
Below are some possible essay topics to choose from for your final essay.  If you have another topic about which you feel you could write an organized 3-paragraph essay, feel free to do so.  These essay topics are about the movie Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.  (You might enjoy reading the book of the same title, if you're looking for a new pleasure-reading book for the summer.  It is quite good!)  Remember that the final essay is optional.  You may complete the essay if you wish to have the final grade to average as extra credit into your fourth quarter grade.  I will only add the paper grade to your average if it brings it up.

* It has been said that a mother's love is a powerful thing.  Discuss three ways in which Ben Carson's life was changed, and influenced for the better, because of actions his mother took.

* Unfortunately, there are always those among us who have prejudice and unwarranted disdain for those who are different from them.  Discuss three ways in which racism was demonstrated in Ben Carson's life, and how he grew as a person as a result of those experiences.

* How we spend our time will largely determine the kind of people we will become.  Discuss three activities that Ben Carson engaged in (or refrained from) that shaped the kind of person he was to become.


I look forward to reading your thoughts!

HW from 5/22/12

Due on 5/24/12

NOTE: Due to the recent deathbed vigil I have been keeping with my husband's family, I have not been able to grade papers or average grades.  Consequently--although I will be able to be with you for our last class together tomorrow--I will be postponing that until next week and mailing your final report cards to you then.  I am so sorry for the delay, but I feel that you will get a more accurate final grade if I do that than if I just went ahead and averaged your grade without these last items.

I am sorry I missed our food party day together yesterday, but I hope you enjoyed the first part of the movie.  I understand you stopped just at the part where Ben lost his temper and almost accidentally stabbed his friend when he punched him in the stomach--with the knife he was using to whittle at the time still in his hand.  Thankfully, the Lord was gracious, and the belt buckle of his friend prevented what could have been a tragic accident borne of his fit of rage!  This proved to be a turning point in his spiritual life, as he turned to the Lord for help to change and to live each day with him.

Tomorrow we will continue the story, which jumps to when he is an adult at college and moves through to modern day.  It is an inspiring, miraculous story of faith and perseverance, and I'm sure you will enjoy it.

As for the essay, I will wait until after the movie is completed tomorrow to give you an essay assignment.  It will be optional for you to complete and email it to me.  If you would like to have the (easy good) grade averaged into your grade for fourth quarter, you may do it.  If not, you will not have to complete the essay.

* Please come to class early tomorrow if you can.  We will need to start the movie right away if we are going to finish the whole thing tomorrow in class.  If we don't, we will gather briefly at lunch to watch the last few minutes together.

* Bring a hard copy of your final theme paper if you didn't turn it in to Mrs. Moore yesterday.  You must turn this in on Thursday to receive credit for it.  Please print it even if you emailed it to me.  If you are unable to print it for some reason, make that explicitly clear in a new email with the story attached so I can print it for you.

* Also bring all other drafts/notes for your final story which may be hanging around your notebook, home, backpack, or wherever.  You will need to turn them all in tomorrow.

* If you need to re-take the poetry test, you may do so tomorrow.  I will be available to you all day during a free period of yours, or during lunch.

* Please bring evidence of your memory review system to show me in class tomorrow (i.e. your memory card box, your memory paper file, your "Fighter Verse" app... whatever system you have put in place to review memory work daily...).  It should have each of the above items worked into it somehow, including the new current verse and poem you are working on.

 * Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log.  The signed reading log will be due tomorrow--no exceptions!

* Bring your journal and your thankfulness log to class tomorrow.

* Review your memory work every day of your life!  :-)
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)
+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class
+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"
+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"
+ the new verse and poem you are working on memorizing

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 5/22: Lily
For Th, 5/24: Will

HW from 5/17/12

Due on 5/22/12

* Have someone who is good at grammar proofread and edit your story.  Write down this person's name on the edited paper with their suggestions.   (Those of you who were absent today will unfortunately have to print it again for them to edit it.)

* Make all revisions and corrections to your story, bringing a beautiful final draft to class on Tuesday if you haven't emailed it to me before the end of the weekend.  If you email it to me before Monday,  I will print it and get a head start grading it.

* Also bring all other drafts/notes for your final paper which may be hanging around your home or backpack or wherever.  You will need to turn them all in at once on Tuesday.

* If you need to re-take the poetry test, decide when on Tuesday you want to take it.  I will be available to you all day during a free period of yours, or during lunch.

* Select a new Scripture memory verse and a new poem if you do not already have ones that you are currently memorizing.  Add them to your memory system (card, paper, etc.) and be sure to have them in class on Tuesday--whether they're new or you were already working on them.

* Please bring evidence of your memory review system to show me in class on Tuesday (i.e. your memory card box, your memory paper file, your "Fighter Verse" app... whatever system you have put in place to review memory work daily...).  It should have each of the above items worked into it somehow.

* Elizabeth T. and Dylan, bring your signed permission slip for the movie on Tuesday.

* Bring whatever food to share during the movie on Tuesday.

 * Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log.  The signed reading log will be due next Tuesday--no exceptions!

* You can't write in either your journal or your thankfulness log because I have them to grade them.  Those of you who were absent and still have them, keep writing in them, and be sure to bring them to class on Tuesday so I can grade them.

* Review your memory work every day of your life!  :-)
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)
+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class
+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"
+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"
+ the new verse and poem you are working on memorizing

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 5/22: Lily
For Th, 5/24: Will

 -------------------------------
NOTE: The Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, May 22.

HW from 5/15/12

Due on 5/17/12

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log.  The signed reading log will be due next Tuesday--no exceptions!

* Remember to add a couple of things each day to your thankfulness list.

* Write in your journal each day. "...by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Ask the Lord for something you want Him to do in you, change about you, work on in you.  These entries should be written in second person point of view.  You will turn in your writer's notebook for grading tomorrow.

* Review your memory work!  We will be having a memory quiz tomorrow in class on this memory work:
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)
+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class
+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"
+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"

* Select a new Scripture memory verse and a new poem if you do not already have ones that you are currently working on memorizing.  Add them to your memory system (card, paper, etc.) and be sure to have them in class tomorrow (whether they're new or you were already working on them).

* Please bring evidence of your memory review system to show me in class tomorrow (i.e. your memory card box, your memory paper file, your "Fighter Verse" app... whatever system you have put in place to review memory work daily...).  It should have each of the above items worked into it somehow.

* Get your permission slip signed for our movie event next week.  Bring it to me!

* Plan what food/items you'd like to bring to share next Tuesday during the movie.

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 5/15: Elizabeth L.
For Th, 5/17: Ben

For Tu, 5/22: Lily
For Th, 5/24: Will

 -------------------------------
NOTE: The Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, May 22.

HW from 5/10/12

Due on 5/15/12

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log.

* Remember to add at least five specific--not general--things to your "thankfulness list" before the next class period.  You should be adding a couple of things each day to your thankfulness list.

* Write in your journal (starting after your last writer's notebook entry, #6) at least once per day for each day between now and Tuesday.  You will need to have at least 5 entries by class on Tuesday.  These should be at least half a page long and written in second person point of view, directed to the Lord like a prayer.

* Your story is now late.  You must finish it and turn it in if you haven't yet.  It should be between 10 and 15 pages in length, standard format (1" margins, 12-pt. font, 5-space paragraph indentation, no extra lines between paragraphs, header with name and title, footer with page number).

* Keep reviewing your memory work! You must remain prepared at any time to recite or write down any of these memorized things:
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)
+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class
+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"
+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 5/15: Elizabeth L. 
For Th, 5/17: Ben

For Tu, 5/22: Lily
For Th, 5/24: Will

 -------------------------------
NOTE: The Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, May 22.

HW from 5/8/12

Due on 5/10/12

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log.

* Remember to add at least five specific--not general--things to your "thankfulness list" before the next class period.  You should be adding a couple of things each day.

* Finish your story and turn it in if you haven't yet. It should be between 10 and 15 pages in length, standard format (1" margins, 12-pt. font, 5-space paragraph indentation, no extra lines between paragraphs, header with name and title, footer with page number).

* Poetry test on Thursday. Review all information on poetry. See the blog section "Topics of Study."

* Keep reviewing all your memory work. You must remain prepared at any time to recite your memory work: + four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32) + the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class + the William Blake poem "The Lamb" + the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

 For Tu, 5/8: Jayce For Th, 5/10: Hope

For Tu, 5/15: Elizabeth L. For Th, 5/17: Ben

For Tu, 5/22: Lily For Th, 5/24: Will

 -------------------------------
NOTE: The Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, May 22.

HW from 5/3/12

Due on 5/8/12:

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log.

* Remember to add at least five specific--not general--things to your "thankfulness list" before the next class period.  You should be adding a couple of things each day.

* Finish your story.  Remember that everything is working towards completing a course of action that demonstrates your theme. Take into account the feedback you got from your peer editor yesterday.  Have someone else read it.  Read over it again after you've walked away for a day or so.  Be sure you have proofread your paper!

* Your story should be between 10 and 15 pages in length, standard format (1" margins, 12-pt. font, 5-space paragraph indentation, no extra lines between paragraphs, header with name and title, footer with page number).

* Review all information on poetry.  You will be having a poetry test one day soon.  (This means next class period is a possibility!)

* Keep reviewing all your memory work. You must remain prepared at any time to recite your memory work:
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)

+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class

+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"

+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 5/8: Jayce
For Th, 5/10: Hope


For Tu, 5/15: Elizabeth L.
For Th, 5/17: Ben


For Tu, 5/22: Lily
For Th, 5/24: Will


-------------------------------


NOTE: The Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, May 22.

HW from 5/1/12

Due on 5/3/12:

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily. You will not be able to mark it on your Reading Log because I didn't give you one.  Keep track anyway.  I'll give you a new log on Thursday.


* Remember to add at least five specific--not general--things to your "thankfulness list" before the next class period.  You should be adding a couple of things each day.

* Continue with your story.  Remember to focus on theme, not plot.  If you get stuck, give us a good description of a setting, or break into a meaningful dialogue between characters.  Remember that everything is working towards completing a course of action that demonstrates your theme.  Don't worry about a super-exciting plot!!  See previous blog entries for story requirements.

* You will need to turn in the first full draft of your completed story next Tuesday.  Pace yourself between now and then to be sure you are finished with your story--and that it is between 10-15 pages total--by next Tuesday.

* Review all information on poetry.  You will be having a poetry test one day soon.  (This means tomorrow is a possibility!)

* Keep reviewing all your memory work. You must remain prepared at any time to recite your memory work, which consists of:
+ four Bible verses (I Chronicles 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4-8, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32)

+ the poem you selected to memorize and recite to the class

+ the William Blake poem "The Lamb"

+ the first stanza of the Barry Cornwall poem "The Sea"

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 5/1: Dylan
For Th, 5/3: Elizabeth T.


For Tu, 5/8: Jayce
For Th, 5/10: Hope


For Tu, 5/15: Elizabeth L.
For Th, 5/17: Ben


For Tu, 5/22: TBD
For Th, 5/24: TBD


-------------------------------


NOTE: The Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on the last class period of the month.