Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Today, we reviewed functional letter writing. I am pasting some additional information below:

What to include in the body of a letter:

PARAGRAPH ONE: INTRODUCTION TO YOURSELF, WHO YOU ARE, AND WHY YOU ARE WRITING TO THIS PERSON.

PARAGRAPH TWO: EXPLAINING WHY YOU WANT WHAT YOU WANT AND PROVIDING DETAILS TO ENCOURAGE THE AUDIENCE TO AGREE WHAT YOU WANT IS THE BEST CHOICE.

PARAGRAPH THREE: CLOSING PARAGRAPH THANK THE READER FOR CONISDERING YOUR REQUEST (REMIND HIM OF WHAT THE REQUEST WAS) , INVITE THEM TO CONTACT YOU IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. RESTATE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO YOU/TO YOUR CAUSE.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Today, you wrote a functional letter (in class). For tomorrow, keep reading your novel. The further ahead you get on the readings the less you will have to do over the holidays.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Today, we went through the rest of the chapter one questions of The Outsiders. I then handed out the chapter two questions. These are due for tomorrow. Tomorrow, you will write another letter and will be able to bring your sheet on format with you. These are created to be written in forty minutes but I will give you the whole block.

Friday, March 23

Today, we answered the chapter One questions for The Outsiders. I want you to finish the ones we didn't get around to answering and be sure to have chapter two read for Monday as well.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Today, we discussed cliques and groups as an introduction to the topic of The Outsiders. I then went through some of the chapter one questions. Your job tonight is to review the questions and read chapter one so we can discuss it tomorrow. Keep in mind that you will have to have this novel read by the end of the holidays. It is short, so this shouldn't be a problem.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Today, you read the novel The Outsiders and worked on the quesitons for Chapter One. You also finished up the letters that were due last week. If you are not finished the letter, be sure to do so as I will be calling you in to get caught up at lunch hour.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Today, we got caught up on the letter writing activity we have been working on. If you were not here, be sure your good copy is complete, reviewed, revised, signed and ready to send without errors in format, and complete in content (three paragraphs consisting of an introduction of self and YPI;, the request for help for your charity; what it does and what it will use the money for (be specific on amount); and a thank you for considering the request as well as instructions to make the cheque out to the charity but to send it to you so you can present it).
In addition, you were given questions to answer for chatper one of The Outsiders. These are due soon. If you are a slow reader, it will also help you to use this time to read ahead.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Today, I instructed students to read the "Speaking with S. E. Hinton" section at the back of the novel The Outsiders. I then handed out questions for Chapter One which are to be completed independently.
At the same time, a number of students wrote an exam they missed last week, or completed the letter assignment they needed to get done. Hopefully, we will all be caught up tomorrow.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Today, I was able to get a sub in the room and meet with some of you to go over your letters. The in-class assignment that I expect to see is as follows:





Today, you will go on-line and find out everything you can about S.E. Hinton. You will write out what you find in point form. You must get all of the five Ws, information on what she has written and when, and then what the book The Outsiders is about.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Today, you wrote your Merchant of Venice exam. You then signed out the novel The Outsiders, byt S.E. Hinton and started to read it.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Today, you finished watching the film The Merchant of Venice. Your letters to companies are due by the end of the day tomorrow (after revision) and you write your Merchant of Venice comprehension exam tomorrow. After this, you will take the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton out of the library and we will start a new unit.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Today, you were to hand in your letters and then revise them for homework (they should have been revised already but there were a couple that needed more work).
We then watched more of The Merchant of Venice.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Today, you finished writing your YPI letter, ensured that you met all the requirements of the letter itself, and then, using the checklist on the back of the letter instructions, you made sure you formatted it properly and handed it in.
Just to let you know, we will finish watchiing The Merchant of Venice on Monday and part of Tuesday and will write a comprehension exam on this play on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Today, we did peer reviews for YPI. You then began writing a letter to a charity. I have pasted the information below. This is to be completed in a revised (PERFECT) state by the end of class tomorrow.

The Lesson that Could Still Make a Difference
Now that YPI is behind us, we have had some time to reflect on the presentations. Some may feel that their charity deserved more than it got. If that was you, then it was a successful venture. After all, isn’t creating greater awareness the most important part? Okay, so you may not entirely agree. Good. It will make this last assignment that much easier.
Today and tomorrow are going to be spent on a last ditch attempt to get support for your charity. You already know about the issue your charity addresses, what they do, and what it is they specifically need to operate more effectively. Get the idea of $5000 out of your head, look at what is specifically needed, and write a letter to a company with the means to meet the request. We have a lot of companies in this area that you could write to. I might start by thinking of places parents, family friends, or siblings work at or I might have to look in a phone book under “oil companies” or some other industrial title to locate them. This doesn’t have to be the first step, but it helps.
The Assignment
Write a letter to the company explaining the YPI initiative, the charity you presented, what it does for the community, what it needs and what you are requesting of them. You must include information for them to make out a cheque (name of organization and charity number are a must!). They can send it to you so you can present it to the charity to let them know that your efforts on their behalf weren’t in vain, or they can send it directly, but make it clear you simply want to help your charity get what they specifically need to operate. Each person in your group MUST write to a different organization and your letters are your own, independent work (no more group work, guys).
When you are finished (it must be typed and formatted as you have already been directed. See your handout on the letter), you must fill in a checklist (on the back of this) and hand in. I will review them, mark them and return them for further revision and mailing. We will then go over how to address the envelope (another task you must be able to do for your PAT) and send them out.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Today, you presented your Youth Philanthropy Initiative to your peers and judges. Everyone but one attended and participated and, even though you were all nervous, I was really happy to see your efforts. Good job!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Today, you worked on YPI. You have to hand in your Powerpoint and prepare for tomorrow. You present tomorrow. As a result, you will be let out of class at 11:30 and are to be at the Lyle to present at 12:00.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Today, we finished reading The Merchant of Venice and then began watching the film. Tomorrow, we will finish up our YPI presentations so if you are not here, be sure to communicate with your group because, regardless of illness, the presentations happen on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Today, you worked on your YPI assignments. By the end of the day, you need to have your Powerpoints completed so that you can use next Tuesday to practice the presentation. You will present on Wednesday.