Day 1

1
Day 1

• Bellringers welcome!

2
Day 2

• No man is an island entire of itself every man
• is a piece of the continent, a part of the
  main
• John Donne
• Respond to this quote. What might it mean? Try to
  write at least 5 complete sentences and create a
  paragraph with your response.
• Hint Think about the idea of community. Is our
  classroom a community? Is it important?

3
Day 3

• Watch Video http//www.youtube.com/watch?vwhTwjG
  4ZIJg
• Write down at least 10 tips you learned from this
  video-- be prepared to share with the class.
• Why are these skills important?
• Hold on to the tips you wrote down. They will be
  of use to you throughout this unit!

4
Day 4

• Very soon, you will be taking the county-wide
  writing assessment that looks at your knowledge
  of how to write a persuasive paper.
• Pretend you are a preparing to write an essay on
  why there should be more time in between classes.
  
• Write down 5 reasons you would use to convince
  your reader that more time is necessary.

5
Day 5

• Please read the worksheet Introduction to the
  Student
• Copies are at the front of the room

6
Day 6

• Examine a self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, a
  famous artist. Think about how he expresses his
  voice- his style of personality. Look carefully
  at the details.
• What is he saying about himself? How do you know?
• Think about how you would paint a self-portrait.
  What colors would you use? What expression would
  you have on your face? How would you be dressed?
  What is the background of the painting? Make a
  simple sketch of your own self portrait, and
  write a few sentences describing what your self
  portrait would look like.

7
Day 7

• Write down the two nouns in each sentence. Some
  nouns may be compound.
• Each February, there is a major snowstorm.
• The daisies in the garden are dying.
• The children on the merry-go-round were laughing.
  
• There are no longer any animals in that zoo.
• Uncle Pete has been studying to become a pilot.
• After the party there were dirty plates
  everywhere.

8
Day 8

• No bellringer

9
Day 9

• In your Language Network book (orange book under
  your desk) answer questions 1 10 on page 5.

10
Day 10

• Listen carefully to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
• What kind of voice does this music have?
  Pretend the music is a kind of self-portrait.
  Write two statements that capture the voice of
  this self portrait.
• Think about tempo (how fast the music goes) and
  volume.
• How does this music make you feel? What is the
  music trying to convey?

11
Day 11

• In your Language Network book (orange book under
  your desk) answer questions 1 10 on page 10,
  part A.

12
Day 12

• Copy down these notes
• Diction refers to the authors choice of words.
  In order to write well, you have to find the
  perfect word.
• The perfect word is clear concrete and exact. In
  other words, it says exactly what you want it to
  say, is specific, and creates just the picture
  you see in your mind.
• Some words are especially overused and tired,
  certainly not perfect. These words have lost
  their freshness and impact. Avoid them at all
  times!
• Consider these words forbidden and eliminate
  them from your vocabulary good, nice, pretty,
  beautiful, fine, bad, thing, really, very,
  terrible, wonderful, a lot
• Words dont simply have meaning. Words have
  denotation and connotation.
• Denotation is the literal meaning of the word,
  and connotation is the meaning suggested by a
  word, the feeling evoked by a word.

13
Day 13

• Fill in each blank with a noun.
• The _______ we saw was a _________.
• We went to the _____ to see a ______.
• _________ is not my favorite _______.
• In three ______ the _____ will be over.
• Many of the _____ were not ready for the ______.
• Put your ______ on the _______.
• We must remember that ______ is not a ______.
• Walking through the ______, they found a ______.

14
Day 14

• A redheaded woman was there with Trout. Kate
  could see her rummaging through the cabin,
  dumping drawers and knocking things from the
  shelves of cabinets. (Louis Sachar, Holes)
• What picture do you get when you read the second
  sentence?
• How would the meaning of the sentence change if
  we changed some of the words? For example Kate
  could see her searching through the cabin,
  emptying drawers and taking things off of the
  shelves of cabinets.
• Write a sentence describing a small boy making a
  mess in a restaurant. Choose words that are
  clear, concrete, and exact. Use perfect words.

15
Day 15

• Write the two nouns from each group and identify
  them as people, places, or things.
• able baby musician
• rabbit really chair
• Prison mountainside write
• Misery rusty success
• Only forest swamp
• Sailor tiny explored
• Hunter nurse into
• Bedroom school rough
• Lion kindly kite
• Tame table dog

16
Day 16

• Free write for approximately 15 minutes. You can
  write about whatever you want. (Add it to your
  bellringers sheet). You can make up a story,
  write about whats on your mind, or use the time
  to write down a concept youve been learning at
  school basically, get in the habit of writing
  for a set amount of time!

17
Day 17

• He spent hours in front of the mirror trying to
  herd his teeth into place with his thumb. He
  asked his mother if he could have braces, but he
  asked at the wrong time. (Gary Soto, Broken
  Chain)
• What is Gary Soto implying about the narrators
  teeth when he uses the verb herd in the sentence?
• How would the meaning change if the sentence were
  written like this? He spent hours in front of the
  mirror trying to push his teeth into place with
  his thumb.
• Fill in the blank with a strong verb that creates
  a clear picture in the readers mind like Sotos
  does. Avoid obvious verbs such as brush, comb, or
  fix. Be creative!
• She spent hours in front of the mirror trying to
  ___________ her hair in place for the party.

18
Day 18

• Identify each of the following numbered items as
  a fragment (F), Run-on sentence (RO), comma
  splice (CS) or complete sentence (S).
• The movie Double Jeopardy is about a woman who is
  unjustly framed for murder.
• Because her husband fakes his own murder.
• The wife went to jail for six years, her son was
  taken away from her.
• But when she got out of jail.
• She went to find her husband she wanted to kill
  him in revenge for his framing her.
• She had already served time for the murder, and
  she couldnt be convicted twice.
• Illegal to be convicted of the same crime twice.

19
Day 19

• Write a short description of a dog (at least 3
  sentences). First, decide whether you want to
  describe a fancy, pedigreed dog or a scruffy
  mutt. Then capture the dog by using strong
  diction. Dont explain that the dog is fancy or
  scruffy. Instead, use perfect words to create a
  picture of the dog for the reader.

20
Day 20

• There was a scurrying around and then eight of
  them snatched up their guns, formed into twos,
  and marched out behind the office. He wheeled his
  horse about and trotted toward me. I jumped back
  and plunged for the tavern doorway.
• Look at the boldfaced word (snatched) in the
  first sentence. Notice how clearly you can see
  the action because of that strong verb. How would
  it change the meaning of the sentence if it read
  eight of them picked up their guns?
• What does the use of the word plunged in the
  third sentence tell you about the narrators
  attitude toward the other characters in this
  passage?
• Use the word plunged in a sentence, but instead
  of having the word express fear and desperation,
  have it express excitement and happiness.
  Remember that in many cases the context of the
  word determines its deeper meaning.

21
Day 21

• Use the following instructions to write your own
  original sentences.
• Write a sentence about sports that includes one
  proper noun and one common noun.
• Write a sentence about animals that includes two
  common nouns.
• Write a sentence about an interesting place that
  includes one proper noun and two common nouns.
• Write a sentence about your school that contains
  one proper noun and one common noun.
• Write a sentence about music that includes one
  common noun and two proper nouns.

22
Day 22

• n you at the ivory-n-ebony
• crooning I Left My Heart. . to momma,
• winkin n smiling n jazzin n profilin
• n sangin n sangin
• n sangin n soundin
• sweeeeeeeeeeeeeee (Crystal Williams)
• The words in this song imitate the way someone
  talks. Why do you think Williams uses these kinds
  of words instead of standard English words?
• How would the impact of the passage change if we
  wrote the lines in formal language? And you at
  the piano/ singing to momma/ winking and smiling/
  and singing/ and sounding sweet.
• Now write a short poem that captures the way you
  sound when you talk to your friends. Use slang
  (no bad words!) and creative spelling to make
  your poem sound like talking when you read it
  aloud.

23
Day 23

• Imagery is a type of figurative language which
  uses words to paint a picture in the readers
  mind often appeals to the 5 senses.
• Directions Copy the paragraph below and
  underline the words which paint a picture in
  your mind and/or appeal to the 5 senses.
• I opened one eye when my alarm clock buzzed. My
  room was still dark, but I could smell coffee.
  When the scent of sizzling bacon hit my nose, my
  mouth watered and my stomach rumbled. I knew Mom
  would cook it until it was brown and crunchy,
  just the way I like it. My feet met the cold,
  hard floor as I leaped out of bed. I threw on my
  fluffy, red sweatshirt and tattered jeans and
  headed for breakfast.

24
Day 24

• When smoke crept over a green field. The smoke
  teased peoples eyes and noses. And it seeped
  into their clothes. Standing in the smoke were
  some 5,000 reenactors. (Winkler, Fighting for
  History)
• Write down all the verbs in the sentence.
• Are these strong or weak verbs? How do you know?
• Write your own sentence using strong verbs.

25
Day 25

• Analogies are logic puzzles. You must look at the
  words to determine the relationship in the first
  set and find the matching relationship for the
  second (incomplete) set.
• Copy and start with these simple analogies
• Pistol weapon rose _______________
• Light dark low ___________
• Old new beginning ___________
• Find lose construct ____________
• Photographer camera doctor __________

26
Day 26

• Filch hobbled across to his desk, snatched up
  the envelope, and threw it into a drawer
  (Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of
  Secrets)
• Which words help you visualize what is happening
  in this passage?
• What is the mood of this passage? How are the
  characters feeling? How do you know?
• Create a sentence of your own that helps your
  reader visualize what is happening. Create a mood
  and we will try to guess it when you read it
  aloud.

27
Day 27

• Fill in each blank with a proper noun.
• After much thought, he gave the bracelet to
  ______.
• The author she likes least is ______.
• On _______ there were two new houses being built.
  
• We finally decided to buy a _______.
• Some day I would like to see _______.
• After a heated contest, we beat _____ by two
  points.
• Television isnt the same without _______.
• The explores crossed the _______ during their
  first expedition.

28
Day 28

• What would you do with a million dollars if you
  had to spend all of it over the weekend? You
  cant save any of it- you must spend it all!
• Write a 7-9 sentence paragraph explaining what
  you would do with the money how you would spend
  it.

29
Day 29

• Make a stack of your study guides on my desk.
• Make a neat stack of your To Kill a Mockingbird
  books on my desk.
• Get out several sheets of paper and clear your
  desk except something to write with (pencil, blue
  or black ink pen).
• Make sure you have something to do after the test
  that does not involve talking (reading, puzzle,
  writing, etc)

30
Day 30

• Copy down these notes
• Detail is what makes writing come alive.
• Detail includes facts, observations, reasons,
  examples, and incidents that a writer uses to
  develop a subject. Specific details create a
  clear mental picture for the reader by focusing
  on particular details rather than random things.
• Detail helps the reader understand what youre
  writing about exactly as you want him/her to.
• Details helps to focus the readers attention on
  important ideas and shapes the readers
  understanding of a topic.
• Detail allows the reader to participate as an
  equal partner in the world the writer has
  created and to follow the writers ideas in the
  way the author intends.

31
Day 31

• Think of a shopping trip to your favorite mall.
  Think about everything you would look at in the
  mall.
• Now make a list of details you might focus on
  when writing about the trip to the mall.
• Decide your focus people, clothes, food, stores,
  things you might find, or specific parts of the
  mall. You decide. Write your focus!
• Now write down your attitude or mood are you
  thrilled, critical, neutral, angry, or something
  else?
• List as many details as you can to support your
  attitude.
• Write a paragraph about your experience at the
  mall using as many details as possible.

32
Day 32

• He was an old man. His blank, heavily wrinkled
  face was surrounded by a halo of crinkly white
  hair and whiskers that seemed to separate his
  head from the layers of dirty coats piled on his
  smallish frame. His pants were bagged to the
  knee, where they were met with rags that went
  down to the old shoes. The rags were held on with
  strings, and there was a rope around his middle.
  Walter Dean Myers, The Treasure of Lemon Brown
• What are all the vivid details of this passage?
  How do the details help you understand the focus
  of the passage?
• Using this paragraph as a model, write a similar
  paragraph about an old cat. Use lots of vivid
  detail.

33
Day 33

• When he ran, he even loved the pain, the hurt of
  running, the burning in his lungs and the spasms
  that sometimes gripped his calves. He loved it
  because he know he could endure the pain, and
  even go beyond it. He had never pushed himself to
  the limit but he felt all this reserve strength
  inside him more than strength actually
  determination. And it sang in him as he ran, his
  heart pumping blood joyfully through his body.
  Robert Cormier, The Chocolate War
• What is the main idea (topic sentence) or focus
  of this paragraph? State it as simply as you can.
  How do the details in this paragraph support the
  main idea?
• The details in the first sentence describe the
  physical sensation of pain. The next three
  sentences, however, focus on another
  characteristic of pain. What is this other
  characteristic of pain? How do the details of the
  last three sentences help the reader understand
  the other characteristic of pain?
• Write a simple topic sentence about something you
  love to do. Then, list all of the details you can
  think of that would help someone else understand
  why you love what you do.

34
Day 34

• Describe a room that is unbearably hot. In your
  description, use words that are clear, concrete,
  and exact. Use a vivid adjective to describe an
  object in the room. The adjective and object
  should help your readers understand the feeling
  of the room. Remember, dont simply state that
  its hot. Instead, create a picture for the
  reader, capturing how the heat affects the
  surroundings.

35
Day 35

• Shes this old wrinkled bat with bad breath, so
  kids avoid her. I tried to sit downwind of her
  breath, but it was right after lunch and she kept
  burpin little bursts of garlic. Tears of a
  Tiger
• Sketch a picture of this scene. What details are
  in your sketch? Why are they memorable?
• Write two sentences about someone you want to sit
  next to. Use Drapers sentence as a model,
  substituting positive details for the negative
  ones.

36
Day 36

• And his tears could fall unwanted on his sheet,
  but his sobs were so gentle that they did not
  shake the bed, so quiet they could not be heard.
  But the ache was there, thick in his throat and
  the front of his face, hot in his chest and in
  his eyes. I want to go home. Enders Game
• What is this scene describing? How is the
  character feeling?
• Can you relate to this feelings? Write down a
  specific story from your own life that is similar
  to this.

37
Day 37

• Metaphors, similes, and personification belong to
  a class of language called figurative language.
• Figurative language is any language that is not
  used in a literal (meaning exactly what it says)
  way
• We use figurative language because its a rich,
  strong, and vivid way to express meaning.
• Using it allows us to say much more using fewer
  words
• When using figures of speech, be sure you are not
  using cliché, stale and overused phrases (quiet
  as a mouse or pretty as a picture for example)

38
Day 38

• Metaphors compare two things directly similes
  compare things indirectly, usually using signal
  words such as as, like, than, similar to, and
  resembles.
• Fill out the following practice chart

Figure of Speech Metaphor or simile?
I got a flood of mail today.
Alice sang like a cow.
Jeff was taller than the Empire State Building.
The shoes cost a kings ransom.
39
Day 39

• We discussed similes and metaphors last time
  (please review your notes). This time, we need to
  know personification, which is a special kind of
  metaphor that gives human qualities to something
  that is not human, such as an animal, an object
  or an idea. For example, the tree sighed sadly
  in the cold. (a tree cant sigh like a human!)
• Practice writing examples of metaphors, similes,
  and personification for the terms listed here

40
Day 39, continued
Literal Term Metaphor Simile Personification
Friendship Leahs friendship is a lighthouse. Leahs friendship is like a lighthouse. Leahs friendship wrapped my sadness in a warm blanket.
Football game
Cleaning your room
Shirt
Cafeteria lunch
41
Day 40

• I have a dream that one day even the state of
  Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the
  heat of injustice and oppression, will be
  transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice
  MLK
• Identify two examples of figurative language in
  the passage. Are the figures of speech metaphors
  or similes? How do you know the language is
  figurative?
• What does the figurative language add to the
  passage?
• Rewrite this passage without figurative language.
  How do the two compare?

42
Day 41

• Solve the following analogy puzzles
• 1.begin end open ___________________
• 2.detective inspector teacher
  _____________
• 3. incognito disguised foolish
  _____________
• 4.insect mosquito dog ___________________
• 5.nose face elbow ___________________
• 6.intelligence stupidity beautiful
  ___________
• 7.bird parrot vermin ___________________
• 8.tires ambulance knob ___________________
  
• 9.clue hint cup ___________________
• 10. boy girl day ___________________

43
Day 42

• He gossips like my grandmother, this man
• with my face, and I could stand
• amused all afternoon
• in the Hon Kee Grocery,
• amid hanging meats he chops . . . The
  Cleaving
• Look at the first line. Is like my grandmother a
  simile? Explain.
• Is this man/ with my face figurative? If so, is
  it a metaphor or simile? Explain.
• Write a poem or several sentences in which you
  compare yourself to a family member or friend.
  You should have at least four lines and use one
  metaphor.

44
Day 43

• The Tangerine Times printed a special pullout
  section on the Lake Windsor Middle School
  sinkhole. The photos were spectacular. They had
  one huge shot of the splintered walkways sticking
  up in all directions, like Godzilla had just
  trampled through the store.
• Is the phrase the splintered walkways sticking up
  in all directions literal or figurative? Explain.
  
• like Godzilla had just trampled through there
  is a simile. Why is it a simile and not a
  metaphor?
• Write one sentence that describes a park. First
  describe it literally (how the park really is),
  then support your description with the simile.
  Use this pattern for your sentence The park
  ______________________________, like
  ____________________.

45
Day 44

• Directions Write the word that correctly
  completes each sentence
• 1.I would (advise / advice) you to put the
  chalupa down, sir.
• 2.The critics cruel reviews had a bad (affect /
  effect) on the plays financial success.
• 3.If Y2K causes computers to shut down, well
  need an (all together / altogether) new system.
• 4.It is (plain / plane) to see who is the guilty
  one in this classroom.
• 5.I dont know (whos / whose) handcuffs these
  are, but they better come up and claim them.
• 6.(Theyre / Their / There) going to see Eminem
  in concert next Saturday.
• 7.Ever (sense / since / cents) Elvis died, my
  life has been empty and meaningless.
• 8.Will you (accept / except) my marriage
  proposal?
• 9.I cant (bare / bear) another minute of English
  9, or Ill scream!
• 10. Which (one / won) is the next contestant on
  The Price is Right?

46
Day 45

• My mothers hair, like little rosettes, like
  little candy circles all curly and pretty because
  she pinned it in pincurls all day, sweet to put
  your nose into when she is holding you, holding
  you and and you feel safe, is the warm smell of
  bread before you bake it, is the smell when she
  makes room for you on her side of the bed still
  warm with her skin, and you sleep near her, the
  rain outside and Papa snoring The House on
  Mango Street
• List the 4 metaphors and similes in this passage.
  Be sure you can explain why they are what they
  are.
• 2Why doesnt she simply say, My mothers hair
  smelled good?
• Write a paragraph describing someones hair that
  you dont like. Use at least one simile and one
  metaphor.

47
Day 46

• Write down the word that correctly completes each
  sentence
• 11.My wife was (formally / formerly) known as
  Emily Leenot Emily Thompson.
• 12.Grading papers is one of the (principal /
  principle) ways I spend my time.
• 13.(Its / Its) not too late to start shopping
  for the Christmas Holidays.
• 14.Rufus is going to the Opelika-Auburn game (to
  / too / two).
• 15.Rufus (threw / through / thorough) his puppy
  into the laundry basket.
• 16.How many times can Auburn (loose / lose)
  before the season ends?
• 17.I cant (quite / quiet) hear in my left ear,
  so youll have to speak up, sonny.
• 18. Didnt you (hear / here) me? Im stone-deaf
  in my left ear!!!
• 19.After vacationing in Siberia, Ive got a cold,
  and my voice is (horse / hoarse).
• 20.The sun (shone / shown) down on the Loachapoka
  Syrup Sopping Festival.

48
Day 47

• The camp faced a wide cove or white sand and
  palm trees. The bay was so perfectly blue, it
  looked like it had been retouched for a tourist
  brochure. Across the bay stood protective
  mountains, shoulder to shoulder, across the
  Concepcion peninsula. Sisterhood of the
  Traveling Pants
• Write the examples of personification in the
  third sentence.
• How would the sentence change if it were written
  like this There were mounts across the
  Concepcion peninsula.
• Describe a place you like to go in the summer. In
  your description use at least one example of
  personification.

49
Day 48

• Directions Mark each of the following sentences
  as Formal (F) or Informal (IF). If a sentence is
  informal, underline what marks the sentence as
  informal
• The test was a piece of cake.
• The student did very well on his English test.
• You cant see very well when its raining at
  night.
• Dont tell me that I cant go to the game!
• Idioms are a type of informal language
• The dinner jacket was made out of an expensive
  grade of cotton.
• Hes gonna kill that man if he sees him again.
• When you take your drivers test, dont be
  nervous.
• The quiz covers Chapters 10 through 13.
• The waiter spent more time than necessary washing
  the dishes.

50
Day 49

• Please copy down these notes
• We studied similes, metaphors, and
  personification. Now we will discuss more types
  of figurative language hyperboles, symbols, and
  irony.
• These figures of speech are not comparisons,
  however, their meaning goes beyond what is
  actually said
• A hyperbole is an exaggeration that is based in
  the truth. For example, Im so tired, I could
  sleep for a week! This is an exaggeration
  because no one can literally sleep for a week
  straight.
• A symbol is something that stands for something
  else they mean more than they say. For example,
  a rainbow is a symbol of hope. If a rainbow
  appeared in a story about shipwrecked children it
  would symbolize hope.
• Lastly, irony is saying the opposite of what you
  mean. For example, if lunch was really terrible
  and you say nice lunch, you are really implying
  the opposite of what you mean. Sarcasm is also a
  type of irony.

51
Day 50

• Directions Mark each of the following sentences
  as Formal (F) or Informal (IF). If a sentence is
  informal, underline what marks the sentence as
  informal
• He told the woman that everythings going to be
  alright.
• Coca-Cola contains far too many calories for
  someone watching her weight.
• After passing the graduation exam, you can get
  your diploma.
• I cant believe that you fell for that old joke.
• The designer couch was too expensive for the
  couples home.
• Children are often very similar to their parents.
  
• Basket-weaving is an incredibly difficult and
  beautiful art form.
• As long as you behave in that manner, you aint
  passing this class.
• E-mail is revolutionizing the way people
  communicate.
• As soon as the light turns green, hang a right on
  Magnolia Avenue.

52
Day 51

• Practice with hyperbole, irony, and symbols. Fill
  in the following charts

Sentence start Hyperbole
I was hungry enough
My head was
She ran so fast
When he lifted the box
Symbol What the symbol stands for
1) Lion Bravery
2) Skull and crossbones Death
3)
4)
5)
53
Day 51, Continued
Sentence Ironic (figurative) Not ironic (literal)
Your favorite team just lost by a wide margin and you are pretty disgusted about it. You say great game!
You are traveling in the mountains and see a beautiful meadow of flowers. You say nice view!
Your best friend is learning to ride a dirt bike and you say man, I wish I could do that!
Your best friend has to stay home and baby-sit his little brother, which you wouldnt want to do. You say, man, I wish I could do that!
54
Day 52

• Translate the following words into formal English
• aint
• wanna
• gonna
• hafta
• lemme
• bursted
• brung
• oughta
• sorta
• theirselves

55
Day 53

• He could shoot a bumblebee in the eye at sixty
  paces, and he was a man who was not afraid to
  shake hands with lightning Felton, Pecos Bill
  and the Mustang
• There is an example of hyperbole, an exaggeration
  that is based on the truth but carries the truth
  to such an extreme that it is no longer literally
  true. Of course, Pecos Bill couldnt literally do
  these things. What, then, is the purpose of
  saying he could?
• Compare Feltons sentence with this one He could
  shoot well, and he was not afraid of anything.
  Which sentence helps the reader better understand
  Pecos Bill? Why?
• Write a sentence about a great basketball player
  using hyperboles.

56
Day 54

• Translate the following words into formal
  English
• Nowheres
• hisself
• kinda
• weirdo
• pooped
• wimp
• fatso
• a lot
• must of
• brang

57
Day 55

• Flowers and other things have been laid against
  the wall. There are little flags, an old teddy
  bear, and letters, weighted so they wont blow
  away. Someone has left a rose with a droopy
  head. Bunting, The Wall
• 1. This passage is from a book about the Vietnam
  War Memorial in Washington, D.C. There are
  several symbols in the passage. Identify the
  symbols and explain what they mean.

Symbol What it means
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
2. Look at the sentence about the rose. Remember
that it is a rose, but its also something else.
What does the rose usually symbolize? Why does it
have a droopy head here? What does the droopy
head add to our understanding of the symbol and
feeling of the passage?
58
Day 56

• Directions Rewrite the following informal
  sentences into formal English.
• 1.We aint got no money.
• 2.Say what?
• 3.My bad!
• 4.Hang a right at the Amoco Station.
• 5.Steve got hooked up with a job at Wendys.
• 6.Chill out! Everythings gonna be fine.
• 7.Youre driving me up the wall.
• 8.Knock it off, or youre going to get a
  referral.
• 9.I cant tell you the answer off the top of my
  head.
• 10. As the woman crossed the room, she caught the
  officers eye.

59
Day 57

• As I reached for the porch to steady myself,
  there was a sense of quiet movement in the
  darkness. The moon slid from its dark covers,
  cloaking the earth in shadowy white light, and I
  could see Mr. Morrison clearly, moving silently,
  like a jungle cat, from the side of the house to
  the road, a shotgun in his hand. Taylor, Roll
  of Thunder, Hear My Cry
• Traditionally, darkness symbolizes evil and
  deception, and light symbolizes goodness and
  truth. What is going on in this paragraph? How
  does the use of traditional symbolism help you
  understand this passage?
• Mr. Morrison is described as moving silently,
  like a jungle cat. Is jungle cat a symbol?
  Explain thoroughly.
• Write a paragraph describing something lurking in
  the darkness to break into a car. Use the
  traditional symbolism of light and darkness to
  create a mood of impending evil.

60
Day 58

• Directions Place commas wherever they are
  necessary in the following sentences.
• 1.Brian you need to work harder if you want to
  keep this job.
• 2.The old man spent his days looking out of the
  window and he spent his nights sleeping.
• 3.If you arent willing to help my sister said
  then please wait in the other room.
• 4.In fact I dont know how anyone could like lima
  beans.
• 5.Fighting against high waves the young swimmer
  wondered if he would reach the shore.
• 6.Populating the lake at the art museum are swans
  ducks turtles and fish.
• 7.When Dave went out to feed the chickens he
  noticed the new pony was nowhere in sight.
• 8.You understand Im sure that we are not now
  able to raise your salary.
• 9.The kitten shivering in the wet cold morning
  air tried to sneak into the warm kitchen.

61
Day 59

• All this last day Frodo had not spoken, but
  walked half-bowed, often stumbling, as if his
  eyes no longer saw the way before his feet. Sam
  guessed that among all their pains he bore the
  worst, the growing weight of the Ring, a burden
  on the body and a torment to his mind. Tolkien,
  The Return of the King
• The ring in this book is, in fact, a ring
  however, it is also something else. That makes
  the ring a symbol. What do rings usually
  symbolize? In other words, why would Tolkien use
  a ring as a symbol?
• How does the use of a symbol help you understand
  the passage?
• A rainbow is often used as a traditional symbol
  of hope. Write a paragraph describing a scene of
  misfortune and misery. In your description, use
  the rainbow to symbolize hope for better times
  ahead.

62
Day 60

• Directions Label each sentence either C for
  correct usage of capitalization or I for
  incorrect use of capitalization. If a sentence is
  incorrect, rewrite it correctly.
• _____1. Marla said, we walked to the store
  yesterday.
• _____2. Do you think, Sam asked, That the dog
  is loose?
• _____3. Sondra said, Someone may take my place
  at the game.
• _____4. Tony and I have tickets to the indians
  versus the warriors game tonight at the stadium.
• _____5. That plate of English muffins looks
  delicious.
• _____6. Dr.Tibbets is the author of Funny Bunny.
• _____7. Because I had the flu, mother took me to
  the doctor.
• _____8. I love to watch re-runs of Gilligans
  Island every summer.
• _____9. Please finish reading Gone with the Wind
  tonight, Mrs.Thompson announced.
• _____10. We had to cancel our trip to the Museum
  of Science and industry.

63
Day 61

• We divide the world in columns
• when we stick to our own kind.
• We nurture our suspicion,
• keep our stereotypes in line.
• We have to keep our distance
• So weve another kind to blame.
• How come,
• if were so different,
• we both react the same?
• Holbrook, Major Differences

1. Read the stanzas very carefully. Several of the
   lines say one thing, but they mean quite the
   opposite. In other words, theyre ironic. What do
   the lines says and what do the lines mean? Look
   at it 2 lines at a time and write down your
   response.
2. Write a stanza of poetry about the importance of
   green vegetables. In your stanza, dont come
   right out and give your opinion. Instead, use
   irony (not sarcasm) to convey your ideas.

64
Day 62

• Directions Label each sentence either C for
  correct usage of capitalization or I for
  incorrect use of capitalization. If a sentence is
  incorrect, rewrite it correctly.
• _____11. The High School students enjoyed the
  concert at Westview Auditorium in Duluth.
• _____12. The small boy whispered, may I please
  have a new toy?
• _____13. Marcus and I will travel the southeast
  this June.
• _____14. Kristen OGrady is a student of Indian
  history.
• _____15. Leo said, I did well on that spanish
  test.
• _____16. Lets hurry up and get to Geometry
  before were tardy for the fourth time.
• _____17. Mr.Thompson (Who loves poetry too much)
  is ready for Christmas break.
• _____18. He is going to go home to Brewton,
  Alabama. (he enjoys visiting his family.)
• _____19. Last december, my family went to Disney
  World.
• _____20. We watched The secret garden in English
  class today.

65
Day 63

• Grab a copy of the Georgia End of Course Test
  packet from the front table.
• For the next couple weeks we will be completing a
  section of this practice every day
• Today Complete 1 11 in the packet
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

66
Day 64

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 12 21
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

67
Day 65

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 28 - 37
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

68
Day 66

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 38 - 45
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

69
Day 67

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 46 - 54
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

70
Day 68

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 55 - 63
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

71
Day 69

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 64 - 79
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

72
Day 70

• Get a copy of the EOCT packet at the front of the
  room
• Complete 80 - 90
• TAKE YOUR TIME! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Do not write on the document add it in your
  bellringers

73
Day 71

• Copy these notes
• Imagery is the use of words to create a sensory
  experience.
• People often think imagery just refers to
  creating a visual picture for the reader, but
  imagery includes any experience with the 5 senses
• Imagery captures words in what we see, what we
  hear, what we touch, what we smell, and what we
  taste.
• Visual imagery is most common, but writers
  experiment with all of the sense experiences in
  writing.
• Imagery is another way to make writing alive and
  interesting
• Imagery can be figurative or literal.
• Imagery, like the other elements of voice, is a
  tool the writer can use to create a specific
  experience or feeling. The more specific the
  more powerful

74
Day 72

• The silence was delicate. Aunty Ifeoma was
  scraping a burnt pot in the kitchen, and the
  kroo-kroo-kroo of the metal spoon on the pot
  seemed intrusive. Amaka and Papa-Nnukwu spoke
  sometimes, their voices low, twining together.
  They understood each other, using the sparest
  words. Watching them, I felt a longing for
  something I know I would never have. I wanted to
  get up and leave, but my legs did not belong to
  me, did not do what I wanted them to do.
  Adichie, Purple Hibiscus
• Imagery is the re-creation of sensory experiences
  through language. Which of the five sense (sight,
  sound, taste, touch, smell) is most important
  here? Write down words that lead you to your
  answer.
• The kroo-kroo-kroo of the metal spoon on the pot
  is described as intrusive. What does this mean?
  What images is contrasted with the sound of the
  metal spoon on the pot? What effect does it have
  on the passage?
• Describe the school hallway between classes.
  Focus on the sounds that are important in the
  scene. Use made up words that imitate a sound, as
  Adichie does in the passage.

75
Day 73

• Well, after a long time I heard the clock away
  off in the town go boomboomboomtwelve licks
  and all still again stiller than ever. Pretty
  soon I heard a twig snap down in the dark amongst
  the trees something was a-stirring. I sat still
  and listened. Twain, The Adventures of
  Huckleberry Finn
• What kind of imagery is used in this passage? How
  does these images affect the reader?
• Twain uses imagery to set up a contrast between
  sounds and quiet. List these images he creates
  and tell whether they are quiet or sound
  images.
• Write a paragraph that describes the sounds you
  hear in your classroom right now. Use the above
  paragraph as a model.

76
Day 74

• Something warm was running across the backs of
  her hands. She saw with mounting horror that it
  was mixed slime and blood running from the dogs
  mouth. King, Cujo
• What kind of imagery is used in this passage?
• How does imagery in this passage help create the
  horror of the situation?
• Pretend your best friend just threw up. You are
  helping your friend and you accidentally touch
  the vomit. Write at least 2 sentences describing
  this (gross!) experience.

77
Day 75

• Back in Montana you had steep craggy mountains
  that rose ten thousand feet into the clouds. Here
  the only hills were man-made highway bridges
  smooth, gentle slopes of concrete. Hiaasen,
  Hoot
• What kind of picture do you get when you read the
  first sentence? What kind of picture do you get
  when you read the 2nd sentence? Sketch a picture
  of each.
• Which does the speaker like better the craggy
  mountains or the highway bridges? Base your
  evidence from the text, not your own opinion. How
  does the imagery in the passage help you
  understand the speakers attitude?
• Consider two places youve visited and decide
  which one you liked better. Use visual imagery to
  express which one you like more.

78
Day 76

• Copy these notes
• Syntax is the way words are arranged in
  sentences. In other words, syntax is sentence
  structure. Syntax includes these important
  elements
• Sentence parts
• Word order
• Sentence length
• Punctuation
• When we study syntax, dont get caught up with
  trying to master the fine points of grammar but
  do be careful and focus on the basics!

79
Day 77

• He was a year older than I, skinny, brown as a
  chocolate bar, his hair orange, his hazel eyes
  full of mischief and laughter.
• Santiago, When I was Puerto Rican
• Look carefully at the way the sentence is
  written. All of the words that follow the word
  used to describe the he of the sentence. They are
  adjectives and adjective phrases. This is not the
  way words are usually ordered in English. What
  effect does word order have on the meaning of the
  sentence?
• Write your own sentence describing someone that
  is written in this same manner.

80
Day 78

• When I had waited a long time, very patiently,
  without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open
  a little a very, very, little crevice in the
  lantern. So I opened it you cannot imagine how
  stealthily, stealthily until at length, a single
  dim ray, like a thread of a spider, shot from out
  the crevice and fall upon the vulture eye. Poe,
  The Tell-Tale Heart
• Look carefully at the first sentence. There are
  several groups of words called phrases (very
  patiently, without hearing him lie down, a very,
  very little) that interrupt the flow of the
  sentence. Why do you think Poe wrote the sentence
  like this?
• Look at the 2nd sentence. What is the purpose of
  the dashes? How do these dashes, and the words
  they set off, involve the reader in the action of
  the passage?
• Write a sentence about doing homework. Try to
  imitate the way Poe uses phrases to slow down the
  way you read the sentence. Use at least one dash.

81
Day 79

• He found that he was often angry, now
  irrationally angry at his groupmates, that they
  were satisfied with their lives which had none of
  the vibrance his own was taking on. Lowry, The
  Giver
• What is the purpose of the colon in this
  sentence?
• How would it change the effectiveness of the
  sentence if we rewrote it like this? He found
  that he was often irrationally angry at his
  groupmates because they were satisfied with their
  lives which had none of the vibrance his own was
  taking on.
• Write a sentence that uses a colon to connect
  important idea. The words which follow the colon
  should explain and emphasize the words that come
  before the colon. Use Lowrys sentence as a
  model. Start this way
• Ashley found that she was much happier now
  ________________

82
Day 80

• Like sunshine after storm were the peaceful
  weeks that followed. Alcott, Little Women
• Write this sentence on your paper. What is the
  subject of the sentence? (underline it) What is
  the main verb (circle it)? Is this the usual word
  order of subjects and verbs in English?
• How would the meaning and impact of the sentence
  be different if it read The peaceful weeks which
  followed were like sunshine after storm.
• Reorganize this sentence. Start with the simile
  and reverse the normal order of the subject and
  verb. Spring break came like a time of calm
  winds after a hurricane.

83
Day 81

• Copy these notes
• We examine tone last because understanding tone
  requires an understanding of all the elements
  writers use to create it diction, detail,
  figurative language, imagery, and syntax.
• Tone is the express of the authors attitude
  toward his/her audience and subject matter. It
  can also be the expression of the speaker or
  narrator's attitude toward his/her listener or
  subject matter.
• It is the feeling that grows out of the
  material, the feeling that the writer creates for
  the reader.
• Tone can be any of these words (and many more!)
  abusive, accepting, admiring, angry, anxious,
  bitter, calm, cold, confused, critical, dry,
  grim, joyful, loving, mocking, peaceful, sad,
  silly, somber, thoughtful, etc

84
Day 82

• Rachel/Rachelle and some other idiot chatter
  about the movie date before Mr. Stetman starts
  class. I want to puke. Rachel/Rachelle is just
  Andy-this and Andy-that. Could she be more
  obvious? I close my ears to her stupid laugh and
  work on the homework that was due yesterday.
  Anderson, Speak
• What is the attitude of the narrator toward
  Rachel/Rachelle? What words clue you in?
• What is the tone of the passage? How do you know?
  
• Write a short paragraph about an awful lunch.
  Your tone should be disrespectful and mocking.
  Create a mocking tone!

85
Day 83

• The Navy guy and I told each other we were glad
  tove met each other. Which always kills me. Im
  always saying Glad tove meet you to someone
  Im not glad at all I met. If you want to stay
  alive, you have to say stuff like that though.
  Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
• What is the narrators attitude towards people in
  general? How do you know?
• Write a paragraph about meeting someone famous.
  Your paragraph should have an admiring and
  approving tone.

86
Day 84

• It is my observation that dogs feel certain
  basic emotions like affection, fear, confusion,
  and joy. Im not sure theyre capable of feeling
  sadness or jealousy or if they can get their
  feelings hurt. But I believe I dog can get
  embarrassed! Take the clippers to a long-haired
  dog and see if she doesnt slink off behind the
  barn. Black, Dog Emotions
• Does the narrator like or dislike dogs? How do
  you know?
• What is the tone of this passage? How do the
  detail and diction of the last sentence affect
  the tone of the passage?
• Write a paragraph or two that uses a lighthearted
  and playful tone to characterize a friend you
  really like who has some funny habits. Follow the
  Blacks paragraph a simple explanation followed
  by a funny example.

87
Day 85

• Im boiling with rage, and yet I musnt show it.
  Id like to stamp my feet, scream, give Mummy a
  good shaking, cry, and I dont know what else,
  because of the horrible words, mocking looks, and
  accusations which are leveled at me repeatedly
  every day, and find their mark, like shafts from
  a tightly strung bow, and which are just as hard
  to draw from my body Anne Frank, Diary of a
  Young Girl
• What is the tone of the passage?
• What words inform you of the tone? Write down
  specific words or phrases from the passage.
• Write a paragraph expressing your anger about
  something. First, list the diction, detail,
  imagery, and figurative language you can use to
  create the tone. Then, write your paragraph.

88
Day 86

• We went with sandwiches, thick, poor-mans ham
  from Aldis supermarket, slapped onto wheat bread
  and slathered with a thin film of mayonnaise.
  Asgedom, Of Beatles Angels
• What is the speakers attitude towards the
  sandwiches?
• How did you figure out the speakers attitude
  toward the sandwiches?
• Write a sentence which expresses your attitude
  toward a great dinner youve recently eaten.
  Dont explain your attitude use diction and
  detail to express it.

89
Day 87

• On a sheet of paper without your name on it,
  please answer the following questions
• What did you like about this class?
• What did you not like about this class?
• What was your favorite activity or assignment?
• What was your least favorite activity or
  assignment?
• How could I make this class better?
• How could I be a better teacher?