POL CRITIQUE

If you are absent today. please practice your POL for friends or family using the Critique Rubric.

CRITIQUE
1.  Rotation:  groups of 3 or 4
2.  Time each other!
3.  Written and verbal feedback
4.  When finished, refinement time!!

Reminders
1.  DP
2.  Dress
3.  Green Room Behavior
4.  Take home your stuff!
5.  Roxy's Room

Schedule

Last minute logistical questions?

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!!

POL Super Prep Mode!!

STORIES DUE!!!!  Everyone gets the benefit of the doubt.  After today, the story is late and will be graded accordingly.

Goal for the day:  Get your entire presentation together by the end of the day today.  Make sure all your notecards are prepared, your evidence is gathered, and you are ready for a rehearsal/critique tomorrow!


Emily:  Critique
1. Follow along on the rubric:  Does she include all necessary elements?
2. What does she do well?
3. What could be improved upon?


If you did not get my email or check my DP, scroll down to Friday's post and do the work for the reflective questions.  Remember T, E, A!!!  If you worked on your POL over the weekend, go ahead and finish up the remaining notecards for the intro and conclusion (below).


Introduction/Hook Options:
What do you like about Animas?
How do you feel you are growing overall?
Is there an anecdote that you could tell that demonstrates the significance of your experience as a student here?


Conclusion:
Now that you have prepared your notecards, what is the best way to end your presentation?
Where do you want to leave your audience?
Are there a few impactful sentences that could sum it all up for your panel?
Where are you going next as an Animas student?
How have you changed overall as a result of your experience here?


If your presentation is ready, feel free to partner up or group up and practice with each other.  Time each other.  Tomorrow is the official critique, but meanwhile, practice makes perfect!

On Your Snow Day...

Dear Freshmen,
Happy Snow Day!  As exciting as a snow day is, it does not change your POL schedule.  As such, in order to stay on track, I recommend that you do the following POL preparation at home this weekend.  Additionally, your final stories are still due to my email by 11:59 PM tonight unless you have already arranged an extension.

OBJECTIVES
1.  Reflective Question Notecards
2.  DP update


POL Freewrite #2:  Reflective Questions 
1.  How is the work you are doing at AHS relevant to you personally or to your larger goals?
2.  What topic have you engaged with this year that has caused the most personal or intellectual growth for you?

Brainstorm
What evidence can you include to back up the claims you are making in the answers to the reflective questions?

Notecards
Create notecards for the two reflective questions.  If you do not have index cards at home, write it out on paper and transfer it to notecards at school on Monday.
For each notecard, remember all the TEA!
1.  (Topic) Answer the question
2.  (Evidence)  DP, physical, and/or anecdotal evidence
3.  (Analysis)  Explain your answer and your evidence in depth


DP update
1.  JPG Image of your book cover
2.  Revised Story (Don't upload until your story is polished!!!)
3.  Write a brief summary of the story.  Try to write a suspenseful preview, like the one you would find on the back cover.  Proofread your summary; it will be published to the web!


Have an excellent day off!  Don't forget to turn in your story!

POL Prep

21st Century Skills Brainstorm


POL model:  Marley

As you watch  Marley, follow along the rubric.  Jot down your observations on the following:
1.  What does she identify as her strength?  What evidence does she offer?
2.  What does she identify as her goal?  What evidence does she offer?
3.  What does Marley do well?
4.  What could she have improved upon?



NOTECARD EXPECTATIONS
1. Only Talking Points!
2. Only write on the front of the card
3. Number of cards:

• One card for introduction
• 1-2 cards for strength
• 1-2 notecards for goal
• 1-2 notecards  for each reflective question
• One card for conclusion

Content: Strength Notecards

1.  Define the habit or skill that is your strength and explain what it means to you. 

2.  List the specific evidence you will be showing.

3.  Analyze how that evidence shows your strength.

Content: Goal Notecards

1.  Define the habit or skill you want to improve upon. Explain why it your goal.

2.  Show specific evidence that shows that you need to work on that habit/skill. 

3.  Describe a specific plan of action you will take in order to improve upon it.  

WORK TIME
1.  Create notecards for strengths and goals.  Show them to me when you are finished.
2.  Finish your story!  Due tomorrow!

POL PREP

POL Freewrite 1
1.  What are my strengths as a student?
2.  What areas do I want to improve in?

Review The Habits of Heart and Mind

AHS Habits of Mind

1.      Perspective

2.      Advocacy

3.      Perseverance

4.      Evidence

5.      Refinement

Discussion:  How do the Habits of Heart and Mind manifest in our school work and daily lives at AHS?

The Seven Survival Skills for the 21st Century 

1.      Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

2.      Collaboration

3.      Adaptability

4.      Initiative

5.      Effective Communication

6.      Independent Research and Learning

7.      Curiosity and Imagination 

GROUP WORK 
For each of the 21st century skills:
a) Define the term
b) Brainstorm 2-3 concrete examples of how that skill can manifest in school. (specific actions/behaviors)

Example (from the HABITS)
a)  ADVOCACY:  speaking up for yourself and your needs, for others, for your community, for your planet
b)  i. going to office hours to get extra help with Math
     ii. communicating with your teachers about your difficulties
    iii. speaking up when you see people being mean to others

Share 21st century skills examples on the board


WORK TIME
Brainstorm the "Strength" and "Goal" portion of the POL.

• Which habits and skills are you strongest in?  Which do you need to improve upon most?
• What evidence could you provide of your strengths and goals?

-OR-

Work on your story.  If you choose to work on your story during class, you should do the brainstorm as HOMEWORK.

Story Refinement/POL details

Mini-lesson:  Verbal Phrases

POL TIME!!!  Guidelines and Rubric

The details:
1.  Exhibition Dress
2.  Required to Pass
3.  Attendance (your day, all day!)
4.  Student Panels
5.  Updated DP
6.  Capstone of the semester:  POL's set us apart!

What are your questions?

Please sign-up for a POL time!

REFINEMENT!!

Punctuation:  a courtesy you must afford your reader.

Fanboys and Comma Splices

Purdue OWL:  Resource on Comma Splices/Run-ons

Run-on sentence practice worksheet


REFINE DRAFTS!!   Final draft is due Friday, Dec 14!


Tomorrow, POL prep...

Finishing Touches

Who was Ray Bradbury?

The Veldt

Proofreading Checklist

Submission of Draft
1.  Turn in all of your peer critique materials to the box.  If you missed the self-critique on Monday, please finish it today and put it in the inbox.
2.  Send me your draft by 8am tomorrow morning electronically  (jessicaahs9@gmail.com).
3.  In the body of the email, communicate with me about your draft and your process.  What are you struggling with?  Is there anything that you would like me to focus on in my feedback?

Feel free to turn your draft in today if you are finished.  (electronically please)

Peer Critique

On the top of your draft, communicate with your reader in a  few sentences.  Let your reader know what you are struggling with most or what you would like them to give you feedback about.  Pose a question if possible.

Examples:

• I am struggling with making my characters come to life.  They still feel flat to me.  How do they come across to you?  How can I make them more believable?  
• I am not sure if my resolution makes sense to the reader.  How did you read my twist ending?  Does it seem appropriate for the story?
• I can't figure out a title!  Any suggestions?

Guidelines for Critique
1.  Feel free to comment in the margins of the draft itself.  "Annotate" it, if you will.
2.  Don't get bogged down in proofreading, although you may mark glaring errors if you see them.  Limit proofreading to 5 or fewer corrections.
3.  SIDE ONE:  Analyze the fiction briefly so that the author can see if his or her story is doing what it intends to do.
4.  SIDE TWO:  Give the author CONCRETE, SPECIFIC feedback.  At least 2 positives.  At least 2 suggestions for improvement.  If you have more feedback, give it.  If possible, respond to the communication at the top of the draft.
5.  Everyone will critique at least two stories.  Some of you may do more.  Everyone should get at least two sets of feedback.  Some of you will have more.  Please get/give more feedback during work time if you so choose.

Story Work/Self Critique

Self-Critique

1.  Do a short story analysis of your own story.

2.  Look carefully through the rubric categories. Determine which areas you are strong in and which areas you still need to work on.  On a separate sheet of paper labeled EVALUATION, note the following:

• Of the narrative elements indicated on the rubric, which two are you strongest in?  Explain why you believe yourself to be strong in these areas.  Give evidence!
• Which two areas need the most improvement?  What can you do to improve these areas?
• What are you struggling with most about this assignment?
• What is your plan of action moving forward to make your story the best it can possibly be?

3.  Staple the analysis to evaluation and turn in to the box.

Where can you add more figurative language to bring your story to life?

VIDEO:  Will Ferrell and Figurative Language

1.  Look through your story for "dead" phrases.  Where does your writing need more description, more "paint."

2.  Try to create more vivid descriptions by using figurative language such as simile, metaphor, personification, and imagery.


HOMEWORK:  Come tomorrow with a draft printed for peer critique!

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE CHALLENGE!
Who can  craft the most impressive figurative language about your beloved physics teacher, Mr. Heerschap?
Example:  Heerschap is like a turtle on steroids.  (D. Etz)
Remember the purpose is to bring Heerschap to life through your vivid description!

Narrative Technique

Story Time:  "2 B R 0 2 B" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Snapshots and thoughtshots

JOURNAL 5:  Draft a colorful snapshot or thoughtshot that could go into your story.

Punctuating Dialogue

HOMEWORK:  Draft your story!

Self-Critique:  Monday Dec 3

Peer Critique:  Tuesday Dec 4

To Jessica:  by 8am Friday Dec 7

Characterization

JOURNAL #4:  How will you reveal your character(s)?
Answer some or all of the following questions.
1.  ACTIONS:  What will your character do that reveals who he/she is?
2.  DIALOGUE:  What will your character say?  How will they talk?
3.  PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:  What does your character look like?
4.  IDIOSYNCRASIES:  Does your character have any peculiar characteristics?
5.  OBJECTS/POSSESSIONS:  Does your character possess anything that reveals his/her character?
6.  REACTIONS:  How will your character react to the events of the plot?
7.  THOUGHTS:  What does your character think about?
8.  BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  What background info could you give your audience about your character?


SHORT STORY LEADS:  How will you begin your story?
Try to write (or re-write) the beginning of your story so that it is engaging to your reader.  See the handout in your packet for ideas on how to start your story.


Homework:  Keep drafting your story...

I love fiction, you guys...

TED Talk:  Phil Kaye, "Why We Tell Stories"

SETTING (JOURNAL #2)

Describe the story world in detail.  Consider these questions.
1.  Where does your story take place?

2.  When does it take place (past, present, future)?  What time of year is it?

3.  Describe the social environment that your character(s) live in.

4.  Describe the cultural context that your character(s) live in.

PLOT BRAINSTORM (JOURNAL #3)

Put a man up a tree. 

·         1. What is the conflict/problem that your main character is immersed in?

Throw rocks at him.

·         2. How does the problem get complicated?  What are the events that unfold?

Get him down.

·         3. How does the conflict or problem get resolved (or fail to)?

Today:  Map/Outline you story's plot.  If you do not finish in class, do so as HOMEWORK.

Let's Write Fiction!

Welcome Back!

TED Talk:  Sarah Kay, Storyteller

John Steinbeck's Advice to Beginning Writers

WRITER'S JOURNAL #1 (in comp books):
Free-write about any story ideas you have so far and/or consider the following questions:
What do you have to say to the world?
What theme would you like to reflect in your story?
What subject matter do you want to tackle?
What genre are you interested in writing in?
Where do you want to take the reader?


Story Ideas:

It is always a good idea to focus your story on a topic and/or theme that you can relate to.  Think of lessons you have learned, experiences you have had, people you have known.  A story you can personally connect with will likely be easier for you to write!  

The internet has a wealth of information and ideas that may help you get started!  Here are some resources; feel free to search on your own!

• Story Idea Generator:  http://shortstoryideas.herb.me.uk/index.html
• Short Story Ideas and Creative Writing Prompts: http://www.creative-writing-now.com/short-story-ideas.html
• Short Story Topics:  http://www.storyinstitute.com/category/storygestions/short-story-topics/

Homework:  Come to class tomorrow with a working story idea!
Brainstorm CSEPS:
Characters
Setting
Events
Problem
Solution

The Cask of Amontillado

Story Map Activity

Story Time!  "Light is Like Water" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
What are the characteristics of magical realism?

Selections from Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
1.  This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona (p. 59)
2.  The Trail of Thomas Builds-the-Fire (p. 93)
Write a one-paragraph reaction to Alexie's stories.  Discuss his use of any of the elements of fiction that we have been discussing.  Turn in the box.


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

"Sweat"

Zora Neale Hurston

Characterization in "Sweat"

Discuss:  What is the effect of Hurston's use of dialect?

Characterization Activity

Edgar Allan Poe  "The Tell Tale Heart"

Homework:  Read "The Cask of Amontillado"

Complete Short Story Analysis

"The Yellow Wallpaper"

Questions for Group Discussion

1.  Describe the setting of “The Yellow Wallpaper.”  Identify examples in the text where the setting is particularly well-developed.  Why is the setting significant to the story?

2.  What is the narrative style of the story?  Why is this significant?

3.  How does the narrative voice change throughout the story?  Why is this significant?

4.  How is the narrator’s husband characterized?  Identify specific examples from the text that give you clues about him.  (What does he say and do?)  Why is the husband’s character significant?

5.  What is the significance of the woman in the wallpaper?

6.  How do you interpret the ending of the story?

7.  What do you think is the author’s message?

8.  Discuss:  Did you like this story?  Why or why not?

Homework:  "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston

Complete Short Story Analysis

"To Build a Fire"

Internal vs. External Conflict

• Internal:  competing forces within protagonist
• External: outside forces confronting the protagonist
• Often a story deals with both:  “To Build a Fire” is both

Group Activity

External: Man vs the cold

•  Make a list of phrases that establish this conflict

Internal: Man vs his own ignorance/arrogance

• Find textual evidence that establishes this conflict

       Homework:  "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

       Complete Short Story Analysis

"Harrison Bergeron"

Group Analysis:  "Harrison Bergeron"
1.  Go over your answers to the analysis worksheet.  Ensure that each member of your group understands all of the elements.  If you don't understand, get clarification.
2.  Discuss in-depth the "theme" and "message."  What do you think Vonnegut was trying to say with this story?

Watch the short film version: "2081"

Homework:  Read "To Build A Fire" by Jack London.  Complete a short story analysis.

Elements of Fiction

Handout:  Elements of Fiction

Sample Analysis of "The Lottery"


Homework:  Read and Complete Short Story Analysis for "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.