Film Critique 1930s and 40s

Bellringer: Who is your favorite actor/actress? Why?

Recap: I am so excited about today's class, and the next few coming up! Today we began by watching brief film clips from:

It Happened One Night (1934)

Casablanca (1942)

All the King's Men  (1949)

After each clip was viewed, we discussed, as a class, the various elements that stood out to you, beginning with the obvious. These categories included:

Dialogue
Costume
Setting
Music

We then discussed the comparison and contrast between each film, and the difference between the film industry then and now. 

Homework: Select 1 of the films viewed in class.

Research: the actors, the director, awards won.

-What other films were the main actors in?

-Did they win any awards?

-Did the director have any other notable films? If so, what?

-What awards did the film win?

Read a more in-depth summary of the film.

Write a brief summary about what makes this film a classic.

Provide your editorial opinion on the clip viewed.

Great job today! I hope you enjoy this unit as much as I do. I think we can have a lot of fun with it, and there's so much to learn. You held a great discussion today, so I can't wait to get back to it tomorrow with even more film!

Have a great night!

Z

Film Critique

Bellringer: Tell me what your favorite movie is, and explain why by discussing:

1. Characters

2. Plot

3. Visual Effects

(At least 1 reason for each)

Recap: We were only able to discuss every body's favorite film, and the reasons why today, but I think it's a great start to the next part of our unit. I wanted everyone to have the opportunity to voice his or her favorite film, and explain why. I was happy to see that some of you even shared the same favorite films! It's nice to be able to connect to your peers.

Beginning tomorrow, we will start watching clips from Academy Award nominated/winning films, and discuss what makes them great. We'll begin with the classics, starting with the originals and working our way forward. We'll be doing some film critique with this as well. Film critiques are a great way to begin editorial writing, as that's just your opinion on the film.

Homework: Visit The New York Times' Movie Review Site. Select a film that has been reviewed, and read the review. I want you to see how professional film critics review movies, and what they are looking for. Please note their rating system.

Then, using the film you discussed in class today, provide your own movie rating for your film.

Have a great night! It was nice getting to hear about the movies you enjoy!

Z

Geoguessr

Bellringer: Please click http://geoguessr.com/, and describe the place where you are in at least 5 sentences. Use as much description as possible.

After you have written about the place you see, click on the map to the right, and guess where you think you might be. It will tell you where you actually are, and how far off your guess was.

I wanted to give you this bellringer to help you continue writing description, but to also help you use deductive reasoning skills. What did the cars, buildings, trees, or road signs say about the place? Did they allude to you being in a foreign country? Did they allude to you being in a desert as opposed to the mountains?

Recap: We worked on our second peer edit in class. This was meant to fine-tune any mistakes from yesterday's edit.

Homework: The final draft of your "obstacle" paper is due, printed, tomorrow, with your peer edit.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Obstacle Peer Edit

Bellringer: What is the best restaurant to eat at? Why?

This bellringer is meant to put you in the mindset of editorial writing, as we will be moving into this form of writing later in the weekend. This is a fancy way of saying "opinion" or "argumentative" writing with support.

Recap: We worked on our first-round peer edit for our Obstacle papers. Your peer edit form should be attached to the bottom of your writing, and printed and submitted along with your final draft Wednesday.

Homework: Make any corrections your partner suggests for your first round peer edit tonight. We will be reviewing them tomorrow in class, and making final suggestions. 

Have a nice night! Enjoy the beautiful day!

Z

Into Thin Air

Bellringer: Write at least 8 descriptions for the picture below:

Recap: We read an excerpt from Into Thin Air by Jon Krakaur, examining description, and the tension he builds in order to discuss the obstacle and the lesson learned. 

We also looked at his descriptions he uses.

Homework: Move from chronological order to 3 tier. Move from 3 tier to outline. Move from outline to rough draft. First draft of your obstacle story due Monday for peer edit.

Have a nice weekend!

Z

Overcoming an Obstacle

Bellringer: What is your favorite event to watch during the winter Olympics? Explain why.

I asked you this bellringer today for a few reasons: 
   1. It's a current event that most are keeping up on.
   2. I am asking you to describe your reasons for selecting the event you've chosen, which is part of adding description to writing. 
   3. We will be moving into editorial writing next week, which is writing using your opinion. Being able to explain your reasons is adding support for your opinion.

Recap: We read "Overcoming Obstacles" by Lacy from Alexander, Arkansas today in class. This story is written by a high school student who has overcome a difficult life obstacle. There are several reasons this piece was selected:
   1. The girl's age makes her relate to you as an audience.
   2. She is very honest in what she says. The best writing comes when you are honest.
   3. The format she uses is the one I would like you to follow:   
               a. Sets the scene and previews the problem, including setting the tone.
               b. Establishes and discusses the problem. Brief flashbacks provided where necessary to explain
                   addition information.  
               c. Concludes with the lesson learned.

Please feel free to review the story again for further ideas. She does a nice job of including detail and description to her writing, as well.

Homework: Put the event you will write about in chronological order, and then we will move into the above format. 

Have a nice evening in this beautiful weather!

Z

Catch Up

Bellringer: There was no bellringer for 5th period today; however, 6th period must make up the bellringer from last Tuesday. You can find this in the post below.

Students worked in class today on Setting the Scene for Your Writing. The link to that can be found below as well. For 6th period, this is homework to be completed for tomorrow. 

5th Period--for tomorrow, have your outline for your writing. Either list all of the events involved so we can eliminate, or provide the 3 main ideas: what led to the incident, the guts of the problem, what the lesson was you learned.

Have a nice night!

Z

Setting a Snowy Scene

Bellringer: Describe the following picture using detail. Create a brief story/explanation behind it.

Click here to see the full story behind it when you're finished

Recap: We worked on adding further detail and description to our writing by completing an activity that asks you to describe doing something in a manner of steps.

1. Explain how to make a snowman.

2. Explain how to make a peanut butter and jelly.

Some had as few as 4 steps for each, while others used great care and detail, having as many as 16 steps for each. Imagine that you are explaining these things to people who have never done them. Where do you start? Where do you end? 

Homework: Setting the Scene for Your Writing has been shared with you. Please fill out the information asked, adding as much information for each as possible. This will help you to compose your second narrative about a time you overcame an obstacle. I noticed many of you left out necessary details in your previous submissions. This is meant to help ensure you provide all necessary details. 

Please stay safe in the snow, and enjoy your snow day! 

Z

Mirror Description

I hope you all had a nice, Olympic-filled weekend!

Bellringer: What is an obstacle you've overcome, and what was the lesson you learned from it?

I asked you this so that you can formulate your next writing topic. The ideas can very from less to more personal, but all should involve the lesson learned.

Recap: Working in pairs, each group was instructed to create a design using:
             1. A minimum of 3 lines, each with a different width, and one with a squiggle to it.
             2. They must intersect in at least one place
             3. An additional shape somewhere on the page

The goal for this exercise was to see if you could describe your design to your partner without showing them the picture. This tested how well you do with providing details and description. If you and your partner were able to reproduce both designs identically, you're both good at providing details and descriptions. If your design was off at all, your partner may not provide the best details, but you may not be listening. 

Work on adding these essential details to your writing. You may know what you're describing, but that doesn't mean others do. Remember that in what you're trying to say to your reader. 

Have a nice night!

Z  

Vocabulary Quiz and Final Drafts

Bellringer: CVS announced this week that it would no longer sell cigarettes, as it goes against the healthy lifestyle they try to promote.

Provide at least 3 sentences stating why you either support or disagree with their decision. Provide an explanation for your reason.

**I asked you this bellringer before we begin moving into editorial writing to help get you into the mindset of writing with your opinion. I will continue to work in more opinion bellringers to get you more comfortable with writing about your opinions and supporting them.

Recap: We took our first vocabulary quiz today. For those who were here, the quiz was open notes. 

We also finished up our final drafts of the favorite memory piece. Those are due to me by the end of the day, with the peer edit form. 

Have a great weekend,

Z

Peer Edit of Second Draft

Bellringer: Describe, in detail, what you see in the photo. Then, making your best guess, tell the story of what you think the boy is doing.

For the complete story when you are finished, click here. 

I want you to continue to think critically about what you see; invent a story based on the details; add descriptions to what is apparent.

Recap: We worked in pairs peer editing our narrative pieces. You should have your second draft completed for tomorrow, and submitted to me either electronically or printed out. Please print a copy for yourself, or you may hold onto the piece I give back to you, to add to your portfolio. You will need:

1. The first draft

2. The peer edit form

3. The final piece

Homework: Vocabulary quiz tomorrow  

Pair Swap in Writing

Bellringer: Describe yourself using an animal and a color. Explain your reasoning.

Ex: I would be an aqua-blue penguin, because my favorite color is aqua-blue. I like the tranquility of the color. I chose penguin because like them I am fun, lovable, and always cold.

Recap: I checked bellringers 1-10 today. We also worked on drafts with partners. I asked you to either take the opportunity to look over your paper with new eyes, or to swap with a partner who could give you some additional perspective on the piece (ie: add detail, reorganize, take information out, etc.)

Tomorrow we will do our first peer edit where you will be scoring the other person's piece. 

Also, please start becoming more aware of the daily news. As we delve deeper into our nonfiction unit, you will be asked to respond to different goings-on. I want you to become more aware of your world and surroundings, as they do have a great influence on your writing.

Have a nice night!

Z

Descriptive Writing

Bellringer: What is going on in the picture? Describe what you see, in detail, and justify your answer.

Today's bellringer had a unique twist: describe the above photo. I want you to become more comfortable with thinking critically, and writing descriptively. Don't just write that you see "a volcano." Describe the photo. "I see a night sky painted with thousands of stars. Orion's belt is in view. Smoke billows from a disturbed volcano, as lava begins to bubble to the surface." 

Think beyond surface value; move beyond what's merely present.

Recap: After completing the bellringer, we began our first writing assignment. You were asked to recall a favorite memory, and justify that with 3 reasons. If you can't consider 3 reasons why that's your favorite memory, you may not have enough information to write. 

There are 2 approaches to writing:

1. Expand on your bullet points, turning them into sentences. Then, add transitions to those sentences. Add other sentences to complete thoughts, and then add adjectives and adverbs to describe.

                                                                OR

2. Just write. Don't worry about grammar or spelling, at first. Just write. Go with the flow of your thoughts until you think you have captured the full event. Then, we can break this into smaller sentences and paragraphs, correcting spelling and grammar.

Choose a method that works for you. 

Homework: Make sure to have your completed writing piece so we can began correcting.

I am also checking your bellringers tomorrow.

Have a nice night!

Z

Favorite Memory

I hope you all had a nice weekend!

Bellringer: What is your favorite memory? Provide at least 3 reasons for support.

Recap: We finished reading the story "The Bully," which was shared with you last week. We then compared this story to "The Hero," pointing out similarities and differences between the two, and also sharing what we liked and disliked about each. As a class, we also discussed which of our literary terms we could use to comment on each piece of writing.

I want you to continue reading. Read everything. Read articles, newspapers, good books, bad books. Just read! The more you expose yourself to, the better you will become. You will pick up on different styles and techniques that you like and don't like, and all of it will help you to become better. 

Following our discussion, I shared with you your requirements for your first piece of writing. This will be composed throughout the week. I asked you to start with your favorite memory, or one you think of fondly. We will work on expanding on details, and adding more description. Later this week we will also peer edit.

I have also shared with you your vocabulary list for the words that will be on Friday's quiz. I have narrowed the list down from 47 to 25 words. 

Also, please see your class's page (the tabs at the top). I have posted the first prompt of our blog prompts. You will need to respond to at least 10 this semester. 

Have a nice night!

Z